So Far...

Hello Friends!

  As we are coming up on a year since my sister's death, I realized that I've learned a lot of life lessons that are, perhaps, beyond my years.  I love that I've learned them, I'm not thrilled that I've had to travel this road, necessarily, but the picture of my life has painted itself beautifully in front of me.  The valleys have been deep.  The peaks have been astonishing.  The day to day is enchanting, despite the routine of life... I'm seeking to live intentionally and fully.  So... without further ado... some of my life lessons... so far.


* Never accept a brownie when the person offering is grinning ear to ear. Just trust me on this one.

* If we live in fear of the storm, we will miss out on the aftermath.  Even the aftermath can be horrendous,
   but if we have faith and patience and wait to see the outcome, it will be better than we could have imagined. 
   So, link arms with your loved ones and forge through the storm. It is worth it.


* That obstacle that seems insurmountable might just be the starting block for something big.

* Asking for and receiving help doesn't hurt.  People who offer to help truly want to. (When the twins were
   babies,  I had to put aside the notion that I could do it all.  Learning to accept help graciously was a huge
   life lesson for me.  I've never not been the mom of kids with special medical needs.  Sometimes, things    come up.  God has blessed me many times along our journey, bringing people into my life who understand some of  the challenges we face, as well as people who know that sometimes, sending people who can ignore some of the crazy sh*t my kids do, is exactly what I need to feel that I have a sense of belonging within a community.  I'm grateful beyond words for these relationships, as well as for the help.)

* Relationships Matter More.  (more than things, more than stuff, more than emotions, more than logic. Relationships matter more.)

* Some people need to cause drama.  My reaction to the drama (you know... THAT reaction...) can perpetuate the drama, a most unintended consequence, to be certain.  I've learned that breathing through it
helps a lot.  My over-reaction can cause as much drama as the original drama.  Also, my calling out drama can be the start of an overly dramatic situation that can be entirely avoided.  Walking away from an emotionally-charged drama-rama situation is the best thing one can do for themselves.

* It is OK to be afraid of some things.  A healthy fear of damaging things or circumstances never hurt anyone... and has, in fact, protected people.  I'm not talking about an un-Biblical all-consuming fear that keeps you awake at night... I'm talking about those little things that you just don't like... Admitting my fears, saying them out loud, has always been embarrassing to me.  Because, frankly, I'm not afraid of the big stuff.  I try not to be a worry-er, so the big stuff will all work out in the end.  The little stuff, though... a little embarrassing.  BUT - NO MORE!  My name is Jennifer Therese Hansen Zahm and I am afraid of splinters, snakes, the ball, hockey pucks and flash floods.  And  - I. OWN. IT.  (a few things for you to peruse - in case you don't share these fears - Livestrong article about getting hit by baseball  This is what can happen at a basketball game Just putting it out there - It can happen!  And... OH MY GOODNESS... I am going to spare you from the pictures I just found of splinters... but I have a whole new, healthy fear of them... my fear of splinters has been confirmed as a real fear - Deep Breath....and...exhale)

* It doesn't matter what other people think.  You've got to do what is best for you, your family and your situation.  It doesn't matter if it doesn't look like what everyone else is doing.  Doing your own thing can be scary enough without naysayers... Move ahead, do what you know to be right for you.

* Encourage your kids to explore and think for themselves.  Alone and with peers. (ERMAH GERD - HOMESCHOOLERS HAVE FRIENDS?!?!)

* Don't spend so much time worrying.  It doesn't do any good.  If that worst case scenario in your head actually comes to pass, you've had to live it twice.  Trust me, once is enough.

* Smile.  It probably isn't that serious.  And if it is, then smiling will help you feel better anyhow.

* Get enough sleep.

* Say 'no' to your kids... it won't hurt them and it will teach them good life lessons.

* Follow your dreams.   Don't let others tell you your dreams are "good" or "bad".

* Let your kids pick out their own clothes.

* Let your kids pick out your clothes.

* Play in the dirt.  Let your kids play in the dirt. Getting dirty never hurt anyone.

  

* Don't take people for granted.

* Love, above all else.

* You don't have to agree with everyone.  Not everyone has to agree with you.

* Allow a certain amount of stupidity in others.  They might think you're stupid, too... and you'd like them to extend the same courtesy.

* Be kind at kids' sporting events.  They're kids.  Let them have fun.

* Let your kids be who they are.  Even if it is weird and kind of smelly sometimes.

* Tell those you love that you love them, even if they're getting under your skin, aggravating you and annoying you.  "I love you." were my last words to my sister the night before she died and I'm so thankful that I said it.  Never regret saying it.

* Laugh at yourself.

Well - Hello Friends!!!!

  It has been a while since I've posted.  I've been terrified of the new Blogger interface, and the jury is still out as to whether or not I can stand the change.  We shall see if I can manage! :)  So far, it looks a lot different and I'm a little scared!

  Needless to say, there is always a lot going on around the (Funny) Farm!  We've been especially busy the past few months and heading into planting season, (and... UGH... baseball season...more on that later!), the busy-ness will just continue.

  I didn't post anything on the blog about our Doggy drama, but, our dear, sweet Lyla (Jonah's service dog) had quite the health scare to close out 2011 and we rang in 2012 with a couple thousand dollars in vet bills! (Ahhh, Thank you, Lord, for your provision!)  On Christmas day, I was brushing Lyla and found a lump on her back.  It was a hard little nodule, barely the size of a pencil eraser.  Being a Golden Retriever, I knew they are prone to a certain kind of tumor so I got her in to the vet immediately when they opened after the holiday.  Sure enough, it ended up being a Mast Cell Tumor.  So, the vet wanted to get her in the next morning first thing for surgery.  AYE!  What a whirlwind that was!  Poor Lyla did not know what hit her... She felt fine and then - BOOM - not so much.  I'll spare you the long, drawn out story.  I'll spare you the painful puppy in pain pics.  I'll even spare you the more than a little funny- even - though - I - felt - a - little - guilty - for - laughing photos of her in the cone of shame.  Facebook friends... you got to see them all.  But I will say that over the course of the next few weeks, she endured another surgery and more indignity from being a Beautiful Golden with a large bald spot on her back and it took some time to get her back to work full time, but we got an "all clear" from the histiopathology report - the vet got the entire tumor.  We need to keep an eye out for more tumors, but "La" is in the clear and back to work!

  Lyla also has a new buddy!  We got Daniel a puppy this week.  He is the sweetest, most adorable little thing.  I'm working with a friend who is an experienced dog trainer.  We're working on training him as a service dog.  He's a little dog (Mini-Doxie), and if he works out at seizure response, Daniel will have a buddy like Lyla.  More likely, however (mostly because Daniel has seizures so rarely, his last one was over 14 months ago), puppy will work as a therapy dog.  We're looking to get back to the nursing home with a pooch and this little guy will hopefully work out well for that!  So, without further ado,  meet "Neil" - Neil is 7 weeks old today and a sweet little buddy for Daniel. (And I will say that "Neil" as a name is growing on me but the blatant disregard for not following the "i before e" rule is really messing with me. Sigh.)

   Isn't he adorable?  So, at his tender age, we are working on socialization, exposing him to lots of different sounds and surroundings and keeping up the cuddle time and pottying outside.  I am so proud of Daniel... We've had Neil since Tuesday and in 4 days, this puppy has not had one inside accident (he has a pee pad in his crate, but no accidents on the floor)!  Daniel is doing a great job and Lyla is a great big sister.  Although, in this pic (on the way home from picking up the Puppy), she looks slightly less than thrilled, huh?  :)


     In other news... baseball season has started. ERMAH GERD has it ever started!!!  (see what I did there, Rachel?)  In the last 7 days, the twins have had 7 games and one practice.  We did have Tuesday off, though... (and we used the day to get Neil... time well spent!)  So, getting all of the things done that need to get done around the (Funny) Farm has been a bit tricky... but we use our time creatively.  Papa (my dad) and I got some plumbing done today (REALLY - I did help!!!) - fit that in in between some baking and fixing the chicken coop/run.  Baseball game tonight (today is game #7 on day #7) and I get to spend some time with a friend and her kiddos (while our hubbies go to a political dinner together - Well played, Jen... Well played!)

 Yesterday, I celebrated birthday #29 again.  Had a great day with my family!  I went shopping with Mom in the morning - pricing fixtures for the aforementioned bathroom project.  Then we all went out for lunch (sushi - my favorite!)  Then Hubby took the twins to baseball and the rest of us came home and worked on landscaping and getting the front yard tidied up for Spring.  Looks pretty good - the fence planter (with the crocs) was such a cute idea that a friend shared with me - I had to make one!  Papa helped with the carpentry part (and even finished painting when I was out with Mom yesterday!).  The front yard looks nice again! Always better when the grass turns green & the leaves are on the trees.

     Well, that's it for now!  Gonna get ready for baseball!  :)  Have a great weekend!

The Glorification of Irresponsibility

Hello Friends!

