tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195309975631528062024-02-06T21:36:59.214-05:00Journey Beyond SurvivalThe life of a train wrecked woman, trying to get back on track.JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-2697070010167233772011-06-01T09:28:00.000-04:002011-06-01T09:28:20.657-04:00GUESS WHAT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kecko/5723272393/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Swiss Advertising 1949 by Kecko, on Flickr"><img alt="Swiss Advertising 1949" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/5723272393_b3b7900e8e.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br />
<br />
You know how I said that Chickadee had to go to a pediatric dentist?<br />
<br />
And how she had to be put under just to have her teeth cleaned and cavities filled?<br />
<br />
I can't believe this. Chickadee already got it done!!!<br />
<br />
Yup. They just had me hold her hands down, and they got her done. Fantastic.<br />
<br />
That totally makes up for the two trains and traffic that made me fifteen minutes late in spite of planning to be half an hour early. It also makes up for being an hour longer on the way home because we got out of there at rush hour. No contest.<br />
<br />
But guess what else happened? <br />
<br />
Our primary insurance doesn't pay for dental. We got pre-approved for the visit early. From the Pediatric Special Needs Health Care. (I don't know if it's Medicare or Medicaid I get mixed up)<br />
<br />
I had to call/argue/persist for forty-five minutes to get seen.<br />
<br />
But GUESS WHAT!?!<br />
<br />
I did it! I didn't back down. I didn't cry. Not even once. <br />
<br />
Not even when Chickadee was yelling at me because she was hungry, or when the receptionist wanted me to fill out more paperwork. Or when the "insurance specialist" called me over to talk on the phone over the receptionist desk-again-and recommended that we drop that 'terrible insurance.'<br />
<br />
I'm proud to report that I told her, "We can't drop that insurance since we had it before she was diagnosed." and she shut up.<br />
<br />
I stood up for myself. I've been standing up for Chickadee for a couple of years now, but I DID IT FOR ME!!!<br />
<br />
In other news, I did well with the food and I'm hoping to continue with small changes that I can handle. Because I live my life in a pressure cooker a lot of the time. Plus, I did yoga yesterday morning. Winning.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kecko/5723272393/"><i>photo credit</i><br />
</a>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-45190918329761931872011-05-31T06:35:00.000-04:002011-05-31T06:35:23.192-04:00On the Road ... Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/conchur/1572262745/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="SilviaAtWork by Conor Lawless, on Flickr"><img alt="SilviaAtWork" height="213" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/1572262745_a37f055a51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I'm bursting with things to write about, but today cannot be that day. I have to drive right back down to that hospital for another appointment. Thankfully it is only for a one hour appointment. I'll just drive seven hours to do it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Chickadee is meeting with a pediatric dentist that can deal with her inability to swallow water or other thin things, like dental paste or fluoride rinse. She also has repetitive hand movements that could pose a tiny problem, even for the most practiced dentists. So Chickadee must get cleaned and/or patched up under general anesthesia. This appointment is to get the ball rolling and become a patient.<br />
<br />
I'm also hoping that we can get in her physical therapy appointment, but it all depends on what time the dental appointment really is. Because I have it on my phone, but in a really weird 'new' format. More efficient. HA.<br />
<br />
More like confusing. <br />
<br />
Please, tell me all about your Memorial Day! I figured out how to get your dish gobbled up at a potluck. Get out your favorite recipe and then make it pretty. I made a Texas sheet cake (thin chocolate iced cake in a cookie sheet) and just dumped out two cartons of raspberries on top. Pretty, and awesome and totally GONE.<br />
<br />
That's a relief, because only a few bites ended up on my posterior. Were you good?<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/conchur/1572262745/">photo credit</a></i>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-87701113575896047292011-05-30T06:35:00.000-04:002011-05-30T06:35:34.766-04:00Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/254107488/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Room 620 by Muffet, on Flickr"><img alt="Room 620" height="284" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/254107488_baa5726bff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
You know you've been at the hospital<br />
when you clog the toilet when you come home.<br />
<br />
You know you've been at the hospital<br />
when you're glad for the free food,<br />
even the stuff in the lounge.<br />
<br />
You know you've been at the hospital<br />
when you realize how much you pay in premiums<br />
and that none of that food was free.<br />
<br />
You know it's been a good trip to the hospital<br />
when you're excited to make the call<br />
to grandmas and friends and loved ones.<br />
<br />
You know it's been a good trip to the hospital<br />
when your husband rides the goodwill wagon<br />
through the parking garage.<br />
<br />
You know it's been a good trip to the hospital<br />
when all you have to do is<br />
a general anesthetic MRI.<br />
<br />
You know you've been to the hospital<br />
a little too often<br />
when that is good news!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/254107488/"><i>photo credit</i></a>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-46787897685212339032011-05-28T11:31:00.001-04:002011-05-28T11:31:58.934-04:00It went fabulous. No meds, no doctor wanting meds. Dr. just wants us to have an MRI later this summer. Thanks for thinking of us. <p>Sent from my iFrenzied life<p>P.S. Wahooooooo!JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-34922186112495924962011-05-27T05:30:00.003-04:002011-05-27T05:30:01.641-04:00Sometimes it's Lonely and Sad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/familymwr/4929686071/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Army Photography Contest - 2007 - FMWRC - Arts and Crafts - Son in the Tub by familymwr, on Flickr"><img alt="Army Photography Contest - 2007 - FMWRC - Arts and Crafts - Son in the Tub" height="208" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4929686071_e4e0baa8e5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
One more day of finishing up the 48 hour test. It takes forever doesn't it? <br />
<br />
Trust me. You don't want to talk to me right now. I've spent two days scrounging up food, neglecting hygiene, and sleeping on a jack knife sofa covered in plastic.<br />
<br />
Plus, I'm pre-posting this anyway.<br />
<br />
If I know me, I will be nervous right now. At 9:00 AM I will troop away from the VEEG center. Chickadee will have a combination of Dental cleansing paste mixed in with paper mache glue and a bit of "conditioner" that the techs try to help things out with. It usually sticks up like a good Southern bouffant, but since we're going for double the hours we might get up to a beehive quality pouf.<br />
<br />
Hopefully on Monday, I'll feel like typing about the results.<br />
<br />
I'm not so sure from this end of the tunnel.<br />
<br />
Please pray for me. That we can handle the seizure meds if she's having seizures, and that the neurologist will listen to me and keep her off them if she's not.<br />
<br />
My Chickadee just drowns in that medication. I don't want to see her bobbing again, but I don't want the seizures to tear her brain either.<br />
<br />
Thinking of you.<br />
<br />
