'Tis but thy name that is my enemy...

Just over 5 years ago my second son was born. As my first son's name was decided by his father even before he met me, I was in charge of naming Baby #2. I struggled, and I mean struggled, to find just the right name for him. Eventually, I decided on a traditional name, but as it was supposed to be somewhat of a nod to me, it was to be spelled non-traditionally with a "K". So it began, with scribbles on pages in every spelling and style I could think of, trying to make it work. Finally, I decided on the traditional Greek spelling, K-H-R-I-S-T-O-F-E-R. And yes, I know. He's not Greek.

Admittedly, I have always hated it. Spelling it out for doctors, dentists, school and immunization records. Ugh. What a nightmare. What had I done to my poor child? I have wanted to change it since the day I filled out the official paperwork. Constant regret. After all, I have played this game before. Whenever I am asked my name I answer, "Kristine with a 'k'," making sure to say "with a 'k' " as swiftly as possible lest my scribe reach for the white-out. And when my last name was "Negron", if I spoke too quickly, many would erroneously hear "Kristina Groans". Oh dear.

So, after reading a baby name blog and realizing how many people with "names as unique as themselves" just wish their parents had simply named them Jane or John, I've decided to make my desire to officially change the spelling of my youngest son's name a reality. Christopher. Christopher Brian Negron. No need to explain, no unsolicited questions, no more spelling it before telling it.

He's not going to keep his baby blanket, anyway.

Mac and Cheese

A big part of treatment for fibromyalgia is diet. Some theorize that hypoglycemic diets are best, but there are more than a few hypoglycemic diets to choose from. After gathering enough courage and resolve to decide that feeling better is better than eating all the oh so delectable comfort foods, I chose one of the most vicious of all (why???) and began my new "no, not that, or that, or that!" diet. I can either eat nothing I know of, or a bunch of things I've never heard of. I'm learning. A lot. And I'm hungry. A lot.

Days passed of nothing but chicken and veggies, or brown rice and veggies, or blah blah BLAH (with veggies...) and so my craving for mac and cheese was beyond ridiculous. I looked up a soy recipe online and decided to give it a try. After spending my son's trust fund on a series of unfortunate ingredients, I began my experiment. When Nelson called from the grocery store and said he'd found a cheese substitute that claimed to "melt," I should have been suspicious. But, desperation being what it is, I decided to give it a try.

Following the directions to a "T", I blended my tofu and melted my meltable cheese substitute. After about 10 minutes, I decided my "cheese" had "melted" about all it was going to. Back to the blender then, to be blended with the previously blended tofu. I dumped it on my brown rice pasta and dug in.

You know, as long as I kept my nose plugged it wasn't half bad.

(Originally posted Friday, June 13, 2008)

Blog? What blog?

So, everyone's asking about my blog. What blog? I'm no computer guru. What do I know about blogging? Still, I've been assured that this is something I can do, should anyone be interested in the little tid bits that make up my life. So, here goes...

Francisco finished school on May 30th, yet I see him even less because he must play with BFF Drew every available moment. (This is no exaggeration. Thankfully, Drew and his family are wonderful people and very accepting of our Cisco.) But then (think da da da dum a la Beethoven's fifth symphony,) Drew was grounded for 2 weeks and Cisco is stuck at home with Khristofer and myself. Well, thank goodness for the Harry Potter books, or this Mama would be officially certifiable.

Laundry, anyone?

(Originally posted Wednesday, June 11, 2008)