1. I'm wearing red skinny pants today. I think I love them. Can't speak for anyone else, however, as I am not skinny and they might not love seeing me in them. But I did go the extra mile and cover my rear end with a tunic, so hopefully that helps keep most of the "ew why is she wearing those pants" thoughts/comments at bay. Anyway, red pants offer a nice bit of cheer on a dark and dreary day. Even if they draw more attention to my "assets" than the general public would prefer.
2. Said tunic is this year's Target special and you should all get on it because they go fast. I snagged last year's version too late and ended up with a color I would not have otherwise chosen but it is dang hard to find tunics if you don't shop at Chicos. And I missed the previous year's version altogether which makes me want to cry a little because it had front pockets. Do you know how much I love a good front pocket? Last year's version had side pockets that came out when I walked (this probably doesn't happen to girls without a chip and dip hobby) and this year's version has no pockets. Next year's version may not even have sleeves, since it seems to be losing a little bit of fabric every year, so I would highly recommend you strolling through the Merona section and picking up one or five of these suckers…particularly if you own red pants and need the coverage.
3. If you noticed a frizzy blonde girl in a black minivan singing her heart out on the way to work, it was probably because of Sara Bareilles's The Blessed Unrest. I. am. in. love. This album, seriously. Every time I hear Little Black Dress I want to get up and sing into a curling iron and dance around. Which is awkward, since I listen to it a lot at work.
4. Audie stayed home sick with Nate today, and when I got ready to leave she came over put her arms up and said "I hold you?" My little Calvin used to say that exact thing and to this day it is one of my very favorite phrases either of my children has uttered. I wanted to cry, but instead I just scooped up that little muffin and hugged her so so so tight. And then she kissed me on the lips and I got in the car and smeared hand sanitizer on my mouth because I HATE BEING SICK and they don't make antibacterial lip gloss.
It did not taste good. But it tasted better than puke, which is the alternative. And probably the reality even after the hand sanitizer lip scrub because I have a knack for getting whatever they get.
5. On the subject of kissing, Audra honks our nose after every kiss. And says "honk." She's real cute.
6. I've had my first, second, and third pumpkin spice latte of the season.
Our freezer is stocked with various homemade breads and I'm going to
make soup this weekend. It's officially fall. Time to break out the
panel pants and settle in for eating season!
(Don't make that face. I know I'm not the only person who hung on to those post-pregnancy.)
7. Trying to decide what my fall fashion must-haves are. After attending a few runway shows with my friend Jo last week (it was Minnesota Fashion Week. Stop laughing.), I know for sure that I need an ankle-length octopus sweatshirt, a feather headdress, and an oversized hospital robe. And maybe some oxfords, since women wearing clunky men's shoes is a trend I just can't get enough of.
The highlight of the night was definitely when a frumpy middle-aged teacher asked us where we got our shoes and we were able to coolly answer "Payless" and "Aerosoles."
Those two responses summarize Minnesota Fashion Week better than a photo ever could.
8. I think I'm going to grow my hair out. I don't know why, except I miss the option of having a messy bun and I'm tired of haircuts that grow out too fast because I don't have time to get them as frequently as needed.
Nevermind. I guess I do know why. SLOTH.
9. Let me know if you're watching anything new that you really love this season. We didn't add much to our repertoire. Nate's watching The Blacklist, we're both watching Brooklyn Nine Nine (not sure how long that will be amusing), and I kinda liked the pilot for Mom, but haven't watched a second episode. I also gave The Mindy Project another shot and I'm glad I did. So funny. But I need to know if I'm missing anything great. Besides Scandal and Parks and Rec. And please don't recommend the Big Bang Theory because I do not get nerd humor, math, science, or the appeal of that show.
10. My kids are obsessed with their Bibles. We finished reading The Jesus Storybook Bible with Calvin last week, but he's still requesting it every night
before bed. I will gladly read that with him every night from now until forever because I love that he's soaking up truth and also because it means I don't have to read Dr. Seuss. (I am such a scrooge.) Also, Audra's little My First Read and Learn Bible is a
bedtime staple. She likes to point out Noah. And say "Bible." Upwards of
eight hundred times per day.
Nothing like a toddler running around shouting "Bible" to make you feel like you've done something right.
Showing posts with label lists of things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lists of things. Show all posts
Friday, October 4, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Freaky Friday.
Freaky in that I'm going to do blog list for the first time in, uh, a year. What can I say, I'm all about building anticipation among my readership of three (HI MOM!).
1. I really want to get rid of cable. Really a lot, because our bill is topping $170/mo. And daycare is going up $80/mo starting next week. I don't know about you, but we have yet to find a house with a money tree out back. WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY? Not at our house, that's where. Cutting cable seems like such an easy money saver, especially with all the streaming options out there. Except...cable. What about the final season of Mad Men? What about Top Chef? What about the babysitt...I mean, Disney Channel?
Life is full of tough choices and I think our tough choice is going to be what flavor of Hamburger Helper to buy next (with a coupon) so we can afford to keep cable.
2. Speaking of coupons...I am dangerously close to becoming a crazy coupon lady. Ok, not really. But I do love saving money and have recently begun challenging myself to get the best deals possible at Target. Between the coupons from the paper, the coupons I get at checkout, my Target Cartwheel app (which is a little creepy but quite handy), Target promotions (get a $5 gift card if you buy three, yada yada), and my Target RedCard, I'm doing alright. A few weeks ago I saved almost $30 off my $100 grocery bill. I WIN!
Couponing is essentially sports for uncoordinated moms who love shopping. And we all know I excel at shopping.
3. Whatever happened to Supermarket Sweep? I would totally win that, too.
4. You'll be delighted to hear that I finally found a mascara I truly love. Bobbi Brown No-Smudge. Stays on, doesn't flake, and – as promised – doesn't smudge. You may not believe me on that last point because I currently have mascara smudged under both eyes, but that's only because I was too lazy to remove yesterday's.
I've also branched out and fallen in love with a few other cosmetic items. Urban Decay's Primer Potion stays on, isn't too thick, and so far doesn't get crusty and hard in the tube (my only real complaint about the MAC paints). Eyeliner has long been a source of frustration for me and I've been using shadow with a liner brush but decided to give Stila's Smudge Stick a go and I really like it. Goes on easily, stays on all day.
Now that my eyes are smudge-proof, I might have to dedicate an evening to watching/sobbing my way through some classics like Love Story or The Way We Were. Or The Notebook. Hey girl.
5. Back to TV. Nate and I recently started watching two shows which are kind of the same (cop dramas investigating murders) and totally different (Mexican border town, British coastal town). The Bridge is really good but makes me never want to set foot in Mexico again despite my deep deep love for beaches and guacamole. Broadchurch is creepy and sad but has significantly improved my ability to decipher the words of a brooding, mumbling Brit. Both are highly recommended.
6. I just finished Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) after a two-evening reading marathon. She's so funny and I'm pretty sure that book plus a beach and guacamole (somewhere other than Juarez, Mexico) would have put me in a state of euphoria. Do you guys have any favorites in a similar vein (besides Tina Fey's Bossypants, because obviously I bought that the day it came out and finished it two hours later)?
7. Right now I really don't have the energy or mental capacity to process anything heavier than a Mindy Kaling book (I know this for sure because I spelled three words wrong in this sentence and then spelled sentence wrong, too), so I've been relying heavily on Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum audiobooks. These might require even less brainpower than Mindy's book, but they make my commute fly by and probably offer neighboring drivers a good show since I spend a lot of time laughing out loud. Something to consider if you have a long drive to work or want to drown out the sounds of your children. If your kids are anything like mine they'll either be talking too much or screaming too loud to notice the sexual innuendos and swear words. (Just kidding, I would never listen to it with them in the car. I don't need Calvin asking me why Stephanie feels all tingly when Ranger walks in. Besides, that's a ridiculous question. Obviously any woman with a pulse would feel similarly.)
8. This is so good.
9. Now that summer's winding down, I think I can safely say what worked and what didn't in the garden. Basil, rosemary, and chives grew easily. Our little strawberry plant produced all summer long and Calvin ate them all. The cherry tomatoes turned out super sweet and yummy and Audra ate them all. Zucchini doesn't like pots. Lettuce does, but I don't like lettuce from pots. The first round of roma tomatoes suffered from blossom end rot, but there is another crop ripening now and they look perfect. Our tiny green pepper plant refused to grow all summer but now there are two little green peppers hanging from it and I'm excited. Our cilantro was great but then I cut it back too much and it didn't come back. Same with the dill, but I only cut that back because we didn't really use much and it was taking over. The kids ate a snap pea every time they saw one, and scarfed down the carrots, too. The green beans were the first to arrive and the first to go, but they were abundant while they lasted.
