I'll write more about my blogging hiatus later.
For now it's sufficient to say that couponing has become a major distraction in my life.
You know if you're a coupon addict if you experience the following:
1. You have more coupon blogs on your reader than you do blogs by friends/relatives (this goes the same for if you "like" more companies than you have "friends" on facebook).
2. Your toddler says to you "I want that coupon" and yells at you if he finds one of his coupons in the trash.
3. You have a coupon binder or mini-accordian file that is more than 1 inch thick.
4. You experience a type of high when you grab your Sunday paper
5. You don't even read your Sunday paper 50% of the time - you just grab the coupon inserts & add them to your pile
6. You've contemplated or you have more than one subscription to the paper- just for those coupons
7. You learn to recognize cashiers & know some of their names
8. You have more tubes of toothpaste (or multipacks of toothbrushes or packs of disposable razors) in your stockpile than you do members of your family.
9. You feel sad any time you have to pay full price for an item - and rethink that purchase at least twice before buying.
10. Your printer always has a coupon printed out every time you pick up something else from it.
11. You've started to look past the glares you receive in check out lines and realize they are just jealous.
12. You're jealous of the Extreme Couponing chicks you see on TLC or read about on the internet.
Remember - acceptance is the first step to recovery.
I have a problem with at least half of these (yes Buddy likes coupons for anything to do with Cars).
Showing posts with label slice of life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slice of life. Show all posts
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hiatus?
It's been over a week, maybe two since I've posted last. Have I been enjoying my sabbatical? Well I joined an "athletic club" aka gym & after the first visit I realized how much I've missed the gym since we've moved here. I've never really experienced a "runner's high" (probably because I'm not a real runner - I walk with some intermittent jogging) but the endorphins have kicked in. Although it's a little farther than my old gym (I definitely will drive every day, which with my old one I could walk if I was feeling adventurous) and I have no awesome work out buddies (until they get their rears in gear and find jobs here) and it's hard to go at night (Buddy & I haven't tried the gym's $1.75/hour daycare yet, but we will) - I still love it. There is something awesome about watching The Biggest Loser (with their last chance work out) and being on the elliptical. My old habits were to watch & feel incredibly hungry for chocolate (it's hard to see someone sweating so much).
Anyway, I am on my official week 1 of training for the half marathon. Registration is May 1st & I AM going to complete the walk/jog with my two former workout buddies.
In other news, I created a company for myself tonight. I wanted a free subscription to Real Simple and they wouldn't take "home maker" as a defined enough business title (kept asking me to select another subcategory & wouldn't let me select all - even though I do it all). So now you can refer to me as Mrs. Becky -----, Purveyor of Awesomeness, ----- Home Inc. (the ----'s are for my last name - I'm not going to post it on the Internet - safety first kids, safety first.)
Oh, and I am coming to dislike the whole census thing. At first I thought it was cool, doing extraction for family history- I've seen a lot of census records. I thought how awesome it would be that someone could look me up and see that I'd been here, at this time (like that one TV show with the famous people doing family search). But then I saw the signs and the "workers". So my experience with a census worker was this: I was at the library & was going to pick up a form since our house is new and for some reason we didn't get one in the mail. The census "worker" (who I thought was just a creepy guy using his laptop and sitting really close to the public information table for weeks on end) stopped me - my hand outstretched to get a form - and said "You need a census form?" I replied "Yes" Then he said "English?" I replied "Yes" (although I wanted to say "Obviously"). Then he said (as he handed me this rectangular shaped form) "there you go".
Yeah, he totally earned his $12/hour. We can't pay teachers $12 an hour but we can pay a creepy guy hovering over forms.
And the sign outside the library says "Have questions about your census form? A representative will be at the library M-F 10:00-5:30" I filled out the form and the only questions I have is: 1) why did you make the form this large rectangular shape that is obviously costing tax payers more to send back? and 2) how could anyone SERIOUSLY have questions about this form. If you can read and you have a black or blue ink pen, I'm pretty sure you can fill in your name and age (and those living with you). A first grader could probably do it (except those boxes are a little small for first grade print - ok maybe a second grader).
Then the signs & commercials everywhere (& we don't even watch the 8 non-cable channels we have more than 4 hours a week). "Fill out your form" "Don't forget to be counted" blah blah blah. Seriously, the only people who aren't going to fill out their form are: 1) people who can't read & fill it out themselves - but they could have a "worker" help them and 2) illegals who don't want to be found out. And the census "workers" that will be pounding the streets like missionaries here in a month or so, do you think that they are really going to answer the door (or even be home) when you come a knocking? I doubt it.
So - I like the whole idea & understand the importance of being counted (it's not like I'm trying to hide from the government or that I think the whole thing is a big-brother-watching-you conspiracy) but really - how many millions (which we will go into debt to China for) will be spent because of stupidity when it comes to the census?
And those three things are all I've been thinking about since my last post (not counting the company I "made" tonight - so I guess I've only been thinking really about two things the last two weeks). I know you really missed me.
Anyway, I am on my official week 1 of training for the half marathon. Registration is May 1st & I AM going to complete the walk/jog with my two former workout buddies.
In other news, I created a company for myself tonight. I wanted a free subscription to Real Simple and they wouldn't take "home maker" as a defined enough business title (kept asking me to select another subcategory & wouldn't let me select all - even though I do it all). So now you can refer to me as Mrs. Becky -----, Purveyor of Awesomeness, ----- Home Inc. (the ----'s are for my last name - I'm not going to post it on the Internet - safety first kids, safety first.)
