Friday, December 7, 2012

What happened?

I read my last blog (from April, Yikes!) and wonder, what happened to that blissed out version of myself? Where did she go?

Right now I am swimming in sick children, job stress, money issues and loneliness. I am so completely closed off from all my friends and the world right now. I'm leaving my job in a few weeks, so that stress will be reduced at the very least. I cry and cry often. I hate being this way. I want to be that Mom who is always happy, who gets dressed every day and does their hair and makeup even if they have no plans to leave the house at all. I want to keep up on my housework and take pride in my home and myself.
I am going to try to stop being my own worst enemy and stop being the person who brings me down.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

An Update


I am fantastically awful about blogging regularly. I have the best intentions, but then I start to feel like nobody cares to hear about my day to day activities and I give up.

We moved February 19th from a cramped apartment in a city to a big, old house in a small town. For the first time ever my kids have a yard to play in. I feel incredibly blessed right now. I am caught up in domestic bliss right now. I own my first washing machine (no dryer, but I love my line dried clothes) I have a house that if company just showed up, I wouldn't be embarrassed to let them in.

This weekend I am going to attempt to make my own laundry detergent.

I am honestly, blissfully happy where I am. I have friends, I do things. I am no longer a hermit in my house. I exercise, I take Zumba classes. I walk the track.

I know in my heart that I am the best version of myself all the way around.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar

My friend Danielle has become the Apple Cider Vinegar Queen and swears by it, so I took her advice and used some for various ailments. It works! Here is a list of things that Apple Cider Vinegar is good for, from http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_448797/Apple_Cider_Vinegar_-_The_Wonder_%27Drug%27_of_Yesterday_and_Today

I personally recommend seeing a doctor if you are having or suffering from any of the serious problems in this article. I don't recommend self diagnosing diabetes and other major medical issues


What is Apple Cider Vinegar? Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7, this health drink is a natural probiotic.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:
  • Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
  • Balance high cholesterol
  • Cure skin conditions such as acne
  • Protect against food poisoning
  • Fight allergies in both humans and animals
  • Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Increase stamina
  • Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
  • Improve digestion and cure constipation
  • Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
  • Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections
Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar:

General Health Problems:

Weight Loss

The use of apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for weight loss is centuries old. D.C. Jarvis, M.D maintained that an overweight person could lose weight gradually by taking 2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water before meals.

Bad Breath

Due to its anticeptic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 2 teaspoons of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time and spit the solution out. Repeat until the cup is empty.

Body Odor

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week.

Skin Problems and Infections:

Acne

Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne. Apply a solution of apple cider vinegar and water (2 tablespoons to 1 eight ounce glass of water) with a cotton ball several times a day. This will help reduce infection and dry out inflammation.

Age Spots

Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots. Apply daily, to these darkened areas of the skin, a solution containing 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of onion juice. According to this home remedy, the spots should begin to fade within 2 weeks.

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Yeast Infection

Apple Cider Vinegar has been found to be an effective treatment for yeast infections.

Stomach Problems:

Heartburn

This usually occurs after eating, sometimes up to two hours later. This very unpleasant feeling can be alleviated by taking 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar in 8 OZ of water, taken three times a day before meals.

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation.

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.

Major Illnesses:

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes.

How to take it?

For daily maintenance, weight loss and pH balancing:
  • 2 teaspoons in 8 oz of water 3x a day (taken before your meals)

For treating an acute condition like acid reflux, cough, bronchitis, or sore throat:
  • 2 Tablespoons in 8 OZ of water 3x a day (taken before your meals) .

To help with the taste you can always add a tablespoon of raw honey.