  In processing the unfolding events of Whitney Houston's death, I've found myself increasingly irritated and angry.  I do realize that the following thoughts might be unpopular, but as I travel my grief-journey, I try to be candid in my emotions, no matter how unpopular, raw and even ugly they may be.

  Anyone who is connected to the internet, reading news, tabloids, on Facebook, whatever... has seen, viewed and / or heard about Ms. Houston's passing, her life, her career, her family, her achievements, her downfall, her marriage, who gets the blame for her addictions and a whole bunch of other details that, frankly, I find should be none of anyone's business.  And yet, there it is, strung out (excuse the unfortunate descriptor) for all to see.  This is disturbing on so many levels.

 First... Oh Goodness... her daughter!  Her Family!  They all, of course, knew of the problem, but, having personally been in their shoes, I know there is NOTHING that can be done.  If the addict doesn't want help, there is no helping the addict.  And parading around the hot mess that was Ms. Houston's life in the days, weeks, months, years prior to her death... Putting it out there... "WHY did no one help her?"  How on earth can anyone with a soul put this on that woman's teenaged daughter?  This child grew up with this mess, and, through no fault of her own, is, I'm afraid... in it way too deep to change anything at this point.  I'm not suggesting that she is an addict herself, I have no way of knowing that, but I am saying with 100% certainty that she has lived through hell.  Being the family member of an addict brings all of its own issues to the forefront...codependence, enabling, depression, helplessness, hopelessness and an unbearable fatigue.  I pray that God guides that girl through the coming months and years to be an overcomer, she is going to need Divine help, support from family, friends and guidance to make positive life choices that were not modeled for her.

Next... UGH... WHY on earth is Ms. Houston's negative, self-destructive (and destructive to society) behavior being glorified?  New Jersey - Governor Christie - You're going to have flags lowered to half staff to commemorate the scourge of our day?  For the love of all that is decent... WHY?  Ms. Houston was an amazing singer.  Could it be argued with any contribution she had to society was overshadowed by extremely negative lifestyle choices?  I'm really not one of the folks who thinks that all celebrities have an obligation to be role models.  Many celebrities are, themselves, victims, if you will, of circumstance.  Ms. Houston had an amazing voice. NBA players are gifted with the talent of being exceptional athletes, etc.  Their career choice (or what they fell into, whatever the case may be) does not necessarily dictate that they become positive role models for children everywhere.  Ideally, sure, those in "elevated" positions should exhibit positive behavior, but I don't think that is realistic...they're human.  That said... in all of the broken humanness, why are we elevating and glorifying destructive behavior?  She got attention through her entire adult life, first for her songbird voice, then for her rocky marriage, then for the ugly divorce, then for her messy drug abuse and rehab stints.... Why are "we" (societal "we") continuing to pile on the attention to the negative behavior?

 Last...There are thousands upon thousands of families who are grieving the loss of a loved one because of that loved one's irresponsible choices.  Each high profile drug death sends me into a tailspin.  I can't help but think of the wasted life... Not the life they've lived... but the waste of life that could have been lived.  My sister, My friend's daughter, Sarah, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston... they all SHOULD HAVE HAD YEARS - DECADES of life ahead of them... You see, their lives were valuable. ALL life has value.  The waste is what was yet to be but will never be.   We have GOT to stop glorifying the irresponsibility of negative choices.  I'm not talking conservative vs liberal lifestyle choices - I am talking about self-destruction, societal destruction... behavior that is harmful, hurtful and debilitating to family, friends, loved ones and society in general.  There are real people left behind in the wake of the tragedy... real people who are left to pick up the pieces and go on with life without their loved ones... finding a path for themselves along unfamiliar territory.  Plodding a journey with pieces missing, people missing, people who are supposed to be there to be mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins.  Sometimes the journey is painful.  More often than not, the journey is heart-wrenching and confusing.  The journey just does not make sense.  I can't comprehend this path.  This isn't how it was supposed to be. 

  And the media continues to glorify the destruction...

What does One do To Process (Grief, Winter Blues, etc?)

Hello Friends!

  After Monday's "Oh woe is me" post, it hit me like a ton of bricks that the Winter blues that normally hit me by December held off this year.  The unseasonably warm temperatures allowed me to be outside much more than usual for this time of year, to do work around the (Funny) farm, to walk the dog, to go on hikes...I even took the boys and Papa fishing once or twice before the weather got a little too cold.  I was feeling so good, in fact, that my Heaven-sent "Happy Light" ( For a picture and info about the amazing Happy Light Click Here) has seen very little use over the past few weeks. Needless to say, it is back on.  :)  The days are getting longer but there is still a tragic lack of sunshine in Northern Illinois... and My Happy Light is just what I need to get back on track.  Believe it or not, this is not an advertisement for Happy Light, I've been in no way compensated to pitch them (although... Verilux.... if you're up to it, you got a free plug, how's about sending me a freebie for another room?)  I kid. I kid.   Point of the story... It took a while for the Winter blues to hit this year... but they did, in full force and since I am still actively processing grief, that is how it manifested itself this year... dead sister to the forefront.

  So, before I was able to put my finger on "Winter Blues"... I know now that they were coming on, I felt OK, but could feel my little "manicky" traits coming out... not so much "manic" as the desperate need to change things up.  I'm happy to report (well, my husband is happy to know, anyhow) that I managed to get no new tattoos and no new piercings (something I lean heavily toward when I'm craving change).  My hair, however, did not fare as well.  There is much less of it now.  Then it was dyed red. Then a friend highlighted it a lighter red.  And finally, now, I got foil highlights in platinum blonde.  By all accounts, it looks great... but my poor, over processed hair (all this in a gal who tries to diligently avoid chemicals!) has paid the price.

  So has my bank account... little bit of shopping occurred as well.  It makes me smile because my idea of shopping is mild in comparison to a "real" shopper... but for me... there was a bit of shopping.  It was fun... but now that I have put my finger on the issue, I've moved on to more productive things. 

Baking these:

Pretty cute, huh?  Royal pain in the ass to make... but very cute.  I can't eat them, either... but again... very cute.  :)


And last night, more shopping with my hubby... but productive (no more purses until AFTER Winter... I promise this to myself and my family... unless I see a really cute one...) shopping.  Picked out paint colors for our bedroom.  After being here for 4 years, I'm taking on yet another project.  Old farmhouses are fabulous, but the white walls and dark trim are for the birds... Time to change that... And the colors are:

Ought to be pretty!  The yellow is much more gold - actually pretty pale, than what it shows in the pic.    No more white walls for me!

And last but not least... This morning, I am tending to a work project that has to be done... The mountain of copy paper (with my Happy Light on) will keep me busy until I take Mom shopping in a bit.  Shopping?  Yeah... but no purses... I'm looking for curtains.  And bedding.  And a box spring... because I burned my last box spring last time the Winter Blues  hit.  Not kidding.  'Nother story for another day, I suppose.

 Have a great day, Friends! <3

The Depths of Winter, The Depths of Grief... The Depths of STUPIDITY

Hello Friends!

It has been a while. I'm finding myself needing to start writing again but find myself in the conundrum of repetition.  I feel like the same things, over and over, will be said and I get bored with me.  That aside, this Winter has, indeed, been repetitious.  Lots of mourning and grieving for my sister, it really is a process that I am definitely unsure how to navigate.  Lots of the "pity look" asking me how I'm doing... followed by the ever - present smile inevitably fading and  turning quickly into tears.  It isn't really that I'm faking the smiles, in fact, life is going well... we're busy, we're working, the boys are relatively healthy, even the pretty one (Lyla - Jonah's service dog) is cancer - free and back to her duties full time.  We've had fun traveling as a family, I got to take a mini- getaway with my hubby... Things are good. So, no, the smiles are not faked... they're genuine.  But so are the tears.  I've been able to slide away from the constant, gnawing, raw grief that comes and seems to stay for so long after a loved one dies.  I have come to find myself in the stage of grief that lingers.  I hear a song that reminds me of her, I burst into tears.  I see a sweater that I know she would have loved, I burst into tears.  I use the bottle of white out that she left behind, I burst into tears.  I use that white out a lot, it is drying up.  I can't bring myself to replace it.  The mere thought of throwing it away sends me into a crying fit.  It sounds kind of bad, but I have to tell you, I'm getting rather tired of crying.  I am a pretty emotional girl.  I cry frequently... when I'm happy, sad, angry, when I see a picture of a cute puppy or a newborn baby nursing. I cry.  I cry, it is cleansing, I get over it, I move on.  I don't like having a situation that I can't just "get over".   I am going on faith that I am experiencing grief exactly as I need to and that this is huge and I'm not going to just get over it.

