I'm glad we were able to have such a great weather day for our last hurrah of the summer.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Stopping Time
In September we took a little staycation. We went to the beach, soaked up the rays. The beach to me is a place all worries disappear, time stops, the beauty of the skyline, the smell of the salt water, and the touch of the sand is it's own meditation. I leave there feeling a sense of total relaxation. I did not make it to the beach enough this summer, must change that for 2013.
I'm glad we were able to have such a great weather day for our last hurrah of the summer.
I'm glad we were able to have such a great weather day for our last hurrah of the summer.
Ending one chapter starting another
Ending one chapter. The girls have been doing martial arts for the last 5 1/2 years. They are now red belts, 2 belts away from being black belts. Over the past month or so they have started asking to do new things, those things were at the same time we do martial arts lessons. They decided they would like to stop the martial arts lessons for acting and hula hoop lessons. I made them sit on their decision and think about it. They love martial arts and they love their teachers, their teachers are all amazing. Their hearts weren't in it for the black belt, and that's ok. It was very hard to say goodbye. A picture from when they got their red belts.
Starting the new chapter. Amber has wanted to start acting lessons for a few years now, but we just couldn't fit in the schedule. Chloe is getting really awesome with the hula hoop. Amber gets to start acting lessons in two weeks. Chloe is getting tips at my hula hoop lessons and will be starting class as soon as the next one starts up. They both want to do painting and drawing classes.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
MTHFR
Yea Yea i know what that looks like and sometimes that is how I feel about this gene mutation. I was diagnosed with this in 2007, two years after my blood clot. This should of been tested with the labs when I had my blood clot, but wasn't. I got frustrated with my current doctor and switched doctors and that's when I heard about it when I was tested positive. So what is MTHFR you ask.. well. This is the best explanation I have found for it.
"MTHFR is a a key regulatory enzyme in the metabolism of folate. It also refers to a specific gene that plays a major role in the body's methylation process. Both the enzyme and the gene have the same name, MTHFR. The gene's role is very complex, and recent discoveries by the Human Genome Project have been focused around the MTHFR gene polymorphisms (or variants). These polymorphisms are often referred to as 'mutations' or 'defects' because of the problems they cause in the body. Most often when you hear someone talk about MTHFR, they are actually referring to one of the two common MTHFR gene mutations that causes this MTHFR enzyme to become imperfect and therefore much less effective." http://www.methyl-life.com/what-is-mthfr.html
This is the best explanation I have found for the symptoms of each mutation, also found on methyl-life.com's website.
Mutation 677 – Heart disease, heart attack, Stroke, Blood clots, Peripheral neuropathy, Anemia, Miscarriages, Congenital birth defects, and more
Mutation 1298 – Depression, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Migraines, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Memory loss with Alzheimer's and Dementia, even other psychiatric problems can be tied to this defect (OCD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia), and more
I have one copy of each mutation. This explains a lot of my body pain, anxiety, the blood clot, anemia, sleep issues etc. Both of my girls have the same and my husband has 1 copy of 677. There is also a connection with MTHFR and hashimotos thyroid.
My nurse practitioner changed my iron supplement to an iron supplement that actually has the mythl folate in it which I didn't know. I started taking it and within 2 weeks my sleep was getting better. (It's still not 100% perfect but it's so much better than it was). At some point I decided to look at the ingredients and noticed it had the mythl folate in it. That's when I realized how much of an affect it had on me. My iron is still low normal but is starting to get better. I did end up taking to much cause i was taking what was in my iron and extra supplement. I do know 800 mcg is not enough, but i think 1800 mcg is to much. I'm now trying to find the right dose for me that makes me feel great.
When I was first diagnosed I was just told to take b12, b6 and folate. I was never told which form was best. Maybe they didn't know in '07 but I think they did from reading I have done. I have now started with the mythl form of folate and b12 and I must say there is a major difference in how i feel. I hurt a little less, sleeping a little better, and I feel like my mind is clearer. I just love feeling more ALIVE!!!.
MTHFR can also cause toxins to build up in your body and cause a slew of other issues. This is something not to mess with.
