this and that

A while back I spoke about finding a Dr. that would take a more natural approach to my broken thyroid.  Well, I found one.  I had an appointment the other day with a general and alternative medicine Dr. that was all the rage on thyroid forums here.  I’m unsure of my first impression.  Initially, I liked the guy.  He has no bedside manner, but I appreciate a straight-to-the-point attitude in my Dr.  He knows his stuff about thyroid problems, and he explained to me what the cause could be, and what blood tests he would get to find it – since no one has found the cause yet.  He said all of the other problems I have are likely related to my thyroid, or being deficient in certain vitamins.  He also recommended a kidney flush to dissolve kidney stones that I know are bouncing around in there because I can feel it.  *I know that may sound crazy, but I’ve had them now for 13 years and I know when I have some hanging out in my kidneys just waiting to rip their way out of my body*.  So I have 4 new vitamins to buy, and had 8 blood tests ran.  All was still going well.  At my appointment, I told him I only had a few days of medication left – he told me to get my labs done the next day so he would have the results before he went out of town.  So I did.  By Friday the 10th, I hadn’t heard a word and my meds ran out on Saturday.  When I called, the machine said the clinic was closed until the 21st.  I was in panic mode.  My body, and mind – mostly, does not do well when my thyroid meds are adjusted – or flat out not taken.  I am not sure how I feel about a Dr. who takes all these labs and knows I am going to run out of medication, but doesn’t get back to me before he goes out of town for 10+ days!  Luckily for me, I had another refill “on hold” at the pharmacy, so they gave that to me.  I don’t know if he will be changing my meds or what at this point.  He didn’t do the normal TSH test, he did test for Reverse T3, and Free T’s…which from what I read is better than testing your TSH.  Who knows.  I just want someone who can figure it out and not cost me a million dollars to do so.

Onto other natural topics…I’ve found a new use for coconut oil that I am llloovvvinng.  I have always been blessed with pretty clear skin – as was my mother, and grandmother.  But after I stopped BF’ing Tanami, I seemed to get under-the-skin blemishes on my chin that were generally hormonal as far I’ve read.  They were not just ugly, they were very painful.  So I started a new routine.  Every night I boil some water and stand over the steam with a towel on my head.  I usually keep the lights out in the kitchen and just use it as a moment to relax.  Then I dry my face, and smooth coconut oil on it.  (I usually keep some in a bowl mixed with a drop or two of tea tree oil on my bathroom vanity).  Then I dip a towel into the water, wring it out with some tongs since it is so hot, and leave it on my face until it has turned cold.  Then I wipe off the oil.  I’ve been doing that for a while now and I can see an incredible difference in my skin!  My skin is softer, lines have lessened, and I never had another break out – under the skin, or otherwise.  I still use it internally, and I did have a slight concern about consuming it on such a regular basis, but the other day I had to do wellness blood work for Mat’s job incentive…and all of my levels are perfectly healthy – and my cholesterol is on the very low end of healthy (which could also have something to do with the thyroid)…so I don’t worry about eating too much coconut oil anymore.  Did I mention how much I love this stuff?

And while I’m on the subject of updating on my favorite products…I’m still loving my home made laundry detergent.  I can’t see myself ever going back to anything else.  I wish I could figure out a recipe for dishwasher detergent that works just as well.  Pretty soon I will need to replenish my bottle of Dr. Bronner’s that I have had now for over a year and it is still not empty…$12 and it has been used in so many applications!  I think you can get it cheaper from Trader Joe’s, too.  I haven’t bought body wash or baby soap in over a year…that alone is worth $12!  Now it’s also being used in my laundry detergent, which is saving me tons – and saving our skin from chemicals.  Not to mention the massive list of other uses.  So glad I found that stuff!  The difference in natural cleaners and chemical cleaners is HUGE!  I noticed it today as I was on a cleaning rampage for my Mother because they are having out-of-state visitors for the next 2 weeks or so…and all she has in the house is chemical-filled store-bought cleaners.  I felt horrible after using them and I smelled bleach for the rest of the day – even when I left her house.  I came home and cleaned my own house with my all-natural cleaners, and my house is just as spotless with a whole lot less painful journey getting there!

