I keep wanting to get on and post something, but every time I think I'll try, I can't think of anything to post about! Life has been fairly boring around here lately. The kids and I get up, eat breakfast, hang out all morning, eat lunch, Thomas takes a nap while Zaylee and I hang out more, Thomas wakes up, Jeff gets home, we eat dinner, the kids go to bed, we hang out some more, and then go to bed and that's the end of the day. Not much to blog about. But it always kind of bugs me to leave an unpleasant post at the very top for long. I don't like being reminded of that lovely middle-of-the-night bout of neighborly illness every time I log on.
So, here I am, blogging about nothing. Let me see if I can think of something to write....
My hand smells like cheese. We had homemade pizza for dinner and now my hand smells like cheese. While I was pressing out the dough for the crust, Zaylee said, "Oh, you're making pizza!" It warmed my heart to know that we make our own pizza often enough for Zaylee to be able to recognize when I'm doing it.
She also recognizes when I'm making cookies.
Hmm. What else can I blog about? There are dishes piled up in the sink. You know, I'm not entirely convinced that we do dishes more often now that we have a dishwasher than we did before. It's still an inconvenience - the dishwasher is weak so all the dishes have to be rinsed well before being put in. And when the door to the washer is open, I have to stand around it and lean uncomfortably to the side in order to rinse the dishes in the sink. So I put forth about the same amount of effort and experience more physical discomfort using the dishwasher than I did washing by hand. So why do I keep using the dishwasher? Because it's there. We have it, so I have to use it. Silly, I know, but there you have it.
And there you have my completely pointless post that I wrote simply because I had nothing better to do (well, nothing except doing the dishes. But I already explained why I don't want to do that).
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Neighbors and Thin Walls
I made an interesting discovery last night.
I learned that when our upstairs neighbor wakes up at 2 o'clock in the morning with an upset stomach, and goes into the bathroom and retches violently for several minutes at a time, several times throughout the night...
I can hear the whole thing loud and clear. Even with ear plugs.
I can't wait to get our own house.
I learned that when our upstairs neighbor wakes up at 2 o'clock in the morning with an upset stomach, and goes into the bathroom and retches violently for several minutes at a time, several times throughout the night...
I can hear the whole thing loud and clear. Even with ear plugs.
I can't wait to get our own house.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tightening the Belt
Jeff and I sometimes get tired of living in a tiny apartment. It gets old having to trip over boxes on your way from the bed to the closet because there is no place to unpack the contents of said boxes. It isn't easy to cook meals in a kitchen the size of a small closet. We would love to be able to work on our food storage, but there is no place to put the food. Long story short, we don't want to live in an apartment for the rest of our lives!
We have a few monetary goals that we're trying to work toward. First is paying off our student loans. This year's tax return will be very helpful in that! Right after student loans our major goal is saving for a down payment on a house. We also want to get a minivan - so Jeff can take the car to work and I can have a vehicle at my disposal while he's gone during the day.
I can't express how much I long to have my own house. To live in a place that is ours - a place that we can paint, put up real curtains, do stuff with! A house that has storage space and a big kitchen, a big yard with a fence so the kids can go outside and play like kids are supposed to do! And we're nearing a point in our family composition and situation where a real home with lots of rooms is more than just a nice thing to dream about; it's almost a necessity. I mean, try fitting a baby into the tiny space we occupy now - it ain't happening! (no, we're not pregnant, but not opposed to getting there sometime soon...)
We've been going over our finances the past few days, and realizing that if we want this dream to become a reality in the next year or two, we are really going to have to tighten the budgetary belt. We want to work on saving money (even more than we already do!) in as many ways as possible. I'm trying to turn off lights when the room is not in use, or when it's bright enough outside to let in the light from the window. Shorter showers and less water for dishes is also on the list.
But the biggest thing for us that we can save on right now is groceries and little miscellaneous expenses. Anyone who is familiar with my food blog knows that we already eat really cheaply. But we are working on going even further. We have started eating a nearly vegetarian diet - meat is pricey so we avoid it when we can unless we can buy it at a very low price. I'm working on using more beans and whole grains as sources of protein, as opposed to relying on meats to build a meal. I've been practically devouring my More-with-Less Cookbook, finding simple and super inexpensive recipes and ideas that will reduce our grocery bill.
We have set a limit to spend no more than $30 a week on groceries, and $20 on non-grocery items (such as diapers and wipes, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, etc.). We did our shopping for the week today, and spent $25 on food and $10 on wet wipes. That includes a turkey - Jeff noticed that the big 20-pound turkeys were on sale for twenty-five cents per pound, so we bought one. We'll roast the whole thing, take all the meat off the bones and freeze it in meal-sized portions, and boil the carcass to make broth. I can't even begin to count the meals that we'll get off this bird! Jeff will be glad I posted about the turkey - he hasn't been able to stop talking about it since he put it in the cart. :-)
Anyway, with the budget changes we're making, we hope to be able to buy a house next year. It will be hard to live such an extremely tightwad lifestyle, but I think it will be so worth it when we finally are able to sign the papers, walk into a house, look around, and say, "This is our very own home."
