So this is motherhood?

Weekly Menu

2011-06-21T00:51:00.003-05:00

So we're not much on a set menu. I mean, what if I have chicken planned and all the sudden get a craving for burgers? Or what if I miscalculate and some of my produce is on the verge of expiring?

I have found though, that it's fairly easy for me to plan 7 days worth of food and then choose one of those 7 each day... Makes grocery list making and shopping a LOT easier.

So for this week I planned:
Breakfast:
Weekdays-Cereal, fruit, & milk
Weekend- Sausage, eggs, biscuits, & gravy - & - Bacon, eggs, & toast
Lunches:
Chili Dogs twice, Sandwiches 3 times, & leftovers twice.
Dinners:
Chicken sandwiches & fries
Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper (I add corn & black beans)
Buttermilk chicken, veggies, & mashed potatoes
Tacos
Italian Chicken, veggies, stuffing, & mashed potatoes
Burgers & fries
Bean or Lentil soup with ham and carrots

I had all the necesary meats other than breakfast stuffs in the freezer from earlier this month... I have tons of veggies in the freezer ALWAYS, and I got 20lbs of potatoes last week when they were on sale for $1.99/10lbs. I would have gotten 30 or 40lbs but I only had 2 hands and no buggy that day LOL! I've learned to make great fries from scratch now... The secret is to fry them twice. I'm debating experimenting with frozen fries... Perhaps baking them first, freezing, and cooking from frozen like the store-bought ones... Soon.

Today's Grocery HAUL

2011-06-21T00:28:00.003-05:00

Okay, so maybe it's not THAT much, but for what I paid?

I shopped at Aldi, Murphy USA, and WalMart.

I got-
3lbs Bananas, 3 tomatoes, 4 peaches, 1lb strawberries, 1.5lbs grapes
16oz sour cream, sliced cheese, 1lb butter, 1 gal milk, 8oz shredded cheese, YoToddler 4pk
2 bags chips, 2boxes cornbread mix, bread, hot dog buns, self rising flour
bologna, bag of chicken patties (2 meals worth),
2 pkts of Peanut Butter & Co., mayo, mini marshmallows
5 x 32oz Powerade, energy shot, monster slim jim, & 2pks cigs (for Rickey... blech.)

Total spent- $30.75

My big sense of accomplishment though, comes from Wal-Mart, where I discovered a coupon money-maker all by myself! There is a Peanut Butter & Co coupon floating around the net for $1 off any. No size restrictions. My Wal-Mart carries single serve packets for $0.68 each. 2 prints of the coupon = $0.64 profit from Dark Chocolate Dreams LOL!

The Murphy trip was all about freebies too... Rickey needed cigs anyway, and I had gotten some Murphy coupons in the mail the other day... The Monster Slim Jim & the energy shot were both free.

All told I saved $11 in coupons today, and everything I bought was something we will actually use this week rather than taking up space with a stockpile.

Next time I'll try to get a picture before I put it all away...

UPDATE: The PB&Co coupon came from their Facebook page.

Ingredients

2011-05-20T11:15:00.002-05:00

I realized I should probably include a list of recipes and ingredients for my 2 day cooking spree...

I'm making:

Split Pea Soup
Beans
Mexican Beans
Refried Beans
Buttermilk Chicken
Italian Chicken
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes or with oatmeal
Half Wheat Biscuits
Taco Kits
Burritos
Breakfast Burritos (if I have time)

Shopping List:

If you haven't mad a ham lately, I recommend buying a small (4-5lb) bone-in picnic ham and cooking it a day or two before. Reserve the bone and about 1lb of ham. Or you can just buy a ham hock & ham steak...

1lb split peas
1qt chicken broth
celery
garlic
4lbs dried pinto beans
2 cups salsa
1qt Buttermilk
Dijon Mustard
16oz bottle Italian Dressing
Chocolate chips
Tortillas- I'm starting with 20 white & 20 wheat
6lbs Taco Seasoned Turkey (or plain ground turkey and taco seasoning)
Breakfast meat- I'm using ham sandwich meat because I forgot sausage LOL

Things I usually keep on hand:

Whole Wheat Flour
18 eggs
Milk
Oats
1lb real salted butter
olive oil
baby carrots
shortening
baking powder
onion
Sauce packets from Taco Bell- They ask if you want sauce and when you say yes they toss in a handful for 2 tacos. I always have leftovers LOL!

Freezer Cooking Part One

2011-05-19T23:16:00.003-05:00

Me style.

After my experiment with ground beef last fall I kinda let freezer cooking fall by the wayside. Here lately I have been reading a lot about it. Mostly on blogs from couponers. Which is another new hobby I've picked up, I'll have to go into detail on it later. For now, a tale of big batch cooking.

Today started with Split Pea Soup. I used leftover ham & the bone from the Orange Glazed Ham I made last Sunday. It was super easy by the way, 1/4 cup brown sugar in the bottom of the crock pot, 3/4 cup brown sugar mixed with 1/2 can concentrated orange juice and poured over the ham as glaze. Cook on low for about 4-5 hours.

Back to the Split Pea Soup. I used the recipe posted by Emily of One Lovely Life. Only difference was that I added 4oz of finely chopped baby carrots in with the onion & celery, and I used garlic powder as I forgot to get whole garlic... Turned out DIVINE! and because Rickey won't touch it, it made enough for Robyn and I to have for dinner twice. In fact we ate half for dinner tonight before putting the other half in the freezer.

I put 4 lbs of pintos to soak... You need a BIG pot for this... I ended up using my crock pot for half and a mixing bowl for the other half as my big pot was busy with pea soup...

While the soup was simmering and the beans were soaking I divided 5 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1 lb bags.
I divided a bottle of Italian dressing between 2 of the bags, squeezed the air out, & froze.
Then I mixed 2 cups of buttermilk, 1/2 cup of dijon mustard, and 1/2 tbsp each salt & pepper. I divided this mixture evenly between the remaining 3 bags, squeezed, sealed, & froze.

These aren't really MEALS per se, more just timesavers. The Italian chicken is fairly simple- Thaw 24 hours in advance, pour in pan, bake. The buttermilk chicken (which BTW came from My Little Bit of Life) is more versatile. Thaw 24 hours in advance of course, but then it's just marinated chicken. I plan to use 1 bag for chicken nuggets, 1 for buffalo bacon ranch chicken, and one for who knows what ;-D

After the chicken was in the freezer I had a bit of a break. From the kitchen at least. I had to feed the baby HIS lunch LOL.

When I decided the beans had soaked enough, I started the long haul. I drained and rinsed them, then measured out 2 bags of 4 cups each. I added 2 cups of water to each bag, then squeezed, sealed, and froze.

I set the remaining beans to cook with just a little salt.

When they were done enough I drained them, keeping 1.5 cups of the liquid back. I measured out 9 cups, put them in the crock pot on high along with 3/4 cup butter, and mashed them as best as I could by hand.