 

30 seconds changes everything

Sometimes, in the middle of a seemingly ordinary day, someone tells you something that will literally change your life.

He said…in such a casual manner as though what he were about to reveal wasn’t going to have a profound effect on my life…that he’d told the lawyer to put in his Will a trust fund that will pay off my student loan when he’s gone.  Because we’ve already paid roughly $75K (which was essentially the cost of my degree, the rest was added expenses and interest) on my monster loan….that means that there will be enough left over to put Tanami, and likely a second child should we have one, through college.  NOT through a college like I went to – because it was a huge mistake anyway – but most certainly through a state university.  I think the realization that my child will not have to go through what I’ve gone through to get an education was more important to me than knowing that this burden that has been suffocating me for so long will be gone, someday.

I’ve cussed, cursed, and agonized over this student loan for years now.  It’s been the driving force of so many things in our lives.  It’s so difficult for me to do anything without having it in the back of my mind.  I don’t “do” debt.  It makes me a nervous wreck.  The only other dollar we owe to anyone is our mortgage, and I can deal with that.  I’d be paying rent, which is essentially a waste, so might as well put it into something we consider an investment.  Because it’s been the basis for most of our decisions, I wonder what life will be like when I don’t have to worry about it anymore.  Will I just fixate on something else?  I’ve already began talking about how we should continue putting the same amount towards the fund for our future dance studio…but that seems different.  It’s money that is still in our hands, and something going to a tangible object that will later bring us revenue – hopefully.  What will it be like to buy things we need without feeling wracked with guilt?  Like the hubs needs tires…I mean he SERIOUSLY needs tires before he has an accident…and typically I would feel horrible about spending the money on something like that — but someday, I won’t have that worry anymore.  In Oz, we’d been putting $3K a month towards the loan….do you know how much better of a life you could live if you put $1,500 of that to savings and used the other half on things you need?!  Like clothes.  I haven’t bought new clothes since before we lived in Australia and my mom gave me a gift card for Christmas.  Even my maternity clothes had been purchased second hand.  I still own clothes from highschool!  Which I guess I should be thankful I worked at Banana Republic back then – and that I can still fit into them  There are just things in life that you need – and clothes are one of them.

We’ve worked hard.  We’ve paid $75K in 4 years, and 2 of them I haven’t been working.  We have turned down dinner invitations, we’ve passed up going out, we’ve lost friends over it, we’ve done without, we’ve scrimped, and we’ve saved…and we’re almost at the top to reap the rewards.  We’ve got 6 months of Mat’s salary in savings that is not to be touched – that was our savings goal.  We’ve got a savings account for our child(ren).  We’ve got a small savings that we can pull from now, when needed.  We’ll now be getting a tiny bit more each month because we’ll be paying only the bare minimum on the loan.  I am in ABSOLUTELY NO HURRY for my Grandfather to die – and if he lives another 10 years and we pay off the loan ourselves, so be it.  It’s the thought that matters (the fact that perhaps I do matter as much as my Brother did), and knowing that money will be there some day should we need it.

Having this loan has taught us so much about managing money.  It has taught us so much about what is, and what isn’t, important in life.  While it was a horrible mistake on my part, I don’t regret it.  I am grateful for all of the lessons I’ve learned.  I wouldn’t be the same person without having gone through it.  We’re not materialistic people, and even if someday we become rich ballroom owners, that will not change.  I learned about money from my grandparents…who were so incredibly smart with their money that they were able to leave enough money for their great grandchildren to go to college on….but while they lived a responsible life, they didn’t go without things they needed.  It’s impressive.  The funny thing is…simply the thought of not having a student loan hanging over my head makes me feel like the richest person in the world.  We appreciate things.  Every little thing.  And while my Daughter may not have to struggle to pay for her school, she will very much understand what it is to appreciate the little things.

momma’s day weekending

I’m loving the hub’s new work hours.  We can be social – it’s nice.  Friday night we went over for nibblies and cocktails at the home of a guy Mat is starting a networking group with.  He’s a VP of a local bank…not too shabby.  It was a great little get together, and we’ve found some new friends to go dancing with.  Can’t wait until June when there is a Big Band dance every weekend at the park down town…good times.

