My Mom update

Yesterday my mom had a pacemaker put in.  I was told it went ok and she’s ok.  She spent the night in the ER instead of a room.  I remember why I left NY.  My poor mom was basically up all night long.  I'm happy as long as she's ok.  I'll call my sister today to find out more information. 

On another subject, my daughter has been out of control.  According to Brain Balance, she's in a downward trend but it will get better.  We have an observation on Monday and we can watch and ask questions.  This morning when we were getting dressed, she was just hyper out of control.  Couldn't stop moving.  I took her just the way she was (naked) and put her in the chair in the other room.  She was crying because she was cold so I grabbed a small blanket.  I sat with her and asked her to breath deep and look out at the trees. See the yellow leaves among the green.  Listen to the bird talking.  Telling her she has to be quiet if she wants to hear them talking.  It seemed to work.  We were able to continue geting dressed, brushing hair, eating breakfast with minimal problems.  No tablet this morning.  And she didn't ask.  She did so well.  I was impressed with the improvement.  

Some good news and some bad...

I like good news first.  J talked to someone at the LTD office and explained everything to them.  They wanted him to apply for permanent disability or they would only pay a few hundred dollars per month instead of the full entitlement.  They agreed with him that it would be a conflict at this point since he's working at going back to work in about 4 months.  He has some more app at the beginning of June and then the full paperwork can go to the FAA to be reviewed and approved.  He's met each criteria on the checklist and getting the doctors notes as they've asked.  The FAA takes an additional 2 months to approve but I don't see any issues with that.  I'm just grateful he found someone to listen to him.

The bad news.  My sister called me a short time ago.  My mom passed out in Macy's. It's happened before but the doctors could never figure out why.  This time, when the ambulance showed up, they noticed her heart beat was irregular.  Tomorrow she'll be getting a pacemaker.  It's so upsetting.  I wish I can go and visit right now but that's not possible.  I need to plan it out.  But it'll be soon.  

Grateful for step-by-step...

I must say how grateful I am for step-by-step videos.  I'm glad I can rewind and watch it over and over.  Also, so frustrating is that the sites change the way they look so it looks different from what I'm seeing in the videos.  But it seems to be working.  Slowly.  

On another note, Mother's Day was special.  G made something in daycare and it was so awesome.  She wrote "All about my Mom".  I read it and we both had a good laugh.  This was on Friday night.  It was just the two of us and we went to a pizza place to eat out.  She asked for an orange soda and chips while we waited for our pizza. She was so good in there.  Then when we left she asked for a cookie.  I did request she eat it at home but she argued with me.  I had to go get milk for her and she doesn't know how to let things go.  I really wanted her to wait till we got home but she just went on and on. So I gave her the cookie to eat.  I probably should have stuck to my wishes but I try and pick my battles.  The rest of the night went well.  She was tired.  J came home on Saturay, late afternoon while G and I were at the pool.  She really loves the pool.  After about 2 hours we had to leave.  On Mother's day morning, G and J went out and got me breakfast from McDonalds which was lovely.  Then they went out again and came back with a cake that G requested for me.  Rainbow around the cake with white icing.  2 roses and fancy writing.  Strawberry filling.  YUMMY.  We waited to eat till after dinner.  And yes, we had another 2 hours at the pool.  Love the pool.  Love the splashpad.  

Now if Brain Balance therapy would just start working, we'd be in good shape.  

Planning for my online business..

So I'm planning it out. I think it would be wise to get all the pieces put together before I go and watch the building of the website. I'm super excited about this process.  Spark by Clickbank walks you through it step by step.  Accounts are set up, Niche has been selected, now, I'm working on writing some articles or blog posts to have on my site once it's set up.  I'm going to aim for about 5 articles to start with.  Then I'll build the website.  I'll add new articles once a week and hopefully post on facebook to gain traction and have people sign up.  We'll see how that works.  I've been putting a spreadsheet together of expenses so I can keep track of what I spend.  I'm taking it all in slowly and taking my time so I can do it right.  I know there are no guarantees but I also know that consistancy and positive mindset go a long way in making something work. 

Mother's Day coming up this weekend...

Well, J let me down yesterday. He was supposed to leave yesterday and be home today. Instead, he left today and will be home tomorrow. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. G is exhausted from Brain Balance trips. We made it through the week but today is McDonalds day and last week didn't go very well. She was crying and tired but couldn't tell us what was wrong. And when we finally went, she just ate and got upset about the noise. I'm thinking of going to get some pizza and eating at the restaurant.  Maybe she'll like that.  We'll see.  And of course, since I'm working, trying to get packages out in the mail is almost impossible. So Mother's Day for Grandma's will arrive during next week instead.  I seriously can't do everything.  Let's hope someone didn't forget about me on Mother's Day.  

Working on affiliate marketing...

So I've been working every morning before work to learn as much as I can about affiliate marketing.  I'm amazed at what I'm learning. There is so much more to this than I thought and this course through Clickbank is taking me through this step by step.  Giving all the tips necessary to succeed.  Now it's up to me to do the work.  

