ImperfectLee Happy

11K in 2011 - A final tally

2011-12-30T17:45:00.001-05:00

Let me add the final 2 books to the list.

The Back of the Book:
For twelve years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts... he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.

The Bibliography:
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York, New York: Scholastic, Inc, 1999.

You can find it here. Or at your local public library. Support the libraries!!!!!

Total Pages: 435
Total Pages in 2011: 10,923
Total Pages Remaining: 77!!!

And the final book of 2011-

The Back of the Book:
(Actually, it's the description from Amazon... The book cover is upstairs.)

For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one? As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy, but you can't be both." So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence. Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life. He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, with plans to do himself in. But upon failing even to do that, he staggers back to his old house, only to make an astonishing discovery. His mother--who died eight years earlier–-is still living there, and welcomes him home as if nothing ever happened. What follows is the one "ordinary" day so many of us yearn for, a chance to make good with a lost parent, to explain the family secrets, and to seek forgiveness. Somewhere between this life and the next, Charley learns the astonishing things he never knew about his mother and her sacrifices. And he tries, with her tender guidance, to put the crumbled pieces of his life back together.

Albom, Mitch. For One More Day. New York, New York: Hyperion, 2006.

You can find it here. Or at your local public library. Support the libraries!!!!

Total Pages: 197
Total Pages for 2011 FINAL TALLY: 11,120

Goal accomplished? Hells ya. HELLS ya. Sure, I re-read some of my favorites, but I read those over and over all the time, so it wasn't like it was out of the norm. And you know what? This total doesn't count the numerous blogs and online articles I've read. Nor does it count the pages from the 2 books I started but never finished, nor the pages from the endless resource books I've buried myself with, looking for answers to endless pregnancy and baby questions. I only counted the books I actually finished.

And next year, I plan to do it all over again. Happy New Years, everyone.

11K in 2011 - Harry Potter

2011-12-22T17:15:00.001-05:00

I WILL hit my goal of 11,000 pages by the end of this year! I may have just over a week, but it's GOING to happen!!!!

The back of the Book:

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley- a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry- and anyone who reads about him- will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

The Bibliography:

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 1997.

You can find it here, or at your public library. Support the libraries!!!

Total Pages: 309

Total Pages read in 2011: 10,147

Total Pages Remaining: 853

The Back of the Book:
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone- or something- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself!

The Bibliography:
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 1999.

You can find it here, or at your local library. Support the libraries!!!!!

Total Pages: 341
Total Pages for 2011: 10,488
Total Pages Remaining: 512 or 52 pages per day. I can do this!!!!

Did I Mention that I Had a Baby?

2011-12-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

As I'm typing this my poor husband is trying to soothe a tired 2 month old so that she just might go to sleep early tonight.

Wow, she's 2 months old. She'll be 10 weeks on Wednesday, and in less than 3 weeks I return to work. Which makes me want to puke, but I will write more on that later.

So let's see... she's growing like crazy, and is truly a fun little firecracker most of the time. She has a gorgeous little smile that melts your heart. She's very strong.

I am constantly stunned at just how little I can get done during the day. It's even worse since we're having trouble with naps. As in, she doesn't nap unless she is sleeping ON ME. This is obviously a big problem. If anyone has any advice, please let me know.

For example, there are 3 loads of laundry that have been washed, but not folded. I was happy that we were able to get out and pick up the Christmas cards that I ordered online. Might I mention that it's only 2 weeks until Christmas?

Romeo has been a champ. He hasn't yet acted out, although he might be a little clingy. He loves Maddie. He gets upset when she's particularly upset. He cuddles with us when we're napping. He holds it when he's gotta go but she's nursing. He has even learned which toys are hers and not his. :)

At the beginning of January I will be returning to work, which means Maddie will be starting daycare. I'm utterly terrified. I'm second guessing my choice of care, even though I know I looked at several before choosing. I'm worried that she won't adjust easily, that she'll be left crying when she has a hard time sleeping. She's been well loved, and won't be used to being put down a lot. I'm really hoping it works out well.

We've made it over 2 months breastfeeding!!! :) And it's going very well. So well that before I had considered not pumping and giving her formula while I work. Now I'm actually going to attempt pumping. Heaven help me. My employer is very willing to let me and even help me do this. My actual job, however... we'll see. I work hard. LUNCH was a challenge. Lunch and pumping twice a day? It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.

11K in 2011 - Destined

2011-12-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

SPOILER ALERT!!!

This book is the next book in the House of Night Series. The back of the book gives away what has happened in previous books.

The Back of the Book:

"Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet - which would be a whole lot easier if the High Council saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together - if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more- or possibly less- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his sould that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him...

Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's Destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series."

The bibliography:
Cast, P. C. and Kristin. Destined. New York, New York: St Martins Press, 2011.

Total Pages: 325
Total read in 2011: 9,838
Total pages remaining: 1,162 or 59 pages per day

11K in 2011 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2011-12-08T17:06:00.000-05:00

Ok, so the rules never once mentioned not reading your favorite books over, right?

I've read this one a hundred times. I should consider reading the others again, though. They were pretty fascinating in themselves.

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York, New York: Scholastic, Inc, 2007.

We all know this book, so I'm not including the description. It's also upstairs in my bookcase and I'm too lazy to go retrieve it.

Total pages: 759
Total pages for 2011: 9,513
Pages remaining: 1,487

23 days remaining, so that's what... 65 pages per day? Oh boy... Wish me luck. Wish a baby, it's difficult!

11K in 2011 - An update

2011-11-25T13:26:00.000-05:00

OF COURSE I haven't stopped reading! haha. My infant only sleeps on my chest during the day, and honestly doesn't sleep much at night any more. I've done quite a bit of reading lately, actually. Nothing too interesting, though. So here's just an update instead of a 1 by 1 post.

Your Pregnancy week by week - 6th edition.

Curtis, Glad B and Judith Schuler. Your Pregnancy week by week. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Da Capo Press, 2008.

I'm counting this book twice because I read most of it twice, and I've also read lots from other informational books that I'm not counting, so I know that I'm probably low-balling my page estimate this way.

600 pages- read twice = 1200!

Where the Heart Is.

Letts, Billie. Where the Heart Is. New York, New York: Warner Books, 1995.

Read on my Kindle!!!!

384 pages according to Amazon.com

Twilight

(Yes. I love the series. I re-read all of them, as is my custom for any movie release. PS- I loved the movie. Much much better than the others!)

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York, New York: Hachette Book Group, 2005.

498 pages

New Moon.

Meyer, Stephenie. New Moon. New York, New York: Hachette Book Group, 2006.

563 pages.

Eclipse.

Meyer, Stephenie. Eclipse. New York, New York: Hachette Book Group, 2007.

629 pages.

Breaking Dawn.

Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn. New York, New York: Hachette Book Group, 2008.

754 pages.

I've also read countless Dr Seuss books, Berenstein Bears books, and various other children's stories. I'm conservatively estimating 250 pages. This is definitely a low estimate, only because you know how many words are on those pages- not as many as the other books I've read!

Grand total- 1200 + 384 + 498 + 563 + 629 + 754 +250 = 4,278.

Total pages read in 2011: 8,754
Pages remaining: 2,246

Holy WOW! I think I caught up quite a bit!!! I still have a lot to read in December, but I think it's manageable at this point. Earlier in the year I would have sworn I could never catch up. Looks like I've done a pretty good job!!!

36 more days left. So if I can read 63 pages a day, I can make my goal!!!

Maddie Mei- The birth experience

2011-10-27T13:02:00.000-04:00

Oh hello! Yes, we are still alive. It's been a challenge to get online at all, let alone write a blog post (or 2 or 3). I have barely gotten bills paid!

But Maddie hits 3 weeks old tomorrow, and we are slowly falling into some sort of routine. How do you actually get a routine going, by the way? Someone give me some tips, please.

Oh, right. Birth.

So my birthing experience was interesting, to say the least. I started having contractions Sunday evening. Finally at about 2 am we went to the hospital. They kept me for 2 hours and released me. I had progressed between the doc appointment on Thursday (1 cm) to 3 cm, but in those 2 hours nothing changed. Boo. Mike stayed home Monday, but went back to work on Tuesday. The contractions never really stopped, and finally got intense enough to go back on Tuesday. I called everyone in around 2:15 (my mom and Mike) and we were at the hospital by 4. At 4 pm I hadn't progressed since Sunday (still at 3 cm). They kept me an hour before making any decisions. Miraculously in that hour I went from 3 cm to 5. YAY! Baby is coming! I was admitted.

And then from 5 pm to 12:30 am, nothing changed. My contractions weren't intensifying or coming any faster, I wasn't dialating. So the doc came in and asked me to make a choice- go home, break my water, or start pitocin. I was trying to go without meds, and I certainly wasn't going home, so I opted for breaking my water. THAT was interesting. And let me tell you- contractions BEFORE the water breaking- nothing compared to after. HOLY WOW. It didn't take long and I opted for the Nubane.

Nubane is a trip. I rested through the pain for a few hours. 4 am came and I was checked again- STILL no change!!! At this point I have been laboring for 12 hours at the hospital and I was still just at the beginning of active labor??? WTH?!?!?

So despite any plans of mine, pitocin it was! However, the nubane was wearing off, and I was afraid of pitocin intensifying that pain, so... epidural it was. I got the epidural around 4:45 am. The pitocin was started around 5:15 am.

Everyone had gone home around 11 pm except Mike. He was napping on the loveseat. My mom stayed at my house and came back around 5:30 am. Which is good, because when the nurse checked me at 5:45 am I was at 9 cm!!!! Apparently SOMETHING worked.

So we woke Mike and he made the calls to everyone. Time became a blur at this point, but a little while later they came in to change out the internal monitor on the baby's head- it was all over the board for readings. So the nurse goes to change it out, and sees that the old monitor had fallen off because oh wow, baby's head is RIGHT THERE! And it's full of hair, which is why the readings were so bad.

So all of a sudden things are set up and the doctor was called in and I'm pushing before I knew what was happening. Didn't take long at all- she arrived at 7:19 am.

7 pounds 1 ounce

20 inches long

full beautiful ROUND head of hair

Absolutely perfect.

I must say that delivery was the easiest part of the whole pregnancy. And I'm recovering just as nicely. The epidural was definitely the right choice for me. The nurse said that the epi is probably what jump started my labor- they barely got any pitocin in my system at all.

And Mike? He was such a champ. Such a good labor coach- very supportive. He made it all the way to the end, heard it's a girl, and THEN nearly fainted. My poor family- they were all out there waiting to hear girl or boy. The hospital plays Braum's lullaby over the hallways when a baby is born, so they knew she was here. And then they had to wait 45 minutes before the doctor would let Mike get up and go tell them!

Proud Parents

2011-10-09T21:41:00.001-04:00

Baby Madeline Mei was born 10/5/11 at 7:19 am.

She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and is 20 inches long.

We have been doing very well. There are lots of pictures (she's gorgeous and has a full head of hair) but none are on my computer yet.

More updates to come when I learn to juggle my baby and non-baby activities.

On raising a boy vs a girl

2011-09-30T12:55:00.000-04:00

As I sit here on my EIGHTH day of maternity leave, I've gotten a nice lovely chance to catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs.

I talk about her all the time. Remember Rebecca from Girls Gone Child? She wrote this wonderful post in response to another article somewhere else about complimenting your daughter.

Basically, the original article related complimenting young girls on their looks to telling them beauty is more important than brains and by complimenting them on their looks you are encouraging them to diet as a pre-teen and expect surgery at 17. Along with other things.

Rebecca disagrees. Her post is fascinating to read because she really knows how to say it, ya know?

With my impending D Day, and with it the impending knowledge of whether I will be raising a son or a daughter, the topic really struck a cord with me. Why do we focus so much on topics such as these for girls? Maybe it's why I think a boy would be easier to raise. There isn't so much controversy on what to say and when to say it. How to raise them. Why is that, by the way?

Like Rebecca, I don't see the topic as polar opposites. Why do people think you can be beautiful, or you can be smart. You can be a successful career woman, or you can be a mother and wife. You can be an adventurer, or you can have a family. This has probably been the hardest thing to get past as I have come out of the college world and into the working world. My mom struggles with seeing this, and I have never understood it. Why can't you be a little of everything?

I was raised in a world of compliments. I was also teased in school for my good grades (and really bad athletic skills). I was not a pretty child, but I never really saw that because my family is so loving and complimenting. My grandpa always told me I should be a model! HA! And while I wish I had learned a little more about fashion and beauty at a young age (I still know squat) I at least learned the value of cleanliness and taking care of yourself. First impressions are important, and they often start with how you look. While I was not a gorgeous child I was always clean and dressed appropriately and I was confident in my body. Isn't that the important piece?

I'm actually of the mindset that the opposite is true when you don't compliment a young girl. Telling her she is pretty is going to instill confidence. Avoiding compliments is going to make an already self-conscious teen question herself and make her wonder if she needed something more. Like... surgery? a diet?

I think for the most part parents need to just chill out and stop over-researching every tiny little detail. You raise your daughter in a world where everything is possible- beauty AND brains, successful in the classroom and on the field. Yes, it is possible to have a little bit of it all. You don't worry about what you say and when you say it- you worry about the examples you show her (AND HIM). You teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle by HAVING a healthy lifestyle. You teach them confidence by HAVING confidence.

But seriously... Why does it seem like there are way too many complicating things to think about when raising a girl vs raising a boy?

24 Hours Later....

2011-09-28T15:11:00.000-04:00

I think I'm going to go insane.

Already. I'm just not the "stay at home" type of person. Or rather, I am. I just like to have stuff to do, and to be honest I'm not quite in shape to be "to-doing" it up around here. But we're trying.

I finished the bib. With the except of adding on the button. Because I don't have buttons. But we are going to a fabric store tonight so my mama can make my nursery curtains, and I plan on stocking up on some extra bright and extra big and extra adorable buttons tonight.

I also made a pot of homemade chili last night. MMMMMMM it was so good. And so fitting for this fall weather that I have recently fallen in love with. I can have windows open. It's been YEARS since I could do that! Last year, we didn't have functioning windows/screens. Mike has since fixed that. All the college years before that- it wasn't safe on campus to keep windows open. Before that? I had a bird. It has literally been since my first year at UC, or maybe even my senior year of high school since I've been able to freely have my windows open. And my first year at UC- it was one dinky window in a tiny dorm.

Oh, chili, you say? I love my chili. I will look for the recipe today to see if I've ever posted it. I don't think I have, since I've been working on perfecting it for a while. I finally think I have it to where I like it, though. And since it's chili, it's high protein, high veggies, and LOW CARB! Meaning very good for the gestationally diabetic. The cornbread that goes with it? Not so much...

I also started one of my organizational projects- Organizing my bookcases! I'm already not happy with it, to be honest. Who wants to come help? There are a few constraints that are really bugging me, and I'm just not sure how to work around them and keep things aesthetically pleasing. This whole room needs the furniture rearranged, though... Maybe that would be enough to fix my woes. I'm just not sure how! Maybe if I draw the room and furniture proportionally from a 2D view from above... that might help me out. Hmmmm....

Other things I've done, because apparently this blog is now going to be a play-by-play of maternity leave? I walked a mall for an hour and a half.

And then after eating chili for dinner and sitting on an exercise ball, along with walking a flight of stairs every time I needed to pee, I spent about 4 hours awake with contractions in the wee hours of this morning.

I'm seriously hoping these things get a little more serious around here. Practice is really cramping my style.

Holy Maternity Week

2011-09-27T13:51:00.000-04:00

Friday marked the beginning of the end. Or at least I hope.

(Pregnancy DOES in fact end, right????)

I started maternity leave. Which seems weird to me. It's been a long time since I didn't have a job. Ok, it was 2008, and again it was for a medical reason (knee surgery, anyone?) but outside of that awful time, it's been a while. And holy cow, 3 months? More? That's amazing.