xo<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/familymwr/4929686071/"><i>photo credit</i></a>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-89371637175074247052011-05-26T05:30:00.010-04:002011-05-26T05:30:01.820-04:00Coming Up With Something<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I prescheduled this post since I'm still at the hospital...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/3517342300/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="spring vegetable garden by woodleywonderworks, on Flickr"><img alt="spring vegetable garden" height="212" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3517342300_2c5bec579c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can dream about this garden, can't I?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">We've been working hard. In the morning before the kids wake up, and after dinner. My kids have even been helping. I know. They must be host bodies for parasitic aliens. It's the only explanation I've got.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Miss wants flowers for the lemonade stand she mans every year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakleyoriginals/3786473588/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flower of the Sun by OakleyOriginals, on Flickr"><img alt="Flower of the Sun" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3786473588_f1278ef1b4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Survival wants to save money. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I tend to buy a lot of expensive produce.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't buy junk food.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lately though, he's been finding convenient excuses to </div><div style="text-align: center;">"swing by the store" </div><div style="text-align: center;">and my house has junk food again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I am no longer saving money by buying expensive produce.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hehehe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3794035254/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Molly's garden by wsilver, on Flickr"><img alt="Molly's garden" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3794035254_f884ec5682.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm nasty and I just like to play in the dirt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Beansprout? He's what my brain should be. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Six.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We like to play in the dirt and watch what comes up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakleyoriginals/3573007869/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Beans are Up by OakleyOriginals, on Flickr"><img alt="Beans are Up" height="320" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3573007869_93903debdc.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/3517342300/"><i>photo 1 credit</i></a><i></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakleyoriginals/3786473588/">photo 2 credit</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3794035254/">photo 3 credit</a></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakleyoriginals/3573007869/in/photostream/">photo 4 credit</a></i></div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-16804227107135048442011-05-25T05:30:00.001-04:002011-05-25T05:30:00.101-04:00Videography<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="349" width="440"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qybUFnY7Y8w?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qybUFnY7Y8w?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="440" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chickadee has a test today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've seen a few new 'episodes' of staring</div><div style="text-align: center;">which aren't like the others.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She's more vacant during them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She's not staring at something shiny</div><div style="text-align: center;">or otherwise distracting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That means calling the neurologist.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Which means <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/moptopstumptown/3428477540/">VEEG</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With the electrodes on for 48 hours this time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">While she always has an abnormal EEG, Chickadee has never had seizures.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">But, Rett Syndrome has a very high risk for them.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">All Rett children have an abnormal EEG by 4 years old.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">But, 60% or more have seizures by age six.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">So, it's kind of a big deal, but I've been trying not to think about it.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">In order to further distract myself,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Please give me ideas on how to choreograph a dance.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">To make the technicians laugh.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.okgo.net/media/videos/">video credit</a></i></div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-58002913913442460032011-05-24T05:30:00.000-04:002011-05-24T05:30:01.136-04:00I Am Officially Weird<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7mVbmuG-z0IYkXrm3O4rZCg1UHl2kXSI7mkXJjVf5DbzWml8fVn-UeY_-pS7qcL8-91bwYSfxEooXR0-yWsOvnef0dGRscC5mw4GUlZCUj4hc_IDtRHX9-xFK-E7Dc5NVcEIlmLxvg/s1600/IMG_0218.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7mVbmuG-z0IYkXrm3O4rZCg1UHl2kXSI7mkXJjVf5DbzWml8fVn-UeY_-pS7qcL8-91bwYSfxEooXR0-yWsOvnef0dGRscC5mw4GUlZCUj4hc_IDtRHX9-xFK-E7Dc5NVcEIlmLxvg/s320/IMG_0218.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">homemade yogurt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I made my own yogurt. I know. I don't even shave my legs either. But I've got white blond hair. And I'm not really a hippie. I promise. Mostly.<br />
<br />
Whatever. I guess I'm about 60% hippie. So think whatever you like.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/momthebarbarian/2441500/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Yogurt by Mom the Barbarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Yogurt" height="240" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/2441500_257b6eeea3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">straining homemade yogurt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It only takes 1/2 cup of any yogurt with live cultures, 1/2 gallon of milk and a crock pot.<br />
<br />
Plus time, and jars, and a cloth covered strainer, but who doesn't have those? All in all it takes 13-21 hours. But the most labor intensive part is straining out the whey. The more whey I get out, the thicker the yogurt. The difference in time is whether or not I let the yogurt set up one more time in the fridge.<br />
<br />
Most of the time is spent in the milk getting warm, cooling off, and . . . well, turning into yogurt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/averagejane/3604928038/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fruit, yogurt and honey by Average Jane, on Flickr"><img alt="Fruit, yogurt and honey" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3604928038_4e76a107bb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">berries in yogurt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We don't drink a lot of milk. We don't eat enough greens to get our calcium that way either. So we tend to eat yogurt a few times a week, as shown in someone's lovely photo above. Don't berries just make you happy? Berries make my kids happy enough to eat plain yogurt.<br />
<br />