The plan for next year is to build two raised beds on the plot of grass behind our fence. We get a ton of sun and we'll be able to plan more. We'll definitely keep the herbs in pots on the patio, but I hope to plant a larger variety of tomatoes along with more peas, carrots, beans, green peppers, strawberries, and zucchini out back. I'd like to try onions and leeks next year, too. Maybe even a watermelon? We also planted three raspberry bushes alongside our garage this year, so hopefully that will save us the big bucks next summer because my kids are bottomless berry dumpsters.
10. We're headed to the Minnesota State Fair tomorrow morning, and yes there will be corn dogs and deep fried something-or-another at 8am. When I reminded Calvin of our plan to visit the fair tomorrow, he said "Is that where we go to eat a lot of junk for breakfast?"
Sounds like he's got the plan down pat.
1. I really want to get rid of cable. Really a lot, because our bill is topping $170/mo. And daycare is going up $80/mo starting next week. I don't know about you, but we have yet to find a house with a money tree out back. WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY? Not at our house, that's where. Cutting cable seems like such an easy money saver, especially with all the streaming options out there. Except...cable. What about the final season of Mad Men? What about Top Chef? What about the babysitt...I mean, Disney Channel?
Life is full of tough choices and I think our tough choice is going to be what flavor of Hamburger Helper to buy next (with a coupon) so we can afford to keep cable.
2. Speaking of coupons...I am dangerously close to becoming a crazy coupon lady. Ok, not really. But I do love saving money and have recently begun challenging myself to get the best deals possible at Target. Between the coupons from the paper, the coupons I get at checkout, my Target Cartwheel app (which is a little creepy but quite handy), Target promotions (get a $5 gift card if you buy three, yada yada), and my Target RedCard, I'm doing alright. A few weeks ago I saved almost $30 off my $100 grocery bill. I WIN!
Couponing is essentially sports for uncoordinated moms who love shopping. And we all know I excel at shopping.
3. Whatever happened to Supermarket Sweep? I would totally win that, too.
4. You'll be delighted to hear that I finally found a mascara I truly love. Bobbi Brown No-Smudge. Stays on, doesn't flake, and – as promised – doesn't smudge. You may not believe me on that last point because I currently have mascara smudged under both eyes, but that's only because I was too lazy to remove yesterday's.
I've also branched out and fallen in love with a few other cosmetic items. Urban Decay's Primer Potion stays on, isn't too thick, and so far doesn't get crusty and hard in the tube (my only real complaint about the MAC paints). Eyeliner has long been a source of frustration for me and I've been using shadow with a liner brush but decided to give Stila's Smudge Stick a go and I really like it. Goes on easily, stays on all day.
Now that my eyes are smudge-proof, I might have to dedicate an evening to watching/sobbing my way through some classics like Love Story or The Way We Were. Or The Notebook. Hey girl.
5. Back to TV. Nate and I recently started watching two shows which are kind of the same (cop dramas investigating murders) and totally different (Mexican border town, British coastal town). The Bridge is really good but makes me never want to set foot in Mexico again despite my deep deep love for beaches and guacamole. Broadchurch is creepy and sad but has significantly improved my ability to decipher the words of a brooding, mumbling Brit. Both are highly recommended.
6. I just finished Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) after a two-evening reading marathon. She's so funny and I'm pretty sure that book plus a beach and guacamole (somewhere other than Juarez, Mexico) would have put me in a state of euphoria. Do you guys have any favorites in a similar vein (besides Tina Fey's Bossypants, because obviously I bought that the day it came out and finished it two hours later)?
7. Right now I really don't have the energy or mental capacity to process anything heavier than a Mindy Kaling book (I know this for sure because I spelled three words wrong in this sentence and then spelled sentence wrong, too), so I've been relying heavily on Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum audiobooks. These might require even less brainpower than Mindy's book, but they make my commute fly by and probably offer neighboring drivers a good show since I spend a lot of time laughing out loud. Something to consider if you have a long drive to work or want to drown out the sounds of your children. If your kids are anything like mine they'll either be talking too much or screaming too loud to notice the sexual innuendos and swear words. (Just kidding, I would never listen to it with them in the car. I don't need Calvin asking me why Stephanie feels all tingly when Ranger walks in. Besides, that's a ridiculous question. Obviously any woman with a pulse would feel similarly.)
8. This is so good.
9. Now that summer's winding down, I think I can safely say what worked and what didn't in the garden. Basil, rosemary, and chives grew easily. Our little strawberry plant produced all summer long and Calvin ate them all. The cherry tomatoes turned out super sweet and yummy and Audra ate them all. Zucchini doesn't like pots. Lettuce does, but I don't like lettuce from pots. The first round of roma tomatoes suffered from blossom end rot, but there is another crop ripening now and they look perfect. Our tiny green pepper plant refused to grow all summer but now there are two little green peppers hanging from it and I'm excited. Our cilantro was great but then I cut it back too much and it didn't come back. Same with the dill, but I only cut that back because we didn't really use much and it was taking over. The kids ate a snap pea every time they saw one, and scarfed down the carrots, too. The green beans were the first to arrive and the first to go, but they were abundant while they lasted.
The plan for next year is to build two raised beds on the plot of grass behind our fence. We get a ton of sun and we'll be able to plan more. We'll definitely keep the herbs in pots on the patio, but I hope to plant a larger variety of tomatoes along with more peas, carrots, beans, green peppers, strawberries, and zucchini out back. I'd like to try onions and leeks next year, too. Maybe even a watermelon? We also planted three raspberry bushes alongside our garage this year, so hopefully that will save us the big bucks next summer because my kids are bottomless berry dumpsters.
10. We're headed to the Minnesota State Fair tomorrow morning, and yes there will be corn dogs and deep fried something-or-another at 8am. When I reminded Calvin of our plan to visit the fair tomorrow, he said "Is that where we go to eat a lot of junk for breakfast?"
Sounds like he's got the plan down pat.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Back at it.
Happy fall, friends!
Okay, fine. I know it's not officially fall. But the kids are back to school, my commute is back to being annoyingly long, and the pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.
It's fall. At least in my head. And I would suggest you get on board with that or find yourself another blog to read because it's about to get all boot shopping and tv watching and comfort food eating up in here.
1. So, Tuesday was the first day of school in Minnesota and many other places. I know this because everyone on Facebook posted adorable pictures of their children with backpacks and cute little "first day of" signs. Everyone, that is, but me. Because it never once crossed my mind that it might be Calvin's first day of preschool. Even though he moved into a new class in a new building with a new teacher. For preschool.
I don't know if I'm sadder that I missed taking a picture of Calvin on his first day or that I missed out on cute sign making. Probably the latter. Especially since he needs a bath and has been sporting some seriously bad hair for the last week.
Will someone please send me an email or something next year so I don't forget to bathe/photograph him on his first day of pre-k?
Much appreciated.
2. In August, I told Nate I was going to do another September cooking challenge on the blog. Now that we're seven days into September, I think it's pretty clear that won't be happening. We'll shoot for October instead. Until then, here's something I made recently that was super easy and quite good.
Baked Chicken Fajitas
Courtesy of Six Sisters Stuff via Pinterest
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, seeded and sliced
2 T vegetable oil
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t salt
Serve with:
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Lettuce
Avocado
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, green peppers and onions and spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine the oil and spices in a small bowl, drizzle over the chicken and veggies, and toss to coat. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
3. I am on the prowl for cognac boots. I think I mentioned this earlier. This falls into the stuff-I-want-but-can't-stand-to-shop-for category. Very few things fall into that category. Very few. Because I love to shop. I even love a good shopping challenge. But boots. Ugh. There are too many factors to consider: color, height, circumference, width, style, heel. I want something I can wear casually with jeans but still dress up with skirts and tights. I want something I can walk in while holding 50lbs of children. I want something that's close to my knee but not over it. I want real leather. I don't want to pay a zillion dollars.
I'm never going to find them, am I?
4. Well, if I can't have perfect boots, I guess I'll have to settle for perfect flats. Like these metallic Tory Burch ones I've always wanted that only cost $195.
Hahahaha.
5. Have I mentioned my addiction to Downton Abbey? I am hopelessly obsessed with that show. Like, going through withdrawal obsessed. Luckily, the season three trailer came out this week. It's not enough to keep me satisfied, not even close, but I'll take what I can get.
Please listen to me. If someone suggested you watch Downton Abbey and your response was "Ew. A PBS Masterpiece Theatre period drama? Not a chance" then you need to shut your mouth and get yourself to the nearest streaming video service. While you're there, just go ahead and block out the next 15 hours of your life. You'll thank me later.
