The Sky Poem

The Sky

Ever-changing, drifting, swaying

Cloud-filled, moon-filled,waxing, waning

Ceiling high or ceiling low -

Childish winds play to and fro

Guided by the season's will,

Sometimes warmed and sometimes chilled,

Farmer's friend and Farmer's foe

Determines when it's time to grow.

Kym Lamb

Horizon's Cover Poem

Morning peers above Horizon's cover.
Stretching her radiance over the day.
Removing darkness and shadows,
She warms the Earth with her presence until;
Dusk calls and she begins her descent,
Pulling down evenings shades,
Retiring once again to Horizon's cover.

Kym Lamb

Speculation + Too Much Information = Paralysis

I have decided that sometimes too much is simply too much!STOP!!!!!

In our ongoing adventure to get back home, I have researched, downloaded, called, emailed, Facebooked, Tweeted, read, said and prayed for a resolution.

I have thought in the the box,out of the box around the box...but what I really want is more DOING.

I mentioned in one of my phone conversations that I am not one to take a sledge hammer to a nail hole but I really feel that a little sweat would make me feel a lot better than all the hot air I am exchanging.

We finally found someone to do some testing to help us determine how to proceed. It is another 7 day wait, taking another week off our goal of being home before school, but I am aware no one else is running on the same timetable I am.

But we must remove SPECULATION! This is an ugly word that can make the proverbial mountain of out the mole hill.

Like most people during a time of chaos, my mind has taken the mad dash from bad scenarios to horrendous images of how our Toxic House will impact us. It is important, however, to make a reality check:

We are feeling better- check!
We have a place to stay - check!
We have food in our bellies - check!
We have jobs - check!

Even in our circumstances we have more than most of the people in this world.

Our new drive to church gives us time to talk as a family. Our conversations on this drive often focus on the clouds in the sky. What they look like? What we think they are? Does it look like rain? How can they block the sun?

My devotional kept with this theme as it asked "Can you see Jesus in Your Clouds?" (Day 29- The Utmost For His Highest).

"Clouds are the sorrows, sufferings, or providential circumstances, within or without our personal lives, which actually seem to contradict the sovereignty of God. Yet it is through these very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were never any clouds in our lives, we would have no faith."

One thing about a Midwestern sky is it's ability to go from sunny to stormy and back to sunny in the blink of an eye ;0)

Waiting for our sunny day...Kym

Count It All As Joy

Can I be frustrated, when I count it all as joy?
Can I be angry, when I count it all as joy?
Can I be sad, when I count it all as joy?
Can I be scared, when I count it call as joy?

I certainly believe so. The key is counting it all as joy after you work through the emotion of your crisis.

As we have been trying to navigate our Toxic House situation, it has been difficult to accept the tortoise pace and the perceived lack of response.

I understand that our house is NOT their house. They are going home to a a place that their children can breath free. Where they can sit down at their dinner table and lay their heads down on their pillows with our worry. My problems are not their problems.

As a business owner, I understand the time versus income dilemma. I have the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else. I pray though, that I have always provided my clients with hope and direction when I was not their best choice.

I am not loud or nasty. I will not demand or force my situation on others but instead continue to communicate our need and trust that somehow, in someway we will once again have a place to call home.

I was encourage by the following quote from "My Utmost for His Highest" July 28:

"If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God."

Joy#1: God...

Timeless Blessing - A Note From My Grandmother

A half folded notebook paper falls out of its place and lands on my foot. I open it up to see a poem entitled "Times Blessings" in my Grandmother's handwriting:

Times Blessings

Count time by lovely memories,
Not by days and years-
Count it by the handclasps
The smiles and happy tears;
Count it by contentment
And daily tasks well done,
By star-filled skies at evening
And mornings warm with sun.
Count it by the friendships
You've made along the way-
And by the many times that God
Has smiled upon your day.

Did my Grandmother write this for me? Probably not. My Grandmother passed away over a decade ago, but our housing situation has us spending time in her home, with her history - her life.

