Counter Action

As a recovering Messie one of my recurring messes is my counter. My wide open space of counter top is really just an over sized stuff magnet. In fact I think that we may be able to scientifically prove that "stuff" is actually magnetized. It is my firm belief that if you place anything on a counter top it starts to take on magnetic properties  Stuff begets stuff. Stuff attracts stuff. (I am pretty sure that food storage containers self propagate!)
This magnetic process starts out very innocently. You go to the mail box, you set them mail on the counter, you walk away. Or, your kid does an art project and not all of it get's cleaned up. And next thing you know you are conducting a therapy session for lost, broken, misplaced and homeless items. I am not sure if the items on my counter need therapy, but I sure do by the time I finish a whole day of trying to clear it off.

And really, who wants to spend their whole day cleaning off a counter? I could be doing more productive things like cleaning the bathroom!

In all seriousness, my goal is to stop having to battle the clutter everyday all day. I'd rather spend an hour actually cleaning the house instead. Then do something else!  Busting out a few chores each day is so much more rewarding than spending a day rearranging clutter around a home.

So, I decided to get serious and do some major counter intelligence! Here is my process:

Photo #1-- The Old Normal

Step 1: I took an inventory of all these seemingly random things that ended up on my counter. I did a case study, if you will, of what typically found its way there. This study was conducted as I put things away.

Step 2: I reviewed my inventory and looked for patterns. Then I found spots for the frequent counter offenders. This way the next time they ended up on my counter I could swiftly put them away.

I easily eliminated stacks of paper by following my friend Melissa's advice. She fills a magazine holder with pocket folders and quickly files all those papers that need to be accessible yet need a home off of the counter. Each person in the house has a file folder, and each major activity your family does has a folder. For instance we have one for church papers, a folder for phone numbers and directories, and one for local community and preschool places and events.  It works!

In my inventory I found that a huge amount of clutter was due to my daughters love of paper and crafts. I dedicated a drawer to all her papers. This eliminated me trying to sort through them at all. I just scooped all her papers and put them in the drawer. (I also created a system for keeping kids art.... more on that later)

Light at the end of the tunnel! This is at least functional.

When cleaning the counter off I always end up with a pile of random stuff I don't know what to do with. These random items usually end up in a laundry basket that I take from room to room looking for homes for it all

Step 3: Remove whatever does not need to be on the counter from the counter. Since I am a believer that stuff has an inherent magnetic property, I decided to remove as many magnets as possible.
I got rid of my paper towel holder, spice rack, and the decorations I used to put at the end of the counter. I also made a spot for the blender in the cupboard. Even if I use something every day... it still does not need to be on the counter. We don't keep all our glasses and plates on the counter (well I hope you don't)--- how hard is it really to just get something out when you need it?

Step 4: Do a clean sweep a few times a day. Have zero tolerance for counter clutter. Take that mail to the trash, don't let the kids pile their toys on the counter, find a place for that item...or get rid of it.  These are all new habits that I am having to retrain myself to do and encourage my family to do the same. 

Victory! Now to keep it this way!

Back in Business

A lot has stood in the way of me blogging lately. Most of my obstacles have been good things. Healing, catching up on life. Accompanying my husband on youth group trips. And some have been technical difficulties.
Now, I am happy to report, I now have wireless internet and a working laptop computer! I am so happy!
I couldn't wait to make my inaugural blog post with the new laptop and working internet.
And in addition to blogging, I will be able to do all those simple things that just need done, like ordering books from the library or getting important things from Amazon....and still be able to keep a close eye on my 3 year-old.  (She keeps doing things like dismantling the toilet, and smearing honey all over the counter, tonight she tasted glue. And really she's not destroying the house... she's just discovering her surroundings!)

See you soon! I hope!

A Breath of Fresh Air

In the past month I have experienced a wild turn of events. It is something that is best described as a Miracle.

