MALKS_ARIA's SparkPeople Blog

Blogs Left to do

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:40:39 EST

Tues: #2 - Autism Strikes Again -- promised as a Vlog on Tues.

7. Balance the Scales
9. New Budget& household items
10. Pass the Veggies & the Fruit!

I will get to them, I promise!!

Stats - (6)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:37:28 EST

My plan was to write about the amount of appts I have had in the last 6 mo. I went to count the calendar for appts and there we more than I realized. We are on week 21....

Anyhow - I had weekly - each Monday - Seth's Caseworker ( So 20 appts)
2x a month - Seth's Counselor (so 10 appts)
Scouts ea Tues - (so 20 meetings)
Pediatr...

Breaking bad habits- Child A

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:11:11 EST

It has really been a rough time with Child A --
A : 14 girl Mood Disorders and believes often the rules do not apply -Has Current history of stealing (no, the police has not been called Yet)

Child A really has some very bad habits that we have been trying to have her break. Theft being the big one. None of her siblings trust her with their things. She has to be patted down, and searched each time she leaves our house, to make sure she isn't taking anything fr...

Summer Break (8.)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:33 EST

We are 3 days away from Summer Break. I am not quite sure where this school year has went, but it has come to a completion. This Summer is VERY well already packed!! And we have more that will need to be added to it.

May 31-June2 Boy Scout May campout

June 3-8 the "older" two girls go to Girl's Camp

June 22-29 Seth (boy) goes to Boy Scout Camp - amusment park and campout outside of camp then 1 week at Camp Dobins.

We then need to add on Swi...

Summer Break (8.)

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:58:59 EST

4. Charter School for Kids

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:30:48 EST

We have found a Charter School for our kids for next School year!!

We are excited!! Our kids have been attending their average neighborhood middle school, and are getting good grades... but we sorta wonder how....(for 2 at least)...

Our 14 yr old we have assigned essay s over the last few weeks, due to her behavior, as well as a time filler to practice her writing... she is an 8th grader... and should be going into High school this next school year, but we have chosen to...

3. The Group Home

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:11:03 EST

So I do not know how many Countries besides the USA have group homes, Homes that Care for Developmental Disabled children and adults. They often have staff assigned to a client for 6 to 8 hrs to supervise the client to keep him or her safe as they need the extra supervision, guidance and at times training.

Well, I have 4 very special Kids. Ages 14 girl ; 12 boy ; 12 girl ; 10 girl. OK 3 of the 4 have Mental Health Diagnosis that I am not going to delve into other than this very bas...

NOW! I can't believe it has been over a month Since I Blogged.

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:52:39 EST

245 56

So I am debating about which topics to write about a. . .
1. Garden
2. Autism Strikes again
3. The Group Home
4. Charter School for Kids
5. Breaking bad habits-F
6. Stats
7. Balance the Scales
8. Summer Break
9. New Budget& household items
10. Pass the Veggies & the Fruit!

yep I really have that much to post about in the coming days.
Night all!
386 102

Food Wishes do come true!! (just for CTUPTON)

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 17:05:41 EST

So I owe Chris a big apology!! -- Ok No real need for an apology... but I hope she and You celebrate with me!!!

I posted on her blog this last couple weeks since I have been back that there is no Panera Bakery in town and they had no plans on getting one. Well, as of the last two weeks-- they opened one!!! no, no that is wrong.... they opened 3!!!! (for those in Albuquerque: Coronado Center/Mall, Paseo ...

Garden Growth

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 00:24:53 EST

Ok, So I got my butt off the couch and went and took pics :)

Waiting for roots and growth on the Avocados

Herbs that were given to me... Trying to rescue them from not being watered one day recently... Left to Right: Empty (waiting for seeds to grow); Garlic Chives (have regular chives in seeds I am waiting for growth); Lemo...

Garden

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 23:56:11 EST

So I am starting a garden. It is all in containers... Right now it is all in the grow the seeds stage.. I have 3 pellets (that hydrate into seedling soil) in each Pint Sour Cream or Cottage cheese container.

I do have some growth now... so I wil...

Dental work - YUCK!