Oh, and I am coming to dislike the whole census thing. At first I thought it was cool, doing extraction for family history- I've seen a lot of census records. I thought how awesome it would be that someone could look me up and see that I'd been here, at this time (like that one TV show with the famous people doing family search). But then I saw the signs and the "workers". So my experience with a census worker was this: I was at the library & was going to pick up a form since our house is new and for some reason we didn't get one in the mail. The census "worker" (who I thought was just a creepy guy using his laptop and sitting really close to the public information table for weeks on end) stopped me - my hand outstretched to get a form - and said "You need a census form?" I replied "Yes" Then he said "English?" I replied "Yes" (although I wanted to say "Obviously"). Then he said (as he handed me this rectangular shaped form) "there you go".
Yeah, he totally earned his $12/hour. We can't pay teachers $12 an hour but we can pay a creepy guy hovering over forms.
And the sign outside the library says "Have questions about your census form? A representative will be at the library M-F 10:00-5:30" I filled out the form and the only questions I have is: 1) why did you make the form this large rectangular shape that is obviously costing tax payers more to send back? and 2) how could anyone SERIOUSLY have questions about this form. If you can read and you have a black or blue ink pen, I'm pretty sure you can fill in your name and age (and those living with you). A first grader could probably do it (except those boxes are a little small for first grade print - ok maybe a second grader).
Then the signs & commercials everywhere (& we don't even watch the 8 non-cable channels we have more than 4 hours a week). "Fill out your form" "Don't forget to be counted" blah blah blah. Seriously, the only people who aren't going to fill out their form are: 1) people who can't read & fill it out themselves - but they could have a "worker" help them and 2) illegals who don't want to be found out. And the census "workers" that will be pounding the streets like missionaries here in a month or so, do you think that they are really going to answer the door (or even be home) when you come a knocking? I doubt it.
So - I like the whole idea & understand the importance of being counted (it's not like I'm trying to hide from the government or that I think the whole thing is a big-brother-watching-you conspiracy) but really - how many millions (which we will go into debt to China for) will be spent because of stupidity when it comes to the census?
And those three things are all I've been thinking about since my last post (not counting the company I "made" tonight - so I guess I've only been thinking really about two things the last two weeks). I know you really missed me.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Reflection on Slice of Life Challenge
As I've looked over my posts for this Slice of Life Challenge (which ends today) my main observation is that my life is composed of a lot of random thoughts amongst the mundaneness of every day routines. Course that is the case for most slice people. They don't have decorating blogs or product blogs. Just blogs about their personal lives. Half of the blogs I stalk are family/personal blogs of friends and relatives. The other half are decorating or giveaway blogs.
I also wonder the difference between a journal and a blog. I write in my blog a lot more in my journal - perhaps because I enjoy the feed back. But would I compose my darkest feelings and publish them on the world wide web? Maybe. But not on this blog (because this is a family blog)
It also made me wonder what would my ancestors have blogged about? We don't have everyones journals - it seems just a few. Would they have blogged about random things they saw or the mundane chores they had every day? I can just hear my posts if I were a pioneer, for example: "Today we walked 13 miles. Didn't reach our goal of 15 and Buddy almost got bitten by a snake because he ran off the trail (for the hundredth time this week)." Would it have been like that?
Listening to a podcast from a Slice of Life writer and his voice made me think what a treasure a blog post is and even a pod cast is because it records a piece of you on this world wide web but that it is also a piece of history for your posterity.
I love listening to my grandma's voice. I came across a few tapes of her reading stories (that she would always read to us growing up) and what a treasure having her voice recorded is.
Yes, I'm glad I did this challenge - even though most posts were random or just about me (and not our family). If anything, it made me record something every day and publish a slice of MY life for the world to see.
And in stirivng to do better at journal writing, I just purchased a new journal One Line a Day: A Five Year Journal. Of course blank notebooks and journals are another purchasing addiction of mine but maybe once I start I'll feel pressure to finish.
I also wonder the difference between a journal and a blog. I write in my blog a lot more in my journal - perhaps because I enjoy the feed back. But would I compose my darkest feelings and publish them on the world wide web? Maybe. But not on this blog (because this is a family blog)
It also made me wonder what would my ancestors have blogged about? We don't have everyones journals - it seems just a few. Would they have blogged about random things they saw or the mundane chores they had every day? I can just hear my posts if I were a pioneer, for example: "Today we walked 13 miles. Didn't reach our goal of 15 and Buddy almost got bitten by a snake because he ran off the trail (for the hundredth time this week)." Would it have been like that?
Listening to a podcast from a Slice of Life writer and his voice made me think what a treasure a blog post is and even a pod cast is because it records a piece of you on this world wide web but that it is also a piece of history for your posterity.
I love listening to my grandma's voice. I came across a few tapes of her reading stories (that she would always read to us growing up) and what a treasure having her voice recorded is.
Yes, I'm glad I did this challenge - even though most posts were random or just about me (and not our family). If anything, it made me record something every day and publish a slice of MY life for the world to see.
And in stirivng to do better at journal writing, I just purchased a new journal One Line a Day: A Five Year Journal. Of course blank notebooks and journals are another purchasing addiction of mine but maybe once I start I'll feel pressure to finish.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Rain & Randomness
Doing the Slice of Life challenge this month has made me realize that I rant about a lot of random things. Today is no exception.
