Category Archives: Daily Snippets

Daily Snippets, Domestic Engineer, Exercise, Faith, Kids

New goals and stuff

Leave a comment

Just real quick folks, I’m checking in to let you know today I am committing to every day – every day – starting with two things before everything else. One – time with God, praying and reading the Bible. Two – 30 minutes of exercise, walking, running, sit-ups, whatever. Those two things, in that order, must be completed before I do anything else each day. So if I know I have plans for the day that could interfere, then I just have to get up a little earlier to make room for those two things. Gah! We’ll see how this goes. This is certainly not the first time I’ve tried to get back to basics and keep these priorities in my life (well maybe for the first item, the second one is a more recent addition). So I’m not telling you because it’s new, but I’m telling you because if I post it here maybe I’ll remember that it’s here and that I made the commitment.

I think this will help me. I have been storing up a lot of anxiety lately over all of the details. Piddly little details, and I’m all worked up over them. So I’m just trying to get centered. Again.

Today I’ve completed those first two, even after going back to bed for the majority of the morning, and now I’m onto the next. Toilets to be cleaned, floors to be vacuumed. And I’m sporting my phone on my arm like a runner so I can groove to my techno station. Gotta make it fun, people!

Oh, and coffee. Another cup of coffee is in the works.

Wait, I forgot to mention – today my son turned 10!! That’s a really big deal (at least it is for him, and I still remember turning double digits myself) and I totally ignored it with this post, didn’t I? I think I’m supposed to share a nice photo and a story of his birth, or something like that, but nah, forget “supposed to”. We have celebrations planned for him, dinner with the family tonight and a party on Sunday. So I’m sure you’ll hear more about it from me soon enough.

Now back to the toilet business. *Focus, Mindy, focus.*

Daily Snippets, Family, Food, Friends, Kids, Multiple Sclerosis, Running

Might as well call it the May Update…

Leave a comment

Last month I published ONE blog post, and as it’s already the 10th of May, I guess I’m off to another slow start. Lest you think my silence is a bad sign, I’m poking my head out to let you know all is well. To prove it, I will now proceed with semi-coherent ranting about what I’ve been up to. What fun, yes??

So last Friday we ran another 5k race, my son and I. He absolutely killed his time from the year before, but since he had not really been training for it his recovery was pretty rough. He’s feeling better now, but the weekend he was in rare form, complaining of sore legs, not wanting to move around. I hadn’t done a lot of training either, and my finish time reflected that, but my legs felt okay after so I’m not sorry. I stayed on my feet the entire time and that’s my one true goal when I run, so I’m happy. My daughter ran the one mile race that’s not timed, and her goal was to finish, and girl, did she finish. She cramped up a little towards the end, but she was determined to not give up, and we are super proud of her for that. Both my kids are serious fighters.

I’ve been filling my weeks judiciously with shopping trips with friends, playing fetch with the dog, and going to various doctor appointments. I saw a dermatologist (Did I blog about that? I seem to remember) and discovered I do not have acne, but rosacea. Which was still possibly triggered by my round of steroids, but treated much differently. I’m also seeing my primary doctor soon in regards to what I’m calling “significant” joint pain in my right hip and knee. I suspect it’s just my osteoarthritis acting up and hoping it’s nothing more serious. We shall see.

I decided back in November to stop eating meat. It’s going fairly well, and I do feel better. I still eat some fish and some beef (the ground beef we buy from a local farmer) but only when other options aren’t readily available. I don’t have a great explanation for the change, other than the fact that I really, really love vegetables and grains and I’m disgusted by what I’ve read about the way meat is processed in this country. So my appetite for foods I used to love is pretty much gone. Like last night, I made chili dogs for the family and I totally thought I was going to eat one too. But then I just couldn’t do it. So I made myself a spinach salad, and it was delicious.

Also, somewhere between November and April I realized I had gotten a little too uptight about food, and it was spilling out onto my family members. I’m not sure how to correct that really, but I’m trying to loosen up. Geesh, that’s the story of my life, trying to loosen up. I’ll get there, eventually. Won’t I?

My son is turning 10 in one week, and he is beyond excited. I remember turning 10… double digits was a big deal. He is just as excited, and we will be throwing him a party right here at the house. I’m a little nervous about the dog, and the noise, but I think we’ll get through it. Just praying for good weather so they can all play outside for most of it. My only major responsibility for this party is making a cheesecake, which I can do days in advance and I love that. Piling too many responsibilities into one day doesn’t work very well for me, so I love when I can spread things out throughout the week.

We have an MS Walk coming up here in May, and I’m excited for that as well. I haven’t participated in one since just after I was diagnosed 7 years ago. I had decided this was a good year to get back on that wagon and pull my friends and family together to show me some support. Selfish? Maybe, but I’m not sorry. This girl is learning to step out a little and ask for the things she wants. And I want a gang of people I love walking with me on a beautiful morning in May.

I think that’s enough rambling for now, don’t you think? I pray you all have a blessed Wednesday and are able to soak in some sunshine!

