Alright, I don't have a whole lot of time so here's a list of my favorite websites....when I have time, I will come back and organize them as well as give an explanation of how I use each one and why.
www.redenvelope.com
www.ebates.com
www.gmail.com
www.athleta.com
www.ideeli.com
www.nomorerack.com
www.steepandcheap.com
www.theclymb.com
www.jasmere.com
www.tawk.com
www.fredflare.com
www.uncommongoods.com
www.pinterest.com
www.urbanoutfitters.com
16 December 2011
22 November 2011
Worst Monday
A little background:
All three of the pups are 'crate trained' which means when I yell, "KENNEL UP!", they all go right into their respective metal crates with no protest and hang out there until I let them out. They don't try to escape, cry, bark, or get into any other trouble during normal crate time.
Lately I've been working afternoons and leaving them out of their crates...they are usually content from a long walk and are ready to nap. They've had no problems being in the house alone...no accidents, no chewing, no problem.
Yesterday morning, I left for three hours and left them out of their crates.
On the way home I realized that I had broken Don's favorite growler. Then, I got a massive paper cut across my palm at the post office. I should've known those were portents telling me to just go straight to Fritz and start drinking. I should've known.
I opened the door to the house and nobody greeted me. There was dead silence. As I started looking around, I realized that something was very, very wrong.
Barley pulled a giant bag of halloween candy off of the counter and the three dogs spent a few hours destroying it. The bag didn't have chocolate in it, thank goodness, no nobody had to have hydrogen peroxide basted down their throats.
I will add some (rather graphic) photos to give everyone a basic idea. It was awful.
There were wrappers and little neon Nerd candies every where accompanied by similarly neon puke.
Sara, apparently, stashed her candy in a little hidey hole...she unwrapped all of her candy perfectly and sorted the wrappers by type. She seriously managed to open her Laffy Taffy's right down the seam like a human would!!
Zak, the lazy bastard, ate all of his candy on the couch. He was less careful when he opened his, but like Sara, he left a neat pile of wrappers, unsorted.
But Barley. Oh Barley....Barley ate as much candy as he could, whole, without unwrapping it. All of the puke was his...unwrapped Laffy Taffys, and soggy Nerds boxes and soggy sweetarts.
I threw them all outside immediately. For their protection. Because I wanted to kill them so badly. I cleaned up as much as was reasonable and went to sit outside with them (in the rain, mind you!)
About an hour passed and everyone seemed OK so we went inside. My blood pressure was near normal again when Barley started puking AGAIN. Now, normal dogs open their mouths and point their noses towards the floor when they vomit. Barley just sat with his mouth barely open so the puke ran out of his mouth like an over flowing toilet, down his chest, and all of the floor. During his second puke, as I tried in vain to usher him into the linoleum kitchen, he projectile vomited and started running. He managed to cover my washing machine, rugs, and walls with it.
I sat in the one square foot of dining room that was NOT covered in puke and cried as Barley tried to re-eat his Laffy Taffy barf. I honestly hated my little ginger vomit volcano enough to pass out.
I hope that despite the nastiness of this post, you are laughing or at least smiling a little bit. The whole episode was beyond "BAD DOG" and now that my house is clean and everyone is done puking, I can see the humor in it.
Thank God I bought my bleach wipes in bulk from Costco!
Wrappers and candy ground into carpet...
I also have a photo of the puke, but I'll spare you the gory details.
All three of the pups are 'crate trained' which means when I yell, "KENNEL UP!", they all go right into their respective metal crates with no protest and hang out there until I let them out. They don't try to escape, cry, bark, or get into any other trouble during normal crate time.
Lately I've been working afternoons and leaving them out of their crates...they are usually content from a long walk and are ready to nap. They've had no problems being in the house alone...no accidents, no chewing, no problem.
Yesterday morning, I left for three hours and left them out of their crates.
On the way home I realized that I had broken Don's favorite growler. Then, I got a massive paper cut across my palm at the post office. I should've known those were portents telling me to just go straight to Fritz and start drinking. I should've known.
I opened the door to the house and nobody greeted me. There was dead silence. As I started looking around, I realized that something was very, very wrong.
Barley pulled a giant bag of halloween candy off of the counter and the three dogs spent a few hours destroying it. The bag didn't have chocolate in it, thank goodness, no nobody had to have hydrogen peroxide basted down their throats.
I will add some (rather graphic) photos to give everyone a basic idea. It was awful.
There were wrappers and little neon Nerd candies every where accompanied by similarly neon puke.
Sara, apparently, stashed her candy in a little hidey hole...she unwrapped all of her candy perfectly and sorted the wrappers by type. She seriously managed to open her Laffy Taffy's right down the seam like a human would!!
Zak, the lazy bastard, ate all of his candy on the couch. He was less careful when he opened his, but like Sara, he left a neat pile of wrappers, unsorted.
But Barley. Oh Barley....Barley ate as much candy as he could, whole, without unwrapping it. All of the puke was his...unwrapped Laffy Taffys, and soggy Nerds boxes and soggy sweetarts.
I threw them all outside immediately. For their protection. Because I wanted to kill them so badly. I cleaned up as much as was reasonable and went to sit outside with them (in the rain, mind you!)
About an hour passed and everyone seemed OK so we went inside. My blood pressure was near normal again when Barley started puking AGAIN. Now, normal dogs open their mouths and point their noses towards the floor when they vomit. Barley just sat with his mouth barely open so the puke ran out of his mouth like an over flowing toilet, down his chest, and all of the floor. During his second puke, as I tried in vain to usher him into the linoleum kitchen, he projectile vomited and started running. He managed to cover my washing machine, rugs, and walls with it.
I sat in the one square foot of dining room that was NOT covered in puke and cried as Barley tried to re-eat his Laffy Taffy barf. I honestly hated my little ginger vomit volcano enough to pass out.
I hope that despite the nastiness of this post, you are laughing or at least smiling a little bit. The whole episode was beyond "BAD DOG" and now that my house is clean and everyone is done puking, I can see the humor in it.
Thank God I bought my bleach wipes in bulk from Costco!
Wrappers and candy ground into carpet...
I also have a photo of the puke, but I'll spare you the gory details.
