Auto-immune Update

Last week was Invisible Illness Awareness Week. I had a tough week because of my invisible illness, Lupus, and didn't get this post up in time. Nonetheless, I want to take advantage of a meme going around to raise awareness so that I can update you all on my status.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: My "probably lupus" status has been upgraded to definitely SLE. I also have RLS and migraines.

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2012

3. But I had symptoms since: well...my answer has changed since I was diagnosed. I originally said they started when I was 19 (in 1992) but as I have read about others' experiences with Lupus, I have come to realize that I really experienced the first symptoms at about 8 years old. 

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: to limit the number of plates I keep spinning each day. That's hard because my illness(es) wax and wane. When I'm feeling well, I have the energy to keep many plates spinning. However, when I feel poorly, whatever plates are up are bound to come crashing down. The mess is easier to clean up if I keep it simple to start with.

5. Most people assume: that I feel so bad all the time because I'm overweight. If I could just get my act together, get off the couch, and shed a few pounds, I would be as good as new. I wish it were that simple. However, let me clarify that "most people" are not those in my inner circle: my church family, homeschooling homies, and life-long friends. They have shown an outpouring of love and support which overwhelms me.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: EVERYTHING. Even on good days, I wake up feeling like gongs are going off inside my head. Most days I am very stiff and sore for about an hour after waking and look like a new-born calf when I walk. I have to factor in lots of wake-up time when deciding on what time to set my alarm the night before.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: ???  I'm not much of a t.v. watcher, and medical shows have always been my least favorite. Sorry. 

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my heating pad. My muscles cramp and ache severely in the evenings, and I frequently chill... need I say more? :)

9. The hardest part about nights are: twitchy legs. I have Restless Leg Syndrome, too, and my legs start dancing and kicking as if they have a mind of their own around 8 p.m. each night. That causes huge sleep problems.

10. Each day I take: 9 prescriptions and a slew of vitamins/supplements. I just began immunosuppressive therapy and am taking a med used in chemo. The possible side effects, like hair loss, have me a bit on edge. (no comments please) 

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: ... sigh. This is a sore spot for reasons I don't need to air on the internet. My only comment is that deciding on a course of treatment is a difficult and personal matter that I truly doubt anyone takes lightly. Each patient should be free to follow her conscience whether she leans toward alternative or "allopathic" medicine.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: neither. Both stink in their own ways. That's like choosing between the proverbial rock and hard place. ;) 

13. Regarding working and career: My career is home educating my kids and teaching homeschool classes. There are days I feel like throwing in the towel. I just can't do it as well as I want. Yet, in those times, it seems I always get a big reminder about how important my kids are... how they will be grown and starting families of their own before I know what has happened... how much other homeschoolers appreciate me... or a million other wonderfully important things. It makes the sacrifices and struggles worth it.  I'm learning to take it one-day-at-a-time because long-term decision making is not healthy for the chronically ill. As God wills....

14. People would be surprised to know: I have a real and on-going struggle with anxiety. It's linked to my condition. Sometimes I feel like my head is about to explode from the nervous stimulation within my body and I just can't process any input or stress. I have to go into my hiding place and breathe, pray, read the Bible, and just "be" until the battle within ceases.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: there is no normal. Some days I feel great... and it shows. Some days I feel lousy... and it shows. I'm learning to be real and let people know exactly how I feel-- not in a grumpy, leave-me-alone sort of way, but also not in the Southern polite, "I'm just fine, honey, how are y'all?"-way either. I'm learning it's okay to say, "Thanks for asking. I am having a tough day and would really appreciate your prayers." I'm also learning to say, "Hey, I'm doing great today. Thanks! Praise be to God!" without feeling the need to keep up an all-too-happy appearance all the time out of fear of how I am perceived. In other words, I refuse to be inhibited by the invisible illness stigma.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: get a diagnosis! It took me nearly 20 years of actively seeking one. I have a great team of doctors now and am so thankful!