It has been blustering, blowing, and raining since before I was woken up by it @ 2:30 this morning. Then I heard Buddy wake up coughing and crying (poor guy, I hate colds).
It did stop briefly so I moseyed us out of the house to go to story time at the library - only to arrive 10 minutes late (like usual) and find that story time is cancelled this week. Would it have killed anyone to tell us this last week when we were there? So of course I felt stupid because Buddy didn't really want to go out and I definitely didn't want to go out but here we were at the library again. We read three stories, talked to some moms (yeah, I actually recognized and talked to people today even though I felt like a sluggish pile of bricks), grabbed a video (we didn't deceive ourselves into thinking we need some more stories to read when we have piles all over the house or that we would actually read any more new books today- we went straight for the easy entertainment - Sense and Sensibility for me & Baby Einstein numbers for Buddy) and headed home.
I called my mom & ranted about the suckiness that I feel is my life today, put in the video for Buddy, and then heated up leftover pizza for me & macaroni for Buddy. He actually ate (which is great because last night's dinner consisted of a bottle of milk - I couldn't even bribe him with treats. He really must feel like crap). And then we watched Milo & Otis while I put away dishes.
Nap time came & here I am - finishing the laundry I didn't finish yesterday, blog surfing, and blogging.
Puddles are forming on/in my lawn, but the mysterious stench from last night has disappeared. I guess I should count my blessings (those of which don't include: the fact I have to go for a quarterly check up tonight @ the doctors -which I think is utterly pointless and a waste of time and money for the whole company my husband works for and the fact that we are going to Happy Valley this weekend because John's parents are flying down there - which I hate because 1 - it's Happy Valley and 2 - I avoid traveling any where within a hour of downtown Salt Lake on General Conference weekend).
Two more randomness thoughts from blog surfing before I go lay down:
Have you ever known anyone this prepared for their first baby? I haven't even decorated Buddy's room (and he's almost two).
I bought an Easy School Lunch System today. Even though it will be 3 or 4 years before Buddy takes school lunch. It was on sale. Maybe John will use it.
What do you do when it's pouring outside (and sometimes in your life)?
It has been blustering, blowing, and raining since before I was woken up by it @ 2:30 this morning. Then I heard Buddy wake up coughing and crying (poor guy, I hate colds).
It did stop briefly so I moseyed us out of the house to go to story time at the library - only to arrive 10 minutes late (like usual) and find that story time is cancelled this week. Would it have killed anyone to tell us this last week when we were there? So of course I felt stupid because Buddy didn't really want to go out and I definitely didn't want to go out but here we were at the library again. We read three stories, talked to some moms (yeah, I actually recognized and talked to people today even though I felt like a sluggish pile of bricks), grabbed a video (we didn't deceive ourselves into thinking we need some more stories to read when we have piles all over the house or that we would actually read any more new books today- we went straight for the easy entertainment - Sense and Sensibility for me & Baby Einstein numbers for Buddy) and headed home.
I called my mom & ranted about the suckiness that I feel is my life today, put in the video for Buddy, and then heated up leftover pizza for me & macaroni for Buddy. He actually ate (which is great because last night's dinner consisted of a bottle of milk - I couldn't even bribe him with treats. He really must feel like crap). And then we watched Milo & Otis while I put away dishes.
Nap time came & here I am - finishing the laundry I didn't finish yesterday, blog surfing, and blogging.
Puddles are forming on/in my lawn, but the mysterious stench from last night has disappeared. I guess I should count my blessings (those of which don't include: the fact I have to go for a quarterly check up tonight @ the doctors -which I think is utterly pointless and a waste of time and money for the whole company my husband works for and the fact that we are going to Happy Valley this weekend because John's parents are flying down there - which I hate because 1 - it's Happy Valley and 2 - I avoid traveling any where within a hour of downtown Salt Lake on General Conference weekend).
Two more randomness thoughts from blog surfing before I go lay down:
Have you ever known anyone this prepared for their first baby? I haven't even decorated Buddy's room (and he's almost two).
I bought an Easy School Lunch System today. Even though it will be 3 or 4 years before Buddy takes school lunch. It was on sale. Maybe John will use it.
What do you do when it's pouring outside (and sometimes in your life)?
Monday, March 29, 2010
A great day...until it stunk
Today was great. We went to school town early so John could have lunch with one of his old professors and a collegue before one of John's last day of teaching. He has been teaching as a adjunct and it's been a great experience. So we went to Uncle Mikey's early and had lunch with him & Ali. Buddy took a great nap (except for the waking up part 30 minutes in - poor baby is sick with a stuffy head and it's been hard for him to sleep). Then we went to the park (and it wasn't disgusting this time) and spend a couple of hours there. Back to Uncle Mikey's house for dinner (a French toast recipe you let soak in your fridge for 6-12 hours then bake in the oven ) and family home evening. Mike shared his experience of Passover dinner and Easter week that he experienced while going to school in Jerusalem and Buddy watched UP.
Then we got home and for some mysterious reason our house stinks. Well not our whole house, just the kitchen/dining room / living area. I checked the windows downstairs and the whole basement seems (and smells) normal / fine. But our house stinks upstairs.
So I've turned on the candle warmer in Buddy's bathroom and we're in our room with the Scent Bug going and the door shut.
The overhead fan is on in the kitchen so hopefully by the time we check on Buddy and go to bed it doesn't stink any more.
