Thinking About 2023 Goals

 

It's 10 p.m. on October 25 and I'm sitting here thinking about 2023 and the goals I want to make for myself. I'm not a fan of odd numbers unless it's in fives. Fives are okay I guess. Thus, I'm having a hard time not being superstitious about the odd year ahead. A few months ago I was bound and determined to have an insane 2023: take on more freelance work, finish my 50 states in 50 years, and do all the things. As we get closer and closer to the new year, I can say I'm not feeling that.

I feel it in my gut. It's telling me that's not how I should spend my 2023, which is weird because it's also my last year in my 30's. Shouldn't I go all out? One would think because, well, it's me. But that's just not what I feel. I feel....slowness and familiarity. To spend time doing all the things I love to do. Make some changes; shuffle life around a bit. I have nothing specific in mind as of yet, plenty of ideas floating in my head, but nothing set in stone. Nothing that I have put out into the universe to see what the mothership is telling me. 

I still have a solid two months to solidify my 2023 goals, but it's on my mind. I need some inspiration. I need stories. I need to hear about travel plans, how every day life works for others, what you hope to happen. So tell me, what are you doing in the next year? What changes do you want to make? What is working for you and what isn't?

Puke-aggedon 2022

Playing games with puke bowls, crackers, and Sprite (or Coke, if you're like two of the minis).

One thing we're dealing with this winter of "fun" illnesses such as influenza, colds, and the stomach flu. We've definitely not had the stomach flu hit our house since the pandemic began. We may even be reaching the three year mark. Or there's a good possibility I'm just blocking a stomach flu event out because they can be rather horrific. There's always at least one kid who can't make it out of their bed in time, another who makes it into the bathroom, but not to the toilet, and another who just sits and cries wherever they are, puking their guts out. All while mom tries not to puke herself. As I said, rather horrific.

But there's this thing called time that was on our side for Puke-aggedon 2022. Time made me forget the really, really not fun parts of having a house full of pukers. Time made the minis older, which means all but one made it to the toilet in time (and the child that didn't voluntarily cleaned up his mess without even being told to!). I'm not saying Puke-aggedon 2022 has been easy by any means. It's now been six days and this bug is STILL making its way through our house and daycare. However, unlike previous times when the stomach flu has graced us, this time seems to be easier. 

It actually even started off in a funny way. Setting the scene for last Friday night, the oldest was cooking dinner while I was packing bags for a weekend of hiking. We were supposed to leave early the next morning to hike a frozen waterfall in Minnesota. The middle and youngest minis were playing together. Everyone had been fine all day long. As I loaded a bag into the car, the youngest mini came into the kitchen with a smile on her face.

"Mom, Harrison puked and he didn't make it to the toilet."

"Wait, what?" Given the smile on her face I wasn't sure if I could take her seriously. I didn't know what to expect when I walked towards the bathroom. I was greeted by a child throwing up in my bathroom sink because he had indeed missed the toilet.....because the lid to the toilet was closed. He had assumed it was open when he ran in. You can imagine the mess that happened when he puked on a closed toilet lid. As I took in the scene in front of me, my only thought was, 'this kid was fine 10 minutes ago.' As with any other mom, I rolled up my sleeves and got to cleaning, while the mini who was not feeling good at all came into the bathroom and cleaned alongside me. It really was a sweet moment even if it had to happen with the smell of vomit wafting through the air.

Not twenty minutes later, the youngest mini came up to me again. "I think I should get my puke bowl." I'm so glad she did because she needed it not two minutes later. At this point, I was perplexed. I sincerely forgot how quickly stomach bugs can hit because I began questioning the two sick minis:

"Did you eat bad food that was sitting in Elizabeth's room? Do you have anything like that in there? Did you drink something you shouldn't have? Did you get into paint chips?" Upon hearing the paint chips questions, because sometimes momma tends to overreach with some things, my husband took over the sick minis, assuring me it was likely just the stomach flu. Actually, his exact words were, "where the hell do we have paint chips just around our house?"

It's been real "fun." I can't say I've missed having germs run through our house and daycare, but I guarantee my children will always remember me asking them if they happened to eat paint chips because I didn't quite want to believe that the stomach flu was making a comeback in our household.

Thank goodness it was a quick bug. Less than forty eight hours later and these two were sipping smoothies after sleeping A LOT all weekend long.

A Letter To 2021

 Hey 2021! I see you. Are you ready to begin? Will you be mellow or will you be like your predecessor who loves surprises? Much like a lot of people, I'm anxious for you. Mostly because I have no idea what you'll bring. Are you going to have me changing and growing in ways I never really wanted (but apparently needed) or will you bring back our "normal?" I ask you these questions, but I realize I'm the one that will ultimately answer them.

I have a list of goals, but they're cautious goals. You see, 2020 made me put my Top Goals aside and focus on my Someday Goals. Honestly, those maybe goals are probably the best things that have ever happened to me. 2020 made my maybe goals turn into my top goals. That chic really did a number on me. She REALLY sucked in so many ways, but she also gave me gifts I didn't know I needed. 