I don't know about the day my Grandmother was having when she wrote this down. I don't know the tugging of her heart that prompted her to record these thoughts. I don't know if these were her original words or ones written by someone else. But they captured her thoughts that day...just as they did mine, today.

I showed my Mom what I had found and through a few tears she smiled and acknowledged..."That was Mom." She went on to tell me that she has found little notes and reminders and encouragement tuck throughout Grandma's things.

I am sad that I didn't see the inspirational side of my grandmother while she was alive but I am glad that she is still communicating to us who she was...even though she is gone.

Looking for my God Smiles Today!

Kym

Roaming Nomads - The search for Toxic Home Answers

Steps closer to being back in our home...0

O.K. Maybe that answer is a bit pessimistic. I have made several calls and receive lots of advice how to proceed.

There are always multiple ways to handle any situation but choosing the correct one is always my preferred choice. But much like our presidential choices...I am not feeling confident with any of my options.

Reviewer 1:

Remove all carpet
Rip out drywall from basement
Install and A/C
Install more soffit vents
Get a new dehumdifier
And have the questionable insulation in the attic checked.

Reviewer 2:

Run tests to determine the source of the illnesses.
Determine how to eradicate problems.

Insurance:

We don't cover any of that...but call us we can ever help you with anything. (To his defense he was very kind and understanding and sorry he couldn't do more.)

Finances:

I do not have an envelope for when my house makes us sick.

My choice would be to take Reviewer #2. It makes more sense to me to know what I am dealing with before I try and "FIX" the problem. But at a cost of $2-3,000. It is not a feasible option for us.

Health:

Our ultimate concern has to be the health of our family. My daughter and I are struggling the most and doing everything we can to feel better. We are counting our blessing that we have place to stay with my family. It is an hour away from our home and we are feeling very disconnected from our community and our normal lives...but we have the necessities.

Our kids start school in 5 weeks - which leaves a very small window to get them home before that date.

The Insurance man ended the conversation mentioning that we should come in so they could review our policy to be sure we had everything we needed...holding back the tears I told him it would probably be a while before we did that...if we still had a house that needed coverage.

 Request:

If anyone has been through this process we would appreciate feedback and direction as to who and what you did resolve the issue.

Finally but not lastly, please keep us in prayer.

Thank you for listening. My normal optimist nature is a little challenged, writing helps me to sort through ideas, express emotion, review my facts and adjust my attitude. 

Love to you all,

Kym

Homeless - When Good Homes Go Bad

As I sit at a local Barnes and Noble I am contemplating our current situation:

My children are playing in the kids area  - when they once would have been playing in their bedrooms.

My husband is trying to sleep in the wood chair across from me - instead of having his feet propped up on our couch.

I have turned the local coffee shop into my office...

My family has moved out of the home we have lived in for almost 12 years...because it is Toxic to us.

My parents have graciously opened up their home. About an hour away from my husband's work, my children's school and our life...we are learning to adapt to our new situation.

We have spent the last several weeks trying various things to resolve the issue...but are now at a true loss as to what to do.

So, our first request to you is prayer...

The second...do you have experience with Toxic Home? Are you someone that can help us resolve this bizarre issue? I have spoke to several people, who for a fee (usually very large) will give us their opinion, or take some tests ( for another fee) and give us fancy names for the stuff that could be making us sick.

Others simply tells us it is high pollen this year, allergies are up, take a pill and it will be fine.

The local health department visited and has given suggestions but for the most part we are all guessing and our symptoms are far too severe for just a little mold, or a bad pollen season.

I do not know what tomorrow will bring...but today we are blessed and trust that God directs our paths...even if that path feels very far away from where we have been and where we thought we were going.

As we left my parents home today my Father reminded me to keep the Faith...and reminded me that isn't during these times that it matters most.

Keeping The Faith,

The Lambs

Have You Met Frustration & Disappointment?

I met Frustration today and I let her introduce me to Disappointment.