So my goal is every day I will get up and get dressed still. What, don't tell me you get dressed every day of every weekend! I will make breakfast and then set to work on at least 1 project, preferably one that requires movement (today I've somewhat failed). After lunch I will spend the afternoon doing a sit down activity, and then my evenings will be whatever they would normally be.

This will keep me sane during this waiting game, no?

So far, the entire upstairs is clean (woohoo!!!!!). And after a lot of work, the main level is mostly clean too! We just need to basically sweep and do a few project organization things, and we're good. Next up- the downstairs. I'm mad excited here. My house, for probably the first time ever, is close to being completely clean!

I've also started to crochet. I already knit, but I was kind of getting bored with it. So I bought a set of crochet hooks and a book on how-to, and found some patterns on Ravelry, and set to work. We now have a newborn sized pumpkin hat (that is OMG adorable) and about 20 rows worth of a bib. :-D Hopefully by the end of things I'll have a few bibs, and a papoose. Unfortunately the yarn I bought for the papoose is not very crochetable. I can't see my stitches! So I'm going to have to see if I can find a knitting pattern. Because I want this papoose. And this yarn was semi expensive (hello soft and fluffy).

And in the mean time I'm totally getting my arms the workout they need. By throwing a miserable looking "hot dog" dog toy once every 10 seconds for my extremely happy puppy. He has spent a month learning to live at home all day by himself, and now all of a sudden Mama is home every day all day. Holyfreakincowhowmanytoyscanwefindforhertothrowtoday?

And fortunately by noon he's zonked. Like now. He's curled in a ball in my lap. Gotta love tiny dogs. So much energy that honestly runs out so fast.

I'll maybe get some cute pictures of the hat and soon-to-be bibs before long. I'm sure you're dying to see a newborn pumpkin hat, right? Me too... On the newborn, that is. Any day now.... Any day now.....

A Dr Seuss Gender Neutral Nursery

2011-09-19T21:07:00.000-04:00

Here's what you've all been waiting for! And so far, according to my blown up facebook account, it's a hit! That makes me happy. I put a lot of effort into this one. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a nursery!

And none too soon. I'm 37 weeks 3 days. And I just split wide open the ass of my favorite pajama pants, so... ya know. It's about time.

Ok. Here's the tour. I'll point out the important aspects- those hand made with love... Not necessarily by me, unfortunately. I just make the baby. If you like what you see, I'd be happy to tell you where I got it, so feel free to ask!!!!

Who wants yellow and green all over? Not us. Our gender neutral- orange and lime green.

The framed art pieces are actually pages from my favorite Dr Seuss book- Oh Say Can You Say (I just realized I've read several more pages recently). Hand made by my Aunt. There are 5 pages around the room.

Bookshelves- made by my awesome husband after I realized that my huge self couldn't handle power tools. There are 3 and they are really awesome.

Blanket made with love by my grandmother. There are 3 others, along with booties, hats, and even a poncho (if it's a girl).

Banner was made by my artsy friend for my baby shower. It's made out of fabric, however, so it could be kept and hung in the nursery.

More detailed view of the bookshelves.

The only thing missing- curtains! And you should see the material we bought for them.

I am still alive

2011-09-18T00:06:00.000-04:00

We gotta stop meeting like this. I'm such a better friend than that. And I do consider you my friend!

I have been lazy with pregnancy. And then third trimester hit and the laziness went away because, oh my god, we're having a baby soon and I need to get my shit together! But here's the thing- there is so much around me that got neglected, I'm still WAY behind! And holy wow, people. Third trimester is THE HARDEST to get things done. Ok, maybe I'm forgetting all the sickness and exhaustion of first, but... I'm going with it.

AND ON THAT NOTE!

Pregnancy news!

As of today I am 37 weeks 1 day. :) This means full term, people! We are all on baby lookout around here. Not that you really want to know, but I am 1 cm dialated, and the baby's head has dropped. This thing is for real.

And that also means that I have of course survived what I may have described as a hellacious gestational diabetes diagnosis and diet. I won't lie, it's been hard at times. Especially after the first few months when you start getting bored with what you eat. But for the most part, I'm enjoying the food I can actually eat, and I'm honestly trying to think of ways to incorporate this style of eating (which is super healthy) into my every day life post baby and post GD. It's really good for you. And it's really been my saving grace. I've only gained about 34 pounds, 30 of which I had gained BEFORE BEING DIAGNOSED. That means for the entire third trimester I have gained 4 pounds. Don't worry about the baby- he or she has been gaining in a very healthy way. At my 36 week appointment (and ultrasound... I get them weekly now thanks to the GD) they estimate the baby to weigh 6 lbs 2 oz.

But with all said and done, I have a list of foods that I will be eating post-baby. Included are spaghetti, a hot fudge cake from frisch's, and my birthday dinner, including cake. Oh, and eventually pumpkin pie. pumpkin muffins. and breakfast foods. I miss cereal and biscuits and french toast.

So that's the majority of the pregnancy stuff. More to come.

Books-

Apparently the last thing I read was the Song of the Lioness Quartet? That really can't be true, can it? I love to read. I read all the time. No way. I said I was going to read Harry Potter... Did I do that? I can't remember, but I honestly don't think so because I don't remember nearly as much as I would had I just read it... So I guess I need to read that (again). BUT to help me catch up on my reading (which I thought I was behind before... that's nothing now!!!) my wonderful husband got me the Kindle for my birthday. I'm so excited, and I have already downloaded several books. None of which I've finished yet, but I will soon! And happily I will be updating my 11K in 2011 list here shortly with the pregnancy book that I have read not once, but actually TWICE.

Work-

The main reason I have been so lazy! I thought the 4 months of training for the job was a little much and kind of overwhelming. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! So I guess they like me? Because they gave me a lot more work than expected... It was supposed to be temporary while someone was on leave. But then she came back, and never took back the work! I love it, though! My job is so much fun, and so interesting. Yes, I plan the production for our making systems. Yes, to some people that probably would be very boring. But my job is far from boring. There are issues every day, and the schedules are ALWAYS like putting together huge complicated and sometimes incorrectly cut puzzle pieces. Now that I'm finally adjusting (and have only 4 days before maternity leave) I can tell that the work has been a major cause behind my exhaustion. Not that pregnancy has been enough! It's gotten a lot easier on me now, though. I know my job better. I'm at that stage where I'm ready to learn the next step (believe me... I'm still on a basic level at work). But obviously with maternity leave starting in FOUR DAYS I'm not moving on until I return.

In other news-

My house is a wreck still. But it's majorly improved. Remember how I said I was lazy? This is where it's been the worst. I have finally gotten most of the upstairs cleaned up. Our bedroom is by far the easiest room to maintain in our house, and I've successfully done so now for over a month. :) The guest room is probably just as easy and I've been doing well with it too. I haven't gotten the office cleaned up, but I at least get in there and dust, vacuum, and clean the window every now and then. And of course the nursery. It's been well worked on! More on that later. The bathrooms have been more difficult to maintain. My husband is messiest in the bathroom, and it's honestly a crappy bathroom to begin with. It's definitely near the top of the major remodeling project lists.

The downstairs, however... is a disaster. I got the dining room cleaned up last week, though. And I got the fall decorations out- I just need curtains. I imagine I can keep it clean enough. My kitchen is still a mess, and I haven't even touched the living and family rooms. Both of which have been swallowed whole by books, fabric, papers, yarn, more papers, bags (and bags and bags) and shoes. Oh, and empty boxes from all of the baby stuff. But the living room is seriously on my hit list tomorrow. It's going down.

Mike, a job, and childcare-

So my wonderful hubs found a wonderful (and well paying) job!!!!!! It's full time (I could sing) with not only benefits (yay!) but AWESOME benefits (YAY!!!). So we are just thrilled around here. We're both working on the same shift now. That's a plus. We get our weekends together! And seriously. I haven't even looked back to the days where we didn't. How did we seriously manage that for so long? This is so nice.

And with his new job, and a rather long commute, we had to get rid of his car. It wasn't reliable. And definitely not functional as a family vehicle. So with the new job, and shiny new paycheck, we traded in the little coupe for a CR-V. :) We had been planning this purchase for a long while, I'll admit. Don't think we're rich or anything (we certainly aren't). But we knew we'd never be able to afford a car payment until Mike had a better income.

There are downsides to the new job, though. One of which is childcare. Our baby will be at a daycare center 40 hours a week. But it's literally down the street from my office, so I can go see him or her at lunch time if I wanted. And we found a daycare that I'm really excited about. They stress education. They start teaching them in classroom style ish at the age of 2. Geography, Music, Math, Science, and Writing. There may have been others too. I can't remember. They play too, though. And still have nap times. They were very organized, had lots of information and were real exciting people. The kids were all happy, and you could just tell. It was a good place.

The only other downside is our poor puppy is not used to us both being gone all day. I can tell he hates it. But we're trying to make sure he gets a walk in the evenings or at least something. And he needs to get used to less attention- a baby is coming after all. It's just sad to watch. He's adjusting well, though. No bad behavior. He really is a big sweetheart. You can't help but love him. I don't care what people say, I don't think my feelings towards him are going to change much after baby arrives.

Ok, so I've bombarded you with TONS of information tonight! I'm going to write another post on the nursery, and maybe if you're lucky I'll include a post on Puerto Rico (cuz who doesn't want to see THOSE pictures?). And maybe, just maybe, I'll get something read here soon and I'll update my reading challenge. I'm scared to look at the numbers, though... I was so close to caught up.

11k in 2011- Song of the Lioness Quartet

2011-07-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

I'm getting desperate for pages. I'm SO FAR BEHIND!!! So I'm ~~cheating~~ abusing the system a little bit. But they are still legit pages, people!

I have read this quartet probably a thousand times. It's definitely a good set of books for any young girl to read who is coming of age. It breaks stereotypes. The author is fantastic at building a whole world and all the characters in it. I can actually picture most of them as if they were real and alive. She's wonderful. And she has several quartets out there (and sequels, and prequels...). I still have a few of hers I've never read before, so maybe I'll get on that too!

So I won't give you the whole "back of the book" for all 4, because it would give away the whole story! But here's the details on the 1st book- "Alanna The First Adventure"

The Back of the Book:

"Alanna of Trebond is no ordinary girl- her dream is to become a knight. So she disguises herself as a boy and begins training at the palace of King Roald. Alanna quickly finds out that the road to knighthood is not an easy one, but her skills and stubbornness help her become friends with Prince Jonathan and his followers. At the same time, Alanna makes an enemy of the prince's uncle, the overly charming Duke Roger.

Here begins Alanna's first adventure- one that will lead not only to the fulfillment of her dreams but to a magical destiny that will make her a legend."

(I'm going to add that I don't like most of the back of this book. Way more cheesy than the book, I promise!)

The Bibliography

Pierce, Tamora. Alanna The First Adventure. New York, New York: Random House, Inc, 1983.

Book two's bibliography

Pierce, Tamora. In The Hand of the Goddess. New York, New York: Random House, Inc, 1984.

Book three's bibliography

Pierce, Tamora. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man. New York, New York: Random House, Inc, 1986.

Book four's bibliography

Pierce, Tamora. Lioness Rampant. New York, New York: Random House, Inc, 1988.

You can purchase the box set here, or find it at your local library (support the libraries!!) - also, it might be cheaper to find them sold seperately. $266 for 4 books? holy wow!!! I'm pretty sure my set was a gift years ago... probably for way less.

Book 1 pages: 216

Book 2 pages: 209

Book 3 pages: 228

Book 4 pages: 308

Total pages: 961

Total pages read in 2011: 4,476

Total pages remaining: 6,524

Up next- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (again- but the first time this year!) (yes, I'm very desperate. But look- I'm just over a 1000 pages away from the half way mark. In July!)

An update

2011-07-11T17:51:00.000-04:00

Oh hello. Remember me? I know I haven't been around much other than the few books here or there. It's been a busy time for me. I'll just give you one huge update, mmmk?

All things pregnancy
Pregnant life has not been a happy life for me. I'm trying my darndest, but it just seems that life refuses to be nice on this journey. (I really just have WAY too much going on). Anywho- I failed my glucose screening. And then I failed my glucose tolerance test. So I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and told to take an education class (I did) and start testing my glucose levels 4 times (that's FOUR FINGER PRICKS) a day.

Ok, so I got the news in the middle of a rough week, and it's been pretty stressful, and I cried a lot. No lie. But it wasn't bad. The diet wasn't even that hard to follow, even though yeah- it sucks to give up your carbs. I like my carbs, especially in the morning. Cereal? Milk? Fruit? I can live without sweets. But cutting carbs wasn't easy. But I did it. And I was proud of myself!

Until my glucose levels rose again. The diet stopped working. So I talked to my OB, and she put me on an even stricter diet with a follow up this Friday. I started Friday evening. I cried. A lot. It's a really strict diet. I could probably name what I'm allowed to eat quicker than what I'm not allowed to eat. As in- eat at all, not just reduce intake. I'm allowed whole wheat bread (only 1 piece for breakfast). I'm allowed peas (at least she didn't say anything about them), apples, berries, milk (2 glasses a day, NOT at breakfast), greek yogurt, pears (again didn't say anything about them), oranges that aren't too sweet. And then I'm supposed to eat tons of protein and fiber. So leafy greens and meat it is! Good thing I'm still allowed peanut butter. I'd die without at least that.

But my numbers were down again! yay! Except today, but I think I know why at least. I didn't eat a good bedtime snack last night, so I started off rough. Then I had a protein bar instead of a real food for a snack, and I think it shot my numbers up... So no more of those I guess.

But all in all, everything is going well! We aren't finding out the gender (even though we've had 3 ultrasounds and the doc said we'll have another at 36 weeks). We have names picked out. We have done a lot of prepping, and when baby comes I'll do a nursery post (because it won't be finished until after we know baby's name). We have a good amount of cloth diapers. At least for at first.

Oh, and the stats- I'm 27 weeks. I've gained 27 pounds. The doc doesn't want me gaining any more and says with the restricted diet I probably won't. I'm not so sure about this... But what the hell, right?

In other news
I spent another 2 weeks in Puerto Rico (another reason for the blog hiatus). This trip was a lot more stressful. I had to go with a guy I'm not very fond of at work (and he's not very fond of me). It makes it difficult for a pregnant woman, especially when you need help. The work was also different. We weren't just learning about the plant- we were shadowing for our actual position and doing some real work. Plus, I used my Spanish a lot more. You wouldn't think it, but it takes a lot of energy to do that. I was exhausted!

Oh, I got to use my first aid training AND Spanish all at once! It was a horrific story but it's perfect for blogging. There we were in a traffic jam. On a 4 lane road with a 4 foot median (ish). When we get up to the front of traffic, there is a man lying in the road with a helmet on. Not moving much, and very much hurt. No motorcycle in sight (which to me, is bad...). So we stop for a second, and I immediately jump out to help (hello CPR/First Aid training!). I let someone who actually LIVES in Puerto Rico use my phone to call 911 and the guy's family while I spend the next 30 minutes keeping the guy calm and still. Lucky his helmet saved his head. His arm was destroyed, though. But very little blood, so at least I didn't have to worry about that, nor did I have to provide first aid for it. The guy's name was Alex, and for the rest of my life I'll never forget him. He probably had a concussion. Later his family texted me to say thanks and informed me that he had a broken arm (probably both the radius and ulna) and a broken leg. It was one of those moments where you just react, and then afterwards you really feel proud of yourself. My story-telling doesn't at all do it justice.

So... pregnant woman helping an injured motorcyclist... It had to be an interesting moment for everyone else too. And even if they are the craziest drivers I've ever seen (seriously), they certainly care for each other. No one in traffic cared about the pace. Several got out to help and make sure he was ok. It was very nice to see such a great culture.