6. I am working on my fall must-haves clothing list. So far it includes the aforementioned boots. I know I need more than that, seeing as I spent last fall/winter in maternity clothes and most of what I wore the year before is now probably out of style or ill-fitting. Postpartum dressing really is the pits. Because even if you lose all the baby weight, nothing fits like it did and you pretty much have to start over or get real creative with your styling. Sad to say, styling is not my strong suit. Or even my mediocre suit. I so wish I could be one of those girls with perfectly tousled hair and a casually draped scarf that looks amazing over the most basic but well-fitting tshirt and jeans, but mostly I am just awkward and frizzy and wearing Gap jeans that stretched out five seconds after I put them on.
7. Seriously, what is the deal with Gap jeans? They used to be my go-to, now they are my run-from. This blog post is kind of hilarious and awful and while I don't really like any of the jeans she's hocking on the positive side (not a fan of pocket adornment myself, I'm a 33-year-old mother and marketing professional after all, not a teenager looking to score some beer and a new lower back tat), I can't argue with the fact that those Gap jeans are frump city. If you have recommendations for non-mom jeans with a 34 or 35 inch inseam that are appropriate for the workplace and won't break the bank or stretch out beyond recognition within minutes, by all means — send them my way. I'm getting desperate.
8. My kid wants to be Super Why for Halloween. My mother-in-law has kindly agreed to make the cape, but I'm at a loss on where to find a solid green outfit and blue mini shorts. I'm thinking it might be easier to find a pair of blue track pants and a blue t-shirt and accent with a green mask and cape. He probably won't even notice. Although he's remarkably observant at the most inopportune times, like when I mutter "what is your DEAL?" to a frustrating driver or someone says "stupid" within an 800-mile radius.
And yes, I realize there is a Super Why costume available for purchase, but I am one of those snobby moms who prefers homemade costumes. And by homemade I mean purchased at several different locations instead of in a single bag.
Snobby AND efficient.
9. There is nothing in the new fall lineup that interests me besides The Mindy Project. And maybe Nashville, since I looove Connie Britton (it's all the Friday Night Lights we've been watching. She's so good.). How disappointing. Although I guess that will help with our who-gets-to-watch-what-now-that-we're-both-home conundrum.
10. I have a long-awaited movie date with Christian Bale tonight. Sigh of happiness.
Don't worry, Nate will be there, too. Probably wishing he wasn't after two hours of me saying "Wow. He's so hot. Isn't he hot? Wow."
Okay, fine. I know it's not officially fall. But the kids are back to school, my commute is back to being annoyingly long, and the pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.
It's fall. At least in my head. And I would suggest you get on board with that or find yourself another blog to read because it's about to get all boot shopping and tv watching and comfort food eating up in here.
1. So, Tuesday was the first day of school in Minnesota and many other places. I know this because everyone on Facebook posted adorable pictures of their children with backpacks and cute little "first day of" signs. Everyone, that is, but me. Because it never once crossed my mind that it might be Calvin's first day of preschool. Even though he moved into a new class in a new building with a new teacher. For preschool.
I don't know if I'm sadder that I missed taking a picture of Calvin on his first day or that I missed out on cute sign making. Probably the latter. Especially since he needs a bath and has been sporting some seriously bad hair for the last week.
Will someone please send me an email or something next year so I don't forget to bathe/photograph him on his first day of pre-k?
Much appreciated.
2. In August, I told Nate I was going to do another September cooking challenge on the blog. Now that we're seven days into September, I think it's pretty clear that won't be happening. We'll shoot for October instead. Until then, here's something I made recently that was super easy and quite good.
Baked Chicken Fajitas
Courtesy of Six Sisters Stuff via Pinterest
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, seeded and sliced
2 T vegetable oil
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t salt
Serve with:
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Lettuce
Avocado
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, green peppers and onions and spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine the oil and spices in a small bowl, drizzle over the chicken and veggies, and toss to coat. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
3. I am on the prowl for cognac boots. I think I mentioned this earlier. This falls into the stuff-I-want-but-can't-stand-to-shop-for category. Very few things fall into that category. Very few. Because I love to shop. I even love a good shopping challenge. But boots. Ugh. There are too many factors to consider: color, height, circumference, width, style, heel. I want something I can wear casually with jeans but still dress up with skirts and tights. I want something I can walk in while holding 50lbs of children. I want something that's close to my knee but not over it. I want real leather. I don't want to pay a zillion dollars.
I'm never going to find them, am I?
4. Well, if I can't have perfect boots, I guess I'll have to settle for perfect flats. Like these metallic Tory Burch ones I've always wanted that only cost $195.
Hahahaha.
5. Have I mentioned my addiction to Downton Abbey? I am hopelessly obsessed with that show. Like, going through withdrawal obsessed. Luckily, the season three trailer came out this week. It's not enough to keep me satisfied, not even close, but I'll take what I can get.
Please listen to me. If someone suggested you watch Downton Abbey and your response was "Ew. A PBS Masterpiece Theatre period drama? Not a chance" then you need to shut your mouth and get yourself to the nearest streaming video service. While you're there, just go ahead and block out the next 15 hours of your life. You'll thank me later.
6. I am working on my fall must-haves clothing list. So far it includes the aforementioned boots. I know I need more than that, seeing as I spent last fall/winter in maternity clothes and most of what I wore the year before is now probably out of style or ill-fitting. Postpartum dressing really is the pits. Because even if you lose all the baby weight, nothing fits like it did and you pretty much have to start over or get real creative with your styling. Sad to say, styling is not my strong suit. Or even my mediocre suit. I so wish I could be one of those girls with perfectly tousled hair and a casually draped scarf that looks amazing over the most basic but well-fitting tshirt and jeans, but mostly I am just awkward and frizzy and wearing Gap jeans that stretched out five seconds after I put them on.
7. Seriously, what is the deal with Gap jeans? They used to be my go-to, now they are my run-from. This blog post is kind of hilarious and awful and while I don't really like any of the jeans she's hocking on the positive side (not a fan of pocket adornment myself, I'm a 33-year-old mother and marketing professional after all, not a teenager looking to score some beer and a new lower back tat), I can't argue with the fact that those Gap jeans are frump city. If you have recommendations for non-mom jeans with a 34 or 35 inch inseam that are appropriate for the workplace and won't break the bank or stretch out beyond recognition within minutes, by all means — send them my way. I'm getting desperate.
8. My kid wants to be Super Why for Halloween. My mother-in-law has kindly agreed to make the cape, but I'm at a loss on where to find a solid green outfit and blue mini shorts. I'm thinking it might be easier to find a pair of blue track pants and a blue t-shirt and accent with a green mask and cape. He probably won't even notice. Although he's remarkably observant at the most inopportune times, like when I mutter "what is your DEAL?" to a frustrating driver or someone says "stupid" within an 800-mile radius.
And yes, I realize there is a Super Why costume available for purchase, but I am one of those snobby moms who prefers homemade costumes. And by homemade I mean purchased at several different locations instead of in a single bag.
Snobby AND efficient.
9. There is nothing in the new fall lineup that interests me besides The Mindy Project. And maybe Nashville, since I looove Connie Britton (it's all the Friday Night Lights we've been watching. She's so good.). How disappointing. Although I guess that will help with our who-gets-to-watch-what-now-that-we're-both-home conundrum.
10. I have a long-awaited movie date with Christian Bale tonight. Sigh of happiness.
Don't worry, Nate will be there, too. Probably wishing he wasn't after two hours of me saying "Wow. He's so hot. Isn't he hot? Wow."
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Brain dump.
After having taken most of the summer off from blogging — excluding some lazy posts consisting solely of cute pictures of my kids — you'd better believe I have a few things to throw your way.
It's list time, yo.
(Anyone else follow that up with some sort of 90s "doot doot doot doot, doot doot doot" beat? No? Yeah, me neither.)
1. I've found the perfect shoe. Made by Aerosoles. I don't know if this makes me an old lady or if this makes me brilliant because it is both perfect AND comfortable, but I don't really care. It took me a couple of years, but I am finally wearing an inexpensive wedge sandal that fits my wide foot and goes with everything.
I really I hope I have the same luck when I begin my upcoming search for tall, flat, cognac leather boots. The mere thought of this search stresses me out. Darn you, bunions.*
2. One of the downfalls to our new schedule is going to be TV. In that neither of us will be able to watch whatever we want on it. I've only had to share the remote 1-2 evenings a week for the past decade, so this every night business is going to take some getting used to. Nate is currently engrossed in Breaking Bad; I am obsessed with Downton Abbey. Neither of us has interest in the other. Luckily, we share an affinity for Friday Night Lights, which we've just gotten back into after kind of forgetting about it. But what are we going to do this fall? Nate doesn't want to watch Law & Order: SVU or Grey's Anatomy (oh, Lexie!) and I don't want to watch Monday Night Football or Hell's Kitchen. I suppose we could create some sort of TV watching schedule. Or, you know, turn off the tv and talk to each other.
Eh. Probably the schedule.
