You know, when we were all in this thing together before, the kids were much younger, even though it doesn't seem like that long ago. They didn't ask a lot of questions, they didn't really notice. But now they do. I have been wondering lately if we need to come out, in not so many words, to the kids and tell them what's going on. I don't want them to think of themselves as freaks, or get the wrong impression via making assumptions about things they see or do not see, but at the same time I don't want to put things in their heads that aren't there yet. Even if we did decide to tell them, or some of them, I have no idea what it would look like, or what we would say.
At the end of the day, it all seems normal to us adults. Perhaps, to kids growing up with it, it's all normal to them too. But there have been questions, and we have answered them honestly, but I wonder if that's all we need to do for now; just answer the questions they ask openly and honestly. If we make a big deal or a thing out of then they are more likely to make a thing out of it - and it doesn't need to be because it isn't.
On a completely unrelated note - the topic of school, that is the kids' school, keeps coming up. So that may be changing, but to what...who knows...there are ideals, but ideals never become reality, we have to work with what we have available and make the best choice with our given options..
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Meditation and Yoga and Health
I've been in a good place for the last 6 or so weeks. It's been wonderful. I have not taken a moment of it for granted, because I can still (and probably will always be able to) remember how awful and full on depression, suicidal, episode feels like. It's awful - for me and for my family. I have enjoyed not being so stressed, and so worried, and so sad, and so without motivation or drive for anything. But I can feel it thinking about wanting to come back, and I am trying to take steps to prevent that from happening.
There was that Vipassana Meditation Course I was going to go to at the end of January. For financial reasons, it just didn't work out, so I have signed up for another one at the beginning of March. I am on the waitlist, but I am spot #1 so I am pretty sure I am going to get it.
Craftymama suggested I try yoga, as I had said before that might help, but again for financial and time reasons I am hesitating. I know the potential cost (both financial and otherwise) of entering a depression again, but I also know how much money we have right now, and how much we need it for other things - so it's a balancing act that I don't know how to solve yet. I am working on it though, as quickly as I possibly can.
LittleR and J have the chicken pox. It took like two weeks to pass from K onto them and so far the older boys are still pox free. A baby with the pox is awful. He is so uncomfortable and screamy all the time. Very little sleep is being had for Craftymama and I. LittleR has mostly been tired and sleeping at random intervals, but today she has ventured back into her weird stubbornness so I think she is beginning to feel better.
Glassman was forced to take some time off from his shop in Nanaimo due to a lack of work, so he found some work for a local company for the next couple of weeks. He is enjoying not having the hour long commute twice a day, and I am enjoying the savings on gas! I'm unsure if it will turn into a full time permanent thing, no one is sure. But it's fantastic that he was able to find some work here while the shop in Nanaimo is without any.
Craftymama is also teaching handwork classes to a group of kids on Thursday evenings. This means Glassman and I are alone with all the kids for dinner and bedtime. It's gone quite well thus far. Everyone was happy, and the kid whose turn it was for bathing was bathed, even J fell asleep on my back while I was doing dishes. Craftymama came home to 5 sleeping children and a clean house - what's better than that!?
There was that Vipassana Meditation Course I was going to go to at the end of January. For financial reasons, it just didn't work out, so I have signed up for another one at the beginning of March. I am on the waitlist, but I am spot #1 so I am pretty sure I am going to get it.
Craftymama suggested I try yoga, as I had said before that might help, but again for financial and time reasons I am hesitating. I know the potential cost (both financial and otherwise) of entering a depression again, but I also know how much money we have right now, and how much we need it for other things - so it's a balancing act that I don't know how to solve yet. I am working on it though, as quickly as I possibly can.
LittleR and J have the chicken pox. It took like two weeks to pass from K onto them and so far the older boys are still pox free. A baby with the pox is awful. He is so uncomfortable and screamy all the time. Very little sleep is being had for Craftymama and I. LittleR has mostly been tired and sleeping at random intervals, but today she has ventured back into her weird stubbornness so I think she is beginning to feel better.
