Not much detail for today's blog, just a few pictures.
Love: Simple things in life - and arts and craft shows!
Hope: I get some good studying in today..
Do: Hit the art show first!
Number: 5 - the number of days before my exam - Yikes!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Boxes are Fun!
Daddy got some books via mail - and Kiddo had fun with the box!
Not much detail for today's blog, just a few pictures.
Love: Simple things in life - and arts and craft shows!
Hope: I get some good studying in today..
Do: Hit the art show first!
Number: 5 - the number of days before my exam - Yikes!
Not much detail for today's blog, just a few pictures.
Love: Simple things in life - and arts and craft shows!
Hope: I get some good studying in today..
Do: Hit the art show first!
Number: 5 - the number of days before my exam - Yikes!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Groove... Hmm..
The neighbor girls think that our little ones are going to get married. Hmm.
Only a few mores of studying for this round, and I can't seem to find my groove! I should be really focused- - and instead, I'm really distraught. I haven't even made it through one pass of my notecards! Perhaps in the next week I'll become a sponge. I hope so!
Love: Easter
Hope: Kiddo at least becomes friends with the neighbor- of course, they are in a rental house so who knows how long they will stay!
Do: GO STUDY. Seriously!
Numbers: 3.5 miles - the distance of my new favorite running loop
Only a few mores of studying for this round, and I can't seem to find my groove! I should be really focused- - and instead, I'm really distraught. I haven't even made it through one pass of my notecards! Perhaps in the next week I'll become a sponge. I hope so!
Love: Easter
Hope: Kiddo at least becomes friends with the neighbor- of course, they are in a rental house so who knows how long they will stay!
Do: GO STUDY. Seriously!
Numbers: 3.5 miles - the distance of my new favorite running loop
Friday, April 22, 2011
A day...
It was nice to have the day off today. I got to spend the whole day with Kiddo!
We made Rice Krispie treats (Kiddo LOVES marshmallows and will cry when he doesn't get as many as he wants!), Jello Jiggler easter eggs, and I boiled eggs for what will hopefully be an egg-dying adventure tomorrow! Must get vinegar.
We walked around the mall, and met DH for lunch. I managed to get some study time in, and a few things picked up (although not nearly enough) as well as some laundry done after taking a weekend off from laundry.
All in all, not a bad day. The most memorable part, however, was a tantrum. Before dinner, kiddo was in a "mood." Mid-tantrum, he stopped crying, waved and said "Hi", and then went right back into it. Perhaps I shouldn't laugh - but it was very funny, indeed.
Love: Days I spend with Kiddo.
Hope: My life becomes more normal after my test
Do: More cleaning tomorrow!
Numbers: 2 weekends before the test...
We made Rice Krispie treats (Kiddo LOVES marshmallows and will cry when he doesn't get as many as he wants!), Jello Jiggler easter eggs, and I boiled eggs for what will hopefully be an egg-dying adventure tomorrow! Must get vinegar.
We walked around the mall, and met DH for lunch. I managed to get some study time in, and a few things picked up (although not nearly enough) as well as some laundry done after taking a weekend off from laundry.
All in all, not a bad day. The most memorable part, however, was a tantrum. Before dinner, kiddo was in a "mood." Mid-tantrum, he stopped crying, waved and said "Hi", and then went right back into it. Perhaps I shouldn't laugh - but it was very funny, indeed.
Love: Days I spend with Kiddo.
Hope: My life becomes more normal after my test
Do: More cleaning tomorrow!
Numbers: 2 weekends before the test...
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Awesome...
Awesome is the word that I think most aptly describes Mother Nature.
This Saturday, tornadoes moved through our area, and I had a huge smile on my face.
First, let me state that I mean no disrespect for those who have lost their homes, cars, or even loved ones in the recent storms. It can be a devastating loss.
However, I also believe that the storms bring about a certain level of humility. One person is not that powerful. To me, there is just something miraculous about nature and natural events.
Growing up in Kansas, I lived through my share of tornadoes. I remember our tornado drills in school, and the tornado sirens that "tested" every Monday at noon. I have very fond memories of time spent in tornado shelters at Girl Scout camp, singing songs to help the time pass. I remember, in particular, one storm that blew over while we had a campfire that we had used to cook dinner. After the storm passed, the fire was still going - and I got to stay up and help put it out.
