Tuesday, November 30, 2004
My Bad...
Sorry about my endless absence. I got nuthin'. No reason. No good excuse other than sheer laziness & lack of motivation. Typical, huh? In fact, that's been my general theme lately. Ever since Thanksgivng (which was lovely, thanks for asking) I've had giant boxes of Christmas decor littering my living room. I can only address one box at a time. Just bending at the waist to remove items in the box has become a problem. Every time I have to pick anything up from the floor, it feels like the blood to my brain is being cut off. It makes me light-headed & gives me a headache. Every time. Is that bad?
I had another odd episode in the grocery store earlier today. As I was checking out, I became INCREDIBLY hot. Unbearably hot. As I was writing my check moments before stepping out into the cold, I had to peel off my coat, lest I pass out! Plus, I just felt REALLY bad, in general. When I got to my car, I pulled out My low-fat Ben & Jerry's and ate about half of it with a fork in the parking lot. Looks like low blood sugar was indeed the culprit. After my "snack", I felt much better. Weird. I had had a cup of yogurt not an hour and a half before that, so it's not like I'd gone all day or anything.
Each day I'm feeling bigger and more lumbering. Oh, yeah...THAT'S why I didn't wanna do this again. But, I've made my bed. I need to keep my eye on the big picture & quit whining about the details. Ha, ha, ha! Did I have ya going?!? If you don't want to hear me complain, I highly suggest you completely avoid me for the next 6-8 months! Otherwise, thanks for letting me vent. Whew! I feel better already.
Sorry about my endless absence. I got nuthin'. No reason. No good excuse other than sheer laziness & lack of motivation. Typical, huh? In fact, that's been my general theme lately. Ever since Thanksgivng (which was lovely, thanks for asking) I've had giant boxes of Christmas decor littering my living room. I can only address one box at a time. Just bending at the waist to remove items in the box has become a problem. Every time I have to pick anything up from the floor, it feels like the blood to my brain is being cut off. It makes me light-headed & gives me a headache. Every time. Is that bad?
I had another odd episode in the grocery store earlier today. As I was checking out, I became INCREDIBLY hot. Unbearably hot. As I was writing my check moments before stepping out into the cold, I had to peel off my coat, lest I pass out! Plus, I just felt REALLY bad, in general. When I got to my car, I pulled out My low-fat Ben & Jerry's and ate about half of it with a fork in the parking lot. Looks like low blood sugar was indeed the culprit. After my "snack", I felt much better. Weird. I had had a cup of yogurt not an hour and a half before that, so it's not like I'd gone all day or anything.
Each day I'm feeling bigger and more lumbering. Oh, yeah...THAT'S why I didn't wanna do this again. But, I've made my bed. I need to keep my eye on the big picture & quit whining about the details. Ha, ha, ha! Did I have ya going?!? If you don't want to hear me complain, I highly suggest you completely avoid me for the next 6-8 months! Otherwise, thanks for letting me vent. Whew! I feel better already.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Decor-o-rama!
I've got the bug again. As I write this I am watching my tireless husband paint an accent wall in our living room. The whole room is a very light beige...more like a browny-eggshell. Bo-ring! That's the "base" color in the entire house and it just BEGS to be covered up. I have plans for the other 3 walls in the living room but that is a project for another time. We're painting the accent wall a very dark maroon. Very dark. Why? Because it's one of the colors in my new couch & the wall will nicely tie it all in together. The couch is a leaf tapestry with beige, different greens, and a touch of maroon (I have two large moss green chairs already in the room that I had to accommodate). The two couch pillows are maroon. I have this new couch due to the fact that when I bought my original couch from La-Z-Boy five years ago, I purchased their "stain warranty" package. They supposedly sprayed something on it to stain-proof it. If they sprayed anything on it, it must've magic "wish dust". They really wish you don't stain your couch & make a claim. Which, of course, is exactly what I did. It turns out that hot pink kid yogurt doesn't come out of an off-white couch no matter how hard you wish!