And on that note I think I'll end right there.

11k in 2011- The Lost Symbol

2011-07-02T09:42:00.000-04:00

While I enjoyed the writing style and overall story of the first two more than this one, I really loved the villain! He was... very well written. I also must add that after reading this book I think I can now actually read the Bible and probably take something away from it with an open mind- something I've yet to accomplish. It may be a fictional story, but the message is a good one.

The Back of the Book:
"In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he i the world's most popular thriller writer.

The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of story-telling that finds famed symbologist Robert Langdon in a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths... all under the watchful eye of Brown's most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol is an intelligent, lightning-paced story with surprises at every turn. This is Dan Brown's most exciting novel yet."

The bibliography:
Brown, Dan. The Lost Symbol. New York, New York: Anchor House, 2010.

You can find it here or at your local public library (where I bought my used copy). Support the libraries!

Total Pages: 639
Total pages read in 2011: 3,515
Total pages remaining: 7,485

11K in 2011- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer

2011-06-05T18:06:00.000-04:00

To be very honest, this is the type of book I normally laugh at. I wonder why people buy such things and really think that parents who read this type of book are probably desperate for help or crazy.

I was given this book from someone at work. I read the back and the cover and laughed thinking it was some joke, like all those self help books that really don't get you anywhere. But then I started reading it, and holy Wow it's awesome. It makes sense. It's really not even that challenging. It's flexible. It doesn't say you should breastfeed. It doesn't say you should bottle feed. It doesn't say you HAVE to do anything, except... getting your baby into a routine. I highly suggest any parent or parent to be read this book. It's really that good. It's not telling you what to do, honestly. It's just a nice little common sense instruction manual on how to get on the right track for YOU.

Without further ado, here is:

The Back of the Book:

When Tracy Hogg's Secrets of the Baby Whisperer was first published, it soared onto bestseller lists across the country. Parents everywhere became "whisperers" to their newborns, amazed that they could actually communicate with their baby within weeks of their child's birth. Tracy gave parents what for some amounted to a miracle: the ability to understand their baby's every coo and cry so that they could tell immediately if the baby was hungry, tired, in real distress, or just in need of a little TLC. Tracy also dispelled the insidious myth that parents must go sleepless for the first year of a baby's life- because a happy baby sleeps through the night. Now you too can benefit from Tracy's more than twenty years' experience. In this groundbreaking book, she shares simple, accessible programs in which you will learn

E.A.S.Y.- how to get your baby to eat, play, and sleep on a schedule that will make every member of the household's life easier and happier.
S.L.O.W.- how to interpret what your baby is trying to tell you (so you don't try to feed him when he really wants a nap).
How to identify which type of baby yours is- Angel, Textbook, Touchy, Spirited, or Grumpy- and then learn the best way to interact with that type.
Tracy's Three-day Magic- how to change any and all bad habits (yours and the baby's) in just three days

At the heart of Tracy's simple but profound message: treat the baby as you would like to be treated yourself. Reassuring, down-to-earth, and oten flying in the face of conventional wisom, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer promises parents not only a healthier, happier baby but a more relaxed and happy household as well.

The Bibliography

Hoggs, Tracy with M Blau. Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. New York, New York: The Ballantine Publishing Group, 2001.

You can find it here or at your local public library (support the libraries!).

Total pages: 276

Total pages read in 2011: 2,876

Total pages remaining: 8,124

New obsession

2011-05-23T21:08:00.000-04:00

Buying cloth diapers on Ebay.

Yup. That's right. Diapers- as in something that someone else is going to poo in and then I have to change. And I'm in love.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant. Half way. I've gained a total of 14 lbs. My baby's gender is going to remain a surprise until birth (even to us!-- eep). Currently baby is around 12 ounces. :)

We are doing a Dr. Seuss theme for the nursery! We chose bright colors (grey, orange, and green) and my aunt is going to help me create neat decorations out of the pages of my favorite Dr. Seuss book (Oh Say Can You Say). We plan on doing the totally cliche name on the wall, although it will obviously have to wait until after baby is born. We also are going to incorporate a really cool fortune I got in a cookie somewhere. I currently keep it in my wallet. :)

AND we are going to cloth diaper. EEEP they are adorable! There were so many good things about cloth diapers that I really couldn't say no. And my company makes diapers, so that's really saying something. So, since cloth diapers are so expensive to buy at the beginning, I'm starting to stock up now. We looked at a few, and I chose Gdiapers. I have won 8 size small and I'm hoping to win 6 size medium today. It'll at least be a good start.

This week's projects include painting the nursery and maybe building some of the furniture. I'm SUPER excited. It is so freakin' real.

As you can tell, I have ONE obsession as of late. Sorry I haven't written, but I have absolutely NOTHING else going on. Work is keeping me on my toes. I've been in training for a good while, and it's finally sinking in, which is good. It's still a lot, though! I can't wait to really get settled in. I have a feeling baby will be here before that, though! haha.

Oh. PS. We have a girl's name picked out, but since we aren't sharing it with my family, it's not really fair to share it with you. We have a boy's name that Mike is "sleeping on". I love it. I'm hoping it sticks.

11K in 2011- Angels and Demons

2011-05-09T18:13:00.000-04:00

I read The Da Vinci Code a while back, and I loved it. Barely put it down. With that being said, when our library had their annual book sale, and had both Angels and Demons AND The Lost Symbol, I pounced. I just hadn't had a chance to read them until now.

If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you'll like Angels and Demons. It's very similar in the character set up, how the plot develops, the suspense, and even how shocking the ending is. Usually, I feel that once you've read one book by an author, you can GENERALLY figure out the ending before it happens in any other books. Not quite this time around, which was very pleasing.

Ok, enough of my opinion, because I'm certainly not an expert. Here you go.

The Back of the Book:

"World-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a cryptic symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. What he discovers is unimaginable: a deadly vendetta against the Catholic Church by a centuries-old underground organization- the Illuminati. Desperate to save the Vatican from a powerful time bomb, Langdon joins forces in Rome with the beautiful and mysterious scientist Vittoria Vetra. Together they embark on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and the most secretive vault on earth... the long-forgotten Illuminati lair."

The Bibliography:

Brown, Dan. Angels & Demons. New York, New York: Pocket Books, 2000.

You can find the book here, or at your public library (support the libraries!).

Total pages: 569

Total pages read in 2011: 2,600

Total pages remaining: 8,400

(I would also like to note that I am in the middle of a few other books as well. 2 are baby books and probably boring to you, but one is not. It's just not easy to get through. I might not finish it, but the pages STILL COUNT!)

To cry while the world celebrates

2011-05-02T21:21:00.000-04:00

I started the day with this tweet:

Obama has had quite a good weekend. Good day to be an American.

I ended the day (so far) with the following post to facebook:

A man died today and the world cheered. While he was very clearly atrocious, all it does is make me think back to that dreadful day so many lost their loved ones. I worry about the families who now have to relive that, and I feel for a nation that is now erupting in political warfare over who gets to claim this "victory". In truth, we all lost. They just happened to lose last.

I've been rather conflicted all day. I was happy at first. What great news. Finally. And even if you don't care about the events, it was great for Obama (yes, I'm a supporter).

But it just feels weird celebrating someone's death. I'm pretty agnostic, so I honestly don't feel the "let God bring him to justice now" type of emotion. I honestly wish I believed that. Maybe I would feel better about things. But alas, I don't. So of course, the conflict continues.

This just doesn't seem like a victory to me. It really isn't. It's an act of war, yes. I'm against the war (I still strongly support our boys fighting, however). I believe all people are good. Those who make mistakes are often misled, uneducated, or were abused in some way at some point in time. They are not born that way, and if they turn out that way, then we as society have failed them.

In the end I feel like a 5 year old can say it better than I can. I've linked you to her blog in the past- her son is a sage for sure. Wiser than anyone I've ever met, I swear.

I guess in the end I am a little reassured that he is gone. And while I don't agree with killing, I think it was probably the safest solution for the world, for my country, and for my future children. I will mourn the loss this world has seen, however. Not just this one man's death, but the several who had to suffer a cruel death 10 years ago, and also those who are now reliving those deaths today. And if I ever pray, it is most certainly for the children today asking all of the innocent questions that no one should ever have to explain.

Brought to you by...

2011-04-26T22:50:00.000-04:00

This post is brought to you care of San Juan, Puerto Rico!

As wonderful as this place is (I can't show you yet, because my camera cord is still in Ohio), I wish I could say I was here for vacation.

We are here for work. That's right. Someone paid to fly me out to San Juan, give me a 2 room suite (with a king sized bed), and let me spend the weekend on the beach just because they want me to visit a manufacturing site.

Ok, I need some sleep. I will update more as I go!

A new master

2011-04-22T16:13:00.000-04:00

A long long time ago, in a world that really does seem far far away, we redecorated the master bedroom!

The idea is to get one room done at a time in this house. A year and 4 months into living here, and we've officially finished 1. The master will be number 2. And now baby's room will have to be number 3. At this pace, the baby will be sleeping on an air mattress on the floor because I'm so freakin' slow at this.

Anyways, off the tangent.

Our bedroom was blah. Very blah. The rooms were an ugly creamy neutral (not to be confused with the pretty creamy). We had 1 bedside lamp that was a broken fake Tiffany's UC lamp. One window had a goodwill curtain covering it, the other nothing. The back window at least had nice panel curtains, though.

See how awful it looked?

This was the only picture I took of "before". Oops.

So first we had to move the furniture around. And THAT means we got a new bedroom, temporarily.

(That's a preview of the future baby's room, by the way). Irony is we found out we were HAVING a baby while sleeping in that room.

So first we painted.

The three window walls are a beautiful yellow, and then the wall with the closet and doorway are a rich chocolate reddish brown. It matches the furniture almost perfectly! I was so thrilled.

So then we moved the furniture back in and bought new side lamps.

We also re-hung the window panels, and my mom helped me make curtains (one set... the other set is still waiting by the sewing machine). And we also bought some nice matching frames and hung a few pictures from our honeymoon.

This is my favorite:

I really need to get a good couple of pictures of the whole room, but that would mean making the bed and cleaning up the mess. Oh, and probably finishing that last curtain (don't worry- the goodwill curtain is still covering the window).

It's a beauty, though! I love my new room. The lamps are perfect, the colors are just what I imagined, and the curtains match to a T!

Secrets Secrets are no fun

2011-04-05T19:50:00.000-04:00

I have to unfortunately tell you that you are the absolute last to know my secret. And since you are the last, it is obviously no longer a secret.

I have an ever-growing belly. Ok, not FORever-growing. Just about 26 1/2 more weeks of growing, and then hopefully WHOOSH it'll start shrinking back to normal.

That's right. I'm 13 1/2 weeks pregnant! (See why I've been sort of MIA around here? It's exhausting starting a new job while trying to finish the first trimester.)

Of course, it's not my only excuse. We're also hosting a bridal shower this weekend, we had to celebrate a birthday last weekend (and visit with an out-of-town friend), plus all the cleaning to go with having company, and oh by the way I started my new job, and I literally slept 12 1/2 hours the first night after (that means I got home, ate, fell asleep, woke up and went to bed).

Unfortunately you are the last to know. I mean to tell you earlier, but I've been rather busy, distracted, sick, sleepy, and busy.

And of course, everyone is ecstatic. Including Romeo. He won't be once the baby's here, but he currently enjoys cuddling up next to my belly to sleep. I kid you not. I think he maybe thinks he's keeping baby warm? I don't know. He's also become clingy to the point that it's annoying both my husband (he won't even EAT when I'm home unless I'm right there with him) and myself (I have to be there with him for everything, including EATING).

So now you know. I've been dying to write about it! And I can't wait. I'm not so sure I enjoy pregnancy. But of course the fun is yet to come- feeling baby move and such. I'm very happy about what the end result will bring, however. It's all very much worth it. Now if only I can get my mother to stop telling me what I'm not allowed to do, I'll be just fine!

To satisfy everyone, here are a few pictures. Baby bump at 12 weeks (I haven't uploaded 13 weeks pics yet) and an ultrasound picture.

I honestly feel I just look fat at the moment. But the bump is steadily growing, so I'm sure it's merely temporary. And the alignment of the mirrors really is no help at all for the photos- Mike is supposed to be fixing that.

PS- My mom has nicknamed him/her as "Panda" apparently because that's what he/she looks like in that same ultrasound photo. So that is what we are calling baby.

11K in 2011- An Echo in the Bone

2011-04-04T20:30:00.000-04:00

This massive book was rather disappointing to me, and if the author happens to read this, you really upset me. It is the 7th installment in what my colleagues and I have nicknamed "The Jamie Books". The series starts with Outlander, and continues with A Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager (my favorite), The Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breathe of Snow and Ashes, and finally this one. If you love history and romance, and wild amazing plots, and terrifically rendered characters, you should pick up Outlander. If you already have, you've already read this book and can ignore my ramblings.

And not that I was disappointed in the story per se. It just seemed that it started with no real direction, too many plots to keep up with, and way too many details that could have been left out. The second half really picked up, but then I guess she felt she had to stop writing after 820 pages so, she did. In the thickest part of the plot when everything was FINALLY coming together and really had you on the edge of your seat. I really hate it when my favorite authors do this. I was going to buy and read the next book anyways. You could have at least rewarded me with ending the story. I DID read 820 pages, after all!

Anyways, without further ado:

The back of the book:

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST 6, THIS MAY BE A SPOILER ALERT! I WILL INCLUDE THE BACK OF THE BOOK FOR THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES AT THE BOTTOM. SKIP TO THE NEXT BIG BOLD SECTION TO AVOID ANY SPOILERS (OR CONFUSION).

"Jamie Fraser, former Jacobite and reluctant rebel, is already certain of three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, fighting on the side of victory is no guarantee of survival, and he'd rather die than have to face his illegitimate son- a young lieutenant in the British army- across the barrel of a gun.

Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won't include Jamie's life or his happiness, though- not if she has anything to say about it.

Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna's parents' story comes to life through Claire's letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire's love for battle-scarred Jamie Fraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles- as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire's fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.

With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure- a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned."

I would like to add that I disagree with this "Back of the Book"- it really doesn't paint the picture well at all. If I had written it, I would not have mentioned Claire and Jamie's "flight" as they call it. I would more or less word it as their journey, and not on the seas, because they spend very little time on the boat. They also don't mention William (Jamie's illegitimate son) enough- he has a huge role in the story (along with Jamie's nephew Ian). And Brianna and Roger's fate is certainly not as connected with the past in this book as it lets on. It will be in the next book, however (shutting up now).

The Bibliography:

Gabaldon, Diana. An Echo in the Bone. New York, New York: Delacorte Press, 2009.

You can find the book here or at your public library (support the libraries!).

Total Pages: 820

Total pages read in 2011- 386

Total pages for 2011- 2,031

Total pages remaining- 8,969

END OF ALL SPOILERS- YOU MAY START READING AGAIN!

The Back of the Book (Outlander, book 1 of the series):

"The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon- when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach- an "outlander"- in Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life... and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives."

I would like to add that the author has done some extensive research. While this is obviously a work of fiction, the history is legitimate. Even the clans. Don't let the fantasy portions of time travel push you away. It is extremely well done, with lots of history, great characters, and an amazing plot that continues to thrive 7 books into the series. You'll understand why we call them "the Jamie books" very quickly. And Claire is what every woman really wants to be. I swear.

The Bibliography:

Gabaldon, Diana. Outlander. New York, New York: Dell, 1991.

Yes, I am actually alive still

2011-04-02T10:14:00.000-04:00

I've been tempted to get rid of my blog. I swear I have all of these ideas to write about, and all of this crazy stuff happening around me to write about, but it never gets put on paper. So I think I'm going to start writing all of my blog posts on a weekend and letting them post for me during the week, because lately I'm just too busy living life to write!

