The best Lunar Eclipse video I've seen yet.

The eclipse was just so magical to watch. Very powerful.

 Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman

One of my favorite Christmas shows and songs.

Song of the day: Jays Song, Goodbye Horses

One of the all time best Jay and Silent Bob moments... EVAR!



There is just nothing fricken better... they come close in other scenes, but I cannot make it though this one without laughing my butt off.

License suspension...

While some punishment is better than none... is this really the answer?

November 20, 2010

The child support agency asked the Department of Public Safety to suspend the obligor's drivers license.

With no payments received and the license now suspended... what good is it? I don't understand why they don't put a lien on a home or business. Or even take those sort of items and sell them...

Metrodome Roof Collapse Video From the Inside Metrodome

I can't let something like this pass without posting on it. I can't believe it happened. I am thankful that nobody was hurt when it happened.

Chilling at the hospital...

My mom is having an outpatient surgery today and while my anxiety is horrible, to say the least... I couldn't not be here for her. It's a must...

With that in mind... omg I want to have the baby here. Holy CRAP they have the set up for birthing areas! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous and state of the art.

Pregnancy really sucks the blogging out of me!

At least as far as anything un-pregnancy related goes. It's weird. I was blogging my little heart out, generally at least one post a day... I find out I'm pregnant and boom, it's all consuming. You'd think having 4 children already this would be nothing. But after a 6 year bout with infertility this pregnancy was a shock to say the least.

Anyhow, I guess for now I'm just dropping in to say hi. Eventually I will have something that goes here rather than on Peanut's blog. Oooh, maybe I'll dig out my Christmas/Yule stuff. Might be fun. :D If only I could get some damn energy lol! Building human's is tiring stuff.

So I woke up to at least 2 more inches!

It never gets old! I love snow!!! There is nothing like waking up surrounded by a winter wonderland. It's magical every time.

Gorgeous! It's too cold to take a pic and still snowing, so I borrowed this one.

This is one of the things I hated most about when we lived in Texas. Winter isn't winter in Texas, it's brown and gross and muddy. BLEH! <3 Minnesota <3 The lack of ex-inlaws in Minnesota also happens to be a wonderful thing.

And from weather.com...

Winter Weather Advisory for Anoka, MN

until 12 pm CST, Tue., Nov. 30, 2010

Local Radar Map

What's This?

Updated 30 Nov 2010 8:40 am Local Time

Enlarge Map | Weather in Motion®

Get WeatherReady

• Prepare for Winter Storms
• Tips for Snow & Ice Removal
• Driving in Snow & Ice
• Get Live Traffic Reports
• Wintry Precipitation Explained

Issued by The National Weather Service
Minneapolis, MN
2:22 am CST, Tue., Nov. 30, 2010

... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY.

* TIMING... PERIODS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL THROUGH THE MORNING.

* MAIN IMPACTS... SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 4 INCHES AND FREEZING OF UNTREATED WET ROADWAYS DUE TO FALLING TEMPERATURES.

* OTHER IMPACTS... BY TUESDAY MORNING... NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WILL RESULT IN PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF ANY NEWLY FALLEN SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS PERIODS OF SNOW... SLEET OR BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES... AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

&&

More Information

... ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL CONTINUING WITH STRONG WIND SPEEDS THROUGH THE REST OF THE DAY...

.A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA... GENERALLY WEST OF A LINE FROM REDWOOD FALLS TO LITTLE FALLS... THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. THIS INCLUDES THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA.