I became so intent upon listening to their stories I didn't recognize Joy tapping my shoulder for attention.

Irritated with Joy, I reprimanded her for interrupting Frustration and Disappointment.

I tried to shoo Joy away but soon Love and Hope were tugging at me too.

Turning my attention to them...I bid farewell to Frustration and Disappointment.

Kym Lamb

Have You Taught Your Child To Fall?

My children have recently been introduced to a martial art called Aikdio.

One of the disciplines they focus on is how to fall.

They learn step by step how to think through the fall, get the body in position for the fall and then they repeat these steps over and over until falling becomes natural. When they no longer have to think about the FEAR of falling.

Their last lesson...I was asked to try to fall.

On purpose? Really? Throw myself down...Intentional risk hurting myself?

I was asking my children to learn it...I always told them I wouldn't ask them to do something I wasn't willing to do...so I learned how to fall...and my teacher? Was my son!

In Aikido they believe in empowering students to also become teachers. My son was the senior student and for the first time I was the less experienced.

I watched as my son explained the technique to the class, I took my place in line behind the others feeling my stomach churn as I waited. One by one those in front of me took their turn...successfully falling then getting back up to take another fall.

My daughter was next...then my turn.

My daughter didn't even hesitate. She completed the fall and bounced up ready for the next one. (Did I mention falls are my daughters favorite discipline!)

Falls are not my favorite anything! Matter of fact I avoid them at all cost!

As I stepped onto the mat the instructor encourage me that I could do this. I ran though the steps in my head worrying about how I would look to my kids, the other students and how bad this was going to hurt...then I took a deep breath...

and I did it! I even landed on my feet!!!! Go Me!

Up to this point, I never thought about practicing falling...

Have You Taught Your Children To Fall?

The reality is that we all fall. It is not a matter of if, but when.

Some people will see my view as pessimistic that I should teach my child to win.

I find my position to be realistic. I want to prepare my children to handle the trials that they need to make them strong enough to achieve success. To be the winners.

Do Your Children See You Fall?

Many times we try to hide or cover up our errors.

I would like to tell you all my falls went as well as the first one...but they didn't.

Jarred my shoulder on one, bit my lip on another and my kids saw it all...especially the getting up and trying again!

Choosing To Live Well,
Kym Lamb


PS An additional note about Aikido. It is NOT a striking art or an offensive art. It truly believes in loving others even when conflict arises. If you are local to the Mansfield area your kids can attend classes at Crossroads Church most Saturdays from 10a-12p.

Why Does It Have To Be Either Or ?

I am a purist by nature.

I love black and white, clear cut, absolutes...I am NOT a fan of gray, however, I am not immune to them.

I treat gray as the next unknown to make known.

Over the last 2 years I have challenged EVERYTHING about my life. If you are not familiar with the strange path my family is taken you can visit my post called:

Mentally Ill or Environmentally Sick

These events have caused us to question everything we thought we knew. The way we eat, the stuff we put on body, the home we live in and the people we trust....LOTS of GRAY!

And what have we done...continued to learn.

We now make better (more educated) choices about our foods. We have removed or changed nearly every product that crosses the threshold of our home in order to create the safest environment for everyone in it and those that visit.

Will we keep changing ?...YES! Because we are constantly changing and so is the environment around us.

Many products I could not use have changed their product ingredients. Some companies are realizing change is needed and they are stepping up. Others...not so much, so I do not use them.

One area that has been VERY difficult to maneuver is the HEALTH battlefield. This is one place where many believe it has to be ALL or NOTHING.

For the most part we use natural whole food remedies. Our insurance does not cover this choice for us even though we have been healthier over the last 2 years than ever before. Our primary care comes from a whole food nutrition specialist. But this week I made the choice to revisit the medical world for my children with the guidance and support of our normal natural doctor.

SHOCKED? You shouldn't be. A good physician whether MD or DC (or whatever the letters after their name) should be aware of alternatives and should share those options with their patients.

