11/13/09 Five Things Friday

1. I’m so glad it isn’t raining again today. It still may be cold and incredibly windy, but I just couldn’t take another day of incessant rain. Supposedly it will be nice this weekend, which means maybe a nice long walk with the kids and a healthy, much-needed dose of sunny Vitamin D for all of us.

 

2. My family is coming down for Thanksgiving from Syracuse, and I’m really excited. I always like to channel my inner Martha and go all out this time of year.

I recently found the Better Homes and Gardens dinnerware on clearance at Wal-Mart for 1.00 apiece. I bought eight green leaf plates, four pumpkin shaped plates and some napkin rings to match. I can’t wait to bust it all out on Thanksgiving with my fall chargers and placemats. It really is the little (and cheap!) things that make me happy these days.

(When did I become so domestic? And further, when did I start liking it so much??)

 

3. The annual Wake County Library book surplus sale is this weekend. I think I might want to go for a little while. My friend Brooklyn and I might run out there to see what we can find. Mikey says, “You have enough books.” Me? I don’t think there’s such a thing. :P

 

4. A rock hit my windshield this week on the way to work, as if this week wasn’t hard enough.  I have a tiny starburst in the upper righthand corner of my windshield, and every time I get in the car I will it to staaaaaay, staaaaaaay right where you are, little crack,  and don’t spread until I can get someone to fix it.

So far, so good. somebody knock on wood.

 

5. Over the past month, Mikey brought home a total of 45 small-to-medium sized pumpkins home from his parents’ garden. We carved a couple at Halloween, and I hijacked the seeds out of a few and toasted them.

This past Tuesday night, I decided that I couldn’t let those good pumpkins go to waste.

I embarked on Phase 1 of Project Heathie’s Pumpkin Fest 2009.

I brought in about ten pumpkins in batches of threes and fours. I washed them, scooped out all the seeds and cleaned and toasted them in various flavors. Then I cut the pumpkins into halves, roasted them, scooped out the cooked pumpkin flesh, pureed it and froze it in individual containers for use in recipes.

And that’s not all!

I turned the smallest, cutest pumpkin of the bunch into a potpourri. I hollowed it out and carved little shapes into its sides. Then I rubbed the inside of the top with cinnamon and allspice and nutmeg. Lit a tea light in that bad boy and, bam! Instant pumpkin pie-scented luminary.

Anyway, it was very Rachael Ray of me, and I’m proud of myself. I’m excited to start Phase 2 this weekend.

Anyone have any other good around-the-house pumpkin ideas?  

 

That’s it for this week! Feel free to discuss.

Christmas Consternation

Even though it’s a little too early in my book to deck the halls with boughs of holly, the stores and commercials on TV are doing exactly what they set out to do: get me and the rest of the world in the Christmas spirit.

Which splits me in half between excitement and dread.

 

Excited about the cozy Christmasy feeling.

Dread about the house filled with tons of people like a giant clown car.

 

Excited about all the wonderful things we’ll bake this year, cookies, cakes, pies, savory treats.

Dread about eating these sweet treats and gaining holiday weight on top of the last few pounds of baby weight that’s decided to be so stubborn.

 

EXCITED about Avery seeing the twinkling lights and decorations all over our house.

Dreading Avery seeing the twinkling lights and pulling them down or throwing something breakable while I’m not looking. (I already have braced myself that it will happen at some point! Ha ha!)

 

EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! about Avery’s First Christmas and watching her open presents (or rather, me opening her presents while she sits on my lap and stuffs the discarded wrapping paper in her mouth. Potato, Po-tah-toe.)

Dread about  how we’ll pay for said presents and still have money leftover for January’s daycare.

 

And the funniest thing?

It’s ironic, too…I’m so excited about Avery’s first Christmas I can hardly stand it, and she’ll still be so young she won’t even know what’s going on, what day it is, anything. HA HA. 

It’s my maiden mommy voyage, my first EVER audition for the role as Santa Claus.  And she doesn’t even know yet who Santa Claus is. 

Here I am, already making plans for recording every moment, from sleepy faces and reindeer pajamas to fascinations with Christmas lights and sparkles, dancing to Christmas music, new toys from Santa, all of it, and she’ll never remember this Christmas.

But I will! :) :)

No words.