IN THE WARNING AREA OF WEST CENTRAL AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA... AN INTENSE BAND OF SNOW DEVELOPED OVERNIGHT... WITH 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW BEING REPORTED FROM REDWOOD FALLS THROUGH OLIVIA AND WILLMAR. PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE MORNING... WITH THE INTENSE BAND OF SNOW WEAKENING SOME AS IT MOVES NORTHEAST. TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS FROM 8 TO 12 INCHES... WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED FROM REDWOOD COUNTY UP TO WESTERN STEARNS COUNTY. ELSEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING... SNOWFALL AMOUNTS WILL LIKELY BE IN THE 3 TO 6 INCH RANGE. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOWFALL... STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH GUSTING TO 35 TO 40 MPH HAVE DEVELOPED AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE DAY TUESDAY... WHICH WILL RESULT IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW... AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

FURTHER TO THE SOUTH AND EAST... SNOWFALL WILL LAST THROUGH THE BETTER PART OF TUESDAY MORNING. WHILE AMOUNTS OF ONLY ONE TO FOUR INCHES ARE PRIMARILY EXPECTED... QUICKLY FALLING TEMPERATURES ON NORTHWEST WINDS WILL LIKELY LEAD TO FREEZING OF WATER ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS BY DAYBREAK. THIS ALONE MAY HAVE IMPACTS ON THE MORNING RUSH HOUR. NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH MAY ALSO FURTHER REDUCE VISIBILITIES IN FALLING SNOW AT TIMES DURING TUESDAY MORNING.

Mine to Hold: 8 weeks!

Mine to Hold: 8 weeks!: "This is pregnancy week 8! It's my own little milestone, but one that I am thrilled about, from here on out every 4 weeks is a decent milest..."

Sheesh

Pregnancy and therapy really slow a girl down, if on nothing more than her blogging...  and every day life! Although I am more inclined to blame the pregnancy. I am SO dang tired all the time.

I do however have a worth while update today! I have a picture of 8 scarves that I have crocheted that are ready to be donated! I have a 9th and 10th almost done, but since it is so cold out already I am going to donate the 8 I have ready to go sooner rather than later.

Scarves, multiple sizes and colors ready to be donated.

Once again my thanks to the wonderful person who donated money for so much yarn! I hope to be able to get at least 5 more scarves out of what I had. The adult size ones take a lot more yarn than the kid's scarves do, so I have a ratio of about 2 to 1 on those. So, 25 dollars donated and I believe I will be able to make at least 15 scarves! If there is enough left over I am going to attempt to crochet a hat or two as well. Wish me luck!

6 - 11 inches is perfect for me!

 I love winter! Everything is so fresh and beautiful outside.

Winter Storm Warning for Anoka, MN

until 6 am CST, Sun., Nov. 14, 2010

Local Radar Map

What's This?

Updated 13 Nov 2010 12:45 pm Local Time

Enlarge Map | Weather in Motion®

Get WeatherReady

• Prepare for Winter Storms
• Tips for Snow & Ice Removal
• Driving in Snow & Ice
• Get Live Traffic Reports
• Wintry Precipitation Explained

Issued by The National Weather Service
Minneapolis, MN
10:59 am CST, Sat., Nov. 13, 2010

... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY.

* TIMING... SNOW TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES DURING THE LATE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. SNOWFALL RATES AROUND AN INCH AN HOUR ARE LIKELY. THE SNOW WILL DECREASE IN INTENSITY LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST.

* MAIN IMPACT... HEAVY WET SNOW WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 11 INCHES.

* OTHER IMPACTS... VERY DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS WITH STRONG WINDS. TREES AND POWER LINES MAY GO DOWN WITH THE HEAVY WET SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD... AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

More Information

... SIGNIFICANT SNOW AND WIND TODAY FROM SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA THROUGH THE TWIN CITIES METRO AND INTO WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN...

