Having a Plan ...

Uber busy day.  Baby cakes this AM .. and leaving just past noon to pick up Nathan; he needs an official evaluation for his disability case as he transitions to adult services.  Yesterday .. much the same with stopping in to get him on the 'list' for vocational rehabilitation for when he turns 21 in three years (that's how long it takes to get services at the proper age).  Stopped at the pediatrician's office as well to get his annual physical scheduled before he turns 18 and I'm no longer his parent authority.  That means we are also timing the process of guardianship so when his birthday arrives he's in line for legal services to hear his case before the court so we can obtain legal guardianship.  As a parent you really need to stay on top of this, and timing is everything.  Oh my, prayers appreciated that no major medical event arises between now and the court hearing.  My mind is spinning!   The HIPPA law has certainly confounded being the parent of a handicapped child transitioning into adulthood! 

Orange and Wild

Well, I'll be ... who knew the benefits of using essential oils could be .. well .. so beneficial?

I've been using a few natural essential oils in my home made cleaning products for the past several years.  It's nice to have that spa-like smell wafting through the rooms.  Recently I purchased some food grade oils, in particular wild orange and lavender.  The orange really wakes up my cup of tea or water.  Lavender makes me drift off to sleep more easily when applied to my pillow .. and really conks me out to be honest.  One of the benefits of the orange oil is as a digestive aid (and having anti fungal/anti inflammatory properties). To be more specific .. flatulence reducer.  And boy, do we have a nearly grown boy that really needs some help in this area.  He's had part of his colon and one internal sphincter  removed due to a medical condition (Hirschsprung's Disease).  Let's just say that we are no longer able to board an airplane or offer friends rides in the car with this child.  I have a small air purifier in his bedroom .. to which I've taped a small flap of tissue.  Each night I dab a little lavender and wild orange oil on the paper and it flutters in the breeze of the fan.  It's one way to 'take' the oil .. through breathing.  His room smells wonderful too.  A small drop in his water glass each morning of the orange oil is taken internally.  It's only been a week using the orange oil and this is what I've noticed.  1) 95% flatulence free ...2) No stench from his room.  3) No 'accidents' in his pull ups (yes .. due to surgery he wears them .. although he uses the toilet).  Now this is the other wonderful thing I've noticed .. his seborrhea (adult cradle cap) that has plagued him for years is GONE .. as well as excessive ear wax.  I shall report back in a week to 'see' if this miracle of miracles is still true.  No more Mr. Stinky!             Note  Seborrhea is thought to be caused from a fungi/yeast.  It's very difficult to treat in an adult.  We have been using a special dandruff shampoo for Nathan for over a year and it has not even touched the healing properties that the wild orange oil has given.

Country Chronicle

' ..... Nobody really knows when winter begins ..... the leaves fall, so the dazzling color is gone .... Practically speaking, our lives change now.  We are done with salads and mousses and molded desserts.  All those sandwich lunches are forgotten.  We want vegetable soup or Welch Rarebit .. and sometimes stuffed mushrooms for supper ....'   as selectively quoted from, Country Chronicle, by Gladys Taber (1974)

My mother gave me a used book this summer by Gladys Taber.  I had never heard of this author but instantly became kindred spirits with her soulful writing of country life.  There are now five used books of hers in my collection.  I savor reading her books for winter nights while soaking away the cares of the day in a bubble bath.  The fact that she describes with great detail every day 'happenings' that most people fail to notice .. and then gives directions for what she's making for dinner that night .. lovely (smile) ... pure simple comfort .. both book and food.

Today our snow is melting slowly .. still covering much of the yard ..but the roof is drip, drip, dripping .. a mild warm up in the 40F's towards week's end .. maybe I can find my garden to plant to garlic.

Has winter arrived early at your home?