nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk – Page 7

Planning a “This moment” ripoff…

Posted on October 27, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in heart, relationship .

I’m sitting in the quiet house, letting both my loves sleep a little longer while I search other mama blogs about household notebooks. One blogger mama, at Collecting the Moments … One by One, inspired by another (SouleMama) has been posting a photo of special moments each Friday. I like this idea very much! Especially in contrast to the chaos I’m struggling to master. It is all too easy to be wrapped up in coaxing order into our lives amongst the daily and hourly tasks that seem like chores, that I miss what I am really doing is caring for my baby! Being a mommy! Its sad that I need to consciously remind myself to be open to the wonder. BUT! If I need a reminder, I’ll use a reminder! So, I plan on following in their example and I will be paying attention to my family thinking not only how to manage my anxiety by organizing things, but to also see how things are wonderful just as they are right this moment. Except I’ll do it on Sundays. And without text as their caption (and soon-to-be-mine) will explain. 😀

But, just because:

Paperwork progress

Posted on October 25, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in health, home .

I spent a lot of time and effort picking a digital Personal Health Record program, since I thought it would make summarizing and sharing Robin’s health information so much easier. But when I was finally ready to print his “emergency profile” sheet and wallet card, I was disappointed in what came out… I had very carefully entered his medications and their doses as well as identifying his specialists, but the print outs just list the drug and doctors names – no other information about them. While it will be ugly, I’m going to write in that information (as well as insurance information) . SO! Robin and my emergency health information have been compiled. (Goal complete! )

I also bought a fireproof safe and have been collecting documents and items to go in it. In an envelope for each family member (including pets) I have gathered (as appropriate) :
1) social security card
2) legal birth certificate
3) passport
4) car title
5) jewelry warranties
6) home and auto insurance policy summaries
7) home inventory (needs to be completed)
8) medical emergency profile
9) vaccine history
10) rabies certificate
11) sub dermal microchip information
12) key copies

What I put in the safe I also put in a password protected digital wallet (and vice versa). I count this week’s second goal as being done! And, as I’ve been getting this all set up, I decided some of it should be available in a household notebook – so I’m checking out blogs for ideas to add to that, too! That will give us some prettier pictures than what we have here:

Even though my house isn’t any more organized than it was, I feel like I’ve accomplished some important and significant things that I would normally put off indefinitely. Go me!

Any movement forward is good!

Posted on October 25, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in heart .

On top of my organizing projects, I have random crafty things I like doing. It occurs to me that these projects qualify as the “heart” part of my priorities and, therefore can be included in my weekly goal list. Here’s an item that wasn’t listed, but got done anyway!

Since I had the paint out and a stamp already made for Robin’s height chart, I decided to paint the rocking chair his Aunt gave him to match.

Digital medical record access does not apply to patients

Posted on October 18, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in health, heart .

Ok, that is a bit extreme, but I am disappointed to learn that at least one hospital won’t give me my or my son’s medical history in the digital format that is needed to be useful in my PHR. They’ll send me pdf’s of the printed reports, but not the same Continuity of Care Records that they send to other hospitals. So I may have to enter it all by hand, but I’m hoping I was talking to the wrong person (she sounded like a filing clerk and told me I’d get an ‘adobe’ of my records) .

Another, non-goal related show-n-tell I wanted to share today is a project of cuteness! Robin’s Great Aunt knitted a sweater and hat set which was way too big when we got it and since then it’s been too warm … until now! But when I tried to put it on him for the “thank you” picture, the neck hole was way too small. Using a bit of similar colored stretch fabric, I made some bias tape, cut off the ribbed neck, and zig-zag-stitched the heck out of the tape as I sewed it to the sweater. Yay! Then Robin posed for some super cute fall photos!

A whole lotta not much!

Posted on October 14, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in health, heart, home .

This week, after last week’s overambitiousness, I had set out some new guidelines, one of which was to set three goals each week. Since I had an appointment this week, I decided my other goals would be:
1) Robin’s paperwork goal by setting up an electronic personal health record.
2) Create a summary packet (sheet, if I can fit it all!) for babysitters and non-medical travel.

I feel like I get to count appointments as a goal because they end up taking about two days of effort. The day before I make sure any of the surveys or data collection sheets each specialist sends us for their appointment is filled out, any cloths or items I want to take are cleaned, and the car is gassed up and ready to go. The morning before the appointment is occupied with adjusting Robin’s feeding and my pumping schedules while organizing and packing all the medicines, feeding, and pumping paraphernalia that we’ll need for the day (plus one more, just in case). Then the travel and appointment itself is an event. Robin doesn’t like getting poked and prodded, so we try to snuggle and nap and eat between specialists or while waiting for lab or imaging results. Finally, we go home, but that night and the next morning are harder for Robin, so he needs more comforting and attention. It can be overwhelming sometimes.

Robin got a flu shot on Monday, so he has been out of sorts all week and it has taken me till today to pick out how I want to manage electronic personal health records (PHR) for my family. I picked Microsoft HealthVault since it tracks a variety of information as well as allowing image and document uploads, it’s free, and it interacts well with a free android application (iTriage). I also found that it is one of the bigger Personal Health Records systems out there and it works with many health care systems. Instead of typing all of Robin’s information in to it, I’m contacting the hospitals to see if they can send me his information electronically. And, while I’m at it, I’m putting all my information in, too. One more notebook of paper off my shelf and out of my hair!