To the last of the beans I added 1 cup salsa, .5 tbsp cumin, 1tbsp onion powder, and .5 tbsp garlic powder. I mixed this up well and added back the 1.5 cups cooking liquid. I divided this mixture between 2 bags; it worked out to 2 cups per bag.

Back to the crockpot, I continued to stir occasionally as the beans and butter cooked for about an hour. Then I got out my mixer and gave them a whirl because I was impatient. I added some garlic salt, and .5 tbsp chili powder, and let them simmer for about another hour. I filled 2 bags of 2 cups each for freezing, and put the last of the beans in a bowl for making burritos tomorrow.

And now it's BEDTIME. I'm beat, and it's storming. I have a feeling I'm gonna sleep like a ROCK.

How to make 8 meals for a family of four from 5 lbs of ground beef

2010-10-04T00:13:00.003-05:00

A little trick I picked up from everydayMOM- I had to modify a bit to fit my family's taste, and the fact that my husband likes more meat than her kids do LOL

Divide your roll of ground beef into 5 individual pounds.

Cook 2 pounds with only light seasoning. Divide in 3 bags and freeze. Use for shepherd's pie, cheeseburger pie, and spaghetti.

Mix remaining 3 raw pounds with
1.5 cups milk,
1.5 cups shredded cheese,
3 eggs, and
1 sleeve of saltine crackers that's been put through the food processor.

Mix well; measure out 12 half cup portions and freeze for individual meatloaves. A muffin tin is great for this.

Divide remaining meat mixture into 8 portions, shape into burger patties, and freeze.

With the addition of a LARGE batch of mashed potatoes, 4 pounds of frozen veggies, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, fries, buns, lettuce, tomatoes, and the ingredients for Cheeseburger Pie you end up with-
Burgers twice,
Meatloaf 3 times,
Spaghetti,
Shepherd's pie, and
Cheeseburger pie.

Talk about stretching your food dollar!

I, Jessica, pledge...

2010-05-01T22:28:00.001-05:00

that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that my thriftiness brings!

This is gonna be FUN!

The Thrifty Garde Robe

2010-04-30T23:19:00.000-05:00

The Thrifty Garde Robe: Hello Yellow

See me blog? LOL. I swear I think I wrote more there than I ever have here...

I'm really coming back into sewing lately... but I want to be doing USEFUL sewing... I made lots of dresses for K a few months ago, and some handbags, but now? It's on. I'm sewing for ME. I've also taken a pledge at Wardrobe Refashion... Details tomorrow... More sewy news tomorrow. And maybe some actual thoughts and feelings. Whoah.

Wow... It's been a while hasn't it?

2010-02-24T21:23:00.002-06:00

Not much current news... I made my first YouTube video today ;P

Probably not that useful to most people, but for the audience I targeted, extremely helpful.

And of course, I'm very proud of it...

Food Diary

2009-05-03T13:07:00.003-05:00

Okay. So everyone keeps telling me how small Kahlan is. The doctor always asks how much she's eating. The lady at the WIC office has straight up accused me of not feeding her enough. So I'm gonna start writing down how much the bottomless pit otherwise known as my daughter eats.

Saturday-
8 oz formula
3 handfuls Cheerios
4 oz of watered down apple juice
1 handful of "Puffs" (baby snacks, similar to Cheerios but softer)
Half a banana
2/3 of a grilled cheese sandwich
8 oz of watered down tea
2 handfuls Cheerios
1 bowl Gerber Graduates Chicken & Carrot Ravioli
10 french fries
about 1/8 cup baked beans
About 1/2 an ounce of cooked hamburger patty
1 handful puffs

Sunday Morning & Lunch-
8 oz formula
3 handfuls cheerios
2/3 of a large banana
3 oz formula mixed with 3 oz of whole milk
1 biscuit with about 1 tsp of gravy
2 oz of whole milk

Kahlan has an announcement...

2009-02-19T09:48:00.002-06:00

Baby got her first tooth!

2009-02-07T19:31:00.001-06:00

Bottom right. :D

That is all.

I return now to dealing with the fussiness this event has created...

What Muffin am I?

2009-01-28T21:42:00.001-06:00

You Are a Blueberry Muffin

You are a nurturing, domestic, homey person.

Of all the types, you are the most likely to make your own muffins at home.

You don't like to rock the boat, and you're most content when you're making everyone else happy.

You are very loyal. You'll defend your family and friends, even if you secretly disapprove of what they're doing.

You tend to be a bit shy and withdrawn. You don't make friends quickly or easily.

But once you do make a good friend, the chances are high that you'll be friends for life.

What Kind of Muffin Are You?

LOL... Fairly accurate there...

Working with some older photos...

2009-01-26T01:03:00.004-06:00

2 pages, 12x12 each
used bits and pieces from several kits...

Red & Blue Papers, 3 Raffia wrapped frames, rick-rack, and ribbon from "Old Glory" freebie kit from Andrea at Here a Scrap There a Scrap

Star Overlay and 4th of July stamp from "Celebrating" freebie kit from Shabby Princess

Silver framed tag from the "Refresh" biggie freebie from Scrap Girls

Journaling bit from the "Father's Love" kit from Mandy Mystiques

Torn paper behind frames from enableem's portion of the the rakscraps.com Jan 09 Mega Kit

Frayed Fabric template from Gunhild's Friday Freebies

All Bundled Up

2009-01-20T00:22:00.001-06:00

Hat, mittens, and sock from "Winter Sets Freebie" available at hereascrapthereascrap.blogspot.com

I started out with just the RAKScraps Jan Mega Kit... but the little winter warmers just wouldn't take no for an answer and so ended up in my layout ;P

I played with the text for a LONNNNG time to get it to look just right...

Per the usual, 12x12"...

More Scrapbooking

2009-01-16T21:57:00.003-06:00

First, my 2nd 12x12 quick page for the rakscraps.com January mega pack.
Original is 12"x12", 300 dpi.

Then, a 4 pack of brag book sized pages...

Snow Day

2009-01-16T14:48:00.002-06:00

Original file size 12"x12", 300dpi.
Made with papers and elements from rakscraps.com January Mega Kit.

Digital Scrapbooking

2009-01-15T18:55:00.002-06:00

All the fun, none of the mess or cost.

Full size of original file: 3600x3600 pixels. Printable at 12"x12".

Re-Working the whole blog...

2009-01-14T16:43:00.001-06:00

And strongly considering moving it altogether... I dunno... I'm just not happy with Blogger's lack of support for their system...

Vote for me to win a Wii!

2008-11-17T15:48:00.001-06:00

Click this link here, and then click the little green checkmark beside my name.

A Prayer

2008-11-04T22:49:00.002-06:00

Dear God,
Please save me from the idiocy of many of my fellow Americans.

