TToT – Forward Motion
This week has felt like a blur of forward motion. The week sped by and somewhere in there I realized that we are about to get hurtled headlong into the holiday season. So here we go…
To start, I am very thankful that my knees are better. I got slammed with a bit of an RA flare late last week that begot some serious knee pain. Friday night was bad. On Saturday I was convinced I would never walk again. By Sunday I could at least walk. Monday I had significantly less pain and swelling. On Tuesday I walked down the stairs using alternating feet, not the toddler way. And by Wednesday, the knee issues were all but a memory.
And so I have to once again say I am thankful for the healing properties of good food and my knowledge of how to use them. It never ceases to amaze me how simple things like foods and herbs and spices can heal the body.
I’m thankful that I’ve been squeezing out some writing other than thankful lists and soup recipes. If you missed them, check out my life lesson from eggs, a bit of fiction on the coming of winter, and the story of how we acquired the Rotten Cats.
On a bit of a humorous note, I am thankful for an ally in Kidzilla. When the Hub was being a pill about something this week – probably not deciding what he wanted to eat for dinner – I told him he was being ridiculous. I asked Kidzilla, “don’t you think Dad’s being ridiculous?”
“No,” she said. “I don’t. I think he’s being two times as ridiculous as ridiculous”
We are thankful for a good parent-teacher conference for Zilla. We’re in pretty regular contact with her teacher, but we took the standard conference appointment anyway. She’s interacting well with her peers, handling things like her new glasses and her first lost tooth well, and just generally doing well. It could be that her glasses have helped in a few areas – her focus during school work seems to be improving and her reading, while never a problem, per se, has changed a bit. She hasn’t been stumbling over words or mixing up letters. I guess we really didn’t know how much her vision was compromised because she didn’t say anything – but how would she know, either? At any rate, we’re glad it’s helping.
I’m thankful for some contacts this week that will hopefully help move things along in the world of self-employment. And while that is frustratingly slow, I am still thankful that I made the choice to take this leap and for the support of those around me. It is so easy to slip into “maybe I should have stayed” when things feel slow and unsure. But I know , still, that this was best for all of us.
I received a package just last night from “actual England,” to use Kidzilla’s words. She enjoys a monthly subscription to a great thing called Little Passports which allows her to “travel” to different countries around the world, learning about the food, culture, etc. When my envelope arrived, she thought it was her latest Passports envelope, but I told her it was not. It’s for me from Lizzi. I can’t remember why – I think it was about me mentioning that I never win contests or something.
Anyway, the customs declaration sticker on the front looks like this:
![20141122_133825[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141122_1338251.jpg)
…and so I have to figure out a time and method to open this little prize so that I do not have GLITTER everywhere. I’m going to get Kidzilla in on it because she will quite enjoy the glitter part. Stay tuned.
We took Kidzilla to Pizza Hut for her first Book It! reward. I don’t think I’ve been inside a Pizza Hut in about five years. It’s not one of our places to choose for a night out, but now that Zilla is doing Book It! I suspect we’ll be hitting it monthly at least for the school year. Thankfully, the pizza was better than I remember. We’re very happy that she is such an eager and avid reader.
I’m thankful that the Hub went willingly to said dinner. Have I mentioned that he hates Pizza Hut? No idea why he has such an aversion, but when I offered him an out and suggested that I take Zilla for lunch, he insisted that he wanted to go since it was for her reward. While it may not love the place, he does love his Daughter and that means the world to me.
I’m thankful for a weekend with nothing on the calendar. We’ve had some great fun the last few weeks, and we have much more coming in December. But an empty space on the calendar is OK, too. Well, the Hub and I do have a date planned tonight, but that’s the only thing. We’re glad to have the opportunity and to have family nearby to hang with Kidzilla while we go out.
I might be thankful that the Hub has a theory about Cat One’s poop issue. We’re working on it right now…hopefully he’s right and the problem will be solved. Stay tuned for those results. Stay tuned for results on that, too.
And so we keep moving forward…
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OMG BOOK IT! I know its been at least five years since I have been in a pizza hut.
I love how the sticker actually says glitter. That cracked me up. But seriously….Glitter must go everywhere..
Food spices and stuff…Amazing stuff. I will have something on my blog next week about a new product I am really thrilled with.
That’s what my Mom said – she hasn’t been there more than once or twice since my now 30-year-old sister did Book It!
Yup, the sticker says glitter…that’s why I am being cautious and planning my opening carefully.
