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.
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Special things.
Calvin's all about the word special right now. Once I offered to bring him a special treat if he would behave himself while I was gone, and ever since then the word has been like magic.
Two special things of note this week:
1. Potty training. OH BOY. I am so not ready for this, but Calvin's teachers insisted he was ready, so Monday we sent him to school in underwear. He had three accidents (pee only), but his teachers said he did really well. And yesterday he only had one accident all day! Until he got home, that is. Then he had two, immediately after I asked him if he needed to go potty. For some reason he is NOT interested in going potty at home. Nate encouraged me to pick up a special potty treat for him, so now we have a container of M&Ms in our bathroom. It took Calvin approximately two seconds to drop his drawers and pee on the toilet after we offered him a "special treat" for going potty this morning. Although we said "If you go potty you can have an M&M" and he said "No, I can have two M&Ms!" Already a bargainer. Smart cookie.
He looks so cute in his big boy undies, doesn't he?
2. Anne of Green Gables. I caved and bought the full set of Penguin Classics from Anthropologie for baby girl's room. Calvin saw them last night and immediately said "I want that one, the pink one!" As I handed him the copy of Anne of Green Gables, I said "This is one of Mama's very favorite books." He nodded and said "This is my favorite book, too." He carefully carried it around for a while, and then I left to run some errands while Nate's mom and dad gave him a bath and put him to bed. When I came home Mary told me that Calvin had refused to sit in the chair with her to read before bed. Instead he insisted she sit in the chair and read his books to him (pages turned out so he could see the pictures) while he stood at the ottoman and flipped through his "special book." And then he asked to sleep with it.
When I checked on him before bed, I found this:
Oh my heart.
This morning I found him standing at the end of his crib, book laid flat on top, flipping through pages. He said "I'm reading Anne of Green Tables!" and then asked me what it's about and if I would read some of it to him. He sat there wide-eyed and smiling as I read the first paragraph:
Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with alders and ladies' eardrops and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of the old Cuthbert place; it was reputed to be an intricate, headlong brook in its earlier course through those woods, with dark secrets of pool and cascade; but by the time it reached Lynde's Hollow it was a quiet, well-conducted little stream, for not even a brook could run past Mrs. Rachel Lynde's door without due regard for decency and decorum; it probably was conscious that Mrs. Rachel was sitting at her window, keeping a sharp eye on everything that passed, from brooks and children up, and that if she noticed anything odd or out of place she would never rest until she had ferreted out the whys and wherefores thereof.
And I was worried I'd never have a daughter to share my love of classic children's literature.
Two special things of note this week:
1. Potty training. OH BOY. I am so not ready for this, but Calvin's teachers insisted he was ready, so Monday we sent him to school in underwear. He had three accidents (pee only), but his teachers said he did really well. And yesterday he only had one accident all day! Until he got home, that is. Then he had two, immediately after I asked him if he needed to go potty. For some reason he is NOT interested in going potty at home. Nate encouraged me to pick up a special potty treat for him, so now we have a container of M&Ms in our bathroom. It took Calvin approximately two seconds to drop his drawers and pee on the toilet after we offered him a "special treat" for going potty this morning. Although we said "If you go potty you can have an M&M" and he said "No, I can have two M&Ms!" Already a bargainer. Smart cookie.
He looks so cute in his big boy undies, doesn't he?
2. Anne of Green Gables. I caved and bought the full set of Penguin Classics from Anthropologie for baby girl's room. Calvin saw them last night and immediately said "I want that one, the pink one!" As I handed him the copy of Anne of Green Gables, I said "This is one of Mama's very favorite books." He nodded and said "This is my favorite book, too." He carefully carried it around for a while, and then I left to run some errands while Nate's mom and dad gave him a bath and put him to bed. When I came home Mary told me that Calvin had refused to sit in the chair with her to read before bed. Instead he insisted she sit in the chair and read his books to him (pages turned out so he could see the pictures) while he stood at the ottoman and flipped through his "special book." And then he asked to sleep with it.
When I checked on him before bed, I found this:
Oh my heart.