We have a few monetary goals that we're trying to work toward. First is paying off our student loans. This year's tax return will be very helpful in that! Right after student loans our major goal is saving for a down payment on a house. We also want to get a minivan - so Jeff can take the car to work and I can have a vehicle at my disposal while he's gone during the day.
I can't express how much I long to have my own house. To live in a place that is ours - a place that we can paint, put up real curtains, do stuff with! A house that has storage space and a big kitchen, a big yard with a fence so the kids can go outside and play like kids are supposed to do! And we're nearing a point in our family composition and situation where a real home with lots of rooms is more than just a nice thing to dream about; it's almost a necessity. I mean, try fitting a baby into the tiny space we occupy now - it ain't happening! (no, we're not pregnant, but not opposed to getting there sometime soon...)
We've been going over our finances the past few days, and realizing that if we want this dream to become a reality in the next year or two, we are really going to have to tighten the budgetary belt. We want to work on saving money (even more than we already do!) in as many ways as possible. I'm trying to turn off lights when the room is not in use, or when it's bright enough outside to let in the light from the window. Shorter showers and less water for dishes is also on the list.
But the biggest thing for us that we can save on right now is groceries and little miscellaneous expenses. Anyone who is familiar with my food blog knows that we already eat really cheaply. But we are working on going even further. We have started eating a nearly vegetarian diet - meat is pricey so we avoid it when we can unless we can buy it at a very low price. I'm working on using more beans and whole grains as sources of protein, as opposed to relying on meats to build a meal. I've been practically devouring my More-with-Less Cookbook, finding simple and super inexpensive recipes and ideas that will reduce our grocery bill.
We have set a limit to spend no more than $30 a week on groceries, and $20 on non-grocery items (such as diapers and wipes, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, etc.). We did our shopping for the week today, and spent $25 on food and $10 on wet wipes. That includes a turkey - Jeff noticed that the big 20-pound turkeys were on sale for twenty-five cents per pound, so we bought one. We'll roast the whole thing, take all the meat off the bones and freeze it in meal-sized portions, and boil the carcass to make broth. I can't even begin to count the meals that we'll get off this bird! Jeff will be glad I posted about the turkey - he hasn't been able to stop talking about it since he put it in the cart. :-)
Anyway, with the budget changes we're making, we hope to be able to buy a house next year. It will be hard to live such an extremely tightwad lifestyle, but I think it will be so worth it when we finally are able to sign the papers, walk into a house, look around, and say, "This is our very own home."
Saturday, January 24, 2009
First Rehearsal
This morning I had my first rehearsal for Women at the Well. We read through all the naration and listened to the songs on the CD. Then we started learning the background parts for the first song. The lady in charge handed out the sheet music for our individual songs so we can start practicing on our own. I'm so excited about this program, it will be lots of fun to participate in this with these talented women. The director is an events coordinator for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the choreographer for the one dance number that will be performed during one of the songs is a professional dancer who does everything from ballet to tap to jazz to Irish clogging. While we were taking a break she and another lady sat and talked about ballet, their favorite styles and whose rendition of this or that ballet they prefer, and what the hand movements signify when performed by the dancers. It was really informative and interesting to listen to!
Anyway, I got the music for the song I'll be singing. I'm the second song in the program, and it's so pretty! I sing a song about the woman with the issue of blood who was healed by touching the Savior's clothes. Some of the notes are really low, but I think I'll be able to handle it. This evening while Jeff was making dinner (thanks, sweetie!) I sang through it over and over, trying to learn the rhythm and notes and everything. I get to have my own individual practice this Wednesday to go over my song with the pianist. I'm looking forward to it! I get to pretend that I'm the star for about 45 minutes. :-)
Anyway, I got the music for the song I'll be singing. I'm the second song in the program, and it's so pretty! I sing a song about the woman with the issue of blood who was healed by touching the Savior's clothes. Some of the notes are really low, but I think I'll be able to handle it. This evening while Jeff was making dinner (thanks, sweetie!) I sang through it over and over, trying to learn the rhythm and notes and everything. I get to have my own individual practice this Wednesday to go over my song with the pianist. I'm looking forward to it! I get to pretend that I'm the star for about 45 minutes. :-)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
He Speaks!
Thomas has words! This is really exciting for me to be able to post, because he's 18 months old and thus far has been silent on the speaking front. He babbles like nobody's business, but hasn't really had any words. But with the help of his clothes, I have been able to teach Thomas a few little words. I would point to the object on his shirt and say what it was, and after a few times, he would point and repeat it. So cute!
He has a shirt with bugs on it. I taught him to say bug - "Duh!"
He has a shirt with a train on it. I taught him to say train - "Deh!"
He has a shirt with fish on it. I taught him to say fish - "Ish!"
I'm so proud of him!
He has a shirt with bugs on it. I taught him to say bug - "Duh!"
He has a shirt with a train on it. I taught him to say train - "Deh!"
He has a shirt with fish on it. I taught him to say fish - "Ish!"
I'm so proud of him!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Icky Sicky!
