Saturday, January 28, 2012
Bernina 330!
Here is my new baby--I finally unveiled her yesterday afternoon! I have a lesson on Feb. 3rd to learn how to use all her nifty gadgets.
With the camera flash on.
All the fun stitches!
Camera flash off so you can see the digital screen. Quite a powerful light above the sewing foot!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
New Favorite Song! 1,000 Miles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwkej79U3ek
I love the piano music with this song, and feel that it is very inspiring!
This is a video clip that one of the old elders from my mission posted on facebook. It is about the sanctity of the Priesthood. It is a powerful video. I hope you enjoy it!
https://lds.org/youth/video/sanctify-yourselves?lang=eng&cid=facebook-shared
I love the piano music with this song, and feel that it is very inspiring!
This is a video clip that one of the old elders from my mission posted on facebook. It is about the sanctity of the Priesthood. It is a powerful video. I hope you enjoy it!
https://lds.org/youth/video/sanctify-yourselves?lang=eng&cid=facebook-shared
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Homemade Dog Shampoo!
I decided to document the making of dog shampoo. I've made it in the past, but decided to try a different soap this time.
2 cups Dawn Dish Soap
2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
2 cups H20 (water)
3 oz. of Glycerin (Can be found by the hydrogen peroxide @ Walmart)
Last time I used Ivory dish soap, but the smell irritated my eyes, so I decided to try the Dawn this time. The original recipe calls for 4 oz. of Glycerin, but I'm giving 3 oz. a try, since it enables me to get 2 batches out of 1 bottle.
All of the bottles were filled except the Ivory bottle (from an old batch, and the bottle to the right of the Ivory bottle. It is only about 1/4 full. The sweet relish bottle has a good suction top (anti squeeze too much) lid so it works well. The Tressemme bottle held a lot, so when we get settled in a more permanent house I will invest in stockpiling dog shampoo.
2 cups Dawn Dish Soap
2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
2 cups H20 (water)
3 oz. of Glycerin (Can be found by the hydrogen peroxide @ Walmart)
Last time I used Ivory dish soap, but the smell irritated my eyes, so I decided to try the Dawn this time. The original recipe calls for 4 oz. of Glycerin, but I'm giving 3 oz. a try, since it enables me to get 2 batches out of 1 bottle.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Day 8 I can't believe I've made it this far!
It has been a busy week! I've been to 3 bridal showers which were kind of awkward by the fact that I couldn't eat anything there. I'm glad I was able to support my friends. I have quite a stockpile of precious delicacies which I hope in the future to be able to partake of. The last bridal shower had creme puffs. They've been properly wrapped in saran wrap and are awaiting me when I'm available!
Saturday I helped unload a trailer full of firewood. It snowed 2-3 inches Friday night, and we forgot to cover the trailer, so it took twice as long to dust the snow off of each hunk of wood. Then throw it in the wheelbarrow and haul it to the wood pile. I only dusted and chucked wood into the wheelbarrow, but it was exhausting enough to waste me for the remainder of the day. I've found very little supply of energy on this diet of primarily fruits and veggies w/a little helping of meat.
Later in the day for my part-time job, we took "J" to the Kiwanis Park and let him go sledding. I made it down about 5 times, mostly because I love sledding but the walk back up the hill was tiring. I munched on my portable salad and wished that I could call it a day and go to bed. I think Saturday was the most worn out that I have been in a long number of months.
I've lost about 5 pounds. Losing weight was not my goal, but it has been noted. I'm praying that my lab results are in by my appt. on Thursday so that I can hopefully start adding food choices back into my diet. I'm on the fence as to what should come first, corn, butter, potatoes, or pasta. I think it would be wishful to ask for pasta first, but popcorn would be absolutely Amazing! I'm mostly tired of a lack of flavor in my foods. I'm not allowed to add anything except salt/pepper. I'm not fond of quinoa! I love and savor over buckwheat--though when I'm frustrated I call it "Buttwheat". Even the gagging liver cleanse has become manageable. Unsweetened almond milk went from bearable to a delicacy. I haven't craved sugar so long as I haven't been face to face with it. I think at this point it is more of a mind dwelling than an actual craving. My mind remembers how good things were and can even just about bring the smell and taste of things. Interesting how the brain works! I'm not sure it is a stress-free diet on my body. I've had speech interruptions , facial twitching, left eye twitching and buzzing/static feelings in my head of which I haven't had since my chaotic seizure days. I'm sure the Dr. would call this inflammation in my brain ect. I'm just hoping that this diet sees more positive outcomes in the coming forth days.