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 00:34:37 EST

Ok, I am one who normally doesn't have an issue with going to the Dentist. I am one who goes once every 6 mo or once a year as the insurance allows... have 1 or 2 cavities filled (at most) and then go on my way... 334

Well this time Dec 2012... Ohh You haven't been here in 2.5 yrs!!! You really should be doing a better job brushing and flossing! Hummm, you don't have a partial for those teeth we had pulled. Let's see if you can get a partial your insurance should p...

Happy Easter... and weekend!

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:46:44 EST

So I have had a crazy weekend. Dan and I promised to vend (His knives) at a local faire on Saturday. It somehow hadn't gotten on the calender sooo I got a call 1 hr prior to them letting shoppers in asking where I was. I was still asleep.. Dan had taken the kids to the zoo, and then lunch at the aquarium's cafe. Sooo Dan being 25 min away downtown and me asleep.... it took me all of the 25 min to get up, get dressed, make the phone calls to Dan etc. WHEW!! We got there as the doors open...

Dear ME:

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:29:02 EST

Dear me,

You are NOT hopeless! This is what I deal with -- pain daily. I too was at 325-350 ish. My "losing" slowed but I am working on kicking it into gear.

First thought... if you can only walk for 2 min.. start there! But I am able to do MORE!!.... 5x = 10 min! which is more than you were doing. There are chair exercise videos or other beginning videos/DVDs available. ... Moving is Exercise (period).

Evaluate how much pain you can and want to tolerate ve...

Long Time no post!!

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:24:17 EST

Sooo my life has changed a bit, and I think for the good. I have *slowly* been losing weight after my wonderful 2.5 yr plateu at beeween 296.8 and 291 bouncing up and down so often I couldnt tell you what my weight would be when i got onto the scales.

Now I wholy believe in water causing a variable... but if i weigh near the same at night as I did on the morning a couple days in a row, I accept the new weight.

So I am down 11 lbs to 285 since the reboot of SP. This...

Home Again, Home Again...

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:37:48 EST

This vacation was a blast... and i made it through with a lot of extra medicine...(for pain) but I made it through....
I was spoiled with 4 Star Restaraunts almost 6 of the 9 days we were gone!

The food was Delish but oh my... I am at the higher side of where I flex ... but then again, I hadnt been drinking nearly enough water.. and I had desserts that most people dream about having once in their life time!

Ohh man... I was spoiled! I did get a LOT of walking and ...

On Vactaion!

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 02:07:08 EST

So about a month ago a friend of mine planned her vacation for her and her boyfriend. She told me all about it later that day. I jokingly said... "well if he can't go, I'll go in his place" cuz the vacation sounded busy but good!

Well a month later, boyfrind has been out of town the *whole time* and cant get back. Last week she asked "will you be on 'standby' if he doesnt come back for vacation. I said sure, but honestly hoped he would be able to go. So he was supposed to l...

Remembering Surgery Sept 92 ~ Prepping for Surgery?!?

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 04:32:30 EST

So much has changed in 20 yrs.. but in my experience from Kidney removal happened at the age of 21 for me,
C-Section, Scoped Tubule Legation, and Bi-lateral Breast reduction... the things I learned that i will pass on... ( a lady who will be donating a kidney asked for advice....This is what i came up with)

1. as soon as they say you can exercise DO! Learned the hard way cuz i didnt!
2. Your Body will go through adjustments... Hair texture / color, Pain Tolerance, etc f...

Update on Camp and all

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 05:37:43 EST

So, it is 3a here right now... I slept for a couple hours, and wide awake...

In approximately 16 hrs from now I will be picking up Seth from the Scout Hut. I plan on making sure he gets his medication that works for him at that time. They had some bumps at camp, and sadly a few scouts made it rough on the others.... They had thieves stealing items from tents through out the week. (Yes this totally does not fit in with the Scout Characteristics!) I will find out later if any of...

Motivation!!

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:44:21 EST

So shara as has asked me the last 3 days to go to the gym ... then since she is working nights, not been awake to go. (which is ok, just meant I had to exercise outside the gym!). If you noticed my fitness tracker has been going up in small intervals at a time... BECAUSE MOVEMENT Counts no matter how long!!!

The last few months this has been what I look like:

But the last couple of days It ...

my phone ate my homework...

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 04:14:43 EST

my phone ate my blog wahhh!

I wrote a fun blog about needing a laptop as this 4.5x3inch screen is not enough and just more proof of it...
boom my phone refreshed my page and it is no more : (

My phone is good for quick stuff and on the go... But for everyday SP'ing it just isn't enough!

