March Pagan Family Circle

[revolting]

Okay, starting a new thread as we MARCH towards spring!

We had beautiful, beautiful weather yesterday for Leap Day, but the temps have fallen again. I saw a robing this week, so I think it's time to accept that winter never really came. I'm not complaining, at least not about the weather!

I've been working on losing weight. I have to say, so far, I feel horrible: constantly hungry, constantly exhausted, constantly achy. It gets better, right? I rather be fat than feel this way for the rest of my life.

[DaughterOfKali]

We've had very little snow this winter but it has been snowing on and off for the past couple of days.  All the lovely flower sprouts are now covered in snow.  

I want Spring!

As for weight:  I've been eating a lot less and I....gained 2 lbs.  How frustrating!  I was even more active (not by a huge amount but definitely more than I had been during the past few months.)  

[Valerie.Qc]

Happy March!

We're starting the month with snow!

[mary3mama]

Happy March everyone! 

I'm trying to get back on to the MDC groove lately. I was reading the Feb thread but thought I'd jump in with this new one.

We've had THE mildest winter I've ever known here in the midwest -- and I'm not complaining. It was nearly 70 degrees yesterday. Fabulous! 

Still doing the home/unschooling and the low carb living thing and just enjoying our days. 

[Maiasaura]

Mary, are you really technically midwest? I thought you were way too east to be midwest. Now I am wondering what are the midwest states!

I am up here at M's...thought the snow was going to seriously threaten my travel, then the night before last, we had a huge storm in NC and lost power at 9pm. I called M at 3am to tell him about this, and thank the Gods, it came back on at 3:30am!! Turns out the entire of NC and some of GA and SC and maybe even VA lost power. Crazy. And it was one of those short ones-- over in like one minute, I kid you not.

So here I am....OMG, mamas...I do not know how to say this. Last night, my first night here, we got into some hot'n'heavy, and right at the very..um...peak moment...I broke him. His...his hoodly-hoo broke. OMG. Something happened and it got bent the wrong way.

We have been doing some research online, and he doesn't think it's bad enough to require medical attention, but it's purple and bruisy and very scary looking. It's pretty bruised. But it's not swollen and he says it doesn't hurt. It did last night, but not today.

I think we have to probably abstain from any more sex this trip but he thinks he wants to try some more. I said not today, no way, let's just let it rest for at least a day! I honestly think if I lived here, he should let it rest for a week or two, but he doesn't seem to think it's that bad. I guess, it's his body part, he should be the one to determine that, but I don't want him to overextend (oooh, bad pun, sorry), either. Thoughts?

So he ended up having to work today anyway. I am trying to get my lazy arse out of the house and walk to the store, but I don't think I have proper footwear to do that, and it's freaking way colder than I am used to, but if I am going to live up here, I better acclimate, huh?

[revolting]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

As for weight:  I've been eating a lot less and I....gained 2 lbs.  How frustrating!  I was even more active (not by a huge amount but definitely more than I had been during the past few months.)  

That sucks. Maybe it's weight put on by some muscle? You can always hope...
 

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc 
We're starting the month with snow!

Keep your snow to yourself. We are supposed to get rain, rain, rain today. I keep oscillating between taking the kids out to return a movie or not this morning; I'm scared to walk 1 1/2 miles with the kids one way and then it rain. When my kids are miserable (and it's cold enough that the rain would be miserable - we haven't bought new rain gear yet, and at least for my younger child, our rain gear is too small), they walk SO SLOW.
 

 

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Mary, are you really technically midwest? I thought you were way too east to be midwest. Now I am wondering what are the midwest states!

I am up here at M's...thought the snow was going to seriously threaten my travel, then the night before last, we had a huge storm in NC and lost power at 9pm. I called M at 3am to tell him about this, and thank the Gods, it came back on at 3:30am!! Turns out the entire of NC and some of GA and SC and maybe even VA lost power. Crazy. And it was one of those short ones-- over in like one minute, I kid you not.

So here I am....OMG, mamas...I do not know how to say this. Last night, my first night here, we got into some hot'n'heavy, and right at the very..um...peak moment...I broke him. His...his hoodly-hoo broke. OMG. Something happened and it got bent the wrong way.

We have been doing some research online, and he doesn't think it's bad enough to require medical attention, but it's purple and bruisy and very scary looking. It's pretty bruised. But it's not swollen and he says it doesn't hurt. It did last night, but not today.

I think we have to probably abstain from any more sex this trip but he thinks he wants to try some more. I said not today, no way, let's just let it rest for at least a day! I honestly think if I lived here, he should let it rest for a week or two, but he doesn't seem to think it's that bad. I guess, it's his body part, he should be the one to determine that, but I don't want him to overextend (oooh, bad pun, sorry), either. Thoughts?