If you have family members who have been tested positive for this gene, you should be tested. If you have any of the symptoms or family members with the symptoms you should be tested for this gene. Also you may still test normal and still have mythlation issues. There could be still a lot more gene mutations they have not found yet.
I still have a lot more to learn and understand about this mutation, but i'm glad to finally get answers. It's been a long road to get here. I am also glad that something as simple as a supplement helps.
"MTHFR is a a key regulatory enzyme in the metabolism of folate. It also refers to a specific gene that plays a major role in the body's methylation process. Both the enzyme and the gene have the same name, MTHFR. The gene's role is very complex, and recent discoveries by the Human Genome Project have been focused around the MTHFR gene polymorphisms (or variants). These polymorphisms are often referred to as 'mutations' or 'defects' because of the problems they cause in the body. Most often when you hear someone talk about MTHFR, they are actually referring to one of the two common MTHFR gene mutations that causes this MTHFR enzyme to become imperfect and therefore much less effective." http://www.methyl-life.com/what-is-mthfr.html
This is the best explanation I have found for the symptoms of each mutation, also found on methyl-life.com's website.
Mutation 677 – Heart disease, heart attack, Stroke, Blood clots, Peripheral neuropathy, Anemia, Miscarriages, Congenital birth defects, and more
Mutation 1298 – Depression, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Migraines, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Memory loss with Alzheimer's and Dementia, even other psychiatric problems can be tied to this defect (OCD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia), and more
I have one copy of each mutation. This explains a lot of my body pain, anxiety, the blood clot, anemia, sleep issues etc. Both of my girls have the same and my husband has 1 copy of 677. There is also a connection with MTHFR and hashimotos thyroid.
My nurse practitioner changed my iron supplement to an iron supplement that actually has the mythl folate in it which I didn't know. I started taking it and within 2 weeks my sleep was getting better. (It's still not 100% perfect but it's so much better than it was). At some point I decided to look at the ingredients and noticed it had the mythl folate in it. That's when I realized how much of an affect it had on me. My iron is still low normal but is starting to get better. I did end up taking to much cause i was taking what was in my iron and extra supplement. I do know 800 mcg is not enough, but i think 1800 mcg is to much. I'm now trying to find the right dose for me that makes me feel great.
When I was first diagnosed I was just told to take b12, b6 and folate. I was never told which form was best. Maybe they didn't know in '07 but I think they did from reading I have done. I have now started with the mythl form of folate and b12 and I must say there is a major difference in how i feel. I hurt a little less, sleeping a little better, and I feel like my mind is clearer. I just love feeling more ALIVE!!!.
MTHFR can also cause toxins to build up in your body and cause a slew of other issues. This is something not to mess with.
If you have family members who have been tested positive for this gene, you should be tested. If you have any of the symptoms or family members with the symptoms you should be tested for this gene. Also you may still test normal and still have mythlation issues. There could be still a lot more gene mutations they have not found yet.
I still have a lot more to learn and understand about this mutation, but i'm glad to finally get answers. It's been a long road to get here. I am also glad that something as simple as a supplement helps.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The start of the school year
I must say the school year is going pretty well with my new system. I'm staying organized, the kids are staying organized. They are not fighting me with their work like they usually are doing (even at the start of the year). Hopefully I have found a system that works for our family.
Each week I figure out how the lessons will go with what is going on that week with appts and outside activities. I let the kids know and they write them down in the school planner. A needs more help than C does, so we do a lot of reading of lessons together. Again this seems to be working well. There are a few subjects we all do together.
The new system is also helping me with adding in videos to help with learning and remembering the lessons. I also loved videos more than just reading the subject, the really helped me remember and the girls feel the same way.
Kevin is also teaching A chemistry and reading for enjoyment with her more.
C is a pretty strong reader now and wants to work on writing, vocabulary and spelling.
The girls are getting up around 8 am, getting some chores done and eating and then off they start. This also seems to be working well too. Frees up the afternoons a lot more.
The only thing I need to work on more is getting exercise in for myself with the new system and me helping amber a lot more. When i would typically do it, just is not syncing up well with lessons. So I have to figure this out a little more. I will figure it out and will get back to rocking the exercise.
