gishmak's Journal

SICK
So I thought it was allergies, but the addition of a headache yesterday didn't help me feel any better.
Took some tylenol, danced at a wedding...and the headache returned. Getting to bed late after my parenting class didn't help either.
So when I woke up before 6 AM and felt a headache, even before getting up, so I knew it was bad. Took some medicine, went back to sleep (sort of...Fraida ended up in my bed sometime later). So I decided I MUST take off of work. At least 1/2 a day.
It's not that I'm such a devoted worker, that I considered going in for 1/2 a day. But I'm paid by the hour, so a day missed is $x less off my paycheck! I fell asleep shortly after Dovid left with the kids (FM went to mom's house) and aside for a bathroom break (tmi), I slept until a call woke me at noon!! So I knew I really needed that nap!! And it's more than allergies!
Still feeling a little under the weather now, but B"H not bad. Thank G-d it's only a cold and nothing more serious. Please, Flu, (actually Please G-d, keep the flu away) - stay away from my house!!

Current Mood: blah

computer virus
My computer has virus. I'm taking a chance & going on it, but not sending email... :(

OT
when I stop to think (doesn't happen often), I realize that Avigdor isn't receiving the occupational therapy he's mandated to receive. He's supposed to get it 2x a week. We needed to switch agencies when he switched schools this year. When I spoke with them in August, they told me that his speech therapy is set up, but they dont have OT going to the school. I can come to the center. Thank you. Like I have time/energy to shlep 3 kids 1/2 hour walking 2x a week??? Not happening. Maybe if I drove. B"H he doesn't have major issues, or it would be another story, but I get reminded when I see his crayon grip.
Another mom told me her son isn't getting OT either. So it seems there are kids needing it...so why aren't they providing if there's a demand?? I left a message on the agency's phone...wonder if I'll ever hear/see anything...

MY SIS AND HER CHOSSON!
It's official! My baby sister is engaged!!!
We love Dovi already!!

Current Mood: excited

Birthday "Bash"
Guess who's 2!!!

CHOP CHOP!!
Just had Dovid cut off a 13+ inch braid. I haven't cut it in about 2 1/2 yrs, since the last time I donated it.
I will, G-d willing, be sending it to Zichron Menachem, an organization that helps children with cancer in Israel.
http://www.zichron.org/wigs_e.php
It's a small and almost effortless donation on my part, which I hope can be meaningful for a child less fortunate.
May no one we know ever need their services!!

Current Mood: accomplished

Impetigo
My Avi has a skin infection. Probably occured as a result of mosquito bite(s) that didn't heal properly and got infected. So he got impetigo.
So he's on antibiotics, bactroban and off of school till Monday.
I hope his boo-boos finally get better!

parenting class...
Someone at my work is arranging a parenting class with a woman who supposed to be really good.
It will run for 6 weeks, once a week, for an hour and half/session. That means it's about 9 hours total.
The cost is around $260. Per person.
Does that sound like a lot considering there will be 20-25 women??
Yes, it does. I'll love to attend, but it really sounds steep considering it won't be individualized. This woman is making over $5000 total on this class?!?
WWYD?

Please pray...
Please pray for the following women:
* Miriam Esther bas Malka Raizel, a family friend who is ill in the hospital
* Chaya Rochel bas Devorah Mindel, a young woman with one child, who was recently diagnosed with a serious form of cancer.
May we share good news!

Erev Yom Kippur
Someone I know was recently diagnosed with a serious disease. She still at the stage of testing, not knowing quite what the future will hold for her.
Scary.
I can only try to imagine what kind of Yom Kippur this woman will have. How she will cry and pray to be sealed in the BOOK OF LIFE.
At some point during our Yom Kippur prayers, we should try to feel the way she must feel. Because really all of us have our life in balance at this point. G-d is deciding who will live and who will die.
May we all be sealed for a good year - a year full only good healthy, happiness and all the good things that we need.

Current Mood: thoughtful

Getting there!
Spiritual accomplishment (wish there were more): a couple of shiurim (classes) & halachos (laws) learned this week
Gashmiyus (physical) accomplishment: vegetable soup, honey cake, chicken done. Gefilte fish & fish head cooking.
Bought: beet salad, pomegranate, sabra, ugli fruit.
To do today: leek latkes, clean, clean, clean, maybe buy boys new shirts....and hopefully, if stress allows, some tzimmes (carrot salad) & maybe even challah.
Happy Jewish New Year!

This week at the K House
Lately we've heard some sad news, so it's good to have simchos B"H. Today I decided to be late for work (= not being paid for time lost) to attend a cousin's baby's bris, even though we don't keep in touch. I'm so happy I went - hope we continue to only share in happy events!
I made a honey cake yesterday and today I just put up a big pot of vegetable soup. So I'm on my way to Rosh Hashana. :) I just recalled how last year I had several special fruits for Rosh Hashana night and how we said that could have almost been a whole meal. *IF* I have no guests, I may seriously consider that for one meal. Maybe with challah & chumus. :)
On a side note, at least 2 people mentioned I lost *so* much weight. Sadly, I admit I gained about 5 pounds over the summer when I wasn't watching myself (and eating like a pig). I'm glad other people don't notice. Unless they just think I look different & can't pinpoint why. Not LOL. As of yesterday I'm back on a diet. I really have to write it down so I'll be better. Had a bagel with lox today from bris, but I think if I eat healthy otherwise, it should be *that* bad.
Hope all is well with everyone else!