So he ended up having to work today anyway. I am trying to get my lazy arse out of the house and walk to the store, but I don't think I have proper footwear to do that, and it's freaking way colder than I am used to, but if I am going to live up here, I better acclimate, huh?

Indiana is definitely the midwest. We are actually thinking about moving to Indiana (not as far east as Indianapolis though) because of how much cheaper everything is there. I thought it was a hard place to homeschool, though, Mary?

Maia - Wow! I have no advice. I hope it heals quickly!

So, my husband has been gone for extremely long days. Today, he'll only be gone for 10 1/2 hours, which is kind of exciting, since he's been gone 16 hours every day this week thus far. And then...it's the weekend. I'm hoping to find some time to declutter to get ready for the equinox/treasure map.... I'm pretty behind what I'd like to have done, but when you have a family of four living in a two bedroom apartment, the clutter accumulates FAST!

[3xMama]

Maia-Mary3Mama is in the Midwest. We are both in Indy (HI Mary!!) so I'm sure.  The Midwest states are Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Illinois and I *think* Tennessee. 

And holy ouchies!  I have heard of that happening. No advice other than let the poor man heal! 

revolting and DoK-At least you are trying to lose weight! I need to so badly I just....don't. I'm pretty scared of the whole thing. I really tried about a year ago and ended up losing almost nothing in a month, got mad and quit, refusing to ever try again (realistic, hey?). I was only about 2 months postpartum so I should've given myself a little more leniency, but I was two months postpartum and hormonal.  So now I keep saying I will try when I'm done breastfeeding and off the zoloft (severe ppd) (which I do think has played a big part in it, both the depression and the anti depressant). Maybe someday it'll actually happen....

I agree w/ Mary, this has been a crazy mild winter. The past several have been worse than usual, though, so that is probably coloring it some. I am enjoying the lovely early spring weather though. Except today we have a good chance of severe weather and I could happily do without that.

As for me, sorry I've not been around a lot. Its been a whole lot of awful here and I've not wanted to be around people, even virtual ones. Its been one damn thing after another. Nothing particularly bad on its own, but multiple things day after day...On the plus side, though, DH and I got a new (to us) bed! My parents got new mattresses and gave us their "old" king size Tempurpedic mattress.  Its so comfy and cozy, we are in looove.  And for DH's birthday, our best friend gave him a brand new 42" TV.  Its very pretty but I have no idea how she afforded it. Its not my place to tell her what to do with her money, but I did fight her on the decision. She did what she wanted, anyway, but I'm a little shocked by it. She is one who gives because she likes to give, but that's too much. But, now we have a pretty HDTV to play video games on and watch Netflix soooo....WOO!

I'm hoping to be around more this month, but don't count on it. My dad is having surgery next week Thursday and I will be caring for him full time once he's out of the hospital. *Sigh* This is definately one of the times I wish I had a sibling.....

Ok, DS1 needs a diaper change and I just looked behind me to see that the boys have dumped out 2 500 piece puzzles and 4 100 piece puzzles...*sigh* I need a drink.

[Maiasaura]

Well, the good news is, I think it hasn't bent permanently out of its usual shape. It hasn't bent at all, out of its usual shape. It only bent temporarily *in the moment*.

Thank the Gods. That can happen! And I saw some scary-ugly-freaky things that can happen as a result of this, and the scary-ugly-freaky photos of things that can happen in/because of surgery related to! Holy cow.

I am glad (again!) that all my delicate parts are safely tucked inside, huh? I would NOT want one of those. Penis envy, my arse! Not envious! Not!

Losing weight: read this

[mary3mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Mary, are you really technically midwest? I thought you were way too east to be midwest. Now I am wondering what are the midwest states!

I think you might be remembering when we lived in the Wash DC area (MD & WV) for a few years. We've been back in the midwest/Indiana/Indianapolis for about 18 mos. now. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3xMama 

Maia-Mary3Mama is in the Midwest. We are both in Indy (HI Mary!!) so I'm sure.  The Midwest states are Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Illinois and I *think* Tennessee. 

 

Originally Posted by revolting 

Indiana is definitely the midwest. We are actually thinking about moving to Indiana (not as far east as Indianapolis though) because of how much cheaper everything is there. I thought it was a hard place to homeschool, though, Mary?

Indiana is probably the easiest place to homeschool in the whole country -- or at least one of several equally easy ones. 

At least currently there is no requirement to register -- you can if you wish. There is no reporting, no testing, no asking for permission. Homeschools are legally considered to be just like all other non-public schools. It is fantastic. After living in both Maryland and West Virginia in the last few years, I really appreciate the ease of homeschooling here. 

Where in Indiana might you relocate? The greater Indianapolis area is nice. There are so many wonderful communities in the counties encircling Indy itself. Especially if you look south or west of Indy there are great, affordable neighborhoods. We lived in Indy/Marion Co. for the first few years and have lived just north of Marion Co. (Hamilton Co.) since. The prices are higher in Boone & Hamilton Counties...but it is where we are nonetheless. 