Here's hoping!
Then we got home and for some mysterious reason our house stinks. Well not our whole house, just the kitchen/dining room / living area. I checked the windows downstairs and the whole basement seems (and smells) normal / fine. But our house stinks upstairs.
So I've turned on the candle warmer in Buddy's bathroom and we're in our room with the Scent Bug going and the door shut.
The overhead fan is on in the kitchen so hopefully by the time we check on Buddy and go to bed it doesn't stink any more.
Here's hoping!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Good Night, Bad Night
Buddy had a great night Friday night. He even let us sleep in until 8:30 ! It was wonderful. Then on Saturday he took a 2 hour nap so I could clean the bathrooms and work on my lesson. I was in motherhood heaven (plus John cleaned all the floors during the nap so our house was awesome).
Last night was complete opposite. I didn't feel good - so woke up at 2:30. Then between 2:30 and 7:30 Buddy woke up four times crying and screaming (and wouldn't be comforted).
I didn't think he would last through church but he surprised me and did fine. Now we are home and off for a (hopefully very long) nap.
Last night was complete opposite. I didn't feel good - so woke up at 2:30. Then between 2:30 and 7:30 Buddy woke up four times crying and screaming (and wouldn't be comforted).
I didn't think he would last through church but he surprised me and did fine. Now we are home and off for a (hopefully very long) nap.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The more you know
Did you know Wmart now sells bags of potatoes with the Toy Story characters on the plastic bag? I guess if it will get kids to eat potatoes then great but I would just buy a pack of stickers and decorate my regular (but always Idaho) bag of potatoes.
Yesterday when I got out of the store it was hailing. Not snow but little balls of hail. I guess every season has hail/snow here (yes one time in June I saw it snow).
I try to do my part in saving the environment or making my footprint not so huge by sorting and recycling. But if the world ever runs out of paper towels then I am refusing to clean my toilet until they make some more - just so you know.
If it's almost 50 degrees outside that gives little 13 year olds the permission to dress like prostitutes. We were driving home from seeing the baby bears at a local promotion and we saw a group of 5 girls dressed in short booty shorts and short sleeve tight shirts walking down the street. Maybe I'm getting old because I was SO appalled. I guess when I have preteen girls I'll have to hire a conservative woman to make only pioneer / long dresses for them. I'm sure my kids will love me.
Did you know chicken nuggets are made out of the chicken guts and bone marrow. I watched the Jamie Oliver experiment last night and was grossed out. But what did I buy a couple of hours before watching the show? Hot dogs and chicken nuggets (some of Buddy's favorites). And am I going to stop feeding him those (few) things that he likes to eat? Nope. John said his old coworker used to make her own chicken nuggets (by cutting and breading chicken breasts) but I don't want to - that's why they're so nice already made & in the bag. I don't know what I'm going to do - it was really disgusting - I guess I'll just keep offering (and force feeding) him some good things and hope that balances out the bad (gross).
Yesterday when I got out of the store it was hailing. Not snow but little balls of hail. I guess every season has hail/snow here (yes one time in June I saw it snow).
I try to do my part in saving the environment or making my footprint not so huge by sorting and recycling. But if the world ever runs out of paper towels then I am refusing to clean my toilet until they make some more - just so you know.
If it's almost 50 degrees outside that gives little 13 year olds the permission to dress like prostitutes. We were driving home from seeing the baby bears at a local promotion and we saw a group of 5 girls dressed in short booty shorts and short sleeve tight shirts walking down the street. Maybe I'm getting old because I was SO appalled. I guess when I have preteen girls I'll have to hire a conservative woman to make only pioneer / long dresses for them. I'm sure my kids will love me.
Did you know chicken nuggets are made out of the chicken guts and bone marrow. I watched the Jamie Oliver experiment last night and was grossed out. But what did I buy a couple of hours before watching the show? Hot dogs and chicken nuggets (some of Buddy's favorites). And am I going to stop feeding him those (few) things that he likes to eat? Nope. John said his old coworker used to make her own chicken nuggets (by cutting and breading chicken breasts) but I don't want to - that's why they're so nice already made & in the bag. I don't know what I'm going to do - it was really disgusting - I guess I'll just keep offering (and force feeding) him some good things and hope that balances out the bad (gross).
Friday, March 26, 2010
More than one is always more fun
Random numbers post today:
# of blogs I follow: 51
# of emails I have (and check at least weekly): 3
# of blogs I post on (not comments, posts): 6 (although my extended family one hasn't been posted on in almost a year)
# of "friends" (although most are related friends) I have on facebook: 74
# of websites I check (or do stuff on) on a daily basis: 7 (I'm counting my google/blogger reader/dashboard as one site because it allows me to browse which of the blogs I follow that I actually want to take the time to read
# of books on goodreads: 471 (over half are "to read")
# of audio books I have checked out as of today: 7 (I returned one because I uploaded it to my ipod)
# of books I have checked out: 3 (all of which are nonfiction - perhaps why it's taking me a little longer to read them)
# of TV shows I watch online (I rarely take the time to watch live TV, I like to watch on my own schedule and watch 2 or 3 episodes in a row):
# of times I've worked out since I moved here in August: 1 (if I count the extreme walk I went on once, the rest of the walks were less than a mile)
# of days until it reaches 70 degrees here: ? wish that were zero but I don't know, it could be months yet :(
# of movies I've watched in the theater in the last two years: 3 (I think - last one was Alice in Wonderland while on Spring Break).