I am scared now. I do not trust, actually, am deathly afraid of the man who was just elected president.

Please let me wake up in the morning to the news that the projections were wrong.

Please.

Anti-Abortion Measures Can Hurt ALL Pregnant Women

2008-10-30T11:32:00.001-05:00

This video blew me away. I am not saying I support vanity abortions, but these laws would make it illegal to consider the mother's health first. How many children would be left motherless because the law made her sacrifice her life in favor of her unborn child? I love my daughter more than anything in the world, and I would gladly give my life for her, but to be prosecuted for ending a pregnancy that could cost my life and leave my daughter motherless? Insanity. I am SO glad I do not live in Colorado.

Socks

2008-10-20T11:21:00.001-05:00

I knitted a sock once before...

I started out with size 0 needles like the pattern suggested... only to discover I was getting 10 SPI instead of 8 like the pattern specified. As it was a basic sock formula more than an actual pattern, I just adjusted my stitch count. (first big mistake)

I spent about two weeks knitting on it before it went into hibernation when I had the baby. A couple of months after she was born, I pulled it back out and decided to finish it. I knitted for a week or so turning the heel... tried it on to make sure it fit... All was well. On to the leg.

Here is where the 2nd big mistake came in to play. I decided a plain sock just wouldn't look that good, and so I modified the Ferns and Waves lace pattern to fit the number of stitches I had to work with. Several weeks later I finally finished the sock.

With much excitement and great joy I bound off the sock, and wove in my ends. I pulled out the camera, and sat down in a sunny spot to photograph it on my foot.

I had to fight the damn thing to get it on my foot... and every time I flexed my foot, it rubbed most uncomfortably against my ankle.

*sigh*

So it hibernated for another couple of months next to the unused ball of yarn intended for the 2nd sock.

Finally I decided sock knitting was NOT going to beat me.

I put the first sock away. It remains as a reminder to me to follow directions and not take off on my own when trying a new technique.

The 2nd ball of yarn is up for sale or trade.

I acquired 2 new sock needles in larger sizes.

And I got a ball of self patterning sock yarn as a prize. So I am no longer tempted to try to complicate the pattern.

I turned the heel on the first sock of my 2nd attempt today... and so far it seems to be going VERY well. And the Draco colorway looks VERY nice too...

I am falling in love with sock knitting again. I am not defeated.

Updated Look-Alike Meter...

2008-10-12T11:57:00.000-05:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Pictures

2008-09-28T11:54:00.002-05:00

Good Morning!

Hard at Play

Look-Alike Meter

2008-07-16T13:08:00.001-05:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Dynasty - Roots

Thought for the day

2008-06-22T09:41:00.003-05:00

After my family being in town last week, and my lack of anything to blog about this week that just ended... I'm back.

With a thought received in an email from my grandma-

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

OPEC sells oil for $136.00 a barrel.

OPEC nations buy U.S. grain at $7.00 a bushel.

Solution: Sell grain for $136.00 a bushel.

Can't buy it? Tough! Eat your oil!

Ought to go well with a nice thick grilled filet of camel ass!!!

What will they think of next?

2008-05-28T12:27:00.002-05:00

Okay. So I've seen "bacon" bandages before. But this takes the cake. Er, Bacon.

A Bacon Tux. It even SMELLS like bacon. Click on the pic and it will take you to the website.

LMAO!!!

2008-05-23T07:49:00.001-05:00

Google Me!

2008-05-21T01:24:00.003-05:00

Inspired by some of the other lovely blogs I subscribe to, I decided to post a list of Google searches by which people have found my blog...

wrap sweater baby knit-
She didn't knit it... Although... If she could, I'd be rich.

funny quote motherhood-
Hmm... does "She pooped on me again" count?

home radiator spewing steam, how to fix-
Call the landlady and threaten legal action.

snape's new baby crying-
... umm... Do I want to know?

tampa pregnant my belly button 2008 blogspot.com
What are random mommy blogger related words, Alex.

one button baby sweater-
One of mine has several, the other has none. But whatever blows your skirt up.

my child is strange-
Isn't everyone's?

mick jagger-
I only mentioned him once... how many pages down the search did they have to go?

baby belly 13 week-
Is not very noticeable.

irregular heartbeat baby 37 weeks-
Mmm.... I'm sorry. Any sort of heart scare with a baby is doubly frightening.

funny quote about motherhood-
Another one? Okay. "She pooped on me again, and it got her changing pad, her clothes, the carpet, the bedroom door, and several pairs of shoes in my organizer."

And the winner?
how do you tell difference babies head or butt-
Honey, if you have this problem... see an optometrist I suppose.

She's just too cute when she's tickled pink...

2008-05-21T01:10:00.002-05:00

We were both tired in that 2nd pic, but I know some people have been wondering what my new glasses look like. There ya go. WAY different than my old ones...

Daddy is FUNNY

2008-05-18T15:15:00.001-05:00

AWWWW

2008-05-16T11:15:00.002-05:00

So we've been able to tease a few smiles out of Kahlan in the past couple of weeks... she smiled for my grandma, and she'll smile for me sometimes when I'm changing her diaper...

But today, I started tickling her foot when she was in her swing, and I got a GRIN and almost a giggle...

I tried to take a picture, but of course she wouldn't repeat it once the camera was out...

We had a scare alright...

2008-05-12T14:02:00.002-05:00

So yesterday afternoon, Rickey was in the bathroom. I was in the kitchen getting ready to give the baby a bath. The baby was on my bed swaddled up. Now, I know better than to put her right by the edge or she could roll off. What I didn't realize is that if her head is pointing towards the edge of the bed, even if she is in the middle of the bed, she can push herself off by kicking her legs around. So I hear a thump and a cry and I'm like, WTH? So I go see, and the baby has kicked her way out of the swaddling, off the bed, and is laying in the floor face down with most of her body on a pillow that was beside the bed. *insert PANIC moment*

I checked her over, and she was moving all her limbs and crying, but unhurt thankfully. I picked her up and soothed her for a bit and she started to calm down. I gave her a bath and she smiled and enjoyed herself. I fed her after her bath and she fell asleep smiling. Go figure. I guess it just scared her. I KNOW it scared me... but she's okay now. And boy did I learn a lesson...

heh... Thanks Uncle Sam

2008-05-09T11:18:00.002-05:00

We got our economic stimulus check a couple days ago... went out to lunch, went to Hastings, went grocery shopping... still had about $400 left. (We got the minimum of $600 because our tax liability was $0)

So Rickey got paid today. And when I got up, lo and behold, my daily balance check e-mail was here, and there's over $1000 there. *squeeeeeeeee*
Too bad it's all got to go to bills.... *sigh* At least all my bills will be paid at the beginning of the month now, and we can spare some money for blowing later in the month...

