I'm on an interesting quest to not necessarily calorie count, but to at least KNOW the calories in what I'm eating. A serving of animal crackers is 16 crackers for 140 calories. (I actually was going to eat LESS than 16 crackers but went ahead and took 16 since that's the serving count.) A s'mores granola bar is 100 calories. Carrots are freebies.
Did you know that a serving, 1/6th, of a Tombstone pepperoni pizza (garlic bread crust, the BEST) is 370 calories? So if me and Shane, ahem, each eat half the pizza, which we tend to do once a week, that's 1,110 calories. For dinner alone. FOR NOTHING BUT PIZZA.
Did you have any idea? That's insane! I tell myself I'm "healthier" for "fixing dinner" and eating at home, but I'd be better off getting a Big Mac and fries!
And a sarcastic jab at myself: So why am I'm wondering why I'm having trouble getting rid of some baby weight and more?
That's all. Just a quick post. I'm off to Denver to visit my brother Kurt and his sweet family and their sweet new little baby girl. I'm a little stressed, nay, terrified, to fly in a plane with Wesley, and his car seat, and our luggage, and a stroller, and a diaper bag, and my sanity, all by myself. I'm sure something will be lost along the way, namely, my sanity.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
earth day
I did a service project today with my most awesome buds from church, Rebecca, Julianne, Jacque, Emma, and Myia. We cleaned three playgrounds (sort of, maybe like 1.75 playgrounds) in a neighborhood in Everett. We had this spray degreaser stuff that got all the grime and graffiti off the playground equipment -- it was like magic! -- while simultaneously melting our plastic latex gloves. We sprayed the plastic equipment with this stuff, scrubbed and scrubbed, then rinsed with a hose. The playground equipment still looked um, well loved, but it looked A LOT better when we were done with it.
Rebecca and I were on trash duty. Here is a partial list of some of the more interesting things we found canvassing:
Regardless of the effort, it felt good to get out there and do some service and take care of the Earth a bit. This week was Earth Day, and honestly, I didn't even think about it. It was just another busy Wednesday. But I think it's important to think about it every once in awhile. Getting outside and picking up trash for an hour or two or cleaning a public park of some sort really puts things in perspective and helps you (me at least) want to be a better person and better steward of the Earth.
So, mission accomplished for 2009. I even got a gold star to prove it.
Rebecca and I were on trash duty. Here is a partial list of some of the more interesting things we found canvassing:
- three pennies (I'm rich!)
- three chicken bones
- leg of a plastic bell-bottomed cowboy action figure (or maybe it was Shaggy)
- piece of a broken neon green teeny tennis racket, and then an almost identical piece of a broken royal purple teeny tennis racket
- a gold star! (actually it was more like orange), and a pink star (we think they were stickers, but we're not sure)
- two fake leaves (for a moment, we thought they belonged; but no, they were fabric, not real) and a silk hibiscus
- potato peels
- banana peels
- half chewed radish
- decomposing pitted lime half
- broken pencils
- broken pens
- many many many many many cigarette butts
Regardless of the effort, it felt good to get out there and do some service and take care of the Earth a bit. This week was Earth Day, and honestly, I didn't even think about it. It was just another busy Wednesday. But I think it's important to think about it every once in awhile. Getting outside and picking up trash for an hour or two or cleaning a public park of some sort really puts things in perspective and helps you (me at least) want to be a better person and better steward of the Earth.
So, mission accomplished for 2009. I even got a gold star to prove it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
modest is hottest
I love Dancing with the Stars. Just love it. I don't watch it every season, but I try to catch it when I can. I'm engrossed in this season since it piggybacked on the Bachelor, and I've got to watch dumpee-Melissa get her vengeance on dumper-Bachelor Jason ("Jason who?").
Anyway, ballroom dancing is just so romantic and the performers are so enthusiastic and the costumes are so sparkly. The costumes. They are sparkly... and barely there. Let me preface this post by saying, hey, I don't really care. The ladies for the most part look lovely and it's not obscene or anything, but let's all be honest with each other when we say the costumes aren't modest by any means and a lot of times not much is left to imagination. But again, it's sparkly and flashy and fun and it's not ME being all scantily clad and they're professionals, so whatever.
