All postings have moved to my other blog
Sitting here, eating bonbons
It's just too hard to keep up with 2, atleast until I can decide what to do...
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Just a little off the top...
Hazel's hair is getting so long and thick. It's always in her face, and I'm always pinning it back so she's not getting it in her eyes and mouth. She has this cute little cowlick at the crest of her head the prevents me from pulling her hair straight back, so we settle for pigtails much of the time.
It's so tragic to pin back those beautiful curls all the time. They're so perfect. Like I just pulled them out of curlers.
I've been toying for a while with giving her a good trim. But I keep thinking that she's still young, and it's not really necessary as her curls tuck all the uneven ends up anyway. So I've been putting the trim off.
Till last night.
We were sitting on the couch, her on my lap, getting her hair combed after her "tubby" and I decided it was time. I was combing hair that, in the front, wet, reached her shoulders , and in the back, reached the base of her shoulder blades. So I asked her if I could cut her hair.
"Okay, Mama."
So we did!
It was about 2 inches off the back only. Just to bring it more level with the sides and then I gave her a little layers in the back to spring up her curls. And it looks cute this morning...bedhead and all. Much more of an intentional bob then anything else. And much cuter in a headband now that it's all even .
And now...off to other growing up things...like college :)
It's so tragic to pin back those beautiful curls all the time. They're so perfect. Like I just pulled them out of curlers.
I've been toying for a while with giving her a good trim. But I keep thinking that she's still young, and it's not really necessary as her curls tuck all the uneven ends up anyway. So I've been putting the trim off.
Till last night.
We were sitting on the couch, her on my lap, getting her hair combed after her "tubby" and I decided it was time. I was combing hair that, in the front, wet, reached her shoulders , and in the back, reached the base of her shoulder blades. So I asked her if I could cut her hair.
"Okay, Mama."
So we did!
It was about 2 inches off the back only. Just to bring it more level with the sides and then I gave her a little layers in the back to spring up her curls. And it looks cute this morning...bedhead and all. Much more of an intentional bob then anything else. And much cuter in a headband now that it's all even .
And now...off to other growing up things...like college :)
Monday, 27 July 2009
Odd bruises
Just a quick update today. That way I get in the habit and you don't think I've forgotten about you!
Bruises showed up just inside my lips last Wednesday. Bright red bruising that makes my mouth numb in that area and painful to eat with. Not unbearably, just uncomfortable. Dr on Friday said he was baffled and was sure it would go away, but it's making me nervous. So I'm going to call the dentist as my GP is an idiot 99% of the time anyway. We'll see what she has to say about it.
Hazel's going crazy in our house. She really hasn't been out much except to the old house on Saturday, and it's been pouring down rain most days otherwise. There's a huge Swine flu scare in Northern Ireland, 3 people who work with Brett (not directly) have it and there have been warnings all over the place about staying home and calling your GP for diagnosis vs bringing it into the healthcenter. (thank you). So we've not been very motivated to take her out and expose her to other children and people. I know she doesn't understand, but it's better than her being sick. I'd rather have a crabby healthy child than a crabby sick child.
Well, we're off to check the laundry and find something to do. Lots and lots of stuff to put away from the old house and we should probably get on it so our house is back to neat and tidy!
Hugs to all!
Bruises showed up just inside my lips last Wednesday. Bright red bruising that makes my mouth numb in that area and painful to eat with. Not unbearably, just uncomfortable. Dr on Friday said he was baffled and was sure it would go away, but it's making me nervous. So I'm going to call the dentist as my GP is an idiot 99% of the time anyway. We'll see what she has to say about it.
Hazel's going crazy in our house. She really hasn't been out much except to the old house on Saturday, and it's been pouring down rain most days otherwise. There's a huge Swine flu scare in Northern Ireland, 3 people who work with Brett (not directly) have it and there have been warnings all over the place about staying home and calling your GP for diagnosis vs bringing it into the healthcenter. (thank you). So we've not been very motivated to take her out and expose her to other children and people. I know she doesn't understand, but it's better than her being sick. I'd rather have a crabby healthy child than a crabby sick child.
Well, we're off to check the laundry and find something to do. Lots and lots of stuff to put away from the old house and we should probably get on it so our house is back to neat and tidy!
Hugs to all!
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Media malnutrition
I logged onto Windows Live today. I realized about 2pm that I'm a horrible daughter and sister and had cut off all contact and I better log on. So I did.
Now, those of you unfamiliar with the Windows Live logging on process, once you log in, a pop-up comes up with how many emails I haven't read. Don't ask. It's my junk mail/what I use to register for things with/what I give strangers email, the one I never ever check so it's usually 1000+ emails. If you email my hotmail account, don't be hurt if I never return your email....
Then you get another pop-up with TODAY IN THE NEWS. And it's all tabloid stuff. I usually scan it and on very very rare occasion will look up one of the stories. But believe me, it's pretty rare. One big one lately has been, "When Oprah's recommendations go wrong" or something like that (tho I'm pretty sure it had another title...same concept). Fascinated, I looked it up. Funny, useless information about things Oprah has endorced that had a negative effect on the company vs. doing amazing things for the sales of the product. Funny. In one ear and out the other.
Today had a post about Jon (of Jon & Kate + 8) and wha his girlfriend has to say. Really. WHO CARES, right? I have to say that is defenitely one reason I do not miss American Gossip Media. Or News Media. It's all gossip anyway, right?
And it got me thinking. I am so malnourished in the wide world of what is going on. I don't watch the news here b/c it's all about bombings and what one group of people did to another group of people. Prejudice this and prejudice that. Who drank too much and cause a bar fight, who had a DUI, who was caught with drugs, whom was sleeping with who. I think it's sad that A) the media only reports on the bad stuff. B) They have to report all the crap to keep the public interested. C) That society is so bad that they're only interested in the crap. D) That I'm considered uneducated and uninteresting to talk to if I don't know the latest and greatest crap.
So here is my thoughts. You can disagree all you want. That is your right.
I have enough stress in my day to day life, that inviting the notion that something else may happen is simply adding to my stress. Don't need it.