This has been a really rough week in general. I had the mother of all migraines this week which lasted two days and cost me precious sick hours. I have hardly any time to work with as it is…I came into work anyway Tuesday morning, although I was nauseous and sweating, made it 22 minutes before leaving for the day. What a waste of time, gas, sick hours, and everything.

 

My best buddy Ellie’s brother, Russ,  died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was 36. Her family is still reeling, and the rest of us on the outer layers feel the aftershocks as well.

The funeral was yesterday and it was so sad. Over the years my husband and I have become extremely close with her entire family, and this has come as a shock to us all.

A few of us were able to make it out there (Mikey, me, Brooklyn, Todd, Mike and Kelly), and the whole group of us went in for flowers for Ellie. They turned out really beautiful.

 

I hate death. I’m so scared of it, and I wish I didn’t ever have to face it, or deal with it at all. Maybe because it’s so final, so unknown. I cant grasp my brain around the idea that, after we leave here, we go to Heaven forever.

Forever. And Ever.

Trying to grasp such an enormous idea in my comparatively tiny little head is unimaginable. And scary.

 

I never know what to say to a grieving person, and I find myself feeling awkward and uneasy at occasions like yesterday.

It’s so terrible because someone so close to me is reeling and inconsolable right now, and there’s nothing anyone can say or do to make that hurt go away. It’s a helpless, horrible feeling.

 

The best part came when Terry heard we were planning on meeting my brother Joe for dinner after the service, and he asked if he and Ellie could tag along. As if they even need an invitation. We all met up at Sticky Fingers to take a break from the crying for a minute and remember the good Russ times.

For a couple of hours, we sat there and laughed until we cried “good” tears about his funny antics or off-the-wall statements, and reminded ourselves and each other, and especially Ellie that he’s in a better place than here.

Wonder Dog, Wonderful Moments, Weather, and Work

This morning was really special to me. I woke up with Gunnar in my face. He was whining and grunting at me as I lay in bed. Usually he will do this if he has to pee (and with the nasty weather he hasn’t wanted to go out much) but he brought me right into the baby’s room.

Avery had her head and chest behind her crib bumper, and was struggling with it. She was fine, and was playing with the wooden railings at her head, but Gunnar didn’t like it. So he came and got me! Our Wonder Dog TOLD me! Good boy!!!!!

 

I fixed the bumper and picked Avery up, all smiles and wet razzes. I changed her diaper, got a bottle and cuddled with her.  She was in a great mood. We softly talked to each other and I got so many special smiles just for Mommy.

 

We got to sit together in the dark while she drank her bottle, and she looked at me, and we held hands, and I wrapped her in my robe with me to keep her warm. It was such a lovely moment this morning.

When I laid her back down and watched her sleep, I cursed the weather and this stupid job for making me have to go out in it. I wanted so badly to call in, and wished so hard that I could be a stay at home mom for a while.

 

So I’m just really sad and mad that I have to be here today, I guess. 

But I’m SO THANKFUL to God for blessing me with such an amazing child and a heart capable of loving her so much that at times I honestly think it might burst.

I’m really looking forward to the weekend.

11/6/09 Five Things Friday

1. One of the funniest (and creepiest) websites of all time? www.peopleofwalmart.com. Instant pick-me-up when I’m stressed at work.

Warning: proceed with caution at work. Not because of the exposed butts and awesome walmart fashion, but because these real pictures will bring the uncontrollable “church giggles” on. I’m just sayin’.

 

2. This week is Triples week again at Teeter! I’m going crazy. I’ve already stocked the pantry and the freezer and saved at least 85-90% on my groceries. And I’m a little concerned as to where I’ll be putting the rest of my grocery booty. Creativity has taken me only so far.  Stocked pantries are so pretty.

 

3.  I dyed my hair dark brown this week. Like, you could call me “raven-haired” now if you wanted. It’s the darkest it’s EVER been and you know what? I think it suits me! I feel kind of saucy…it’s a far cry from my light brown/blond with buttery highlights I’ve had all my life.  It feels mysterious and glamourous. I think it’s just what I needed at this point in my life: a new look for a new chapter. It feels good.

 

4. Inspired by my new dark chocolate tresses, I decided to continue the deep- hued theme by painting my nails OPI’s Midnight in Moscow this week. Vamping it up!

 

5. Speaking of vamping it up (heh heh) I’m so excited I can’t stand it. New Moon comes out two weeks from today. I just know it’s going to be awesome.

