May 21, 2017 | Currently, Uncategorized, What's going on |
Attempting: To get
up before Annabelle every morning. Not only get up before her, but do my devotions and exercises before she woke up. The whole idea is laughable, but my birthday is coming up and I’m trying to better myself and also lose weight. (When
does extra weight cease to be baby weight and become regular weight?
Asking for a friend.)
Normally I don’t leave my bed
until AB has called my name a number of times and I’ve spent 10 minutes
saying “I’ll be right there” so this is a real 180 from my norm. The first day I popped out of bed bright-eyed and chipper. The second day I hit the snooze button once but I got my things done before Sesame woke up. The third day I accidentally overslept and only got out of bed because I realized the plumber was scheduled to arrive in 22 minutes. I did exercise every day, but I spent all week doing this.
Wishing: I was at Pippa Middleton’s wedding. I’m choosing to believe my invitation got lost in the mail because of course, she did invite me. First thing this morning I hopped online to see pictures. I like this picture of Kate trying to keep all the kids before going into the church. I do the same thing every Sunday. She really is a mom like me.
Meanwhile, there’s Charlotte, licking the bottom of her flower girl basket. Toddlers, man. They’re all the same.
Reading: The first of The Mitford Series and A Day on the Farm.
Drinking: Apple cider vinegar. It might be good for my intestines but you know what it’s not good for? My taste buds. I think they’ve all been burned off.
Baking/binge eating: Tagalong cookie bars. They are SO SO good. They’re counterproductive to weight loss but I don’t care. They’re worth it. I made them for MOPS but they were so frozen I couldn’t get them out of the pan in time. I was left with an entire pan for myself. What a bummer.
Wondering: Why the founders of MOPS settled on a name that’s also a household cleaning item. It stands for Mothers of Preschoolers which makes sense, but I wish they had chosen a name like LOVE (Lives of the Very Exhausted) or NAPS (Never Any Peace). They could have gotten the point across without reminding me that my floor needs to be washed.
Feb 10, 2017 | Currently, Uncategorized, What's going on |
Reading: A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierly and You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden. The former is the book the movie The Lion is based on and the latter is a true story of a woman who survived an attempted abortion. It’s a fascinating story.
Making: blueberry muffins. The recipe isn’t lying by calling them “the most sweetest” muffins. They’re so good. We made them in our new heart cupcake tin because everything tastes better when it’s festive.
Watching: Kipper the dog when Sesame is awake and This Is Us when she’s in bed. HOW MUCH DO I LOVE THIS IS US, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS.
Wishing for: spring. I like snow but am not a fan of endless days of cold and wind. I’m ready for sunny days and playing outside. I can’t wait to go for walks again. Annabelle can’t wait to go swimming. We’re both over winter at this point.
Buying: fancy straws. I know what I said about this being No Spend February and only buying essentials but in my world fancy straws are essential. They were only one dollar and they’re for Annabelle’s birthday so it was a justifiable purchase. No, I don’t need Straw Collectors Anonymous. I don’t have an addiction! I don’t have a supplier who buys me straws with his Michael’s employee discount!
Planning: Annabelle’s birthday party. How can she be almost three?!?! She said she wants an ice cream cake and another ice cream cake.
Taking: all the dayquil/nyquil/robitussin/cough drops. I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but I have the plague. Annabelle got hit first and gave it to me. When I talk to her about sharing I don’t mean I want her to share the flu! We’re a coughing, sore throat, aching mess over here. We were never sick so constantly in Tennessee and it’s gotten so tiring.
Listening to: Sesame calling for me. “Moooooommy! Mama! Come in my room! Mama! Are you dere?! MOOOOOOOMMMMMMYYYYY!” She doesn’t take bedtime as seriously as I do.
Oct 22, 2016 | Currently, Uncategorized, What's going on |
Planning: Annabelle and George’s wedding. It will be bubble themed. The other day Annabelle told me “I’m going to mawwy P’ince George.” My work here is done.
Reading: Eligible by Curtis Sittenfield. It’s a modern day Pride and Prejudice and the easiest book to read. One chapter was a whopping three sentences. I just picked up A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold, mother of a Columbine shooter. These books could not be more different.
Watching: Britain’s Poshest Nannies. One of my after college plans was to be a live-in nanny, preferably in an interesting location. My plans were altered when I got married at 21 but I still think it would have been fun. A few years ago I learned about a nanny college in Australia then more recently I heard of one in England. This documentary shows the process the girls at the English school go through to become nannies for upper class families, celebrities and even royals. It’s interesting to note that I watched it while we were babysitting Ivy and I was contemplating whether I really want another child or not. But sign me up to pay thousands of dollars a year to learn how to be the next nanny for Matt Damon’s children!
Surviving: grocery shopping in the rain. I HATE shopping in the rain, especially when I have Sesame.
Wondering about: toast. Talk to me about toast. What do you put on it? What’s your go-to topping? I love a warm piece of toast with melted butter. If I’m feeling a little fancy I add sugar and cinnamon. I’m open to all toast related suggestions for any meal. Does garlic bread count as toast? I could eat it every day for a week and still want more.