# of days until I stop posting EVERY day: five (although I have enjoyed this exercise and plan on doing it next year)
# of blogs I follow: 51
# of emails I have (and check at least weekly): 3
# of blogs I post on (not comments, posts): 6 (although my extended family one hasn't been posted on in almost a year)
# of "friends" (although most are related friends) I have on facebook: 74
# of websites I check (or do stuff on) on a daily basis: 7 (I'm counting my google/blogger reader/dashboard as one site because it allows me to browse which of the blogs I follow that I actually want to take the time to read
# of books on goodreads: 471 (over half are "to read")
# of audio books I have checked out as of today: 7 (I returned one because I uploaded it to my ipod)
# of books I have checked out: 3 (all of which are nonfiction - perhaps why it's taking me a little longer to read them)
# of TV shows I watch online (I rarely take the time to watch live TV, I like to watch on my own schedule and watch 2 or 3 episodes in a row):
# of times I've worked out since I moved here in August: 1 (if I count the extreme walk I went on once, the rest of the walks were less than a mile)
# of days until it reaches 70 degrees here: ? wish that were zero but I don't know, it could be months yet :(
# of movies I've watched in the theater in the last two years: 3 (I think - last one was Alice in Wonderland while on Spring Break).
# of days until I stop posting EVERY day: five (although I have enjoyed this exercise and plan on doing it next year)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
First Day Observations in a New Experiment
Today is my first day of a new experiment: being a mother of two. No, I haven't had another quite yet. We're going to watch a baby once (or twice) a week and see how it goes.
Buddy was ok with Baby. He, of course, wanted his blanket and a bottle of milk when the baby got one. And there was a time where Buddy was covering his ears (while Baby was crying). When Baby went down for his morning nap, Buddy was concerned that he couldn't find Baby until I showed him that Baby was sleeping in the crib. Baby didn't sleep long - he's not used to the noise level that exists here in our house.
I have forgotten how much I longed for an extra hand when Buddy was an infant. I think that we should be able to grow an extra arm and hand and then it goes away when not in use. Luckily Mike came by (after a subbing job) around lunch and got Buddy to eat some more (since Baby decided he was hungry at the same time Buddy's mac & cheese was ready).
I also forgot how loud a baby's poop is. He had two explosion sounds and I thought for sure we would have a blow out but no, there was just a yellow goo in the diaper. Buddy didn't want to feel left out and his diaper was WAY worse than Baby's. (I can' believe I'm blogging about poop - I guess I'm officially a mom).
But both are down now and we've reached a half-way point for the day. I haven't done anything except make my bed, do the dishes, care for the kids, eat a quick bowl of noodles, and now blog. But who says moms have to be productive? Dinner is soup that I made, then froze - so that's taken care of. Maybe I'll go do some chores now or maybe I'll sneak in a chapter of two of my book.
Until tomorrow.... :)
Buddy was ok with Baby. He, of course, wanted his blanket and a bottle of milk when the baby got one. And there was a time where Buddy was covering his ears (while Baby was crying). When Baby went down for his morning nap, Buddy was concerned that he couldn't find Baby until I showed him that Baby was sleeping in the crib. Baby didn't sleep long - he's not used to the noise level that exists here in our house.
I have forgotten how much I longed for an extra hand when Buddy was an infant. I think that we should be able to grow an extra arm and hand and then it goes away when not in use. Luckily Mike came by (after a subbing job) around lunch and got Buddy to eat some more (since Baby decided he was hungry at the same time Buddy's mac & cheese was ready).
I also forgot how loud a baby's poop is. He had two explosion sounds and I thought for sure we would have a blow out but no, there was just a yellow goo in the diaper. Buddy didn't want to feel left out and his diaper was WAY worse than Baby's. (I can' believe I'm blogging about poop - I guess I'm officially a mom).
But both are down now and we've reached a half-way point for the day. I haven't done anything except make my bed, do the dishes, care for the kids, eat a quick bowl of noodles, and now blog. But who says moms have to be productive? Dinner is soup that I made, then froze - so that's taken care of. Maybe I'll go do some chores now or maybe I'll sneak in a chapter of two of my book.
Until tomorrow.... :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Time Change
I missed the joy of the actual time change last week because I went on vacation. I guess Buddy slept until 9 some mornings. That is not the case any more. He is waking up every morning at 7:30. I guess it could be worse but I thought we had him trained to sleep until 8 and with the time change that would be 9 now. I decided I'm not a good mom until 8 so this morning when he woke up before 7:30, I stumbled in and gave him a bottle and told him it was too early for mom to get up. He didn't really understand (and started whinning to tell me so) but I put in my earplugs and went back to bed until 8. After that extra bit of sleep I was ok to get ready for the day. An extra half and hour does make a huge differrence in my day.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Redoing Ricks
My cousin is coming up tonight to check out the local college. It made me think a little about my time in college.
For my Associates Degree I went to Ricks College (yes, it was Ricks then- BYU-Idaho wasn't on the diplomas until the semester after I got my A.A.S.). I went there basically alone. All my friends went to Idaho State or Utah State. I did have my grandma close by which was a great blessing when I got mono (and strep at the same time) from my dish-soap-phobic roommate. Also Sunday dinners at grandmas were a wonderful way to recharge for the week. I had a wonderful time, especially after I got involved in New Student Orientation.
