Photo challenge Days 14-29

Day 14: Eyes. Sorry, Thursday is my long day. 

Day 15: Silhouette. Speckles in the window.

Day 16: A good habit. Reading my scriptures, usually on my phone though.

Day 17: Technology. Screenshot from my iphone, 

it has everything I need to keep our crazy life organized.

Day 18: Your shoes.

Day 19: Something you want.

Day 20: In my bag. Couple of notebooks & pens, wallet, glasses, house & storage keys, bobby pins, a plethora of chapstick &lipgloss, car key & gym card, small bag with lady things & medications. 

Oh, and the side pockets have headphones, hand sanitizer & lotion.

Day 21: Faceless self portrait. My hair in a french braid.

Day 22: Inspirational. Quote by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Day 23: Patterns. The cover of my favorite notebook.

Day 24: Animal. Here are our animals, T-bone & Speckles.

Day 25: Strangers.

 I haven't yet met this nephew of mine. 

Soon Sean, we'll snuggle.

Day 26: Close up.

Day 27: Celebration. Dustin's birthday (the 28th) 

we had a little party at his volleyball game the day before.

Day 28: Black & White. Columbia River Temple.

 A good end to an awful week.

Day 29: Flower.

My Gluten Free Life

labels at Fred Meyer

"Hi, my name is Shaylee. I am gluten intolerant, 

my last donut was 8 weeks ago"

The following are pictures of my adventures in gluten free baking.

This is my first gluten free fail. 

I was trying out different gluten free flours.

I have since discovered a flour mix that is excellent for baking, cookies at least.

Found here, but for your convenience I will include it here as well.

Gluten Free Flour Mix

Ingredients

• 1 C white rice flour
• 
  
• 1 C oat flour
• 
  
• 1 C coconut flour
• 
  
• 1 C tapioca flour/starch
• 
  
• 1/4 C cornstarch
• 
  
• 3 1/2 tsp. xantham gum

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients together and make sure they are mixed well. 
• 
  
• Store in an airtight container and use as flour in any baking recipe.

**my suggestions:  the 3 1/2 tsp of xantham gum is almost exactly what comes in the small packets you can buy @ Walmart, so its no use buying a larger amount. I sifted the flours together twice before I used it to bake.**

I recently made sugar cookies using this flour, they were great. You use this flour exactly as you would normal flour, but gluten free flour acts differently and bakes differently. So I let the dough "rest" in the freezer for 30 minutes before rolling it out, and I reduced the oven temperature and increased the baking time.

This is the best cake mix that I have used thus far, it wasn't dry or gritty like others I've sampled. The cupcakes that I made were  moist, and the texture was spongy and just a little more dense than "normal" cupcakes. Overall, deliciousness so I made cupcakes, decorated them and froze them to eat later.

And these are the cupcakes I made. 

We decorated them for a contest that Grandma Wiberg hosted. 

Shaylee's Rose cupcake- GF, also my first roses.

Joseph's John Deere cupcake- not GF, very original.

**Note: we don't have sweets often, most of my baking is holiday related or to give away**

Up next: Yummy gluten free foods we've had, with recipes!

30 day photo challenge

So this month I decided that it would be fun to do a photo challenge, not because anyone else was doing it, purely fun. I found a list of picture prompts that I liked and started it at the beginning of the month.

Day 1: Self Portrait

Day 2: what you wore, striped shirt and favorite black boots, I love the back zipper.

Day 3: Clouds

Day 4: Something green. Yes, my student came to lessons wearing this. 

(N age 8)

Day 5: After Dark

Day 6: Obsession. Chopin's Waltz in A flat Major. Memorization.

Day 7: Changes to come. 

This on was hard, here's a fun wedding photo. 

We'll be celebrating 7 years in 2 months, and hope for good changes to come. 

Day 8: Routine. This is my daily hair styling routine: 

super skinny serum, twirl around styling cream and  finish up with worked up spray.

 Sometimes diffuse with blow dryer. 

Love my Paul Mitchell products.

Day 9: Someone you love. 

Joseph my handsome husband, I love you so much!

Day 10: Childhood memory. Ione Washington, family reunions and thunderstorms. 

A little ways down from this cabin is my great uncle's place, where I remember swinging on a huge rope out into this river one summer.

Day 11: Something Blue. My birthstone is blue topaz, 

I got this ring for my 18th birthday. I love the heart details. 

Day 12: Sunset, this is actually a sunrise. 

Oh well, that's what happens when you work afternoon/ evenings.

Day 13: Cannot live without. Joseph & chapstick,

 honestly those were my first thoughts.

P.S. we got all the paperwork in for Joseph's wheelchair, hope everything goes through. And when he does get his new chair we're going to have a party, cake and ice cream! (gluten-free of course) 

February 8th, 2013

We went to Hughes Physical Therapy in Kennewick to do Joseph's wheelchair evaluation.  This is just one of the steps we'll have to take to have medicare pay for most of the chair he wants. Joseph found this certain chair and he really wants it, I don't blame him. The chair he has now is starting to fall apart, it's still together only with TLC and the mechanic know-how of my sweet husband.

