Austerity Plan

We are having to implement an austerity plan.  Not by choice, but is it ever? 

We are in the process of refinancing our house.  Have been since April.  It was supposed to have been done in June.  You'll note that it is now the last day of SEPTEMBER.  We have been assured that it will go through, and we've already given them all the money they get for it, so why is it taking so long??  Is it just that they want to keep getting that measly 2 percentage points from us for a couple more months?  I mean, I know that we are the winners when we refinance, so are they trying to drag it out?  Is it not enough that they were not willing to roll both mortgages into the refinance - to, you know, actually make a notable difference in our lives?   The reason: because we don't qualify to do it.  How does it make sense?  If we are making the payments now, and have never been late, don't you think we could more easily make the payments if they were $500-700 less per month??  And don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the predicted $150-250 that will be saved with the current deal, but - can you tell - just a little bitter about the whole situation. 

With prices rising at every turn, it seems like we might have had to go here anyway, at least in some respect.  But circumstances are such that we need to do it more dramatically.  Our roof is leaking.  Our water heater is letting go of all the water at random intervals.  And my car will not pass inspection - on many fronts.  We need to address all of these things before the end of October - sooner if we can - and yet even with great cuts to our expenses, we can't make any actual moves before the refinance goes through for fear that it won't. 

I'll be stopping my gym membership.  I haven't gone anyway.  Should, but since I'm not, it's got to go.

No more take-out.  No more random trips to the grocery store.  No more lunch from the caf at work.   All meals are to be planned out from now on.

And the land line and internet will have to go.  This is killing me.  I feel like a land line is important in this age so dependent on cell towers.  And the internet - our main form of communication with people and, frankly, recreation.  Email, Facebook, Skype, Pinterest, and blogging.  Not to mention MapQuest, recipes, potential job opportunities and random searches for needed information.  I have to call tomorrow to see if there is a way we can reduce our phone/internet to bare bones while keeping it.  Frankly, I'm not hopeful we can save it.


I can't think of other areas in our life that are optional expenses. We don't have cable.  We've kept the thermostat at a chilling degree the past several winters already.  No satellite radio or other random monthly entertainment expenses. Except Netflix - and I'm not giving up my two movies a month for $5.30 cents.  Though without internet, we won't be able to stream anything anymore. 

While we gave away much of it, I am thankful that we have some clothes left over from Prancer and Buddha, and that Mozart's cousin is just a year older.  I don't think we'll have to buy much in that department for him this year.  I wish someone could hand-me-down a car, or roof, or water heater...

Snausa

That is Mozart's word for sausage.  It is about the cutest thing ever.

He is saying all sorts of things now.  I understand about 10% of what he says.  And when I do understand, it's like I'm trying to decipher a different language - which I guess I am.  The language of Mozart :D

Off to watch an episode of Castle.  Or Bones.  Or NCIS.  Or even CSI.  It has been a long dry spell away from "t.v."  (in quotes as we don't actually get cable or reception to any channels - it's all about Hulu).  So I now tear myself way from my latest Kindle read and let my brain gel on some good crime/law/mystery show.  Good times.

Grin and bear it.

After my little post about seeing the health coach, I felt inspired.  When the Wife took Mozart up for his bedtime routine, I headed out for a walk.

And made it about three blocks before I couldn't stand it anymore and limped home.

As you recall that was Friday.  I limped all day Saturday, Sunday, and most of today.  I took 800mg of Motrin in a shot.  Multiple times.  I iced my feet.  Yet still to let my feet, especially my left foot, fall in the usual manner is very painful.  Especially on the heel.  So I find myself doing this twinkle-toed limp where I don't really put any weight on my left heel at all and kind of dance to my right foot where I have to hop back to my left - and on and on down the hall, sidewalk, road, or whatever walkway I find myself on.   And it just seems to get worse!