Seeing my little sister prepare for college made me think of things I would do differently if I Redid my time at Ricks (this is also assuming I went back in time and was young again).
I would still live in the dorms my first year. I wouldn't, however, live in that cold basement apartment my second year. I don't know where I would live but not in the basement apartment (that I did see a hobo spider in).
I would get involved with new student orientation or some other organization earlier. I loved my time with new student orientation and it helped me meet so many different people and feel like I made a difference. I only regret that I didn't stay involved during my last semester.
I wouldn't be so self-centered (especially once I met John). My world after my engagement basically consisted of spending all my time with him (when he wasn't buried in the school yearbook office). I would be nicer to my roommates (well not the ones from Ohio) and do more things with them.
I wouldn't major in pre-dental hygiene. I would still minor in English - and would probably take more literature and writing classes (but is there a class that focuses on writing and not grammar rules? I hate rules.). I would go into social work. (Of course I didn't know what a blessing social workers were until we had Faith - in 2004 - and experienced their kindness at Primary Children's.)
I would go to Europe (with the English department) and not get married until August. It's funny, the two times I've planned on traveling to Europe I've had major life changes get in the way. The first time I got engaged and we decided to get married in June. The second time I got pregnant with little Buddy (and would have been 7 or 8 months along during the tour time).
And finally, I think I would have taken more Communications courses. The first (and only) one I took was my last semester. I really enjoyed it. And maybe some of the course material would have rubbed off on me more and I would be a better communicator/speaker/teacher.
So - to sum it up: If you're going to college make sure you: get involved and stay involved in student organization, explore more fields of work while taking your general classes, travel abroad (if that's your thing) don't live in a cold basement apartment (even though it seems like a good idea - convince your friends / old roommates to move somewhere above ground), and keep developing (and looking for )friendships even if you become twitterpated. Oh - and enjoy the journey. Pretty soon it will all be over.
Anyone else have some advice for those going to embarking on college this year?
For my Associates Degree I went to Ricks College (yes, it was Ricks then- BYU-Idaho wasn't on the diplomas until the semester after I got my A.A.S.). I went there basically alone. All my friends went to Idaho State or Utah State. I did have my grandma close by which was a great blessing when I got mono (and strep at the same time) from my dish-soap-phobic roommate. Also Sunday dinners at grandmas were a wonderful way to recharge for the week. I had a wonderful time, especially after I got involved in New Student Orientation.
Seeing my little sister prepare for college made me think of things I would do differently if I Redid my time at Ricks (this is also assuming I went back in time and was young again).
I would still live in the dorms my first year. I wouldn't, however, live in that cold basement apartment my second year. I don't know where I would live but not in the basement apartment (that I did see a hobo spider in).
I would get involved with new student orientation or some other organization earlier. I loved my time with new student orientation and it helped me meet so many different people and feel like I made a difference. I only regret that I didn't stay involved during my last semester.
I wouldn't be so self-centered (especially once I met John). My world after my engagement basically consisted of spending all my time with him (when he wasn't buried in the school yearbook office). I would be nicer to my roommates (well not the ones from Ohio) and do more things with them.
I wouldn't major in pre-dental hygiene. I would still minor in English - and would probably take more literature and writing classes (but is there a class that focuses on writing and not grammar rules? I hate rules.). I would go into social work. (Of course I didn't know what a blessing social workers were until we had Faith - in 2004 - and experienced their kindness at Primary Children's.)
I would go to Europe (with the English department) and not get married until August. It's funny, the two times I've planned on traveling to Europe I've had major life changes get in the way. The first time I got engaged and we decided to get married in June. The second time I got pregnant with little Buddy (and would have been 7 or 8 months along during the tour time).
And finally, I think I would have taken more Communications courses. The first (and only) one I took was my last semester. I really enjoyed it. And maybe some of the course material would have rubbed off on me more and I would be a better communicator/speaker/teacher.
So - to sum it up: If you're going to college make sure you: get involved and stay involved in student organization, explore more fields of work while taking your general classes, travel abroad (if that's your thing) don't live in a cold basement apartment (even though it seems like a good idea - convince your friends / old roommates to move somewhere above ground), and keep developing (and looking for )friendships even if you become twitterpated. Oh - and enjoy the journey. Pretty soon it will all be over.
Anyone else have some advice for those going to embarking on college this year?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Awesome Cake Cookie Recipe
Regular cake mix (any kind - today my brother made Fun Fetti)
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix then scoop out like cookies on ungreased cookie sheet
375 degrees for 8-10 minutes
Yummy!
I am unsure what else to post today. I'm definitely experiencing post-vacation sadness. I don't want to do anything but sleep in my warm bed. It seriously snowed / hailed today. I miss St. George. I will post more about my trip tomorrow.
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
Mix then scoop out like cookies on ungreased cookie sheet
375 degrees for 8-10 minutes
Yummy!
I am unsure what else to post today. I'm definitely experiencing post-vacation sadness. I don't want to do anything but sleep in my warm bed. It seriously snowed / hailed today. I miss St. George. I will post more about my trip tomorrow.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Home Again!
It's nice to be on vacation but it's always nice to come home. It would be nicer if: my house was clean for company that is coming tonight, we had the 68-74 degree temperatures that we had in St. George here where I live, my son didn't just bite me five minutes ago, and if my husband's iphone stopped the capacity to carry games. But if wishes were fishes - we'd all have a fry.
