Metacognitive Musings

First Haircut

2011-03-15T20:40:00.000-04:00

(As with most posts, I'm a little late. This event took place about a month ago, but I still wanted to document it.)

We were so appreciative that G's very talented great aunt was willing to give him his first haircut before his first birthday party - birthday post to come - give me another month :) . Both hair stylist and client did very well as evidenced in the pictures below.

New Year's Resolution

2011-02-03T07:28:00.000-05:00

34 days ago I made a New Year's resolution to make a crockpot dinner every Monday of 2011. I figured coming home after work to a hot, home made, ready-to-eat meal, was a good way to start the week. So far I'm 5 for 5 - thanks to the help of my mom and mom-in-law.

Statistically, February, is usually when those well-intended new year's resolutions go right out the window. So I thought a little public accountability might help me over the hump.

My plan for next Monday, Jane's Slow - Cooked Italian Chicken. It comes from my favorite crockpot recipe book, Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly by Phyllis Pellman Good, and sounds delicious. I'll post if it lives up to expectations.

On my wish list...

2011-01-17T04:44:00.000-05:00

A recent search of math-geek t-shirts led me to this find...

The thought of someone having a pair of fuzzy 20-sided dice hanging from their rearview mirror makes my morning.

I'm also a fan of this shirt...

O, Sleep

2010-10-21T04:47:00.000-04:00

I couldn't keep you at bay at 9pm last night.

Now, at 4:30am you have eluded me for the last hour.

But I know your evil games. I will fall back into a deep slumber in another few minutes only to be mercilessly dragged out of bed by my 5:15am alarm.

You're a fickle friend.

Moving from 2006 to 2009

2010-09-06T22:14:00.000-04:00

Today I said goodbye to a loyal friend,

my Motorola Razr. I've had it since the fall of 2006. I think this makes it 120 in phone years.

At one point in techie history, all the cool kids had one, but it has since fallen from grace, and now it just looks archaic.

But regardless of appearance, my Razr was steadfast and got the job done.

Until recently...now it can't hold a charge longer than a good 15 minute conversation. This tends to hamper communication...the sole purpose of its existence.

So I have ushered in a new friend,

the enV3.

May it have as good of life as its predecessor.

Who knew produce could be this much fun?

2010-09-02T21:55:00.000-04:00

June 2010 - Freshly shelled peas

My joy this summer - besides my baby boy - was our CSA (community supported agriculture) program. Check out the website here, if you are interested.

Fresh produce delivered to our door every Wednesday for 14 weeks - we were in organic veggie heaven! I experimented (mainly with olive olive and a roasting pan in hand) with kohlrabi, beets, and sweet potatoes to name a few, and we enjoyed the normal summer classics like zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, corn, white and red potatoes, etc - the list goes on and on.

There were a few pitfalls of the experience. 1) Sadly, vegetables do not wash themselves. There were several hours of work involved through out the summer cleaning, prepping, and cooking. 2) I was not creative enough to figure out how to make okra less slimy or find a dish that would inspire love for eggplant. (Please feel free to make suggestions if you have any.)

That said, however, I will join the CSA again next summer in a heartbeat. Every Wednesday I was like a kid in a candy store (except I was dealing with veggies) opening my cooler to see what loot I had acquired. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Ascending to the Top of Geekdom

2010-08-16T21:35:00.000-04:00

As I was tidying up a few things in the house preparing to end another day, I realized that more than anything I wanted to crawl into bed, snuggle under my covers, and read my National Geographic.

I mean, who wouldn't want to learn about the Bahamas' blue holes?

Ah. Bliss.

All I need now is NPR playing quietly in the background.

IT'S BACK!! Let the Saturday Circle Games commence!

2010-07-24T08:00:00.010-04:00

In lieu of my recent post this week and also inspired by my dear friend at Written Permission, I felt it was time to bring back Saturday's circle game. Grab your spouses, grab your friends, and let's play!

I'm keeping it light this week. I figure we gotta ease back into it.

Please tell us about your absolute favorite I-can't-live-without purchase.

The Art of Conversation

2010-07-21T10:19:00.000-04:00

I recently observed a conversation where one person sat and listened to another person babble for hours and hours...about himself and his two favorite hobbies. It was torturous to watch, and I am guessing, even more excruciating to listen. Truthfully, I am amazed that the person talking did not get bored of himself.

I know there are days where we aren't on our best "small talk" game. Babies, relationships, new houses, work, hobbies etc... - all of these things can disconnect us from the rest of the world and we can close in on ourselves (for better or worse) for a while. I understand. I have been guilty myself of dominating conversations at times.