   So, That said... next time you see me and you ask me how I'm doing and I burst into tears, please know, it is because I appreciate you taking the time to check on me.  I'm not crying because you asked me, I'm crying because those feelings are always right there on the edge still...and I'm not very good at concealing my feelings.  I wish I were, but I'm just not.  Please don't think for one minute that I'm crying because of your question... I cry because I miss my sister.  I cry because I am so deeply angry with my sister.  I'm mad at all of the years of mistreatment that I was dealt by her.  I'm so mad that her selfishness and manipulation ultimately robbed me of my only sibling.  When my parents are gone, I won't have my sister to hold.  I'm angry at her to this day for taking that from me.  I don't suppose that is something that will go away any time soon, huh?  That is something that I've been struggling with, emotional baggage I've been juggling with since I was 20 years old and her mental illness started.  It isn't going to go away because she's been dead for 8 months.  I'm growing and learning and processing and coping.  It isn't easy, and, for the most part, the anger is lessening, but there are days like today... well, I look at the snow and I think of her, the wind whipping around (sick and funny at the same time...) but it makes me think of her insane personality... funny and warm one minute and then wickedly diabolical the next.  She really wasn't mean spirited to her family, but she had a mischievous, devious prankster side to her that always made us all wonder what was next. 

  SO...Sister stuff... a constant over the past few months... Painful, headache - inducing, heart - wrenching.  The other constant in the past few months has been frustration at the general public about the dog.  Folks... she's a service dog.  She is wearing a vest.  I even have her little ID tag right there on her vest. Retail folks: You are LEGALLY allowed to ask me if she is a service dog for a person with a disability.  I am LEGALLY required to tell you Yes. Now GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY AND LET US LIVE OUR LIVES.  When you prevent me from getting on an escalator or staircase or elevator with my child, you are opening yourself up for litigation.  I'm beginning to tire of the stupidity.  How extremely observant of you that you noticed my child is not visually impaired.  Service dogs are not just "seeing eye dogs" anymore. 

  We are amazingly blessed to have Lyla

   I guess it makes sense... Mama's tired.  I need to go easy on myself because I know I'm dealing with these things and when these kinds of stressors are added to work, homeschooling, farm stuff, three kids with wacky medical needs, coming off of a service dog with wacky medical needs, a hubby who travels for work, lots of family travel for work... I need to realize that I'm only human (EEK... someone actually pointed this out to me the other day - I hadn't ever verbalized that before... but yes... I am only human...) and can only do so much.  I want an invincibility shield all around me so that none of it will affect me and I can keep going at Super Human speed and strength.  Until that happens (anyone know where I can find one?)... I'm taking it one day at a time.  Today sucked.  I hope tomorrow is better.  If it isn't, maybe Wednesday's my day.  I love you, Friends.... for loving me, praying for me and just being you.  Thank you.

Travel With Special Needs Kiddos

Traveling with children can be messy. Traveling with a child with special needs can be a terrifying thought, but with a little bit of preparation, your trip can be enjoyable and safe for everyone.
A system is important for organizing all of the details that need to be considered when traveling. In our family, with three boys with epilepsy and a bleeding disorder, our biggest obstacle is packing all of the medications and medical supplies we need. With such serious conditions, we have a portable emergency room with us at all times, which is a good thing for our children’s health, but a nightmare to figure out logistically. Having all medications on hand and within reach at a moment’s notice is vital.
My system for medication organization involves two large lunch sack type coolers. They are nice and portable, light in weight and the shoulder strap means even the kids can help carry them. Into the first one goes all daily medications for all three boys. This one can generally stay in the car or at the hotel, it doesn’t have to be toted around unless you will be away during medication times. (We do meds in the morning and before bed, so we rarely need to bring this bag with us on day trips.)

What I put in my first aid bag

The second bag comes with us everywhere. This is our first aid bag. In this bag are all emergency medications that we need to deal with specific emergencies that relate to our children’s conditions. We can stop bleeding and we can stop seizures. Without this bag… well, the opposite of stopping bleeding and seizures is not an option for us. So, emergency medications and supplies go into this bag. For us, this looks like this: gauze, ace wraps, tourniquets, syringes and needles for infusions, sterile fields, ice packs, alcohol wipes and a small sharps container. This bag should also contain first aid basics for everyone—band-aids, hand sanitizer, tweezers, first aid tape, Benedryl, headache medication, scissors, and we include some hydrocortisone cream and Benedryl ointment because we’re kind of itchy folks. It sounds like a lot, but it is just the basics of a small first aid kit. I put the basic first aid items into a gallon zip-top bag and squeeze the air out of it and it fits nicely into the cooler. Just this one step, knowing that we have all medications on hand, goes a long way in our feeling of safety and security while traveling with our boys. Knowing we’re prepared for an emergency allows me to remain calm if a situation arises, I know where supplies are and am able to get through the crisis.

Planning a trip

The next important step in planning a trip is knowing where you’ll be at all times. We avoid extremely rural areas like the plague. We live in a rural area, but we are 15 minutes from the nearest hospital and 30 minutes from a trauma center. We know our area and know where to go if there is an emergency we can’t handle. When planning a road trip, these days, it is easy enough to search for “Hospital” on your GPS and get instant directions to the nearest hospital. Back in the “MapQuest days”, I’d print out a map and locate hospitals along our route. I was sure to include children’s hospitals in bigger cities and I wrote (right on the map) the hospital information: address, telephone number and directions to the hospital from the interstate. If you’re using a regular map, as opposed to GPS, it is a good idea to have these mapped out. Be certain to keep your children’s physician information available in case unfamiliar doctors might need to call them. Our boys have Medic Alert bracelets that they wear at all times: doctor information, medications they’re taking and their medical condition information can all be accessed 24 hours a day by emergency medical personnel.
If you’re taking a road trip, frequent stops will be your best friend. We stop for a number of reasons—bathroom breaks, stretching our legs, some play time and my boys' favorite—stopping to eat! If it were up to my husband, our trips would be dotted with fast food and candy carefully chosen at our last stop for gas. Mama knows this is a recipe for disaster and so taking time to plan out some snacks and light meals for the road is a crucial step for smooth travel. There are plenty of healthful snacks that can be packed in a small cooler and will be ready when the little ones are ready to eat. Fruits and cut up veggies are the backbone of our travel staples. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole grain bread travel well. Cheese cubes, individual containers of applesauce, yogurt and cottage cheese are also among our boys' favorites. In cooler weather, a thermos full of chili or any warm entree is a welcome treat (pack disposable cups and spoons to serve thermos foods). Also pack bottles of water or tea to avoid grabbing a soda when you’re thirsty.

Where to stay

Where you choose to stay is also an important part of planning your trip. We’ve had a lot of luck with Comfort Suites (although there was one in Maryland that left much to be desired, but I digress). Every room in this hotel chain has a sofa sleeper, separated by a partial wall from the rest of the room. This has proven to be a useful amenity for our family. We’ve often had the boys stretch out, set up a sterile field and done an infusion while they rest. It is separated just enough that they’re not distracted by the game on the television or by the brother jumping around in the main part of the room. This chain also has a free breakfast in the morning, which is a good family friendly amenity for anyone, but when you’ve had a rough night with seizures (or sickness or whatever), it is nice to be able to run down and pick up a relatively healthful breakfast for everyone without having to drag everyone downstairs.
Another thing to request when making your reservation (at whatever hotel you use) is an accessible room. These rooms are larger to accommodate wheelchairs, so they provide some extra space. Especially if your child needs help in the restroom, the extra room will come in handy. The extra space in the main room is helpful for not only spreading out a bit, but is a blessing when you need to do physical therapy or stretching with your child or for other medical procedures. With children with seizures, this extra space is good—I need to get them off of the bed so they don’t fall off. The extra room is also nice for the end of the day, when your autistic child is just simply overwhelmed and they just need to spin a bit (in case you didn’t know it, a spinning kid is a happy kid.)
Last but not least, one of my boys has a service dog. Lyla is a Golden Retriever and travels with us everywhere. This means another layer of planning, it isn’t complicated, just as with all of our other preparations, but a little planning goes a long way in helping the trip go smoothly. I’ve found plastic ice cream pails to be an indispensable tool in packing for Lyla. Before leaving home, I measure out food for the entire trip (adding extra just in case) and seal those up. They go into the trunk. Just one of these food pails goes with us into the hotel, the others stay in the back of the van until the one inside is empty. An extra pail goes with us to be used as a food and water bowl. I always bring an old towel with to put under her feeding area. Into a gallon zip-top bag, I pack any medications she might need for the trip (ear drops, flea/heartworm), her brush, a small bottle of shampoo, a Kong toy (and peanut butter or squirty cheese to fill it with) and lots of treats. Her harness stays in the back of the van and we only put that on her when we’ll be walking for a while.

Final thoughts

Family travel when you have one or more children with special medical needs can be daunting, but it is rewarding and enjoyable when you know you’re prepared for any emergency that might pop up. There are a lot of things to remember and detailed planning to endure, but the time spent with your family is well worth the extra steps it takes. Creating memories might be a little bit more complicated, but we’ve found it is not impossible and after several trips, it is second nature to pack and prepare for a family road trip even with lots of extra equipment and supplies. Enjoy your trip!

This Week's Price Match Items AND Coupon Match-ups

Hello Friends!