So I saw the chiropractor tonight and told him of my continuing issues.  He did his usual adjustments and spent a bit of time on my feet.  Afterwards I asked, aside from the exercises, icing, and taking so much Motrin that I should take out stock in it, what I should be doing.  He said I was doing all that I could.  I pressed on and told him how I've been limping around for days because it even hurts to put any weight on my heel.  He looked at me a minute and then says, "Well, that'll only make it worse!"  And then he instructed me that I need to practice, and essentially relearn how to use my entire foot again while walking.  And that, yes, it will hurt.  But that if I don't do it now it will, in fact, become worse.

So I practiced walking for him.  With the entirety of my feet.  Ouch.  But in the name of making this whole thing better, I'll grin and bear it.  Or may scowl and bear it.

Trucks.

 Mozart has a fascination with vehicles of all types.  Trucks especially.  But really, anything that can zoom by.  I now have many, many photos of said trucks with with him doing a full inspection - such as the one to the left.  At the fair I probably took 50 photos of  the various tractors, lawn mowers, fire trucks and other big rigs.

 The other day the fire department had their fire truck out so we stopped to admire it.  The friendly firefighter let us go up and inspect it at close range - even touching it and looking at all the controls on the inside.  It was very exciting.  Especially when the ladder was up and then when the firefighter drove it away to get gas.  And they said we can come back anytime to do further inspections.

As Mozart has been enjoying the catalogs we got at the fair so much, I had to take advantage of all the photos I've collected of him and various sets of wheels to make a photo book.  We got it in the mail today.  Lemme tell ya, HE LOVES IT!  Not only is it full of trucks, they are his *favorite* trucks, and he's right there in the book with them! Really, what could be better? 

Health Coach

Yep. Met with my new health coach this morning.  Will be working with her until the end of the year when she leaves her position at the VA.  My assignments for this week are to start a food log (I knew that was coming) and to start thinking of things I enjoy doing that don't drain me/us financially.  She did not lecture me about how I've been eating or haven't been exercising.  I appreciate that.  I explained that while working out and exercising is something that I know I *need* to be doing, it is not something that I necessarily enjoy - especially in the beginning, and most especially when I hurt so frequently.  So we talked about the wanting to get back into it, how I feel so much better when I do it, and the physical and logistical problems that have prevented me from doing it over the last 18 months since Mozart arrived.  I did not feel pressured or lectured as I have done with my regular doctor and my endocrinologist. She was not looking for ailments that cause me to gain weight and did not suggest that I may be developing diabetes as the former have done.  She did acknowledge that as a woman ages and has a children, her metabolism naturally changes.  And she also acknowledged that having a child, any child, wrecks havoc on ones ability to schedule and follow through at times.  And when I lamented that I was able to keep some sort of schedule with the 17 other children we've had through the house, she suggested that perhaps having birthed this one made the difference somehow.  But she didn't negate the importance of those other children.  She noted that while my main stated goal is to lose weight, it seemed like I was talking about wanting to *feel* better, and that while exercising, eating well, and thus losing weight were most excellent goals, perhaps I should be focusing on Self Care - doing what I need to do so I don't lose my head and doing what I want to do so I can keep my head in those inevitable times that are stressful.  All in all, I came away feeling like this could actually work.  I feel more inspired than pressured.  And isn't that how one is supposed to feel when they are about to make a change?? 

And so I have written down my food intake thus far.  I have acknowledged that I have not drank enough water: I drank a large glass.  I noted that my veggie intakes was lacking: I prepared - and ate - a salad. 

As for what I enjoy that revitalizes me?  Initially, my thought was - it all costs too much to be able to do it :( going out to eat, movies, museums, getting massages, etc.  But let's get real.  I enjoy writing this blog, especially when I'm inspired.  I enjoy reading. A good crime novel especially.  I enjoy putting on my iPod and taking a walk when my body is in the right place.  I enjoy cooking.  I enjoy watching a moving at home or even a t.v. show on the computer.