To give you a bit of background, my life has been marked by sickness and major surgeries since childhood. Normal daily activities have been hard to keep up with. To say that pregnancy was hard on me would be an understatement. I have been carted from specialist to specialist most of my life. Most recently, I had been experiencing jaw & facial pain. It had gotten so bad that I was mostly living off of smoothies.

I went to a specialist for TMJ--Dr. Farrand Robson in Tacoma. He told me that TMJ was the least of my worries. Instead, the greater issue is that I have been "choking on my tongue" for pretty much my whole life.

He went on to explain that because I had too many teeth pulled in elementary school the natural boundaries for my tongue changed. As a result my tongue is going too far back in my mouth and depriving me of oxygen. He said that this accounts for my low blood-pressure, high heart-rate, cold/blue hands and feet, and "asthma".

That same day he fitted me for a retainer. This helps pull my tongue forward. I thought the doctor was crazy until he put this thing in my mouth...AND I BREATHED like I have never breathed before. I got really dizzy from all the oxygen! After a few minutes of wearing the retainer my hands started feeling weird. I looked down and they were turning pink and were warming up!! I went home and slept like I have NEVER slept before!

My doctor said that a lot of my other health problems will probably fade away because my body will not have to put so much effort into breathing. We are hopeful, but also realize this will take time.

This will be a three to four month process with the doctor, fitting and adjusting the retainer (AKA orthotic) as my mouth and body adjust to the changes.This process will cost $16,000, which is not covered by insurance. My doctor is writing a letter to let the insurance company know that this is medically necessary for me. I am also going to make an appeal for them to pay.

Dr. Robson's office has a payment plan, but it is too steep for us. We know that God definitely brought me this far and gave me an amazing new joy-- experiencing oxygen!! We know that He will provide for this somehow.

Please pray for provision, and please pray for us as we go through this 4-month adjustment.

With and Without

 Here is a series of pictures that show the difference between when I am wearing the orthotic in my mouth and when I have taken it out for a while. (I have to take it out while I am eating)

The following pictures were taken without 
the orthotic in my mouth.

Before: This is what my hands used to look like a lot of the time.  This picture was  taken after a meal.

Before: Notice the white on the tips of my fingers. They are white because my capillaries are clenching and not allowing blood to come in.  

Before: Note the blue color, also the white sections.

Before: Another look at my hands without the orthotics.

The following pictures were taken with 

the orthotic in my mouth.

After: Blood is starting to refill my hands now that I have the orthotic back in. Notice the different color in my fingertips.

After: Blood is returning to my hands. This is another look at the  pinking up process.

After: This is after I had been wearing the orthotic for a while and my hands had fully warmed up. 

After: My new normal! A lot less blue!

Commonly Asked Questions

The following questions are in regards to my orthotic and the Oral Systemic Balance


How is this different from the mouth guard you can buy at the grocery store, or custom ones made by your dentist?
I tried the grocery store mouth guard and the custom mouth guard from my dentist before going to see Dr. Robson. Neither of these helped me, in fact they made me worse.

While, my orthotic does fit over my teeth in a similar way, however, the design of it is completely different. The other mouth guards just prevent your teeth from grinding on one another. This orthotic actually redirects my tongue and jaw so that I get more air.

My orthotic is worn all day and all night. The only time I take it out is to eat. I have grown accustomed to the proper amounts of oxygen. It is very noticeable when I take it out, my hands start turning blue, and my chest starts pulling back in. My body also starts to produce adrenaline to adjust to the decrease in air.

Why does it cost so much?
The orthotic itself does not cost $16,000, it is the entire process. This process is called Oral Systemic Balance. This is the estimated cost of my recovery process based on the best plan Dr. Robson has to get me well. The process can not be completed in just one sitting. As my body changes and responds to the increased level of oxygen, the orthotic needs to be changed and modified.

When I go to the office I am not just having a brief meeting with Dr. Robson. There are several technicians who work to adjust my orthotic. I also see an RN who is monitoring my body functions and changes. I receive complete care while in their office. Most of my appointments have lasted about 2 hours or more.