We are using a lot of currclick non religious ebooks and their live classes. Things are going good. Let's see how we are doing next week :)
Each week I figure out how the lessons will go with what is going on that week with appts and outside activities. I let the kids know and they write them down in the school planner. A needs more help than C does, so we do a lot of reading of lessons together. Again this seems to be working well. There are a few subjects we all do together.
The new system is also helping me with adding in videos to help with learning and remembering the lessons. I also loved videos more than just reading the subject, the really helped me remember and the girls feel the same way.
Kevin is also teaching A chemistry and reading for enjoyment with her more.
C is a pretty strong reader now and wants to work on writing, vocabulary and spelling.
The girls are getting up around 8 am, getting some chores done and eating and then off they start. This also seems to be working well too. Frees up the afternoons a lot more.
The only thing I need to work on more is getting exercise in for myself with the new system and me helping amber a lot more. When i would typically do it, just is not syncing up well with lessons. So I have to figure this out a little more. I will figure it out and will get back to rocking the exercise.
We are using a lot of currclick non religious ebooks and their live classes. Things are going good. Let's see how we are doing next week :)
Monday, August 27, 2012
A new family member
A friend of ours offered my girls a bunny and with a lot of thinking we finally said yes. This past Saturday we went and picked him up. The girls are going to learn about bunny care and how to show him at the 4H fair. They are also talking about maybe even mating him but we are not there yet.
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| sasha is really good with sugar, she wants to play and lick him to death. And doesn't understand why he has to be in the cage. |
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| sugar's new home. |
Planning our school year
Every year about this time I start setting up a plan for the girls and their schooling. This year i have a 4th and 6th grader and we have lots planned.
This year we are going to start our day with an inspirational quote. This day in age it's a nice thing to start off the day with some inspiration. We will also do a quick breathing/meditation. Then off the girls go to do their independent work. Each day will be a little different and things will change from week to week. But this will be the basics.
We are all so excited to see what this year has in store for us.
Monday
Math
Language Arts
Science
Elementary Psych
Kids individual projects
Tuesday
Math
Language Arts
History
Kids individual projects
Wednesday
Math
Language Arts
Science
Writing class
Kids individual projects
Thursday
Math
History
Language Arts
Birds class
Kids individual projects
Friday
Math
Language Arts
Art
Kids individual projects
Other Activities
4-H -
Girl Scouts -
Field Trips
Karate
Art Classes
Pottery
Learning PowerPoint
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Goals
One of my goals this year was to read 12 books. The year before I may have read around 6 books.
I was really nervous setting this goal because I haven't really sat and read in years. Owning kindles boosted my reading over the past few years but nothing like I did this year. A friend of mine was challenging herself to a book challenge and I knew there was no way I could read as many as she could and she suggested a book a month for me. I took her up on the challenge.
When setting this goal, I knew I would be reading my normal cops, mysteries and paranormal type books. I also wanted to read something I typically wouldn't read. I read one christian book (not in your face religion but more spiritual) and also the trilogy 50 shades lol. Neither I was intending to read but they came into my life at the right moments. I did enjoy both, but couldn't wait to get back to my normal genre of books. Which I am once again reading. I'm just starting book #15.
I won't be really thinking about 2013 goals yet, but I will have to up my challenge with the books and maybe read something else a little different for myself. Or maybe finally finish one of those spiritual books I started (those seem to take me longer) I really love fiction and the wonderful worlds it can create.
I was really nervous setting this goal because I haven't really sat and read in years. Owning kindles boosted my reading over the past few years but nothing like I did this year. A friend of mine was challenging herself to a book challenge and I knew there was no way I could read as many as she could and she suggested a book a month for me. I took her up on the challenge.
When setting this goal, I knew I would be reading my normal cops, mysteries and paranormal type books. I also wanted to read something I typically wouldn't read. I read one christian book (not in your face religion but more spiritual) and also the trilogy 50 shades lol. Neither I was intending to read but they came into my life at the right moments. I did enjoy both, but couldn't wait to get back to my normal genre of books. Which I am once again reading. I'm just starting book #15.
