Potty training - Part Three

Ok...so what is up with Liam?? He has been potty-trained, with very few problems, since last fall.

The last week he has peed his pants 4 times and done the messy stuff once!?

How does a 4 year old just FORGET how to use the toilet??

Do I need to start reminding his and taking him myself?

Has this happened to you before?

What did you do?

Sunshine

I am SO enjoying the beautiful sunshine streaming through my window today. It finally feels like spring and I am SO ready for this!

I've decided to transplant my beets and carrots into two large terracotta pots. The greens will look pretty for the next two or three months and when they are big enough...we can start pulling them out!

We have been spring cleaning, de-junking and organizing in anticipation of a new fmily member!

Yes, we are anxiously awaiting news of a 7 year old girl who will hopefully be joining our family in the next few months.

Please say a little prayer for us that everything will fall into place and she will be where she needs to be and have a stable, happy life.

Headaches

Anyone have headaches?? Migraines?

I used to get them a lot before the boys. Apparently pregnancy and lactation does something to your hormones that often reduces the number of headached you experience. This was true for me and I don't believe I had one bad headache for the 5 years I was either pregnant or breastfeeding.

It has been 18 months since Liam weaned and in the past year my migraines have crept back in.

I found an amazing chiropractor - Dr. Rob www.chirozone.ca that keeps my back and neck in good shape. I have not had a migraine since October! Even during the chinooks, etc, the worst I had was a mild headache.

This morning, however, I woke with a throbbing behind my left eye. I have taken medication, to no avail... the throbbing continues. The worst things is that Dr. Rob is closed until Monday morning (must find his personal address). I think I would rather be perpetually pregnant and nursing than feel like this.

Any secret migraine cures out there?? Do you have migraines?

Kim and Aggie

Have you ever watched this pair? They are the famed British wonder duo that tackle what seems to be the houses of bachelors and hoarders in the UK in the attempt to teach these people to clean. Kim sports an updo and has no qualms about getting on her hands and knees to smell any stain and Aggie swabs every surface of a home for bacteria and lectures on the dangers.

The other night, sick Lisa and sick Alan layed on the couch and watched "How Clean is YOUR House"...BIG mistake.

Yesterday saw us vacuuming up a storm in our antihistamine-induced, nearly unconcious states. Alan had the bright idea to vacuum our mattress to see what comes out. We have a clear canister vacuum, you see, and my DEAR quirky husband LOVES to completely empty it and give things a good vacuuming...just to see how much he can vacuum up.

Please don't do this to yourselves...it is nightmare-inducing. We are now vacuuming our bed monthly...that's all I am saying about it...Eeeew.

So with our room vacuumed, dusted, sprayed with Sol-u-Guard and dusted some more, I have to say that is really IS a nicer place to sleep...even if we weren't living under 18 years of filth, dust and cobwebs.

On second hand...maybe you SHOULD watch the show with your husband... it made Alan realise how good a housekeeper I really am...;)

Kim & Aggie... eat your hearts out!

Hope

So, we are sick over here...Liam was up all night coughing Saturday night...I woke Sunday with the beginnings of a cold and Alan and P are sniffling...we are out of coryzalia and I am a little cranky...the only thing keeping me going this morning is looking outside at the beautiful sunrise!

Recently my thoughts have turned to a choice we all have. To look at life positively and with hope, or to choose not to see all he good things in life and fall into despair. I know despair is a strong word...it was the best description of the lack of hope that I could find.

I chatted with someone yesterday who seems to have lost all hope for her life. No matter how many positive things I said or how often I reminded her of her blessings, she turned it around and made it a negative thing. I left the conversation feeling so uneasy and unhappy for her. It was clear that she was missing a fundamental part of her psyche... it unnerved me.

My life has not always been easy. I have struggled and lived through things I hope to never experience again... but I have never been devoid of hope.

I try and find joy in the small things in life; my children and their funny senses of humour, the kindness of my husband, laughter with good friends, sprouting seeds, the sun shining and reminding me that today is a new day, with a fresh start.

What keeps you going? What brings you joy??

What are you grateful for today?

More gardening

So, I know there is 25 cm of snow outside. I tried to will it away today, but it hasn't worked... so far! I am in a full 'start your seeds indoors', gardening frenzy.

We have planted 5 different varieties of tomatoes, including these, called "Golden Queen":

We also planted scarlett runner beans...thay have taken off in such a big way that we will need to set up a trellis indoors and slowly take them out on warm days to harden them off.

We planted purple carrots:

Sevreal different varieties of Coleus

And beets of course...

Now...if this snow would all melt, we'd be a good shape to start!!!

COME SPRING!!!

Taste of my own medicine

I have to make a confession; I rarely have a massage.

I know. It is ironic... especially considering that I am a massage therapist and am constantly counselling people on self care.

I went, today, for a massage. I found a clinic that provides childcare.

It was excruciating. Seriously... my rhomboids are so tender right now that the soft, well-padded couch hurts.

I am a wimp. I hate painful massages and I try to never inflict pain on people. I try to coax muscles into relaxation... never force them.

The lovely, well-intentioned girl that massaged me today seemed to hit every tender spot I have (and there are a lot of them)... on those that are particularly tender she used her thumbs and knuckles.

Why can't I find a massage therapist that's gentle? One that gently coaxes my muscles into giving in? One that uses heat and stretching and repetition?

In short...why can't I find me?

I know that I sound completely self-absorbed right now...but it is a known fact that most massage therapists massage the way that they like to be massaged.

I just want to be massaged to sleep and wake up loose and refreshed...is that too much to ask??

Anyone have a great therapist they want to share?