running selfie

Had to run through a flooded section of road the other day.  -only a few inches but it was exciting.

Of course I thought it would make a fun picture and of course I wasn't going to slow down.


That's all.

Netflix awaites.

evil-eyed chickens

So here's where we're at-

MAJOR FOOD OVERHAUL.

At about 3:30 am a few nights ago I was laying in bed listening to Garret wail and thrash in his room for, I think, the 5th night in a row.  As Mike went in to attempt to calm him (which rarely ever helps, but there are few options) I got on google and starting reading for the umpteenth time on diets and autism fits and medications and physical therapy and sensory therapy and whatever therapy and thisorthat therapy and Ineedsleep forums and HEAVENHELPUSTHEREMUSTBEANANSWER forums.

After a few minutes I came back to a thought I'd been having off and on over the past several months about an organic aka REAL FOOD diet.  My sis-in-law Lora (who has been divinely helpful) has had stupendous results with her family and their many health issues (aches, sickness, hyper activity, etc) and when sharing with me I'd think how much I admire her determination and hard work with it, but it would just be too much for me.  I mean, we've tried the gluten-casein free diet for Garret and for over a year the headache and expense was not worth the teensy tiny bit of improvement we saw in his sleep.  So the thought of putting the entire family through a entire food overhaul was just, well, NO THANK YOU. 

But after nearly a week of terrible sleep my wall was down and I was open to anything.

I stumbled onto this video-

http://vimeo.com/responsibletechnology/gmfautism

-and while I can't swear by all the information, it was enough to convince me that it was worth a try.

So I've added some helpful websites to my sidebar (if you're curious, or have more suggestions!).  My pantry has been cleaned out and refilled.  I'm learning how to read and scrutinize labels.  The checking account is empty, and I've already made some yummy cookies.  I will welcome ANY advice on the subject.  ...or donations.  haha  -'cause after all- say the next line in a dramatic manner-

IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN.

P.S.  Don't let me cave and get chickens.  I just don't trust those rascals.
 

SSSSSSSSSNOWWWWWWWW!!

So as I'm sure none of my local friends have noticed- WE HAVE SNOW!  REAL SNOW!  NOT A LITTLE WET DRIBBLE OR MIDNIGHT FALL THAT'S GONE BY MID-MORNING BUT REALLY REALLY REAL SNOW!

...SO HERE'S A BLOG POST OF PICTURES OF THE GIRLS PLAYING IN THE SNOW!

P.S.  GARRET WAS MORE INTERESTED IN THE FIRE INSIDE.  ...NOT A FIRE-FIRE BUT A FIREPLACE FIRE!  HE LIKES TO WARM HIS BUNS...

P.P.S.  WHY IS EVERYTHING CAPPED?  'CAUSE THIS IS FUN STUFF!!

I HAVE CUTE GIRLS!

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT WE NAMED THE MINIATURE SNOWMAN WITH A LEGO HAT BUT ISN'T HE DARLING???  BWAAAAH!!!!

SIGH.  THAT WAS FUN!  HOPE EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT SNOW DAY!  UH, EXCEPT THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE SNOW.  UM, HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY WITHOUT SNOW!!  Oh, that sounds sad.  Sorry you don't have snow.  We can get thru this...

Bringing up Baby

5 points to anyone who gets the title!


So Suzi has turned 5 and I am done with babies -as I remind her regularly.  She's throwing a fit and I say "Silly Suzi!  You're not a baby anymore, are you???  Babies don't get ice cream and have to take naps!  Are you ready for your nap??"  Sometimes, this works.  Sometimes she will pause from her whining and say "Oh, so I don't cry anymore?  ...Do I get to go to school now?", and she is sufficiently distracted from her woes.  And I win haha.  (Of course, I've been doing this since she was 3.  She still has tantrums.  ...I should write a book on parenting.)

But 5!  My baby!  A princess party was requested which meant pink cake, pink decorations and pink accessories.  I only have a few pics, but they are priceless.

JUST DANCE-

THE PRINCESS AND HER POSSE-

HER HIGHNESS (between frustrated sobs because "I DON'T LIKE PICTURES!")-

So yeah, she's awesomely awesome and she's awesomely MINE!

Happy birthday Suzi!

Listen to Andy Griffith!

My local girlfriends and I regularly indulge ourselves in weekend beach trips.  But instead of calling it indulgent, how about responsible northwest Oregonians?  I mean, we just can't take our proximity for granted.

So this is for all you non-beach-proximity-ers.  We do this for you.

Whoever drove this car to the lighthouse on the day that I was there- did it for me.

But anyway, I just wanted to get some of these pics out of the dusty files of my hard drive and out into the open...

During the most recent trip the photographer in me was smothered by the clearance racks at the outlet mall.  I only snapped one which was for Solana to let her know, as she came to meet us, that our Old Navy audience was ready and waiting...

Mike is cute

So there were a few inquiries about Brenda's cake, featured in the previous post.  ...It tasted of good intentions.  The new math methods in Common Core would call that a success!  HOORAH!   
 That was a snide comment Lindsay, how about some whining?

Blogging is like mowing the lawn.  It gets more arduous the longer you wait. 

But, you know, none of that matters.  What matters is that my FIL had triple-bypass surgery yesterday and he is doing AWESOME.  The doctors have all been wowed by the fact that he even survived to get to the hospital.  Now they are all very impressed by his recovery thus far.  It is no surprise that my FIL would go around, unintentionally impressing people.  It's just his nature.

I'm cold but my sweater is waaaaaayyyyy over there.  (I'm pointing across the room.  But you already knew that didn't you?  'Cause we're like this- I'm crossing my middle and pointer finger.  But you already knew that didn't you?)   ...(What up bestie?) 

So about 2013.  I did some much-brag-worthy running.  I attended FAR TOO MANY funerals.  I didn't read enough, but squeezed in plenty of Netflix.  I made some new friends.  Held on to old ones.  I kept 3 kids alive and I still think Mike is cute.

2014 ought to be good.  'Specially with my FIL around.