This morning I found him standing at the end of his crib, book laid flat on top, flipping through pages. He said "I'm reading Anne of Green Tables!" and then asked me what it's about and if I would read some of it to him. He sat there wide-eyed and smiling as I read the first paragraph:
Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with alders and ladies' eardrops and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of the old Cuthbert place; it was reputed to be an intricate, headlong brook in its earlier course through those woods, with dark secrets of pool and cascade; but by the time it reached Lynde's Hollow it was a quiet, well-conducted little stream, for not even a brook could run past Mrs. Rachel Lynde's door without due regard for decency and decorum; it probably was conscious that Mrs. Rachel was sitting at her window, keeping a sharp eye on everything that passed, from brooks and children up, and that if she noticed anything odd or out of place she would never rest until she had ferreted out the whys and wherefores thereof.
And I was worried I'd never have a daughter to share my love of classic children's literature.
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.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Mommy & me.
Because Nate works every other weekend, I try to take advantage of that one-on-one time with Calvin. Given last Saturday's dark and stormy weather, I decided it was a good day for two of my personal indoor favorites: McDonald's breakfast and a trip to the library.
If not a healthy body, at least a healthy mind, right?
A sausage egg McMuffin, an egg, bacon, cheese biscuit, two hashbrowns, and a mango pineapple smoothie = bliss.
\
During breakfast I tried to prep Calvin for our trip to the library by telling him that once we got there we'd need to stop at the counter and get a library card, which might take a few minutes. But after we did that, we'd get some new books! And that the library is a quiet place, so we'd need to use our very best library voice and listen to and obey mommy at all times.
He listened intently to my description of the library experience, thrilled at the prospect of new books. And then we practiced his library voice, which he nailed on the first try. I've been trying to get him to use that same hushed voice in other scenarios by calling it "car voice" and "morning voice" but so far it hasn't caught on. Dang.
After breakfast we made our way over the library, where I applied for a library card. I should note here that yes, I am an avid reader and yes, I should have a library card. However, I am really quite terrible at returning books on time and currently have outstanding fees in both the Dakota and Ramsey county systems. I'm a bit of a fee flee-er. The books have all been returned, but the fees have gone unpaid. I've been too nervous to try and get (another) library card now that we're back in Dakota county, because heaven only knows how much I owe in ten-year-old late fees, but then I realized that I have a new last name since I opened that first library card in Dakota county and they'll probably never know it's me. But I used Nate's phone number on my application just in case.
And now you know the extent of my criminal activity. I'm not proud, but I'm also not going to lie about it. Well, to you at least. I've obviously done my share of lying to the library system.
Side note: The woman in front of us in line was a total cat lady. Middle aged, crazy hair, sweatpants. And she was requesting a new library card because the night before she'd left it at a restaurant. She told the librarian that she'd gotten it back less than an hour later, but she was very concerned someone had used it during that time. (?) So the librarian checked her account and said it hadn't been used, and the woman said "Oh, I'm so relieved. But I'd still like a new account because I really don't know what they did with it during that time. Believe me, I know how these things work. I watch a LOT of true crime."
That was one of the more challenging "must not laugh out loud must not laugh out loud" moments I've had in life.
Anyway, after I succeeded in scamming the library into giving me another chance at borrowing books, Calvin succeeded in being the most well-behaved toddler at the library. And he loved it there! Maybe I have a shot at redeeming myself by raising a kid who loves and is respectful of the library. And by returning my books on time from now on.
He read and played while I browsed:
And then he insisted on carrying our bag full of goodies all by himself.
Our Mommy & me day ended when Daddy came home from work and crashed the party, but we still had fun. On our way home from dinner at Chili's that night, Nate and I were listening/dancing to Katy Perry in the front seat. From the backseat we heard Calvin say, "Mama, look! Look at MY moves!" I turned around to find Calvin raising and lowering his right arm again and again to the music. He dances about as well as his parents do.
I love my cutie boy and our special weekend time together. Oh, and I highly recommend Duck & Goose: How are You Feeling? and Lots of Spots. Those two books have gotten a bedtime workout this week!
Anyone notice his awesome Merichka's shirt? Nevermind that it says "tap room" on it with a picture of a cocktail glass. I may have sent him to his (church) daycare in that shirt once or twice before I even noticed...
Ugh. McDonald's, fee evasion, Katy Perry, cocktail shirts...this post isn't doing me any favors. Good thing I'm not up for any parenting awards this year.
If not a healthy body, at least a healthy mind, right?
A sausage egg McMuffin, an egg, bacon, cheese biscuit, two hashbrowns, and a mango pineapple smoothie = bliss.