And while I don't necessarily enjoy cleaning the house, I do enjoy a clean house.  So with that, I am going to go put on my iPod and clean this place up before I get Mozart.  And then we will have a simple dinner and go to the Y for some bounce-around-time.  Because I definitely enjoy watching him ham it up with all of his antics over there!

Pray to Saint Anthony

I am not religious, much less Catholic, but I gotta say, I'm ready to pray to Saint Anthony.   The wife misplaced her keys two weeks before we headed out west to see family.  We have both done a thorough search.  You see, losing that set brought us down to only one key for each of the cars.  It is not a problem to get copies of house keys.  And I knew it would be more to get a set of car keys, my God!  I thought I could just go to our local hardware store and get copies, but oh, no.   Cannot be done.  Both of the car keys have microchips in them.  As far as I can tell, both will cost between $115 and $160 to get copies. 



I feel partly to blame for the loss of the keys.  The wife is notoriously forgetting where she put very important things: said keys, license renewal papers, checks, etc.  Pre-Mozart I was able to keep her and her belongings pretty much in my peripheral vision and when she inevitably would ask where something was, I could generally put my hands on it within the hour (it does take a bit of thinking, trying to keep track of everything).  I've lost my touch post-Mozart.  It must be the lack of sleep.  When he was younger I called it baby-brain because really, and it made sense then because at that point I wasn't ever sleeping more than 4 hours in a stretch.  But while my sleep has ameliorated, my finding powers have not. 

Anyways, the fateful day of the lost keys was August 11th.  Prancer's birthday.  That morning Mme. Child came to pick up Mozart so we could spend some quality time with Prancer.  The Wife went out to run a few errands before the pick-up and was gone longer than I'd expected.  Much longer, and so when she came back I have to admit, I was in a snit, and rather than peripherally paying attention to things, I immediately went to take an overdue shower.  That was the last use of the keys.  She had to switch the car seat to Mme. Child's Jeep, but can't remember if she had to unlock the car to do so.  Can't remember where she put them.  Can't remember the last time she saw them.   We have both done multiple hunts.  But nothing.

And can I just say how nerve-wrecking it is to only have one key for each car.  Especially when one has a driveway in which one car is always blocking another.  Now whenever I see her keys I rush them to the designated basket.  She's temporarily misplaced them a couple of times, but we've averted true disasters so far. 

The other day someone mentioned that their kid will take the keys and do odd things with them.  I never really thought of this before and so another fruitless search ensued with me trying to think like Mozart.  But still, even though I did the search, I was thinking that cute little sweet little innocent Mozart wouldn't hide the keys on us.

Then tonight: The Wife comes home from work.  Keys dangling.  Mozart comes over to greet her and takes the keys, jangles them about for a minute or so, marches over to the kitchen cupboard, opens it, deposits keys, shuts it and walks away as if nothing had ever happened.  My peripheral senses were tuned into this, thank God!  About 30 seconds after he did this my alarm bell went off and I retrieved the keys.  I guess I should do another search for the Wife's original set because clearly, they could be ANYWHERE!

That said, I am posting the Unfailing Prayer to Saint Anthony.  As I say, I'm not Catholic, so I don't know what the 13 Paters, Aves, and Glorias are, but I figure someone out their must, and if you are that someone could you do all of that? Please?  I've said the rest of the prayer.  And I'll probably say it many more times until the keys are found ~ I figure it certainly can't hurt.

 Unfailing Prayer to Saint Anthony

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.  O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me the Keys of Mommy, Joi and the Boy. The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the saint of Miracles.  O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.
Amen. (Say 13 Paters, Aves, and Glorias)

Please let me know if you find them.  I'd be ever so grateful.

Mme. Child does it again.