.A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT TODAY AND TONIGHT ACROSS EAST CENTRAL THROUGH SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA. THIS INCLUDES THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA. THE WARNING ALSO CONTINUES FOR POLK AND BARRON COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDES OF THE WARNING AREA... FROM ALBERT LEA TO LADYSMITH AND WILLMAR TO LITTLE FALLS RESPECTIVELY. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALLS WITHIN THE WARNING AREA ARE EXPECTED TO BE BETWEEN 8 AND 11 INCHES. THE ADVISORY AREA CAN EXPECT 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW... NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS AT 15 TO 25 MPH WILL ACCOMPANY THE SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA. HOWEVER... STRONGER WINDS OF 25 TO 30 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS WILL CONTINUE OVER SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA... SOUTH AND WEST OF MANKATO. THERE HAVE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES GOING DOWN DUE TO THE WINDS AND THE WEIGHT OF THE HEAVY WET SNOW. THESE TYPES OF REPORTS EXTEND FROM SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO THE TWIN CITIES.

THE HEAVIER RATES OF SNOWFALL... WITH AMOUNTS OF ONE INCH PER HOUR... WILL GRADUALLY SHIFT FROM NEAR AND JUST SOUTHWEST OF THE TWIN CITIES... INTO EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND NORTHWEST WISCONSIN... TOWARD CAMBIRDGE... MORA... AND BALSAM LAKE. THE HEAVIEST STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL WILL REACH NEAR 11 INCHES FROM SOUTH CENTRAL..INTO EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA... INCLUDING PARTS OF THE TWIN CITIES,

SURROUNDING THE HEAVIER BAND OF SNOW... AMOUNTS WILL REACH 6 TO 8 INCHES. THE DIVIDING LINE FOR RAIN AND SNOW WAS LOCATED FROM NEAR ALBERT LEA... TO MENOMONIE AND LADYSMITH. THIS WILL CHANGE VERY LITTLE DURING THE EARLY AFTERNOON... BUT MAY SHIFT EAST LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

THE FIRST WINTER STORM OF THE SEASON IS ASSOCIATED WITH A LOW PRESSURE STORM SYSTEM OVER NORTHEAST IOWA. THE LOW WILL MOVE NORTHEAST TO UPPER MICHIGAN BY SUNDAY MORNING.

IF TRAVEL IS PLANNED TODAY... BE SURE TO CHECK ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE HEADING OUT AND BE PREPARED TO USE EXTRA TIME TO GET TO YOUR DESTINATION.

It's snowing!

I never knew how much I loved the snow until I moved to Texas and had a "brown" winter. White is just so much prettier! There is nothing like waking up to a nice blanket of snow covering up rooftops and grass. Watching it fall peacefully to the ground as it continues to snow. I don't have a fireplace, but I think a few candles would give the same effect... to an extent lol.

I can see it now. Eyes rolling as you read this... at least from the haters of the snow... He or she who must shovel the fluffy white stuff should move to an apartment with underground parking! Much less of an inconvenience leaving it to be an enjoyable experience!

Heck, I can't wait for Emma to wake up and see the snow! I love the excitement in her eyes. I remember that feeling as a child, it's even better than how I feel about snow myself. It's that "Ohhhhh! Snow! Let's play in it!" feeling.

I love snow. ::sigh::

This is ridiculous!

This is just, amazing. He signed a payment arrangement in July of this year, agreeing to pay current support and catch up on the $5000 he had in arrears already. You can see where we are on that..

The following enforcement remedies are in use:

Passport Denial   (Active )

Project Intercept   (Active )

Revenue Recapture   (Active )

Student Grant Hold   (Active )

Credit Bureau Reporting   (Active )

Driver's License Suspension   (The obligor signed a payment plan )

The total amount the obligor owes this month is $460.00.

The current support obligation may be different from the court ordered amount because of medical support offset.

Monthly Charges
Type	Amount Due	Balance Due
Current support	460.00	460.00

The total amount the obligor owes on this case is $5,977.19.

Outstanding Balances
Type	Balance Due
Current support	460.00
NPA arrears	5,483.07
PA arrears	34.12

 

 

The case is in the enforcement process. The child support agency is enforcing the court order for support. The agency uses a variety of tools to enforce support orders.
 