And of course, I'm not deleting the blog because it's my connection to some super awesome people, and I don't want to give that up. I just need to try harder.

I did not die, by the way. I did not abandon you. I swear. I just happened to join a few other "realms" that have taken a LOT of my time and energy. I will probably write about ALL of them today, but spread them out so that you have something interesting to read about for the week. And at least one of them will have pictures. Ok, 2.

Much love! And apologies. Oh, and hopefully here soon I'll update the reading list again. It says I'm behind something like a thousand pages, but it's really about 2-3 hundred less than that because I'm actually in the middle of THREE books. That's right. 3. And once I get the ball rolling again I swear I'm going to catch up. It's just an extra hundred or so pages here and there, right? Along with actually keeping up?

So here's to a big week ahead!!!! Yay!!!!!

11k in 2011- Rockabye

2011-03-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

I love this author. I read her blog, which is quite amazing. I've been meaning to read this for quite a while, and after finishing it, I think every mother or mother-to-be should read it.

The back of the book:

"Rockabye is Rebecca Woolf's heartfelt and often hilarious account of what happens when an irrepressible young city girl gets pregnant by accident and decides to keep the baby and marry the boyfriend. Forced to come of age almost overnight, Woolf charts her transformation from odd-job doing, commitment-phobic, chain-smoking party girl to wife and mother, trying to adapt to and at the same time rebel against the stereotypes and responsibilities of modern motherhood. Woolf never relinquishes the qualities of her free-spirited, pre-baby self as she clanneges herself to grow up without outgrowing her dreams while embracing motherhood in a style wholly her own."

The bibliography:

Woolf, Rebecca. Rockabye. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press, 2008.

You can find the book here, or at your public library (support the libraries!).

Total pages: 283

Total pages for 2011: 1,645

Remaining pages to read: 9,355

Happy Fridays

2011-03-11T16:20:00.000-05:00

My "to blog" list is getting rather large. I've been extremely lazy lately. My house is a wreck, I haven't freezer cooked, I barely do laundry, Mike cleaned the bathroom last, my blog is a little lazy (no pictures lately... boo), and you really should see my knitting pile. It's bad. Oh, and that reading thing. The book I'm on is rather boring, to be honest. Who would have thought? It's Robin Hood. I'm trying to finish it this week, but I'm behind. So behind.

BUT! Today is a very happy Friday indeed. I took my last full vacation day at my current company. I woke up and ate, tried to read, and then fell back asleep. We had Red Robin for lunch, and then I went and bought $25 worth of books for $5 (because I bought a groupon a while back).

Today is a very good Friday indeed. Next up- hopefully doing some organizing with my knitting projects. Get some things in order. Get some to-do lists and timelines hatched out.

Enjoy your weekend!

Wee Bit of Me- March 9

2011-03-09T12:05:00.001-05:00

{one} what color is your kitchen?A creamy color of sorts. One day it'll be a beautiful red. Still debating the shade, though.

{two} do you have a good luck charm?No

{three} do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil?Pens. I only use pencil for puzzle things.

{four} can you use chopsticks?I'm married to someone who is half Chinese (and loves his culture). That's a big affirmative.

{five} do you prefer baths or showers?Showers. I don't like water. I'm like a cat.

{six} what is your favorite salad dressing?I will only eat Ranch dressing.

{seven} can you sing the alphabet backwards?I can. It's really hard, though.

{eight} do you have any allergies?Cats irritate my eyes. Pollens bother my nose. Nothing much, though.

{nine} crunchy or creamy peanut butter?creamy.

{ten} have you ever hitch hiked?No. It sounds way too dangerous- I just think of "There's Something About Mary" every time I think of hitch hiking. The answer is a big fat no.

Link up, folks!

11k in 2011- Alex and Me

2011-03-04T18:19:00.000-05:00

I loved this book- it touched my personal interest yet was also very much an intelligent, scientific book. It was very interesting, and as a former bird owner, very touching. And the best part?

The author is coming to the downtown library tomorrow! She'll sign books and answer questions (of which I have absolutely none...) and the zoo is going to provide some parrots to see! I can't wait.

I'm still very very behind on my reading challenge. But I'm catching up! Yay

The back of the book:

"'You be good. I love you.' were Alex's final words to his owner, research scientist Irene Pepperberg, before his premature death at age thirty-one on September 6, 2007. An African Grey parrot, Alex had a brain the size of a shelled walnut, yet he could add, sound out words, understand concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none, and he disproved the widely accepted idea that birds possess no potential for language or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Alex and Me is the remarkable true account of an amazing, irascible parrot and his best friend who stayed together through thick and thin for thirty years- the astonishing, moving, and unforgettable story of a landmark scientific achievement and a beautiful relationship."

The Bibliography:

Pepperberg, Irene M. Alex and Me. New York: Harper-Collins Publishers, 2009.

You can find the book here, or at your local library (support the libraries!).

Total Pages: 226

Total Pages for 2011: 1,362

Remaining pages to read: 9,638

Menu Monday- Feb 28

2011-02-28T12:37:00.000-05:00

I haven't blogged in a while, though I check out other blogs nearly daily. I guess it's hard to blog when you don't have much goin' on! Maybe I should work on that.

I also haven't read for my 11k in 2011 goal. I'm falling WAY behind. Gotta get on that too!

So let's start this week off right- here's a menu! I haven't done one in forever, because I felt it was sort of redundant. But the less I did them, the less I actually wrote out a menu, and then I just stopped having one, which is SO BAD!!!!

So I took the time to write the menu this week. It's based entirely on what's left from freezer cooking, so there are a few items that will show up more than once. Oh well.

Monday- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice and peas
Tuesday- Chili with cornbread
Wednesday- Shake & Bake (homemade style) chicken with corn on the cob!
Thursday- Pork Chops with green beans and mashed potatoes
Friday- Maple Glazed Chicken (or maybe grilled chicken cob salad)
Saturday- Chili and Cornbread
Sunday- Baked Potato Soup or various leftovers

Have I shared my homemade chili recipe yet? I know winter is almost over (woohoo!) but maybe you might still want it? It's quite yummy. We have around 4 bags of it left in the freezer actually.

The rights of a blogger

2011-02-17T13:14:00.000-05:00

Do me a favor. Go research the whole "teacher blogger gets suspended for her blog" thing going on and then let me know what you think.

I personally agree that the education system is majorly screwed up. Why do you think I dropped the idea of being a teacher? I love kids. I can't do teaching.

I agree with her message, and her right to blog. I don't think a company should be able to control what we do outside of work AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT INVOLVE WORK. I don't even feel that bloggers should be completely censored regarding work. I don't mind discussing it sometimes, and sometimes it could be a positive thing for company and employee alike. But I follow rules. I would never blast my company or the people I work with. Not because I don't want to (we all want to at some point, whether we are right or wrong for it), but because I know there are consequences for what we say. ESPECIALLY what we say online. I think we all need a lesson in taking responsibility for what we say. If a parent had overheard her say the things she did in her blog, and thus complain, she would be held accountable. It wouldn't be a nationwide scandal, but she would be held accountable. The difference here is that a LOT of parents "overheard" her comments.

So I'm curious to see what your take on the whole thing is, as bloggers. How do you feel?

Marley and Me

2011-02-16T12:31:00.000-05:00

Why did it take me so long to finish this?

Oh, because I got to the end where he's old and dying and I didn't want to finish it... That's right.

*sigh* I'm now behind on my 11,000 page challenge. I'll catch up though.

The back of the book:

"The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life."

The bibliography:

Grogan, John. Marley and Me. HarperCollins Publishers, 2005.

You can find it here or at your local library (support the libraries!)

Total pages for this book: 289
Total pages for the year: 1136
Remaining pages to read: 9,864

Wee Bit Wednesday 2/16

2011-02-16T12:20:00.000-05:00

{one} what is your favorite breakfast food?I don't normally like breakfast. But I love almost all breakfast foods. My favorite is normally french toast.
{two} how many pairs of shoes do you currently own?Maybe 12.
{three} city or country?City
{four} what is your favorite part of your job?I work with my mom!
{five} what is your favorite junk food to snack on?I don't normally snack on junk food.
{six} have you ever been mentioned in the newspaper?For honor roll, honors society, bowling (high school varsity), music
{seven} do you use post-it notes?All the time.
{eight} do you have freckles?No
{nine} is it okay for men to wear pink?I think it definitely looks good on some. Not on others.
{ten} when was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?Probably March of 2008

Wee Bit Wednesday 2/9/11

2011-02-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

Linky LinkSince my computer is being dumb and I can't get the picture uploaded {one} ice: crushed or cubed?Cubed. But I actually prefer those plastic balls with the frozen water in them- I hate when my drink is watered out.

{two} what is your worst traffic pet peeve?People who tailgate. I am that driver who will hit my brakes and eventually slow down. In the fast lane. Yup.

{three} what room in your house best represents your personality?I'm thinking the living room. It may look plain, but it's full of books and while the table is a mess- it's an organized mess.

{four} do you save old birthday cards?I try to every now and then. I still have the last one my grandpa gave me before he died, along with the last one my uncle gave me before he died.

{five} when was the last time you went on a picnic?I remember a small "mac n cheese" type of picnic with Mike SEVERAL years ago (like... 4 maybe)

{six} do you regularly check your horoscope?No

{seven} when you’re home, what do you wear on your feet?Socks in the winter. Nothin' in the summer.

{eight} what’s your favorite gambling game? Slots. I like the ones with games on them.

{nine} have you ever written (or started writing) a book?No. I'm interested though.

{ten} what is your favorite musical?The Phantom of the Opera, for sure. Although to be fair I haven't seen West Side Story in a while, and Mike refuses to let me watch Rent (something about his roomates watching it all the time and now he hates it?)

As requested- My Freezer List

2011-02-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

An easy post today is in response to the questions from the last post- What do I freeze?

My answer is- just about everything.

Cookie dough- although the cookies came out dry... So I'm thinking I'm going to test baking the cookies and then freezing them. I'm told this will work.

Spaghetti- I make everything except the noodles and freeze it. You can freeze the noodles if you want, but they break that way, and I like my noodles twirly.

Beef Stroganoff- We make ours with Sour Cream. If you make yours with sour cream I recommend making it all withOUT the sour cream and freezing it. When you reheat it add the sour cream. It tastes fine if you freeze it with Sour cream, but it comes out looking kinda gross.

Chili- freeze it all. Warning- reheating makes it a little spicier.

Potato Soup- freeze it all.

Vegetable Stew- freeze it all.

That delicious Maple Chicken- I make it without the glaze and freeze it.

Pork chops- I freeze them uncooked because they seem to dry out too much to freeze cooked.

Pot pie- I freeze the whole thing minus the topping. I'm told I can probably freeze the topping, but... eh.

Lasagna- Freezes nicely, but sometimes it comes out messy...

If I'm not sure about freezing something (like my chicken alfredo) I tend to do what I can, like freezing the cooked chicken portion. It might not seem like it, but even having just some of the process finished makes getting it prepared a TON easier.

I haven't tried it, but I'm also told you can freeze most fresh veggies- some need to be cooked first, though. We also tend to freeze some fruit for smoothies.

Some other quick notes- While I love freezing food, there are small issues- I had to learn how (use freezer bags, lay them as flat as possible and clearly mark what they are). This helps organizing, but also it makes it quicker to thaw.

Another thing I prefer is to thaw the food in the fridge for a couple of days before cooking. This means it takes less time to cook when it comes time to eat, which is a big thing in our house.

I also tend to make a few adjustments once things thaw- they are a little dryer. Adding water almost always works. For the beef stroganoff, adding the sour cream works. For spaghetti I tend to add more sauce. Some things are just perfect- like the pot pie. :) Yum.

Enjoy!

Freezer Cooking

2011-02-07T16:28:00.000-05:00

Freezer cooking- I'm having some issues.

My freezer is full (organized full. Neat little piles of labeled bags lying flat full). It's so full that I actually had to eat some of the meals sooner than planned because I couldn't freeze them.

I also had to do some cooking later on- like instead of eating a delicious formerly frozen tuna casserole, we'll be eating a fresh one.

This means I'm going to be cooking after work. After working out. I hate cooking after work after working out.

Ugh. I need a chest freezer... Too bad Mike's car had to go to the shop. It's a Monday.

Putting the Happy in Fridays

2011-02-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

Lately my Fridays have been rather drab. While I'm perfectly happy with that, it hasn't been much to write about. BUT! ALAS! today is the day I bring back the Happy Fridays.

Here is why today is a Happy Friday-

1- Mike quit his second job last week, which means I've seen him 7 nights in a row!!!!!
2- Our bedroom is painted! We'll be moving back in tomorrow (hopefully. Sans curtains, though) (Pictures to come, I promise)
3- I have finally been ousted, and it's no longer a secret- I was recently hired by Procter and Gamble. :) I have 7 more weeks at my current job and then I will be training! I'm rather excited.
4- Friday is always pay day
5- We have a date night planned tomorrow. And it will hopefully be free (thanks to a giftcard) :) YAY!!!!!

So this weekend will consist of rebuilding the bedroom, buying lamps and some sort of darkening shades, a date night, and majorly cleaning my poor neglected house. :) I'm excited.

And reading. So much reading. I'm currently in the middle of Marley and Me (which is tons better than the movie). I want to finish it this weekend. I'm slightly behind on the reading challenge (as of Friday I was only 1 page behind).

So what are your plans lookin' like?

Wee Bit of Me Wednesday- Feb 2

2011-02-02T14:12:00.000-05:00

{one} what was your favorite sitcom growing up?Full House

{two} what song always makes you happy when you hear it?Anything John Mayer

{three} do you still have your wisdom teeth?No I don't have my widom teeth, and no, I've never had them removed. I was born missing 7 teeth- 4 of which were of the wisdom type. Lucky? I like to think so.

{four} what is your go to way to relax?A book. A nap. Leaving the house.

{five} do you play any instruments?Piano, Flute (Piccolo) and Bass guitar

{six} nude beaches: yes or no?No. They are gross in reality- a bunch of older and bigger people that just aren't as attractive as what you see on tv (when is life ever like tv?)

{seven} do you chew your pens/pencils?I chew on my pen caps. But that's about it.

{eight} can you change the oil in your car?I have been known to work under the hood once in a while. I haven't changed the oil on my current car, but I did on the mustang and cavalier, so... yeah

{nine} can you curl your tongue?yep!

{ten} can you knit or crochet?I knit. I like to knit. I still have a Christmas present to finish, though. Better get on that. LoL

One Hell of a Ride

2011-02-01T12:35:00.000-05:00

So there I was- it's 2 in the morning and I'm just getting in from babysitting. Mike had left for work about an hour ago, so the house was for me and the pets. I get in. I get ready for bed. I plop down.

It's important to note our mattress is currently on the floor of the spare room while we paint the master.

I lean over and feel the air vent, just to see how hard it pumps in that room.

And I feel cold air.

WTF, people?

The pilot light is out. In both the heater and hot water heater. Yuck. I've never relit them, and Mike is at work. I call him up, and he proceeds to fail at giving me instructions. By the end of the call I'm in tears (I'm tired, and cold. Don't judge.) and still without heat.

After a few minutes talking to my uncle, I somehow miraculously make a lighter heat the whole house. Woohoo! heat again. Back to bed with the promise to my uncle that I will call the energy company on Monday.

Monday- I call Duke. Duke Energy. They promise to be out within 3 hours to check the pressure on our line. That was 1 pm. I tell Mike to be ready.

I get home at 5:30. No Duke. At 6:40- still no Duke. I leave for the gym. Mike and my mom are at the house.

He shows up around 7 ish. It's important to note that up to the point of his arriving, there had not been a single instance of "I smell gas". NONE. So he comes, and checks, and turns the gas on in the garage for a teensy bit of time to check it. He can't find a problem. He leaves.