3. You should make this salad. It appears to make a TON (truly, I wasn't sure how I was going to mix it, even in my enormous mixing bowl) but turns out after you go back for seconds, thirds, and sevenths, there's really not that much left.
4. I have an odd fascination with colored pants right now. I feel like I want some, but I also feel like they would look horrible on me. And that I'd never wear them because of the horribleness. I am typically pretty willing to take a chance on new trends (see: capri pants, spring 1999), yet I am waffling a bit on this one. But how cute would a pair of pink or red cropped pants be with a jean jacket and black flats? HMMM.
Stay tuned. And if I do show up anywhere wearing pink or red pants, please be kind despite the almost certain horribleness. Points should always be given for fashion bravery, friends. Always. Unless we're talking Chloe Sevigny, who is not so much brave as she is blind. At least I assume that's the case, as there's really no other explanation.
5. Guess who's coming back to town? Guess who has tickets to see him? And guess who didn't have to call her husband to see if he could request time off work so she could go because starting Monday he will be home in the evening?!
I feel like that wasn't a very difficult quiz, but the answers are 1) Joshua Radin 2) Me (and my friend Barbara) and 2) Me
What are the odds I'll have pinkeye again? (Probably pretty good seeing as I'll soon have two germy daycare kids.)
6. I ordered a headband from this Etsy shop for Audra. It. Is. ADORABLE. Moms of girls, take note.
7. You may or may not know this about me, but I hate the Olympics. I have always hated the Olympics. The Olympics get in the way of regular television programming and I am a creature of habit so that annoys me.** Also, I don't like sports. But I've found myself somewhat fascinated by them this year. Either Nate has them on or I put them on for Calvin (because I feel marginally better about him watching people achieve athletic glory over yet another episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates), and then I walk by just as someone sticks a perfect landing or does 8,000 summersaults into a pool and then I kind of can't stop watching. Plus, those female gymnasts are incredible. So incredible that I may have cried a little bit watching them.
I guess maybe I don't really hate the Olympics. Which is a pretty major revelation after 33 years of thinking I do.
8. Nate and I cleaned out our basement two weekends ago in anticipation of our upcoming garage sale. Not entirely sure how we could possibly have enough stuff crammed into our meager 1,200 square feet to warrant an annual garage sale, but we do. I guess it could be all the shopping? Or all the kids? Anyway, if you need random unused baby crap (bottle warmer), picture frames of various shapes and sizes, copious amounts of toddler boys clothing, three martini glasses, nursing textbooks, a grandma-esque glider, a bag full of miscellaneous chargers, a camera that requires film, my 15-year-old college TV set, or really cute Pottery Barn Kids circus crib bedding, let me know. Also, our basement is now really organized and significantly closer to being bug free. I won't tell you how many times I screamed and yelled for Nate (or, more pathetically, Calvin) to squish something, but it was an embarrassing amount. Hundred-year-old houses have waaaay too many basement nooks and crannies and I'm pretty sure some of the insects we found down there were big enough to eat my baby.
I feel itchy.
9. This will surprise no one, I'm sure, but I've already started thinking about Audra's birthday party. First of all, I am a spaz. Second of all, there is no reasonable explanation for her being closer to one than she is to birth. None. Except some sort of time travel. Because I just had her. Like last week or something. Despite the fact that she is eating crackers and babbling and scooting backwards under things. Which I'm choosing to ignore for the moment because it makes me want to cry.
So, her birthday party. I have a few ideas in mind. And just enough time to be dangerous. Now that I have two kids and two parties to throw, I may as well make Etsy my homepage...
10. I finally signed up for Spotify. Why I didn't do this sooner, I do not know. Especially when Facebook has made it pretty clear that everyone but me is using it. And you know Facebook wouldn't lie. In fact, Facebook is dedicated to publicly exposing every little idiotic thing you do...like listen to the Dawson's Creek soundtrack on Spotify. Thank heavens for the "private session" option, which I have only recently discovered.
Now, off to see if the Felicity soundtrack is available. My friend Gordon assures me it is.
*Aerosoles alone probably don't make me an old lady. Aerosoles and bunions, however, probably do.
**Just in case you couldn't tell from item #2 that I have a slight tv addiction.
It's list time, yo.
(Anyone else follow that up with some sort of 90s "doot doot doot doot, doot doot doot" beat? No? Yeah, me neither.)
1. I've found the perfect shoe. Made by Aerosoles. I don't know if this makes me an old lady or if this makes me brilliant because it is both perfect AND comfortable, but I don't really care. It took me a couple of years, but I am finally wearing an inexpensive wedge sandal that fits my wide foot and goes with everything.
I really I hope I have the same luck when I begin my upcoming search for tall, flat, cognac leather boots. The mere thought of this search stresses me out. Darn you, bunions.*
2. One of the downfalls to our new schedule is going to be TV. In that neither of us will be able to watch whatever we want on it. I've only had to share the remote 1-2 evenings a week for the past decade, so this every night business is going to take some getting used to. Nate is currently engrossed in Breaking Bad; I am obsessed with Downton Abbey. Neither of us has interest in the other. Luckily, we share an affinity for Friday Night Lights, which we've just gotten back into after kind of forgetting about it. But what are we going to do this fall? Nate doesn't want to watch Law & Order: SVU or Grey's Anatomy (oh, Lexie!) and I don't want to watch Monday Night Football or Hell's Kitchen. I suppose we could create some sort of TV watching schedule. Or, you know, turn off the tv and talk to each other.
Eh. Probably the schedule.
3. You should make this salad. It appears to make a TON (truly, I wasn't sure how I was going to mix it, even in my enormous mixing bowl) but turns out after you go back for seconds, thirds, and sevenths, there's really not that much left.
4. I have an odd fascination with colored pants right now. I feel like I want some, but I also feel like they would look horrible on me. And that I'd never wear them because of the horribleness. I am typically pretty willing to take a chance on new trends (see: capri pants, spring 1999), yet I am waffling a bit on this one. But how cute would a pair of pink or red cropped pants be with a jean jacket and black flats? HMMM.
Stay tuned. And if I do show up anywhere wearing pink or red pants, please be kind despite the almost certain horribleness. Points should always be given for fashion bravery, friends. Always. Unless we're talking Chloe Sevigny, who is not so much brave as she is blind. At least I assume that's the case, as there's really no other explanation.
5. Guess who's coming back to town? Guess who has tickets to see him? And guess who didn't have to call her husband to see if he could request time off work so she could go because starting Monday he will be home in the evening?!
I feel like that wasn't a very difficult quiz, but the answers are 1) Joshua Radin 2) Me (and my friend Barbara) and 2) Me
What are the odds I'll have pinkeye again? (Probably pretty good seeing as I'll soon have two germy daycare kids.)
6. I ordered a headband from this Etsy shop for Audra. It. Is. ADORABLE. Moms of girls, take note.
7. You may or may not know this about me, but I hate the Olympics. I have always hated the Olympics. The Olympics get in the way of regular television programming and I am a creature of habit so that annoys me.** Also, I don't like sports. But I've found myself somewhat fascinated by them this year. Either Nate has them on or I put them on for Calvin (because I feel marginally better about him watching people achieve athletic glory over yet another episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates), and then I walk by just as someone sticks a perfect landing or does 8,000 summersaults into a pool and then I kind of can't stop watching. Plus, those female gymnasts are incredible. So incredible that I may have cried a little bit watching them.
I guess maybe I don't really hate the Olympics. Which is a pretty major revelation after 33 years of thinking I do.
8. Nate and I cleaned out our basement two weekends ago in anticipation of our upcoming garage sale. Not entirely sure how we could possibly have enough stuff crammed into our meager 1,200 square feet to warrant an annual garage sale, but we do. I guess it could be all the shopping? Or all the kids? Anyway, if you need random unused baby crap (bottle warmer), picture frames of various shapes and sizes, copious amounts of toddler boys clothing, three martini glasses, nursing textbooks, a grandma-esque glider, a bag full of miscellaneous chargers, a camera that requires film, my 15-year-old college TV set, or really cute Pottery Barn Kids circus crib bedding, let me know. Also, our basement is now really organized and significantly closer to being bug free. I won't tell you how many times I screamed and yelled for Nate (or, more pathetically, Calvin) to squish something, but it was an embarrassing amount. Hundred-year-old houses have waaaay too many basement nooks and crannies and I'm pretty sure some of the insects we found down there were big enough to eat my baby.
I feel itchy.
9. This will surprise no one, I'm sure, but I've already started thinking about Audra's birthday party. First of all, I am a spaz. Second of all, there is no reasonable explanation for her being closer to one than she is to birth. None. Except some sort of time travel. Because I just had her. Like last week or something. Despite the fact that she is eating crackers and babbling and scooting backwards under things. Which I'm choosing to ignore for the moment because it makes me want to cry.