So, please forgive me for smiling big as the storm passed by. It is not often, as an adult, I have had the (regularly occurring) opportunity to hear the words, "take cover" - since I have not lived in the Midwest for 16 years now. The opportunity to go stand outside and watch to see if you could see the storm. There is something about tornados, specifically, that reminds me not of destruction, but of life. I am, indeed, a very fortunate person. I have once again been humbled by Mother Nature - and if she is listening - Thank you.
In other news, I'm changing up my "steps" in my end-note. I've decided to make this something slightly more generic, but something that suits me similarly to the Love/Hope/Do. It will now be... are you ready for this?.... Numbers!
Love: Mother Nature providing me with a dose of humility in the recent tornado
Hope: Those who have suffered are able to recover - and to be thankful for what they did not lose in the storm.
Do: Start a new blog trend tonight!
Numbers: Kiddo's 18 month checkup - 30th percentile weight, 51st percentile height, 54th percentile head
This Saturday, tornadoes moved through our area, and I had a huge smile on my face.
First, let me state that I mean no disrespect for those who have lost their homes, cars, or even loved ones in the recent storms. It can be a devastating loss.
However, I also believe that the storms bring about a certain level of humility. One person is not that powerful. To me, there is just something miraculous about nature and natural events.
Growing up in Kansas, I lived through my share of tornadoes. I remember our tornado drills in school, and the tornado sirens that "tested" every Monday at noon. I have very fond memories of time spent in tornado shelters at Girl Scout camp, singing songs to help the time pass. I remember, in particular, one storm that blew over while we had a campfire that we had used to cook dinner. After the storm passed, the fire was still going - and I got to stay up and help put it out.
So, please forgive me for smiling big as the storm passed by. It is not often, as an adult, I have had the (regularly occurring) opportunity to hear the words, "take cover" - since I have not lived in the Midwest for 16 years now. The opportunity to go stand outside and watch to see if you could see the storm. There is something about tornados, specifically, that reminds me not of destruction, but of life. I am, indeed, a very fortunate person. I have once again been humbled by Mother Nature - and if she is listening - Thank you.
In other news, I'm changing up my "steps" in my end-note. I've decided to make this something slightly more generic, but something that suits me similarly to the Love/Hope/Do. It will now be... are you ready for this?.... Numbers!
Love: Mother Nature providing me with a dose of humility in the recent tornado
Hope: Those who have suffered are able to recover - and to be thankful for what they did not lose in the storm.
Do: Start a new blog trend tonight!
Numbers: Kiddo's 18 month checkup - 30th percentile weight, 51st percentile height, 54th percentile head
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Nose
Kiddo is starting to talk more consistently. When he wants to "engage" and play a game, he usually starts with pointing to his nose and saying, aptly, "nose." He knows plenty of other things too - and I'm very glad that he's starting to use words we understand relatively regularly!
Oh - and in case you don't have kids and/or didn't know - having a kid means more trips to the doctor.
And Kiddo is 18 months old - exactly - today - time flies!
My head is full of random thoughts - and yet, I should be studying. We're (finally) in the last stretch - and I did make it to a cafe for studying this morning, so I feel at least a bit better about that.
What else is news around our house? Not much. Dog is still on leash-only outdoors, and hasn't yet figured out that she must also pee/poo on leash!
DH made an awesome - and yet very simple - dinner this evening consisting of ribs, corn on the cobs, beans, and biscuits.
Love: DH's dinner and support today - watching kiddo while I studied, cleaning the kitchen, etc
Hope: The weather isn't quite as crazy tomorrow. Tornadoes in North Carolina? Who knew!
Do: Get my butt back to the books!
Steps: 12,377 - at least something is working for me today! That, and pair #2 of pre-baby pants are off the shelf and actually fit today! Of course - they were the 2nd pair I pulled down. The first pair are still too tight and wouldn't fit around my waist!
Oh - and in case you don't have kids and/or didn't know - having a kid means more trips to the doctor.
And Kiddo is 18 months old - exactly - today - time flies!