\
During breakfast I tried to prep Calvin for our trip to the library by telling him that once we got there we'd need to stop at the counter and get a library card, which might take a few minutes. But after we did that, we'd get some new books! And that the library is a quiet place, so we'd need to use our very best library voice and listen to and obey mommy at all times.
He listened intently to my description of the library experience, thrilled at the prospect of new books. And then we practiced his library voice, which he nailed on the first try. I've been trying to get him to use that same hushed voice in other scenarios by calling it "car voice" and "morning voice" but so far it hasn't caught on. Dang.
After breakfast we made our way over the library, where I applied for a library card. I should note here that yes, I am an avid reader and yes, I should have a library card. However, I am really quite terrible at returning books on time and currently have outstanding fees in both the Dakota and Ramsey county systems. I'm a bit of a fee flee-er. The books have all been returned, but the fees have gone unpaid. I've been too nervous to try and get (another) library card now that we're back in Dakota county, because heaven only knows how much I owe in ten-year-old late fees, but then I realized that I have a new last name since I opened that first library card in Dakota county and they'll probably never know it's me. But I used Nate's phone number on my application just in case.
And now you know the extent of my criminal activity. I'm not proud, but I'm also not going to lie about it. Well, to you at least. I've obviously done my share of lying to the library system.
Side note: The woman in front of us in line was a total cat lady. Middle aged, crazy hair, sweatpants. And she was requesting a new library card because the night before she'd left it at a restaurant. She told the librarian that she'd gotten it back less than an hour later, but she was very concerned someone had used it during that time. (?) So the librarian checked her account and said it hadn't been used, and the woman said "Oh, I'm so relieved. But I'd still like a new account because I really don't know what they did with it during that time. Believe me, I know how these things work. I watch a LOT of true crime."
That was one of the more challenging "must not laugh out loud must not laugh out loud" moments I've had in life.
Anyway, after I succeeded in scamming the library into giving me another chance at borrowing books, Calvin succeeded in being the most well-behaved toddler at the library. And he loved it there! Maybe I have a shot at redeeming myself by raising a kid who loves and is respectful of the library. And by returning my books on time from now on.
He read and played while I browsed:
And then he insisted on carrying our bag full of goodies all by himself.
Our Mommy & me day ended when Daddy came home from work and crashed the party, but we still had fun. On our way home from dinner at Chili's that night, Nate and I were listening/dancing to Katy Perry in the front seat. From the backseat we heard Calvin say, "Mama, look! Look at MY moves!" I turned around to find Calvin raising and lowering his right arm again and again to the music. He dances about as well as his parents do.
I love my cutie boy and our special weekend time together. Oh, and I highly recommend Duck & Goose: How are You Feeling? and Lots of Spots. Those two books have gotten a bedtime workout this week!
Anyone notice his awesome Merichka's shirt? Nevermind that it says "tap room" on it with a picture of a cocktail glass. I may have sent him to his (church) daycare in that shirt once or twice before I even noticed...
Ugh. McDonald's, fee evasion, Katy Perry, cocktail shirts...this post isn't doing me any favors. Good thing I'm not up for any parenting awards this year.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
It's Thursday.
I started the day with shampoo in my eyes, which was unpleasant enough. But that was followed closely by a startlingly large spider waiting for me outside the shower, and then by me somehow running straight into the toilet, which I'm pretty has always been in that same exact spot. The highlight of my morning was managing to successfully hide in Calvin's room with a bowl of cereal. I had to hide my cereal consumption because we didn't have time for both of us to have a bowl of cereal and I really needed one because I felt like I was going to pass out from low blood sugar. And if that had happened, well, we would have been even later than we already were.
One irritated eye, dead spider, stubbed toe, banged-up shin, bowl of cereal, and late daycare drop off later, I made it to work. But not without a quick stop at Target first, where I purchased a new cardigan. The one I chose to wear over my tank this morning didn't even remotely cover my bra straps, which I didn't notice until I was almost to work. While I occasionally lack modesty, I don't usually show up to work with lacy bra straps a blazin'. I blame my shampoo eyes for that oversight.
It's been a day. I'm really tired. I'm a little grouchy. My toe is kind of sore. But, gosh darnit, I am going to write a Thankful Thursday post. It's been a while, and I've got some thankful to share. But none from this morning, of course. This morning sucked.