I have a low self-body image as it is. I don't need to see who's wearing what and how they trained for 8 hours a day and flushed their colon to get in it. IT costing more than the balance on my car. Reality is, I have a toddler and I chase her for 18 hours a day and GAIN weight, making my $5 dress look like crap on me.
I love my husband dearly and deeply. He is wonderful and handsome and the best. He is the man I married and there really is no one out there better for me than him. So watching the gossip shows where no one can stay faithful b/c life got hard...BIG SHOCK, life IS hard...and they can't take any more, is a waste of time and energy on my part.
I worship God. Jesus Christ is my saviour. That is why I don't have a favorite Actress, singer, actor. It is sad that Michael JAckson died. It was amazing the things he did for pop music. He had a tragic life and that was sad. However, California should not be in debt for his funeral. I caught the replay of Princess Di's funeral, because I was a Freshman at Purdue, and I wasn't family or close personal friend and wasn't going to get myself out of bed at 5 am to watch it live. These people are just people. That's it. They spent their lives doing amazing things and contributing to society and I truly believe they would be sad to think that instead of joining their cause and helping the world, you sat around and fixated yourself on what they were wearing, what they were doing, WHO they were doing, and the list goes on. They're good people and they will be missed, but I think they would be better served by spending time and precious money on things other than them. Donate to a charity in their honor. Even if you have no money, you have time. I know you do, watching TV, reading magazines. Scanning the news racks for the latest headline containing them. That's just hours and hours of time that you could be banding together with them or their memory. So why doesn't this make sense to other people? I think all these celebrities would be sad to think that the focus was on what they wore to a charity event versus what the charity did for someone. God said worshiping Idols was a sin, and they don't call it American Idol for nothing. He never said there was anything wrong in helping another of mankind. He's all about love and kindness and stretching out your hand. Go do it.
I feel okay in the knowledge that I'm media deficiant. That I have no idea what is going on the rest of the world. I have to be IN this world. I don't have to be OF this world. And I feel happier in the knowing that I'm a little more boring because of it.
Now, those of you unfamiliar with the Windows Live logging on process, once you log in, a pop-up comes up with how many emails I haven't read. Don't ask. It's my junk mail/what I use to register for things with/what I give strangers email, the one I never ever check so it's usually 1000+ emails. If you email my hotmail account, don't be hurt if I never return your email....
Then you get another pop-up with TODAY IN THE NEWS. And it's all tabloid stuff. I usually scan it and on very very rare occasion will look up one of the stories. But believe me, it's pretty rare. One big one lately has been, "When Oprah's recommendations go wrong" or something like that (tho I'm pretty sure it had another title...same concept). Fascinated, I looked it up. Funny, useless information about things Oprah has endorced that had a negative effect on the company vs. doing amazing things for the sales of the product. Funny. In one ear and out the other.
Today had a post about Jon (of Jon & Kate + 8) and wha his girlfriend has to say. Really. WHO CARES, right? I have to say that is defenitely one reason I do not miss American Gossip Media. Or News Media. It's all gossip anyway, right?
And it got me thinking. I am so malnourished in the wide world of what is going on. I don't watch the news here b/c it's all about bombings and what one group of people did to another group of people. Prejudice this and prejudice that. Who drank too much and cause a bar fight, who had a DUI, who was caught with drugs, whom was sleeping with who. I think it's sad that A) the media only reports on the bad stuff. B) They have to report all the crap to keep the public interested. C) That society is so bad that they're only interested in the crap. D) That I'm considered uneducated and uninteresting to talk to if I don't know the latest and greatest crap.
So here is my thoughts. You can disagree all you want. That is your right.
I have enough stress in my day to day life, that inviting the notion that something else may happen is simply adding to my stress. Don't need it.
I have a low self-body image as it is. I don't need to see who's wearing what and how they trained for 8 hours a day and flushed their colon to get in it. IT costing more than the balance on my car. Reality is, I have a toddler and I chase her for 18 hours a day and GAIN weight, making my $5 dress look like crap on me.
I love my husband dearly and deeply. He is wonderful and handsome and the best. He is the man I married and there really is no one out there better for me than him. So watching the gossip shows where no one can stay faithful b/c life got hard...BIG SHOCK, life IS hard...and they can't take any more, is a waste of time and energy on my part.
I worship God. Jesus Christ is my saviour. That is why I don't have a favorite Actress, singer, actor. It is sad that Michael JAckson died. It was amazing the things he did for pop music. He had a tragic life and that was sad. However, California should not be in debt for his funeral. I caught the replay of Princess Di's funeral, because I was a Freshman at Purdue, and I wasn't family or close personal friend and wasn't going to get myself out of bed at 5 am to watch it live. These people are just people. That's it. They spent their lives doing amazing things and contributing to society and I truly believe they would be sad to think that instead of joining their cause and helping the world, you sat around and fixated yourself on what they were wearing, what they were doing, WHO they were doing, and the list goes on. They're good people and they will be missed, but I think they would be better served by spending time and precious money on things other than them. Donate to a charity in their honor. Even if you have no money, you have time. I know you do, watching TV, reading magazines. Scanning the news racks for the latest headline containing them. That's just hours and hours of time that you could be banding together with them or their memory. So why doesn't this make sense to other people? I think all these celebrities would be sad to think that the focus was on what they wore to a charity event versus what the charity did for someone. God said worshiping Idols was a sin, and they don't call it American Idol for nothing. He never said there was anything wrong in helping another of mankind. He's all about love and kindness and stretching out your hand. Go do it.
I feel okay in the knowledge that I'm media deficiant. That I have no idea what is going on the rest of the world. I have to be IN this world. I don't have to be OF this world. And I feel happier in the knowing that I'm a little more boring because of it.
Friday, 24 July 2009
In Retrospect
I was sitting in the health center today waiting for the doctor, who was 35 minutes late, to ring my name over the announcement screen. Loud, schreaching beep. Mrs. Carli Davis flashes on the screen and makes your trip back to see the doctor more embarassing than being chosen last in Gym class back in school. But that's socialized medicine for you. Zero descression.
Oh, well.
I sat and waited. Knitting, knitting, knitting, trying to pass the time with something productive. I had a baby sweater vest that I'm closing on being done with and it was a good project to have with me. No pattern to follow, simple 2x2 ribbing boardered by garter stitch. Good. Soothing.
