Reformed Grits

We may be on to something

It's about those headaches...
When I first went to the neurologist in August I was having them almost daily.  It was taking over my health and sanity. 
We've tried a number of things.   The first may have worked, but made me stupid.  And depressed.  And anxious.   So I begged off as soon as the headaches let up hoping they'd stay away.   
The next 2 months were miserable-- filled with lots of headaches and discouragement. 
This time, I started on something that they said "may eventually help..." the same day I started "low-carbing" it.  After the first day of the diet, I have only had one week's worth of headaches... and you can guess which week of the month that was. 
I don't know if it's the meds I'm on (which aren't "supposed" to have kicked in yet) or if cutting empty carbs out of my diet have helped.  I know I've lost 6 of those pounds I gained back.  Just call me the yo-yo diet queen. 
I suppose the idea that being able to have a semblance of "control" over the propensity to have headaches is comforting.  (Gee, that was a lot of big words.)   
But time will tell.  In the meantime, I'm going to actually cook a meal for my family tonight. 
Be impressed. 

A little weather limerick

Hey, look everyone, It might snow!
The weather, it threatens to blow. 
My kids won't miss school--
They say "That's uncool."
But can't wait for snowballs to throw.

:-D
You are welcome.

Independence day!!!!!!!!

FREEDOM! 

Today my doctor released me to wean off Stupamax Topemax!  It should take a while to get out of my system but HOORAY!!!!!!!! 

No headaches in 8 days.  Before that, just a wee headache; before that, 6 days headache free.  I can deal with this! 

I also got two shots.  IN THE HEAD.  Evidently my left Occipital Nerve is very inflamed.  Go figure!  My neck feels all stiff tonight.   

The universe is closing in...!

Ok so we have a new Target in town and while it's not "officially" open until July 29, it IS open, so when I got that piece of info by email this morning I knew we had to go by and see.  Besides, I needed some groceries and backpacks for the kids. 

So we looked and bought, and as I'm coming out 2 things happened at the same time...

I heard, "Kim-berly!!!!!!!!" (and it wasn't my mom!) It was Caroline who I haven't seen since I returned from Scotland.  (I do still plan to blog more about that, by the way!) 

The other thing that happened... are you ready for this?  A car stops in front of me and a lady asks, "Is Target open? (yes) Why do they have a sign out saying it's not open until July 29? (I dunno?!)"  And then, hearing Caroline, she says, "Oh my gosh... are you Kim from Reformed Grits??"  (My head starts spinning a bit here...)  I told her (haha, haltingly and hesitantly) that yessss... that was me?!?!  She said, "You don't know me... but I'm Jennifer from Wilson Six!"  NO WAY!  I mean, granted we knew we were from the same area but I'd been out of the loop for so long being gone I didn't know she was going to be in town (since she lives in MISSOURI) and WHODATHUNKIT!!!  And then to weirdafy it a little more, she is IN the car with Jenn whose blog I also frequent!  So they park and we have 4 bloggers who all "happened" to "know" each other standing in front of a Target that wasn't supposed to even be open... and I don't think I've ever posted a pic of myself on my blog (she said she remembered the apron contest from long ago...) and she heard Caroline say my name and seeing me with 6 kids (big giveaway there!)-- she "recognized" me. 

Whoa. 

I'm glad she had her camera (send me a copy, Jennifer ok?) because otherwise who would have believed it. 

But of course that also meant that my 4 year old had picked out my clothes, I hadn't showered, and I had NO makeup on...

But it was still very cool. 

Nice to meet yall!  I'm still a little freaked out at the unlikeliness of it all.  Wow, God!    

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Amazing revelation...

We at the Grits' house had a moment of halleluia, thank-you-Jesus today when I realized...

that Sister cooked every meal today. 

I have done no cooking whatsoever. 

She made the muffins last night for breakfast this morning, prepared all the kids' snacks, made jello today, grilled quesadillas for lunch, and is right now preparing dinner. 

And icing on the ever-glorious cake? 

I didn't have to ask her to do any of it.  She asked if she could.  And cleaned up after herself too.

I dun died and gone t' heaven, I'm sure....

Workin' it out

It's coming together (mwah ha ha...)

I mean, you know, details.  This weekend I made a list of everything that needed to be done before we left and I pulled up my handy Bill's Calendar and put on each day this week my "goals" for the day.  So far today, I have scratched off everything for today and some of the things for tomorrow.  Of course 37 new things have popped up that must be put on the calendar but it's all good. 

I'm amazed at how the little things I've prayed for have been answered this week.  I had been praying for provision for just little things and God has answered them in a way that cheerfully reminds me who my Daddy is. 

I finished school stuff today, found out about exchanging currency, went to the bank, did laundry, more school stuff, went to the school with checks... twice... and now I'm cooking dinner so that Jojo and I can go to his school's Ice Cream Social... the big initiation in to Logic School.  (Dum, dum DUUHHHMMMM!!!)

On a funny note, Sugie was writing her name and I said, "Who's my smart girl?"  She rolled her eyes, and said, "Sister...." 

Guess I need to spread the praise a little better... ;-)

Son of a biscuit-eater!!!!!!!!

... but if I wasn't cleaning out our suitcase from this weekend (I know, like 5 days later) and if I didn't find Mr. Grits' iPod!!!!!!!!  Praise be!  Thank you, Lord.  I thought the man was going to cry!   But my cute diaper bag and the inside console of my truck is still gone so I'm still miffed... But happier now!

An ounce of Prevention

Ok, I am coming out of seclusion on this.  I'm really putting myself out there... telling a big, gigantic secret.  Please don't think less of me, but...

I love Prevention magazine!  My grandmother used to always get this magazine so I discovered it much younger hanging around her house.   It has great tips on diet, health, medicine, food, exercise, and mental health.  Well, and honestly a whole lot more! 

The reason I'm spilling my guts on this is because a "hint" I saw in there has helped me twice in the last month!  It has to do with avoiding stress/panic/fear etc.  Basically what you do is inhale for 8, hold your breath for 7, and exhale for 9 (or some weird combination like that.  The point is long and slow and you are distracting yourself with the counting, I think.  Plus it keeps you from hyperventilating.)  Next time you are in a stressful situation, try it!

The first time I used it was when Jojo was in the ER about to get his IV.  We used the technique together and it either distracted him or calmed him enough to where he was able to handle the moments preceeding it where he was about to melt down.

The second time was tonight in the moments before I had to speak (just a little bit) at our PTF meeting.   I don't mind public speaking and I don't feel anxious but evidently physically my body would disagree.  When I get up in front of folks to talk, I tend to with time start "shivering" almost like I'm cold.  It's bizarre.  I don't feel scared but I can't control my chin so my voice quivers too.  But about 3-4 minutes before I had to get up, I began my controlled breathing and wouldn't you know.  By the time I got up on stage and did my 3-4 minutes schpiel I was perfectly fine and not shakin' at all!  It was very cool. 

So I love my Prevention magazine!  It is really a great magazine that inspires me to live (and do!) better!  And no, I don't get kickbacks from saying that, unfortunately...

Wow

Have y'all watched this?  If not, take a second...  I could be dang gorgeous!  (snicker, snicker)