Current Mood: happy

Frustrated!!
The house is absolutely upside down! D did a floor stripping/waxing while we were gone and had to move furniture, so there is loads of books on the living room table (which is the table we use - no kitchen table). Then the "play"/extra room is full of books and magazines that we brought back from the country, including tons we bought there (used). I mean LITERALLY TONS. And did I mention we may have a new "boarder" (girl coming from Russia) moving in there THIS Sunday?? Right now her room has no room to move in, let alone move INTO! On top of that, I am not fully unpacked, the house isn't cleaned and I have three children age 5 and under?!? (At least tomorrow 2 will be in school...) Do I sound overwhelmed?!?
NO! Not at all.
Just kidding. I am. I will definitely try to get cleaning help for Sunday. Maybe even Friday. Will see. WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw. I was not born to clean and organize.

Current Mood: aggravated

Back to Life
Today I had orientation for my work.
Tomorrow Yitzy starts Pre-1-A!! He goes on the big school bus! Unfortunately, I don't know what time it's supposed to come! Someone suggested I wait outside from 8 or 8:15 AM and see. So...I guess we'll be outside 8 until 8:45, waiting -- hopefully not that long!!
Avigdor's orientation for Kindergarten (same school as Yitzy now, same Morah that Yitzy had last year) tomorrow. At least it's at 10:00, so if I do end up waiting for Yitzy's bus until late, I still have time to get to the school myself. (Now if only I drove I could drive all of us there and not have to worry, but whatever!! No license = less convenience).
I start work Monday. Technically I could start tomorrow, but with only orientation going on at the school I work in, it doesn't pay to start. (Well, they do pay, it just doesn't make sense!) So I have another couple of days to try and organize/unpack/clean this MESS!!!!!!!!!!!

We're baaaaaaaack!
After a wonderful, restful month upstate, we're back home.
We really had a great time. The kids loved playing outside and the only downside was the puddles and loads of laundry. But it was worth it. Unfortunately, we ended up with a 1-bedroom bungalow this summer & FM started waking up @ night and ending up in my bed. I hope we're not goign to need to let her cry it out again to get her back to sleeping well @ night. she is almost 2!!
Yitzy learned to ride a 2-wheeler!
We spent a ton of money on used books and other stuff. Now I have a messy, cluttered house to unpack & organize. But it will happen. Eventually. I hope.
Meanwhile, tomorrow I need to get the boys new shoes & knapsacks.
Tuesday I have orientation for work.
Wednesday I have Avigdor's orientation for kindergarten.
Monday I go back to work!
I need to fit in an appointment for FM this week. She needs a vaccine and I think she has a fungal (diaper) rash. Fun!
All the best!

A Birdy Visitor~
My friend's husband went oversees for a few weeks. She wanted some company, so we stayed over for Shabbos in her downstairs neighbor's empty apartment (they're away, too).
Anyway, Shabbos morning I woke up, came into the study/living room & hear the flapping of a bird's wings!!
Apparently, when Dovid opened the porch door for fresh air the night before, a bird flew in! It must have fallen asleep and in the morning was trying (unsuccessfully) to get out! My friend said that last time someone stayed over that also happened!!
So...with the help of a broom, Dovid "guided" the bird out.
That was quite an adventure. And poor Dovid had some reminder of the bird on his jacket and tie....

Unauthorized OU!
To pass some time today, and pick up some things we need, we went to National Wholesale Liquidators.
I picked up a box of "Veronica Bianca Butter Cookies" for the kids to eat in the car...They were OU and most butter cookies are dairy, so I was glad to find something to buy. I also bought a box of their crackers.
As the kids munch away in the car, I look @ the box and notice not only butter, but also MILK, in the ingredients! So not only is the "D" missing, I wonder if they're trustworthy at all! I do NOT open the crackers, just in case.
I get home and before emailing the OU, I google this company name and what comes up? Several kosher alerts saying they have unauthorized OU and if you spot it, you should call or email the OU (which I did).
For those of you unfamiliar with the kosher agencies, it's against the law for a company to put a kosher symbol on their product, unless given permission by the rabbis who check to make sure it's kosher. SOOOO This is a big problem - especially since they're sold in a (non-Jewish) store many Jews shop in.
I hope they pull them off the shelf before more people make the mistake we made!!

Fact of the Day
The most nutritious fruit is the avocado. It has more than 740 calories per pounds, as much as 22 percent oil. It contains thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin A and up to 2% protein.

Odds & Ends
* I got some fresh fruits & veggies from the Farmers Market today. I ate some yellow squash RAW & it was really good!!

* Donated blood today. I haven't done that in about 6 years.

* I was out of it today. Not from the blood test, but from lack of sleep. FM has decided to start waking up 6:30 again for 2 days and it is taking it's toll on me. I'm cranky & the kids were making me meshuga & I put them all in bed early! Am I bad??

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