So, her birthday party. I have a few ideas in mind. And just enough time to be dangerous. Now that I have two kids and two parties to throw, I may as well make Etsy my homepage...
10. I finally signed up for Spotify. Why I didn't do this sooner, I do not know. Especially when Facebook has made it pretty clear that everyone but me is using it. And you know Facebook wouldn't lie. In fact, Facebook is dedicated to publicly exposing every little idiotic thing you do...like listen to the Dawson's Creek soundtrack on Spotify. Thank heavens for the "private session" option, which I have only recently discovered.
Now, off to see if the Felicity soundtrack is available. My friend Gordon assures me it is.
*Aerosoles alone probably don't make me an old lady. Aerosoles and bunions, however, probably do.
**Just in case you couldn't tell from item #2 that I have a slight tv addiction.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Random tidbits from the homefront.
Hi there. Remember me? The one who likes to pop in occasionally with photos and a list of crazy and nothing of real substance?
More of the same to follow. Get excited.
1. I love being home. There, I said it. It goes against everything I've ever thought/said about myself and I'm putting it out there anyway. If I could stay home indefinitely, I would. I would wear yoga pants and sweatshirts and go without makeup and load and unload the dishwasher and washing machine thirty times a day and drive my son to and from school and snuggle my daughter all day long every day if I could.
But, I cannot. So that's depressing. Three and a half weeks to go...I am going to cry. A lot.
2. I have a feeling once I get back to work I will be totally fine, though. Especially if I'm able to implement my Yoga Pants in the Workplace Wednesday idea.
Shouldn't be a problem.
3. So far during my maternity leave I have finished Mad Men (I can't wait for March 25. Can't. Wait.), gotten hooked on The Voice (Adam Levine, you are so fine), found myself simultaneously amused and annoyed by Portlandia, and caught up on a number of girly movies I wanted to see (The Help, I Don't Know How She Does It, Life as We Know It).
4. I also read two books. Yes, two. I really thought I'd do more reading because I spent many a sleepless night plowing through a long list of books while I was home with Calvin, but Audra? She sleeps all night. At eight weeks.
Best. Baby. Ever.
Also, I spend what little time I am up with her at night on Pinterest. Which is probably just as enriching as reading, if you really think about it.
(Please don't.)
5. While on the subject of Pinterest, I'm already thinking ahead to Calvin's third birthday party. Which is either going to be a Toy Story 3 party or an Up party. I am not-so-secretly hoping for Up, as that seems far simpler than Toy Story 3 (i.e. lots of balloons vs. some sort of space ranger/cowboy/daycare center/landfill scenario). I mean, it's Calvin's birthday so he can pick whichever one he prefers, but don't be surprised to find me slipping Up into the DVD player a little more frequently in the months to come.
6. Are movie and tv show titles supposed to be italicized? I've been looking at that the entire time I've been writing this and I still have no idea.
7. Yep, I have a degree in journalism and should know that.
8. Nope, I don't plan to look it up.
9. Do you think it would be worth buying a plane ticket to somewhere cheap so I can eat at the Chick-fil-A going into the Minneapolis St. Paul airport? Cause I kind of do.
10. Two weeks from Saturday Nate and I are going out to celebrate our birthdays. And not just anywhere, but to our favorite restaurant of all time: the 112 Eatery. Heaven on a plate, folks. Or multiple plates, I guess, since we have no self control when we're there. Anyway, we were discussing our mutual excitement last night and I said "Remember how they used to know us because we went there so often?" and Nate said "Well, that will never happen again" and I said "Sure it will...at Panera." And then we both cried a little for all we've lost in having kids.
11. Just kidding.
12. Kind of.
Ugh. See what happens when I'm cooped up in my house all winter long? I start talking crazy about loving food more than my kids. It's probably a good thing I'm going back to work soon.
But no. It's not. Because then I have to leave these sweet faces...and how terrible will that be?
Very, very terrible.
Turns out I love them way more than the 112's stringozzi with lamb sugo. Or steak tartar. Or scallops with oyster mushrooms.
But maybe about the same as the tres leche cake. It's really good.
More of the same to follow. Get excited.
1. I love being home. There, I said it. It goes against everything I've ever thought/said about myself and I'm putting it out there anyway. If I could stay home indefinitely, I would. I would wear yoga pants and sweatshirts and go without makeup and load and unload the dishwasher and washing machine thirty times a day and drive my son to and from school and snuggle my daughter all day long every day if I could.
But, I cannot. So that's depressing. Three and a half weeks to go...I am going to cry. A lot.
2. I have a feeling once I get back to work I will be totally fine, though. Especially if I'm able to implement my Yoga Pants in the Workplace Wednesday idea.
Shouldn't be a problem.
3. So far during my maternity leave I have finished Mad Men (I can't wait for March 25. Can't. Wait.), gotten hooked on The Voice (Adam Levine, you are so fine), found myself simultaneously amused and annoyed by Portlandia, and caught up on a number of girly movies I wanted to see (The Help, I Don't Know How She Does It, Life as We Know It).
4. I also read two books. Yes, two. I really thought I'd do more reading because I spent many a sleepless night plowing through a long list of books while I was home with Calvin, but Audra? She sleeps all night. At eight weeks.
Best. Baby. Ever.
Also, I spend what little time I am up with her at night on Pinterest. Which is probably just as enriching as reading, if you really think about it.
(Please don't.)
5. While on the subject of Pinterest, I'm already thinking ahead to Calvin's third birthday party. Which is either going to be a Toy Story 3 party or an Up party. I am not-so-secretly hoping for Up, as that seems far simpler than Toy Story 3 (i.e. lots of balloons vs. some sort of space ranger/cowboy/daycare center/landfill scenario). I mean, it's Calvin's birthday so he can pick whichever one he prefers, but don't be surprised to find me slipping Up into the DVD player a little more frequently in the months to come.
6. Are movie and tv show titles supposed to be italicized? I've been looking at that the entire time I've been writing this and I still have no idea.
7. Yep, I have a degree in journalism and should know that.
8. Nope, I don't plan to look it up.
9. Do you think it would be worth buying a plane ticket to somewhere cheap so I can eat at the Chick-fil-A going into the Minneapolis St. Paul airport? Cause I kind of do.
10. Two weeks from Saturday Nate and I are going out to celebrate our birthdays. And not just anywhere, but to our favorite restaurant of all time: the 112 Eatery. Heaven on a plate, folks. Or multiple plates, I guess, since we have no self control when we're there. Anyway, we were discussing our mutual excitement last night and I said "Remember how they used to know us because we went there so often?" and Nate said "Well, that will never happen again" and I said "Sure it will...at Panera." And then we both cried a little for all we've lost in having kids.
11. Just kidding.
12. Kind of.
Ugh. See what happens when I'm cooped up in my house all winter long? I start talking crazy about loving food more than my kids. It's probably a good thing I'm going back to work soon.
But no. It's not. Because then I have to leave these sweet faces...and how terrible will that be?
Very, very terrible.
Turns out I love them way more than the 112's stringozzi with lamb sugo. Or steak tartar. Or scallops with oyster mushrooms.
But maybe about the same as the tres leche cake. It's really good.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Rumble and ramble.
1. Yesterday I wore maternity pants and a tank top with an open, flowy non-maternity cardigan. As I stood in line for my decaf pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, I wondered whether anyone could even tell I was pregnant because of the flowiness of my sweater (these are the self-absorbed thoughts running through my mind at 8am). About an hour later I caught sight of my profile as I walked by a wall of windows at work and nearly passed out. Yes, I do believe they can tell. Pretty sure a five person tent couldn't conceal what I'm carrying around right now. Turns out my view from the top is somewhat different than everyone else's view. Which I've recently learned is also the case with my boobs. What I believe to be a modest neckline often turns into a pornographic one at work, because when I sit down my belly hoists my boobs up and right out the top of my shirt. This is, of course, something I never notice until I go to the bathroom. And then I have to make the difficult decision whether to cover my chest or my stomach. Because, let's face it. If a five person tent can't cover both, neither can a Liz Lange tank top.
2. It was supposed to snow today. I still don't own boots. I feel like this is something I should probably address in the near future before it actually does snow. What I want are cute, expensive boots. What I need are utilitarian, moderately-priced boots that will hold up to a Minnesota winter. Recommendations?
3. I love the show New Girl. A lot of people find Zooey Deschanel annoying. A lot of people find that show downright unfunny. But Nate and I find it charming and hilarious. I choose to believe this says something about everyone else and not us.
4. Nine days until Breaking Dawn. In case you don't have an internal clock set for that sort of thing. Or haven't been listening to "It Will Rain" on repeat.
