Scriptorian

I am by no means a scriptorian.  I tend to pull-out feelings, and ways to change my life -- rather than getting into the nitty-gritty of the stories.  This isn't to say that I don't read them.  I read them religiously {he, he} -- every morning (weekday mornings, not so great on the weekends) and I keep a little notebook on thoughts of how I can change to become a better me.  I find it centers myself to get onto the hectic day.

So, last Sunday, when they announced in church that they were challenging us to "become closer to Christ" by doing some scripture reading of His life along with reading Jesus the Christ I was a bit leary, but firm in my stance to DO IT.  It's a fair amount.  I'd say it's 1/2 an hour every day and I'm a pretty fast reader.

This week has taken us through the mission of Christ, the prophetic annoucements that He would come, Mary and Joseph being told He would come, John the Baptist birth and finally Jesus' birth.  So, what have I learned?
1.  James E Talmadge is much smarter than I, especially those first few chapters.  YEESH, the guy should've gone easy on us for the first few.  I can see why a lot of people start that book and never finish.  It's getting better, less ginormous words... but yowza.  The notes are pretty interesting, but man -- they must be in like 8 point font.
2.  In retrospect, everything on this earth led-up to the moment of the sweet babe's birth.  The annoucements, the thoughts, the feelings, the sacrifices... all for that baby.  I don't think I'd ever really thought of it that way, but the whole world hoped He would come, and He did.  It's a great lesson in faith.
3.  The story of John the Baptist's birth is amazing, and such a story for all of us to learn something from.  His father was obviously a great man, and one with amazing religious conviction -- and yet he didn't believe --and God didn't take it easy on him.  All the thoughts that must have gone through his head while his wife was pregnant, and oh the release once he was able to talk.  I hadn't thought much of that story.  I also wonder if his wife ever had heavenly messengers.  Thoughts?
4.  The story of Joseph and Mary is one we concetrate on, and I don't think I gleaned anything amazing about that.  I had some very tender feelings about it last year (I think most pregnant women do).  I did like the insight that Mary knew that the Christ child was coming, and perhaps many young teenage girls sat around wondering who the mother would be... and she was chosen.  I still have wonderings about the immaculate conception -- but the book didn't dwell on that at all, what a shame. :)
5.  I'm glad that we've kind of "ramped-up" the whole nativity scene.  It sounds like we really don't know much about what we throw into there -- the Wise Men (how many, at what point did they come), no room at the inn -- and while it might be historically inaccurate I think we all learn some things from this story.

Anyway, those were my thoughts for the week.  We're basically reading a chapter (or two) of Jesus the Christ each day along with a few scripture verses.  If anyone is interested in the readings, I can probably poke my friend into emailing them to me.  Beware, it's not an easy read.  I have to do it before lunchtime if I have any chance of concentrating.  But what else is new?

Favorites Friday

Today I'm giving the love to a blog that IS fairly popular... and I think I may have linked to it before:

Life

I think a friend of mine showed me her blog (was it you Sarah?) and I've enjoyed it ever since...

5 adjectives:

1.  Pretty.  Shawni takes AMAZING pictures.  Really, super talented.  She also likes color and depth as much as I do.  And I like them a lot. :)

2.  Amazing.  I think that be virtue of the fact that she takes amazing photos, it's easy to imagine that her life is entirely perfect (just like the pictures).  I'd like (or I THINK I'd like to) live in a place where all was perfect.  I think this about a lot of my photography friends blogs.  I know their lives aren't perfect... but it's easy to step into those photos like Mary Poppins does and think it's all roses and honey. 

3.  Realistic.  Every now and then she does a post about everything that's going wrong.  It toatally breaks #2 and somehow that makes me happy.  I am obviously quite shallow.

4.  Mormony.  She's LDS and lives in AZ.  Also, her sister was a friend of mine here.  It's nice to peek in on her world through her sister's blog.  Also, her parents are the masterminds of "Joyschool" -- its easy to think that their lives are perfect and Shawni breaks that down too. :)

5.  Mommy.  Everyone gest this adjective, but it's rare that I read a blog that doesn't have "mothering" at its core.  There's just so much we can learn from other mothers.  Shawni has a special needs little girl and realizing all that she does for her makes me love mine own ever more.  Just like we learn in joyschool, she does seem to find a lot of joy in the sheer chaos that having 4 kids must entail.  A good reminder for myself. ;)

Anyway, go visit it, enjoy the eye candy.

Thanks for writing your blog Shawni, I really enjoy reading it.