Without further ado, today's list of things that have nothing to do with today but I'm thankful for nonetheless:
1. Cloud 9 by Tresics t-shirts. Never heard of that brand? Me neither. Until I went to Marshall's and found this super soft cute grey t-shirt for $5.99. I think I've had it for maybe two months and it's already been worn more than most items of clothing I own, even the two t-shirts I still wear from my junior year of high school. After unsuccessfully scouring the internet for more Cloud 9 t-shirts, I finally went back to Marshall's, where I found three more. If you live near a Marshall's, go. Now. Best t-shirts ever.
2. I have an office! We're talking four walls, a big window, and — most importantly — a DOOR. When I was hired seven years ago, there were four of us in marketing, I was at the bottom of the food chain, and I shared a cubicle with all of the marketing samples. Two years later there were four of us in marketing, I was second from the bottom, my intern got to sit with the samples, and I got to move into a slightly larger cubicle without a window. A year after that everyone in my department left, two new people were added, and I was back at the bottom of the (slightly smaller) food chain. However, I got a promotion and was moved into a cubicle with three walls and a big window. And now there are only two of us in marketing, we work as partners, and I have my own office. The office my boss had when I first started here. I've successfully made my way from minion to manager. While my job hasn't changed much — in fact, I now just do the work of all three people without oversight — there's something very satisfying about looking back at my past from the comfort of my new office.
3. Windows are Rolled Down by Amos Lee. That song is on repeat. Like, all the time.
4. I am head-over-heels in love with So You Think You Can Dance this season. I feel like everyone is really talented, and so far there have been some pretty decent routines. I am such a sucker for the contemporary pieces. Like this one, for example. Or this one. Sigh. Such a guilty summer pleasure.
5. I've started listening to audio books on the way to and from work. I don't know why this never struck me as a good idea before, because I love to read and I don't have time to read and I spend a solid hour blankly staring out the window of my car every day. My friend Jennifer loaned me Janet Evanovich's Two for the Dough, the second book in a series I've tried to read based on a number of recommendations, but could never get into. And I loved it. I mean, the Evanovich books are kind of a cheap thrill and by no means literary masterpieces, but who wants to think while driving? It took me about a week to get through that book, and now I'm onto the next one. My commute has improved tenfold.
6. Tomorrow's blog post, which I've been working on for a few months. Good things take time, you know.
Happy Thursday!
One irritated eye, dead spider, stubbed toe, banged-up shin, bowl of cereal, and late daycare drop off later, I made it to work. But not without a quick stop at Target first, where I purchased a new cardigan. The one I chose to wear over my tank this morning didn't even remotely cover my bra straps, which I didn't notice until I was almost to work. While I occasionally lack modesty, I don't usually show up to work with lacy bra straps a blazin'. I blame my shampoo eyes for that oversight.
It's been a day. I'm really tired. I'm a little grouchy. My toe is kind of sore. But, gosh darnit, I am going to write a Thankful Thursday post. It's been a while, and I've got some thankful to share. But none from this morning, of course. This morning sucked.
Without further ado, today's list of things that have nothing to do with today but I'm thankful for nonetheless:
1. Cloud 9 by Tresics t-shirts. Never heard of that brand? Me neither. Until I went to Marshall's and found this super soft cute grey t-shirt for $5.99. I think I've had it for maybe two months and it's already been worn more than most items of clothing I own, even the two t-shirts I still wear from my junior year of high school. After unsuccessfully scouring the internet for more Cloud 9 t-shirts, I finally went back to Marshall's, where I found three more. If you live near a Marshall's, go. Now. Best t-shirts ever.
2. I have an office! We're talking four walls, a big window, and — most importantly — a DOOR. When I was hired seven years ago, there were four of us in marketing, I was at the bottom of the food chain, and I shared a cubicle with all of the marketing samples. Two years later there were four of us in marketing, I was second from the bottom, my intern got to sit with the samples, and I got to move into a slightly larger cubicle without a window. A year after that everyone in my department left, two new people were added, and I was back at the bottom of the (slightly smaller) food chain. However, I got a promotion and was moved into a cubicle with three walls and a big window. And now there are only two of us in marketing, we work as partners, and I have my own office. The office my boss had when I first started here. I've successfully made my way from minion to manager. While my job hasn't changed much — in fact, I now just do the work of all three people without oversight — there's something very satisfying about looking back at my past from the comfort of my new office.