Listening to: AB talk. The other night she didn’t stop talking until after 11. ELEVEN PM. She expected me to answer and have a full conversation with her. I was trying to sleep so I had no interest in discussing the new princess on Sofia the First. She talks nonstop. I think it’s payback from when I was her age.
Having weird dreams about: Christopher taking me with him to Fallujah. Apparently he was deployed there and I decided to go all to see the sites. I was uncomfortable sleeping inside the Humvee so they attached the back of a pickup to the back of the humvee and I made myself a bed and slept out there. My mattress kept falling off and I got so annoyed I decided to stay behind on the side of the road. Eventually Christopher came back to get me and brought with him a souvenir- a garlic garland for the mantle! I’ve always wanted to decorate with garlic! If only it had been a real dream I could have used it to make myself some nice garlic bread.
Sep 9, 2016 | Currently, Uncategorized, What's going on |
Reading: Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle. Five stars all around. It’s so so good. Waiting in the wings are Bebe Day by Day and Sunday’s with Tiffany. I thought I’d get through all three books on vacation but I read all of one paragraph.
Making: zoodles. I love regular pasta with all my heart and soul, but I’m trying to be more healthy and that requires sacrifice. Two nights ago I stuck some zucchini in the spiralizer and cranked out some fake noodles. My Italian ancestors were turning over in their graves. It made my soul weep a little. The finished product wasn’t as fabulous as regular pasta but it wasn’t too bad either. The experimental meal last night was a sausage and vegetable paella with cauliflower “rice” instead of real rice. It was not spectacular. That’s what I get for cheating on the fried rice from Asian Star. This eating healthy nonsense better pay off in the slimming waistline department. If not I’ll be back to my real fried rice and nightly Klondike bars. Just kidding. I’ll be back to my Klondike bars and Lindor truffles either way.
 |
| How pasta makes me feel. |
Disagreeing: with Christopher. I say that when necessary, having the windows open during the day allows some breeze in the house, even if it’s a warm breeze. He says that only works if it’s cooler outside than inside, otherwise all I’m doing is letting hot air in. I said regardless of the temperature of the air it’s still creating airflow which we NEED, since our air conditioner isn’t working. It’s been so stuffy in here we can barely breath. We’re sweating bullets. He also stated that fans don’t cool down a room, they only cool you off if you’re in front of it, creating the illusion that the room is cooler. He pulled up six websites “proving his point.” Apparently he’s “stating facts” and “actual science.” Science, shmience. One site featured a fan in a cooler complete with a graph. Who puts a fan in a cooler? That’s doesn’t make sense at all. I don’t care what the Internet says. I’m stating what I know FROM REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE. I have every downstairs window open and a fan on right now and the breeze is great.
Annoyed with: our broken AC.
Unpacking from/repacking for: the beach/a trip to Georgia. I know you’re thinking, “Didn’t you just take a trip? Why are you always leaving?” Yes we did and I don’t know. If only I got paid per mile traveled I could afford a trip to a tropical location. We’ll only be in Georgia for two nights but I packed 9 necklaces. I like to be prepared for all situations.
(Update: Christopher just came in and said it’s really hot in our house. Somehow he missed the FABULOUS cross-current and airflow and fan positioning I spent half the morning working on. #men.)
Buying: maroon skinny jeans. I’ve never owned colored jeans before so this is a big fashion leap. The store was having a good sale so I also bought a dark gray pair. I’m trying to be a cool mom so AB won’t be embarrassed when she’s seen with me.
Internally crying over: my ever increasing pants size. Why don’t they have normal sized people working in clothing stores? I need someone with a little muffin top to unlock the dressing room door, not a woman wear size -4 pants and giant eyelashes. It’s not good for my self esteem.
Picking up: pompoms. All day every day. Annabelle is obsessed with them and dumps them out the minute she comes downstairs in the morning. I’m counting my blessings that it’s not styrofoam. That stuff sends me straight to Crazytown.
I’m off to have a super healthy supper of dandelion greens and lima beans.
NOT.
I’m making BLT’s with extra B.
Jul 30, 2016 | Currently, Uncategorized, What's going on |
Reading: A Different Beautiful by Courtney Westlake. It’s the true story of a family whose daughter was born with a major skin condition and their journey through it. Confession: I signed up to be on the launch team for the book. I felt so professional! Pin a rose on my nose and call me an editor. Then I forgot to read the book for the month because of potty training. But I’m back on track now since potty training is a no-go.
Giddy Up, Eunice by Sophie Hudson. I’ve read Sophie’s blog for years now and I’m the proud owner of all her books. They’ve all been good but this is by far the best. Get yourself to the bookstore and buy it now!
Columbine by Dave Cullen. For reasons I can’t explain I’ve been into reading books about national tragedies. I cannot put this book down. It’s not a summer beach read but it’s memorizing.