Coffee, Daily Snippets, God speaks, Kids, Miracles do happen

Two for two

Leave a comment

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Having just shoved the kids off to the bus in typical hectic fashion, this verse today is an answer to a prayer I was too frazzled to make. I was frazzled, yes, but I didn’t blow my top today. I was miraculously able to stay calm – ish – and I did not raise my voice. A small victory, indeed.

Also, I’m drinking delicious coffee. Coffee that’s still hot. Miracle number two.

 

 

Daily Snippets, Kids, Parenting, Photos

Mother fudging

Leave a comment

Today it’s pajama day at the school. I was unaware because I sometimes get a little over zealous with the recycling of papers, and there was a calendar. This is according to the three other moms I contacted in a last minute frenzy this morning. Apparently there have been dress up days going on this entire month. Ugh. I don’t particularly care about these things, and I trust my kids will let me know when there is something coming up they do care about. Which they did today of course, only kind of at the last minute. Thankfully it’s a late start day and “dressing up” for pajama day doesn’t require much of a transition. Though I did notice my daughter slept in her clothes last night. What can I say, we’re breaking norms all over the place around here. 

Cochlear implant, Daily Snippets, Family, Kids, Photos

Accidental game night?

Leave a comment

The children both happen to be grounded from screens tonight, and when they got bored with pretending not to be jumproping in the living room – oh the temptations children must overcome – I suggested they play a board game. They seemed genuinely pleased with my suggestion and ran downstairs to pick one out. Checkers, it is!

They are playing nicely while I watch from my cozy recliner, coffee and crochet in hand(s). This feels so nice and peaceful I might have to make it a regular, mandated activity around here!

Daily Snippets, Kids, Multiple Sclerosis
Leave a comment

I’ve had lots going on over here in real life. Too busy and too exhausted to blog about it, but I thought I would check in real quick before I closed my eyes for the night. I realize how annoying that is when bloggers blog about how much they’re not blogging. I don’t care, I’m okay being the annoying one.

Things I’m excited about:

  1. I created a chore chart for the kids and it’s actually working
  2. I’m becoming a little less obsessed with what I eat
  3. I’m also pretty sure I’m becoming a vegetarian, and I’m learning to be okay with that
  4. My vision is improving and I’m done with the steroids
  5. Tomorrow I’m meeting with my favorite tattoo artist to talk about my next tattoo. Eeek!

So, you know, nothing crazy, nothing spectacular. But all good. I’ll take good all day long.

Daily Snippets, Domestic Engineer

Checking the mail

1 Comment

I look forward to getting the mail. Yep, I’m one of those people. I never used to be, but now that I’m stuck home most days, with not a lot to do other than boring domestic stuff like cooking and cleaning… well, sometimes it’s the most exciting time of my day. The sale ads come every Tuesday, and that’s fun to glance through casually before tossing them into the recycle bin. Most other days it’s the normal bills coming in, which I’m always happy to handle. I still love accounting, so balancing the checkbook and managing the budget makes me feel like I’m still using my skills.

This time of year is especially exciting because we have been receiving all the end-of-year tax forms. And I love preparing tax returns! I used to do it for others, as a side business, but can’t do it now due to my vision. There’s just too much room for error. If I screw up on my own return, no biggie, but screwing up on a client’s or friend’s return is just not cool.

So I’m raring and ready to go on our 2016 return, but we are missing two forms that had to be resent, so I’m anxiously waiting their arrival in the mailbox every day. I’m also waiting for my new handicap parking placard to arrive, since it’s expiring this year. Unfortunately, today was not the day for any of these items. Maybe tomorrow!

And now for your amusement, I’ll show you what my husband thinks of when he sees me run out and check the mailbox on a Saturday, when he’s actually home to see my excitement…

Mailtime!

Daily Snippets, Deep thoughts, Photos

A momentous occasion for sure

Leave a comment

Please ignore my awful complexion, I’m working on that. What I wanted to share with you here is that today I discovered my first gray hair. Do you see it? Right there on top, just bending towards the right? I wasn’t sure if I would ever notice my hair graying, because I don’t see colors well, and my hair is a version of blonde. My mom is a blonde and she still doesn’t have much noticeable gray hair.

So I’m surprised! I don’t know why this excites me really, I guess you could say I’m having a slow day for entertainment.

I think I’m “supposed” to dread the aging process, gray hair, crow’s feet, wrinkles, etc. But I don’t mind. I think with age comes experience and wisdom and personal growth, and those are all good things I treasure. So I’ll take it all in one big package and will hold me head high, thank you very much.

Coffee, Daily Snippets

Lovely leftovers

Leave a comment

I still have some whipped cream left in my fridge from hosting Thanksgiving, and there’s no pie left to go with it. So I’ve been putting it in my coffee! I don’t put sugar in my coffee normally, but the whipped cream offers just a touch of subtle sweetness that’s not too overwhelming. And on a cold day with snow on the horizon, it really hits the spot!