Enter the boys. 3 boys...aging approx. 4-7. TERRORS. Please Lord save me from crazy, out-of-control boys. I love boys. Want boys. Think the world is better for boys. God, please give me the strength to raise well behaved boys. Please. Pretty please?
But I digress.
The purpose of my dr's visit was b/c I have some odd bruising on the inside of my lips. Started Wednesday night and have spread. No, there's no ulceration, so it's not a cold sore. It's a bright red bruise. It baffled the doctor. It's numb in that area (which is just inside my lips all the way around) and feels weird to eat. Doctor had no clue. Told me it should go away eventually.
Got me thinking, though.
I wanna get pregnant. I'm craving baby #2. But I remembered all the stuff that I went through in the months that were my first pregnancy.
1. Morning/Afternoon/Evening sickness. All the time. Over everything.
2. Rash on my hands. All over my palms and wrists. Had to sleep with ice bags on my hand just so I could have itch relief.
3. I started "showing" at 3 months. That is had maternity clothes on by 3 months. Yah, that's BY THE END OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF MY FIRST PREGNANCY. Don't you show earlier and earlier with each pregnancy?
4. I started lactating (that's leaky boobs for those of you unfamiliar with breast feeding terminology) at 21 weeks. I wore breast pads from 21 weeks until Hazel was 14 months old. That's 16 + (4 times 14)...math don't fail me now...80 weeks. 80 times 7 days is 560 days. of breast pads. don't make me do how many breast pads I went through as that will just depress me.
5. Good old Bedrest. For no reason. Just because Hazel decided it was time to join the world 8 weeks early. Yah, bedrest isn't fun if you haven't done it.
But at the end of the day, pregnancy was wonderful. Nothing too major to complain about and although it wasn't smooth sailing....I wanna do it again. Badly.
Oh, well.
I sat and waited. Knitting, knitting, knitting, trying to pass the time with something productive. I had a baby sweater vest that I'm closing on being done with and it was a good project to have with me. No pattern to follow, simple 2x2 ribbing boardered by garter stitch. Good. Soothing.
Enter the boys. 3 boys...aging approx. 4-7. TERRORS. Please Lord save me from crazy, out-of-control boys. I love boys. Want boys. Think the world is better for boys. God, please give me the strength to raise well behaved boys. Please. Pretty please?
But I digress.
The purpose of my dr's visit was b/c I have some odd bruising on the inside of my lips. Started Wednesday night and have spread. No, there's no ulceration, so it's not a cold sore. It's a bright red bruise. It baffled the doctor. It's numb in that area (which is just inside my lips all the way around) and feels weird to eat. Doctor had no clue. Told me it should go away eventually.
Got me thinking, though.
I wanna get pregnant. I'm craving baby #2. But I remembered all the stuff that I went through in the months that were my first pregnancy.
1. Morning/Afternoon/Evening sickness. All the time. Over everything.
2. Rash on my hands. All over my palms and wrists. Had to sleep with ice bags on my hand just so I could have itch relief.
3. I started "showing" at 3 months. That is had maternity clothes on by 3 months. Yah, that's BY THE END OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF MY FIRST PREGNANCY. Don't you show earlier and earlier with each pregnancy?
4. I started lactating (that's leaky boobs for those of you unfamiliar with breast feeding terminology) at 21 weeks. I wore breast pads from 21 weeks until Hazel was 14 months old. That's 16 + (4 times 14)...math don't fail me now...80 weeks. 80 times 7 days is 560 days. of breast pads. don't make me do how many breast pads I went through as that will just depress me.
5. Good old Bedrest. For no reason. Just because Hazel decided it was time to join the world 8 weeks early. Yah, bedrest isn't fun if you haven't done it.
But at the end of the day, pregnancy was wonderful. Nothing too major to complain about and although it wasn't smooth sailing....I wanna do it again. Badly.
Freaky Friday
I woke up this morning about 4:15.
Weird dream, the need to pee, and inability to breath out of one nostril. Got up, did my business to remedy the last to problems and then laid back down.
No sleep. I played on my Nintendo DS, I snuggled down deep, but no sleep.
Then Hazel woke up at 5:30. Hurray. And we've been up since. I'm quickly winding down, but I know that if I lay down now, I'll just lay awake. So I sit, 1/2 alive, blogging and knitting.
Hazel's got a new habit that I forgot to tell you about.
She's always been a belly button and nipple rubber when she gets tired. We know she's tired when the bellybutton is rubbed raw.
Lately, however, she's been lifting her shirt high above her boobies and pressing her belly against EVERYTHING. The TV. The Wall. The Door. The Couch. On the Table top. If you can press your belly against something at her height, she does it.
It's a bit freaky to see your 22 month old, shirt up, pressed against the wall. But, ya know, whatever blows her socks off, I suppose!
Weird dream, the need to pee, and inability to breath out of one nostril. Got up, did my business to remedy the last to problems and then laid back down.
No sleep. I played on my Nintendo DS, I snuggled down deep, but no sleep.
Then Hazel woke up at 5:30. Hurray. And we've been up since. I'm quickly winding down, but I know that if I lay down now, I'll just lay awake. So I sit, 1/2 alive, blogging and knitting.
Hazel's got a new habit that I forgot to tell you about.
She's always been a belly button and nipple rubber when she gets tired. We know she's tired when the bellybutton is rubbed raw.
Lately, however, she's been lifting her shirt high above her boobies and pressing her belly against EVERYTHING. The TV. The Wall. The Door. The Couch. On the Table top. If you can press your belly against something at her height, she does it.
It's a bit freaky to see your 22 month old, shirt up, pressed against the wall. But, ya know, whatever blows her socks off, I suppose!
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Attack of AF and the hormone patrol
No, I'm not preggo yet. Not that I'm aware anyway. But maybe next month. Baby #2 is apparently not ready to enter the world yet, as it'll be another few weeks before I get pregnant. Oh, well. Still trying not to be bitter over people who don't even try. Atleast I know I'm able to carry a little one, so I don't have too much room to complain.
