Funny Thing of the Week

Albert has figured out that it is HUGE fun to feed other people.  So now, when he's eating crackers, he'll hold it up like he wants you to take it.  That or he'll try and SHOVE it in your mouth.  Which is kind of funny... and he giggles and laughs and does it again and again.

When we last left our heroine, she was perfectly healthy...

And then I fell and sprained both ankles.

And a week after starting PT for ankle sprain, I fell and injured my knee at work.  I have an MRI scheduled for next week.  The suspected injury is a meniscus tear and an MCL tear, both of which would require surgery.

Yippee.

WANTED: personal assistant

My life has been subsumed by baby tending.  It's EXHAUSTING.  I'm finally at the point where I care that my life has been subsumed, but I don't know if I have the energy to DO anything about it.

I spent nearly $100 at Lowes yesterday on stuff to either a) baby proof or b) organize/clean (aka - baby proof).  Maybe I'm going overboard.  I'd really like to just stick Albert in a bubble to keep him safe from harm and germs.  That would be a LOT easier.  And probably cheaper.  I bet I could rig something out of bubble wrap and duct tape...

Sunday Sillies

http://comics.com/

http://www.thebureauchiefs.com/

http://www.CakeWrecks.com/

Wordless Weekend Post

Links I love:

http://www.stuffproject.com/

http://www.etsy.com/

http://allrecipes.com/

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/

Happy Saturday!

Champagne

A Day for the Bubbly
October 27, 2010 | New Jersey Monthly
Thursday is Champagne Day around the globe 

 

Missed this... and a day... but onward we march.

My filibuster reading list

My sister and I were talking about how Congress members now just THREATEN to filibuster.  No one actually does it anymore - the threat is enough. 

We both remembered the movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and how Jimmy Stewart's character actually does filibuster to prevent a bill from moving forward - he reads books and keeps talking the whole time.  Her filibuster reading list would be "The Hobbit".  I chose "Jane Eyre".  Then we realized the Lord of the Rings trilogy would be even better.

But the best idea we had to read for a filibuster was The List of Reasons that I am Awesome.  A start below:

1. I am me.
2. I have wavy hair.
3. My thumbs bend backwards.
4. I can sing the National Anthem.
5. I like tea.
6. I know the names of the Seven Dwarfs.
7. Who wouldn't want to be me?

What about you?  What would your filibuster reading list include?

Day 2

Tell us the story of a piece of jewelry you own. Where did it come from, and what does it mean to you?

I have a gold chain that my parents bought for me as a Christmast gift. I don't remember how old I was. It has several charms on it that represent all the important things in my life - so I can keep them close to my heart:

• a gold locket - with a picture of my mom and dad inside - my dad bought it for me as a Valentine's gift when I was in high school. My sister has one as well - this was the same year he bought my mom a diamond tennis bracelet.
• a gold cross - my parents bought this for me when I was 8 years old and made my First Communion. Two years later, they unwittingly bought the same one for my sister. It had a diamond chip in it, which fell out a few years back. I had it replaced - one of the first diamonds I bought myself.
• a lavalier - again, from my parents.  It's a carved badge of my sorority.
• a small gold circle - I bought this for myself after I had my son, and it has his name stamped into it.

In reference to NaBloPoMo prompt... http://bit.ly/c3H1uS

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

have decided to National Blog Posting Month. Wish me luck.

what the wha!?

Holy cannoli - apparently I'm popular.  My blog was spam attacked!  LAME.

If you have the same issue, by the way, you can find a fix here:

http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?&answer=187141

I feel like someone is following me...

This week has been like a giant IV of acid - slowly killing me, and yet I can't pull it out because it is incapacitating me too.  So a bit of silliness to relieve the giant {BLEAGH} my life is currently...

New favorite procrastination source...
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

Also, did you know you can nominate yourself for the Best Blog award?  I did not know that.
http://bloggerschoiceawards.com

Also, going CAMPING!!!!! this weekend. (I'm excited, can you tell?)

World Breastfeeding Week!

Everyone is always asking where I get my nursing cover... 

These ladies are my source:

This week (August 1st - 7th) is World Breastfeeding Week and we wanted
to show our support for breastfeeding so we are running a promotion where
you can get any of our nursing covers (regular price $32) free! The code is
"Breastfeeding". If you're not currently nursing, this is your chance to
stock up on great baby shower and Holiday gifts and a great promo code to
pass along to your expecting friends - (they will thank you)! 

Once you get to www.uddercovers.com, click on "Shop Now" and select the
cover you would like. Type Breastfeeding into the promo code box
and it will bring your product total to $0. All you pay is the shipping
fees. You can use the code more than once - you just have to open a new
browser window to do so. 

You can also use this promo code to get a 3 piece gift set for only $5!

They are currently in stock and selling fast so please hurry and good Luck!

Sincerely,
Jenny Pierce
Uddercovers.com

Yet another excuse for a cocktail party...

Chiffon should make a comeback… nay, I declare it so – CHIFFON IS MAKING A COMEBACK. Now go my fashion minions, and make it so! via Maggeh

I'm not dead yet...

Just a note to let you know I am not dead yet...

I'll be picking the pen back up here - probably once a week at the most.  Life is going on, and my writing somehow got left behind.  But now that the wheels are turning even faster, I feel the need to document it all so that I don't forget it!

patchwork time...

Somehow I managed to piece together 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there, to get our baby blog up and running.  Due to privacy concerns (and to appease the many request for pictures from all my far-flung friends), I set it up so it's invitation only.  I will certainly write about the baby here, but pictures are going to be limited to that baby blog.

Now if I could only patch together time to sleep...

Ladies and gentlemen...

We have a BABY boy - born March 3 after a short, no-epidural labor. He is healthy and LOUD, and growing more everyday.

First month lows -

• cluster feeding the second night we got home - he would not let me put him down, but he kept falling asleep while I was nursing him.
• Pee on the walls. Multiple times.
• learning to breastfeed - OW.