I won't be really thinking about 2013 goals yet, but I will have to up my challenge with the books and maybe read something else a little different for myself. Or maybe finally finish one of those spiritual books I started (those seem to take me longer) I really love fiction and the wonderful worlds it can create.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
4-H Fair
This is our 5th 4-H fair and each year the girls get more and more involved. This year I had two home arts managers. They helped with the clean up and set up. They also helped with getting the projects displayed in the correct areas. They also between the two of them had 50 projects they submitted. Many of these were done over the year. But several they did within the last month of the fair.
They both wanted to bake this year too. My oldest never wants to bake, but she really wanted to make cupcakes. So we looked online for a cupcake recipe and we found the most amazing cupcakes. pumpkin cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting. She required little help in the kitchen. This mama is feeling pretty amazing and proud at how she has grown.
My youngest need a little help baking but is pretty amazing with what she bakes. She made two baking projects. A no-bake chocolate pb crunch and her amazing donuts.
Chloe really wanted to get a purple ribbon and her wish came true with those pumpkin cupcakes. She is so proud! And now she really wants a court of honor ribbon. Which means she needs to step up her projects and work a little harder. She is ready to do this.
Amber wants to make court of honor next year. She wants that purple ribbon. She also knows she has to step of her projects.
I'm very proud of both my girls and the lessons they are learning in 4-H. I was in 4-H as a child for about 3 years and I have many fond memories. I'm glad i'm able to give them the same opportunity.
So we now go into our 6th year of 4h.
They both wanted to bake this year too. My oldest never wants to bake, but she really wanted to make cupcakes. So we looked online for a cupcake recipe and we found the most amazing cupcakes. pumpkin cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting. She required little help in the kitchen. This mama is feeling pretty amazing and proud at how she has grown.
My youngest need a little help baking but is pretty amazing with what she bakes. She made two baking projects. A no-bake chocolate pb crunch and her amazing donuts.
Chloe really wanted to get a purple ribbon and her wish came true with those pumpkin cupcakes. She is so proud! And now she really wants a court of honor ribbon. Which means she needs to step up her projects and work a little harder. She is ready to do this.
Amber wants to make court of honor next year. She wants that purple ribbon. She also knows she has to step of her projects.
I'm very proud of both my girls and the lessons they are learning in 4-H. I was in 4-H as a child for about 3 years and I have many fond memories. I'm glad i'm able to give them the same opportunity.
So we now go into our 6th year of 4h.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Things to look forward to when i hit goal
Someone in a Sparkpeople Live meeting gave me an idea of creating a list of things to look forward to when I hit my goal weight. Her's was inspired by the Biggest Loser show when they did goal shirts. I was going to come up with 100 things like she did, but i think the list I came up with is perfect. I don't need 100 things, I need things that will inspire and motivate me to stay moving towards my goals.