Thomas has had a stuffy drippy nose for several days, but I didn't really think much of it until Jeff and I got sick too! Do you other moms ever do that? You notice that your kid has a cold, but don't really do much more than mercilessly keep their nose wiped. Then suddenly you have a cold too and life is noticeably more miserable! Poor little Thomas, he was so uncomplaining. But now Jeff and I have the cough, the snifflies, and the aches. And we realize how bad Thomas must have felt. Jeff was actually so sick yesterday that he stayed home from Church. Zaylee was really listless and under the weather, so we let her and Jeff stay home while I went with Thomas.
Anyway, from now on I think I'll try to be a little more loving when I notice one of the kids has the snifflies. It may not seem like a big deal to me, but to the person who is sick, it really is awful!
On a different note, one of my food blogging events has me so excited! I participate in My Kitchen My World, where we are assigned a country every week and have to prepare a meal from that country. This week it's Azerbaijan. That really threw me off at first. Azerbaijan? I've never really even thought about Azerbaijan, let alone cooking something from there! But then I found a blog that features Azeri recipes. I found some really good ones, and now I'm really excited about making them this week and posting them on Saturday - mostly the dessert!
Anyway, from now on I think I'll try to be a little more loving when I notice one of the kids has the snifflies. It may not seem like a big deal to me, but to the person who is sick, it really is awful!
On a different note, one of my food blogging events has me so excited! I participate in My Kitchen My World, where we are assigned a country every week and have to prepare a meal from that country. This week it's Azerbaijan. That really threw me off at first. Azerbaijan? I've never really even thought about Azerbaijan, let alone cooking something from there! But then I found a blog that features Azeri recipes. I found some really good ones, and now I'm really excited about making them this week and posting them on Saturday - mostly the dessert!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Yippee!
I was called today and informed that I have a part in the Relief Society musical program I auditioned for on Wednesday. Hooray! I'll be singing the second song in the program, called "Close Enough to Touch." It's about the woman with the "issue of blood" that touched Christ's robes and was healed. Really pretty song. And I might be accompanying some of the songs on the piano. I'm so excited that I get to participate in this! I just hope that when it comes time to perform, I won't be as shaky and breathy as I was for the audition. I know I'll be as nervous, but maybe my voice won't show it quite so much... ;-)
One Word
I got this in an e-mail and thought I would post my answers. It's fun to fill these things out! :-)
TYPE ONLY ONE WORD. IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!
1. Where is your cell phone? none
2. Your significant other? work
3. Your hair? frizzy
4. Your mother? school
5. Your father? work
6. Your favorite thing? food
7. Your dream last night? forgot
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your goal? skinny
10. The room you're in? clean! :-)
11. Your fear? death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? rich
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. What you're not? confident
15. Muffins? homemade
16. One of your wish list items? house
17. Where you grew up? military
18. The last thing you did? lunch
19. What are you wearing? frump
20. Your TV? off
21. Your pet(s)? none
22. Your computer? internet
23. Your life? boring
24. Your mood? calm
25. Missing someone? mom
26. Your car? white
27. Something you're not wearing? glasses
28. Favorite store? D.I.
29. Your summer? hot
30. Your favorite color? teal
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? forgot
33. Four places I go over and over? church, home, D.I., Wal-mart
34. Four of my favorite foods? chocolate, pizza, nachos, bread
35. Four places I would rather be right now? Sleeping, shopping, vacation, Idaho
36. Someone you fell in love with? Jeff <3
TYPE ONLY ONE WORD. IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!
1. Where is your cell phone? none
2. Your significant other? work
3. Your hair? frizzy
4. Your mother? school
5. Your father? work
6. Your favorite thing? food
7. Your dream last night? forgot
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your goal? skinny
10. The room you're in? clean! :-)
11. Your fear? death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? rich
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. What you're not? confident
15. Muffins? homemade
16. One of your wish list items? house
17. Where you grew up? military
18. The last thing you did? lunch
19. What are you wearing? frump
20. Your TV? off
21. Your pet(s)? none
22. Your computer? internet
23. Your life? boring
24. Your mood? calm
25. Missing someone? mom
26. Your car? white
27. Something you're not wearing? glasses
28. Favorite store? D.I.
29. Your summer? hot
30. Your favorite color? teal
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? forgot
33. Four places I go over and over? church, home, D.I., Wal-mart
34. Four of my favorite foods? chocolate, pizza, nachos, bread
35. Four places I would rather be right now? Sleeping, shopping, vacation, Idaho
36. Someone you fell in love with? Jeff <3
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Audition
Our Stake Relief Society is putting together a musical performance that will be performed in March, and the audition was tonight. I don't harbor any conceptions of myself as a great singer, but I do love to sing and think that my voice isn't all that terrible to listen to, so I went and auditioned. This is the first time I've auditioned for anything since college, so even though it's just for a simple Relief Society performance, I was shaking in my boots the whole time! The audition consisted of each woman singing one verse of a hymn, any hymn of her choosing. I chose Our Savior's Love. I think my rendition was rather shaky and breathy, since I was so nervous, but I don't think it was too bad. Besides, everyone else also sang shakily and breathily, because apparently I wasn't the only nervous one! I'll find out by Monday if I got a part.