21 November 2011
Casual outfit (colored jeans)
Black && White Splotch Silk Tee
+
Blue AE Skinny Jeans
+
Black Folding Ankle Booties
=
New favorite winter casual =]
+
Blue AE Skinny Jeans
+
Black Folding Ankle Booties
=
New favorite winter casual =]
first outfit!
Birdie Zipper Dress
+
Black Leggings
+
Vera Wang Tan Zip Booties
+
Purple Long Sleeve Cardi
+
Black Leggings
+
Vera Wang Tan Zip Booties
+
Purple Long Sleeve Cardi
17 November 2011
Month of Gratitude, Updated
the newest thoughts are bolded.
21 November: I'm grateful for my pillow. It's old, nasty, and crazy but I honestly have a hard time sleeping without it! And I'm grateful for my husband who allows it in our house.
20 November: I am thankful for the top notch, affordable, available healthcare we have as Americans.
19 November: I am thankful for kind strangers, like the one who kept me from falling to my death on the stairs at the post office.
18 November: I am grateful for electricity...I can look around and realize how different my life would be without it!
17 November: I am thankful today that I am considered a grown up and nobody can make me take a picture with Santa at the mall. The one there today was terrifying, and just as I started to feel like a freak for being scared of a fake Santa, a little boy started crying and yelling, "I will punch you, Santa, if you get too close to me and my baby brother!!!!"
16 November: I am thankful that I live a block from the best cheap Asian food and sushi where $10 buys me three dinners on nights I just don't feel like cooking.
15 November: I am grateful for down comforters. I would never have thought to kill a bird, pluck it, and put the feathers in a blanket...I would just have been too focused on eating it. Anyways, I love my down comforter and how warm it keeps me when my other bed warmer is away at sea. A queen sized bed is hard to keep warm alone when none of my pups will snuggle me.
14 November: I am grateful for the wonders of online shopping and the tiny spark of giddiness that comes from hearing the UPS truck pull up in front of your house!
13 November: I am grateful for warm clothes on these cold days. I hope I never take them for granted.
12 November: I am extremely grateful for my extended family and in-laws. Thank you for loving me and being a great support system.
11 November: I am grateful for all of the 'nerds' out there who didn't let bullies get them down and instead persevered so that I can video chat with my family, hundreds of miles away.
10 November: I'm grateful for my fabulous friends. I'm grateful for the ones who still hug me and love me even when we don't see each other but once a year. And I'm grateful for the ones who I can call on at a moment's notice. And I'm grateful for the ones who I don't know very well but will continue to get to know!
9 November: I'm grateful for this week of odd non-winterlike weather we have been having in the PNW. I don't know that I could cope with the seasonal depression that comes from scooping poop in the pouring rain yet.
8 November: Grateful, grateful, grateful for my three pups. They drive me absolutely insane sometimes (was it really necessary to shred two whole boxes of kleenix?!) but it's the most stress-relieving, loneliness-quelling thing to be able to come home to them and snuggle them.
7 November: Today I am grateful to have a warm bed in a warm house to crawl into when I need to be sad for a little bit. (And then I fall asleep and wake up feeling better!! It's a magic bed!!)
6 November: I am grateful for toilet paper. Enough said.
5 November: I am grateful for the freedom that being an American affords me. I loved going to the store and buying a turkey and all of the fixings to make an early Thanksgiving for my husband. =]
4 November: I am grateful for the military and all of the opportunities it has afforded us as a family. We have college degrees, job stability, healthcare, and a home. The sacrifices the military demands of us are small in comparison to what we get from it.
3 November: I am grateful for whoever decided to harvest, burn, crush, and steam small black beans and call the product coffee. Furthermore, I am grateful for my husband who makes a wicked strong pot and always leaves me a cup for when I wake up.
2 November: I am grateful for the clean water that comes out of the faucet. I take it for granted all too often. I can't imagine what life would be like if I had to walk 8 miles a day for clean water like so many women in developing countries do.
1 November: I am grateful for the man I married. He is my best friend and biggest fan. He makes me laugh, give great hugs, and never complains about taking out the trash.
21 November: I'm grateful for my pillow. It's old, nasty, and crazy but I honestly have a hard time sleeping without it! And I'm grateful for my husband who allows it in our house.
20 November: I am thankful for the top notch, affordable, available healthcare we have as Americans.
19 November: I am thankful for kind strangers, like the one who kept me from falling to my death on the stairs at the post office.
18 November: I am grateful for electricity...I can look around and realize how different my life would be without it!
17 November: I am thankful today that I am considered a grown up and nobody can make me take a picture with Santa at the mall. The one there today was terrifying, and just as I started to feel like a freak for being scared of a fake Santa, a little boy started crying and yelling, "I will punch you, Santa, if you get too close to me and my baby brother!!!!"
16 November: I am thankful that I live a block from the best cheap Asian food and sushi where $10 buys me three dinners on nights I just don't feel like cooking.
15 November: I am grateful for down comforters. I would never have thought to kill a bird, pluck it, and put the feathers in a blanket...I would just have been too focused on eating it. Anyways, I love my down comforter and how warm it keeps me when my other bed warmer is away at sea. A queen sized bed is hard to keep warm alone when none of my pups will snuggle me.
14 November: I am grateful for the wonders of online shopping and the tiny spark of giddiness that comes from hearing the UPS truck pull up in front of your house!
13 November: I am grateful for warm clothes on these cold days. I hope I never take them for granted.
12 November: I am extremely grateful for my extended family and in-laws. Thank you for loving me and being a great support system.
11 November: I am grateful for all of the 'nerds' out there who didn't let bullies get them down and instead persevered so that I can video chat with my family, hundreds of miles away.
10 November: I'm grateful for my fabulous friends. I'm grateful for the ones who still hug me and love me even when we don't see each other but once a year. And I'm grateful for the ones who I can call on at a moment's notice. And I'm grateful for the ones who I don't know very well but will continue to get to know!
9 November: I'm grateful for this week of odd non-winterlike weather we have been having in the PNW. I don't know that I could cope with the seasonal depression that comes from scooping poop in the pouring rain yet.
8 November: Grateful, grateful, grateful for my three pups. They drive me absolutely insane sometimes (was it really necessary to shred two whole boxes of kleenix?!) but it's the most stress-relieving, loneliness-quelling thing to be able to come home to them and snuggle them.
