Vegmom Moments

LIGHTEN UP - SILVERBERRY

OK, my last several posts haven't been the most exciting to read...So I needed to Lighten Up....It is time that I must offer a funny moment in the life of  "ME"

I received my new "Silverberry".... Sorry, it is NOT black so I can't call it "Blackberry". ...  I went through withdrawals when my true old fashioned Blackberry was pried from my hands.  It was almost sad to see it go, and then the new shiny silver version was dropped on my desk. 

Admittedly it took some getting used to.  But after I found the settings, and got everything to my liking, I realized I really really like it.  Fits perfect in my hand, buttons fit my little fingers, and the features are pretty cool.  Including my new favorite option... THE MAP...  I can type in where I am, and then look for every Starbucks in the general area.  Of course it doesn't stop at Starbucks, the possibilities are endless...  I've had quite a bit of fun with this little map.  Including finding a Sushi place in Denver for a coworker that will be traveling there.... poor fishes....

Well, here is the funny part, I was told during the meeting that all phones had to be off or on Vibrate for the extent of our meeting.  GREAT... I would love to do this, however, I couldn't figure out how to turn the freakin' thing to Vibrate.  Finally, I found something in the profiles.  I set it to Vibrate.  I thought all was good....

A few minutes later, my leg starts moving, and again and again and again... I thought "Geesh, someone is trying to get a hold of me, it must be an emergency"  So I look at the phone, and no calls.  Put it back in my pocket...

Buzz buzz buzz... I realized it was vibrating EVERY TIME I GOT AN EMAIL.... Imagine my leg vibrating 180 over the next 2 hours.  FOR REAL!!  I couldn't contain my laughter at my own stupidity.  And yet there I sit, Vibrating away....

Someone may have thought I did this for enjoyment.... But I seriously, couldn't turn it off without turning the phone off.  And I didn't want to do that in case Veg needed me.   ( I left my other phone at home by mistake, or this wouldn't have been an issue)

But Alas, if it is true that electrical vibrations can help remove Cellulite, then I may keep the settings like that.  My legs will be dimple free in a week.

RED DYE - THE ICK FACTOR

While researching some rare allergens, I came across some very interesting info on Red Food Dye...  If you don't want to know... then don't read past this line!

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For those of you that dropped below the line, be warned!!  What I'm about to type may have you looking at food labels as much as I do...

There are different kinds of Red Dye's, but the commonly used ones in our foods, cosmetics, etc... are derived from either Coal or the Carcasses of a Beetle.  Yum Yum... Makes me want to go grab a dye filled treat...

Its true by the way, even Snopes says so! 

VEG IS BACK TO VEG

Veg decided he liked to eat chicken when we eat out, and I didn't want to tell him NO.  After all, it wasn't like he was asking for a steak, hot dogs or burger.   And I want the Veg thing to be his choice.

As mentioned in other posts, I kept his name "Veg" because I didn't want to call him "chicken" 

But......He had a dream last night... One that I was very excited to hear about!

When he woke up, he told me about his dream, and said that he was not going to eat meat for 10 more birthdays!!   So he is officially Veg again.... and I can call him that in good faith....  However in 10 years, I may have to revisit this according to his dream!  But by then he will be a teenager, and I may be calling him lots of other things.

HEALTH JOURNAL

Speaking of Memories..... Based on the writings of my last post, I forgot to mention that after that hospital visit and four doctors, 2 specialists later, we never did find out what was wrong with my little guy.   All I do know is that his health has never been the same. 

Taking matters in to my own hands, I've worked with him and his diet to make sure his problems are under control.  But this morning, we had another stomach episode.  This was the 5th in 2 months.  Two of them we were able to account for dairy that he shouldn't have had.  One of them was probably the virus going around, and the other two are unidentified.  Which means, I'm missing something.  There is another item that I haven't figured out....  Soooo... I'm on a mission!!

Tonight I started a Health Journal... Not just a food journal.  This will contain all daily elements of his health ---  Food, Drinks, Activity level, Vitamins/Remedies, Behavior and stomach or resp. problems....

Hopefully after a few weeks we will develop a pattern and find a common denominator.  I'll keep you posted.   

The problem with Food Sensitivities Vs. Food Allergies, is that they don't show up on tests and many doctors disregard them as problems.  I know many other parents struggle with this in different ways, so  I'll continue to post our story.  If anyone has comments to share, please do!! 

MEMORIES

They say our Memories and past experiences make us who we are... (Not sure who "they" is, but there are people that say this)  Well maybe this is true, but there are some memories that I look back on and wish they didn't happen, no matter how it makes me who I am.... One of those happened in the Fall of 2006.

My son was admitted to the hospital due to dehydration from what we think was a Parasite from a Splash Pad . We don't know for sure the cause, and never found out even after all the tests I mean Torture that he was put through. 

This sweet healthy little boy with not a single problem in 3 years of life, was put through more torture, pain and agony in three days then anyone should ever endure in a life time.  He was treated worse in this hospital then the US Military is allowed to treat prisoners.   He was Starved, Sleep Deprived, Forced fluids till he was blown up like a balloon,  scopes, tubes, and needles in places they didn't belong... also many more things that I won't bring up in this post..   I was told by these people that he wouldn't remember any of his experiences, that he was too young, and too out of it to remember.   That if I didn't allow them to do what they did and he died that it would be on my head.   