I trust my physician and when I ask him what would you do for your child...he knows I need ALL his knowledge, wisdom and truth...he used his tools to determine the best route for her, which included seeing her first MD in 2 years.

As of today she is feeling better. We are supporting her body to handle Strep and the antibiotics along with her older brother.

And it didn't have to be either or but instead the best of all...

Thank you Dr. Scot Wilging for not making me choose either or but for helping me make the best choices of all things available!

Farms Are Not Safe For Kids

OK. It is not often that I get up on my soapbox...but an article in my daughter's Scholastic News really bothered me...

I live in Ohio, a beautiful state full of the most amazing land to grow all things delicious...from fruits and veggies to Angus Beef.

I was not a farmer, though I grew up on 4th generation family land, but many of my friends were.

In a neighboring town, they did drive their tractors to school and were "Darn Proud" to be able to do it.

My locker mates on either side of me lived on farms and I know their days started far earlier than mine...and ended much later than mine also.

They were (and are) some of the most hardworking, honest, integrity filled people I have ever met. They work hard, play hard and love better than any group of people you will find.

They have a passion for what they do because they understand how their role sustains our world...and they are so proud to provide this service.

And the government thinks it needs to intervene...We are seeing farmers being arrested for selling milk (Raw milk is illegal in our state!) and the new rules being suggested by the Department of Labor will restrict what chores the family members can do based on age.

Kids under 16 wouldn't be allowed to drive tractors, use farm machinery, or do some kinds of work animals like herding.

And how will they police this? I think there are far more pressing issues that need addressed and I am frustrated that our government is more focused on messing up a family system that has worked for hundreds of years instead of truly attacking issues that are broken.

Sorry for the rant today...Go Ohio Farmers!!!

It's Day 21 of the Purification! What Happened to 14-20 ?

WOW! I'm Done! It is 11:26 pm on day 21 and I am wondering what happen to the last week! I can't tell you how frustrating and gratifying this is.

I had hoped to give you the day by day like I did last time but I have been so busy and NOT focused on what I WASN'T eating! Energy galore and so much to accomplish now that I am well.

I remember the first time feeling as if I would never make it to the next sweet potato or the 1/2 cup brown rice. This time I have actually eaten less of those items then I ever expected and also met my personal goal of NOT using Honey this time...and I did it!

The Baklava I made for the family almost did me in...that is tough to smell and not devour, but I did it. Matter of fact I have a new batch in the oven right now to share with my dear friend Britta who has been my cheerleader and "water-horse" buddy!

So...what comes after Purification?

POST PURIFICATION

I'm very serious. For the next 30 days I will slowly reintroduce foods back into my diet but maintaining a predominantly Mediterranean plan of eating. Here is the Standard Process Grocery List I get to choose from for you to print and try.

So why am I slowly introducing foods? I explain it this way:

If you have ever had an infant and started them on foods you did it one at a time to gauge how their system will react. I just spent 21 days trying to bring my body back to square one.

1) I do not want to put the junk back in that got me to the point I needed to cleanse.
2) I want to be sure I do not have any few intolerances. Example: after our first I developed an intolerance to peanut butter. Here is a link to the suggested reintroduction process.

(***Actually, I always had an intolerance to it , but I had learn to accept the tightening up of my throat as just being what it was like to eat peanut butter. It is strange what I once thought was normal. At age 37 I had accepted memory loss, gray hair, ripping skin, sleep issues and indigestion after every meal as normal...pop some tums, take some aspirin and goodnight because I was ALWAYS exhausted.)

Did I Make My GOALS?

Yes...and No.

1. I made it 21 days!!! YEAH! Go ME!
2. Energy Is Back
3. Lost weight and inches. 143.5 lbs I haven't been this weight since I was married in 1998. Bye Bye saddlebags!
4. Temperature regulation is so much better...but it could have something to do with the 80 degree weather in Ohio in March!! Oh YEAH!
5. My skin is still struggling - but the beauty of this process is like peeling back an onion. I now have a better picture of what is left to work on.