7 November: Today I am grateful to have a warm bed in a warm house to crawl into when I need to be sad for a little bit. (And then I fall asleep and wake up feeling better!! It's a magic bed!!)
6 November: I am grateful for toilet paper. Enough said.
5 November: I am grateful for the freedom that being an American affords me. I loved going to the store and buying a turkey and all of the fixings to make an early Thanksgiving for my husband. =]
4 November: I am grateful for the military and all of the opportunities it has afforded us as a family. We have college degrees, job stability, healthcare, and a home. The sacrifices the military demands of us are small in comparison to what we get from it.
3 November: I am grateful for whoever decided to harvest, burn, crush, and steam small black beans and call the product coffee. Furthermore, I am grateful for my husband who makes a wicked strong pot and always leaves me a cup for when I wake up.
2 November: I am grateful for the clean water that comes out of the faucet. I take it for granted all too often. I can't imagine what life would be like if I had to walk 8 miles a day for clean water like so many women in developing countries do.
1 November: I am grateful for the man I married. He is my best friend and biggest fan. He makes me laugh, give great hugs, and never complains about taking out the trash.
New Project
Because I just don't have enough going on in my life...
I have decided to try and wear every single thing I own and photograph each outfit.
My goal is to use each top, bottom, shoe, and jacket in two separate and very different outfits.
Anything I can not use I will get rid of! (With exceptions, of course....)
I've seen other people undertake a similar project with a timeline, but it's not going to be nice enough for me to wear my shorts anytime soon so I'm going to be a bit more flexible.
I love new outfit ideas, but they often take me a long time to conjure and then even longer to feel confident enough in them to actually wear them out in public. I'm hoping this little side project forces me to be bold, even if the outfit potentially is a fail. I'm also hoping to put together a sort of 'catalog' of outfits so that getting dressed on stressful, rushed days is easier.
I'd love criticism or suggestions, but be gentle. =D
I have decided to try and wear every single thing I own and photograph each outfit.
My goal is to use each top, bottom, shoe, and jacket in two separate and very different outfits.
Anything I can not use I will get rid of! (With exceptions, of course....)
I've seen other people undertake a similar project with a timeline, but it's not going to be nice enough for me to wear my shorts anytime soon so I'm going to be a bit more flexible.
I love new outfit ideas, but they often take me a long time to conjure and then even longer to feel confident enough in them to actually wear them out in public. I'm hoping this little side project forces me to be bold, even if the outfit potentially is a fail. I'm also hoping to put together a sort of 'catalog' of outfits so that getting dressed on stressful, rushed days is easier.
I'd love criticism or suggestions, but be gentle. =D
16 November 2011
Things Being Alone Teaches You...the NOT serious version
1. ALWAYS keep extra toilet paper near the toilet. The dogs do not understand how to be helpful when you chuck the empty roll across the room angrily.
2. Take down any and all garments of clothing that hang more than 2 feet off of the ground, unless they are in your closet. This will save you from screaming bloody murder when you think the coat rack is an intruder.
3. Don't bake a whole turkey. It doesn't matter if you found the smallest one at the store....it's still too big for you to eat. Second related lesson: moldy turkey is nasty. Third related lesson: turkey molds ridiculously quickly.
4. When people stop by unexpectedly, you cannot blame your messy house on anyone. Psshh.
2. Take down any and all garments of clothing that hang more than 2 feet off of the ground, unless they are in your closet. This will save you from screaming bloody murder when you think the coat rack is an intruder.
3. Don't bake a whole turkey. It doesn't matter if you found the smallest one at the store....it's still too big for you to eat. Second related lesson: moldy turkey is nasty. Third related lesson: turkey molds ridiculously quickly.
4. When people stop by unexpectedly, you cannot blame your messy house on anyone. Psshh.
12 November 2011
Book: "Kira-kira" by Cynthia Kadohata
This is an amazing book meant for kids 10-14. Narrated by Katie Takeshima, the daughter of Japanese parents who immigrate to the Deep South of Georgia, this book is for much more than young adults. Katie's world revolves around her older sister Lynn who falls seriously ill. It falls to Katie to be strong and hold her family together through family crises and poverty.
I read "Kira-kira" in less than a day; it's not only a quick read, but one I couldn't put down. Kadohata received a Newberry for this work...well deserved!
I read "Kira-kira" in less than a day; it's not only a quick read, but one I couldn't put down. Kadohata received a Newberry for this work...well deserved!
05 November 2011
Month of Gratitude
17 November I am thankful today that I am considered a grown up and nobody can make me take a picture with Santa at the mall. The one there today was terrifying, and just as I started to feel like a freak for being scared of a fake Santa, a little boy started crying and yelling, "I will punch you, Santa, if you get too close to me and my baby brother!!!!"
16 November: I am thankful that I live a block from the best cheap Asian food and sushi where $10 buys me three dinners on nights I just don't feel like cooking.
15 November: I am grateful for down comforters. I would never have thought to kill a bird, pluck it, and put the feathers in a blanket...I would just have been too focused on eating it. Anyways, I love my down comforter and how warm it keeps me when my other bed warmer is away at sea. A queen sized bed is hard to keep warm alone when none of my pups will snuggle me.
14 November: I am grateful for the wonders of online shopping and the tiny spark of giddiness that comes from hearing the UPS truck pull up in front of your house!
13 November: I am grateful for warm clothes on these cold days. I hope I never take them for granted.
12 November: I am extremely grateful for my extended family and in-laws. Thank you for loving me and being a great support system.
11 November: I am grateful for all of the 'nerds' out there who didn't let bullies get them down and instead persevered so that I can video chat with my family, hundreds of miles away.
10 November: I'm grateful for my fabulous friends. I'm grateful for the ones who still hug me and love me even when we don't see each other but once a year. And I'm grateful for the ones who I can call on at a moment's notice. And I'm grateful for the ones who I don't know very well but will continue to get to know!
9 November: I'm grateful for this week of odd non-winterlike weather we have been having in the PNW. I don't know that I could cope with the seasonal depression that comes from scooping poop in the pouring rain yet.
