Peanut Allergies Part 2

The following is a comment from a post I wrote in the Fall of 2008, Nut Free School? Save Mr. Peanut:

"WOW. I came across this post as I was researching peanut free preschools for my peanut allergic son. I really want to throw up. You people who feel that your rights have been violated by potentially saving the life of a child should be ashamed of yourself. It may take you a little more effort to make your kids lunch but try to put yourself in our shoes. The moms that have to pack a lunch for their kid and hope they don't die. I couldn't agree more that we need to teach our kids to handle their allergies and not eat other snacks. And I can worry about my child, even though he is still only 3 and isn't capable of being fully aware of what his allergies mean. But I can't be in charge of all the other kids in his future classes that may eat peanut butter and then come touch his pencil and cause him to go to the ER. I realize that if you are not living with the allergy you truly don't understand what can cause reactions, etc. But it blows my mind that you can be whining over having to pack something that won't hurt, potentially kill, somebody elses child. Along the same lines of teaching our children what they can and can't eat, the same could certainly be said for a parent whose kid will only eat one kind of sandwich. I mean really? So because you haven't taught your kid to eat a well balanced meal, my child should have a potentially life threatening experience? I am going to pretend that you were having a bad day when you wrote this and don't truly believe that a school shouldn't do everything they can to keep each and every child who attends safe. If that means that your kid can't have peanut butter, that is a small price to pay."

Sharon please read my post again... My post doesn't really match my title. My frustration is more about living in a community that doesn't account for vegetarians. I am sorry for your struggle and worries. Hopefully you will find a peanut free school for your son. However, I want to say, when someone is struggling to change, usually they hem and haw, belly ache and complain. These are the people you want to support, educate and not verbally attack. The people you should fear are the ones you know who need to change and they say nothing. With this in mind, my daughter tells me that kids are still bringing items with nuts to school despite the strict rules. We continue to struggle with figuring out lunches, but we have not once taken a peanut or nut into the school.

Also, to be clear my oldest daughter is in high school and my youngest is in preschool. Both schools are peanut free and I was complaining (but I have moved on since) about my oldest daughter's school. That is where I am torn not... with the preschool.

"I'm Eloise and I am 6"

(Dear Abby,)

I have been working with Little Bean on saying, "I am 2" or "2 and a half" ... but I have failed. And now she has changed her name to her favorite book hero!

When people ask Little Bean's age, her reply is one of the following:

1. 6 years and 4 months
2. 5 and a half
3. "I'm Eloise and I am 6!"


Do you think I should just give up?

Okay... I'm not so sure. After working with daughter #1 on how to tell time when she was 8,9,10,11 and 12 years old... I gave up. It just was not happening. The expensive watches and cheap plastic clocks just did not work for her.
The problem is today, as a teen, she still can not tell time! Or even understands the concept of time. She wakes up late for school, she leaves late and has no idea when she should be home when out with friends. She uses her lack of ability to her advantage.

So, all the age related scenarios go through my head... like rated R movies, driving, drinking and voting. She will be like her sister and work it to her advantage.

So, I guess that answers my question.

Sorry for wasting your time with such foolishness. ;)

Running with Ease

I am not a runner. However, when I read an article in Self magazine about running 3 miles with ease (by Danny Dreyer), I thought I would give it a try. The short article gave techniques on breathing, foot placement, arms and so forth to help you increase your chances of reaching 3 miles. (personally, I couldn't help but think of Pheobe Buffay from "Friends" and her interesting running style... but don't worry, you won't look like Pheobe if you use Mr. Dreyer's techniques properly... hmm I guess you won't worry if you don't know who I am talking about anyway).

SO, guess what? I am running 3 miles! Never in my entire life have I ever ran (knowingly) 3 miles, until now!
I have arrived!
As a high school athlete - I dreaded any conditioning. Couldn't run a mile to save my life... well that was until my coach made the rule "if you're lapped you have to run another mile". Needless to say, I ran 2 miles for a couple of weeks.
As a college athlete - forget it! Actually, I didn't make it pass "hell" week.
As a professional athlete - yeah,well, if I liked conditioning back in high school, I could of been a million dollar pro athlete. (note to self: brainwash, teach Little Bean to enjoy running).
As an over-weight adult - I can jog 3 miles while watching tv, movies and/or the news. (oh I should try running while eating popcorn too!)

Now, I will go read Danny Dreyer's book, ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-free Running and shoot for a higher goal... actually, I need to go finish the bathroom first.

Wow! Thanks Val!
You are so kind.... now I really feel guilty about neglecting my blog these past couple of months!

Update on the bathroom

Okay, redoing this ugly bathroom is taking much longer than expected! Thank goodness I have the help from my best friend, since my husband is swamped at work!

Anyway, I learned why the contractor (we were originally considered for this job) didn't want to pull up the floor. I was amazed that pulling up the vinyl flooring and the paneling was actually quite quick and easy. Repairing the sub-floor, took a little time and creativity. I guess the contractor and all the home depot and Lowes staff were right, "You never know what to expect until you clean out (or demolish) your bathroom".

So, know we are onto putting up drywall on uneven, non-plumb walls.
...So far...so good.

LOSE YOUR BELLY !?!

If I haven't admitted it before, I will now, I have a weak spot for magazines. I love them! I love the pictures, the articles and the information they provide... I just love them! However, I don't usually pay the store price of $4.99, unless I am thinking about subscribing.

Anyway, I have been working hard at the gym 3-5 days per week for about 8 months. I have noticed a small decrease in weight, a few inches off my butt and thighs, put nothing off my tummy! Boo! So, I my body is quickly moving, especially as I get older, from the "hour- glass" figure to a "square figure". ...you know when your measurements are the same around your chest, waist and hips. like...like Sponge Bob! Oh, no! I have a Sponge Bob figure!

I've tried sit-ups, ab machines and cutting back on carbohydrates but nothing! So, when I saw the big, bold letters "LOSE YOUR BELLY! See results in just 12 days", I put down the candy bar and bought the magazine. I read it cover to cover, learned a little, but never found the belly article and I didn't give it a second thought. Until, a friend who borrowed the magazine, returned it and said, "interesting magazine, but I couldn't find the article on '14 amazing sex secrets'". I guess they wanted to keep it a secret. So, after telling my friend "there is no such thing as sex secrets" (hoping she will tell me hers) and loaned her my teenager's sex education book, I decided to call the magazine.

ME: I bought your magazine for $4.99 at the store and couldn't find a few articles.
Reader Services Lady: OK, what articles?
ME: Well, the one that is published on the front in big bold letters, "LOSE YOUR BELLY!"
Reader Services Lady: Well that is throughout the whole magazine, there is not specific article. Is there any other ones?
ME: ..ahem...14 sex secrets
RS Lady: In 2 articles on pages Blah-Blah and page Blah-blah
ME: 2 articles? So you combine the articles and make them "amazing 14"? ...Hmmm isn't that false advertisement? And with the belly article it specifically says "in just 12 days"... how can you lose belly fat in 12 days with no plan?
BS Lady: No it is not false advertisement and you have to piece together the entire magazine.... personally, I don't think one can lose their belly in 12 days. Ha-ha
ME: (She's got that right!)
Blah-Blah-Blah
BS Lady: well I will defiantly pass on your comments to the editors.

Well, I will personally, pass on buying this magazine again (Women's Health). I am a little bitter about the $4.99... boy was I a sucker! On the bright side I did save $10 by not subscribing to the magazine.