First month highs -

• First smile - on March 23, after he was done eating. And no, it was NOT gas.
• Pee on the walls - hey, it wasn't fun to clean up but it was FUNNY.
• Finally getting the hang of breastfeeding - WOW.
• Watching my parents hold him.

FYI - due to privacy concerns (it's a long story you may have already heard...), pictures are not going to be made publicly available. So you won't see any here or via Facebook. SORRY, but family safety comes first.

four weeks and counting

The Nesting Crazy is rearing its ugly head. In the last week I have:

• had my husband pull out the fridge so that I could scrub the side (that is hidden when it is pushed back against the wall and beside our dishwasher)
• insisted that the new sink we've been saving for HAD to be installed this month
• randomly scrubbed the inside of my microwave for 30 minutes
• used a toothbrush to clean my bathroom sink
• seriously considered remodeling the master bath, instead of just fixing what we have currently
• worn an N-95 mask to do household chores my husband is afraid to do (ever wash a moldy tupperware container? anyone? anyone? No?... I guess we are the only ones who forget their lunch in the car...)
• had to resist the urge to BLEACH-SANITIZE EVERYTHING IN THE NURSERY to kill any errant viruses/microbes

Strangely, I do not feel it necessary to NOT do any of these things. Instead, I feel validated by the pregnancy to let my OCD get the better of me. Some of these things do need done (like the microwave - it was GROSS, I hadn't cleaned it in the last YEAR.), but most of them are totally unnecessary (e.g. BLEACH). I suppose it's a good thing that I have coping techniques to keep me from engaging in the truly OCD behaviors. Probably safer for all involved... after all, bleach fumes can't be good for anyone, pregnant or not.

signs you are growing up - Holiday Edition

• The discussion is about whether you should encourage the kid to believe Santa, not whether you believe.



• You decide to "give" each other a new sink (and are excited about it).
  You buy an extra jello mold, so you can make two cranberry rings (one for each side of the family).



• It's more important to make room for the nativity set under the tree than presents.



• You hang on to the stocking tradition for dear life (it's an excuse for the good chocolate to get in your shopping cart).



• You put clothes (even underwear) on your Christmas list.
  

Swenatic

I'm going to the Akron v. Kent game today. Go Zips!!!!!!!!

Any excuse to go to Swenson's is a good one.

Everyone keeps asking...

"What are you having?" - Well, I'm hoping a HUMAN baby.  If there's kittens in there, then we have a problem - I'm more of a dog person.

 

"Are you going to find out the gender?" - Hopefully this will be pretty evident when the baby is born.  If not, then we'll pursue genetic testing.

 

"Do you have names picked out?" - Yes.  But you may refer to the kid as "baby" until we see the kid in person.

 

"How are you feeling?" - I feel pregnant.  Thanks for asking.

 

"Is your doctor concerned about your weight?" - Um, do you really think it's a good idea to ask any woman this question, pregnant or not? (By the way...the answer is NO. I lost 15 pounds in my first four months because I was too nauseous to eat.  My doc has yet to say anything about this, so I'm not worrying about it either.)

 

"Are you going to breastfeed?" - What I do with the Girls is my business...  why are you asking such personal questions of any woman anyway?

Most days I only feel pregnant

I will be 23 weeks Friday, and I still don't think I LOOK very pregnant. I have a very small bump, but a lot of it is pre-pregnancy belly. So a lot of my non-maternity clothes still fit and still hide the belly.

The problem is that my pants don't fit correctly. None of my pants - maternity, non-maternity. My body mass has redistributed (thankfully, this includes my butt shrinking and the girls getting bigger), and thus I spend the entire day hiking up my maternity jeans or dress pants.

So today, I wore a dress. With tights. So far, so good.

But I still don't look pregnant.

of tea cups and impressionists

I have, hanging over my desk at work, a calendar.  I don't really write on it - it's just there for reference and looks.  This year I chose one that included works by Impressionist artists.  My favorite is Degas. 

 

For some reason, I always connected to his paintings, particularly the ones of dancers.  They seem to show a fascination with movement to me.  But not just movement - also that graceful pause in the arabesque, the moment before a jete, or just a break to allow the prima ballerina her solo. 

 

I think that's why I like them - they remind me to slow down. To pause.  To take a moment to savor and point out the anticipation of things to come and appreciate all that is now done.

 

I think after I move my cube that I'll bring in another Impressionist calendar for the new year.  And a nice china tea cup to use in my pauses.

new name

Can I just say that the whole pregnancy thing is seriously messing with my self-identity? Because now, I am not just “Nicole, Steve’s wife”, I am also going to be “Mommy”. Freaky. Neat… but freaky.

belated

I commit to a month of something and I can't even make it to day 2. So I am posting this on 11/3 and dating it 11/2 to make up for it!

NaBloPoMo09

Okay... here we go.

Since I haven't updated this since, oh, I don't know SEPTEMBER... I figured I would start off NaBloPoMo right and get y'all caught up properly.

1. I still have a job, for those of you know where I work and have heard about recent happenings. I was not affected. In fact, I will be getting a new cube in the next month. But not a better cube, just a different cube. Same job.

2. We painted one of the extra bedrooms. Guess why. If you can't guess, or haven't heard, see number 3.

3. I'm pregnant. Seriously. No... seriously. You can stop laughing now. And maybe pick up your jaw off the floor. I'm due March 5, no baby belly yet (thanks to my LONG torso/height), cravings so far include Sour Patch Kids, green olives, and pickles. And no, we don't know the sex, and we are going to wait until it gets here to find out. Because, I figure, that way, I have a reason to push the SMALL HUMAN BEING in my STOMACH out when it's time. And no, I will not tell you the names we have picked out. I don't want judging or copying going on.

4. I miss dippy eggs and rare steak. And Brie. Oh what I wouldn't give for some Brie with green apples.

That's about it. More to come in the next month.

HOW long has it been?