8 November: Grateful, grateful, grateful for my three pups. They drive me absolutely insane sometimes (was it really necessary to shred two whole boxes of kleenix?!) but it's the most stress-relieving, loneliness-quelling thing to be able to come home to them and snuggle them.
7 November: Today I am grateful to have a warm bed in a warm house to crawl into when I need to be sad for a little bit. (And then I fall asleep and wake up feeling better!! It's a magic bed!!)
6 November: I am grateful for toilet paper. Enough said.
5 November: I am grateful for the freedom that being an American affords me. I loved going to the store and buying a turkey and all of the fixings to make an early Thanksgiving for my husband. =]
4 November: I am grateful for the military and all of the opportunities it has afforded us as a family. We have college degrees, job stability, healthcare, and a home. The sacrifices the military demands of us are small in comparison to what we get from it.
3 November: I am grateful for whoever decided to harvest, burn, crush, and steam small black beans and call the product coffee. Furthermore, I am grateful for my husband who makes a wicked strong pot and always leaves me a cup for when I wake up.
2 November: I am grateful for the clean water that comes out of the faucet. I take it for granted all too often. I can't imagine what life would be like if I had to walk 8 miles a day for clean water like so many women in developing countries do.
1 November: I am grateful for the man I married. He is my best friend and biggest fan. He makes me laugh, give great hugs, and never complains about taking out the trash.
16 November: I am thankful that I live a block from the best cheap Asian food and sushi where $10 buys me three dinners on nights I just don't feel like cooking.
15 November: I am grateful for down comforters. I would never have thought to kill a bird, pluck it, and put the feathers in a blanket...I would just have been too focused on eating it. Anyways, I love my down comforter and how warm it keeps me when my other bed warmer is away at sea. A queen sized bed is hard to keep warm alone when none of my pups will snuggle me.
14 November: I am grateful for the wonders of online shopping and the tiny spark of giddiness that comes from hearing the UPS truck pull up in front of your house!
13 November: I am grateful for warm clothes on these cold days. I hope I never take them for granted.
12 November: I am extremely grateful for my extended family and in-laws. Thank you for loving me and being a great support system.
11 November: I am grateful for all of the 'nerds' out there who didn't let bullies get them down and instead persevered so that I can video chat with my family, hundreds of miles away.
10 November: I'm grateful for my fabulous friends. I'm grateful for the ones who still hug me and love me even when we don't see each other but once a year. And I'm grateful for the ones who I can call on at a moment's notice. And I'm grateful for the ones who I don't know very well but will continue to get to know!
9 November: I'm grateful for this week of odd non-winterlike weather we have been having in the PNW. I don't know that I could cope with the seasonal depression that comes from scooping poop in the pouring rain yet.
8 November: Grateful, grateful, grateful for my three pups. They drive me absolutely insane sometimes (was it really necessary to shred two whole boxes of kleenix?!) but it's the most stress-relieving, loneliness-quelling thing to be able to come home to them and snuggle them.
7 November: Today I am grateful to have a warm bed in a warm house to crawl into when I need to be sad for a little bit. (And then I fall asleep and wake up feeling better!! It's a magic bed!!)
6 November: I am grateful for toilet paper. Enough said.
5 November: I am grateful for the freedom that being an American affords me. I loved going to the store and buying a turkey and all of the fixings to make an early Thanksgiving for my husband. =]
4 November: I am grateful for the military and all of the opportunities it has afforded us as a family. We have college degrees, job stability, healthcare, and a home. The sacrifices the military demands of us are small in comparison to what we get from it.
3 November: I am grateful for whoever decided to harvest, burn, crush, and steam small black beans and call the product coffee. Furthermore, I am grateful for my husband who makes a wicked strong pot and always leaves me a cup for when I wake up.
2 November: I am grateful for the clean water that comes out of the faucet. I take it for granted all too often. I can't imagine what life would be like if I had to walk 8 miles a day for clean water like so many women in developing countries do.
1 November: I am grateful for the man I married. He is my best friend and biggest fan. He makes me laugh, give great hugs, and never complains about taking out the trash.
04 November 2011
The Blues
Well good morning/afternoon, world.
Today is the very first day that our looming deployment has really affected me. It started last night, like a little itch. Today it's a full on rash. I need to shake it off, to get over it, and to not scratch it and make it worse.
As if to rub the looming deployment in my face, I had the pleasure of getting up at 5:30am to take Don's seabag to the drop off point. I guess it's really real. The upside was that before I even had my car door open, three guys were rushing over and took care of the massive, leaden bag. If I had had to struggle with it, I honestly would've cried.
So, now it's time to move on to things that make me happy: walking the dogs, drinking scalding coffee, and craft time!
I know I'm loved. I'm well cared for. I have the best of friends and the most wonderful family. I have most of my health, most of my sanity, and four pumpkin spice candles crying out to be lit.
I can turn this icky day into a good one. I know I can! =]
Today is the very first day that our looming deployment has really affected me. It started last night, like a little itch. Today it's a full on rash. I need to shake it off, to get over it, and to not scratch it and make it worse.
As if to rub the looming deployment in my face, I had the pleasure of getting up at 5:30am to take Don's seabag to the drop off point. I guess it's really real. The upside was that before I even had my car door open, three guys were rushing over and took care of the massive, leaden bag. If I had had to struggle with it, I honestly would've cried.
So, now it's time to move on to things that make me happy: walking the dogs, drinking scalding coffee, and craft time!
I know I'm loved. I'm well cared for. I have the best of friends and the most wonderful family. I have most of my health, most of my sanity, and four pumpkin spice candles crying out to be lit.
I can turn this icky day into a good one. I know I can! =]
26 October 2011
latest wife quote
Anyone who doesn't want a baby made of solid gold is crazy... You can melt it down and sell it!!
24 October 2011
I guess it's been awhile
I just realized that the last time I blogged was almost two weeks ago! Honestly, I was nervous this morning that I would log on and find out my last blog was two months ago. I'm so bad at this.
I think not much is new and that's part of the reason for not blogging.
Lately, I've been wrestling with how much of 'me' I want to put out on this blog. On one hand, I'm naturally a very open book. On the other hand, I'm married to someone who is not only very private, but who is intensely protective of me.