Day 13: Not feeling great today. Not much energy and a lousy head cold. Contemplating the possibility of quitting the diet. Lost a total of 7 lbs. now. No difference noted in energy levels. In fact if any, it would be a great diminish in ability to have energy. Discussed the pros' and cons' of my lab results with my husband and family--oddly enough we were sitting outside around the fire barrel while they were roasting marshmallows in the snow. Prayed about it a lot. Felt the need to end the diet before the 30 day period in which I could get a refund back. Called, and emailed. They were closed, but I managed to get a hold of them by Monday. Made the drive to South Jordan, UT to get an official cancellation of the contract and reimbursement of supplies not used. I feel good about my decision. It is so amazing to eat REAL food! I don't have the sugar cravings anymore, but certainly am enjoying what I eat with a little more heartfelt gratitude.
Labs reveal that somehow I either have a parasite or human protozone. Not sure what that means, but it wasn't identifiable in the list of the top 25 parasites. 7/9 of my good bacteria is too high and therefore causing absorbtion and permeability issues. If I stuck with the diet, they'd spend 1-1/2 months killing off the excess good bacteria and replacing it with an appropriate level of bacteria. Personally--that doesn't sound like it would feel even slightly okay. Hormones are wacky, but nothing new. I'm apparently 70% into pre-menopausel kingdom. Doesn't make much sense, considering I'm not even 30 yet...But that is what the labs point to. I still want to research the internet just for my own personal knowledge of the labs. It doesn't put a damper in my mind though. Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and he is the one in charge. Just because a lab test says something, doesn't mean he can't heal me or allow me the opportunity to be a mother to someone more than my pup Ruby. With God, nothing is impossible!
Saturday I helped unload a trailer full of firewood. It snowed 2-3 inches Friday night, and we forgot to cover the trailer, so it took twice as long to dust the snow off of each hunk of wood. Then throw it in the wheelbarrow and haul it to the wood pile. I only dusted and chucked wood into the wheelbarrow, but it was exhausting enough to waste me for the remainder of the day. I've found very little supply of energy on this diet of primarily fruits and veggies w/a little helping of meat.
Later in the day for my part-time job, we took "J" to the Kiwanis Park and let him go sledding. I made it down about 5 times, mostly because I love sledding but the walk back up the hill was tiring. I munched on my portable salad and wished that I could call it a day and go to bed. I think Saturday was the most worn out that I have been in a long number of months.
I've lost about 5 pounds. Losing weight was not my goal, but it has been noted. I'm praying that my lab results are in by my appt. on Thursday so that I can hopefully start adding food choices back into my diet. I'm on the fence as to what should come first, corn, butter, potatoes, or pasta. I think it would be wishful to ask for pasta first, but popcorn would be absolutely Amazing! I'm mostly tired of a lack of flavor in my foods. I'm not allowed to add anything except salt/pepper. I'm not fond of quinoa! I love and savor over buckwheat--though when I'm frustrated I call it "Buttwheat". Even the gagging liver cleanse has become manageable. Unsweetened almond milk went from bearable to a delicacy. I haven't craved sugar so long as I haven't been face to face with it. I think at this point it is more of a mind dwelling than an actual craving. My mind remembers how good things were and can even just about bring the smell and taste of things. Interesting how the brain works! I'm not sure it is a stress-free diet on my body. I've had speech interruptions , facial twitching, left eye twitching and buzzing/static feelings in my head of which I haven't had since my chaotic seizure days. I'm sure the Dr. would call this inflammation in my brain ect. I'm just hoping that this diet sees more positive outcomes in the coming forth days.
Day 13: Not feeling great today. Not much energy and a lousy head cold. Contemplating the possibility of quitting the diet. Lost a total of 7 lbs. now. No difference noted in energy levels. In fact if any, it would be a great diminish in ability to have energy. Discussed the pros' and cons' of my lab results with my husband and family--oddly enough we were sitting outside around the fire barrel while they were roasting marshmallows in the snow. Prayed about it a lot. Felt the need to end the diet before the 30 day period in which I could get a refund back. Called, and emailed. They were closed, but I managed to get a hold of them by Monday. Made the drive to South Jordan, UT to get an official cancellation of the contract and reimbursement of supplies not used. I feel good about my decision. It is so amazing to eat REAL food! I don't have the sugar cravings anymore, but certainly am enjoying what I eat with a little more heartfelt gratitude.