I come home at around 8:40. I open the garage door and WOOF! Huge huge huge smell of gas attacks me! So I turn the car off (duh) and run in the house freakin' out like. No, no. Everyone tells me it must not have aired out from when the tech was there.

So we leave it. And then around 9:15 I take Romeo out. The garage has been open since I got home. The smell of gas is more evident. It has floated into the yard. It's still strong in the garage. I tell Mike, who goes out and confirms "I hear a hissing sound".

BAD BAD BAD, right?

(This is where I resist the urge to say "to be continued" because you probably are dying to know the rest).

I call Duke (don't call Duke. Call 911. I've learned my lesson.) And they say to leave the house, but not the premises (it's 20 degrees outside). They'll be there in no more than an hour. The tech can't call us when he gets there, so we have to be outside waiting for an hour??? Really??? I have small pets. I'm cold myself. No.

So we went to my aunt's, and after 30 min I call to check the status. They say that all they can tell is that it's been reported and the tech will be out within the hour. They don't know where he is or when he'll be there. Lovely. There was a little screaming and yelling at them, and I asked for the manager "I can have them call you back". Fine. Hang up and head back to the house to sit in a running car during a gas leak. That the tech caused (he turned it on to check it, but didn't turn it all the way off).

We get back to the house, and no one's there. So I call again. "Our records show he was there at 10:02 and couldn't find any problem." LIAR! It is now 10:22. So you are telling me, that the tiny amount of gas let out at 7 was able to waft and get stronger from 7 to 9:15, but then miraculously disappear by 10? We went up to check.

The hissing had stopped, the smell was almost completely gone- the guy flat out lied. He showed up, realized a mistake was made earlier and that no one was around, fixed it, and left saying nothing was wrong.

And that supervisor? Never called me back. Nope. Nuh-uh.

I hate our energy company. They lie. They have no customer service. The "plan" to follow for a gas leak contradicts itself. Their technicians are too incompetent to know to turn the gas all the way off after checking it. I could have exploded when I opened the door or, ya know, parked my car in a GAS FILLED GARAGE.

Guess who will be getting an angry letter from me.

Wee Bit Wednesday

2011-01-26T13:09:00.000-05:00

{one} how tall are you?5'3". I'm short, and I like it mostly.
{two} besides bills, what do you spend most of your money on?Skyline and books. It's a sad life, but someone's gotta do it. {three} what are your three favorite websites?Blogger, Yahoo, and probably www.ana-white.com which is this ultimately awesome do-it-yourself furniture building site. {four} what brand of tennis shoes do you prefer?I don't have one, but Reeboks and Sketchers are pretty nice. {five} what food can you absolutely not stand to eat?Anything spicy. No way.
{six} How many pairs of jeans do you own?4- 3 that fit and look nice, and 1 that look horrible but are covered in paint and count as my "work jeans" {seven} if you could have any job, what would it be?If I could have any job I would stay at home and not have any to be honest. {eight} have you ever ridden in an ambulance?My dad was an EMT, so riding to school in an ambulance was common. I also got hit in the face with a baseball bat once. Knocked out, placed on a backboard, rode in an ambulance, the works. {nine} how many pillows do you sleep with?2- Mine and Mike's. He works nights, people. No, I don't take it from him! {ten} on a scale of 1-5, how organized are you?5. I love organization. And since I forgot to post last week's- {one} name one thing you worry about running out of.Gas. I push it to the last minute because I hate taking the time to pump gas.

{two} what is your favorite pizza topping?Ham and Pineapple

{three} what is your favorite harrison ford movie?6 Days, 7 Nights or maybe Sabrina. Air Force One was pretty good too.

{four} apple juice or orange juice?orange juice.

{five} what’s your favorite thing to do on a sunday afternoon?Read.

{six} what is the wallpaper on your cellphone of?A piece of sheet metal with a heart on it

{seven} do you have a favorite tv commercial?No. They are all pretty dumb.

{eight} what is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?I don't eat weird things. Although some would consider deer meat, squirrel, or frog legs to be weird I guess. It's all part of living on a farm.

{nine} what is one piece of clothing you can’t live without?Jeans. Gotta have my jeans.

{ten} if you were a character from “lost”, who would you be?I don't watch Lost.

Out with the Old?

2011-01-26T10:24:00.000-05:00

I'm not really sure where to begin with this. How about a quick "about me".

I grew up on a farm in a small town. We had maybe 2,000 residents. My high school might have had 400 kids in it. My graduating class would have been around 95, maybe. Now, not to be overly critical, but my education while in this small town left something to be desired. I was at the head of my class (I would have been valedictorian), but when I moved to a bigger city school, with lots more kids and programs and opportunities, I found that I was majorly behind.

Enter facebook. While most of my friends on facebook are from more recent encounters, such as college and beyond, I still keep in touch with high school friends.

Unfortunately, some of them aren't what I'd call "friends" any more. There have been things done and said in the past, and honestly I'm a little surprised THEY haven't gotten rid of me because of, heaven forbid, my inter-racial marriage. (I do in fact know at least 2 or 3 of them are absolutely 100% against this). Anywho. Friends who aren't friends. Yeah, but we were at one time, right?

But now that we're adults things are different. We disagree. Mainly on politics. I KNOW! You don't have to tell me "you should just not discuss politics" or "Well, they are entitled to their opinions". I understand. I'm friends with a lot of people who disagree with me on politics, actually. Including one of my closest friends. We either agree to disagree and not discuss it at all, or we choose to have a wonderful, respectful debate. It's quite fun, actually, and it keeps me up-to-date.

But other friends, specifically those who are less educated and from my old town, are less than nice. They post things that are actually insulting to me, claim things like "Liberals don't support the military". They call names and spread hate. And as much as I would like to argue with them, you just can't argue with people who just refuse to accept even basic fact. They hear things, but don't check the facts. Then they are disgusted with something taken so out of context it's unbelievable. These are the types of things I see.

Now, please don't think I'm being judgmental. I'm really not. I've tried. I've tried reasoning, and even ignoring. But I find that every day they find ways to bother me. And I'm not judging their lack of education. I do see it as a reason, though, and I think it's really sad. But what can I do?

I want to know about their babies (3 on the way, with others growing up). I want to hear about their family (2 of them are in Afghanistan). I want to stay in touch. But I just can't take it.

So what would you do? Do you remove the old and move on? Do you say something? Even though they have the right to say whatever they want (and I don't think it would go over well)? Or do you just grit your teeth and deal with it. I just can't decide. I love these people, and it breaks my heart that they can be so negative without knowing the facts or even trying to know the facts (seriously... facts. Not opinions or even projections or estimates. Plain and simple, proven facts.)

Advice requested. Please.

Parenthood and my liberal "young parent" ideas

2011-01-20T13:05:00.001-05:00

The title is my own. No one has criticized my ideas. Mainly because I'm not a parent yet.

I love love love the show Parenthood. It's a lot of drama, but it's the drama of real life situations, I think. It's interesting.

So the show has a website (of course) and on that website each week it posts a poll of "hot topics" from the show (because of course... no one agrees on how to parent appropriately).

I have found that I disagree with the majority of viewers on a very very regular basis.

I'm a little surprised by that. Mainly because of lying, it seems. Is it ok to lie to your child (who is autistic, but doesn't know it) about going to a support group for parents of autistic children? Yes. I think so. He doesn't realize he's different. Why point it out when the doctor said he's not ready to know?

The world disagrees with me.

Is it ok to lie to the principal of a nice elementary school (tell him you, the parents, are married when, in fact, you are not) in order to get in? No. I don't think so. Besides, he'd probably find out the truth later anyways.

The world disagrees with me again.

Should you steal Halloween candy from your child? Yeah. They don't need all that sugar. Neither do you, though. And I'm not talking "gobble it all up" stealing. I'm talking a piece or two here or there.

Again, the world disagrees with me.

Do you watch the show? I'm so curious to see what you think of it, and of the hot topics!

Health Insurance Dilemma Solved

2011-01-19T12:33:00.000-05:00

To see part 1 of this post, simply go here.

So where were we? Oh yes.

The dilemma was the group plans at work don't match our needs or financial means. BUT we can't switch to an individual plan because what if our situation were to change in 9 months (because it seriously most likely... will)?

Then my mother, the genius, had one of her brilliant ideas that for some reason I didn't think of. Not sure why, because once I saw it, it made perfect sense!

I will get a plan for myself through work. And only for myself. It's HSA eligible, so I can start that up as well. And then, for Mike, we will get him his very own individual plan (because obviously he won't be getting pregnant). And sadly, Mike's plan is better than mine (by a lot. His deductible is half of mine with all the other benefits remaining the same) and it's only $3 more per month than what I will pay for mine.

So problem solved. We don't have a crazy $6,000 deductible and we are only spending $3 more per month. And, since I'm not changing plans, there is no worry about a "what if" situation- it's covered. Plus, since Mike's plan is HSA eligible too (Health Savings Account for those who aren't up on those things), we can both use my HSA. Simple. Affordable. Nicely covered.

Yay. Now we can go hurt ourselves without the worry of not knowing what's covered/what's not. And if YOU have any questions, by all means. I can answer them. I probably know health insurance policies better than some who sell them. No joke.

**Insert "I can't wait for the Healthcare Reform Act to fully come into play" statement. Pregnancy as a pre-existing condition? That's just shitty. (And we'd qualify for a credit (I think)!)"

The big fat stinking thing called Health

2011-01-18T22:52:00.000-05:00

Insurance...

Health insurance. Stinks. Hard. Core.

So my company's open enrollment for health insurance is going on, and our plans start Feb 1.

Do you remember the dreaded first for us? Or maybe the awful summer we had? Yeah we have learned a LOT about health insurance in the last 8 months ish.

So I found out, after learning the hard way, that the insurance plan I picked (I had 3 choices) really did not match our needs. AT ALL. It was bad. Real bad.

And it was so sad, because I think if I put a little more thought into it, and had taken it seriously, I could have figured this out when I chose the insurance... And we wouldn't have had to face the financial repercussions that we unfortunately had to deal with.

We survived, by the way. But think of all the things we could have done with the extra money we would have saved!

Anyways. So we are in open enrollment, and Mike and I have decided we HAVE to switch insurance. But there's a glitch. There is a really nice HSA choice. If you're an individual. For a family, it's cheap, but it would really hurt you financially if you have medical needs up around 5,000 to 6,000.

So I was frustrated, and I was a little unsure of what to do. We had looked at individual plans outside of what my job offers. But the maternity clauses wouldn't go into effect for 9 months. What if... ya know?

To be continued...

Menu Monday- Picky Eaters

2011-01-17T13:14:00.000-05:00

Dear future children- please be like your father and eat everything.

I don't deal with picky eaters well. It's frustrating.

My mom is a picky eater. And when I say picky I don't mean to a huge extreme. Just mainly vegetables. Green vegetables. And we put vegetables in pretty much everything we cook.

So naturally, when she stays with us (which is twice a week- she commutes to work, so it helps her out), dinner is a little bit of a challenge. There are a few meals that I make that she likes. But not a lot. So I plan it all out. And then Mr. Snow comes along and changes her schedule. Now it's Monday, she's staying with us tonight, and the pot pie or beef stroganoff I had planned for when she was coming are frozen solid.

Darn.

I guess I'll make the dinner tonight and throw the veggies in after she gets her portion? I think that'll work. I'm not really good at this "adjusting" yet. How do you all do it? I don't want her to feel she has to get her own food, and I don't want her to feel bad because we have to change our menu. How do you balance things?

Anyways, here's the menu

Monday- Chicken Alfredo
Tuesday- Spaghetti
Wednesday- Maple Chicken
Thursday- Beef Stroganoff
Friday- Pot Pie
Saturday breakfast- Eggs and Biscuits
Saturday dinner- Eating out! (We still have 1 more giftcard from Xmas)
Sunday breakfast- Pancakes?
Sunday dinner- Maple Glazed Chicken

I had planned on packing Chili and cornbread for my lunch this week. However, I used an old stockpot for the chili (I had made a double batch) and it was too thin of a pot- it burnt the chili. I froze it anyways hoping it would be fine if I didn't scrape the bottom... But it tastes burnt. I couldn't even eat it. How awful to waste so much chili! (A double batch, people...) So now I have a dilemma- do I go to the store and buy ingredients to make the chili again? Or do I just buy cheap-y soup for lunch? I can't decide.

Link up, folks!

Awakened: House of Night Book 8

2011-01-14T20:22:00.001-05:00

This was just recently published. Being the fan that I am of the House of Night story line I obviously rushed out to buy it.

I have read all 7 books previous to this. Most within the same week. I won't lie, the writing isn't the best at times, but the story! It's a guilty pleasure of mine. My literature friends would probably skin me for reading stuff like this, but of all the books I've read lately, I was more absorbed in this one than any of the classics. Hands down.

The back of the book:

"Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa's House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being queen would be cool, wouldn't it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same- and her relationship with her super-hot warrior, Stark, may never be the same either.

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

In the pulse-pounding eighth book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl's heart?"

The bibliography:

Cast, Kristin and P. C. Cast. Awakened. New York: St Martin's Press, 2010

You can find it here for a lot cheaper than I paid for it, or visit your local library (support the libraries!)

Total pages for this book: 290

Plus unrelated textbook pages: 45

Total pages for 2011 so far: 686
Remaining pages: 10,314

Wee Bit of Me Wednesday

2011-01-12T17:58:00.001-05:00

{one} have you ever been on tv?Local tv, yes. In high school I was a member of the varsity bowling team. It may sound silly, but we were awesome and we were the first girls varsity team to be State Champions. In any sport! So we were on the news. Fun! {two} what was the best movie you saw last year?I would have to say Despicable Me. :)
{three} do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?Untucked. They are just too tight when they are tucked in.
{four} do you cut coupons?Yes, but not a lot. I save about $10 a week, though. That adds up to over $500 a year.
{five} do you ever count your steps when you walk?If I'm bored.
{six} what sauce do you dip your chicken nuggets in?Honey. Plain honey. It's the best. Been the best since I first discovered it was good on both nuggets and french fries.
{seven} do you have any magazine subscriptions?I got a free US subscription once, and although it ran out in November they still keep sending it to me. Weirdos.
{eight} when was the last time you wrote a letter on paper?March of 2008. It was addressed to my dad.
{nine} what’s your favorite fruit pie?Banana Pudding. That counts, right?
{ten} black olives or green olives?Neither. Gross.

100 posts?

2011-01-12T11:14:00.000-05:00

Today is my 100th post (ok, so 2 of those aren't published yet, but who's that specific?)

I did a bad thing last night.

I introduced my mom to 16 and pregnant, and as luck would have it the show was Leah's (from teen Mom 2) so I have also introduced her to Teen Mom 2. I admit I really hate the show. While I enjoy 16 and pregnant because it has a purpose and serves that purpose well, I think Teen Mom just exploits the problem and really just makes it worse by saying "you're a teen mom! let's make you famous for screwing up!".

But none the less, even though my mom was extremely irritated with how immature some of these girls were, she was hooked. That motherly instinct kicked in (which I swear is the only reason we love shows like these) and sure enough she wanted to see what happens to these girls.

It's officially a guilty pleasure, I think.

2011-01-10T12:44:00.000-05:00

So I have no menu today. I don't know what we're eating this week, because quite frankly, once you freezer cook you don't really look at the menu so much. I know tonight is leftovers of Benihana's (sans Benihana. It was delicious). I think I have maple chicken on the menu, and I know there are shredded chicken sandwiches and tacos. Other than that? Who knows! So I'm not posting a menu this week.

But today! Today I start classes, officially. Yeah, I already watched the intro and did the first 4 tasks for my one class that starts today. But I'm sure he'll post a lecture soon and then I'll have homework, and maybe I should consider checking to see if I have school supplies? Because I haven't yet. I have the book, though. And 2 chapters to read this week.