The head zoo keeper has no real qualms with my blog (so far) but he isn't super enthusiastic about me putting it all out there.
But.
(There's always a "but", isn't there?)
But when things in my life are really big and really stressful, talking about them really helps me cope. I have a very difficult time with anxiety and stress. I always, always try to internalize it. And I always, always fail eventually. The failure is always in the form of an explosion. I hurt people and I make things more painful for myself.
I think that blogging might be a happy middle. I can still be relatively 'internal' because I'm not talking anyone's ears off, yet at the same time I'm getting it out there on a platform that allows for comments and discussion. It's like talking to someone without making eye contact, I suppose. It feels a little strange, a little off, but it's easier in many ways to get the heavy stuff out of your system.
[In case you didn't notice, I just did exactly what I was discussing. That's confusing. But choosing how much to blog about is one of my stressors and just putting it out there, blogging about the actual blogging problem has helped me greatly!]
So, here goes! My biggest long-term stresses are from least to most stress:
1. Being homesick. I so, so miss Montana. I less and less miss the physical place and more and more miss the lifestyle and the people. I didn't feel homesick at all for the first 2-3 years after I left and I'm paying it all back now.
2. Our future. Specifically how long we will be in the Navy, where we move next, what Don does after the Navy, what I do, when I get to do my real job, etc.
3. The upcoming deployment. I feel like it's coming very soon, it's going to be SO, SO long, and there are a billion things I need to do before it all happens. Eek!
4. And last but not least starting a family. I plan to blog further about this part, hopefully today.
But don't worry! I'm really OK. =] Actually, today is my first day in a long time with no commitments, work, appointments, etc. I'm loving my pajama day full of Project Runway reruns and relaxation.
I think not much is new and that's part of the reason for not blogging.
Lately, I've been wrestling with how much of 'me' I want to put out on this blog. On one hand, I'm naturally a very open book. On the other hand, I'm married to someone who is not only very private, but who is intensely protective of me.
The head zoo keeper has no real qualms with my blog (so far) but he isn't super enthusiastic about me putting it all out there.
But.
(There's always a "but", isn't there?)
But when things in my life are really big and really stressful, talking about them really helps me cope. I have a very difficult time with anxiety and stress. I always, always try to internalize it. And I always, always fail eventually. The failure is always in the form of an explosion. I hurt people and I make things more painful for myself.
I think that blogging might be a happy middle. I can still be relatively 'internal' because I'm not talking anyone's ears off, yet at the same time I'm getting it out there on a platform that allows for comments and discussion. It's like talking to someone without making eye contact, I suppose. It feels a little strange, a little off, but it's easier in many ways to get the heavy stuff out of your system.
[In case you didn't notice, I just did exactly what I was discussing. That's confusing. But choosing how much to blog about is one of my stressors and just putting it out there, blogging about the actual blogging problem has helped me greatly!]
So, here goes! My biggest long-term stresses are from least to most stress:
1. Being homesick. I so, so miss Montana. I less and less miss the physical place and more and more miss the lifestyle and the people. I didn't feel homesick at all for the first 2-3 years after I left and I'm paying it all back now.
2. Our future. Specifically how long we will be in the Navy, where we move next, what Don does after the Navy, what I do, when I get to do my real job, etc.
3. The upcoming deployment. I feel like it's coming very soon, it's going to be SO, SO long, and there are a billion things I need to do before it all happens. Eek!
4. And last but not least starting a family. I plan to blog further about this part, hopefully today.
But don't worry! I'm really OK. =] Actually, today is my first day in a long time with no commitments, work, appointments, etc. I'm loving my pajama day full of Project Runway reruns and relaxation.
12 October 2011
Just A Quck Update...
Well, I just got back from SeaTac Airport. Don is in the air and on his way to Washington DC via Chicago.
He will be there for a few days and on Thursday has an interview as part of his official Navy business.
I wish I could've tagged along but I think he'll be ok on his own for a few days. Wink.
I'm up later than I should be, so I'm going to go brew up some tea and hit the hay.
Good night!
He will be there for a few days and on Thursday has an interview as part of his official Navy business.
I wish I could've tagged along but I think he'll be ok on his own for a few days. Wink.
I'm up later than I should be, so I'm going to go brew up some tea and hit the hay.
Good night!
02 October 2011
Craft Time
I love fall. I love the pretty leaves, availability of pumpkins, and a good excuse to wear boots and scarves and mittens. Overwhelmed by a rare streak of domesticity, I started shopping for wreathes to hang on the front door. Our neighborhood is rather drab. Our friend Forest calls it "Downtown Baghdad" so take from that what you will.
Etsy was my first stop because I love nothing more than spending money without leaving the couch. (Sorry, honey!) However. Those things are EXPENSIVE!! I can buy half a cow for the same price as a few branches arranged artfully in a circle. No. No. No.
A little trip to Michaels set me up with all of the wreath-ery that I would need: grapevine wreath starters, fake leaves and flowers, hot glue, and floral wire.
As it turns out, the business of wreath-making is not as simple as I imagined. After an afternoon of wrestling with wire cutters and all manners of leaves and flora, here is what I came up with. I feel they are a bit juvenile, but they sure as heck didn't cost me $100! So there!
Comment and let me know if you have suggestions and what you think!
Etsy was my first stop because I love nothing more than spending money without leaving the couch. (Sorry, honey!) However. Those things are EXPENSIVE!! I can buy half a cow for the same price as a few branches arranged artfully in a circle. No. No. No.
A little trip to Michaels set me up with all of the wreath-ery that I would need: grapevine wreath starters, fake leaves and flowers, hot glue, and floral wire.
As it turns out, the business of wreath-making is not as simple as I imagined. After an afternoon of wrestling with wire cutters and all manners of leaves and flora, here is what I came up with. I feel they are a bit juvenile, but they sure as heck didn't cost me $100! So there!
Comment and let me know if you have suggestions and what you think!
30 September 2011
I Say "Tomato", You Say "Heaven Help Us"
One of the biggest things that Don and I go back and forth on is food. Specifically, we argue about when food needs to be thrown out.
Don will see a tiny speck of mold and want to send it soaring across the kitchen towards the can. I see an entire patch of mold and think, "I'm pretty sure that will still be edible if we cut off the moldy part." (In a completely non-violent way, Don likes to throw things. Conveniently, I have almost no depth perception so I often duck and run for cover when he starts juggling or whinging things behind his back and above his head...but back to the story.)
Most of the time there is either a clear answer (like the loaf of bread that is so completely taken over by mold you can practically see it starting to undulate) or a good compromise ("Let's throw out the two moldy oranges in the bag and not the entire 20 lb bag.")
Don has gotten MUCH more tolerant of my Depression-style drive to salvage every bite. And I have certainly loosened up about throwing out whole bunches of things. But every once in awhile, we encounter a doozy...like we did two days ago.
The story of the rotten produce needs a little introduction:
We have a little ghetto coffee "station" in our tiny kitchen. Why ghetto, you ask? Well, because our tiny kitchen has about 3 square feet of counter space and an odd floor plan, there was perfect room to set up a "microwave cart." And no, it's not a shiny metal and pine affair. This cart is actually a set of plastic shelving that normal people would put paint cans on in their garage. But it fits perfectly and serves our needs most of the time....
On our stand we have the coffee maker, coffee, and filters. Don stands there and readies the maker every night so in the morning it starts brewing upon the push of a button. A few nights ago, he thought something dripped in front of him as he stood there. It didn't really make sense, though. What could be dripping? Well, we have a wire basket that hangs from the ceiling above the ghetto coffee stand. A produce basket.
We both took a quick look and decided that it was a mystery.
Little did we know.
There was actually a giant heirloom tomato up there that had split its pants and was peeing, a drop at a time. Of course there was a host of other produce hanging in the tier below the offensive tomato. It was the perfect storm and a perfect haven for an enthusiastic little swarm of fruit flies.
It all pretty much goes downhill from there.
For those of you who use your plastic shelving for paint cans, you know that after awhile, the middle starts to sag a bit(thanks, Walmart!) Well ours has too. I lifted up the coffee maker and sure enough there was a fetid puddle revealed. Of course, of COURSE we both had to rush off to work. But what to do? Leave a little waterland resort for the fruit flies? In true MacGyver fashion, I threw a bleach wipe over Lake Eerie and we dashed out the door.
Luckily for me, Don got home first so he dealt with the nasty basket and puddle AND coffee maker. After the glow of not having to deal with the mess wore off, the guilt set in. I was the one to buy that rotten orb, the one to neglect it, and the one to not clean up after it. To help comfort my guilt, I made some fly traps out of beer and a few drops of dish soap, gave the Zookeeper a kiss, and rearranged the refrigerator so the rotting vat of spinach is hidden in the back.
Sorry, honey.
Don will see a tiny speck of mold and want to send it soaring across the kitchen towards the can. I see an entire patch of mold and think, "I'm pretty sure that will still be edible if we cut off the moldy part." (In a completely non-violent way, Don likes to throw things. Conveniently, I have almost no depth perception so I often duck and run for cover when he starts juggling or whinging things behind his back and above his head...but back to the story.)
Most of the time there is either a clear answer (like the loaf of bread that is so completely taken over by mold you can practically see it starting to undulate) or a good compromise ("Let's throw out the two moldy oranges in the bag and not the entire 20 lb bag.")
Don has gotten MUCH more tolerant of my Depression-style drive to salvage every bite. And I have certainly loosened up about throwing out whole bunches of things. But every once in awhile, we encounter a doozy...like we did two days ago.
The story of the rotten produce needs a little introduction:
We have a little ghetto coffee "station" in our tiny kitchen. Why ghetto, you ask? Well, because our tiny kitchen has about 3 square feet of counter space and an odd floor plan, there was perfect room to set up a "microwave cart." And no, it's not a shiny metal and pine affair. This cart is actually a set of plastic shelving that normal people would put paint cans on in their garage. But it fits perfectly and serves our needs most of the time....
On our stand we have the coffee maker, coffee, and filters. Don stands there and readies the maker every night so in the morning it starts brewing upon the push of a button. A few nights ago, he thought something dripped in front of him as he stood there. It didn't really make sense, though. What could be dripping? Well, we have a wire basket that hangs from the ceiling above the ghetto coffee stand. A produce basket.
We both took a quick look and decided that it was a mystery.
Little did we know.
There was actually a giant heirloom tomato up there that had split its pants and was peeing, a drop at a time. Of course there was a host of other produce hanging in the tier below the offensive tomato. It was the perfect storm and a perfect haven for an enthusiastic little swarm of fruit flies.
It all pretty much goes downhill from there.
For those of you who use your plastic shelving for paint cans, you know that after awhile, the middle starts to sag a bit(thanks, Walmart!) Well ours has too. I lifted up the coffee maker and sure enough there was a fetid puddle revealed. Of course, of COURSE we both had to rush off to work. But what to do? Leave a little waterland resort for the fruit flies? In true MacGyver fashion, I threw a bleach wipe over Lake Eerie and we dashed out the door.
Luckily for me, Don got home first so he dealt with the nasty basket and puddle AND coffee maker. After the glow of not having to deal with the mess wore off, the guilt set in. I was the one to buy that rotten orb, the one to neglect it, and the one to not clean up after it. To help comfort my guilt, I made some fly traps out of beer and a few drops of dish soap, gave the Zookeeper a kiss, and rearranged the refrigerator so the rotting vat of spinach is hidden in the back.
Sorry, honey.
26 September 2011
Recipe - Mom's Amazing Kale Soup
Got this one from my mom. I remember craving it in the winter when I lived at home. For some reason, hers tastes better than mine, but maybe that's just the nature of being a daughter.
For those of you who have never cooked with me or used one of my recipes, I try to be very, very exact when I describe things. However, I also fly by the seat of my pants if I am short an ingredient or feeling adventurous. Feel free to comment if you need clarification, but for the most part, any or all parts can be modified with no significant issues.
Finally, please read through the ingredient list AND the instructions before you start cooking. (In this recipe, you want to chop the potatoes and start cooking them while you chop the other veggies up. This can be gleaned from the directions.)
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, washed and cubed (I like cubes about the size of mini-dice) OR 2 large handfuls of new or baby potatoes, washed and cubed.