Saturday we spent the morning at the Zoo – finally.  We scored big time with memberships.  There is a promotion going on right now that allowed us to get a membership for the 3 of us for $60/year.  Considering one trip would cost us $45, I think we’ve done alright.  Since we can only go for a few hours at a time before someone gets cranky, it will be worth it.  We met up with another couple and their Daughter, Stormie.  I just love her name.  They are lovely, and were old students of Mat’s.  He and Mat talk business, while She and I talk about wood working (I can’t believe I found another local Momma who loves to get down and dirty with the hammer!).

little red wagon

thinking about what kind of trouble she can get into

cock-a-doodle-doo

lorikeets… miss having these around every day…

two is rather beautiful, don’t you think?

beauty

these girls know how to travel

mi familia

who doesn’t want to hang out on a big ol’ skull?

Later that night the Bestest came over for dinner and filled me in on his fab business trip to San Fran.  Oh, Gap Inc., you are AWESOME for having Hilary Clinton and Kelly Clarkston at your work conference!  And yay for his husband getting his Master’s degree!  Good things all round.

We are finally starting to get out and do things with the people that we’ve met.  I love that.  It’s hard when everyone’s lives are so busy…but it’s great when we are able to do that.

Sunday morning I got to sleep in – well, doze-in really, because it’s still hard to sleep when all you hear outside the door is “Muummmm…..Mum??”  (Yes, she says “Mum” instead of “Mom” – so cute).  Then I was woke up to mango pancakes and a fruit smoothie in bed.  Gush.  Truly – this is what makes my heart happy.  A week or so ago I had gotten a new bedding set for the bed I built, which was my Mother’s Day present.  Makes me feel a little less guilty about buying it when I consider it a gift.  However, we needed it terribly.  I had the same bedding set for *gasp* 11 years.  And it didn’t fit this bed.  It was way past time for an upgrade.  It’s like sleeping in a cloud, and I love it.  Obviously, my bed has not fallen apart…clearly, I need to post some photos of it.  I spent the rest of the day working on building my dresser.  It’s kind of huge.  I’ve got the frame finished…just have to work on the drawers and hardware now.  I hope to have it done and drying by the end of the week.  Mat spent most of his time in the yard…cutting, weed-eating, and planting the garden.  I can’t remember everything we’ve planted, but I know there are tomatoes, bell peppers, green & red chili peppers, onions, carrots, sunflowers, 2 kinds of butternut squash, lettuce…and I’m not sure what else.  We’ll be growing it all organically.

Life is leveling out again.  All I really want is to teach my beautiful girl how to navigate through this crazy world, dance a rumba or two, build amazing furniture, be everything to my husband, laugh, drink wine, take photos, and be healthy.  Honestly, I don’t think that is too much to ask.

Extreme Makeover: Playhouse Edition

Way back during the winter we scored a playhouse and a jungle gym off Craigslist for Tanami.  We gave her the jungle gym for Christmas – though she hasn’t gotten to play on it much yet.  The playhouse was in gross shape when we got it.

This is the photo from Craigslist

Eww, folks, that’s dingy.  Getting it apart too an act of congress, but we did it.  Or rather I did most of it because Mat got frustrated and gave up.  I think I would have broken my arm over getting it apart if I had to.  There was no hope for getting the door off, and one of the shutters.  Once everything was taken apart I scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed it with hot water and castile soap.  It cleaned up nicely….and ugh was there some serious nastiness coming out of it.

I let it dry for a few days, and picked up some spray paint for plastic.  It actually has a playhouse on the label.  This idea came from Pinterest…and let me warn, they say you only need 4 cans of spray paint….they are WRONG.  The roof took two cans of brown, the shutters & door took two cans of red (I also used those colors on the inside kitchen part, but thats the only thing inside that is painted), and the outside took 4 cans of white, I think.  So considering they are $4.84 a can – it starts to add up.