However, as adults, I feel that it is important to know how to carry on a conversation. It's not enough to simply listen to what people have to say, but we must learn to ask questions of each other. I believe it's a way to show that we care. And, at the least, even if we don't care, it's the polite thing to do.

Nursing and thank yous

2010-07-05T18:12:00.001-04:00

I began reflecting about my own short journey with breastfeeding after reading a post by Grumbles and Grunts about nursing in public, and although I could say a lot about this sensitive topic (mainly that American society has some screwed up views when it comes to breastfeeding and sexuality), I realized that more than anything I wanted to take the time to thank the people in my life that have made these 4 1/2 months of nursing my son possible.

First, some background.
I went into this venture without many expectations and little knowledge about breastfeeding. I was going to give it a try and if it worked - great, if it didn't - fine.

Four and a half months later, I am still giving my son breast milk and my goal is to make it at least another month and a half.

Why do I have this goal? The health benefits, the milk is free, it relaxes me, I have not yet learned how to mix a bottle of formula, etc...

If I like it so much why don't I extend my goal, you ask? Well, I head back to work right around G's 6 month birthday, and I've decided on a no-guilt policy. If the babe and I can continue nursing, we will. If it doesn't work - fine, and I'll figure out the magic of mixing a bottle of formula.

Second, the thank yous.
I have come to the conclusion that my feelings of success with breastfeeding are due to two main factors.

First, the timing of my maternity leave was perfect. Had I gone back to work right away, I would have definitely figured out how to mix the bottle of formula. The logistics of pumping at work combined with the lack of sleep from nursing every 2-3 hours would have been too much for me to continue.

Second, the people around me have been wonderfully supportive, and I owe them a HUGE thank you.

My families on both sides have been fabulous. If there has been any discomfort with me nursing G while sitting in their midst, I have been blissfully ignorant. They have kept me company and always made me feel at ease, and when I have been brave enough to ask, my friends and co-workers have reacted in the same manner.

I owe three people a special thanks...my husband, mom, and mother-in-law. In the beginning, before I felt like I could leave my house because I was so overcome by all the baby equipment and logistics, these three made the idea of nursing palatable. Just when I would think I couldn't handle another feeding session out of sheer boredom, one of them would join me in the nursery and keep me company. They have logged hour after hour with me while nursing, and I am incredibly grateful.

And now, as I am cautiously testing the waters of nursing in public, the same three people have sat with me at least once keeping me company and giving me that extra sense of security.

Thank you for all your patience and support.

Work in progress

2010-06-26T09:39:00.000-04:00

This past weekend the fam packed up and headed south for a few days to G's Nana and Poppa's house.

It's a mini-miracle to get the three of us packed up with all the needed (and non-needed) essentials; how people with more than one child ever leave their house is a mystery to me. As I was carefully planning and folding G's clothes, I was simultaneously thinking of how many bottles we should pack.  The internal debate raged for 1/2 hour, but I finally settled on 1-3 bottles. I went downstairs to confer with my spouse.

"How many bottles should we take for this weekend?" I question. Without pausing he states, "4," which clearly told me he wasn't painstakingly thinking through the situation as I had hoped - we were only leaving for 2 days, and I am still nursing the wee one 90 percent of the time.

I give him a look as if he just suggested trading our first born son for the latest and greatest piece of lawn equipment. He picks up on my disapproval and tries again, "2?" Pause. "Hell, I dunno, 8?"

I call him out, "You didn't even think about the question. You're just trying to guess the right answer."

He starts to laugh because he knows he's caught. After a moment of I-can't-believe-he's-laughing-doesn't-he-realize-feeding-our-son-is-important!, I join in because 1) he's eating a Klondike bar and I'm afraid it's going to come out his nose he's laughing so hard, 2) of course he cares about our son eating - my thinking is ridiculous, and 3) it hits me that our exchange could be a vignette straight from Gary Chapman's Five Love Languages or John Gray's Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

Me? I want to discuss and consider all possible angles of the situation, finally coming to a decision that we both work toward.

Him? He wants to solve my dilemma...immediately.

And the truth - I did want to confer as a team, but, in my mind, there was a "right" answer.

"Well," I tell him, "the good news is we're trying to work together. You were sincere in wanting to answer correctly, and I sincerely wanted you to get the correct answer."

For the first time in 7 seven years, we got it. For that day, the communication improved drastically. We started the conversation again.

"Should we take 1, 2, or 3 bottles?" I ask.

"2," he responds confidently.

I practice my new skill again giving only options that are acceptable in my mind.  "Should we pack the bottle in his diaper bag or suitcase?"

"Diaper bag" he states decisively, and I nod in agreement.

Will we make the same communication mistakes again? Probably, but we sit on the couch content for a minute enjoying the moment of clarity before resuming our packing.