3. Windows are Rolled Down by Amos Lee. That song is on repeat. Like, all the time.
4. I am head-over-heels in love with So You Think You Can Dance this season. I feel like everyone is really talented, and so far there have been some pretty decent routines. I am such a sucker for the contemporary pieces. Like this one, for example. Or this one. Sigh. Such a guilty summer pleasure.
5. I've started listening to audio books on the way to and from work. I don't know why this never struck me as a good idea before, because I love to read and I don't have time to read and I spend a solid hour blankly staring out the window of my car every day. My friend Jennifer loaned me Janet Evanovich's Two for the Dough, the second book in a series I've tried to read based on a number of recommendations, but could never get into. And I loved it. I mean, the Evanovich books are kind of a cheap thrill and by no means literary masterpieces, but who wants to think while driving? It took me about a week to get through that book, and now I'm onto the next one. My commute has improved tenfold.
6. Tomorrow's blog post, which I've been working on for a few months. Good things take time, you know.
Happy Thursday!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Payoff.
In the following video I am freshly showered with uncombed hair, no makeup and no bra, and I'm in my pajamas. I look terrible. Yet, I'm posting this on my blog for the world to see because it's too good not to. The things we do for our children.
May I present an excerpt from Bruce Degen's Jamberry, as "read" by my one-year-old?
We read through the entire 32-page book last night, and he could recite the lines from every. single. one. Nate recorded us reading through the whole book on my phone, but the file was too large to email so I had to clip it. I will just tell you that my jaw was hanging open almost the entire time.
Reading with your kids every single night since birth pays off. Don't let anyone tell you differently. The initial return on investment might just be a little boy who can memorize/recite a bunch of words, but the seed has definitely been planted.
I am one proud mama. And is his little voice cute or what?
May I present an excerpt from Bruce Degen's Jamberry, as "read" by my one-year-old?
We read through the entire 32-page book last night, and he could recite the lines from every. single. one. Nate recorded us reading through the whole book on my phone, but the file was too large to email so I had to clip it. I will just tell you that my jaw was hanging open almost the entire time.
Reading with your kids every single night since birth pays off. Don't let anyone tell you differently. The initial return on investment might just be a little boy who can memorize/recite a bunch of words, but the seed has definitely been planted.
I am one proud mama. And is his little voice cute or what?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Literary.
He pulled the book out of his pile of toys, sat down with it on his lap, flipped through it one page at a time, and pointed to the pictures as he went along.
All by himself.
Eeeee! Do you think he's ready to read my Nancy Drew books?
Okay, fine. Hardy Boys?
All by himself.
Eeeee! Do you think he's ready to read my Nancy Drew books?
Okay, fine. Hardy Boys?
Monday, July 14, 2008
A quick trip to IL
I've been traveling back and forth to Joliet with some regularity this summer. It's a three-week pattern: three weeks ago I was there to help my sister with wedding plans; this past weekend I was there for a friend's wedding and my mom's birthday; and three weeks from now I will be there for my sister's wedding showers and bachelorette party. I've been lucky enough to get some time off work for all of these trips, but this past weekend was the quickest yet: we got in at 8pm on Friday, and left at 11am Sunday.
Thankfully, Nate drove almost the entire trip. I slept a lot, and starting reading a very weird book. (I am usually a big fan of the very weird book. But I'm not so sure about this one.)
Even though it was a quick weekend, we accomplished quite a bit. Here are the highlights:
Nate beat the socks off my dad at golf on Saturday morning. Evidently, he has become legendary in Joliet golf circles. Everyone is scared to play with him the day of Jill and Kyle's wedding. My brother went and bought clubs so he could practice, and Kyle is taking lessons in preparation of the big day. And you know what? They should be nervous. Nate shot a 73 on Saturday. He's a good golfer.
While my dad and Nate were golfing, my mom and I went shopping. I got four bowls and a set of salt/pepper shakers that match a pitcher and cream/sugar set in my kitchen. Very cute and kind of vintage-y. I also got two little red star-shaped candy dishes by my favorite brand, tag. Whenever I am drawn to something — cute dishtowels, plates, napkins, table runners — it's always tag. The woman at the store told me all their fall tag stuff would be in by the time I'm back in three weeks. Darn her. I can't say no to it. Just check my china cabinet and kitchen drawers for proof. I probably keep them in business.