Oh crap. It has been a while. But y'all will forgive me right? That's what friends do. Right? :-)

It's been a busy summer. I built a raised bed for my garden - which has been a success despite the cool summer.

We are about to embark on major home improvements this weekend and this month (fixing rotted trim, repainting it and installing new outdoor lights - and waterproofing, cleaning, and repairing basement walls via some contractors).

Not to mention, I am teaching Steve to cook on his own. Pray that we don't burn the house down or break the new stove.

Not to mention my sister is pushing me to turn this blog into something that I could make a living at. Now - I love my job. But how cool would it be to have more than a few people reading this thing? The question is - what do I do?

I've considered adding a section on basic home improvement projects and/or dealing with contractors, from a woman's perspective; making your own traditions; and a few other ideas that are not well-formed enough to mention here. But seriously, it's hard to think about what idea would get me a larger audience. Who knows?

All I know for sure today is that I want to finish watching the Zips (even if they are going to get pounded) and get out and take advantage of this three day weekend.

speechless

I'm pale and proud of it...

"Consumers should worry more about wearing enough sunscreen, several doctors said, rather than how high their SPF is.

Skimp and you lose. To get the SPF advertised, you must use a full shot glass on your body. That’s an ounce, which means a three-ounce tube should last, at most, a few outings.

Considering that slim tube could cost roughly $10, careful sunscreen use is a significant investment for park-going parents, beachgoers or daily joggers."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/fashion/14SKIN.html?ref=health

Put on a fresh coat of lipstick and deal with it...

I do tend to pick out bright colors, but it could be a dress or pants. Depends on the event. But I have found that there are a few things that I ALWAYS put on when it's an important day: lipstick and perfume. I guess that is from seeing my grandmother dressed up for church every week. She tended to always have those things on too. It was important to her, and it wasn't about impressing, but about showing that SHE took something seriously - and putting herself in the mindset to take it seriously. I think that little extra effort to show it's important to me goes a LONG way in impressing someone else.

things I've done - check!

Gone on a blind date X
Skipped school X
Watched someone die X
Been to Canada X
Been to Mexico
Been to Florida X
Been to Hawaii
Been on a plane X
Been on a helicopter
Been lost X
Gone to Washington, DC X
Swam in the ocean X
Cried yourself to sleep X
Played cops and robbers
Recently colored with crayons
Sang Karaoke X
Paid for a meal with coins only X
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't X
Made prank phone calls
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans X
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue X
Danced in the rain X
Written a letter to Santa Claus X
Been kissed under the mistletoe X
Watched the sunrise with someone X
Blown bubbles X
Gone ice-skating X
Gone to the movies X
Been deep sea fishing
Driven across the United States
Been in a hot air balloon X
Been sky diving
Gone snowmobiling X
Lived in more than one country X
Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets X
Seen a falling star and made a wish X
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
Seen the Statue of Liberty X
Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
Been on a cruise
Traveled by train X
Traveled by motorcycle
Been horse back riding X
Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
Been to Disneyland --- or Disney World X
Truly believe in the power of prayer X
Been in a rain forest X
Seen whales in the ocean
Been to Niagara Falls X
Ridden on an elephant X
Swam with dolphins X
Been to the Olympics
Walked on the Great Wall of China
Saw and heard a glacier calf
Been spinnaker flying
Been water-skiing X
Been snow-skiing X
Been to Westminster Abbey
Been to the Louvre
Swam in the Mediterranean
Been to a Major League Baseball game X
Been to a National Football League game X [played at halftime!]
Been to a NBA game

Big time Big Shot!

So I am getting interviewed! Ah the life of a super star... My friend and DG sister from University of Akron has decided to interview me for her blog.

So here are her questions and my answers!

What is your greatest accomplishment since graduating from college? (since we knew each other then!)
Hmmm. This one is tough. I think surviving graduate school (not mention the Masters degree) should be the answer. But I don't think that it is it - that really was more a daily thing than one LARGE thing. I could be romantic and say "getting married" but that is too old fashioned, and not totally my accomplishment (I mean, he did ask...). Finishing my first afghan? Teaching myself to knit?

This is going to seem like a small thing, but I really think my greatest accomplishment is my rose garden. I actually managed to keep one of them alive for more than a year!


What is your best memory from DG days?
Probably the Initiation where I got welcomed my first grand-little into my family. Partly because that was the week I had pink hair and no one could keep a straight face during the ritual. :-)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years - still married, possibly with kids, and a better paycheck. In 10 years - still married, hopefully with kids who are not a pain in the butt/have manners/can do laundry and dishes, and a whole lot of memories from fantastic trips. I like to set the bar low.

Is there a question in the universe that you would like to answer or solve? If so, which one?
Why are people mean/stupid? I mean really, we are all human - I don't get the whole "you are different/I want to feel powerful, so I have to persecute you." thing... on both a small throwing-crayons way and a large dropping-bombs way.

And stealing from Ms. Mac, if you had to choose a flavor of ice cream that most fits your personality, what kind do you think you would you be? Feel free to make one up if necessary.
Ooh... another toughie. Probably homemade chocolate chip cookie dough (from my Ben and Jerry's recipe book). Some "raw" stuff, doesn't come together until the end - but always comes through, and decadent.

And that concludes the interview!

Part of the deal was that I continue this by interviewing more people. So here are the rules.

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. Be sure you link back to this original post.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Let’s go!

My favorite room

by Lori Greig (Lori Greig)

the front room - just painted yellow, with new curtains and shades. Sunny and bright.

Three overplayed songs I love anyway

Shot Through the Heart by Bon Jovi

Bubbly by Colbi Caillat

Love Song by Sara Bareilles

If I could tame a wild animal

Färentuna church by Per Ola Wiberg (Per Ola Wiberg (Powi))

dragon... imaginary, invisible, and handy for protection.

Upsides of a cold day...

• huevos rancheros
• free lunch
• getting out early
• getting things done
• feeling not sick
• three day weekend
  

Christmas, Christmas time is here...

