Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Schedule AND an Attitude Change
As I've mentioned several times before, Change and I are not on very good terms. And, this transition to Flicka's kindergarten year has not been a smooth one.
Every plan we made failed. Talking about school in August put her in a panic. Checked out books about school? Made her cry. Made a countdown paper chain - each night she cried harder as the chain shortened.
Every plan we made failed. Talking about school in August put her in a panic. Checked out books about school? Made her cry. Made a countdown paper chain - each night she cried harder as the chain shortened.
Then, school actually started.
It took until day 10 of the new school year before Flicka didn't throw a 8.5 on the Richter scale level tantrum about getting up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, going to school, getting in the van, and getting out of the van every. single. morning. And, the first four days her teacher or the principal had to come get Flicka from the parking lot and escort her to class because she refused to get out of the van.
And, don't get me started with about getting her dressed. I tried to make it her "big girl" decision about what she could wear from her new selection of school clothes. First week, we tried picking out a week's worth of clothes and putting them in a cute little storage thingy I devised. That failed. Tantrum city. Second week, we went to picking out the outfit the night before. Still tantrums. Finally, this week, *I* pick out two outfits and she gets to pick from those...still fits of whining but definitely some improvement.
And, don't get me started with about getting her dressed. I tried to make it her "big girl" decision about what she could wear from her new selection of school clothes. First week, we tried picking out a week's worth of clothes and putting them in a cute little storage thingy I devised. That failed. Tantrum city. Second week, we went to picking out the outfit the night before. Still tantrums. Finally, this week, *I* pick out two outfits and she gets to pick from those...still fits of whining but definitely some improvement.
I've always been envious of my friends and fellow moms who have all their little charts and stars and new plans ready to go this time of the year. But, it was just TOO much change for us to cope.
So, I let go.
And, we took it day by day. Hour by hour. Minute by minute.
And, ya know what? Things got better. *I* felt better. Flicka got better. Pojke still rolled with it like he always does - bless his little heart. And, I felt happier. I began to be able to enjoy the one-on-one time with Pojke. A little 3-hour-a-day distance made the time with Flicka more enjoyable. Everything just didn't feel *so* intense any more.
I have also started to roll with our schedule better. And, I'm getting more done with the "free time" I have. I've added some "mommy-only" time which will better help me keep my head above water while DaHubby finishes another year of full time school while working 45+ hours a week. Blogging is coming easier. I've been asked to write a few guest posts on another site. I'm into the 3rd week of homeschool preschool with Pojke. And, DaHubby and I got away for a parent-only mini-vacation when we ran away from home last weekend to go canoeing! LOL
My housework schedule hasn't gotten back on track. And, our meals are still a little chaotic - we're kind of eating in shifts...something I didn't really ever want to do. But, it's all a work in progress. And, I'm cutting myself more slack.
How's that for adapting to change? Just don't check back here the first day one of the Vikings gets sick! LOL
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday Tip Jar
While my impression tells me that this may make some folks uncomfortable, it really is the best tip working for us at this moment and I wanted to share it.
For whatever reason, both Vikings and I have had plantar warts in the last year. After having mine treated 3 times at my doctor's office, she mentioned that the freezing didn't appear to be working and asked if I was willing to try a possible low-tech alternative. Being all about the frugal and more natural treatments, I said sure!
Duct tape.
Yea, I know. I have had more rolled eyes at this than most of my other parenting decisions. "There's no proof...It's an old wives' tale...There's no scientific correlation between duct tape and healing warts...It's a virus that will go away on its own so why treat it." Blah blah blah. There's also conflicting research for and against it. Even the Mayo Clinic is on the fence but says to give it a try
All I know is that I wasn't ready to subject either Vikings to the pain of having them frozen off and I never had any success myself with OTC meds like Compound W.
So what did I have to lose?
The theory is that the virus that causes plantar warts (a strain of papillomavirus but NOT the one that contributes to cervical cancer) is so relatively mild to our system that the body just doesn't consider it a threat. The duct tape supposedly irritates the skin enough to tell the immune system "hey, something's goin' on over here" and the body takes over from there.
It started last year with Flicka's foot. Then, two on my heel. So far, we have a three-for-three success rate. Currently, we're treating one on Pojke's finger and one on his heel. And, just in the last week, both have significantly decreased in size.
After every bath, I put a nickle-sized piece of duct tape on Pojke's finger and heel. Then, cover it with "skin tape" or a Band-aid. It could take a few weeks but I figure it's WAY better than a trip to the doctor's and any other treatment currently offered...and it cost me nothing to try.
For other TTJ tips, stop by Blogmommas today!
For whatever reason, both Vikings and I have had plantar warts in the last year. After having mine treated 3 times at my doctor's office, she mentioned that the freezing didn't appear to be working and asked if I was willing to try a possible low-tech alternative. Being all about the frugal and more natural treatments, I said sure!
Duct tape.
Yea, I know. I have had more rolled eyes at this than most of my other parenting decisions. "There's no proof...It's an old wives' tale...There's no scientific correlation between duct tape and healing warts...It's a virus that will go away on its own so why treat it." Blah blah blah. There's also conflicting research for and against it. Even the Mayo Clinic is on the fence but says to give it a try
All I know is that I wasn't ready to subject either Vikings to the pain of having them frozen off and I never had any success myself with OTC meds like Compound W.
So what did I have to lose?
The theory is that the virus that causes plantar warts (a strain of papillomavirus but NOT the one that contributes to cervical cancer) is so relatively mild to our system that the body just doesn't consider it a threat. The duct tape supposedly irritates the skin enough to tell the immune system "hey, something's goin' on over here" and the body takes over from there.