If you are serious about making a change in your life and want to try the Purification Process I would love to help you! Leave comment or email kymlamb@yahoo.com for helping finding a provider and support in your area.

Whether you choose to do a full purification or to drink more water...just choose to do something to bring you one step closer to wellness! You deserve it and so do those that love you!

Thanks for coming along on the journey!

Kym

For those that were following the details: Here are the logs I kept in my phone. I found tweeting my meals was one of the easiest ways to log my efforts. I will add those images below also:

Purification Day 14

145.3 31.9 pounds fat 22% fat 56.9% water 6.3% on 21.5 BMI

9am 1/4 of sweet potato reheated in pan with pat of butter.

12 PM large mixed green salad with veggies hot green tea

3:45 PM SP shake and supplements

6:30 pm broccoli, cauliflower, squash baked, salad carrots apple cider vinaigrette

10:15 shake and supplements

Purification Day 15

8:15am sp shake and supplements

145.3 pounds to 22.3% at 32.4 pounds at 21.5 BMI 6.3

12:30 PM salad iceberg lettuce to picked off cheese olives pickled peppers, ate snap peas steamed rice pilaf chicken (had to be flexible this day. Had to eat out of office from a meal provided...Normally they are organic, but for whatever reason the normal fare was not available...the chicken gave me gas so I am thinking it wasn't the best option.)

2pm SP shake

4pm SP shake

8pm cucumbers spinach salad kale

930 pm sp shake and supplements

Purification Day 16

10:30 am Shake and supplements

11:30 added Zymex for Thrush in mouth. ( I typically get this on the purification so I am trying an option to clear it up.)

1pm Romaine Lettuce Wraps tomatoes, cucumber apple cider vinaigrette

6:30 PM kale chips 2 large beets, sea salt and pepper two dates

8:30 1/4 cucumber

9:30 pm shake using beet juice in place of water.

Added supplement for sore throat. Major heartburn...

Men Plug Your Ears: Fair warning ladies...if you are used to a heavy menstrual cycle, the purification tends to relieve many of the symptoms. So much so it might sneak up on you if you don't chart your cycle ;0)

Purification Day 17

8 am green tea

9am Shake and supplements

1pm salad with salsa and cooked carrots with pat if butter and sea salt

4pm zymex

445 pm heartburn

Checked with support. My system is not ready for zymex so need alternate solution for oral thrush.***This is why support is so important!

ate 3 carrots to stop burning... ahhhh!

7pm Brown rice, 1strip chicken, peas

9 pm shake with supplements. Did not take zymex.

No heartburn.

Removed 3 tonsil stones. If you have ever had these they are the nastiest little buggers...but they let me know I am getting the junk out!

Purification Day 18

144.5 pounds 21.4 bmi 31.9 pounds fat 22.1% fat 56.8% water 6.3 bone

8am cantaloupe

10am shake and supplements

1:30 pm apple, salad, baked asparagus

5:30 pm lettuce wraps, ground turkey, baked zucchini squash, mushrooms, salsa

Purification Day 19

144.5 pounds 32 pounds fat 22.2% 56.7% water 6.3% bone 21.4 BMI

9:15a shake with supplements

12 pm romaine salad, apple

Dinner salmon patty and kale

9 pm shake

Purification Day 20

144.5 pounds 56.9% water 6.3 bone 21.4 Bmi 31.7fat total of 22% fat

1230 red pepper sticks half a cucumber

5 o'clock Apple

6 o'clock Romain lettuce ground turkey carrots apples that are pressing

9 PM shake supplements

Purification Day 21

143.5 lbs 22.4% fat 31.3lbs fat 57% water 21.2 BMI 6.3 bone

830am shake and supplements

1030am apple

1230pm romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and apple cider vinaigrette.

4 pm shake

6 pm salmon patty apple

9pm shake

CHEERS!
Be well and I'll see you on the next purification!