The Planet and I.

When I was a kid, I had sporadic interest in the planet, recycling in particular. I read about what I could do. My Bible class collected soda cans. My family must have loved soda at that time. I gathered up my used paper and cut the sheets to staple them together. Making the use of the back of the sheets seemed like a big deal to me.

I found other ideas (likely from American Girl). Instead of toting a bag, I carried a cereal box. Yep, just a cereal box--not creative. I think Mom thought I was ultra weird, and she may have been a bit embarrassed.

When I was teaching, I mostly gave up water bottles, and I made notepads from extra copies.

I now use non-disposable water bottles almost exclusively. It's something.

A different kind of recycling is saving discarded ideas, images, lines, characters, and such. Making those scraps new makes me feel clean.

Nourish/Challenge: Week 30.

Last week was heavy on the medical. Josh went to see our primary care doctor about his knee pain. I went to an ENT to get ear wax suctioned out, so I could hear normally from my right ear (painful but effective). I also went to my psychiatrist, who added Topamax to my meds. One side effect is weight loss! He remembered my complaint.

I started setting up Oliver's frenectomy. It's a long and complicated process, and I'm afraid I'll do something wrong and ruin it. I'm nervous about the procedure and post-op stretches. But my mom will be there before, during, and after. The stretches are supposed to be brutal. But his speech therapist is going to try to get him used to the stretches in advance. I guess we can do that too.

So many challenges! But Josh's and Mom's presence with nourish my spirit.

Nourish/Challenge: Week 29.

I had a bad bout of depression. I could barely get out of bed at all. My mom had some good ideas to challenge me, and one of them was to exercise for 20 minutes on most days. Of course, I should already do this, but I'm working on making it a practice. Floor work. Weights. Cardio: walking, dancing. I can feel that nourishment of movement.

I spoke to my parents on the phone more than usual. My dad is recovering from a pit bull bite. He's been showing interest in my interests, which means a lot. We do, in fact, have a lot in common.

Oliver's tech supervisor came to the house. I dreaded it. It was hard for me. Having anyone in my home is a challenge for me. But she--I'll call her Jessica--is so genuine and engaged. And Josh was with me. It was fine.

Nourish/Challenge: Week 28.

I practiced rollerskating. It gave me so much joy and such a sense of power and control when I was a preteen homeschooler. Apparently, the skill doesn't stick. I'll keep trying, though, because it's a good way to get exercise, and I want to feel that joy again. It's a challenge but also a way to nurture my child self.

We had a good meeting with Oliver's tech's supervisor. I couldn't help telling stories about Oliver. But I feel like I'm strengthening the connection.

I put away a lot of clothes. I'm terrible about putting my clothes away when I take them off. I end up with a towering laundry basket. I'm challenging myself to work a little on clothes and laundry each evening.

I had more time with Bruce's cats, which was fun. I love their personalities. One cat seems to love me but will never let anyone else know. I like having the time around cats. That's nurturing for me.

I didn't accomplish a great deal. I did begin reading All Out with Bruce. Short stories! I'm ready to dive into quick fiction.