So the holiday season is in full swing, and today marks the beginning of family obligations. Thankfully, we will be getting Steve's family out of the way tonight... err, I mean giving them first dibs... this year by going out to dinner. I love them, I really do. But it's very harried and whirlwind whenever we see them, but then, there is a toddler in the mix with this group.

Next up, Christmas Eve and Day, per our tradition installed at the year prior to our marriage, at home, just the two of us, spent mostly in pajamas. I have a food extravaganza planned, most of which will be pre-prepped so that I only have to put things in the oven or crockpot and then go knit.

Boxing Day will be a trip up to my parents house to spend (relaxing, lazy) time with mom, dad, sis, and Tutu (my maternal grandmother). We will be leaving prior to my mom's-side-of-the-family gathering on Sunday, so as to avoid traffic on our return trip. Prior notice was given that it would be better for us if this gathering was on Saturday, but alas, the logistical aspect didn't work out. But I just saw most of them over Thanksgiving, so no sweat on that.

Don't worry... there will be pictures of the food extravaganza. :-) But to tide you over, here are the recipes I've got planned. Most are thanks to Ree (of Confessions of Pioneer Woman) so avoid if you are shy about butter or heavy cream (I'm not, and hey, it's Christmas!).

Christmas Eve
Cioppino (my adapted version will be a "Feast of 7 Fishes" version, since Steve's family is Italian)

Christmas Day
AM: Strata and Cinnamon rolls
Dinner: roast chicken with chestnut stuffing, corn and wild rice casserole, braised red cabbage, no-knead rolls

p.s. I think I missed my blog-iversary. So Yay for me... my how time flies.

random facts

1. I hate the sound of metal on metal because it reminds me of going to the orthodontist and having them mess with metal on my teeth. I could feel the vibration through the bones. Eeewwww...

2. My middle name (Martina) is after my dad's middle name (Martin).

3. I like wearing heels. And pantyhose (if they are comfortable). It makes me feel girly.

4. I will eat raw green peppers til the cows come home, but I don't like cooked ones unless they are on fajitas.

5. I have a light up alarm clock. And even that can't get me out of bed some days. But I do consider myself a morning person.

6. I trained as a classical opera singer in college when I was majoring in Biology.

7. I've broken three arms: right, left, right (again). All were results of rollerskating accidents. But I love to ice skate still!

8. I am obsessive about lists, putting things in a certain order, and arranging things, but my bedroom floor is a MESS of clothes 50% of the time.

9. I like coffee. Black, or with cream and sugar, or with milk. Doesn't matter. It just has to be HOT.

From the mouths of babes...

THIS... is all any boy needs to know about dating. Perhaps if we TOLD them this stuff early, it would stick in their heads til adulthood...

Alec Greven

How to Talk to Girls

Leave it to a fourth-grader to make one of life's complexities look like child's play. With How to Talk to Girls, 9-year-old Alex Greven lays out some elementary principles: comb your hair, dress nicely, try not to act desperate, and don't overdo it with the compliments. With accompanying illustrations, Greven's book makes for some whimsical—and remarkably practical—advice on an age-old dilemma.

thank you...

I don't know about you, but last night was a little teary for me. I cried when McCain conceded. I cried with MLK, Jr.'s daughter spoke. I cried when I saw Oprah crying. I cried when Obama spoke.

I was a mess. Like the whole government. Like, I am sure, 51% of the voting public. *92%* of the voting public in D.C. (uh, WOW)

Why did I cry? I think it was partly relief - that this whole election thing is over. We are starting the process of moving on from Bush and from all the negative things.

I also cried because it means hope. My faith in people (at least 51% of the people voting in the US) has been restored. I think all the talk about how this SHOWS the American dream is possible really hits the nail on the head. I won't try to say it all again, but for me, and for a LOT of other US citizens, I think this means the Dream is starting to come true.

Happy Halloween

"I keep telling you, this isn't 'a few birds'! These are gulls, crows, swifts...! "







"Why are they doing this? ...

















"...They said when you got here the whole thing started. ..."




















"...Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from! I think you're evil. EVIL!"

at least I know I have a brain in there...

[I've been twittering about this but didn't want to write a post about it. Much like Miss Summers at Suburban Bliss:: Birth Control Via The Written Word, I am a whiner when it comes to being sick. I also know that a lot of people DON'T want to hear it, so I haven't talked about it.]

But my life as of late has been consumed with doctor's appointments. What started out as a sinus infection turned into an ear infection and that turned into raging, continuous inflammation in my ears/nose/throat/eustachian tubes. So for the past four months, I've had vertigo - every time I turn, sit, stand, bend over, lean down, lean back. Dizzy spinning, fullness in my hears and sinuses, my vision gets criss-crossy and it's difficult to focus - physically and mentally. I mentioned this to my doctor, and she has sent me for a CT scan, to an allergist, and an ENT. I've had allergy testing, an MRI, bicaloric testing, tracking tests, etc., etc., etc. All this to find out that I have a brain in my head that is (apparently) working fine. They haven't found any central nervous system problems that could be causing balance issues. My ENT doesn't see an ear infection or too much inflamation. (He's not living with my mucous membranes though - I FEEL them as inflammed and have pain in one ear.) The ENT suggests I have my deviated septum fixed to aid in drainage to help with the the recurrent sinus congestion, thereby fixing/preventing the dizziness. He seems to think (now) that the sinuse issues are causing the dizziness (before it was a different issue, but apparently he can change his mind/diagnosis).

I'd like a second opinion, but I'm sick and tired of going to doctors right now. I also don't think getting the inside of my nose straightened out is going to fix this completely either. The allergist switched up my meds, which has been helping the inflammation. At least now the dizziness is not as intense. So I will be sniffing flonase and astelin for the next few months and praying a lot. And trying to figure out how I can do yoga and not pass out from the dizziness/nausea if I move too fast.

Save the Filter!

From TakeBackTheFilter.org...

What you can do...