5. Speaking of Twilight, the first movie was on FX recently, so I watched it while Nate futzed around on the computer. At one point he asked me what was going on, and so I started rambling "well, see, he's a vampire but his family doesn't eat people they just eat animals but he still wants to eat people so that other vampire who does eat people just bit Bella and now he has to suck out the venom but it's so hard because once he tastes her blood he has a hard time stopping but he loves her and he doesn't want to change her into a vampire but if he doesn't stop she'll die." And then I realized how enormously stupid that sounded and shut up. Some things are best enjoyed without discussion.
6. We looked at TVs for our bedroom last night. Nate wants a 37" plasma, and I think my 20" Toshiba from 1998 still works just fine. So I agreed to meet in the middle and suggested a 15" plasma retailing for $109. Surprisingly, he did not jump at this opportunity. My question is this: How much clarity and size do you really need to watch a 30-minute rerun of Friends before bed?
7. I decorated for fall last weekend. Two months late, with only two weeks to spare. Whew. Close one. Super glad I spent time on that, especially when no one else will see it and we haven't done anything to prepare for the impending arrival of our child next month. Never mind the fact that Nate is only off three (THREE!) weekends between now and Christmas. And will be out of town for one of them. Or that I'm under the constant threat of bed rest due to my blood pressure. So not worried. I'm sure I'll find more than enough time to get everything painted, decorated, purchased, cleaned, washed, folded, and organized between those three weekends, two major holidays, a toddler, and a full-time job.
And now you know why I have blood pressure issues.
8. Would it be cheating to listen to one Christmas song today? Just one? Or maybe two? I downloaded the She & Him Christmas album and I'm getting antsy.
9. This came in the mail the other day. When presented to Nate along with the two (exact same) shirts I got for Calvin, he said "This is what it's going to be like now, isn't it? She gets a cute pink hat and Calvin gets two plain white shirts?" Hey, at least I got him something. And we all know no child of mine will ever hurt for clothing.
10. Just realized I referenced Twilight and Zooey Deschanel twice each in this post. Yep, I'm a twelve year old fan girl. Gotta go find some Bubble Yum and get cracking on my diorama before Saved By The Bell comes on.
2. It was supposed to snow today. I still don't own boots. I feel like this is something I should probably address in the near future before it actually does snow. What I want are cute, expensive boots. What I need are utilitarian, moderately-priced boots that will hold up to a Minnesota winter. Recommendations?
3. I love the show New Girl. A lot of people find Zooey Deschanel annoying. A lot of people find that show downright unfunny. But Nate and I find it charming and hilarious. I choose to believe this says something about everyone else and not us.
4. Nine days until Breaking Dawn. In case you don't have an internal clock set for that sort of thing. Or haven't been listening to "It Will Rain" on repeat.
5. Speaking of Twilight, the first movie was on FX recently, so I watched it while Nate futzed around on the computer. At one point he asked me what was going on, and so I started rambling "well, see, he's a vampire but his family doesn't eat people they just eat animals but he still wants to eat people so that other vampire who does eat people just bit Bella and now he has to suck out the venom but it's so hard because once he tastes her blood he has a hard time stopping but he loves her and he doesn't want to change her into a vampire but if he doesn't stop she'll die." And then I realized how enormously stupid that sounded and shut up. Some things are best enjoyed without discussion.
6. We looked at TVs for our bedroom last night. Nate wants a 37" plasma, and I think my 20" Toshiba from 1998 still works just fine. So I agreed to meet in the middle and suggested a 15" plasma retailing for $109. Surprisingly, he did not jump at this opportunity. My question is this: How much clarity and size do you really need to watch a 30-minute rerun of Friends before bed?
7. I decorated for fall last weekend. Two months late, with only two weeks to spare. Whew. Close one. Super glad I spent time on that, especially when no one else will see it and we haven't done anything to prepare for the impending arrival of our child next month. Never mind the fact that Nate is only off three (THREE!) weekends between now and Christmas. And will be out of town for one of them. Or that I'm under the constant threat of bed rest due to my blood pressure. So not worried. I'm sure I'll find more than enough time to get everything painted, decorated, purchased, cleaned, washed, folded, and organized between those three weekends, two major holidays, a toddler, and a full-time job.
And now you know why I have blood pressure issues.
8. Would it be cheating to listen to one Christmas song today? Just one? Or maybe two? I downloaded the She & Him Christmas album and I'm getting antsy.
9. This came in the mail the other day. When presented to Nate along with the two (exact same) shirts I got for Calvin, he said "This is what it's going to be like now, isn't it? She gets a cute pink hat and Calvin gets two plain white shirts?" Hey, at least I got him something. And we all know no child of mine will ever hurt for clothing.
10. Just realized I referenced Twilight and Zooey Deschanel twice each in this post. Yep, I'm a twelve year old fan girl. Gotta go find some Bubble Yum and get cracking on my diorama before Saved By The Bell comes on.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday, Friday, Friday, OHHHHH.
For some reason I always sing Rebecca Black's Friday to the tune of Justin Beiber's Baby.
And this concludes the portion of today's blog post where I embarrass myself.
I hope.
Things I love today:
1. Amy Grant's Better Than a Hallelujah.
2. The Band Perry's If I Die Young.
Note: I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks in my car lately (I'm on the 10th Janet Evanovich book) so I rarely have the radio on. Maybe the rest of you have been aware of those two songs for months (years?), I have no idea. I may be horribly dated, but at least I finally got the the part of the Stephanie Plum series where she gets it on with Ranger,* and that's been a long time coming. And since most of you have no idea what I'm talking about, I will just say that he is HOT and and leave it at that.
3. Leftover coffee in the coffee pot at home. I never used to drink coffee, but right now I need it to survive. And I am so happy when there's some leftover from the day before because I don't have to chill it — it can go right into my ice-filled reusable tumbler. Obviously I don't have any sort of trained coffee-drinking palate, and I'm guessing that is a completely gross and unacceptable practice. But that's okay. I'll drink mine and you'll drink yours and we'll all be happy and caffeinated and productive.
4. Rio. Nate and I watched this movie with Calvin last night and we were totally and completely delighted by it. So cute. I laughed a lot. Especially at all the Minnesota references, none of which hold weight ("cheese and sprinkles" is not really a thing, sorry). Highly recommended for the little ones. Or the big ones, if you're immature like we are.
Things I never thought I'd want to buy but do:
1. A minivan. Apologies to all my friends who have not yet gotten on board with the swagger wagon, but it's going to happen. Soon. Being cool** is just not as important to me as storage space and doors that open on their own. I understand if you're no longer willing to ride with me, but just know that I'm going to be mighty annoyed if I have to open my own door when getting in your car.
2. Uggs. (Ughs.) Last year, out of desperation and due to copious amounts of snow, I bought a pair of Target knock offs. And oh my heavens were they ever comfy and warm. They were also a cheap piece of crap and fell apart about a month in. In preparation for another long Minnesota winter (and the very real possibility none of my shoes will fit me in the last month of pregnancy), I am going to start scoping out real ones. I still think they're ugly as sin, but let's all reference the footnote from my #1 and remember that I don't care about shallow things like looks.***
3. Jeggings. I've succumbed. To maternity jeggings, no less. There's really nothing more to say except I probably look like a lumpy carrot and, well, so be it.
Things I always knew I wanted to buy and still want to:
1. Baby girl clothing. You guys, I have a problem. A big one. And that problem is my income to spending ratio when it comes to tiny dresses and striped leggings. Is there a 529 savings account for clothing? There should be. I'd max that sucker out.
Things I should probably stop doing:
1. Eating for two.
2. Shopping for baby girl clothing.
3. Watching Toddlers and Tiaras when Nate's not home. And probably TLC in general. Train. Wreck. However, if you haven't seen this parody with Tom Hanks, it's worth a watch.
Have a great weekend, lovelies!
*Don't worry, my mom already knows I listen to smut in the car. And she agrees with me...Ranger is HOT.
**Who am I kidding? Being cool has never been top priority for me. Lazy ALWAYS wins.
***Okay, fine. I do. Stop picking apart my blog post.
And this concludes the portion of today's blog post where I embarrass myself.
I hope.
Things I love today:
1. Amy Grant's Better Than a Hallelujah.
2. The Band Perry's If I Die Young.
Note: I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks in my car lately (I'm on the 10th Janet Evanovich book) so I rarely have the radio on. Maybe the rest of you have been aware of those two songs for months (years?), I have no idea. I may be horribly dated, but at least I finally got the the part of the Stephanie Plum series where she gets it on with Ranger,* and that's been a long time coming. And since most of you have no idea what I'm talking about, I will just say that he is HOT and and leave it at that.
3. Leftover coffee in the coffee pot at home. I never used to drink coffee, but right now I need it to survive. And I am so happy when there's some leftover from the day before because I don't have to chill it — it can go right into my ice-filled reusable tumbler. Obviously I don't have any sort of trained coffee-drinking palate, and I'm guessing that is a completely gross and unacceptable practice. But that's okay. I'll drink mine and you'll drink yours and we'll all be happy and caffeinated and productive.