  There are some great prices to be found this week in the stores.  I had another great shopping trip yesterday, full of price matching & coupons... It felt great! :)

   In case you don't know, "Price Matching" is a courtesy of Walmart.  Your Walmart store will match the price of a competitor (Local only).  You DO NOT need to bring the ad with you.  I simply go through sales flyers when I do my coupon clipping on Sundays, look for sales at great price points & write down all the info (product, size, price & the store that has the sale price).  Then I match up coupons to the items on sale (including printing any internet coupons I may need to print to get the best price) and then head to Walmart.  (Which saves having to run all over the place to 6 different stores - saves gas, saves time)  When you have your items in your cart & are ready to check out, be sure to put any non-price match items on the belt first and tell your cashier that you have some price match items.  Then organize your price match items so that you can tell the cashier the adjusted price BEFORE s/he rings up your items.  This will make it run much more smoothly.  Then when your items are all rung up, give the cashier your coupons and continue to reap the savings!  Now... on to the price matches! When I indicate that I used a coupon (with the letter Q - for the funny "kew-pon" pronunciation) - it is a coupon that has been in a recent Sunday paper or an internet printable coupon.

WALGREENS
************
Andes Mints - 4.67 oz - 3 for $4. ($1.33 each)
Charmin Basic Toilet Tissue - 6 Double Rolls - $2.99
Coffee Mate Liquid - 16 oz - 2 for $3  (Q - 50 cents off 1 = $1 each) (stock up price!)
Hershey's Pot of Gold Candy - 8.7 or 10 oz - 2 for $7 (Q)
Viva Paper Towels - 6 Rolls - 2 for $9 (Q - $1 off = $3.50 each!) (stock up price!)


CVS
*****
VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner - 15 oz - 77 cents
Colgate Optic White Toothpaste - 4 oz - 2 for $3 (Q for $1 off each makes these 50 cents each!)
Folgers Coffee - 11.3 oz (small) can - 2 for $7 (Q for $1 off each makes each can $2.50)
Dean's Milk - 1 gallon - whole, 2%, 1% or skim -excludes flavored- $2.49


ALDI
******
Butterball Whole Turkey - $1.09 / lb
Celery - 49 cents
Cranberries - 12 oz pkg - 99 cents


Dollar General (Sale until 11/23)
*************
Oreos - 10.1 - 10.3 oz - $1.66
Charmin Basic Toilet Tissue - 16 Double Rolls - $6.50 (stock up price!)

IGA
*****
Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese - 8 oz - $1.25 (stock up price!)

TARGET
*********
Pepsi Products - 12 pack cans - $2.50 (Grabbed a couple for Grandma & Hubby - stock up price if you drink it!)

Stove Top Stuffing - 6 oz box - 89 cents each (stock up price!)
Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes - 89 cents each (Q - peelies available on select boxes!) (Stock up price!)

JEWEL
*******
7-UP, A & W, Canada Dry or Sunkist - 2 Ltr. bottle - 79 cents each (must buy 4 per Jewel Ad)
Sweet Potatoes - 29 cents/ lb


The Following items (at Jewel) are priced (as indicated below) when you buy any combination of 10 items.

Barilla Pasta -12 - 16 oz size -  75 cents (STOCK UP PRICE!!!)
Ragu Pasta Sauce - 24-26 oz size -99 cents (stock up price!)
Cool Whip 8 oz - 75 cents
Pillsbury crescents (8 oz) or cinnamon rolls (12.4 - 13.9 oz) $1.49
Kraft Chunk or Shredded cheese - 5-8 oz pkg. - $1.99
Wishbone salad dressing - 16 oz - 99 cents
No Yolk egg noodles - 12 oz bag - $1 (Q)


HAPPY SHOPPING,  FRIENDS!

Coming Out From Under My Rock

Hello Friends!

  I have, INDEED, been hiding under a rock for the past couple weeks!  My "extra special" guy had a nasty run in with some kind of illness and there is nothing that will derail me faster than a sick kid.  Any of the boys getting sick will do so, but toss in some migraines, some seizures and a lovely doggy who gets extremely nervous when her boy is not doing well... and, well... busy mom x infinity.

   We are on the mend, however, and very much enjoying Autumn at the (Funny) Farm.  The biggest (and incredibly enjoyable) seasonal difference being that I actually have some time to sit and enjoy some television.  I'm not a big fan of TV, but I so enjoy watching a movie, cuddling with the boys.  Last night we had some friends over for a movie night and we've got another movie night planned for this evening.  It is always refreshing to spend some simple time in fellowship with friends, and, as any mom can imagine, simply the time to sit down for a bit, put your feet up and enjoy friends is a beautiful thing.

  The other big difference that Autumn brings at the (Funny) Farm is our menu!  Mama can cook again!  It seems that all Summer long, I prepare lots of salads, lots of super-simple meals.  Granted, I have boy children and as long as I feed them, they pretty much don't care what it is, but it is so wonderful to bust out the crock pot and turn on the oven to roast some chicken and some root veggies or put on a nice big pot of soup or stew... Yes, we are all enjoying the cooler temperatures!

Also, the very busy month of October has passed.  Our busy-ness started on the 4th with a trip south to Peoria for Neurology appointments for all of the boys, it didn't stop until October 31st and that was with a couple of big cancellations in plans... still busy!  :)   But, we got through that and now... onto November's busy-ness. 

  November is Epilepsy Awareness Month.  We've got some fun activities planned here in the Quad Cities for FUNdraising for the Epilepsy Foundation.  November 14th (Monday), we've got a fundraiser going on at both Quad Cities locations of Buffalo Wild Wings.  Jonah has requested that we hit Davenport (fundraiser going on all day) for lunch and Moline (fundraiser hours from 5 PM - 10 PM) for dinner.  We shall see.  But if you are interested in going to have some great wings and help support the Quad Cities Epilepsy Foundation, please let me know so I can get you a ticket to give to your server!    Then on November 19th (Saturday) from 3-5 PM, we have a volunteer putting together a Zumba Dance fundraiser... For a minimum donation of only $5 (more is welcome!), you can take part in a (painfully long) Zumba class run by several different local instructors.  Should be fun.  I'll be donating more than $5 for the privilege of being at the registration table.  This will be happening near Port Byron, so anyone wanting to carpool from Osco, let me know, we can get a nice group together!  :)

  Have a fantastic Weekend, Friends.  Don't forget to tell those around you how much you love them.

$uper $avings!

Hello Friends!

   This week, there are some fantastic deals to be had!  We've had some fun on our money $aving adventures and I just want to share a few of the best deals I've stumbled upon!

  Walgreens has Febreze Noticables scent refills on sale this week.  They are 20% off their normal price. (This makes them approximately $4 instead of $5).  Then I used the $1 coupon from last Sunday's (10/2) paper from the Proctor & Gamble insert (there is also a $2 off of 2 Febreze items that you could use).  When you buy $10 in select items, you get a $3 register reward back at the end of your transaction.  So, you can get these for approximately $2 each... which is a terrific find!  I picked up several to add to the Febreze warmers I got for free last month - I plan on adding these to Christmas gift baskets.  (NOTE: Lesson learned from this sale: Last month, there was a big to-do in the couponing world about getting the Febreze warmers for free.  That was all well and good, but the warmers are no good without the very pricey refills.  My plan last month was to be patient and wait for a sale on the scent cartridges that go with the warmer.  I hoped they would go on sale before too long.  I wasn't going to pay full price (or use just the 50 cent coupon on a full price item), so patience paid off.  Knowing coupon cylces and thinking ahead prevents over-spending.  Patience, Grasshopper.  Patience.)

  Also at Walgreens:  $1.29 per bag of Ricola cough drops.  You'll need the in-ad coupon for this price.  There were Buy One (Dual Action) get one (any) Free coupons in the Sunday Papers (10/2).  Get several at this price and you'll be ready for the scratchy throats of allergy season now and the cold and flu season!

   And another from Walgreens:  Cepacol sore throat drops - on sale for $2.99.  You'll get a $3 Register Reward for this purchase.  You'll need to do a separate transaction to get more than one on this deal, and remember - if you want additional register rewards, you can NOT use your $3 register reward from a previous Cepacol transaction.  (Use your $3 RR from your Febreze transaction.)

   And... The motherlode of savings this week, another example of how stocking up and waiting for sales is a prime way to save money.  There are $8 off of 2 Cover Girl makeup products in Sunday's (10/2, P & G) paper.  I had to do several transactions (You can only use 4 of the Proctor & Gamble coupons "per shopping trip".  Some places allow you to use 4 for several transactions in one day, others, you have to use them in literally separate shopping trips, but the deal is the same even if it is split up into separate shopping trips).  In total, the retail (At Walmart) for 26 items was $107.58.  I had 13 of the coupons, $8 x 13 coupons = $104 .  So I paid $3.58 for all of that makeup.   There is also a mail in rebate available for purchasing $50 in certain P & G products, so for the price of a stamp and the time it takes to fill out the rebate form and clip proofs of purchase, this makeup will be a money maker.  (Note:  I *almost* felt guilty about this deal. Almost.  I don't normally wear makeup, so purchases for me included face powder and lip gloss.  The rest of the items will be shared - gave a bunch to Mom already and she is tickled pink!  Manufacturers are offering these high dollar coupons right now to boost sales.  I don't wear makeup, but again, I couldn't resist the deal.  Manufacturers are not only hoping for an increase in sales (which they will see this month, because of that coupon, without doubt), but are hoping to gain repeat customers. Lesson Learned from this deal:  Brand Loyalty does not save you money.  If you write to companies to get coupons, sure, you can save money once.  But always being on the lookout for items you can use (even if you're using them as gifts) is going to save you the most money.  Manufacturers put these coupons out there to use, they are not looking out for us when they put these coupons out... there is, especially with these high dollar coupons, an ulterior motive (increase sales, increase brand loyalty), be aware of those motives and you'll continue to save money!)

