CVIG primary immune , I.V.gamma globulin

Tomorrow 8 a.m. the second infusion will begin. It will be 6 hours out of the day.  Blessing flow in this difficult process. Up until three days ago I was like my old active self. When the gamma globulin wore off it was very noticeable to say the least. So the therapy is working. Bummer just for the IV.
I have found very little on line on this journey so I will try to take some images along the way. With low IgA levels there is a greater risk of anaphylactic shock. I may or may not be able to document the process. It is my hope however to encourage others. The first one was well I do not remember much. Tomorrow the numbing ointment should help with the pain in insertion of the large bore IV. Sorta hurts a lot to start.
I sure would appreciate your prayers. Last time I vomited and slept through it or was drugged through it. If I sleep I need to use the CPAP mask you can imagine I really do not want to loose my cookies in a mask. my hope is for first stick with no complications. We have IV anti nausea meds that were used last time. This time I will not tell her just a moment I dont want anymore. It was not even two minutes later that I heaved. So I will do my best not to neglect it no matter how stoned I may feel. We are going to try to avoid the benidryl this time. I has benefits though that are important regarding allergic reactions to the globulin.

I know who holds me in HIS hand and I practice courage. Pray for my nurse Ashly, that I might make a positive difference in her life. It is my desire to bless her. Pray for the kids they will be at their Aunts all day starting 7:30 yikes I hope we can wake them up. Pray for my sister that she will have the stamina to enjoy the high energy of the kids. That she will have insight to respond according to their abilities. It is so easy to forget that Dove is special needs. Sweet Dash got hurt TWO times today both accidents both forgiven, both times Dove was heart broken she hurt him. I am teaching her to stand up to the fight flight thing and just to speak up. I was harsh with her when the boy got hurt again. A bloody lip. I just sent her to her room before the investigation and it really hurt her feelings. Tomorrow I trust them to GOD and to the hands of another.

See you all on the flip side.
Thanks for your prayers and rejoicing over this amazing chance at a life of health.

post scrip...slept most of the time. The anti-nausea meds make me very sleepy. It went well.

Fearless Friday Preparing fot the first day of school

Getting ready for school.

join us over here at

free spirit haven

Please let me know in comments if your longing for intercession.

Standing in the gap

 Because the Lord God did not find anyone to "stand in the gap," to intercede for the land, He was requited to pour out the judgment due its disobedience.    

                    Ezekiel 22:30-31

Sounds real rash doesn't it

The very first assignment every school year is to write a paper on 

What I did on my summer vacation.

Dash was grumbling over a boring summer. Well an idea came to mind so it was walked threw.

Calling the kids into the kitchen they were each handed writing supplies. Week by week we went over the calender for the summer months. Each child made the bullet point to remind them. The process was two fold. One they were reminded that summer was really not so boring after all. That the grumbling was not about the summer but about going back to school. We went week by week page by page until all the things we did were made note of. Each kid making their own personal list. Then they were placed in page protectors so they would not get lost easily.  Placed in the back packs ready for the first assignment when every kid is wide eyed with the startling new room, kids and teacher. This gives them focus. It also impresses the teacher. First impressions really do matter.

EVERYTHING MATTERS

Then they were each handed the letters from the teachers that introduced them. Each kid read aloud the letter. They spoke of how cool Dash's new teacher would be. Dove was thrilled to see that this is the year she will get to go to science camp. Do you see it playing out :)

I had each of them go get their back packs.  Dove received hers as a birthday gift. It was a thrill to have it. Now Dash got a VERY nice pack at Costco for only $15 this is a $45 pack at least. Very padded and well made. Dash then recalled how uncomfortable his last years pack was.There it began the exchange of gratitude for murmuring.

Then they each were to look at the supply lists on the letter.

Dove began a bit of a panicked look. "Mom what about the supplies?"

I told them I had a surprise for each of them.

Then I pulled out the supplies found at a Walgreens last week (only $33 spent and $25 savings)  purchased last week.

Each kid took a turn reading off the list and I pulled out the item. I had already separated them when I got them home. I hid them so they never knew they had been purchased. Kept them from getting scattered.

Each kid then given a perma-marker to place their name or initials on each and every item. This not only stops argumentative scuffles but helps the kids not to have the supplies pilfered by other kids. Trust me this happens more than once. Often when volunteering at the school fights would start over something so trivial. This is a preventive measure serving many levels.

With all in piles and marked they each had the joy of packing it all up for school. It begins in 5 days. With the infusion tomorrow it seemed a good time to establish a bit of security. No better security for a school kid than to have all their needs at the ready on the first day of school.

Now the knowledge of what is missing and yet to be acquired.

• zippered pencil bag for Dove
• lunch totes
• scissors for Dove

• They will each make a list of their favorite things to pack for lunch.

Now the first day of school is not so scary it is 

FEARLESS!


“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel


I remember all of the people who prayed for me; taught me; corrected me; and most important, encouraged me. You see, I am a product of those people who took time for me. They stood in the gap for me and for a whole lot of other people. Now it is my time to stand in the gap for others.