It is, however, period week. And I'm feeling the surge of PMS. Grumble grumble grrrrr. I can tell when I get angry for silly things that usually don't upset me. Like this weeek I'm supposed to be organiing a girl's night out for Michelle's birthday. Nothing to do with the fact that no one planned anything for my birthday and it was my 30th and this is Michelle's 33rd. now, the rational human side of my brain is screaming that we love Michelle, she's a great friend and we want to celebrate her birthday. That every birthday is a special birthday and we absolutely should celebrate her b-day with a girl's night out.
The PMS side of me, however, is standing firmly on my feelings, insisting that no one spent the time, energy, or money on my birthday, and it was a big one. The only one I was really really excited to get to. And it came and went with no celebration. The hormones remind me that the likelyhood of anyone ever throwing me a surprise party or a party at all is slim, so why bother with anyone elses.
And although the normal, rational, NICE side of me knows that I should listen to the human side; the hormones are gaining in presence, and they're getting very difficult to fight off.
I hate the hormones. I really do. And although, as a woman, I can recognize that my irrationality stems from the hormones, it is certain death to ANYONE else who acknowledges them. I tell you what. Aunt Flow is a biatch. She's the wickedest of all wicked witches and she's invading full scale whether you invite her and her crew or not. Sigh. And I welcome her every month in the hopes of having more babies...
In other news, we're stranded inside due to crummy weather. It's raining and gross out (yes, sometimes it's rainy and not gross), making our house chilly. Hazel's bundled up in long sleeves, flannel pants and socks, and it makes me laugh as everyone at home is sweating their behinds off. I kind of miss that, though. Don't know what Hazel will do in warm weather. The thought of moving her from 70 degrees at hottest to Georgia where it's quite a bit warmer amuses me as she won't know what to do with herself in such warm weather!
Well, lunch is over, and she's getting sleepy (rubbing eyes and yawning are dead give aways). Should head and get my girl to bed! Hopefully I'll get a bit of a nap and scare the hormones away for a while...
It is, however, period week. And I'm feeling the surge of PMS. Grumble grumble grrrrr. I can tell when I get angry for silly things that usually don't upset me. Like this weeek I'm supposed to be organiing a girl's night out for Michelle's birthday. Nothing to do with the fact that no one planned anything for my birthday and it was my 30th and this is Michelle's 33rd. now, the rational human side of my brain is screaming that we love Michelle, she's a great friend and we want to celebrate her birthday. That every birthday is a special birthday and we absolutely should celebrate her b-day with a girl's night out.
The PMS side of me, however, is standing firmly on my feelings, insisting that no one spent the time, energy, or money on my birthday, and it was a big one. The only one I was really really excited to get to. And it came and went with no celebration. The hormones remind me that the likelyhood of anyone ever throwing me a surprise party or a party at all is slim, so why bother with anyone elses.
And although the normal, rational, NICE side of me knows that I should listen to the human side; the hormones are gaining in presence, and they're getting very difficult to fight off.
I hate the hormones. I really do. And although, as a woman, I can recognize that my irrationality stems from the hormones, it is certain death to ANYONE else who acknowledges them. I tell you what. Aunt Flow is a biatch. She's the wickedest of all wicked witches and she's invading full scale whether you invite her and her crew or not. Sigh. And I welcome her every month in the hopes of having more babies...
In other news, we're stranded inside due to crummy weather. It's raining and gross out (yes, sometimes it's rainy and not gross), making our house chilly. Hazel's bundled up in long sleeves, flannel pants and socks, and it makes me laugh as everyone at home is sweating their behinds off. I kind of miss that, though. Don't know what Hazel will do in warm weather. The thought of moving her from 70 degrees at hottest to Georgia where it's quite a bit warmer amuses me as she won't know what to do with herself in such warm weather!
Well, lunch is over, and she's getting sleepy (rubbing eyes and yawning are dead give aways). Should head and get my girl to bed! Hopefully I'll get a bit of a nap and scare the hormones away for a while...
Monday, 20 July 2009
That Thing You Do
This past weekend was pretty busy, which is new. Usually weekends spent here are pretty uneventful and boring.
Friday night we left Hazel with my friend Michelle and headed off to Whitehead for a dinner party at one of Brett's co-workers. Hani and Sandra are amazing hosts and Sandra prepared just an incredible meal. Hani is palestinian (sp?) and his wife served an incredible spread of middle eastern inspired dishes, and were delicious. There was good food, good company, good conversation, and the evening flew far too quickly. I headed home around midnight to releave Michelle, and Brett stayed with Matt and Jenn, catching a taxi home but not getting here until 3!! I'm glad they had so much fun, though.
We had a birthday party on Saturday and Sunday was just a big day of relaxing!
Hazel's developing so quickly that I almost can't keep up. She's really talking up a storm. She never grunts anymore when she wants something. When she doesn't know the word for what she wants, she usually says, "This." or "Pity Pease." Otherwise we get bombarded with the same word for whatever is over and over and over and over until we say no hard enough or give it to her. Michelle was laughing at me the other day when I was talking to her daughter, Beth. Beth is in the babbling stage, which I love, and I was babbling right back at her. "No wonder your daughter talks so much. You speak her language." Hmmmm....
The next several weekends are going to be crazy. This weekend we have to finish up moving out of the old apartment, next weekend is our 5th anniversary (yay!!!), the following weekend I have a baby fair that I'm putting a stall of 2nd hand baby clothes in (there are a few of us doing it), then the following weekend I'm supposed to be hosting a Pampered Chef party. That is, if the flipping consultant will actually email me back. I hate telling people about it when I can't get her to commit or respond. Most people are on holiday last week, so I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt and if she doesn't get back to me by wednesday then I'm calling it off.
Well, it's sunny and windy outside, so I should finish breakfast so I can go hang clothing outside...hopefully get a few loads done today while we're home.
Hugs and Kisses to all!
Friday night we left Hazel with my friend Michelle and headed off to Whitehead for a dinner party at one of Brett's co-workers. Hani and Sandra are amazing hosts and Sandra prepared just an incredible meal. Hani is palestinian (sp?) and his wife served an incredible spread of middle eastern inspired dishes, and were delicious. There was good food, good company, good conversation, and the evening flew far too quickly. I headed home around midnight to releave Michelle, and Brett stayed with Matt and Jenn, catching a taxi home but not getting here until 3!! I'm glad they had so much fun, though.