Find my niche

Create my articles to lead people to my website

How to build content and understand the necessity for not just one article but at least one new article a week.  

Secrets to easy ways to build content

Understanding how to use title tags, keywords, etc to get you noticed.

This is not a get rich quick scheme.  You need to really learn all the basics so you can succeed in the end.  I'm confident of all that I'm learning and can review it as much as I need to.

On another note, we've done almost 2 weeks with Brain Balance.  Every night she has a meltdown of some sort.  I ask her what's wrong and she says "I don't know." Eventually, I can get her settled down.  She did have an incident at school yesterday.  Apparently, she touched a boy's privite parts.  Her teacher called me to let me know.  She talked to G about it and made it clear that you don't touch other people's privite parts because they are privite.  I also talked to her about it and she always deflects.  This one kicked her.  I realized she's trying to change the subject to something else but wouldn't allow it.  I told her I wasn't mad at her but she is not to do that again.  She asked if she can hug and I said only if she asks permission and the other person says yes.  I'll ask her again today to make sure she understood.  Getting that call was not what I expected.  Maybe we need a traditional counselor to talk to her...if I can find one that's available.  

Changing the way we live...

So we did 2 sessions last week at Brain Balance.  It's 1 hour sessions and it'll be 3x/week for the next 6 months. We've put a timer on her tablet so she's limited to 1 hour/day all week and allowed 2 hours/day on the weekend. So far so good.  No tantrums about the tablet so far.  Tonight, J will pick her up and bring her over and I'll stay home and prepare dinner so we're not eating so late.  

I hope this works.  We did the home exercises yesterday and we need to do them on the off days from Brain Balance.  I'm hopeful. I want her to start showing some control over her behavior.  Next week J is going to be leaving to go to IL and I'll be on my own dealing with all of this and figuring out how to prep food for dinner every night.  I'm a bit nervous about it all.  G is so strongwilled and she can be so exhausting.  

Also, this past week I found out my childhood friend, Sharon, passed away.  She had a medical procedure and her heart couldn't take it.  This was a shock to her family as well since she seemed to be stable.  I'm so saddened by this.  She never got to meet G in person.  Now she's an Angel watching over her family and friends.  

I need prayers for our family.  So if anyone is reading, please pray for us.

Brain Balance...

 So we had a consult and evaluation for G at a place called Brain Balance. It's very pricey. They aren't doctors and they don't take insurance. The results of the evaluation were very interesting. They were talking about areas of G when she was born and how she hasn't progressed mentally to the age she is. I can see it too. When she does something and you want to punish with consequences she really doesn't understand why we are doing it. Stop doing that or we'll take away your tablet. The answer would be to stop doing what you're doing but her response is "I want my tablet". So we do see what they see in the evaluation.  Another is her coordination.  She doesn't have it. She can't seem to do a jumping jack. It makes me laugh but now I realize she may not be able to because of her lack of coordination.  Anyway, tt's a 6 month program and it's 3 days a week for an hour. We took a 5 year loan and praying we see some progress from this program. I honestly think we will see some progress. And what were our options? A Psychiatrist we wouldn't be able to meet with till the end of the year if we're lucky? Right now, she's in tutoring 2x week and this will be 3x week, plus she's in the EIP at school  All this work, we should hopefully see some improvement in her behavior and actions.  

Brain Balance Centers

Trying to figure it all out...

Things have been busy here.  Busy at my day job, busy with G and J.  Lot's of doctor appointments for all of us.  I've put my side gig on hold for now.  I'm hoping to do something when J goes back to work.  Right now, I have big stress over money.  Big stress about G and making sure she has what she needs to succeed.  These last 2 weekends were nice.  Last weekend she participated in an egg hunt.  She met up with one of the boys in her Kindergarten class.  That made her day.  And yesterday in the park she played with 2 more kids in her class.  I love that we met up with them.  She was so super happy and running and playing with both of them.  So nice to see her so happy.  This week is Spring Break so she's in daycare all week and one of the kids in her daycare is also in her Kindergarten class.  

Rainbow Butterfly Girl

Rainbow Butterfly Girl with Blue Bunny Ears

When the littles are sick...

Nothing is worse than your child being sick. All you want to do is make it better. Since G's tonsillectomy, she hates meds.  She hates the taste and we have a lot of spitting it out as we try to give her some.  Now she just got diagnosed with Strep and that's nothing to mess with.  Planning on buying a bag of lollipops to use as bribery.  I'll give it a shot.  I just want her to be better and back to her usual self.  Poor girl.   

J is finally home...

Sadly, he came home late after G was already in bed.  Only 3 days later than he had promised her.  He needs to stop doing that. But I'm glad he's home. G can suck the energy out of you.  I love her so much though. I wouldn't change that. I can't wait for the evaluation to be here already and hopefully some therapy to help her.  Maybe us too.  

I've been working hard on fixing up my office and getting organized.  I bought some inexpensive furniture.  The chest of drawers will hold paper supplies and that's where the printer will sit.  It's a rather big printer.  Can't wait to get my office in order.  And it didn't break the bank.  Thank you Walmart for having matching pieces to put my office together.  Its the little things that make things nice.  Happy Thursday to everyone!