I was told that these things needed to be done for his well being.   I was told that the medication they gave him would make him not feel or see or know what was happening to him when he was taken away from me in to one of his "procedures"...... They told me that they would do everything while he was under anesthesia..  Because he had been through so much already that he wouldn't have to endure anything else while being a wake.  They told me that he Slept. That the procedure went well, that he was fine...  They wouldn't let me walk in with him, and wouldn't let me be in the recovery room when he woke up. 

I demanded to be in the recovery room, and while walking down the hallway, I heard him SCREAMING, I got there to find him strapped down and a nurse over him with more needles.  All things that were supposed to be done while he was sleeping.  This is the moment I realized how much I was lied to.... There are many more details that I won't get in to here, but I will say that since this happened, my sweet healthy boy has been sick more times then I can count.  His stomach has never been the same, He developed chronic ear infections, allergies, and other respiratory issues. 

Maybe a good thing that came out of all this, was my need to figure out alternate and natural ways to help cure things in our home, without the intervention of these people ever again.  I wouldn't have needed to know what I know now had that not happened, so maybe that is the reason?  I'm not sure, really... 

Why, am I bringing all this up?  Because today while walking with a friend, my son starting spewing out every detail of what they did to him behind those closed doors on one of those dreadful days.  First he was talking about a video game and the next thing we know he was telling her about everything that happened to him....Which means they didn't put him to sleep when they took him from me.  At 5 years old he still remembers this after no discussion of it, and can explain every detail in full color.   The procedure was one that they put grown adults a sleep for, and included biopsies... How could they do this to a child while awake.  When I say he was put through torture, I'm not exaggerating.   

How Cruel could they have been?  How horrible of these people to do this to children....  to my child or any child.  This experience has changed my opinion of the medical profession and especially this hospital that claims to be so much for so many.  I'm sure they save many lives, Maybe ours was a single bad experience, but for some reason I doubt that. 

All I can say out of all this, is that we as parents have to advocate for our children.  Demand better care and expect nothing less.  Question the Doctors when in doubt, follow your gut, get second opinions.  If they do need something done to them, get DETAILS and make sure those details are followed by the people you are entrusting your child's care to.  Don't let them do things that are not required or stray from the details.  If I could go back to that week, I would have done soooo many things different.  I hope for no other parent or child to ever have to experience what we went through in those 3 days and the months that followed. 

With all that said, I can't go back, and I can't take those memories from my child and I can't take away his nightmares, or mine.  I can't take away the health effects that he will face for the rest of his life.  But I can educate him and hope that he continues to find a way of eating that works for him.  I also hope that my research and natural approaches can help him with the problems that he does have.   

Sorry for the negative'ish post today, but I had to get this all out of my head....

I will try to find something more enjoyable to tell about later or tomorrow.... *smile*

WALL DEMONSTRATION

Veg's question of the weekend....

"How is that wall made and what is between your bedroom wall and my bedroom wall"

In usual "Me" fashion, I had to come up with something to explain.... Soooo, I had a light bulb moment and ran (really, I ran)  to get his Popsicle sticks, white paper, glue & cotton balls...

In case you were wondering, the Popsicle Sticks became my 2x4's  (studs) that frame out a wall.  The white paper (sheet rock) was cut and glued (hammered) on to the sticks (2x4's). 

I made two walls, and set them in front of each other with a little gap.  I filled the gap with cotton balls (insulation)..

TaDa....  Not only did we demonstrate how walls are made, but also what is between them and what insulation is for.... 

Mission Complete!!!  My son is either going to grow up with a lot of knowledge, or be really screwed up thinking everything in our society is made of Popsicle sticks.

TAXES DONE

I usually get my taxes done while off the week of Veg's birthday.  But this year I didn't because I was waiting for a 1099 from my bank.  So I waited, and then other things came up, and then time passed and before I new it... Still no taxes done.  Hubby kept bringing it up..."Did you get the taxes done yet?"

<NO, but your more then welcome to do them>

And yet still, its almost April and they hadn't gotten done.  Hubby didn't do them, and the invisible Tax Meister didn't either.  SO I locked myself in the basement tonight and did every last step.... I AM E-FILED!!  WooHoo!!

.... There is a point in the software that says "Take the standard sales tax credit, or add up all your actual receipts".... In parenthesis it said "NOT COMMON" next to the saving all your receipts item....But I do.... Yes, I'm not common according to the tax software, and I save EVERY receipt.

Ha, as if I need a Tax Software Engineer to say that I'm not Common... We already new that, silly!

HE PAINTED THE BATHROOM

Two years ago we got new floors in our bathrooms.  The installers were good at putting down floors but they trashed my walls.   And in return gave us two cans of paint to redo them.... Two years later, I still have the cans of paint, and messed up walls.

Until today... Finally, Hubby painted one of the bathrooms.... And I will be hearing about this for the next life time.

