Hungry again

I know it is because I am stressed but blah. stinks.

Today:

smoothie
green tea
orange
lentils, rice with veggies goulash (what I am calling it)
cuke and avocado salad
smoothie
dinner out at The Root (probably get lentil soup and big spinach salad)

More Food on Cleanse

Day 5

smoothie
curry, honey lentils
baked apple from Lisa
sweet potato fries
pineapple
fell asleep with kids so no more food :(

Day 6

smoothie
lettuce wraps-lentils, brown/wild rice, peppers, green onion, red cabbage, homemade dressing
curry
raw cucumber
smoothie
orange
stuffed peppers
mashed cauliflower

Day 7

smoothie
green tea
lentils and rice with veggeies
salad
lentil soup with veggies
orange
red pepper strips
grapes
more lentil soup
curry
more green tea

(now realize why I was not hungry today...ate too many lentils/rice--haha...it felt good to be full)

Home late so tomorrow should be interesting...gonna have to purchase food out.

Tracking Cleanse Food

Day 2

smoothie
roasted veggies
lentil soup
fresh veggies raw
pineapple, blueberries, and grapes raw
green tea (3 cups)
smoothie
more soup with rice added


Day 3

smoothie
spinach and mushrooms with brown rice and lentils, salt, pepper
fresh veggies
salad with basil
cauliflower mash
zucchini pasta with fresh marinara
smoothie
blueberries
orange

Day 4 (I was soooo hungry today, ravenous)

smoothie
green tea
roasted veggies with lentils and rice at 10 a.m.
Stuffed peppers with mushrooms, tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, and rice
smoothie
lentil soup with extra lentils and rice (did I mention I was hungry)
sweet potato fries
salad with tomatoes, cukes, basil, and balsamic vinegar, olive oil

Day 5 plan

smoothie
veggie curry
honey lentil bake
smoothie
snacks?

Griffin and J

So Griffin has hung with J now two days. He has one more day on friday alone with her before she starts with paisley next week. We set it up this way so he really had ownership of her and their relationship separate from Paisley. I think that is working! Yesterday he told me "I am getting used to her" with a big smile on his face. In Griffin's world that is about as good as it can get...he is pretty hesitant with handing out large compliments. lol.

Lee said that Paisley asked on their way home "when is my turn with J?" haha. So I think in our short experience she is a winner.

I have not given her instruction on what to do in the house but yesteray I left some dishes in the sink. She washed them. Griffin had also tracked mud (dried) through the house that morning and she vacuumed it up. I was pretty thrilled. Lee is happy he does not feel this crushing pressure to be home on time. Sure that is still his goal but we are dealing with a person who can make her own independent decisions and we have already discussed his possibility at times to call and be running late....exception, not the rule.

We are thrilled.

Aaaaah cleanse

Now I am sure I will continue ups and downs but man, that was a great night's sleep. I had a really rough day yesterday with headache and feeling lousy but I powered through and looks like I might be coming out on top the detox train :)

I LOVE the sleep I get while on this purifcation typically. It is insanely deep and I wake so rested. Amazing. I have in the past equated it to dairy, or lack thereof while cleansing but maybe it is my liver really? I don't know. I am not one to wake in the middle of the night or even have trouble falling asleep. I also would not say I feel unrested typically....but it is all just that much better while cleansing. I hope tonight is a repeat!

Liver Hour

On traditional eastern medical charts they will often associate the organs with certain times of the day. I have never experienced this although I have seen patients who have or have reported this phenomenon. The Liver is associated with the middle of the night, usually 2-4 a.m. and man did I have a visit from the Liver last night. Ugh. I am on day 2 of detox and my body was seriously working it last night. I woke with itchy legs and I mean itchy around 2:30 a.m. I tried to just scratch and go back to sleep but no go. I thrashed with the itches for nearly an hour and then finally got up to pee and put lotion on. The lotion really did not help but it made me think it did. I thrashed for at least another hour until I fell back asleep...THEN I slept HARD for 3 more hours making us very late this a.m. Weird stuff happening but at least I am doing it, right?

This a.m. smoothie and green tea. I am hungry and slightly headachey. I think it is in part sleep deprivation though.

you can read about the liver hour and other associated organs with times here.

http://www.astrodreamadvisor.com/Qi-Cycle.html
http://www.alchemycalpages.com/heal10.html

Day 1 cleanse

I won't bore the audience everyday with my menu but wanted to track a few days for my own help.

Smoothie
orange
roasted veggies with 1/2 cup brown rice, salt, pepper
red peppers cut up (raw), grapes
spicy tomato lentil soup
smoothie
mushrooms with spinach sautee, salt, pepper, little butter
couple more grapes
bites of cucumber and tomato

and a shit ton of supplements. haha. Off to bed. I made lentil salad, cut up veggies, and roasted veggies for tomorrow. still have the soup too. I might eat it for breakfast.