My pediatrician once scared the daylights out of me by saying that giving my kids the yogurt I bought back then is about as healthy as giving them a candy bar. I thought she was bonkers, until I checked. Milk has natural sugars of course, about 7 grams a cup. Yogurt naturally has around 13. But, last time I checked those <a href="http://whatscookingwithkids.com/2011/04/06/look-theres-yogurt-in-my-sugar/">tiny fancy yogurts had 24 grams of sugar</a>. Most candy bars have <a href="http://www.acaloriecounter.com/candy-chocolate.php">between 19 and 32 grams</a>. <br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Nutritionists recommend picking yogurts with no more than 30 grams of sugar per six-ounce serving. 'Thirty grams is where we can separate the decent stuff from the pure garbage,' says Jayne Hurley, a senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit health advocacy group in Washington, D.C." -</span><a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-300--11891-0,00.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Virginia Sole-Smith</span></a></span></blockquote> My pediatrician told me-five years ago-to just make my own and make my kids eat it plain with fruit.<br />
<br />
Hahahahaha!<br />
<br />
Oh. Well, that's how I felt five years ago. But we've taken our own slow journey to get to this point. We probably get natural sugars from the fruit and our homemade granola this way. But we also get vitamins and fiber. For about a year we've been eating it like the picture above along with granola. Minus the drizzle of honey.<br />
<br />
So that makes it worth the trouble to me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mauricereeves/3539762622/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Giant Food Stores #269 by MauriceReeves, on Flickr"><img alt="Giant Food Stores #269" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3539762622_88d8f1687d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">chobani yogurt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Besides. Have you <i><a href="http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=we_ate_it_chobani_greek_yogurt">seen</a></i> how much one of these things runs?<br />
Here is the <a href="http://www.nourishingdays.com/2009/02/make-yogurt-in-your-crock-pot/">RECIPE</a><br />
And here is the <a href="http://balancingeverything.com/2011/05/10/leaves-and-yogurt-because-apparently-im-combining-mismatched-topics-into-one-post-these-days/">POST</a> I found it with<br />
I also googled the process because I accidently froze my 1/2 cup of starter yogurt. <a href="http://caloriecount.about.com/freezing-yogurt-ft110789">Oops</a>.<br />
<br />
So. Where are you on your [perhaps non-existent] yogurt journey? <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/momthebarbarian/2441500/"><i>photo 2 credit</i></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/averagejane/3604928038/"><i>photo 3 credit</i></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mauricereeves/3539762622/"><i>photo 4 credit</i></a>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-29373959442398080062011-05-23T05:30:00.018-04:002011-05-23T08:22:44.295-04:00Jump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/4643509005/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="From 32 Cute Little Girl in Pink Dances photos set (uncropped). by mikebaird, on Flickr"><img alt="From 32 Cute Little Girl in Pink Dances photos set (uncropped)." height="213" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4643509005_4dd3731db3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Woo!<br />
<br />
Are we all perky from our weekend off? I feel good. How 'bout you?<br />
<br />
Summer's getting close. Can you feel it? My kids can. They want me to get out the 4' pool someone gave us last year. We couldn't put it up where we lived before. Because we lived above Mr. Survival's business.<br />
<br />
So every day it's warmer than 55 degrees they put on their suits and beg me with goosebumps bigger than a two week boil. They could try the patience of the sagest of the Sages.<br />
<br />
Come make the jump into summer with me, over at the <a href="http://www.peanutgalleryspeaks.com/2011/05/exalting-sun/">Peanut Gallery Speaks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_564146357"></span>photo credit<span id="goog_564146358"></span></a></i>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-79214565328869716472011-05-19T05:56:00.001-04:002011-05-19T05:57:53.117-04:00Temporarily Closed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thenovys/3791884189/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Set it off......352/365 {ABED!!!!!!!} by AndYaDontStop, on Flickr"><img alt="Set it off......352/365 {ABED!!!!!!!}" height="320" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3791884189_89ff4fb7d0.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Due to the amount of friends I have participating in <a href="http://fitbloggin11.eventbrite.com/">FitBloggin'11</a> this blog will be closed until Monday. It may also be that I'm <strike>grieving</strike> very sad I won't be there myself. I was tempted to just grab my unsold ticket and drive, baby. I could always sleep in the car.<br />
<br />
But that would be irresponsible. <strike>Or ridiculously fun.</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thenovys/3791884189/"><i>photo by AndYaDontStop</i></a>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-83362649256234017802011-05-18T07:42:00.000-04:002011-05-18T07:42:17.957-04:00Pen to Paper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles4/160377/projects/707429/46dbbfe31bad7142becfa32dbe0820e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles4/160377/projects/707429/46dbbfe31bad7142becfa32dbe0820e7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Laurie was <a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2011/05/blue-birds-fly.html#comments">saying yesterday</a> that I should be a writer. I love you <a href="http://ajslevine.blogspot.com/">Laurie</a>. I want to be, and I'm going to keep writing and trying to make it profitable. In the meantime I've got to find something to bridge the gap.<br />
<br />
I thought maybe some of you writers out there would like to see some fabulous writing things I've come across?<br />
<br />
Here's a website that <a href="http://iwl.me/">tells you whom you write like</a>.<br />
<br />
I copied and pasted my last post and it told me I write like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/wiki/Cory_Doctorow/ref=sr_1_1_wp?qid=1305718189&sr=1-1-wp">Cory Doctorow</a>. I did it a few weeks ago when I discovered the site and it told me the same thing.<br />
<br />
Who the heck is Cory Doctorow?<br />
<br />
I don't know but it must be true. Mr. Survival is headed to the library to take back the overdue books he and Miss got on their last date together. Maybe he'll pick up a book or two of his for me. It's probably a mass conspiracy to get us all to read new authors, but it feels a bit like having my palm read or something. Very exciting.<br />
<br />
The second is a lovely sentiment. About <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/AchrkF/melodygodfred.com/2011/05/13/treat-your-characters-like-imaginary-friend">writing and friendship</a>. The whimsical illustration above was on the post.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.behance.net/gallery/The-imaginary-friend/707429"><i>art credit</i></a>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-14800194008530805812011-05-17T14:39:00.000-04:002011-05-17T14:39:23.952-04:00Blue Birds Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davichi/363479293/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="¿Que me ves? / What!? by Davichi, on Flickr"><img alt="¿Que me ves? / What!?" height="300" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/363479293_83a5caf9bd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I was driving along, minding my own business yesterday when it hit me. A beautiful idea out of nowhere that makes so much sense! Has that ever happened to you?<br />
<br />
It dovetails beautifully into where I'm going, what I want to do, and how I want to get there. Why didn't this occur to me earlier?<br />
<br />