But, to further emphasize my point, I must tell you about the hilarious Seattle Times TV/movie columnist who has what she calls the "Edyta Nudity Factor" in her recaps. It's hilarious. She reports on how naked Edyta (one of the professional dancers) is on each show, since she seriously wears the least amount of clothes of any of the dancers. I speak the truth! Some comments from the last few weeks:
But, to further emphasize my point, I must tell you about the hilarious Seattle Times TV/movie columnist who has what she calls the "Edyta Nudity Factor" in her recaps. It's hilarious. She reports on how naked Edyta (one of the professional dancers) is on each show, since she seriously wears the least amount of clothes of any of the dancers. I speak the truth! Some comments from the last few weeks:
- Edyta Nudity Scale: High, with a new twist. Edyta wore pants, but left out the part that usually goes from the hips to the knees. (April 13 show)
- Edyta Nudity Scale: High. Basically, a bikini that seemed to be leaking fabric in the form of random flowy pieces. (April 6 show)
- Edyta Nudity Scale: Moderate — a sequined bikini top, tiny skirt, and random floaty scarf thing. (March 9 show)
Generally, the professional dancers do the costume designing for the celebrity competitors, which makes sense. They are the professionals and they know best, right?
This week, they did a "funny" switcheroo and let the celebrity partners decide on the costumes. Cheryl, one of the professional dancers, said she thought it was an "awful idea." (Incidentally, her and her partner Gilles are who I bet will win.) They did some funny montages with the celebrities conniving with the costume designers and saying stupid things ("less is more"), while the professionals are acting genuinely scared and rolling their eyes, etc.
But. The results of the "switcheroo" were telling. There are seven contestants left, four men and three women. Let's see how they did with the costume designing:
This week, they did a "funny" switcheroo and let the celebrity partners decide on the costumes. Cheryl, one of the professional dancers, said she thought it was an "awful idea." (Incidentally, her and her partner Gilles are who I bet will win.) They did some funny montages with the celebrities conniving with the costume designers and saying stupid things ("less is more"), while the professionals are acting genuinely scared and rolling their eyes, etc.
But. The results of the "switcheroo" were telling. There are seven contestants left, four men and three women. Let's see how they did with the costume designing:
Not a single belly button. And Edyta is the one in BLUE.
This is Ty and his partner Chelsie. Her dress was a beautiful sundress: gorgeous, floral, and full length.
This is Gilles and his partner Cheryl. WOW! She looks just beautiful. She expressed on the show how impressed she was with Gilles choice of costume. She looks like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I like how it comes to a "V" at her waist; I had an Easter dress like that when I was a little girl and every time I wore it I felt like a princess.
This is Lawrence and almost-always-mostly-naked Edyta. Her dress was GORGEOUS and flow-y and even at one point during the dance got stuck over her head. Her only remark, after complimenting Lawrence on designing the dress, was that she wasn't used to wearing that much clothes.
(Hahahahahaha: The Seattle Times gal said: "Edyta Nudity Scale: Everything was topsy-turvy this week, with Lil' Kim apparently borrowing one of Edyta's trademark bikini-with-floaty-thing outfits, and Edyta wearing — has hell frozen over? — a COAT. She did fling the thing off, but was still pretty much covered up.")
But wow. It's just crazy to think that when you put the guys in charge, they went with relatively modest, covered up gals. I was so impressed. Beautiful girls, beautiful dresses, beautiful dances. Sequined outfits don't have to be accented with belly buttons to be stunning.
(In case you're wondering, Lawrence and Edyta went home this week. But I don't think it was because of the dress.)
(Hahahahahaha: The Seattle Times gal said: "Edyta Nudity Scale: Everything was topsy-turvy this week, with Lil' Kim apparently borrowing one of Edyta's trademark bikini-with-floaty-thing outfits, and Edyta wearing — has hell frozen over? — a COAT. She did fling the thing off, but was still pretty much covered up.")
But wow. It's just crazy to think that when you put the guys in charge, they went with relatively modest, covered up gals. I was so impressed. Beautiful girls, beautiful dresses, beautiful dances. Sequined outfits don't have to be accented with belly buttons to be stunning.
