Monday, November 2, 2009
Homework Helper
My mom decided that since I have had such struggle with my health she wanted to come visit. I was thrilled. So, she flew in on Saturday and she gets to stay until tomorrow. She is enjoying some time with The Prairie Kid as well. They have been doing "homework" together, practicing writing his A,B,C's. It has been so cute!
Toothy Times
The Prairie Kid was excited to carve a pumpkin with me this year. I thought it would be fun to Google "happy jack-o-lanterns" and have him pick a face. Unfortunately, scary ones came up on the search too and that is where he fixated. I decided it wasn't worth the battle and I didn't want to "ruin" his fun pumpkin carving experience so I went through the pictures with him and we agreed on a "scary enough" for him but a not-too-scary for me face.
We started out with a beautiful pumpkin from our church's youth fund raiser:
We drew the face on and I cut the pieces so that The Prairie Kid could pull the chunks out
The Prairie Daddy came home and joined in the fun
And wah-lah! A toothy finished product!
On Halloween we have a great, fun party at our church. The Prairie Kid decided the day before that he would be a lion. I didn't push for an answer ahead of time because I had 4 things ready to throw together without having to go buy anything for an indecisive, "change-your-mind-every-five-minutes" four year old. I was happy he wanted to be a lion, it was my first choice!I got to paint his face up:
And I sure thought he was one 
Oooh, toothy.
Now the only remnants of Halloween are plastic wrapped morsels of goodness that The Prairie Mama has to constantly explain are limited and for after lunch and dinner only. : )Friday, October 23, 2009
I'm Not The Only Torture Victim
We branded calves at our place today. Poor things never know what they're in for but their torture only lasts a few minutes at most. 3 vaccinations, a new ear tag, a burned hip and if they are boys, they lose their manhood so to speak. My job was the usual: paper work, load RFID tags into the piercing guns, help with mixing vaccinations, provide treats and beverages, and cook lunch. Everything went well.
Burn, baby, burn
Manhood eliminated
Happy Helper
"Mama! Where are you? Ouch, ouch, ouch"
Self-Entertainment
Now its off to town to watch The Prairie Kid's hero play some football! Go Broncs!
The Prairie Kid "helped" push calves up
Burn, baby, burn
Manhood eliminated
Happy Helper
A little ear piercing
"Mama! Where are you? Ouch, ouch, ouch"
Self-Entertainment
Now its off to town to watch The Prairie Kid's hero play some football! Go Broncs!
Torture
We're busy processing cattle this week. I like to spoil all of the cowboys with goodies and meals. Yesterday I spoiled them with cinnamon rolls and even got to sneak a few to my Bible study gals. I haven't made cinnamon rolls in a long time; it is my dad's recipe that I grew up with.
I did not get to taste the cinnamon rolls. Assembling cinnamon rolls, smelling cinnamon rolls baking in your home, and removing fresh baked cinnamon rolls from the oven and not getting to taste them is torture. Sheer torture. I seriously told some friends that I would have rather been punched in the face than have to resist tasting those sweet, yummy buns of goodness. I didn't cheat though.
Okay, now that you want to cry for me I have to fess up that it wasn't cheating to get to eat a little of the caramel. Here was my "reward"
I also made a batch of white chocolate coconut oatmeal cookies this week. Since I cannot have those either I did make myself some gluten-free carob cookies. They looked beautiful, stayed soft, and well, they tasted...tasted like something other than a real cookie. They must be an acquired taste. But I can't complain, right? Because I got to eat a cookie. At least a fake cookie.
I also made a batch of rice krispie squares and a batch of chocolate chip M&M cookie bars. Yep, couldn't touch those either. Maybe all of this torture is just to help me appreciate treats in a new way. Sure, its all a lesson in appreciation.
No it's not. It is torture. Sheer torture. Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to have a cup of rice milk.
I did not get to taste the cinnamon rolls. Assembling cinnamon rolls, smelling cinnamon rolls baking in your home, and removing fresh baked cinnamon rolls from the oven and not getting to taste them is torture. Sheer torture. I seriously told some friends that I would have rather been punched in the face than have to resist tasting those sweet, yummy buns of goodness. I didn't cheat though.
Object of torture.
Okay, now that you want to cry for me I have to fess up that it wasn't cheating to get to eat a little of the caramel. Here was my "reward"
I also made a batch of white chocolate coconut oatmeal cookies this week. Since I cannot have those either I did make myself some gluten-free carob cookies. They looked beautiful, stayed soft, and well, they tasted...tasted like something other than a real cookie. They must be an acquired taste. But I can't complain, right? Because I got to eat a cookie. At least a fake cookie.