We had a birthday party on Saturday and Sunday was just a big day of relaxing!
Hazel's developing so quickly that I almost can't keep up. She's really talking up a storm. She never grunts anymore when she wants something. When she doesn't know the word for what she wants, she usually says, "This." or "Pity Pease." Otherwise we get bombarded with the same word for whatever is over and over and over and over until we say no hard enough or give it to her. Michelle was laughing at me the other day when I was talking to her daughter, Beth. Beth is in the babbling stage, which I love, and I was babbling right back at her. "No wonder your daughter talks so much. You speak her language." Hmmmm....
The next several weekends are going to be crazy. This weekend we have to finish up moving out of the old apartment, next weekend is our 5th anniversary (yay!!!), the following weekend I have a baby fair that I'm putting a stall of 2nd hand baby clothes in (there are a few of us doing it), then the following weekend I'm supposed to be hosting a Pampered Chef party. That is, if the flipping consultant will actually email me back. I hate telling people about it when I can't get her to commit or respond. Most people are on holiday last week, so I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt and if she doesn't get back to me by wednesday then I'm calling it off.
Well, it's sunny and windy outside, so I should finish breakfast so I can go hang clothing outside...hopefully get a few loads done today while we're home.
Hugs and Kisses to all!
Friday, 17 July 2009
Oldies, but Goodies
I meant to post last night, but nevermind that I knitted and knitted and knitted instead. Unexciting day yesterday, anyway.
Hazel and I played and read books a lot, we hung out laundry to dry, took a nap (I needed one as much as her), made Koolaid Playdoh, daddy got home, made dinner, wrestled Daddy, Hazel went to bed at 8:30, and Brett and I watched Battlestar Galactica. Knitting, knitting, knitting.
It's official, I'm a scifi geek. I think after you're addicted to and love 3 different scifi shows, you're a geek. I don't think it was possible to grow up in my house and not be in love with Star Wars, Brett started watching Star Trek: Enterprise in Peoria and got me addicted (love that show). And now we've gotten into BSG. The Yarn Harlot, my knitting idol, was a BSG fan and I thought we'd give it a go, watch an episode or two and see. Good show. Not to mention that we've got that, plus the series Prison Break going at the same time. Pamela loaned us Prison Break while she's touring the US for a month. It's an amazingly good show. Kind of violent and gory, but it really needs that, I think, for the show to progress.
By the way (BTW), I'm currently sitting on the floor, Hazel's on my lap, and the computer is on hers, so if this is a little unreadable, then you'll know why.
We made Koolaid Playdough (recipe in link above) for the 2nd time yesterday. It's the best recipe I've found as it contains no oil, therefore it doesn't leave oily greasy mess everywhere. Simple. Flour, salt, koolaid, water. Easy peasy. Makes the world largest amount of playdough, though. Be forwarned. Lots and lots. And I strongly recommend plastic gloves before mixing, as mooshing together the dry stuff with boiling water is PAINFUL. I, also, recommend kneading it until you feel like your arms are going to fall off. It really gets the gluten in the flour going so that it feels like playdough and not the generic, grainy, homemade stuff. Not to mention the stuff SMELLS amazing since it has koolaid in it. The first batch we made was with 2 pkg of Cherry, this batch was 1 Strawberry, 1 Tropical Punch. Hardly any difference. Nothing too noticeable. Same smell, color, etc. Well, mostly. I can't wait to try it in other color/flavors. I'm going to make some for Hazel's little guests at her birthday party in September.
Speaking of...the kids are getting big enough this year to make it a child centered party instead of an adults-celebrating-kids party. So after some brainstorming, we decided to have a big craft party for the kids. Hazel's got about 6 little friends, so oI thought it would be fun to make playdough for them in different colors, we talked about hiring a facepainter. There are recipes online for homemade fingerpaints, we can color, etc and so on. I thought it would be fun and then the little ones can have some art to take home at the end of the day! I think I have to be a crazy lady, though, for doing it, as....
...the day before Hazel's birthday is the day several of us in the knit group are going to IKnit day in London. We'll fly out about 6am and get home somewhere around 10pm that night. THEN, I'm having a party the next day. Luckily it should be fairly simple for the party, and if I get all prepped on Friday, then Sunday will be a breeze and I can relax at IKnit.
Hmmmm. Whatelse is going on...Baby making has commenced! I'm really excited!!!! And really dreading it at the same time. Seems like everyone is preggo and took no effort to get that way, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that it probably won't be that easy for us. Sigh. It's hard not to be resentful toward everyone who got preggo right away, but I do dknow God knows best and it'll happen when it should. I do dknow that, but convincing my heart is a whole other story. I was hoping Hazel and her siblings would be closer in age, but it's not in God's plan, so I need to just calm down and wait.
Well, I should go get dressed as we have to get friends in an hour to go play at Cheeky Monkey's. I'm going to take the camera and hopefully have some video to post!
Hazel and I played and read books a lot, we hung out laundry to dry, took a nap (I needed one as much as her), made Koolaid Playdoh, daddy got home, made dinner, wrestled Daddy, Hazel went to bed at 8:30, and Brett and I watched Battlestar Galactica. Knitting, knitting, knitting.
It's official, I'm a scifi geek. I think after you're addicted to and love 3 different scifi shows, you're a geek. I don't think it was possible to grow up in my house and not be in love with Star Wars, Brett started watching Star Trek: Enterprise in Peoria and got me addicted (love that show). And now we've gotten into BSG. The Yarn Harlot, my knitting idol, was a BSG fan and I thought we'd give it a go, watch an episode or two and see. Good show. Not to mention that we've got that, plus the series Prison Break going at the same time. Pamela loaned us Prison Break while she's touring the US for a month. It's an amazingly good show. Kind of violent and gory, but it really needs that, I think, for the show to progress.
By the way (BTW), I'm currently sitting on the floor, Hazel's on my lap, and the computer is on hers, so if this is a little unreadable, then you'll know why.
