Keeping it Calm with the 3 C's

As a working-outside-the-home mom and wife, and especially a working-outside-the-home mom and wife with a handful of health conditions, it's easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted this time of year. Exhaustion leads to more pain so it's something I generally try to avoid, but I can't allow myself to avoid doing the things that make me happy and make my heart feel good, so I have to find the right balance.

I've realized recently that I can still be a present wife and mom and do the things I love without tipping the scales (most of the time) by dedicating time each day to one of my 3 C's.

What are my 3 C's?

1. Couponing

2. Crafting

3. Cleaning

On most nights of the week, after Logan has settled in to bed, I dedicate an hour or so to one of these 3 C's while I wind down for the night.
The first C, couponing, is my hobby. I started couponing about four years ago and now there's no way I can stop! I break out into cold sweats when I need to pay full price for anything. Couponing taps into my need to organize, feeds my fondness for shopping, and enables me to save money on things my family actually uses while building a stockpile of emergency food and supplies. I could easily spend time on this every day because there really are new deals daily, but by limiting myself to two nights a week (except during Harris Teeter Super Doubles!), I can spend one day finding deals and preparing for shopping trips and another night shopping for deals solo (!) while Ryan stays home with Logan asleep. Whoever knew the mom secret-- that shopping at Target alone could be so ridiculously pleasant?!
The second C, crafting, makes me happy, makes our home a bit more personal and comfortable, and enables me to feel like I really accomplished something. There's no other feeling like making something with your own hands. Crafty nights are great opportunities to get together with friends for a night in, catch up on thank you notes, make or write holiday cards, make gifts, bake treats, or even spend an hour (or two) on Pinterest planning your next project.
The third C, cleaning, is the necessary evil. Luckily, most of the day, most days of the week, we are away from home making messes that other people are paid to clean which means our home doesn't require daily vacuuming, mopping, bathroom wipe downs, etc., so two nights a week is generally enough to keep the critters away and not be embarrassed if people stop by. One uninterrupted hour is plenty of time to deep clean two bathrooms, sweep and mop the tile floors, or de-gunk the microwave. Moreover, in my mind, cleaning also means organizing! An organized space gives the impression of clean even if it's dusty! If the floors aren't crunching beneath my feet, I might spend a cleaning night on a decluttering or reorganizing project.
A bonus perk of the crafting and couponing in our apartment means I'm just hanging out in the living room with my hubby. We're able to talk, make plans, and watch our favorite shows and I don't feel like I'm missing quality time with him nor do I feel like a bump on a log zoning out to tv with idle hands and he's able to keep up with his hobbies at the same time.
If you feel like you just have too many things on your plate this season or feel like you've been focusing too much on just one thing, think about your priorities-- what would make up your 3 C's?

November Gratitude: Day 19

Today, I am grateful for:

• tea. And cough drops. And all the things that make you feel semi-human when you have a cold.
• sweet potatoes. I have an autoimmune reaction to regular potatoes-- I get painful charley horses all over my body and all I can do is lay in bed. Sweet potatoes fill the void and fill my belly! Tonight, I had a huge baked sweet potato with sour cream and bacon and it was perfection.
• the ability and creativity to occasionally make something from nothing.

November Gratitude: Day 18

Today, I am grateful for:

• holiday decorations! People put a lot of time, money, and effort into making their homes beautiful. Growing up, our home was always cozy and comfortable-- we always had a well-stocked fridge, something freshly baked, lots of blankets, and fun decorations. I think holiday decor and fragrances make a cozy home even more inviting and it's nice to have a change of scenery indoors as the seasons change outdoors.
• Ryan's job. It's his job that really keeps a roof over our heads, a car in our garage, and the bills paid. It's not often that you find people our age who have spent their whole career growing within one company. I'm proud of how much he's grown and the respect he has earned.
• blenders. We love smoothies in this family-- it's one of the easiest ways to get fresh veggies, by drinking them blended with fruit! We use our blender more than any other small appliance. One day, I hope to have a vitamix, but for now I'm grateful for the little blender we have.

November Gratitude: Day 17

Today I am grateful:

• my husband is home from a five day trip! Parenting is a challenge when you lose your voice.
• for a boss who tells me to go home. Even though I couldn't sleep, I was able to rest my body and my voice.
• Logan has pooped on the potty three days in a row! He is on track to transition to his next level class on schedule. He is SO EXCITED to go to "preschool class"-- it's been a great motivator for potty training.

November Gratitude: Day 16

Today, I am grateful for:

• my senses, and knowing they work well most of the time. Sometimes I feel things, physically, a bit more than I should, thanks to my overactive nerves, but everything else is normal. Today though, I have a sore throat an no voice. Being a solo parent this weekend was really challenging! I couldn't raise my voice to respond when he was calling for me at the park today, we couldn't sing songs together, and I barely made it through one book at bed time. Logan was so sad when I tried to explain that I couldn't read more or sing because I didn't feel well and needed medicine. I don't know how parents are able to manage if they can't see, speak, or hear. I am so grateful those parts of my body generally work!
• for a husband who is a great father to Logan and a great support to me. I am so fortunate!
• grocery stores. I am fascinated with shows about Alaska, homesteading, prepping, and surviving, and while I believe I am more prepared for emergencies than most city dwellers, I am happy I don't have to do those things every day and am able to take advantage of grocery stores!

