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Jan 03 2006
Things have been laid back and hectic at the same time, if that makes sense.
For example, today while playing with the dogs a window was broke. They have a
football attached to a heavy yet soft rope. We were throwing it outside (it was
42 degrees today!) and next thing we know, CRASH! Right through the window! And,
it is an odd shaped window, LOL. Luckily Chris got some power tools for the
holiday, hehe. We now have one wooden window :)
Jake got bunk beds for Christmas. My Mother bought them for him. They are
really neat except I keep smacking my head. The last time it was so hard it
startled Jake :) Thankfully I have a very hard head.
Jake had his first experience falling in the toilet today. It was so funny I
had tears. He went to sit down and forgot that he didn't put the seat down
(house rule). Plop! Right in. He was a little shook up but we were able to laugh
it off.
So I am sure you can have a feel of the way things have been going. I will
say it is most entertaining.
Cage pulled himself up to a stand today! He loves his walker, but he now has
a toy he can push and walk behind. Well, he went down on his knees and right
back up! A new stage is beginning.
For dinner I made left over soup, Brussels-sprouts, and tofurkey sausage (the
tomato and basil kind). I ended up just eating Brussels sprouts and a half a
tofurkey (Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite things) but before I pigged
all the Brussels sprouts I put a few into Cages baby food mill. They were a hit!
Maybe I will finally find someone to share my appreciation of this over looked
food :)
For breakfast I made cinnamon rolls (I make the best). Lunch was Chik patties
and tortilla chips, and I said what dinner was. Cage had soy yogurt (plain),
mixed grain cereal (with soy milk and peanut butter), Brussels sprouts, soy milk
to drink, and loads of love.
Poor little baby is really struggling with his teeth. I am rushing through
this entry because right now if you are not Mommy (MEH as he calls me) you are
not good enough. I give him his tea and homeopathic teething gel but I think
this is just going to take time. One thing that does calm him is rap music. He
heard a commercial where Eminem was playing and he went nuts! Luckily I like
Eminem, but I have to edit it for content. LOL, any rap will do. Its way
different than my grateful dead. (Right now 8 mile road is on, that's how I am
getting a free moment to type.)
A friend of mine called me today I have not spoken to in over a year. She is
one of the most awesome people in this world. She has all the guts and the gusto
to go so far. We have worked on some animal issues before and I really want her
to make the switch from meat eater to vegetarian. The animal rights movement
needs more people like her...this planet needs more people like her. Talking to
her was refreshing. I had forgot how very much I missed her. We should have
gotten in a lot of trouble together, but we never got caught. *Just silly
things*
So this was my day. Hehehe, I have to laugh at myself :)
Oh! New Years Eve was alright. We did stay in. A friend of mine got stood up
so she spent the night. She had a few shots of whiskey and I had a few shots of
water. We tried to watch Napoleon Dynamite, but we ended up falling asleep. It
would have made a funny postcard...Chris, Me, Friend, and all the dogs and one
cat crammed on the sofa. Cage slept most of the night. Jake went to my Mothers,
she had step family over that had children. I made 'meatball' subs for dinner
that night with broccoli and for breakfast we had pancakes. Friend is a non veg
person but loves to come over and eat my cooking. She could not tell the
difference between tofutti sour cream and the sour cream made from milk and
suffering.
Hehehe...Chris just dug out an ancient Eminem CD and Cage is dancing and
laughing. I must admit, I would rather he listen to classical music, but
hey....he is happy. I will just have to dose him with classical while he sleeps.
Have a good night all. I have discovered a new sweet...tofutti too-too's.
Dairy-free ice cream sandwiched between two soft cookies and rolled in chocolate
chips. All vegan, all delicious. I love being vegan! I can have anything I want
... cruelty free, healthy, and no taste sacrifice :D
This is going to be a good year.
December 31,
2005
HAPPY NEUTER YEAR'S EVE EVERYONE!!!