17. The commercials about my illness: don't exist. Not for lupus, at least. Now, I know you've seen the RLS one and laughed. ;)  The condition is NOT as funny as those commercials. :)

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: nothing. My life didn't change drastically because of my diagnosis. I had lived with the symptoms of my condition for so long and had suffered so much that my life has actually been much better since diagnosis.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: the cello. I love to play but it hurts my hands so badly. 

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: organizing meds. Lol! Seriously, I haven't taken up a new hobby, but my favorite hobby of bird watching is really helpful. It keeps me moving just enough to make me feel stronger without bringing on debilitating pain later. Taking in fresh air helps lift my spirits and lower anxiety. It lets me be in a quiet, introverted space which clears my mind, and observing the creation reminds me of how great the Creator is. I need daily reminders that God is greater than my condition and sovereign over all things, including lupus.  

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: I'm not sure. I think I have struggled for so long that I don't know or remember what "normal" is. I think I would just relish whatever "normal" feels like and be incredibly thankful not to have to feel chronically ill for that one precious day. I do look forward to the day that Jesus Christ "will transform (my) lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."  (Phil 3:21)

22. My illness has taught me: that I am not God. I struggle to forgive people who don't understand my condition. Yet, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. If I could snap my fingers and make my suffering go away, I would do it in a heartbeat. Yet, Christ humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross. He secured the salvation of all Christians through suffering. He is my sympathetic High priest, and I encourage you to taste and see that he is good. (John 3:16, Phil 2:8, Heb 4:14-16, and  Ps 34:8)

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: (sorry to say this, but...) giving advice or comparing my illness to their less serious conditions. Again, this only makes me keenly aware of how much greater the Lord is than I am. He endured suffering far worse than mine, and yet He is sympathetic and caring toward me in my condition. May He grant me much grace to be gracious.

24. But I love it when people: understand the wild swings that accompany my illness and understand when I'm not at my best that it isn't for show or sympathy. Those of us with invisible illness really do struggle with worry that we're not being taken seriously or that we seem like hypochondriacs or that we're using our illness as an excuse. When you just get it, we just love you!

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: to find rest in God. To do what pleases Him and not what you think you have to do. Don't wallow in self pity but also don't keep up appearances. This life is not about the pursuit of happiness, the accumulation of stuff or living up to artificial standards imposed on us by others.  This life is about enjoying and glorifying God, whatever our personal circumstances, and if we will seek 1st His Kingdom and His righteousness, all other things will be added unto us-- including the grace to live with chronic illness. (Matt 6:33)

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: living with it has gotten so much easier since my diagnosis. It helps SO much to be able to put a name to it other than "mysterious pain syndrome." My doctors treat me completely differently than they did before. When I go in with a problem... they are ON IT! No more tests or lectures... just help. It is amazing!

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: lots of things, but I have to give my husband the biggest props here. My illness affects his life as much as it does mine, and he is truly living out "in sickness and in health." I'm a spoonie and he's my dish. I'm glad he ran away with me, even if the running has become hobbling.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I decided to post this because it has really helped me to read others' experiences.  I think that everyone who takes some time to share his/her story is actively helping those who are in the same chronically ill boat. My love and prayers are with those of you who suffer silently.

I also want to let you know about my new blog where I will be updating my friends and prayer partners on my condition: I'm a Little Lupie.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: thankful to have a friend like you, one who takes time to listen and to understand. Thank you!

Blessings,

Dawn

A Last-minute, Impromtu Vacation

 

Last month, we made a spur-of-the-moment decision

to travel to my birthplace...

 

 

...Knoxville, Tennessee!

 

A friend of mine posted on facebook once that her young daughter

asked why Knoxville has a big disco ball in the sky. LOL!

 

That is no disco ball,

although that is a cool idea,

but the Sun Sphere, built as the centerpiece of the

1982 World's Fair.

 

You gotta be THERE!

 

 

Since we were 30 years late for the fair,

Michael took the boys to a Redemption CCG tourney

which was held at a local church.

 

 

Brian played in his first tournament.

I have no idea how they did because...

 

 

I spent most of the day at the hotel sick from a lupus flare.

I did manage to venture out to the BIG used bookstore.

If I hadn't felt so poorly, I could have spent the whole day there.

