yinyanggirls
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2009
- Messages
- 1,872
Well, I've been checking in on everyone but haven't taken the time to post here for our own PTR in a while. Last week was pretty busy and DH has weekends off right now (woohoo! the kids love seeing him during normal human hours!).
I have two very part time jobs, one of which was busier last week. Job one is selling a nutritional supplement called Tahitian Noni Juice. It's a networking company but I only signed up to be able to buy the product at a discount (like joining Mary Kay). I've been letting that business go, as I'm terrible at sales. As much as I love people I HATE being sold to therefore I hate selling. I mention it to friends and neighbors if there is a reason it comes up but other than that I just buy it for ourselves. My other job is babysitting/day care. The only child I have regularly is a 2 yr old I've had since she was 2 months. She and Tessa fight like siblings. It's funny AND annoying. My schedule with her changes all the time because her dad is in the same law enforcement agency as my DH (that's how they found me) and her mom is a nurse. Right now I have her for overnights, which is easier than days, but it takes up more of my free time at night because she's on a different schedule than my girls. I also occasionally have other kids, which I did last week, and it keeps me away from my computer. I don't love it, but we are all used to this little girl like she is part of the family, and it helps bring in enough income to make DHs car payment!
My "full-time" job was busy last week, too, as I had some extra appts and meetings to set up and attend. Phoebe's wheelchair appt has been made but it's not until Feb. I doubt we will have a new one before her trip, which should be fine. I still need to figure out a PT to help us with that, as her school PT quit and her private therapist hasn't seen her in many months. I wanted someone to be at the appt with us to help think of features that will be good to order. We had the current chair for 5 years so I need someone who can help me look into the future in terms of her needs.
I also attended a meeting at her school last week (an MET? I think). It should have been part of her IEP last fall but the main purpose of this is to consult with the school psychologist and the evaluation had not yet been completed. They evaluate every three years, but she has never had this done before. She started school at age 3 and there are different guidelines for the younger age groups. (Stefanilyn was just talking about this on her TR regarding supplemental insurance) So the psychologist determined that Phoebe has moderate MR and even though she already qualifies to attend this special school based on vision, speech and orthopedic needs, she now also qualifies developmentally. I had no doubt that they would arrive at those findings but it was a little weird to sit there and hear the words "moderate MR" when talking about my baby. (Oops, in case you are wondering, MR is Mental Retardation). It would have brought me to tears when she was little, just thinking about that label, but now it is actually helpful to have it as it gives all the paperwork a detail that helps explain why she needs what she does. It will be easier to qualify for various types of assistance. She is doing so well at this state school and I can see definite steps in her development, like her watching the screen at the movies! Her teacher asked me if I wanted her to be potty trained (I sat there, waiting for the punchline!) and said that she will start it in the spring when the weather is warmer. The director told me that this teacher has been successful with every child she's ever attempted to train. So there's something to look forward to!
I also learned that Phoebe will be riding at the hippotherapy center again this semester. I had been told the kids could only go one semester per year because of the demand, but she is going again. Horses are her favorite thing in the world and she hyperventilates when she gets near them! She hasn't ridden since before Cmas break so she will be one happy girl when she rides again this Thurs!
My husband has been talking about quitting smoking for months, well years, but seriously for months, and set NYE as his last smoke.
He didn't even make it one day. 
He smokes at work, as do many of his LE coworkers, and in his car and uses it to keep himself awake when driving home from work at 3 am. He told me he was going to do it for me, but I told him, if he didn't want to do it for himself, then do it for our girls. They need their daddy to be around a long, long time. I shudder to think about life for Phoebe when either one of us, let alone both of us, are gone. I almost think it would be better for her to go first, but of course I can't bring myself to think about any of this in detail. All I can do is try my hardest to be healthy and stick around as long as I can, and encourage (okay, nag) him to do the same. So, he decided he needed a doc appt to try the scrip that helps you quit. As soon as he said that I made him the appt. 
He started them yesterday, and is supposed to keep smoking for one more week. There are some curious side effects listed on the package, so this could be fun. 
And I mentioned, trying my best to be healthy....I have inherited some sturdy English and German DNA, built for surviving the trip on the Mayflower (as my endocrinologist explained). I also have some hormones out of whack, which caused my already "curvy" figure to expand quite a bit about 15 yrs ago. I tried everything I could think of to lose the weight and realized 100 lbs and several years later, that non-fat high carb diets were not the way to go.
The low-carb craze had not been introduced yet and the several docs I asked for help never did anything more than hand me a ditto copy of the (old) food pyramid. It was the fourth doc who found my hormone problem and by then I felt so horrible and worthless that I didn't have the energy and motivation to try. Then DH was hired for his current job when we still lived in TX and he had to train out of state for 5 MONTHS. I had a 4 yr old Phoebe (infantile) and a 5 month old Tessa (infantile but ACTIVE). I lost 20 lbs while he was in training, because I really just didn't have time to eat. It wasn't the smartest way to lose weight but I wasn't thinking about it (didn't have time to think - I had virtual twins) and was simply encouraged that I lost! That was 3 yrs ago and I've been re-motivated ever since. I did lose another 10 after that but with maximum effort and a lot of ups and downs. I've been so frustrated with the minimum results from my maximum effort. That's when I consulted the endo who told me there's nothing wrong with me, I just need to thank my ancestors for being able to survive starving conditions as my body conserves energy verrrrrry well. Thanks guys!