• Did you see the bathroom, I painted it today (Yes I know and thank you)
• It took me 5 hours to get it all done (Yes I know and thank you)
• The border was really hard to peal off (Sorry and Thank you)
• Do you like the color (Yes, it looks great and thank you)
• I hand trimmed everything (Wow, it looks great and Thank you!)
• It was soo hot today while I was painting the bathroom, I had to turn the A/C on (sorry and Thank You)
• Hey, have you seen the shower, I painted around it without any problems (Yup, that is part of the bathroom, and Thank You)
• The paint is washable you know (I SAID THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And of course Veg chimes in..."Mom, did you see what Dad did for you in the bathroom?  He painted all the walls, and this spot over here, and this spot, and look at this part, and over here too, and............"

OMG - he's one of them.... I said THANK YOU!!!

COUCH PICNIC

Last week, Veg had a very busy day and at dinner time he said "Mom, how about we cuddle up and watch a movie" 

Well, A Mom can't pass that up... But it was dinner time... So I treated my little prince to a Couch Picnic.

I got him a pillow for a table, and a waterproof pad with blanket for a table cloth, a napkin, and his food... Oh, he was so thrilled to have his couch picnic, and hubby made a comment of jealousy...

After all the Prince was set, but the King was on the floor, with out a plate of food... So I got him his own pillow his own table cloth and his own food.   Turned in to quite a fun evening.... And I did get my couch cuddles while watching a move! 

Sometimes eating in the family room is not such a bad thing!

BAKED SALAD

My kiddo is a VERY VERY picky eater... Some things he loves but can't have because his stomach doesn't like dairy products.  And other things we don't have in our home, because our bodies aren't meant to digest artificial ingredients, dyes, and refined things.

But, out of all the natural whole foods in this world, there are things my guy just won't touch.  Either they have spices, or textures, or colors he doesn't like.  Lately he has decided he'd like to try new things.  His newest favorite is black bean and rice burritos.  Today while eating his rice he says... "I'm ready to try something new again"..

<sure, what would you like to try?>

"A baked Salad!"  he says without hesitation

<Baked Salad?>

"YUP, but it can't have tomatoes or onions or salad sauce on it"

<So you will eat the lettuce, cucumbers, carrots and celery?>  I ask?

"Nope, only the carrots" he replies!

*dang*

GARTWHEEL

Veg came to me tonight and said that he was trying to do a "Gartwheel"  (cartwheel) at school today but was having trouble learning.  He said he kept watching some one there, but couldn't copy them well....

So Hubby decides to teach him how to do one... This doesn't go so well.....  Then I volunteered to be the Gymnast... (add this to my Mommy Job description)  Surprisingly, I could still do a cart wheel.  Hubby is sitting there saying "Please don't hurt yourself, your no spring chicken, ya no?"  AH PHOOEY!!  Calling me old!  I tell ya!! 

I gear myself up... I can do this.....I like him to learn by hands on experiments, this is no different.  Surely I can do this....Step by step, I show Veg how to do a "Gartwheel" And he did... Lots of them...

Started running through the house... "I learned and practiced and now I'm great at Gartwheels"  He then says "thanks Mom, I'm so proud"  this means success... Mission complete!

Well next thing I know, I look over to see hubby trying to do a Hand stand.  HA HA!!  Talk about hurting your self....  He says "I used to be able to do these"  Yeah, like 25 years ago and 100 pounds less, maybe!  Gotta give it to the Ol' Goat though, he almost got one complete.  Last time he tried a Handstand as an adult, he put his Butt through the wall.  FOR REAL!!!

Then Veg does the splits (sorta) and I attempt the same. (what the heck was I thinkin'?).. Then hubby attempts the same.... HA HA!!  This was humorous.  Veg and I do some Back bends, and some more Gartwheels.  Lets just say my body doesn't bend like it use to... But Veg can fold him self in to a pretzel without even feeling a bit of strain.

At the end of our hour of gymnastic tumblings.... Hubby can barely walk, I have carpet burns on 1/2 my body, and Veg is ready to learn more tricks....

Luckily it was bed time so we got a reprieve... I think next time he feels the need to learn gymnastics we will be signing Veg up at a class.  *smile* 

CLEANING UP THE DOGS

My dogs both got in to something smelly otherwise known as POOP last night.  So at about 9:30pm I have to give them both baths.  My Chelsea girl does NOT like baths, never has.  But since she started her old dementia stuff, she seriously shakes until you think here eyes are going to rattle out of her head at the simple site of the tub.... 

She can hardly see or hear anything else, but when I walked upstairs with the shampoo bottle she went ballistic (I suppose she could smell it)...  So I remembered the tranquilizers the Vet gave me and decided to give her 1/2 of one... Yes just half... then I bathed the other dog who could care-a-less...

Came back to find my Chelsea and she was DRUNK!!  I thought she would be asleep and easy to manage, and wouldn't mind the bath and would be calm and.... well you get the idea!  But NOPE!  She was a drunken spaz...  walking crooked, drooling at the mouth, running in to things, you would have thought I just gave her a bottle of Vodka.  Needless to say our tub adventure turned in to quite that. 