I did look through most of their collection and was able

to buy most of Brian's literature books for the year.

Now, that's what I call FUN!

 

 

The next day, we went birding as a family.

I had mapped out some of Tennessee's best birding spots

 between Knoxville and the town where I grew up.

Our first spot was a wildlife area

near Strawberry Plains, TN.

 

 

We like dragonflies, too!

 

 

The fields were full of birds, particularly indigo buntings.

We also saw yellow-breasted chat, common yellowthroat,

and a variety of other warblers. In the woods surrounding

the farm, we saw a yellow-billed cuckoo.

The YB Cuckoo was on our lifelist from having heard it

but this was the first actual sighting for all of us.

 

 

In Jefferson City, a small town where my parents went

to college and only a few miles from where I lived almost

all my life, we went to a spot I never knew existed before this trip.

There we spotted egret, heron, and geese.

 

 

 

Soon, we made our way to my hometown, Morristown.

We stopped for pictures in front of my high school alma mater.

We thought it was interesting that the sign just happened

to show an announcement  about freshmen orientation

as I snapped the shot of my up-coming freshman.

 

He missed that orientation. lol

 

 

We also did some birding at one of my favorite spots,

 Panther Creek State Park.

 

 

That evening, we made our way to the Great Smoky Mountains

National Park. The birding was not as great as we had anticipated.

 

 

With it being tourist season, there were just too many people

for the birds liking. The trails were all way too steep

for me to attempt to hike, too. :(

 

 

We did see some beautiful sights, though.

 

 

The boys got the chance to hang out in the Chimneys, too.

Splashing in this creek is a treasured memory of my childhood

and now is something Brian will always remember as well.

 

 

He and Michael had a lot of fun climbing the rocks.

This one reminded us of Pride Rock from The Lion King.

 

 

Brian wanted his turn to present "Simba," too.

 

 

Then they found a "horse" and became cowboys!

 

 

I think they had some great Father-Son QT!

 

 

As we drove into the higher altitudes, we did spot more birds.

 

 

But still not on the trails!

No, Ben, we are NOT hiking all the way to Maine. :)

 

 

The boys enjoyed crossing back and forth...

 

 

... and back and forth between Tennessee and North Carolina.

 

 

Brian was able to touch a mountaintop. LOL!

 

 

The guys took the long hike up to Clingman's Dome

while I stayed below and bird and people watched.

I felt better about my decision to stay behind as I

saw people in excellent physical condition

panting and wheezing. :)

 

 

Michael and the boys made it to the top, though,

and I added the chestnut-sided warbler

to my life list. Win-win!

 

 

They enjoyed the hike back down much more than the one up!

 

After the Dome, I pretty much forgot all about taking pictures.

We took the long way down out of the mountains

as we drove through NC, back to Georgia,

just in time for Michael to have gallbladder surgery!

 

What a fun trip!

I'm glad we decided to be spontaneous for once.

 

 

Happy trails!

Dawn

Our School Plan: 2013-2014

I just want you all to know that I had to think for five minutes in order to remember the name of the website where I have the above stock photo stored.

 

 

In other words, don't expect much from this post. :) I am still struggling with lupus fog and am currently not the most enthusiastic blogger. However, I will break through the fog long enough to keep with tradition and reveal our plans for the up-coming school year.

 

Ben

14-years-old

9th grade

Photo Credit: Chloe Virginia Photography

In case it didn't jump out at you, MY SON IS STARTING HIGH SCHOOL! (The caps lock indicates one part excitement, nine parts freaking out.) He got a bit of a jump-start on the process last year by taking 3 classes for high school credit, and I used the year to prepare myself by keeping really, really good records (for the 1st time EVER). That's something I highly recommend you do during your 1st child's 8th grade year, but that is another post for another day. I won't go into detail right now so that I can share the plan for his official freshman year.

Math

He began Videotext Algebra (affiliate link) last year and will finish up modules D, E and F this year, giving him credit for Algebra I and II. We really like this curriculum because the teachers on the video explain the content really well. I am able to watch the lessons with him in order to refresh my memory. It's only been a quarter of a century since I last studied Algebra! Ha! I need the help to be able to help him.

