Author Archives: ramblingsofaperforatedmind

Cleanliness…yes, please!

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Do you notice who does (or does not) wash hands in the bathroom? Somehow my girls in one of my classes ended up discussing hand washing while I was multitasking one day. The following dialogue (names changed to protect the guilty) is what I heard:

Susie: I don’t always wash my hands in the bath room.
Georgette: Me either. I don’t always “feel the vibe.”
Lorrie: I always do at home because I have this cool, foamy soap I love. But not here.

My multitasking screeched to a halt. This needed my full attention. RIGHT AWAY! The boys and I sat in shocked silence for a moment. Someone apparently noticed my curled top lip and read it correctly—I was a bit disgusted. I would have thought all my kids (especially the girls) would wash up. Wow. One girl explained that only her butt touches the “dirty” seat, and she touches nothing else because she’s careful.

I have been trained as a CNA, so I know the best way to prevent the spread of infection is HAND WASHING! You should wash your hands for as long as it takes you to sing the alphabet. Don’t touch the sink while you do it. Dry your hands well, and use a paper towel to open the door.

Evaluate this scene: You use the bath room and do not wash your hands. You then touch the door handle—where others who do not wash hands have also touched. You go to class and turn in a paper to your (beloved) teacher. Your dear teacher has been contaminated through not fault of her own! Oh, no!

This teacher now plans to spray any and all collected homework with Lysol and bathe in hand sanitizer. What about you?

Unexpected Blessings

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Have you ever been blessed while waiting in a Wal-Mart checkout-out line? Usually I’m really cranky if I have to wait more than five minutes to make it to the cash register. Once, not long ago, I waited 20 whole minutes….and got a blessing out of it. I struck up a conversation with the lady in front of me. We were, after all, trying to pass the time pleasantly while waiting in line. Either that or misery loves company…..at any rate, Tammy shared that her teen was redecorating her room and was “done” with her zebra stuff. Let me leave Wal-Mart for a minute and step into my classroom.

As a teacher, I get a really good idea of what my students love or collect as I see them in class and hear their chatter. I knew one of my girls LOVES the zebra pattern on anything. Now back to the check-out line.

I asked Tammy, my new best friend, if she would be willing to sell me the zebra stuff. I was determined to get it for my student, you see. I learned that Tammy is a gracious, generous lady who wanted to “pay it forward.” As we talked more, we both agreed that every time we have needed something, someone has been sent to provide it for us. You might call this karma or the hand of God, but either way, I know miracles can and do happen. Tammy shares that belief. We swapped phone numbers and agreed to meet another day so I could pick up the zebra room décor—lamp, flowers, wall hangings, everything. The day came, and I was thrilled to see her again. She is truly a wonderful person. She even brought a couple of pairs of shoes that were not needed by her teen. Wouldn’t you know that my daughter could wear one pair and her friend could wear the other!

We don’t usually equate Wal-Mart with awesome new friends, but it can happen. Don’t you just love those wonderful, wacky Wal-Mart women?

Affordable Computers!

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After looking all over, I finally found a great place to get recertified laptops at an economical price. A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon notebooksforstudents.org and it has been a blessing. I bought myself a laptop for my college classes, but even elementary students and homeschooled children are eligible to buy a computer through this nonprofit organization. The computers are thoroughly tested to make sure they are in great shape, and a warranty is included. My first one was delivered with a USB (jump drive) and a case.

I liked my first Lenovo computer so well, I bought my second one about a week ago. It was delivered today! This time a webcam was also in the box, and the case is nicer than the last one. Customer service is really good. If you or your child needs a computer, check the website out first so you won’t pay more than you have to for a dependable laptop.