Happy $avings, Friends!

Fall on the (Funny) Farm!

Hello Friends!

  Tis the season!  The corn and beans are nearly ready to be harvested, which means the whipping winds will be back in a short time.  The (Funny) Farm is situated in the middle of fields.  In corn years (every other year), we are shielded, somewhat, from the blowy and blustery winds that sweep across the plains.  My goal is always to have the vast majority of outside *STUFF* done by the time the corn is ready to come down.  A migraine has prevented me from getting one major undertaking done this week, but, with any luck, the ickiness will pass and I will be able to get it done tomorrow, with Papa's help.   For those who don't know.  Papa (my dad) and By-ah (my mom) live at the (Funny) Farm as well.  We combined households a little over 8 years ago and, for the most part, this arrangement works well.  So, Papa is a big contributor to helping out with outside stuff.  He is primarily responsible for the rabbits (including the butchering part, which is just fine with me).  Fortunately for me, the major undertaking does not involve cute little creatures (for the record, I do know HOW to butcher, I'd just rather not.  And, I'm not really a fan of rabbit meat, either.  It definitely supplements our meat, and I'm grateful, and I would eat it if I had to, but I don't, so I won't right now.  The boys love it, though.)  Anyhow... I just had the discussion with Papa... We'll set up shop outside - this is not a project to be taken lightly (or make the same mistake I made 2 years ago by doing it in the kitchen)... Any guesses as to what this project could be?   Well, the project is processing horseradish.  (And I will not make the mistake of doing so in the kitchen ever again!)   This is easiest to do outside (with a light breeze to carry away the tear-inducing smells) but must be done before the corn is down -otherwise it is too windy and Wizard of Oz crazy - small dogs blowing around... it gets messy.  

   All of the other things that need to be done for Autumn - the mad rush to get things done before Winter- make for Autumn being a very busy season.  It is not all drudgery, though... Autumn means apple - picking, the harvest, gratitude for all of the things we have, reflection on loss, hope for the future and eternity.  I'm looking at things differently these days.  My sister's passing has had a profound impact on me and sometimes working through it is unbearable.  Trying to make my way through this journey joyfully has been a struggle for the past few months, but, as always, coming out on the other side of a difficulty finds me with renewed hope, ready to continue figuring things out.  Going through all of the firsts since her death (her birthday, our parents' anniversary, other big days, and smaller things... at first, the day to day was an impossible feat... it seemed so pointless, gathering coupons and planning a shopping trip, picking apples, even doing dishes... it is all so small and pointless...) has been rough, and this new season of firsts will be rough as well... but I am prepared for it, I know it is going to be hard.  Knowing it does not make it any easier, but I am much easier on myself when the tears come from out of the blue (ugh... like now), knowing that this is all part of the process.  I despise the process, for the record, but I do recognize it for what it is.  Apparently, I don't grieve gracefully, or quietly.  I can't grieve in solitary, I mean... I do, but I also have to talk to others.  I'm learning about myself in this ugly process, and a lot of it is uncomfortable and even painful, but I'm continuing to come out a better person for it. 

  Indeed, Autumn on the (Funny) Farm, while a season of things going dormant and a season of finality, is also showing me to be a season of hope, anticipation.  Moving through the grey days, knowing I will be rewarded with the sunshine of Spring and Summer, but only after the harsh Winter.   My Summer was a harsh Winter, and so I do eagerly await another Spring and Summer with their warmth and productivity.  But I am grateful for this season as well, going through this with my family and friends, making my way the best I know how.  It is kind of like making horseradish... not a favorite chore, it is messy and it kind of stinks.  Making the best of the chore, sharing the chore with a loved one, repositioning myself for optimum success, getting it over with efficiently but completely... all lessons of life that apply to much more than processing the stinky root.  

Blessings to you, Friends.  Be Kind to one another.

$avings $monday- Recipe, Savings, Freebies

Hello Friends!

  So, I missed Sunday... We still love $avings, so here's $avings $monday!  :)
Got a few great buys last week.  Grocery shopping week.  Kroger has a promotion going on - buy 10 (selected) products, get $5 off your grocery bill... So that decreases the per item price by 50 cents per item - a great deal when matched up with (doubled) coupons!!!  Mom and I saved over $100 grocery shopping this week!  The boys were very happy campers because I bought some great ice cream and saved over 75% (and it would have been more, but I didn't buy 10 of them.)

  Another great buy this week:  For Local/Quad Cities Friends - Fareway has Ragu pasta sauce on sale for 10/$10.  I got the heads up that our Fareway was out, so I pricematched at Walmart.  I had 75c/1 coupons and paid $2.50 for 10. (Woot Woot!) 

  Some great buys can be had this week:

Walgreens:

Stock up on your tissue - Puffs brand tissue - 99cents (matchup with 8/28 P&G coupon)

Halloween Candy on sale (We live in the Country, we get no trick or treaters, but I like the little candy bars - we have in our home what we affectionately call the "good boy jar"... the little candy bars are the perfect size for a little treat.)

Walgreens has their $6.99 toys on sale (buy one get one free) - always a good time to pick up a couple items to keep on hand for unexpected gifts (And even better if you have an extra high dollar Register reward to use!)

They also have Disney or Nickelodeon kids socks for $1 - great stocking stuffers!

Zicam and Delsym products $10 each... PLUS get $5 register rewards for spending $20 on these items.  (I am a fan of Delsym cough syrup... with a few of us with allergies/ allergic asthma in the house, it is fantastic to have found a cough syrup that not only works (for HOURS!!!) but it doesn't taste bad, either!)

GIVEAWAYS -  ALL WEEK!!!
P&G Beauty Item Giveaway! 10,000 Full Size Items EVERY DAY!   Visit every day before Noon EST to sign up!

Easy Recipe of the Week-
Adapted from ALL YOU (Oct 11) Magazine


1 Package Italian Sausage (I used Johnsonville Garlic Sausage)
2 - 28 oz cans diced tomatoes (can use Fresh tomatoes)
6 cups soaked and prepared canellini beans (4 cans, if using canned)
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 TBS cooking oil
Water

Brown Sausage.  
In stock pot, heat oil and cook onion and garlic for several minutes on medium heat.  Add tomatoes and beans into stock pot.  Add a small amount of water (you may have to keep adding water if it gets too thick). 
Slice Sausage and add to stock pot to cook with tomatoes and beans.  Will need to simmer for about an hour and a half to cook down tomatoes.
*Notes - I needed a quick meal and saw this and tried it.  It was WAYYYY better than I thought it would be.  Next time, I will use chicken stock instead of water for a little more flavor, but this was so good.  Everyone enjoyed it!

Have a great Day, Friends.  Be Kind to one another.  And don't forget to say "I love you." - You can't say it enough.  I love you!

Keeping with the Theme of $avings...

Hello Friends!

  In keeping with the spirit of my $unday $avings post from the other day, I've been asked to share some hints on cutting down your grocery bill.  In all honesty, groceries are pretty rough to save on (although there are things I do to stay within the budget!) because with our diet (avoiding processed foods and several dietary restrictions), the foods I buy are whole foods, not a lot of coupons available for our diet/lifestyle.  There are some, however.  Just yesterday, I learned of a coupon from Earthbound Farm yesterday ( Earthbound Farm ) - take a quiz and get a $1 off coupon.  I was able to print 2 and got two pounds of carrots for free.  Other ideas for saving money on groceries follow.  I am able to save so much money on health items (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc) and household items (cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, freezer bags, etc) that I have extra to buy what we need in the grocery budget.  My savings on these items is near 85%, so, that saves a lot of money.

  For my family, cooking from scratch is our main way of saving money on groceries.  Limited convenience foods are used.  This cuts down costs dramatically, and is so much more healthful than the SAD (Standard American Diet - clever acronym, huh?).  Simple, nutritious meals include one or two veggies, possibly a serving of fruit, a whole grain and a protein.  I've had to simplify meals because of dietary restrictions - I have a newly discovered dairy allergy and am reacting to virtually all processed grains.  So, instead of making two meals, I make one meal and just take what I can eat, possibly skipping the grain altogether.  The boys love rice and pasta (I use whole grain pasta, but this is not something I can eat), so I still make it, but I just don't eat it.  This is easier and more economical than making different meals.  In this same vein, eating in season and growing your own garden are two easy ways to save on your grocery bill.  It is not a difficult task to grow a couple of tomato plants, and green beans, peppers and eggplant are among my boys' favorite snacks.  I recognize that my family is in a bit of a different situation than most, but we also raise our own meat (rabbits and chickens) and have laying hens for fresh eggs.  The chickens free range in every season except Winter, so our cost to keep them is minimal.  This all saves on our bottom line.