There was another lady from my ward there, and after we were done, she asked if I wanted to sing a duet with her just for fun. There were only five women there to audition at first, so when everyone was done, she and I went over to the piano and had the pianist play for us while we sang together for a while. The pianist was a good sport about it :-) and we had a good time singing harmony together. Then another woman showed up to audition and we couldn't monopolize the pianist anymore. Rather than go home right away, we found another piano in the building and sang some more! I played the piano and did the alto part while my friend sang the soprano. We sounded so good together and had a great time! Then we chatted for a while before finally deciding that we needed to get home. But not before agreeing that we should do a duet in Sacrament Meeting some time. As ward music chair, I think I can arrange that. :-)
It was so fun to sing together with another girl. Michelle and I used to sing together a lot - we'd switch off harmonizing during the hymns in church, and we put together a song from Feivel Goes West that we sang for a talent show once. I always enjoyed making music with my sister, and tonight I got to enjoy a similar good time. Music is an important part of my life, so it's always neat to be able to share that passion for singing with someone else. So whether I got a part in the Relief Society production or not, I'm glad I auditioned tonight.
There was another lady from my ward there, and after we were done, she asked if I wanted to sing a duet with her just for fun. There were only five women there to audition at first, so when everyone was done, she and I went over to the piano and had the pianist play for us while we sang together for a while. The pianist was a good sport about it :-) and we had a good time singing harmony together. Then another woman showed up to audition and we couldn't monopolize the pianist anymore. Rather than go home right away, we found another piano in the building and sang some more! I played the piano and did the alto part while my friend sang the soprano. We sounded so good together and had a great time! Then we chatted for a while before finally deciding that we needed to get home. But not before agreeing that we should do a duet in Sacrament Meeting some time. As ward music chair, I think I can arrange that. :-)
It was so fun to sing together with another girl. Michelle and I used to sing together a lot - we'd switch off harmonizing during the hymns in church, and we put together a song from Feivel Goes West that we sang for a talent show once. I always enjoyed making music with my sister, and tonight I got to enjoy a similar good time. Music is an important part of my life, so it's always neat to be able to share that passion for singing with someone else. So whether I got a part in the Relief Society production or not, I'm glad I auditioned tonight.
Yay for D.I.!
Jeff and I went to D.I. on Monday to find a bookshelf for all my cookbooks (it's about time we get rid of all the stacks of books on the organ - it deserves better than that). While there, Jeff checked out the video section and we hit the jackpot:
Four Disney movies and Muppet Treasure Island, for $2 each - that's right, all those movies for a total of ten bucks. There were lots of other Disney videos there, but we had to exercise some restraint. Zaylee has been having a blast watching these movies! I love D.I.!
We also got a little bookshelf that will be perfect for my cookbooks, and I got a couple new shirts. You can't buy just one thing when you shop at a thrift store. :-)
Just, um, ignore the sock and the couch cushions on the floor...
Four Disney movies and Muppet Treasure Island, for $2 each - that's right, all those movies for a total of ten bucks. There were lots of other Disney videos there, but we had to exercise some restraint. Zaylee has been having a blast watching these movies! I love D.I.!
We also got a little bookshelf that will be perfect for my cookbooks, and I got a couple new shirts. You can't buy just one thing when you shop at a thrift store. :-)
Just, um, ignore the sock and the couch cushions on the floor...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Busy, Great Week!
This post could have been broken down into several more detailed posts if I had been diligent about blogging every day. But as it is, I need to blog this stuff before more time passes, or I won't ever get it done!
Jeff's sister and her husband were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple today, so we've had lots of stuff leading up to that. On Wednesday, Jeff's parents arrived. We went over to Joy and Jim's house and spent some time with them, then all of us went out for all-you-can-eat Chinese. So much delicious food! My favorite was the deep-fried biscuits coated in sugar - go figure it would be something I could easily make at home. Sometimes the simplest foods are the best.
On Thursday, I had a girls' night out with a blogging buddy and several other girls. We went to an artisan bakery/cafe and got delicious desserts, and just chatted the evening away. It was so nice to be able to spend time with new friends and have some "mommy time" away from the kids and the apartment. I don't really get out much normally, so it was a special treat for me! The drive home was quite hectic - it was raining hard and the lines on the freeway were next to impossible to see! But I made it home safely.
Friday was extra special. Joy (Jeff's sister) received her Endowment at the Temple and Jeff and I got to be in attendance for that. Aunt Karen watched the kids and they had a great time. As for Jeff and I, it was the first time that we'd been in the Salt Lake Temple, and it was absolutely beautiful! It was so neat to know that we were in the Temple that the early saints spent 40 years building, so many people worked and sacrificed for it. The artwork and architectural details were just gorgeous - even the doorknobs were lovely! The whole experience was just wonderful.
That brings us to today, when Joy and Jim were sealed. Jeff and I went grocery shopping in the morning, as we were out of such essentials as milk and eggs. Then this afternoon Karen and Bill watched the kids as Jeff and I went back to the Temple. Joy and Jim were sealed for time and eternity, and then their children were sealed to them as well. I have to say I started crying when the kids were brought in, all wearing white. They looked so sweet and innocent! After the ceremony and the pictures outside the Temple, Jeff and I picked up the kids and everyone went over to the Olive Garden for a delicious dinner. There were over twenty people in our party - we were quite the group! Silly Thomas didn't want anything to do with the macaroni and cheese that we ordered for him - he kept reaching over for bites of Jeff's Chicken Parmesan. With the chicken Jeff shared and all the bread sticks that Thomas filled up on, he got plenty to eat.
