Adventures with Accupuncture

So part of my focus for the last year or so (I think we could safely say since January 4, 2009) has been to work on finding ways to reduce my high levels of stress and anxiety. I have tried many things. Some more successful than others. 

Not eating very much=not so helpful

Exercising regularly=helpful

Office drama and politics=not helpful

Trying to find ways to accept that some things are beyond my control via a variety of spiritual practices=helpful

Attending NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) support group for families=helpful

Telling the N-boy "I don't care what you think!" in my attempt to use "I" statements=not helpful

Taking time for my own hobbies=helpful

So in this vein of seeking "things that help" (a very technical process, as you can see) I volunteered to try acupuncture at a recent programming event at work that was part of a larger celebration of all things international. 

This is me and one of my students, both being treated for stress.

Four little needles in our arms and one in each ear.

The jury is still out, however, on the helpfulness of said treatment. The acupuncturist said that it usually takes between six and 12 treatments before it really works. Although it was surprisingly unpainful, I'm not really inclined to get an additional set of treatments right now. But I certainly won't rule it out in the future!

Easter!

Spring has been busy. I've been working on some projects, pictures forthcoming. I've been reading a lot of books, going for lots of walks in the unseasonably early warm weather and spending plenty of time with DH. It's also been busy at work, with lots of politics and drama. Followed by more drama. For an office of seven people, we seem to have an awful lot of drama.

So it was VERY nice to take a long 3 day weekend to relax and celebrate Easter with BabyBrother and the N-boy. In our family, we've stuck with the childhood traditions of all the holidays. Santa still comes with presents and stockings, we still leave out milk and cookies (or at least threaten the Momcat and Daddo that we're going to, thus making them gorge themselves on frosted goodness) and at Easter, the Easter Bunny still hides eggs. 

Therefore this year, the N-boy assisted Mr. Bunny with filling the eggs.

I assisted Mr. Bunny by hiding them. Apparently I'm a bit more creative than Mr. Bunny with my hiding though. Let's just say that BabyBrther was NOT amused by the single egg hidden in my 64 drawer library card catalog. 

Nonetheless, BabyBrother found all 20 eggs that Mr. Bunny hid. 

Note that I know there were 20 exactly. After the year that Daddo not only hid the eggs so well that even he couldn't find them all, but also couldn't remember how many eggs he hid, there has been strictly enforced "counting of the eggs" before any hiding occurs. 

BabyBrother also enjoyed his Easter basket full of candy and beer. And yes, he is 21. 

Other than Easter festivities we didn't do a whole lot. I went to a couple of church services, we went to the Farmer's Market. We constantly fed BabyBrother and made sure he got lots of rest, as he's still recovering from mono. 

We were sad to take him to the train on Sunday, but I think it's safe to say a festive time was had by all. 

27th Birthday Bash!

So I'm a bit behind, but the N-boy and I celebrated my 27th birthday back in February. This was a hard birthday for me this year, as it just reminded me that he was absent last year for that day. But we got through it and the N-boy went above and beyond to show me how much he loves me and to make sure I had a special b-day celebration!

First, he made me a cake shaped like a cupcake using the festive pan the parentals got me for the same birthday. 

So pink and festive!

His most thoughtful present was a hockey puck from the tournament we went to over Christmas break. He went to the Hockey office on campus and got them to give him the puck AND to have two of my star international students sign it!! 

It was a wonderful birthday, and best of all was that he was healthy and here to celebrate it with me this year!

Birthday Party!

Last weekend the N-boy and I headed to my cousin's child's 3rd birthday party. I think that makes the child (little K) my second cousin? Or first cousin once removed? Hmmm... 

Anyway, this year the theme was construction equipment! Little-K LOVES trucks and construction equipment of any kind. 

Here's little-K and his dad opening our present! We included a festive balloon with construction trucks on it!

There was also a festive cake.

Little-K seemed to have a great time at his party. 

Although we had to dry his socks off after he ran out into the snow without his boots on.

Aren't little kid socks just the cutest!

The N-boy clearly had a good time, despite comments from my uncle and cousin that he looked like one of the village people!

 

Well not so much here.

It was great the that N-boy was able to go with me; we both were very happy to be there to celebrate with family.

Moving into March!

Well February was pretty much a bust for crafting and blogging of any kind. However, I made LOTS of progress on the health and fitness front and worked out EVERY day in February. Some days that was just a short 20 minute walk on Floyd (the treadmill!), but I'm also now onto week 6 of the c25k program! Woohoo!

I did, however, have a great time at an evening crop with one of my friends, and got three more pages done in the wedding scrapbook!