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War News

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I have noticed a decrease in insults! It took a few detention sessions for three or four students, but I am slowly seeing a change. The kids called a foul on me a couple of times. This is why: One student called another a name. Before I could process the insult and react, the offended student shot an insult back, so they BOTH had detention. After-school detention gave us a few minutes to chat. I asked that the guys give me time to process before automatically shooting a remark back to the offending student. That way, at least one of them would be in the right. They agreed to try it my way, and it’s been a quiet week—yes, I know it’s only Tuesday! As you can tell, it’s the small things that make me the happiest.

UPDATE! The insults have slowed dramatically. I conclude that the students are getting the point. We have been able to play more games and have a little fun. Whew! I sure feel better.

Shopping With Big Girls

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You slim girls are so lucky when it comes to shopping for clothes! Don’t think I’m “hating on you” because I’m not. I would simply like you to understand what plus-size women go through when we want new clothes. We bigger girls are frequently disappointed and frustrated. My daughter and I have left stores empty handed more times that I would like to remember.

My friend and I (you remember Laura, I’m sure) took Ysabela shopping Saturday. We had the whole day reserved for the trip because finding the right clothes in the right sizes can sometimes take an entire day! We checked out the belts at Orscheln while picking up a few other items. The bling belts went from small to extra large. I didn’t expect to find belts in our sizes there anyway. (Maybe you’re sensing that we have low expectations for clothes shopping.) Orscheln is a farm supply store that I love to visit—just typically not for clothes. We did get lucky and find a few plus-size shirts we liked. I considered that a victory.

Belts in my size? No.

We went to my favorite store in the mall—-Maurice’s. It is my favorite because I know going in that we have a better-than-average chance of finding our sizes in stock. Before I tell more, I must say that I have not been paid or otherwise compensated for this article. This article is based on my experience with the Maurice’s store at the Platte River Mall.

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For those of you who do not know, Maurice’s is a store that caters to larger women and has sizes up to 4X. The sizes are labeled as 0-4. I think that’s a very smart move because many times big girls are shamed by the numbers. Asking for a size 3 is much less embarrassing than asking for a size 46 (or whatever), especially in a crowded store. The clothes are trendy and chic, but I can always find dressy outfits that are cool and tasteful for a “woman of my age.” The warehouse sends a very limited number of size 4 items, so if you need that size and find it, BUY IT RIGHT AWAY!

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As soon as we entered the store, I saw our favorite “personal shopping assistant,” Emily, an assistant manager. She always greets us like old friends, and she is the reason Ysabela and I shop there now. (Emily has an eye for style and a knack for making people feel comfortable.) Laura and I explained our mission: to find nice clothes and document our adventure for my blog posts. Emily and the manager enthusiastically helped Ysabela (and me) pick trendy clothes from the racks. We noticed some patterns that wouldn’t be flattering for our size, but there were quite a few things that fit our “requirements.” Oh, I haven’t told you those yet, have I? We were looking for clothes that flatter our curvy figures and make us feel pretty. It’s not as easy as it sounds, believe me!

Beladoor

While Ysabela tried on clothes provided by Emily, I took a minute to catch my breath. Anytime Bela has a good shopping day, I rejoice. She hates to shop for clothes. I think it’s because she has been disappointed so many times in so many stores. I am thrilled to find a store that caters to plus-size ladies. A lot of retailers are missing out—we have money to spend on clothes and few places to buy them!

Emilyclothes

Ysabela cooperated for a few pictures before going “on strike.” I was taking my turn trying on clothes when I heard the alarm go off at the front of the store. Nobody was trying to steal anything. Laura was after a perfect shot of Ysabela in front of Maurice’s.

I prefer being behind the camera lens rather than in front of it, but Laura managed to get me anyway. Emily even found Bela a pair of boots on clearance for $10! All in all, it was a SUCCESS!

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Bela

http://www.maurices.com/home/index.jsp

Curvy Women

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What’s the first thing you think of when you see a curvy, plus-size female? Is your first thought: Whoa, girl, lay off the ice cream? Rest assured, you are not alone. Is the solution for being overweight that easy? Nope!