 

November 3, 2010

From now on, this case will be periodically reviewed for Driver's License Suspension. The child support agency will review the case regularly to see if the obligor's driver's license should be suspended. If the case meets the standards for Driver's License Suspension in the future, the child support agency will send a Notice of Intent to Suspend Driver's License to the obligor at the obligor's last known address.

October 18, 2010

The child support agency sent a new or updated notice of income withholding to the obligor's payor of funds. The notice tells the payor of funds to start taking the support that the obligor owes out of the obligor's pay, or to change the amount of support that they have been taking from the obligor's pay, and to send the support to the Minnesota Child Support Payment Center.

October 18, 2010

The child support agency added a new income withholding record or changed an existing income withholdingincome withholding notice to the obligor's current or new payor of funds.

Year to date payment history:

08/30/2010	254.73	111.88 142.85	Current Support NPA Arrears
08/02/2010	127.39	127.39	Current Support
08/02/2010	254.73	254.73	Current Support
07/21/2010	121.93	121.93	Current Support
06/30/2010	254.73	135.74 118.99	Current Support NPA Arrears
06/16/2010	37.50	37.50	Current Support
06/10/2010	68.75	68.75	Current Support
06/04/2010	127.39	127.39	Current Support
06/01/2010	90.62	90.62	Current Support
05/21/2010	254.73	254.73	Current Support
05/20/2010	127.39	127.39	Current Support

Group Therapy... eh.

I just don't know what to think of this new therapy program. Yes, it's more intense, but it's always in a group and always feels more stressful. You wait your turn to talk, if you get a chance to talk you have people talking over you... but there has to be some benefit... right?

I am questioning whether to stay in this new more intense therapy or go back to the old one where it was more relaxed and took less than 1/3 the time this one takes per week. Not to mention food and drinks bought at the hospital, holy crap that is getting spendy! Granted I've switched over to just the ice water with the yummy ice for drinking, but lunch is expensive in the cafeteria.

Toss the pregnancy on top of it and I find it almost impossible to stay awake, especially for the 3 hours that come after lunch. >.< I think I spend more time checking the clock and anxiously awaiting time to leave than I spend paying attention to the given topic. Hell, of the 6 groups we do a day, I think only 3 of them really even pertain to me since I haven't and wont ever attempt suicide. How annoying.

Emma is doing so great in school!

We just got her first spelling test back, she got a perfect 16/16. I don't remember doing spelling tests in first grade... wow... but this girl nailed it! I am so very proud of her. 16 spelling words in first grade... in one week... it seems so crazy to me but she's doing it and kicking butt at it. In all honesty, she's so awesome with math I thought reading and spelling were going to be an issue, but she's just blowing us all away, including her teacher.

Have I mentioned how proud I am of her? Her oldest two siblings could take a page out of her book, or maybe she took a page out of Blake's book... who knows. I am just, in awe. I hope she stays this great with school, she seems to not only excel but also enjoy it too.

Did I mention she's at the head of her class for number of "Tryin' Lion" awards as well? Amazing.

A quote to live by.

"Be who you are, and say what you feel; those you mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr.Seuss

We have normality...

Well, at least that was the nicest way I could think of to say "we now resume our usual weekly grind". Oh and also I am a geek as the title is undoubtedly a reference to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" one of my all time favorite movies. My kids love it too, so I guess it can't be that bad... can it?

So, today I go back to my intense therapy. I hope it's doing some good, because it's hard for me to tell either way. Getting off the one med that works for my anxiety isn't easy, although I am doing it as I was instructed... so let's go with the therapy must be working... Ha, I just looked up how to crochet a beanie... I hate crochet instructions. It takes more time for me to decipher them than to actually do the stitches.  I guess that is suiting for a Monday morning.

Vikings WIN!

Thank gods the Vikings won today.

Yep. I posted just that.

Pregnancy and Anxiety... oh my!

I am so determined to get beyond the anxiety and have a healthy happy, stress free (wishful thinking I'm sure) pregnancy. I am attending therapy, I am crocheting like it is going out of style, I am doing the Qigong I have learned in therapy and also the acupressure tapping techniques I've learned... but I still feel something is lacking.