As an update on our move towards independence, this morning I realized that Conner has lost 3 of his 5 jackets/sweatshirts.  I told him if he didn't find at least 2 of them today he'd be paying for a new one (from the used kids store) out of his allowance.  He is very bitter.  I am very tired.

Phewsh

Tired.
I'm just TIRED of all the EMAIL I get.  I realize I bring it upon myself by shopping online, etc... but it's SO DARN MUCH.
So today I decided to unsubscribe from all the ones I didn't find necessary.  I find out about most sales arleady through slick deals.
And I did it.
And I feel 10 pounds lighter.
Sadly, I am not. :)

Safeway this week

Safeway has 3 great deals going on right now (Safeway is sister stores with Tom Thumb and Dominick's, so it should also work at those locations as well -- fyi)
1.  Breakfast is "on them" if you spend 50$ -- super coupons are in the add (for free bacon, eggs, OJ and english muffins)
2.  10$ Kohls cash for every 50 that you spend.  (make SURE you use it in the dates specified -- I'm gonna put that on my calendar right now)
3.  Home for the holidays (HFTH) promotion where if you buy 25$ in items you get 5$ on your next purchase. 
I combod all of these and spend 72.89 but I got well over 180$ worth in groceries, plus 5$ on my next order and 10$ Kohls cash.  Here's what I bought, just to spark some ideas (HFTH is the 5/25 promotion):

• Oil (superQ) HFTH
• Bisquick (lots of eq's and a paper coupon) HFTH
• Flour 2/3 (great price, better than Costco) HFTH
• br sugar 1.69 (paper coupon) HFTH
• Nestle choc. chips 2/5 (paper coupon) HFTH (not an amazing price, I hope this gets better in the weeks to come)
• beans 10/10 (this will be the price through the HFTH promotion, I noticed on its tag -- 80 cents is OK -- wish it was better)
• taco shells (1$) (need)
• Flipsides crackers 2/4 super Q and paper coupon HFTH (great deal -- I found some peelies at Lucky's a while back, and that made these only a buck and my kids LOVE them)
• Pepperidge farms baked naturals 2/4 super Q and paper coupon (looks yummy -- again, only a dollar after super Q's and the paper coupon from last week's paper -- I think)
• free breakfast foods (sweet)
• 10# potatoes (super Q)
• Asparagus (1.47/lb)
• Butter (SQ)
• Cream cheese (SQ)
• Safeway PB (SQ)  99cents is a great deal on PB
• Cream of mushroom/celery/chicken 88 cents -- haven't seen it this price in a while, not amazing -- but I bought like 4 cans of each -- so great to make quick dinners out of, or take dinner to a sick friend.
• Broth 60 cents -- decent price, it's Swanson's and I like to use their vegetable broth in soups (I do my chicken broth from a container I got from costco -- it's a great deal!) 
•  I also bought a couple of small containers to tote baby food around with me -- guess who started solids yesterday.  OH BOY. {boooooo} -- not amazing prices, but needed and if you can get close to that kohls cards, it's worth it.  In retrospect, I probably should've waited for a better deal, but it was only 3.19.  Sue me.  Also bought some alumnium containers to take dinner to friends.  Seems like the swine flu/ etc. is eating all mine up -- 6 for 2.49 isn't too bad (but they're cheaper at the dollar store). 
• Bought lunchables I had a raincheck for

Anyway... there you go.  Just a little peek into my mind as I shop.  I have some serious putting away to do in the garage.  I cleared-out some space and I'm just trying to figoure out a good way to organize stuff with the new space included.  Always thinking about my food storage.... 
 
In other news my body still hasn't adjusted to daylight savings.  It was 4:45 wake-ups earlier in the week, but thankfully now it's just 5:30.  Slowly moving to the real time. {boooooo}

Help me Out!

Last month, you were all so helpful on my goals.  Let me do a quick run-down on how I am improving our after-school time. 
I am trying to focus on this time, meet them at the door (if D picks up), put P down quickly and then focus on them.  We are having an after school snack and this seems to help re-focus everyone so we can do the things we need to get done.  It's helped a lot in our lives and I feel like it's a new beginning to the afternoons.  I hope it lasts.

So, this month my goal is to promote more indepdence in my children.  Not the type where they go out and get an earing ala Jon Gosslin.  More the, you can sweep the floor on your own, and take the initiative to clean-up a room without me having to remind you of every. little. thing.

Right now my plan is to do something daily with one of them that promotes this as well as big praise when I see initiative being taken by one of them.  On Monday I had Conner make those cookies on his own and I really tried to praise him for the steps he was taking.  I think it turned-out well.