- 1 medium onion, chopped about the same size as the potatoes
- 2 cups carrots, washed and chopped, again the same size as the potatoes
- 1 box AND 2 cans chicken broth
- 1 lb ground meat, preferably breakfast sausage. Ground turkey works well too if you're all worried about healthiness and that mess.
- 3 stems of kale, rinsed and roughly chopped into about 1 by 2 inch pieces.
- 1 can evaporated milk, soup can size
- 2 tbsp butter
Directions:
1. Throw potatoes and broth into a large soup pot. Simmer over medium heat while the rest of the veggies are chopped up.
2. Add the rest of the veggies as they are chopped up. Stir and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots start to soften.
3. While the veggies soften, brown the meat in a large skillet until it is cooked through. I usually don't add anything else to the pan and cook it on medium or medium low - hot enough to cook quickly but not so hot that oil is shooting out the the pan and searing my face.
4. When the meat is cooked, add it to the soup pot and let everything simmer on low for about 30 minutes. You can simmer for less time or all day depending on your schedule.
5. After the meat has been in the pot for at least 30 minutes, the soup is about 30 minutes from being finished. To finish, add the kale and milk and let it simmer on low for 30 minutes. Now it is done. Eat!!!
Yummy!
For those of you who have never cooked with me or used one of my recipes, I try to be very, very exact when I describe things. However, I also fly by the seat of my pants if I am short an ingredient or feeling adventurous. Feel free to comment if you need clarification, but for the most part, any or all parts can be modified with no significant issues.
Finally, please read through the ingredient list AND the instructions before you start cooking. (In this recipe, you want to chop the potatoes and start cooking them while you chop the other veggies up. This can be gleaned from the directions.)
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, washed and cubed (I like cubes about the size of mini-dice) OR 2 large handfuls of new or baby potatoes, washed and cubed.
- 1 medium onion, chopped about the same size as the potatoes
- 2 cups carrots, washed and chopped, again the same size as the potatoes
- 1 box AND 2 cans chicken broth
- 1 lb ground meat, preferably breakfast sausage. Ground turkey works well too if you're all worried about healthiness and that mess.
- 3 stems of kale, rinsed and roughly chopped into about 1 by 2 inch pieces.
- 1 can evaporated milk, soup can size
- 2 tbsp butter
Directions:
1. Throw potatoes and broth into a large soup pot. Simmer over medium heat while the rest of the veggies are chopped up.
2. Add the rest of the veggies as they are chopped up. Stir and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots start to soften.
3. While the veggies soften, brown the meat in a large skillet until it is cooked through. I usually don't add anything else to the pan and cook it on medium or medium low - hot enough to cook quickly but not so hot that oil is shooting out the the pan and searing my face.
4. When the meat is cooked, add it to the soup pot and let everything simmer on low for about 30 minutes. You can simmer for less time or all day depending on your schedule.
5. After the meat has been in the pot for at least 30 minutes, the soup is about 30 minutes from being finished. To finish, add the kale and milk and let it simmer on low for 30 minutes. Now it is done. Eat!!!
Yummy!
Book - "One Day" by David Nicholls
I've been seeing magazine ads for the movie "One Day." It looks amazing. I'm not always the best judge of these things considering what I base my judgement on: who is in it, who does the music, and what its rating is.
But, I've been wanting to see it. Little did I know that it was a book first.
If you know the geek side of me, you know that I refuse to watch most movies before I've read the book they're based on. So when I realized that the movie was based on a book, I was torn.
I LOOOOOOVVVEEEE books. I love buying them. I love their smell. I love feeling the texture of the cover and of the pages. I love, love, love them.
But this time I wanted to see the movie!! Alas! I had to buy the book and read it first.
It turns out my drama was for nothing. The book was amazing and I blew through it. Amazing.
Next up? The movie!
Yay!
But, I've been wanting to see it. Little did I know that it was a book first.
If you know the geek side of me, you know that I refuse to watch most movies before I've read the book they're based on. So when I realized that the movie was based on a book, I was torn.
I LOOOOOOVVVEEEE books. I love buying them. I love their smell. I love feeling the texture of the cover and of the pages. I love, love, love them.
But this time I wanted to see the movie!! Alas! I had to buy the book and read it first.
It turns out my drama was for nothing. The book was amazing and I blew through it. Amazing.
Next up? The movie!
Yay!
Seriously Serious
So here I am on a rainy day. What better thing is there to do than sit in my PJs and catch up on Glee?
Actually, I've been doing chores and making this blog pretty too...
Anyways. I felt compelled to make a little post about some Glee content.
Season 2, Episode 15: Kurt and his dad are having "The TALK." You know, the sex talk? However, this one is a little different than the one we all fear or joke nervously about. Kurt is gay. His dad is not. And while his father completely loves and accepts his son, neither of them are excited to even broach the topic. What struck me about their 'talk' though, is how similar it ended up being to what I hope to tell my kids someday. It was poignant, honest, and really effective, I think.
Dad: "It's someone doing something to you, to your heart, to your self-esteem. Even though it feels like you're just having fun."
Kurt: "So.....you're saying I shouldn't have sex."
D: "I think for your thirtieth birthday, it is a great gift to yourself."
SILENCE
D: "Kurt. When you're ready, I want you to be able to...use it as a way to connect to another person. Don't throw yourself around like you don't matter. Because you matter, Kurt."
I still don't know how I feel about sex ed in schools. I had the opportunity to ask my parents anything I wanted, but I know that many kids either don't have that opportunity or just don't feel comfortable asking. I think those are the kids who end up 13 and pregnant or sexually abused and think that it's normal.
I hope all parents have some form of 'the talk' with their kids. I haven't been a teenager for a few years now, but I can still recall how strange a world it is to go from being young and carefree to something else entirely. It's important and some honesty is what takes it from being a lecture to being advice that sinks in.
Actually, I've been doing chores and making this blog pretty too...
Anyways. I felt compelled to make a little post about some Glee content.
Season 2, Episode 15: Kurt and his dad are having "The TALK." You know, the sex talk? However, this one is a little different than the one we all fear or joke nervously about. Kurt is gay. His dad is not. And while his father completely loves and accepts his son, neither of them are excited to even broach the topic. What struck me about their 'talk' though, is how similar it ended up being to what I hope to tell my kids someday. It was poignant, honest, and really effective, I think.