November Gratitude: Days 14 & 15

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

• my sweet friend, Bryana. Everyone needs a Bryana in their life-- a friend they can count on for just about anything. She is such a huge help to our little family and such a great all around friend, she's become a part of our family and I don't know what we would do without her.
• a regular paycheck, especially this time of year. During the holidays people are often stressed and will overstretch themselves and even steal to provide for the people they love. I feel fortunate that I am not in that position because I can count on my paycheck and have been planning for the holidays all year (note to everyone: Don't go in my closet!).
• Logan's bedtime routine-- it hasn't changed since he was an infant: Potty (formerly diaper change), bath or wash up, floss and brush teeth, lotion, jammies, books, songs, sleep. Works 98% of the time, no matter where we are. No matter how long the day feels, I know the routine will go smoothly and I get to end the day on a positive note snuggling with clean cutie pie, reading the books and singing the songs he loves.

Today, I am grateful for:

• the chance to take Logan to his very first play: Tiny Tim's A Christmas Carol. Despite the scary ghosts, he really enjoyed it. He had a great conversation with Tiny Tim after the show and told him he liked it and wants to see it again. He really wanted to go back immediately but I promised him we would see more plays this winter and we would definitely go back.
• the arguments I have with Logan. Standing by his opinion and actions shows me he has a strong character and won't be afraid to stand up for himself. I try my hardest not to get frustrated in these moments and try to turn them into learning opportunities.
• ice cream. Because some evil genius somehow created one of the most simple, most delicious, treats on earth, and it's my favorite. Logan's too. He likes pink.

November Gratitude: Day 13

On this "where the heck did winter come from?" day, I am grateful for:

• protection from the cold. Tonight, so many people are trying to sleep on the streets, in their cars, or in homes with unsafe or inadequate heat. It's snowing in November in DC. Some people will freeze to deaths tonight. I am grateful for our heated apartment, weather-appropriate attire, my cozy flannel sheets, and our ability to protect ourselves from the elements.
• new recipes! Especially the courage to try new things and the deliciousness when a new recipe turns out perfect the first time!
• friends I can be silent with. I try to be a good listener and I'm an introvert, so odds are I won't be doing most of the talking if we have a conversation. I'm grateful for friends who are comfortable enough with me to not feel the need to fill that silence and are as content to just be with me as I am to just be with them, enjoying being in the moment.

November Gratitude: Day 12

On this gorgeous day, I am grateful for:

• my wonderful colleagues. In addition to challenging me and pushing me beyond what I think I am capable of, they are supportive, kind, and generous. I'm so grateful to work with people who are passionate about their work and show compassion for the people they work with.
• a company with generous leave and benefits. By the end of the year, I will have used every sick, personal, and vacation day available to me, and I am so grateful I have them!
• flowers. I don't know anything about growing them or what different types are called, but I think they're so pretty and they always make me smile.

November Gratitude: Day 11

Today, I am grateful for:

• moisturizer! I wash my hands over 40 times a day-- moisturizer is essential to keep my skin from chapping. Today, I couldn't wear moisturizer at all and I wanted to burst out of my skin.
• women and men with the courage and passion to break down barriers. In so many areas of life, we see roles and professions that are typically filled with one gender or the other but I am grateful for people who make their own paths and pave the way for others.
• advances in medical science. If not for medical research, I would be dead. If not dead, I would certainly be miserable and sickly. Thankfully, treatment has enabled me to recover from my major medical conditions and an understanding of how my flawed body works is helping me cope with the others.

November Gratitude: Days 9 & 10

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

• People who go above and beyond to create an experience and provide great customer service. We were at our local Home Depot picking up wood for a project. We live in an apartment, so all of our tools literally fit into one tool box, so cutting wood blocks is something that needs to happen elsewhere. The associate was so friendly! Not only did he cut two 16' long boards into 7", 8", and 9" pieces despite their policy of no cuts under 12", he didn't charge us, and he was eager to involve Logan, giving him eye and ear protection and handing him the blocks to put in the cart. What could have been a more tedious experience became a memorable learning experience for all of us. 

• A girl's night in. I love doing projects and I don't always like to do them alone. A craft night is the perfect way to gather girlfriends who might not know each other in a no-pressure situation because you get to know each other while working on a project This is the perfect way for an introvert to be comfortably surrounded by the people they care about. Plus, I love being the hostess! Everyone had a fun night and we created some awesome holiday decor.

• Sweet friends who have offered over and over to lend a hand and a prayer this week. Without family nearby, I don't know how we would get through the week without our wonderful friends!

Today, I am grateful for:

• The random perks that come with living in the nation's capital. There are so many amazing free and fulfilling things to do here on a daily basis. It's great to always have something fun to look forward to and new to learn.

•  TV. Yes, I love TV! I love that Ryan and I have favorite shows we look forward to watching every week and I love learning from TV. Without "Extreme Couponing" or "Doomsday Preppers" we would be so unprepared for life's little emergencies.

• My ability to comfort Logan. I think all moms worry they aren't doing a good job. Sometimes we need to watch for the signs our children give us every day. When Logan's scared he comes to me. When he's frustrated, I am generally able to help him understand why. When he's angry or upset, I know just what to do or say to soothe him about 75% of the time. I often worry I'm not doing enough, but these wins remind me I'm doing just fine.