It started last year with Flicka's foot. Then, two on my heel. So far, we have a three-for-three success rate. Currently, we're treating one on Pojke's finger and one on his heel. And, just in the last week, both have significantly decreased in size.
After every bath, I put a nickle-sized piece of duct tape on Pojke's finger and heel. Then, cover it with "skin tape" or a Band-aid. It could take a few weeks but I figure it's WAY better than a trip to the doctor's and any other treatment currently offered...and it cost me nothing to try.
For other TTJ tips, stop by Blogmommas today!
Fall Reading Challenge: Takin' It Easy
OK, I'm all about reading. I'm a semi-retired English teacher, for pete's sake! I'm creating a second generation of little ones addicted to Scholastic Book Clubs. LOL
But, I also have two small children, two Bible classes, and a wicked case of unmedicated ADD. LOL
I've participated in Katrina's challenges before - some successfully, some not so much. So, with the upheaval of the last year, I'm back to baby steps.
It's not much but I'm committing to 2 nonfiction and 2 fiction.
Nonfiction:
A Walk With Jane Austin by Lori Smith
Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Fiction:
House on Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
So, check in at Katrina's today to see what everyone else is gonna be tackling.
But, I also have two small children, two Bible classes, and a wicked case of unmedicated ADD. LOL
I've participated in Katrina's challenges before - some successfully, some not so much. So, with the upheaval of the last year, I'm back to baby steps.
It's not much but I'm committing to 2 nonfiction and 2 fiction.
Nonfiction:
A Walk With Jane Austin by Lori Smith
Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Fiction:
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
So, check in at Katrina's today to see what everyone else is gonna be tackling.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday Thanks Tank
I'm having a really hard time staying positive lately. My everyday life just seems one struggle after another with one overemotional, anxious kindergartener and one loud and sassy preschooler. No matter what we've tried, nearly every decision, every transition, every event is met with defiance at worst and whining/crying at the most irritating.
To be honest, doing Thanks Tank has become a bit of a chore. I don't FEEL like searching for a few glimmers of hope much less have the time to do so when everything is taking twice as long as planned.
But, I think that's the point.
I know I'm blessed. I feel guilty constantly that I'm not more thankful, that I find it so difficult to write these posts lately. It' feels nearly impossible for me to get out-of-the-chaotic-moment and raises my eyes...much less raise them to the hill from where my Help comes.
But, I have to.
I've had more "momma time" than usual lately with the complete upending of our schedule with Flicka starting kindergarten and DaHubby returning to school for fall semester. I've carved out 3 hours of time each week (coincidentally all on Wednesday) where I am kid-free and able to get join with some of my new church's folks and read/listen/watch in two new classes.
That momma/church time along with DaHubby's unwavering ability to make me laugh - even after only 5 hrs of sleep - are what's keeping me sane.
Some other "perks" to the week? The last 10 minutes of the drive to Flicka's school is just BEAUTIFUL in all its Michigander wonderfulness! LOL Trees are changing color, the morning fog, the turkeys or deer in the field, the winding road, the rising sun all lift my spirit to face the upcoming drama of trying to pry Flicka out of the van once we reach her school. LOL
And, finally, that while our poor garden didn't do very well this summer, what onions, peppers, and tomatoes we *did* manage to save are making a WONDERFUL freezer salsa that we're eating nearly as fast as I can make it! LOL
Mostly everything else is in a state of upheaval but a routine will come (one can only hope! LOL) in the next few weeks.
So, for more TTT, check out Pam's musings and thankfulness here.
To be honest, doing Thanks Tank has become a bit of a chore. I don't FEEL like searching for a few glimmers of hope much less have the time to do so when everything is taking twice as long as planned.
But, I think that's the point.
I know I'm blessed. I feel guilty constantly that I'm not more thankful, that I find it so difficult to write these posts lately. It' feels nearly impossible for me to get out-of-the-chaotic-moment and raises my eyes...much less raise them to the hill from where my Help comes.
But, I have to.
I've had more "momma time" than usual lately with the complete upending of our schedule with Flicka starting kindergarten and DaHubby returning to school for fall semester. I've carved out 3 hours of time each week (coincidentally all on Wednesday) where I am kid-free and able to get join with some of my new church's folks and read/listen/watch in two new classes.
That momma/church time along with DaHubby's unwavering ability to make me laugh - even after only 5 hrs of sleep - are what's keeping me sane.
Some other "perks" to the week? The last 10 minutes of the drive to Flicka's school is just BEAUTIFUL in all its Michigander wonderfulness! LOL Trees are changing color, the morning fog, the turkeys or deer in the field, the winding road, the rising sun all lift my spirit to face the upcoming drama of trying to pry Flicka out of the van once we reach her school. LOL
And, finally, that while our poor garden didn't do very well this summer, what onions, peppers, and tomatoes we *did* manage to save are making a WONDERFUL freezer salsa that we're eating nearly as fast as I can make it! LOL
Mostly everything else is in a state of upheaval but a routine will come (one can only hope! LOL) in the next few weeks.
So, for more TTT, check out Pam's musings and thankfulness here.
You Capture - Macro
Thought I'd give Beth's meme at I Should Be Folding Laundry a shot this week. We were supposed to get up close and personal with something...and in the meantime, I learned a lot more about workin' my camera in "manual" mode! LOL Thanks, DaHubby!
Beth's post for today isn't up yet so I'll link up later but stop by and see some of her other You Capture stuff here.
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