Glassman was forced to take some time off from his shop in Nanaimo due to a lack of work, so he found some work for a local company for the next couple of weeks. He is enjoying not having the hour long commute twice a day, and I am enjoying the savings on gas! I'm unsure if it will turn into a full time permanent thing, no one is sure. But it's fantastic that he was able to find some work here while the shop in Nanaimo is without any.
Craftymama is also teaching handwork classes to a group of kids on Thursday evenings. This means Glassman and I are alone with all the kids for dinner and bedtime. It's gone quite well thus far. Everyone was happy, and the kid whose turn it was for bathing was bathed, even J fell asleep on my back while I was doing dishes. Craftymama came home to 5 sleeping children and a clean house - what's better than that!?
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Forlorn
So it's no stranger to anyone reading my blog, or to anyone that knows me that my family and I, and my family and Craftymama haven't really been getting along over the last 5 years. 5 years - that's how long I've been with Craftymama, and there is still drama and discontent.
Even SisterN, who we get along with and are good with now, was not supportive of us in the beginning and called us a bunch of insulting names. But we worked through that, and while I don't think that SisterN has ever apologized for those hurtful words she said, she has shown through her actions and her participation in our family that she is supportive of us. If she isn't, she hides it well, and that's fine with me too.
Then there is my mom, who has gone back and forth and which has been well documented on this blog and a variety of other places. I recognize that she is trying, and I am trying, and craftymama is trying. She came over to our house for Christmas, and we welcomed her into our house. We harboured no ill will towards her and I'm trying to start from scratch. I want to work things out with my mom. I want craftymama and my mom to get along with each other and not just tolerate each other when they are in the same room.
And my SisterE. You know, maybe it's the ECT, maybe it's the amount of time that has passed, but I honestly can't remember what has happened that has caused this huge rift between us. I know she doesn't like craftymama, I know she doesn't approve of my lifestyle - which is fine, there are a lot of people who don't. But there continues to be this distance. SisterE and I can talk to each other just fine, and we do, but not about family or anything because it leads to arguments. I don't like that. I don't like withholding pieces of my life from my family.
I just want to shove every body in a big room and have every one scream it out until we all just get along. I don't even need everyone to be friends. I would like to have a big family get together one day with all my nieces and nephews, my sisters, my mom and my family and just be able to happily enjoy each others company.
I don't know where I went wrong, or what I have done. But I feel like I am at the vortex of all this strife. There doesn't appear to be anything I can do to help make things better, all I can do is not get involved as best I can. But in doing so I miss out on a lot, and a lot goes unsaid.
This makes me sad.
Even SisterN, who we get along with and are good with now, was not supportive of us in the beginning and called us a bunch of insulting names. But we worked through that, and while I don't think that SisterN has ever apologized for those hurtful words she said, she has shown through her actions and her participation in our family that she is supportive of us. If she isn't, she hides it well, and that's fine with me too.
Then there is my mom, who has gone back and forth and which has been well documented on this blog and a variety of other places. I recognize that she is trying, and I am trying, and craftymama is trying. She came over to our house for Christmas, and we welcomed her into our house. We harboured no ill will towards her and I'm trying to start from scratch. I want to work things out with my mom. I want craftymama and my mom to get along with each other and not just tolerate each other when they are in the same room.
And my SisterE. You know, maybe it's the ECT, maybe it's the amount of time that has passed, but I honestly can't remember what has happened that has caused this huge rift between us. I know she doesn't like craftymama, I know she doesn't approve of my lifestyle - which is fine, there are a lot of people who don't. But there continues to be this distance. SisterE and I can talk to each other just fine, and we do, but not about family or anything because it leads to arguments. I don't like that. I don't like withholding pieces of my life from my family.
I just want to shove every body in a big room and have every one scream it out until we all just get along. I don't even need everyone to be friends. I would like to have a big family get together one day with all my nieces and nephews, my sisters, my mom and my family and just be able to happily enjoy each others company.
I don't know where I went wrong, or what I have done. But I feel like I am at the vortex of all this strife. There doesn't appear to be anything I can do to help make things better, all I can do is not get involved as best I can. But in doing so I miss out on a lot, and a lot goes unsaid.