November Graititude: Day 8

Today, I am grateful: - for time spent with my sister, brother-in-law, and adorable precious nephew Elijah. No matter how much time passes between Dani and I each other, it's always like we saw each other yesterday. And, my little nephew is so delicious, I just want to eat him up! - for real conversations on the phone with Logan. Sometimes, I think I take for granted everything he is already able to communicate, but as I was boarding my second flight today, we had a full conversation over the phone about what he had for dinner, what I had for dinner, the fact that I was going on two airplanes today and needed tickets, about the museum he went to with Emery, and how much he missed me. I am so grateful to see him develop. My baby is growing up so fast! - for my home and my own bed. After a whirlwind trip, there's no place like home.

November Gratitude: Day 7

Today, I am grateful: - For the chance to see my best friend marry the man of her dreams. He makes her smile and that makes me smile. - That this was my last California wedding! All of my California based friends are married now. :-) The next time I'm in California, it will be for vacation. - That my Dad is retired. He drove for three hours yesterday just to have breakfast with me and it was awesome!

November Gratitude: Day 6

Today, I am grateful for: - my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, for all of the wonderful experiences I had as an undergrad and the friendships I formed that I know will last a lifetime. - safe flights. When you try to wrap your head around it, it's pretty amazing that for a few hundred dollars we get to be birds and can fly across the country in just a few hours. - southern California beaches. As soon as I spotted the California coast from the plane, I swear I could feel my heart smile. When I stepped out of the airport and felt the warmth of the sun and smelled the salty air, I felt content. And, to top it all off, this evening I fell asleep peacefully on the beach at a bon fire listening to the water from the bay lapping on the sand. I wish I could stay longer!

November Gratitude: Day 5

Today, I am grateful for: - Love and support from friends and family in all its forms. Real life hugs, sweet sentiments over the phone, and words of encouragement on social media all helped me get through a tough physical day. - Chocolate. Chocolate also helps on tough days. - Wet wipes. When you pee 20-30 times per day, toilet paper becomes your worst enemy! Sorry for stealing all your wipes, Logan! I hope you had something to be grateful for today, too!

November Gratitude: Day 4

Today, I am thankful for: - The right to vote. Even though my mom is pretty vocal about US politics, I could only hear her words but couldn't see her actions because she's not a US citizen (although her words strongly influenced my votes for the better part of the early 2000s). I felt really proud today to be able to take Logan with me to the polls so he could see me doing my civic duty, even though he thought we were going to a boat, not to vote. Hopefully, he will be more engaged in politics at an earlier age than I was. - The gift of planning! Tomorrow night (Wednesday), the power is going to be off in our building from 9pm to 6am. I won't be home until 6pm, we're babysitting one of Logan's friends til about 8pm... And the next morning, I leave for a flight at 5:30am. Luckily, thanks to my planning skills, I was able to get packed today, plan a fridge-free and portable breakfast for Logan Thursday morning, and I intend to shower tomorrow before the power's off and do my hair and makeup at the airport. This could have been a disaster without planning ahead! - Hot tea at the end of a long day. After spending the morning voting and at a doctor's appointment, the afternoon at work, and the evening making dinner, folding laundry, playing with Logan, packing, putting together Logan and Ryan's backpack for their day out this weekend, and putting Logan to bed, I was desperately in need of some peppermint tea. I hope you voted today!

November Gratitude: Day 3

Today, I am thankful for:

- The inspiration I find on Pinterest. Even though Logan is potty trained, we have been reluctant to get rid of our beautiful Pottery Barn changing table. Thanks to Pinterest, our cleaned up changing table is now a buffet in our kitchen providing much needed storage space for our pots and pans, a stable spot to serve food when we have guests, and room in the kitchen to set up a recycling center next to it. It was a quadruple win that saved us a few hundred bucks on the buffet we've been eyeing. Keep sharing your creativity, people!
- A son who loves to help. As soon as he saw us moving the furniture, he was right by my side helping carry it, telling us how strong he was. When he saw Ryan with his tool box to tighten the screws, he ran to workbench for his hammer and screwdriver, ready to help. They best way to learn is to do things hands on and I'm grateful he's interested enough in the things happening around him to want to become involved.

- The crisp, cool, weather autumn brings. It's nice to have a break from sweating for no reason and a brief period to enjoy being outdoors before it's too cold.

November Gratitude: Days 1 & 2

Despite the actual history of the pilgrims, the native Americans, and the first Thanksgiving, I love that the modern Thanksgiving is a reminder to be grateful and to give thanks for all the good we have in our lives.


Every day this month, I will attempt to share three things I am grateful for. Please spread the love by sharing three things you are grateful for in the comments or on my or your facebook pages.


Day 1: I am grateful for...


1. A (mostly) reliable car. This year, we weren't able to take a lot of family vacations thanks to the number of snow days, sick days, wedding travel, etc., but we were able to enjoy a lot of weekend road trips. I always enjoy visiting old friends and exploring new places.


2. We did have a few weeks this week where our car wasn't so reliable, and I am grateful for friends who offered to drive us around and just lend us their cars.


3. Post-holiday sales! I was able to stock up on activities and decor for next Halloween plus some awesome stuff I can use all year at rock bottom prices at a post-Halloween sale. Black and white chevron and polka dot blank note cards aren't just for Halloween, I can use them for any occasion. I love a steal of a deal.




Day 2: I am grateful for...


1. The things that fascinate Logan. Last weekend, we briefly watched part of the Marine Core marathon and Logan desperately wanted to run in the street with all the real runners. All week he has talked about running a race in the street and, today, we happened to catch the end of the NY marathon on tv and he was glued. We're searching for a 1k race he can run with Ryan. Hopefully he won't be too disappointed to run with other kids.