Have you continued to see improvement?
In the first week I noticed better sleeping, tone and color of my skin and more energy.

Within the month I stopped taking all my medications. 

Before I received my orthotic I had a large indentation in my chest. Since I have been wearing the orthotic my chest has pulled forward dramatically. The amount of air that I am getting in each breath has increased significantly.

Before this, if I did too many activities (fun or otherwise) it was always followed by some kind of sickness that lasted for a week. After getting the retainer/ orthotic I was able to go on a week long mission trip with my family, and I did not get sick when I returned.

I have had many more amazing experiences -- like what it's like to sing and breathe at the same time!

Our quality of life has improved dramatically. I am told that this is just the beginning.

Is this a common problem? 
As I understand it, this is an extremely common problem. There are lots of testimonies with dramatic results for all kinds of symptoms. There has been amazing results for those with Fibromyalgia, Autism, ADD and ADHD, Bulimia, Anorexia and many drug and alcohol addictions, depression, chronic fatigue, sleep apnea and the list goes on.

Side Note: I did not have any of the above conditions. 

How can I find out more about it?
Further information can be found at www.oralsystembiology.com.

A fellow patient and blogger share's her story at: http://myhealthtestimony.blogspot.com/.


There are numerous discussion threads that mention Doctor Farrand Robson
and Oral Systemic Balance(OSB).

Article by Dr. Robson

Article: Miracles in Medicine

It felt like a good idea

I love telling stories to children. I have to say that I think using felt pieces makes story telling extra fun. Children can see the story, and you can animate it for them. Then after you tell the story the children can play with the story elements.
I have even used felt pieces when teaching my creative writing class to older children. They loved it.
There are lots of sets out there to buy. The best ones tend to be rather expensive. I have been blessed because some friends gave us a bunch of felt pieces. Some of them are simple shapes and animal shapes. I use these to help the girls practice counting and simple addition and subtraction.
We also have some sets of fairy tale stories. They love to listen to those stories, then make up their own variations during their own pretend play time.
Most special of all, my Grammie gave me her felt board pieces that she used to use in Five Day Clubs. They are Bible characters and stories. Some came from kits, others she drew and colored herself. They are in amazing condition. It was so special for her to pass them to me. She knew I would use them as she had.

So, imagine my extreme excitement when I discovered a bag stuffed full of felt Bible pieces in our local thrift store for $20. I wanted to see what pieces it contained so I took it to the counter and opened it. Much to my dismay when the bag was opened an odious smell rose to my nose. To me the pieces reeked of cat pee. They were also covered in cat hair. (I am allergic to cats)

I brought this to the attention of the two ladies at the counter. So the ladies took turns sticking their faces in the plastic bag. "Oh no," they said ", it doesn't smell like cat pee, a cat just sat on it."
I was not convinced, I was still smelling cat pee, but they were sticking their faces into that smelly bag and coming back up only smelling cat.
So then began the group discussion as to whether or not these felt pieces could be washed.
Another customer joined the discussion and also smelled the bag. The lady thought they could probably be washed in the machine on cold and a delicate cycle.
Everyone had voted and I was out numbered. But, I was not going to pay $20 for a bag of felt pieces covered in cat fur and possibly cat pee.
So the ladies at the counter decided to take the bag of felt pieces to the experts in the back.
The experts in the back said that it reeked of cat pee and that they were going to throw it out. However, if I wanted them I could have them for free.
At this moment my brain malfunctioned.... it focused in on free felt pieces... sweet! I forgot to remember: #1. These are covered with cat pee. #2. They are covered with cat hair, and I am allergic. #3. I never looked to see what stories it contained. #4. Do I have time for this project?
Finally, after months of procrastination, I decided to open the smelly bag.
My friend Maria had started selling Norwex. The Norwex products are really quite amazing and I will be featuring them on my blog often. She gave me a sample bottle of the odor eliminator to test out. (All the products are environmentally friendly and safe for people with extremely sensitive allergies and asthma).