Getting the warranty company to hold up their end of the bargain was no small feat, either. It took about 9 months start to finish before they told me to head to the store & pick out a new couch. I guess their b.s. scares off a certain number of potential claimants. I'm sure it's an odds game for them. So we got the couch today and I've decided the bold wall is the way to go. I have to say, of all my odd decor decisions I've made in my house so far, I don't regret any of them. I trust my judgment. I mean, I'm sure my choices wouldn't be for everyone, but they make me happy...and my husband is always pleased with the outcome...so that's all that matters! Every now & then my husband will make some random reference to our homes "resale value". I have no designs on ever leaving, so I really don't give a hoot about that. Maybe I SHOULD keep that in mind...but I want my house the way I want my house. It seems dumb to do things in line with what some stranger might think looks good 20 years from now. Those people can wield a paintbrush just as easily as I can!
The baby's room is next. Out of respect for my husband's hard work painting that room as an office a couple years ago, I searched high and low for some type of boyish theme that had the strange color of our walls in it. For the office, we chose a Ralph Lauren color that is sort of a reddish, maroony color. (see a theme developing?) I think it has deep pinky undertones, too. I scored, though! I found an adorable western theme that has the exact color of our walls in it! I'll be pairing it with lots of denim accessories I found at Target & Bob's your uncle! All I have left to buy is the border & a valance, both of which I can only locate online. My husband was quite relieved that I didn't insist on having the room repainted & was quite pleased with the items I chose for the room. The other bonus is that the theme isn't SO babyish that it won't last long. I can see riding this pony for at LEAST 4 or 5 years, before Jr. starts squeaking about wanting something less "babyish". Whew! Well, perhaps it's time for a quick stroll outside before I poison my unborn child with noxious paint fumes. Happy Friday!
I've got the bug again. As I write this I am watching my tireless husband paint an accent wall in our living room. The whole room is a very light beige...more like a browny-eggshell. Bo-ring! That's the "base" color in the entire house and it just BEGS to be covered up. I have plans for the other 3 walls in the living room but that is a project for another time. We're painting the accent wall a very dark maroon. Very dark. Why? Because it's one of the colors in my new couch & the wall will nicely tie it all in together. The couch is a leaf tapestry with beige, different greens, and a touch of maroon (I have two large moss green chairs already in the room that I had to accommodate). The two couch pillows are maroon. I have this new couch due to the fact that when I bought my original couch from La-Z-Boy five years ago, I purchased their "stain warranty" package. They supposedly sprayed something on it to stain-proof it. If they sprayed anything on it, it must've magic "wish dust". They really wish you don't stain your couch & make a claim. Which, of course, is exactly what I did. It turns out that hot pink kid yogurt doesn't come out of an off-white couch no matter how hard you wish!
Getting the warranty company to hold up their end of the bargain was no small feat, either. It took about 9 months start to finish before they told me to head to the store & pick out a new couch. I guess their b.s. scares off a certain number of potential claimants. I'm sure it's an odds game for them. So we got the couch today and I've decided the bold wall is the way to go. I have to say, of all my odd decor decisions I've made in my house so far, I don't regret any of them. I trust my judgment. I mean, I'm sure my choices wouldn't be for everyone, but they make me happy...and my husband is always pleased with the outcome...so that's all that matters! Every now & then my husband will make some random reference to our homes "resale value". I have no designs on ever leaving, so I really don't give a hoot about that. Maybe I SHOULD keep that in mind...but I want my house the way I want my house. It seems dumb to do things in line with what some stranger might think looks good 20 years from now. Those people can wield a paintbrush just as easily as I can!