Looking forward to seeing what product you’re loving!
Free weekends are awesome! We went into town today running a bunch of errands, but tomorrow will be fairly free. I’m glad your knee is doing better again! The family dinner out sounds wonderful, and congrats to Zilla for her Reward, how awesome is that!!! I agree, the kids don’t know if things are wrong with their hearing or vision, and I am sure thankful to have doctors who have recognized Violet’s vision problems so she could get appropriate glasses and finally see better. She still can’t see 3-dimensional and compensates by touching everything or putting things in her mouth, to experience the dimensions of bodies. Thankfully, we also have a support team that will help her to compensate for her disability, and maybe one day, she will be able to see like we do as well.
Have a wonderful weekend, Lisa!!
Zilla was very proud of her Book It! pizza certificate – and well she should be. She reads her little head off! And now that she has the glasses and things look better to her, I think she may be reading even more. Can’t argue with that.
So great that Violet has docs that recognized that problem. It’s so hard with kids, I think, because they can’t really tell you they can’t see because what comparison do they have? Having that team in place will be a great help for her.
I hate Pizza Hut too! But you know what I love? SOUP! And anti-inflammatory foods and spices. So glad you are feeling better and I hope you and your Hubby enjoy your date night!
Soup is awesome. Wait until you see the one I have this week! Honestly the best one I’ve made yet. (I think I say that every time, though!)
Date night was good – kind of amusing. I may have to post it.
Ohhhhh I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT WENT! Did you open it yet?? Oh! Oh! Oh!
You’ve got some lovely things going on here. I’m so pleased to read that things are going well. And yes – glasses are such a catch-22 in that way. How would Zilla ever have known that she needed them? I’m so glad they’re helping, though, and I hope she’s happier with them, and with being able to manage school more successfully.
Your poor knees! It sucks that you had such a bad flare, and I’m glad you knew how to treat it and that you’re back on form.
As for twice times ridiculous…I know that feeling.
Not yet. I’m planning the opening cautiously because I do not want glitter everywhere in the cracks of my floorboards! And cats…they will eat that stuff and I am not interested in glittery poop.
Zilla’s doing great with the glasses and she loves them. Win.
Knees are better – better than they were before the flare, in fact, which is silly.
Boys are just ridiculous. Period. Probably good that Zilla recognizes it early! 😀
Pretty sure the only reason Pizza Hut is still open is because of Book It! It’s the only time we’ve ever gone, too.
Also, pretty sure I won’t be waiting impatiently on the update about the cat’s poo. 🙂
Those packages from Lizzi are fun. Messy, but fun. I suggest opening it outside, regardless of how cold it is out there.
Glad your knee is feeling better!
That’s exactly what my Mom said – if it weren’t for Book It! and delivery, I think Pizza Hut would have folded by now. Interestingly, the pizza tastes much better in the store than via delivery – so I think we’ll be able to stomach it for the Book It! outings. Zilla’s already more than surpassed her goal so I think we had better just put it on the calendar!
Thanks for the glitterbomb tip! I’m quite interested to see what’s inside (besides all the glitter), but I don’t want the cats to eat it and they most certainly will.
Ha – you of all people know the sadness of a bum knee! Thanks – it feels MUCH better.
Oh, I forgot to comment on the glasses thing.
They do preliminary eye tests at school. We received a notice in the mail that our oldest needed to follow up with the doctor, as he didn’t do so well. I made the appointment and told our son that he would be going. His reply (mind you, he never, not once! mentioned anything before) “Oh, that’s good, because I can’t see very well out of my left eye”.
Why? Why don’t kids tell us these things???
Wow. Head smack moment, right? If I figure out why they don’t tell us things, I will let you know immediately.
In the meantime, how’s this? Zilla’s pediatrician screening at her yearly physical was where we first knew there was an eye issue to be followed up on with the optometrist. She had an eye screening at school in October. We never heard one word from the school about her vision being an issue. I’m trying to figure out why that is the case because when we did finally see the eye doc, her exam results were much the same as the peds screening in the summer. Definitely a disconnect there…no idea.
good to hear that the knees did not stay in painville! on the self-employed thing, sometimes we forget the really good aspect of working for ourselves, mostly because we (all) work so hard, it being our own business. (I’ve heard over the years, that an important part of the process of building a business is to reward ourselves for the effort we put in… even if it’s just taking an hour off, in the middle of the week, because we can! lol
holidays ahead!