(In case you're wondering, Lawrence and Edyta went home this week. But I don't think it was because of the dress.)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
baby blocks
First, a quick story. On my birthday weekend, 2006, I was admiring a set of decorative blocks in my mother-in-law's home. "Eileen! I just love them!" I exclaimed. "One day, I'll have to make my own pair. Or if you ever make some again, make me some. Or I'll buy some. Or something. I love them."
Beside the "I" is a bunny rabbit and beside the "E" are some cutesy flowers. Gorgeous!
My very patriotic (political?) sister-in-law sometimes keeps it on USA all year round!
In October, we switch the blocks to say this:
Then, at the beginning of November, we change the blocks to say this, for MY special day!:
Around the middle of January, when the tree is finally put away, we set the blocks to this:
And then, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with another one of these for my dearest Shane:
(So, an interesting thought. If more kids come along, the best months are August/September or January. We'll have to see if that works out.)
While I was gushing with praise for these decorative blocks, beside them sat a bag with my birthday present in it. My birthday present?
A set of the very blocks I envied.
How cool is that!?!
So. I'd like to demonstrate now my awesome blocks for you. I think my goal, in holiday decorating, is to be as simple as possible. Here is one set of blocks that covers me for the whole year. I love that I don't need to put them away and get them back out.
(Tangent: I've actually been doing a lot of thinking on this lately. I think my "decorations goal" for my life should center around the four seasons. If I have a decoration -- say a set of dinner plates -- I should have a set for winter, spring, summer, and fall. And rotate. Every decoration in the house at any time would have three similarly minded counterparts. I love the idea. But, with the four sets comes getting them out and putting them away. That's why these blocks are nice. OK, back to my original post).
Last Sunday was Easter. Our blocks were set up like so:
Beside the "I" is a bunny rabbit and beside the "E" are some cutesy flowers. Gorgeous!
At the end of May is my darling son's First Birthday! I have now set the blocks to say this:
After that, is July 4. The blocks say this:
My very patriotic (political?) sister-in-law sometimes keeps it on USA all year round!
In October, we switch the blocks to say this:
Then, at the beginning of November, we change the blocks to say this, for MY special day!:
Then, after Thanksgiving, we set the blocks to this:
Around the middle of January, when the tree is finally put away, we set the blocks to this:
And then, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with another one of these for my dearest Shane:
(So, an interesting thought. If more kids come along, the best months are August/September or January. We'll have to see if that works out.)
My wonderful blocks have always sat on the floor in front of the fireplace. Unfortunately, in placing them there I forgot to think of this:
Which equals this:
And this:
So, if you ever drop by, the blocks will probably look like this:
Happy Holidays!
Monday, April 13, 2009
big and blue
My life changed this weekend. I went to Ikea.
WOW.
I've received the catalogs in the mail for years, and have built up a respect for Ikea simply because I've noticed that their products don't ignore the fact that everyone has stuff, and they try to help you organize and place your stuff in a nice fashion in your home. That makes me feel good. I just want room for all my stuff.
But, I'd never been to an Ikea store. Until now.
WOW!
Their store is split in three parts: a big showroom, a "marketplace" (which is basically like um, Target) with a restaurant even!, and a warehouse. In the showroom you see how all their stuff looks and the different variations for say, a single bookshelf. A bookshelf. A bookshelf with doors. A bookshelf with glass doors. A bookshelf with glass doors and legs. A bookshelf with lights. Two bookshelves side by side with sliding glass doors. You get the picture. You decide what you want, and the various variations, then you make a note of the "bin number" and pick up the items, a la carte, up in the warehouse. The marketplace has like dishes and toys and books and blankets and tea lights and other homely home stuff like that.
THEN, there's the checkout area and this HUGE covered "load" space where guys in blue Ikea shirts come around and help you strap stuff to the top of your car. It's so fun. They have free twine and "roof racks" (aka pieces of cardboard), and even Ikea sofas where you can hang out while your shopping partner brings the car around. Oh it's just so delightful.