 

As a quick aside: that is how homeschooling high school works. You do not have to be an expert but you do have to seek quality resources and help. It is out there so don't be intimidated!

English/Language Arts

Ben will take a co-op class for high school freshmen and sophomores, and his teacher will be, drum roll... ME! I will use Excellence in Literature, Year 2; The Lost Tools of Writing; and Analytical Grammar. (affiliate links)

EiL is designed to be used as a self-paced course. He completed Year 1 last year, and it worked great that way. However, I like the idea of meeting together with others for literature class so that the students can have the experience of discussing the content and performing the plays. I will fold in lots of resources and activities to develop critical thinking and literary analysis skills.

We are new to The Lost Tools. Ben has completed almost every IEW unit available, so we thought this was a good year to test drive something new. As fabulous as IEW is, it is always a good idea to try more than one approach and not get locked into a particular style.

Last year, he completed 2/3 of AG and will review this content with his class in the fall. In the spring, he (and his classmates) will complete season 3 on punctuation rules.

At home, he will also complete Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots. (affiliate link)

History/Geography/Worldview

This is a very important study in our home for many reasons but most particularly because Ben seems very serious about pursuing a career in law, politics, or related field. His college major will likely be history.

We have chosen to use the video course from King's Meadow Study Center (no affiliation) taught by Dr. George Grant. Technically, this study of the period of Antiquity is a full humanities course and will also include theology, literature, art, music, and other aspects of culture and worldview. I am teaching the additional literature class because I want Ben to have direct instruction in analysis/paper writing, so we will not include all the supplemental readings suggested by King's Meadow. Also, I will probably award more than one credit for this course or include part of the work completed as part of his English credit for the year. Lord willing, I can let you know how this goes as the year progresses.

Science

My dad is teaching high school biology at our co-op! Woo hoo!! Another year without science on my plate!!!

 

Excuse me while I happy dance for a minute. :)

 

He will complete the BJU curriculum (affiliate link) and is already working on a research project focusing on bird populations in our area.

Foreign Language

He will complete Spanish III at home with Michael as the teacher. They will use Avancemos. (affiliate link) This is not a homeschool-friendly curriculum and is designed for a classroom teacher and setting. Since that's my husband's profession, it's the curriculum of choice here; however, you might find it not so user-friendly.

Logic

He will complete Introductory Logic (Wilson and Nance) (affiliate link) and watch the video lessons which accompany the workbook.

 

Can you see a trend in our high school plan??!!

 

We tried a number of schooling options last year... from online classes to co-op... from mom-directed to video courses. We had the least success with online and the most success with video courses. 8th grade really is a good time to get a feel for what will work for your child's high school years. But again, that's another post for another day....

PE

He began Karate lessons over the summer with the plan of only taking a few months per year in order to spread the credit out over the four summers of high school. However, Ben LOVE, LOVE, LOVES Karate. We are blessed to have a studio run by a Christian, homeschooling family. Karate is one of the best things we have ever done for him, and our only regret is that we didn't start sooner. Sooo... we're going to keep him in it all year and allow him to continue for as long as he wants.

Fine Arts

We are also blessed with an awesome art studio in town which offers lessons at a very, very reasonable price. He will take lessons with Brian and a couple friends. The teacher graciously agreed to teach art to correlate with Brian's history topics which will also partially line up with Ben's studies. I'm thrilled!

 

Extra-curricular

• Yearbook staff
• Competitive speech and (maybe) debate
• Youth Birding Competition
• Science Fair
• International Festival
• National History Day Project
• Homeschool Teen Group

(What was your question about socialization, again? hahahaha)

Photo Credit: Chloe Virginia Photography

       Brian
       12-years-old
       7th Grade
                 





                
Math
We are parting ways with Singapore Math. (affiliate link) It signifies the end of an era for us because Singapore has served us well since Ben was in 1st grade. Brian completed level 6 last year (the last of the primary maths), and I do not feel comfortable continuing to teach from their program for upper grades.

It's hard!