Today was not a great day but not because of the cleanse. I actually felt great regarding my body all day. Around 5 pm. started to notice a dull headache..maybe dehydration, maybe caffeine withdrawal. Still dull right now..sleep!

Food For Tomorrow

Just made spicy tomato/lentil soup; roasted veggies (onion, carrot, cauliflower, kale) with brown rice; cut up veggies for snack; washed grapes. Add the smoothies and we should be good. I am sure we will be hungry though....lol. such is day one.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

MLK day AND my husband's birthday! What a great day. I worked and so did he but we did get together with family this evening for pizza, beer, and ice cream cake. It was impromptu which is the best kind of gathering in my opinion. Happy Birthday Lee!

The sitter thang went well today. Griffin seemed pretty warmed up to her at the end of the day and happy to have spent the day at home. He really can be a homebody. I think she mostly read her kindle and played puzzle games but eh, whatev, at least she was taking care of the kiddo.

Tomorrow we begin the cleanse. My parents are a week ahead of us and just as predicted last week I am jealous of that fact this week. lol. oh well, we just could not get started until tomorrow given the bachelor party and birthday. I am excited and nervous and in need of making food to prep. Sometimes I wish it was just the pills and not the food, but the food is really the best part.

Another weekend

Lots going on but mostly same ol same ol. Lee bachelor partied his brother this weekend so I was single parenting it. We did story time, then costco, then Paisley went to MIL's house for a few hours, I cleaned while Griffin played Pokemon, a friend visited, and then bedtime. Today was lazy followed by a few errands and piddling around the house. We were finally able to get Griffin to Target to pick up some legos from Auntie Meghan, a christmas present. He loves them! I "think" I am ready for the sitter tomorrow. I am not sure why I am so nervous....we have had people in our house before. I think it is just that she will be here more than just tomorrow and I feel like certain things need to be set from the beginning, for both parties. So, the house looks good, things are in order...here's to hoping she can help assist us on staying on that plan. I am exhausted...off to bed.

The Interwebs World

Blogs are a strange thing. You might know the author. You might know someone who knows the author. You might feel like you know the author because you have followed them for so long. You might not remember how you started following said blog because it has been so long. You might follow a link from a blog that leads to another blog that links to another blog, etc. until you find yourself reading really strange stuff that is not at all familiar or your "type" but still interesting. Weird stuff. Anyhow, I love it and it does consume my time once inawhile. I love my google reader though because they can sit there and I can always come back to them if needed.

Last night I was doing some reading and came across a post from a blog I have followed for a long time. I don't remember how I started. The author is not really someone I would follow for obvious reasons, ie. we don't have much in common on the surface but I really like her writing and so I keep reading. Something intrigues me about her and her life and so I keep reading. Maybe it is because she is from the south (I do have a special place for KY and TN). Maybe it is because she has all girls. Maybe it is because she has a quick sense of humor. I don't know but at any rate...last night she led me to a blog friend of her who had a stroke. Joanne's blog is being updated now by her husband. I have actually read Joanne's blog before several times via Angie (aforementioned). It is so surreal reading about this young mom lying in a hospital bed now fighting for her life. I don't know what to think nor is it my place. I just have said some prayers and am keeping a vigil in a sense. If you have any spare thoughts or prayers, please send them to this family...I am sure they could be used.

http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/

Life really is too short. Many in my "world" hurting at the moment. Many in my "world" hurting over the last several years. I am finding it oddly comforting to be reminded of this cycle of life. It is painful. It is not fair. But it is our human existence in full force. I hope to continue to not take that for granted.

Strange Day

I think I needed a little bit of a lazy day but that was not my plan this a.m. I got out the door on time, got Griffin to school, took Paisley to the grocery store, ran the groceries home, and went to play group. Play group was fun, I socialized and P played, then we came home...this is where things went to pot. I should have cleaned, tidied, piddled, fed us a decent lunch, and possibly napped our child. Instead I talked on the phone with my dad and then Kelly for 2 hours. Then I rushed to do some dishes and rushed to pick up Griffin. After arriving back home I was just exhausted, the kind where you cannot even keep your eyes open. I thought if I just sat in bed reading some blogs I would refresh and be able to tackle dinner, tidying, laundry......

nope.

I napped instead. Paisley did too. and I ignored Griffin :( and he scavenged food which means he ate 3 applesauces and some cheese (while the dog at the rest of the bag of cheese). When I woke up I was crabby and disoriented. The rest of the evening was just weird and disjointed. I did not really eat dinner but did feed the children. They went to bed late and now I sit pretty wide awake due to the nap. Weird day but maybe I needed it?