Clark, your tips and reassurance on the self-employed topic are so helpful – thank you. This is a frustratingly slow process, but I’m plugging away and sticking to the belief that this is going to be just fine. I’d just like it to be fine a little faster. In the meantime, I’m getting even better at being frugal, planning spending well. Not that we didn’t before, but I feel like there were areas we could be more sensible. It’s a good feeling.
The little passports are cool! Glad kidzilla is enjoying it!
The Little Passports thing is VERY cool, Michelle. Zilla really loves it and she has learned so much from it. My kid is six and has really decent map skills already which is awesome. That is a real lost art, let me tell you.
Brian has the most unreasonable love for Pizza Hut. It’s truly strange. It’s the only pizza he ever wants to order. Strike that for when we all get together some day.
Sounds like a good week, and I am so glad you are recovered. Your knowledge of foods, herbs, etc. is very impressive to me. I wish I had as much.
I nearly made your c of m soup this week, but then found I hadn’t bought enough mushrooms at the FM. Not that I couldn’t have just cut down on the other ingredients, but I sort of lost steam at that point. We had leftovers instead. I’m going to pick up some more mushrooms and give it a shot for B’s sake.
How funny is that! No we can definitely do Pizza Hut – the Hub conceded that the pizza tastes much different in the shop than delivered, so we’ll just have to go out for pizza. I’m trying to picture that, though…Zilla, Maggie, Leo…four crazy parents…
My knowledge of food and herbs is the result of lots of reading. It’s what I do. And if there is something I want to find out about, I will find it. That’s my stubborn. I’ll teach you about food if you teach me how to make cool stuff. How’s that for a deal?
OH, do make the mushroom soup – it gets better each day after the original. Doesn’t all soup, though? I especially love making this one when mushrooms are on good sale. Let me know how it turns out! Good soup coming this week!
Oh, and a glitterbomb! Fun!
Yes – I’m quite looking forward to it. It’s warmish today, so I think I’ll take Christine’s advice and take it outside this afternoon.
Hooray for Kidzilla! I have to make the twins read. Sigh…
Zilla comes from two parents who love to read so I think it’s in her genes. I come from a long line of readers. The trick to getting kids to read is giving them things that interest them and getting into it with them. Read together, talk about the reading, etc. Strong reading skills open the world in so many ways. Let me know if you want suggestions – I can help in that department! Spent fifteen years in the classroom getting sophomores to care about reading. It can be done!
I suddenly feel a bit odd not knowing what Book It is and not having any strong feelings one way or the other about Pizza Hut.
Glad to hear you have a kid who is an avid reader though! I hope mine will be too. And a big cheer for free weekends and glitter!
Book It! is a reading program sponsored by Pizza Hut, Louise. If your kids aren’t in school yet and you didn’t participate in it, then it wouldn’t cross your radar. Basically, for a certain number of books read per month, the teacher gives a certificate for a free personal pan pizza. If you go to this link, it tells you all about it: http://www.bookitprogram.com/. It started when a Pizza Hut exec’s kid was struggling with reading and now it’s 30 years old. Not bad!
Zilla loves to read – she comes from a family of readers. All you have to do to get a kid loving books is give them the books and read to and with them.
I’m with you on being thankful for a day with no obligations , Lisa- just one of many gifts this week! Hope your Thanksgiving holiday is filled with blessings!
It is indeed good to be uncommitted for a day here and there, Shel. A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you, too!
Oh, you are taking me down memory lane this week. Losing teeth and Book It! Somehow that stage feels like forever ago and just yesterday all at the same time.
Ah, I’m sure! Stick around…we have many more steps to go around here!
I am so glad your flare up passed so quickly. It is a wonder when we feed our bodies exactly what they need. Congrats on the BookIt! celebration and walking into a Pizza Hut.
And the ridiculous math equation is wonderful!
Yes, me too! This was a painful one, but short-lived. And yes, I am always fascinated at how quickly the body responds when we give it exactly what it’s asking for.
The Pizza Hut trip was not too bad, actually. I guess it was nostalgia…
Ha – yes, the two times ridiculous was pretty funny! This girl certainly gives her Dad a run for his money!
WHEW! On the knees!
So the first time I opened a Lizzi package I was in a waiting room… it was just an envelope and I had grabbed my mail before I left to see my shrink… His waiting room is empty so I figured I would open the envelope while I was waiting… this was before it was well known the Lizzi is the Unabomber equivalent of the Glitter bomber… Needless to say I was apologizing and trying to pick up glitter while he stood over me saying “THIS IS A FRIEND?”