So I'm sick of it, I want to be done with it, and I'm giving it some serious, serious effort. We bought an elliptical and starting this past weekend I am now working out TWICE a day, 45 min workouts. Another cut into my computer time. I now eat smaller meals than my 4 and 8 yr olds do. I've been able to see a couple more lbs come off in recent weeks but it's so frustrating to watch Biggest Loser and see women in the 200s losing 10-20 lbs in one week! Aren't the bigger people supposed to lose bigger lbs? I feel like a super model that needs to lose 5 lbs, when I lose one and get excited about it. 
If I can keep this momentum going for a full year and still see very small results, I'm going to look into lap-band surgery. I don't know if I'd qualify, since on paper I look pretty healthy. I long ago gave up hoping to lose weight for special events or certain dates, but I do hope that I can lose a few more before our trip. I do want to feel decent in pictures, but I also want to have energy and be able to keep up with the kids and even carry them through each day if that's what's needed. Sorry to fill this up with what feels like a confessional, but there you have it. That's what's been on my mind and calendar for the week. 
I have two very part time jobs, one of which was busier last week. Job one is selling a nutritional supplement called Tahitian Noni Juice. It's a networking company but I only signed up to be able to buy the product at a discount (like joining Mary Kay). I've been letting that business go, as I'm terrible at sales. As much as I love people I HATE being sold to therefore I hate selling. I mention it to friends and neighbors if there is a reason it comes up but other than that I just buy it for ourselves. My other job is babysitting/day care. The only child I have regularly is a 2 yr old I've had since she was 2 months. She and Tessa fight like siblings. It's funny AND annoying. My schedule with her changes all the time because her dad is in the same law enforcement agency as my DH (that's how they found me) and her mom is a nurse. Right now I have her for overnights, which is easier than days, but it takes up more of my free time at night because she's on a different schedule than my girls. I also occasionally have other kids, which I did last week, and it keeps me away from my computer. I don't love it, but we are all used to this little girl like she is part of the family, and it helps bring in enough income to make DHs car payment!
My "full-time" job was busy last week, too, as I had some extra appts and meetings to set up and attend. Phoebe's wheelchair appt has been made but it's not until Feb. I doubt we will have a new one before her trip, which should be fine. I still need to figure out a PT to help us with that, as her school PT quit and her private therapist hasn't seen her in many months. I wanted someone to be at the appt with us to help think of features that will be good to order. We had the current chair for 5 years so I need someone who can help me look into the future in terms of her needs.
I also attended a meeting at her school last week (an MET? I think). It should have been part of her IEP last fall but the main purpose of this is to consult with the school psychologist and the evaluation had not yet been completed. They evaluate every three years, but she has never had this done before. She started school at age 3 and there are different guidelines for the younger age groups. (Stefanilyn was just talking about this on her TR regarding supplemental insurance) So the psychologist determined that Phoebe has moderate MR and even though she already qualifies to attend this special school based on vision, speech and orthopedic needs, she now also qualifies developmentally. I had no doubt that they would arrive at those findings but it was a little weird to sit there and hear the words "moderate MR" when talking about my baby. (Oops, in case you are wondering, MR is Mental Retardation). It would have brought me to tears when she was little, just thinking about that label, but now it is actually helpful to have it as it gives all the paperwork a detail that helps explain why she needs what she does. It will be easier to qualify for various types of assistance. She is doing so well at this state school and I can see definite steps in her development, like her watching the screen at the movies! Her teacher asked me if I wanted her to be potty trained (I sat there, waiting for the punchline!) and said that she will start it in the spring when the weather is warmer. The director told me that this teacher has been successful with every child she's ever attempted to train. So there's something to look forward to!
I also learned that Phoebe will be riding at the hippotherapy center again this semester. I had been told the kids could only go one semester per year because of the demand, but she is going again. Horses are her favorite thing in the world and she hyperventilates when she gets near them! She hasn't ridden since before Cmas break so she will be one happy girl when she rides again this Thurs!My husband has been talking about quitting smoking for months, well years, but seriously for months, and set NYE as his last smoke.