Love this cube storage

My new desk

Chest of drawers

Playdates...

So we invited one of G's friends over on Sunday.  She really wanted to play with someone and she likes this girl. The problem is G is overly excited and starts going nuts. She does things that are dangerous and I had to warn her that I'd have to take her friend home if she didn't calm down some.  Then I had to keep reminding her that if she has someone over to play with, she needs to share her toys.  She can't always say, I want to play with that.  She needs to let her friend participate however she wants to.  She used to be better with sharing things but yesterday was a struggle. Then after she left we cleaned up but she kept saying she made the mess, not her. I kept reminding her that this is our home and she was a guest.  I wanted her to have fun and not worry about the mess.  I think her maturity level is not there yet. She wants sleepovers but I just don't think she's ready for them. Can't wait for this evaluation to happen.  I just want her to be ok.  I want her to have friends and flourish.  I want her to be happy and not think that a baby sister would do that because I know it won't.

Trying to change the tone...

So, it's Friday night and I promised G that if J is away on the weekend, she can sleep in my room.  But only on the weekend. So she did well in school today (got a purple, yay) and we went to McDonalds.We ate, she played and then we came home.  She played some more and now we are settled in bed. She is watching her tablet for a bit longer (It's Friday) then she'll need to go to sleep.  Hopefully, we can have a nice day tomorrow too.  It's almost mid month and her evaluation is at the end of March.We'll make it to then. Just taking one day at a time.  

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE

On another note, I got a bookcase and it'll hopefully be delivered tomorrow.  It's for my office.  I need to get it organized and this is the start.  Can't wait to get it and put it together.  

Better Homes and Gardens 8 Cube Storage Organizer, Multiple Colors Rustic Grey

Food sensitivity...

Today I gave G her meds in the morning vs in the evening  I want to see if it lasts longer in her system to keep her in control a little longer. This morning she was in good spirits waking up. She came in my room early and was miss chatterbox. She asked to come in my bed and since it was almost time to get up, I said yes. Everything went well till she finished her Froot Loops cereal. Suddenly she was a ping pong ball going a mile a minute through the house. Now I'm wondering if she has some sensitivity to food dyes.The cereal she ate most likely has a lot of dyes for the colorful loops. Just something I noticed today.  I know in the past she's had issues with red dye and being angry after eating something with that dye in it. Just taking notes for now.  

False alarms...

Yesterday, J left for his trip.  I took G food shopping after making some homemade waffles. She gobbled it up. Our trip to the store gave J enough time to do a short workout and pack everything he needed for his trip. We had lunch together and then I took G to a new park. She had the best time. She ran and ran, played hard, had lots of kids to play with. So nice to see her like that. We got home around 3:30 or so. She had the rest of her waffle from the morning to snack on while I made creamy beef and shells for dinner. She loves that. We also bought a rainbow slice of cake. She still has a majority of it left over for after dinner tonight.  We did bath and go ready for bed, however she was still running on so much enengy and not listening. I eventually lost my temper and she started crying. She doesn't understand why I'm angry all the time. She really doesn't realize what she's doing. It broke my heart and I don't want it to be that way for her. I'm really hoping this evaluation will help get her started on a path to understanding what's happening to her.  I just wish it was sooner. I will say the surprise for the evening was a malfunction in the smoke/carbon monoxide detector. It went off for 15 sec as loud as it could be. My daughter slept through it tough. I checked all the rooms upstairs and downstairs, then called J. We decided to be cautious and call 911 just in case. My cousins perished from carbon monoxide poisoning and it was enough reason for me to call and have them check it out. G and I waited in the car outside. They came by and checked it all out and said it could've been a speck of dust. In all my years with J and having these devices in my apartments/house, it has never gone off for no reason. But anyway, it was all ok and somehow G and I managed to get back to sleep for the night.  

She's the energizer bunny...

OMG. She doesn't stop moving. She doesn't stop going. She's just having fun but she goes and goes and goes. She goes in a zone and doesn't stop. No matter how much I tell her to stop and do something, she keeps on going and going and going. I hate the thought of mind altering drugs but we do need to do something. She was running toward her foam chair meaning to hit her head into the foam but instead she when head on into the wall. I'm sure you can figure out that didn't go well. Can't wait for the evaluation to take place.

Happy 25 Years

Has it really been 25 years together? Hmm. Not. Being a pilot wife means 1/2 your time is spent alone.  Alone on weekends, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries.  Long weekends mean nothing as a pilots wife.  I've been luckly though.  Through all the work struggles in his career, the time I needed him home the most he was. When I was pregnant and G's first year of life.  I'm so glad he got that time to be around her and help me acclimate to motherhood.  So maybe we've only been together for 12-15 years total, but it's the quality of that time that matters, right. Besides, I loved my alone time. Just me and my cats. Now, it's me, cats and G. Happy 25 years babe.

February 27, 1998