We made Koolaid Playdough (recipe in link above) for the 2nd time yesterday. It's the best recipe I've found as it contains no oil, therefore it doesn't leave oily greasy mess everywhere. Simple. Flour, salt, koolaid, water. Easy peasy. Makes the world largest amount of playdough, though. Be forwarned. Lots and lots. And I strongly recommend plastic gloves before mixing, as mooshing together the dry stuff with boiling water is PAINFUL. I, also, recommend kneading it until you feel like your arms are going to fall off. It really gets the gluten in the flour going so that it feels like playdough and not the generic, grainy, homemade stuff. Not to mention the stuff SMELLS amazing since it has koolaid in it. The first batch we made was with 2 pkg of Cherry, this batch was 1 Strawberry, 1 Tropical Punch. Hardly any difference. Nothing too noticeable. Same smell, color, etc. Well, mostly. I can't wait to try it in other color/flavors. I'm going to make some for Hazel's little guests at her birthday party in September.
Speaking of...the kids are getting big enough this year to make it a child centered party instead of an adults-celebrating-kids party. So after some brainstorming, we decided to have a big craft party for the kids. Hazel's got about 6 little friends, so oI thought it would be fun to make playdough for them in different colors, we talked about hiring a facepainter. There are recipes online for homemade fingerpaints, we can color, etc and so on. I thought it would be fun and then the little ones can have some art to take home at the end of the day! I think I have to be a crazy lady, though, for doing it, as....
...the day before Hazel's birthday is the day several of us in the knit group are going to IKnit day in London. We'll fly out about 6am and get home somewhere around 10pm that night. THEN, I'm having a party the next day. Luckily it should be fairly simple for the party, and if I get all prepped on Friday, then Sunday will be a breeze and I can relax at IKnit.
Hmmmm. Whatelse is going on...Baby making has commenced! I'm really excited!!!! And really dreading it at the same time. Seems like everyone is preggo and took no effort to get that way, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that it probably won't be that easy for us. Sigh. It's hard not to be resentful toward everyone who got preggo right away, but I do dknow God knows best and it'll happen when it should. I do dknow that, but convincing my heart is a whole other story. I was hoping Hazel and her siblings would be closer in age, but it's not in God's plan, so I need to just calm down and wait.
Well, I should go get dressed as we have to get friends in an hour to go play at Cheeky Monkey's. I'm going to take the camera and hopefully have some video to post!
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Running head first into the terrible twos...
Hazel's been pretty angry with me for almost a week. Trying to be ever patient, I've been trying to figure out what is wrong, but can only come up with a handfull of things.
#1: We're in a new house, and I think it's just now sinking in that we live here now. I'm going to try my best not to take her to the other place as not to confuse her, hopefully we'll be able to find someone to watch her here while we finish the move.
#2: She's hitting "that age." Which I think is hysterical since every stage starts out with someone saying, "Well, she's at that age." But I think this time, that age is independence. And she wants it, so we encourage it, but I think it really scares her, too. She wants to feed herself, and drink out of a big girl cup, go to the big girl potty, but she's wanting it all at once, and we need to realise that it can all be a little overwhelming for someone so little. We don't push any of it, she'll get it when she's ready, but we're giving her as many opportunities as possible, and she's flying. It's wonderful to watch, but at the same time, I'm frightened at how fast she's growing up!
#3: She's been a Daddy's girl lately and doesn't really understand why he leaves each morning. I've been explaining that Daddy goes to work so we can eat and play. But she's really a bit young to fully understand. But we still talk about it, she may be little, but it's good practice for me to explain the whys of life and for her to ask, knowing that she'll get an explaination...even if we have to look it up later. I really, actually, like it when I get bombarded with a million, "WHY?"s. I think it's cool that she's learning and wanting to learn.
On other news...
We still don't have a dryer. It'll be 2 weeks on Thursday that it conked out, but we're doing well. I get atleast 2 loads on the line in the backyard per day, giving Hazel a chance to be out and about while I'm doing the wash. I forgot how much I like line-dried clothing. Brett laughs, saying I look "domesticated" when I'm doing the drying "the old way." He's been helping on occasion (when he's home) just standing there hanging things up with me. I'm going to be glad to get a dryer eventually, but for now, the line is bliss on a pole.
Baby making has commenced! We're in the "safe zone" if we move home in December, and if not, then we'll hopefully have our little one sometime late spring of next year. I just dread the thought of months and months of not getting pregnant. Only took 6 months last time, which, over all, is NOT a long time to try, but I've had the baby bug bite since January, and it feels like a long time to wait already, ya know? I was in IKEA on Sunday, and seriously, there was easily 20 pregnant women and I think I counted 3 newborns in that store. Ever notice when you want something so bad, that's all you see? Oh, well, I know in my heart of hearts that God's in charge and it'll happen when it's supposed to! I just have to keep remembering that!
Hazel's been talking in 2-3 word sentences lately, which has just been blowing us away. It's really cool to see the words she puts together.
Well, I should be off. I promised the Nut some book reading time...
#1: We're in a new house, and I think it's just now sinking in that we live here now. I'm going to try my best not to take her to the other place as not to confuse her, hopefully we'll be able to find someone to watch her here while we finish the move.
#2: She's hitting "that age." Which I think is hysterical since every stage starts out with someone saying, "Well, she's at that age." But I think this time, that age is independence. And she wants it, so we encourage it, but I think it really scares her, too. She wants to feed herself, and drink out of a big girl cup, go to the big girl potty, but she's wanting it all at once, and we need to realise that it can all be a little overwhelming for someone so little. We don't push any of it, she'll get it when she's ready, but we're giving her as many opportunities as possible, and she's flying. It's wonderful to watch, but at the same time, I'm frightened at how fast she's growing up!
#3: She's been a Daddy's girl lately and doesn't really understand why he leaves each morning. I've been explaining that Daddy goes to work so we can eat and play. But she's really a bit young to fully understand. But we still talk about it, she may be little, but it's good practice for me to explain the whys of life and for her to ask, knowing that she'll get an explaination...even if we have to look it up later. I really, actually, like it when I get bombarded with a million, "WHY?"s. I think it's cool that she's learning and wanting to learn.
On other news...