My head is full of random thoughts - and yet, I should be studying. We're (finally) in the last stretch - and I did make it to a cafe for studying this morning, so I feel at least a bit better about that.
What else is news around our house? Not much. Dog is still on leash-only outdoors, and hasn't yet figured out that she must also pee/poo on leash!
DH made an awesome - and yet very simple - dinner this evening consisting of ribs, corn on the cobs, beans, and biscuits.
Love: DH's dinner and support today - watching kiddo while I studied, cleaning the kitchen, etc
Hope: The weather isn't quite as crazy tomorrow. Tornadoes in North Carolina? Who knew!
Do: Get my butt back to the books!
Steps: 12,377 - at least something is working for me today! That, and pair #2 of pre-baby pants are off the shelf and actually fit today! Of course - they were the 2nd pair I pulled down. The first pair are still too tight and wouldn't fit around my waist!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tea
If the word "Tea" started with S, it might just have made the headline for my blog!
I love tea. Generally bagged tea, and my favorite tea makers are Mighty Leaf and Stash. I drink it black, green, and white. I drink Chai and herbal, jasmine and matte. The only "no thank you" type - in my book - is Chamomille. I'd rather have flowers, thank you!
One year, I had a daily tea-a-day calendar, and got a recipe or tea fact frequently! The only one I remember is that "Are you a MIFfy or a TIFfy?" (Milk in First is MIF, and Tea in First is TIF). It also told me how the Queen of England takes her tea- but I've forgotten that now.
Recently, I saw an elaborate post regarding Tea - and I thought I would share (repost) some of that information here!
Tea v. Tea v. High Tea v. Afternoon Tea
Tea (the meal): Some people in England, mostly in the North of the country it seems, refer to their evening meal as 'tea' and tend to eat it earlier than those of us who eat dinner (or supper or whatever you want to call it).
Tea (the drink): The topic of this post. And the most common use of the word - that is, if you aren't referring to the letter, "T".
High Tea: Here's where the confusion begins... When most non-British people think of high tea, they probably imagine a gathering of fancy victorian people drinking out of their best china tea cups eating dainty sandwiches. High tea is actually mostly the same as tea (the meal) listed above - a substantial early evening meal sometimes followed by a later lighter meal. The word high refers to the height of the table, distinguising it from low tea or afternoon tea (see below) which is often served in a sitting room at a lower table such as a coffee table.
Afternoon Tea: Afternoon Tea is generally held around 3- 4pm and includes the stereotypical finger sandwiches, scones and pastries served on those fancy tiered cake stands. Rumour has it that back in the day, (mid 1800s) the Duchess of Bedford started having a tray of tea with bread and butter served to her in the afternoon to stave of hunger until the tradtional dinner time of 8 or 9pm. The hungry Duchess then began to invite her other high-society friends to join her and soon, Afternoon Tea became the 'in-thing' for the upper-class women (and was served in a sitting room on a low table, like a coffee table, setting it apart from high tea.)
In modern times, Afternoon Tea is generally served at hotels, restaurants or tea rooms rather than in someone home and is really not as pretentious as it sounds. You don't have to dress in victorian garb, you don't have to fake a plummy accent, you don't have to hold your tea cup with your pinkie out, and you don't even need to drink tea (I drink coffee when I do afternoon tea).
Love: Tea!
Hope: I get to enjoy a fancy tea one day. The last one I remember was hosted by a friend in Austin - complete with the lemons in little "bag" things to catch the seeds!
Do: Enjoy the weather today - it is beautiful outside!
Steps: 2490 - will be a big night of stepping/walking to get to my 10,000 - if I make it!
I love tea. Generally bagged tea, and my favorite tea makers are Mighty Leaf and Stash. I drink it black, green, and white. I drink Chai and herbal, jasmine and matte. The only "no thank you" type - in my book - is Chamomille. I'd rather have flowers, thank you!
One year, I had a daily tea-a-day calendar, and got a recipe or tea fact frequently! The only one I remember is that "Are you a MIFfy or a TIFfy?" (Milk in First is MIF, and Tea in First is TIF). It also told me how the Queen of England takes her tea- but I've forgotten that now.
Recently, I saw an elaborate post regarding Tea - and I thought I would share (repost) some of that information here!