She gave me time. So much time that I didn't always use wisely (cough *Netflix* cough), but I enjoyed nonetheless. She gave me the ability to stop, she taught me to take deep breaths, and she made 'what in the actual fuck' our family motto. I'm telling you this 2021, because I don't know how you'll be, but I hope you let me continue to hope. I hope to find a new "normal" for us because 2020 made me realize our old "normal" wasn't as perfect as I thought it was.

I have one simple request of you. I want you to let me, give me the ability to, do the things I love. Write every day. Laugh, cry, and love daily. Let me feel all of the emotions. Continue to give me time because it makes me feel like I've been able to press pause on life and be present for every moment. Let me find adventure and explore. Let me be so tired that my legs ache at the end of a day. Let me continue to rest. Like I said, cautious, big life goals, but not specific. 2020 let me achieve the big life goals by taking away the specific goals I had in mind. I'm definitely not saying you have to go about it in the same way. Not to gossip, but I mean, a pandemic to get me to cook, do a puzzle, and learn tons of new things was a bit much, don't ya think?

While I have hope for you 2021, I'm not buying you your own planner or calendar. I don't want to jinx you too much. I'm not quite ready to let go of my obligation free time.

So, anyways, I'll let you go. I really just wanted to check in, make sure you were ready with good ju-ju to put out into the universe. There's an entire world waiting for you with fingers crossed that you will let us spend time with friends and family yet again. I get that you won't be a totally normal year, but if you could bring back some good stuff, it wouln't hurt. We don't want you to get the rap that 2020 has, right? We'll see you at midnight with pajamas and kids that probably shouldn't be up that late.

Sincerely,

I Really Want To Take A Vacation Again Me

P.S. It would be geat if you could keep sweatpants cool. Suddenly, everyone is realizing how my every day work attire (aka: sweatpants, tees, sweatshirts, and slip on shoes) is the fashion trend, which means for the first time since I was 22, I'm fashionable. 

6 Ways To Help Dry Skin and Eczema This Winter

Winter is the season for cold weather, snow, germs, and skin problems. I'm plagued with dry skin in the winter  months, while my daughter and son have eczema that intensifies in the winter. After dealing with their eczema for nearly ten years, I've found our favorite products and ways to combat skin problems before a trip to the doctor is needed.

1.) Use a combination of lotions and creams. Curel is applied daily (or 2-3 times a day during a breakdown of eczema). If you or your child has eczema, you've probably noticed those problem spots. On those problem spots apply Aquaphor or A&D ointment. A&D is my preference over Aquaphor, but we tend to go through a tube rather quickly.

2.) Wear loose and/or cotton clothing. I know footie pajamas are appealing for kids to keep them warm on cold winter nights, however, fleece and other heavy fabrics don't let skin breathe. Which means any moisture (sweat) is kept on the skin, causing breakouts. 
Our oldest (who has numerous allergies and issues with eczema because of those allergies) has never been able to wear fleece pajamas because they caused his eczema to flare up. He has always worn light cotton pajamas to bed and we've kept the thermostat set at 72 degrees during the winter months.

3.) When loose and breathable fabrics are not worn, flare ups can happen, which can make the skin itchy. Kids (and adults) will itch their skin. All of that itching just causes more breakouts and spreading of the eczema/dry skin. It can also invite bacteria to settle in, which just makes for more issues.
Fun fact that I learned a few years ago: My oldest had a large eczema patch on his hip that he kept itching because he was wearing heavier clothes (middle of winter in Iowa. It's not like I could send him to school in lightweight shorts and a t-shirt!). He itched it and scratched it open. The spot grew, and grew, and grew, until it covered his back and buttocks. We were using creams prescribed by the doctors, our "special remedy" of Curel and A&D. We were finally referred to a dermatologist, who informed us that his eczema area was flared up, infected, and grew a fungus. Yes, his ass grew a fungus! Apparently it can happen when flare ups last so long. It took us three months to fully cure that flare up and another three months of wearing a gauze patch because the skin in that area was thinned from all of the treatments.

4.) Don't over bath or wash. That's difficult in the middle of winter when germs are running rampant . If you're like me and work in a profession where washing hands every two minutes is pretty much a requirement, be sure to get a moisturizing soap and have your lotion nearby. I feel like all I do is wash my hands and put lotion on during the day. I use so much of it this time of year that I actually have to create a budget for soaps and lotions. While my hands are a tad drier than normal, there's no cracking skin, so that's a plus. Here's some great recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology for bathing kids year round (just not in the winter months).

5.) When the skin is itchy and flared, wear socks to bed. Full disclosure, I have never had to wear socks on my hands for my dry skin, however, I've had to go that route with two of my minis. As stated above, during an eczema flare up, the skin can be quite itchy. Kids can and will itch themselves in their sleep, which can create scratches and cuts on the inflamed areas, which can then lead to bacteria getting into the scratches. To keep my kids from itching and damaging the already tender skin, I put socks on their hands when they crawl into bed. This keeps them from itching and in my daughter's case, helps her cracked, dry hands heal quickly.

6.) DON'T be scared to seek doctor treatment. Sometimes a prescription cream is needed to get your skin to a manageable at-home-treatment level. Don't be scared to ask your doctor for a dermatology recommendation if nothing is working. Trust me, the last thing you want is for your dry skin to grow a fungus. If you feel your skin issues are allergy related, ask for a referral to an allergist.