It really feels nice to have money and not have to worry about making the rent before the landlady tries to kick us out...

My, How Time Flies

2008-04-29T19:57:00.002-05:00

Kahlan is a month old today... and it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital...

She had a Dr appointment yesterday. She's 22 inches long and weighs 9lbs 12oz. That's almost a pound and a half more than her birth weight. She's now in the 75th percentile for weight, and 90th for height. So she may be chunky, but she's TALL.

This really makes me appreciate what my mother went through... Kahlan is the same size now as I was when I was born... and my mom is a small person.

Anyway, she's drinking 4.5-5 oz at a time now when I bottle feed her, and she seems to never get full if I breastfeed... she's drinking everything I'm producing, AND burning through my pumped supply. I have 2 spare bottles pumped out right now, and I have a feeling they will be gone by the end of this week if her little growth spurt doesn't stop...

Little Chunker

2008-04-23T12:45:00.002-05:00

erm, I mean... Kahlan is up a full pound from her birth weight.

We had a WIC appointment this morning and she weighs 9lbs 5oz, and is 21.5 inches long.

That works out to the 75th percentile for both weight and height, but only 25th percentile for weight/height combined... so she's tall and skinny basically... lucky girl, hopefully she will stay that way when she gets older... although then I might have to invest in a shotgun...

Let me tell you about WIC though... it is an amazing help. Since I'm breastfeeding I will be getting: (per month)
5.5 gallons of milk
3lbs of cheese
2 dozen eggs
36oz of cereal
7 bottles of juice (46oz bottles)
2lbs carrots
2lbs of dried beans
4 cans of tuna

and I will get a free electric double breast pump next month.

So we're going grocery shopping this afternoon... mmm....

yawn

2008-04-12T16:45:00.002-05:00

So. I'm learning new skills as a new mother.

How to get 8 hours of sleep 2 hours at a time.
How to sleep without your husband in the bed, because he can't sleep through the baby crying and so has moved into the living room.
How to do household chores one-handed while the other hand is holding the baby on your shoulder because she won't sleep anywhere else.

I'm loving it though... especially the morning feeding, when I get her out of the bassinet and feed her in bed, then we doze back off for a few hours... It's been cold here again, and so her little hands are like icicles when she wakes up... but when she sleeps right up next to me she stays warmer...

Kahlan Rose

2008-04-03T20:39:00.002-05:00

was born at 11:41 AM, Saturday, March 29, 2008.

8lbs 5oz, 20.75 inches long.

The oxytocin was started at 7:45... yeah. I delivered my first child, who weighed over 8 lbs, in less than 4 hours.

We came home Monday morning, and were just getting settled in... and then Tuesday morning we had to turn around and take her back to the hospital because she was lethargic and had (I thought) the runs. After many tests due to an irregular heartbeat that the ER doc discovered, we ended up spending 2 more nights in the hospital. We came home today with a very healthy baby. Turns out she was lethargic because she was dehydrated, and her low heart rate was just because she was THAT relaxed when she was asleep. And the dehydration was because I hadn't been feeding her often enough. I mistakenly thought that if she was hungry, she would wake up and eat. Nope. So now I have to wake her up and feed her every 3 hours... even if she doesn't want to wake up, I have to...

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,

2008-03-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Off to have my labor induced I go!!!!

Turns out my Dr is on call over this weekend, and since he will be at the hospital anyway, he is going to go ahead and induce me even though it's Saturday.

And to top off the good news, they actually came right after my last post and fixed the radiator in the bedroom. They also have an appointment to come next week and fix the other 2 that aren't an immediate danger. YAY!!!

Well, I will post pics and whatnot as soon as I get home... I'll see you all then.

Would you

2008-03-28T14:41:00.003-05:00

take your landlord to court if your radiator heaters in your apartment built in 1926 were spewing steam and they refused to fix them?

So much steam in fact, that THE WALLS ARE SWEATING.

I am going to be bringing a newborn baby home in the next few days... into a SAUNA, not an apartment... And those pipes could be lead for all we know. There could be lead in the steam coming out... It's really easy to keep a newborn from ingesting lead paint chips, but lead in the very air she's breathing?

Oooops.

2008-03-27T22:40:00.003-05:00

Realized I've been kinda quiet lately... my mom has been here waiting for Kahlan to make her appearance and I've not been spending much time on the computer. I'm still alive though... and STILL PREGNANT!!! *sigh*

Tuesday was my due date, and it's almost Friday and she still isn't here. I've been in the hospital twice thinking I was in labor, and both times it wasn't "active labor" yet so they sent me home. The second time I was having bad enough contractions that I was CRYING, but I wasn't dilating fast enough... so they sent me home and told me to take a Tylenol. And the contractions quit entirely for several days. Now, I just have random contractions, no dilation, and will probably be induced on Monday (or I hope they go ahead and do it Friday, but nurse said most likely Monday...)

Can you believe this?

2008-03-19T19:31:00.001-05:00

Obama's Pastor... of the church he has attended for 20 years. What on earth keeps him going to a church that would say this kind of stuff?

Later I will post Obama's response to this controversy and my thoughts on the matter.

Blast from the Past

2008-03-11T23:29:00.001-05:00

Just because I can...

Funny Quote of the Day

2008-03-06T12:42:00.000-06:00

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

~Charles M. Schulz

The things I still DESPERATELY need...

2008-03-06T00:45:00.005-06:00

~~Nursing bras. I CANNOT seem to find them big enough around here. I need wireless nursing bras, size 40DDD, about 3 of them.~~
Managed to find one that will do at a store in OKC. Will go back for a 2nd after baby is born when I see for sure if this one is the right size.
Nursing gowns. I have 2 on my Amazon wishlist that don't require sleeping in a bra. I also have 2 on my Wal-Mart list, but I would need a sleep bra to go under them.
~~Bassinet sheets. About 2 or 3 more.~~ Have a couple of these coming from grandma.
All the bath time stuff other than the baby tub. There's a kit on my Wal-Mart list that has it all...

Check my lists --->

I've updated them so they reflect what I still need along with what's listed above.

Please people... I wasn't able to go home for a baby shower, and I have less than 3 weeks left til my due date.

My child is STRANGE.

2008-03-04T21:18:00.001-06:00

She's in there, head down getting ready for d-day, with her rear up by my ribs. This is all good and normal.

However, she also has a leg sticking out on either side of my stomach. I can feel her feet.

Just an observation...

2008-02-29T12:25:00.003-06:00

I'm sitting here checking my e-mail when I look up and look out the window to see a kid going by in those wheelie tennis shoes. Except he's using none of his own energy to do this... he's "walking the dog". This mid-size, mutt of a dog is just running full steam, tounge hanging out, looking utterly tickled to be allowed to run outside, and the kid is being pulled along.

MUSH!

Couldn't help but laugh.