Saturday night, Nate and I went to my friend Chrissy's wedding. She looked beautiful and it was great to see her, but we didn't know anyone else. I thought there might be a few other people from high school, but I thought wrong. Our self-proclaimed "reject table" included us, the two girls who did the flowers, Chrissy's mom's coworker, and her parents' extremely wacky neighbors. What a motley crew.
For dinner we had what my mom calls "Joliet wedding food" — mostaccioli, roast beef, green beans, potatoes, kielbasa and sauerkraut. Seriously, that's what you get at a Joliet wedding. Every time. It's usually buffet-style, but this was passed family-style. Nate and I probably disappointed our wedding guests by serving chicken and having it plated.
Sunday we went out to breakfast with my parents and Jill and Kyle to celebrate my mom's birthday. She seemed happy with her gift — The 1949 Information Please Almanac — which we found at an antique store in Hayward. My dad also liked his belated birthday present, The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. We are trying to encourage both of their hobbies: my mom loves information, and my dad loves birds. For example: Did you know the Star Spangled Banner has four stanzas, though we only sing one? Did you know that setting a tin can of bacon grease in your backyard will attract crows?
We didn't. But we do now!
It was a really fun trip, but it was a lot of driving for one weekend. We were exhausted by the time we got home.
Can't wait to do it again in three weeks!
Thankfully, Nate drove almost the entire trip. I slept a lot, and starting reading a very weird book. (I am usually a big fan of the very weird book. But I'm not so sure about this one.)
Even though it was a quick weekend, we accomplished quite a bit. Here are the highlights:
Nate beat the socks off my dad at golf on Saturday morning. Evidently, he has become legendary in Joliet golf circles. Everyone is scared to play with him the day of Jill and Kyle's wedding. My brother went and bought clubs so he could practice, and Kyle is taking lessons in preparation of the big day. And you know what? They should be nervous. Nate shot a 73 on Saturday. He's a good golfer.
While my dad and Nate were golfing, my mom and I went shopping. I got four bowls and a set of salt/pepper shakers that match a pitcher and cream/sugar set in my kitchen. Very cute and kind of vintage-y. I also got two little red star-shaped candy dishes by my favorite brand, tag. Whenever I am drawn to something — cute dishtowels, plates, napkins, table runners — it's always tag. The woman at the store told me all their fall tag stuff would be in by the time I'm back in three weeks. Darn her. I can't say no to it. Just check my china cabinet and kitchen drawers for proof. I probably keep them in business.
Saturday night, Nate and I went to my friend Chrissy's wedding. She looked beautiful and it was great to see her, but we didn't know anyone else. I thought there might be a few other people from high school, but I thought wrong. Our self-proclaimed "reject table" included us, the two girls who did the flowers, Chrissy's mom's coworker, and her parents' extremely wacky neighbors. What a motley crew.
For dinner we had what my mom calls "Joliet wedding food" — mostaccioli, roast beef, green beans, potatoes, kielbasa and sauerkraut. Seriously, that's what you get at a Joliet wedding. Every time. It's usually buffet-style, but this was passed family-style. Nate and I probably disappointed our wedding guests by serving chicken and having it plated.
Sunday we went out to breakfast with my parents and Jill and Kyle to celebrate my mom's birthday. She seemed happy with her gift — The 1949 Information Please Almanac — which we found at an antique store in Hayward. My dad also liked his belated birthday present, The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. We are trying to encourage both of their hobbies: my mom loves information, and my dad loves birds. For example: Did you know the Star Spangled Banner has four stanzas, though we only sing one? Did you know that setting a tin can of bacon grease in your backyard will attract crows?
We didn't. But we do now!
It was a really fun trip, but it was a lot of driving for one weekend. We were exhausted by the time we got home.
Can't wait to do it again in three weeks!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Best day ever.
I spent most of last week on my couch — wheezing, hacking, sneezing and feeling generally sorry for my sad, sick self. It was all very pathetic. Thank goodness for Law & Order reruns on TNT, and my loving husband — who worked 12 hour days caring for sick people only to come home and care for me.
Despite my debilitating cold, I got up last Tuesday morning determined to make it to work. Tuesday was Magazine Day, one of my favorite days of the year. Seriously, it's up there with Christmas and my birthday.