4. Rio. Nate and I watched this movie with Calvin last night and we were totally and completely delighted by it. So cute. I laughed a lot. Especially at all the Minnesota references, none of which hold weight ("cheese and sprinkles" is not really a thing, sorry). Highly recommended for the little ones. Or the big ones, if you're immature like we are.
Things I never thought I'd want to buy but do:
1. A minivan. Apologies to all my friends who have not yet gotten on board with the swagger wagon, but it's going to happen. Soon. Being cool** is just not as important to me as storage space and doors that open on their own. I understand if you're no longer willing to ride with me, but just know that I'm going to be mighty annoyed if I have to open my own door when getting in your car.
2. Uggs. (Ughs.) Last year, out of desperation and due to copious amounts of snow, I bought a pair of Target knock offs. And oh my heavens were they ever comfy and warm. They were also a cheap piece of crap and fell apart about a month in. In preparation for another long Minnesota winter (and the very real possibility none of my shoes will fit me in the last month of pregnancy), I am going to start scoping out real ones. I still think they're ugly as sin, but let's all reference the footnote from my #1 and remember that I don't care about shallow things like looks.***
3. Jeggings. I've succumbed. To maternity jeggings, no less. There's really nothing more to say except I probably look like a lumpy carrot and, well, so be it.
Things I always knew I wanted to buy and still want to:
1. Baby girl clothing. You guys, I have a problem. A big one. And that problem is my income to spending ratio when it comes to tiny dresses and striped leggings. Is there a 529 savings account for clothing? There should be. I'd max that sucker out.
Things I should probably stop doing:
1. Eating for two.
2. Shopping for baby girl clothing.
3. Watching Toddlers and Tiaras when Nate's not home. And probably TLC in general. Train. Wreck. However, if you haven't seen this parody with Tom Hanks, it's worth a watch.
Have a great weekend, lovelies!
*Don't worry, my mom already knows I listen to smut in the car. And she agrees with me...Ranger is HOT.
**Who am I kidding? Being cool has never been top priority for me. Lazy ALWAYS wins.
***Okay, fine. I do. Stop picking apart my blog post.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thankful for Thursday [Crabby Abby Edition]
I'm cranky today. My toddler is driving me bananas. It's freezing cold outside, again. I was late for work because I forgot something at home. I'm hungry.
For all those reasons, I am going to force myself to sit down and write a Thankful for Thursday post. I don't know why, really. Something about being thankful even when you don't feel like it blah blah better person blah. Whatever. I'm just going to do it.
1. Clinique Touch Base for Eyes in Petal Shimmer. You guys, I have eyelid wrinkles. This is a fairly recent development, and I just have to say I expected a bit more time on the whole aging/falling face thing. Feels like I'm really starting to look my age, which is just shy of 32. I should not have eyelid wrinkles or fine lines in my early 30s! (Kids, wash your face and wear sunscreen.) And recently I noticed I was getting that gross eye shadow crease in my eye, where all the color bunches in one wrinkly line by the end of the day. I used to use eyeshadow primer all the time but once I had Calvin spending $15 on primer just didn't seem worth the trip to the mall or the cost. But as soon as I noticed the gross eyeshadow crease I hightailed it to the mall and let me tell you — it's worth the trip and the money. Also worth the money: eye cream. Buy it while you're still young and use it. Use the heck out of it. It's too late for me, but it may not be for you.
2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Oh, dear sweet Mickey. Where would I be without you? Probably even further into crazy town. I love you. Thanks also go to Comcast for offering MMC on demand. Bless you, large corporate conglomerate. I don't care if you are ridiculously overpriced and our only cable option. As long as you continue providing me with a few precious moments of peace after work everyday, I will gladly continue writing you obscenely large checks every month.
3. Reruns of How I Met Your Mother. For the past 5+ years, I have watched Friends reruns every. single. night. before bed. It's the comfort food of television for me. I watch plenty of primetime sitcoms, but all of them lack the familiarity and lovable goofiness of Friends. But, back when I was on maternity leave, I started watching How I Met Your Mother through Netflix. I think I watched all four seasons in about two weeks. I love it. And now it's on Lifetime every. single. night. at the same time as Friends. Which is actually perfect, because now if an icky Friends episode is on (like the one where Ross and Rachel are on a break and he sleeps with Chloe the copy shop girl), I have an alternative. Whereas my only previous alternative was the news. Sadly, I would absolutely choose Ross and Rachel on a break over the news. And I really hate that episode.
4. 98% fat-free hot dogs, Laughing Cow cheese wedges, fruit, and Weight Watchers ice cream sandwiches. Without which, I would be five pounds heavier today. Oh, and a special shout-out to the mega water bottle/straw cup thingy I got from the hospital when I had Calvin. That thing has been getting some serious use the last week and a half. And some interesting comments from passersby at work. I guess it's kind of weird to have a large cup that says "MATERNITY CARE" on the side at work, huh? It's hard to know what's appropriate when you grew up in a household where all the pens, pads of paper, and staplers said things like "Cymbalta" and "Ortho Tri Cylen" on them.
5. Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine. I totally love this song. Sometimes I play it on repeat at work because it makes me super productive. And because I not-so-secretly hope to annoy my coworkers.
6. Goodwill. Am I the only mom who makes a decent living but still gets great pleasure out of dressing her child in clothes from Goodwill? I've started scouting it out a few times a month because I get the coolest stuff there, including really great deals on barely-worn brand name clothes for Calvin. (Half-price Toddler Thursdays, y'all!) I love it. In fact, I think I might have to dedicate an entire post to my Goodwill finds sometime soon...
7. A new job! Nate has a new job and I can finally post it because he gave his notice at the hospital yesterday! It's been a long road, but God has been good to us and Nate was offered a nursing job at the hospital where he wants to work (right near our house in downtown St. Paul), on the floor where he wants to work (Med/Surg), and in a shift that is flexible and will work for our family (day/evening rotating). I am so proud of him and so grateful for God's provision and faithfulness these last few years. Also thankful for the truckload of vacation time Nate gets to cash out from his current employer, which leads us to Thankful for Thursday item number 8:
8. The adorable and quite cheerful red pedestal table in my living room. :) (You had to know if I was obsessed enough to post it on the blog I was obsessed enough to buy it, right? Nate sure did...) It wasn't in the budget when I posted it, but we made the decision to set aside money for it this month and then the buying process sped up significantly with the news of Nate's new job. Good thing, too, because there really were limited quantities. I LOVE it. Although it does make our couches look a little tired and now I need new artwork and pillows...
9. Snuggle time with my cute little boy this morning. Cal's started saying "No no no Mama!" and waving me away every time I get near him, so it was kind of nice to hear his cries for me this morning. Even if it was at 5:15am.
10) An upcoming date night with my valentine, thanks to my kind in-laws.
Okay, I feel better. :)
Happy Thursday!
For all those reasons, I am going to force myself to sit down and write a Thankful for Thursday post. I don't know why, really. Something about being thankful even when you don't feel like it blah blah better person blah. Whatever. I'm just going to do it.
1. Clinique Touch Base for Eyes in Petal Shimmer. You guys, I have eyelid wrinkles. This is a fairly recent development, and I just have to say I expected a bit more time on the whole aging/falling face thing. Feels like I'm really starting to look my age, which is just shy of 32. I should not have eyelid wrinkles or fine lines in my early 30s! (Kids, wash your face and wear sunscreen.) And recently I noticed I was getting that gross eye shadow crease in my eye, where all the color bunches in one wrinkly line by the end of the day. I used to use eyeshadow primer all the time but once I had Calvin spending $15 on primer just didn't seem worth the trip to the mall or the cost. But as soon as I noticed the gross eyeshadow crease I hightailed it to the mall and let me tell you — it's worth the trip and the money. Also worth the money: eye cream. Buy it while you're still young and use it. Use the heck out of it. It's too late for me, but it may not be for you.
2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Oh, dear sweet Mickey. Where would I be without you? Probably even further into crazy town. I love you. Thanks also go to Comcast for offering MMC on demand. Bless you, large corporate conglomerate. I don't care if you are ridiculously overpriced and our only cable option. As long as you continue providing me with a few precious moments of peace after work everyday, I will gladly continue writing you obscenely large checks every month.
3. Reruns of How I Met Your Mother. For the past 5+ years, I have watched Friends reruns every. single. night. before bed. It's the comfort food of television for me. I watch plenty of primetime sitcoms, but all of them lack the familiarity and lovable goofiness of Friends. But, back when I was on maternity leave, I started watching How I Met Your Mother through Netflix. I think I watched all four seasons in about two weeks. I love it. And now it's on Lifetime every. single. night. at the same time as Friends. Which is actually perfect, because now if an icky Friends episode is on (like the one where Ross and Rachel are on a break and he sleeps with Chloe the copy shop girl), I have an alternative. Whereas my only previous alternative was the news. Sadly, I would absolutely choose Ross and Rachel on a break over the news. And I really hate that episode.