At least I can count the textbook reading assignments towards my 11k for 2011, right?

Wish me luck! I just might need it.

Atonement

2011-01-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

I decided to start the 11k challenge for 2011 with this:

It was a Christmas present from my mom. One that I had asked for.

The back of the book:

"Ian McEwan's symphonic novel of love and war, childhood and class, guilt and forgiveness combines all the satisfaction of a superb narrative with the provocation we have come to expect from this master of English prose.

On a summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses the flirtation between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant. But Briony's incomplete grasp of adult motives and her precocious imagination bring about a crime that will change all their lives, a crime whose repercussions Atonement follows through the chaos and carnage of World War II and into the close of the twentieth century"

The bibliography:

McWean, Ian. Atonement. New York: Anchor Books, 2003.

You can find it here or at your local library (support the libraries!)

Total pages for this book: 351

Total pages for the year: 351
Remaining pages to read: 10,649

Oh Dear oh dear oh dear

2011-01-06T12:47:00.000-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen!

I did it.

I signed up for a race. And not just any race (oh no, my first can't POSSIBLY be easy!). It's 2.91 miles of hell.

No, that's literally what the thing says. Hell. It's a 2.91 mile run, but that's not all.

We're talking 14 death traps. Some are fun. Like climbing the haybales and the junkyard. Others are still mild- crawl through a dark tunnel, the tire run, the uphill run. They get a little more difficult when you have to climb a wall, run through a wind storm, trudge through waist deep water. They get scarier when they make you repel down a cliff, walk a plank, run down a river. Some are rather difficult, like climbing the nets and crawling under barbed wire. But the scariest of all??? That terrifying one?

You have to take a leap of faith. Over a fire pit.

Yeah, about that.

T minus 150 days until I meet my death in a burning blaze. And the sad part is it's at the end of the race, meaning I will have run almost 2.91 miles and conquered 12 of the other obstacles. All that will be for naught when I go up in smoke.

But it'll be fun! Right...? Right?

Yeah. Totally.

PS- if you are in the area and care to join me on my suicide mission (along with about 5 or 6 of my friends), here's the link. We run at 9 am on June 5.

Starting off right- Menu Monday- On a Tuesday

2011-01-04T16:21:00.000-05:00

Yay for being late on the first week of the year!

Who's ready for 52 Menu Mondays?????????

Ok, so... Me.

This week, the menu (by memory, so be patient)=

Monday- Taco Melts. They weren't that good. We'll have to tweek the recipe.
Tuesday- Chili that I forgot to thaw... and cornbread (of course)
Wednesday- Chicken Pot Pie (One of our faves)
Thursday- Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots
Friday- Date night (maybe... Mike works)
Saturday breakfast- Eggs, bacon, and muffins
Saturday dinner- leftovers. Mike is recording a wedding.
Sunday breakfast- Supposed to be Breakfast burritos, but I didn't like them
Sunday dinner- Benihana style shrimp, rice, and veggies. :) Let's hope they turn out!

Lunch for the week- Soup and sandwiches. It's a good one with lots of variety, and it seems to shrink the waist (which is nice after the holidays).

Ok, so there isn't a lot of variety this week, and I'm not posting any recipes because the ones I like you've seen and the ones I don't, you don't want. BUT, if Benihana's style goes well I will share that experience!

Link up, folks!

A Challenge!

2011-01-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

I just accepted a challenge to read 11,000 pages this year.

That's 11 bajilion thousand million pages!!!!! I don't know if I can do this, but as a student in a MLIS program, I think I'm up for it.

I'll blog my progress. Promise. And maybe a picture or two.

Let's see how I do, shall we? Any interesting reads on your list? I have a hefty few on my list. Atonement will be the first. I just finished The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Seriously, you should read it.

For 2011

2011-01-01T15:03:00.000-05:00

I'm not normally a person to make New Year's Resolutions, because quite frankly we usually don't keep them. BUT. This past year I noticed that I was just sorta going through life and getting really comfortable with routine and my every day life. (read: boring). SO this year I have 2 resolutions: to live life with more purpose, and to leave my comfort zone more often!

For example. I plan on signing up for the Warrior Dash today.

Also on the list this year?

Goals for us:

Mike wants a full time job. He's expecting a call for an interview in the next week.
I want to get a lot of grad school in (I start in 9 days).
Run the Warrior Dash (and some other 5k races).
Attend a wedding! My brother will have a May wedding. :)

Goals for the house:

We need to cut down a tree... Sadly...
If Mike gets that nice full time job we just might get new windows!
I want to re-do the master bedroom and the project room. We're thinking natural earthy tones in the bedroom and I like the idea of bright colors for the project room (since later it will eventually be a baby's room).
Hang a clothes line! We have a huge nice backyard. Time to make use of it!
Landscape- I want a garden in the front yard, and I hate our bushes!

Project list-

Window treatments for the bedroom
Bottle Chandelier
Laundry Organizer
Sewing Cart
Message Center at the door (Can't decide which one I like best)
Knit several projects and open an Etsy shop??? Or maybe just get my Christmas gifts done early. We'll see!

Happy 2011 y'all!

Winding Up 2010

2011-01-01T02:30:00.000-05:00

2010 leaves much to be desired, to be very honest. Personally I can say I have detested this horrible year, and I can't wait for it to be over. But I must admit- there has been a lot of growing and a lot of learning who my (and my husband's) true character is.

Here's a quick recap of the year, bloggy-wise and non-bloggy-wise.

January- We moved into our house!!!!!

February- Mike was unfortunately transferred from his "temporary" full time position to a "permanent" part time position. Blah, but I have to say it was expected. Either way it kind of put a damper on our economics.

March- A friend of mine actually moved in with us. Technically. She'd actually been living with us since January, but it was only temporary... until it became permanent.

April- I started my blog and told you all about our Wedded Bliss. I also learned that diamonds can indeed break.

May- I told you about our Mothers Day and then about learning to use Iphoto.

June- I told you our awesome news about making new traditions. I also discovered that I detest translating, but I love libraries.

July- I was mostly sick. But I learned I could endure several weeks of constant nausea.

August- I unfortunately shared the bad news. And then I lost my Grandpa. August is a really bad month in our family. But I learned my own strength, and that when needed I can survive just about anything.

September- I shared the things that made me happy. I discovered that getting away is not the same as running away. I witnessed the Running of the Weiners. I described Football in our house. And we remodeled our beautiful office.

October- I shared important shit- like what the freak are Fast Flats. And how to budget your money. And that thing about loving myself, which I indeed think I have learned. I also applied for Graduate school.

November- I began freezer cooking. Which I love, by the way. I also confessed my ~~desperate~~ need for a dayplanner. Oh, and did I mention? I made a freakin' turkey!!!!!!!

December- Mike turned a quarter of a century, and I am finally able to say that I have found what makes me happy. Oh, and I have registered for my first semester of grad school. :)

And by the power vested in me, and speaking for several others, I say "Goodbye 2010!!!! We've learned our lessons. Now it's time to move on. May we never see the likes of you again!"

Wrapping Up Christmas

2010-12-29T19:08:00.000-05:00

Christmas has come and gone and what do you know? I don't really have any pictures. I'm awful with taking photos, but I swear I'm going to try to do better in 2011.

Before 2011, though, I'd like to tell you about my amazing Christmas.

1st- We had Christmas with my mom's side of the family. Every year we get together and celebrate and eat and are merry. It's one of my favorite things. And while this year I didn't have any gifts there, it was a lot of fun seeing so many of my family members and teaching my cousin to knit (in front of everyone... yikes). Mom was wearing her new scarf that I had made her, and I got to show off my awesomeness. I'm thinking about making several items and then starting up an Etsy shop. We'll see.

2nd- My wonderful friends got together for a Christmas party! It was wonderful. I got to see so many friends, some that came all the way from the west coast! We had a secret santa, and I have to say the gift I made was well loved. I was given a book (big surprise there. I love me some books). We ate. We drank. We were most definitely merry. Mike was given a gift card. That just makes him happy. And he played video games and made friends. By the end of the night, he and his drunken buddies declared that there was exactly 1 black man in the room (there were in fact 2 bi-racial gentlemen including Mike). It was entertaining.

3rd- I had a FIVE DAY WEEKEND!!!! That's cinco dias my friend. That's a lot. I spent them well. I helped my buddy prepare for the party, cleaned my house (and I mean super cleaned), enjoyed Christmas (after finishing the decorations and wrapping) and really just relaxed!!!! It was amazing.

4th- Have I mentioned the cookies yet? NO??? Ok, so I like to bake. And I have to admit- I got some skills. So every Christmas I try to make some sweets for Mike to take to work, and my work, and my brothers, and Mike's parents. I really wanted to make quite as many as I wanted, but I got to bake the Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodles, Peanut Butter cookies, Sugar cutouts, and Gingerbread Men. While I didn't quite like all of my recipes, the ones that came out I attached the links for the recipes. I need to find better ones for the chocolate chip and snickerdoodles. But the sugar cookies? The gingerbread men? A-FREAKIN-MAZING! LOVED THEM!!! I froze some of the sugar cookie dough. Never using another recipe for those.

And while I didn't get to them by Christmas I still plan on baking the pumpkin cookies sometime soon. WARNING- I haven't tried the recipe yet.

5th- Christmas day was... ok. Mike worked that morning, so I got up and made him Mike's parents came down for lunch and then we had dinner with the family I babysit for. They are wonderful, and the father cooked his mother's recipe for pork loin. The meal was Puerto Rican, and it was delicious!!!!! And they really are a fun group. We played games until the kids were falling asleep, and then finally left ourselves.

6th- Dec 26 we had our own Christmas dinner since we had eaten with friends on Christmas day. I made a delicious glazed ham with mashed potatoes, dumplings, green beans, and rolls. Someone requested the recipe for the ham. The link can be found here. I did tweak it to my needs- my ham was only 3 lbs., but I used 10 oz of juice, most of a pineapple, and 3/4 cup of brown sugar. This way I had more glaze. :) It was spectacular.

And then finally on Dec 27 I got to have dinner with my mom and brothers and their respective girlfriends (and my nephew). We met half way at the Fuji Steakhouse. It was delicious! And we got to exchange gifts. My brother was completely surprised that I could knit. I was a little peeved, but oh well. His girlfriend wants the same scarf I made for mom! :)

So there was the rundown of my Christmas. It was rather calm this year, but it's mainly because my nephew no longer believes in Santa, and my grandpa wasn't here this year. Mike worked on Christmas as well. It was nice, though. It was our first real Christmas. We were poor in college, and then last year we bought a house, so we didn't really do gifts. But this year, we have beautiful decorations and a lovely house to decorate, and thankfully lots of people to celebrate with.

And really, that last part? Right there? Yeah, that's really what it's all about. The family and the friends to share it all with.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Happy Christmas! Merry New Year!

2010-12-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

Hope you don't mind my absence. I was ~~slaving away~~ enjoying my days off before Christmas and didn't put blogging very high on the priority list.

I'll do a post later about all that, but to get to current topics- MENU MONDAY!!!!

On a Tuesday. Again.

Anyways, food this week? There's a lot of it. I mean, hello stuffing your face week!

Monday- Christmas dinner out with the Brudders!!!! Both of my brothers work at a casino (in the restaurants) so they never get off for the holiday. SO. To deal with that and the fact that we live a sizeable distance apart, we met half way and ate at the Fuji Steakhouse. It's like Benihana's, only a little cheaper (same great taste if you ask me!). Boy was it yum.

Tuesday- Lasagna
Wednesday- Take your pick of leftovers- Christmas dinner or lasagna
Thursday- I'm thinking Taco Melts
Friday breakfast- Doughnuts! We love us homemade doughnuts.
Friday dinner- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice and carrots.
Saturday breakfast- Breakfast burritos- if we like them I'll share the recipe.
Saturday dinner- Probably Chili or eating out- it's my cooking day
Sunday breakfast- Pancakes?
Sunday dinner- Beef stroganoff? I think so...

As you can tell, this is all made up on the spot. I have a menu, but we've drifted so far off the map that I don't remember what it says- just what's in the freezer. The good thing is I have probably a week's worth of meals still in the freezer! Yay for not needing to make so much this month!

PS- The Christmas ham (and apple dumplings) were delicious. Recipes to follow... Probably tomorrow. I will try, though!

PSS- Link up ya'll

Happy Friday!

2010-12-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

What makes my Friday so happy? You mean outside of my weekly pay day and Mike's double-bi-weekly pay day?

I have an adorable pup curled up with his head on my heart.

And we're staying in to cuddle. By choice and much to the sadness of our friends (who are at shadowbox Live as we speak).

I have a cute and warm rice bag on my toes.

My Christmas cards are finished.

And my hubs is on his way home.

What more could a girl ask for?

Happy Friday, everyone!

Grown Up Christmas List

2010-12-16T13:05:00.000-05:00

mostly grown up, anyway....

All I want for Christmas is........................

POWER TOOLS!!!!!

jigsaw blades, a carpenter square, a tool belt, clamps, drill bits, screws, a nail punch, a sander, a workbench, saw horses....

BOOKS!!!!!

Brave New World, Atonement, Memoirs of a Geisha, Winnie the Pooh, Moby Dick, Five People you Meet in Heaven, Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Three Muskateers, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...

And gift cards

Jo Ann Fabrics, Home Depot, Restaurants...

But the motherload of all things?

Despicable Me. For real. I saw it, loved it, and it was amazing. I want my own little set of minions one day, I swear.

I'm so excited about Christmas, but so not... I'm very excited about my list, but I'm really bummed about Mike's Christmas gift. First, he got a super awesome birthday present just a few weeks ago (an Ipod Nano), but the condition was that I was spending twice as much as budgetted, so his Christmas gift would be (lots) smaller. So it's sad already. But then? He tells me he wants this really nice thing from where he works that costs over my limit BUT if HE buys it, he can use his employee discount and it's NOT over budget... So he got that. For himself. So now I have a grand total of $15 to spend on him on something that will surprise him. I'm at a loss. Help?

Other than that, more things to come! Including a beautiful hand-knit scarf that I just so happened to make for my mother. For her birthday. It's a nice and easy pattern that looks like it's not.

What's on your list this year?

Wee Bit of Me- Just for fun!

2010-12-15T16:15:00.000-05:00

{one} did you buy a christmas tree this year?Nope. Had our trusty fake one with lights and all!

{two} what is your favorite holiday tradition?Decorating the tree and picking out our yearly ornament. {three} do you open your gifts on christmas eve or christmas day?It varies. We open ours usually Christmas Day, but it's hard to tell when we'll see our family each year.

{four} at what age did you stop believing in santa claus?I don't remember how old, but I remember when it happened... I would say 7 or 8?

{five} do you fill stockings?No... We don't. But we will when there are kids around.

{six} handmade presents or store bought presents?From friends or For friends: Handmade. From mom/dad/hubs/etc: Store bought. For mom/dad/hubs/etc: Can go either way- depends on what they want!

{seven} do you have a favorite christmas meal?Mike and I are starting a new tradition- We are having Apple dumplings for breakfast, and maple glazed ham for dinner. YUM

{eight} is your christmas tree real or artificial?Fake. It's easier, and safer for the pets.

{nine} what is your favorite christmas song?I love Vince Gill and his daughter singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth"I also like Christina Aguilera's "Silent Night"

{ten} did you send out christmas cards this year?Working on it! We have 20 in the mail with about 20 more to make, only half of which need mailed... Too many friends and family, I swear!

Link up, folks!

2 years

2010-12-15T12:56:00.000-05:00

2 years ago today I was in Mexico. We were in Celestun- in the Yucatan, close to Merida. We spent the day doing 3 things- a tour of a factory...

a boat ride in a flamingo reserve...

