Author: nschristine

Home · Self

Life Update

nschristineLeave a comment

asdrubal-luna-485688-unsplash

Life happens.  I think my life is happening a little too much at the moment.  I had to take some time off due to events.  I can’t seem to catch a break or relax enough.  Right now I do what needs to be done, then I just can’t do anymore.  I just listen to music or podcasts.  It’s all I have energy for.

My son is still having problems.  School is a month away.  Right now he is in day treatment.  He absolutely hates it.  He goes for three hours a day.  Many of the kids in treatment with him are physically violent or swear and use every manner of bad language.  It is common to hear a 7 year old scream at the top of his lungs “F*ck You, you stupid c*nt.” Wonderful.  My son has Sensory Processing Disorder and High Functioning Autism.  He hates this.  He also says he is hit for no reason.  I know he is telling the truth.  Unfortunately, if the therapists don’t see it, they can do nothing.

I hate to send him here.  However, there is no other place to go.  If I could find a therapist willing to see my son several times a week I would.  There isn’t anyone like that.  Therapists have long waiting lists.

I have even started to have my own panic attacks. I have had 3 so far.  I will definitely need my own medication adjusted.  I’ve avoided a few places because of the attacks which I shouldn’t do.  Bad example for my son.

On a happier note, my family has acquired two new members. We adopted two 12 week old kittens, brothers, from a local pet rescue.  One is a tuxedo cat (black and white) named May.  The other is a grey/brown striped Tabby named Winter.  They were for my son as a way to help distract him from his depression and anxiety.  He was so thrilled to get them.  Check out my Instagram for photos.

I get the joy of cleaning the litter box and feeding them. They are very curious about everything.  Just for the record, I am allergic to cats. I have 5 air filters going all the time.  So far I am getting by.

I also made some zucchini muffins and banana cake.  Check out the blog for recipes.

We have also had issues with insurance. They are giving us the run around on my son’s treatment. I’m sure some random doctor in another state who has never met my son is qualified to decide what treatment he should receive and what he should not.  My son right now is in a day treatment program.  This is the only one we could get him into.  Some programs have three year waiting lists.  We could not wait any longer than a few days.  My son needed therapy.  So he has been going to this program Monday thru Friday for three hours.  He absolutely hates it.

I knew he would.  When I was filling out the paperwork for it, they had two pages on parole officers, and court ordered treatment.  I didn’t feel this was right for my son.  My son has anxiety and depression.   He is not a juvenile delinquent. He is with the 12 and under group.  However these kids are not like the kids he was with in his stabilization places. As stated in the first paragraph, it’s not a good environment.

Starting this month insurance will only pay for three days.  My husband and I can pay for one, and he will have one day off.  I am hoping he can survive being back at school full time.  He has expressed anxiety.  I can only hope for the best.

Until next time.

Clothing

10 Fashion Terms to Know

nschristineLeave a comment

igor-ovsyannykov-174012

Abraded Yarn: A continuous filament of man made yarn which has been rubbed to raise fuzz which increases bulk.  Then the yarn is twisted into two-ply.

Two-ply yarn: A yarn made by combining two lightly twisted single yarns into one yarn. This makes the yarn stronger and durable.

Baby Bunting: An infant’s outdoor sack that has a zipper in front with a hood.

Barathea: A fabric with a pebbled texture that was originally done in silk.  Generally used for ties it can now come in a variety of fabrics types.

Chemise: A linen garment worn next to the skin.

Crochet: A method of making a garment, lace or fabric with one hooked needle by machine or hand.

Down: Material used to pad winter jackets, coats, and blankets for warmth.  Down is from the fluffy undercoat of geese and ducks.

Dummy: Called a dressmakers dummy, is a form of the human body on which cloth is draped before construction.

Gauze: A net like fabric used for costumes or trim and can be crinkled.  Used for a variety of garment constructions. Made of a variety of fibers.

Lorgnette: A pair of eyeglasses attached to a handle used for seeing detail or distance.

Check out the blog next month for more fashion terms.

 

Uncategorized · Self

How To Get A Pen Pal.

nschristineLeave a comment

unsplash42

I love writing letters.  There is something about getting a letter in your mailbox that is exciting.  A handwritten letter is always so much longer and involved than an email or tweet. If you take the time to write a letter, you care.  You take the time to choose what to say.  I love to pick out stationery, stickers, pens, and little inclusions for my letters.  I like to make the special.  I even will do some mail art.

I have been writing letters to pen pals since I was 11 years old.  My oldest pen pal has been writing to me since 1988.

When I got my first pen pal in Tasmania, Australia at age 11 it was from a kids TV show called “Big Blue Marble.” I liked writing letters so much that I got several more from them.  I can still remember the jingle used to advertise pen pals.  I even memorized the address and know it all these years later!  Once the TV show ended I searched for more pen pals.