And I have learned that next time she needs a bath, we are going to a Grooming place!

BACK TO SIGNING

Many of you know that I'm a huge advocate of Baby Signs.  And since babyhood, signing has come back up here and there in our home....

But it must be happening at school now because, Veg has begun to sign words instead of speaking some times.  And they are versions of words that I didn't teach, so he is teaching me. 

Last night we pulled out our signing book and found all the words he's been teaching me... "Yes, No, Clean, friend, etc......" And decided we should add some more to our vocabulary.  We learned, Wet, who, why & Fence... Yeah, not sure where the "Fence" came from... *smile*

Anyway, tonight we pulled out the book again.  We have decided that this will be added to our bed time ritual (as if we don't already have an hour worth of stuff)  but this is one we can all enjoy and we all learn from.

The funny part is when it was time to turn off the light and go to sleep... My little stinker, looked at me with those big beautiful eyes, didn't say a word with his mouth... But signed with his hands the following words:

"BED, NO THANK YOU!  PLAY MORE PLEASE"

TOILET PAPER

Imagine sitting in your family room when you hear a little voice from the bathroom saying "Mom, come see what I did"

In my house this usually means, there is something in the toilet that resembles  an animal or a letter, or a snake in the pot,  and I'm supposed to come look at this beautiful creation. 

Or a couple days ago it meant that the toilet paper roll was in the toilet and I had to come fish it out.

Sometimes, it means he needs help, but today, it was NONE of those things.... Today was a special day.  It was one of those times that makes a Mom smile....

When I heard that little voice say "Mom, come see what I did" and I arrived in the bathroom, he was wanting me to see how he CHANGED THE TOILET PAPER ROLL all by himself. 

YES - He actually took out a new roll from the cabinet, then took off the used roll and replaced it with the new one.  All by himself.  With out me asking, telling or showing!!! 

I was sooo proud!!  Heck I haven't even taught the Man in our house to do this yet and we've been married for 16 years.   I was beginning to think that I was the only one in our home capable of doing this task.   

The reason he new how to do this, is because its a Montessori Practical Life lesson that was taught at school.  I love that the children are taught to take care of themselves.  I mean I realized today that I have never shown him how to do this, and yet it is such a simple task.  How many other things could I be showing him that I take for granted as being known.  Clearly by hubby's example these are Learned behaviors that aren't always learned... *smile*  So if I go out of my way to teach these things, then who knows what kind of man our son can be!

FINDING EGGS

Our Family friends met us at the park today and we each had a bag of filled eggs to hide.   They were filled with little toys and crafty things, so even the non-candy crowd could enjoy this bunch. 

There was a tad of confusion at first as to which eggs go where but we got it all straightened out.  *smile*  And the kids had fun...  It was also a little colder then we planned, but it didn't rain on us, so that was good.

The Crunchy Life VegMom taught me how to do this with pictures and I've been having lots of fun with it.  (notice the green egg amidst the black and white)  I think I'm now a coloring picture addict.  Is that possible?  Is there a coloring pictures anonymous.  If there is, then I will need to join.

STAR WARS AND LEGOS

I mentioned that we have spent lots of time building Lego Ships... I'm not sure you can tell by this photo, but there are A LOT of  Lego Ships...

Veg is totally in to Legos and Star Wars (even though he hadn't seen a star wars movie when this all started)  So I'm not really sure how this came about. 

But he wanted to build Lego ships, and he asked everyone at his Birthday to buy him Lego ships.  He used his money to buy the rest, and as you can see, there is quite a fleet!    We have finally finished the last one... Which isn't really Star Wars.. But Indiana Jones.  Not sure how the too relate really, but Veg wanted them, and his Grandparents bought them.   

Until last month, I don't think I've ever built a lego anything... Besides maybe a picnic table and house. (yes I'm a girl)... But I had more Patience then Hubby to let Veg work on these himself even though some were way too old for him.  He was great at sorting the pieces, counting the dots to determine the right ones, he measured some things to make sure they were the right fit... And did as much as he could without help.   We set the top of a giant tote on the carpet as his "table"  so he could keep his pieces out as long as needed.   Doing a little each day...Some ships took over a week.  And that was OK too. 

We did help a lot and I actually got sucked in to the Vortex of of those things more then once.  It was hard to walk away.. "Just one more page"  ha ha...

But they are all done now......  Thanks to EVERYONE, that made this fleet possible.  He's so proud of his ships and is keeping them all safe.  Can't say the same for the little people and droids.... Those guys are being attacked from all angles.

SPRING IS IN BLOOM

The flowers didn't show up as pretty in this photo, but you get the idea.... Spring is here, flowers are blooming, everyone is sneezing and the bugs are back... Funny that one week ago we had snow!

THE METAL PAN MISSION IS COMPLETE

The boy wanted to learn how they make metal pots, and I wasn't about to let him down....  This idea came to me on my way to the grocery store and it helped that I had a machinist for a hubby because I new much of the terminology... As soon as I got home, I told Veg to put on his imagination cap and pretend.....  Hubby even stood there quite impressed, ha ha, and actually joined in the fun!!