OK, I am having a hard time believing that almost another year has past. I still sometimes date my papers 2002. Now 2006 seems so unreal. The biggest shock to me is how much faster time goes by when you are old (and sleep deprived). Tonight we are staying home and having movie night. We pop pop corn and everyone climbs into bed (animals included) to snuggle and watch movies. We have sparkling cider, pop corn, tofutti too-too's, chocolate chip malts (I am making), and pizza. Sounds ideal but here is what will probably happen... Cage will be up grumpy and screaming because he is teething. We will be walking him followed by a train of concerned dogs. Then the dogs will go to bed and we will still be walking Cage, trying to soothe him. At least we will all be
together ;)
So yes, Cage has been teething. Jake never had a problem ... no crying, fevers, discomfort...teeth came in and that was that. Cage is a totally different story. He has severe pain, the trots, rashes, vomiting, fevers, and cold like symptoms. I get so worn out...I have actually tried to write this about 29 times...lack of sleep makes my writing seem like
nonsense and when it does make sense Cage decides to have to have no one but Mommy. So I feel coherent right now, Cage is happy next to me in his Johnny Jump-Up...I have my fingers crossed that this will happen this time. (I had to back track....it has been four hours since I started this, lol)
Thanksgiving went well for us. We had only our family to eat with, which was very nice. I made a blueberry glazed Tofurkey with mashed potatoes, dumplings, sweet potatoes, baby carrots, green and wax beans, and chocolate cup cakes. We ate, we discussed what we were thankful for, we cleaned up, done. Easy and simple.
Christmas was a different story. While we had a good time I can't get over all the
consumerism that takes place. SHOP SHOP SHOP-BUY BUY BUY...if your kids don't have this they will not be cool, this is the latest trend, buy this product or die .... sheesh! What
happened to spending time with your loved ones? (no, we are not religious and do not celebrate that way. In fact, we could be happy with no Christmas holiday...although I like watching Jake open Santa presents).
So we did the holiday family three ring circus. Some members of the extended family (not saying who or who's side) are very jealous. If we spend one more minute with someone and not someone else it is the end of the world. That really makes the family get together less enjoyable. This is what made the Holiday horrible. Chris's Grandparents live on a beef farm. I think I may have wrote about it before...not sure. Anyway, we were not going to go but at the last minute Chris said we HAD to go. Not that I mind seeing his family but I hate going to that place of death. We went, the people were nice, tra-la-la...now I will not be able to sleep for three months trying to get those cows to safety. One of the kids there said 'they are dirty and smelly'. Its true, their pen smells. It has about 12 inches of loose muck, shit, urine, and slop clay. When they step it splashes all over. Not their fault, as I politely explained. If your Mommy didn't make sure you were clean and not smelly would you be? OK, anyway...I am done bitching about that.
For Christmas I got a toaster oven (I know it sounds silly but I really wanted one) and a pair of
Eskimo style snow boots from Chris, Jake and Cage. Jake's biggest present from us was a V-Smile pocket game system and a few games. It is all educational so it is me approved. He also got a lot of little things (light up toys, bunk beds, bath toys, stuff to color, clothes). Cage got toys and clothes but he only cares about the boxes. Chris got a really nifty electric shaver (he also really wanted it), some clothes, and the joy of knowing we do not have to do this again until the end of next year, lol. I forgot, the animals got
Santa presents too!
So yes, Cage is teething. It is more like a teething rampage! Poor little guy. I bought some homeopathic teething gel (Hylands teething gel) that does work but he never wants it. If you try to stick it in his mouth you risk loosing a finger. I try to stick it on toys that he chews on and he will throw them on the floor. He is a smart little monkey :) I also give him chamomile tea and frozen hemp cloths soaked in the tea. Works sometimes. Gripe water is never far from us either. The thing that works the most is patients.
We have been eating like its going out of style! Maybe it is because it has been so cold and
frigid out...maybe because I love to cook :) I make one humongous pot of soup a week (mostly 32 bean and 10 veggie, but sometimes Jake wants 'Chik noodle' and Chris will want potato) that will last a week until the next pot is done. It makes a great snack, quick meal, well I guess we eat it all the time. I have been making bread again. I like to knead all my frustrations out :) If I get the time to make it I make several loaves and freeze some, that way I
don't have to worry about making it again (incase grumpy baby will not give me the chance). I also am making 'stuffed breadsticks' with Vegan Gourmet cheese inside, then we dip them in pizza sauce. Loads of tofu scrambles (tofu, 2 scoops of nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, fake sausage, onion, potato). Pizza every week (once again, thank you to vegan gourmet), grilled sandwiches, salads, casseroles, needless to say we are not starving over here.
Jake had his first sleep over! His little friend Caleb from school came and stayed the night with us. Caleb is not vegan or vegetarian, but understands that Jake is. They were so cute together! Caleb asked to try some of Jakes soy milk. I gave him a small glass. He said " This is better than milk! May I please have some more?" So we had no problems at all. Caleb understood that we were eating nuggets that were not from a chicken and scarfed them down. He said he really liked all of our food which made me feel fantastic. We took the boys to a arcade and let them run wild. It was so much fun!