I really, really, really want a prenatal yoga DVD. After reading all the reviews the one I have linked here seems to be the best. So, if anyone is feeling generous >.< I would gladly receive and use this. It feels SO tacky to ask... however I believe the sooner I start it the better, fitness and anxiety wise.  

For that matter, beyond the yoga DVD, I am open to other suggestions to help with my anxiety while pregnant as the one medication that helps with anxiety is class D, which means it very well may harm the baby. I am stuck with using Benedryl when I panic now. Ish, that stuff knocks me out.

What a gorgeous day!

So gorgeous and I am so tired! I just have to remember the first tri sleepies only last so long. Maybe I'll nap and then take the kids for a walk to do some photography. They could snap pics with their DSi(s) and I could use my camera... might make for a great POV collage.

Yep, I think that is what we'll do today. I can't wait to see if we can get some great pics as a group!

I found this today lol

I think I am going to use it. Nobody has said a word to me, but I am pretty sure my parents are getting grilled on or at least asked about me being "pregnant again".

So...

• Yes I am pregnant with baby #5. 
• Yes I am already in a tight financial situation and that sucks.
• Yes I am excited and happy about this baby!
• No I didn't try to get pregnant, it was a surprise from the Gods.
• No I will not abort or give the baby up for adoption.
• No I don't care what you think if you're going to be negative.

I think that covers the basics. Heck, I remember just over 6 years ago when I was pregnant with Emma the dirty looks and stares I got for having a 4th child. What's funny though is... I am one of 4, my dad is 1 of 5, my mom is one of 6 (R.I.P. Grams and Auntie Roberta). Even if I had 20 kids (O.O) it wouldn't be for anyone else to judge. No matter what you believe, unless you're Atheist or Agnostic... you have no "right" to judge me in (the) Gods eyes. 

If you read this and you've spoken to my parents about my pregnancy... no, they didn't  say anything to me, it was more what I picked up on in passing, so don't run off to my parents whining that they talked to me about you talking to them. I'm not sure who has or who hasn't, but I have a fairly good idea. :p

I love this baby, I have loved it since the moment I knew I was pregnant, just as I love each and every one of my already born children. If you can't handle it, get over it or ignore it, it will save us both a lot of grief. <3

I think I am too tired to sleep!

Spending 6 hours a day in my new therapy is paying off. My anxiety is greatly reduced. However that is 6 hours I can't nap for and apparently when I get home it takes me too long to get a reasonably times nap. I asked about adding naps into therapy, but they didn't think insurance would go for it. :p

Then again, it's been a roller coaster over the past few days. I went into the ER with some cramping in my "lower right quadrant" causing them to do an U/S and subsequent blood tests. Initially they were worried I was losing the pregnancy and they're still concerned it might be an ectopic... however the lack of cramping at this point seems to make that less of a concern as well. My beta hCG levels have been good and I should have another U/S next week to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, but what a scary thing to go through.

With that said, however, I know without a doubt, despite this being a "surprise" baby, I don't want to lose it. So I am hoping for a smoother ride from here on out. I did crochet 3 scarves over the last 3 days trying to keep my mind of it though, which is great. I am that much closer to having a decent amount to donate. :)

Busy day today!

I have to start out the morning by calling my financial worker and chewing her out. It seems she STILL has not fixed HER mistake and I now do not have insurance to start the Partial program I am supposed to begin today for treatment and therapy of my anxiety. Can't call her until 8 or 8:30 though... so I have to just be content with getting ready for the day that may or may not happen.

Assuming I get a hold of her on time, I am supposed to also be to Mercy Hospital by 8:30 to register for the partial program with registration. Up to Partial by 9 and then leave there for a short break by 10:15 so I am able to find parking for my WIC appointment. I already have all my papers gathered for that so I am ahead of the game there... Once that appointment is done I head back to Mercy and if I am lucky I may have time for lunch before heading back to the Partial program.

