New Blog

If you are at all interested in herbs, health or well being check out the Connecticut Herb Associations blog.  It is full of great information and fun events.  It's just beginning and a great resource already.

I am a Bookaholic

And I'm not interested in recovery.  I have switched to a kindle for reading more fluffy things as I call them.  That keeps me from collecting far to many things on my shelf.  I've really gotten better at letting books go and either pass them on or donate to the local library book sale.  And even though I can highlight, bookmark and write notes in the margin of my kindle reference books are far better off in paper form.

I received an amazon gift card for Christmas from my boss and I've been savoring it.  Hoarding it.  Cherishing it.  And today I used it.  A few items will be delivered right to my kindle.  I will walk upstairs and there they will be - ready to be read and cherished.  Autobiography of a Yogi came highly recommended and that was a free download.  I really love those.  And in a week or less a box will arrive on my door step with a few little treasures.  John O'Donahue's Four Elements and Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth. 

Have you read any good books lately?  What book changed your life?  Your thinking?  What book do you pick up and read again and again?

And in between my needle point project, cooking and soap making I will be reading.

A Night Out

Last night was the awards ceremony for NHFD. Hubby took me and son took his sister (not his decision).  It was semi-formal so I had to do some shopping for the kids.  Son needed a shirt and tie and youngest needed an entire out fit.  She's in a phase where she absolutely refuses to wear a dress. She so doesn't want to look like a girl.  I was a tomboy too but I never remember not wanting to look like a girl.  Any way, she ended up with a great pair of black pants, a muted purple sweater and heels.  She picked out the shoes.  With her height and a waist the size of my wrist she looked fantastic.  My leather blazer completed the outfit.
And the dress I shopped for in my closet fit.  It's been a long time since it zipped.  Wohoo!

They had a cocktail hour, dinner, awards and dancing.  The DJ really got people involved.  Youngest hit it off with a few of the girls and she was on the dance floor having a great time.  My VERY serious son was dragged on the floor by one of the mom's and being to polite to say no went.  He actually started to loosen up a bit and joined the rest of the cadets on the floor.

The music wasn't too loud and hubby and I spent a lot of time on the dance floor ourselves.  It was such a fun evening.  The best fire department dinner I've been to.  There were a lot of laughs and some joking but no one getting stupid.  I look forward to more of these events.

And I'm wearing 4 inch heels in this picture.  The beads were part of a game we played at dinner.  I managed to win a few extra strands.  And son's tie didn't make it until dinner. :(  He's still handsome though - just like his daddy.

Raising teenagers

is like nailing jell-o to the wall.

That's the sign my MIL gave me a few years ago and that about sums it up.

After a big blow up a week ago with son things seem to be on an even keel there.  Hubby says we're like two alpha males butting heads.  Yeah, well I'm the big dog.  Once we discussed that my yelling at him was just as disrespectful as his eye roll, whatevers and mumbling under his breath we were able to settle things.  He was in tears, hubby was in tears all because I was trying to calmly get the kids to discuss how they were handling Sunday morning dishes.  I think at this stage of the game the kids should be discussing their issues and not involving me.  

This week youngest overheard me answering questions from her cousin.  Oldest had posted that she was moving.  She also had posted that she was praying for her mom.  Cousin asked if bio was sick.  I said no, she was fighting with her husband, LHNB.  Youngest not getting the full story posted a note saying I was a liar and didn't want her to be friends with bio.
Deep breath.  I think I handled it well.  I quietly said I heard a rumor that she thought I was a liar.  Eyes got big.  We talked about it.  I showed her the posts her sister made.  I explained that I did not say bio and LHNB were breaking up I just said they had a fight.  I asked her if she remembered how oldest reacted when people were fighting.  She gets really emotional. 
Have I ever lied to you?  No
Do I get myself in more trouble because I tell the truth? yes
Wouldn't it make more sense to ask me what I meant?  yes

And then a calm fell on the house again for.....

Saturday we went hiking at White Memorial.  Even son joined us as he could still walk after PT.  What a great family time.

Where to Find Annie

My good friend Annie Kelleher will be hosting a book signing on February 11 for her amazing book How David Met Sarah at The Artists' Path Gallery.  She's also sharing some love with it being so close to Valentine's Day and is giving away a basket with my products and some cool stuff made my friend Rose.  Check it all out.

Work

My son has started spending his Saturday mornings with the marine recruiter and other young men doing PT (physical training).  Yesterday he worked them so hard son came home soar and barely able to walk.  He started to grab the phone to call out of work sick for the next day.

Wait right there.   You're doing what?   I might not be able to move tomorrow. 

So, I calmly explained that if he called out of work then that was the last PT session he would be going to.  You play, you pay. 

He huffed off to complain to his his father.  Hubby asked him what he would do during basic if he felt like that.  I'd have to work through it.  And that is exactly what you need to do now. 

Ahhh!  Son's slowly learning - responsibility sure can suck. 

Feeling Better

Back in the day - a long time ago - the doctor recommended the South Beach diet to me.  I checked books out of the library and liked the concept.  You eliminate all the "bad" carbs and many of the "good" from your diet for a period of time (usually 2 weeks) and then you slowly add good carbs back into your diet.

And then I put the books down and went back to my life.

I've been on a kick to feel my best - mind, body and soul.  The chiropractor and massage therapist along with the exercises recommended worked out all the locked up joints.  The exercises became part of my daily routine and then I finally got my fat arse walking again.  I love to walk and am not sure why I stopped.

But, I still felt bloated - yukky.  Not bad but not good.  So, I looked at my diet.  I eat pretty healthy food but in abundance.  And I eat mostly whole grains and very little white stuff but.....  I tried the south beach diet minus the artificial sweetener (don't get me on that soap box).  Within days I felt so much better.  My energy started to creep back. I didn't tell the family I just changed every one's nightly meal.  Hubby picked up on it after a week.  The kids still haven't said anything. 

Instead of meat, vegetable and potato or grain we have meat (lean protein) and two vegetables (or more)  with no starchy vegetables in the mix.  When it was time to start adding food back the one piece of whole wheat bread seemed to bother my system.  So, I'm still gluten free.  I am eating small amounts of brown rice and quinoa but think I'll take a little longer before trying bread again.

They claim by this time I should be past craving the carbs.  And for the most part I am.  I didn't even miss the potato but bread...... 

And then I think about how good I feel.