Yes, I’m very happy about the knees. They are such an unstable and fickle joint to begin with. This was a very bad bout and I am glad it’s over!
THAT is a fabulous package-opening story! Awesome. I opened mine on the back porch. I can’t say we cleared the porch of all glitter so I’m going to hope no birds eat any. I guess if I get glittery decorations on my car, we’ll know!
Book It! has good memories for both my children and for me. Those personal pan pizzas are belly sinkers for sure. I’d be really interested in knowing the diet you follow when your RA acts up. Would it work for osteoarthritis? My husband suffers from that and is always looking at alternative treatments. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I can’t wait to check out your other blog posts.
In general we follow a Mediterranean style eating plan, Val. We eat organic whenever possible.
In terms of the RA – and I do have osteo as well – I make sure to work in foods with anti-inflammatory properties. This will get terribly long if I keep going. I can gladly email you and/or send you some pins if you do Pinterest.
Ha! I just had Pizza Hut for dinner and it’s awful but it was fast and I was lazy. Congrats to Kidzilla on BookIt! That’s pretty amazing and I know how proud you are. I loved that your husband went even though he doesn’t like it. The things daddy’s will do for their daughters, right? I know this phenomenon well! I’m so glad that your knee is feeling better and I hope that continues.
The Hub will do darn near anything where Zilla is concerned, it’s true. For me too, really. He is a really terrific guy all around.
My knees feel so good this week it’s unbelievable.
Glad you are feeling better. I really understand how you felt. I hate flares. I have had a bad time with my reflux too lately. I loved the BookIt program. I used to give those coupons out when I was a librarian. My daughter won her fair share too. Congrats on your daughter’s progress in school too. 🙂
Thanks, Mary. I remember from reading your blog that you know the ups and downs of arthritis, so yeah – a shared understanding.
Book It! is great for encouraging reading. Since we practically have to pry books out of Kidzilla’s hands to get her to do things like eat and go to bed, I suspect we’ll be enjoying a lot of personal pan pizzas…
OK, it must be past my bedtime. When I read about your contacts, I was having the hardest time following what that had to do with work. I finally figured out that you didn’t mean contacts as in an alternative to glasses! Hurray for contacts and glasses! 🙂
Funny! But yes, yay for contacts AND glasses!
So glad you are feeling better! My boys don’t like Pizza Hut either. I wonder if they burned out on it after years of Book It coupons? 😉
I am feeling better, Jean, thanks!
Hah – that’s quite possible, I guess. I keep trying to figure out how to stay excited about a trip to Pizza Hut once a month for the next five months of Book It! I’m just focusing on my Daughter’s success!
Beware of glitter. It is the devil.
I’m glad to hear you got a good PTA conference for kidzilla.
Despite my efforts, I did manage to glitter up the back porch. My house, though, is glitter-free!
Zilla’s conference was good. She’s really doing well overall – hoping we can ride that wave through to Christmas. This month between the two holidays is so difficult for teachers, especially elementary teachers. The kids just have holiday brain!
I didn’t know they still did Book It. I loved that program when I was in school. Not sure if it was the reading part or the free pizza part, but it made me read!
Hi, Don, and welcome! Yes, Book It! is now 30 years old, believe it or not! And whether it’s the books or the pizza, who cares? If it gets people to read, I’m all for it!
OOH PIZZA. I pretty much love all pizza, and 20 years ago Pizza Hut’s veggie supreme pan style was my go-to hangover food, because you know. Healthy. (ha)
Is Book It the one where you count how many books you read during a certain time frame? If so, when I was a kid, I came back from summer with my list (of like 112) and my teacher didn’t believe me and called my mom who confirmed that yup, I’d read them all… Awesome for Kidzilla!! And for date night! And peaceful weekends. 🙂
OMG Pan Pizza Supreme??? That’s a blast from the past.
Not sure about Book It! and summer, but this started in October and the kids have to read ten or more, I think, and they get the personal pan pizza certificate. The teacher is also doing something concurrently where for each ten they read, they get a popcorn kernel on the wall and when the class reaches 100 kernels they get a popcorn and movie treat. Zilla read about 50 recordable books in October, so I can see that your summer 112 would be totally doable. Zilla is an awesome reader and I’m thrilled!
Date night was good. Peaceful weekends yes. And tomorrow? In the “snowstorm”? NOTHING to do and Zilla and the Hub are both off from school. PJ Day!