  As far as coupons go, there are a few fairly nutritional products that offer coupons.  I use coupons for yogurt (at the Kroger, where I can double coupons) - the one thing I have to do with products like this, however, is to remember to check ingredients.  There is still HFCS in a lot of yogurt.  If this is they case, buy the plain variety (not vanilla, which still can contain the offending ingredient) and add your own honey or fruit.  Peanut butter is another product I buy with coupons.  As long as you're not brand-particular, there are some good coupons to be found for a few items for even the most restricted diets.

   If your store has a sale on a particular item that you use a frequently, buy as many of that item as you think you'll need until you predict the store will have the sale again.  (Many stores put things on sale on a cycle.  Walgreens, for instance, has Dawn dish soap on sale at least once a month.  I know this and buy some at each sale - with coupons, of course!)  The same concept can be applied to all of your consumables... rice, flour, sugar, beans, etc.  Always having the basics on hand is most helpful in creating simple but tasty meals.  Which brings me to my next point...

  Meal planning is a vital part of grocery shopping on any kind of a budget.  Knowing what you're making, when you're making it, how you're making it and what you're doing with leftovers is key in not wasting food.  Last week, I made a small turkey for dinner.  So, that night, we ate turkey.  With the bones and skin and fat and random meat on bones, I made stock (into the freezer for use as a meal starter at a later date) and I re-boiled the fat and bones with the giblets and used froze that stock for use for bland dog food for when a dog gets an upset tummy - we have one that gets sick every Winter and needs a rice diet for a week.  The leftover meat was used for hot turkey sandwiches a few days later.  And there was enough left over for a couple sandwiches for lunch the next day.  I even ground up the bones (after they'd been boiled soft) for the chickens- Calcium for nice strong eggs!  I always try to make the most out of preparing meals, using all leftovers quickly and efficiently so that they're not forgotten.

  I hope this helps someone with ideas for making the most of your grocery dollar.  Food is expensive.  I save a ton of money on household needs and am able to not skimp on the grocery budget.  We raise and grow our own food and buy bundles of meat from our local butcher.  I buy extra meat (chicken and ground beef) when it goes on sale, usually buying in larger quantities and breaking down large packages into smaller amounts that I use for one meal, ensuring no waste.  Careful meal planning and cooking those meals from scratch round out our grocery savings plan.  Using all leftovers in creative ways furthers stretching our grocery budget. 

  What are some of YOUR favorite ways to save money in your grocery budget?  Share with us!

**$unday $avings **

Hello Dear Friends, 

  I've decided to begin to share some money saving ideas here on the (Funny) Farm blog.  Since Sunday is the day I go through coupons and match up money saving coupons with sales at local stores, it makes sense to have Sundays be our **$unday $avings** day here at the (Funny) Farm.  I hope these matchups, sale announcements, free samples and money saving tips are a blessing to you and yours.  Feel Free to comment or e-mail me with comments and suggestions!  I love to hear from you!

Target-
 If you go to Target.com, you can sign up for mobile coupons.  They then text coupons to your phone.  You open up the text and they scan the code and discounts are applied.  (Just don't forget your phone at the register. Sigh.  Yeah. Experience.)  In the current round of coupons, there is a $5 off coupon for any Merona plus size ladies clothing item.  I snagged a nice layering t-shirt on clearance (for $5) and got it for free with the coupon.  (Mobile Coupons - FTW!)   ***Keep in Mind - Even if an item is on clearance (any store) - You can STILL USE COUPONS!  This is why I bring my coupon binder with me EVERY time I go shopping.***

Walgreens -
Oh how I love Walgreens!  I think I will write a poem about pharmacy giant's awesomeness one day.  Just not today...for today... today I write about savings!  Do yourself a favor and watch this: 

   This little video will explain the intricacies of couponing at Walgreens.  You really will find some of the best deals, but there are a few things you need to always keep in mind.

   FREEBIES -

  A couple of my favorite freebies of the week:

Rachel Ray - Just 6 Dog Food Sample

Twinings Tea - Pick Your Favorites to Sample!

Free Sample of Emergen C Vitamin Drink Mix

  With that, my friends, I leave you for today.  Be sure to clip your coupons today to prepare for savings!  Look through sale flyers and match up coupons to items on sale - That's it! You're on your way to savings.  Items that I now regularly get for free or nearly free (at least 80% off, usually more) include dish soap, dishwasher detergent, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, cereals and almost all cleaning supplies.  I try to maximize savings on household and heatlh/beauty items because I generally can't get coupons for most of our food items.  I got cereal on sale a couple weeks ago (on sale for 5 boxes for $10, which in and of itself is a pretty good price, but when combined with my coupons, I got 5 boxes for $3... even better.  We don't eat too much cereal here, my youngest will eat a bowl a couple times a week and Grandpa likes it, but it is nice to have on hand.  One of my twins, for example, is more than a little under the weather this week...Cheerios are a nice snack for his upset tummy.).  So, I try to save where I can on these items.  I will do a grocery savings post in the future, because we are very frugal (and healthy!) with groceries as well!

   Have a wonderful Sunday, my Friends.

Autumn Happenings

Hello Friends!

Although the calendar tells me that it is still Summer for a couple more weeks, the temperature reminds me that Autumn is quickly approaching!  This is, of course, bittersweet.  The heat of the Summer is something that won't be missed, we had several weeks of sweltering heat, and not only am I just not a fan of terribly hot weather, but with the boys having the medical conditions they do, the hottest of days here are spent inside, in the air conditioning.  BORING!  Much cooler than outside, but boredom is not something that works for us.

   Autumn brings cooler temperatures (and boys outside playing until well after dark), bonfires, putting up the Summer's harvest, preparations for Winter, the end of the camping and hiking season... so it's arrival is bittersweet, indeed. 

   Autumn also ushers in two "seasons" we look ahead to with anticipation.  The first, a mixed bag, is clearing out the house of "stuff"... I really detest STUFF.  I have a hubby who has A.D.D. and he has made great strides in adjusting to how most of the world works, but one thing I struggle with (he rather enjoys it, apparently) is the PILES OF STUFF that he leaves everywhere.  I say he suffers from F.S.S.  Flat Surface Syndrome... as in flat surfaces must be covered with stuff.  Drives me insane... like, clawing my eyes out, insane.  SO... in order to do what I can do to feel somewhat in control of the piles, I like to de-clutter a couple times a year... and the end of Summer is generally one of those times.  I don't usually have to do the traditional "Spring Cleaning" because by the very virtue of being locked in the house for the entire long, cold Winter, I've already got things de-cluttered by the time Spring rolls around.  Now, if you come to our home, do not mistake what I just said for "there is no clutter", because there is...on the flat surfaces.  I JUST put his piles into a huge covered storage tub (when he was gone last week) and his spot (read: half the table) is covered again.  Sigh.  So, I can't do anything about this (I *have* considered throwing it all away... but I figure that would be cruel...so I don't), but I *CAN* de-clutter and pass along the other items that we no longer use or need.  Usually, this means clothes that the boys have outgrown.  Since moving to the (Funny) Farm, a traditional garage sale just doesn't work... not enough traffic passing the (Funny) Farm to make it work.   But, fortunately for me, I've discovered a way to inconvenience myself  *JUST AS MUCH* as if we were having a normal garage sale!  (Awesome!)  So, all day yesterday (appropriate, on Labor Day), I was getting stuff out, taking pictures, uploading, describing...and I got 19 stinking pictures up.  And I made like $22.  Ah.... good stuff.  (It is generally more than I make in the course of a typical day, which is sad, hysterical and headache-inducing all at the same time.)  OK, so I *don't* look forward to garage sale / de-cluttering / online sale Season... BUT... we do look forward to....

   We refer to Autumn weather as "Soup Season".  We've already had a big, hot pot of chili.  Some of our other favorites include chicken and dumplings, beef barley soup, beef stew, Italian wedding soup, veggie soup... I'm making myself drool... and thinking of what I'll be making tonight for dinner.  Thinking of what I have on hand... We still have kale in the garden, so I think Italian wedding soup is the winner.  I'll bake a loaf of French bread today and yes... that will do nicely.

  What are some of YOUR favorite Autumn traditions?  Share in comments and be featured in an upcoming Life on the (Funny) Farm post!  Have a beautiful day, Friends!

Dinner and a Movie Review: That Monkey Movie

Hello Friends!  

  OK...so I went to see the Monkey Movie.  The only girl in my testosterone-y boy clan.  (Well, Lyla the service dog did come with us - thanks for the show of solidarity, Lyla.  Epic.)  By the time we got to the (very late) movie -we were headed to the 8:15 PM show, but with A.D.D. man (hubby) and the boys (three of 'em) we ended up stopping by the book store (closed - Detail oriented Mama could see that one coming... just sayin') and then I suggested we sneak into a fast food joint quickly to feed the boys (a rare occurrence for me to suggest fast food) and make the movie in time.  A.D.D. boy had other ideas.  First - Drive the opposite direction of what I suggested. (Awesome.) Second - suggest several different pizza places (because pizza is such a fast meal?) and settle on the one that is farthest away from the theater.  Third - let's order extra cheese pizza for the gal allergic to dairy.  Epic family outing, let me tell you.