And here it is today:

Sorry this is the same photo as my previous post…I’m just too lazy to upload the pictures from my real camera.  I have a bit to touch up in white where it connects together because I didn’t know how much was going to show until we put it together.  Over all though, it looks a hell of a lot better than it did originally!!!  Another thing that didn’t work out 100% was on the windows there were some bits sticking out that scrape the shutters when they open and close so some of the green is showing through on that.  There isn’t much I can do to fix that.  If I could have gotten the shutter off, I could have filed it down with the sander, but it’s on the one that I couldn’t remove, as well as the door.  But that’s alright, the girl doesn’t mind.  I’m on the look out now for a cheap, but cute, “welcome” mat.  I intend to build her a mini flower bed box (with herbs planted inside for easy access from my kitchen) to run the length of the wall beside the door.  She loves it, and I am so glad I was able to give her something like this!

so this is two

I must have checked the weather at least 62 times a day in the days leading up to Tanami’s birthday party — which was Saturday (The day after hubs got back into town).  Every time I looked at it, the percentage of rain chances went up.  I was regretting letting life get in the way of planning a proper party for the girl.  Mommy guilt began to build.

It was the coldest, rainiest day of the week, and the plans to go to the Zoo were quickly disappearing.  We put on our big girl panties and we decided not to let the rain ruin our day.  So we had a birthday brunch with Grand Dad on his last day in the States.

She LOVES eggs, or aggs as she calls them.  So we had eggs, turkey bacon, fruit, biscuits with Raspberry jam, and OJ.  Her first taste of OJ, she loved it.

Her big gift from us was an awesome e-bay score.  I couldn’t find this kitchen for cheaper than $135, so I was going to build one.  Then I happened to stumble on it on ebay, brand new in the box, for $41!  With tax and pick up fee, it was $60.  It would likely have cost me that to build, paint, etc., one for her…and this one is too cute!  It is hand-painted, and it did take me forever to put the silly thing together.  We didn’t wrap it, but it was hard enough to get her to see it right there in the middle of the living room. She kept wanting to look everywhere but the obvious.  I gave her another gift of play food from my parents/grandpa so she’d have something to play with while I cooked brunch.  She loved it!

After brunch we sang Happy Birthday and she opened the rest of her gifts.  Her cake was made from watermelon.  We chopped off the ends and skinned it.  Then decorated it with various fruits and her beloved Yo Gabba Gabba characters.  I’m really happy with how it turned out.  My kid doesn’t get junk food – call me a bad parent all you want, but she LOVES watermelon and she was perfectly happy with her cake.

 

Wooden pots/pans, wooden brownie set, Yo Gabba Gabba Boom Box, play food, and doll stroller from Grandma/Grandpa/Papa.  PoPo Bobby & Granny Peggy gave her $25 dollars and we got her a Radio Flyer Wagon from CL.  She loves that too.  Uncle Anthony and Justin stopped by on her actual birthday and brought her some adorable clothes (the birthday outfit she is wearing was one of them).  It was pouring down rain, so it wasn’t until Sunday when we were able to give her:

This is the playhouse we picked up for her before Christmas that I cleaned up and repainted.  I’ll post about that later.  Then, Sunday afternoon, I was surfing on CL free ads and came across this one:

Cleaned it up, and now it leaves on the back deck next to her play house.  We’ll move these things into the yard sometime, but want to wait until we can make a proper play area with pea gravel to avoid having to mow around them.  She still has a huge version of this toddler slide/jungle gym that she got for Christmas that lives in the yard.  I’m so glad the weather is warming up so she can get outside and play!

For a child who’s birthday I do not want to revolve around what gifts she gets, she racked up big time!  She loved everything, right down to the cards.  She loved me reading them to her and would scream “YAAAY!!” and clap her hands.  Then she’d poke the card at me to read it again.  Just a simple card, and she loved it.  She didn’t care that there was no money in it, she just got joy from a piece of paper with words on it – I hope she never loses that.  Words are priceless.

It was kind of disappointing that we didn’t get to go to the Zoo, and that we only celebrated with us and Mat’s Dad…but it was a beautiful brunch, and she was a very happy girl – that’s all I can hope for.