This was our Machine Shop.... Tools and Supplies..... One sheet of tin foil (sheet metal) and two small cake tins (The die and the punch)  And our pretend invisible giant machine.  (you can't see the machine because it is invisible)

Sheet metal rolled in place and punch coming down:

Metal Punched!

A completed metal pot with Handle in place...

Mission Complete!!!!  He now understands the process of how a pot starts out as sheet metal and is formed in to its shape that we see today...  Along with the items we saw at the Blacksmith Shop about how cast iron pots were made back in the day....  So I think we have successfully fulfilled this mission just before Spring Break ended.  Shewww!!

Geesh, if they keep getting this hard, I'm going to have to go back to school.  Oh but its so fun!  *smile* And great to be using my brain again. 

EDIT: ... P.S.  I changed the title of this post to "pans"  because the "pot" title was bringing me some non family friendly search results...  Whoops!

CHANGE OF PLANS

I had planned a nice quiet day at home.  Doing much of nothing accept house stuff, and crafties... Letting everyone recoup from a busy week, and just enjoying the day.....  Since I'm the only one that plans anything, I figured this is what our day would contain.

However, by some fluke of nature, my Hubby jumps out of bed this morning and says "Lets drive in to the mountains its going to be a beautiful day" 

Alrighty then... How do you say no to that?  So we pack up the car and off we go!   Veg was so excited that he wanted to pack his own back pack to carry with snacks and drinks on our hike.  Lets just say the bag with snacks and drinks only lasted about 2 minutes on Veg's back....  "My legs are loosing energy" he'd say.   But he did find a nice rock to sit down and eat/drink.  It was quite cute. 

Veg made it the whole trail walking which was great.  This is his second long hike, so we'll try to increase it a little next time.... 

Their were some mountain bikers out there which were INSANE!!!  I can not believe these people actually ride bikes up this mountain...  seriously, if you stand straight up and bend just a tad to the left.  That is the Incline on this mountain.  When you get to the top on a clear day you can see 4 states, and yet, these people were biking it.  We drove past them on the way up, and then they rode past us walking on the trail.   

We also saw an animal... A big one... Either Elk or Deer...  Were not sure because he went so fast from one side to the other and then was gone.  All we saw was a white tail flapping, and hubby saw his giant head.  He said it was the biggest deer he'd ever seen.  So I think it may have been an Elk.   Basically we are walking along, and telling Veg the rules of hiking.. "Don't get too far ahead or behind us, Stay in the center of the trail so you don't get too close to the edge (He likes to wander, and I could see him just going "BLOOP" down 1500 feet)......." 

As were having this discussion I hear this horribly Loud thumping and rustling noise and immediately thought "BEAR"  and here hubby is walking towards it, but so busy talking to us that he doesn't notice all the noise in front of him.  I yell for Veg to STOP, and I Stop, and Hubby still walking....  This thing then took off, so quick through the woods, giving Hubby a slight heart attack...  and none of us got a good look at him.  But I'd say he'd been standing there watching us goofballs the hole time and was probably within a foot from us.  And we still missed it.  Had it really been a bear, we would have been swallowed before we new it was there.  But it is spring time and the bears would be out, so I had every right for concern.  Of course Hubby says I'm just a nervous ned and he is right. 

Veg also collected some flat rocks to skip in the river.....  But then wanted to go to the park back home instead.  So we found a nice park on our way home that we hadn't been to before,  with tons and tons of playscapes and it was right on the river.  So he tossed his rocks, and then played for a while.  We also got to eat at one of only two Vegetarian Restaurants in town...  And boy did we eat good!  Chips and green salsa, Tofu Sandwiches with humus and veggies, Steamed Broccoli, spiced french fries.... YUM YUM YUM!!!  Hubby agreed it was a great sandwich but still likes the other Veg. place better.

After arriving home, we all took naps... AH!!!  Got my rest after all... And now its time to go food shopping for the week.... So I can say without a doubt that I'm glad Hubby had the mountain idea.  It was tons of fun and great to be outside.  I still got a nap, and the shopping will still get done! 

Happy Saturday Everyone.... And Happy Easter for those that celebrate!!!

EASTER

Conversation from tonight:

"Mom, is Sunday Easter?"

<Yes, it is>

"Easter isn't really about candy, right?"

<Correct, its not about candy>

"OH Cool, so we can celebrate that holiday"

<Of course we can!>

"Because its really about fruit and bubble gum right?"

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I have no idea where that came from, but I've never seen hubby walk so quick down the hall with his Bible in all my days.  ha ha

LEARNING AND AMUSEMENT

Last year for Veg's very first spring break, I asked him "What in this whole world would you like to learn about?" and he came up with, Earth, Snow, Storms....  Eventually he had a pretty big list that surprised me coming from a just turned 4 year old... But it turned in to a fantastic time...  I always say it is amazing how fun learning can be when the learning is there idea... 