In March, though, I'd like to be a little more balanced with the things that I'm working on in 2010. So, with that in mind, here's the March list!

1. Work out for at least 1250 minutes.

2. Write 12 Blog entries.

3. Finish piecing Crown Jewel top.

4. Get John Flynn set up and practice 1 piece.

5. Write Grandpa 4 letters, write 4 other letters.

6. Read 10 books and track them.

7. Attend Mass 2 times.

8. Do Kelly's Missions each week.

9. Attend NAMI support group 2 times.

10. Decide on bedroom paint color and furniture.

11. Lay out garden on graph paper.

12. Scrapbook 5 pages

February wrap up

February Goals
1. Work out 16 times: Worked out 28 times!
2. Write 10 blog entries: Only 2 here....
3. Finish piecing Crown Jewel top
4. John Flynn Practice pieces
5. Write 4 Grandpa Letters and 4 Other letters: 2 Grandpa, 2 others
6. Read 5 books and track them on the log: Done done done!
7. Attend mass 2 times: 1 time done
8. Flylady February: Shine Sink and Declutter 15 minutes a Day: Sink went very well, decluttering, still working on it
9. Attend NAMI support group 2 times: attended 1 time
10. Decide on a paint color and look at bedroom sets: Not so much... DH has been hard to pin down to go do this!!!
11. Decide on garden location and size. Done!
12. Scrapbook 5 pages: 3 done


2010 Goals
1. Run a 5k
---Sunburst 5k on June 6??
2. Post 125 blog entries: 7 done
3. Piece the following projects:
-Mystery quilt
- Teacup quilt
- Challenge quilt 2
-Valentine's Day foundation piecing: Done!
-Limeade
-Over the Rainbow
-Six more projects!!!
4. Quilt the following projects:
-Cat practice panel
-Serenity
- Freddy's quilt
-Challenge quilt 1
-Valentine's Day quilt: Done!
-Teacup quilt
5. Write Grandpa 1 time a week, and write 52 other letters to people: Grandpa-3 Other-4
6. Keep a book log of books read (I've always wanted to do this. This is the year!!) Total Read in 2010: 14
7. Attend Mass/church 25 times: 3 times
8. Control Journal/Flylady
9 Attend NAMI support group 20 times: 3 Times
10. Redecorate one room in the house
11. Plant a garden
12. Scrapbook 50 pages: 14 done

A Review of January and February Goals

Well this blog is getting posted a little later than anticipated, but I figure better late than never. It's been busy here, with my new supervisor starting at work, some winter weather and my birthday! 

Here's how I did in January:
January Goals:
1-Work out twelve times: 6 done
2-12 blog entries: 5 done3-Finish valentines quilt: Done!
4-John Flynn practice and cat panel
5-Write Grandpa four letters, and write four other letters: Grandpa: 1 Other: 2
6-Start the book log:Done! I'm trying an excel format in Google Docs
7-Attend Mass 2 times: 2 done
8-Revamp Control Journal and Routines
9-Attend support group 2 times: 1 done
10-Declutter the bedroom and get paint/furniture ideas: Done!
11-Step by step plan for the garden
12-Scrapbook 5 pages: 11 Done!


Here's my plan for February:

February Goals
1. Work out 16 times: 10 done!
2. Write 10 blog entries
3. Finish piecing Crown Jewel top
4. John Flynn Practice pieces
5. Write 4 Grandpa Letters and 4 Other letters
6. Read 5 books and track them on the log
7. Attend mass 2 times
8. Flylady February: Shine Sink and Declutter 15 minutes a Day
9. Attend NAMI support group 2 times
10. Decide on a paint color and look at bedroom sets
11. Decide on garden location and size. 
12. Scrapbook 5 pages


2010 Goals
1. Run a 5k
---Sunburst 5k on June 6??
2. Post 125 blog entries: 5 done
3. Piece the following projects:
-Mystery quilt
- Teacup quilt
- Challenge quilt 2
-Valentine's Day foundation piecing: Done!
-Limeade
-Over the Rainbow
-Six more projects!!!
4. Quilt the following projects:
-Cat practice panel
-Serenity
- Freddy's quilt
-Challenge quilt 1
-Valentine's Day quilt: Done!
-Teacup quilt
5. Write Grandpa 1 time a week, and write 52 other letters to people: Grandpa-1 Other-2
6. Keep a book log of books read (I've always wanted to do this. This is the year!!) Total Read in 2010: 4
7. Attend Mass/church 25 times: 2 times
8. Control Journal/Flylady
9 Attend NAMI support group 20 times: 2 Times
10. Redecorate one room in the house
11. Plant a garden
12. Scrapbook 50 pages: 11 done