He didn't even make it one day. He smokes at work, as do many of his LE coworkers, and in his car and uses it to keep himself awake when driving home from work at 3 am. He told me he was going to do it for me, but I told him, if he didn't want to do it for himself, then do it for our girls. They need their daddy to be around a long, long time. I shudder to think about life for Phoebe when either one of us, let alone both of us, are gone. I almost think it would be better for her to go first, but of course I can't bring myself to think about any of this in detail. All I can do is try my hardest to be healthy and stick around as long as I can, and encourage (okay, nag) him to do the same. So, he decided he needed a doc appt to try the scrip that helps you quit. As soon as he said that I made him the appt. He started them yesterday, and is supposed to keep smoking for one more week. There are some curious side effects listed on the package, so this could be fun. And I mentioned, trying my best to be healthy....I have inherited some sturdy English and German DNA, built for surviving the trip on the Mayflower (as my endocrinologist explained). I also have some hormones out of whack, which caused my already "curvy" figure to expand quite a bit about 15 yrs ago. I tried everything I could think of to lose the weight and realized 100 lbs and several years later, that non-fat high carb diets were not the way to go.
The low-carb craze had not been introduced yet and the several docs I asked for help never did anything more than hand me a ditto copy of the (old) food pyramid. It was the fourth doc who found my hormone problem and by then I felt so horrible and worthless that I didn't have the energy and motivation to try. Then DH was hired for his current job when we still lived in TX and he had to train out of state for 5 MONTHS. I had a 4 yr old Phoebe (infantile) and a 5 month old Tessa (infantile but ACTIVE). I lost 20 lbs while he was in training, because I really just didn't have time to eat. It wasn't the smartest way to lose weight but I wasn't thinking about it (didn't have time to think - I had virtual twins) and was simply encouraged that I lost! That was 3 yrs ago and I've been re-motivated ever since. I did lose another 10 after that but with maximum effort and a lot of ups and downs. I've been so frustrated with the minimum results from my maximum effort. That's when I consulted the endo who told me there's nothing wrong with me, I just need to thank my ancestors for being able to survive starving conditions as my body conserves energy verrrrrry well. Thanks guys! So I'm sick of it, I want to be done with it, and I'm giving it some serious, serious effort. We bought an elliptical and starting this past weekend I am now working out TWICE a day, 45 min workouts. Another cut into my computer time. I now eat smaller meals than my 4 and 8 yr olds do. I've been able to see a couple more lbs come off in recent weeks but it's so frustrating to watch Biggest Loser and see women in the 200s losing 10-20 lbs in one week! Aren't the bigger people supposed to lose bigger lbs? I feel like a super model that needs to lose 5 lbs, when I lose one and get excited about it. If I can keep this momentum going for a full year and still see very small results, I'm going to look into lap-band surgery. I don't know if I'd qualify, since on paper I look pretty healthy. I long ago gave up hoping to lose weight for special events or certain dates, but I do hope that I can lose a few more before our trip. I do want to feel decent in pictures, but I also want to have energy and be able to keep up with the kids and even carry them through each day if that's what's needed. Sorry to fill this up with what feels like a confessional, but there you have it. That's what's been on my mind and calendar for the week. 
Good job on working out. I've started doing the treadmill and those ball workouts. Oh boy am I feeling it the last 2 days. Soo sore. I know we can both drop at least a few pounds before our trips though. 
Good luck with the weight loss plan and try not to get too discouraged! 
for horse back riding again! I have heard wonderful things about hippotherapy!
I actually diagnosed myself when we were trying to get pregnant and I met someone with the same symptoms. When I went to the fertility specialist I asked about PCOS and described my symptoms and was told, of course it's PCOS, as if everyone knew what it was. Apparently the first three docs I talked to didn't know!!! I never realized that insulin is a hormone, so it makes sense that when that one is out of whack so are some others. Weird part is, I'm not diabetic, or even pre-diabetic, no blood pressure issues, or cholesterol. I just can't lose this dang weight! I mentioned that I lost 20lbs 3 yrs ago, well, the next summer I was staying with my kids, my sis and her kids, at my parents vacation home near the beach. It's a fitness-lover's haven. I decided I would work out like crazy while I was there, taking advantage of my sis being able to babysit for the hour I'd be gone. I was actually running part of the time (I HATE running) and only missed one week out of four that I was there. A few of those days were my period when I just did NOT feel like it, and the other few days were when a friend flew in for a visit but we were very active, like walking to and from the beach (a couple of miles easy) walking around the county fair all day, going dancing one night. At the end of this crazy workout month, my grand total of weight loss? Three measly little lbs. I slacked off again the rest of the year because my effort was basically not rewarded. I'm not giving up this time. I'm serious about doing it for a year so I can at least have a legit complaint if/when I look into surgery.
I have always hated running (kudos to you!!!) but I do love to go hiking. We are only 15 mins or so from Madera Canyon and I love taking the girls up there with our dog and walking around. It's gorgeous! They even have an accessible trail for Phoebe's chair. When Phoebe's in school I sometimes take Tessa and Dallas (the dog) on a more adventurous trail. With the rain coming in the next couple days there will hopefully be some snow up there and I'd love to take Tessa up there to play in it. Let me know if you're ever bored enough to go with us. 
Also, on the topic of Africa....does anyone know if there is a place to get hair braided while we are there? I'd love to have Tessa's done while we're there. 
I can't imagine why! But I would say it's safe to assume most people check out by 11.