2. Friends who have become family. Since middle school, I have been blessed with friends who enable me to just be myself. Over the years, the number of friends I have like this has grown and our families have grown -- I can't explain how freeing it is to have relationships where there are no walls.


3. Phones and the internet. Even though my mom, sister, and nephew are on opposite sides of the country from me, I can hear their voices and see their photos and videos all day.


Happy November!

Evolution of a Fibro Girl's Wardrobe

It's been about three months since my last post which actually makes perfect sense. About three to four months ago, I really started to feel the pain and discomfort of a new fibromyalgia symptom. It's pretty common among fibromyalgics to have bladder problems but it was definitely new to me. My doctor is leaning toward a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis which basically feels like I have a urinary tract infection all of the time, I pee 20+ times a day, and I haven't slept longer than 3 hours at a time in months.


What does this have to do with my wardrobe? My clothes hurt! Wearing pants has become unbearable. I don't even want to try tights! And I LOVE tights! The temperature is dipping and it's really starting to feel like fall and the cute pants and colorful tights collection I've built may have to hibernate this winter because I have months of tests and procedures ahead of me to confirm a diagnosis and time to figure out a treatment plan that works for me.


As I slowly began to pack away pants this week (the complete opposite of what should be happening in October) I couldn't help but think of other things I've given away or packed away over the last couple of years while learning to live with fibromyalgia.


It started with high heels. I would wear them at work or on nights out. Who doesn't feel good in heels? I don't! At least not anymore. Leg cramps and backaches were my first fibro symptoms. Heels made those cramps and aches worse and longer-lasting. Slowly but surely, my shoe collection of varying heights had dwindled to a collection of colorful flats. Sometimes I feel a pang of jealousy when I see a woman on a pair of spectacular heels but my feet, legs, and back are grateful to be flat on the ground.


My shoulders and middle and upper back were the next spots on my body to flare up with aches and pains. Lightening the load in my purse seemed to work for a bit, but I felt completely unprepared for life carrying a practically empty bag when I prefer to carry an array of emergency supplies. All of my shoulder bags were packed up as I switched to cross body bags, but it wasn't long until I realized I needed to swallow my pride and start using a comfortable backpack to balance whatever I was carrying and help prevent muscle cramps and tension headaches. I carry a completely unfashionable backpack 95% of the time and even though it hurts my girly soul, my body is grateful.


And now I need to prepare for a winter without pants. I'm not looking forward to packing away my skinny corduroys and boyfriend jeans and replacing them all with midi and maxi length skirts to keep my legs warm (remember-- no tights!). I have a strong feeling I will spend most of the winter looking like a Duggar. It will definitely be weird but I know my body -- my lady parts, especially -- will be grateful.


I'll have to remind myself not to be jealous when I see women in heeled boots and skinny jeans, swinging their fabulous bags this winter. I'll have to remind myself that we all have different reasons for the choices we make when we look in the closet in the morning. Some women's bodies feel great in heels, pants, and purses, but you'll find me this winter trying as hard as I can to try to be as comfortable as a fibro girl can be in a long skirt, a practical backpack, and sensible shoes.

