Can't I Just Eat More Bananas?

I know I should just find a new doctor, but that's always easier said than done when you have health insurance limitations and lack the funds to pay out of pocket.

I received a call that my recent blood work shows I'm a little low on potassium. To be exact, one tenth of a point lower than what is considered normal. My doctor wants me to change my hypertension medicine.

After the shock wore off, I called back and asked if I could try eating more bananas or try a potassium supplement. "Just take this medicine, that is what I'm telling you to do."

I'm pissed off. I will probably discuss this further with the pharmacist, especially if this new medication is more expensive. Is one tenth really that much of a concern? I will also research the dangers of low potassium.

This adds another bump in the road for me. Its been difficult to get back on track.

I need to focus on good health goals and not let my doctor's lack of bedside manner get me down.

UPDATE!!! As soon as I posted this, my phone rang. It was my doctor's nurse calling me back telling me she's thought it over and she's willing to let me try and get more dietary potassium the next 4 weeks and then we'll retest. I'm shocked! I guess my complaining did work! So I guess its banana smoothies for me the next 30 days. Wish me luck!

Wasn't it more creepy when before cell phones, the bad guys knew how to reach you by calling the payphone nearest you?

Obeying My Chocolate

My Dove chocolate wrapper told me to make a list of my dreams.

1. I hope our garden produces a bountiful harvest and the Japanese beetles leave it alone.
2. I hope to travel one day and see Sequoias, rock formations, waterfalls and mountains.
3. I hope to one day have an ideal healthy body.
4. I hope to grow old with my husband and be a Grandma who can bless many grandchildren.
5. I hope my children can make a life for themselves doing what they love.
6. I hope to one day have a canine fur baby I can dress in cute winter coats. 
7. I hope to one day have zero debt.
8. I hope to get away for a romantic weekend September 3rd and see Blind Melon.
9. I hope to build and decorate my own outdoor room. 
10. I hope to perfect the art of making the perfect thin crust pizza.

Our Easter Weekend 4/25/11

G-Ma sure knows how to spoil us. Wonderful feasting, tasty treats, unexpected gifts, priceless time with family, it all added up to a blessed weekend.

I loved having time to share with DH on Friday, since he was given the day off. We had planned on running errands, but we really wanted to spend time with the boys, so we all went out for lunch at Cocina Real.

Saturday ended up being our get ready for Easter day, after a walk first up to our library and post office. I made the cranberry sauce and Texas rolls and we gave the boys their Easter baskets a little early. We wanted them to be able to enjoy their gift while we were home, since Sunday was road trip day.

We hid DS12's basket in the last place he expected it to be. He challenged us to hide it in a truly difficult place. It was in the oven, the last place he checked before almost deciding to give up.

We never got around to hiding eggs. We're going to do this today and look for them when DH gets home from work.

Sunday was road trip day to K-town. G-Ma prepared a full turkey dinner spread and everything was delicious. After cousins left, we played Super Mario Yahtzee and watched G-Ma's Chiller channel. I really wish our cable provider offered this channel.

I didn't snap any photos because there was a mix up at Kmart. I told the clerk I wanted a SD media card. They were locked up and he had to pull them from the shelf. I paid for the card but honestly didn't see him throw it into the bag along with our other purchases. When I got home, I discovered he had grabbed a media stick.

DS15 brought along our video recorder and I know he did capture some video. I should just designate him to be official photographer as well.

I have much to do this week. I need to finish up workshop presentations for our upcoming homeschooling conference, and I want to finish up the garden beds. I want to do more spring cleaning too. May is going to be very busy for us and we have only one more week here in April to get ready.

Feeling Like My Car Window Looks

Look what Mr. Crazy Robin has done to my car. DH's car window looks about the same. This is the same bird that keeps pecking at our garage window as well. He'll sit on the side view mirror and go at it.

I was hoping yesterday's weather would wash it away. We had raining sleet changing to ice. It was dreadful. I came out of work to several inches of slush freezing up in the parking lot. I keep looking at the calendar for a reality check.

I need a change in the weather or at least a little sunshine. I think its starting to affect my mood. I read some nutritional magazines and found myself getting depressed instead of being motivated. Its too easy to beat up on myself right now for some reason.

It doesn't feel like Easter is coming. I haven't put up any decorations and I have no desire to color eggs. Again, I blame the weather. I will have to dig deep and fake it until I feel it.

I can't decide hot or cold. This flip floppy weather isn't helping my seasonal tea transition. Would it be crazy to have both at the same time?