Long whirlwind of a week topped off by a long whirlwind of a day.  Can't even really say what made the week go by so quickly, but it's gone. Poof. Just like that.  This morning Mozart let me sleep 'til 5:45a, which seemed like heaven.  We were supposed to meet Mme. Child for breakfast, but she was so busy getting odd things done with her mom there that we went off to the Farmers Market and the Veggie Farm on our own.  Since Mozart fell asleep, I went the extra 15 minutes to Target to get Prancer a new booster seat, then dropped all the goods at home before going off to a work picnic for a couple hours - and Mozart got to ride a pony. And ohmygoodness did he ever love, love, LOVE it!  He must have taken it around 10-15 times - holding onto the horn and saying, "Haw Haw!"  He had the biggest smile plastered on his face the whole time and cried each time we had to get him off and wait in the line again, but then when we got to be about the 2nd in line he'd cheer up and start yammering on until greeting the pony with a big, "HI!" and going round to do it all over again.  After getting home we were both exhausted and took our naps.

At 5:30 I called Mme. Child to see what was up and we were invited over for another impromptu dinner.  Chicken, scallops, couscous salad, aioli potatoes, pickled beets, watermelon rind and bean and topped off with blueberry and peach pie.  Just yum.

The Feet and the Fair.

Apologies and such for leaving days between posts!  This weekend just flew by! I was still recovering, somewhat, from our trip and then was brought back to an even more exhausted place by that parade.  I'd like to have this blog be about happy, quirky, unique, inspirational, and even exasperating things, but I do not want it to just be a forum for complaints.  I have mentioned that I'm putting my feet up and that they hurt, and I've given a description of this crazy pain, but have not really explained the extent to which I am in pain.  The cause for the pain is, apparently, plantar fasciitis. It came on a couple years ago over the summer when I went through a stretch of wearing worn out work shoes and flip flops almost exclusively, and then came back while I was pregnant, but over the past several months it has gotten much, much worse.  I can honestly say, that in the past two months I have been in severe pain on a daily basis.  It comes and goes, as my activity does throughout the day, but all in all it is exhausting.  I have spoken to my doctor, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, and I have gotten exceedingly expensive orthotics - which have helped my back quite a lot, but not so sure about the feet.  I have an appointment with the podiatrist, but not until the end of October.  I do know some of the things I need to be doing, and when I can manage to remember, the pain does lessen a bit.  There is no question that I need to make this a priority.

All that is by way of explanation as to why I have not been as posty as I'd like.  It's hard to keep upbeat when one is in pain.

And that said, Mozart and I had the best time at the fair ever on Sunday morning.  I overdid it, per usual, with the above-mentioned problem and am still paying, but he had a blast, and really I did too.  We got there right when they opened and stayed through lunch.  We looked at all the farm animals, saw a military band, oxen pull, ate fried dough and pizza, saw the crafts, and a fire engine parade.  The best part, though, by far, was the tractors and trucks (we came away with catalogs for future viewing at his leisure).  Mozart was in his element.  He got to climb on them, sit on them, inspect them.  Multiple times as we kept going back and back and  back. He's just waking up, but I'll try to get some photos onto this post later.

More Pee-Puddles

I'd like to say that I've solve the pee-puddle problem.  But no.  Not so much.  On my way out the door this morning I noticed a funny shadow on Prancer's booster seat.  I turned on the light with suspicion.  Sure enough.  One of our cats peed on the booster seat.  The $65 booster seat.  Soaked right through.  No point in trying to clean it.  The cover is not removable.  It is now in a trash bag out back. 

A friend posted on Facebook the following:

Sadly, I'm actually a professional in this area (sigh)... First, you should have at least one more litter box than the number of cats in the house (ie: if you have 2 cats, then 3 litter boxes). You must keep them clean daily...add attractant to litter called "Better Way"...it clumps and is flushable (if you do that), it will make them want to use the box more. Next; get a black light and find/clean every spot of pee with "Nature's Miracle" an non-toxic enzyme that will destroy the urine smell so the cats will not want to remark--clean well at least 2-3x, spray lightly after cleaning and let air dry (this is IMPORTANT, you cannot cover up cat pee with other smells, it will only make them want to remark more). Then apply "Zero Oder" and spray to the same areas as Natures Miracle and let dry. Lastly, invest in "Feliway" cat fermones...these are the happy "check" fermones...cats are less abt to mark in places marked as happy. (The plug-ins are great for long term, spray is great for highly affected areas) TADA!! Cat-Pee-Gone ;) 

oh, ps... your cats love you, they're probably just telling you they are unhappy when you are gone :(