Tea v. Tea v. High Tea v. Afternoon Tea
Tea (the meal): Some people in England, mostly in the North of the country it seems, refer to their evening meal as 'tea' and tend to eat it earlier than those of us who eat dinner (or supper or whatever you want to call it).
Tea (the drink): The topic of this post. And the most common use of the word - that is, if you aren't referring to the letter, "T".
High Tea: Here's where the confusion begins... When most non-British people think of high tea, they probably imagine a gathering of fancy victorian people drinking out of their best china tea cups eating dainty sandwiches. High tea is actually mostly the same as tea (the meal) listed above - a substantial early evening meal sometimes followed by a later lighter meal. The word high refers to the height of the table, distinguising it from low tea or afternoon tea (see below) which is often served in a sitting room at a lower table such as a coffee table.
Afternoon Tea: Afternoon Tea is generally held around 3- 4pm and includes the stereotypical finger sandwiches, scones and pastries served on those fancy tiered cake stands. Rumour has it that back in the day, (mid 1800s) the Duchess of Bedford started having a tray of tea with bread and butter served to her in the afternoon to stave of hunger until the tradtional dinner time of 8 or 9pm. The hungry Duchess then began to invite her other high-society friends to join her and soon, Afternoon Tea became the 'in-thing' for the upper-class women (and was served in a sitting room on a low table, like a coffee table, setting it apart from high tea.)
In modern times, Afternoon Tea is generally served at hotels, restaurants or tea rooms rather than in someone home and is really not as pretentious as it sounds. You don't have to dress in victorian garb, you don't have to fake a plummy accent, you don't have to hold your tea cup with your pinkie out, and you don't even need to drink tea (I drink coffee when I do afternoon tea).
Love: Tea!
Hope: I get to enjoy a fancy tea one day. The last one I remember was hosted by a friend in Austin - complete with the lemons in little "bag" things to catch the seeds!
Do: Enjoy the weather today - it is beautiful outside!
Steps: 2490 - will be a big night of stepping/walking to get to my 10,000 - if I make it!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Dating
After what seems like a long hiatus, my camera and I are "dating" again. :)
Hopefully you will joy the first days of Spring in North Carolina!
Today's pictures feature a walk through Umstead (a local park), Kiddo "helping" plant a garden, and the "dejected" fence-jumper.
Love: Spring
Hope: My camera and I continue to visit on occasion..
Do: Get to meet a dear friend for dinner!
Steps: 8164.
...slight digression on steps...
After my totally awesome 10 mile run yesterday (in 2:03:22 officially - 3 minutes faster than the 10 mile race I ran in Austin in 2007) - which is really just another digression. Let me try again.
I had the most steps I'd ever gotten - somewhere between 25000 and 26000 yesterday. Around 5pm, I looked down, and literally started crying... 403. Somehow, during the day with all our running around (the store, the park, the run, laundry, etc) my pedometer reset accidentally. I'm still upset. I feel like if my pedometer doesn't show it, I didn't do it. I have no idea where I would have (or could have) ended the day - but the pedometer only shows 788 steps on a day I ran 10 miles. I'm very disappointed.
Hopefully you will joy the first days of Spring in North Carolina!
Today's pictures feature a walk through Umstead (a local park), Kiddo "helping" plant a garden, and the "dejected" fence-jumper.
Love: Spring
Hope: My camera and I continue to visit on occasion..
Do: Get to meet a dear friend for dinner!
Steps: 8164.
...slight digression on steps...
After my totally awesome 10 mile run yesterday (in 2:03:22 officially - 3 minutes faster than the 10 mile race I ran in Austin in 2007) - which is really just another digression. Let me try again.
I had the most steps I'd ever gotten - somewhere between 25000 and 26000 yesterday. Around 5pm, I looked down, and literally started crying... 403. Somehow, during the day with all our running around (the store, the park, the run, laundry, etc) my pedometer reset accidentally. I'm still upset. I feel like if my pedometer doesn't show it, I didn't do it. I have no idea where I would have (or could have) ended the day - but the pedometer only shows 788 steps on a day I ran 10 miles. I'm very disappointed.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Like Father, Like Son
This week, my boys have been getting "back to nature." When DH met me for lunch, he had an inchworm on his shoulder. Then at daycare today, we got this picture of Kiddo's new friend!