Shane said before we went that we should buy rope so we can put stuff on the top of the car. I said no, I'm sure they have something like that there. I expected they'd charge an arm and a leg for some rope, since they know you'll need it. But no, not Ikea, sweet sweet Ikea. The twine is free.
Other happy observations:
WOW.
I've received the catalogs in the mail for years, and have built up a respect for Ikea simply because I've noticed that their products don't ignore the fact that everyone has stuff, and they try to help you organize and place your stuff in a nice fashion in your home. That makes me feel good. I just want room for all my stuff.
But, I'd never been to an Ikea store. Until now.
WOW!
Their store is split in three parts: a big showroom, a "marketplace" (which is basically like um, Target) with a restaurant even!, and a warehouse. In the showroom you see how all their stuff looks and the different variations for say, a single bookshelf. A bookshelf. A bookshelf with doors. A bookshelf with glass doors. A bookshelf with glass doors and legs. A bookshelf with lights. Two bookshelves side by side with sliding glass doors. You get the picture. You decide what you want, and the various variations, then you make a note of the "bin number" and pick up the items, a la carte, up in the warehouse. The marketplace has like dishes and toys and books and blankets and tea lights and other homely home stuff like that.
THEN, there's the checkout area and this HUGE covered "load" space where guys in blue Ikea shirts come around and help you strap stuff to the top of your car. It's so fun. They have free twine and "roof racks" (aka pieces of cardboard), and even Ikea sofas where you can hang out while your shopping partner brings the car around. Oh it's just so delightful.
Shane said before we went that we should buy rope so we can put stuff on the top of the car. I said no, I'm sure they have something like that there. I expected they'd charge an arm and a leg for some rope, since they know you'll need it. But no, not Ikea, sweet sweet Ikea. The twine is free.
Other happy observations:
- The building itself is a marvel. It is DEEP DEEP BLUE, the ENTIRE huge building. It makes it all the more mysterious.
- There were Ikea people all over to help. Usually in a furniture store I am terrified to ask for help since then that salesperson is GLUED to me. Ikea is more like a regular store in those respects and that was nice.
- The Swedish names of the furniture are positively unpronouncable, but I decided not to let it upset me. I asked a woman about something called "Alive," the name of a bookshelf I saw. She said, "oh you mean Al-vee?" and I was like, "No, Alive." And she showed me where it was, and sure enough it was "Alve." No "i." I felt like a loser.
- Their slogan, "You don't have to be rich, just smart," is right on. Their stuff really isn't that expensive, compared to say Dania. We went there once and the sticker shock alone hurled me back out the door.
- There was a bakery in the marketplace and they had fresh cinnamon rolls. The whole store smelled like Cinnabon and just made me so happy.
- Next time I go I'll expect to stay all day. We were there for around 2 or 3 hours, and we didn't even realize it. The time just flew by, although we did get lost so I guess that's partially our fault. They do a great job with the signage but we still got lost.
If you've never been, you've gotta go. The whole place was just bursting with this energy. There were excited people everywhere. If you ever need to like, redo a whole room or control the DVDs taking over your whole house, go to Ikea. You can find something that works for you! I am absolutely confident if I ever need something again, something that I want custom just for me that I just need to work in a certain way, some series of Ikea furniture can do it for me.
I was just babbling with delight on the way home, and Shane told me to chill (his words exactly: "before you turn into a walking Ikea commercial...") and said he'd wait to reserve judgment until he actually got our new bookshelf put together and we've used it for 6 months or so. So I suppose I'll update you in 6 months.
See, Saturday started out so awful. I've been eyeing this unfinished bookshelf at a real wood furniture store for weeks. We finally put the roof rack on the car and were putting on our shoes to head out the door to buy it when I called them to make sure they still had it, and it had sold. Boy was I in a foul mood. I was so upset and sad.
Enter Ikea, my rebound furniture love. Oh Ikea, you and me, we'll be happy forever. Thanks so much for saving my day. Lifting my furniture-crushed spirits. Giving me hope that yes, I can find happiness.
I had planned to buy a 48-inch-wide, 72-inch-tall unstained bookshelf with bottom doors for under $400, before tax. I'd have to come home and stain it myself, which would have been a pain (and extra $$), but worth it for real wood, I suppose.