Here are some of the things we did:

Spring break 2007

Spring break 2007 Projects

And more projects

But this year when I asked him "What in this whole world would you like to learn about?"  He said "POTS"

<Pots?>

Yes, he wanted to learn how they make Metal Pots....  This was challenging for me... But I new we were going to an amusement park for his last day of Spring Break, and I new they had a Blacksmith there.  So I was hoping Mr. Blacksmith would help me with this learning task..

We went to the Amusement park today, and we had a GREAT TIME!   Veg was bigger this year and able to ride more rides....  But when we got to the part where the Blacksmith was, He wasn't working on anything... I'm not sure who was more bummed, me or Veg.  I was able to show him some of the equipment and fire burning stuff and some finished Cast Iron pans.  But he really wanted to see how they were made.   I also discussed with him how the modern pots are made today via stamping plants. 

SO I think tomorrow we will be using tin foil to make  pretend metal pot... Now if I could only find something to be a good "Die" for our metal work, we'll be all set.

AUTOMATIC SINKS

Random Thought: 

You know how Bathrooms these days have those automatic touchless sinks...  You run your hand under the sensor and wash your hands without having to touch a handle.  Very cool, to stay germ free from touching handles.  However, do they really think you can wash your hands and remove all the toilet germs in the 2 seconds they allow you water....

Haven't they heard of the ABC song... You are supposed to wash your hands for the length of the ABC song to remove all the germies... And yet the sink only lets you get to "B" before it turns off.  So you swipe your hands, now all soapy and only get to "D" then the sink turns off again.  By the time you actually get to "Z" and all the soap is off your hands... You want to sing..."Now I know my ABC's, Next time won't the water stay on for me" 

Those of you with kids, know what I'm talking about... It can take 20 minutes just to wash our hands.

Surely, if they are smart enough to make a sink that can turn on by itself, then can create a timer that lasts through the ABC song.

SPRING BREAK UPDATES

OK, I got the evil "WHY HAVEN'T YOU POSTED" note from my Mom tonight, so I better get something on here....

So here it goes, our Spring Break Update:

VEG -

• On one of Hubby's days with Veg while I was at work, he snuck him several dairy filled desserts. Veg was up for 3 hours that night revisiting all that food... I woke up Hubby so he could understand that I'm not making it up when I say, our child can not have dairy products. 
• We tried some Newton's Homeopathic EarAche drops and Veg was finally able to pop his ears.  His hearing is back 100% and he hasn't had a single problem since.  This is exciting news.  Almost as good as the Garlic and Willow oil for infections.   
• Were back to making Smoothies, and I'm filling them with Pro-biotics and immune boosters.  Trying to keep him away from any more sickbugs. 

ME -

• I'm back to jogging again, so I'm trying to get out a little each day.  Today was only 15 minutes between storms.  But it was all up hill if that counts for anything.  I've gotten my self back up to 2.5 miles jogging along with a 2 mile walk on a good day.  Hoping to get that walk part rolled back in to the jog part soon, so I can begin to increase my goal again.  Last summer I got to 6 miles, this summer I'd like to get to 7.
• Hubby and I have split days off for Veg's Spring Break.  But some of my days, I'm working from home and others taking the whole day off....  As many parents know, working from home is double duty... Which means I'm up late at night playing catch up.  But I wouldn't miss these moments with my Kiddo for anything.  While my days off, have also consisted of some work, I've had tons of fun with my big guy.
• I've laid off the Fraps, only had one this week and one last week....  My new thing is Unsweet Black Iced Tea.  *smile*  Yumm and Refreshing
• We met a Friend and her family at a park yesterday and she gave me a Natural Remedy Book...It is the coolest thing since my Vegan cupcake book *smile*  There are tips on everything from stopping hiccups, to the flu, easing aches and pains, coughs, girly problems, and much much more!  Normally this would be a reference type book.. But I'm reading that bad boy cover to cover.  And be warned, I will be posting a lot about what I learn and try!  *smile*

DOGS -

• My boy dog is a silly one.  He looks for invisible bugs, he has to lick at the air every time he scratches his paw.  And most recently he has found a Blankie.  Not a normal size nice little Blankie, Nope, he has chosen a Queen Size Sheet.  He licks it and chews it and carries it with him.  He tucks himself in and cuddles with this sheet.  The funniest thing I've ever seen....  The sheet needs to be washed.  Its starting to stink.  But if you try to take it, he cries.  So I have queen size stinky purple sheet that wonders around my floor with a dog inside chewing on it ever so gently.  He hasn't even put a hole in it.   And he puts holes in EVERYTHING

HUBBY -

• Finished his 3 months of Veg'ness and is still exercising.  After 3 days of being off the bet, people from his work baught him a Meat filled lunch.. Guess what?  He didn't eat it!!!  Go Hubby Go Hubby!

HOUSE -

• We almost caught our house on fire by running a fan in Veg's Room that was on the fritz.  I walked in to find his room full of smoke.  This is not good!   And spent several days with electrical smell going through our house. 
• I got a new Magic Bullet... My house was lonely with out it.