All in all, it's been a wonderful week that we got to share with lots of wonderful friends and family.
Jeff's sister and her husband were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple today, so we've had lots of stuff leading up to that. On Wednesday, Jeff's parents arrived. We went over to Joy and Jim's house and spent some time with them, then all of us went out for all-you-can-eat Chinese. So much delicious food! My favorite was the deep-fried biscuits coated in sugar - go figure it would be something I could easily make at home. Sometimes the simplest foods are the best.
On Thursday, I had a girls' night out with a blogging buddy and several other girls. We went to an artisan bakery/cafe and got delicious desserts, and just chatted the evening away. It was so nice to be able to spend time with new friends and have some "mommy time" away from the kids and the apartment. I don't really get out much normally, so it was a special treat for me! The drive home was quite hectic - it was raining hard and the lines on the freeway were next to impossible to see! But I made it home safely.
Friday was extra special. Joy (Jeff's sister) received her Endowment at the Temple and Jeff and I got to be in attendance for that. Aunt Karen watched the kids and they had a great time. As for Jeff and I, it was the first time that we'd been in the Salt Lake Temple, and it was absolutely beautiful! It was so neat to know that we were in the Temple that the early saints spent 40 years building, so many people worked and sacrificed for it. The artwork and architectural details were just gorgeous - even the doorknobs were lovely! The whole experience was just wonderful.
That brings us to today, when Joy and Jim were sealed. Jeff and I went grocery shopping in the morning, as we were out of such essentials as milk and eggs. Then this afternoon Karen and Bill watched the kids as Jeff and I went back to the Temple. Joy and Jim were sealed for time and eternity, and then their children were sealed to them as well. I have to say I started crying when the kids were brought in, all wearing white. They looked so sweet and innocent! After the ceremony and the pictures outside the Temple, Jeff and I picked up the kids and everyone went over to the Olive Garden for a delicious dinner. There were over twenty people in our party - we were quite the group! Silly Thomas didn't want anything to do with the macaroni and cheese that we ordered for him - he kept reaching over for bites of Jeff's Chicken Parmesan. With the chicken Jeff shared and all the bread sticks that Thomas filled up on, he got plenty to eat.
All in all, it's been a wonderful week that we got to share with lots of wonderful friends and family.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Oh Migraine!
For anyone that didn't know, I get migraines. The really big ones, like you see on commercials for migraine medication. You know, where they show a woman holding her head in her hands saying, "My migraines are so bad I wish I could remove my head." Or where there's a big group of people just walking around minding their own business, and a huge boulder falls on one of them, and a voice says, "Do your migraines wipe you out?" Yeah, I get those kind of migraines, I've had them since I was a little girl.
It starts with a little pressure, and if I don't take something quick, it turns into an immense pounding pain in one temple. If the room is too bright, it gets worse. If there's noise anywhere, it gets worse. If there's a funny smell, it gets worse. When it gets really bad, I get nauseous and my stomach hurts...which makes my head hurt worse. Basically, I get really bad migraines.
Yesterday evening I had one.
What I wanted to do was take a whole bottle of Ibuprofen, lay down in my bed with the door locked, the lights off, and a pillow over my head, slowly choking me into unconsciousness. What I had to do was make dinner. It was after 5:00, and Jeff hadn't come home yet. The kids were hungry, and when they're hungry they're fussy. And noisy. I had to make the noise stop.
So I threw together some hot tuna salad and flatbread, all the while trying to ignore the hammer slamming itself repeatedly into the side of my head. Man, that hammer was annoying. I made up a little ditty that I sang to myself over and over. The tune is from Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog.
A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do,
That's why I'm standing here making dinner for you,
Even though this migraine's slowly pounding me to death,
So please give me a sec to catch my breath.
Not bad, huh?
Jeff came home while dinner was baking. Oh joy, oh reprieve! I smiled brightly and let him know that he was now in charge.
He kept the kids under control while I threw myself dramatically (though gently - rough movements make the pain worse) onto the couch. I stayed there through dinner, unable to get up because of that stupid hammer and my slowly-starting-to-ache stomach. After the kids were fed, though, Jeff woke me from my pain-induced stupor to tell me he had to leave for an appointment. I was alone with the kids again. I got them out of their booster seats and sat them in front of the computer with Homestar Runner to entertain them. I choked down some dinner, knowing that sometimes eating helps the migraine to go away. Then it was back onto the couch for the rest of the evening. Jeff had to put the kids to bed by himself.
By the time I staggered to bed at 10:00, the hammer had slowed down, and wasn't hitting me quite so hard. And when I got up this morning, the pain was gone. But talking, writing, or even thinking about a migraine tends to give me a migraine, so I'd better end this post now. I'm starting to feel that little bit of pressure right behind my eye...