60, 33, 30, 60

The ages my family (immediate growing up family) will turn this year. How each year I look forward to celebrating. How this year in particular I look forward to celebrating with each of them because these are BIG years. How each year I take for granted we will reach those days together. Not trying to be all cynical and weepy and ridiculous but for real. This is big time awesome! My dad turns 60 next month. My sister turns 30 in June. My mom 60 in November! and for that matter my MIL 60 in May. They all would not like me talking about this on my blog but I don't care (hee hee). I am excited to look forward to these events....to plan celebrations on the days and around the days. To think about what I might find for them as a token of my happiness for them. it is going to be a great year filled with many celebrations...birthdays, weddings, what else? I can only hope it is mostly a joyous year for this family but I am going to have faith that whatever this year deals us, we are going to be there for each other. We will protect one and other. We will love one and other. and if for some reason we don't make it to these events, that is ok. This is the life we live as humans. It is not forever. It is not protected. It is not innocent. I must not and will not wallow in the anxiety of worry. I cannot control it. All I can do is live each day to the fullest. and that is what I plan to do. That and pray.

do I sound like a lunatic yet? I promise I am not . Just introspective and tired. goodnight.

Is it snowy enough for you?

Nothing like waking up to a snow covered world, right? How about waking up to a snow covered and FILLED minivan? Because that is what happened to us today. How, you ask? Yeah, the 5 y.o. and he feels really really bad. lol. He got ahold of my key which when pressed a certain way opens all the windows....all of them. all the way down. in a blizzard. overnight. OMG. it was not funny but I laughed all day long about it. Perspective is a beautiful thing some days and today was one of them. Shitty way to wake up but really pretty funny and harmless. I have my health again. The kids colds are mostly over. My parents are still alive. Both my grandmothers are living. I have friends. I have a house. I have a job I love. Life is good. And snow in a van? Pretty funny actually.

back to paperwork Tuesdays

Today I worked. I have not done that since last spring. It was good because I got a lot done but it was sad because there is still so much more to do. I have to remind myself that I am that much more ahead than I was this a.m. and not that somehow I am more behind. It just never makes sense. Aaaaaah! The piles never let up. Oh well, onto din din. I am making spaghetti squash for the first time. Hoping the kids like it and me too and maybe the hubby. People swear by it to me but I am not so sure yet. haha. Will report back.

The soup turned out good although very different than my usual..healthier though so that was my main objective.

Nanny

Don't think i will ever be able to actually call her "the nanny" but she is more than a babysitter in my opinion. I don't know but her name begins with a J and we like her quite a bit. She starts next week with Griffin...I want to give them some time to bond just the two of them and he is off school two full days next week so that is a great start. Then the following week she will just have Paisley during the day and then pick up Griffin after school. I am nervous and mapping out how everything will play out but in reality I know it will be great. I will keep you posted on more details of how that is working out.

Boring Weekend

That is what happens when you spend all weekend in continuing education classes. I guess we all benefited from the quiet though. The kids and Lee were able to do what they do when i am not around, ie. pillow fight, pretend princess/dragon/knight play, and hide n seek. There are not too many spots for a grown man to hide in our house so it is as hysterical as it sounds. I am still getting over my cold, Griffin is still hacking at night, and Miss P does not feel too great today. I just hope we can get well soon....sooooo tired of this.

Today I heard that a friend of the family growing up died. I had heard the other day he had a stroke and was in the hospital and it was not looking good for him to come out. I am so saddened for the family as the kids are all younger than me which means 20s. I know this is not little kid but I cannot help but think it is still way too young. This particular family is in my mind known as the smiley family...always had smiles...and goood ones. As a catholic attending church growing up regularly you got to know the other regulars and I was personally comforted in some weird way by seeing them each week, generally sitting in the same location, and behaving similarly each week. It was something I could relie on. yeah, the smiley family. My sister also dated the eldest boy and he is a sweetheart. Anyhow, life is precious and today I am reminded a little more clearly.

Off to make some broccoli chedder soup. Gonna wing the recipe so hope it turns out ok. haha. I just don't want to follow a recipe.

Paisley

My little housewife :) She loves her babies, cooking, cleaning, tidying, mommying, oh and crafting! She really is so busy all day long but in such detailed ways. I love it! She is always setting places at tables for her and her babies, putting them to bed, cleaning up after them, and showing them how to do things. Hysterical! Her art ability is great too and I love how creative she loves being, especially with her daddy by her side.

When she is not playing house or doing art, she is learning. Oh boy is she learning. I was always told that subsequent kids pick things up sooner because the first is doing school and is teaching them as well as the parents but it is amazing to watch. She loves to mimic writing and actually is forming letters with prompting. She can count to 11 and then sort of up to 20. She knows her ABCs although gets quiet when we sing together. She still loves to sing and dance and is often found doing this with her babies or alone. She just cracks me up with her songs she makes up.