     So, we ordered the appetizer sampler (because Mama can't do dairy) and I thought the mini corn dog (EWWWWWWW) was a jalapeno popper (or something...I just wasn't expecting a freaking corn dog) and I took a bite into that.  Awful, awful stuff.  Really.  (C'mon - you know when you're expecting to take a drink of water and you forget you have lemonade in your cup... the shock, the surprise?)  So after I got over the shock of a bite of hot dog (EWWWWWWW)...

     We quickly finished dinner and made our way to the movie (not the 8:15, but the 9:15 - spontaneous and flexible... those are my middle names.) We walked in in the middle of movie previews - which lasted for a full 15 minutes.  (Which was fine because we came in 5 minutes late - fantastic when you're moving in the testosterone clan plus a dog and the frazzled Mama into a full theater on opening weekend of a movie)  Anyhow... We got settled in and the movie started. Slowly.

     I have to admit that I am in the midst of my "forgetful season" of life.  So details escape me at times.  But this movie was not as horrible as I expected it to be.  There was a bit of medical geekery thrown in to pique my interest (although there was also a good amount of big pharma politics in there to toast my wheaties) and the story line was not terrible.  I didn't care for the name they gave the baby monkey (Please don't start in how it is an ape... really, it is all semantics.)- Cesar was just not the right name for that baby monkey.  (And yes... I do want a baby monkey right now.  I'm being honest.  I actually have been really wanting a baby for a while... probably right in the same vein.)  Anyhow... when I get a baby monkey I will not name it Cesar.  I'll name it Molly.  Even if it is a boy.  I need another girl here, so just naming it Molly and dressing her in pink frilly dresses will make me happy.  I would probably mess up a monkey much less than I would a human baby boy if I do this. So, big pharma stuff and weird monkey name aside, I thought this movie was a good commentary on the ethical treatment of animals.  Nothing really says "Be nice" better than the threat of a monkey uprise.  I (am usually not a deep thinker) also thought that even though it was the monkeys that wanted to get back to nature, that the concept is something that many folks are feeling these days.  We moved out of our suburban existence almost 4 years ago.  Moving to a rural area seemed to fill the void that I felt - the simple things are much easier to enjoy here, escaping the rat race was a good thing. (Although my hubby might disagree with me as (God Love him!) he has to make the 4 hour trip back home to assist clients a couple times a week)  The monkeys didn't want to fight.  They didn't want to bite.  They didn't want to injure, maim and kill folks... they just felt the deep need to be where they belong... home.  Isn't that what we all want?

Family Travel With Special Needs Children

Hello Friends!

   I just posted this to another site, but wanted to pass along this information to my friends as well.  Our family does a good amount of travel by way of the good, old fashioned road trip and I can tell you first hand that things can get pretty hairy on the road with this crew!  A few minor alterations to our "flight plan", a few tweaks in how and what we pack, and a few slight adjustments to how we do things go a long way in accommodating travel with three boys (with chronic medical needs) and a large service dog.  Our packing procedure is now second nature and makes our road trips much easier on us all.  I would say "more peaceful" for us all, but...uh... I *did* mention that this is travel with three little boys and a dog, right?
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   Traveling with children can be messy.  Traveling with a child with special needs can be a terrifying thought, but with a little bit of preparation, your trip can be enjoyable and safe for everyone.

   A system is important for organizing all of the details that need to be considered when traveling.  In our family, with three boys with epilepsy and a bleeding disorder, our biggest obstacle is packing all of the medications and medical supplies we need.  With such serious conditions, we have a portable emergency room with us at all times, which is a good thing for our children's health, but a nightmare to figure out logistically.  Having all medications on hand and within reach at a moment's notice is vital.  My system for medication organization involves two large lunch sack type coolers.  They are nice and portable, light in weight and the shoulder strap means even the kids can help carry them.  Into the first one goes all daily medications for all three boys.  This one can generally stay in the car or at the hotel, it doesn't have to be toted around unless you will be away during medication times. (We do meds in the morning and before bed, so we rarely need to bring this bag with us on day trips)  The second bag comes with us everywhere.  This is our first aid bag.  In this bag are all emergency medications that we need to deal with specific emergencies that relate to our children's conditions.  We can stop bleeding and we can stop seizures.  Without this bag... well, the opposite of stopping bleeding and seizures is not an option for us.  So, emergency medications and supplies go into this bag.  For us, this looks like this: gauze, ace wraps, tourniquets, syringes and needles for infusions, sterile fields, ice packs, alcohol wipes and a small sharps container.  This bag should also contain first aid basics for everyone - band-aids, hand sanitizer, tweezers, first aid tape, Benedryl, headache medication, scissors, and we include some hydrocortisone cream and Benedryl ointment because we're kind of itchy folks.  It sounds like a lot, but it is just the basics of a small first aid kit.  I put the basic first aid items into a gallon zip - top bag and squeeze the air out of it and it fits nicely into the cooler.  Just this one step, knowing that we have all medications on hand, goes a long way in our feeling of safety and security while traveling with our boys.  Knowing we're prepared for an emergency allows me to remain calm if a situation arises, I know where supplies are and am able to get through the crisis.

   The next important step in planning a trip is knowing where you'll be at all times.  We avoid extremely rural areas like the plague.  We live in a rural area, but we are 15 minutes from the nearest hospital and 30 minutes from a trauma center.  We know our area and know where to go if there is an emergency we can't handle.  When planning a road trip, these days, it is easy enough to search for "Hospital" on your GPS and get instant directions to the nearest hospital.  Back in the "mapquest days", I'd print out a map and locate hospitals along our route.  I was sure to include children's hospitals in bigger cities and I wrote (right on the map) the hospital information: address, telephone number and directions to the hospital off of the interstate.  If you're using a regular map, as opposed to GPS, it is a good idea to have these mapped out.  Be certain to keep your child(ren)'s physician information available in case unfamiliar doctors might need to call them.  Our boys have Medic Alert bracelets that they wear at all times - doctor information, medications they're taking and their medical condition information can all be accessed 24 hours a day by emergency medical personnel.

   If you're taking a road trip, frequent stops will be your best friend. We stop for a number of reasons - bathroom breaks, stretching our legs, some play time and my boys' favorite - stopping to eat!  If it were up to my husband, our trips would be dotted with fast food and candy carefully chosen at our last stop for gas.  Mama knows this is a recipe for disaster and so taking time to plan out some snacks and light meals for the road is a crucial step for smooth travel. There are plenty of healthful snacks that can be packed in a small cooler and will be ready when the little ones are ready to eat.  Fruits and cut up veggies are the backbone of our travel staples.  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole grain bread travel well. Cheese cubes, individual containers of applesauce, yogurt and cottage cheese are also among our boys' favorites.  In cooler weather, a thermos full of chili or any warm entree is a welcome treat (pack disposable cups and spoons to serve thermos foods). Also pack bottles of water or tea to avoid grabbing a soda when you're thirsty.

   Where you choose to stay is also an important part of planning your trip.  We've had a lot of luck with Comfort Suites (although there was one in Maryland that left much to be desired, but I digress).  Every room in this hotel chain has a sofa sleeper, separated by a partial wall from the rest of the room.  This has proven to be a useful amenity for our family.  We've often had the boys stretch out, set up a sterile field and done an infusion while they rest.  It is separated just enough that they're not distracted by the game on the television or by the brother jumping around in the main part of the room. This chain also has a free breakfast in the morning, which is a good family friendly amenity for anyone, but when you've had a rough night with seizures (or sickness or whatever), it is nice to be able to run down and pick up a relatively healthful breakfast for everyone without having to drag everyone downstairs.  Another thing to request when making your reservation (at whatever hotel you use) is an accessible room.  These rooms are larger to accommodate wheelchairs, so they provide some extra space.  Especially if your child needs help in the restroom, the extra room will come in handy.  The extra space in the main room is helpful for not only spreading out a bit, but is a blessing when you need to do physical therapy or stretching with your child or for other medical procedures.  With children with seizures, this extra space is good - I need to get them off of the bed so they don't fall off.  The extra room is also nice for the end of the day, when your autistic child is just simply overwhelmed and they just need to spin a bit (in case you didn't know it - a spinning kid is a happy kid.)

   Last but not least, one of my boys has a service dog.  Lyla is a Golden Retriever and travels with us everywhere. This means another layer of planning, it isn't complicated, just as with all of our other preparations, but a little planning goes a long way in helping the trip go smoothly.  I've found plastic ice cream pails to be an indispensable tool in packing for Lyla.  Before leaving home, I measure out food for the entire trip (adding extra just in case) and seal those up.  They go into the trunk.  Just one of these food pails goes with us into the hotel, the others stay in the back of the van until the one inside is empty.  An extra pail goes with us to be used as a food and water bowl.  I always bring an old towel with to put under her feeding area.  Into a gallon zip-top bag, I pack any medications she might need for the trip (ear drops, flea/heartworm), her brush, a small bottle of shampoo, a Kong toy (and peanut butter or squirty cheese to fill it with) and lots of treats. Her harness stays in the back of the van and we only put that on her when we'll be walking for a while.