Thankful Thursday

 Monday's battle over the 'bad guys' with Dash.

Addressing the RAD is a challenge.

Simply playing army with him really helped him calm.

Good morning!

Wow yesterday was a day! 

After taking the kids school shopping on Monday from 10am-5pm then a special needs neighbor kid over night. Tuesday evening after supper every cell in my body just ached for rest.

Yesterday(Wednesday) NO energy.

Tuesday night  I woke up in an asthma attack bummer...My next infusion is Saturday so it is wearing off. This morning however I do have some strength a lot better than yesterday. I slept almost all night with the cpap on Ya that is hard to accomplish with that mask on my face.  Dressed upon waking this morning and even hosed off the front porch and swept the rocks off the path. Feels real good. Just have to pace myself. I so hope it last longer today. Kids are yet asleep. Nice quiet morning and the dishwasher is hummin'. Dogs are at rest after I gave them an apple halved. They do love that. Besides the stink (they need a bath) it is really nice to have then in. The old girl, my golden she has a hard time yet getting through the dog door unless you tap the opening for her. Our lab  leads her in or shows her out. It is really sweet. Just wish he smelled sweeter. With nice clothing on and little reserved energy I am hesitant to start a dog bath on him. Just don't know if it will spend me. The day is so new I want the feeling to last.

Today Today I am thankful for today.
(Hours later)

My little darlings are feed french toast, a better friend was made in a sibling, Good foods offered mine own body. This is the work of my hands I find satisfaction in it. My day is enjoyable and peaceful and the kids play and enjoy the few days they have left here at home all day. School begins soon.

Well peaceful till they got carried away in the other room with a pillow fight. Dove is with sensory integration stuff unable to tell when she is over exerting her strength she does not get that she is going over board and brother always gets hurt. He was falling off the bed and she did not hear him ask for help. He hit his head. Dove is mortified that she hurt him, Dash is mad and angry and blaming. So the day goes on. When he calms he remembers her heart is not full of mean and remembers that she did not mean him any harm in any way.

Dash I say "I am sorry you got hurt"
He said " she did it on purpose it was her stupid moronic ridiculous stupid idea to play!"
I reminded him "I am sorry your hurt, right now your angry cause you lost out on the fun you two were having and now your blaming...cause that's what you do..."


Dove did you hear him asking for help? "no mom" She is sad and tries to give Dash an ice pack and he throws an army guy at her.
He refused any comfort. I tell him son your rejecting the very thing you want. You want to have attention and yet your pushing it away. I will not get angry because I know you want me to get angry at you so you can feel punished. I will not buy into it. If you want to be angry be angry I will not get angry with you.

She said "he threw it and I don't care if he did"...to which I say
"Well Dove you do care that he did or it would of not upset you. You are pushing it down inside and not owning how bad you feel about the accident and how upset you are that when you tried to amend then he threw the guy. You must learn to own it and never stuff it down inside."
"OK mom"
She nods her head in agreement. Smiles hidden hurts bubble up and she smiles in relief of the exhale.


Five minutes latter...
Dash is no longer angry. Invites me to watch a movie. "I will not watch a movie with you until after your able to have peace with your sister"


They are once again playing with abandon while watching a movie. I was invited to watch with him now there is peace so off I go. I think it is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Man I wish I had some candy now :) ha

Ecclesiates

^{2: 24} A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, ²⁵ for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? ²⁶ To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

^{Ecclesiates 3:} 

²² So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

^{Ecclesiates 12:13}

  Now all has been heard;
       here is the conclusion of the matter:
       Fear God and keep his commandments,
       for this is the whole duty of man.

 ¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
       including every hidden thing,
       whether it is good or evil.

Save on shopping for school clothes

With this little idea we saved not only $$$ but a lot of grief and frustration shopping.

The kids were told to look through some fliers from the Sunday paper. They were told about discovering their own look and as long as it was appropriate I had no issue with it . They were also told that I wanted for them to begin thinking about who they are , how they wanted to express their sense of self. You see many many a adolescent/teenager will struggle and grate against a parent simply because they must do this. So without the battle and offering the experience I pick my battles and they feel very confident by achieving a mission. This not only for the sense of self but also the mission ending in accomplishment. Mind you we did not purchase these images at these prices.
However we had a base line. The t shirt  of 14.99 was found for 6.99 by hitting the clearance racks first!
Now you must know that in this image she shared what she liked and I told her MY boundaries about and why I felt that way. I listened to her opinion and we opted for a compromise. We found a shirt and the 2nd stop (Burlington coat factory) a shirt  $9.99.
The boots NO WAY SAY I, why they are not age appropriate and they look hoochy. Not the image you wound want to display if you want to be respected. The leg warmer I have no issue with. Those pants limit NO WaY ON this earth will I pay for a new pair of jeans all torn up. Might as well use an old pair and do that however you will not ware them to school that way. Teachers deserve respect.