I started thinking about how Mr. Survival came up with what he wanted to do with his life to support his family and hopefully have fun. I started thinking about how much I had to do with any of those choices.<br />
<br />
I could have had a lot more say. But, I chose to trust. I realized with that lucky wisdom of youth and inexperience that he would know better than I. We talked out his ideas, and I was pretty honest about what I needed. But, the decision was up to him.<br />
<br />
This time I've been motivated by fear. Everything clenches from my teeth to my hands to my bottom and my toes when I think about running out of money. That is silly. We would be all right.<br />
<br />
We would be all right.<br />
<br />
Chickadee isn't going to die. Nobody is going to die.<br />
<br />
I feel exactly like that beautiful but oblivious cow above. Duh. <br />
<br />
And then I felt the rainbow arc above my head. The cobwebs wiped away and suddenly all the fights to adjust my attitude clicked into place. I need to trust my husband. He's doing a great job.<br />
<br />
Then, I'm going to look into some school programs. I'm thinking a masters, whether it be in nursing or in speech pathology, I <s>want</s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NEED</span> a white collar job. Either of those jobs has a 30 hour full time week and makes enough money to support our family on a 30 hour week. I can get a degree while Chickadee is in school, and I can stop worrying.<br />
<br />
I can actually help.<br />
<br />
Duh.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davichi/363479293/">photo credit</a></i>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-17102841584044128752011-05-16T05:30:00.005-04:002011-05-16T05:30:01.244-04:00Infrared Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradmontgomery/4295930023/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cherub Rock - (Let Me Out) by brad montgomery, on Flickr"><img alt="Cherub Rock - (Let Me Out)" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4295930023_abf59e09b7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
I've been mulling over a lot of things. Most of them happy, exciting and beautiful. But, the thing that is compelling me to write is not. It's a dark tangle in my stomach and I need to get it out.<br />
<br />
I had a few conversations over the span of the Great Blogger Downtime and this past weekend. Conversations that <i>really</i> hurt. I <b>don't</b> really need <b>understanding</b>, so much as I need to <u>get this out</u>.<br />
<br />
Psychosis is terrifying. <br />
<br />
It is worse than being locked in a basement in chains in the dark. With spiders and rats running around over my bare feet. I hate psychosis more than death, more than fatness, more than Rett Syndrome.<br />
<br />
I've <a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-am-wick.html">written</a> about it before. I've tentatively talked about it. But, I clammed up again. It hurts when someone thinks I'm less religious than I am.<br />
<br />
It hurts when they don't understand the journey I've taken. The measures of prevention I take every single day. Of course some of it is motivated by fear. I agree that is not the foundation of faith.<br />
<br />
That is not why I live the way that I do. I have a bigger fear than someone's opinion now. That has helped my faith. I used to be more judgmental than I care to think about.<br />
<br />
I do not feel like I am having a crisis of faith.<br />
<br />
Why am I treated like I have the plague?<br />
<br />
From my own outside perspective before my psychosis, I would have judged. The distance and separation from the judging would have made me feel instantly better. Less jeopardized. I couldn't have imagined maintaining my faith through the current challenges I have now. I would have thought they were exaggerating, or making excuses for their lack of faith, commitment, or dedication.<br />
<br />
What hurts is that I am <i>more</i> committed, <i>more</i> faithful and <i>doubly</i> dedicated to my religion. I also completely understand atheism or agnosticism. What I experienced in the six months prior to and six months after my psychotic break has given me more than enough questions to answer from now until I die of old age. In the spiritual realm of thought alone, without even touching philosophy, emotional wounds, or the five lifetimes' worth of embarrassing things I did/said.<br />
<br />
Yet I continue in my faith. The balance has changed. I do not talk with God like I used to. I cannot want to talk with God like I used to. I still believe, and I am still comforted. I teach my children. I share with them.<br />
<br />
Every day, every minute is spent fighting off an irrational mentally ill thought. Especially when I'm anxious or experiencing negative emotions. Why can I not sufficiently express what I'm going through to the people I love so that I can be understood?<br />
<br />
Instead of judged.<br />
<i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradmontgomery/4295930023/">photo credit</a></i>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-14941099846005352942011-05-11T05:30:00.018-04:002011-05-11T05:30:00.859-04:00Teaching Priorities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My kids are developing a new form of time management.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are trying to see how <i>long </i>they can take</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> to do absolutely everything I want them to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr. Survival and I aren't so patient right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not as much as we want to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not as much as we should be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We <s>were</s> are desperate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decided to teach them a <i>lesson</i> for Family Night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-MiBEtKtRWgyRQWLTkNnqqzKtsq1dEBhvYmGc4ELX-PtjkdZZkijEVljufnmsP_oy8quQTF-RdpGadUvbmAbkoJkL8weqoO0iVpr_8W3NJp1gbscOaL4myC8H3uIhKOwVV-HI1SFJA/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-MiBEtKtRWgyRQWLTkNnqqzKtsq1dEBhvYmGc4ELX-PtjkdZZkijEVljufnmsP_oy8quQTF-RdpGadUvbmAbkoJkL8weqoO0iVpr_8W3NJp1gbscOaL4myC8H3uIhKOwVV-HI1SFJA/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made up the labels of the things we needed to do after school.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g1EtKw8i7_2ndMMVv2Vfm9Z27-qwjzmYPiDdrwG7N4cQDMjVpX-WOWUbN6nlf0os4aETTrrv1j6OiNnW44UttZl12-sNu8KBgR9ur4rD8HSEKB-uK2NCzJikT2UlgPs1ydaVkszHjw/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g1EtKw8i7_2ndMMVv2Vfm9Z27-qwjzmYPiDdrwG7N4cQDMjVpX-WOWUbN6nlf0os4aETTrrv1j6OiNnW44UttZl12-sNu8KBgR9ur4rD8HSEKB-uK2NCzJikT2UlgPs1ydaVkszHjw/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I attached each label to two different groups of ingredients.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The front line has more fun things and less chores.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The front line could do chores in any order they wanted,</div><div style="text-align: center;">until school got out in June.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0V0-5sRFhRSZ2Pno5QcaNdK15Shqmlr_Bm335kgEfp9JYuIBK68QIa_oDCAxMWoZkXkhpbs1Kxr9WlbUELQJQzs5iGSjhGtlILhKuGwL_VpMmUe5DzaBoB6JhZFkA8nOlof8L_TOoPg/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0V0-5sRFhRSZ2Pno5QcaNdK15Shqmlr_Bm335kgEfp9JYuIBK68QIa_oDCAxMWoZkXkhpbs1Kxr9WlbUELQJQzs5iGSjhGtlILhKuGwL_VpMmUe5DzaBoB6JhZFkA8nOlof8L_TOoPg/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If they chose to do things their own way,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they didn't get these ingredients.<br />