Labs reveal that somehow I either have a parasite or human protozone. Not sure what that means, but it wasn't identifiable in the list of the top 25 parasites. 7/9 of my good bacteria is too high and therefore causing absorbtion and permeability issues. If I stuck with the diet, they'd spend 1-1/2 months killing off the excess good bacteria and replacing it with an appropriate level of bacteria. Personally--that doesn't sound like it would feel even slightly okay. Hormones are wacky, but nothing new. I'm apparently 70% into pre-menopausel kingdom. Doesn't make much sense, considering I'm not even 30 yet...But that is what the labs point to. I still want to research the internet just for my own personal knowledge of the labs. It doesn't put a damper in my mind though. Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and he is the one in charge. Just because a lab test says something, doesn't mean he can't heal me or allow me the opportunity to be a mother to someone more than my pup Ruby. With God, nothing is impossible!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012 A Year in the Making!
http://youtu.be/lrZij9MSTRI
This is a link to the mormon ad message for the new year. I really enjoyed viewing it! I'm not good w/technical support, so I've not figured out why the video won't appear, but the link is above.
My goal this year is to make the most out of every moment despite my health status. Life is too short to worry and get lost in the details. I recently purchased a new sewing machine. Although it is on backorder, I'm hoping to learn to sew childrens'
and eventually adult clothing once I acquire it. I plan to further my passion for quilting with new fun stitches!
Gratitude for my appendages occurred today when I smashed my left index finger between 5 tables at a Relief Society sewing activity this morning. I apparently smashed it hard enough it began to bleed. Not a problem if I had noticed it, but I hadn't until it had bled across my hand. I held in my yelp when I smashed it, since I didn't want to have to explain the stupidity of my injury. Though it still managed to be revealed, and eventually I found myself standing in a closet hunting down bandaids in an ancient 1950's first aid kit.
Kind of random thought...But what's up with all the dead birds! Is there a bird reunion occurring in heaven? They've been literally dropping out of the sky, and several can be seen where they've plopped, or landed in the church parking lot.
This is a link to the mormon ad message for the new year. I really enjoyed viewing it! I'm not good w/technical support, so I've not figured out why the video won't appear, but the link is above.
My goal this year is to make the most out of every moment despite my health status. Life is too short to worry and get lost in the details. I recently purchased a new sewing machine. Although it is on backorder, I'm hoping to learn to sew childrens'
and eventually adult clothing once I acquire it. I plan to further my passion for quilting with new fun stitches!
Gratitude for my appendages occurred today when I smashed my left index finger between 5 tables at a Relief Society sewing activity this morning. I apparently smashed it hard enough it began to bleed. Not a problem if I had noticed it, but I hadn't until it had bled across my hand. I held in my yelp when I smashed it, since I didn't want to have to explain the stupidity of my injury. Though it still managed to be revealed, and eventually I found myself standing in a closet hunting down bandaids in an ancient 1950's first aid kit.
Kind of random thought...But what's up with all the dead birds! Is there a bird reunion occurring in heaven? They've been literally dropping out of the sky, and several can be seen where they've plopped, or landed in the church parking lot.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Humanitarian Quilts
I've been sewing quilt squares together from kits that I recently picked up at the Layton D.I. It helps me to do something productive when I'm not feeling well enough to go outside. Also, I wanted the experience of putting together abstract pieces of fabric to make a colorful quilt. I'm not sure that the D.I. fabric is my best example of beautiful abstractness, but it is a starting grounds.
I don't have a picture of the other quilt I put together. It had strips of fabric instead of squares. Both made full sized quilts. I only sewed the fronts and took them back to be bound at the D.I. Our living room is lacking in size to be able to set up quilting frames and do them here. The humanitarian couple were excited to receive the 2 quilt tops that I made in 1 day. Next Tuesday they will go up to be quilted. The center has received word from Salt Lake City, that they are cutting back the hours they are open. Apparently the warehouses in Salt Lake City are stocked to the brim, and all the donations received will be to service the organizations in the local area. Money will be given to Stake Presidents for areas to purchase necessary humanitarian supplies. It is so expensive to ship blankets ect. to most areas. They were given figures of plane expenses that were jaw dropping. Anyway, this will begin to be implemented except in a few sparse areas of the world where supplies can't be purchased to make quilts ect., because the stores are lacking. Shipments will still be sent to these few select areas of the world.
Hashimoto Diet Dairy & Gluten-Free
I completed a complex amount of labs including my saliva about 1 week before Christmas. I will be eating a dairy & gluten free diet for the next 3 weeks. By then, labs will be back to determine what absorbtion problems I have or food allergies.