Love: My nature lovers!
Hope: Kiddo continues to enjoy exploring outdoors!
Do: Run (or maybe just walk) 10 miles tomorrow
Steps: 7604
Love: My nature lovers!
Hope: Kiddo continues to enjoy exploring outdoors!
Do: Run (or maybe just walk) 10 miles tomorrow
Steps: 7604
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Faces
If you build it, they will come - or so says a movie.
Today, I'm posting a smiley so perhaps my attitude will change a bit and I can be a bit more positive in the next few days.
For example, keeping up with my exercise and getting in my 10,000 steps a day. Losing weight at weight watchers tomorrow. Getting over my cough. Getting in a good night sleep. For all these things, I can use the positive vibes.
However, I am also reminded with this post about my love/hate relationship with my camera.
My last pictures were taken quite some time ago, and my camera has been sitting on the shelf. Kiddo is approach his 18 month milestone, however, so I may have to pull it out and do something creative with him just on principle.
In the meantime...
Love: Being healthy. Step by Step!
Steps: 9159 - there may be some "pacing" before bedtime!
Hope: My health improves
Do: Try not to stress about my upcoming exam (which I realized is now exactly a month away - YIKES!)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Weekend for the Weekend = Vacation?
Have you ever had one of those weekends where you feel like you need a "weekend" to your "weekend"?
I've decided that is what they call a "vacation" - and judging from the first day of the weekend, I am definitely ready for one of those!
However, it will be a while.
Between studying, work, exercise, and two sick boys - I am feeling a bit spent- and it's only Saturday!
There are times when I don't deal well with stress. My gut tells me that this isn't going to be my best month (and, judging from past pre-exam months, I think there is something to that!)
How is it I still can manage to blog? I guess for the ounce of stress relief I get by announcing to the world that I am stressed, somehow it's a bit of a relief. So maybe- blogging is like a weekend to the weekend. Hmm. I'll have to think on that. However, I might save that for vacation. Then again... I've got too much other stuff going on and I'll probably forget about it by then.
Hope: Everyone is having a FABULOUS weekend!
Do: Trudge through - maybe things will look up!
Steps: 10,687
Love: The extra hugs and snuggle time when my boys are sick.
I've decided that is what they call a "vacation" - and judging from the first day of the weekend, I am definitely ready for one of those!
However, it will be a while.
Between studying, work, exercise, and two sick boys - I am feeling a bit spent- and it's only Saturday!
There are times when I don't deal well with stress. My gut tells me that this isn't going to be my best month (and, judging from past pre-exam months, I think there is something to that!)
How is it I still can manage to blog? I guess for the ounce of stress relief I get by announcing to the world that I am stressed, somehow it's a bit of a relief. So maybe- blogging is like a weekend to the weekend. Hmm. I'll have to think on that. However, I might save that for vacation. Then again... I've got too much other stuff going on and I'll probably forget about it by then.
Hope: Everyone is having a FABULOUS weekend!
Do: Trudge through - maybe things will look up!
Steps: 10,687
Love: The extra hugs and snuggle time when my boys are sick.
Friday, April 1, 2011
April!
It's April Fools day, and I haven't come up with a good joke yet.
Perhaps the joke was on me - since we had to start the morning at the doctor for Pink Eye (kiddo, not me - thankfully).
Of course, when DH texts "stink eye is something you catch by eating too much garlic before breakfast" - I was just a tad more gullible than I should have been.
Anyhow - Hopefully nobody made a fool out of you today!
Love: Pranksters and funny guys
Hope: The weather is nice for the weekend!
Do: Get some more steps in..
Steps: 5373... but still counting!
Perhaps the joke was on me - since we had to start the morning at the doctor for Pink Eye (kiddo, not me - thankfully).
Of course, when DH texts "stink eye is something you catch by eating too much garlic before breakfast" - I was just a tad more gullible than I should have been.
Anyhow - Hopefully nobody made a fool out of you today!
Love: Pranksters and funny guys
Hope: The weather is nice for the weekend!
Do: Get some more steps in..
Steps: 5373... but still counting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)