Fall Into Reading 2011 Wrap-Up

Alas, my favorite season is coming to an end. I know I say this every year, but I wish I lived someplace where I could experience a true Fall. The high desert has more summer than fall weather, and then we smack into winter.

I have lacked in the reading department since the untimely death of my beloved husband. Therefore, I'm ecstatic that I sat down and actually read, albeit, not all the books I planned, but a few I really wanted to.

My favorite read was The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. I am a sucker for a great love story. This one tugged at my heart strings because of the teenage love point of view. You know what I mean, the boy who first stole your heart. There will always be a soft spot for mine.

I also really enjoyed True Believer and it's sequel, At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks. I sure wish the friend who suggested them had taken into consideration my emotional state. A captivating, brilliant love story, which had me completely devastated at the end. I highly recommend them. I think maybe I should have waited a little while longer before diving into them.

I have had Afterlife by Claudia Gray sitting in my nook since released in March (pre-purchased it last year). A quick read, but wonderful conclusion to the Evernight Series. Of course the series is geared toward the young adult audience, but you know me...I love a great vampire story.

Having said that brings me to my final read. A friend has been on me about to start this new vampire series. I finally gave in and read the first book, A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole. Wow! I was expecting it, but it turns out it is vampire erotica. Needless to say, her writing is flawless, with story lines built in to story lines, the Immortals After Dark series is something I definitely could sink my teeth into.

Thank you again to Katrina at Callapidder Days for hosting Fall Into Reading. I'll see you again in the Spring.

Peyton Goes to the Dentist

All 3 kids were scheduled to see their dentist in February. Since we lost our insurance January 31 because Mike died, I had to cancel the appointments. It was to be Peyton's first visit. I called the boys' dentist, Dr. Bell, and explained what happened. I was told that he would not accept medical, which REALLY bummed me out. I called back last month just to make sure before searching out a new dentist.

Because the boys were already established patients, we had been with him since 2004, Dr. would keep us on under medical. He doesn't accept NEW patients with medical. Whew! When I asked about Peyton, the nurse said I would have to discuss that with him when the boys saw him. Yesterday I took the boys in. I was already coming off of a bad night, a REALLY bad one, so my emotions were ON the surface. I had to make sure all the boy's info was still correct. UGH! Of course it wasn't. Insurance changed, Mama's relationship status changed, I had to mark deceased next to Dad's info...I was a MESS. The woman asked me, "You aren't the one who lost her camera at Red Robin, are you?" I was taken aback and said I was. "I heard them talking about it on the radio. I told her the story. Finally she asked me, "Could you sign and date here to verify the changes?" I began bawling. There was Mike's signature and I hadn't seen it in almost 9 months.

While Dr. Bell examined Cameron we talked about faith, what God has planned, etc. He told me that because the boys are already part of the Bell family, Peyton is too, and he would love to see her. I was relieved. When I was setting up the next appointment for the boys, they told me they could see Peyton today. Done.

We got up this morning and did it all over again. This time I filled out new paperwork for Peyton, which didn't seem as bad as scratching out my old life yesterday. I also wasn't a blubbering basket case today.

I was a little perturbed about not having a camera to commemorate Peyton's first dentist visit, like I have with the boys. My iPhone had to do the job for me. GRRRRR!

Peyton played Star Wars while the hygienist cleaned her teeth. She did such a wonderful job. I had been concerned about some spots on her teeth, and fortunately, NO CAVITIES! They were iron stains from her kid's vitamin. (Dylan is the only one who has ever had a cavity, it was the beginning of one, so I am very blessed.)

As Dr. Bell went to his next patient, he said, "Don't forget what I told you yesterday Tiffany." The hygienist looked at me. Cameron looked at me. I told him I wouldn't. Before we left yesterday, Dr. Bell pulled me aside and told me, "If you need anything, please call my office and leave a message with one of my girls. You are part of our family and we're going to help take care of you."

Have I mentioned lately how abundantly blessed I am?

Fall Into Reading 2011

My favorite season...Fall. One of my favorite parts of the season? Katrina's Fall Into Reading.

I am at a loss, literally, as I haven't read as much as I would have liked to this year. In the wake of my husband's untimely death, I have immersed myself in a lot of television watching, and computer nonsense. I have compiled a list of books I'd like to read, even bought a few on my nook...alas, no reading.

If I get the following books read this season, I'll be happy.

True Believer by Nicholas Sparks (need to finish)
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks (sequel to True Believer)
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks (comes out in October)
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Afterlife by Claudia Gray (sitting in my nook since released in March, purchased it last year after reading the Evernight Series)
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

Pity Party

I am TRULY disgusted with myself. After TLBS yesterday I took Peyton out of lunch at Red Robin. When I went to pay the bill, I took my camera, my glasses, and my camera out of my purse to get to my wallet. I put everything back BUT my camera. I had taken SUPER cute pics of Peyton at church, including her in a Zebra costume in the class, which she kept on telling the teachers, "I want Mommy to take a picture and put it on facebook."