1. Sign the petition.


2. Write a letter to Clorox executives.


3. Send us your used filter cartridges.


4. Spread the word!

The sample letter I will send:

Dear Clorox:

I have used Brita pitcher filters for many years. Each time I throw a cartridge in the garbage to replace it with a new one, I feel very sad that this amount of plastic will end up in a landfill, where it will last forever in our environment. I use the Brita system in order to avoid the waste of plastic water bottles. I urge you to redesign the filter cartridges so that they can be refilled and/or create a system for us to recycle these plastic filter cartridges instead of sending them to the landfill.

As you know, the Brita company in Europe has developed a comprehensive take-back recycling program for all of its filter cartridges. This program is not dependent on city recycling systems. The Brita Company itself collects, dismantles, and recycles the filter cartridges. Why not use this as a work-around solution to help your consumers to take their environmental conscientiousness a step further, instead of relying on city waste management systems (which are currently not able to recycle the filters in the US)?

I know that Clorox has been making efforts lately to become much more environmentally-friendly with its purchase of the Burt’s Bees line as well as development of Green Works cleaning products and the FilterForGood campaign. It would be wonderful if similar attention could be placed on products that Clorox already manufactures, such as redesigning the Brita filter cartridges so that they can be recycled, as well as creating a take-back program so that they are recycled domestically rather than being shipped overseas, as much of our plastic is these days.

I look forward to hearing your views on this issue.

Sincerely,

Nicole XXXXXXX

baby

NO I am not pregnant. I am talking about my attitude. I feel like a big baby - "my head hurts... I'm dizzy... I am sick to my stomach... I have indigestion... I have arthritis..." - but a lot of my life lately has become health issue related.

I realized today a lot of this has to do with the amount of stress I take on. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE volunteering. I do. And most of the stress is from juggling... from trying to keep straight what needs done when for whom and for what. Not necessarily the actual duties involved with volunteering, although the fact that I have no time for housekeeping, sleeping, and spending time with my husband due to how much volunteering I do might ... just *might* be stressing me out too.

How can I fix this? One - adjust my medication (pass the wine please!). Two - adjust the visits to my psychologist (as in, schedule one). Three - get more sleep. Four - Eat better/take my vitamins and meds. Four - exercise more.

Better sleep, food, tagging my support system, and exercise will help me reduce my body's stress response to the stress, while I figure out how to decrease my volunteer involvements. Bonus is that I might not feel so darn lousy in the mean time. Wish me luck.

Making Strides

Hey all...

Now you are probably wondering about the new widget. Well, I am participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Oct. 5 in Columbus, OH. Not a big walk, but... it's a way to raise awareness and a way to raise money. So click on the widget and donate a few bucks. I get exercise - you get to sleep in and do something good - cancer research gets money. We all win.

roughin' it

For those of you who haven't heard, The remnants of Tropical Depression Ike started moving through southern and central Ohio yesterday around noon. Much of central Ohio is without power. We are included in this, Steve and I. Although both our jobs have power... and Internets... so therefore, I can post.

The wind started really picking up around 2 or 3 PM. We stowed patio furniture and all my plants in the corner of our patio that is more sheltered. Other things we either brought inside, or made sure they were stowed. Luckily, we had no damage to the house (at least none I can see at this point) - which is a miracle as far as I am concerned because of all the trees in our neighborhood. We do have a yard littered with smallish and medium branches, but nothing on our house! One of our neighbors has a broken fence.

Our power went out at 4:02 PM last night. I know the exact time because our stove has a clock on it that is "analog" and so stopped right at that time. We cooked dinner on the grill last night (not what I expected), and tried to keep the fridge closed most of the evening.

We had every candle in the house burning. Luckily for us, we have a battery operated weather radio (that also picks up TV stations) from our camping gear. We also have a few stickup LED lights handy - I keep one on our hall closet frame, so it's easy access to lights up our "emergency gear" - candles, radio, flashlights, meds, first-aid items - so we can get these things in the dark or power outage.

We got most of our maneuvering (cooking, cleaning, stowing of stuff that could blow away or over) done in daylight, so we didn't break out the headlamps, but we may do that today. If power is still out tonight, we may head over to my sister's to have hot water for showers. At the very least, we will be taking our food over there to store and/or cook.

We have T -5 hours to get our perishable food stuffs from the freezer into my sister's freezer. Everything in the fridge is going to either have to get chucked or will be eaten tonight depending on temperatures in the fridge and the nature of the item.

FW: mental note

Do not eat spinach salad with blue cheese and balsamic vinegar over keyboard. Yuch.

it's the Frenchie in me...

I will now be singing this song every time I make pancakes. How could you not?

garden goodness and homeowner blues

I have TOMATOES. THAT I GREW. How cool am I?

***********************

We live in a house that is near 20 years old. The heating system (a heat pump, with an electric resistor back up heat system) is original to the house. Our compressor is starting to go, so I'm collecting bids for a new system. We want to stick with the heat pump system, because it's more energy efficient and cost efficient to suck heat from the air outside and move it around. Based on the estimates we've gathered so far, it will cost us OVER $4,000. That's a lot of shoes to not buy. And a big honeymoon trip we won't be taking for yet ANOTHER year. And another year of not having extra money to pay a housekeeper (my working woman's dream). [sigh] I *SUPPOSE* I can do my own laundry if it means I'll have heat this winter...

worm chalet?

So I am working on making my garden as easy as possible. This involves taking what worked and what could work better and keeping it in mind for next year.

1) ordering "Delta Gamma" roses that will grow in my zone for my rose garden.
2) designing and pricing out a raised bed garden for the side of the house.
3) pricing out pavers to extend our patio.
4) remembering that cucumbers (although they have a short germination time) still need to be started inside in Ohio.
5) pick a few tomatoes just for seeds (from the heirloom greens I got at the farmers market).
6) get better at growing (i.e. do not kill) tomatoes started from seed.
7) get shelves for garden stuff put back together
8) buy a compost tumbler (I like the EnviroCycle - best buy for the money!) I can't imagine building a worm chalet in my basement, even though it might be easier to build myself than any other composter.
9) make a compost crock for my kitchen.

waiting with bated breath…

My garden has been going strong for several months now. We’ve finally been blessed with a few straight days of warm weather, and so my peas are finally blooming.