(my son and myself... still at the same weight...)

aria

May 2, 2012

Tue, 8 May 2012 16:19:18 EST

It took me a bit to upload it... but here's a bit of a 2 week summary from April 22 to May 2nd....

I did end up getting a Cortisone shot in my hand on the 23rd. I have trigger finger of the 4th finger on the right hand. I am able to use it 'normal' now... but if I get tired, it starts hurting pretty bad still.... It is a challenge, but I am out of the soft cast at least... and I am trying to do everything I used to.....

aria

will it ever slow down?

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 04:30:41 EST

well it sorta has gotta!
my right arm is in a soft cast until the 23rd at least....when i see the hand specialist. I strained the muscle in the 4th finger of my right hand.... so frustrating and painful!

My Son is cutting out social therapies... and adding a different one that deals more with past emotions. Then scouts is now weekly instead of 2-3x a mo.... and they camp monthly!
Plus we are adding a weekly orthodontist appt for the next 24 months.....cuz it is medical...

Anyone seen my Calander?

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:53:02 EST

So here it is 12:40a MDT .... and i just completed "Spring Break."

So this is what my week included.... fri to sun seth on boy scout campout... laundry to follow (of course) .... 3 days with migraines so Boy Scouts got skipped.... 1 therapy appt for Son.... 1 dental appt for son... 2 Lunch dates with Dan .... 1 friend fully moved (shara) out of apt fully into our house... 1 Den almot empty for girls bedroom... 1 shed emptied, lunch sevice delivery for Dan 2 days.... 2 of the 3 HUN...

Arrow of Light!! and other chaos with son....

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 01:18:20 EST

My son completed his Arrow of Light Award. -- What is that did you ask?

"The highest award in Cub Scouts is earned by Webelos that have been active participants in their den and are ready to join a Boy Scout troop. It is the only Cub Scout badge that you can wear on your Boy Scout uniform."

My son completed his Arrow of Light, and then crossed over (Bridged) to Boy Scouts last Thursday!

Thursday was Parent Teacher Conferences.... Then from there there was so...

UGH!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:55:42 EST

They are really messing with my internet and cable the last 2 weeks.... They are "updating" the system.... which means I don't have the speeds I should be having... and my cable has glitches and reboots often.... and and and ... I am tired of it!!!

On the home front..... Shara and I have portioned our cereals, chips, treats etc.... into baggies.... and are eating only a serving at a time. Seth is doing really good on the wheat free diet... except the school cafeteria for breakfast...

PLEASE JOIN US!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:58:42 EST

Mission 'Occupy SparkGuy's page
www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=4747788

So SparkGuy replied.... and said they are swamped due to record#s of logons and members..

SOOOOOOO it is on his list..just lower than maybe we want it to be...
IMAGINEITs blog is the blog of the day yesterday....i think he heard the msg!

Measure It!

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:09:53 EST

I am taking this at 3 lbs at a time!!

Yes I need to lose 150 more lbs. But at 3 lbs a time.... I hope to get healthy, and get slim.

I took the link from SnowAngelDiva's Blog www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=4623635 for the Thermometer she used... and created mine! www.dwlz.com/thermometer 2.html

I broke it down 150 lbs / 2 = 50 slots -- then that answer divided by 25 (each line) to fin...

Dance Party Wednesday (cuz it's my first :))

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:07:41 EST

The Song was cut short for some strange reason.... So the 3:45min song became right at 3 min... but considering I haven't done a DP before..... Have fun :) and enjoy!

LOL I didn't realize my Txt Msg alert went off at the end... that howl is from "Little Red Riding Hood" .... :) I get howled at a lot most days... hehehe
aria

EarRings anyone?!?!

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:40:04 EST

So I have a friend who keeps sending me goodies to wear in my ears....

so I figured I would show off my latest purchases (actually around mid Dec)....

They are all14 gauge. I wear them 24/7 I only have the cartridge pierced on my left ear... the standard earring holes are on both sides... The Spirals Just "twist" through the holes, and at times I wake up with them partly out of the hole.... but they are fun and not the average ear wear that most wear.

:...

Ups and downs

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:30:22 EST

emotionally I have been a mess.....
Melt downs, anxiety, and chaos.

