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Well Hello Blog

Filed Under: General News by steve — Leave a comment
April 12, 2012

Hello blog, do you remember me? I am the guy who own this domain, who was so gung-ho to write and put my thoughts out there for the world to see.

I know I have been very neglectful of you, I mean it has been three months since I wrote and updated your plugins. I can give a variety excuses and reason as to why I have been so neglectful, but the main reason is I have felt like I had nothing super interesting to share. I didn’t want you to be a negative place, a place of me always complaining. I have had that mindset the last few months.

What is different today? I still have pain, but have been fighting through to get more active and hopefully get off the DL this fall. Hopefully tomorrows pain injections go a long way towards that goal.See the recurring theme? I have hope for better.

I know I am not at the physical activity level the Dr. wants me to be , but I really don’t think he (or anyone for that matter) truly understands the constant level of pain. I am not a complainer when it comes to my pain. Walk it off, man up, fight through it etc. Great mantras, but not really effective when it .comes to getting the doctor to understand your pain scale.

Enough of that, back to you blog. I will be more active, no promises of daily posts or even twice a week posts, but way better than once ever three months. With my new phone, I have even less of an excuse for not updating.

Stay tuned for more
FatherNoRest

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Repurposed Crib Springs

Filed Under: Pics, Projects by steve — 1 Comment
January 25, 2012

Since the crib we had for Max was a drop side crib, and they are now listed as unsafe, we have been looking for ways to repurpose it.  Here is the first project using just the old spring that supports the crib mattress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not too hard and saves something from being thrown into the landfill.

Thanks For Reading

Steve AKA FatherNoRest

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Surprise, I Actually Blogged Today

Filed Under: Blogging, General News, Me, Medical Concerns by steve — 2 Comments
December 30, 2011

It has been a while since I have posted anything. I guess this the part where I should be telling you about how I resolve to be better in 2012. but I am not going to do that.  In my absence from this site I have been writing, just nothing I am willing  to share, in fact most of it does not exist anymore.

As often is the case when I write, those unshared works often went down paths different than I the originally intended.  I am sure there is some pyshcological diagnosis for this. All I know is these very private works allowed me to realize where exactly my mind was, or rather made me admit to myself where I was mentally.

So, I guess some updates on things are in order.

Jared, (Oldest) is thriving at Lee University, but is currently on winter break. He departs for the new semester on 1/9/12, with a minor detour to Orlando for  a children’s pastors’ conference.

Emerald (Only daughter) is little miss high school freshman, and loving chorus.

Isaiah (Middle Son) is your typical practically a teenage boy, in love with video games. Just better behaved than most young men his age. No, I am not biased, others say so too.

Max (the baby), is raging through the terrible twos all of sudden. Just slightly ahead of schedule. Not that he is that terrible, he just has moments where he pushes his limits and tests boundaries. It is not many children his age that you can take to physical therapy with you and actually get through your treatment.

Now. as for me and my wretched spine:  At three months post latest surgery, I am pleased with the overall rate of my recovery. I am not saying that I do not get frustrated with the limitations that still apply. However, the surgeon states that I am doing well. The fact that I still trip and that when I get tired or move to quickly is to be expected. He also stated that as a general rule, it is a full year before I will be at my full potential.  However, he stated we would not consider work as an option until at least March.  Maybe by then I will feel comfortable to venture out in public without my cane.

I am so sick of taking pills, so I was happy when the pain management doctor decided to transition me to a pain patch. It is only the second day of wearing the patch, so it is early to determine how well that works for the management of the pain. Though I have noticed that I am already taking a lot less antacids.

Now, if I could only get response from the social security administration on my disability benefit application……

Thanks For Reading

Steve aka FatherNoRest

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Wordless Wednesday: Thanksgiving 2011

Filed Under: Family, Wordless Wednesday by steve — Leave a comment
November 30, 2011

Dad and his grandchildren

 

All of us, hope my sister-in-law got a better pic of this

 

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Daydreams: Folly, Inspiration or Other ?

Filed Under: Me by steve — Leave a comment
November 10, 2011

Some see daydreams as folly, some use them as a coping mechanism. Some get so lost in their daydreams that they become their delusional truths.

Though I have used daydreams to enhance my pain tolerance, I primarily view mine as unrealized potential.

Vivid imagination and daydreams are building blocks to creative genius. I am making no claim to be such a creative mastermind, I am simply stating I have failed to explore the potentials.

Since my handwriting is atrocious and most pre-schoolers best my attempts to draw with ease, I have always said I am not creative. Yet my daydream have always been right there shouting otherwise.

By allowing my daydreams to languish as unrealized potential I am truly letting them become nothing more than a folly.

I have decided to make moves to change this. It may never result in anything but self satisfaction, but that would reward enough to me.

Thanks for reading,

Steve aka FatherNoRest

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Co-sleeping And Bed-sharing

Filed Under: Dad, Family, Parenting, Son by steve — 2 Comments
November 3, 2011

Co-sleeping, or to be more accurate bed-sharing, is a topic that causes serious debate between the beautiful bride and myself.

Before I get too far into my opinions on the subject, let me give the meanings of the two:

Bed-Sharing – Parent(s) and child share the bed.
Co-sleeping – Parent(s) and child sleep in same room, but separate beds.

Co-sleeping, during the first 6-12 months I can agree with. I think longer than that is a bit much.