My biggest project this year, however, is my roses. When I got married last year, my parents bought us a hydrangea bush, which I promptly killed, and two lovely rose bushes – a Nancy Regan (hybrid tea) and a Cherry Parfait (grandiflora). The roses last year made it through the summer and fall, but did not come back this spring. One has a small sprout, so I didn’t trash it, but I think it might be a sucker, not from the grafted stock.

I set out this year to plant a proper rose bed. So I have a new Nancy Regan and a new Cherry Parfait, and my old “maybe” Cherry Parfait, in a nicely edged bed, with plenty of mulch and sunshine. And both new bushes have multiple buds on them. So I wait. And hope… and try to figure out who I can get to water my garden while we are out of town in the end of June. Or better yet, how can I set it up so it’s easy for them to do?

I think soaker hoses, some multi-hose spouts, and that large-capacity rolling hose cart I’ve been eyeing will be my next investment at Lowe’s.

Fixing the Rusty Sinkhole Cover

So this is what I have to look at every day.

A rusty cover for an unused sinkhole. It was bugging me. For the last 11 months. Since I got married and moved in to my husband's house. So I did something about it. I went to Lowe's, got out some tools and supplies and set to work.



Surface scrub (to get rid of the rust underneath on the sink), screwdriver, hammer, replacement cover. I didn't mess around. Here's me getting harsh on the rusty monster...










Note that I am cheap. I buy the generic surface scrub.











Ew.
Ew.
And again I say Ew.



Scrubbing commence! (no pictures because I have only two hands.)

After shot of the rusty monster.






Hmmm... now that we've gotten this far, perhaps I should read the instructions?

Aw crap, I need plumber's putty? Well luckily I've got
some laying around the house (to fix our sink (which will
follow in another post!).







Okay... let's open this puppy up... ew.
I have to TOUCH that? Eh.








Rolled into little snakes and threaded around the cover
and the putty cap...then set the cap in the hole...








...and crawl under to twist on the nut. (Don't judge by the disposal.)










First attempt didn't work, the whole thing moved. So I stacked
something heavy on top.

Crawl under and try this again... [ugh]






and Ta-DAH!!! Small victory in plumbing. $3.00 piece of mind = obsessing done.





Next week: Fixing the Jiggly Faucet

Security Measures, Seen and Unseen, Are Planned for the Pope’s Visit - New York Times

Security Measures, Seen and Unseen, Are Planned for the Pope’s Visit - New York Times

I think we can now consider "popemobile" to be an actual word.

I mean really... shouldn't being used in the NY Times constitute grounds to be included in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary?

This is fantastic

http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=3110

from Mighty Goods

I survived the blizzard of 2008.

Seriously. That's what they called it. We ended up with 20.4" of snow. By the time we shoveled out, we had a 4 foot pile in front of our front door. Of course, it's Ohio. So it's all melted now since it's been raining for a WHOLE DAY.

Since our yearly "snow dump" has ended, I figured it was time to start gardening. And now...I haz tomato seedlings! I'll post pics later this week.

"white death"

I grew up with snow. LOTS of snow. But now, two inches throws me off. Only because I am worried about everyone else who doesn't know how to drive in it. Or doesn't realize that with a FORD EXPEDITION you can go faster than 10 miles per hour on slush. Or that you need to leave some extra stopping distance between you and me, Mr. I-am-going-to-tail-gate-you behind me! Luckily they let us out early, so at least most of the idiots were still at work.

I have plenty of food in the pantry and fridge, eggs and milk, things to make bread, and frozen meat. Lots of things to do too. I think we might be housebound for the weekend. Send search parties if you don't hear from us by Tuesday.

you vote like a GIRL!

Okay, I voted for Hillary yesterday.

 

Part of me struggled with the idea of voting for her because I wanted to see a woman run for President… to be President.  I couldn’t rationalize voting for her JUST because of that.  Because, like Maggie said, I didn’t want to answer my daughters “No” when they asked if I voted for our first female President.

 

So I did a little more research.  Business Week.  Watched the MTV interviews.  Probably could have done more… but I tend to follow my gut and my gut said “vote Hillary”.  So I did.

 

Then I came home and got a phone call from Barack Obama.  Sorry dude… I already have a date for the party.

I think my dad already knows I'm great, but thanks!

"Barack Obama emailed your dad and told him how great you are"

more pain

Hearing "this might hurt a little" from you chiropractor is never a good thing. Of course, mine is also my friend, so I usually remember that I will feel better later.

The back is slowly healing. Less pain, most of my adjustments from Friday held, and today was just minor corrections. I still have annoying shooting pains down the back of my arms - due to dislocated shoulders - but that's nothing compared to Saturday.

Our taxes are done - we got a call from our accountant (ooo, shmancy... really it's for my business and Steve's sanity) that our return is done and we are (thankfully) getting a nice refund. Granted, I would have liked the money last year, but hey, this will work too!

Don't TOUCH me!!!

I threw my back out on Thursday.

What did you do?

I didn't DO anything. I went to bed, I woke up, and felt like crap. So I used one of those weird heating pad therma-wrap thingies all day and suffered with some Aleve (c).

So do you feel better?

Yes and no. I feel better than Friday (when I had to call in sick to work for a few hours til I could actually roll out of bed), but I am still in pain.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes. Buy me a massage. Get me a heating pad. Clean my house so I don't feel guilty just sitting on my butt today. I hear Merry Maids is good nationwide cleaning service for hire...

THIS

is what you need to do if your blog is bland. I just updated mine, but it’s still a template. What you can’t tell *BLUSH*? Thanks.

thrilling

My Friday night in... doing taxes. Yeay.