Weekend Notes 4/18/11

Here's what's left of the lemon bundt cake I made for my parents' birthday. I was sure I possessed a bundt cake pan, but found out I have two angel food cake pans. I guess I'll need to try and trade one of these in at Goodwill for a bundt cake pan.

The cake recipe was from America's Test Kitchen, so I thought it was foolproof. I was disappointed it didn't rise up well, but maybe that had to do with the fact I used an angel food cake pan? The cake was very yummy, although sickeningly rich. Some of our planned company couldn't show and we had so many other goodies, I now have half a cake left. I will probably see if the teachers at work want to try it.

While my parents were here, we enjoyed a nice visit, although the weather did not cooperate except for Sunday. The Art Crawl was a bust because it was cold, rainy and very windy. We stayed in and visited.

Saturday we did some shopping and had lunch out. My parents really enjoy eating at Culvers because they don't have this burger/frozen custard joint back home.

Saturday night DH, the boys and I broke away and saw Scream 4. My recommendation, wait for Netflix. I was disappointed in the movie, expecting it to be much better. It was still fun to get out with my boys though.

Sunday my sister and I took mom out for more shopping. We had a great time and I bought a few much needed shirts since everything was 50% off!

My dad stayed home and sat outside with Mr. Crazy Robin. That neurotic bird is still guarding our yard, pecking at the garage window. He's now also including pecking at our car window, splatting his white droppings all down the side of our black car door. My dad was only sitting probably 5 feet away and this bird wasn't deterred from his attacks on anything that reflects his image.

Except for a little stomach issue Saturday night into Sunday morning, (too much movie popcorn?),  DS12 had a good weekend as did DS15. I enjoy seeing how much they help their grandparents when they are visiting.

We'll miss having my parents here, but its a good thing the Amish baked goods and other treats are now also gone as well.

I'm going to try and get back on track eating healthy. My doctor's appointment last week went well and she was happy my weight was down, but I know I have to get back on track with my daily exercise and portion control. No offense to my family, but when we have these gatherings, I lose my focus on healthy living.

My Fresh Friday Ramble....

Brrrrr!! 26 wind chill! Not cool Mother Nature. Not cool. Well I guess technically, this is "cool".

We have a wind advisory today. Its quite entertaining. I don't know which show is better, the birds trying to land on the feeder or the workmen trying to build the house across the street. The smart birds are eating off the ground. The workmen, not so smart. They are trying to lift large pieces of plywood only to be blown over in the wind. Its an accident waiting to happen.

I thought I'd get my girlie groove on and paint my nails and toes. Now I remember why I don't do this very often. I can't sit still long enough for them to dry.

I'm planning on making my first lemon bundt cake from scratch this afternoon. Its for my dad's birthday. They should be back visiting with us later this afternoon.

I wish the weather wasn't so cruddy. Tonight is the art crawl and I was looking forward to strolling around downtown. What's the point of getting date night dressed up if I have to bundle up in layers and a winter coat?

Maybe I'll have to see if DH wants to take me to see Scream 4 this weekend?

Speaking of DH, he took the leftover pizza and left me home alone with teenagers. I was concerned but when I broke the news to the boys, they were okay with it. "Dad had a hard night last night." How sweet of them to be so understanding.

I better get moving here. Have a great weekend!

Blind Melon at Slinger Speedway!

Start:	Jun 18, '11 12:00p
Location:	Slinger, WI

Keep em coming boys! Another summer of Melon love heading my way!! I wonder where/when the next midwest show will be added. I can't wait!!

What's Been Going On (as of 4/12/11)

Hopefully the lovesick robin will leave me alone when I try to garden later. We have a male robin who's been pecking at the windows. He's taken over the side of the yard where our garden beds are. He flies from the birch tree to the garage window,  pecking away at his shadow, silly bird. So far his comic charm hasn't worked on the lady robins.

My parents did the first part of their visit yesterday. We visited the Amish bulk food store nearby and went out for lunch. I found out the Amish will soon be ordering coconut oil so I'll have to go back for that. They will also order me 50 pound bags of grains for half the cost of what I have to pay in the commercial health food store. I just need to find someone to go in with me or figure out a way to store all that grain. With the cost of food rising, I'm looking to stretch our food dollars and I know preparing everything from scratch helps.

This past weekend, we watched the movie 127 hours. What an amazing true story! The film making was well done too. If you're putting off seeing this movie because you're squeamish, know the gore isn't that horrific. It does not distract from the piece, no pun intended. The strength of human spirit is what makes this movie brilliant and will move you to tears.