We are switching to Glencoe's Pre-Algebra. (affiliate link) This is a little more teacher-intensive than I like for math; however, we don't want Brian starting Videotext until 8th grade. This will be a transition and review year for him.

English/Language Arts
I will be teaching a middle school co-op class for Brian and his friends, too. They will begin Analytical Grammar. (affiliate link) I will pace that according to the needs of the class but hope to cover the first season during the fall semester and the second season in the spring, leaving the third season for next year.

I am also going to teach from Analytical Grammar's new literature and composition component: Beyond the Book Report. This curriculum is also geared for home study because it has a video lesson component. Although I do not plan on showing videos to a class-for-pay, I like the scope and sequence of this curriculum and how it ties in with the grammar program. It will make a great spine.

I will also fold in some IEW, some EiL, some Lost Tools of Writing, and some Art of Poetry. (affiliate links) We will practice literary analysis using short stories and poems as our text, and I will probably fold in a little Teaching the Classics methodology. (affiliate link) And, as always, there will be some Dawn-essori (i.e. whatever hits my brain) methodology in there as well! Lol!

I am allowing the parents of my students to build their own reading lists because 1) it really doesn't matter to me what they read, 2) I can grade book reports without having read the book, and 3) in middle school, different kids are ready for vastly different books. I do not want to lock families into a reading plan which could potentially make them miserable and I want them to have the freedom to do what is best for their children.

Consider that an introduction to the explanation of our choice of literature for Brian. He will read the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. (affiliate link) Brian is a big fan and lacks 9 books to finish the series, exactly the number he needs for my class as he will read one per month for the book report component. We will add more to his reading list than that, but the Redwall books are the ones he will read carefully for the sake of report writing.

History
World History Detective from Critical Thinking Co. (affiliate link)

I chose this curriculum because The Classical Historian recommends it (no affiliation), and it looks simple. We need simple for my non-historian.

One caveat: this curriculum is not from a Christian publisher. We will reference the first four lesson on the origins of man and evolution because I do want my children to understand what the other side believes; however, we will use the book of Genesis, a sermon series on Genesis, and resources from Answers in Genesis to learn the truth (no affiliation).  Overall, World History Detective provides a straightforward presentation and a logical examination of history, and since we are not relying on this text to build worldview, I think it will suit our needs well.

Geography
Usually, I weave geography into our history studies, and of course, we will be unable to study the history of the ancient world without some map study. However, I have found that relying solely on this approach has led to a very limited understanding of geography in our house. We have only covered modern history lightly, so my kids have not learned the current map as well as I would like. Also, to my horror, I discovered they do not know geographic terms very well either. So, Brian will be completing BJU's Geography for Christian Schools, and as we reach content that I know will fill in some of Ben's gaps, I will pull him into the study. (affiliate link)

Another homeschool coaching moment: this is also how homeschool works. Don't allow yourself to be paralyzed by the fear of "gaps in their education." Know that all forms of schooling leave some gaps. There is no perfect school. However, constantly assess, find the holes, and then fill them in. :)

Science
CO-OP!!! Brian will take BJU's Space and Earth Science from his Papaw. Hooray!!! (affiliate link)

Foreign Language
There's not much new to say here. Avancemos. Dad. No mama, muchas gracias! (affiliate link)

PE
See Ben's PE, please. :)

Fine Arts
I'll have to send you back to Ben's section again. :) :)

Extra-curricular

• Youth Birding Competition
• International Festival
• Science Fair
• Homeschool Teen Group

Well, that's it! We're in for a busy year here at Olive Plants Home Academy. I will see you again... probably in May. :)

Blessings and have a great school year,
Dawn


Wednesday Weigh-in: I am so mad at IKEA!

Last week, my dad and I went to IKEA Atlanta to buy the boys' furniture-- step 2 of Project Move the Boys. I had checked their website about a zillion times because finding the exact pieces to fit their rooms was essential to the success of our remodeling project. I chose IKEA because they specialize in small spaces, and Brian's room in particular is teeny, tiny. There was nothing on their website to indicate the horror of all horrors that would meet me once at the store: the loft bed for Bri's room has been discontinued. I think it is available in the store in Washington state, and although I'm dedicated, that would be a bit far to drive. Sigh.