And here they are:
- No more back pain
- Energy because i'm not lugging around the extra weight
- Goal pictures
- Scale a rock wall with ease
- Fit into single digit clothes
- Onederland
- No more big thighs
- To take lose weight off my yearly goals
- To wear cute tight shirts showing off my new figure
- To exercise to stay healthy not to get healthy
- To have a healthy bmi
- To shop in the normal size clothes at old navy
- To wear a swimsuit at the beach and feel confident
- To be able to run/walk a 5k
- See my sparkpeople goal ticker reach the other side
- To shout from the roof tops that i made goal
- Not having my hips stick way out
- Enjoying my fruits and veggies
- Not to worry going out with friends that i'm going to undo everything i did with one meal
- To conquer my weight
- Love myself
- To sit comfortably in chairs and not look like a big blob
- Fly
- Keep the weight off
- Go on a fun hiking weekend
- Party with my friends with healthy food and loads of fun
- Maintain my new wonderful body
- Wear my sexy black dress and go dancing
- Less weight will make it easier for my body to pump blood
- I won't feel like someone else hiding behind all the extra weight
And here they are:
- No more back pain
- Energy because i'm not lugging around the extra weight
- Goal pictures
- Scale a rock wall with ease
- Fit into single digit clothes
- Onederland
- No more big thighs
- To take lose weight off my yearly goals
- To wear cute tight shirts showing off my new figure
- To exercise to stay healthy not to get healthy
- To have a healthy bmi
- To shop in the normal size clothes at old navy
- To wear a swimsuit at the beach and feel confident
- To be able to run/walk a 5k
- See my sparkpeople goal ticker reach the other side
- To shout from the roof tops that i made goal
- Not having my hips stick way out
- Enjoying my fruits and veggies
- Not to worry going out with friends that i'm going to undo everything i did with one meal
- To conquer my weight
- Love myself
- To sit comfortably in chairs and not look like a big blob
- Fly
- Keep the weight off
- Go on a fun hiking weekend
- Party with my friends with healthy food and loads of fun
- Maintain my new wonderful body
- Wear my sexy black dress and go dancing
- Less weight will make it easier for my body to pump blood
- I won't feel like someone else hiding behind all the extra weight
Monday, January 2, 2012
100 Things to do in 2012
This year i'm journaling in my 2012 Creating My Goddess year workbook and planner. One of the things it asked was to think of 100 things i wanted to do in 2012. It wasn't easy and I had to revert to google and search other lists to come up with ideas, which triggered new ideas for me. I'm going to type this list up in my Cozi todo list and check them off as i complete them. I would like to get as many done as I can this year. And if new ideas pop up throughout the year I will add them to my cozi list. Any not completed and i'm still interested in in 2013 (you know the world won't be ending on 12/21/2012), I will just roll them over.
100 THINGS TO DO IN 2012
1. Walk more
2. A play in NYC
3. Bowling/Duckpin
4. Geocaching
5. Go to a hockey game
6. Wadsworth Museum
7. Ghost hunt
8. Dinosaur state park
9. Earthplace in Westport
10. Boat ride on the CT river
11. Learn to ride my bike and be comfortable on it
12. Art museum
13. More genealogy
14. Learn to press flowers
15. Tetherball
16. Kite flying
17. Apple picking
18. Meditate more
19. Time capsule for family
20. 5k
21. Climb rock wall
22. 365 photos a year or a photo project taking and blogging photos
23. Family blog
24. Intuitive blog
25. Play more kinect
26. Play more board games
27. Try new foods
28. Stand at the today show in the morning
29. Go to yankee candle
30. Learn to can better
31. Organize my recipes
32. Do 100 situps w/o taking a break
33. Do 100 wall push ups w/o taking a break
34. Read @ least 12 books
35. Master the hula hoop
36. Take the family to a concert
37. Create in a keri smith book
38. Write a poem
39. Find a poem I love and journal it
40. Learn to draw w/ kids drawing program
41. Start a nature journal
42. Learn more about rock and minerals
43. Renew my library card
44. Scrapbook more
45. Digital scrapbook
46. Start a gratitude journal or blog
47. Keep a log of mental chatter positive and negative for 10 days
48. Stop complaining for 100 days
49. Become more frugal
50. Jump on my rebounder everyday
51. Make bread w/my bread machine (find a good gluten free bread)
52. Write a haiku
53. Get passports
54. Read a health related article every week
55. Beach days
56. Work on ways to handle emotional eating
57. Block island
58. Walk up hill w/o stopping
59. Listen to a new genre of music
60. Try a new tea
61. Downsize the amount of clothes we have
62. Grow flowers
63. Read a book of jokes
64. Put all videos from camera into a movie
65. Say a daily affirmation
66. Write a persona mission statement
67. Forgive
68. Take time to enjoy a sunset
69. Drum with the family
70. Start a love journal between kev and myself
71. Catch fireflies
72. Go to a baseball game
73. Mindful meditation
74. Blow bubbles
75. Learn more Gluten free recipes that are good
76. Log 10,000 fitness mintues
77. Blog 100 things I’ll do when I make goal
78. Explore a town
79. Paint my living room
80. Paint my kitchen
81. Buy new clothes because I’m losing weight
82. Dress nicer
83. Create a vision board
84. Put this list into cozi for easy check off
85. Declutter my closet
86. Compliment strangers (pay it forward)
87. Create
88. Research more trips
89. Hike sleeping giant
90. Star gaze
91. Learn line dancing (again)
92. Knit a pattern
93. Read a book I typically wouldn’t read
94. Statue of liberty
95. American girl store
96. Create a home I love
97. Celebrate the solstices
98. Dress up for Halloween
99. Reduce sugar
100. Continue to grow and learn
here are my 2012 goals i would like to complete in 2012. i will write up my 100 goals soon.
Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Anderson
Something to remember over the year; is to remember: "Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Healthy and Fitness Goals:
1. Continue with the BLC on sparkpeople
2. Master the hula hoop and be able to keep it up for @ least 10 mins
3. Play the kinect @2x a week
4. Do some sort of exercise 5x a week (kinect, hula hoop, treadmill, bike)
5. Learn to be comfortable on my road bike (will use an indoor trainer during the winter)
Personal Growth, Peaceful Living and Wellbeing:
1. Start wearing some nicer shirts other than t-shirts.
2. Start a meditation practice starting with just 1 minute a day
3. I will craft more in 2012 – doesn’t matter what just something with my hands.
Family and House Goals:
1. Declutter my clothes current sizes and even smaller sizes get rid of what I don’t love. I don’t need to keep all those smaller sizes either. I need to have something to look forward to while I lose (buying new clothes)
2. Continue to declutter kids toys and clothes
3. Paint living room
4. Paint kitchen
5. Finish ½ bath
6. Get kev to finally organize the garage
Financial Goals:
1. Set up a plan to start paying down credit cards
2. Continue to pay more with cash
Reading List 2012:
1. I will read at least 12 books in 2012, I will track the books in Cozi after I read them
2. I will read books that I enjoy, on aromatherapy, and book to help me grow as an individual.
Social, Fun and Recreational Goals: some of these are from my 100 Things todo in 2012 list (in cozi) which I will be enjoying this coming year.
1. 100 things todo list how many did I complete
2. A play in NYC
3. Geocaching
4. Go to a hockey game
5. Wadsworth museum
6. Dinosaur state park
7. Boat ride on the CT river
8. Explore a town
9. Beach days
10. Stand at the today show
11. Family game night
12. Apple picking
Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Anderson
Something to remember over the year; is to remember: "Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Healthy and Fitness Goals:
1. Continue with the BLC on sparkpeople
2. Master the hula hoop and be able to keep it up for @ least 10 mins
3. Play the kinect @2x a week
4. Do some sort of exercise 5x a week (kinect, hula hoop, treadmill, bike)
5. Learn to be comfortable on my road bike (will use an indoor trainer during the winter)
Personal Growth, Peaceful Living and Wellbeing:
1. Start wearing some nicer shirts other than t-shirts.
2. Start a meditation practice starting with just 1 minute a day
3. I will craft more in 2012 – doesn’t matter what just something with my hands.
Family and House Goals:
1. Declutter my clothes current sizes and even smaller sizes get rid of what I don’t love. I don’t need to keep all those smaller sizes either. I need to have something to look forward to while I lose (buying new clothes)
2. Continue to declutter kids toys and clothes
3. Paint living room
4. Paint kitchen
5. Finish ½ bath
6. Get kev to finally organize the garage
Financial Goals:
1. Set up a plan to start paying down credit cards
2. Continue to pay more with cash
Reading List 2012:
1. I will read at least 12 books in 2012, I will track the books in Cozi after I read them
2. I will read books that I enjoy, on aromatherapy, and book to help me grow as an individual.
Social, Fun and Recreational Goals: some of these are from my 100 Things todo in 2012 list (in cozi) which I will be enjoying this coming year.
1. 100 things todo list how many did I complete
2. A play in NYC
3. Geocaching
4. Go to a hockey game
5. Wadsworth museum
6. Dinosaur state park
7. Boat ride on the CT river
8. Explore a town
9. Beach days
10. Stand at the today show
11. Family game night
12. Apple picking
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