DH & I also watched the documentary, The Smartest Guy In The Room. It made me furiously angry. True evil exists in this world, motivated by greed. When people are so eager to follow, lying idiots can become leaders. I'll have to see if the boys want to watch it and discuss it.

I have a few days before my parents return for the weekend. I'm hoping to spend a few of them playing in the dirt, adding compost and planting early veggies. I can't believe how quickly April seems to be heading to May.

Sleepyboy #2 is now awake so I think I'll get our gardening supplies in order for a little after breakfast fresh air.

The plastic is off! The windows are open! It feels great to finally be able to air out the house. It is wonky that we're going from needing to run the furnace to possible 80's in less than 24 hours. Oh yes, I live in Wisconsin. Hopefully the soil will warm up and we can start planting the garden.

Cleverbot, Real Life & Difficult Decisions

We've been spending a great deal of time playing with Cleverbot. There is something so amusing to me about sarcastic artificial intelligence. You'll have to check it out- www.cleverbot.com . Of course, maybe I enjoy watching the boys interact with it more. They are more clever and witty than I am. 

My son told me his public high schooled pal was required to watch Degrassi during school hours because it helped them learn about "real life". I nearly spit out my iced tea. If anyone ever criticizes our unschooling choices, I'm saving this one for ammunition.

I asked my son if he thought a fictional show, designed to generate profit from marketing dollars, was the best choice for learning about REAL life? I'm happy to report he gets it. Why not learn about REAL life by living it in the REAL world?

In fairness, we've never watched Degrassi, just the promos, but from what we gather, none of our REAL friends resemble Degrassi drama. I'd also like to give the school the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the teacher was trying to use a work of fiction to teach values, and I have nothing against using works of art as tools of instruction. However, what came out of this young man's mouth was, "We HAVE to watch it because it teaches us about REAL life." Do you see the problem here? Actually there's several red flags in that statement for me.

Onto something else that has my feathers ruffled. I'm weighing a decision that pulls against what my heart wants and what my head says I should do. I'm leaning towards what my head says, which is so unlike me. I always follow my heart!

I can't just list the pros and cons because each line item carries a different value, which is difficult for me to truly access. This decision could help me reach certain goals, but not in the way I had originally intended. I'm being challenged with having to head down a different path, TRUSTING in that it will all work out.

I know what I want, but I can't see how to get there. A path presents itself and I can't see exactly where its going to lead. Do I trust it and follow? I have to remember I always carry with me the strength and wisdom to TURN AROUND or find a new path if my journey becomes unhealthy or takes me away from my dream. So I'm going with my head, not my heart. It will hurt, but I've learned these past years that through pain comes increased strength and endurance.

Having this opportunity come to me isn't something I've engineered so there is a feeling I'm somehow taking a step backward because I'm seizing something I haven't worked for, but there will be a sacrifice I have to make. I only hope I can balance it all out.

Alright, if you're still reading this, I'm amazed you're that interested in my deep thoughts. I write these for me to think. And to kill time, which I've sufficiently done now. Time to stop working on myself and do a little work for others.

WPA Homeschool Conference

Start:	May 6, '11
End:	May 7, '11
Location:	Oshkosh

Wisconsin Parents Association's Homeschool conference
http://homeschooling-wpa.org/conference/

Life's been unpredictable lately and that rocks!

Saving Money Brewing Tea With Honey

I haven't yet figured out what home business to start, but for the time being, I figure I could try to be more frugal than I usually am. Taking steps to save money is also a move in the direction of financial freedom.

Yesterday I bought 100 black tea bags for one dollar. I made 2 quarts of iced tea using 4 tea bags, that's .04 cents for what I usually spend over $2.00 purchasing already brewed at McDonald's. Plus, I could add a few spoonfuls of my own honey rather than tons of sugar or worse. This gave it just a touch of sweetness without over doing it.

For quite awhile my drink splurge was Sobe Green Tea with honey, $1.68 for 32 ounces at my local Subway. I found out this was actually honey "flavor" not real honey. Eww! I need to get back to adding drops of real honey to my tea to help treat my seasonal allergies. From now on, I vow to brew my own and keep a glass pitcher of iced tea available to me in the fridgy.

How does honey help my allergies better than over the counter drugs?  Years ago I started consuming a small spoonful of LOCAL honey everyday. This exposed my immune system to local allergens year round, allowing my body to adjust. After a year of doing this, I noticed a summer went by where I wasn't bothered like I usually was. The next summer, same story. I no longer needed allergy medication. This summer, I'm hoping for the best,  but honestly, I fell off the honey wagon and haven't been consuming honey everyday. We'll see what happens this first week of June.

I love that he loves watching International House Hunters with me!