Health matters, I suppose.

It's time for my weekly Daybook Entry, but I suppose I'm not really in the mood.  I'm frustrated.

This past week we officially ended our whole 30 strict plan.  On Tuesday we reintroduced legumes with peanut butter and with beans in the chili.  One daughter and I had diarrhea.  Not sure if it was related.  On Friday we reintroduced gluten-free flour.  This really sent me for a loop.  I felt in a fog and drunk most of the day and had to sleep it off.  I was surprised.  Sunday I slept a good portion of the day as well - exhausted.  I seem to only get good days every other day...  I should be feeling great.

Overall I've lost 22 lbs and my clothes fit well again.  Some of my jeans are too big.  If I stay on plan, my thinking is clear, when I'm not tired.  Taking Lifelong Vitality supplements from DoTerra really help with my clear thinking and energy, but I'm almost out.  I won't have more until next week 😞.  It is frustrating to feel like I have to stay on this strict diet or feel poorly.  I guess I should be grateful that I can feel better by eating on plan, but I really am tired of having to do so much cooking!  I want my lifestyle to be more convenient - to not have to plan every meal ahead of time!

In spite of all this hard work, Jaedyn has not gained any more weight and is still sick frequently - daily.  Eliana is sick once a week too.  This stresses me out - and perhaps that is part of me being exhausted and foggy-brained.

Regarding Jaedyn, she had her colonoscopy last week.  She sees her GI doc for follow-up on Thursday.  She hasn't gained weight - lost two pounds.  She sees a new pediatrician next week.  I could not put her in with the doc who has 30-40 patients a day.  He did a very weak well-child exam on Josiah last week.  No way!  Problem is, I will have to take her to Peoria to get in with a pediatrician!  Such is my life.  No wonder I can't see myself going back to work!

I still haven't figured out what to do about school for her.  I guess we just try the public high school.  I wish life was easier, fair and encouraging 😭.

Daybook Entry

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For Today... March 21, 2015

Outside my window...  the sun is shining, the air is warm, the frogs and birds are chirping.  Yesterday I saw a couple of robins!  I put up some hummingbird feeders, but I'm probably a couple weeks early, at least...  Wishful thinking!

I am thinking...  we enrolled the girls into the public high school for the fall.  It was a real blow to all of us that they won't take any of the private schooling credits that they did this year and they will be set back a year.  It is crazy that they have to repeat classes that they got As in, but overall I think it will be a good move.  My oldest daughter would have graduated next year, but she really wants a public high school experience more than she wants to be done with high school.  I don't think she is quite ready to face real life in a year anyway, so this is a good move for her.  My second daughter already got an extra year when she was five because she wasn't ready to start school yet, so this was way disappointing for her.  I think it will be good for her to have the extra resources a public high school can offer, but I'm sad for her that her hard earned As and Bs this year won't mean anything and that she will turn 20 just before she graduates.  I am still deliberating this for her.

I am thankful... for the nice weather and for a week without any major illness in the family.  Even my in-laws had a good week health wise.

In the kitchen...  we made special crepes this morning with apple compote and blueberry compote, almond butter and bananas.  Yummy!  Last night we welcomed in the Sabbath with a fancy table, meatballs and veggies.

I am wearing...  blue jeans and a light green family reunion t-shirt.

I am creating...  a bird-attractive area around my back deck and in my front yard.  I put up new feeders this week and bird baths in the front and back.

I am wondering...  how to fix my daughter's dress for her play next week.  The back doesn't close and so I will have to sew in some material so that her back doesn't show.

I am reading...  I finished Skellag and started Brisinger on audiobook.

I am hoping...  the GI docs will help us move on quickly to a medication that works better for my daughter's Crohn's disease.  She had scopes done this week on Wednesday.  Her next appointment is April 2.

I am looking forward to...  more green things springing up, seeing my girls perform in their plays, riding bikes with my kiddos.

Around the house...  my 10 year old daughter is reading on my bed, preparing for a book report about Pocahontas.  My son, 8 years, is dealing up Skip-Bo for us to play when I am done.  My 15 year old daughter is knitting in her room.  My 16 year old daughter is in her room doing something with writing or drawing, I imagine.  My husband is cleaning the garage :).

One of my favorite things...  a clean house on Saturday and nice weather to bicycle with!