Source: www.homeremediesweb.com/apple_cider_vinegar...
Other uses:

calm an upset stomach
make hiccups disappear
aid digestion
lower blood pressure and cholesterol
chase away a cold
soothe sore feet
improve memory
treat blemishes and age spots
cure acne
eliminate bladder infections
calm sore throats
treat acid reflux
remove corns and calluses
relieve itchy skin
cool a sunburn
banish nausea
relieve arthritis pain
ease leg cramps
relieve coughs
soothe sprained muscles
and help with heart pain.
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As with anything. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing though. Too much can kill the good bacteria in your body. I honestly have only used Apple Cider Vinegar topically, but from my experience with that, it has been all everyone claims it to be.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

My Big Boy

There is a small part of me that has been in denial that Joey is growing up. I still see him as a little guy. Partly due to his size, partly because he is my only boy.

Today Joey had a dentist appointment to have sealants put on and to have a small cavity filled. He was so incredibly brave. He went into the room all by himself without a single look back. There were no tears.

After he was done I took him to school and the office worker gave him a tardy slip to bring to his teacher. I stood there, holding Peyton's tiny hand, and watched Joey walk down the hallway all by himself and in that one moment I realized that while he is little and still a boy, he is no longer a little boy.

I Confess......

That I haven't brushed my hair since Sunday because I can't find a hairbrush. We own 3, but I can't even find 1.

I tend to hide myself away from everything. I am not the most social person and it has gotten a lot worse since staying at home. I get upset when people just drop by and want to talk. Not everybody, just certain people.

If I didn't have to watch the same episode constantly, I might actually enjoy watching Strawberry Shortcake with Peyton.

I miss my husband. A lot. His work schedule is crazy and it seems there is just no "us time" out there. When he is off from his third shift job, he is dozing on the couch. We haven't had a real conversation in weeks.

I am lonely.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Bah Humbug

Christmas Spirit is fading fast. It was in full swing a month ago. At this point I realize that when we get and put up our tree there will be less than 2 weeks until Christmas. Why bother?

I'm considering buying the cheapest table top tree ever instead.

Then I realize that my Scrooge mentality is going to ruin the kids Christmas. I just can't see spending money on a fake tree to have it up for less than 2 weeks. I can't see spending less money on a cheap tree when I won't want to use it next year. Neither one of us wants to deal with the hassle of a live tree and all its needles in our carpet. There doesn't seem to be much compromise in this issue and it is really bumming me out.

I think we are just going to end up spending a fortune on a tree to just have up for 2 weeks. There really isn't any other way around it. Christmas isn't really Christmas without a tree.

My Christmas Spirit was at the highest it has been in a long time just a month ago. The closer we get to Christmas and the more I realize nothing is going the way I was hoping, the more Scrooge-like I get.

I need to snap out of it. Christmas is not about me and my plans. The kids don't care how long the tree is up for, just that it is up. They don't care that not everything can go as planned, just that it goes at all.

Part of this funk is this lingering low grade fever/sinus issues I have been dealing with. They are wiping me out. I don't feel like me right now. I feel like a whiny, sick, exhausted version of me. One with high expectations and zero motivation. Things that don't work together at all.

Monday, November 21, 2011

My Weekend In Review

New York was great, crazy fun.

After I got completely lost, called a "rich white bitch" from a homeless lady who was angered that I didn't put money in her cup and couldn't find my group. After all that I had the time of my life. I found my friends and even though I hadn't met most of them in person, it felt like I had known them forever. We shopped, we talked, we laughed, we walked and walked.

We went to the Met and saw amazing art. It was exquisite.

We went to the Russian Vodka Room. After that, the night turned into a funny blur full of laughs, hugs and lots of drinks. Martinis, shots and then we went to a Mexican restaurant and made nice with beer and Patron. We got home late (early?) and crashed around 2. We got up at 6 and I took the 8:07 train back to New Haven and I got off the train, walked into the station and saw most of my family (Krystal was at my Mom's) I hugged all of them happily and crashed in bed the minute we got home.

It was a long, much needed trip for myself, by myself. I feel different now. I spent time with AMAZING friends. Funny, strong, intelligent, beautiful friends. I've never felt like I belonged with friends before. Not the way these women have made me feel like I belong.

Today, my legs ache, I miss them all a little, but I still feel amazing from the time I had. I hope we can do it again sometime.

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