We still don't have a dryer. It'll be 2 weeks on Thursday that it conked out, but we're doing well. I get atleast 2 loads on the line in the backyard per day, giving Hazel a chance to be out and about while I'm doing the wash. I forgot how much I like line-dried clothing. Brett laughs, saying I look "domesticated" when I'm doing the drying "the old way." He's been helping on occasion (when he's home) just standing there hanging things up with me. I'm going to be glad to get a dryer eventually, but for now, the line is bliss on a pole.
Baby making has commenced! We're in the "safe zone" if we move home in December, and if not, then we'll hopefully have our little one sometime late spring of next year. I just dread the thought of months and months of not getting pregnant. Only took 6 months last time, which, over all, is NOT a long time to try, but I've had the baby bug bite since January, and it feels like a long time to wait already, ya know? I was in IKEA on Sunday, and seriously, there was easily 20 pregnant women and I think I counted 3 newborns in that store. Ever notice when you want something so bad, that's all you see? Oh, well, I know in my heart of hearts that God's in charge and it'll happen when it's supposed to! I just have to keep remembering that!
Hazel's been talking in 2-3 word sentences lately, which has just been blowing us away. It's really cool to see the words she puts together.
Well, I should be off. I promised the Nut some book reading time...
If you don't know...
I originally posted about a situation I've found myself in lately. About how I feel about people who get angry and then don't want to talk about it. About what I really think about people who blame others for the things they don't like about their life. The title was originally leading into my thoughts on the phrase, "If you don't know, then I'm not going to tell you." But after posting, I realized that, the person in topic, doesn't care about me. Is generally POed about their life, regardless of their life situation, and is convinced that my life is better and therefore i must be a great way to take out their anger. I tried to help, I gave advice only when requested, but none of it was good enough. And you know what I just realized? Their emotional instability is not my concern, as apparently mine is not theirs. I think I know what set them off, and you know what? They've needed to hear it for a VERY VERY long time...
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
It's a Lazytown Day
Well, we're on the count down to Lazytown Live!!! The show is tonight at 5 pm and Hazel and I are taking off around 2:3o or 3 to ensure we get to Belfast in time to have a small snack and get into the theatre in time. We have Hazel's Stephanie Wig ready to go. Her skirt is at the other house and I'm still debating whether to retrieve it or not. She has Stephanie PJs that I thought she could wear the top with jeans. We'll see. I even thought about getting her something to wear at the concert, too. Who knows. We'll see what we come up with.
Poor girl is getting cabin fever. She hasn't left the house in a week and a half except to go to the backyard. I was going to take her to Cheeky Monkey's yesterday, but with Lazytown being today, I thought 2 really big days out would be a lot too much. We'll have a day in tomorrow and then maybe Daddy will go with us to CM's or Junction One and play on Friday.
Brett has a 4 day weekend this weekend due to no more working Fridays (which started in June and will continue through the year until further notice) and a holiday on Monday. Stinks that his 4 days will be full of moving. We've still got so much left at the old apartment that we can't take the weekend for anything else. Maybe. We do have until the 28th to move out, so maybe we'll do something fun this weekend instead. One of the guys Brett works with is going to Rome and inivited us to go back in May. I'm so jealous. I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanna go to Rome, but that may wait until October when the weather is a bit milder and prices are cheaper. Tourist numbers will be down, too, which will make taking Hazel through the touristy places a lot easier.
We still have a few growing pains in this house. The clothes dryer gave out last Thursday and once looked at, it was declared unworthy for repair. Then our landlords decided they weren't going to replace it unless they could find a cheap one at a second hand shop (which is fine) but even then, shopping for one wasn't a priority. So my laundry keeps piling up higher and higher. Hazel and I are going to venture out back to hang up a load here in a few minutes, I'll let her run like crazy so maybe she'll take an early nap to rest up for the evening. We're looking into buying a new dryer as we can't live without one and have a toddler in the house. The weather is just too cold and too unpredictable to rely on the clothing line. Besides, the line only holds one load at a time and takes about 3 hours per load to dry. Not reasonable if you ask me. Our shower continues to clog unless you clear out the drain of hair before every use. I don't mind cleaning out the drain, it's just annoying not to be able to just jump in and clean it out once every few days, ya know? I dread the thought that we're moving home in a few short months, provided FG Wilson doesn't renew our contract for another year, but I do miss everyone. I miss my car. I miss being able to jump in the car and run into town and get whatever I need at anytime of night. Shops around here close around 5:30 typically, being open late (8pm) on Fridays only and most being closed entirely on Tuesdays. I'll miss our friends, and soft play areas (like Cheeky Monkeys) and mom and tots groups. I'm grateful each and every day that I was able to find friends shortly after moving here otherwise, I think living in a foreign country would be nearly unbearable. Most people don't make living abroad more than 6 months. I can't tell you how many women I talked to while living in Peoria who couldn't handle it and in the process thought it was cool that I could live in Ireland but thought I was nuts for agreeing to it. I'm so lucky to have Marina and Michelle and all the lovely other people in my life. They're what make this worth every second.
Well, I need to figure out what the Nut is up to and go hang up clothes....hugs to all and hope you have a great day!
Poor girl is getting cabin fever. She hasn't left the house in a week and a half except to go to the backyard. I was going to take her to Cheeky Monkey's yesterday, but with Lazytown being today, I thought 2 really big days out would be a lot too much. We'll have a day in tomorrow and then maybe Daddy will go with us to CM's or Junction One and play on Friday.
Brett has a 4 day weekend this weekend due to no more working Fridays (which started in June and will continue through the year until further notice) and a holiday on Monday. Stinks that his 4 days will be full of moving. We've still got so much left at the old apartment that we can't take the weekend for anything else. Maybe. We do have until the 28th to move out, so maybe we'll do something fun this weekend instead. One of the guys Brett works with is going to Rome and inivited us to go back in May. I'm so jealous. I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanna go to Rome, but that may wait until October when the weather is a bit milder and prices are cheaper. Tourist numbers will be down, too, which will make taking Hazel through the touristy places a lot easier.