Vanilla.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Salt, baking soda, baking powder.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They tasted it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They rejected it laughing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I rubbed my hands together in glee.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RtRnQt2At3wBDnl2BHuNZ89B694NOeq5rzw_rfBbl4Gt9lQGN7CTVoNlQpKS_mNQDakGX4UsGI7g3wLA9w86IbdG8rnay2uynwPdOJDs3EcAPkNR2aldmg4mSKXcOMeKGIOJnTAYoA/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RtRnQt2At3wBDnl2BHuNZ89B694NOeq5rzw_rfBbl4Gt9lQGN7CTVoNlQpKS_mNQDakGX4UsGI7g3wLA9w86IbdG8rnay2uynwPdOJDs3EcAPkNR2aldmg4mSKXcOMeKGIOJnTAYoA/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sugar first.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmIhiilF-qvwNzQC-DeyLVtNOcYzsxQ6ORms4Uefx8zMMvfp_Ij_S3mzt-DsOoMOc5r0bDTtkSGUKb1CTYdQY29Y1uUjlGgq-4pzvQTu71GSbAsWRXS4Jf3tZTDJLsL3l4EIE1JQAjw/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmIhiilF-qvwNzQC-DeyLVtNOcYzsxQ6ORms4Uefx8zMMvfp_Ij_S3mzt-DsOoMOc5r0bDTtkSGUKb1CTYdQY29Y1uUjlGgq-4pzvQTu71GSbAsWRXS4Jf3tZTDJLsL3l4EIE1JQAjw/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Browny's ticket was on the chocolate chips.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fitting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX34iOpkrj1tGsuvIg_YHPkf9jRo1eZcKfTDqKjAmjQ8zJ-ag9acT7oDVxsk7oUvuZZ8NsAj8162u29pj6s6lYA9dBM2q2jEM744apDf4A1MO1vJ_HNpF4iJHqIRpKfOTKFr5z4jUF8A/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX34iOpkrj1tGsuvIg_YHPkf9jRo1eZcKfTDqKjAmjQ8zJ-ag9acT7oDVxsk7oUvuZZ8NsAj8162u29pj6s6lYA9dBM2q2jEM744apDf4A1MO1vJ_HNpF4iJHqIRpKfOTKFr5z4jUF8A/s320/IMG_0197.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Browny + egg = I'm winning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r-pQk460A-RRt_UHQP9nE8ToWnvE1-ZsbyJr3t4oLldlGCs_Jagww-kXUnBPTumUQDxRicZVSxOPlVqW-GxyE4LfBDvlgo5t7jU8n41h-8qhyjHKooJ1afUIVb3xivLH2TIvo-8HeA/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r-pQk460A-RRt_UHQP9nE8ToWnvE1-ZsbyJr3t4oLldlGCs_Jagww-kXUnBPTumUQDxRicZVSxOPlVqW-GxyE4LfBDvlgo5t7jU8n41h-8qhyjHKooJ1afUIVb3xivLH2TIvo-8HeA/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmeHEemQigs8yA0eSrqowWcjkOnOAmASaQdBVD0XtqwvkKsDlufKvJzfJj_T4LIox4cueaiat39-IdN8Y0FOgviC6h8n5rf-2AgEGXKjXR7t2_LN8JHEpl_rM-Xvj1mDyMhU-C8F0ew/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmeHEemQigs8yA0eSrqowWcjkOnOAmASaQdBVD0XtqwvkKsDlufKvJzfJj_T4LIox4cueaiat39-IdN8Y0FOgviC6h8n5rf-2AgEGXKjXR7t2_LN8JHEpl_rM-Xvj1mDyMhU-C8F0ew/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They put in the flour last.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Without mixing anything else first.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsknA5-IoQyuc1FGUQeTGsH5Ws-HCgrsnd-Rtx885G-ZpSy1Eyh22R5eV4Jq-3dL1FadKhKAntBozq6lWDRb9MNdE5n8IljaASatiqueaDO16zWCfWYGEmN4O2ENq76119QCu7iH37A/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsknA5-IoQyuc1FGUQeTGsH5Ws-HCgrsnd-Rtx885G-ZpSy1Eyh22R5eV4Jq-3dL1FadKhKAntBozq6lWDRb9MNdE5n8IljaASatiqueaDO16zWCfWYGEmN4O2ENq76119QCu7iH37A/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The end result of my kids' cookie making</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BPaeeB9l67bgQ9WF7Oz6lNA2PY1AAGDf2UzexQAHKWSRdJ4-I9Vd0m63kYceYtMkMEKXtPJSqQqnpGzhIplFnonw90eYe11spM9RmiNksxGVWV7iOPfByFSaQUCf8CZQ-T3zNBSIDQ/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BPaeeB9l67bgQ9WF7Oz6lNA2PY1AAGDf2UzexQAHKWSRdJ4-I9Vd0m63kYceYtMkMEKXtPJSqQqnpGzhIplFnonw90eYe11spM9RmiNksxGVWV7iOPfByFSaQUCf8CZQ-T3zNBSIDQ/s320/IMG_0203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My beautiful batter, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">done in a fraction of the time, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">IN THE MOST EFFICIENT ORDER.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BPaeeB9l67bgQ9WF7Oz6lNA2PY1AAGDf2UzexQAHKWSRdJ4-I9Vd0m63kYceYtMkMEKXtPJSqQqnpGzhIplFnonw90eYe11spM9RmiNksxGVWV7iOPfByFSaQUCf8CZQ-T3zNBSIDQ/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BPaeeB9l67bgQ9WF7Oz6lNA2PY1AAGDf2UzexQAHKWSRdJ4-I9Vd0m63kYceYtMkMEKXtPJSqQqnpGzhIplFnonw90eYe11spM9RmiNksxGVWV7iOPfByFSaQUCf8CZQ-T3zNBSIDQ/s200/IMG_0203.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsknA5-IoQyuc1FGUQeTGsH5Ws-HCgrsnd-Rtx885G-ZpSy1Eyh22R5eV4Jq-3dL1FadKhKAntBozq6lWDRb9MNdE5n8IljaASatiqueaDO16zWCfWYGEmN4O2ENq76119QCu7iH37A/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsknA5-IoQyuc1FGUQeTGsH5Ws-HCgrsnd-Rtx885G-ZpSy1Eyh22R5eV4Jq-3dL1FadKhKAntBozq6lWDRb9MNdE5n8IljaASatiqueaDO16zWCfWYGEmN4O2ENq76119QCu7iH37A/s200/IMG_0200.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me versus them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57hqQsNE4v_KPAVnAVTNfVyKv4EyYco_suguWGvMV4nr9sCDOeQKDe7FO4_IJ78iUooHrQd3rjM_g9Lgxp-aSayOcgLvgaar9H4CJEw3b0IKidzRhTD9RYO_Wl1ve8qlKcDJlzmpqlA/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57hqQsNE4v_KPAVnAVTNfVyKv4EyYco_suguWGvMV4nr9sCDOeQKDe7FO4_IJ78iUooHrQd3rjM_g9Lgxp-aSayOcgLvgaar9H4CJEw3b0IKidzRhTD9RYO_Wl1ve8qlKcDJlzmpqlA/s320/IMG_0205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me on top.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Them on the bottom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I totally won.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Totally.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately,<br />
O siblings in parenthood<br />
there are times<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">when we really must be prepared<br />
for <i>both </i>results.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids chose their cookies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For the freedom to do what they please,</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">my kids chose their rising agent deprived, </div><div style="text-align: center;">clumpy, over developed gluten riddled cookies.<br />
<br />
Yuck.</div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-71011647068679849122011-05-10T05:30:00.001-04:002011-05-10T05:30:00.768-04:00Recreational Venturing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-teardrop-shaped-trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-teardrop-shaped-trailer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I <strike>grow up</strike> retire from everyday mothering, I want to <a href="http://dornob.com/5-mph-home-ultra-tiny-caravan-towed-by-mobility-scooter/">travel</a> the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-trailer-home-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-trailer-home-interior.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to do it in comfort.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-mobile-faux-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-mobile-faux-home.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In style.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*style*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hem. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, let's just say this is a bit more <a href="http://dornob.com/5-mph-home-ultra-tiny-caravan-towed-by-mobility-scooter/">my speed</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I could stake out my favorite <a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-miss-magic.html">movie premiers.</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It would be <i>awesome</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Astoundingly so.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-motor-scooter-caravan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tiny-motor-scooter-caravan.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At any rate, I could probably attach it to my bicycle </div><div style="text-align: center;">and finally solve that problem of getting </div><div style="text-align: center;">Chickadee on our family bike rides. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dornob.com/5-mph-home-ultra-tiny-caravan-towed-by-mobility-scooter/"> In Style.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-85806833044335247992011-05-09T05:30:00.020-04:002011-05-09T05:30:01.798-04:00Whadja Do Yesterday?<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="349" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S_fvevESN7g?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S_fvevESN7g?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I'm so glad that wasn't my day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not going to share though. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because ... well ... I'm just not. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe if you do though! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Share your stories with me below... it's a link up!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll share later to day if you will.</div><br />