Dreaming about: my childhood crush. I dreampt I was stuck at home during a snowstorm and a van load of friends came to rescue me. I sat down in the only available seat which happened to be next to the love of my young life, Bernie. He put his arm around me and said, “I love you but you already know that.” Thirteen year old Sarah waited her entire childhood to hear him say that.
Buying: Dixie cups. I didn’t realize until Thursday that the supplies for AB’s parents day out program needed to be at the school on Wednesday. I thought I had until September when she starts. I made a mad dash to the dollar store and got everything except the Dixie cups. The list specifically said “ONLY 5oz cups” and the dollar store only had 9oz. Rite Aid had 3oz. I finally found them at a third store when I was just about to throw in the towel. The rule follower in me would have had a conniption if I brought in the wrong size.
In related PDO news, apparently I don’t know the year my only child was born in. The doctor had to correct me. I’m already rocking this school stuff!
Freezing: Popsicles. We made them before lunch and Annabelle asked no less than 8 times in two minutes if they were done yet. There will be tears if they’re not done when she gets up from her nap!
Baking: The Pioneer Woman’s strawberry oatmeal bars. They are delicious and I want to eat the entire 9×12 pan. I told Christopher they’re healthy because they have oats and fruit (in the jelly form). He said “You put a whole bowl of brown sugar and a whole bowl of butter in there. It’s not healthy.” Whatever. It has fruit so I’m still saying it’s healthy. He has a terrible addiction to coke which he claims isn’t bad for him “because it’s diet coke” so I don’t think he’s a reputable source on what is or is not healthy.
Watching: Reruns of Minnie Mouse Bowtique. The only movie we’ve watched lately was Spotlight, the story of the Catholic church scandal. It wasn’t a happy movie but it was very well done. See above where I mention tragedies. None of our shows are on so we’re in a dry spell. I’m sure there’s a direct connection between no shows and the impressive number of books I’ve gotten through lately.
Ok, fine. I’ve been watching The Bachelorette too. You know I have. It’s like a sickness for which there is no cure.
Recovering from: our big outing this morning. Normally we only do one exciting outing a day*. If we’re being really ambitious we might do two. AB is perfectly fine with this low key life as she doesn’t know anything different. Keeping expectations low since 2014! Today we went to an outdoor music class followed by the splash pad and the playground. Everything was in the same park so it wasn’t hard to jump from one place to the other. We spent enough time splashing and swinging to ensure a good nap. All heck broke loose on the way house. She started crying because “THE WINDOW FELL ON MEEEEE! THE WINDOW FELLLLLL!” All that happened was she was playing with the screen and it brushed her arm. Drama City over here. The teen years will be so fun!
* If we’re being honest somedays we don’t leave the house.
Jun 1, 2016 | Currently, Uncategorized, What's going on |
Excited about: Michelle and Gracie coming for a visit TODAY. I am so excited. I should be sweeping the floor for the third time today (thank you for the continual crumbs, AB) but I’m cranking this out instead. I don’t think she’ll mind. After all, we have matching shirts so we’re solidly in the best friends category.
Watching: Outdaughtered on TLC. The family has quintuplet (FIVE) baby girls. I love shows with lots of kids. I get to learn new parenting tricks while not having to care for all the children.
The Bachelorette. I dragged Michelle into the Bachelor franchise with me and it’s simultaneously something I’m proud and ashamed to admit. Should I have recommended a new Bible study instead? Probably. Are we planning a bachelorette viewing party while she’s here? Yes.
Hail, Caesar is on right now but Christopher is enjoying it much more than I am. Overall I’d give it a low rating but Channing Tatum just appeared so things are starting to look up. ETA it never got better. I was so annoyed with it that I had to watch another show to get in a better mood.
Googling: “What do people make for supper?” I’m desperate for new meal ideas.
Reading: Escape by Carolyn Jessop. I have been sucked in since the first page. The woman who wrote it was the fourth wife in a polygamous marriage. She eventually escaped her abusive husband with her eight children. I haven’t put it down.
Breaking: The decorative bird top off my glass jar in the bathroom. I blame the flies. It’s fly season again which means my yearly war against them has begun. I tried to kill the fly with a towel and broke the jar instead. I will not let the flies win!
Eating: Strawberry shortcake and homemade whipped cream.
Annoyed with: people who say Mary nursed Jesus. It’s not the actual nursing part I find annoying. It’s the fact that they use paintings of Mary nursing as proof. Did Mary really have the time or money to have her portrait painted? I don’t think so. Wasn’t she too busy hand washing her clothes in the sea or trying to explain to her other kids that Jesus never got in trouble because he was literally a perfect child? “Sorry, James. You’re just not as good as your big brother so don’t bother trying.” Sorry for the tangent. You can paint anyone doing anything. I could paint George Washington crossing the street wearing a grass skirt but that doesn’t mean he did it. Like I said, IT ANNOYS ME.
Baking: Blueberry muffins. The grocery store had buy two, get three free packs of blueberries this week and I scooped them up like they were going out of style. I want to make anything and everything with blueberries.
Counting down the minutes until: Michelle arrives!!