I love being in my nice, comfortable bed. I love the way Buddy occasionally gives me a hug for no reason (and no - he isn't being too clingy, but he keeps asking for grandma). I love the back rubs I got last night and before my (traditional) Sunday nap this afternoon.
It will be a challenge for me to blog this week - I have another lovely lesson to prepare for church. It is so hard for me to do lessons because 1) I hate standing / talking in front of people 2) my class lacks participation 3) I struggle feeling qualified to teach. But life will go on - whether I do a good job or fall on my face.
The company is 10 minutes away - got to go. :) Post at you tomorrow.
I love being in my nice, comfortable bed. I love the way Buddy occasionally gives me a hug for no reason (and no - he isn't being too clingy, but he keeps asking for grandma). I love the back rubs I got last night and before my (traditional) Sunday nap this afternoon.
It will be a challenge for me to blog this week - I have another lovely lesson to prepare for church. It is so hard for me to do lessons because 1) I hate standing / talking in front of people 2) my class lacks participation 3) I struggle feeling qualified to teach. But life will go on - whether I do a good job or fall on my face.
The company is 10 minutes away - got to go. :) Post at you tomorrow.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Road trip?
I just read Real Simple magazine. I always come away from reading that magazine with a ton of things to check out. I guess that's why they have a bookmark with blank lines on it so you can those things down. I came across an awesome website if you travel a lot by car - Roadside America. Plus it's also interesting to see if there are any bizzare local attractions you don't know about.
Friday, March 19, 2010
All Armpits are UGLY!
Went formal dress shopping the other day with my mom, my sister in law, and my baby sister. I can't believe that Kim is old enough to go to her senior prom. And she's so smart too - she got so many scholarships and got into ALL the colleges she applied for. I guess everyone does grow up - quicker than one realizes, especially if you don't see them every day.
It was amazing to see the different styles and imagine people actually wearing some of the dresses to their prom. One was a dalmatian dress - white with black spots and a red belt. Probably something Cruela Devil would wear if she was a teenager.
I personally would choose the bright - past neon- yellow dress in the window of the shop. It was "so pretty" as Ali would say and SO poofy.
Ali and I also looked as the women tried on their bridal dresses and became quite critiques. We also found a beautiful dress for Ali, for if she gets remarried to Mike (LOL).
Kim found a couple to try on, and the owner of the shop was helping everyone that day with suggestions of alterations to make their dresses fit better. My sister was concerned because she couldn't lift her arms in a dress (hey, it's her prom. She wants to be semi comfortable and be able to dance, right?). The owner said "well you don't want to show off your armpits. All armpits are UGLY! If you want to be able to move your arms more, you should consider a sleeveless dress."
Well - I learned something new - all armpits are UGLY. I knew they were a pain to shave and that they stink if you don't put on enough deodorant, but I didn't know they were UGLY.
Needless to say, she thinks she found the dress. Despite the price tag - it is beautiful and looks beautiful on her.
She's a little worried about purchasing a dress, not having a date yet but I told her the same thing happened to me. I didn't have a date until the Monday before prom (and I think my date might have been bribed by a teacher to ask me, but whatever). At least I got to go. And I think that Kim has enough friends (who have graduated) that she could convince them to return to the loveliness that is high school for one night, just so she could experience her senior prom. If not, she could always promenade with Buddy - he is a good walker (if you can slow him down and get him not to run).
It was amazing to see the different styles and imagine people actually wearing some of the dresses to their prom. One was a dalmatian dress - white with black spots and a red belt. Probably something Cruela Devil would wear if she was a teenager.
I personally would choose the bright - past neon- yellow dress in the window of the shop. It was "so pretty" as Ali would say and SO poofy.
Ali and I also looked as the women tried on their bridal dresses and became quite critiques. We also found a beautiful dress for Ali, for if she gets remarried to Mike (LOL).
Kim found a couple to try on, and the owner of the shop was helping everyone that day with suggestions of alterations to make their dresses fit better. My sister was concerned because she couldn't lift her arms in a dress (hey, it's her prom. She wants to be semi comfortable and be able to dance, right?). The owner said "well you don't want to show off your armpits. All armpits are UGLY! If you want to be able to move your arms more, you should consider a sleeveless dress."
Well - I learned something new - all armpits are UGLY. I knew they were a pain to shave and that they stink if you don't put on enough deodorant, but I didn't know they were UGLY.
Needless to say, she thinks she found the dress. Despite the price tag - it is beautiful and looks beautiful on her.
She's a little worried about purchasing a dress, not having a date yet but I told her the same thing happened to me. I didn't have a date until the Monday before prom (and I think my date might have been bribed by a teacher to ask me, but whatever). At least I got to go. And I think that Kim has enough friends (who have graduated) that she could convince them to return to the loveliness that is high school for one night, just so she could experience her senior prom. If not, she could always promenade with Buddy - he is a good walker (if you can slow him down and get him not to run).
Thursday, March 18, 2010
TWO!
Buddy is so cute and such a stinker at the same time. Although I'm on vacation, I've Skyped with him four times since I left.
Pretty much he ignores me or wants to watch YouTube instead of Skyping. He'll run away and go play with his cars while I talk to John and when John made him (by bringing him over to the computer and holding him there) say goodbye - all it was was screaming.