I got some out of various magazines.  Pen pals were very popular in the 80’s.  Pre-Internet you know.  There were various pen pal services back then.  I used several of them to varying effects. A magazine called ‘Teen” magazine did lots of pen pal matches.  In fact, my longest pen pal I mentioned above was matched to me in one of their pen pal programs.  If I remember correctly, we were matched based on our astrological sign.  We are both Libras! I even honeymooned in Hawaii where she lives.  So we were finally able to meet up.  My husband and I took her out for lunch. I also had the fortune of meeting four other pen pals when I lived in Europe. Maybe someday you can meet yours!

One of the main sources of pen pals for me has been IPF or International Pen Friends.  The world’s oldest pen pal service started in 1967. Here is their web address: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~penpals/

Writing to pen pals can be tricky. Things happen.  Life happens. Some people you write to never respond.  Some people write for a little bit then stop.  No one knows why.  Having a pen pal is a serious commitment.  You want a pen pal to write you long letters then you have to write long letters yourself.  Pen pals can be wonderful.  It takes time and effort. I personally feel that it is a fantastic hobby.  A hobby that can last a lifetime.

There are many groups on Facebook for pen pals.  There are also several other organizations that offer pen pals.  Use your best judgement.  Be careful about putting yourself out there.  Do your research.  When in doubt, don’t do it.  When you find a pen pal it can be a great experience. There is so much to learn and its great to have another person to listen to you.

Take a chance and go out and get a pen pal.  It’s an experience to remember!

Enjoy writing those letters.

 

Food

A Delicious Banana Cake Recipe

nschristine1 Comment

IMG_1174

I love this banana cake recipe.  Just so you know, the frosting is what makes this cake.  A great use of bananas! This recipe is taken from http://www.spendwithpennies.com and was written by Holly.

CAKE

1 and 1/3 cup mashed bananas

2 and 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided

1 and 1/2 cups milk

3 cups flour

1/2 tablespoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup butter softened

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

FROSTING

8 oz cream cheese

1/3 cup butter softened

3 -3 1/2 powdered sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour 9×13 Cake pan

Place 1 and 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice in measuring cup. Top to 1 and 1/2 cups with milk. Set aside.

Mix together mashed bananas with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside

Beat together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until combined.

Add in eggs one at a time and vanilla to mixture. Mix on high until light and fluffy.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Alternate flour mixture and milk to egg mixture, stirring until combined. Do not over mix.

Fold in bananas. Pour into pan.

Put into oven and reduce heat to 300 degrees. Bake for 60-70 minutes.  Check with toothpick.

Remove from oven and place in freezer for 45 minutes to make cake extra moist.

Let cool before frosting.

For Frosting: Cream together butter and cream cheese until fluffy.

Add lemon juice.

Add powdered sugar a little at a time until your reach desired consistency.

Put on cooled cake.

Enjoy!

 

Food

Great Zucchini Muffins

nschristine4 Comments

 

IMG_1167

Zucchini Muffins

Receipe taken from Simply Recipes. com

Ingredients:

2 Large Eggs

1 1/3 cup of sugar

2 Teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups packed grated fresh zucchini

3/4 cups unsalted butter, melted

2 3/4 cups all purpose flower

1 Teaspoon baking soda

1 Teaspoon baking powder

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Ginger

1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg

You may wish to add 1 cup Walnuts and 1 cup of raisins or dried cranberries.

 

MAKE:

Mix eggs, sugar, vanilla, then add zucchini and melted butter.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat eggs in a large bowl.  Then mix in sugar and vanilla extract.  Then stir in grated zucchini and the melted butter.

Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

Combine to make batter. Stir dry ingredients and zucchini mixture. Do not over mix.

Fill muffin pan.  Coat each muffin pan with a little butter.  Use a spoon to distribute the muffin dough equally among the cups, fill the cups completely above the surface of the muffin tin.

Bake at 350 degrees on the middle rack until the muffins are golden brown.  The top of the muffins bounce back when you press on them.  It is about 20-30 minutes. Test with a toothpick.

Home

10 Things to Clean Today

nschristineLeave a comment

catt-liu-1624

There are so many things we forget to clean. Little things that sometimes get missed. Here is a little reminder to clean those easy to forget things.

  1. Wash those trash cans! Trash doesn’t always stay in the bag.  Things leak.  Every 4-6 months I give them a good soak, scrub if needed and rinse.  Keeps them from smelling.
  2. Clean your fake plants.  Yup, they need a good clean every now and then. Dust accumulates on the leaves and blooms.  Give them a good shake, use a blow dryer or a damp cloth to get them clean.
  3. Dust those hanging lights.  Dust and cobwebs are sometimes hard to find.  So give them a good clean every season.
  4. Clean the toothbrush holder.
  5. Ear buds and cellphone or charger.  When was the last time you cleaned your phone accessories?
  6. Reusable bags.  Can you wash them or wipe them out?  Sometimes things leak or get crushed in those bags.
  7. Dish rack.
  8. Clean off your bulletin board. School is about to start, you will need the space.
  9. Wash those backpacks and lunchboxes from last year.
  10. Clean those fall coats if you haven’t done so, and get them out of storage.

Happy Cleaning!