We only have two cat boxes - they rarely use the 2nd, so we haven't bothered with a third as there is not really a place for one.  We might as well take up stock in Nature's Miracle.  We use extraordinary amounts in these spells.  The last time we had a spell we did get Feliway also, and it apparently worked because they stopped the pee-puddles.  Can't find the stuff and am about to go online and get some more...

Am so exhausted tonight, I think that's all I have the energy for.  Walked a 2.5 mile parade today.  In itself, that is not too bad, but had to stay on my feet and chase or push Mozart around in the stroller for an hour before we were supposed to step off, and then an hour before our turn came.  I'd planned on getting dinner at the fair and taking Mozart to some of the attractions on arrival to the Fair, but no.  Definitely not. I think I've mentioned my achin' feet before.  They are literally pounding with pain.  We came directly home.  I have iced the feet.  I have given the feet a warm soak.  They are currently elevated.  Bed soon and work again tomorrow. 

Temper Tantrum a.k.a. Voice Lessons

Mozart gave his lungs a good work-out this evening.  He should be ready to sing his first aria by the time he talks.  Seriously.  After a good hour of fussing over not being picked up while I cooked dinner (Mommy, heaven forbid, had a headache, and was trying - probably unsuccessfully - to rest).  I finally put him in the Ergo for a ride while I finished dinner, but after he hit me, he ended up in the Pack 'n' Play for a minute, as is the rule, when he hits or is otherwise unruly.  He pulled it together after getting into his high chair and being served some water.  But when the plate was presented, he first threw several bites onto the floor.  Then his cup. I took the plate away, which made for a full tantrum to come back, but again, he pulled it together to ask for the plate back, with a please even.  Now, in retrospect, he was likely asking for the cup back, because when the plate was placed on his tray, he promptly threw the whole thing down. 

This did not go over well with the Mama. 

(And you know it's serious when I start talking about myself in third person.) 

The Mama had about had it during dinner when the Boy clung to her legs and repeatedly flung himself in her path, nearly tripping her, oh, so many times.  The Mama scooped the Boy up and out of his chair and carted him straight upstairs to be turned over to Mommy.  This way nobody got hurt. 

Mozart then demonstrated his intent to become an opera star by really belting out a full-forced example of just how strong his lungs are.  I'm not really sure how long it went on for, but along with the screaming and yelling, there was a fair amount of flailing, kicking and fist pounding.  The Wife is amazing in her patience for that business.  I'm not sure exactly what she did, but eventually the screams gave way to what sounded vaguely like a conversation between the two of them and then he had his bath, pitched his usual fit getting his jammies on, and apparently quite enjoyed story time before falling fast asleep.

Back to life, back to reality...

And pee-puddles.

The cats left numerous pee-puddles about the first floor.  I am grateful they did not do anything on the carpet, but I am disgusted that on our arrival home there were two puddles under the high chair, one puddle Right Next to the litter box, and two puddles in the office.  We cleaned up all the puddles and put down Nature's Miracle to neutralize the areas. 

But no.  When I got home from work there was another pee-puddle in the office.  I cleaned up again and neutralized again.  Went about making dinner and off to the chiropractor.

And on my return?  Oh, yes, you guessed it: Another pee-puddle.  In nearly the same spot in the office. 

We had this problem several months ago and ended up getting a bigger cat box for them.  It seemed to stop, with only a random incident here and there.  We had a cat-sitter.  She cleaned the box daily, and the box is clean today, so it's not that they are protesting the box.

I don't know whether it's BatCat or Stubby, but I'm seriously considering re-homing them both.  I've even had visions of a house free of  litter box and cat fur.  I feel like a bad cat mom.  But I cannot handle this.