Last time I mentioned I’d explain how I organized Robin’s “Summary” notebook. This book will help me communicate with all of his specialists so everyone is on the same page.
1) Pocket page. The front pocket holds the surveys and data sheets for upcoming appointments. The back pocket holds “Action Items” – a new report that needs to go into his PHR, an appointment to be put in my calendar, medication copay repayment program application, etc. Right after the pocket, but before the first tab is choking and CPR information.

2) “Vital Info” tab – care and equipment provider contacts, emergency contacts, Robin’s information (birth date, actual and corrected ages, current length and weight), and old daily care schedules (current one is posted in kitchen).
3) “Medication” tab – current medications list with dosages, I also like to keep the medicine information sheets here so I can look at possible side effects if I need to.
4) ” Tests” tab – a brief history of procedures, tests, and imaging. With the electronic PHR, this section should become something I’ll print out.
5) “Equipment” tab – information on the equipment we’re using (instructions, gas tank duration chart, etc).
6) “IFSP” tab – Education Service District’s initial evaluation and eligibility statement, IFSP, and progress notes.

So, I am counting Robin’s book as done, but am still working on his PHR. My final goal for this week didn’t get done (summary sheet) , but I did get to work on a fun project! These are height charts and after years of making them for every baby shower I’ve been invited to, one is for my very own baby!

To recap the week: one goal completed with two blog entries plus a bonus craft… not the plan, but not too bad. This week we have a home visit, so I’m going to work on:
1) Robin’s summary sheet.
2) Organize my personal data (chapter 5 from “Organize Now” – using the PHR means I’m halfway done!)
3) Robin’s hospital memory book (since it’s taking up half of my desk). – this one may be too ambitious, but it needs to happen.

“Reasonable” goals

Posted on October 8, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in health, home .

Clearly, I did not set reasonable goals for this week! I hearby proclaim the following guidelines:
1) Set and finish 3 goals per week.
2) Out-of-town appointments count as a goal
3) Check goals for do-ability.

This week didn’t see many of my goals finished. In fact, I’m almost done with only one of my goals – the notebook organizing.

After sorting through all the papers related to my son that I’ve collected through the months, I came up with three functional groups which I decided to put into binders: Developmental Information, Robin: Complete, and Robin: Summary.

I don’t have three matching binders, but I made do with what I had (two white and a green). The Developmental Information and Robin: Complete folders will act more as archives where I’ll go to them once in a while for specific information. The Robin: Summary folder is an active folder which I’ll take with me to all of his appointments when we’re traveling. I’ll share more about the specifics of that folder later.

I took the time to make the notebooks pretty and remind me who it’s all about: Robin!!

Progress in 15 minute chunks

Posted on September 30, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in heart, home .

Between my daily chores I get a couple chunks of time where I can do what I want. For about 15 minutes.

I am pleased that each day I spend at least one of those chunks trying to tame or accept the chaos around me. In my first post I committed to writing 3 entries this week and to putting my shoes on every day. This post counts as my third this week (I like a Monday through Sunday week) and, despite one late morning, I have put my shoes on every day this week – YAY!!

In my previous post I mentioned that the next two chapters in the book I’m using (“Organize Now”) as a guide in my organizing journey are about taming your schedule/to do list and chore schedule. And those are two things that I am on top of. As an adult with (undiagnosed) ADH, I also consider myself OC (not D, because it’s not hurting my life at all to be a little hyper or obsessive), and I just can’t manage my responsibilities with out a good system.

SCHEDULE: Google Calendar all the way! It’s easy, accessible in so many ways and works with all my electronic tools. I also love that, by creating several calendars, I can easily search in the past or in the future for events. I was sick … when last year? Make “My Health” the only visible calendar and I can scroll back quickly. I started a calendar for my son the next day after he was born. And my husband has access to all of these calendars, too. Let’s look at yesterday’s picture from my tablet. In the lower right corner is a widget that shows my daily schedule. (Widgets are a big reason I prefer Android) which I look at and revise constantly through the day. My friends, family and coworkers know: if I don’t put it in my phone, it’s not getting done!

TO DO: Google again! I use the task list available on the pc, but use an app called Google Tasks Organizer on my phone and tablet because of their great widget. It’s one of the few that lets me check off completed items right there. That widget is in the lower left corner on my tablet.

CLEANING SCHEDULE: I had made one up years ago when I lived with two slobbish boys and it needed updating. For example, while I was content to vacuum the carpets once a week back then, I now live in a house where all the floors are wood and I have a baby with a lung disorder. With two indoor cats, I want to sweep every day. I had used Google’s spreadsheet to list out all the chores by room and then sorted them by how often I wanted them done. I still need to put them as recurring events in my “Daily” calendar, but I’m happy with my progress.