My yak is named George

"Aha!" moment this morning (see yesterday's post): yak shaving

(Props to Deanna.)

ack!

I cannot bring myself to blog regularly. I suppose this is due to the fact that I am B-to-the-USY.

They say that busy people get more done, but I feel lately like a lot of my hecticness is due to my OCD. I am constantly having to work on being on time for meetings (at work and after) and to keep focused on a particular task. Example: I went to find the tax information, and then I went to dig for it in the hall way and I remembered I wanted new foundation out of my stock and wanted to find out if it matched and then I saw my computer and wanted to check if the internet was working... and where did I put that tax form?... now where is that compact?... do I need to revise my order tonight? should I just buy samples somewhere else or... do I have enough money in my account to pay my credit card bill... when am I going to make time to make the money... where is my calendar?

...
See my problem? Luckily, I have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week. And a hair cut. Because both my crazy and my hair are getting on my LAST FREAKING NERVE.

knowing what''s coming

... doesn't make it any easier.

My grandmother passed away yesterday, after many years of illness. Please keep her in your prayers or at least send good vibes to my family. We need it.

I want these...

You know, in case you wondered what I want for Christmas:

 

A good book

A thermos to keep my coffee hot at my desk

New Pajamas

Jewelry (here and here)

Art supplies (for sketching and watercolor painting)

 

heaven...

…is a hot cup of strong coffee when you are very tired and congested.

 

I have the cold that just won’t quit.  My nasal congestion is gone, but the sinus congestion remains.  It’s not enough to warrant taking more medication.  I’m thinking my allergy meds might just do the trick on the inflammation and clear it up.  Which would be great… if I could find the bottle…

 

UpDATE!

The forecast today called for scattered flurries.  FLURRIES.  I live in Ohio.  I expected this sooner.  But then, I forget I live in Central Ohio, which is a GIANT MASSIVE HEAT SINK where it doesn’t get cold until well after fall starts and my flowers planted next to the house are STILL BLOOMING.

they say you know you are out of things to say...

...when all you can think of to talk about is the weather.

Considering the current date, I shouldn't be bummed by the weather. But the awful way that the weather flips from nice to nasty has got me down and has got me sick. So here's to hoping I feel better before tomorrow and can think of something better to say.

bonus 2

[post 2]

I was talking yesterday to a large group of people, and we all agreed that this time of year is just hard.  There is a lot of transition, you face burnout from nearing the end-of-year/end-of-semester/holidays, and usually life just piles up on you like a stack of unfolded laundry.  They all kept apologizing and worrying and expressing anxiety over this “blah” they all felt – knowing it could have an effect on their work or performance was a huge issue for them. 

 

I have experienced this feeling before, so I reminded them – it is NORMAL.  A period of the “blahs” after a lot of activity or in the midst of demands from life is very common.  It’s also common this time of year, with changing weather, shifting day length, change of seasons.  So don’t fret over it.  Just OWN it.  Let yourself feel this feeling.  Realize it is temporary and use it as a time to reflect and recharge with the knowledge that after the first of the year, you can come back fully enthused and ready to tackle life.

 

bonus

[Okay yes, I know I did not post yesterday.  I thought about it.  A Lot.  But being as I was in the CAR for a large majority of the day, posting via computer was impossible.  I need to figure out how to post via phone…Since I didn’t post yesterday, I’m doing double duty today.]

 

[post one]

Go HERE to check out iGive.com.  Best idea ever.  Since online shopping is all the rage, this combines it with the idea of “ads” that iGive tracks.  For every purchase you make online via the iGive.com portal, a donation is made to your favorite charity.  Mine is the foundation associated with my fraternity.  So go sign up.

 

Day 3 - sent from the present

[Now that we are properly caught up... let's do this thing!!!]

After hearing about the Pillsbury Bake-Off, my interest in becoming an instant millionaire has been piqued. Now, personally, I think the chances of me winning that are higher than the ideas I came up with.

• Win the lottery.
• Invest well.
• Find a long-lost rich relative.
• Invent best ice cream flavor ever and sell to Ben and Jerry's
• Write and have best-selling book published.
• Become an instant reality star.
• Sell advertising space on forehead.
• Pursue career as plus-sized supermodel.
• Or I could just work my tail off for years for the same company and then get promoted and promoted and promoted til I am CEO.
  

Day 2 -- from the future!

Fridays rock.

After a very busy week, today was the day I rolled out of bed and decided that today, I did not need to wear makeup. However, I did do my skincare routine. After I finished, I realized that really, today, I didn't need the makeup. My skin looks that good right now. This is what 4.5 months of wedded bliss will do to you...

retroactive ambition

I will here belie my stupidity of the internetverse and say that I cannot remember what the stinkin' acronym is for this thing. This thing that I am doing -- posting everyday for a month. Since I now have internets at home (YAY for WOW cable!), I can do that. You know. Post from home. Rather than risking a job.

I suppose I could backdate this post that it "appears" as November 1. Being as I am writing it on November 3, it'll be like going back in time...

shorty shorty...

I went on vacation for a week, and then when I come back – PooF – it’s fall.  What happened?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When it rains it pours – last week I was agonizing over one, then yesterday I got four.

 

 

 

 

mooch

Having just purchased a used Apple Powerbook (because I am lazy about getting my old PC set up for home use), my goal in life has been to find wireless internet access.  I’ve priced out wireless for our house, I’m hunting for a reasonably priced wireless router, I’m constantly racking my brain for places to get wireless access that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

 

Items my search has procured:

 

1.  WOW cable has a KICK BUTT deal.  For just $5 more than what we pay for digital cable now, we can get digital cable, plus a free DVR, and internet.

 

2.  Local library = not enough computers for the patrons, but free wireless internet!  FREE! 

 

3.  Kinko’s internet = Slow and costs $0.15 per minute for computer/internet use.  But very good and nice sales guy now recognizes me by sight because I am constantly there making copies for my new business.