At first he was really resistant to the idea of having a wheelchair, but I jumped at the chance when a free one was offered to us. Initially a wheelchair seems really limiting and restraining, but now he sees a wheelchair as a liberator, he goes miles and miles on his chair outside on his own, he was able to do a 5k again, albeit a little differently than before. And it allows us to do so many things together, especially when we travel, this wheelchair is a door opener rather than a closer.

So this is the chair, it's made by Ti Lite, it's base weight is 12 lbs! (much better than his current chair which is about 40 lbs)  This has been our project lately, finding someone to do the evaluation and measuring and how to get all the info for billing etc.

So his chair will be blue and have handles, so he can be pushed. And wheelie wheels in back so he doesn't tip. We're both pretty excited but there are a few things to do: wheelchair evaluation, a prescription written for a "ultra light weight" wheelchair, dated within 45 days of the evaluation, a letter accompanying the evaluation stating exactly why he needs an ultra light weight chair (10-18lbs) as opposed to a light weight chair (24-38 lbs)  we have to have it worded perfectly and such. And then once the order is in to Spinlife, the company we are choosing to order through the doctor has to sign a copy of the order before all of that is sent to Medicare. Yea, I think that's all but I don't have the list with me. It's in the works, hopefully everything works out so Joseph can have the chair that he wants/ needs. 

January 25th, 2013

This was the day that our newest nephew was born, Sean Robert Bready. 

To Alisha and Marc, and big sisters Tori and Sera Jean.

This makes us Aunt and Uncle x7.

Brand spankin' new

Big Sisters.

Tori looks so proud, and Sera is like "brothers stink!" 

Alisha and her 3 kiddos. 

Tori 3, Sera 21mo. and Sean born 3 years and 10 days after Tori!

It's always a party when Oma comes to town. 

(don't worry it's cream soda.)

pictures courtesy of Mom, mostly.

Gluten- Free for me

Well if the title didn't give it away I will now, I (Shaylee) am gluten intolerant. After coming up with this diagnosis, I've done lots and lots of research that I will share here, mingled in will be my story... thus far.

Definitions:
"Gluten sensitivity (also gluten intolerance) is a spectrum of disorders including celiac disease and allergy, in which gluten has an adverse effect on the body"
"Gluten is a protein composite found in food processed from wheat and related species, including barley and rye"  (Source)

Signs and Symptoms of Gluten intolerance
1. If you have eczema (or other skin rash) and no one seems to know the actual cause behind it, you may have some sort of food allergy.
2. If any of your blood related family members are gluten intolerant then you should get tested. (My Aunt, on my father's side is extremely gluten intolerant)
3. Symptoms associated with gluten intolerance:
-Weight loss/ or gain
- nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption (ie. low iron)
- gastrointestinal problems (bloating, gas, pain, constipation & diarrhea)
- fat in stool
- aching joints
- depression
- eczema
- headaches
- exhaustion
- irritability, behavioral changes
- infertility, irregular menstrual cycles & miscarriage
- cramps, tingling and numbness
- slow infant and child growth
- decline in dental health.
(Source)

My symptoms include: skin rash on my arms, that looked a lot like Keratosis Pilaris, but didn't go away and got worse when I ate bread. Gastrointestinal discomforts, that mimic the side effects of metformin & headache that lasted all week.

After determining that these were symptoms, not side effects & that I am not sick, I consulted google and my doctor. We agreed that there is a link between gluten intolerance & PCOS, infertility and miscarriage. We also decided not to do a blood test, which can be expensive and inconclusive, instead just eliminating gluten from my diet.

Back to google, I wanted evidence that gluten intolerance may be connected to my infertility. Here are my findings:
The body has an innate intelligence that prevents pregnancy when the health of the mother and/or father are poor. To force pregnancy through unnatural means is a dangerous practice. miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, birth defects, infant developmental problems are common among those having children through treatments.
The 2 most common causes of infertility are pelvic inflammatory disorders and polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS. A study in the medical journal of human reproduction identified gluten sensitivity in as many and 8% of women with unexplained infertility problems. The following fertility issues have been linked to gluten sensitivity: (only listed are those that I have had) PCOS, diabetes (or insulin resistance), amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycle), spontaneous abortion & multiple miscarriages. Gluten intolerance has become a modern plague on human fertility. (Sources here, here and here)

So I then I went on to research what does and doesn't have gluten in it. and because my symptoms included my skin, I need to cut gluten out of my life entirely. Do you know how many thing have gluten in them? Everything, basically.