There are lots of homeschooling groups and meetups plus parks everywhere, museums, the zoo, etc. We are very glad to be back here. 

[Maiasaura]

Nah, Mary, I've known you've been in Indy for awhile now. I just didn't realize it was that far west! I think of midwest like in...hmm, Nebraska? Wisconsin maybe? Not sure. I'm not very geographically competent. I can probably label most states on an unlabeled map, but the delineations for west/midwest/etc. would be blurry, at best, for me.

M's part is feeling much better It's not up to par yet, though. He managed to show some....um, physical enthusiasm? for me earlier when we were making out some, so we know it still works properly, but he said it hurt still, a bit, and he agreed with me that we should let it rest some more. But yay, it does work! I know this sounds silly and kind of embarrassing to write about, but man. I had to tell somebody.

I can't freaking wait till tomorrow. He said he thinks he'll be ready to test it out

Heather, how are you, hon?

[revolting]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Well, the good news is, I think it hasn't bent permanently out of its usual shape. It hasn't bent at all, out of its usual shape. It only bent temporarily *in the moment*.

Thank the Gods. That can happen! And I saw some scary-ugly-freaky things that can happen as a result of this, and the scary-ugly-freaky photos of things that can happen in/because of surgery related to! Holy cow.

I am glad (again!) that all my delicate parts are safely tucked inside, huh? I would NOT want one of those. Penis envy, my arse! Not envious! Not!

Losing weight: read this

I'm working my way through the thread and finished the Pounds and Inches book. I still can't tell if this is something you can do while breastfeeding.

Mary - We'd be thinking of moving just east of the Illinois-Indiana border. I have family in the south suburbs of Chicago just west of the border, and we were thinking about going east. I don't know the area horribly well: my grandmother lives down there, and I definitely know her neighborhood has been getting rougher. But we'd want to live somewhere we could commute to Chicago.

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Nah, Mary, I've known you've been in Indy for awhile now. I just didn't realize it was that far west! I think of midwest like in...hmm, Nebraska? Wisconsin maybe? Not sure. I'm not very geographically competent. I can probably label most states on an unlabeled map, but the delineations for west/midwest/etc. would be blurry, at best, for me.

M's part is feeling much better It's not up to par yet, though. He managed to show some....um, physical enthusiasm? for me earlier when we were making out some, so we know it still works properly, but he said it hurt still, a bit, and he agreed with me that we should let it rest some more. But yay, it does work! I know this sounds silly and kind of embarrassing to write about, but man. I had to tell somebody.

I can't freaking wait till tomorrow. He said he thinks he'll be ready to test it out

Heather, how are you, hon?

I'm glad M is feeling better!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by revolting I'm glad M is feeling better!

He's not up to par, yet. We still can't have sex...and probably won't be able to this trip at all He's understandably concerned about it, even though it doesn't hurt much except in the one spot where it likely "broke", but I'm understandably feeling sorry for myself, and he is feeling like a failure, and we're both a little strained because of that. But we're trying to push through it and be close anyway. Ugh. This sucks.

[vydalea]

Happy March, everyone!!!

Maia, I'm glad you arrived safely in M's arms and didn't actually break his wang.  Sounds like it's just bruised?  oy.  That's rough.  yikes.  I can't remember, when do you go back?

3x: Good luck with your dad!  I noticed you were gone for a bit and was wondering how you were.

revolting: a robin!  wow!  Yeah, no real winter here, either.  Today it really feels like spring has sprung.  The annual St Pat's day parade was today which is the marking point for our family that we made it through the winter.  It was 55!  Which for this area is BALMY!! ha!

I'm beat now, though.  We had about a dozen people over for a pre-parade gathering and then the parade was about 2 hours long.  Not so much excited about the St. Patrick part of the day but the whole community comes out and it's a really awesome sense of togetherness.  

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea Maia, I'm glad you arrived safely in M's arms and didn't actually break his wang.  Sounds like it's just bruised?  oy.  That's rough.  yikes.  I can't remember, when do you go back?

Freaking Monday. I go back day after tomorrow.

Actually, we did some research online, and there is a vast continuum of injuries that can happen with that, from very mild to really, really serious. Some guys can never have sex again! No erections and all that! Some get bent wangs and have to have surgery to correct it, if they mind it's bent funny or if it hurts. M has none of those things; it's just...it's purple, and he's a white guy, so it really does look weird, I have to say He looks like he's two races, if you look at that part. Eek. It'd be funny if it wasn't so tragic.