Chris had a pot-luck dinner at his work. I asked him what he wanted me to make for it. Taco salad. Well, this taco salad is different than a salad with taco stuff in it. It is taco mix, tomato, lettuce, soy cheese, tortilla chip, and
French dressing all mixed up. I like to put black olives, onion, carrots, pea pods, sprouts, and black beans in it too, but Chris wanted the basics only. He said people ate it so fast he only got half a scoop (I made several batches of it). Everyone was coming up to him thanking him for how delicious it was, then he told them it was vegan. One man from the factory said "That wasn't meat or cheese? What the hell did I just eat?" Chris said you just ate a very healthy cholesterol-free animal free meal. The guy was astonished. He said his Doc just started him on medication because his cholesterol was too high, but if all vegan food tasted like that he would have no problems (yes, I am gloating now). So I made some pancakes and bacon and sent them to work with Chris for that man. While I am vegan for ethical reasons I understand and appreciate turning others this way for heath reasons. Even if that man starts eating pone meatless-dairyless meal a week he is helping the animal movement. (I forgot to mention I also love to cook for people.)
Well Cage is sleeping and I better try to do the same. I have new pictures to post soon (you will not
believe the size of Cage, I call him my super chunk!). Oh, Cage just woke up. I hear 'MA!!!!" I will post again soon. I think I forgot to talk about him in his walker, lol!
Saturday
November
19
Wow,
time
flies!
We
have
been
so
busy
my
head
is
spinning.
That
is a
great
thing
though.
So
far
we
have
survived
Halloween,
Chris's
birthday,
two
bouts
of
the
flu,
a
chipped
tooth
for
Jacob,
two
teeth
for
Cage,
animals
in
and
out,
my
closet
friends
breakup
(after
17
years)
with
her
beau,
...well
let
me
elaborate
before
I
continue.
Halloween
is
my
favorite
holiday.
You
get
to
dress
up
however
you
want
and
people
give
you
food
items.
Jake
loves
it
too.
We
did
take
him
all
over
trick
or
treating...he
got
so
much
candy
he
couldn't
carry
the
bag!
Once
we
get
home
we
sort
thru
the
vegan
and
non
vegan
items.
The
non
vegan
items
go
to
the
food
pantry
(for
food
for
the
not
so
fortunate)
or
to
nursing
homes
(they
will
not
always
take
it).
Jake
happily
gives
up
his
candy
to
the
less
fortunate.
That
has
never
been
a
problem.
The
problem
we
have,
year
after
year,
is
that
he
wants
to
wear
a
costume
year
round.
I do
too
so I
can't
blame
him.
I
think
dressing
up
is
so
much
fun!
(Yes,
I
also
play
make
believe
with
Jake.)
Chris
turned
27
on
November
14.
He
thinks
he
is
old!
I am
going
to
be
29
in
March,
that
seems
old.
On
birthdays
around
here
you
get
whatever
you
want
to
eat.
Chris
wanted
biscuits
and
'sausage'
gravy.
That
is
easy
enough
to
make
vegan.
We
love
'gimmie
lean'
brand
vegan
'sausage'
in
the
roll.
I
was
hoping
for
a
challenge
(cooking
wise)
but
dinner
turned
out
great.
Chris
was
happy
and
that
is
all
that
counts.
For
his
present
we
will
be
going
to a
NASCAR
race.
I
don't
get
into
NASCAR
at
all,
but
it
is
his
favorite
sport
type
thingy.
Maybe
I
will
like
it
better
in
person?
I
guess
the
whole
family
can
go
and
we
could
camp
or
get
a
hotel.
I
opt
for
renting
a
camper
(then
some
of
the
dogs
can
come
too).
We
are
not
going
until
later
next
year.
Plenty
of
time
to
plan.
I
will
say
I
have
spoken
to
the
Greg
Biffle
Foundation
(He
is a
NASCAR
driver)
due
to
the
work
they
do
for
animals.
I
thanked
them.
It
means
a
lot
to
me
when
a
'celebrity'
speaks
up
for
the
animals.
They
are
in a
unique
position.
Way
to
go
Greg
Biffle
and
family.
Well,
its
flu
season.
Jake,
being
in
school,
has
survived
two
bouts.
The
first
time
the
school
said
he
would
be
ailing
for
at
least
three
days,
he
threw
up
once
and
was
fine.
Same
thing
the
second
time.