Cutting gluten out of my diet hasn't been the hard part, it's ridding myself of products that have gluten in them. So far I have replaced my soap (to Dove), deodorant (to Dove), toothpaste (Colgate), face wash (Neutragena, tons of gluten- free options)  & some makeup (Physicians Formula & E.L.F are entirely gluten free make up lines). Luckily a lot of my beauty products are gluten free, way to go Paul Mitchell (I use Super Skinny Serum, Round Trip & Worked up), my shampoo and conditioner (Garnier Fructis), my lotions (Melaleuca's Renew & Hempz), my laundry detergent (Melaleuca). I find myself double checking labels on EVERYTHING. Especially after having a little set back a few days into going gluten free, I used products with gluten- totally on accident, and got a dry itchy rash.

Isn't this absolutely insane? I am 1 week into being gluten- free internally and topically, and I already feel better; no headache, stomach is great, skin is clearing up, I have more energy & sleep better.
I'll keep you posted as I go.

Come on 2013...

I asked you to be kind. Our friendship isn't starting out well, you're new here so be warned: I may be nice but I am also feisty & I will fight back.
January was a little rough...

Grandma Swanger fell and then needed brain surgery she has been in the hospital since the 22nd. And that threw life into chaos, between taking shifts at the hospital and helping with my cousins, it's been so busy and quite hectic.  Grandma will be home tomorrow, on her 75th birthday. It's still going to be a long road and we'll still be helping as much as we can.

I've been taking the little cousins to school, and this is Ralphie my aunt's cat. When I got back he demanded some snuggles. He has missed Grandma, in fact today he spent a lot of time sleeping on her bed, while we were preparing the house for her return. 

Joseph's internship with Yakima Specialties ended on the 16th and again the company couldn't hire him. Yes, we are disappointed, but not surprised. let me explain: a few days before the end of the internship Joseph had a strong feeling that this particular job wasn't for him. We didn't understand exactly what that meant at the time. So now it's back to the drawing board for us. We'll welcome any ideas for part-time work from home kind of jobs. I think that we've concluded that this is his best option.

Now that it's February I'll get caught up with the blog.

December 2012

Birthday

Our birthday is December 4th, it's fun to share.... 

we sure celebrated well this year.

Denny's for breakfast, yup free grand slams. awesome.

Olive Garden for dinner, they don't do anything for birthdays, 

but our waiter brought us a load of mints! 

picture from our actual party, 

the candles were "sparky" and a little freaky up so close to our faces

Gift Basket from the Mechams, yummy

The best Birthday chocolate bar.... soooo good. 

Dinner at Red Robin, we got balloons instead of dessert, we already had our fill. 

So yummy, gonna be a yearly thing for sure.

Cable Bridge Run

Swanger Crew all ready to go. 

The kids all did a 5k and Mom & Dad did a 10k.

**Disclaimer: Joseph is NOT wheelchair bound, we do use a wheelchair when traveling and he wanted to do a 5k in his chair, and he wheels most mornings. It's a great freedom for him.**

Joseph on the Bridge

 We did have to run to keep up with him at times. 

The only part he needed help with was the railroad tracks,

 they tried to "buck" him out of the wheelchair.

We finished in 46 min. 

Seaside Oregon

Travel was good and almost uneventful until we were closer to seaside, 

when we actually needed to chain up. 

Valerie and I learned how to put chains on, it wasn't hard. 

The worst part was getting them off, 

Valerie and I were wet and dirty when we arrived at the resort.  

But it was worth it...

View outside our condo. 

We went to the Seaside aquarium, not too exciting but fun.

The seals were so cute, especially when it was feeding time.

The sky was beautiful, this was taken on our walk to the aquarium.

It did rain A LOT one of the days that we were there, this is right off the side of the road.

 We were trying to go to Canon Beach, but the road was flooded.

Joseph at the shipwreck on the beach, fun times were had there. 

We had to hike to get there, quite literally the sand had blown up very high,

 up to the parking lot and beyond.

Astoria Bridge. My first Panoramic.

Seaside was amazing, relaxing, fun and wet. 

Vacations are good, vacations with family are the best.

Christmas Time

we got to spend time with lots of family and lots of relaxing. 

Keeping up our tradition, we went to see the hobbit on Christmas day.

We have been doing this for 4 years now, 

it started the year Joseph was diagnosed blind at Christmastime. 

This makes that memory happier and makes for a fun tradition for us. 

The cat was really insecure, she was very cuddly when we got home. 

She's right up between our heads in this picture, very unusual.

 More scenes with our lovey-dovey kitty, un-posed

She would hop up and snuggle anytime we stopped to sit.

she stuck her paw in while we were holding hands

Sleeping on my chest in the morning

trying to open the door while we were getting dressed.

2012 went out with a bang, literally. 

The back-door neighbors were setting off fireworks, 

totally freaking out the animals. 

No, not little fire crackers but BIG fireworks

 and once they started landing in the backyard

 we called the cops, twice. 

Does that make us old? 

We weren't planning on being up until midnight,

 but when it sounds like your house is being bombed it's hard to sleep.

Not exaggerating, seriously.

So goodbye 2012,

we weren't bff's or anything, 

so see you around. 

2013 please be kind.