The baby's room is next. Out of respect for my husband's hard work painting that room as an office a couple years ago, I searched high and low for some type of boyish theme that had the strange color of our walls in it. For the office, we chose a Ralph Lauren color that is sort of a reddish, maroony color. (see a theme developing?) I think it has deep pinky undertones, too. I scored, though! I found an adorable western theme that has the exact color of our walls in it! I'll be pairing it with lots of denim accessories I found at Target & Bob's your uncle! All I have left to buy is the border & a valance, both of which I can only locate online. My husband was quite relieved that I didn't insist on having the room repainted & was quite pleased with the items I chose for the room. The other bonus is that the theme isn't SO babyish that it won't last long. I can see riding this pony for at LEAST 4 or 5 years, before Jr. starts squeaking about wanting something less "babyish". Whew! Well, perhaps it's time for a quick stroll outside before I poison my unborn child with noxious paint fumes. Happy Friday!
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Yummy Cooking!
I tried a couple new recipes tonight and they were great! One was for a shepherd's Pie. I've had shepherd's Pie before, but have never made it. Pretty standard fare, with hamburger, carrots, onions & mashed potatoes. It was a hair more work than I would've expected, but sooooo worth it! I also made a Triple Layer Mud Pie, a recipe from Jello.com (type in search "mud pie"). I substituted lighter versions for many of the ingredients and it was the right thing to do. It was mega-rich even with the substitutions. I highly recommend it!
My husband had to work tonight, and when he called & asked what we were doing for dinner, my reply, naturally, was "shepherd's Pie, salad, rolls and a triple layer chocolate pie for dessert". He actually said "Well, who are you making all that for"? As if, in his absence, my daughter and I eat only crusts of bread & water. I laughed & promised him leftovers of everything.
Although I don't make dessert every night (or even once a month for that matter) the pregnancy weight is creeping up quickly nonetheless. I really feel as though I've reigned it in as compared to last time, but my weight gain appears to be pacing about the same. Sigh. Of course everyone offers words of encouragement, such as "ah, don't worry about it...you got it all off the last time". Well, sure, but it's not like it was a walk in the park or anything. I slaved in the gym everyday for months! I ate crazy amounts of yogurt & grilled chicken!
Yes...I'll do it all again. Whether it's for the sake of good health or vanity, it'll happen. Perhaps all the practice I got last time will make it seem oh-so-much easier this time. Maybe the Triple Layer Mud Pie will have to become just an annual indulgence.
I tried a couple new recipes tonight and they were great! One was for a shepherd's Pie. I've had shepherd's Pie before, but have never made it. Pretty standard fare, with hamburger, carrots, onions & mashed potatoes. It was a hair more work than I would've expected, but sooooo worth it! I also made a Triple Layer Mud Pie, a recipe from Jello.com (type in search "mud pie"). I substituted lighter versions for many of the ingredients and it was the right thing to do. It was mega-rich even with the substitutions. I highly recommend it!
My husband had to work tonight, and when he called & asked what we were doing for dinner, my reply, naturally, was "shepherd's Pie, salad, rolls and a triple layer chocolate pie for dessert". He actually said "Well, who are you making all that for"? As if, in his absence, my daughter and I eat only crusts of bread & water. I laughed & promised him leftovers of everything.
Although I don't make dessert every night (or even once a month for that matter) the pregnancy weight is creeping up quickly nonetheless. I really feel as though I've reigned it in as compared to last time, but my weight gain appears to be pacing about the same. Sigh. Of course everyone offers words of encouragement, such as "ah, don't worry about it...you got it all off the last time". Well, sure, but it's not like it was a walk in the park or anything. I slaved in the gym everyday for months! I ate crazy amounts of yogurt & grilled chicken!
Yes...I'll do it all again. Whether it's for the sake of good health or vanity, it'll happen. Perhaps all the practice I got last time will make it seem oh-so-much easier this time. Maybe the Triple Layer Mud Pie will have to become just an annual indulgence.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Yeah for me!