I called Red Robin immediately after realizing I didn't have my camera. I explained to her that my husband died in January and THE last pictures of him are on the memory card (not to mention the ENTIRE 2011 year worth of pics that I have not downloaded). The manager on duty had nothing, took my name and number and told me to call back in the evening to speak to the manager.

I was sick to my stomach. After we dropped Cameron off to Tribes, the littles and I headed over to Red Robin. I was borderline hysterical. Nothing. The manager made sure she had my name and number assuring she would call me.

I picked Cameron up, we got home, the kids went to bed and I proceeded to throw myself the biggest, best pity party I have ever thrown myself. I. Deserved. It.

I am tired of holding it together all the time. I am tired of being strong. I have done it since January 10, 2011. I have been responsible and not allowed myself to be a mess. NOT ONCE!

I woke up this morning miserable. I have a migraine, my body aches, and my stomach hasn't decided if it wants to blow yet.

I realize that I can't do anything about my lost camera but pray that somebody somewhere looks at the pics, rather than just formatting the card, sees the pics of Mike, his urn, his children, wife, realizes it means an awful lot to me, and returns it.

Glasses

Peyton has come a long way since her "Gwasses" days. I got the call yesterday that Peyton's new glasses were in, so we took the boys to school this morning and headed down to Rancho Cucamonga to pick them up. Dwight, the owner of Children's Eyewear Sight, is phenomenal with the kids. He showed Peyton how to properly put on and take off her new glasses. He went over the 3 places where she can't set her glasses down, and completely took his time going over everything with her.



Her glasses are Disney Princess glasses, Belle, and her glasses case is a Disney Princess purse. Perfect for Peyton, right?

I paid extra for the transitional lenses. The ophthalmologist had explained that Peyton, likely, wore her sunglasses the way she did because her eyes are sensitive. She wanted to see them turn into sunglasses, so Dwight grabbed his mirror and outside we went. As soon as Peyton stepped out of the office, she turned her face toward the sky and said, "Daddy, do you see how pretty I am with my new glasses?" Of course the tears streamed down my face and poor Dwight was dumbstruck. I explained about Mike and then he was trying to dry his eyes as well. Out of the mouths of babes, I tell ya.

Once we were done, we headed over to Victoria Gardens to walk around and test out her new glasses. I treated her to the lunch special at The Cheesecake Factory and then headed over to Ontario Mills to window shop and then back to Apple Valley to pick the boys up.


Peyton has done a wonderful job wearing them today and I'm so proud of her. The lenses are SO thick and they magnify her eyes, which totally sucks. I pray that these glasses correct her crazy right eye, and help her vision.

Millennium Falcon

Cameron and Noah worked their butts off, and did an amazing job, putting together the new Star Wars Lego ship (Millennium Falcon) Cameron got for his birthday. His face is sick and nervous holding the ship. Cameron was so afraid of dropping it.

Diva Cup

Where have you been all my adult life? As you know, I've been on vacation in Las Vegas for a week. Wouldn't you know it, my Aunt Flo decided to join me. I was SO frustrated. I hate wearing tampons in the pool, and was planning on doing a lot of swimming. I hate wearing tampons when I'm not in the pool and despise wearing pads even more. Gone are the days of birth control, where I could set my watch by my period. I would get it on a Thursday, every 28 days, and be done with it on Monday. HA! When you have children, you know the havoc it reeks on your body. I'm more irregular than regular, which has some to do with my emotions, but have been irregular since getting off the pill in my early 20's. I'm heavy, thank you fibroid tumors in my uterus, and quite frankly, would LOVE nothing more than to have the plumbing removed completely. I am done making babies, which is the only useful part of our female reproductive system anyway, and too young for menopause.

Enter...the Diva Cup! A friend emailed me about it and I became instantly intrigued. Of course the good 'ol high desert doesn't carry anything like this, and it was too late to order one from amazon. According to the website, Whole Foods carried them. I got to Henderson and asked my cousin for the nearest Whole Foods store. Thankfully, one was just 10 minutes away. I walked in, picked the last box off the shelf, and went back to my cousin's. I watched a few videos online, read the instructions, and popped the Diva Cup in. (NOTE: There are sizes, and you should follow the size guidelines based on their website.)

You can wear your Diva Cup from 10-12 hours, and wash it with unscented soap. Of course they have a special wash, for extra money, and if you want to go that route, so be it. I just use the same antibacterial soap I wash my hands with after using the restroom. The HUGE plus for me was overnight. I got to tell you ladies, not worrying about an accident while sleep was a relief! I was on vacation and not having to worry about changing my pad/tampon every few hours. When my cycle has ended, I boil it for 10 minutes, let it air dry, put it in the cute little bag it came with, and throw it under my sink until I need it again next month.

Menstral cups have been around since the 1930's. Why aren't all women told about this option? I will NEVER look back. Yes, it's a bit of a price jump in the beginning, however, how much do we spend on our feminine products every month? Now times that by 12. Subtract $25 from that, and what a savings! You will need to take care of it every month, and inspect it to make sure it isn't deteriorating, but for the most part, one cup should last you one year, much like your mascara. ;)