I have had mood swings that every 5 -10 min I was cycling - crying, happy, calm, crying again.... This is very unusual for me. I have been to the Dr on Monday... been to the psych on Tues... and have new meds as of last night.

I had a bad reaction to coming off the Lyrica which was something I was put on for the fibromyalgia as well as the pain. It did not help me as we hoped it would.

Funny Faces....

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:29:58 EST

I seem to have been making a bunch of funny faces while I relate the day in the life of aria.... LOL
Hope you all have a great week! And Spark a lot!

attitude adjustment

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:11:38 EST

I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.---Winston Churchill
We addicts are used to learning the hard way. Many of us think we're different and can do things our own way. But then we get in too much trouble or pain. (AA Keep it Simple Jan 10)

ok, so I keep doing it my own way... the same ole way... and guess what....

I am sitting at 296 again.... and sometimes down to 285 again... and back up to 293 and then down to 290 then back up t...

Smaller Size -- Scales Lie...

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:45:45 EST

So I am currently at 290 same as I have been (maybe even a few pounds higher...) Yet I am having to buy smaller clothes... cuz the sizes I have been buying are *way* too big on me!! Woohoo!

Lost and found....

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:28:08 EST

I have lost my computer microphone and earphones. I cleaned the house for Thanksgiving and they have been misplaced... IF you know where i put them... please let me know, so I can Vlog and be heard!! :P

aria

No Cussing Allowed..... First VLog - I hope

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:29:36 EST

I am still trying to get it to accept and post my vlog.... I deleted them all and I am trying again!

I gave VLOGing a try... and told you a bit about my Wed through Monday... Not all of them will be this long!

Please Remember I am a Medical mess.... and so what I am telling you about is often what a typical week for me looks like... :) I don't need sympathy, but I figured it would help you with a bit of understanding about me!

www.freecycle.org Keeps stuff o...

290 ~ Over a Year!!

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:40:36 EST

So I weighed in at 290 yet again. This has been the year that I really haven't seen the scales move... They haven't moved in quite a while.. I mean they move 2 or 3 lbs one way or the other... but they just don't stay at those spots...

I have been doing a lot better over the last month and a half regarding controlling my portion size, exercising (up until the UTI the first 2 weeks of Nov).... and keeping my water intake up where it should be...

Been grabbing seedless ...

Believe!

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:23:42 EST

So last Monday, I sat in a BOY Scout meeting -- Yes, my 10 yr old is getting ready to cross over to Boy Scouts come March, but except for a few visits to a variety of Troops (an Organization of Boy Scouts) -- Dens are an age group of Cub Scouts ( 1st grade/Tigers, 2nd grade/Wolves, etc).. --- So anyhow, I was sitting in this Meeting on Monday..... And the question that was posed was "If you had to pick *just one* word to add to the Boy Scout Law Character List what would you choose..... ? ...

Put your feet up! and RELAX!!!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:25:34 EST

So the last week has been a bit crazy.... On Tues last week, had been a week since I had my Mirena removed... and TOM has been long and constant.... call the Dr's office, and she says, if I am still dealing with it this weekend... give my dr a call on the weekend when she's on call... but at least for this week to "Put your feet up and relax!! Take it easy, and don't do anything." So for the most part I took this advice... and sat in the recliner except I did a few outings with the child fo...

Owning it...

Mon, 3 Oct 2011 21:53:24 EST

So I am sitting here, having just read a blog from a SparkFriend (yes, Lizzy You!) and She is so right... It is only what *I* do, and what *I* bring to the table that I am responsible for.

I have *very much* been struggling with pointing fingers at the roommate (shara) and not taking on my own not doing chores and housework! This last week my truck broke down (it is running, just don't trust it much until the fuel pump gets fixed).. And shara came and "rescued me" from my bei...

Little Black Dress Challenge Success!!!

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:58:42 EST

I promised a pic of my "Little Black Dress" that I had chosen for the June 15th Challenge, to be able to fit into and look great by Sept 15th!!! And I did it!!! This is like the first Successful Challenge I have really had Full success at "Getting into" in 3 mo. I mean, I have signed up for a few different challenges over the year & a 1/2 I have been here on SP, and I have made some progress on them... but *Gasp* This isn't just progress... this is success!! The Pic below is taken Sept 16...