It starts with a little pressure, and if I don't take something quick, it turns into an immense pounding pain in one temple. If the room is too bright, it gets worse. If there's noise anywhere, it gets worse. If there's a funny smell, it gets worse. When it gets really bad, I get nauseous and my stomach hurts...which makes my head hurt worse. Basically, I get really bad migraines.
Yesterday evening I had one.
What I wanted to do was take a whole bottle of Ibuprofen, lay down in my bed with the door locked, the lights off, and a pillow over my head, slowly choking me into unconsciousness. What I had to do was make dinner. It was after 5:00, and Jeff hadn't come home yet. The kids were hungry, and when they're hungry they're fussy. And noisy. I had to make the noise stop.
So I threw together some hot tuna salad and flatbread, all the while trying to ignore the hammer slamming itself repeatedly into the side of my head. Man, that hammer was annoying. I made up a little ditty that I sang to myself over and over. The tune is from Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog.
A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do,
That's why I'm standing here making dinner for you,
Even though this migraine's slowly pounding me to death,
So please give me a sec to catch my breath.
Not bad, huh?
Jeff came home while dinner was baking. Oh joy, oh reprieve! I smiled brightly and let him know that he was now in charge.
He kept the kids under control while I threw myself dramatically (though gently - rough movements make the pain worse) onto the couch. I stayed there through dinner, unable to get up because of that stupid hammer and my slowly-starting-to-ache stomach. After the kids were fed, though, Jeff woke me from my pain-induced stupor to tell me he had to leave for an appointment. I was alone with the kids again. I got them out of their booster seats and sat them in front of the computer with Homestar Runner to entertain them. I choked down some dinner, knowing that sometimes eating helps the migraine to go away. Then it was back onto the couch for the rest of the evening. Jeff had to put the kids to bed by himself.
By the time I staggered to bed at 10:00, the hammer had slowed down, and wasn't hitting me quite so hard. And when I got up this morning, the pain was gone. But talking, writing, or even thinking about a migraine tends to give me a migraine, so I'd better end this post now. I'm starting to feel that little bit of pressure right behind my eye...
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Library
True to form, although I absolutely love libraries I haven't yet ventured into the local public library yet. Today though, I made a big step in that direction, figuratively. I looked it up online. I found that it's less than a mile away, within walking distance. Then I looked up the library's website. And I am utterly amazed.
I'm used to little libraries. Everywhere I've lived has had a small public library - one floor, each section includes several bookshelves, a little play place and children's book section. Small and simple. But the Salt Lake City Public Library, well, I should have expected it to be different. After all, everything in SLC is bigger than I'm used to, why not the library?
The SLC Public Library is huge. There are five floors. I would jump out the door and go there right now if it weren't cold and snowy - I don't want to take the kids and the stroller out in that. But you can bet that as soon as I can get away without the kids, I'll be heading to the library!!
I'm used to little libraries. Everywhere I've lived has had a small public library - one floor, each section includes several bookshelves, a little play place and children's book section. Small and simple. But the Salt Lake City Public Library, well, I should have expected it to be different. After all, everything in SLC is bigger than I'm used to, why not the library?
The SLC Public Library is huge. There are five floors. I would jump out the door and go there right now if it weren't cold and snowy - I don't want to take the kids and the stroller out in that. But you can bet that as soon as I can get away without the kids, I'll be heading to the library!!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Excited for the New Year
I know a lot of people get excited about the New Year. There are resolutions to be made and eventually abandoned, and the chance to turn over a new leaf and begin life with fresh zeal and a new outlook. These are definitely good things to be excited about. But as for me, I'm mostly excited about the food. Big surprise, huh - that seems to be my favorite part of just about any holiday.
There are two things in particular that I look forward to on New Year's Eve, and we'll be making and devouring them tomorrow just like we have been for years. I'll go ahead and post the recipes here now, though I'll be putting them up on my food blog later, after I make them and take pictures. Don't worry, you're not missing out on much by not seeing the pictures yet - it's not very photogenic food. But it's so good!!!
Traveling Tacos (sort of a layered taco dip, I don't have exact amounts for this one)
Combine refried beans with salsa. Spread in a pan. The pan and amounts depend on how much you want. For our little family, we do an 8-inch pan. Layer on top of the bean mixture: guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. Chill for a few hours, and serve with tortilla chips.
Hearty Cheese Dip (This supposedly feeds 20, so we usually cut it in half and it serves the two of us and the kids quite nicely)
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage
16 oz. jar picante sauce
8 oz. jar diced tomatoes with green chilies
28 oz. can refried beans
4 oz. chopped olives
3 lbs. Mexican Velveeta
Brown meat; drain. In a large pot, melt cheese, stirring every few minutes. Add picante sauce and tomatoes to melted cheese. Stir well. Cook for five minutes on medium high heat. Add remaining ingredients to cheese mixture; stir well and cook another 10 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the munching tomorrow night! These yummy dips are worth staying up until midnight for!
There are two things in particular that I look forward to on New Year's Eve, and we'll be making and devouring them tomorrow just like we have been for years. I'll go ahead and post the recipes here now, though I'll be putting them up on my food blog later, after I make them and take pictures. Don't worry, you're not missing out on much by not seeing the pictures yet - it's not very photogenic food. But it's so good!!!