Day 1 has not been very great, so I'm not looking forward to the upcoming weeks. The liver detox powder gave me a headache within 10 min., and I developed hives within 30 min. of sitting at church. So needless to say I ditched Sunday school and felt pretty cruddy. I've decided to try and document my meals, though I didn't photograph dinner since I was starving and picture taking wasn't on the top of my agenda.
The powder to cleanse my liver has a gooey texture that I despise. I blended it with a banana to try and chug it down. Turkey sausage was actually a lifesaver. Cream of buckwheat cereal--not great, but over the course of the day has become a staple to survive.
Lunch with sweet potato fries, turkey sausage, and apple, celery, almond slivers, and sunflower seeds. Thankfully that nasty powder for the first 4 days will only be consumed before breakfast. My tastebuds are learning to acclimate to a new spectrum of flavor.
Today is day 5. I'm actually shocked I've survived so well! I'm learning to love fruits and veggies--as that is the closest to sweets I will be having for the next month or so. Cream of Buckwheat or "buttwheat" as I frequently call it, is actually becoming tastier with each passing day. I think I'd put it on equal grounds as my all time favorite cream of wheat! I got to have a phone appt. w/my Dr. down in South Jordan. I will have them weekly for the next 6 months to track my progress. I was anxious for the appt, yet alleviated afterwards. Kind of comforting, good to hear positive news when the restrictions of foods are hard to manage. So the nasty Clear Vite that is supposed to cleanse my liver is either going to be done in 3 weeks (when the 2 canisters would be emptied w/normal doses) or sooner if my hives go haywire with the increasing dosages. Good to know how long the torture will last! Next Thursday I should hear back about the results of all the labs that were run. I've requested that I receive copies of all my lab reports in addition to everything the Dr. discusses w/me on the phone. Digestion is still the same...out of whack. Mineral oil, and Milk of Magnesia are my last 2 operative weapons. So other than the new influx of hives, I haven't noticed a change in my level of energy ect. I hear that it takes 10 days to get gluten out of your system, so I still have some days to go. I haven't yet figured out how to make sacrament bread that doesn't have egg or other vital ingredients that I'm not allowed to eat with my limited diet. So I've just been taking the sacrament and putting my trust in the hands of the Lord that I'm doing the best that I know how to do.
Speaking of sacrament meeting...A few weeks ago, a young child pulled the fire alarm. Quite impressive..the alarms actually talk and tell you there is an emergency and to evacuate to the nearest exit. The alarm went off exactly as the sacrament was starting to be passed. Not all the fire alarms in our building are the same design, so as the bishops discovered..none of them had keys to shut off the alarm and strobe lights. We sit in the back area, and they finally got the lights in the chapel turned off, except in the back. I went out to the foyer since the lights were causing my head to feel like a refrigerator was alive in it. My face was twitching and I preferred to avoid a seizure if at all possible. There was a bit of a mix up with the sacrament and everyone receiving it since there is a boy in our ward with Aspergers on the Autism spectrum. He is highly afraid of fire alarms. So when it went off, out the door he went. He left his sacrament tray and refused to come back inside. Let's just say it was an interesting Sunday!
Day 1 has not been very great, so I'm not looking forward to the upcoming weeks. The liver detox powder gave me a headache within 10 min., and I developed hives within 30 min. of sitting at church. So needless to say I ditched Sunday school and felt pretty cruddy. I've decided to try and document my meals, though I didn't photograph dinner since I was starving and picture taking wasn't on the top of my agenda.
Today is day 5. I'm actually shocked I've survived so well! I'm learning to love fruits and veggies--as that is the closest to sweets I will be having for the next month or so. Cream of Buckwheat or "buttwheat" as I frequently call it, is actually becoming tastier with each passing day. I think I'd put it on equal grounds as my all time favorite cream of wheat! I got to have a phone appt. w/my Dr. down in South Jordan. I will have them weekly for the next 6 months to track my progress. I was anxious for the appt, yet alleviated afterwards. Kind of comforting, good to hear positive news when the restrictions of foods are hard to manage. So the nasty Clear Vite that is supposed to cleanse my liver is either going to be done in 3 weeks (when the 2 canisters would be emptied w/normal doses) or sooner if my hives go haywire with the increasing dosages. Good to know how long the torture will last! Next Thursday I should hear back about the results of all the labs that were run. I've requested that I receive copies of all my lab reports in addition to everything the Dr. discusses w/me on the phone. Digestion is still the same...out of whack. Mineral oil, and Milk of Magnesia are my last 2 operative weapons. So other than the new influx of hives, I haven't noticed a change in my level of energy ect. I hear that it takes 10 days to get gluten out of your system, so I still have some days to go. I haven't yet figured out how to make sacrament bread that doesn't have egg or other vital ingredients that I'm not allowed to eat with my limited diet. So I've just been taking the sacrament and putting my trust in the hands of the Lord that I'm doing the best that I know how to do.