We hit a ROSS and did NOT look on the regular racks! We gleaned the clearance and found a t-shirt for $3.99 was was similar. We found some jeans that were on a clearance that were "cool" for 

$9.99. Now you know that she will not carry herself that way.

She was happy.

She felt powerful.

Shoes for Dash were hard he tried and tried ending with a pair of Vans slip on that were checkered. HE LIKED THE IMAGE. 

He felt confident.

We found high tops for Dove and I will tell you she did not let her emote rule her, either one of them did. They had a mission. The retailers had little chance against these two. YA that was my goal.

Budget, Happy kids who learned a skill of mission success= competence= a good feeling about who THEY chose to be.

Tackle it Tuesday *coupons for lead in adds*

Good Morning!

There are so many of you who do amazing community service sharing the news of who has what on sale. Here I'll attempt to share my method.

Perhaps there is something to glean.

On Sunday we visit the Grand parents. While we sit around their kitchen table they gift me with the Sunday newspaper coupons. It is then that I will clip only the items I might purchase. I ONLY clip those items that would be considered a common purchase., NEVER do I bother my self with the clipping of the things that are not a normal thing to buy. Now this does matter for if we touch it, it is 80% sure it will be purchased. This is the same as when you are in the store. Make it a habit to NEVER handle things unless you intended to purchase or your checking the ingredients. Teach your children this too. Teach them about the 'snakes in the grass' when they are young. They will be wise and even critical of the attempts made by the advertisers. Advertisers KNOW that this is a physiological response that is why packaging is so textual visually and tactically. If there are any lead in add pages the coupons will be matched and stapled to the add. Then all of the stores are separated. Now there are unique times of the year to make certain purchases. NOW is the time to replenish any underwear for the kids or yourself for that matter.

Also foods associated with kids back to school. Now my kids only like one or two cereals. They have been taught to be critical of the ingredients and if it is a 'desert' it is not breakfast. They know to fuel their bodies appropriately this was intentionally taught. If by chance a sweet cereal is purchased it is only eaten at breakfast like a desert after the main meal.

Then I take the grocery add 'lead in' adds and glean them for ONLY the items we normally use. Or those that are similar that there may be a coupon for.Rarely do I purchase anything not on a lead in add or in the clearance section unless I have too.

My list is then color coded per store and filled in like wise When the list is made the items are noted in cost and if a coupon is in hand. It will also be noted it double coupons apply. When purchased I know it is the best value I can get.
I normally pay no more than HALF price for groceries. Note also I glean the clearance racks, and the meat section. With a deep freezer meat is purchased in bulk if on a sale. If on date line beef is fine to purchase on date then promptly used or frozen. Beef is particularly good to do this for aged beef is a better beef. I never do this unless same day cooking for chicken that is a whole different story.

I hope this helps someone. It sure has help keep my homemaking days free of outside employment for 25 years now.

A study in Socialism

An  economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never  failed a single student before,
but had once failed an entire  class.
That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that  no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The  professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on  Obama's plan".
All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive  the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A...
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied  little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who  studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided  they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test  average was a D!

No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled  around, the average was an F..

The scores never increased as  bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one  would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great  surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately  fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but  when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to  succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that.

Remember, there is a mid-term election in  2010!

Meal Plan Monday

Good Morning!

Well the 'big board' is up and running another week here.

This is my brain on the wall,suppose you could call it a 'fly on the wall ' as well.

This is central station where we are all kept on the same page.

Order in the mind can become complicated and distract from the very efforts put forth.

I hope you dance today it is the spice of life

Pencils are sharpened for school begins next week.

This is prep for the pickles.

Purchased by the gallon for $5. 

Now this jar is broken down like so, the two smaller jars are relish.

This is not for the pantry (they are not processed or canned ) however just refer cut.

Those onion harvested from the fellow off Creigs list.

Cut in dice for the weeks menu, bell pepper as well.

Gee is in the other.

A wonderful dish was made here.

Turmeric Corn

Saute' onion in olive oil till tender, add peppers (adente'),then corn with the turmeric.

Now gently pan fry. We had it with BBQ steak over the weekend.

Prep work is essential in any professional kitchen. This kitchen 3x7 meals at least each week. Home cooked almost all by scratch. That is professional cooking folks.

Think of it.

The profession of homemaker is a high paying wage of its own.

Skills only serve you to gain and refine.

Doing it well beats any eat out unless your palls with Chef Ramsey. 

Working in a kitchen job from hell.

Yukon baked in glass. Just wash no foil needed to bake them and the moisture stays in.

These are for the week. Used in meal, as a snack cold or diced at breakfast sauteed with peppers and onion some diced green onions for color.

Roasted garlic as a spread for toasted begets with tomato basil and Parmesan cheese.

Roasted large pearl onion for meals.

See the new clear canisters they were on a table at curbside for free.

I thanked the neighbor when dash and I went for a walk.

The far right one...I had it in the pantry it is the same as the others.

Red lidded prepped foods and left overs.

All in one place in the refer.

Now uniform size containers work best for good space savers.

Enjoy the meal making by less to do when the day is worn as well as you own self tired.