Thanks for all the love!!
Kristin
Sunday, November 8, 2009
November
Made it to November! I just transferred all of the posts from this blog over to http://www.KristinBennett.com so please feel free to check that site out! Soon this one will be gone/totally different. I'll have StrawberryTech.info up and running soon as well.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October
What a busy month!! We have left Alki, and now I am considering closing down this blog as I have been writing on KristinBennett.com, AssociatedContent.com, DivineCaroline.com, Open.Salon.com as well as keeping up with all sorts of websites for mothers to spread word of MomsWithMS.com.
Right now I'm working on seeing if I can transfer all the years worth of blog posts here over to the KristinBennett.com Wordpress site. If you have tips please let me know!
I'll let you know how it goes! If you want to see what I have been up to please check out those links up above!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Growing up!!
I am so proud to watch her growing up...she isn't in kindergarten yet but she is so close!! She loves wearing her backpack!!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Silence...
I don't usually, but right now, I love silence. Between the fussing, playing, whining, venting, lookat me's, brainstorming, crying, and phones ringing...I love silence. Each minute I believe is the equivalent to about 15 minutes sleep.
More.
Please.
Please.
More.
Please.
Please.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Connections...meanings...conclusions...
I have been taking a class through the Washington Business Center (used to be Women's Business Center) it is called "Launch and Grow your " and while it's been interesting I have been flip flopping faster than any political candidate ever regarding 'which' business I want to focus/work on. In my mind I'm thinking about the book writing, community building, all the MLM's I'm involved in, my volunteer roles and sooo much more, how can I focus on one?? Anyway, now that it is ending next week which is when I need to present a business plan, I have decided where I need to focus though in what regards I'm still not sure, though I know where I'm leaning. I think that what I have spent time on really shows my passions and what I'm most likely to thrive doing and that is working with Moms with MS.
I launched the community on July 1 this year after suffering my first bad flare-up since my diagnosis in 2001. I've watched it grow like crazy, we're now over 90 members and it's barely been 2 months and we are not yet listed in or supplied brochures at any NMSS locations or on their site aside from links on their facebook page. One member told me she found the site through google even which is fabulous, means we're showing up in people's searches when they are looking for what we provide.
At this point though we are 'only' a community. I have it being run through a (wonderful) ning platform which is great as a community but so much more is needed for this site!! I want to supply moms with information, help them promote what they are doing, feature people, have specialists contribute regarding cutting edge information that affects us MoMS and so forth. So as I told my husband a few minutes ago...I need to get started with a mindmap because for this topic my brain is exploding with ideas and even better, I'm getting loads of support and encouragement from anyone I talk to about this, whether they are affected/in the field or not.
Time to get started on that business plan...after the mindmap and find focus within this focus of course.
I launched the community on July 1 this year after suffering my first bad flare-up since my diagnosis in 2001. I've watched it grow like crazy, we're now over 90 members and it's barely been 2 months and we are not yet listed in or supplied brochures at any NMSS locations or on their site aside from links on their facebook page. One member told me she found the site through google even which is fabulous, means we're showing up in people's searches when they are looking for what we provide.
At this point though we are 'only' a community. I have it being run through a (wonderful) ning platform which is great as a community but so much more is needed for this site!! I want to supply moms with information, help them promote what they are doing, feature people, have specialists contribute regarding cutting edge information that affects us MoMS and so forth. So as I told my husband a few minutes ago...I need to get started with a mindmap because for this topic my brain is exploding with ideas and even better, I'm getting loads of support and encouragement from anyone I talk to about this, whether they are affected/in the field or not.
Time to get started on that business plan...after the mindmap and find focus within this focus of course.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Active Lesions
Well, I found out on Monday evening when my neurologist called that my MS is definitely active...or at least it was in July post-steroids.
This is not good. Basically the course of steroids that I took for 13 days if you include the time when I was taking a 'taper' of prednisone after 5 days of solumedrol via IV, should have stopped the flare up in it's tracks, in other words made the lesions inactive. I got an MRI a few weeks after the steroids and the lesions still showed activity at the time of the MRI which means the flare up was still happening.
Since the MRI I've also gone to see a naturopath who I really like, I first met her through an empowerment workshop I attended and she informed me of the IVIG treatment which is considered to be the safest way to prevent flare-up's when nursing. My neuro had been toying with the idea of a heavy monthly steroid infusion which would require pumping and dumping (not pleasant) and of course the crazy steroid side effects. So back to this week when I saw the neuro, she seemed really concerned about the 'what if' scenarios that involve IVIG seeing as how it is derived from other people's blood supply. I do want to ask my naturopath if this is really that much of an issue or just a fear that the more western medicine etc.
Another appointment I had on monday that went fabulously was with a new Physical Therapist who I really look forward to seeing again. She was able to show me that my pelvis/hip was out of alignment (no wonder walking/jogging etc was so painful!!) and more importantly how to get it BACK INTO alignment, which instantly made me feel so much more comfortable and stable.
Other good things that are going on involve the house...my husband has been working tirelessly on both this and his new company/product launch and it is absolutely paying off. We now have walls, and the remaining pieces to the puzzle involve the flooring, connecting the electricity (to the plug/faces etc.) and also installing a few major lighting pieces as well as plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom. It is an absolutely huge relief to see so much progress happening here though I am feeling a bit torn about leaving the beach as I do love it here in West Seattle.
So, I'm really bummed that my MS is acting up. I am working hard to try and reduce my stress and anxiety though I am having an extremely hard time with this. I absolutely feel down in the dumps most of the time and insecure about everything from what kind of mother I am to my employability and of course finances. I feel very very overwhelmed I suppose is another way to say it.
Some good things have been happening though, someone has expressed an interest in using some of my illustrations in 2 books they are almost done writing for instance. I have also been doing a lot of research about what it would take to write a book about my experiences with life and how with each circumstance I was able to overcome and find the bright side and opportunity of it. I am finding the exercises in seeing if this is for me is helping me to inspire myself out of this slump that I am in currently.
I really want to go do a few things for myself...namely a haircut and some minimal shopping. I need to go through my clothes first, because it seems like I must have at least a few things that would fit me at this awkward transitional stage of my body post-baby. I'll get the haircut and while packing see if I can sort out a wardrobe of sorts.
I'm bummed that my MS is acting up
This is not good. Basically the course of steroids that I took for 13 days if you include the time when I was taking a 'taper' of prednisone after 5 days of solumedrol via IV, should have stopped the flare up in it's tracks, in other words made the lesions inactive. I got an MRI a few weeks after the steroids and the lesions still showed activity at the time of the MRI which means the flare up was still happening.
Since the MRI I've also gone to see a naturopath who I really like, I first met her through an empowerment workshop I attended and she informed me of the IVIG treatment which is considered to be the safest way to prevent flare-up's when nursing. My neuro had been toying with the idea of a heavy monthly steroid infusion which would require pumping and dumping (not pleasant) and of course the crazy steroid side effects. So back to this week when I saw the neuro, she seemed really concerned about the 'what if' scenarios that involve IVIG seeing as how it is derived from other people's blood supply. I do want to ask my naturopath if this is really that much of an issue or just a fear that the more western medicine etc.
Another appointment I had on monday that went fabulously was with a new Physical Therapist who I really look forward to seeing again. She was able to show me that my pelvis/hip was out of alignment (no wonder walking/jogging etc was so painful!!) and more importantly how to get it BACK INTO alignment, which instantly made me feel so much more comfortable and stable.
Other good things that are going on involve the house...my husband has been working tirelessly on both this and his new company/product launch and it is absolutely paying off. We now have walls, and the remaining pieces to the puzzle involve the flooring, connecting the electricity (to the plug/faces etc.) and also installing a few major lighting pieces as well as plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom. It is an absolutely huge relief to see so much progress happening here though I am feeling a bit torn about leaving the beach as I do love it here in West Seattle.
So, I'm really bummed that my MS is acting up. I am working hard to try and reduce my stress and anxiety though I am having an extremely hard time with this. I absolutely feel down in the dumps most of the time and insecure about everything from what kind of mother I am to my employability and of course finances. I feel very very overwhelmed I suppose is another way to say it.
Some good things have been happening though, someone has expressed an interest in using some of my illustrations in 2 books they are almost done writing for instance. I have also been doing a lot of research about what it would take to write a book about my experiences with life and how with each circumstance I was able to overcome and find the bright side and opportunity of it. I am finding the exercises in seeing if this is for me is helping me to inspire myself out of this slump that I am in currently.
I really want to go do a few things for myself...namely a haircut and some minimal shopping. I need to go through my clothes first, because it seems like I must have at least a few things that would fit me at this awkward transitional stage of my body post-baby. I'll get the haircut and while packing see if I can sort out a wardrobe of sorts.
I'm bummed that my MS is acting up
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Mount Bachelor
Mount Bachelor Academy, I'd like to say, "Fuck You.".
I can not believe that parents still are sending their children to be in your care.
I do owe you a few things, like removing the tiny bit of trust from the relationships I had with the people in my life that are commonly referred to as 'family'. For teaching me that yes, I can survive on the streets, living off of sugar, coffee, and whatever I could get from churches and people giving things away, (this is how one survives on the streets). Also, for teaching me that one can sleep at a truck stop with out being bothered, at least not too much. For teaching me sex in a sleeping bag is possible. For teaching me that it is possible to be able to be somewhere, and t0 have to lie to every single person because you know you can not trust them. For teaching me that I can survive and leave any situation that is plain psycho, as was my experience staying with you. I'm grateful that I was able to leave more than anything.
I'd like to say Fuck You for taking the necklace my mother made for me when I was being registered, then mysteriously being unable to find it once we requested it after I ran away, I wonder what 'safe keeping' means in this coded academic language of yours. I actually felt good after completing the hellish challenges of Red Cliff Academy, but you took allllll that away.
Now it is kind of my mission to educate parents about being involved in their children's lives...to not trust the slick marketing telling them they can send their children away to be fixed...instead to go to real group counseling and spend *gasp* time with their children to figure out what is going on, or send them to family, move to a different city, things of that nature.
If anyone reading this is considering sending their child to Mount Bachelor, don't. Don't. DON'T. Your child is yours, and deserves better. Adolescent years are rough, and at some point they end. Look for character building programs, like Klemmer or other POSITIVE programs to build the good in your children not kill it.
I can not believe that parents still are sending their children to be in your care.
I do owe you a few things, like removing the tiny bit of trust from the relationships I had with the people in my life that are commonly referred to as 'family'. For teaching me that yes, I can survive on the streets, living off of sugar, coffee, and whatever I could get from churches and people giving things away, (this is how one survives on the streets). Also, for teaching me that one can sleep at a truck stop with out being bothered, at least not too much. For teaching me sex in a sleeping bag is possible. For teaching me that it is possible to be able to be somewhere, and t0 have to lie to every single person because you know you can not trust them. For teaching me that I can survive and leave any situation that is plain psycho, as was my experience staying with you. I'm grateful that I was able to leave more than anything.
I'd like to say Fuck You for taking the necklace my mother made for me when I was being registered, then mysteriously being unable to find it once we requested it after I ran away, I wonder what 'safe keeping' means in this coded academic language of yours. I actually felt good after completing the hellish challenges of Red Cliff Academy, but you took allllll that away.
Now it is kind of my mission to educate parents about being involved in their children's lives...to not trust the slick marketing telling them they can send their children away to be fixed...instead to go to real group counseling and spend *gasp* time with their children to figure out what is going on, or send them to family, move to a different city, things of that nature.
If anyone reading this is considering sending their child to Mount Bachelor, don't. Don't. DON'T. Your child is yours, and deserves better. Adolescent years are rough, and at some point they end. Look for character building programs, like Klemmer or other POSITIVE programs to build the good in your children not kill it.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rewind...
A long time ago, I was doing what I believe I need to be doing now.
I had Kimby Designs...which was my DBA for all the random things I was doing, working on websites, doing illustrations, technical support, all sorts of stuff like that. What I was REALLY doing though was on KimbyDesigns.com (nothing is up there now) and I had something awesome going there, something very therapeutic that I loved working on but that was too overwhelming to maintain (kept getting spam in the message boards) I had almost all my illustrations (can bee seen HERE or @ http://www.cafepress.com/kristinbennett look at the ink drawings) online, along with a story about what they mean to me, along with a place for people to share what the image meant to them.
This is what I want to do now, I think I'm better at promoting my illustrations and work and if I could find a way to make it profitable at all...I'd be in good shape.
It may seem this is a random divergence to reality, it's not as random as it seems...I'm taking a class right now and I'm tasked with coming up with a business plan. Of course I can come up with about a dozen but I have been having trouble thinking up something that I'd actually like to do, this is important because the job applications aren't going well, self employment will be going on with or without a job. If I could have help from other people making it viable even better!!
Anyway...I thought if it because we're supposed to bring in a business card that shows what we do, and when I dug up my old Kimby Designs ones voila! That's how I had designed those. I'll bring those in for sure...
I had Kimby Designs...which was my DBA for all the random things I was doing, working on websites, doing illustrations, technical support, all sorts of stuff like that. What I was REALLY doing though was on KimbyDesigns.com (nothing is up there now) and I had something awesome going there, something very therapeutic that I loved working on but that was too overwhelming to maintain (kept getting spam in the message boards) I had almost all my illustrations (can bee seen HERE or @ http://www.cafepress.com/kristinbennett look at the ink drawings) online, along with a story about what they mean to me, along with a place for people to share what the image meant to them.
This is what I want to do now, I think I'm better at promoting my illustrations and work and if I could find a way to make it profitable at all...I'd be in good shape.
It may seem this is a random divergence to reality, it's not as random as it seems...I'm taking a class right now and I'm tasked with coming up with a business plan. Of course I can come up with about a dozen but I have been having trouble thinking up something that I'd actually like to do, this is important because the job applications aren't going well, self employment will be going on with or without a job. If I could have help from other people making it viable even better!!
Anyway...I thought if it because we're supposed to bring in a business card that shows what we do, and when I dug up my old Kimby Designs ones voila! That's how I had designed those. I'll bring those in for sure...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Still tired...
I think I'm allergic to a lot of stuff...that in combination with my sacroiliac pain...I'm exhausted!! Yesterday I got a few really sharp pains too, actually cried out. I'm definitely looking forward to the hot tub...(and the PT appointments when I get back).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