(And for some reason Firefox insists "tounge" is spelled wrong. How the hell do you spell it?)

60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

2008-02-13T02:23:00.002-06:00

Normally this is not my thing. But somehow, this one had some interesting questions.

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
oooh... umm... let's see: a carseat base (yeah, I'm getting prepared a litle early) several books that need to be returned to the library, a spare sweater, a bunch of junk mail, and an empty cardboard box. Can you tell I check my mail on the way to the car?

2. When was the last time you threw up
A couple of weeks ago. 3rd trimester morning sickness. Who knew?

3. What's your favorite curse word?
I plead the 5th...

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
*scratches head* today wasn't a smile day really. Although both Rickey and his uncle Dave made me laugh when I was on the phone with him and Dave was cracking jokes in the background. And I made myself smile a bit ago when I finished by spiral cable hat experiment. (More on that tomorrow.)

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Snoring I'm sure.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Furiously knitting the last few rows of the SCHE. (Again, more on that tomorrow. It's late.)

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Snoring I'm sure.

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Damnit!!! (The computer keeps lagging. Need to delete a good bit of stuff off of it. Or buy a new one. Right after I win the lottery.)

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Vanilla. With chopped up sweet pickles. I'm sure if you ask again in a few months I'll have a different answer.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
DrPepper. Yes, I'm a bad preggo.

12. What are you wearing right now?
black t-shirt and black stretch pants. I <3 comfy clothes more than ever lately.

13. What was the last thing you ate?
Macaroni and Cheese. Baby is happy.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
No, but I knitted myself a hat. *is proud*

15. When was the last time you ran?
Er, at some point before I got pregnant. All I can do now is waddle.

16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
I actually watched part of the super bowl this year. I think it snowed in Hell.

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
One of the other ladies in HSKS4.

19. Ever go camping?
Yeah, but it's been awhile.

20. Do you have a tan?
Currently you CAN tell the difference between my arm and a sheet of typing paper, so somehow- yes.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Only when it's in a cup with a lid.

25. What did your last IM say?
Geez. It's been months since I've been on messenger. Although I got a spam IM through Skype last time I was on...

26. Are you someone's best friend?
Aside from Baby? Dunno. Maybe...

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
I really need to clean house. But most likely I will sit and knit again. And maybe bake cookies.

28. Where is your mom right now?
Snoring I'm sure. (Okay, so she doesn't really snore... or at least not as bad as I do.)

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
My bed. Which is currently calling my name.

30. What color is your watch?
Er, the last one I had was silver with little alcohol charms hanging off the band. Haven't seen it in awhile though.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
Men with sexy accents.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Maybe a boob reduction after I have the baby.

33. What is your birthstone?
Diamond :)

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit thedrive thru?
Depends. Usually the drive through, but the awesomest burger place doesn't have one.

35.How many kids do you want?
2, MAYBE 3.

36. Do you have a dog?
nope

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Rickey Joe.

38. Have you met anyone famous?
*thinks hard* Can't remember. Baby ate my brain cells.

39. Any plans today?
Well, today is over now. I'm about to go to bed. Does that count as plans?

40. How many states have you lived in?
That I remember? 3. But actually 4 states and 1 foreign country (dad was in the Navy)

41. Ever go to college?
Well... for 1 semester. But I'm going back this fall if finances allow.

42. Where are you right now?
In front of my computer. Per the usual.

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Friggin SPAM!!! I DO NOT have a "pen!s", so why would I want pills to enlarge it? Honestly.

44. Last song listened to?
Raining on Sunday by Keith Urban (sexy Australian accent baby!!!)

46. Are you allergic to anything?
Something back home. I think it's the pine trees...

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Anything that doesn't require me to bend over to put them on. I have trouble standing back up.

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
All the women that have already had their little bundles of joy. Mine has her feet in my ribs right now.

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
Dunno... not that I know of.

51. What time is it?
too late. I just HAD to finish that damn hat. Now I'll be sorry in the morning.

52. Do any of your friends have children?
Real life friends or internet friends?

53. Do you eat healthy?
No, but the baby does. Twerp makes me crave lean beef, raw fruits and veggies, and MILK to excess.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
Waddle around for awhile, knit for a few hours, watch a bit of CSI, and spend entirely too much time on the computer.

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
I don't think I've ever truly hated someone. I've certainly been massively pissed off at certain people before, but never to the point of hatred.

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Yep. And it's usually "Damnit!!!" *get up and waddle to the phone* "Hello?" (person says hello) "why didn't you call my cell phone so I didn't have to get up?"

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
23

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
A few times...

60. How did you get one of your scars?
My mom dropped me on my head when I was a baby and I busted my chin open. The one right next to it is from busting my chin open on my toybox when I was about 3.

HAT ATTACK!!!

2008-02-10T23:08:00.000-06:00

So I joined this lovely endeavor... and finished a project in record time.

I'm rather proud of me or knitting a whole project without getting distracted and working on another one...

stacym's death goes out by first class mail first thing in the morning, looking all bright and cheerful.

Only in Oklahoma...

2008-02-04T08:09:00.001-06:00

Okay then... After that little bit of joy...

Rickey came home early because of snow Thursday. By Friday afternoon it was 60 degrees and sunny. He went back yesterday since he had come home early... and I would have been on here and up to my usual hijinks, except I slept all day. Don't ya love migraines?

Of course I woke up at 8 this morning feeling entirely better... except my sinus infection still isn't completely gone, and my head is still stuffy. This would not bother me too much except I am supposed to have a dentist appointment today. I'm wondering how I am going to breathe while he is filling teeth.

Anyway... off to get dressed and ready, only to come home with my face numb a few hours later...

Knitting Knews 12-31-08

2008-01-31T11:01:00.001-06:00

Today we will discuss UFO's.

And for those of you not hip with knitting lingo:
UFO=UnFinished Objects, not the ships the little green men ride in
Frog=Rip out
Frog Pond= The place unloved projects go when I decide to rip them out and recycle the yarn instead of finishing them.

I have several UFO's right now. 2 that I had termed "eternal" UFO's.

Eternal UFO #1, the HP house scarf.
Started around August 2004.
Approximately 50% finished.

Eternal UFO #2, the Poncho intended for Tiff's birthday 2005
Started around February 2005.
Finished(!!!) January 2008.
So it's only 3 years late. At least it was a surprise present.
Now I just need to get it mailed out. And pray it still fits.

As for my other UFO's, I have decided that unless I am actively working on them still (aka pinwheel blankie and baby sock) I will frog them and prep the yarn for re-use by the end of February. So the projects that hit the frog pond are: the beginnings of an afghan that was intended for an ex-boyfriend's mother, the sleeveless sweater with a BIG gauge problem, and the dratted headband that should NEVER have been started in fuzzy yarn. The rainbow scarf and the crocheted project bag, both of which were about half finished, are already gone.