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/picturecaption_linky_include.aspx?id=87964" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Paste this code to share the link up on your site as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I put a space before each < or >. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Simply take out those spaces and it's a working code.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">< script src="http://www.linkytools.com/picturecaption_linky_include.aspx?id=87964" type="text/javascript" > < /script ></div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-14460287767880815082011-05-06T05:06:00.001-04:002011-05-06T05:06:15.198-04:00I'm going with Miss on her field trip today. She is excited! I'm excited because Mr. Survival always goes. This time she asked me!<p>Chickadee will now get to spend the day with Daddy. I'm not sure if I want it to go well or for him to get a taste of my medicine.JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-83976416258114956452011-05-05T05:30:00.000-04:002011-05-05T05:30:01.093-04:00Rett Syndrome Angst<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clover_1/3550981220/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Green Post Grump by Clover_1, on Flickr"><img alt="Green Post Grump" height="243" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3550981220_2cba32e396.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The problem with having an intelligent three year old that is immobile and can't use her hands is engagement.<br />
<br />
Yesterday Chickadee spent the entire day harassing me. I mean, I get it.<br />
<br />
<br />
1. She can go potty but she can't get there by herself.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>That sucks.</li>
</ul><br />
2. She can understand the story I read to her but she can't tell me what she thinks.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>That sucks too.</li>
</ul><br />
3. She is delighted by so many toys but she can't play with them independently because of her hands.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Complete sewer system suckage.</li>
</ul><br />
4. She hyperventilates because of neurological impulses and mommy says, "Honey, what is <i>wrong</i> with you today?"<br />
<br />
<ul><li>What a load of crap.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
We looked at each other three or four times throughout the day. <br />
<br />
"I don't know what to do for you." I said blankly.<br />
She looked at me with her wizened but slightly desperate eyes that said, "BRING IT."<br />
<br />
So. I have a three year old with angst. I've got to do something people.<br />
<br />
I've thought of audio books. I can't think of anything engaging for her to play with. She only has 5-10% use of her hands. I am about to start a crusade for a communication device, but I don't know where to start or who to talk to. We did her school evaluation and goal setting, and they just aren't challenging her.<br />
<br />
HELP.<br />
<br />
Aw, you guys. I know that nobody really has any better idea what to do than I do. Except a few key people that I'll need to get in touch with. Good think I have mad Google skillz, and a loooong list of medical/educational contacts.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
Any ideas to keep her busy with while we're waiting for her Service Dog and Communication Device? I can't be at her beck and call, I've got a few items of housework to stop avoiding. But she's just so <i>bored.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clover_1/3550981220/">fabulous photo credit</a></i>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-68214103245577723482011-05-04T05:30:00.000-04:002011-05-04T05:30:02.310-04:00Slice of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/massonforstock/5620384410/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Two sitting at bench in rainy day. by Massonforstock, on Flickr"><img alt="Two sitting at bench in rainy day. " height="284" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5620384410_0a4ef26d84.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So much of my life lately has revolved around one thing.<br />
<br />
Employment.<br />
<br />
It's been driving me a bit batty. Mr. Survival have been round and round the issue and it just doesn't make sense for me to find a job. I don't have the years experience, nor the degree to be able to pay our bills let alone Chickadee's childcare. <br />
<br />
So that makes sense. But, it's difficult to be at the mercy of someone else's ability to get a job. To witness their doldrums and be able to identify so well with what they're going through. I've been fighting off feelings of frustration and anger. Mr. Survival is dealing-very well-with a case of the dumps. <br />
<br />
I haven't posted about it, because it's not my life. It's not my issue. But, I realized last night that supporting him IS my issue. Anxiety and frustration about feeling paralyzed and trapped are my issues. <br />
<br />
So I'm not really sure how to navigate this new turn my life has taken. Privacy is obviously very important to me, and Mr. Survival appreciates that. So, I'm trying to respect his right deal with things his way without a lot of judgement going on behind his back.<br />
<br />
But, I do need to talk about it. I hate feeling like I must check up on him or nag him in any way. There is a reason why I married Mr. Survival. It's because we're grown-ups. <br />
<br />
Mr. Survival takes care of himself.<br />
<br />
I love to supplement and make him feel pampered, and he does the same for me. But nagging? Not our style at all. So, all my anxiety must go somewhere. I've basically been redirecting it back at him for stupid little things or at the kids who are completely innocent. (except for the Browny poop everywhere, that deserves hard time)<br />
<br />
We had a really really good talk yesterday morning. I was honest and tactful, as was he. We've both just neglected almost everything through our depression over this job thing. We reevaluated and we feel good. Plus, my family did a religious 24 hour fast (happens once a month) and prayed specifically for us. We found some exciting sites and leads. Nothing in particular, but the difference is that we have hope. Hope is such a nice slice of freshness.<br />
<br />
How do <i>you</i> keep the hope alive when the rain cloud keeps following you around?JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-43286072524529805612011-05-03T05:30:00.002-04:002011-05-03T05:30:01.325-04:00I Miss Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I miss waiting for a new book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnX6xTSN6WtmVCyMTEzH3cqfCUq8BewI_huQL8eiM6stHP8GoYT1uFIs-FkldX9QZFVfmTCZ-Z7yaL9OKzGMEnThAOXXSNHL8Qt4bUdHmY2VosM9Rd5IbQ-GeSvDGyg3MQ5KcwOgsUQ/s1600/MOS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnX6xTSN6WtmVCyMTEzH3cqfCUq8BewI_huQL8eiM6stHP8GoYT1uFIs-FkldX9QZFVfmTCZ-Z7yaL9OKzGMEnThAOXXSNHL8Qt4bUdHmY2VosM9Rd5IbQ-GeSvDGyg3MQ5KcwOgsUQ/s400/MOS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved being so addicted to a story that my mind was sucked inside the book, leaving only a shell of a body behind to bump into things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hAaM8zyyM9wTmAtVZN5dDGwI7Hl1UfBVj8McXHFXJrkWaQUBQkDeJ3TMEO6Cv5IqhYazuW55xm0_dNzYbBvUqUmAeY7HSe0gEu0s_6i29XSrt0zSeGOCwq48s0Yb_PjKrWR7oj6NwA/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hAaM8zyyM9wTmAtVZN5dDGwI7Hl1UfBVj8McXHFXJrkWaQUBQkDeJ3TMEO6Cv5IqhYazuW55xm0_dNzYbBvUqUmAeY7HSe0gEu0s_6i29XSrt0zSeGOCwq48s0Yb_PjKrWR7oj6NwA/s400/Picture+3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My family misses the animation that lasted for at least ten days prior to a book coming out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsN5jJnktYi4iJAs9sFDx1AQeUeA7U-fzZ3oO06yVzcsxFgT7900lWgJf0jLXnS_s5W-NCD-TIXPHkWhatH7-YCO_wd2PWT_YgZ9Wbqm779S24MeyhWsGfUJ8Urwh8G7cLsfrH26bCQ/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsN5jJnktYi4iJAs9sFDx1AQeUeA7U-fzZ3oO06yVzcsxFgT7900lWgJf0jLXnS_s5W-NCD-TIXPHkWhatH7-YCO_wd2PWT_YgZ9Wbqm779S24MeyhWsGfUJ8Urwh8G7cLsfrH26bCQ/s320/Picture+4.