So, what do you do to promote independence?  Inquring minds want to know.

What's Up Wednesday

P is what's up. I feel like I'm just grasping at straws to keep her tiny. She's growing and growing and it's just making me sadder and sadder... {sigh}

My baby is getting so alert. All the sudden toys are exciting, and she lays on her belly and studys everyone and every thing.

Naps, lately, have been from about 9 am til' 11:30'ish and 2 to 4'ish... and sometimes one at dinner time, depending on how the other two went. She usually does well at night, not so well lately.... We have yet to start solids but it's on my list for the week. That's not my favorite thing...

She continues to have a "strawberry" on her back (it has a technical term, but it escapes me right now) but it's large, red and raised a bit. I find it endearing, and I'm glad it's not in a place that it will bother her. Supposidly it's going to disappear by the time she hits puberty/adulthood -- who knows. Thanksfully it's just on her back.

I can't get enough of her clothes. I love these two outfits that I used for her pictures:

It's really just sickening how much I'm in love with this baby. She's my world right now and we have so much fun together. Sleeping seems to be getting back on track after the whole shots/I want to be social because I'm now so darn cute thing. Everyone loves her though. The boys still love to play with her and giggles are like an Emmy around here.

I was thinking back to last Halloween when I annouced I was pregnant. It was indeed a scary time, but the sun shines now. And she can wear a sweater like nobody else's business.

Yes on C

Don't forget to go vote!  For those close to me, vote yes on C!  It can make a big difference to the kids!

TMI Tuesday: Reader Questions

Yay!  someone sent me questions.  Sadly, I'm not super-well versed on how to answer them... I will give it a shot though!

She asked:

Are there any tell-tale signs of a secondary infection (besides getting sick, getting well, and then getting sick again).  Why yes -- and it all has to do with our friend bodily fluids. :)  Mostly if you start coughing up, or blowing out green stuff you may have a secondary infection.  HOWEVER, green stuff can also result from the ends of infections where the mucus is just drying, so you also have to take into account how you feel.  In general, if you are feeling like you're getting over something and then you're back to bed (unless you think you might have gotten another infection, since you live in a cesspool like me) you might want to think about calling the doctor.  Also drink LOTS of fluids, because that helps keep away the green gunk.  It's true. 

Can you start-off with pneumonia?  As far as I know, no -- it's a secondary infection.  Again, lungs aren't really my strong point.  We did call it the old man's friend when I worked hospice, and there was definitely a reason....

Do you know where you can get children's medications without high fructose corn syrup and other artificial flavorings?  Honestly, no.  My guess would be Whole Foods.  I'm surprised/unsure that tylenol has anything like that since we obviously give it to kids who have diabetes... I don't see it on my bottle, and obviously we can see how little I care about this particular thing.  My kids love their tylenol, it's true.  Even P starts to smack her little lips when I give it to her...  I'm sure it's out there... maybe google it?  Did I mention someone got 5 shots last week?  Sleep is a thing of the past...

In an emergency would you give a child adult acetaminophen or ibuprophen (smashing it to get the right dosage).  In general, these aren't really considered emergency drugs.  They're to take away fever and pain, and they only eliminate side effects.  So, it'd have to be a pretty big emergency for me to use it (and I always have like 3 bottles on hand at home -- I mean, I have like 50 pounds of wheat... why not have 3 bottles of Children's tylenol?).  But, I suppose if like the whole world had fallen apart and my kid was dying I might do it.  Otherwise, No.  Too many factors in how they package adult medication.  Time release, enteric coating... etc.  It's not a good plan.  It's a better plan to have 3 bottles in storage. :D

In the meantime, keep the questions coming.  I'm fresh out -- an otherwise next week's post might be on something REALLY boring and DISGUSTING.  Believe me, I could make you all sick.

Hilary is an RN, BSN who has worked in various medical fields for the past 12 years, however, none of the information on this blog, should be substituted for the care of a physician. The information provided on this blog is informational only and shouldn't be taken as medical advice. You have instinct, use it -- and use it wisely. If you have questions, please ask your doctor. If you think you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911. Also, please don't delay contacting a physician due to something you have read on here. Pulling Curls doesn't takeresponsibility for your health. That's your job. We're just a nice read.