Currently she is getting over some croup...blech. I called the doc today and had a great conversation with the nurse about what to look for but mostly it is just a waiting game for her to get healthier....she is a strong little girlie and barely is acting ill, just an awful barking cough. Cannot wait to see what 2011 brings for her....such a fun age albeit trying since she wants to do everything herself! Gotta keep an eye on that one. haha.

Griffin

My growing tall boy. About a month ago I was hugging griffin and told him he felt thicker. We had the most hysterical lengthy conversation about what that meant...haha. Basically I told him that often right before he grew taller he would first thicken up in the middle. He was fascinated by this fact. And lo and behold he has certainly gotten taller. I am not sure how much I just know that certain times I notice more than others, like when he nuzzles into my armpit or I put my hand on his head while he is standing next to me. Guess I can't stop him from growing but wow, it continues to amaze me.

Griffin was back at school today after his 14 day christmas break! He was so happy to tell everyone that he had 14 days off!! haha. He spent a lot of that time playing a lot of different video games. He is a junkie. We worried about this for a few days, well, I did, but now we are trying to realize that more than controlling it we need to help him learn how to manage it, cope with it, moderate it....that approach is working much better. And he still prefers to be outside or playing with his friends than play games so I guess that is a plus.

Griffin still loves to give us a hard time with what he will or won't eat but he continues to be open if pressed. I am proud of him for learning about the body and understanding why his choices effect him. He is beginning to really get the knack of reading and I know it is full on around the corner...how exciting! I am hoping to get him in some swimming classes soon but I have to get my act together.

New Year, Old Reflections

Here I am in 2011 and it has been 6 weeks since my lost blog post. wow. Guess it was a busy season of holidays! Just after thanksgiving I realized we had a LOT to do before christmas so I put us on a tight schedule. Lee agreed to this but only if I promised not to do it for subsequent months. lol. I was pretty proud of what we got done this past month in the house, with the kids, and with work. And mostly I feel pretty low stress with it! woo hoo. And just like he predicted I am planning our next month of schedule...haha.

So, christmas was great! we had my parents in town and also my aunt and her family in from England! It was busy but very relaxing too. I did a lot of cooking and eating and lounging, got to watch several chick flicks, and we even went sledding! We got to spend time with the Norris side of the family too and we were all together over at the in laws on christmas to celebrate one last all living in cleveland before BIL and SIL are off to Florida. I am promising to not quite get upset about that part of the story.

As typical for the beginning of a new year I am reflecting on the year just passed and where I was last year at this point. I must say so far I am enjoying the here and now. I spent the first two days of the year ill with the flu and the next two catching up, still recovering, and working. But even with that I am in such a great place for me this year. I feel like this past year was such an amazing growth year for me personally. I spent much of this past year concentrating on family, working (oh working), and putting effort toward Allison. This has left me a little bit on the outs with some people in my life and closer to others. I never really understand how or why this happens but I have stopped really worrying about it and just living. It has been great for me. This may sound ruthless or not compassionate but really I feel like it is just me growing up, learning the boundaries I need in my life, and me figuring out what helps me, Allison, be a better person.

A lot of this past year was positive even in some of the most trying times Lee and I have faced together, unemployment preceded by job uncertainty and followed up with job uncertainty. Regardless though I smiled so much more this year and I am happy to think that we must be doing something right if that is what I remember the most! Even though I smiled a lot I was barreling through some serious self discovery and often felt lonely. Normally I would equate lonely with being miserable and although I kept thinking I was miserable because I was lonely I really was not. I have had to come to realize that being lonely does not mean I am alone OR miserable. It has been odd to say the least but I am continuing to see the beauty in my new found strength in being alone in my thoughts, alone in my ideas at times, and alone in my actions. I of course always have the kids and Lee by my side but so much of what I am referring to is more on a personal level and less family related. Anyhow, maybe none of that makes sense and I am sorry if not, I am still working it out in my head I guess. lol.

I am happy that over this past year I reached new goals in my work (go me), survived Griffin starting Kindergarten, celebrated 7 years married to Lee, traveled with my immediate family several times, took a weekend alone with Lee (even if to a wedding), continued in therapy even when I wondered why?, finished some to dos on the house list and we are still working on it, stayed on a budget and still bought some nice things for ourselves, am talking to my sister more than I have in more recent years, did part of P90X (we will try again we promise), found my love of yoga (gotta get back to it), embraced what was natural and resisted what was not (make of that what you want), stuck to my mantra "don't wait", and listened to my doctor "less in the past, less in the future".

Gonna keep on living and see what this year has to offer.