22 Things I Love About Logan: Age 2 Years, 8 Months

1. He will say the "sh" and "s" in "shoes" but not in other words. For example, "I want to wear my Piderman shoes to cool today" which means "I want to wear my Spiderman shoes to school today."
2. He gets jokes. He knows that the mouse and strawberry wearing glasses, mustaches, and noses in "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe, Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear" is funny. He also thinks it's hilarious to hide from mommy and daddy under the couch cushions or blankets and doesn't realize we know where he is because (1) we can see his legs and (2) we can hear him giggling.
3. He plays a mean air guitar on anything that could possibly be a guitar.
4. All toys and objects now serve multiple purposes: a bench is not just a bench, it's a train an the cross bar below the seat is a luggage rack for our shoes which are suitcases.
5. He lays on the floor to get up close and personal with his toys, even when we're in a store. I want to know what he's thinking about when he's down there.
6. He's showing some natural talent for sports! Ryan and I both grew up playing sports so seeing him show an interest in everything makes us so happy! We play soccer in the hallway and he can dribble well, he can hit a baseball even without a tee, he loves to smack the dimples off a golf ball, he can bounce a basketball five times, and he can run... fast! He likes to watch sports too! He was cheering right along with us during the World Cup, he loves going to daddy's softball games, and we carve out special time to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" together every week.
7. The way he asks questions: "you want to play trains with me, Mommy?" with his head cocked to one side.
8. All emergencies, start with "uh-oh!" or "op!" He get's "op!" from me. I don't know where it came from. Sometimes I just make noises. One common phrase in our house right now, "uh-oh! Pee-pee's coming!"
9. 95% of the time he is such a good boy. For a mom with fibromyalgia, having a child who is generally well-behaved, a good listener, and can focus on one activity for an extended period of time is such a blessing.
10. He still takes naps. Two hours a day, every day. And, most of the time, getting him to sleep at nap time and bed time is a breeze.
11. The way his face lights up when I pick him up after school. It erases all of my stress from the work day.
12. The way he asks me to pick him up: "you have to carry me." I always want to respond, "I do?"  Also, "you have to hold my hand." I can only think, "yes, sir!"
13. When he's frustrated, he throws his head back and walks away, huffing, just like Ryan and me -- sometimes he's too grown for his own good. 
14. He is learning how to match things. He can match most of the alphabet and shapes, even poorly drawn shapes. This week he held up an airplane to my chalkboard airplane which looked more like a shark or a bird and said, "it matches!" It's time to start playing Memory!
15. He loves to play games! My dream of having a family that has a weekly family game night may actually come true!
16. He has an opinion and preferences and isn't afraid to share them. He chooses his own clothes and shoes (despite our suggestions), he prefers pink ice cream with M&Ms above anything else, and he's not afraid to say, "I'm all doooone" or "I don't like that."
17. He LOVES Mickey Mouse and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He doesn't like any other cartoon. This has pros and cons: if we need to do something that requires our nearly undivided attention we know he will sit and watch an episode almost without blinking and it's something we can take away when he misbehaves, however, it also means we've created a little addict and I know kids aren't born with bad habits -- we create them! I feel the guilt even though I am happy to see him have emotional attachments and responses to situations. He actually talks to the TV when they ask questions... maybe it's not so bad to know he responds well in a digital world?
18. We were able to potty train in 3 days! 
19. His concept of time. When he's not ready to finish whatever he is doing, he always asks for "two minutes!" We give him two minutes, or sometimes five minutes, but he really has no idea what this means other than more time before a deadline. He also like to add "right now" to the end of sentences, but not in a demanding way. 
20. His hugs. Logan is a great hugger.
21. Hearing him say, "Mommy! Where are yooooou?!" when he wakes up. He doesn't come out of bed to look for us or wander around looking for something to play with until we wake up. When he's up, he's ready for mommy and tells me, "I need my milk and my breakfast and I need to watch Mickey" while also narrating our walk down the hallway (all in one sentence): "it's dark in here, turn the light on, turn the blinds on, I'm cold, I want my Oma blanket..."
22. Our bedtime routine. He takes a bath, we sing "Row your Boat" or "Five Little Ducks" depending on which toys he plays with, he needs to make footprints on the rug when he comes out of the bath, we brush his teeth, he chooses his own underwear, he sits on my lap while we put on lotion and get him dressed, he runs out to give Ryan a big bear hug and tell him goodnight, sometimes we Skype grandma and sing songs to her, we sit together and read at least two books, sometimes he reads one book to himself for "five minutes", he gets his doggy and shark and asks for his Thomas blanket, then we lay in bed to snuggle and talk about the day or sing a few songs until he tells me he's ready to go to sleep. He's so sweet at bedtime. It's my favorite.

I love my little boy -- he's growing up so fast!

Are you ready if an emergency happens while you're at work?

I think the most important place to be prepared for emergencies is in your home because, for most of us, it's where we spend most of our time. Where's the second most important place? Your place of employment! It's where you spend the most amount of time outside of your home. If your work leads you to spend a ton of time in your vehicle, read this post: Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle and add some of the items listed below to your car kit.

If you work anywhere other than your home or your vehicle, you should be prepared to either shelter in place or evacuate at any time. If you aren't ready yet, now's the time! An emergency could happen today! I work in a big office in Washington, DC, just blocks away from the office. On my way to and from work, I pass several important buildings including the FBI and the Pentagon (among others). In the 5 years that I've been here, we've had earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes, tornado warnings, and major shooting incidents nearby, and that doesn't take into account things we don't know about. I keep a small backpack and change of shoes under my desk filled with supplies I may need in case I am unable to leave the building overnight or need to get home without the aid of electricity or transportation. Bear in mind, if you usually use a car to get to work, you might not be able to get to your car to get home. Or, you might have to leave your car on the side of the road somewhere while trying to get home, so having a bag like this will be useful for you car commuters as well.

This backpack cost me $8 during a back-to-school sale last year and the shoes are old running shoes with a pair of socks in them, ready to go. I always commute in comfortable shoes because I use the metro (subway) to get to work and I feel like I should be ready to walk in case it shuts down or is compromised, but if I know I'm going to have to walk all the way to Logan and then home, I'm happy I have shoes that are designed for that task. Now is the time to get a backpack because back-to-school sales make them inexpensive everywhere.

So what's inside the bag?

• Water (walking in DC in a sweltering summer would be awful without water and, if we had to shelter in place, we might not be able to access our water in the building)
• Whistle (if someone is looking for survivors, I want to make sure I am found)
• Granola bars and protein bars
• Canned fruit 
• Candy (for extra energy when the blood sugar is low)
• Tape (for leaving instructional signs for friends and family)
• Paper and markers (for writing signs and notes or starting a fire)
• Headlamp and spare batteries (for walking in the dark)
• Toe warmers and hand warmers (for walking in the cold)
• Ear plugs (if DC is getting bombed and I make it out, I want to keep my hearing)
• Face masks (for keeping out dangerous particles)
• Hat (for protection and shade)
• Working gloves (for moving things out of my way)
• Sunscreen (try to do anything with a sunburn!)
• Chapstick with SPF (ditto)
• Tampons (because you never know when an emergency will happen!)
• Toothbrush (we need out teeth to eat, no matter what)
• Toothpaste
• Antibacterial gel
• Iodine wipes
• Medicine: stomach, cold, allergy, pain, aspirin (aspirin to help someone having a heart attack)
• Neosporin
• Band-aids
• Medical tape
• Two ponchos (to keep Logan and me dry)
• Plastic bags (in case something gets wet)
• Matches in a plastic bag (to start a fire)
• Copies of identification, insurance, passports, and emergency contact list
• Copy of my friend Bryana's emergency contact list (she has a copy of mine, so we can contact  families)
• Cash
• Road map (there are a few ways to walk out of DC)
• Rubber bands
• Snack for Logan
• Moby wrap (for carrying Logan a long distance if I can get to him but can't get home or to our car)
• Sweater, underwear, and pants for Logan
• Pocket knife