This makes me sad.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Little Snippets
The holidays were here and now they are gone. Christmas was wonderful. We read our story, went out for last minute things we forgot, had a fire, opened presents one by one, went for a big family walk - all in all it was a good calm day. As calm as Christmas day can be with 9 people in the house. Even dinner went well. Everything was cooked nicely and tasted good.
Boxing day was hectic. We had all the grand parents over and the kids were just psychotic and there was so much stuff and it was just so loud. Even I, the people person, the social person, was overwhelmed by the end of it so I have no idea how the non social people handled it. It was nice to visit with and see everybody that we don't get to see often though.
Then I went away for 4 days for work and came back in time to get ready for the New Years Eve gathering we were having. We had some friends over with their kids. Had appy's, mulled wine, sparklers and good conversation. The kids ran around and jumped on everything. It was more fun that I expected it to be, and a better tradition that I normally have of fighting with everyone.
Craftymama told us her resolutions, which are not mine to share. I have goals not resolutions. A big goal of mine, like everyone, is to get in shape. Over the past 10 months I have lost about 45lbs, I want to lose another 50. I want to run the westwood lake 6k and polar bear swim next near years day. I think I can accomplish this. With working it will be hard to find time to exercise which I really need to do, so I would like to get a treadmill. But that's a lofty dream.
1 month of bankruptcy is done...only 8 more to track receipts for. It's annoying to have to keep receipts for everything. Our problem was not that we spent our money frivolously, our problem was tat damn house. But whatever, 1 down - 8 to go.
BigR has been having some issues acting out lately. He has been caught stealing and breaking windows on the property so he will be doing some work around the farm for our landlord and we will be fixing those windows - thank goodness glassman is a glazier. I wish I knew how to help him deal with whatever it is he is dealing with. he is just so moody and dark and downright rude sometimes. I know kids grow up and change, but BigR was the sweetest of the bunch. I hope he grows out of this stage soon.
I will also update people on relationships. This blog started out as a Poly blog - and it looks like we will be heading that way again. Glassman has lived with us officially since June I believe, and things have just grown naturally and progressed with the three of us. We aren't using labels, and we are taking things much slower than we did in the past. We are also communicating a lot better than we did before. I think its the maturity thing - we have all matured so much in the last few years. It's nice, and these two people are my family. No matter what happens they are part of my family forever.
Boxing day was hectic. We had all the grand parents over and the kids were just psychotic and there was so much stuff and it was just so loud. Even I, the people person, the social person, was overwhelmed by the end of it so I have no idea how the non social people handled it. It was nice to visit with and see everybody that we don't get to see often though.
Then I went away for 4 days for work and came back in time to get ready for the New Years Eve gathering we were having. We had some friends over with their kids. Had appy's, mulled wine, sparklers and good conversation. The kids ran around and jumped on everything. It was more fun that I expected it to be, and a better tradition that I normally have of fighting with everyone.
Craftymama told us her resolutions, which are not mine to share. I have goals not resolutions. A big goal of mine, like everyone, is to get in shape. Over the past 10 months I have lost about 45lbs, I want to lose another 50. I want to run the westwood lake 6k and polar bear swim next near years day. I think I can accomplish this. With working it will be hard to find time to exercise which I really need to do, so I would like to get a treadmill. But that's a lofty dream.
1 month of bankruptcy is done...only 8 more to track receipts for. It's annoying to have to keep receipts for everything. Our problem was not that we spent our money frivolously, our problem was tat damn house. But whatever, 1 down - 8 to go.
BigR has been having some issues acting out lately. He has been caught stealing and breaking windows on the property so he will be doing some work around the farm for our landlord and we will be fixing those windows - thank goodness glassman is a glazier. I wish I knew how to help him deal with whatever it is he is dealing with. he is just so moody and dark and downright rude sometimes. I know kids grow up and change, but BigR was the sweetest of the bunch. I hope he grows out of this stage soon.
I will also update people on relationships. This blog started out as a Poly blog - and it looks like we will be heading that way again. Glassman has lived with us officially since June I believe, and things have just grown naturally and progressed with the three of us. We aren't using labels, and we are taking things much slower than we did in the past. We are also communicating a lot better than we did before. I think its the maturity thing - we have all matured so much in the last few years. It's nice, and these two people are my family. No matter what happens they are part of my family forever.
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