Today's Weather

2008-01-31T10:12:00.000-06:00

It is currently 20 degrees with a snowing sideways chill of 2.

*sigh*

And I need to go get groceries. I am trying to decide if I should wait for it to clear up some, or go now in case it gets worse later.

Apparently, as bad as it looks out there, the roads aren't really that bad. I just saw somebody drive by doing at least 35, and they haven't even sanded Broadway yet.

I made an interesting discovery today.

2008-01-30T20:55:00.000-06:00

Now I have to wonder how Google sorts search results.

Go to Google. Search for "strange business" (without the quotes). Scroll to the bottom of the page, and check the result that is 3rd from the bottom.

WOOT!

Of course... it had to be the post that was probably the grossest I ever made that made it to the first page on a Google search result...

Although, if you use Google.co.uk, and search "view from my bedroom" you'll find one of my entries as the 5th result on the page. My world domination seems to be starting off stronger across the pond for some reason...

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better, aside from the foot in my ribs. Head is still a little stuffy, but not so much that I'm dizzy anymore. Rickey called from his buddy's cell, and when I tried to call him back, I discovered he wasn't in the same room as he was last time... and I don't want to call his boss this late... so I will have to wait until tomorrow to call him... he'll probably be pissed... but he COULD have mentioned his room number when he called earlier...

I'm making a good bit of progress on the pinwheel blankie... 2 11 round stripes left, then the border, and threading ribbon through the eyelet rounds I made to break up the monotony of that much stockinette stitch. When it's done it will be approximately 36 inches across, so not huge, but still... the final round will have about 550 stitches. I think the total number of stitches will amount to somewhere around 32000. It's a serious labor of love... and I will never ever make one of these on needles this small ever again. Unless I have another baby. Or someone pays me a LARGE amount of money.

Some cops...

2008-01-30T20:40:00.000-06:00

Should be a little more understanding. For a woman in her position, $123 is NOT a small amount. Honestly... *eye roll* A warning would have been sufficient.

TAMPA, Fla. - Gina Boyd's day already had soured when her 3-year-old daughter began vomiting in her Dodge Caravan. Then she got a traffic ticket. Boyd, 27, got a $123 citation from a Hillsborough County deputy on Monday after she made an improper U-turn to attend to her vomiting daughter.Boyd is a stay-at-home mother of three whose husband is in the Army. He is currently serving in Iraq. Boyd realizes she violated the law but wished the deputy had exercised discretion upon seeing why she had made the improper turn.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said Boyd committed an illegal U-turn and got a citation for it.

___

Information from: The Tampa Tribune, http://www.tampatrib.com

sick

2008-01-29T11:29:00.000-06:00

miserable...

I'll be back when I'm better k?

Have you ever seen

2008-01-23T22:31:00.000-06:00

a puppy dreaming? You know, how it's laying there and it's paw starts twitching and you can tell it's dreaming? I've seen cats do it too...

And I can feel Kahlan doing it.

Normally it's her hand twitching like that, right up next to one of my hips. Right now? A foot. In my ribs. Fluttering and twitching. It's cute really...

I swear, this kid is an endless source of amusement for me right now. And she proved my dentist wrong today. I get the feeling she likes proving people wrong. My kid for sure...

Anyway, I went to the dentist today. It was supposed to just be an exam and a few x-rays, get to know the new dentist type stuff... Until he saw my x-rays. He decided one of my teeth was so bad it needed to be fixed TODAY. And since he had it numb, he fixed the one in front of it too... Apparently the sealant that had been put on there when I was younger failed. Oops. *sigh*
So, as he was numbing me, she was DANCING. And I was laughing a bit. And as the anesthetic kicked in, she dozed off. No big deal, and I don't really think it was the medicine, she was just tired. She had been really active for over an hour, and she was just ready to take a nap.
And so he told me that as soon as he started drilling the noise would wake her up. Nope. Not the slightest twitch. But within an hour of leaving his office she was kicking harder than she ever has before.

Contrary child...

Once in a while...

2008-01-22T21:14:00.000-06:00

... I actually agree with something our government is doing.

Administration officials are focusing on rebates of $800 to $1,600 for individuals and couples and so-called bonus depreciation to allow companies to deduct 50 percent of business investments made this year. Democrats say the package also should include boosts in unemployment benefits, food stamp payments and the Medicaid health care program for the poor and disabled. Talks between Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, have focused on smaller tax rebates of perhaps $500 for individuals.

Like Bush, lawmakers would not discuss what a compromise plan would look like, stressing cooperation rather than potential differences over details.

"This is about one thing in this package: Is it a stimulus?" Pelosi said "So whatever it is that we are considering, it must meet that one criterion: Does it stimulate the economy? Does it put money into the hands of those who will spend it?"

(Link to full article)

Yes. Seriously. Give me a spare $500 and I could and probably would have it spent in less than a week. Maybe a day if I really tried.

I would pay some bills, go out and eat, buy some yarn, have some coffee, buy some clothes and little bits of cuteness for Kahlan... I would pump it all back into the economy in a hurry...

So send me my money Mr. Bush!!!

Emotional Train Wreck

2008-01-22T01:37:00.000-06:00

He's been gone less than 24 hours and I already miss him.

Damn.

I wish we could afford to turn the cell phones back on... we will be able to pay the bill in like 2 weeks, but I really wish there was someone we could borrow the money from until then or something...

I think not being able to even talk to him is making it worse. Of course, pregnancy hormones are no doubt contributing to the title of this post as well...

I'm tired, hungry, thirsty, sleepy, bored, but nothing I do helps. And thats when I realize I'm lonely.

Me, the anti-social one in the family. I actually really miss somebody for probably the first time ever.

I need to hurry and have this baby so I can be me again and not this blubbering emotional wreck.

TGIF

2008-01-18T12:32:00.000-06:00

I have a foot in my ribs. When I stand up, I don't feel it. But sit down for any reason? Oops. It's back. Now, I love my baby dearly, and usually it's fun when she kicks. But she's being a little BRAT today.

*sigh*

On the up side, Rickey just called from his buddy's cell phone. They are already through for the day, and will be heading home in about an hour or so. Then they have to pick up a trailer and drop it off at the office once they get back to town, and will probably be home around 3:30 or so. So I'll get the hug I've been dearly needing all week about 4 hours earlier than expected.

I swear, I never thought I'd miss him near as much as I do... and I'll only have him for 2 days before he has to go back to work. *sniffle*

I know that he's off working because it's a good job... and I know that if he was not working and was back here 24/7 I'd be wanting to throttle him. Damn pregnancy hormones.

I'm a bad knitter. I haven't worked on anything since Wednesday night, and even then I didn't finish but a few rows on the headband I'm making for the Monthly One-Skein KAL on Ravelry...
And I probably won't get any knitting done today either, as I have to straighten up the house before he gets home...