I'm planning on adding:

• An innertube or some other flotation device in case I need to get home and the bridges aren't accessible (I can swim, but I don't know how well I can swim with a backpack!)
• Large garbage bag (to keep everything I'm carrying dry in case I need to cross the river)
• Pepper spray
• Insect repellent

In comparison to pre-packed 24-hour get-home bags, this is pretty light in both weight and content. Even though I have to cross bridges and a river to get home, I only work 4 1/2 miles away from home. On most days, my commute is a total of 28 minutes, 16 of which are spent walking. If you have a lengthier commute, you might consider a more comprehensive bag like this one because you might have to face some crazy elements and crazy people trying to get home to your family and your stuff.

When you just can't find the words

Life with fibromyalgia is full of highs and lows. Over the last two months, I've felt better than I have in the last two years thanks to: the change of seasons (my muscles and joints prefer warm weather), changes in my diet (my body prefers less grains and sugar), and stopping my prescription medication. Based on how good I have been feeling, I would have thought I was on my way to a period of remission.

Nope.

I was wrong.

Generally, I don't feel stress at work. Not that my job isn't stressful, I just think I've developed a pretty good toolkit for dealing with stress when it's coming. The last couple of weeks have been particularly stressful and the tools in my kit just haven't been enough.

One good way I manage stress is exercise. I love this time of year in our neck of the woods because there are so many great reasons to be outdoors. We've been biking a lot, partly because of the good weather and partly because our one and only car was in the shop for three weeks (another source of stress!). This week, I stepped up my exercise game. Even though mentally and emotionally I know it's the right time to make progress on the exercise front, I don't know if my body was ready.

Yesterday, for the first time in months, I woke up exhausted. I had a few muscle cramps and general discomfort the night before which certainly didn't help my sleep situation. By 9am, I was ready for a nap. Logan and I had been playing "basketball" and I just couldn't hang on. I stretched out across the foot of my bed and tried to watch him play, but couldn't keep myself awake. I asked Ryan to take Logan to the living room so I could sleep for 30 minutes before we left for soccer. Ryan asked me to tell Logan I needed some rest and to ask him to go to the living room but I couldn't. I was experiencing my first real fibro fog. In the past, I have felt slow or forgetful, but this time was unsettling. I could visualize the words I was trying to say and I could visualize a little cartoon hand trying to grab them, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't put the words in the right order. When I tried to ask Logan to leave the room so I could rest, I couldn't form a sentence! I just said words! Luckily, Ryan ended up just taking Logan out of the room. When I woke from my nap, I explained to Ryan what I had experienced and he was surprised. He thought I was just messing with him.

But it was real, and it was scary. I was still exhausted after soccer and a quick trip to Target so I ended up taking another nap which helped me feel better. I wish I could nap twice a day in the office! Unfortunately, the stress at work isn't going to ease up in the coming weeks (in fact, it will undoubtedly get worse) and I'm committed to continuing with my exercise. I'm so afraid this will happen again and this is not the time to sound like a bumbling idiot and collapse with exhaustion! I hope this extreme fibro fog doesn't happen to me again.

Upcycled Outdoor Hanging Planter

Last spring, I made my first set of upcycled hanging planters and they fared so well, I am using them again this year and making some more. They were the perfect container for growing herbs. This is cilantro I started from a seed 3 or 4 weeks ago in one of last year's containers.

They are so easy to make! You don't have to be crafty. These are the supplies you need:

 

• Old, clean, juice or soda bottles. (Don't use milk bottles, they retain bacteria if not cleaned properly.)
• Duct tape.
• Scissors.
• Twine or any kind of sturdy string that can be used outdoors.
• Hole-punch.
• Power drill.

Step 1: drill one or two holes in the bottle cap for drainage.

 

Step 2: Cut the bottom off of the bottle.

They should look like this. Imagine my assistant saying, "I am a robot" and moving his arms around.

Step 3: Punch two holes across the opening. These holes will be for the strings for hanging.

Step 4: Wrap duct tape around the bottom (now the top) of the bottle. Fold the tape in. This helps make the bottle stronger. Make sure to find the holes and puncture them again. You can hole punch it after you apply the tape, but you have to have incredibly strong hands!

Step 5: Cut two pieces of string about 3 feet long.

Bonus step: allow assistant to add extra tape and stickers to bottles.

Step 6: Loop one piece of string through each hole.

Step 7: Add rocks to the bottom of each bottle to assist with draining.

Step 8: Fill bottle with soil.

 

Step 9: Tie onto your balcony or hook.  Note: After winter, the strings may dry out, so they may need to be replaced.

Step 10: Add a seed. Label it. Water it. Watch it grow. Enjoy delicious herbs in just a few weeks!

 

GREAT Deal on Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bars at CVS through May 24

Now through May 24, you can STOCK UP on Neutrogena facial cleansing bars. I love this gentle cleanser and I love this deal!

