Non diagnosis

My grandson who is 2/3 of the way through the diagnosis process, has been labeled ADHD. This is a non-active, mostly very calm child who loves to sit in front of a computer every day. or, if sent to his room, is capable of sitting there, staring at the wall for an hour. So I just don't get the ADHD thing.

My daughter has decided to not go through with this process, at least not with these doctors. She's seeing these particular doctors because her insurance is paying for it. But her autistic daughter sees an excellent doctor, who we all feel is more capable of understanding just where my grandson lies on the spectrum or off it. Hopefully he will be going there soon, so here too, we are back at the beginning.

He had a meltdown day a couple of days ago. He pretty much raged all day, which is the worst it's been so far. I'm thinking the stress of daddy's deployment is starting to show. He's the oldest child, the only boy, and typically very helpful. Sometimes I think he feels too much responsibility.

He usually enjoys being helpful. He hogs being helpful, not wanting his younger sister in on the game. But it was a simple request that set him off this time, and he was out of sorts until bedtime. He's ten. I'm afraid growing through the teen years may turn out to be tough for him.


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When the body is sad....

"When the body is sad, the heart languishes." Albert Camus

I'm doing a little contemplating on this today. I like the way Camus describes this. I don't think I've ever thought about the body feeling sad. Hurting, in pain, or feeling healthy and alive, yes. But not sad.

We are so tied to our physical reality, and often at the same time very unobservant of it.

My body is certainly needing some time for rest and recuperation right now. I was told today that my intercostal muscle might not be back to normal for 6-8 weeks. Patience! I was hoping a couple of weeks would do it. But at the current rate of recovery, the longer prediction looks likely to be accurate.

I feel somewhat defeated in this because I really do want to get in better shape physically, but that's not possible when you can't take a full breath. I am going to have to learn to be content with very small steps.

So instead of having a goal to get into shape, I have a goal of being able to do my alignment exercises without pulling a rib out of place. I think I need to break that one down smaller as well. Perhaps just one exercise without pulling anything out.

Once again back at the beginning.

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Slow Recovery

I've been doing a lot of resting to recover from my strained intercostal muscle. It's slowly getting better, but I mean slooowly. As in, there isn't noticeable improvement on a daily basis. Maybe every 3-4 days. But at least it is heading in the right direction!

Listening to The Digi Show while I catalogue this kit called Brighter Days  which is a collab kit to benefit scrapbook designer Zoe Pearn's family. They lost everything in the flood in Australia. Tons of goodies in the kit. Take a look.

I'm also doing some thinking/reading about habits. Especially reading Zen Habits by Leo Babauta and his posts about developing habits. The habit I'm wanting to develop is exercise. This remains a huge challenge to me due to always running into metaphorical walls. I'm suspecting it could be due to fibromyalgia. I have to be extremely careful not to overdo it. So I'm going to do some thinking and reading first, then start with one small little habit or exercising on a very limited basis just to develop the habit of moving more.

I know I need this.

When one part suffers...I Cor. 12:26

Today I'm a living example of this scripture. I have something wrong in one very small, specific part of my body. But it is affecting every other part.

I have this tendency to pull ribs out of place from simple activities like getting up off the floor. Or sleeping. Mostly they have been in my back, but today it's at the sternum, making moving and even breathing painful. We seem to have some kind of collagen disorder in the family, and this is one of its manifestations.

It's only one, small, specific problem. One little rib not quite where it should be. But oh, it makes me wince.

One of the things I love about the Bible is how lessons are drawn from everyday things. We've all suffered from some type of body ache or pain, some much more painful than others. We all know how much our total being is affected by each one. We can relate.

Paul is using this simple, everyday example to illustrate the unity and empathy within the church. When one suffers, we all suffer. To the degree we have the heart of God within us, we will care for one another like our whole body cares when we hit our finger with a hammer. We don't have to conjure up caring in the latter case. It's automatic because it is, after all, our body, with each part interwoven and effected by all the other parts.

Likewise, the body of believers does not have to work up empathy for hurting brothers and sisters. If the empathy isn't there, then I would question how much our lives are really yielding to what God is speaking to our hearts.

When we are in pain, our functioning is impaired according to the level of pain. I, for one, am pretty useless in terms of my personal activity when I'm hurting.

I think God's people are similarly effected when another member is hurting. Normal activity is not effective until healing has occurred. It isn't helpful to focus on normal functioning. Normal functioning is not possible. Everyday body life cannot go on until there is a cure for the wounding.


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Things We Love: Food

My grandchildren love doughnuts. Who doesn't? DH has to go to a bit of trouble to get these for them. That's because there is no Krispy Kreme store here. Not on this island. He buys them when he's on trips to Maui. So they are rare. But oh they are loved. The rainbow sprinkle ones are their favorite.

This photo made me realize I really want some white plates. Especially when compared to these pictures of the doughnuts in the box.

The plain glazed ones are for their uncle. Because I can't eat any. And DH shouldn't eat any. I'm gluten intolerant, and we are both on a low carb diet. Me for weight, him for health reasons.  So these lovelies are hanging around the house waiting for them to eat them. 

The grandchildren would eat them all in a day of course. Their uncle, being an adult, knows that it's better to savor one or two a day.

Enjoy the little things

"Enjoy the little things in life for some day you will realize they were the big things"


I saw this quote on the web with no attribution, so I have no clue who said it, but I love it.

I'm enjoying the little things this morning.

Sunshine in the garden
My favorite cup of coffee while I read blogs on my iPad
Time to have a slow morning
My grandson's politeness
His morning hair
My granddaughter's sweet smile
The breeze blowing the curtains in the living room
Birds chirping and cooing
Blue - just about anything blue






Including new blue pillows on my blue couch from Target.


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One Little Word January

I am so, so happy how this turned out. The colored papers are embossed papers from the Parisian Anthology collection by Pink Paislee. They come in light colors, with embossing over muted patterns. They ink up so lovely!

Thanks, Trish, for brining out your perfect color Ranger distress ink! I should have written down the color, but I did not. Sorry!

All my little test scraps are also very lovely & are being saved for later use.