Seriously...

Tay missed the bus and I had to get up to take him. Hubby urged me to go ahead while he waited with the girls so they wouldn't have to get out. I knew I needed gas, but I was hoping I could make it. Soooooooooooooo I end up about a mile from home in my pajamas, dead out of gas, with no cell phone. My husband is one of those people who imagines everyone is a responsible adult and won't do foolish things like driving around on empty to save money. I had to flag a passerby to borrow a phone to call my husband, who comes out in the rain with the girls and puts gas in my car only to find that my battery is dead. I turned my lights off as soon as the motorist stopped for me (I had my hazards on to aid in the flagging down bit) so I don't think the battery dying is my fault. He jumps my battery and follows me home, but clearly he is unhappy with me and perhaps with the world in general. We already fought on Sunday because he stepped in doggie poo while I was at church, which of course was my fault because I haven't signed the dog up for potty training classes, also due to a lack of money. I am just really flusterated (as my girls say). I do actually have some F.O.s to show, but I haven't the heart to upload them. Maybe after some caffeine and time...

My Birthday

My birthday was Sunday. We went out on Saturday because that worked better for all of us. First, they all went off to give me some alone time, during which I cleaned and relaxed. The kids voted to take me to P.F. Chang's. There was a hour and a half wait when we got there, but some guy offered me his place on the waiting list because we had the same number in our parties, so we got in in less than 30 minutes. We had fun and I put my and the girls' hair up with our chopsticks during dinner (this is a new skill I have mastered which is very convenient for storing crochet hooks or pens).

Afterwards, we dropped the kids off with my mom and went to see Atonement, which was just so tragic I couldn't bear it. I cried on and off through the whole movie.

Sunday, they all woke me up with breakfast in bed (a tradition in our house). They gave me my gifts-- 2 sets of pajamas, a $50 gift card to Barnes and Nobles, a pink leather case for my Zune, a car charger/holder for my Zune, these two books:

and these boots:

Honestly, my hubby went overboard. I was blown away.

We went to church, then had to come back for Taylor's confirmation class. Then it was time for my gift from my mom-- She got me and the girls tickets to see Annie with her!! We went and picked her up and drove to the theatre. Tabby fell asleep shortly into the second act, but Tristie stayed awake almost all the way to the end. She just missed the arrest and finale. They loved it and I was so excited to share my love for the theatre with them.

When we dropped my mother off, she gave me a "small gift" (her words for "I can't stand to just give tickets so I got you something to open") from her and dad. It was the DVD Amazing Grace. I still have yet to watch it. I am saving it for a calm day when I can focus.

Anyhow, it was a great birthday and I felt very loved and appreciated. Taylor even picked up the dog poop for the day. That was a big wow!

Not catching up and taking charge of my health this year

I just can't catch up on what I missed blogging about, but suffice it to say we had a very nice Christmas and New Year's. There always are stressors, and this year they were exacerbated by my health. I can't even move on to make New Year Resolutions this year (something I love to do) until I get my health under control. My symptoms are so general that no amount of research on my part can find the answer to what is wrong with me, but I did find some tips on how to better address finding a solution to "what ails me". To go to the doctor at this point would be to invite the diagnosis of anxiety or depression, both of which are true diagnoses for me, but neither of which can explain the sudden change in symptoms or their longevity.

Here is my plan:

1. Care for my health in a more proactive way-

a. Limit caffeine to one tea a day
b. Regulate my sleep cycle by getting up on time and going to bed on time (when I fail to do this, I end up with insomnia, which intensifies symptoms)
c. Limit sugar and simple carbs as much as possible (choose fruits and veggies whenever I can)
d. Spend 30 minutes outside every day
e. Get cardio exercise a minimum of 15 minutes a day

2. Chart my symptoms everytime I experience them for at least two weeks.

Maybe that will make a difference.

I do have real NYresolutions that reflect more than my health (my relationship with God, my marriage, my parenting, my homekeeping, my outreach, etc) and I am working on hammering those out while I put these resolutions into place. With better health, I should be better prepared to improve on those other areas of my life as well.

A little down, but getting better

I have been neglectful to finish blogging about Christmas because things have been a little rough. The stress of Christmas always seems to affect our relationship in a negative way and I haven't wanted to blog while in such a down mood. I think things are slowly returning to normal. I hope so, since my birthday is Sunday. I would like it if things could be better again by that point.