Landslide

I have been kind of obsessing about this song. I guess I am getting old.

Catching up

Dragon 1, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

Taking a moment to say all of the things that have happened lately.

Toby has gotten miraculous eye surgery and has recovered well. He can now see well without glasses and almost perfect with. This is so important and the process has been a great stress for us, and him. He was out of school for several weeks, and getting drops, constant drops. He still gets a few drops a day, but it has an end point and is much less than it was.

I feel myself scratching my head a little about Henry. His concentration seems to have waned the last few weeks and we can’t put our fingers on what is going on. We will try hyperbaric again, and redouble our efforts with supplements, and try to make a plan for the future. We have come up with a sort of plan for first grade. We have been visiting schools and trying to find the right fit for him for the next grade. We have found that none of the schools are going to really fit his academic needs at this age. I think we are going to keep him in Waldorf school and begin academic tutoring for reading, math, and science.

We have begun the process of looking for a new home, and thinking about what we want in a home. We have started the adventure of finding the perfect home for our future, our final home. We now have a much better understanding of what our family is going to look like and what we want in a space. We found and lost one home in the search so far, but that is how these things go.

I have gotten an early Christmas present – a treadmill desk for work. As I type this, I am walking. I have walked roughly 10.5 miles today. It took a few days for my leg muscles to get used to these long hikes, but everything feels good now, and I feel productive on multiple levels at the office. I really believe that it is helping me think.

It has been a year since my mom died. This is a new landmark to watch every year. I miss her and wish I could call her. She died frustrated with her cancer and dying with nothing to do about it. She worked hard to put her mind at rest, but it was so frustrating for her, and sad for us.

Finally posting

weekend4, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

I feel like I am coming out of a slump. I am getting more comfortable, little by little. I has taken me longer than most to grow into my adult parent role. This means doing well for my family and keeping my soul. Not slacking and finding time for the things that matter. This is sort of a matter of being ready for anything. Prepared for any situation (from the suburbs to the alley, to the woods). I feel a bit of it all and don't feel totally comfortable with situations.

I am learning to keep my cool and be an active parent. I have new rules: no yelling (get closer and engage). Don't complain, just take care of it. Don't sit down much. Stay one step ahead. Jump on the grenades, especially because they are not real grenades, just things that need action.

Toby is turning three, and that means a busy week of celebration. Birthday, Tampa trip, then friend birthday party. Yeah for Toby. It should be a fun few days.

The first phase of the house project is getting close to being finished. It is super over budget and late, but I think the rooms look good. We will be happy with the final outcome, but how long and how much will this whole project take?

I can't believe he is 3 already

bday flyer, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

Going back to eating

Tomorrow I will start eating again. This has become a four day juice fast. I miss the flavors of food. I was suppose to go longer, but I think I have done what I can for now.

There is something in this and I am looking toward using this in moderation as sort of a diet. Maybe two days a week, I will come back to juice fasting. The idea is to get my food addiction under control. Small meals, and no snacking.

I think this is the plan I will try: On weekdays that I don't go to the gym, I will drink green juice for breakfast and skip the rest of my meals. At least until I feel like I really do have this eating thing under control. I eat as stress relief, and that just isn't right. Gotta get healthy.

Besides that, the new bedroom is coming along. I can see the rooms now, and how it will all feel in the end. It is going to be great to have that space. I am thinking about all of the other projects, and feeling pretty good about what we are doing.

Going Fast

It has begun. I am juice fasting. The plan is to juice fast for five days and assess. I may stop there or I may keep going with the fast for ten days. I might change to a water fast after five days. The goal is to reset, detox, and lose a few pounds. I have adjusted my life for more exercise and I am losing weight slowly, but not so much in the belly. I have a bit of a food addiction and hopefully the fast will cure it. I need to fit better in my clothes. I do not want to buy bigger clothes. I want to fit back into my smaller clothes. I won't weigh myself for  a few days to determine how it is going. No matter how it ends, the plan is to work juice fasting into my regular life, maybe 1 week a month.

Had a nice calm weekend with the kids. Virginia was gone most of Saturday and Sunday, and we didn't do much. The kids helped me clean.

Work is ongoing with the house. I am wondering if we shouldn't be getting the next project under way, and settle some design questions.

The vacation was very relaxing. I feel like I don't want to take a relaxing trip for a long time. I got it out of my system. There was a fun jaunt to the Tulum ruins. This was a nice bit if hiking around, and I felt strong, like the miles of walking and jogging and running are paying off.

A few photos from a short trip

It is great to be home.

be back soon

On a cruise ship headed to Mexico. This should be good. No stress for a few days. By the end of it this gaudy scene will seem normal. Maybe this is a good style for the living room.

Is this thing on?

I just noticed how long it has actually been since I posted on here. I haven't forgotten about it, just pure neglect. I am too busy, I suppose.

There is no going back, just looking ahead. Life is chunked right now. I thinking about things in waves and work in fits. It is just how it is. I have been working to not be idle and to reward myself by setting up idle time. Tonight is drink wine and watch a movie night. I don't know what is going on this weekend. Maybe we can have some fun and get a few things done. I would like to work outside. We are having a little flea problem, and silently I am blaming all of the leave and branches around for the problem.

I leave on Thursday on a cruise to Mexico. I am looking forward to some relaxation. I don't think I have ever gone on a relaxation trip. The entire goal is to get away from everything and relax. I have never wanted that, and didn't really look forward to it until the tickets were purchased. Now, I can't wait. Work stress, kid stress, life stress, all on hold.

I convinced an old friend to move to Gainesville. I hope that is not a mistake. What else was he going to do?

I am listening to this book on CD called the Happiness Advantage,  and I am really trying to keep things light and positive, but sometimes.

The weekend has begun. It is time to get started.

No time for revolution, just execution

Science Saturday, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

Autism conference coming up and we have to get ready. Stressing about work things. Stressing about home things. Getting some fresh produce today. What to do for Henry's birthday? Planning to see a friend in Orlando, sounds good right. Listening to music that I used to not like to see if I like it now, but why would I? Why am I doing half the things I find myself doing? I really have to step it up. My game is weak today. What has gotten into me today?

Put a bird on it

Morning Meadow, by Jenny H, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

Another weekend, still not posting too much. What about the new year and all of that. Things are going good. Feeling like change is afoot. The new Bret works hard all the time, and thinks in short intervals to make sure he doesn't stall out (How long have I been doing this? How long until I am done? What's next?). The new Bret does not put things off, unless there is a good reason like a movie to watch. The new Bret has fun with it, no matter what it is. Sounds good, I will go with that.