The Ikea bookshelf is 47 inches wide, 75 inches tall (just as big!), with bottom doors, premium door knobs (we got to pick them out ourselves), and a nice dark black-brown finish. It's, um, engineered wood, yes, but it was a grand total of $220. I guarantee it'll hold up better than the junk we've bought at Wal-Mart and Target. That stuff is junk.
But, like Shane advises, I'll try to calm down for about 6 months. Although it sure was fun! Do you guys love Ikea as much as I do? I think my friends I know who like Ikea really really like it, but I feel like I'm in this club now of people who know, you know?
Anyway. It was a good Saturday.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
the three trees
Sweet little Wesley got a board book in his Easter basket today from the Easter Bunny. It's one of my very favorite stories, so I thought I'd put it up here for Easter.
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!"
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall.
One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold or filled with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river; instead she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" the once-tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful," she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The End
I have tears in my eyes. Seriously I am such a wimp. I love that story! And for my own benefit, the first tree's story can be found in Luke 2, the second story at the end of Mark 4, and the third story in John 19 and 20. Don't read 19 without 20!
Some of my friends wonder why Mormons don't use the symbol of the cross, and it's simply because the cross emphasizes Christ's death, and we know that he rose again and we choose to emphasize that he lives. It's beautiful. For some reason, this year, I feel more happy about Easter, more excited to "celebrate." I think it's because I'm being better at reading my scriptures and currently feel a stronger relationship with my Savior. It's only natural that this year I better understand the sanctity of Easter. What a great day it is!
Also. I miscalculated and my ham will take four hours to cook instead of two and a half. So it'll almost be tomorrow before we have dinner. Yeah.
Happy Easter everyone.
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!"
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall.
One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold or filled with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river; instead she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" the once-tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful," she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The End
I have tears in my eyes. Seriously I am such a wimp. I love that story! And for my own benefit, the first tree's story can be found in Luke 2, the second story at the end of Mark 4, and the third story in John 19 and 20. Don't read 19 without 20!
Some of my friends wonder why Mormons don't use the symbol of the cross, and it's simply because the cross emphasizes Christ's death, and we know that he rose again and we choose to emphasize that he lives. It's beautiful. For some reason, this year, I feel more happy about Easter, more excited to "celebrate." I think it's because I'm being better at reading my scriptures and currently feel a stronger relationship with my Savior. It's only natural that this year I better understand the sanctity of Easter. What a great day it is!
Also. I miscalculated and my ham will take four hours to cook instead of two and a half. So it'll almost be tomorrow before we have dinner. Yeah.
Happy Easter everyone.
Friday, April 10, 2009
picture perfect
I was tagged by Danielle A., a superhero at the moment, and thought I'd oblige! Here's the tag:
Go into your "pictures" folder, pick the 6th subfolder, then the 6th picture, post it, and blog about it.
I think I'll post a couple pictures to keep it interesting. And disclaimer: these aren't ALL the 6th photos, since some of the folders didn't have 6 pictures in there. Oh well.
First, when the folders are in ABC order, we get this one:
This is my awesome friend Heidi and her daughter Sami at my baby shower, almost a year ago. Can you believe it!?! We had fun. Heidi is one of Wesley's biggest fans and I'm one of her biggest fans!
When the folders are in reverse ABC order, we get this:
When I took my "capstone" public relations class, my group and I had this ginormous project, and after it was finally over during Finals Week, we went up into Provo Canyon and burned everything we had left. It felt sooooo good. Ahh being a student.
When the folders are in "last date modified," we get this one:
This picture was taken just last week. He has a shirt that says "My First Levi's" which is really cute. What a stud!
When the photos are in reverse "last date modified," we get this:
It was Christmas 2006 and we had a HUGE family reunion in Bethany Beach, Delaware. My Grandma's birthday is December 23, so we made her a birthday cake.... but she couldn't decide if she wanted vanilla or chocolate icing so we gave her both! It was fun. Check out the cool candles.
Well our carpets just got cleaned and Wesley and I are confined to non-carpeted areas and he's going a bit nuts. I think we'll vacate and resume blogging at another time.