FOOD -

• Hubbies last "full of junk" food that he couldn't live with out and didn't like substitutes for, was Nasty Store Bought Choco Frosting for our cupcakes.  He was the only one that used it.  And would gobble up 1/2 a container.  Well, this last batch of cupcakes (Spring Break Batch)  I made some Vegan choco frosting from this cook book that passed the test.  And it was much easier to do then I thought.  All three of us loved it.  I'm going to try a few more now that I know I can do it.  And I don't have to worry about Veg eating it since its Vegan.
• Silly Breakfast for Dinner day....  Sometimes you just have to change things up a bit, and why not have Breakfast for Dinner.  So we did!!  I made some delicious Vegan Pancakes with Flax and other yummy stuff... And Hubby said we needed potatoes.  So I said "Good Idea, how are you going to make them"  ha ha... And he did!!  He chopped, sauteed, and made us some potatoes to go with our pancakes.  He also peeled some fruit, made a volcano out of a kiwi for Veg and poured us some OJ to drink..  It was a fun and Delicious Dinner (I mean Breakfast)

ACTIVITIES-

• So far, Veg has gone to the Zoo, two Putt Putts, 5 different parks, Children's Museum, Car wash (not sure why that is a big deal, but he loves the car wash)....  Also the Aquarium.  He's played outside, done some crafts, played in the snow,  we have read TONS of books, and built tons of legos.  I'm sure there is more that I'm forgetting but his Spring Break 2008 Journal is full of souvenirs and juicy details.    Needless to say we have been busy, but enjoying every bit.

Sheww.... I think thats everything.... Nothing too exciting in Blog land, but exciting at the Veg House!  Its been a fun couple weeks and I almost hate to see it end.

SILVERBERRY

I have been told that it is time to retire my Blackberry....  The thing has been with me since Blackberries were still Black...  It survived a drop from the back of my car (don't ask), many trips and vacations, many falls, and tumbles, exercising, working (of course), living... Even a hospital visit...  Oh the list goes on..... That thing has been my connection to the universe for several years.  Not quite sure how I lived with out it, and now I must say good bye.

Mr. Blackberry is being traded in for a newer model.  The choice of colors were Silver and Red???  Black wasn't even an option.   How can that be so?  They are called Blackberries by golly!  But alas, I will have to get to know my new friend.  I shall call him Silverberry! 

Just doesn't sound the same.....

HOUSE TURNED CANTINA

As I was typing my other post (you must read this first to understand the rest of this post) about the boys outside building that cool wooden HOUSE... apparently something happened....

Oh yes.. My sweet, intelligent, kind, loving, wonderful father of a husband decided to share the fact with my 5 year old, that the 3 walls of the house, flipped a certain way looked more like a Cantina...And that if they decided to make it a Cantina then they wouldn't have to put up any more walls or roof.

"What's a Cantina Dad?"

Hmmm?  I walked out to do a load of laundry at this exact point in the conversation and Veg runs over to tell me that they are building... a Cantina? 

WHYYYYY!!!!!  What happened to the house?

Hubby looks at me with those puppy dog eyes and droopy head and says "What?"

And before I had a chance to say another word, he is back to telling Veg what they can do with the inside of the cantina where his Lego People can hang out.  He's about to build a little wooden bar, when I pounced in like a mother lion protecting her young....

Again I get the "What?" from Hubby as if he is seeing absolutely nothing wrong with this picture.  HELLO.... BAR????  What are you thinkin? 

Ha, now thats a silly question???    Thinking would be a step above what he is actually doing, and that would require using his brain.  Which I'm sure got lost some where between being born and taking his first steps.  But it doesn't matter what I think at this point because....

Of course Veg is so caught up in the idea of this whole Cantina thing that they are now building a place for his lego people to hang out at a bar...  Thankfully the bar will only serve water, because that is Veg's favorite drink.   Sheww.....at least my young child has enough sense to override the adult child in our home.

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Disclaimer... If you don't know me, then I'm sure you wouldn't find the above funny... but for those of you that do... feel free to continue laughing..... 

THE SPEAKERS ARE WHERE?

I wanted Hubby to hear a song on my iPOD today and he says, just plug it in to my speakers..... OK, and I follow him, thinking we were going in to the bedroom where his speakers are... Instead he stops in the bathroom and pulls a full set of speakers out from under the sink....

"WHAT are those doing in there?" I ask...  Hubby says "I dunno, you must have put them there"

UMM, NO... that is not logical?  What would make me think one day "Yup under the bathroom sink is a perfect place for these speakers?"

Yeah - It wasn't me... I'm sure of that one.  He is determined to believe that it wasn't him either, so I'm thinking we have a Speaker ghost.

At least it is a ghost that likes to put things away....  I don't mind those kinds of ghosts, even if they put things under the bathroom sink.

BUILDING A HOUSE

Veg mentioned the other day that he wanted to go build something at Home Depot  But it wasn't a "building" day ... So I asked Hubby if he had some extra wood in the Garage, maybe he could build something with Veg this week while on Spring Break.

The subject was dropped quickly as Hubby didn't seem the least bit interested in getting out all his tools... He also mentioned that he couldn't pull a pattern out of his "you know what" and that it takes time to cut and plan and... blah blah blah....  I explained that if he had some wood, hammer and nails, then the kid would probably be happy.  I wasn't talking about building a House for petesakes....

