My own personal Highway to Hell

Yeah, I know, stupid title. Forgive me.

But it seems my brain has joined every other muscle and nerve fiber in my body in a fast and furious race to see who can cripple me most efficiently. It seems Sciatica was in the lead with her sharp lightening quick stabs down my left ass cheek ....she can buckle my leg quicker than I can say "mother fucker." But Brainmatter officially closed up the gap quickly in this dead heat race when she began oozing from my left ear and other facial orifices...I'm pretty sure that's illegal and she should probably be disqualified....but I don't make the rules....and I certainly don't argue with someone as they're threatening to bully my eyeballs from out of their sockets from behind. So there you have it. I need my eyesight. Brainmatter wins.

Do you hear that Brainmatter....YOU WIN......please collect your prize and go home. Quietly. And please turn out the lights before you leave.

So so bright.

Due to Brainmatter's temporary leave of absence....I am unable to think of a more clever title to go with the post that follows....

Hubby and I are going to see AC/DC in concert on Nov. 4th. I saw them once before during my first (second?) year of college but I'll also tell you that my memory of that evening is a little fuzzy.....or maybe even slightly nonexistent. I'll keep the reasons for that fuzz to myself thankyouverymuch. I know I enjoyed it though....cuz surely if I HADN'T enjoyed it I'd'a remembered that....no? Papa smurf, who is a die hard AC/DC fan, has never seen them in concert. Not too sure why. It just never worked out for him. So needless to say we're extremely excited....and EAGERLY awaiting the release of their latest CD next week. And the best part is we'll be sharing the evening with our good friends K and R. So be warned.... music will be changing on my blog very soon in preparation for said concert....turn your volume down if you don't want to hear it.

PS ~ There is no better music to run to.

I mean.......other than James Brown's I Feel Good.....of course...psh.

Chicago Marathon

It's over.

Hallefuckinglujah.

You would think I would have learned my lesson the first time around. NOPE. Contrary to what I said in THIS post....I'm really quite slow.

My original goal was to break 5 hours.

HA!

My alternate goal was to improve last year's time of 5:19:andsomeoddseconds.

HA!

By mile 20 my new goal was to simply finish the damn thing.

And I did.

In 5:25:05.

Slow.

Very slow.

Am I disappointed? Not in the least.

Chicago was a fantastic marathon. And we had a fantastic time. The number of people in that city just blew my mind away. It really was quite amazing. And very inspiring.

And the best part? They were serving free beer at the finish line. DUDE. How's that for incentive to finish?......

And now T is trying to convince me that a mini Triathlon is the "thing" to do. Where the hell did I get these friends. Seriously. She needs help. I can barely walk....it hasn't even been 24 hours since the marathon....the pain is still very fresh in my mind.....and she's trying to talk me into this shit. And let me tell you.....she's relentless. She's like that nagging wife that won't give up an argument until she wins.....

.......shut up Papa Smurf......

I still don't know. But I'm sure she'll continue to hen peck me into submission.

For now, I've decided to give the full marathons a rest for awhile. We're planning on doing the Bay Shore 1/2 marathon in April. Papa Smurf is even considering joining us in training. That will be kinda neat. Training with the hubby. I think the 1/2 is the way to go. Training will be far less grueling. And the actual race will be much more enjoyable and much less painful.

Here's some pictures from the weekend....

Friday: We arrived in Chicago around 4pm and headed over to the Expo to register. Then headed to Dick's Last Resort for dinner. That place is really a good time. If you've never been you should go if you get the chance.

The 5 runners: B, L, T, W, and ME

Saturday we wandered down the Magnificent Mile and did some shopping. I finally made my first American Girl purchase. I've resisted the urge long enough. It was time. Smurfette's birthday is coming up in December and I figured since I was there I may as well save on shipping by purchasing a little early. She is going to be SO excited!

Sunday morning before the race....

At the starting corral....the upside down hamstring stretch view.....

The starting corral was divided into A, B, C, D, and "open." The "open" corral was waaaaaaaayyyyy behind all the cool elite athletes. "Open" translated into "those who are so slow they're really not "running" a marathon but would like to be humored into believing they are." It took us nearly 20 minutes after the official start to get from here.......

.....to here......

Just to put that into perspective for you.....by the time we actually made it to the Start line the elite runners were probably already 5 miles into the marathon.

T and I lost B early on in the race because by mile 3 she was vomiting on the side of the road. She had taken an antibiotic before the race for a sinus/throat ailment and it wasn't agreeing with her. It took her a while to shake it off.

The next 2 photos were taken around the 10K marker.

Absolutely loved running through this part of Chicago with the old Brownstone style homes. There were people outside their homes with hoses squirting all the runners down.

Had to get a picture of all the trampled water

and Gatorade cups....

The next 2 photos were taken around the 25K marker....we're still not looking too shabby. But you'll notice that I didn't get another photo until the finish line because we were hitting the wall somewhere around the 18 - 20 mile mark. The heat was unbearable and it was 10 degrees cooler than last year's marathon. I couldn't imagine trying to get through it with 90 degree heat.

If you look waaaay off in the distance you can see the finish line. There truly is NOTHING like finally seeing that finish line after running 26.2 miles in the sun and heat. It was a wonderful moment!

T and I after we met up with the rest of the clan after the race.

W in the middle finished with a personal best of 3:57.....WOW!

Me and Papa Smurf

I finished the marathon with my first ever running battle wound. This is my 2nd marathon and I've never gotten a blister from running. Can you believe it?

But...

Because of the heat and sun there were hoses everywhere....home and business owners had hoses held up for the participants to run through to cool off. There were fire hydrants opened up every couple miles or so. We hit EVERY single one of them. It was hot. It felt good. The problem was that by the time we finished we were soaked from head to toe. I was running with squishy and sloshy running shoes. My feet were pruney and rubbing in places they normally wouldn't.

I apologize in advance for the following photo...but I really just can't help myself. Check out my first blister ever (yes, my FIRST) on the inside of my big toe...it's about the size of a quarter and wraps around under my toe. I'm really quite proud of it. Please don't pay attention to the nasty old paint job....It's obviously been awhile since I've painted the toes.

I hobbled on over to the podiatry tent shortly after taking this picture and felt like a big baby for complaining about my little old blister when I took a look at the feet on the woman on the cot next to me. Holy Hell! Her feet were encased in 2 gigantic blisters. She was in a lot of pain. It took everything in me not to whip out my camera and grab a shot of those bad boys. She won't be wearing shoes for quite some time.

And that's it.

The end.

It's officially over (read with dramatic sigh of relief).

The 1/2 marathon is in April. I have 6 months. My goal: I'm going to finish the 1/2 in 2 hrs 10 mins.

=)

The Tale Of Two Horny Teenagers.

I’m so smart I scare myself. And quick. Quick like lightening.

For months (SIX months to be precise) I’ve been complaining about being unable to connect to the internet while sitting around for hours doing nothing at the gym with my kids. How nice would it be to have the ability to use my laptop to blog surf while stuck out here for 3 hours at a time.

I’ve been occupying my time in other (less fun) ways. Like reading princess books to smurfette….and coloring…..and doing puzzles….and eating…..lets not forget eating. BAH!

It came to me in a flash this afternoon. A flash I tell you…..SIX MONTHS after getting my laptop…..that I could just type up a post in Microsoft word and then copy and paste it onto my blog. Brilliant. Because I’m so lightening fast with solutions. I scare myself.

Tracey from Grace Comes By Hearing tagged me weeks ago to share the story of how Papa Smurf and I met. I’m just now getting around to it. And since this fits in well with Colleen’s Flashback Friday I’m actually killing two birds with one stone. (Yes, I realize it's Thursday but we're leaving tomorrow morning for Chicago)

Once upon a time there were two horny teenagers….

kidding…..

kinda…..

As much as I’d love to tell a wonderfully romantic tale of two lost teenage soles coming together in a moment of clarity….

I really can’t.

It’s more like a sordid tale of 2 drunken teenagers drooling over each other across a kitchen table playing partners in a game of Euchre.

But for the sake of my children who will no doubt read this one day I’ll try to spice it up a bit….

Lets see….remember my dear friend and running partner, “T”, that I’m always referring too? We’ve been friends for almost as long as I can remember. I’ve known her since 5th grade and we became friends in middle school. Well, she and another friend from high school, “L”, (her husband now) started dating the summer after our first year of college. We all went to college together. L had met and become friends with my (future) hubby during his college orientation the previous summer.

L’s parents went away on vacation for a week in June of 1991…or was it July…. and he had a party at his parent’s house. I went. FH (future hubby) went. The end.

Kidding….

Kinda….

I should probably back track a bit to tell you that at this time….the tender age of 19….I already had a plan. I already had family on the brain. I wanted to be married and done having my threepointfive kids by the time I was 30. I HATED dating. HATED. I was already dating with the idea that dating was a process of finding one’s “forever” mate. I had a journal. I actually wrote out in my journal all the qualities I was looking for in a man.

I was methodical.

I was picky.

The list was long.

So I’d go out with a guy once and find fault with him and never see him again. Go out with another guy….find fault with him….and never see him again. My room-mate and sweet mates harassed me for not giving a guy a second chance. For not being able to get past that first impression. For being "too picky." But to me….first impressions are everything. If on the first date I found something about the guy that rubbed me the wrong way….I saw no reason to go out with him again. There were a couple guys in there that I saw several times just to see if maybe a spark would ignite…because they were seemingly good guys…..but it never did. Oh, and there was that one jack ass I dated for a month. It was a free trip to Chicago...what can I say.

I found that my first impressions were pretty accurate.

So there I sat in L’s kitchen with a room full of friends (FH included) having a conversation.

Within the first hour of this conversation I was already thinking….OMG, now THIS is the type of guy I want to marry. He was perfect. Cute, intelligent, funny, down-to-earth, kind, sincere, personable….the list went on and on. And have I mentioned I’m a TOTAL sucker for a nice smile. I was instantly attracted to his perfect teeth. And those lips….oh my goodness those lips! And smile….*sigh*…..

I was smitten!

But wouldn’t you know it….he was already flirting with some other hussy at the party.

Bitch.

I left that party feeling dejected.

The following weekend came and T called to tell me that L was having another party and asked if I’d be coming. “Who all will be there?” I asked. She rattled off a list of attendees and then at the very end says “oh, and I think maybe (FH) will be coming too.”

I was giddy with excitement. Turns out the hussy from the previous week’s party stood him up earlier in the week. HA! Serves him right for flirting with a hussy! =)

Her loss.

So…party #2….

I went…..

Papa Smurf went….

Hussy didn’t go….

the end!

Kinda….

As much as I’d love to say that this 2nd meeting was an intellectual bonding of soles…..

It was, in truth, strictly guided by our mutual UNintellectual physical attraction.

We were Euchre partners.

He was a good Euchre partner.

He knew his trump.

I was turned on.

I’m easy.

As much as I’d love to say that we spent the evening talking and falling in love with each other’s incredible intelligence and wit…….

The truth is….I was in the bathroom going pee and a friend of mine shoved him in the bathroom while my pants were in the process of being zipped and the toilet had yet to be flushed.

We were quite mature...no?

As much as I’d love to say that he charmingly and graciously removed himself from the restroom before I was further embarrassed…..

He instead said “Um, well, I suppose I should kiss you so we have something for them to talk about when we go back out there.”……or something equally as awkward.

What can I say….he was as good at kissing as he was at playing Euchre.

Oh BABY….I hit the mother-load JACKpot!

Good Kisser….good Euchre partner…..what more could a girl ask for!!??

We clicked. It just felt right from the start. I felt at home. And almost immediately fell head over heels in love with this man/boy. We were engaged after 2 years of dating and were married 2 years after that ….the summer after we both graduated from college.

……….And we lived happily ever after.

Kinda.....

We've certainly had our fair share of bumps in the road of marriage but we've always come out stronger and closer in the end.

Seven years after our wedding during my 30th year we gave birth to our 3rd child. And the “point five” came several years later.

And now, 17 years after meeting this man/boy, I’m still head over heels in love. I’m still wildly attracted to his gorgeous smile and one of our favorite things to do still is play Euchre.

There’s something to be said for methodical plans.

The Healing Powers of Group Therapy.

Every year for the last 4? ....or is it 5?......years me and a group of girl friends go on a long weekend trip to.....somewhere away from home.

We went to New York the first year....in FEBRUARY! NOT smart. We had blizzard conditions, I had the flu, and although we made the most of it and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves....we decided that enduring New York in the middle of winter really wasn't one of our more brilliant ideas. So we've been going to Florida in April ever since. Ahhhhh....now THAT'S more like it!

These trips are cathartic. Healing. Relaxing. In just 5 days/4 nights we all metamorph from ragged run down mothers and wives into individuals with a side of "hot babe"....at least in our minds. We all put on our bikinis....avoid the mirrors....and pretend we're hot babes with out an ounce of cellulite nor a sign of stretch marks.

We're delusional.

And we're ok with that.

We spend the days relaxing on the beach in the ocean, sand, and sunshine...... and pretending to be hot beach babes.....

.....and then spend the evenings in our group therapy sessions. And for those of you who are dollar conscious....the cost of a 4 hour session is merely the cost of a fifth of vodka...and a bottle of cranberry juice...and maybe a little pineapple juice to splash in there.....for a little tropical flare.....Cheap! Where else can you find that kind of healing at that kind of price? Seriously?

So, during this past year's trip you can only imagine our delight when at the tail end of a shopping excursion we saw this hanging in the display window......

Our squeals of excitement attracted every canine within a 1/2 mile radius. They were perfect. They were sparkly. They had one for each of us. We turned from "hot babe" to "screamingclappingjumpingupanddown school girls" instantly.

And so our trip motto was born.

"Group Therapy"

Perfect.

Last year...2007.... every one of us on the trip was also running and training together for the Detroit Marathon. There were 6 of us.

This year, however, T and I were the only two on our trip from our original running group dumb brave enough to not learn our lesson the first time around to repeat the grueling process of marathon training. Traci recruited a few more suckers participants....her 2 BILs and her old babysitterturnedfriend..... and so we are now up to 5 in our group of marathon buddies. So when T and I saw those shirts our wheels started turning. We decided then and there that this would also be our running motto....well....for us girls anyway.....cuz what guy is gonna want to run in a sparkly shirt....

And that brings me to the point of this post. Yesterday T, B, and I all gathered at my house after lunch to decorate our matching marathon shirts. We leave on Friday for Chicago and the marathon is a mere 5 days away. It was time. We bought matching shirts in a bright lemony greeny limey sorta color. We bought sparkly gems and iron on letters. I, of course, didn't think to take pictures of us in the process of making our master pieces...

But here's mine......the finished product.....

Front....

Back...

Can I just say.....

We may be crossing that finish line with a limp....

But we'll be limping in style......

Cuz these shirts are HAWT!

For more Tackle It Tuesdays visit 5minutesformom.com.

I'm in a much better place....

.....Then I was even 5 hours ago. Thank you for the comments, support, and guidance. The fact that this has been going on since 18 months of age and the fact that this has been singled out by not only his last 4 teachers but his gym coach as well as a significant problem tells me that this is more than just typical childhood disorganization and inattentiveness.

My dear friend, D, called this morning at a particularly emotional time and got an ear full of tears. I'm feeling like a basket case. Every time I start talking about it I start crying. I really hope this is just PMS exacerbating the problem. D has helped tremendously as her son has almost the exact same issues. She had the name and number of a clinical psychologist. I've called and left a message so I'm well on my way to getting Dreamy evaluated.

I'm no clinical psychologist but after spending over 8 hours on line researching I'm convinced that my son's problems lie somewhere between Asperger's syndrome and ADD. I've been given books and resources. I'll have him officially evaluated to see....but I'm convinced.

After looking up the GFCF and Feingold diets I was completely overwhelmed. This would be a HUGE lifestyle change for us. If we have to....then of course we'll try it....but with the major food issues that Dreamy has already I fear these diets would cause more harm than good. The kid just doesn't eat as it is. The only foods he DOES eat are major no-nos in these diets. He's already incredibly under weight. I'm afraid with these diets he'd wither away to nothing.

After discovering that ADD drug treatment options are in the form of amphetamines I had a major melt down. I have major issues with this. I don't know why. But I do. If his evaluation shows ADD then this will be a last resort measure for us. He is still doing well in school....staying on task, focusing, and switching gears when necessary are a struggle for him for sure....but he is still doing well.

Treatments for Asperger's is limited to behavior therapy. I'm not sure what behavior therapy would involve but that certainly sounds more attractive to me than drugs and diets.

I'll wait and see what his evaluation reveals.

If anyone has any info on this "behavior therapy" please feel free to send it my way as I can't seem to find specific information on line. I have been given a book that I have not read yet...so hopefully there will be some info in there.

Thanks again everyone.

CALLING ALL TEACHERS AND PARENTS......

I need some help. Some advice. Some opinions. Anything. I know a few of you are teachers...maybe you teachers and other parents have had experience with this with your own kids and can point me into the direction of some information or resources. Cuz I just don't know what to do. My little boy is struggling and it's breaking my heart.





My little dimple faced sweet and adorable son is having some problems. These are problems that have been going on since toddler-hood and seem to be coming to a head this year.


Dreamy Smurf has been given that pseudo name for a reason. He's quite dreamy.....spacey, if you will.


Dreamy's teacher and I have been communicating daily in response to a growing problem with his focusing and losing homework and being easily distracted at school. We are trying to use positive reinforcement to improve his organizational skills (among other things) in the classroom. This is a method that Dreamy has responded well to in previous grades (as this problem goes back to 1st grade). But it just doesn't seem to be working so far this year.


Here is a portion of an email from his teacher:


I am really working with (Dreamy) in class to help him stay organized too. On a daily basis I am going up to him, to make sure he is following directions, and at the end of each day we go over everything together. I also repeat directions for him when needed.

In class, he has been having difficulty following whole group directions. I'm also not sure if he's really remembering where things are, or if he is just panicking when I ask for things... It seems that focusing is an issue, was it last year too? What are your thoughts? I feel that I am doing everything I can to help.... and am willing to continue. (Dreamy) is a smart kid and I feel he does need to be held accountable for following directions etc. I am looking forward to hearing back from you, and appreciate you communicating with me.


Here's a portion of the email I sent back:


The focusing issues have been a noticeable problem since 1st grade. They have been a problem not only at school but at home and gymnastics as well. I do believe that he has ADD tendencies but have resisted taking him to be evaluated for fear of labeling him. And the thought of putting him on medication long term is very difficult for me as I'm sure you can understand. He has been doing very well in school and has been nearly an all A student thus far. I know this must be difficult for you teachers and I'm sure makes your job more frustrating and difficult.... but .....since the focusing "issues" have not affected his grades or his ability to learn I thought that maybe he could get by without taking my concerns any further (ie. taking him to be evaluated).


My concern has grown, however, after seeing a paper in his Friday folder with a 63% on it. He's never received that low of a grade before. I know it's only one paper. His other test scores and papers seem to be good. Maybe I'm overreacting on this?


I'd like to give you a little background on (Dreamy Smurf). I honestly don't know if this is relevant to the focusing problems he's having today but I'll share it with you anyway. When Dreamy was a toddler I had him in the MIPPS program for delayed speech and sensory integration problems. At the age of 2 he still wasn't talking....at all....not even babbling...not even "mama". When I brought him in to be evaluated they explained to me that delayed speech goes hand in hand with sensory integration problems. (Dreamy) wouldn't eat foods with certain textures or tastes...still won't, he wouldn't touch things with certain textures, and would freak out when in a crowd or when music was being played loud...etc. He became very overwhelmed very easily and would just....freak out (forgive my inability to come up with a better way of describing it).


They explained to me that he would never be "cured" from this but that these children will instead learn to cope with it in a functional way. He was kicked out of the program after 18 months because his speech came along quickly and he was deemed age appropriate and they couldn't keep him in the program any longer based on just the sensory problems alone. I sometimes wonder if Dreamy's way of "coping" with it is to just tune out. I wonder if when he gets overstimulated and overwhelmed he just tunes out and enters his own little "happy land" (as we in this family call it).


I honestly don't know where to go from here. I don't know if I should just continue to help him with his organizational skills through reinforcement and hope that his easy distractibility and difficulty focusing will correct itself with time and maturity or if I need to take this further. And if I DO decide to take it further I don't have the slightest idea of where to start or who to go to.


Any and all suggestions and opinions would be welcome and appreciated.


Here's the teacher's response and where it has been left:


Thank you for giving me some background information about (Dreamy). You could be right, (Dreamy) may be tuning out in order to cope with the overwhelming demands of school. I notice transitions seem to be challenging. If he is involved in doing something and I ask the class to stop and go to something else, that is when he gets a little lost.


Some things I am going to try in class- I will move his desk closer to me, so I can get his attention by making contact with him, etc. I will also start to give him a verbal warning before we are going to move to the next task. I will continue to re-direct him to be sure things are put in the right place in his desk.


As far as where/who to go to for outside help if you decide to, I would turn to your pediatrician to start with. Maybe he/she can give you some more input on the sensory issues/side effects. There may be resources out there that I can get a hold of for you as well. Next week, I will look into that too. I think we are already off to a good start by communicating daily. It seems like you really have a good routine at home and (Dreamy) is remembering to come up to me each day. The positive reinforcement seems to be helping. Another thought- next time he comes to tell me that he forgot something, or can't find something, I am going to have him take a deep breath, count to ten, and try to refocus. Let's give these things a try, see if we notice any improvement, please continue to keep me posted.


Anyone out there have similar problems? Anyone out there with advice? Anyone out there that can help me sort out the pros and cons of having him officially evaluated? What about medication? How do you all feel about medicating these problems? I honestly don't even know if this is what "ADD" looks like. I could go on and on about the issues this child has had with focusing. But since I've already written a book I'll spare you.


He's such a smart boy. And he's really trying hard to get it together. But it just does not come easily for him and I worry that if I don't nip this in the bud it will snowball into a larger problem.


Anyone???.......


Beuller???........

My Lover Betrayed Me.

I used to love shopping at the mall with my mom and brother when I was a little girl. I would fantasize about that huge space being my home. Everything in the mall was mine...in my imagination. Anything I could ever want for was at my disposal. All the mall patrons were my visitors borrowing my stuff. I slept in the JC Penney home section. My kitchen was Coney Island. My living room was the lounge in the center of the mall. And my closet(s) were all the clothing and shoe stores. And don't get me started on the toy stores. My home was a blissful (if not delusional) haven.

A girl can dream....no?

I'm not a little girl any longer.

But I still fantasize.

Everytime I pass that glorious Red Bullseye threshold I become a little girl again.

I become the little girl that fantasizes about living in and spending my daily life wrapped in the arms of Tar-jay.

I imagine picking out warm and fuzzy jammies from the sleepwear section...and perhaps some slippers from my "shoe closet"....

I imagine wandering over to the books and picking out a best seller before moseying on over to the blow up mattresses in the camping gear section with my warm and cozy fleece blanket from the bedding section.

I imagine waking in the morning....picking out a coffee maker in small appliances and going to the "kitchen" to get my morning coffee....all the while jamming to the tunes blaring over head from the electronics section.

I'm sick. I know. But seriously, if there's a advertizing agent out there reading this....I'd like to see this fantasy in a commercial....It's brilliant I tell you....

I love tar-jay. Almost as much as I love my family.

Tar-jay and I have been involved in a (not so) secret love affair for years.

Tar-jay never lets me down.

Tar-jay always greets me with love and appreciation.

Tar-jay always seems to know just what I need. Just what I'm looking for.

Several months ago I payed a visit to my Lover.

I was in search for cups for my children. Cups that will not break. Cups that come with lids.

I knew Tar-jay would not let me down. And he didn't.

My heart went pitter pat when I found what I believe to be my favorite Tar-jay purchase to date.

I'm easy.

A set of plastic cups. These cups were no ordinary cups. They had lids. Lids with spill resistant straw holes. AND a whole other set of lids with no holes for spill proof storing and transporting. These cups came in several sizes. And delightful colors. I bought several sets. They've been my (and my kids') favorite cups ever since. I even went back and bought more. I love these cups.

Did I mention I LOVE these cups?

I've been doing a lot of reading lately.

Reading about harmful chemicals in plastics.

I've ignored all the literature.

Ignorance is bliss.

But the more I read the more I begin to worry.

I've been hearing and reading that #7 plastics are plastics that should be disposed of immediately.

They're bad.

Harmful.

Deadly even.

Guess what number plastic my beloved cups are.

I'm grieving folks.

I can not ignore the information any longer. But oh how I love plastic. I'm so sad. The little plastic bowls with attached straws are perfect. Perfect for eating cereal in the morning and drinking the excess milk through the straw. The little plastic soup cups were perfect for keeping soups warm and contained in lunch boxes. Plastic water bottles are oh so convenient. And the little plastic meal containers are perfect for our meals on the go.

I have a LOT of plastic. This is only a small sample of what I removed from ONE cupboard. I have many more cupboards filled with more of the same. I have to take baby steps. One cupboard at a time.

I'm so sad.

Good-bye my beloved plastics. Parting....is such sweet sorrow....

Editing to add: Here are a few links that I found helpful and informational since you asked....

Eat Pray Love wrote a post on this a while back that started my search for info.

And Domestic Accident sent me this and this.

And now I've just found this article on Yahoo news