I have to wonder what I would entertain myself with if I didn't have all of this wonderful stress in my life.

Oh and at some point I have to locate my polling place so I can vote for the better of the two evils. I hate that shit.

Blah! Anxiety sucks!

I am trying so hard to get off of the Klonopin that I am on. The one med that has been effective in treating my anxiety off and on for years... but there is apparently no "safe" alternative. To top it off, I can't just stop taking the Klonopin as it apparently has some very wicked withdrawal side effects.

It's SO frustrating. However today at therapy they invited me to try a new program also through Mercy. It's called the partial program and it's significantly more intense than the therapy I am getting now, as well as allowing me the ability to see a Psychiatrist daily rather than waiting months to get in to one. I am hoping that would help with med changes as I've had to depend on only myself so far with tapering off the other meds.

I effing hate anxiety, agoraphobia and depression. They suck. :(

The baby's website

I guess I should probably give this one it's own blog entry.

I did create a blog specifically for the baby whom we lovingly call Beanie. Beanies blog can be found here minetohold.blogspot.com if you're interested please feel free to check it out. That is where I will be posting most of the baby related information. I'll probably mention some stuff here as it's obviously a big part of my life but for the most part the baby and the pregnancy news will be posted to that blog.

That's it, just a mini-post with a heads up for those who may have missed it in the middle of a previous post.

Happy Halloween and a Blessed Samhain to all!

What to do today?

Yesterday I sat home all day, couldn't nap even though I was wiped out. I don't remember any other pregnancy making me quite so tired! Also, I know I showed really early with Emma... but last night I looked in the mirror and I think if I saw me and didn't know me, I'd think I was 6 months along already. I wouldn't mind it, but then people never believe how far along I really am and blah.

I think the pregnancy hormones are making me cranky or something... the last couple of times I came to post I ended up venting.

Guess I'll just crochet, catch up on Sons of Anarchy and sit here some more. Maybe I'll get less hormonal. It might help if I could get these damn Nicotine patches to light when I rub them. It's just not the same as smoking. Maybe if I roll them up and light them... :p

What a boring day

The kids are at grandma's and grandpa's for the weekend. I don't feel like going to another parade, yesterday was good enough. My house is clean. I am clean. I got all the groceries I could with what I had. I do have laundry, but that requires quarters... and I could go to a park or something, but since I am trying to ween off my anxiety medication for the pregnancy, it's best I just chill.

I guess I can crochet, normally I save it for when I am really anxious, but now I have so much yarn there is really no need to hold back. Not to mention that scarves for donation would be best completed sooner rather than later. It would be nice if I at least had cable TV or something though... or internet that isn't tethered through my phone so I could stream TV shows... Netflix... whatever.

Ohhh, maybe I'm being hormonal and grumpy?!? I don't feel grumpy, but I bet someone would be willing to pin it on that. lol

I guess, off to crochet and listen to music. Sounds good I think... meh, yeah.

My shopping adventures with mom!

I haven't been shopping with my mom in FOREVER!!! I think it's because I tend to ask sweetly for things and she has a hard time saying no. But HELLO, that's what daughters do! lol

Anyhow, I want to start off with the important part of the trip. I got to hit Joann's and picked up the yarn with the donation money! I can't believe how much yarn $25 buys. Almost 9 skeins actually only like .40 shy of 9. Anyhow, I was able to get 8 and that leaves me with 2.36 left over towards buying more. I did purchase some hand lotion because crocheting seems to dry my hands out fast, but that $1 comes out of my own pocket. :) Okay, so here are the pics thus far...

The 8 skeins on top are the new ones.

And the receipt as promised. 

Aside from getting the yarn so I can start the new scarves we also picked up some much needed school clothes for Emma as well as a coat and new shoes for me. I love getting new things! Especially pretty new things! Speaking of new things, I think I'm going to have to get a larger crocheting basket! lol

Between watching Emma proudly march in her first parade, therapy and shopping... today was a wonderful day.