 

Sorry so short today – WICKED busy at work. Just literally threw down five thoughts and rolled with it, but I didnt want to go a whole week without jotting something down! Discuss.

 

PS - Halloween pictures and other musings coming this weekend.  :P

10/30/09 Five Things Friday

1.   I just realized last night that Avery will graduate from high school in 2027. Twenty-Twenty-SEVEN.  Is it just me, or does this seem like FIFTY years from now???

 

2.   Right now, Boston Market is having a chicken plate for only ONE dollar. Two pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and a piece of cornbread. Mmmm. My work buddy Amanda and I went this week and the line was wrapped around the restaurant!

3.   I’m SO excited about the Halloween Bash this weekend. No one has told us what they will be, which hopefully means everyone’s going all out and they want it to be a surprise!!!!

4.   I’m equally as STRESSED though – came up with the menu (hold onto your hats, y’all – there’s some good stuff on the table this year!) and then had to scour several different stores for the best deals on thigns I needed for the planned food, then had to find coupons to coordinate with the sales for the things I need to cook for the party. Whew. But, I got it done and had my lists and envelopes ready for each store for a big tag team shopping trip with Mom.

5.    Mom and I went last night to Food Lion and then to Harris Teeter, spent 167 overall, and saved 218 dollars!!!  I bought about 385 dollars worth of groceries, and now my pantry and fridge and freezer are so stocked up there’s no room for anything else. LOL. I loooooooove it. Granted, lots of the stuff was for the party, but I got an entire trunk FULL of groceries and goodies. I am ready to get home and finish decorating and cooking for the party!

That’s it for this week…discuss. 

Happy Halloween!   Mooooooooohahahaahahhhhhaaaaaaaaa!!!

My Two Kids

Last night I had the privilege of spending family QT with my two “kids” while Mikey had to go into work.

Avery’s starting to become very interested and curious of Gunnar. She likes to watch his whirling dervishes and crazy laps around the house when he becomes excited, or watch him play with a dog toy.

She will reach her little hand out to him, scratch and pinch pet his face, and he will lick her little hand in return. (Don’t worry; baby wipes are always on hand!)

He’s always liked her, but lately it seems she’s starting to return the favor as she becomes more and more aware of her surroundings.

 

Last night I also had the privilege of witnessing this sweet moment: my two kids playing together on the living room floor. In an instant, I saw years of fun for them in the future.

 

Thank you, God, for these sweet moments.

Suz’s First Adventure in Babysitting

So my buddy Suz watched Avery on Friday night for a couple hours while Mikey and I went to Carrie and Marc’s Halloween party.

She did REALLY well. We told her that we would both have our phones on us in case of any emergency, big or small, and to please call us if she had any questions or concerns. She didn’t call, and when we got home, Avery was lying under her jungle gym, eating a teething toy and Suz and Gunnar were hanging out.

From the time we left the house to the time we walked back in, we had been gone two hours. I told Suz we wouldn’t leave her too long; just long enough to get acquainted and have some fun. After all it was her first time! :)

Just a tiny fyi for next time? …the tab side of the diaper goes in the BACK!! Ha ha!

Thank you Suz, for being such a great friend and great babysitter!! You did a fantastic job!!

The Costume Crusade

Leave it to me to wait until the LAST minute to get my Halloween costume together. As already mentioned, our friends Carrie and Marc had a Halloween party at their house Friday night. Mikey and I were excited to get double duty out of our costumes this year, and get to have a “trial run” of sorts, in order to see how they looked together.

 

I bought the size S/M in my bee costume about a month ago. Yes, partly because I think I’m still in denial about my new mommy figure, but MOSTLY because the size S/M supposedly fits size 6-8. I thought I’m golden then…maybe ill have a little extra room.

Nope.

I put the costume on and looked like a yellow-and-black stuffed sausage. The tutu was too short and stopped at juuuuuuust the right place where my thighs are their widest and the top exposed, like, my entire bra. Not to mention, of course, the spandex-like bodice cut off my circulation while it’s horizontal stripes accentuated my baby belly oh-so-sweetly. Simply not enough fabric anywhere.

 

I looked and felt ridiculous. I told Mikey that I would need to exchange for the M/L after all. Liars. Size 6-8 my fat azz. Maybe they meant to say AGE 6-8. That would’ve been more appropriate.