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I miss the disgusting new as well as the fascinatingly winsome.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyuy62GlmUqnPXY_u3McXhF7dO50wIlQgHoeobhVD28WGQZz3CypcRTZ0909SBVIEehe5EprgRPza1hIHpIkr9nNAf4cuYx_xp_ChxVnsEZDaGHM4JMsKUt1_b_8lM3g07PN7OoQyaQ/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyuy62GlmUqnPXY_u3McXhF7dO50wIlQgHoeobhVD28WGQZz3CypcRTZ0909SBVIEehe5EprgRPza1hIHpIkr9nNAf4cuYx_xp_ChxVnsEZDaGHM4JMsKUt1_b_8lM3g07PN7OoQyaQ/s320/Picture+5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQaH85XvMm_Sf1Wqmy-PlUy8Z-4z9BPkfAk2gkD0PvjXMlT232wcpU2zWsO7W0IuKR7-GyNezRFKh3sBPTpXYP2rCn5qyytek9bueRwa6EEcEKKV1dSdyDcfJ3l_uDcyAlKdC29VYcg/s1600/MOS10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQaH85XvMm_Sf1Wqmy-PlUy8Z-4z9BPkfAk2gkD0PvjXMlT232wcpU2zWsO7W0IuKR7-GyNezRFKh3sBPTpXYP2rCn5qyytek9bueRwa6EEcEKKV1dSdyDcfJ3l_uDcyAlKdC29VYcg/s320/MOS10.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You too? Go here for more <a href="http://www.wemadethis.co.uk/blog/2010/11/ministry-of-stories-hoxton-street-monster-supplies/">delicious creativity</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That is, until THIS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="349" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mObK5XD8udk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mObK5XD8udk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-76255628426595540312011-05-02T05:26:00.001-04:002011-05-02T05:26:00.771-04:00Of Note<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.glennz.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraecYxf_moKgakhvCgL_MUoCOnysPQbAFAkzRWUnRVpoYwm5foyVfKbfTpO2_630al5zXXoadhSA4z8TINQvfLpEVZL6nwhEnlsBNZgptFLVIE-XJKn1tKJOQgMyvO61w4O23XW4Ayw/s320/Picture+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://store.glennz.com/">BuyT-Shirt Here</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Please remember to email me if you want to buy my</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=106070939422596" href="http://www.facebook.com/FitBloggin" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">FitBloggin</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ticket. All offers will be considered. I have already submitted my refund for the hotel, so that is no longer on the table. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Also, it's my week to host over at the Peanut Gallery Speaks. I will head up the week <a href="http://www.peanutgalleryspeaks.com/?p=2257">today</a>, and will be followed by <a href="http://www.peanutgalleryspeaks.com/?s=charlie&submit=Search">Charlie</a> on Tuesday, <a href="http://www.peanutgalleryspeaks.com/category/jerie/">Jeri</a> on Wednesday, and <a href="http://www.peanutgalleryspeaks.com/category/mrsfatass/">MrsFatass</a> on Thursday.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you'd like to be a guest poster, please let me know and perhaps we can have you one of these Fridays coming up soon.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What is my post about over at PGS? It's about me spanking a kid at Sprout's birthday party of course. Well, maybe not. Then again, why don't you come see?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sprout's birthday came so soon after Chickadee's hospital visit that I barely scraped together the usual glories of the day. It's his turn for a party, but I just couldn't get on top of things. Mr. Survival saw how guilty I felt at not being able to get it done and said he knew what he wanted for his birthday.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mr. Survival wanted to share his party with Sprout. So, on Saturday we had 9 of Sprout's friends over for a fun celebration. Poor Mr. Survival hasn't worked so hard on his birthday in all 10 years we've been married. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I gave him lots of stress relieving massages. {hoping that buys back some points}</span></span>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-70748529184756687612011-04-29T07:33:00.000-04:002011-04-29T07:33:37.929-04:00How to Find Help<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pink_finger_prints/2128808897/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="I Can Be Your Hero.. by Pink FingerPrint, on Flickr"><img alt="I Can Be Your Hero.." height="348" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2128808897_9be99301b2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pink_finger_prints/2128808897/">by pink fingerprint</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I've been struggling to replace one part of my team. The drug prescription part of it. It struck me that in spite of my mental health education and google savvy I still have struggles getting what I need and want out of the mental health system.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Six weeks of research, insurance, doctor calls and referrals and I still don't have a person with a prescription pad to call mine. (<i>update, I do now!</i>)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, I decided to write a post about it. Not being 'normal' I do the next best thing. I normalize. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2009/12/prioritize-needs.html">prioritize needs</a></b></span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">gender, specialty,</span></b></span> diagnosis, talk, insurance, cost</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">See the link above for a post about what each need can mean for who you want in your corner.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2009/12/start-small.html">start small</a></span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, we're deciding between talking and medicating. Not sure? See link above or go with talking and a therapist. They are compassionate and do not usually have the highest price tag in the bunch. A good therapist will guide a patient to other needed professionals.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2009/12/make-call.html">make the call</a></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>self guided, </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>referral, </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>written prescription</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Here is where it can be difficult. Write down a script to reference. Pretend you are a professional if it helps. Don't expect to get everything solved with one phone call. If ever you feel like yelling, exploding, throwing the phone or other understandable reactions put the phone down. Talk to the "ones that got yo back" and take a break. See the link above for more in depth help on whom and where to call first.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>cost</b></span></span><br />
There is a hierarchy and the price usually follows it. Under the "start small" link there are two lists of gurus. Generally speaking, I have them listed from low to high. I would work your way from the bottom to the top as needed. If what you've had isn't working, move up. If you've never needed any help before, try the bottom. If you-like me once-are in the blinding haze after a hospitalization, they better have set you up to go. <br />
<br />
Do not try to change doctors right after a hospitalization or post-partum. It is simply too much to handle. If completely necessary have someone else do if for you. Your sanity is worth it, believe me.<br />
<br />