Dad: "It's someone doing something to you, to your heart, to your self-esteem. Even though it feels like you're just having fun."
Kurt: "So.....you're saying I shouldn't have sex."
D: "I think for your thirtieth birthday, it is a great gift to yourself."
SILENCE
D: "Kurt. When you're ready, I want you to be able to...use it as a way to connect to another person. Don't throw yourself around like you don't matter. Because you matter, Kurt."
I still don't know how I feel about sex ed in schools. I had the opportunity to ask my parents anything I wanted, but I know that many kids either don't have that opportunity or just don't feel comfortable asking. I think those are the kids who end up 13 and pregnant or sexually abused and think that it's normal.
I hope all parents have some form of 'the talk' with their kids. I haven't been a teenager for a few years now, but I can still recall how strange a world it is to go from being young and carefree to something else entirely. It's important and some honesty is what takes it from being a lecture to being advice that sinks in.
Introduction (Because they're mandatory, aren't they?)
Well hello to our friends and family! To anyone who doesn't fall in one of those two categories, please comment and introduce yourself to avoid falling into the 'CREEPY STALKER' category...
So, I will now formally introduce you to the creatures in the zoo along with our basic habitat and with whatever else pops up in my mind to tell you about!
We are the Head family comprised of two adult-aged humans, two dogs, and one pup:
Habitat - The Zoo is mostly contained in the little orange house in Bremerton, Washington. The little orange house weighs in at a whopping 840 square feet, mostly overtaken by mismatched furniture, overflowing recycling bins, and giant dustbunnies made of dog hair.
Donald aka Head Zookeeper - Donald is the head of the Head household, number one zookeeper in the little orange house. Donald is fiercely private but also ridiculously hilarious. This juxtaposition could cause problems with my blog, but we'll proceed anyways.
Andria aka Zoocleaner, Zoofeeder, and Zooshopper - That's me, in case you were wondering who your delightful narrator was. I'm a happy stay-at-home-for-now zootender. But don't worry, I get out of the zoo plenty. I started this blog so that I would have yet another medium to talk through. I love to talk and one mouth just isn't enough.
Zak aka Kelpie, Walrus, Lion - Zak is one half of the duo known as "ZakAndSara" and is a black and tan Kelpie (a type of Australian Cattle Dog). He is our most contented canine who loves to sunbathe like a walrus. Zak also has many lion-like roars which he employs mostly to complain or protest.
Sara aka Princess Peacock, Firefox, Gopher - Sara is obviously the other half of the duo known as "ZakAndSara". She is Zak's twin so she is also a black and tan Kelpie. Sara is the only baby girl in the family (besides me), and she plays the part well. Sara is always the center of attention even though she is the smallest of the pups. She also loves to curl up into a tiny ball with her tail over her face. Google "Firefox animal" if you don't have the foggiest idea of what I'm talking about. Sara is an absolute princess.
Barley aka Resident Idiot, Cowardly Lion, Three-Toed Sloth - Barley is the youngest critter in the house although he's our biggest pup. Weighing in at 70 pounds, Barley is a brainless ginger. He is afraid of everything, chases his tail relentlessly, and takes five minutes to get on and off of the couch. However, we love him to death. He is the most easy going pup in the world with big floppy ears who cries to be let back into the house when he escapes. Even though he lowers the collective IQ of the Head Zoo, we can't live with out him.
So now you have a basic Head Zoo roster. Hopefully I'll get around to posting pictures and whatnot soon. But for now, all three dogs are sleeping at once (this is about as rare as an eclipse) so I must take advantage of it and watch some Glee!
Love, Hugs, and Sloppy Kisses!
So, I will now formally introduce you to the creatures in the zoo along with our basic habitat and with whatever else pops up in my mind to tell you about!
We are the Head family comprised of two adult-aged humans, two dogs, and one pup:
Habitat - The Zoo is mostly contained in the little orange house in Bremerton, Washington. The little orange house weighs in at a whopping 840 square feet, mostly overtaken by mismatched furniture, overflowing recycling bins, and giant dustbunnies made of dog hair.
Donald aka Head Zookeeper - Donald is the head of the Head household, number one zookeeper in the little orange house. Donald is fiercely private but also ridiculously hilarious. This juxtaposition could cause problems with my blog, but we'll proceed anyways.
Andria aka Zoocleaner, Zoofeeder, and Zooshopper - That's me, in case you were wondering who your delightful narrator was. I'm a happy stay-at-home-for-now zootender. But don't worry, I get out of the zoo plenty. I started this blog so that I would have yet another medium to talk through. I love to talk and one mouth just isn't enough.
Zak aka Kelpie, Walrus, Lion - Zak is one half of the duo known as "ZakAndSara" and is a black and tan Kelpie (a type of Australian Cattle Dog). He is our most contented canine who loves to sunbathe like a walrus. Zak also has many lion-like roars which he employs mostly to complain or protest.
Sara aka Princess Peacock, Firefox, Gopher - Sara is obviously the other half of the duo known as "ZakAndSara". She is Zak's twin so she is also a black and tan Kelpie. Sara is the only baby girl in the family (besides me), and she plays the part well. Sara is always the center of attention even though she is the smallest of the pups. She also loves to curl up into a tiny ball with her tail over her face. Google "Firefox animal" if you don't have the foggiest idea of what I'm talking about. Sara is an absolute princess.
Barley aka Resident Idiot, Cowardly Lion, Three-Toed Sloth - Barley is the youngest critter in the house although he's our biggest pup. Weighing in at 70 pounds, Barley is a brainless ginger. He is afraid of everything, chases his tail relentlessly, and takes five minutes to get on and off of the couch. However, we love him to death. He is the most easy going pup in the world with big floppy ears who cries to be let back into the house when he escapes. Even though he lowers the collective IQ of the Head Zoo, we can't live with out him.
So now you have a basic Head Zoo roster. Hopefully I'll get around to posting pictures and whatnot soon. But for now, all three dogs are sleeping at once (this is about as rare as an eclipse) so I must take advantage of it and watch some Glee!
Love, Hugs, and Sloppy Kisses!
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