Bed-sharing, for the most part, I am against it. I know that at times it makes things easier to bed-share, but it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.
In fact, we bed-shared with Max because the first 12 months it was exponentially easier. I worked third shift and cared for him during the day and his mother worked days and took the nights. I slept with him at nap time and she kept him with her at night.

Right after Max turned 1yr, I went out on medical leave. We are entering 8 months of said leave and Max is just now starting to transition to his own bed. In my opinion, this highlights the issues with co-sleeping.

The first being, it robs what little bit of intimacy that is left to the parents. I am not just talking sexually, I am speaking of emotionally as well. Max has been so used to one of us being in bed with him, he rarely sleeps more than an hour without one of us in the bed with him.

Also, I feel it causes more difficulty when it is time to night ween. When this time rolls around, both Momma and baby are used to suckling without waking, they fall off the weening wagon without even realizing it.

I even told Tabitha that if she wanted another child, she would have to agree to no bed-sharing. She responded, “You don’t have a good record for not making babies, so I am not worried”.

Feel free to share your opinions in the comments

Thanks for  reading

Steve aka FatherNoRest

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Frustrations As I Recover

Filed Under: Family, Me, Medical Concerns by steve — 1 Comment
October 11, 2011

Well, it’s been over a week and a half since my most recent surgery. I am having not so good and bad days, as far as my pain levels go.  Of course, this is no worse than was expected. I was told the first month was going to be the worst part of the long, hard recovery. Though we know how long the recovery should take, we are not certain that nerve will recover. This, I am all prepared for and can take in stride.

The hardest part for me, is the feeling of utter dependence on others.  It is not that I am not thankful to have the people around me to count on, it is simply about my pride.

This past week I have had to watch a man forty years my senior (my father-in-law), doing things around the house, that I should be doing. I have watched all spring and summer as the beautiful bride and kids have stepped up, mostly without complaint, to do more than their fair share  of the chores around the house.

Just when I think I am over the frustrations and I am ready to just roll with it: Max will reach for me to pick him up and get majorly upest that I can’t. It breaks my heart for him to not understand why Daddy can not pick him up to flip and flop him like he loves so much.

I know that I am so lucky to have people who can/will step up and help me. Though Max don’t understand why we don’t play some of the ways we used to, he still loves to play with cars or crawl up on the bed and snuggle up against me for a nice nap. So, there are is much to be happy about, but it doesn’t always keep the frustrations away.

Thanks For Reading

Steve aka FatherNoRest

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A Fun Little Project With The Kids; Chocolate Covered Bananas

Filed Under: Children, food, Fun by steve — Leave a comment
October 6, 2011

I really love the chocolate covered bananas that we used to get from Trader Joe’s.  To my chagrin, it seems they no longer carry them, at least we have never been able to find them.

One of the beautiful brides favorite lines is “Adapt and overcome”, so that is exactly what we did. It was decided we would make our own. As with life in general, there where a few errors along the way, but we found ways to get around our mistakes and enjoy some chocolate covered bananas.  And also give me something to share with you .

What you need:

Bananas

Chocolate (We used Special Dark morsels)

Toppings (We used peanuts, toffee pieces, and sprinkles)

Sticks to spear bananas (skewers would work great)

Process

Cut banana in half (not split) and insert stick into it (so it is like a popsicle ) and place in freezer for approximately thirty minutes.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Dip the frozen bananas in the melted chocolate

Roll the chocolate covered bananas in the toppings if your choice.

Finally, place the bananas back in the freezer to chill them and enjoy.

 

As you can see, ours have corn cob holders inserted in the bananas rather than the skewers. This is because the beautiful bride keeps bananas frozen for her morning smoothies and I tried to shortcut things by using those. Turns out, it is really hard to insert a wood stick into a frozen object. DUH!!!

Another lesson learned, keep the chocolate over a heat source until done dipping.

So we made a few errors along the way, but we had fun and learned together.

Thanks for Reading

Steve aka FatherNoRest


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Wordless Wednesday; Through Isaiah’s Lens

Filed Under: Pics, Wordless Wednesday by steve — 2 Comments
October 5, 2011

Signs of Fall

Camera work of Isaiah, my third child, age 12.  No edits/filters taken with a Nikon Coolpix S9

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Toddler Trifecta of Interest

Filed Under: Parenting, Son by steve — 2 Comments
October 3, 2011

I should have known to request that my mobile assistance device (ok damn it, my walker) not have wheels.  Why? I have a toddler that is 19 months old going on 16, so anything that comes through the door with wheels, or anything that his toddler logic and imagination can make function like wheels, becomes his personal property.

Max takes daddy's walker for a spin

Going down the hall

As you can see, he is quite the fan of the walker, it hit the toddler trifecta of interest.  For those that are unfamiliar with the toddler trifecta of interest, three of the four following criteria must be met:

  1. It is not a toy
  2. It has a movable part or wheels that the toddler obsesses over
  3. It is something that the parent or caregiver uses (thus it seems to get a lot of attention from the parent)
  4. Ownership is claimed by the toddler or though the toddler is aware of the rightful owner, they do not care and will use said item as their own anyway.

Warning: Though we know the criteria for an item to meet the toddler trifecta of interest,it is not a exact  science. Do not make significant financial contributions in an attempt to hit the toddler trifecta, it will back fire.

Thanks For Read

Steve aka FatherNoRest

 

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