Quick Update (before I go back to bed)

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:03:58 EST

Lyrica is no longer a medicine I take, Dr said get off of it... and I honestly didn't want the side effects more than that one day... I was miserable!

I put on my "Little Black Dress Challenge" And I fit into the dress!!! It is a size 24 but it was too small in the hips and tummy area when I started the Challenge in July... I will get pics this weekend when I wear it out!

Thank Ya all for well wishes!! It is nice to feel loved and I am behind on SP posts again ... but...

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus!!

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:51:06 EST

Well, A few of you have been bugging me for an updated blog....

I am hitting the pool 5 days a week this week. I have been doing at least 50 min of water aerobics or walking, and moving and doing the PT routine to build core, and strengthen the muscles in the legs/hips etc --while also moving arms in strokes, and resistance. I actually did the *advanced* work out once last weekend, and once so far today... one more time later this week.

I stepped on the Dr Scales ...

Missing in Action. . . Yep that's me!

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:16:03 EST

So, I am taking a moment to update you all.

1. School is still on the chaos schedule of up at Seth out the door at 6:50a. This means I am hearing my first alarm at 5:45a, and up at 6:10a. Seth is getting done with school at 2:00p and the bus is dropping him off at 2:50-3:00p.

2. We have been going to bed between 10p and 12Midnight (although I am having issues with falling asleep before 2-3a sometimes 4. Some nights earlier, but most nights we have too much to ...

Joining Together in Prayer - Continued on from Friends

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:36:16 EST

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." Psalm 96

This is a prayer for rain in those dry areas of America ......join in!!!!

Large Prayer Circle
As evidenced by people living in Oklahoma , West Texas and South Texas, and New Mexico (but limited in the area that has been burned causing flooding) ever-increasing areas in other parts of the country, the drought condition is reaching critical status; cattle are being auctioned off; crops have bu...

Chaos - it really is here (hence my Spark Page's Title)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:29:07 EST

So, in the last 2 weeks, We have started school - Had our usual appts with Therapists, and actually been cleaning up the living room, front yard and back yard... My Son was found Saturday Hitting himself over the head with a stick, over and over again ... and wouldn't stop no matter what the other kids said, Then Sunday he was ramming his head into the door of the Den - and knocked stuff off the walls...

So I spent the day yesterday in ER hoping to get my son admitted due to ps...

I'm Here!

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:36:51 EST

It's been a very weird week! I soo need to go get the girls and bring them back here for Dan. I have taken a nap the last 2 days, due to pain, and yuck, and Yesterday I woke up worse than I was when i laid down... then We ran all over to various stores for items we needed with Dinner... I cooked Liver and Onions.

Liver and Onions is one of my favorite meals, but to do it right, it takes a lot of standing, and prep, to cook it well. I spent 30 min or more on my feet... every 5 m...

Update

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 23:08:14 EST

Updates are edited into the blog below....
not bad...

I went to the Dr Yesterday.. . . The Kidney Specialist took me totally off Excedrine / Asprin Sooooo WHINE!!!! I am allowed Tylenol or Rx or nothing!!! Anything in the NSAID catagory is not allowed.

The Rhuemo was very personable, was really pretty helpful, and very much listened and spent the time to diagnose me clearly. My PCP had ordered the Rhuemo panel of Blood tests when I last had blood tests, so I alrea...

Screwy Sleep Schedules!

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 07:57:51 EST

So, Cell Phone, Family's Alarm Clock, and Just the need to be up have been contributing to my lack of sleep... then my over sleep! It has been crazy the last few weeks! Some Days I am up til 4 or 5 in the morning... then sleep most the day... and repeat... and other days I am in bed at 9p and sleeping til 12M then Wide Awake! School is going to start on Aug 16 for the kiddos... and that means I will need to be up with Seth each morning (or else he will miss his bus!!!) Plus it is *real...

Physical - Seeing the Dr

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:27:46 EST

So I went to my PCP and had my physical yesterday. My Vitamin D did not even register on the lab or was below 10 anyhow... (and I take 2,000+ multivit daily) Plus My Triglycerides were through the roof (over 550)... so back on more Cholesterol meds --the pain in the joints didn't go away... so after being off the Cholesterol meds for 6 mo I am back on them 2x a day. Plus I have been running a sinus headache - cuz of the bad air quality so she added the nose spray back to the list I am taking ...