Which is why I need to quit blogging and blog reading and go clean...
At least cleaning generally involves standing up so I can convince Kahlan to remove her feet from my ribs.

I know this feeling...

2008-01-16T15:46:00.000-06:00

Quite well. It's not me though, my belly button hasn't popped yet.

Look! It's a belly.

2008-01-11T02:12:00.001-06:00

29.5 weeks

Oop... dat was faster than expected.

2008-01-09T00:44:00.001-06:00

So I just finished Fuzzy. Thank GOD. I was really getting tired of that yarn. Now I just have to decide what I want to do with the darn 2nd skein. *sigh*

Anyway, here it is:
All girly and fuzzy and SOFT... And I think I made the sleeves too short... but that may be a good thing/ may help keep her from eating the fuzz...

1 down...

2008-01-06T16:48:00.000-06:00

It's finished. I decided against the ribbon ties for now, until she gets here and I can judge with it on her.

All in all, (even though it's pretty much my own pattern now) I'd rate it a 4.5- Look-5, Ease of creation- 4 (because of sewing it all together)

After having worked on the fuzzy sweater which is knit in one piece and then divided for the armholes, I think if I make another wrap sweater I will do the same thing with it. Sewing the side seams was a pain. I <3 circular knitting.

Fuzzy

2008-01-06T16:35:00.000-06:00

Is nice. But a pain in the rear to knit with.

This is the Fuzzy Baby Sweater as of this morning. I'm moving pretty quickly with it... all I have left to do is the sleeves. The fur seems to be getting in the way though. It wasn't so bad on the flat pieces, but the circular sleeves are a bit tricky. Overall I'd rate the yarn a 3/5. Finished look- 4/5, Ease of use- 2/5. As for the pattern, it scores a perfect 5, for both look and ease of creation. I definitely want to make her a couple more of these in a different type of yarn.

Now... off to work on the sleeves again.

Baby sweaters. Yes. Plural.

2007-12-31T01:25:00.000-06:00

So I didn't get too much done over the Holidays. But what little I did get done on the wrap sweater looks important. :P
I've joined the shoulders, made a few rows progress on the 2nd sleeve, and most importantly, I'm about halfway done with the pink trim.

I also started on another... just because I couldn't resist doing SOMETHING with the lovely fuzzy yarn I picked up for $.99 a skein. This one is straight from the book One Skein Wonders.

It's another baby sweater, button up style. I believe the name of the pattern is One Skein Wonder Baby Cardigan... or something similar. *shrugs*

I'm a little iffy on the fuzzy yarn. While it feels lovely... it's awfully fuzzy, and I'm wondering about the wisdom of using it for a baby item. Hopefully she won't try to eat it.

Baby Wrap Sweater Progress Picture

2007-12-23T14:35:00.001-06:00

I'm proud of myself :P
It's looking like a sweater now...

What you see here is 1 finished sleeve, 1 unfinished sleeve, and a body that needs to be sewn together and have the pink edging added like is on the sleeves.

*is excited about being this close to finishing*

12 days of Christmas

2007-12-20T15:54:00.001-06:00

Redneck Style!

*waves to all the family back home*

Baby Wrap Sweater - Updated with sleeve and edging edits

2007-12-19T22:06:00.000-06:00

I started out making the Baby Yoda Sweater. By the time I finished the back, the entire pattern had changed in my brain and become a lovely frilly thing with ribbon ties and pink trim.
I'm just wanting to see what some more advanced knitters think of it... and if anybody has a baby girl to knit for I would be eternally grateful if someone would work it up and see how it turns out for them. I'm making it myself too, but as I wrote out the pattern as it appears here, of course it makes sense to me...

Supplies:
size 6 straight needles
size 9 straight needles
size 9 circular needles (optional)

Yarn:
1 skein Caron Simply Soft in MC (Chocolate)
1 skein Caron Simply Soft in CC (Baby Pink)
1 yard 1" wide ribbon to match CC yarn, cut in 2 peices of equal length.

Front Left
Using smaller needles, cast on 36. K Rows 1-4
Row 5 & all odd rows- K
Row 6 & all even rows- P
Row 32- P 34, turn
Row 33 and all remain odd rows- K
Row 34- P 32, turn
Continue decreasing 2 st each P row by means of short rows.
End with Row 56- P 10, turn.
Bind off 10 remain st on left needle knitwise and transfer 26 on right needle to stitch holder.

Front Right
Cast on 36. K Rows 1-4
Row 5 & all odd rows- K
Row 6 & all even rows- P
Row 33- K 34, turn.
Row 34 and all remain even rows- P
Row 35- K 32, turn
Continue decreasing 2 st each K row by means of short rows.
End with Row 56- P 10, turn.
Bind off 10 st and transfer remain 26 to stitch holder.

Back
Cast on 40. K rows 1-4
Odd rows 5-55 K
Even Rows6-56 P
After P row 56, turn.
Bind off 10 st, transfer 20 st to stitch holder, bind off 10 remain st.

Sleeves
Using larger needles cast on 40 in CC.
K 6 rows in 1x1 rib.
Row 7: *K2tog, repeat to end of row- 20 st remain.
Row 8: P
Switch to smaller needle and MC yarn for Row 9.
Row 9 (RS): increase one st at each edge.
Continuing in st st, increase one st at each edge every 4th row until there are 36 sts.
36 st will be on row 37.
Work straight to row 50.
Bind off.

Finishing
Sew shoulder seams.
Attach sleeves and sew up side seams and sleeve seams, leaving 1" gap in side seams even with corners where decreases begin on front panels.

Edging
Using larger needle (use circular needle if needed for flexibility) and CC, pick up 30 st on front left edge, Pick up 4 at the corner, move the 26 stitches from front left holder to needle.
Move the 20 stitches from back neck to needle.
Move the 26 st from front right holder to needle, Pick up 4 at the corner pick up 30 st from front right edge.
This leaves 140 st on needle.
P back to starting point.
K in front and back of each st.
K 6 rows in 1x1 rib.
Bind off loosely.

Attach ribbon by sewing on even with where decreases began on front panels.
Pull free end of right ribbon through gap on left side.
Layer left side over right and tie ribbons in back.

Spiders On Drugs

2007-12-11T15:41:00.001-06:00

LMAO.... I so thought this was real... until the THC spider built a hammock.

A view out my bedroom window...

2007-12-09T12:16:00.000-06:00

Of SNOW!

Okay, actually it's sleet and ice... And why I'M not driving today. Unlike this nutcase.

This lovely weather is supposed to continue tomorrow and early Tuesday as well.

Christmas Cards

2007-12-06T22:58:00.000-06:00

I decide this year I was going to make my Christmas cards. And I have been having a BLAST!
Wrapping paper, glitter, ribbon... oh my!
Seriously though... I got a pack of like 50 blank cards. I think I'm going to make them all up, and pack away the ones I don't use to be sold next year. Or maybe make the rest into Valentine's cards to be sold this year...