Parades are fun?

Actually, I can't stand them, but Emma is going to be walking in the Anoka Halloween Parade today so we are getting ready to go watch her. Fun stuff!

Pics and video to follow.

Back to normal

Sort of. I have therapy this morning, and now that I've gotten the pregnancy announcement out of the way with everyone, I can settle into the idea myself. I do have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the supportive responses I receive. I thought for sure people would pick on me for doing something "so stupid" when I am having issues all around myself. Then again, I have been working very hard at getting everything floating along even keel so to speak.

I started another blog, yeah, another one... lol this one is specifically for the baby and updates or news or... random baby-ness. If you'd like to check it out it's http://minetohold.blogspot.com/ there is only one post there as of now, but I have a bit more to post and as I go to appointments and such I should have even more to post. It's similar to the blog I did with EmmaLeigh's pregnancy for long distance family, but this is more like a pregnancy journal. So, check it out if you'd like. :)

Later today I am going to go watch Miss Emma walk in the Anoka Halloween Parade with her school. She is so excited that I can't wait lol. My mom will be coming down as well, she walked in the parade when she was in school in Anoka so she's very excited to see the current youngest grandchild doing the same. I'm glad she's coming, little miss is pleased too. (Thanks mom!)

That's it for now I think, have a wonderful day! I have the best readers. <3

It's been a productive day so far

I went down to the county offices and straightened out the mess that my worker self admittedly made. I can't even begin to tell you how much that sucks. Life would be so much easier if I could solve my anxiety issues and live a "normal" life. I miss working and the feeling of accomplishment that goes along with it when you get a pay check. I miss the feeling of being completely self sufficient. I miss not being judged for getting assistance, although those who do judge me for that can kiss my bum. :p

I made an appointment for WIC, filled out and filed all the paperwork I could at this point, I also took care of getting my proofs of income and so on, so when I go there isn't anything to do but go. I got Emma's insurance reinstated as well as my own, that was a part of the worker screw up but I had to do the leg work on it to expedite the process. Blah.

Anyhow, that is all the stressful stuff I had on my plate for the day and so far so good. I think I am going to see if I can handle a trip to Joanne's or Michael's for the yarn from the donation. I'm very excited to get started on that and I am nearly out of my own yarn at this point anyhow.  I wish I could get a bulk discount or some sort of discount for doing it for a good cause, I'd rather make the most of the money. Not that I'm not already going to do what I can, but the more I can get... obviously would be better.

I think that's it for now. Oh I have some searching/research to do for Jim, that should keep me busy for a while as well. It feels good to be productive. <3

My financial worker is such a dgfkglafngfjka

She didn't listen, she screwed up paperwork, she made strange demands and now I have to go up there to fix it. Not how I wanted to spend my morning today grrrrr! I swear she hates me and does this to spite me, once this is all fixed I am so going above her head.

Okay, rant done, I feel better. Have a great day!

Little big news in Chele-ness land.

I can't explain it, I am supposed to have fertility issues... but there it is plain as day. Needless to say I know this isn't great timing, but you know what? I really don't care. I am happy, it is what it is and I always wanted another baby, looks like god/the gods/the nothing... whatever you believe in, thought now was a good time for this and I am not going to second guess it. 

So, yay! Happy news! I feel blessed and I can't wait to meet this new little person. 

Wonderful people

There are a few out there that is for sure. I received an anonymous donation of $25 towards the purchase of more yarn for the scarves that I have been making.

If you didn't read the earlier post, as a tool to help myself be less anxious I've learned to crochet and have, through practice, gotten fairly good at at least making scarves. However I had two issues, I was running out of yarn to crochet with, and I was running out of people to make scarves for. So I came up with an idea that benefits me, buy giving me more yarn to keep my anxiety at bay as well as benefits other people in need, because I will  be donating the scarves to local organizations that help others in need.