I feel like I should tag Heidi since she got a shout-out on my blog. Anyone else who's in the mood to blog about photos, please do so!
Go into your "pictures" folder, pick the 6th subfolder, then the 6th picture, post it, and blog about it.
I think I'll post a couple pictures to keep it interesting. And disclaimer: these aren't ALL the 6th photos, since some of the folders didn't have 6 pictures in there. Oh well.
First, when the folders are in ABC order, we get this one:
This is my awesome friend Heidi and her daughter Sami at my baby shower, almost a year ago. Can you believe it!?! We had fun. Heidi is one of Wesley's biggest fans and I'm one of her biggest fans!
When the folders are in reverse ABC order, we get this:
When I took my "capstone" public relations class, my group and I had this ginormous project, and after it was finally over during Finals Week, we went up into Provo Canyon and burned everything we had left. It felt sooooo good. Ahh being a student.
When the folders are in "last date modified," we get this one:
This picture was taken just last week. He has a shirt that says "My First Levi's" which is really cute. What a stud!
When the photos are in reverse "last date modified," we get this:
It was Christmas 2006 and we had a HUGE family reunion in Bethany Beach, Delaware. My Grandma's birthday is December 23, so we made her a birthday cake.... but she couldn't decide if she wanted vanilla or chocolate icing so we gave her both! It was fun. Check out the cool candles.
Well our carpets just got cleaned and Wesley and I are confined to non-carpeted areas and he's going a bit nuts. I think we'll vacate and resume blogging at another time.
I feel like I should tag Heidi since she got a shout-out on my blog. Anyone else who's in the mood to blog about photos, please do so!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
salute to the old shows
I've discovered a tool to motivate me to get regular exercise:
TV!
I have a fancy elliptical, as I mentioned before, and I just pop in a DVD and whoa, the time goes by quick.
I'm really excited because my dad let me borrow a DVD when we went to Maryland, and I've finally started watching it. With the advent of the DVD came the amazing fact that um, every TV show ever is now accessible on DVD. I mean, wow. In general terms, I am opposed to this. I'd have to really really really like a show to buy it on DVD, simply because there are so many seasons of various shows and we're talking lots and lots of discs, lots and lots of $$$, and lots of lots of time spent in front of the TV. I mean, seriously, I love CSI and the Simpsons but I'd never buy like 15 seasons' worth of DVDs.
But that doesn't change the fact that accessible TV is pretty cool. Some thoughts:
Anyway, it's been fun to pop the DVD in and relive my childhood (while exercising. That makes me feel not guilty about it). When the opening credits started, I recognized the music and could almost follow along. It was like this giant memory just came surging up from the cobwebbed cellars of my brain. It was very cool.
I used to watch a lot of fun shows with my dad. I get pretty excited when I meet people who have heard of our shows. Red Dwarf, anyone? (Is that show still on? Wow!)
I also loved my cartoons when I was a wee lass, and it would be fun to see them again and have Wesley enjoy them. The new anime stuff these days is just so lame. Bring back Thundercats and He-Man and Rainbow Brite and Care Bears. I much prefer the G-rated, old-school stuff.
My friend Jeff (hey Jeff!) is doing this hilarious March Madness thing on his blog where he is pitting old TV shows against each other. I'm curious to see which will win. I didn't watch a LOT of shows when I was young, but several of the ones on Jeff's blog I remember and liked.
And soon, if not already, they'll all be on DVD! Ha!
TV!
I have a fancy elliptical, as I mentioned before, and I just pop in a DVD and whoa, the time goes by quick.
I'm really excited because my dad let me borrow a DVD when we went to Maryland, and I've finally started watching it. With the advent of the DVD came the amazing fact that um, every TV show ever is now accessible on DVD. I mean, wow. In general terms, I am opposed to this. I'd have to really really really like a show to buy it on DVD, simply because there are so many seasons of various shows and we're talking lots and lots of discs, lots and lots of $$$, and lots of lots of time spent in front of the TV. I mean, seriously, I love CSI and the Simpsons but I'd never buy like 15 seasons' worth of DVDs.
