INSIDE OUT

I wasn't sure about whether I was going to share this here or not. I still see hundreds of people viewing (although I'm not sure if that's an error or not). So, for those of you interested in our world, here it is:

Well, our journey continues with us now living in Guelph, Ontario. I love it here. So many like-minded people... if only I can find them!! Ha!! I see them all at the local food festivals, the Waldorf festivals and the like... Just can't seem to "hang" with any of them yet. I'm used to finding my way through the social mazes of a new city. I'm sure to find some people who are much like me... socially crazy with a bit of laziness on the side. Ha!!

Before getting married and having kids, I never would have guessed I would become the woman I am today. The depth of love I have for those within my house has melted any layers of entitlement I ever felt I owned.

Ignorance is not bliss. I've realized this after having children. The desire to not want to research or know or throw my hands in the air, feeling that "we're all gonna die some day anyway" mentality has lost its flavor with me a long time ago.

http://mindd.org/s/index.php?/categories/4-Frontpage

"Thanks to advances in medicine and technology many diseases and infections are part of the past. However, a new class of epidemics are emerging in the category of brain-immuno-gut dysfunction or Mindd illness. In this paradigm, disease begins at the cellular level and affects many organ systems. This explains why researchers such as Dr. Campbell-McBride and Dr. Kenneth Bock are finding such an overlap in neurological, immunological and digestive illness in one single patient."

You know, I never would have thought I would hear myself say this: But, I REALLY AM THANKFUL that my second born son was born with so many skin problems. Rashes, distended tummy, diarrhea, blown out behaviors, and mild asthma were not uncommon for him. After a long journey of eliminating MANY suspected causes, researching hours on end for what, when, how... WHY?? ... I finally have a son who doesn't react HALF the way he used to. Regrettably, I still hear the high pitched whistle when he coughs and he still has skin-colored bumpy arms. Yet, how far we've come with him is AMAZING!!

Ugh. Gotta say, I hate PMS. Anyone out there like it?? Oh, I suppose there will be those who will chitty-chat about how "blessed we are to be able to have it in order that we can have babies" and blah blah blah. Sorry, but, I really doubt that today's the day I want to hear it. :P

THE TRICKSTER I still remember my grandmother's disgust when I refused to put gravy on my 10 month old's potatoes one Christmas. My aunt would quickly join in on what an awful mother I was being to neglect my child of the "pleasures" in life. I still receive comments and crooked looks over my decision to not have sugar in my home. "What a sin!" they would stammer... to deny my children these so-called "treats".

Yes, you've read it right. We do not own a television in our home. When B and I were married, we decided quite confidently that our home did not need a television in order to sustain it. After all, who has time for television with all the outdoor activity and social circles we enjoyed so much!? We also realized that neither of us had enough self control to turn the thing off.

I can't believe this, but, I JUST MADE MY OWN LOTION!! You know, when you know someone close to you who makes things like this, it just takes away the fear in trying something new. My SIL has been making her own soap, lotion, and all sorts of clever homemade, chemical-free, great looking, great smelling, ah....

Oh, the list just keeps getting shorter and shorter in some ways. Yet for me, who LOVES cooking, the list also lengthens with new, adventurous foods. I now have all of my children off of citrus foods. I have had my 3 year old off of citrus foods for some time. After complaints of stomach aches from my 4 year old and red bum rashes from all three, I have made the decision to once and for all take all of my children off of citrus.

It's been so long since I posted a pic, I forget how to. Grrr... This entry will have to do for now. As I write, B's sister and family are on their way back from our house. We have had an amazing time with B's side of the family this Christmas. They are such a neat family and I feel pretty good to be welcomed into it. The food we had was mostly vegan, mostly sugar free... ALL DELICIOUS!!. There's no need for much guilty eating this Christmas!

When do the words "organizational skills" stop being a "skill" and start becoming destructive? Don't get me wrong! I could use a little more organization around my home. I just wonder if it's all it's cracked up to be?