   Family travel when you have one or more children with special medical needs can be daunting, but it is rewarding and enjoyable when you know you're prepared for any emergency that might pop up.  There are a lot of things to remember and detailed planning to endure, but the time spent with your family is well worth the extra steps it takes.  Creating memories might be a little bit more complicated, but we've found it is not impossible and after several trips, it is second nature to pack and prepare for a family road trip even with lots of extra equipment and supplies.  Enjoy your trip!

To Everything There is a Season

 Hello Friends!

     We're all familiar with Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun.  I figure God knows this already, but I'm thinking I must be in the middle of my "I can't remember anything" season.  Right in the time of my life when I have so much to remember, I sometimes forget to get something out of the freezer for dinner.  Right at this very moment, I have a gazillion doctor appointments yet to be scheduled, swimming around in my head.  Blood work at the lab (x 3 kids), dental cleanings (x 3 kids), pediatrician (for one), neurology (x 3), rheumatology (for one), hematology is coming up in October (but I just remembered that we're going to be out of town for at least half of October... oops - gotta re-schedule that) and I'm definitely not remembering some of them even with that list.  But it is so strange to me, when I have so many things to remember - that is exactly the time that I forget... well, all of it.

   I make lists to help me remember all of the things on my to-do list.  I generally lose the list and have to add "find the list" to the sketchy list in my head.  So, to that end, the following outline of conversation took place on at least 6 occasions on Sunday.  We're getting ready to take the 'tweens to camp this weekend and there are a few details swimming around in my head...

Me: Yeah!  So we're doing that on Thursday...
Friend:  What are you doing for a craft?
Me: (Seeing someone else I need to talk to walk by)  D'OH!
Friend:  You forgot to do something, didn't you?
Me:  Uh.... yep.

 When I get bogged down with details and overwhelmed by the sheer number of things that have to be done, I often think of this season of my life as being the "busy" season or "crazy" season.   I don't think there is any way I can logically think of a way to not call it crazy, not label it as overwhelmingly busy, but I do try very hard to keep our life simple.  Not easy, mind you, but simple.  We do have a significant amount of technology here on the (Funny) Farm, but none of the technology replaces human interaction.  The television in the living room is virtually always set to Fox News, so there is news going on in the background of whatever we're doing.  The boys play the Wii in that room as well, but when time's up... time's up.   The laptops are set up wherever we go, but are put aside for kids, animals, outside activities, chores, cooking, going fishing, board games... whatever.  Keeping our life relatively simple and clutter free is important to me.  When we moved out to the (Funny) Farm, simplicity was high on my list of things that were important to me.  There is nothing easy about doing things the way we do them, but at the same time, there is nothing better than the simplicity of going out to your own garden, picking food that you've nurtured and had a hand in growing.  The simplicity of having dinner outside, surrounded by beautiful flowers and the same fragrant herbs that you used to prepare the meal.  The simple joy of having friends over, sharing a meal and laughs, sitting around a campfire, watching the kids roast marshmallows - these are the sweetest things.

    Indeed, I'm in my "Forgetful" Season.  Also, the "Busy" Season... and don't forget the "Crazy" Season.  But most importantly, I need to remember that I am most definitely in the midst of a very, very Blessed Season.

Reviving the Campaign?

Hello Friends!

  So, I hit a bump in the road for campaigning... Things are getting back to normal-ish and I'm ready to get back to pounding the pavement on my presidential bid.  So right now, with the budget stuff... I figured that I could probably take a shot (eeek - am I allowed to say "take a shot?"  is that taboo?) at cutting spending.  There are a whole lot of people who keep saying stupid things like cutting spending is just not that simple.   Uhhhh.... Really?  It IS that simple and the president is being unreasonable in his refusal to take a look at proposals being presented by conservatives.  I don't think we should raise the debt ceiling. Period.  Giving out of control spenders permission to spend more is irresponsible (and, theme of the evening - stupid)  The act of refusing to cut spending is unreasonable (and stupid).  ANY congress person refusing to cast a vote for ANY compromise is stupid.  Liberal, conservative, tea party - whatever the affiliation or party affiliation - not being open to a compromise is ridiculous (and stupid).
   So...I've found some examples of wasteful spending that I'd cut - Not sure why there would be any question to this type of thing - make the cuts.  So, the following items come from the Heritage Foundation, a gov't waste blog (Barb's Blog), and The Economic Collapse Blog websites.  So, just a sampling of things that I'd cut and prevent from happening follows.  There is a complete lack of proper management at most levels of government and I would be willing to make tough choices with dismissing employees who can't quite seem to make good choices or be responsible for their actions.  And, sorry - but if you're dismissed for corruption, mismanagement of government funds or being stupid, you don't get unemployment and you don't get a good recommendation either! (neener neener neener)  So - uh... stuff to be cut in my administration, along with examples of mismanagement that just wouldn't occur....

• U.S. spends $2.6 MILLION on training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly on the job (uhhhhhhh.....uhhhhhhh.....why do I care?)
• A Government Accountability Office audit classified nearly half of all purchases on government credit cards as improper. (including internet dating fees, mortgage payments, jewelry, liquor, lingerie, gambling, etc)
• Security and Exchange Commission spent $3.9 MILLION to rearrange desks and offices in their Washington D.C. headquarters. (hmmmm... maybe everyone could spend 20 minutes and move their desk... grab a buddy - Go TEAM)
• Another GAO audit revealed that 95 Pentagon Weapons Systems had a $295 BILLION cost overrun. (I'm guessing this is a computer glitch?  Let's pay a few really smart guys $1 Million each - I betcha it won't happen again and we save hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars.)
• Government Workers' refusal to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 MILLION every year. (YAY - an easy one! You're fired.  All of you.  Or pay the upgrade out of pocket? Common Sense!)
• Congress gave $500,000 to Alaska Airlines to paint a Chinook Salmon on the side of a plane. (just no...)
• Washington has spent $3 BILLION re-sanding beaches.  (The new sand keeps washing out to the ocean, just like the original stuff did - darndest thing! STUPID!)
• The Dept of Defense wasted $100 MILLION by not getting refunds for unused refundable airline tickets.  (::Headdesk::)
• Congress has ignored efficiency recommendations from the Dept of Health and Human Services that would save $9 BILLION per year.
• The National Institutes of Health spend $1.3 MILLION per month on a lab that it can't use.
• Congress spent $2.4 BILLION on 10 planes that the Pentagon insists it doesn't need and can't use.
• Conservation Reserve Program pays farmers $2 BILLION per year to farmers to not farm their land.
• NIH spent $442,340 to study the behavior of male prostitutes in Vietnam.
• $1.8 MILLION to a museum of Neon Signs in Las Vegas.
• $35 MILLION paid by Medicare to fake Medical Clinics
• U.S. Census Bureau paid $2.5 MILLION for a commercial that aired during Super Bowl.  That commercial was so poorly produced that virtually none of the viewers understood the meaning of it.
• NIH was given $800,000 in 'stimulus funds' to study the "impact of a 'genital-washing program' on men in South Africa".
• Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn identified more than $3 BILLION of mismanaged funds by the National Science Foundation - including almost $560,000 to test the metabolism of sick shrimp.

So, just a small sampling of waste that can be completely cut out of a government's budget.  I don't think any of us really care or would find any of this to count as necessary expenditures.   Common Sense needs to be brought to the forefront and be used liberally.  There is not nearly enough common sense being used in any level of government.  I think there is plenty of money to go around if we start cutting out things that are unnecessary. 
   Now, it should be said clearly that it is probably pretty well known that I am not a Committee kind of a gal.  If you elect me to be your Leader, you're going to have to assume that I'm going to call people out on stupidity.  People are going to be called on their actions and accountability of individuals will be a vital part of getting this country on track.  I'm not going to be giving money to other countries for no reason.  If it doesn't make sense, it doesn't happen.  This country will have a strong defense, but I am not going to allow continued U.S.-centric policing of other countries.  I will not put our servicemen and women in harm's way for any longer... for wars that are questionable at best. 
  So, count this as my vote for Cut, Cap, Balance.    I guess I'm just not part of the 80% of Americans who "agree" with Obama's actions.  I have friends who are on the liberal side, and to them, I say this: I am not bashing liberals.  I think everyone is allowed to have their opinions.  Goodness knows I have mine.  The bottom line is this:  What he's doing is not working. Period.  To keep things fair - I'm not a fan of W either.  I don't think this country is being served well by having a system that allows only the wealthy to run for office.  There are a lot of folks who don't have the hefty bank accounts to finance a presidential run, or even a run for congress... but I do think that we'd be infinitely better represented by a group of people who get the concept of living on a budget and living within one's means.
   So, that's that.  CUT EXPENSES. Period.