And I mean LOTS. OF. FLAMINGOS

and an evening at a slightly chilly beach.

I was making new friends, and using my mad-Spanish skills (I was the one of 3 fluent speakers on the trip, so naturally I was popular), and we ended the day sitting on a beach drinking Corona and watching mine explode because the salt shaker lid broke right as I added some to my tasty drink.

We laughed about the alligator/crocodile on the rocks that scared Ben so badly. We still never determined whether it was real or fake. You decide.

We played in the water, and let the fishies nibble at our toes. Afterwards we returned to our hotel with the beautiful patio in the middle and talked about how my first trip to the ocean went.

It was by far one of the most memorable days of my life. Mexico, and the friendships forged there will never be forgotten. But little to my knowledge, on that very special day while I was visiting the ocean for the first time...

This little guy was being born. A bajillion miles away.

I wouldn't meet him for almost 3 more months. But that day? December 15? It was special without me knowing it.

I love that little guy. Happy birthday, Romeo

Top 10 Signs You've Overdone Christmas

2010-12-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

I saw an article online today that listed some pretty goofy ways to tell if you spent too much on your kids.

1- We don't have kids, so it obviously doesn't apply.
2- I never intend on spending the type of cash a lot of parents tend to spend apparently. Seriously? You people are just nuts.
3- The article was stupid.

BUT! People over do the holidays ALL THE TIME! Every year I hear all of this complaining, and griping, and general "I'm freaking out from so much to do!" ness. I think people have lost the idea behind Christmas.

Am I the kettle calling the pot black? Maybe. I do believe my last post listed how behind I was. BUT! I don't feel obligated to do ANY of it. Did I have to get my brothers Christmas AND birthday gifts? No. We don't care. Did I have to hand make over 40 Christmas cards (20 left, people)? NO. Did I have to hand make 3 gifts? Decorate so much? Bake 4 batches of cookies (and counting)? NO!!! I do it because I love making things, I love baking desserts, I love the "oohs" and "aahs" of all the people I care about. I love giving. I do it because I enjoy it. I don't cuss as I trim the tree, or develop Tourette Syndrome while baking (although the cat can change that...).

So here are my top 5 signs you've over done Christmas-

5. You are fighting with the hubs (wife) more than you are smiling.
4. You emptied your bank account (or maxed a credit card) to cover the expense.
3. You are having trouble sleeping because you are dreaming about things going wrong.
2. You find Christmas music gives you a sudden urge to turn into the Hulk.
1. You ended up giving someone a bloody nose in a fight for the last ZhuZhu pet (or thing of silly bandz, or Bratz doll).

Merry Christmas, and please. Remember that you are supposed to ENJOY the Holiday season!

Menu Monday- Crunch week

2010-12-13T13:09:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it's already Dec. 13?

I was doing so well this year, and now I feel lik I've fallen behind! I can't believe it's already Dec. 13!!!!

Shopping- almost done, thankfully. I still have to buy a few things, but I'm going out tomorrow with a friend to do just that, so hopefully I can check that off my list!

Baking- I have 4 batches of cookies on my table, 3 batches of dough in the fridge, and 3 more batches to make! Plus the 2 batches of fudge. I have a lot left! And then to divide it all up. I hope I have enough- I had to cut down on the snickerdoodles because I ran out of flour and cinnamon. Crazy.

Homemade crafts/gifts- I still have 1 to finish and 1 to start AND finish! This is where it's really getting down to the wire. I'm a littler worried here.

Christmas cards- I still have TWENTY to finish! That can probably be finished Wednesday, though, and I'm not mailing most of them, so I should be ok there.

Oh, wait, I'm supposed to have a menu? Yeah... a menu. It's crunch week. It's really a good thing I freezer cook!!!!

Lunch- soup and sandwiches all week!!!! This has become a fave.

Monday- Baked Potato Soup and salad
Tuesday- More baked potato soup and salad
Wednesday- Pineapple pork chops with rice and veggies
Thursday- Taco Melts
Friday- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice and veggies
Breakfast Saturday- Oatmeal
Dinner Saturday- Beef stroganoff with veggies and rolls
Breakfast Sunday- Waffles and smoothies!
Dinner Sunday- Christmas dinner with my family. I can't believe it's already here. I'm making Mashed Potatoes and possibly Apple dumplings if they ask for them. If they don't I'm sure Mike will. He asked for his own batch for Christmas. I think he might want some. LoL.

I love the Christmas season! Maybe I'll get some Christmas photos taken soon and post them for you to see. Including pictures of "the white death" (We don't like snow here in Cincy.)

Post edit- I forgot to link up! Here you go. I also forgot last week...

Putting the Happy in "Happy Friday!"

2010-12-10T12:45:00.000-05:00

I love Fridays. At least most of the time. I don't often speak of my work on here (because let's face it- who wants to hear about an accountant's work?) but today I think I will share one aspect of my job that (sometimes) makes me happy.

I am an accountant. I do the payroll, and as such, I'm in charge of the time monitoring system (the phone system we use to clock in and out). It's a basic system, you call a number, you punch in your id (I say your name), you hit 1 to clock in or 2 to clock out (it verifies that you "clocked in" or "clocked out"), you hang up.

In the process, if you screw up (forget, clock out when you meant to clock in, etc etc) you will get an automated message telling you to call the office (ME!). When you do, I fix the problem. If you don't, there could be dire consequences, but that's not what I'm hear to discuss.

Sometimes I get cute calls like this:

"Hi Lynzie. The lady" (an automated machine) "told me I screwed up this morning. Can you tell me what I did wrong?"

Or sometimes, when I fix things I get

"Thanks. You're the best." I've also heard "awesome" "the wo-man", "amazing"

And then there are the guys that think they are all cute

"Thank you hun" or "Thank you baby"

Normally those would bother me, but... It's usually one guy, and he has a disability of some sort, and he's trying to be cute, and he is.

Other happy moments- We have a few workers who are from a country in Africa. I don't know which country, but they have a REALLY HEAVY ACCENT. Do you know who they like to talk to? Me. They call me all the time with questions- sometimes questions I don't have the answers to. But you wanna know why they call me? They like me. They know I will help them without yelling at them or getting frustrated, and that makes me happy.

What makes you happy?

Happy Friday, y'all.

Wedded Wednesday- When Sickness Sinks In

2010-12-08T19:53:00.000-05:00

Mike... Is sick.

You see, Saturday was the last home football game of the season. If you remember, we always go.

Except Saturday it was snowing. It snowed early, and snowed all day. And it was freakin' cold. I stayed home.

But Mike- he went. He kind of has to. It's kind of his job to record things, and the last game is Senior Night for the band.

And as a result- he's sick. But not like normal sick. Oh no, this time, he can't stay home, and he has 2 jobs. I haven't been able to take care of him, because he works while I'm at home, and I work while he's at home.

It's kind of been a sort of torture. I hate not being able to take care of him. I hate that I sit there wondering how he's feeling, and hoping he doesn't feel guilty because he can't do things, or hoping that he's not doing things because he really shouldn't.

And the worst of all? Mike never gets sick. So if he was able to catch this, then I will most definitely catch this. He never gets sick! I do every year. This just isn't looking good for me.

All I Want for Christmas- Cards!

2010-12-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

So when you're less wealthy than you'd like to be, the best thing to do for the holidays are cards!!!!

But some can get kind of expensive. Although I have a friend who bought 32 for $2, I have yet to find them... Sad.

So as a childless woman who loves fun projects- I decided to make my own this year!

Items needed- All bought at Hobby Lobby

1 pack of cardstock- 5" x 6 1/2" (I bought ivory colored)
a stencil of some holiday design (I chose snowflakes)
paint (I bought light blue)
a foam brush

I used basic word to make my saying for the inside, used photoshop and the internet to come up with a few pictures to go with my saying, and printed them off.

I used the paint and stencils to create a very pretty front. I wish I had a little bit of glitter, though, because the paint came out to be slightly less than what I wanted, but oh well. Still very pretty.

Voile! Pretty pretty Christmas cards. I'll post a picture later, as I didn't take any and have already sealed up the first batch I made.

Menu Monday- Freezer cooking!

2010-12-06T16:29:00.000-05:00

This is the start of a wonderful relationship. I love freezer cooking. I went to the grocery on Saturday for a whole month! I thought the lady at Meijer was going to blow a gasket or something!

It was fun though, and pushing the cart was a workout. I had all my groceries, plus all the stuff for my Christmas baking, plus supplies to make a Christmas gift. Which I will begin posting information on great gift ideas here soon. I promise. **NOTE** I don't want to post a lot of ideas on here now because I don't want certain people guessing what they will be getting! That would just be silly.

Some of them I think I can post, though. A few, at least.

Anyways, where was I? Oh, Menu Monday.

Monday- Spaghetti with green beans, corn, and rolls
Tuesday- Leftover spaghetti
Wednesday- Dinner out (I'm Christmas shopping)
Thursday- Tuna Noodle Casserole
Friday- More casserole, cuz it's big.
Saturday breakfast- Oatmeal
Saturday dinner- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice and carrots
Sunday breakfast- Waffles and smoothies
Sunday dinner- Chicken Tortellini with broccoli and corn

Brown bag- Chicken Pot Pie
Breakfast all week- Muffins, bacon and egg whites

Enjoy your week, folks!

Weekend Wish- Fitting 96 hours into 48

2010-12-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

Or at least trying? Because I'm pretty sure I have well over 96 hours worth of stuff on my to do list this weekend.

Happy Friday, everyone! And by Happy I mean very happy, because tonight, my friends? Tonight is a girl's night out!

I hope we can figure out a DD because I really would like to enjoy it, if you know what I mean. Not to the point of piss-ass drunk or something, of course. But not worrying about driving would definitely be nice.

And since it's girl's night out tonight, the boys are probably have a guy's night in (I think?). Michael might not be attending, though, because our weekend has filled to the point of over-flowing, and he'll probably want to get some zzzz's before it starts.

Tomorrow? Starts with a football game in what will shape up to be 1-3 inches of snow. BOO! I like snow, but not on my football games. I like football, but usually with warmer weather than permitted for snow to fall. And all in all, I don't foresee a very good game, so this whole day will kinda suck. But I love my friends, even if we lose ~~fingers or toes from frostbite~~.

Then hopefully I will come home and Mike can go to sleep while I do some couponing, grocery list making, grocery shopping, and maybe some cleaning. Because Mike's boss screwed up, and Sunday he works 1:30 am - 9:30 am, then 11 am to 6 pm (or something on those lines). BOO! He will sleep good that night!

Sunday I will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I prep in the am for cooking day. Then I'll probably take a break to do some laundry and clean some of the house. Then I'll spend ~~several chaotic~~ a few organized hours cooking away in our kitchen. Hopefully I will manage to finish the laundry and the cooking with enough time left to put up the Christmas decorations. I have some excellent ideas, and if enough snow falls, Romeo and I will spend the evening outside making a snowman. I don't think 1-3 inches will be enough, though.

And if I finish and I'm NOT ready to pass out on the spot? I can design my Christmas cards. That's right- we make our own around here. I'm a modern version of Martha Stewart (only prettier, with lots less money, better trading ethics, and no stick up my butt (as I imagine...)).

How about I give you some of my awesome ideas for gifts/crafts for the holidays? Interested? I might just try that out. Because I love the holidays.

Wedded Wednesday (Thursday again)- Birthday time!

2010-12-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

I did not post this last night because I was enjoying the evening with my husband instead. It was his day after all.

My hubs hit 25 yesterday. TWENTY FIVE! Do we officially count as adults now? Because seriously. I could vent a HUGE ONE about all the "you're too young" problems I have.

Tangent aside, it was a great day, minus the present. Last year we were in the process of buying a house. So instead of a birthday gift, we said the house was the big gift and I made a cake and decorated the apartment with $1 ribbon and balloons. It was sad, and I felt bad, but it's all we could do.

So this year I wanted to make up for it. I spent $100 on his gift (which is twice the normal range). I went out and splurged on a super awesome Oreo ice cream cake that I just KNEW he'd love. I even planned to make his favorite dinner.

So yesterday showed up nice and cold on our front door step. I sent him the Good Morning Happy Birthday text (because we don't see each other in the mornings). And then I hoped that JUST MAYBE his gift would arrive today while I was at work.

Nature gave Michael a gift in the mean time- snow. The first snow of the season.

2 pm comes and I realize that I forgot to start his crockpot dinner this morning... Well shit.

4:30 rolls around... No gift. No email saying the guy I bought it from off of ebay has even shipped it yet. Nada.

So I head home, and promptely cook what is normally a crockpot meal via stove. It was actually pretty good, I must say. Dinner was Chicken and Dumplings with broccoli and peaches. Followed by amazing Oreo ice cream cake. Michael was in heaven. :) And he got to open 2 birthday cards, so he at least had something.

I told him what his gift was, and he's super excited for it to arrive, but I'm honestly starting to worry that the guy scammed me. He had an excellent rating from all the people who had bought from him, though. Maybe it was all a hoax? I'm worried, but I put it on paypal with my credit card, so to be honest, I still can complain and get my money back. I'm just nervous and I really wanted that ipod. I'm hoping he just shipped it instead of emailing me. Only time will tell I guess.

Happy birthday, Michael!

Oh the Turkey

2010-11-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

When I was little and my grandma lived within yelling distance, we would always eat Thanksgiving dinner at her house. And all day long, while cooking this delicious turkey (it really was amazing), she would call it "turkey lurkey".

I swear, it's been in my head all freakin' week. "Turkey Lurkey". I think it has something to do with the chick who claimed the sky was falling. (I'm not joking, it was this tiny little "I Can Read" book from my childhood about a chick baking bread and the sky falling)

Anyways, there I was about a week ago facing the prospect of cooking a turkey. A 12 lbs turkey that my husband received from his previous employer for free. A turkey that would have to travel 1 1/2 hours to it's final destination before being consumed by 4 strapping young men, a growing 9 year old (also boy), and 3 girls who could have starved wilst we were eaten out of the house.

I was nervous.

So I looked online and found an amazing recipe.

And then I prepped. I bought the turkey (for $0.68). I bought the supplies. I figured out a way to get him into the fridge to wait its fate for 6 days. Saturday rolled around and I even brined the turkey. I had difficulties finding all the parts that I was supposed to pull out (never did find those giblets. I don't think I even want to know what "giblets" are!). I miraculously fit the turkey into a stock pot with the brine. That never fit in my fridge. Thankfully it was cold outside, so poor old turkey slept in the garage while drowning in brine.

And then Sunday came along (I ate thanksgiving twice. Sunday was my day with my brothers and mom). I got up, I reviewed the recipe. I pulled the turkey out of the brine and cleaned it up. I proceeded to force myself NOT to cry when I noticed I had broken the poor thing's wing. I scratched my head about where those stupid giblets were. I texted my mom. I called my mom. I gave up. I chopped vegetables and stuffed the turkey in ways that'll give me nightmares. I again forced myself NOT to cry at the mere thought. I placed the turkey in the pan and shoved it in the oven. At this point I have drowned the bird, tortured the bird, attempted to give it hypothermia (hyper? hypo?), and then shoved it into a burning hell. I drank a glass of wine. At 10:30 am.

The veggies inside burned. I don't know why. I had to keep shoveling them out because they were black and I didn't want my turkey tasting like burnt. I'm worried at this point.

At 3/4 the way through cooking I flip it over. Do you know how to flip a 12 lbs dead bird that's too hot to touch in a PAN that's too hot to touch? Neither do I. But I had those turkey turner thingies. So I did my best and eventually succeeded.

And then 4 hours into cooking, we should have left 30 minutes ago, and this damn bird is still not done. I really want to cry. What the hell, bird? I'm calling my mom. I'm stewing and scratching and pacing. I realize "Oh... I should have put it in a bag. Maybe the one I bought specifically for this occasion." Oh well. I cover it with foil.