We still have a few growing pains in this house. The clothes dryer gave out last Thursday and once looked at, it was declared unworthy for repair. Then our landlords decided they weren't going to replace it unless they could find a cheap one at a second hand shop (which is fine) but even then, shopping for one wasn't a priority. So my laundry keeps piling up higher and higher. Hazel and I are going to venture out back to hang up a load here in a few minutes, I'll let her run like crazy so maybe she'll take an early nap to rest up for the evening. We're looking into buying a new dryer as we can't live without one and have a toddler in the house. The weather is just too cold and too unpredictable to rely on the clothing line. Besides, the line only holds one load at a time and takes about 3 hours per load to dry. Not reasonable if you ask me. Our shower continues to clog unless you clear out the drain of hair before every use. I don't mind cleaning out the drain, it's just annoying not to be able to just jump in and clean it out once every few days, ya know? I dread the thought that we're moving home in a few short months, provided FG Wilson doesn't renew our contract for another year, but I do miss everyone. I miss my car. I miss being able to jump in the car and run into town and get whatever I need at anytime of night. Shops around here close around 5:30 typically, being open late (8pm) on Fridays only and most being closed entirely on Tuesdays. I'll miss our friends, and soft play areas (like Cheeky Monkeys) and mom and tots groups. I'm grateful each and every day that I was able to find friends shortly after moving here otherwise, I think living in a foreign country would be nearly unbearable. Most people don't make living abroad more than 6 months. I can't tell you how many women I talked to while living in Peoria who couldn't handle it and in the process thought it was cool that I could live in Ireland but thought I was nuts for agreeing to it. I'm so lucky to have Marina and Michelle and all the lovely other people in my life. They're what make this worth every second.
Well, I need to figure out what the Nut is up to and go hang up clothes....hugs to all and hope you have a great day!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Just another lazy day
Nothing much has been going on these past 3 days. Pure boredom on Hazel's part. Poor girl. I was going to take her to Cheeky Monkey's today to get her out of the house, but then Brett reminded me that we get to go see Lazytown tomorrow in Belfast, so I'm thinking it's probably a better idea that we stay home. Lazytown starts at 5, meaning we have to leave here no later than 3:30 to get there in time, although we'll probably head down between 2:30 and 3 just to be on the safe side. I don't want to get there early as we have purchased seats and she's only 22 months (well, nearly) old and I can't imagine her having too much patience with sitting there early. If we get there quickly then we can go get a snack or something before going in.
I'm so excited abotu taking her I can't stand it! I'm a little nervous that it'll be so big and loud that it'll scare her, but I think she should be alright. She's been marching around in her Stephanie wig for a few days now. It's her "hat," she says.
Well, I should be off. Not a lot to say other than that!
I'm so excited abotu taking her I can't stand it! I'm a little nervous that it'll be so big and loud that it'll scare her, but I think she should be alright. She's been marching around in her Stephanie wig for a few days now. It's her "hat," she says.
Well, I should be off. Not a lot to say other than that!
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Happy Independence Day!
Oh....my....goodness. I think we survived our Fourth party. House is intact, and surprisingly unmessy. I started cooking Friday around 1:30 and between meals and getting stuff ready for the party, I don't think I stopped (with the exception of bedtime and eating) until 5:30 last night. And I was ready to drop.
Jenn and Matt came over early to help us out. Bless Jenn's heart, she tackled the deviled eggs. I would give her the messiest job ever. She was champ and did a great job! Nicola and her son, Alastair, we the first to arrive after them. Everyone else started arriving about an hour later around 4. I seriously can't tell you how fun a houseful of people is. I think at the top of the night there was...(hang on I have to think about this) 22 adults and 6 kids running about. I got to meet Ian(head of Brett's office)'s wife, Caren and their daughter, Charlotte, who was just a sweetheart. It was really nice to get to meet them. I also got to meet Stephen's wife, Valerie, who was just the nicest soul. We had a sick amount of food, beer, and wine, laughter, and chats, the kids ran around like only little kids can, one kid barfed on our patio, the new grill burned the first 4 hamburgers, but the weather was gorgeous and the company was incredible and I couldn't have asked for a better Fourth of July.
Praise God for a gorgeous day b/c the weather called for downpours all weekend. He truly is an awesome God and I'm glad he's on our side!
Well, the aftermath of an awesome party is usually pretty brutal, so I should get started on the clean up!
Jenn and Matt came over early to help us out. Bless Jenn's heart, she tackled the deviled eggs. I would give her the messiest job ever. She was champ and did a great job! Nicola and her son, Alastair, we the first to arrive after them. Everyone else started arriving about an hour later around 4. I seriously can't tell you how fun a houseful of people is. I think at the top of the night there was...(hang on I have to think about this) 22 adults and 6 kids running about. I got to meet Ian(head of Brett's office)'s wife, Caren and their daughter, Charlotte, who was just a sweetheart. It was really nice to get to meet them. I also got to meet Stephen's wife, Valerie, who was just the nicest soul. We had a sick amount of food, beer, and wine, laughter, and chats, the kids ran around like only little kids can, one kid barfed on our patio, the new grill burned the first 4 hamburgers, but the weather was gorgeous and the company was incredible and I couldn't have asked for a better Fourth of July.
Praise God for a gorgeous day b/c the weather called for downpours all weekend. He truly is an awesome God and I'm glad he's on our side!
Well, the aftermath of an awesome party is usually pretty brutal, so I should get started on the clean up!
Friday, 3 July 2009
Painfully tired, but happy...
Just a quick note as I'm about to drop from exhaustion. We got the keys to our new house on Sunday night, and have been here since. It's wonderful. Hazel's in heaven with all the space to run, and I'm just estatic with storage space. I promise to post pics soon.
Tomorrow we're hosting most of Brett's Project Management Office staff and several of my mom and tot friends for a Fourth of July party. I can't wait, but man, it's exhausting trying to get ready today. I got up at 8 and did the grocery shopping by 12:30, then started cooking about 1:30 and didn't stop until 9:15. I'm dying. This is just crazy....wish me luck!
Tomorrow we're hosting most of Brett's Project Management Office staff and several of my mom and tot friends for a Fourth of July party. I can't wait, but man, it's exhausting trying to get ready today. I got up at 8 and did the grocery shopping by 12:30, then started cooking about 1:30 and didn't stop until 9:15. I'm dying. This is just crazy....wish me luck!
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