Menu Plan Monday

Ahh, back on track after Halloween.  Doesn't it feel nice?
Pasta:  Beefy Noodles with Sour Cream Sauce (Desperation Dinners is a serious go-to for me, I love their recipes, and many of my best friends have gotten this recipe book from me)
Chicken:  Chicken and Apples with Djon Cream (I have some green apples to use-up, my recipe is from the sister book to Desperation Dinners -- Good, Cheap Fast -- never tried this before.  I hope it's good).  Here's a similar one.
Casserole:  Broccoli Pie -- I've made this for years, great way to sneak broccoli into the diet.
Soup:  Italian Sausage Soup
Mexican:  Tacos
Easy:  Potato Bar
Other: Crab dip (found crab on sale a couple of weeks ago, craving this dish we usually only have for new years... but why not have it for dinner with a salad?)

In other news I made these cookies from my cousin's blog.  Actually, Conner made them with only a little help from me.  He did a pretty good job.  I couldn't ever find the spice cake mix, until recently -- and then I waited for it to go on sale, which happened just this past week (I used Duncan Hines, and their cake mixes are 99 cents through Tuesday).

Welcome to Neverland

And now for the group shot:

Ok, now for a run-dow of how everything was made:

Peter Pan: 

• Hat from a friend
• shirt is a small adult shirt, I just jagged-ly cut the arms and the bottom seam (and then put fray check on it so it won't fray like crazy) then, I cut the collar (I thought I'd be able to turn the cut into a color, but that didn't work so I had to add felt "lapels", I put some eyelets in (hello scrapbooking) and laced some faux leather strips through it.
• Pants were larger girl pants, but we liked the color and the general look, I hemmed them and also took them in on the bottoms (they were more of a flare leg) -- also, I got the faux leather from the belt on this pants, so that saved me from having to buy something to work there.
• Belt was an adult belt (albeit a small one) that I added a few extra holes in so it'd fit Conner.
• Sword from Rite-Aid

Total cost probably about 15 dollars

Crocodile:

• Hat is an old hat we found at a garage sale, I covered it in felt, used styrafoam balls and googly eyes.  The little "spikes" are 1/2 circles that I turned into cones and put a cotton ball inside and glued on.  If you see this hat up close it has a LOT of hot glue on it.  I'm talking 5 or 6 sticks. :)
• Pants and shirt were found at Savers (as was pretty much all the basic supplies), soccer socks are old ones from Conner.
• His "sandwich" top is just "tiles" of scales and strips of scales.  I made the basic shape out of felt and then just glued everything else on.
• I made the basic tail shape out of green fleece and then made spikes out of yellow fleece (stuffed with old grocery bags) and sewed those together.  Then, before stuffing the tail we added an old coat hanger and stuffed it pretty full.  Then, I sewed it onto a waist band of covered elastic (covered with green fleece).

Total cost: about 15 dollars

Wendy

• Took a nightgown I found at Savers and dyed it and then added a blue ribbon from Michael's. 

Total cost:  about 12 dollars

Tinkerbell

• Hat is made from an old infant hat (which is slowly being out grown), covered in triangles of yellow fleece.  Took a styrafoam ball, covered it with fleece, hot glued it on and added a bow.  This was by far the largest part, but it really makes the costume, I think.
• Onsie found at Savers
• Tights we already had
• Shoes were made from green felt from this pattern.  Actually fairly easy, I think they only took 1/2 an hour but they just BARELY fit her.  Added yellow bows to cover the elastic.  These shoes are great though, I might enlarge the pattern and make her a couple other pair.
• Wings from Joann's (with a coupon)
• Tutu had a couple of steps.  Cut elastic to fit, added some hook and loop closures at the ends, sewed on some green "leaves" then I tied some strips of lighter and darker green tule and finally some green ribbon I had lying around.  Pretty dang cute.

total cost: about 14 dollars

Captain Hook

• 
  
  Hat borrowed from a friend (the hat makes it, I am so glad they let us borrow it)
  
  
  
• Wig from Rite Aid (nasty wig too, btw)
• Coat is a bathrobe from Savers, I added some gold braiding to it and sewed down the "lapel" so that it'd look more "coat-like", also sewed lace onto the bottoms of the sleeves
• Shirt is a turtle-neck from Savers, I added a lace "triagle" to it
• Pants are women's capris (from savers -- Drew and I were talking about how most of his costume came from the women's section)
• Socks are mine

 Total Cost: about 35 dollars

Favorite part: I like that our family stands out, I like that our kids will have the memory that we did this with/for them.
Least Favorite part: The sewing.  I'm always swearing at the machine, at the fabric, at myself for deciding to do it.  But it's worth it.  They've all had a lot of fun. 

Oh, and big props to Andrea, Drew's cousin for taking the photos and watching my munchkins while I helped out at school.  I am almost ready to claim her as a relative, and that's saying a lot. :)

So, whatcha think?