Needless to say the person who donated the money has a very kind heart and while I know who it is, it is as per their wish that I am keeping their information confidential. I will post my receipts here as well as show the yarn I am able to purchase and the scarves I produce with that yarn. Hopefully this can become something other people are interested in taking part in as well.

Anyhow, I was am excited so I had to at least post something. To that wonderful person, my sincere thanks for not only trusting me to do what I say I will, but seeing the good in the idea/cause. Thank you so much!

Interesting times

I find myself faced with some facinating situations at the moment. Hopefully soon I can post more, as I know more.

Shock and awe.

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Ah, back to therapy.

I knew I missed it, but not how much. I also didn't know how much I'd be missed.

Although finishing my intake today it seems that I will continue to attend therapy until the "partial" program opens, and that next week we will complete my intake for it. While yes, therapy is helping, it just isn't quite enough. My anxiety is still a monster to be reckoned with and while it's a tiny bit more tolerable, it's not where I need it to be.

I am still crocheting and it's still getting me through tougher times, I'm even mixing it up a bit, teaching myself new stitches as I go. The scarf I am currently working on is 5 rows of double (the first stitch I ever learned) and one row of singles, rinse and repeat. With much luck I'll be donating some really great scarves to the needy in no time. Not that I am not needy myself, but do unto others.

Football shouldn't give me anxiety...

So wtf? Sitting here watching the Vikes Vs. Pack... and I'm freaking anxious. That is gay as hell. I'm not... NOT going to stop watching it though, so here is to CBT watching the Vikes play. Klonopin my friend and savior, we're getting through this one together.

Feel your boobies!

My daughter Cheyenne has been making me profile pics for facebook and I noticed she was using a program called Picnik I used the same program to turn a regular pic into my "pink pic" for October. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you're male or female, it's good idea to "feel your boobies" at least once a month.

Some may giggle or think dedicating a month to the awareness of such a disease is silly, but come on, even our football players are sporting pink. (pun intended)

Adrian Peterson and a Cowboys player seen here wearing their pink BCAM gear at last weeks game. We won! Woohoo!

I was able to find a nice "card" that details how you can do a BSE or breast self exam at home. Doing this at least once a month can help find any changes or lumps that may develop. This tool could lead to early detection at any age as a mammogram is usually reserved for women 40 and older unless they've had issues with their breasts previously.

You can click on the photo and it will open in a new window in it's original size and with a white background for easier printing.

Don't be shy, especially not with your self, nobody even needs to know you check unless you find a possible issue, then it's just between you and your MD. It's worth it if it saves your life, isn't it?

I never post recipes

However, Missy posted this recipe on facebook this morning and I think I am actually going to try making it today. It looks fast, easy and delicious.

Cowboy Dinner-Slow Cooker Style

by Missy Deal-Stambook on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 7:28am

What is great about this recipe, is that it is all to your taste!  You can add more or less.

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can tomato soup
2 cans kidney beans (drained)
1 cup milk
5-10 small red potatoes
salt
pepper
garlic pwder
onion salt
Chili powder

Brown the beef.  Add chopped onion to it.
Wash and cut potatoes.
Add all above ingredients to slow cooker
The seasoning is to taste-I always add a little to the meat while browning and add more when all goes in slow cooker.
Set on High for 2 hours (stir occasionally) then turn down to Low for hour or two.  This way it will get done within 4 hours. (Note: it shouldn't be too soupy, the consistency should be thicker.)
Or keep on low and let cook for the day!

Serve with buttered soft bread and dip in the extra sauce! (<== Added the bit about the bread :) )

Enjoy!!  Yeehaw!!

Michele Whipps Anderson Would you mind if I repost this to my blog, giving you credit of course?

17 minutes ago 

Missy Deal-Stambook No I don't mind. This recipe originated from my Grandma Bertram. My mom wants me to mention we serve it with buttered bread to dip in the sauce.