 

So of course I begin backing out of the bee deal and telling Mikey I may have to find an alternative until I can get over to Party City. Of course, he balks at this, saying that no one will get why he’s a beekeeper if I’m anything other than a bee. I totally got this, but I couldn’t leave the house feeling so fat and exposed.

 

Several chaotic minutes followed as I tried to figure out what to do. I called Suz up. Crisis! I asked her to bring over whatever she had. I told Mikey to grab the costume boxes in the attic. I finally decided to drive like a fat bat out of hell over to Party City at 8pm (turns out they close at 10 near Halloween, phew!) with no makeup, wet hair, and ratty clothes. I grabbed the M/L costume and proceeded to exchange when I realized the receipt wasn’t in my purse.

WTF??? Really?? I had them hold the size for me, went home empty-handed, and Suz showed up as I finished getting ready.

 

Mikey wasn’t happy with me, but before we went to the party, we had to drive back over to Party City so I could exchange the sizes for the second time.

 

I went in, grabbed the costume, went into the ladies room as an ordinary girl and came out as a bumblebee. The costume fit much better. Still a tad shorter than my new thighs would’ve liked, but a black shrug and leggings do very nicely.

 

I gave the cashier the bee costume bag, stuffed with my normal clothes. I got a lot of weird looks as I stood in line, and a few, “um…are you wearing that out of the store?”

I was like, “um…yes? Got somewhere to be, why is this so weird?” It’s a costume store, for crying out loud, and it’s Halloween. Geez.

 

The long story short is, we made it to the party. Later than we would’ve liked, but still made it after all that. We had a great time, and got back home in time to relieve Suz before she might decide never to have kids or come over to our crazy world again. :P

The Fair! The Fair!

Mikey and I went to the NC State Fair this past week. What a nice treat for us to sneak away and have a “date.” We got to hold hands and laugh with each other.  

Here’s the list of things we ate at the fair this year:

 

• A gyro with lamb (my personal fave and a tradition every year for me.)
• A giant turkey leg (first time for us! Pretty good! Tasted a bit like ham, very smoky, very delicious, but pretty ridiculous looking.)
• French fries with vinegar and cheese and ketchup
• Peach cobbler with ice cream
• Fried mac-n-cheese (another first for us; wasn’t good in our opinion. Like little triangular greasy nuggets of cheesy macaroni. Came with a side of nacho cheese. Ew.)
• An order of fried vegetables
• Another order of french fries with vinegar and ketchup (from the guy we couldn’t find earlier in the day and settled, so of course we had to get the real deal.)
• A caramel apple

 

When I say, “ate,” please don’t misconstrue.

What I mean by this is that we buy a dish at 6-7 bucks a pop to try two or three bites apiece and throw. They give you a MOUNTAIN of food and grease and charge you your child’s college tuition.

Who could eat all of that? What a waste. I wonder how much food is actually thrown away at the Fair each year, and it makes me sad because there are so many hungry people in the world.

I really wish they’d cut their portions in half. People really only want to sample several things at the fair anyway; no one wants 16 pounds of fried fill-in-the-blank.

What a waste of good food.

 

But, the food was GREAT.

We made it over to the petting zoo, which is another annual favorite of ours. They have goats and a water buffalo and even a camel, all of which you can pet and feed carrot slices. This is one of my FAVORITE things to do at the Fair. The animals are so sweet and friendly!

 

We sat and watched a few cycles of some of the midway rides. I kept asking Mikey if he’s ride the Free Fall Drop ride with me, but he said that he wasn’t interested in seeing the peach cobbler and fries again. Ha! But he’s a “Zipper” kind of guy, and last time we rode that one together I had to sit down for 30 minutes afterward and concentrate hard to stop the spinning. Ugh.

 

We looked for one of those goofy “Haunted House” cart-rides, but none seemed worth the money. (I cannot BELIEVE how expensive these rides are!! A dollar a ticket? And most rides are like 7 and 8 tickets??? CRAZY!)

We had more fun sitting together and watching the other people’s reactions to the mind-scrambling rides, for free.

 

There’s something about the Fair to me that reminds me of my childhood. It’s funnel cakes and Ferris wheels, corn dogs and midway games, but it’s the nostalgia of it all that keeps me coming back every year. It’s almost like walking through a time machine back to childhood, except it’s better because Mikey’s there with me.

 

All in all, we spent a fantastic few hours together. I’m so glad we went!