Traveling Tacos (sort of a layered taco dip, I don't have exact amounts for this one)
Combine refried beans with salsa. Spread in a pan. The pan and amounts depend on how much you want. For our little family, we do an 8-inch pan. Layer on top of the bean mixture: guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. Chill for a few hours, and serve with tortilla chips.
Hearty Cheese Dip (This supposedly feeds 20, so we usually cut it in half and it serves the two of us and the kids quite nicely)
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage
16 oz. jar picante sauce
8 oz. jar diced tomatoes with green chilies
28 oz. can refried beans
4 oz. chopped olives
3 lbs. Mexican Velveeta
Brown meat; drain. In a large pot, melt cheese, stirring every few minutes. Add picante sauce and tomatoes to melted cheese. Stir well. Cook for five minutes on medium high heat. Add remaining ingredients to cheese mixture; stir well and cook another 10 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the munching tomorrow night! These yummy dips are worth staying up until midnight for!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Why My Husband is Awesome!
Jeff noticed that I have been feeling down, and especially down about my looks. I have been especially critical of my hair, since I cut it myself a while back and didn't do a particularly even job of it. I was excited about it at the time, but I've wanted to get it fixed professionally for a while, especially since it was growing out and really looking shaggy. So that awesome man that I married told me that part of his birthday money would be used to get my hair cut at a salon. Is he awesome or what?!
So when we did our shopping today, I stopped in at the hair-cutting place in Wal-Mart and had them fix my hair. I'm so pleased with the results! It's really short in the back, and longer in the front, with side swept bangs. It should be really easy to style, according to the lady who cut it.
This, friends, is why my husband is awesome.
So when we did our shopping today, I stopped in at the hair-cutting place in Wal-Mart and had them fix my hair. I'm so pleased with the results! It's really short in the back, and longer in the front, with side swept bangs. It should be really easy to style, according to the lady who cut it.
This, friends, is why my husband is awesome.
A Little Update
Yeah, I haven't gotten on and posted much lately, sorry. I've been feeling a little down, and not really in the mood to post anything. But I figured it was time to post a few pictures and stuff.
The Saturday before Christmas my cousin Esther and her husband Nathan were here, along with their adorable little Hannah, and we decided to get together for the evening. We met at the Discovery Center at the Gateway Mall. Someday it would be fun to go through there and do all that cool stuff that you do at Discovery Centers. But at the time, it was just the place where we met. We walked around the mall for a while, but since it's an outdoor mall and the temperature was quite low, we settled on Barnes and Noble and stayed there for a good long time.
The children's section was especially fun, especially for Zaylee. She found the train tracks and stayed there pretty much the whole time. Every once in a while another child (or Thomas) would want to play too, and Zaylee would grudgingly be forced to share a car or two, but she was always quick to get them back, often at the expense of the other child. I helped her share as much as I could, though. :-)
Here's the only picture I took of everyone together (except me, because, well, I was taking the picture). Doesn't everybody look so nice and cold?
After Barnes and Noble, we went over to the hotel where Nathan and Esther were staying. The walk over was quite chilly, but we all survived. We had dinner (Pizza Hut pasta - the best fast food pasta I've ever eaten!) and watched The Wizard of Oz. It was Zaylee's first time seeing that movie, and she was enthralled. I think the lion was her favorite, she giggled every time he did something silly. All in all, it was a nice visit, and we had a pretty good time.
Aunt Karen wanted to see a picture of Thomas in the adorable red long johns she gave him. When I went to take the pictures, he was ready for bed and definitely needing some sleep (read: he was extremely tired and fussy). So all the pictures I took turned out something like this:
Isn't he so cute, though, even with that fussy face!
Finally, a video from Christmas morning. I had the camera set up to take lots of pictures and videos, but we were too involved in opening and enjoying our gifts to bother with the camera at all. Eventually though, I remembered that I have a blogging obligation to include at least one picture or video from Christmas morning. So here is Zaylee having a grand old time with the pompoms from my brother Owen, currently Elder Danes. Both Zaylee and Thomas have really been enjoying those pompoms!
The Saturday before Christmas my cousin Esther and her husband Nathan were here, along with their adorable little Hannah, and we decided to get together for the evening. We met at the Discovery Center at the Gateway Mall. Someday it would be fun to go through there and do all that cool stuff that you do at Discovery Centers. But at the time, it was just the place where we met. We walked around the mall for a while, but since it's an outdoor mall and the temperature was quite low, we settled on Barnes and Noble and stayed there for a good long time.
The children's section was especially fun, especially for Zaylee. She found the train tracks and stayed there pretty much the whole time. Every once in a while another child (or Thomas) would want to play too, and Zaylee would grudgingly be forced to share a car or two, but she was always quick to get them back, often at the expense of the other child. I helped her share as much as I could, though. :-)
Here's the only picture I took of everyone together (except me, because, well, I was taking the picture). Doesn't everybody look so nice and cold?