Since my daughter has been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, a disorder that shuts the thyroid down completely, I have learned a lot. The first doctor that she saw had only one bit of advice: Less food, more exercise. I took Bela to the doctor again two weeks later. In those two weeks, she had gained 30 pounds! We received the same advice as before. What???? After I got entirely fed up with that “expert,” I started researching on my own. I may not be a doctor, but I know my child best, and I am college educated. I can surely read and learn. I’m sorry so many doctors do not keep current on research. I consider that an obligation in whatever profession you choose.

I switched her doctor and took advantage of the endocrinologist who came to the office three or four times a year. I trusted the endocrinologist to know better. He did not. All I kept hearing was that Ysabela’s blood levels of TSH (http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/tsh-why-its-useless/) were “in the normal range.” Sorry, doc, but you struck out. Another change was in order. These doctors refused to listen to the patient (and parent). That’s a cardinal sin in my book. Doctors should never discount what a patient says.

Bela’s symptoms included hair loss (more than normal when showering and brushing), extreme fatigue, cold skin, low body temperature, constipation, unexplained weight gain and pale, dry skin. Thyroid problems run in our family. My mom and I have hypothyroidism, and Bela’s sister has hyperthyroidism. Even some cousins struggle with it. The bottom line was that Ysabela was not sitting around eating all day. After completing a food diary, the nutritionist said she was in the acceptable range of calories consumed daily.

Most doctors prefer to use only the TSH test, and research has shown that is not a complete picture of the situation. I finally found a doctor who listened to us! She didn’t bat an eye when I asked for a group of tests. She ordered them without a fight! I was so relieved that I cried. Finally, someone was listening. Our doctor got Ysabela an appointment at the Colorado Children’s Hospital in Aurora. The doctors there are professional and kind. Ysabela’s meds were changed, and her weight has pretty much stabilized. No more 30-pound gains! I realize we are not finished. Until her symptoms are gone, I will not be satisfied.

The next time you feel compelled to judge a plus-size woman, don’t. Many times, things are more complicated than you think.

For more information about thyroid disorders, visit http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ and http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20030293.

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Shopping with Laura

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Wow! It ought to be illegal for Laura and I to go shopping together. Our mission Saturday was to take some pictures for the blog post I had planned. Sounds really simple, right? So we thought. We took my Ysabela to be our model for clothing, and I figured I’d try on some clothes while we were there. Stay tuned for that story in a day or two. I need some recovery time before I write about that.

Laura treated us to lunch. So far, so good. Las Margaritas in North Platte has great Mexican food. We proceeded to the farm and ranch store we both love, and I bought some rabbit chow and a few shirts for Ysabela. I could rationalize that easily enough—the clothes were all on sale. (How I love a bargain!) On our way to the mall, Laura asked if we could stop at a furniture store to check prices on a “chair and a half.” Since I had no idea what she was talking about, I innocently accompanied her.

Let me pause to bring my dear readers up to speed. The last time Laura and I hit the stores, I out-spent her by a couple hundred dollars. It was not really my intention, but that’s the ugly truth. At any rate, I thought I’d do better this time. I was thinking that last trip was the exception. Back to the story….

We got to the furniture store, and I was educated about the chair and a half. I saw some beautiful horse pictures and one of a wolf. (Both species are favorites of mine, but I resisted the temptation and left them on the wall.) I was so proud. We know from the Bible that pride goes before the fall, but I didn’t see it coming. My new queen-size bed will be delivered Thursday. In my defense, I needed it! It was also ON SALE! When you have a big woman, a kid and two small dogs (that stretch out like slinkies) trying to sleep or watch a movie in a full-size bed, space is at a premium. There have been times that I have opened my eyes to realize I had about a foot of space for myself. I hope that will change this coming week.

I was intelligent enough to not finance that new bed; I am proud to say I paid cash for it, even though it hurt a bit. Then we hit Wal-Mart after going to the mall. As Laura and I compared our receipts, she snickered and said, “You blew me out of the water again!” (The mall story is coming soon.)