Highlights from this past week...  We took 10 yo daughter to a new doctor to establish care on Monday.  On Tuesday I helped my 15 year old do a clean out for her scopes on Wednesday.  On Thursday I went grocery shopping.  On Friday I got to stay home and clean house, then take my son to the eye doctor for a school mandated checkup.  We found that he couldn't see certain shades of green and that he has a mild astigmatism, but he doesn't need any glasses.

A few plans for the next week...  Church on Sunday, prepare for Passover and week of unleavened bread next week, appointment for our son on Thursday at above-mentioned doctor.  Hopefully I can get the taxes done!

My life perspective today

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY...  March 12, 2015

Outside my window...  the sun is shining and the snow is almost gone!  It will be in the upper 50's today - the warmest it's been this year.  Monday is supposed to get up to 68!

I am thinking...  about my daughter's struggle with school and her feelings of inadequacy.

I am thankful... for my new computer!

In the kitchen...  I've come into a rhythm.  I've been doing a Whole30 program with the entire family and we are halfway there!  It is going much better than I had anticipated.

I am wearing... jeans and a long-sleeved brown and orange sweater.

I am creating...  organization out of chaos, a healthy family, self-esteem in my teens.

I am wondering... whether the changes we are anticipating for my daughter's medical regimen will make a big difference in her life.

I am reading...  SkellIg by David Almond.  A very good story.

I am hoping...  Princeton High School will have a good school option for both of my girls next fall and will take their credits from previous school work done.

I am looking forward to...  being done with my PA license renewal and being done with my taxes!

Around the house...  I moved the rats into Joe and Elly's bedroom.  I got tired of smelling their cage in our small living room.  This seems to be a better arrangement.

One of my favorite things...  green things growing where there has been cold, dark winter for so long!

Highlights from this past week...  We got my father-in-law home now to the new apartment.  My mother-in-law has been sick with a stomach bug, but my father-in-law seems to be doing very well.  My two youngest were both in school all week, although my youngest daughter still has cold symptoms and can't hear for the pressure in her ears!

A peek into my day:

From my back deck.  Much of the snow has gone and a little green is starting to show!

My oldest daughter loves to draw using her Samsung Galaxy

The sun is shining into my kitchen and making everything cheery!

A peek into my day...

Seeing... the beautiful sun shining in the windows!

 Hearing... the tinkling waterworks and hum of my diffuser and the wind blowing outside.

 Smelling... elevation and grapefruit essential oils diffusing, trying to wake me up and make me more cheerfully motivated!

 

 Tasting... a cup of decaf with ghee

 Feeling... sleepy, hopeful, glad for a partial day without the kiddos.

 

 Time to clean the ratties' cage and complete my license restoration application so I can eventually work again!

SWD March 1

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY...  March 1, 2015

Outside my window...  there is a couple of inches of snow on the ground. The juncos and finches are enjoying the feeder on my back deck.

I am thinking...  it will be nice when my new computer is set up so I can post pics again!

I am thankful... that I have nothing too pressing to do today because I am warn out!

In the kitchen...  my kitchen needs attention badly as I have been so busy that I am not keeping up with everything, sadly.

I am wearing... church clothes but snuggled into bed to try to get warm.

I am creating...  an appreciation in my family for nutritional foods (although no one much appreciates it right now as they are withdrawing from all the adulterated foods they are used to).

I am wondering...  how I can get on top of the sled of my life instead of continuing to be dragged behind plowing through the snow with my face.

I am reading...  The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff.

I am hoping...  Princeton High School will have a good school option for both of my girls next fall and will take their credits from previous school work done.

I am looking forward to...  resting today and a new women's group I am a part of on Thursday evening.

Around the house...  my two youngest are playing Wii in the living room.  My two oldest are doing homework.

One of my favorite things...  birdfeeders and birds.

Highlights from this past week...  We had our first visit to Chicago to see DD#2's new pediatric gastroenterologist.  We really liked her.  DD#1 is having female problems, so I took her to see a GYN.  After we get lab results tomorrow, we'll hopefully get started on a solution.  DD #3 was sick Monday and Tuesday with a sore throat -viral.  DS was sick all week with an intestinal bug.  I had parent teacher conferences for the two youngest.  They both are doing very well.  We got a new computer from Best Buy!  We moved DH's parents the rest of the way into their new apartment yesterday.  However, my FIL ended up back in the ER and was admitted back in to the hospital for a few days due to heart failure exasperation.  He then needed moved back to the rehab program a few days later.  Hopefully he'll be able to go to his new home in the next couple of weeks.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  get stuff done that is stacking up on me and help my MIL get settled at her new place.