Next week, as inspired by I Heart Organizing and chapter 5 of “Organize Now”, I am working on downsizing and sorting my paperwork – especially all the information I’ve collected about and for my son! I think the hardest part will be how (if?) my husband wants to combine our finances and paperwork. We’ve maintained separate finances till now, but since I won’t be working next year, I’ll be relying on him.

So, here are three measurable goals for next week:

1) Robin’s paperwork (including comprehensive file, home information, and a small travelling packet)
2) Discuss combined finances with husband, set up bill processing
3) Go through filing cabinet, sort and dispose, use paperless options

And a fourth goal: blog about the three goals!

New book, new plan!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in health .

An aunt shared a book with me called “Organize Now” by Jennifer Ford Berry. So far what I like most about it is the table of contents! It seems to be a comprehensive list of everything I could think of to organize in my life. The tips I’ve read so fare are not earth shattering, but I do like that the first few chapters reminded me to reevaluate my values and priorities. I was immediately able to let go of some of the things on my To Do list – like fixating on “needing” new, more adult furniture or starting yet another line of not-so-exciting projects to sell on Etsy.

I did some journaling in my notebook and came up with core values and priorities to help me focus my efforts. I typed it up to make it pretty so I’d be happy to look at it around my house. That was harder than I thought it would be! I consider myself very computer savvy. I have made several of my own charts, lists, check off sheets similar to what I’ve seen on other organizing blogs, but they are ugly. I am not a graphic artist. My work is often much more functional than pretty. I have spent a lot of time trying to make this list look nice in the last two days!

The first thing I found was a font that appealed to me. At first I was thinking of something with polka dots, but, on this webpage of free fonts, I found a font that reminded me of my childhood and just filled me with joy (CareBears, anyone?)! Then, I wanted to vary the colors because I thought that would make it more attractive, too. Picking out colors that match is HARD. Until I found this webpage! It gave me a four color combination that worked really well. So, here is my final list!

(New ToDo item: clean fridge exterior!)

I also loaded it on my phone and tablet right next to my to do list, so I can remember to check the new, random tasks I come up with before committing to them. The next two chapters in the book are about organizing your schedule/to do lists and cleaning schedule, so I’ll briefly describe my current system in my next post.

New need, new blog

Posted on September 26, 2012 by nochaosnoorder_lkd0dk Posted in blogging, health, heart, home, relationship .

“No chaos, no order.” A new mantra for my new life. I think it acknowledges the craziness and disorder in my life while reminding me of the opportunity that comes from it. It is a simple phrase that will help me see the positive in my daily endeavors.

Chaos isn’t new to me, nor do I imagine that I’m particularly special in the type or amount of it, but both aspects have changed a lot for me recently and I recognize that I need to change how I deal with it – I’m not happy with how things are going now. Some sources that have helped me see this, and gave me the idea for how to address it, are the organizing blogs I Heart Organizing and Delightful Order.

The biggest change in my life has been the birth of my son, Robin, and the second change has been the rather spontaneous decision for me to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. Robin came early. Really early. There we were, debating if we wanted to rent a tub for our home birth, happy that I was finally getting over my morning sickness, and gearing up for some serious nesting when I started bleeding. And kept bleeding. With a complete placenta previa our home birth became a high risk c-section and, not only that, would require my hospitalized bed rest until the baby had to be delivered. We made it another month, but Robin had to be delivered when he was 28 weeks old. He weighed 1 pound and 13 ounces. There’s a lot more to that story (one of my current projects!) but the point is the unforseen complications that came of it.

We’ve got the normal upheaval of having a newborn – for which I’m often grateful! – but he has a few extra medical needs, too. I often feel guilty knowing how well Robin is doing compared to other families, but these things are still upsetting and exhausting. The primary things that have added to our chaos is Robin’s tubes and oxygen tank, Robin’s feeding difficulties, and my continued exclusive pumping. That and our decision for me to stay home full-time for a year (to avoid the illnesses so prevalent in public schools). So now, not only will I not be earning any money (I’m a Speech and Language Pathologist in a public school), I’ll be home all day. Every day. Not that that’s bad! Far from it! But it’s different from what I thought I was going to be doing.

Robin and I have been home for two months now (last weighed in at 12 pounds 3 ounces and meeting all developmental benchmarks) and I am actually becoming more distressed in some ways. Sure, I’ve mastered his medicines and feedings, but I am struggling to maintain my optimism as this drags on. I had hoped he’d be getting better at breastfeeding or at least eating from a bottle so we could have the gavage tube removed from his nose, but he’s actually getting worse. I’m upset about that, so I’m more sensitive to stupid things like cat hair clumps in the kitchen, and I respond by flopping on the couch to watch tv and eat ice cream.

The purpose of this blog is to resolve the chaos I can, so I can face the rest a little stronger. My goal is to write at least three times a week as I address the chaos in my health, my heart, my home, and my relationships. That may be too many topics, but we’ll give it a try for now. The point is not to complain, but to identify and solve problems. I’ll probably be doing a lot of cleaning and organizing for a while! 🙂

My first two solutions will need time to see if I am successful – I’ll check back in a week. Those solutions are:
1) blog three times each week (1 of 3 down!)
2) change out of my flip flops into tennis shoes at 9am every morning!

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