After Barnes and Noble, we went over to the hotel where Nathan and Esther were staying. The walk over was quite chilly, but we all survived. We had dinner (Pizza Hut pasta - the best fast food pasta I've ever eaten!) and watched The Wizard of Oz. It was Zaylee's first time seeing that movie, and she was enthralled. I think the lion was her favorite, she giggled every time he did something silly. All in all, it was a nice visit, and we had a pretty good time.
Aunt Karen wanted to see a picture of Thomas in the adorable red long johns she gave him. When I went to take the pictures, he was ready for bed and definitely needing some sleep (read: he was extremely tired and fussy). So all the pictures I took turned out something like this:
Isn't he so cute, though, even with that fussy face!
Finally, a video from Christmas morning. I had the camera set up to take lots of pictures and videos, but we were too involved in opening and enjoying our gifts to bother with the camera at all. Eventually though, I remembered that I have a blogging obligation to include at least one picture or video from Christmas morning. So here is Zaylee having a grand old time with the pompoms from my brother Owen, currently Elder Danes. Both Zaylee and Thomas have really been enjoying those pompoms!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Better Christmas Pictures
We got the tree up! This time for real... (sheepish grin)... Jeff and I put it up and decorated it last night, after our outing with Nathan and Esther (more about that in a later post). We did it after putting the kids to bed for two reasons - first because we got home late and they were tired, second and most importantly because if they're asleep they can't make a mess!
Here's the tree and the stockings, all lit up and pretty. Thomas' stocking is different because he wasn't born yet when we got these ones. I crocheted the one on the end for him last year.
When the kids woke up this morning, after I got them all dressed up for church, they were just enchanted with the tree! Both Zaylee and Thomas were thoroughly engrossed with playing with as many ornaments (or "armaments," as Zaylee pronounces it) as they could reach.
Isn't Zaylee cute in her "Snow Princess" dress? Thank you, Karen, she loves it!
I love this look on Thomas' face!
I also have a few Christmas decorations around. Nativities, holiday-themed salt and pepper shakers (Thank you again, Karen, for your contribution to our new collection!), and this fun little table centerpiece. The foliage is a little wreath we bought at D.I. for our first Christmas together. The candle we received from Michelle a couple months ago when she was going through getting rid of stuff. I was really pleased with how well they paired together!
Now it's finally starting to look and feel a little like Christmas. Finally. :-)
Here's the tree and the stockings, all lit up and pretty. Thomas' stocking is different because he wasn't born yet when we got these ones. I crocheted the one on the end for him last year.
When the kids woke up this morning, after I got them all dressed up for church, they were just enchanted with the tree! Both Zaylee and Thomas were thoroughly engrossed with playing with as many ornaments (or "armaments," as Zaylee pronounces it) as they could reach.
Isn't Zaylee cute in her "Snow Princess" dress? Thank you, Karen, she loves it!
I love this look on Thomas' face!
I also have a few Christmas decorations around. Nativities, holiday-themed salt and pepper shakers (Thank you again, Karen, for your contribution to our new collection!), and this fun little table centerpiece. The foliage is a little wreath we bought at D.I. for our first Christmas together. The candle we received from Michelle a couple months ago when she was going through getting rid of stuff. I was really pleased with how well they paired together!
Now it's finally starting to look and feel a little like Christmas. Finally. :-)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Check This Out
I was recently introduced to this short (43 minutes) Internet movie, and I thought it was pretty cool. The songs have been stuck in my head all day. It's the story of a wannabe super villain Dr. Horrible, the girl of his dreams, and his hero nemesis Captain Hammer. It's funny and heart-wrenching, and has great music. Check it out and see what you think.
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I Did It!
Just a quick post to let everyone know that I finally bit the bullet - I drove to Wal-Mart all by myself! This is the first time that I've driven here since we dropped off the U-Haul when we first moved. I've been too scared. But last night we needed wet wipes and a variety of other things, and the kids needed to go to bed, and I needed to get something for Jeff for Christmas. So I told him to stay home with the kids while I went shopping on my own. And I survived! Now that I've gotten over this hurdle, convincing myself to drive will be a little easier each time. Whew!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, but not here....
In this holiday season, Jeff and I have already put a lot of work into preparing our home, making it look beautiful and festive for Christmas.
I'd like to take you all on a photo tour of our festive home, so lovingly decorated and beautified. Prepare to be amazed!
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Here is our tree, already set up and beautifully decorated with bows and balls and garlands and lights.
Here is a lovely scene of Christmas decorations, everything from nativities to wreaths and pretty old Christmas cards.
And here is the corner where the gifts will be wrapped and lovingly placed under the tree.
You can see that some of the gifts for the kids are already wrapped and ready to go!
Yes, in our home, the Christmas spirit and festivities abound!
I'd like to take you all on a photo tour of our festive home, so lovingly decorated and beautified. Prepare to be amazed!
..
..
..
..
..
..
Here is our tree, already set up and beautifully decorated with bows and balls and garlands and lights.
Here is a lovely scene of Christmas decorations, everything from nativities to wreaths and pretty old Christmas cards.
And here is the corner where the gifts will be wrapped and lovingly placed under the tree.
You can see that some of the gifts for the kids are already wrapped and ready to go!
Yes, in our home, the Christmas spirit and festivities abound!
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