So, let's just say it was a stressful week which involved more soda than it should have. lol 

How did I fare? Well... you'll have to click over to my new blog, Wednesday Weigh-in Club, to find out! It's super cute so click that link, K? I have decided to get back down to business here at Olive Plants and keep things more homeschool/homemaking focused. If you are interested in following my weigh-ins, please follow or subscribe once at WWC. I look forward to seeing you there (and here!).

Blessings,
Dawn

Wednesday Weigh-in: Round one is complete!

You might think my title implies I have reached my first weight loss goal. That would make a lot of sense, since this is a post about weight loss. But, no. I could never keep things that organized and logical.

Variety is what you get here, folks. Variety!

Most likely, several weeks will pass before I hit my first weight-loss goal; however, we have completed round one of project "Move the Boys." You saw Brian's room earlier this week. Ben's room is now painted and ready for furniture, too. We're done with yard sales, and other than a few items that I just couldn't send to Goodwill and hope to sell online, the house has been purged!

But you want to read about weight loss, don't you? This is a Wednesday Weigh-in after all!

This week I lost 1.8 pounds!

That brings my total to 16 pounds.

 



I was really happy with the scale this morning, especially after last week's itty, bitty little dip. Add to that all the stuff we removed from closets and under beds and I feel much, much lighter this week! I don't feel as jam packed into my house or my clothes. It's a nice feeling.

By this time next week, we should have all the new furniture assembled and in place and all of the boys' belongings organized. Felix and Oscar (aka Ben and Brian) will not have to share a room any more. Felix (I'm not saying who's who) will be in organizational heaven. Oscar... well, we'll help him get organized, but will he stay that way? Here's hoping! :)

You can pray for my stamina this week. I really struggled to get it all done last week and felt rotten by the weekend. If Michael weren't at home to do more than his share of the work and if the boys weren't old enough to do their fair share too, this project wouldn't happen. I'm thankful for my guys; however, I'm really struggling with "spoon contentment." (So that will make more sense, you can read The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino.) It is really hard to feel good about yourself when everyone around you feels exhausted because they have lived a full, very active life while you're totally spent because you painted one wall. When you have a chronic illness, the wrestle with feelings of inadequacy is fierce. If that sounds like a pity party, well, it is. I'm working through some stuff over here. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers as I learn new lessons in contentment.


Blessings,
Dawn

Olive Plants Graffiti

Warning!

You may need protective eyewear to read this post.

Please put on your sunglasses before scrolling down.

 

 

 

Brian's favorite color is YELLOW. 

 

BRIGHT YELLOW!

 

A few weeks ago, we started the discussion about what his new room would look like. I wanted the boys' new separate rooms to reflect each of their personalities. Not that I think that's something kids have to have; however, my guys are less than 13 months apart in age and have always shared a very small bedroom. We think it's time for them to spread out a little and see what's it like to have their own personalized space. 

 

Well, Mr. Yellow-loving, almost-teenaged, artistically-inclined boy wanted his room to be... drum roll... YELLOW! In my mind, I pictured a lovely butternut, or something-out-of-Martha-Stewart-Living kind of yellow. Brian, however, longed for taxicab yellow. *sigh

 

I decided we could do a wall or two of the brighter yellow, but that we needed some other colors in the mix as not to be blinded overwhelmed by the yellow. That's when I got the bright idea (pun not intended) to do splatter paint on two of the walls. We could paint those walls a nice, crisp, clean white and splatter some complementary colors on it. If we added a little taxicab to the splatter mix, it would tie in nicely with the yellow walls and soften the room a bit.

 

The complementary colors of Brian's choice?

 

ORANGE!

 

And RED!!

 

Oh dear....

 

I must be in the running for World's Best Mom because I took the boy to Wal Mart to buy the paint colors of his dreams. Sadly for him (hooray for me!), the mixing machine would not accept the code for taxicab yellow, and we had to go down a few shades to "yellow snapdragon." (Must have hurt the computer's eyes, too.) Phew! 