I LOVE magazines.
I have always been a voracious reader. While I was primarily interested in Nancy Drew and Judy Blume as a kid, I loved flipping through my mom's Good Housekeeping and sneaking peeks at her Redbook. (I wasn't supposed to read Redbook. My mom kept that on top of the china cabinet so we couldn't get to it, but I was smart enough to stand on a chair. A girl's gotta get her sex ed from a reliable source!) My mom also subscribed to People, which was (and still is) my favorite. That magazine caused many fights in our household — we all wanted to be the first to read it when it came on Friday, and getting it usually required trickery or a physical altercation.
Thankfully, I now have the ability to read any magazine I want — without having to stand on a chair or tackle my siblings. Currently, Nate and I subscribe to Lucky, Real Simple, People, InStyle, Domino, Martha Stewart, Gourmet, Bon Appetit and Saveur. (I think it's pretty clear who gets what.) Nothing makes me happier than finding a new magazine in my mailbox. Unfortunately, I usually power through them in about an hour, and I'm left with nothing to read for the next 29 days. (Or the next six days, as far as People is concerned.)
This is why Magazine Day comes in handy.
Every year, a professional association I belong to sponsors this event. Basically you pay $60, they give you a tote bag, and you get to take home as many magazines as you can carry. Oh, and there's also a speaker (for example, the editor-in-chief of Newsweek), but seriously. We're all there for the magazines. I went for the first time last year, and I was in awe. People bring suitcases. That's right, SUITCASES. And they fill them up with magazines and roll them out to their cars. I only had the tiny tote bag they provided...thankfully, I always carry a huge purse. I think I brought over 50 magazines home that day. It was awesome.
So, when I got the invite this year, I signed up immediately. (Side note: my employer actually pays for me to attend this event. Thank you, employer!) And there was no amount of coughing or nausea that could keep me from going. I dragged myself out of bed, threw on a suit, and headed downtown. I stayed long enough to fill my two tote bags and huge purse with magazines...and then came home. (Sorry, Mr. Newsweek.)
Blurry photo below. I should be good on magazines for a while.
Despite my debilitating cold, I got up last Tuesday morning determined to make it to work. Tuesday was Magazine Day, one of my favorite days of the year. Seriously, it's up there with Christmas and my birthday.
I LOVE magazines.
I have always been a voracious reader. While I was primarily interested in Nancy Drew and Judy Blume as a kid, I loved flipping through my mom's Good Housekeeping and sneaking peeks at her Redbook. (I wasn't supposed to read Redbook. My mom kept that on top of the china cabinet so we couldn't get to it, but I was smart enough to stand on a chair. A girl's gotta get her sex ed from a reliable source!) My mom also subscribed to People, which was (and still is) my favorite. That magazine caused many fights in our household — we all wanted to be the first to read it when it came on Friday, and getting it usually required trickery or a physical altercation.
Thankfully, I now have the ability to read any magazine I want — without having to stand on a chair or tackle my siblings. Currently, Nate and I subscribe to Lucky, Real Simple, People, InStyle, Domino, Martha Stewart, Gourmet, Bon Appetit and Saveur. (I think it's pretty clear who gets what.) Nothing makes me happier than finding a new magazine in my mailbox. Unfortunately, I usually power through them in about an hour, and I'm left with nothing to read for the next 29 days. (Or the next six days, as far as People is concerned.)
This is why Magazine Day comes in handy.
Every year, a professional association I belong to sponsors this event. Basically you pay $60, they give you a tote bag, and you get to take home as many magazines as you can carry. Oh, and there's also a speaker (for example, the editor-in-chief of Newsweek), but seriously. We're all there for the magazines. I went for the first time last year, and I was in awe. People bring suitcases. That's right, SUITCASES. And they fill them up with magazines and roll them out to their cars. I only had the tiny tote bag they provided...thankfully, I always carry a huge purse. I think I brought over 50 magazines home that day. It was awesome.
So, when I got the invite this year, I signed up immediately. (Side note: my employer actually pays for me to attend this event. Thank you, employer!) And there was no amount of coughing or nausea that could keep me from going. I dragged myself out of bed, threw on a suit, and headed downtown. I stayed long enough to fill my two tote bags and huge purse with magazines...and then came home. (Sorry, Mr. Newsweek.)
Blurry photo below. I should be good on magazines for a while.
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