I got up extra early on Saturday, drove to this weird Revival Church and GOT MY DAMN FLU SHOT! After searching the web for awhile last week, I stumbled upon this location which did not appear to be highly publicized elsewhere. I got there an hour early (8 a.m.) and actually got my flu shot around 9:05 a.m. The church folk were nice enough. A bit odd, though. I overheard one gawky young gentleman telling one of the retirees about the miraculous healings their church has been performing of late. I guess I'll keep that in mind. They also handed out literature to people in line. Nice thought I guess, but I was just lucky my head didn't start spinning around when I walked into the place. Sorry, folks..not here for your kooky religion....just gimme the damn shot! I'm exaggerating...I've been making an effort to take my daughter to a less scary-weird church on Sundays for Sunday school. It's just an introduction more than anything. When she gets older, we'll discuss different religions & let her draw her own conclusions. Lord knows I gleaned NOTHING from my many Sundays at Sunday school.
ANYWAY...now I can forget about THAT mess, finally. I'm just sorry I couldn't get a shot for my daughter, but she does not fall into any "high-risk" categories. On the other hand, if I got the flu, then gave it to her (or vice versa) we'd all be screwed. My husband's schedule is not flexible enough to take care of TWO sick people, much less one. At least I bought a little protection in case my daughter did get sick...God forbid!
Halloween was what you'd expect...lots of sugar and whining by the end of the night. My daughter portrayed a lovely Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) complete with long blond wig, which she kept tossing about in a very Cher-like manner. We met some friends at their church for a giant halloween party, complete with clowns, games & trick-or-treating & still made it home in time to hit up the neighbors...although the cold & rain brought my husband & daughter back in earlier than expected. Since we didn't get home until about 7:30, I think we missed most of our trick-or-treaters. We had about 7 or 8 show up. And guess what? I bought ALOT more candy than that. Oh, wait...NOW I remember! THIS is where the annual sugar fest begins...and ceases to end until Valentine's Day. At least this year I have an excuse!
I got up extra early on Saturday, drove to this weird Revival Church and GOT MY DAMN FLU SHOT! After searching the web for awhile last week, I stumbled upon this location which did not appear to be highly publicized elsewhere. I got there an hour early (8 a.m.) and actually got my flu shot around 9:05 a.m. The church folk were nice enough. A bit odd, though. I overheard one gawky young gentleman telling one of the retirees about the miraculous healings their church has been performing of late. I guess I'll keep that in mind. They also handed out literature to people in line. Nice thought I guess, but I was just lucky my head didn't start spinning around when I walked into the place. Sorry, folks..not here for your kooky religion....just gimme the damn shot! I'm exaggerating...I've been making an effort to take my daughter to a less scary-weird church on Sundays for Sunday school. It's just an introduction more than anything. When she gets older, we'll discuss different religions & let her draw her own conclusions. Lord knows I gleaned NOTHING from my many Sundays at Sunday school.
ANYWAY...now I can forget about THAT mess, finally. I'm just sorry I couldn't get a shot for my daughter, but she does not fall into any "high-risk" categories. On the other hand, if I got the flu, then gave it to her (or vice versa) we'd all be screwed. My husband's schedule is not flexible enough to take care of TWO sick people, much less one. At least I bought a little protection in case my daughter did get sick...God forbid!
Halloween was what you'd expect...lots of sugar and whining by the end of the night. My daughter portrayed a lovely Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) complete with long blond wig, which she kept tossing about in a very Cher-like manner. We met some friends at their church for a giant halloween party, complete with clowns, games & trick-or-treating & still made it home in time to hit up the neighbors...although the cold & rain brought my husband & daughter back in earlier than expected. Since we didn't get home until about 7:30, I think we missed most of our trick-or-treaters. We had about 7 or 8 show up. And guess what? I bought ALOT more candy than that. Oh, wait...NOW I remember! THIS is where the annual sugar fest begins...and ceases to end until Valentine's Day. At least this year I have an excuse!