But that doesn't change the fact that accessible TV is pretty cool. Some thoughts:
- I remember watching Get Smart with my dad growing up. It was released to DVD, then they made a movie out of it, and now everyone has heard of it.
- Shane and I did the Hollywood Video total access or whatever it is a couple years ago when the Seinfeld DVDs all came out. It was silly, since Seinfeld is on some channel somewhere in syndication pretty much every hour of the day, but we still rented the discs and watched them at home. It was fun.
- Shane got Season 1 of the Dukes of Hazzard for this birthday last year. He loves to goof off and watch it with Wesley. It's fine television, I approve!
- When Wesley was brand new squiggly baby and he took an hour to nurse (ugh!), I'd watch episodes of The Office. It's the only series I currently own on DVD. I love the commentary and trivia about the episodes.
Anyway, it's been fun to pop the DVD in and relive my childhood (while exercising. That makes me feel not guilty about it). When the opening credits started, I recognized the music and could almost follow along. It was like this giant memory just came surging up from the cobwebbed cellars of my brain. It was very cool.
I used to watch a lot of fun shows with my dad. I get pretty excited when I meet people who have heard of our shows. Red Dwarf, anyone? (Is that show still on? Wow!)
I also loved my cartoons when I was a wee lass, and it would be fun to see them again and have Wesley enjoy them. The new anime stuff these days is just so lame. Bring back Thundercats and He-Man and Rainbow Brite and Care Bears. I much prefer the G-rated, old-school stuff.
My friend Jeff (hey Jeff!) is doing this hilarious March Madness thing on his blog where he is pitting old TV shows against each other. I'm curious to see which will win. I didn't watch a LOT of shows when I was young, but several of the ones on Jeff's blog I remember and liked.
And soon, if not already, they'll all be on DVD! Ha!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
whew, it's not that bad
The past couple weeks have been frustrating for my husband and me, for the simple fact that our sweet little baby has been growing and it's time for a new car seat.
A convertible car seat.
A monster car seat.
Our current car, which we love, is a 2008 Subaru Impreza. We did a lot of research to buy this car. We didn't want an SUV or minivan because we wanted something smaller for our small family, something that got decent gas mileage, something that didn't seem too overbearing. We felt like we were doing our little part to make the world a better place by getting a practical car.
Then, we had a baby. And needed to fit a car seat in the car. We just assumed (big mistake) that this car would fit a car seat just fine. I mean, why wouldn't it? It was a four door and had a back seat that adults could fit in. Of course it would fit a car seat, right?
But, when we finally fit Wesley's infant seat in there, we were wrong. Yikes. We had to move the passenger seat up several clicks, and the only person comfortable sitting there on family outings was me, since I'm a lowly 5-foot-2-inches. Shane wouldn't fit. But, whatever, I could live with it. It wasn't that bad.
Then, our little man grew, and we needed an upgrade. We got immensely depressed when we tried the first seat in our car (an Alpha Omega Elite, for those wondering). Like other convertible car seats, it's a monster which has to be reclined at a 45-degree angle per the car seat safety design. We had to move the passenger seat ALL the way up, and it wouldn't even had been possible for me (or any person) to sit in the front seat.
In the week after that first trial run, I accepted that I'd have to sit in the back seat for the next couple months, until 1) Wesley turns 1 and 2) Wesley hits 20 pounds, at which point we could flip the convertible seat around forward-facing, and life goes back to normal.
But, it was hard. Shane and I were really upset. I mean, we try to make good decisions. And in thinking about our decision to buy the Impreza, we thought we were being smart, practical. But in reality, we felt like were the morons. The people who buy SUVs and minivans and gigantic gas guzzlers, they're the only ones who have the luxury of space. The rest of us just sit in our "practical" cars and wish we had that space, right? We felt like we were being punished for being thoughtful.
It just got me thinking. Why? Why is it that the "practical" option is the most unfriendly to families? Why should a family be forced to buy a HUGE car in order to fit a car seat in there? Aren't families with children in car seats generally the younger families that can't afford such huge cars? And, should car manufacturers disclose that their "practical" lower-cost vehicles won't accommodate car seats comfortably?