If you are independently wealthy, please email me for my paypal account and I will bill you for this information.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">take your meds</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pretty self explanatory. If for some reason there is ever a discrepancy between the doc saying you didn't and you saying you did, print off your refills from your pharmacy. Online is a wonderful resource. This can also bridge providers and give you something to reference when they start asking questions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="http://journeybeyondsurvival.blogspot.com/2009/12/word-from-pro.html">a word from a pro</a></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I also emailed a guest poster on<a href="http://www.peanutgalleryspeaks.com/?p=2230" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1da73f; text-decoration: none;"> Peanut Gallery Speaks</a> and bugged her about how to find a professional. She was nice enough to write back and also said I could quote her in the link above.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">So, that is how we let a small informative post grow into a monster that takes over our life. I hope it helps somebody out there, and so does my family because they want their mommy/wife/guineapigfeeder back! Please pass it on and use it liberally. A mind is a terrible thing to take for granted.</span></span></span>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-19026925368692469062011-04-28T05:30:00.002-04:002011-04-28T05:30:00.800-04:00We Called It SluffingI had the longest day yesterday, and I'm off again. We have therapy, then a church thing called Visiting Teaching, and thank goodness Chickadee doesn't have school. Because I sure thought she did.<br />
<br />
I hope you all have a great day, and enjoy the video! I found it on <a href="http://dooce.com/2011/04/22/math-nerds">Dooce</a> and I'm kind of a nerd so...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9953368?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/9953368">Nature by Numbers</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/eterea">Cristóbal Vila</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(smaller is better, I always have a hard time with the buffering on this)</div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-19751863656222399692011-04-27T05:30:00.001-04:002011-04-27T05:30:02.510-04:00Healthy Kids<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/akiko_photo/1288859385/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="My kids in cooking school style by akiko@flickr, on Flickr"><img alt="My kids in cooking school style" height="500" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/1288859385_e0e1d0c1bc.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo by </i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/akiko_photo/1288859385/"><i>Akiko@Flickr</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I saw a few really good ideas to keep my belly from growing. Stem the tide. Reinforce the dike.<br />
<br />
I have a million more stupid analogies. I'm moving on though. I promise.<br />
<br />
I drive a lot. We live in a small town. I've done the math and being reinforced by other Rett Moms, we have our mathematical solution. I need 23 hours in a day to do all the therapies, potty breaks, reading books, bath times, wardrobe changes (3+), 4 bottles, 3 pump feeds in the night, and play. Plus I need to sleep. I can eat at the same time as the kids and even cook magically, but definitely not sleep and get everything done. <br />
<br />
I don't exactly have time to pack myself lunches yet. Someday I'll be that superhero. Someday someday soooomedaaaaaay.<br />
<br />
But. Until that time there is this:<br />
<br />
37 <a href="http://organizedwisdom.com/Slideshow:America%27s_Healthiest_Chain_and_Fast_Food_Restaurants">HEALTHIEST RESTAURANT BREAKDOWN</a><br />
<br />
For those freakish days when I do get to be June Cleaver there is this:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1289983168">PARENTSDISH TOP 20</a></span><a href="http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/24/cookbooks-for-kids?ncid=dynaldusbbab00000001"> COOKBOOKS FOR KIDS</a><br />
<br />
Which one do you think I should invest in? I mean, as soon as we get our first paycheck. And after we buy everything we're depriving ourselves of now <s>What Not to Wear style </s> of course. I love Alice Waters-she is my idol-but I have to confess that my baby pudge fingers first turned the pages of a Betty Crocker Cookbook, and that is tempting too.<br />
<br />
You know what else stems the tide of my belly growth? Relaxation.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22439234" width="400"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/22439234"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Mountain</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> from </span></i><a href="http://vimeo.com/terjes"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Terje Sorgjerd</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> on </span></i><a href="http://vimeo.com/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Vimeo</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></i></div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319530997563152806.post-1991599351573720272011-04-26T05:45:00.003-04:002011-04-28T17:02:51.087-04:00I Found True HappinessIt feels like I've become a detached voice, writing but not feeling on this blog. I'm living a lot of things that don't fit neatly into my bloggable ownership file. <br />
<br />
Even now, I've spent an hour with this tab open to write a new post and I've done absolutely everything else possible. For once I can't put a finger on what I'm feeling. I don't fit into any definable box.<br />
<br />
On one hand,<br />
<ol><li>I'm spending an hour in therapy with Chickadee and another hour round trip three times a week.</li>
<li>Mr. Survival is fighting off unemployment blues.</li>
<li>We cannot shake things up and have me go to work.</li>
<li>I'm not going to go to <a href="http://dld.bz/X9Y8">FitBloggin'11</a>.</li>
</ol>But, on the other hand,<br />
<ol><li>Chickadee is STANDING in the stander for minutes instead of seconds!</li>
<li>Chickadee is grasping things momentarily for the first time in eighteen months.</li>
<li>I'm so in love with Mr. Survival it's unbelievable.</li>
<li>We are tighter as a family than we ever have been.</li>
</ol><div>I'm stressed and frustrated. I'm scared. I'm sad. But at the exact same moment I'm ecstatic and overcome! So, we have new Easter clothes and plenty of food in the cupboards. But not enough money to justify a blogging conference. My time is being carved away at an all time high. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I just don't feel as scattered as that looks. I feel good! I'm calm, directed and happy. Why you ask? I know who I am. I know where I want to head. I've got the people I want around me. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Then there is the <s>secret</s> <s>true</s> reason for my bliss:<br />
<br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z3dl29VoatQ?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z3dl29VoatQ?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Okay, try not to cry here. My eyes burn every time I've seen this. (<s>Four</s> <s>eight</s> twelve times since it happened yesterday) The therapist is only lightly holding down her hands to help with balance. She's been in that stander for at least 4 minutes already, and she stayed in it after I put the camera down. She could barely sit up after the hospital! Here's a refresher:<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y7gCmegkmH6frDILRXv_9RVpCw3wihSLAtfMBnZmueSE7RaG5puWH-bD9ogSc5KyVzPaH9FODJPUibq6dMoVrqXjImpRjIh1G3fur_kXWsf86B8JyVXS6sCnP2Gz8_hqR__1ynr3-g/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y7gCmegkmH6frDILRXv_9RVpCw3wihSLAtfMBnZmueSE7RaG5puWH-bD9ogSc5KyVzPaH9FODJPUibq6dMoVrqXjImpRjIh1G3fur_kXWsf86B8JyVXS6sCnP2Gz8_hqR__1ynr3-g/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just can't be sad. I can't. She's getting ready to WALK! And for the first time in years I believe she can. I see evidence.</div><br />
</div></div>JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.com16