4. 98% fat-free hot dogs, Laughing Cow cheese wedges, fruit, and Weight Watchers ice cream sandwiches. Without which, I would be five pounds heavier today. Oh, and a special shout-out to the mega water bottle/straw cup thingy I got from the hospital when I had Calvin. That thing has been getting some serious use the last week and a half. And some interesting comments from passersby at work. I guess it's kind of weird to have a large cup that says "MATERNITY CARE" on the side at work, huh? It's hard to know what's appropriate when you grew up in a household where all the pens, pads of paper, and staplers said things like "Cymbalta" and "Ortho Tri Cylen" on them.
5. Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine. I totally love this song. Sometimes I play it on repeat at work because it makes me super productive. And because I not-so-secretly hope to annoy my coworkers.
6. Goodwill. Am I the only mom who makes a decent living but still gets great pleasure out of dressing her child in clothes from Goodwill? I've started scouting it out a few times a month because I get the coolest stuff there, including really great deals on barely-worn brand name clothes for Calvin. (Half-price Toddler Thursdays, y'all!) I love it. In fact, I think I might have to dedicate an entire post to my Goodwill finds sometime soon...
7. A new job! Nate has a new job and I can finally post it because he gave his notice at the hospital yesterday! It's been a long road, but God has been good to us and Nate was offered a nursing job at the hospital where he wants to work (right near our house in downtown St. Paul), on the floor where he wants to work (Med/Surg), and in a shift that is flexible and will work for our family (day/evening rotating). I am so proud of him and so grateful for God's provision and faithfulness these last few years. Also thankful for the truckload of vacation time Nate gets to cash out from his current employer, which leads us to Thankful for Thursday item number 8:
8. The adorable and quite cheerful red pedestal table in my living room. :) (You had to know if I was obsessed enough to post it on the blog I was obsessed enough to buy it, right? Nate sure did...) It wasn't in the budget when I posted it, but we made the decision to set aside money for it this month and then the buying process sped up significantly with the news of Nate's new job. Good thing, too, because there really were limited quantities. I LOVE it. Although it does make our couches look a little tired and now I need new artwork and pillows...
9. Snuggle time with my cute little boy this morning. Cal's started saying "No no no Mama!" and waving me away every time I get near him, so it was kind of nice to hear his cries for me this morning. Even if it was at 5:15am.
10) An upcoming date night with my valentine, thanks to my kind in-laws.
Okay, I feel better. :)
Happy Thursday!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thankful for Thursday: Part Deux.
By reader request, another Thankful for Thursday post. I don't know why this has been requested of me, but it seems like an easy enough way to get something new on the blog. Sorry for the dud of a week, gang. I'm kinda tired, and no blog post is better than boring blog post.
Without further ado, today's list of things for which I am thankful:
1. 102.9 LITE FM. I keep this station as a pre-set in my car even though it's full of stuff I hate like Phil Collins because come mid-November it becomes all Christmas music, all the time. And today while flipping through my stations I landed on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. HOORAY! (Somewhere Nate is crying, because it's highly unlikely we'll be listening to anything else between now and December 31.)
2. Pumpkin spice creamer. I can't afford a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks everyday (though I'd like to think I can), so I was anxious to get this beloved creamer for work and home. It took multiple visits to multiple stores and a few fist shakes to the sky (WHY IS SUPER TARGET ALWAYS OUT OF EVERYTHING I WANT?), but I finally found it last week, and I'm enjoying a steaming cup of happiness as I type. Nate recently said "Why don't you and fall just get a room?" and to that I would like to publicly reply "If only!" because I love fall and would gladly get a room with it if for no other reason than the ability to sleep in.
3. The shirt I'm wearing. It looks like a blazer but it's a sweater. Similar to leggings, this jacket allows me to be dressed down while looking slightly dressed up. If I keep this up, I might be able to patent an entirely new genre of work apparel. It will be called "Business Lazy" and I will make millions. Which I will use to buy more leggings and sweaters that look like jackets, of course.
4. Boden. I remain hopelessly devoted to this brand, because they give me no other choice. I got a clever little letter from Mr. Johnnie Boden this week, thanking me for helping to make Mini Boden a success "across the pond." It came with a $25 voucher for Mini Boden, no minimum purchase required. Which is like a free item of clothing for Calvin! (Almost.)
5. The power of social media. There was a Twitter/Facebook firestorm yesterday over Amazon selling a disgusting, disgusting book that is extremely harmful to children — and they ended up taking it off their site. Seems all you need to change the world these days is a web-enabled mobile device and a hashtag. Technology is good. And, thankfully, people still are, too.
6. Glee. This week's episode tackled bullying in all forms, and led to a shocking and sweet turn of events. It's been kind of weird this season, so I was glad to be sucked back in.
7. Tuesday nights. My mother-in-law spends every Tuesday night at our house with the munchkin so Nate and I can have some free time. I love and appreciate this so much; if not for Mary I would never get to have dinner with my friends, get my hair done, or have a date with my husband. Tuesdays and Mary are the best.
8. Google. Every time I hear a song I like in a commercial, I Google some random vague description of whatever I can remember from it and wa-la! Google figures it out. This week it was the song from the McDonald's McRib commercial, which for some reason I thought was a Target commercial about sandwiches. Google still figured it out. Matt White, Love. Cute song.
9. Infant's Motrin (Target brand). LIFESAVER. It's been a rough week in our house and Calvin's mouth.
10. A plans-free weekend ahead of me. Nate's working and it's supposed to snow(!!), so I'm going to decorate for Thanksgiving, bake, and spend some quality time with my little man. Can't wait.
Happy Thursday!
Without further ado, today's list of things for which I am thankful:
1. 102.9 LITE FM. I keep this station as a pre-set in my car even though it's full of stuff I hate like Phil Collins because come mid-November it becomes all Christmas music, all the time. And today while flipping through my stations I landed on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. HOORAY! (Somewhere Nate is crying, because it's highly unlikely we'll be listening to anything else between now and December 31.)
2. Pumpkin spice creamer. I can't afford a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks everyday (though I'd like to think I can), so I was anxious to get this beloved creamer for work and home. It took multiple visits to multiple stores and a few fist shakes to the sky (WHY IS SUPER TARGET ALWAYS OUT OF EVERYTHING I WANT?), but I finally found it last week, and I'm enjoying a steaming cup of happiness as I type. Nate recently said "Why don't you and fall just get a room?" and to that I would like to publicly reply "If only!" because I love fall and would gladly get a room with it if for no other reason than the ability to sleep in.
3. The shirt I'm wearing. It looks like a blazer but it's a sweater. Similar to leggings, this jacket allows me to be dressed down while looking slightly dressed up. If I keep this up, I might be able to patent an entirely new genre of work apparel. It will be called "Business Lazy" and I will make millions. Which I will use to buy more leggings and sweaters that look like jackets, of course.
4. Boden. I remain hopelessly devoted to this brand, because they give me no other choice. I got a clever little letter from Mr. Johnnie Boden this week, thanking me for helping to make Mini Boden a success "across the pond." It came with a $25 voucher for Mini Boden, no minimum purchase required. Which is like a free item of clothing for Calvin! (Almost.)
5. The power of social media. There was a Twitter/Facebook firestorm yesterday over Amazon selling a disgusting, disgusting book that is extremely harmful to children — and they ended up taking it off their site. Seems all you need to change the world these days is a web-enabled mobile device and a hashtag. Technology is good. And, thankfully, people still are, too.
6. Glee. This week's episode tackled bullying in all forms, and led to a shocking and sweet turn of events. It's been kind of weird this season, so I was glad to be sucked back in.
7. Tuesday nights. My mother-in-law spends every Tuesday night at our house with the munchkin so Nate and I can have some free time. I love and appreciate this so much; if not for Mary I would never get to have dinner with my friends, get my hair done, or have a date with my husband. Tuesdays and Mary are the best.
8. Google. Every time I hear a song I like in a commercial, I Google some random vague description of whatever I can remember from it and wa-la! Google figures it out. This week it was the song from the McDonald's McRib commercial, which for some reason I thought was a Target commercial about sandwiches. Google still figured it out. Matt White, Love. Cute song.
9. Infant's Motrin (Target brand). LIFESAVER. It's been a rough week in our house and Calvin's mouth.
10. A plans-free weekend ahead of me. Nate's working and it's supposed to snow(!!), so I'm going to decorate for Thanksgiving, bake, and spend some quality time with my little man. Can't wait.
Happy Thursday!
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