The day John's mom got there he kept saying grandma and when he saw that my mom was with me and John asked him how many grandmas he had he energetically said "TWO! Two Two Two" It was really cute. When we are counting he only counts by saying "Two" not one or three or any other number - just "two". Maybe because he will be two soon - so he's practicing for when people ask him how old he is. I don't know :)
Yesterday he would say "Bye Bye" and Kim, Mom & I would say "No No No" and shake our heads. He thought that was hillarious so he did it about a dozen times.
He is cute but I'm sure when I get back he won't let me out of his site. That's ok, I'll enjoy the suffocation for a day or two and then need another vacation. ;)
Pretty much he ignores me or wants to watch YouTube instead of Skyping. He'll run away and go play with his cars while I talk to John and when John made him (by bringing him over to the computer and holding him there) say goodbye - all it was was screaming.
The day John's mom got there he kept saying grandma and when he saw that my mom was with me and John asked him how many grandmas he had he energetically said "TWO! Two Two Two" It was really cute. When we are counting he only counts by saying "Two" not one or three or any other number - just "two". Maybe because he will be two soon - so he's practicing for when people ask him how old he is. I don't know :)
Yesterday he would say "Bye Bye" and Kim, Mom & I would say "No No No" and shake our heads. He thought that was hillarious so he did it about a dozen times.
He is cute but I'm sure when I get back he won't let me out of his site. That's ok, I'll enjoy the suffocation for a day or two and then need another vacation. ;)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
It's easy being green
We didn’t really celebrate St. Patrick’s day growing up. Oh, of course we wore green in lieu of being pinched to death (I think one year I forgot and promptly changed after my brother pinching me at the breakfast table).
Since I’ve been married, we celebrate a little more. No – no green beer drinking. But John makes sure that we eat corned beef and cabbage (if not the night of St. Patrick’s Day, then some time that week). Being married has also brought a little more Irish into my life in the form of our dear Grandpa McCarty. He is such a sweet man and always makes me blush with his complements (on my beauty or how lucky John is to have me in his life). For the McCarty family reunion John spent hours making a traditional Irish knot in the shape of an M for our shirts. It turned out really cool and John’s uncle even used his plotting machine to get it engraved on a wood plaque.
Anyway, I love corned beef and cabbage (oh – especially the cabbage – steamed just the right amount with butter and salt and pepper) and getting to be a part of the McCarty clan!
Since I’ve been married, we celebrate a little more. No – no green beer drinking. But John makes sure that we eat corned beef and cabbage (if not the night of St. Patrick’s Day, then some time that week). Being married has also brought a little more Irish into my life in the form of our dear Grandpa McCarty. He is such a sweet man and always makes me blush with his complements (on my beauty or how lucky John is to have me in his life). For the McCarty family reunion John spent hours making a traditional Irish knot in the shape of an M for our shirts. It turned out really cool and John’s uncle even used his plotting machine to get it engraved on a wood plaque.
Anyway, I love corned beef and cabbage (oh – especially the cabbage – steamed just the right amount with butter and salt and pepper) and getting to be a part of the McCarty clan!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
We go together like peanut butter and .....
Sometimes John is as random as I am. Like the other day he sent me this e-mail:
subject: awesome Kiddie table!
Message:
it extends when you need it bigger or taller.
http://www.dasmoebel.at/moebel/shop/kinder/0802OSC003
too bad it's in german.
I wonder - aren't you supposed to be working? how did you get to this site? do you want me to search for something like this for our house? (usually the answer is "no I just thought it was cool")
But usually my reply (if I bother to send one) is something like "that IS neat".
Random but neat.
subject: awesome Kiddie table!
Message:
it extends when you need it bigger or taller.
http://www.dasmoebel.at/moebel/shop/kinder/0802OSC003
too bad it's in german.
I wonder - aren't you supposed to be working? how did you get to this site? do you want me to search for something like this for our house? (usually the answer is "no I just thought it was cool")
But usually my reply (if I bother to send one) is something like "that IS neat".
Random but neat.
Monday, March 15, 2010
If Nutrition was out the window:
I would eat out every day. For some reason even the salads at fast food joints taste better than when I make them. Probably because I don't have to clean up after the mess or shop for the stuff (I hate HATE hate grocery shopping).
Buddy would eat hot dogs ("gagogs" as he calls them), juice (we splurge and give him the V8 fusion so he at least gets some veggies as well as fruit juice and sugar), and treats (which can range from anything like "coo coo" 's - cookies to raisins or "eees" to fruit snacks or "elephant noise" - because our fruit snacks are the generic from Sam's and have an elephant on the front each package).
John would eat bacon and hamburgers with bacon.
Buddy would eat hot dogs ("gagogs" as he calls them), juice (we splurge and give him the V8 fusion so he at least gets some veggies as well as fruit juice and sugar), and treats (which can range from anything like "coo coo" 's - cookies to raisins or "eees" to fruit snacks or "elephant noise" - because our fruit snacks are the generic from Sam's and have an elephant on the front each package).
John would eat bacon and hamburgers with bacon.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tears
but when I left last night, I was in tears. Buddy was watching "Leah" (Signing Time - one of his favorites. He thinks all little girls with brown hair are named Leah now). I know he'll be ok, I just hope that he'll forgive me. And not think I'm "gone" (he does this with his hands palms up and shrugs his shoulders) for good.
It will be fun (and nice to sleep in a couple of days and catch up on the four books I brought). But everything reminds me of my little Buddy.
It will be fun (and nice to sleep in a couple of days and catch up on the four books I brought). But everything reminds me of my little Buddy.
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