I have called the health center every day since last Tuesday and I stil have no results. I was actually there today because I had to take the boys for their physicals and I requested copies of the results, and they still would not give them to me. I had to sign a release form and they said to try back tomorrow. Ugh. I’m so frustrated right now. It’s never this hard. Anytime one of us has bloodwork or whatever, I just call and get the results. This time, they won’t give them to me, they say the doctor hasn’t released it. What’s the hold up? Oh, in case you were wondering, the boys’ physicals were uneventful. They are doing great.

On to other news, September is approaching fast. This is not good. I feel a little more anxious each day, and have started Wellbutrin again. If I know myself, here in about 3 weeks, I’ll probably start to go downhill emotionally and this really does help. I haven’t been to the cemetery since last September, for her birthday. Not Christmas, or even Memorial Day. I just haven’t went. Life has gotten very busy and it’s hard for me to make it over there. I will make time soon. Probably in September. We’ll take her daisies and balloons, as usual. I can’t believe she would have been five this year. How does time slip away like that?

Mom & I painted Annabelle’s new room. It’s pink and purplish-blue. It’s really cute. After it’s done, I’ll post pics. For now it’s a work in progress.

The boys’ birthday party was fun. They had a Buzz Lightyear Pizza Party. I can’t believe they are 4. Seems like yesterday we were fighting to keep them from being born too early.

We’re having a yard sale this weekend to raise money for The MOM Project. We have a ton of stuff… hopefully that will bring in some money! I’m pricing everything super cheap so it moves fast!

They are just two things I’m dealing with this week!

Yesterday I had some bloodwork done because I’m still not losing weight, despite trying practically everything short of a gastric bypass. I’m a month out on Alli, and I managed to lose only 2-3 lbs. That’s just not right. I got a TSH done as well as a T3 and T4. They are also doing a complete metabolic test to check my kidneys, liver, glucose and all that good stuff. I should get the results on August 11th - provided I can get my health insurance back by then, it ends on July 31 and I’m scrambling trying to get it reinstated.

Anyway…

I also decided to sell Bittersweet candles again! These really are the best candle around. Book a party with me, and you won’t be let down! I’ll post more details later about hostess specials. I’m waiting on my goods to come in first to get all my ducks in a row. I’m also launching a new site to promote the candles, as well as my bags and other miscellaneous items. Yep, I’m going into business again! Stay tuned for the site!

The MOM Project picnic is finally over! It took a lot of planning, but overall it was fun and a success. Everyone said they had a great time! You can see a video of it if you go to The MOM Project blog.

I got a call from the school the other day. Annie is on a waiting list for pre-k. If thre is an opening for her on her third birthday, then she’ll get in. Her birthday is September 28, and the cutoff for pre-k is September 1. I also got a call from Nick & Aaron’s teachers. They’ll be in the morning class, and they’ll get to ride a bus to school. Much easier for me!

I’ve started sewing again. I haven’t sewn in forever. What got me started was Annabelle needed some nightgowns and can’t believe how much they are for such little fabric! So, I got some lightweight material and made her one. Then I decided to make a bag for myself and that turned out super cute. I may make some more bags to sell. Here’s a pic of it:

In case you haven’t noticed, I added a new section to this blog called, “Downsize Me!” I am hoping that it will keep me in line with my weight loss journey. My weight has fluctuated so much in the past 5 years. When I got married, I weighed just over 240, my highest ever at that point. I had a few kids, and lost some weight. After the boys were born, I dropped down to 170 and felt so wonderful. When I got pregnant the last time, I gained it all back, and in the past three years, I gained even more. I am currently topping the scales at my highest weight ever, 266 and my dress size is 28. I cannot believe that I am so large. I don’t know how I got this way.

Even now, I do try to watch what I eat. I don’t eat huge meals, but I think my weakness is my sweet tooth and my affection for soda. I am happy to say, however, that I have not had a soda in two days. That’s huge for me, for awhile I was drinking 3-4 a day! *gasp*

So, here I go on my journey, and I will update my progress on the other section of this blog. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what to do. I have considered weight loss surgery and the only reason I haven’t done it yet, is that I’d prefer a lap-band over a gastric bypass and I don’t want to go to Chicago. If I could get the lap-band in St Louis, I’d be scheduling the surgery tomorrow! (Well, it’s not that easy, but you know what I mean.) So wish me luck, and I could use some support!

As you know, our kids have battled lead poisoning for three years now. It has been a long road with the EPA making visits to test our house, walls, floors, and even the soil outside of our house. It all started after routine blood tests showed the boys had elevated levels on their first birthday. Over the next couple years, the levels topped off at up to 24. Nick and Annabelle had the highest levels, and they have the most delays today.

We have had to paint the interior of our house and then coat it with polyeurathane, paint the front porch, clean all of their toys with a solution made of powdered cascade, and plant new grass. They strongly advised us to put new siding on the house and even bring in new dirt for the yard and said that our children should not play outside until this was done. The kids have had to have regular blood tests. Over the past year, we’ve seen their levels go way down, and Nick remained elevated. About 6 months ago, his level was 10, which was borderline. I was due to take him back in April, but he got sick and I put it off.

Last Wednesday, I finally took him back in. I was so scared, sure that his level was going to be even higher. I called on Thursday to get the results, and as of closing time, they still weren’t in. I called several times on Friday, and finally they called me back late that afternoon with the results.

Nick’s level was 6.

Finally, after all of this hard work, the worries, everything, we are done!! Nick has to have another blood test before his fifth birthday, but other than that, we do not have to deal with this any more! I just cannot say how relieved we are.

The night we got the results, we celebrated!!

Now, for the most important thing, how to tell if your house has lead paint in it. You can get home test kits that will tell you if there is lead, but they won’t tell you how much. If your home was built after 1978, it does not have lead paint. If it was built before 1978, it may.

The older the house
(mostly those built before 1950), the better chance. If you are buying a house, ask for a lead inspection before you buy… it may save you from what we’ve had to go through!

Old lead paint often looks like cracked alligator skin. This is often found in window sills and on the exterior. Paint on the inside of the house probably will not look the same, but you may find little hard paint chips that have cracked off.

Here is what lead paint looks like on the exterior of a house:

This concludes my public service announcement.