Except
he
came
into
my
room
to
tell
me
he
didn't
feel
good
and
threw
up
on
my
bed,
almost
on
me.
It
was
so
funny!
"Mom,
I
don't
feel
goo...SPLAT".
That
was
it,
he
was
fine
after
that.
I
believe
the
shortened
flu
and
illness
is
due
to
the
super
diet
he
eats.
He
also
doesn't
get
the
majority
of
the
illnesses
the
other
children
get.
Thank
dog
for
that
too,
because
this
year
alone
there
has
been
three
types
of
the
flu,
colds
galore,
strep
throat,
pink
eye,
and
some
nasty
chest
congestion
funk.
Every
week
in
Jakes
class
they
go
over
a
new
letter.
The
kids
have
to
find
things
and
bring
them
in
that
start
with
the
letter
they
are
working
on.
Last
week
it
was
'P'
so
Jake
happily
ate
some
pretzels.
Well
those
evil
pretzels
broke
his
tooth!
It
was
a
molar
that
chipped,
so
off
to
the
dentist.
The
same
evil
pretzels
also
chipped
Chris's
molar
and
he
has
been
having
the
worst
time
with
pain.
Jake's
tooth
does
not
bother
him
at
all,
Chris's
tooth
chipped
so
far
down
the
root
is
exposed.
I
had
no
problems
but
then
again
I
can
eat
jaw
breakers
like
pop
corn.
(Why
didn't
I
think
of
pop
corn
instead
of
pretzels?
LOL)
Cage
has
two
teeth!
They
are
both
on
the
bottom.
I
saw
a
hint
of
one
tooth
and
the
next
thing
I
knew
there
were
two
of
them!
Teething
was
(and
will
be)
a
little
rough.
He
was
grumpy,
wanted
Mommy
to
hold
him
all
the
time,
and
didn't
sleep
too
much.
I
have
tried
to
take
pics
of
the
teeth
in a
smile
but
the
only
one
I
got
where
they
can
be
seen
is
of
him
crying.
Still
a
cute
pic:)
So
of
course
with
two
new
teeth
Cage
wanted
to
experiment
biting
everything.
My
breasts
are
included
in
the
'everything'.
Yes,
it
hurt.
I
said
a
loud
"NO"
and
put
him
down.
Then
I
walked
away.
Problem
solved.
Cage
is
also
eating
solids.
I
started
him
off
with
organic
rice
cereal
and
breast
milk.
I
have
forgot
how
difficult
it
is
to
express
with
no
pump!
I
would
work
so
hard
for
a
few
drops.
Needless
to
say
I am
getting
the
needed
tubing
for
my
breast
pump.
I
hate
to
think
of
what
the
poor
cows
go
thru.
Its
not
comfortable
to
say
the
least!
Well,
I
now
give
him
cereal
with
breast
milk,
soy
milk,
or
apple
juice.
He
also
likes
sweet
potatoes.
In
fact,
I
bought
a
ton
of
them
from
a
local
organic
farmer
and
I
don't
know
who
ate
more,
me
or
him
:)
I
roast
them
slowly
for
many
hours
on
low
heat
in
the
stove.
We
eat
them
plain.
They
are
so
delicious!
Cage
also
eats
applesauce
with
raisins
in
it,
peas,
green
beans,
brown
rice,
carrots,
bananas,
and
oatmeal.
I
make
all
my
baby
food
(except
the
cereal).
I
have
a
baby
food
mill
that
I
use
all
the
time.
Every
time
we
eat
I
grind
some
of
it
up
and
freeze
it
in
an
ice
cube
tray.
When
the
time
comes
I
pop
it
out,
defrost,
and
serve.
I
don't
think
it
gets
much
easier
and
cost
effective.
Cage
does
love
to
eat!
I
can't
believe
that
little
body
can
hold
so
much
food.
Its
funny,
when
he
eats
I am
reminded
of
the
birds
I
used
to
care
for.
He
will
follow
the
spoon
with
his
mouth
open
chirping
with
excitement.
Well
that
is
all
for
now.
I
just
rec'd
a
call
asking
me
to
go
hang
out
with
my
friend
(the
one
who
suffered
the
break-up/divorce
of
17
years)
at a
hotel
room
she
rented.
They
have
mini
golf
inside,
pool,
hot
tub,
arcade.
I
have
a
non
alcoholic
bottle
of
wine
and
we
are
going
to
party
:)
Cage
is
coming
with,
of
course.
I
have
yet
to
leave
him.
So I
will
finish
the
rest
at a
later
time.
Happy
Trails....
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