Turning Point

     Monday was supposed to be a turning point for both Caleb and me. I was going to start walking on the incline trainer early Monday morning before my usual wakeup time. I would then do my recovery routine in my far-infrared sauna blanket and take a shower. That would mark my turning point for me. 

    Caleb's turning point would be to start training in IXL, the online curriculum I subscribed to and begin Applied Behavior Analysis therapy in the afternoon with Cross River therapy.

    Well, I successfully walked a mile on my incline trainer at my own pace. I got hot and needed to cool down. After cooling down, though, I was ready to take a shower. I did not want to get hot in the far-infrared sauna, which would have helped my muscles recover. I took a shower and began my day.

    I had Ebony scheduled to come clean the house for us for 4 hours. Unfortunately she had a death in the family. I told her she could reschedule us for the next day if she wanted, so she did. We really needed her to clean for us.

    I don't remember what I did with the rest of the day leading up to 1630 when the therapists arrived. I know I was busy trying to get the things done that I needed to get done. The therapists arrived and the house was a mess. I apologized and explained that our housekeeper had a death in the family, and that the living room would be clean the next time they came over, which would have been Tuesday. Everything seemed to be ok when they completed their first session. We had dinner and I went to bed as I was exhausted.

    Tuesday rolls around and I get a call from Rachel, the BCBA supervising Caleb's therapy, with her boss on the call. The conversation  concluded that Caleb's therapy would be on hold until another location could be found to hold his sessions as there were"safety issues" and things "against policies" at my house. They never explained what those safety issues were, or what policies had been neglected so that it could be fixed. Rachel text me nearly right away after the call, "Hey there! We'll be putting ABA services for Caleb on hold for now & I'll keep you updated when we find a suitable long-term location." I text back, "Please inform me of the policy violations so I can correct them. I have a person to houseclean weekly. Caleb is a tornado. Bella can be put in the room with nana. I can refrain from vaping while a therapist is here. What am I missing?"

    I was so angry! I did not feel like I did not already explain the situation. One of the reasons I sought out ABA services is because Caleb does not clean up after himself! He is the one who created the disaster on the front porch and the living room! I already told her our problems in advance of them arriving. I told them that I am a disabled veteran and can't keep up with Caleb the way he is currently. 

    I wanted Domino's pizza I was so angry. I know pizza is bad for me, but I also know it makes me feel better. I ordered Domino's pizza for us all. My sugar was 273 when I checked it before I went to bed. 

    It took all day to get a response from Rachel, "Sorry for the late response as I have been in meetings. The policy includes having a neat and clean area for services so that staff feel comfortable and are able to easily access materials and run goals as needed. Typically, some of the things that we require are having a place to put our belongings, a clear path to the entrance/exit, accessible bathroom, clutter free space to complete activities. If Caleb needs support keeping areas clean, I'd be happy add a target to work on that by starting at an alternative location and transferring the skill to the home environment. We're willing to try to accommodate to find another location to provide services at consistently."

    Ugh. FML!

    I wanted to tell her "I told you so!" and "Fuck OFF!"

    I let it be and was more settled after having my carbohydrates for lunch and dinner.

    I don't remember Wednesday. Yesterday was Thursday. I woke up at 0700. I eventually took my morning medications and gave Caleb his morning medications. I woke Caleb up because I told him on Wednesday that the porch needed to be cleaned up. I told him that he could do it in the morning when it is not so hot outside. He was supposed to be working on the porch. I began hand washing dishes and loading the dishwasher. I fully loaded the dishwasher nd asked Caleb to put the dishwasher detergent in it and start it. I began to start cooking dinner. I was cooking a chuck roast and a brisket in the crockpot on low for 8 hours. 

    Oh! I remember that I cleaned up the kitchen on Wednesday and made molho and ribeye steaks for dinner. 

    Tuesday I got the call as Ebony and Caleb were cleaning up the living room together, and as I was washing dishes. 

    Back to Thursday. Around noon I began working on my spreadsheets I use to pay the bills. I had to update the information on them. I got a call from VA Community Care about my appointments. I made a call to Dosher Radiology to schedule with them and Novant Health OB/GYN. Dosher Radiology wanted the images from my previous mammogram, but they could not be found. I sent Dr. Kent my glucose readings for the month of July for our appointment today, Friday. 