I also made a batch of rice krispie squares and a batch of chocolate chip M&M cookie bars. Yep, couldn't touch those either. Maybe all of this torture is just to help me appreciate treats in a new way. Sure, its all a lesson in appreciation.
No it's not. It is torture. Sheer torture. Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to have a cup of rice milk.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Little Things
I am learning in my life right now about the little things again. They are precious and we can rejoice in them. I thanked God yesterday for filling me spiritually so that I can fully appreciate the physical blessings He gives. Here is a little list of the little things that I feel are great blessings these days (and under the circumstances, yes, most are food related):
- Eggnog. One of my favorites this time of year but I didn't think I was going to get to have any due to my dietary restrictions. Now that I get to have dairy again, at the store on Monday when I saw it I grabbed a carton, read the ingredients and rejoiced! I can have eggnog!
- Corn tortilla chips.
- Almond butter.
- Sleep. I have had two good nights in a row. When you haven't slept well for months this is a huge blessing.
- Gluten-free carob cookies.
- Texting.
- New socks.
- Shark Tank. What a great way to unwind with the Hubby on a Tuesday evening.
Even though I've had the joy of many little things, there are big things too. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that God has provided an incredible support system of people around me. The elders at church have blessed me with their prayers, thoughts, and even one of them is giving me a couple month break from teaching children's church by covering the spot for me. My friends have been checking in with me and I know that I can call them any time if I need them. My family. Oh, you people have blessed me. The flowers are beautiful! Thanks for the phone calls and emails. And guess what? My wonderful mom has decided that she needs to be with her daughter for a few days, even though I am heading to her place for Thanksgiving! She is coming on Halloween for 3 days! Yay!
There are several verses in the Bible that talk about suffering, finding joy, etc. I am thankful for them and embracing them in my spirit:
James 1:2 tells us "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trial of many kinds."
Philippians 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Lord, thank you. Thank you for the big things, the little things, and most of all, thank you for You.
- Eggnog. One of my favorites this time of year but I didn't think I was going to get to have any due to my dietary restrictions. Now that I get to have dairy again, at the store on Monday when I saw it I grabbed a carton, read the ingredients and rejoiced! I can have eggnog!
- Corn tortilla chips.
- Almond butter.
- Sleep. I have had two good nights in a row. When you haven't slept well for months this is a huge blessing.
- Gluten-free carob cookies.
- Texting.
- New socks.
- Shark Tank. What a great way to unwind with the Hubby on a Tuesday evening.
Even though I've had the joy of many little things, there are big things too. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that God has provided an incredible support system of people around me. The elders at church have blessed me with their prayers, thoughts, and even one of them is giving me a couple month break from teaching children's church by covering the spot for me. My friends have been checking in with me and I know that I can call them any time if I need them. My family. Oh, you people have blessed me. The flowers are beautiful! Thanks for the phone calls and emails. And guess what? My wonderful mom has decided that she needs to be with her daughter for a few days, even though I am heading to her place for Thanksgiving! She is coming on Halloween for 3 days! Yay!
There are several verses in the Bible that talk about suffering, finding joy, etc. I am thankful for them and embracing them in my spirit:
James 1:2 tells us "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trial of many kinds."
Philippians 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Lord, thank you. Thank you for the big things, the little things, and most of all, thank you for You.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Test Time
I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. I have had a rough couple of weeks. This last week was especially difficult.
I had some relapse in my health. Not what this cookie was hoping for, of course. I ended up visiting a new doctor of naturopath locally since my practitioner lives 5 1/2 hours away. Last time I saw him we agreed that it would be good to pull someone local into the picture. I really like the lady I saw although her methods are much different and I am not quite as sure about them as my other practitioner. However, I need a local practitioner and she is more than acceptable. She is a knowledgeable lady and very much wants to see me get through this.
The first protocol with her was to treat both parasitical and bacterial infections as well as try to balance my pH. I have been very acidic (typically caused by infections). After 2 weeks we didn't see any improvement...actually, I had a relapse with some symptoms.
I went back to see her and got some bad news. It is showing quite strongly (you aren't suppose to use the word "diagnosed" with ND's) that I have a fairly severe, chronic condition in my bladder due to the acidity of my body. We started a whole new protocol, including drastic dietary restrictions. I mean drastic. I started another blog just to help me get through these major changes in my life...a therapy and release. I didn't want this blog to become that site where I vented and shared about all of this so I decided to just dedicate another to the issues.