I threw the bag of stinky felt into the wash on cold with the odor eliminator. Amazingly it worked! There was no odor! But, they still had cat hair on them.
There were a lot more felt pieces in there than I realized. But the more I looked at them, the more random and weird they seemed. I had to lay them out to dry, and they took up my entire counter and table. Then I ended up using the lint roller on each piece. At this point Rory was very concerned that I had totally lost my mind.
I had to do an extensive online search to try and determine what story the pieces were from. In the end, they came from a bunch of different stories.
So there is a sad ending to this story.... I couldn't use any of the pieces!!! After all that time and energy.
However, the church has a similar set that someone donated. So maybe they will be used for good after all.
And, I got to test out the Norwex Odor Eliminator and I like it a latte! Check it out!

More than a Little Chicken

On Fridays I would like to take the time to talk about facing some of my many fears. Now, when I refer to something as a fear... it is more along the lines of an apprehension. For the purpose of this blog I will define 'fears' as:  things that I am not confident with, avoiding, have never done, or have tried with out much success. Since I have many  things that fit this description I have decided to devote a category to it on my blog. Here is the first installment of Freaky Friday. Freaky Friday is devoted to me sharing with you the story of how I tried to face yet another fear.

Today's Fear: Cooking a whole Bird

One of the most important keys to keeping your grocery budget down is to stop buying individual pieces of meat. It is best to wait until chicken goes on sale and then buy the whole bird. Your first meal will be Chicken Dinner, then you cut up and freeze the cooked meat and use it in other chicken dishes through out the month. From Chicken sandwiches, to salads, to stir fry, to chicken pot pie.... the list goes on. This should save you time and money.
I have heard this rule of thumb time and again. It makes sense.... I want to do it, but some how that bag of frozen, boneless, skinless, chicken breasts keep jumping into my cart while at Costco.

Then this little hen fluttered into my life....
As a family in the ministry at a church in a rural farming community we enjoy and also rely on people from the congregation sharing with us. We enjoy and survive on fresh meat, fruits and vegetables donated by people from their personal farms. It is a wonderful thing!
So when my friend Kris put a frozen chicken in each of my hands-- I thought "Here's my chance!"
These chickens came home with me sat in my freezer for a month, while I worked up the nerve to cook them. Then one day it happened.... we needed chicken. I defrosted the bird in the fridge and put it in the pan. Then I panicked.
What do I do with this thing! Do I need to reach up it's crevasse and pull some stuff out? Does it matter that there are a few feathers on the feet? Do I wash it off or something?

Fortunately my friend Maria was on her way over. She knew exactly what to do.
First she asked me, "How well did you know this chicken?"
"Well, I didn't know it personally, I am sure I saw it pecking around my friend's house before," I answered.
"Ah, so it's a laying hen!" Maria replied.
I just gave her a slow wide eyed nod at that point.
"Well in that case, put it in a pot and boil the heck out of it! Don't take it off the stove until the meat falls off the bones. You can't bake a laying hen, the meat will be too tough."

In a few swift moments Maria then sliced the laying hen open to make sure there were no parts left inside. She got rid of what remained. Then she washed the dirt off in cold water and plucked the remaining feathers.

I pulled out my one big pot and stuck the bird in there. But there was an issue with the feet. The fact that there were still feet.

No problem, Maria tired to use a knife to cut them off and then just started bashing the leg/foot against the edge of the pot until it broke off.

After filling the pot with water I added celery, onions, carrots and various herbs and olive oil to the pot while it simmered. Then when all the meat was falling off the bone I strained out the bones. I set some chicken and broth aside for chicken and rice soup. I kept a few containers of meat to use in Chicken Pot Pie. I also filled several ice cube trays with broth so that I would have smaller amounts available while cooking. Then I froze larger amounts of chicken broth in cleaned out yogurt containers.

As promised, that little chicken has provided several meals for us and lots of nourishing broth to use is many meals and soups to come.