Anybody interested in purchasing hand-crafted greeting cards?

http://sberryfashions.etsy.com

My little shop of goodies will be open soon...

Fascinated...

2007-12-05T17:43:00.001-06:00

Moebius Transformations Revealed

Baby movements...

2007-12-05T13:28:00.000-06:00

A friend told me the other day,
"You know, she has hands too. It's not all kicks."
And that got me to thinking.
How do you really tell the difference?
When baby is about the size of a 1 lb bag of coffee beans, her little hands and feet are bound to feel pretty similar. I mean, I have noticed differences. Like sometimes it will be a sharp, sudden, thwack, like she elbowed me. But as little as she is... couldn't that be just a punch or kick too? But if that is a punch or kick, what's the strange fluttery feeling like having a fish in my belly? I've pretty much figured out the teacup sized pushing is probably her head or butt, depending on which way she's moving. I just wish I could see through there, like with x-ray vision or something, so I could see what the little twerp is really doing when she's keeping me awake.

A Milestone...

2007-12-03T11:20:00.000-06:00

Kahlan was kicking so hard last night I could see it. So I sat the remote on my stomach.
When Rickey asked why I was laughing I told him to come watch, and she kicked again.
Not hard enough to make it fall off, but hard enough to see it move noticeably.

I'm still laughing remembering it... She's just to much fun right now...
I push on my stomach, and she will push back, or roll over, or give me a good sharp kick.
None of the kicks hurt yet, mostly they just tickle.

So here it is, after more than 4 hours of work

2007-12-02T04:24:00.000-06:00

The official wedding video. Since nobody had a video camera, it's a slideshow of 32 of my favorite shots set to music.

*'So Small' copyright Carrie Underwood*
*I am using the music for a purely personal, non-commercial purpose*
*So don't sue me*
*besides... I'm broke anyway*

A small bit of good news...

2007-11-26T11:41:00.000-06:00

A friend gave us a ride to wal-mart last night and we got a new battery for Rickey's car. It's running better now than it did when he bought it last month... just from a new battery. *shrug*
And we got some spray wd-40. And let some sit in my key cylinder overnight... and my car starts now!!! I had tried wd-40 before and it didn't work... but using more of it and letting it sit seems to have done the trick.
And now, it's off to work I go...

The wedding pictures are starting to roll in...

2007-11-25T13:27:00.000-06:00

Well, Thanksgiving was a success- on to Christmas!

2007-11-24T22:47:00.000-06:00

I cooked Thanksgiving dinner all by myself. And it was a rather large Thanksgiving dinner. I think I'll be eating leftover sweet potatoes and turkey until Christmas.
It was my first time cooking a turkey. It was a BIG turkey. I read somewhere that you should allow 1 lb of turkey-weight per person. They don't sell 2 lb turkeys. So we ended up with a 14 lb turkey.
We had turkey twice on Thursday, then for dinner on Friday, as a snack on Saturday, and Sunday we will hopefully finish it off as turkey casserole. The dressing on the other hand, went rather quickly. Next year I think I'll have to make a double batch. Just so Rickey can have some too. Plus baby will be old enough to eat dressing by then too... and being my child... we better makea triple batch.

Anyway the full menu included
Turkey & Dressing
Gravy
Candied Sweet Potato Casserole
Corn
Green Bean Casserole
Fresh Baked Beer Bread

and for dessert, Pumpkin Dump Cake.

Seriously. I cooked enough food for about 6 people to eat comfortably... and there are only 2 of us.
*shrug*
Leftovers baby!!!
Haven't had to cook a thing since Thursday afternoon... and tomorrow will only require minor baking.
Anybody hit the Black Friday Sales?
I did... online. My lovely car ignition switch has been locked up since I'm guessing Wednesday night. I didn't go anywhere Thursday, and when I went out to leave for work Friday the key won't turn. Rickey's car battery has been dead since like Tuesday. We are in a serious pickle here...

But, on the bright side, I got my little brother's present half off on Toys R Us.com, and got 25% off my grandma's gift from a nifty little online boutique I've been watching and drooling over for years, Art of Adornment.

Anyway... I also got my tree up, before realizing my tree skirt was missing. So we took off walking to the dollar store last night, only to discover- IT WAS SNOWING.
So we bundled up and walked 2 blocks there and 2 back in the snow. Rickey was laughing at me because I was giggling like a kid on Christmas. I used to live in Dallas. I haven't seen proper snow in a long time. But the tree got finished late last night, and we ended up with over an inch of snow. *squees* Of course it was all melted this morning. *shrugs* but we're supposed to get more tomorrow night.

My Tree... little, but then we have a little apartment.

And as for the cars... still neither running... so we had to walk a mile and a quarter round trip to pay the electric bill... and then got some groceries on the way back too... carrying groceries 2 blocks in plastic bags is NOT fun.

I suppose that's enough complaining for now...

Off I go to continue my holiday shopping.

busy busy busy

2007-11-16T00:28:00.000-06:00

getting everything ready for the wedding... and dealing with a very active baby to be. I swear she's in there doing aerobics or something. It's the strangest feeling... I've heard it described as feeling like gas bubbles, but really, it doesn't quite. Because gas bubbles usually don't shove a foot off in your bladder. *sigh*
And that's definitely fun... sitting there at work, in the middle of a call, when all of the sudden you feel the baby roll and then you. have. to. pee. NOW.

But at the same time... it's a magical feeling... knowing that Kahlan is there, moving around... and that in just 19 more weeks she will be outside moving around. Knowing that I have created life. Rickey seems pissed off that she is my first priority now. It bothers him that I take more care with myself because of her than I do of him. But he can take care of himself... I have to take care of her. She really is my first priority.

Pregnancy is strange business...

2007-11-05T01:08:00.000-06:00

And yes, this may seem like TMI. If you're squeamish, well, sorry. *shrug*

It seems that I either have the runs, or I am constipated.
I'm either nauseous and cant stand the sight of food, or starving. Or sometimes, both.
Low blood pressure is almost as bad as high blood pressure. This was proved by the ER doctor putting me in a wheelchair and wheeling me to a room after checking mine and finding it 86 over sixty something...
Having to pee every hour on the hour is acceptable. Every 30 minutes is torture.

And I'm just almost halfway there.

And Rickey wonders why I get irritable and snappish.

On the up side, it is now 1am Monday morning. That means only 84 hours until I get to find out the answer to pregnancy's biggest mystery- Hotdog or Hamburger? I shall leave team yellow behind around 1pm Thursday... will post U/S pics when I get them...

Right then...

2007-10-24T22:01:00.001-05:00

Blogger was giving me problems with signing in to comment... and ended up making me re-sign up. So it made me create a blog. So I might as well use it. *shrugs*