A few days into that protocol I was having severe kidney pain . So, I had to see the ND again and she's suspicious of kidney infection...again. Because of the kidney pain (which was brought on by calcium in the protocol that my kidneys could not handle) I am having to start all over, and very slowly, with remedies. One remedy every four days at a time to see how my body reacts.
As tired and frustrated as I have been at times this week, as much pain as I have had to endure (some was as intense as parts of labor) and as difficult as detox was (detoxing from all of these foods at once, especially coffee, was horrid. Horrid.), I have not lost hope. I still believe that I will come through this healed. I don't know when, I don't know how, I don't know why, but I just believe. I felt like God was telling me that He is allowing this for some necessary training for me. I am thankful that I have a trustworthy God that loves me more than I can even fathom.
And I have had tremendous support this week. My family, friends and church family have sure helped me through this. Thanks to each and every one of you.
So, that is what is happening in the life of The Prairie Mama. Not good news but hey, it could be worse. I haven't let this stop me from life either. I have been able to remain functional and keeping busy right now helps pass the time. On a good note I got dairy back! I was taken off of dairy as well as at least 2/3 of other foods last week. Getting dairy back is a real blessing. Ahhh, to have real milk and cheese again. And even a little ice cream. Smile.
I had some relapse in my health. Not what this cookie was hoping for, of course. I ended up visiting a new doctor of naturopath locally since my practitioner lives 5 1/2 hours away. Last time I saw him we agreed that it would be good to pull someone local into the picture. I really like the lady I saw although her methods are much different and I am not quite as sure about them as my other practitioner. However, I need a local practitioner and she is more than acceptable. She is a knowledgeable lady and very much wants to see me get through this.
The first protocol with her was to treat both parasitical and bacterial infections as well as try to balance my pH. I have been very acidic (typically caused by infections). After 2 weeks we didn't see any improvement...actually, I had a relapse with some symptoms.
I went back to see her and got some bad news. It is showing quite strongly (you aren't suppose to use the word "diagnosed" with ND's) that I have a fairly severe, chronic condition in my bladder due to the acidity of my body. We started a whole new protocol, including drastic dietary restrictions. I mean drastic. I started another blog just to help me get through these major changes in my life...a therapy and release. I didn't want this blog to become that site where I vented and shared about all of this so I decided to just dedicate another to the issues.
A few days into that protocol I was having severe kidney pain . So, I had to see the ND again and she's suspicious of kidney infection...again. Because of the kidney pain (which was brought on by calcium in the protocol that my kidneys could not handle) I am having to start all over, and very slowly, with remedies. One remedy every four days at a time to see how my body reacts.
As tired and frustrated as I have been at times this week, as much pain as I have had to endure (some was as intense as parts of labor) and as difficult as detox was (detoxing from all of these foods at once, especially coffee, was horrid. Horrid.), I have not lost hope. I still believe that I will come through this healed. I don't know when, I don't know how, I don't know why, but I just believe. I felt like God was telling me that He is allowing this for some necessary training for me. I am thankful that I have a trustworthy God that loves me more than I can even fathom.
And I have had tremendous support this week. My family, friends and church family have sure helped me through this. Thanks to each and every one of you.
So, that is what is happening in the life of The Prairie Mama. Not good news but hey, it could be worse. I haven't let this stop me from life either. I have been able to remain functional and keeping busy right now helps pass the time. On a good note I got dairy back! I was taken off of dairy as well as at least 2/3 of other foods last week. Getting dairy back is a real blessing. Ahhh, to have real milk and cheese again. And even a little ice cream. Smile.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Super Looper
The Prairie Kid is watching a new movie today called "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron." It is all about horses and The Prairie Kid has been participating along the way. Here are some pictures:
Every Sunday on our way to town for church we pass a roping arena and lots of rigs are pulling in to rope for the day. Inevitably The Prairie Daddy says, "there's the Super Loopers." (If you're not familiar, there is a "loop" in a lariat and that is what you throw over the animals head or feet to rope it. Get it?)
Every Sunday on our way to town for church we pass a roping arena and lots of rigs are pulling in to rope for the day. Inevitably The Prairie Daddy says, "there's the Super Loopers." (If you're not familiar, there is a "loop" in a lariat and that is what you throw over the animals head or feet to rope it. Get it?)
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