And THEN.... To my surprise..... Hubby came home from Church today, looked at Veg and said......  "If you could build anything in this whole wide world, what would it be"

Guess what Veg said??  A HOUSE!!!  ha ha.... He wanted a HOUSE, not a little house, but one that he could walk in to and play in and it would be just his size....  Hubby then had to back track his question and say, "it has to be something small"..... But Veg wanted a house....  and a House he shall have!    My boys are outside right now building a little house....  Apparently hubby talked him out of the big master suite and got him to agree on a  smaller model...

Once all the nails are hammered, the project becomes mine to help paint and decorate!!!  I can't wait to see the finished product... I'll post here when it is done!!

A TRUE FAMILY PROJECT, we will have to do this more often!  HOW FUN!

GETTING BEHIND AND NOW AHEAD

At the beginning of the year, I posted a lot about how I was going to get more organized, stay on top of things, and find time for everything...  Not really a "New Years Resolution" per say ...more a "changing the way I do things to simplify my life" Thing!  Because the more I simplify, the more time I have, which means the more I can do.  And at the end of the day, I can do it all... Mom, Wife, Work, and some time for Me....  It is possible, ya no?

And it worked... I was on top of everything.  My lists helped out tremendously, I was doing things in advance, which allowed me more time to get other things done... and I posted many of my tips that I figured out along the way.  Simple little things like filling up my gas tank on the weekend to save me from stopping during a mad rush during the week.   Grocery lists helped save money, and labeling things helped me not be wasteful... I was doing GOOD!!!  I was doing it all and finally found a happy balance.

Then there was business travel, lots of sick bugs, out of town guests, and within a couple weeks everything spiraled out of control.  I  realized as I was in a mad dash to get gas because I was on E while being late to pick up Veg and forgetting my wallet at home because I didn't have my bag packed right the night before and.... the list goes on...   I couldn't believe how much a couple weeks of madness, could override 7 weeks of calmness....

Last weekend I spent 4hrs, catching up on my banking... had I done a little each day like I was doing, I would have had that 4 hrs to craft instead.  This week, I spent 4hrs, putting away laundry that I let pile up for way too long, instead of doing a load a day.  And tonight, I was in the middle of baking something when I realized I didn't have a main ingredient, because I hadn't updated my grocery list.  Last week I also made 3 trips to the store, instead of 1... Losing time and money that could be used for other things.....

So ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!!  I'm back on track!!!  Today is the day!!  I went through the house and got everything I could possibly get done.....Everything is somewhat clean... my Grocery list is made as well as my to-do list....  The Laundry is back to one-a-day manageable.  My gas tank is full and banking is done.... 

Starting this new week, I'll be an organized, simplified, level headed, Vegmom Machine.....  (OK maybe not the level headed part)

MAIL ORDER VEG FOOD

OK, the meal I "Prepared" last night from the Green Bistro was very good.  It was the Grilled Tofu-kebob

We didn't use the coconut sauce because the marinated veggies and tofu were just right without it.  I really liked the tofu and hubby loved the Veggies.  They say it is a meal for one!  But it was plenty for both of us to munch on, give some to Veg, and I still had enough rice and tofu to save for a lunch snack today.  Well worth the money for this meal...

I would order again, as it was a good experience all around.  But Hubby still says he likes my cooking better.  How sweet is that?  *smile* 

WENT TO THE ZOO

So I seriously have mixed emotions about the whole Zoo thing... If you go, then your giving money in supporting the capture of critters that deserve to be wild.  But if you don't go then our children would never see these animals and understand the importance of saving them in the wild. 

If you do go, then there is hopes that your money will help build habitats and provide better lives for the animals already there.....  If you don't go, then you prove you don't support the captivity of these beautiful creatures but they won't ever be made wild after being captive, so that is a needless point....

Which takes me back to my original statement of  having mixed emotions about going to Zoos. 

However, I WILL NOT go to Circus's or Rodeos... gotta put my foot down somewhere.  *smile*  and besides clowns scare me.

With all that said... we did go to the zoo today...We had a great time... we even did some touristy stuff, got our pics in the photo booth, made some wax souveniers...   And saw some animals that we normally don't see.  Even the Cheetah was out in full view.  The bears were very playful..  All the big cats were roaming.   There were just a few animals still hiding for the season...  And of course the babies weren't here yet.

For some reason, I only took pictures of the odd creatures this time..........

Except this bear... he's not odd... He was just big, and so darn cuddly looking!!!  I do realize he could eat me up in one gulp, but he still looked so cuddly!

This is the biggest, floppiest bunny I have ever seen!!!  Soo cute!

Can someone please get these naked rats some clothes?....ewwww!!!

 

If I just keep swimming, they won't see me......

The Meerkats.... They are the silliest bunch of critters:

You lookin' at me? 

Because I said so, thats why!!

No Pictures please, I'm in a hurry!

And the scarriest animal of all, that escaped from his crate just in time to get this photo: