Schrödinger's Pickle

This past year, I've joined some facebook groups for parents, usually specifically moms, of special needs kids. I did this because, as much as I love talking to my family and friends who don't have special needs kids, sometimes, your lives are exhaustively amazing, and just conversations about your mornings make me jealous. Sometimes, I need to know that others out there struggle just to keep my shit together. For long-time followers, you already know that these two rad kids, my 2 middles, are autistic. The greatest impact in my life is that I am forced to communicate better. There are many other ways I've been impacted, but that's the biggest. I'm not going to lie and think that it hasn't impacted other parts of my life. I'm sure there are friends that normally would have been regular visitors that have no idea how to handle just hanging out in a house with neurodivergent kids. It's ok. I'm still getting the hang of it, and they came from me. ...

It's ok, fox. You don't have to be fantastic. You're just ok. (Available now in my Society 6 shop!)

Yes, bear,  you are. Pillows, mugs, notebooks, and more, available at my Society 6 store.

I know I mentioned that I will do this in a previous blog post.  But, Rather than just keep it to a blog post, why not have a location where it's readily available ?  Click the link or the image above, and, for anywhere from $5 to $20, will help you get your life a little more organized!

No, really. I do.  Have you checked out my Instagram ? I post most of my lists on my instagram, along with pictures of food, projects, and occasionally, my kiddos. (Occasionally = literally all the time. I love my kids!)  I've gotten out of the habit lately, and it puts me into a funk. I'm one of those people that can't just say "Ok, clean the kitchen." I look at the kitchen and see the myriad things that need to be done in there and my brain freezes. My brain says "Ok, but what do I start with?" And, before you know it, everyone's home from school and I've gotten nothing done.  My solution? Lists. Loooooooooooooooooooots of lists. It doesn't mean I can't get things done, it's just that my brain needs structure. Besides, anyone who will tell you that "real adults" don't need lists is lying to you. Every job you will ever have will have lists. Sometimes you memorize them, sometimes you don't, but everyone use...

So, I've seen this all over Pinterest, and thought "I need one".  I've also seen about 100 different ways to do this. So, here's how I made mine. I drank a bottle of Vitamin Water. You can drink whatever plastic bottle contained beverage you wish. I like the bumps on this, because the bottom sort of looks like a Dalek. Admit it. You thought so, too. So, I filled it to almost the top with the hottest water my tap would put forth. I wouldn't put boiling water in it, because the goal isn't to melt the bottle. Then, I put 4 small bottles of glitter glue in it. (That's why the hot water.) That wasn't nearly enough glitter for me. Not at all. That was about a week ago. I haven't been to the store to get more in the meantime, so this set out on the counter, in all its'  pinkish liquid glory.  But, today, we went grocery shopping, and Kroger happened to have glitter in their school/office supply aisle, so I got some, and added ...

Visual schedules can be a GREAT asset in any household, but I'm finding especially one that basically rises and sets for the Autistic kids in it.  I have one each for Galen and Ashley, and, as they do each thing, they get to put a token on the schedule and a piece of Steve the Lego Minecraft dude on the picture. It's working great so far, and I've had a few people say they wish they had something like that for their kids.  Ok. Done. Just open, and download or print. It's ready to import into an image editor or to print out, laminate, and use dry-erase markers on :)  If you'd like one custom made for you, please email me at frythepickle@gmail.com, and we can discuss. I'd definitely ask for a small fee for my time, but I would definitely need info on what you'd like your schedule to look like :) 

Ok, so I mentioned on facebook that I have some apps and memberships that help me earn amazon gift certificates (yay, free diapers!), so here are some links! *note* Some people might find these to be personally intrusive. They can be. Do what you're comfortable with! First things first, yes, we're a Nielsen family. Groceries, t.v., internet. Earn the points! I occasionally win actual cash from them. It drives me bonkers when they send cash because IT'S CASH IN THE MAIL, FOLKS. DON'T DO THAT.  Cross Media Panel is an android/iphone app and chrome plugin that runs in the background. Achievemint is an app that takes the steps your phone is already tracking for you and earns you points toward a cash payout. S'more is a passive app that puts ads on your (android only right now) phone lock screen. You can also take surveys to earn more points. (You can also use my referral code X3AF87 to help me earn points if you sign up!) Mintvine is another survey site. Th...

Yeah, I made that joke with the headline. I make no apologies, because I'm adorable and you know it. So, things being what they are, I realized in the middle of the night that we were out of eggs and bread. Then I remembered Shipt started delivering Meijer groceries last month and I have the opportunity to try it, so why not? So, I loaded the website, browsed, and made my selections. (Did I mention that it was 1am? No? It was. And I was tired and probably not making the best choices. But at least I took the Super Soaker out of my cart.) As you can see, all grown up choices. What, you can't see the 2 loaves of bread? The iced coffee? Damnit. Yes, I DID buy twizzlers. And ate them for breakfast. I'm 36, and I do what I want. But, I also bought shampoo for the boys AND I, and an air freshener refill because I have 2 children that seem to be having a contest to see how much they can make it stink in there. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BOYS, AND I DO NOT APPRECIA...

Now available in my Society6 shop !

New coasters in my etsy shop! Cotton cup coasters, great for hot or cold drinks (especially cold drinks in the summer) in the whimsical shape of the side of cats most people see: the butt. LOL. Steamheart by JenXdigital on DeviantArt Newest print at DeviantArt! Have a great week!!

So, you know those photomanips I've been doing and posting? Yeah, I do commissions! Here's more info!! http://fav.me/daf4bf2

Eden by JenXdigital on DeviantArt My latest work up at DA!

Latest post up on DA! I've missed you by JenXdigital on DeviantArt

I have added several new globes to my Etsy shop. Check them all out!!! http://etsy.me/2b0oKWx

March 2016 Loot Crate Unboxing!! This month's haul in the Loot Crate and Lvl Up mailers was pretty awesome! As usual, there was a wide variety from popular franchises in the "Vs" theme, and the quality was top notch. Let's start with my Lvl Up box! I get the Level Up Accessories add-on, and this month is pretty great! Bioworld made some super cute DC Comics hair ties and a set of "Friend"ship necklaces for this packet! (Friend in quotation, because...well, Batman vs. Superman. Share this with your best frienemy, LOL!) See, isn't this Superman shield cute? I love it, and the chain and pendant holder are nice and sturdy! Plus, my kids think they're fun, and took turns wearing them, haha. Here's what came in the main Loot Crate box. The artwork on this month's box is phenomenal, and Predator themed. I've always loved the franchise, and there's a cute little AVP box in there! First up is this mon...

March 2016 Peaches and Petals Unboxing! I have been anxiously awaiting this Peaches and Petals box since I first saw other subscribers posting theirs on instagram. I really liked what I saw, and was hoping that the boxes didn't deviate too much from person to person.  So, let's get started on the contents, shall we?  This is what the box looks like before you open it, for those who've never subscribed. I like that I don't have to cut through 90 layers of tape to open the seam, you just slide it open.  The goods! Everything comes packaged to make sure things don't smash or break. Which is great, because they've been sending a lot of breakables the past few months, and everything arrives intact every time :)  The first item is a power bank.There isn't a brand anywhere on the box, and it didn't come with instructions. If I didn't already have a decent grasp on what these were for, I wouldn't have known ho...

March's Julep Maven Box Hello!  This month's haul from Julep was pretty awesome, and came complete with a Green Apple Blow Pop (which are my favorite. I just wish the gum lasted longer, but, Julep doesn't make them, so this isn't about the Blow Pop, LOL.) I LOVE the colors this month, and the overall pearlescent theme. I like the ready-made looks rather than trying to figure out how to do it myself, HAHA.  The colors I got this month were: Sage - Green Tea Chrome Yiyi - Pink Freesia Holographic Jelly Skylar - Harbor Blue Chrome Cecile - Caribbean Breeze Holographic Jelly Charlene - Hint of Lavender Chrome Nayala - Papaya Nectar Creme Pearl Gem Decals I haven't had a chance to really play with them (review will come later!), but here they are in all of their prettiness! 

But, let me go back to the beginning. I got a call from my aunt on January 8th that my mom had made the decision to die with dignity. No more treatments, surgeries that only prolonged her pain. I dropped everything and went to her hospital with Joe and the boys, and we said goodbye. That night,  both boys were sick all night. And all day. And I spent it caring for them and cleaning. And then, I got it. It was probably the gastroenteritis that was going around Galen's school. But, for the next week, we all spent taking turns being sick. But, Saturday the 16th, at 2:40something am, I woke up to pee, and grabbed my e-leash (phone), swiped to unlock, and that was the moment my sister called. (I groggy asked myself if I had somehow accidentally called her, and was ready to hang up...and then I remembered the call we were all waiting for.) At this point, I hadn't been able to take any of my much needed thyroid and psych meds for 5 days. And been sick. Brushing my hair was not eve...

Hey, guess what time it is?  Just in time for a Valentine's Day order, I'm doing pre orders on my to-do lists again, because I'm running out and I know Connie wants hers :D  So, how do you get one of these super awesome to do lists that you see all over my instagram? You pre order it here! Pretty ordering closed! My minimum goal is 12 pads, but the more the merrier! I will make the order on February 12th, or the day I get 50 orders, whichever is first!