 

However, when I went to pick out two quarts to have tinted orange and red, I experienced a bit of sticker shock. They were only $1 cheaper than the gallons. I wasn't going to buy 3 gallons of paint AND I wasn't going to pay that much for the quarts. That's when inspiration struck.

 

I bought paintable wallpaper and spray paint! We would be able to spray paint the paper outside, keep the mess out of the house, and save money all in one fell swoop.

 

Genius!

 

Or so I thought. (Ahem, *cough, cough)

 

Once home, the first thing Brian and I did was paint the trim white and two of the walls yellow.

 

His new loft bed will go on this wall between the window and the corner.
Beneath the loft, we will put a desk and shelves for his school work.
Did you put on your shades?
I warned you, yet you haven't seen the brightest part.
Prepare yourselves, now!

 

Next, Brian took the wallpaper outside and got down with the spray paint. Instead of splatter paint, we had graffiti. (So much for genius.)

 

He LOVED this step!

 

Once dry, we hung the graffiti paper on the two unpainted walls. Then I did a little touch-up spray paint along the seams to make the sheets blend together.

 

I did this part very carefully so that I would not get spray paint on the floor,
windows, ceiling, or doors.
I would advise covering everything with plastic before beginning.
Spraying outside first kept it from being too messy of a project, though,
and I was able to keep the paint on the wall and off everything else.
However, Dad does have some yellow, orange, and red grass to mow.

 

Once the spray paint dried, we removed the painter's tape, and VOILA! We had a yellow, red, and orange graffiti room.

 

The loft wall is to the left.
The graffiti wall between the door and the window
will serve as his "art studio."
We are buying him a long, red table to fit in that spot
and will hang red and white shelves above
for storing supplies.

 

 

The graffiti wall between the two doors is opposite where his loft will be.
It will have a tall, red and white bookshelf with drawers.

 

 

Here is another view of the wall between the doors.
I like how the corner turned out. :)

We will head to IKEA in a week or two to buy furniture. We have to paint Ben's room next week before making that trip. In a few weeks, when everything is in place, I will post pictures of the completed room with furniture.

 

Happy Painting!

Dawn

Wednesday Weigh-in: A Roller Coaster Week

I know you're not supposed to weigh yourself everyday. "Your weight fluctuates daily," says my dieting guidebook. However, I can't help but peek every couple of days. Seven is just TOO many to wait. :)

So, last week I weighed myself again on Thursday. I was down 3 whole pounds. IN.ONE.DAY! Unable to believe this, I continued to weigh daily and the 3 pound loss held... until Sunday morning.

On Saturday, we participated in a multi-family yard sale. I was outside all day, mostly seated to protect my joints, but still more active than normal. I didn't check in at MFP because I was just too busy; however, I also didn't eat very much that day because I was just too busy. I naively thought that if I had lost nearly 3 pounds in one day after doing very little, surely I would be down at least that much after so much activity.

WRONG!

I was back up 2 pounds on Sunday morning.

That, my friends, is why you have to stay off the scale and wait for the weekly weigh-in. I was so depressed!

However, instead of being a big cry baby and grabbing a tub of ice cream and the big spoon (cause that's what I really wanted to do), I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it. I kept eating within my budget, and here's what happened...

I lost 0.2 pound!

That takes my total weight loss to 14.2 pounds.

 

So, two-tenths of a pound doesn't feel that fabulous-- especially after seeing 3 pounds lost and having lost so much in previous weeks. However, I weigh less than last week. That's what is important- to keep losing a little at a time as I can.

 

I won't be an overachieving perfectionist about this.... I won't be an overachieving perfectionist about this... I won't be....

 

This week you can pray for me as I paint Brian's room and have another yard sale this Saturday. We did great last week and sold enough to pay for the new furniture in both rooms; however, we have so much stuff which has collected over the years that we must get rid of. Pray that God will grant me grace and patience needed to pace myself, that He will keep my pain levels down, and that I will be stay true to counting calories while very busy and fighting fatigue all the way. Lupus never leaves you alone, but life must move on anyway....

 

Blessings,

Dawn