And finally it finishes. That popper thingy pops out. I do a happy dance. I'm still worried, though, because before we wrap it to leave I pull out MORE burnt vegetables.

But no turning back at this point- 1 1/2 hours to drive and we're running very late. Off we go.

We were starving, and driving for 1 1/2 hours with a cooked turkey is absolute torture. TORTURE.

Finally we get there, and my brother takes another 30 minutes to arrive, and eventually we can eat. My brother goes to carve the turkey. And finds the giblets (in a bag, thankfully). Good grief. I looked everywhere in that damn bird, and he finds them in minutes. Who puts them in the neck????

So we eat. And it tastes delicious!!!! I wanted to dance it was so good. In your face, father! (No, he wasn't there, but he's always said I couldn't cook... I would love to shove my turkey in his face and then rub in some salt with "didn't your wife burn her sweet potatoes this year???") I'm so mean.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving! We really had a great time. We played games and Mike had fun with Dallas, and Romeo was as happy as a clam (my brother snuck him turkey). It really was something to treasure.

And then we came home to dishes. A pile so high we didn't even have clean silverware. It was bad.

But in all the mess, while washing the turkey turner thingies, I noticed... One had lost it's rubber prong cover. Hmmm.... It was there when I turned the turkey... I sure hope no one ate it!!!!!

And THAT my friends, is how you cook a turkey. Can't wait to do it again next year.

Menu Monday- Again??

2010-11-29T13:07:00.000-05:00

It seems like Monday happens a lot around here, don't ya think?

It's always so easy to do my Menu Monday, though, because freezer cooking really is the shit. Plus I spent less than $15 at the store this week. BOOYAH

Thanksgiving was divine, by the way. I hope yours was just as swell. I made a turkey. I'll try to write a post on that tomorrow. It really is a story.

So without further ado, here's the menu!

Monday- Beef Stroganoff
Tuesday- More beef stroganoff (maybe... or leftovers from Thanksgiving.)
Wednesday- Mike's birthday! Chicken and dumplings with ice cream cake
Thursday- More chicken and dumplings
Friday- Chicken sandwiches
Saturday breakfast- waffles and smoothies
Saturday dinner- maybe a date night? Only if Mike's off work.
Sunday breakfast- Cinnamon rolls, please!
Sunday dinner- Probably more chicken sandwiches (we love our leftovers)

It looks like a boring menu, I know, but sunday is a cooking day for next month, and we have leftovers, and we love chicken. Actually my whole week is the same color- I must not have thought this through very well. And I miss spaghetti.

Enjoy, and I'm linking up here.

Traveling for the Holidays- Dealing with the TSA

2010-11-26T09:29:00.000-05:00

So have you seen all the hype about the TSA and this new back scatter machine?

They're mad scary, to me.

I am thankful this year that I don't have to fly anywhere. I usually don't have to, to be honest (most of our family is within driving distance). But I like to fly, and I tend to fly on occasion. Once a year is pretty standard. Sometimes more.

I won't be flying for a long long time, though. These back scatter machines are over the line, and while I understand the TSA has the authority to say "do it or don't fly" I also understand my right to say "no thanks. I guess the airline can go bankrupt because I'm not going through that thing nor will I be groped in public." Notice here, that I do not feel it is appropriate to try to gum up the works or be deliberately rude. I do, however, love the idea of a boycott.

Please hear me out- here are my reasons.

First, there is the story behind the notorious bomber who created this security mess. The infamous Underwear Bomber. #1- Did you know that the back scatter machine wouldn't have caught him? That's right, folks. Experts have agreed on that point. #2- Did you know that the security system ALREADY IN PLACE failed to catch him? Here's a quote from National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter "Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab should not have stepped onto a plane on Christmas Day," he declared. "The counterterrorism system collectively failed and I along with Director [of National Intelligence Dennis] Blair and Secretary [of Homeland Security Janet] Napolitano and others want to tell you and the American people the same thing we told the president, that we have to do better." He should never have been on the plane. Period. The rules that were already established SHOULD have caught him.

#3- And this is a smaller point to be made, but still one to consider. Medically, the machine could be hazardous to your health. The levels of radiation used aren't horrible (although we could have a whole debate on whether or not radiation at all is ok). BUT there are still concerns over how it will affect the skin, especially for frequent flyers. What about pregnant women? Plus anomallies- machinery fails, ya know. And if something goes wrong with these machines, you could get a lot more radiation than ever healthy. I just don't like the idea of frying my body (even if it's for a minimal amount) for convenience.

#4- and my biggest point. I think we have crossed a line. We've been getting closer and closer to that point over the years, but this has actually crossed the line. Where does it stop? The most extreme and horrible atrocities on this planet started out like this. Not so harmful things that you normally wouldn't be ok with, but it's for the right reasons, right? Do you think the holocaust started off with Auschwitz and deathcamps and gas chambers? Of course not. They started off with registering all the Jewish citizens, making them paint symbols on their homes and wear patches on their clothes. Doesn't seem so horrible right? Or another more useful example (some might say the holocaust is going too far here). The Japanese internment camps in 1942. After the attack on Pearl Harbor around 110,000 Japanese-Americans were "relocated" to these camps. They were seen as a possible security threat.

Now, my question was where does it stop? Most will say, well that's what it takes to feel safe. But eventually someone will come along and find a way around the scanner. Where there's a will there's a way. What will be next? How far will you let it go?

Well, you don't have a right to fly. So they can impose this regulation, right? Ok. So what about the movies or the mall? Or how about an ice skating rink in central Park? or the subway in DC? What if someone decides to blow up one of those, and now all of a sudden you gotta be groped or scanned to go see a movie or shop? What if this holiday season you have to be pat down in all your crevices to go ice skating? Would you be ok with that?

And then finally #5- I just find it on principle wrong. Doctors can't share your health records unless medically necessary (ie one doc to another doc). They can't even give your medical records to your spouse without permission (and I like these rules). So why is it ok for a security agent to get to see your whole body OR if you refuse to get to play touchy feely?

There are so many issues I have here, and it's mainly because it seems like there is no end. We have established a bill of rights and a Constitution because of things like this. We set up rules at the beginning stating "this is wrong." They were established to prevent things going over the top, because in fear people can lose their better judgment. It's like teaching safe sex. You're taught to have a plan. Set your boundaries BEFORE you start dating someone. That way when the time comes you aren't making decisions with impaired judgment (be it from alcohol or teenage hormones or peer pressure or whatever). Isn't this the same thing? We have a right to privacy. Don't give up your rights out of fear (otherwise known as impaired judgment).

AND end rant.

This year I am thankful for...

2010-11-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

1. Family- I have the most wonderful support system I've ever seen! A lot of people think we're a little weird, though. We have a lot of different relationships. Oh, and the hubs. He's just amazing. Of course the pets count too. This list is too big to go into detail, but there's my mom, my two brothers, my husband, the cat and dog, my 4 uncles and 4 aunts, my 5 grandmothers, my 7 cousins... I don't believe any of them have ever NOT been there for me. Also, for the sake of keeping you sane and because technical titles never matter anyways, I simplified several titles. Oh, and this isn't even counting all the in-laws. There are tons, and they are just as special.

2. Friends- My phone was ringing off the hook with all the love. Although there were a few interesting tweets as well "I'm supposed to do WHAT to the turkey???"

3. My house- I had abundant room for house guests, and while not all ended up staying, we were very comfortable. We had ample space for cooking (kind of) with nice new appliances (pretty new at least). The house isn't always as warm as we'd like, but it'll do. And it's full of our lives- our things with our memories.

4. My car- you know, the one that had a water bottle get crushed under the back seat, and this morning had a HUGE WATER PUDDLE all across the back? Yeah. That car.

5. My job (and Mike's)- Even though we both had to work today (he's still there) I will say we are rather lucky to have our jobs. And I did get to leave early, after all.

6. My new school! I am so thankful that I got into grad school (and I got the loans needed as well!). I just hope I can be registered for classes ASAP. I've already emailed the advisor AND financial aid AND put myself on a few waitlists.

7. The food we ate- it was delicious. My mashed potatoes are by far one of my favorites. And mom's dumplings. yum! And turkey, of course. Too bad there weren't any leftovers (of the turkey). We devoured a 23 lbs turkey. Can you believe it?

8. My health- I managed well yesterday, and I still feel healthy. I didn't overeat, and I want to exercise. I see way too many people who just don't care, and it's sad.

9. My ambidexterity- I think it's a big help with my knitting. This means I can make some pretty awesome gifts for some pretty awesome people!

10. My time- I'm considering doing some volunteer work this winter, but I haven't decided where. Gotta do some research!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope yours was as amazing as mine!

Menu Monday- On a Tuesday

2010-11-23T15:17:00.000-05:00

It occured to me that I do this a lot- write a post a day late, ya know?

It also occured to me that I don't think I've blogged much lately besides our menu. I will work on that.

Today's budget sucked. I went over for Thanksgiving, but there were things I hadn't predicted like a roasting pan for the turkey I didn't know I was cooking. Oh what's that? Why yes, I am actually cooking my first turkey. Ever. I also needed wine for my turkey and myself. (who doesn't, right?)

Ok, so the menu:

Monday- we had leftover pot roast!
Tuesday- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice and veggies
Wednesday- Chicken Alfredo
Thursday- Thanksgiving will be at my aunt's house with the usual turkey, spoonbread, green beans, dumplings, sweet potatoes, green stuff, jello salad, rolls, and of course pumpkin pie. I will be making the mashed potatoes and the apple dumplings (a delicious dessert).
Friday- Leftovers, anyone?
Saturday breakfast- Waffles and smoothies!!!!
Saturday dinner- Probably more leftovers. But if not, we have stuff to make chicken sandwiches.
Sunday breakfast- Biscuits, bacon, eggs, and fruit
Sunday dinner- Thanksgiving again! Dinner with my brothers, where I will be making the turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving, folks!

Big Decisions- Big Plans

2010-11-16T12:53:00.000-05:00

So maybe I hadn't mentioned it on here, but at one point Mike and I had everything pretty much figured out. We were gonna have a baby. Then in a year I'd go back to school. And it would just continue from there.

But then mother nature got in the way. And put a wrench in our finances. A major wrench, unfortunately. So we took a few months to recoup emotionally, and to take another look at our finances to think of a new plan.

We have finally made (and acted on) that decision. I am going back to school effective immediately (or as soon as I'm accepted). The baby will be added to the picture once we are more financially stable (again... good grief). This will be when Mike gets a full time job. As of right now he has 1 part time job. We would be doing well if he got a second, but then we'd be back to him never being home. Sucky, right? So we're waiting for a full time job.

NOT that it would be required. But given our financial situation, it would be.

Anyways, off my tangent- back to topic- I'm going back to school!!!!!

I have applied at Kent State University to obtain my masters in Library and Information Sciences. That's right, folks. I want to be a librarian. My career path was a hard choice for me. I've stewed for ages and ages. But I finally made the decision based on the fact that I can really get exactly what I want out of life in that specific career. I want to run a children's library. I would be around kids. I would be helping people (and working for a non-profit, which is really what I want). I can use my Spanish. And I'm sure, seeing as how a library is so family oriented, it would be a great place to work while having a family. (I must note that I have had the same career plan for 6 months now. WOOHOO! That's probably a record for me!)

I'm very excited about going back to school. I've missed it. I've missed having a lot to do and places to go and things to study. And I'll be working towards a career that I'm sure I'll love. AND I will be able to use my bachelor's degree, which has yet to really be done. Oh, and did I mention my cousin has been attending the same program for a year now? We'll be career-buddies!!!! :)

Yes, I'm very excited. And I feel the loans I'll need to accomplish this are going to be well worth it in the end. I can't wait!!!!

Menu Monday- Freezer Cooking Round 2

2010-11-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

And couponing round 1.

So, in recap, the freezer cooking worked SWELL! So I thought I'd give it a go again, only this time for 3 weeks (to close out the month).

So, step 1- I decided to try couponing as well.

It was a miserable failure. For various reasons-
#1- I don't have newspapers. Only the circulars they deliver every now and then.
#2- I dropped a few of my coupons in store... Oops.
#3- My printer decided to turn satanic and spew out 200 pages of coupons, wasing tons of ink and paper. Along with time and dignity... How does that look when I tell husband I'm trying to save money? Oh and the coupons... They were repeats. A lot of them.
#4- I gotta learn my grocery stores.

Step 2- buy groceries. MISERABLE FAILURE

I went to 4 stores. FOUR. That is like... way too many, people. I first went to Aldi. I've heard raves. I was disappointed. I think it might just be my aldi, though, so I'll probably research and try again. They barely had anything. I spent $14. I then went to Meijer. Again, raves on prices. And cheap chicken. I was actually able to buy most of the items I needed. And in truth, I think I saved money merely because of Meijer. But either I don't know the store well (I don't) or they just suck sometimes because they didn't have some certain items I needed. Like egg whites. Or Bob Evans Mac N Cheese. And Green Peppers (who sells produce without green peppers? Maybe I missed them somewhere). So the remaining 2 stores (walmart and kroger) were my solution to the missing items.

It was a frustrating day, but I will improve. And if I had more than 3 coupons I probably would have saved more. In the end I was still over budget, but by way less than normal.

So step 3- Prepare. I passed this with flying colors.

I made a list of all the food that needed to be made. I marked off items that had to be made fresh the day of. I then made 4 lists of what needed to be done- prep work, cooking (stove top), baking (oven), and assembly. In each one I numbered them in a reasonable order. Then, I took my 4 lists, and combined them into 1 big list in a numbered order. I tried to guestimate how much time each would take and lay out a plan that wouldn't overwhelm me at some points but leave me waiting on a timer at others.

Step 4- execute. And execute I did. It was smooth, easy, and QUICK! 3 hours for 3 weeks (not counting thanksgiving!).

Menu:
Monday- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice, carrots, and green beans
Tuesday- Spaghetti with rolls, corn, and peas
Wednesday- Leftover spaghetti
Thursday- Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Green beans with a mushroom gravy
Friday- Leftover pork chops
Saturday breakfast- Cinnamon Rolls, Eggs, Fruit smoothies
Saturday- Leftover pork chops (we love this meal. It's our fave).
Sunday breakfast- Biscuits, eggs, sausage (or bacon)
Sunday dinner- Pot Roast, Potatoes, Carrots

AND I'm linking up here. Sorry this post is so long!

Food in a Box becomes a Healthy Meal

2010-11-14T21:46:00.000-05:00

So remember my awesome menu a few weeks back?

I said I was making Chicken Alfredo.

Yum yum.

BUT I slightly didn't tell the truth- it's from a box.

This box, actually.

Yeah. We eat processed food in our house. Not often. But we do. It's easy. It's cheap (IT'S CHEAP- THIS IS THE BIG ARGUMENT FOR IT'S CASE). But you know, it gets kind of bland sometimes.

So I took a few extra ingredients.

See? Yes- they are cans, jars, bags, and boxes. We use jarred mushrooms and canned veggies a lot. Although, frozen veggies aren't really that bad. So sometimes we use them too.

Would you believe it? It was amazing. A-MAY-ZING!

Don't believe me? Check it out yourself.

See? Oh me oh my was it scrumptious! And balanced. It had lots of color and all kinds of flavor.

Wanna know what I did? I sauteed some mushrooms while cooking up my chicken (I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, if you were curious). I then strained the chicken and combined it with the mushrooms, then the water and milk and packet of spices, and then the noodles. I then microwaved a bag of steamfresh broccoli. I took the left over peas from the chicken pot pie, and a can of carrots (I only used about 1/2 the can. Maybe a little more). I added the peas and carrots, and then about half of the bag of broccoli to the sauce mix. Finish out the directions on the box and voile!

Oh how delicious it was, and it has given me an inspiration to repeat with other things as well. Eventually.