Where I live, these bars cost $3.39 each. When you buy 3, you get $10 back in ExtraBucks (ECBs). The best thing is you can repeat this deal SIX times! Luckily, I already had $10 ECBs from my last CVS trip, so this literally cost me 75 cents and I got $10 ECBs to use on my next purchase. My CVS had 6 bars, so I was able to do this transaction twice.

 

Here's how it worked for me:

• Scan ExtraCare card. Ring up 3 Neutrogena bars. Total: $10.75. Scan $10 ECB. Pay 75 cents! Get $10 ECB on your receipt.
• Then do it again! Scan ExtraCare card. Ring up the next three Neutrogena bars. Total: $10.75. Scan $10 ECB from your last transaction. Pay 75 cents! Get $10 ECB on your receipt.

Today I got 6 bars and only paid $1.50 out of pocket. I'll check other CVS locations until May 24 so I can maximize this deal. Remember, you can do this six times, so you could end up with 18 bars for a whopping total of $4.50 with $10 ECBs leftover to spend on something else.

52 Week Home Organization Challenge: Week 4

Week 4: Organize fridge and freezer

If there's one thing I generally keep well-organized, it's our food. I hate to see anything go to waste and one of the best ways to do that is to know what you have, cook using what you already have, and know when what you have expires. Every three months, I check all of the expiration dates so I know what I have to use in the upcoming months and can toss anything that might have expired. I don't use any baskets or crates to keep our fridge and freezer organized, but I do like the idea.

I think most people plan their meals around what they want to eat and will go to the store once or twice that week and buy whatever it is they think they will eat. I plan our meals around what we already have. I keep our meat costs low by buying marked down meat -- meat that's at a reduced price because it's the sell by date. If I don't eat it that day, I freeze it so it's good for another six months. Because I buy our meat that way, I keep an inventory list on the side of the fridge.

Here's a peek into our fridge and freezer ---

In our freezer, all of the meat goes in the biggest section. It takes up the most space. Below it, you'll find things like pizza/pizza crust, flattened homemade soups (they stack so nicely when you freeze the bags flat on a cookie sheet!), popsicles, and coffee for when my mom visits.

 

Our inventory list is on the side of the fridge.

All frozen veggies (including our guacamole stockpile) go one one door shelf.

 

Fruit and nuts go on another shelf. Most of the fruit we freeze was either marked down because it was bruised or it was fruit we didn't get around to eating, so I chop it up for smoothies rather than tossing it.

Here's a great example of what a difference three minutes can make. In the photo on the left, the two bottom shelves look ready to explode, but after removing five expired bottles, it looks a bit more organized.

I try to keep  the main part of the fridge as grab-friendly as possible. You have all seen how much food we keep in our home... the one thing that gets on my last nerve is when a certain someone stands in front of the fridge and complains that we have nothing to eat. This fridge clearly has plenty to eat!

Fruit is usually washed and right up front (here are two of Logan's favorites: grapes and watermelon).

Dippable veggies are washed, chopped, and ready for hummus.

Homemade snacks are ready to eat (this is our latest family favorite: yogurt mixed with oats, almond milk, chia seeds, and either jam or fresh fruit).

 

One crisper drawer holds our fresh veggies.

And the other holds overflow. There was a great deal on cheddar cheese at Harris Teeter a few weeks ago and it's one of Logan's favorites, so I stocked up. This is good until August, so we don't need to see it every day. We just keep one block, sliced up, in the meat and cheese drawer higher in the fridge.

Hopefully this inspires you to organize your fridge and freezer too!

My Little Plants Now Live Outdoors!

They grow up so fast!

This Sunday, I was reminded again why I love weekends. I was feeling really frustrated about giving up on my elimination diet but spending two hours out in the sun with my hands in the dirt and sweat on my brow was all I needed to clear my head. What's better than eating something you raised yourself, right?

I learned a lot from my little seedlings. Some, like summer squash, okra, and zucchini, grow really fast! I think it would be better to start them in a larger seed tray with a taller cover. Others, like chives and spinach, failed to thrive in the trays. I'll be starting them again next weekend, sowing them directly outdoors.

You will notice that my little garden does not look like the standard potted garden. Pots meant for plants are expensive! Baskets, tubs, and containers purchased from a thrift store on a half price holiday are really inexpensive and easily converted to gardening containers with the help of a drill to poke a few holes on the bottom for drainage and a layer of rocks on the bottom to further assist with the drainage.

Some containers, like empty juice and soda bottles are even better, because they are completely free! In an upcoming post, I'll show you how easy it is to upcycle and make your own hanging containers with materials you probably have around your house. Raising some of your plants off the floor really helps to make the most of tight spaces.

So far, I've planted summer squash, spaghetti squash, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, okra, tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, lima beans, sunflower, and lettuce. I plan on adding Italian basil, Thai basil, lavender, more lettuce, oregano, chives, and maybe some carrots.

I am so excited to watch my garden grow and my little helper is excited about it too. When he awoke from his nap, I was about halfway through getting everything planted so dirt and supplies still littered the balcony. The first thing Logan said when he came outside was, "you make a mess! I sweep!" When he was done sweeping, he quickly got to work watering the fronts of all the containers. We'll have to work on his reach so the plants in the back aren't neglected!

More to come!!

The Breakdown

It happens when you least expect it. You can only feel like you have it together for so long and then, suddenly, you realize you're overwhelmed. You find yourself crying in bed in the middle of the night and, at first, you think it's because of something silly, like realizing you probably can't eat bananas. Bananas. One of the first foods we all turn to when our muscles ache!