I'm glad my story doesn't end there, with my unsettled mind.
After steaming for a few weeks, we finally did more research and bought a car seat. We decided on an Evenflo Triumph, in "Sandbox" color.
And I'm happy to report the miracle: it fits in our car. It actually fits better than the infant seat did. Number 1, I'm not banished to the back seat of the car, and Number 2, I can even move my seat further back than I could when the infant seat was in. Wow.
I'm just so glad that at the end of this adventure, we weren't punished (or rewarded for that matter) for buying a smaller car. It just worked out. Buying the car wasn't a mistake. Buying a new car seat wasn't a mistake (we could have forced the infant seat for a little longer, but it wasn't the most ideal option). It makes me realize that we have made good decisions.
I know life isn't always fair, but on this one thing, I wanted to feel like it would work out. I wanted to feel like I wasn't being punished for being practical in buying a not-huge car. I'm just so glad it worked out. Everything is as it should be. The world makes sense.
For now. Ha!
A convertible car seat.
A monster car seat.
Our current car, which we love, is a 2008 Subaru Impreza. We did a lot of research to buy this car. We didn't want an SUV or minivan because we wanted something smaller for our small family, something that got decent gas mileage, something that didn't seem too overbearing. We felt like we were doing our little part to make the world a better place by getting a practical car.
Then, we had a baby. And needed to fit a car seat in the car. We just assumed (big mistake) that this car would fit a car seat just fine. I mean, why wouldn't it? It was a four door and had a back seat that adults could fit in. Of course it would fit a car seat, right?
But, when we finally fit Wesley's infant seat in there, we were wrong. Yikes. We had to move the passenger seat up several clicks, and the only person comfortable sitting there on family outings was me, since I'm a lowly 5-foot-2-inches. Shane wouldn't fit. But, whatever, I could live with it. It wasn't that bad.
Then, our little man grew, and we needed an upgrade. We got immensely depressed when we tried the first seat in our car (an Alpha Omega Elite, for those wondering). Like other convertible car seats, it's a monster which has to be reclined at a 45-degree angle per the car seat safety design. We had to move the passenger seat ALL the way up, and it wouldn't even had been possible for me (or any person) to sit in the front seat.
In the week after that first trial run, I accepted that I'd have to sit in the back seat for the next couple months, until 1) Wesley turns 1 and 2) Wesley hits 20 pounds, at which point we could flip the convertible seat around forward-facing, and life goes back to normal.
But, it was hard. Shane and I were really upset. I mean, we try to make good decisions. And in thinking about our decision to buy the Impreza, we thought we were being smart, practical. But in reality, we felt like were the morons. The people who buy SUVs and minivans and gigantic gas guzzlers, they're the only ones who have the luxury of space. The rest of us just sit in our "practical" cars and wish we had that space, right? We felt like we were being punished for being thoughtful.
It just got me thinking. Why? Why is it that the "practical" option is the most unfriendly to families? Why should a family be forced to buy a HUGE car in order to fit a car seat in there? Aren't families with children in car seats generally the younger families that can't afford such huge cars? And, should car manufacturers disclose that their "practical" lower-cost vehicles won't accommodate car seats comfortably?
I'm glad my story doesn't end there, with my unsettled mind.
After steaming for a few weeks, we finally did more research and bought a car seat. We decided on an Evenflo Triumph, in "Sandbox" color.
And I'm happy to report the miracle: it fits in our car. It actually fits better than the infant seat did. Number 1, I'm not banished to the back seat of the car, and Number 2, I can even move my seat further back than I could when the infant seat was in. Wow.
I'm just so glad that at the end of this adventure, we weren't punished (or rewarded for that matter) for buying a smaller car. It just worked out. Buying the car wasn't a mistake. Buying a new car seat wasn't a mistake (we could have forced the infant seat for a little longer, but it wasn't the most ideal option). It makes me realize that we have made good decisions.
I know life isn't always fair, but on this one thing, I wanted to feel like it would work out. I wanted to feel like I wasn't being punished for being practical in buying a not-huge car. I'm just so glad it worked out. Everything is as it should be. The world makes sense.
For now. Ha!
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