Speaking of sacrament meeting...A few weeks ago, a young child pulled the fire alarm. Quite impressive..the alarms actually talk and tell you there is an emergency and to evacuate to the nearest exit. The alarm went off exactly as the sacrament was starting to be passed. Not all the fire alarms in our building are the same design, so as the bishops discovered..none of them had keys to shut off the alarm and strobe lights. We sit in the back area, and they finally got the lights in the chapel turned off, except in the back. I went out to the foyer since the lights were causing my head to feel like a refrigerator was alive in it. My face was twitching and I preferred to avoid a seizure if at all possible. There was a bit of a mix up with the sacrament and everyone receiving it since there is a boy in our ward with Aspergers on the Autism spectrum. He is highly afraid of fire alarms. So when it went off, out the door he went. He left his sacrament tray and refused to come back inside. Let's just say it was an interesting Sunday!
BYU-Idaho Antonio's Graduation December 2011
Holly was going "nuts" over a walnut. She thought it was a ball.
Family Picture Nov. 2011
Tricky to get everyone and the dogs looking the right direction. I forgot that my glasses are have transitional lenses now, so it looks like most of us have sunglasses on. hah!
We decided to all wear BYU-I shirts, since it was the easiest way for everyone to coordinate their clothing. No one wanted to get into church clothes so it seemed like a great alternative. :D
We took these pictures on Thanksgiving.
Christmas Day!
For Christmas we only had Sacrament meeting at Church. We sang in the choir, so after the Primary sang we got to sit in the comfy seats on the stand. We rented from the Redbox on Saturday "The Smurf movie", so we watched it as a family after sacrament meeting so that we could return it before we were charged for a 2nd day rental. It was a really cute movie! I enjoyed all the humor using the key phrase of "Smurf".
Christmas was a lot of fun! "J" wore a santa hat and helped pass out the gifts. He was excited to see the gifts that we got for him. Due to state regulations I had to make sure he wasn't in any of the pictures I'd want to upload. Anyway, he is a good addition to our family, and he enjoys being with us. Antonio and I got him a t-shirt from BYU-Idaho.
The presents nestled under the imaginary tree. haha We couldn't figure out where to put the tree that Ruby wouldn't knock bulbs around or chew on the tree. Space was the 2nd problem. Anyway, we enjoyed all the nativities on display instead and it worked out well!
This is a cross-stiched picture of Germany and all the cities there. Mom made one and gave it to my grandparents back several years ago. Elizabeth decided to make a replica of it for my mom. She was pretty excited! We lived there for 5 years, so it is a bit of history.
Dad teasing Holly with some of her new toys. He recently had his kidney removed and appendix, so he is still taking it easy. He is enjoying his jean quilt mom made for him.
The "3 amigos". It is nice having Elizabeth home from school for the semester! I haven't been maintaining a normal body temperature hence the blanket.
Ruby loved her new toys, but never developed the concept to unwrap them. haha Probably a good thing, since I don't want her shredding/destroying things we give her, or she sneaks!
I think the flash didn't go off--This is Dad and his new router! He is quite excited and can't wait to be able to use it in the garage as his health and stamina increases.
Another ball that Ruby got for Christmas.
Mom and Dad gave Antonio and I 5 gallon buckets and gamma lids! We will really put these to use! Santa gave us a water fountain with rocks and I'm pretty excited about it. I love fountains and hearing the trickling of the water. Antonio got me a snuggie with penguins on it. I got him a pair of pajama pants with BYU on them. He really likes them.
My loot!
Holly got a few stuffed animals and I gave her a piggy ear! She was pretty excited!
Christmas was a lot of fun! "J" wore a santa hat and helped pass out the gifts. He was excited to see the gifts that we got for him. Due to state regulations I had to make sure he wasn't in any of the pictures I'd want to upload. Anyway, he is a good addition to our family, and he enjoys being with us. Antonio and I got him a t-shirt from BYU-Idaho.
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