That's when you understand the real reason you are crying: you've just accepted another perfectly normal thing your abnormal body can't do. Also, maybe part of it is because you are hungry. You've been drinking Ensure for two weeks on an elimination diet and the first food you reintroduced, that you thought would be a surefire win, was a failure and you just remembered you didn't eat rice today because you're afraid of reacting to another perfectly normal food.

You remember you're not normal and you're overwhelmed and disappointed. Disappointed because this disease you are trying so hard to control has bested you again and all you want is to wake up in the morning feeling well-rested and ready to take on the day. You want to snuggle with your child in the morning without feeling like crawling back into bed when he is wide awake. You want to survive your workday without squirming, doing everything possible to stay awake and focused on your tasks, without excruciating pain every time you rise from your ergonomic chair. When you pick your son up from daycare, it takes every bit of patience go allow him to explore the world around him on your walk home and every last bit of strength to lift him up when he wants to walk on the wall or carry him when the cold wind hurts his little face. All day long you've been thinking about tour grand evening plans: pulling together a practical dinner, doing a load of laundry, AND cleaning at least one thing (usually one of three gets accomplished) before bath time, story time, and bed time.

Thank goodness for weekends. They restore my sanity and priorities. After a lot of discussion with Ryan, I've decided to take a break from the elimination diet and try another, less severe method. For now, I will focus on eating whole foods and going back to eating old-fashioned, traditional foods, and will eventually get an ALCAT test (it's a test that measures how your blood reacts with 200 foods/ingredients and helps to determine sensitivities). Thank goodness for weekends, husbands who make you realize you're driving yourself crazy, and wonderful children who remind you why you need to be patient with yourself.

First Food Fail

I spent all of last week sipping Ensure and Boost, drinking water, and chewing sugar free gum. By the third or fourth day, I noticed an obvious improvement in how I was feeling and how I was able to move my body. By the sixth and seventh day, I woke up with energy. Prior to last weekend, I could not have told you the last time I awoke with energy and the mental capacity to take on the day. I was able to accomplish a lot last weekend without feeling exhausted. I still felt some pain and still felt fatigue but it was a level if pain I am comfortable with (like a post-workout sore) and a nap didn't feel like a necessity, it felt like a boost. While shopping Sunday, Ryan commented that he didn't think he could do what I was doing: sit in a restaurant drinking Ensure while everyone around me enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, and French fries. I explained that when food hurts you as much as it hurts me, it's worth it... And hopefully, only temporary.

Monday morning, I was so excited to add bananas back into my diet -- food I could chew! Sort of. I woke up with energy, made a banana Ensure shake for breakfast and had enough energy to go on an hour-long walk at lunch. I was feeling good. I had another banana with Ensure at dinner but was feeling sluggish and sore. I thought it was from my walk but I awoke Tuesday feeling more aches in my legs. Still thinking it was from my walk, I continued to eat bananas. Now it's Thursday and I am feeling even more aches in my legs since Tuesday. I have had to slow my walking pace and I can't cross my legs. The only thing I have changed this week is adding bananas.

Bananas are out.

52 Week Home Organization Challenge

A few weeks ago, a friend posted a link to the "52 Weeks To An Organized Home Challenge." Even though it was not directed at anyone in particular, I couldn't help but think, challenge accepted!!

One of the things that has been causing me stress is just looking around our apartment and thinking about all of the projects I need/want to do. Our apartment is as big as a house, so the projects really do accumulate. Thinking about it all at once can be so overwhelming. This challenge takes the overwhelming obstacle of organizing your entire home and breaks it down into 52 weeks. I love this! I was able to shorten it by a few weeks because some things are already super organized (pantry, coupons, etc.) and some things we don't have (garage, silver, fine china).

So far, I've completed the first three weeks of organization challenges.

Week 1: Organize kitchen countertops and sinks

This is before... a cluttered mess! 

This is mid-way! We now have a banana hook that attaches under the cabinet which can be hidden away and a paper towel holder to hang over the sink. Yes, the plates have to stay on the counter -- they don't fit in our shallow cabinets!

 

Week 2: Organize kitchen drawers and cabinets

This is before... big cluttered mess, broken gadgets, duplicates, and things we never use.

 

This is mid-way. It takes up three drawers but at least I can see everything I have, nothing is broken, and lots of duplicates were donated.

 

Final product... down to two drawers! All cabinets are free of clutter! 

 

I love the organizer in this drawer -- the top slides from side to side! It's a major space saver.

 

I love things that stack well.

 

And things built to help you stack and store!

 

 

Every kid's house should have a kid-friendly kitchen hideaway! Sometimes, Logan just hangs out here and eats a snack. He likes quiet places.

Week 3: Organize pantry, spice, and food storage

My spice cabinet was already in alphabetical order, but I cleared out some expired spices and made room for the sugar, honey, creamer, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

 

This is our regular use pantry in our kitchen. The only things that go here are open and presently being used and big appliances.

 
These photos are all from our stockpile room (a walk-in closet). Generally, this space is organized, but every three months I go through and pull out everything near expiration or that I know we won't use and donate it to a local organization.Yes... I have a convenience store in my apartment.

 This is a linen closet but we use it for beverages, canning supplies, arts and crafts supplies, and a crate for collecting things to donate.

 

Coming up this week: refrigerator and freezer! Yeah! More photos will be posted in the coming weeks as the rest of our life gets organized.