 

4. Panera Bread has free wi-fi.  FREE WIRELESS INTERNETS!!!  And… they give you FREE REFILLS on your coffee.

 

The Problem of no internet access at home is solved.  Mental breakdown has been averted.

september slump

So the days are getting shorter.  I could actually wear a sweater today and not be too hot.  It’s near fall – the fall equinox is this weekend.

 

I’ve had some down days this week too.  That’s another way I know it is soon fall.  My depression always acts up in the fall and winter – my doc thinks there is a bit of the Seasonal Affective Disorder connected to my symptoms.  I’m really worried about having a relapse of my depression in the next few months.  I’ve been doing well, but I think I am finally coming down from the manic pace of the summer, despite adding things to my plate as of late.

 

I think what relieves some of the worry, however, is that I have a support system set up this time.  Unfortunately, my tendency at times like these is to withdraw - which of course is counter to the idea of using the support system to snap back.

 

 

what every one needs to watch...

THIS is great.  Just what I needed today.

 

Although I started WeightWatchers two weeks ago, and have LOST weight… I now weigh 245.

 

TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE POUNDS.

 

I am 5’ 8”.  When I tell people how much I weigh, they never believe me.  I wear at size 18-20, depending on the style, cut, etc.  I fit into a size 2X.  I HAVE BOOBS.  And a BUTT.  Believe it or not, one of my concerns about switching to a healthy lifestyle is that I will lose my curves.  They are a part of my identity.  I have never been a small girl.  I will never BE a small girl.  But I can and will be an in-shape girl, who can take three flights of stairs at work and not get winded.  A girl who can swim laps and keep up with her former-lifeguard/swimmer husband.

 

When I started WW the intent was strictly to lose weight.  I’m changing my mind.  It’s now to change my lifestyle – to incorporate healthy food, food that isn’t healthy that I love anyway, and more exercise!!! – to change my attitude towards food – to be able to have the ice cream.  Joy is right – life is too short to not live it.  I will eat my full fat, loaded with sugar, full of flavor ice cream now.  And you?  The person who judges me for eating ice cream, for telling me I don’t “need” it?  Well, enjoy your tasteless fat free frozen yogurt with no flavor in a futile attempt to deny yourself any of life’s small pleasures in pursuit of the skinny jean (which doesn’t look good on ANYONE).  If I’m going to eat ice cream, I’m going to eat Godiva Belgian Chocolate ICE CREAM.

 

Can you hand me a spoon please?  Thanks.

 

 

just another manic Monday...

Not having work on Monday is supposed to be a good thing, but it just made Tuesday worse.  Not only was it Monday at work, it was Monday at home.  And after three days of no crazy pills (because they were not packed for the weekend trip…), that is not a good thing.

 

But the weekend was fun – camping with my folks and having no chores to do but sit around and drink beer, do word puzzles, and just BE.

 

I think what made Tuesday overwhelming was my decision to start a small business.  I have the first of my inventory on its way as I write this.  I’m hopeful and excited, but also nervous and overwhelmed by all the little stuff I have to do in order to get started.  First task: to set up my computer - reformat the hard drive, invest in better software (business expense) and internet connectivity (business expense) to help manage everything.  Now, considering I am really my own boss at this, I can’t technically get dooced, but I’m not going to tempt fate any further since I do have people helping me out and a company supplying inventory (both of which can cut me out like a bad skin tag if they feel like it).  That’s the thing with contractual agreements – both parties have an “out” clause for “no fault at all reasons.”  Suffice it to say, I’m excited about the opportunity to make a little extra money and to have something I can call my own ambition.

if I had a million dollars...

…I would buy new clubs.  Right now, although I have a kick-butt stand-bag my sister chose for me as a Christmas present, I am playing with my sister’s old driver and fairway woods (which need re-gripped, but I LOVE the way they hit) and my dad’s old irons and putter.  I dig the putter, but I feel like I should be playing with a slightly different flex club.  Or a longer club shaft.  I just don’t feel comfortable with the irons.

 

What I need to do is go get fitted for new irons.  According to this article in Golf for Women, though, I may have some trouble with that.  However, I have to say, every time I’ve gone to our local Golfsmith, they are more than helpful.  I am usually approached by a salesperson in less than 5 minutes of entering the store.  My sister bought her new driver and hybrid woods there, and the person doing the club fitting was professional and knew his stuff.  He was also patient and offered solid advice, including ordering what my sister wanted and needed on a special order, because it wasn’t in stock.

 

Golfsmith also carries a wide variety of two layer golf balls, women’s shoes, and a fair amount of women’s clubs and clothing.  I did notice that the women’s clothing section is bigger than the club section though.  I know I like to look good when I golf (because at least that is one thing I’ll do right that round), but isn’t the equipment more important?

 

she is a sewing queen...

For some crazy odd reason I have the bug to sew.  Don’t understand it.  Considering how many Other More Important Things I have to do right now.  Oh wait, that is how I deal with stress.  I do other things instead.  At least this time it is productive OCD behavior not destructive.  Help me.  Please.

 

One plus side of this is that the sewing… it cannot happen til the Mess that Will Become My Sewing Room is put in order.  So yea.  And yet that is not on the list of things to do after work today.  Which, by the way includes:

·                     paint shelves for massive armoire

·                     buy beetle bags, mulch, and landscape cloth at Lowe’s

·                     lay cloth and spread mulch

·                     Clean garage (some)

·                     Pull electric trimmer out of garage (see Clean garage – “Some” = only enough to accomplish getting the trimmer out)

·                     Trim lawn around patio, house, fence, electrical wiring, sidewalk, etc.

·                     Go to fraternity alumnae meeting (and try to not be bored out of skull while seemingly pointless yet inevitable debate ensues over Issues that Do Not Matter – anyone who is in any sort of group knows this is how meetings always go.  CUT TO THE MEAT PEOPLE!  I have sleep to be getting tonight!)

 

And I am sure I will be sidetracked somehow from the List.  Right now, it will be by actual work.