But it still hurts him, and now he thinks it will take months to heal! He's such a...what is it my mom used to call me when I was little? Someone who is hugely prone to hyperbole. Exaggeration. I think it'll take a good two weeks, but not months. And I think if I were here permanently, it wouldn't really be much of a setback, but I'm here three days every two months! Plus, his lousy self-esteem doesn't help any. He's pulling away because I guess he feels like a failure on legs, and this solidifies that (in his mind), and I am uber-needy and all I really want is lots of snuggling and kissing to make up for the lack of sex...but it's not happening. Much. He's trying to be more available, and I'm trying to be less needy....shit. Neither of us is doing very well at that.

[DaughterOfKali]

Maia-  I remember watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy where that happened to one of the guys.  That did happen to one of my boyfriends when I was much younger.  His didn't bruise though.

I'm hoping that M will heal on his own after a few days.  I know that's too late for you to fully enjoy each other (without pain this time!)  And remember, Maia, this isn't an Olympic sport.    I wanted to post more but what I have to say probably isn't allowed.  

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by revolting 

Mary - We'd be thinking of moving just east of the Illinois-Indiana border. I have family in the south suburbs of Chicago just west of the border, and we were thinking about going east. I don't know the area horribly well: my grandmother lives down there, and I definitely know her neighborhood has been getting rougher. But we'd want to live somewhere we could commute to Chicago.

Ok, that gives me a reference point. 

I grew up near Gary, Indiana.

I have no idea how close one would need to be to have a decent commute to Chicago, though.

Daily commute? Or just occasional?

There's daily flights from Indy to Chicago, as well as a Metro Bus that's really inexpensive (though you leave sometime between midnight and 5am IIRC.)

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

Maia-  I remember watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy where that happened to one of the guys.  That did happen to one of my boyfriends when I was much younger.  His didn't bruise though.

I'm hoping that M will heal on his own after a few days.  I know that's too late for you to fully enjoy each other (without pain this time!)  And remember, Maia, this isn't an Olympic sport.    I wanted to post more but what I have to say probably isn't allowed.  

LOL---there's ways to be cryptic without being Right Out There, kwim? We did do...some other things, him with his and me with mine, if you kwim, the other day, because he is more able to control what would hurt and what is too much pressure and what-not. That was fun but weird for me. Yesterday we did nothing but pretty much try to distract ourselves.

[witchygrrl]

Yikes, Maia. I hope he feels better soon. I have no experience with that, as it were, thankfully.

Well ladies, I finished my grading for both of my schools, so I feel better now. It is Spring Break this week, which makes me laugh, what with the snow on the ground. I did not get the job I was interveiwing for, but I think it is a blessing and a sign for me to move on. I'm not doing anything drastic, as I am the breadwinner, but I need to make a change. So I am signing up to take teacher tests in MA, so I can teach in the public schools. I still need to pick a test date...one of them is on my birthday:D

I am making beef bourginoun. (sp?) Man, does the house smell good right now!

I've also lost 6 stubborn pounds...I haven't been this weight in several years!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by witchygrrl 

Yikes, Maia. I hope he feels better soon. I have no experience with that, as it were, thankfully.

Well ladies, I finished my grading for both of my schools, so I feel better now. It is Spring Break this week, which makes me laugh, what with the snow on the ground. I did not get the job I was interveiwing for, but I think it is a blessing and a sign for me to move on. I'm not doing anything drastic, as I am the breadwinner, but I need to make a change. So I am signing up to take teacher tests in MA, so I can teach in the public schools. I still need to pick a test date...one of them is on my birthday:D

I am making beef bourginoun. (sp?) Man, does the house smell good right now!

I've also lost 6 stubborn pounds...I haven't been this weight in several years!

When is your birthday? Hey, would you mind posting the recipe for that dish you are making? Sounds yummy. Can you do it in the crock pot?

Yeah, I hope he feels better soon, too, poor baby. We did try again this afternoon to get things going, but the...um...bigger things got, there was pain, so we stopped immediately. He's going to maybe see a doctor just to make sure things are going to be alright. Damn...but we both are convinced that the Universe is testing us for some reason, y'know? Like...is your relationship able to withstand this, and this, and this. Um, yes. Let's not have to do that particular test again, umkay?

[witchygrrl]

My birthday is May 12, and I'll be 34 this trip around the sun.

The beef bourginoun does require Burgandy wine, so I'm not sure if you would be okay with that or not, Maia. I'm trying to think what would work as an alternative....

But anyway, here's the recipe:

1 lb of stew beef (or thereabouts)

1 medium onion

small bunch of carrots

I took a heavy pan, and seared the salt and peppered beef in it with some butter. Then I took the beef out, and threw the chopped onions in, cooking them until clear. I also added some garlic powder. Then I added the wine, scraped up the bits on the bottom of the pan, and put the beef back in with the carrots. Then I put it in the oven at 300 degrees for a few hours.  I bet it would work in the crockpot, too.

It was so tasty. Even DD ate it. I served it with mashed potato/sweet potato.