    It is 0205 right now. I just can't sleep.  I don't know how today is going to go. I did a lot yesterday. Caleb needs to unload the dishwasher. We need to finish working on the porch because Caleb did not do it himself yesterday morning like he was supposed to. I went out in the afternoon to begin working with him, and it was very hot outside, so we quit before we were done. There are piles of laundry that need to be washed. I want to do some schoolwork with Caleb too. If I can get the laundry going early in the morning and keep it going, I should be able to make good progress throughout the day. If Caleb and I work on the porch in the morning and get it all the way done, we can work on his schoolwork when it is too hot to be outside. I don't need to cook anything because we have lots of leftovers. The kitchen is mostly clean but still needs work. I have a feeling that the Mazda needs to be emptied. Caleb has a bad habit of leaving things in the trunk that belong in the house. 

    I was trying to get myself together to groom Bella and Bubba. I bought a new dog nail grinder that is supposed to be quiet and strong. I have a new dog brush vacuum coming in the mail sometime. I always brush Bella really good before I wash her so her hair does not clog the drain. 

    My music recording supplies came in the mail, but I have not opened the boxes yet. My replacement computer needs to be setup so I can use it. The battery on this computer is staying at the half-charged mark. It's going to die soon. I want to get everything transferred over to the new computer before this one dies. 

    Caleb's school stuff arrived from Zulily today. I bought models that we can use when he is learning science. I thought it was cool. There is a plant cell, an animal cell, a heart, a brain, and some other models to make learning fun. 

    The shiatsu neck and shoulder massager is too small for Dona Sharon. I am so disappointed. I am going to send both of them back for a refund. 

    I have to go through and inventory the essential oils I got. I ordered some just to put in the diffuser, but most are for my health. I have one for Caleb for acne. I have some for Dona Sharon for stress relief and pain. Mine are for weight loss.

    I have had to put everything on hold for now. I have to start up our new routine. Caleb and I will be working together on his schoolwork. I am going to walk 1 mile a week for 4 weeks, then add a day of walking 1 mile for a total of 2 days a week for 4 weeks. That should help.

    I am stepping back from my business right now. I had a lot of projects in the works but I am overwhelmed by the amount of time, energy, and resources it takes to get things done. I am taking a break from business stuff for awhile.

    I start up Spinal Flow Technique training in August. That's another drain on my energy.

    I want my focus to be on Caleb right now. I was focusing on my business because I need to make money to pay the bills. Caleb needs my attention. 

    I'm still doing hape'. It really helps me feel less pain in my body.

    I bought Dona Sharon and me a device called "Vibe." It is a PEMF device with about 50 programs on there to help feel better. I am currently using the one called "Anti-Aging." I use the one for Fibromyalgia, Sleep, Brain balance, and weight loss so far. I think it's a good idea, and it helps Dona Sharon feel less pain in her shoulders where she has been having more pain recently.

    I have to catch up on my Vocal Resonance Method training videos. I will lose access to them soon. I have so many other classes I have not even started yet. They all have to wait. 

    The check engine light went off in the Mazda. It is no longer on. So... that's good!

    I need to get out of debt. I have all this credit card debt that I can't wait to pay off. Food has gotten so expensive that I don't have enough money to cover our regular costs! 

    I am still working the side gig with Cliqly. I am getting my first payment paid today. 

    I don't know. I have worked hard, and made strides yet don't see the payout of my work yet. I guess I need more time. 

    I still have heard nothing from my brother, Mathew. I need his mailing address to establish my dad's estate in order to transfer the title of the Ford Expedition to Dona Sharon. I don't understand why he does this to me. I told him the reason I needed his mailing address. I guess he doesn't care.

    I ordered a Vita Watch, which will monitor my glucose. I am excited to get it in the mail. It will help me be more aware of how I am doing throughout the day. 

    I am going to be looking into hormone replacement therapy with the OB/GYN. As it is, my estrogen is very low for a woman, and my testosterone is very high. I have several hormones that place me in a post-menopausal state according the labs I took. Other labs show that I should be in my cycle. It all shows that my hormones are not what they should be. Hopefully I will lose wight faster once I begin therapy. I have no idea what to expect. 

    The summer is winding down and the months when hurricanes are more prevalent in the United States are coming. I am trying to make sure we have emergency funds in case we need it to get out of town. 

    Caleb and I were watching the old videos my mom recorded for Mathew and me when we were little on the refurbished VCR I bought. It really stirred up some emotions. He watched the "My Pet Monster" movie and Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol along with other Disney cartoons that are no longer shown. 

    Today Caleb played a song I use to have on my MySpace profile. That stirred up emotions too. Made me feel weird.

    Well, I have a lot to do later today. It is now 0310. I better be winding down and getting some sleep.

    Thank you for reading, and have a blessed day!