Sleep

2010-06-16T10:02:00.002-04:00

It's lacking in our house these days...again.

Things were going well for a while. For most of the month of May G-man was sleeping 8 hours a night - he would scream for an hour before going to bed, but the uninterrupted night sleep was well worth the screaming. I had mentally awarded us a parental gold star in the sleep arena.

Then I went back to work for two weeks, and selfishly I HAD to get sleep - this is hard with a baby screaming like a banshee in the background. I tried to pretend it was the sound of the ocean crashing against the beach - but this technique was unsuccessful. And well, we broke down. We started bad habits like diverting from our bedtime routine...and the ultimate habit that put the nail in our sleep coffin...a pacifier.

It seemed like a GREAT idea at first - it works magic with many, many children, right? With it G could fall asleep by himself without screaming and the first two nights with this new habit he slept for 8 hours again. Halleluiah! I still remember waking up the next morning. It was glorious! A smiley, well-rested baby and mommy make a great combination, and I put the mental gold star back on the board.

Then he started waking up once an evening, needing me to pop the paci back in his mouth. It seemed innocent enough. One time...not a big deal.

Two weeks later, however, I am getting up four times a night to find the missing paci. My child goes back to sleep in an instant, however, I am left wide awake.

I HATE to hear my child scream - who doesn't? - but as the parent I need to take control. There will be no paci tonight. And most likely, no sleep, but I am hoping that it will pay off in the long run - for all three of us.

I Guess I'm One of Those Women

2010-05-14T09:10:00.000-04:00

I hyphenated my name when I got married several years ago. The decision got an eyebrow raise from my HR director at work. "Oh, you're one of THOSE women," was his comment. "Yep, I guess I am," was my response.

Then yesterday my mother-in-law and I planned to run an errand and go out to eat - something I have not been able to do as frequently as I used to since the birth of Baby G. I was really looking forward to some time out of the house, and I believe that it is important for G-Man to get use to being out and about as well.

As it turns out our errand lasted much, much longer than anticipated because of a very kind, very talkative woman, and of course, by the time we were ready to go to lunch it was feeding time for the babe. I had to make a decision. Should we turn around and abort our lunch plans so I could nurse the little guy at home, or should I bite the bullet and feed him in public?

I decided to live up to the reputation that, apparently, in the eyes of my HR director, a hyphenated name affords. I feed the little guy in public...in a restaurant (gasp)!

I felt liberated. My mother-in-law and I had a very nice lunch, and so did Baby G. If people were offended by the fact that I fed my baby while managing to show LESS skin than seen plastered over all media outlets...well, I didn't care. I was just glad to have a break from my house.

World Fair Trade Day!

2010-05-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

May 8 is World Fair Trade Day - yep, there's a day for everything. So, I'd like to take a moment and shamelessly push my favorite fair trade store. Ten Thousand Villages not only practices fair trade but offers fabulous products. My personal favorite is the jewelry. Haven't picked out a mother's day present yet? I'd suggest taking a look.

Dear flowers

2010-05-05T08:13:00.001-04:00

Dear flowers,

Do I need to remind you all that we live in the Midwest? I know the weather has been absolutely BEAUTIFUL, but, again - we live in the Midwest. There are probably at least 1/2 dozen mornings ahead of us where the temperature will be below 32 degrees, and we know you all despise this. So although you are absolutely fabulous to look at, I am begging you to stop blooming for about 2-3 more weeks so you don't meet an early demise.

Thanks!
Management

Baby G is Two Months!

2010-04-28T09:55:00.003-04:00

Some pics

G loves the swing he borrowed from his friend, KA!

Enjoying a spring day with daddy

Getting some exercise on his exercise mat.

Here he is checking out the new shades. They didn't last long.

Take a look at his Daddy's jersey, circa 1980s.

The smiles quickly turned to screams when he realized lunch was 30 seconds late.

Some skills Baby G has been working on during the past month

1) Vocalization in the form of both cooing and screaming. T and I prefer the first to the second.

2) Smiling. I love this. I swear it's not just gas. Starting about three weeks ago he really smiles back when you smile at him.

3) Focusing his eyes on an object like a face, rattle, etc... It is especially great when he combines #3 with #2.

4) Controlling his head for brief periods of time.

Some points from Baby G's two month appointment

1) He's 12lb 10oz, 23.5 inches long.

2) He's 75th percentile in both height and weight, and his head is in the 30th percentile. Huh? Interestingly, his head started out in the 90th percentile when he was born. Again...huh?

3) The blocked tear duct in his left eye is still an issue. We're hoping it will work itself out soon.

4) He took his two month shots like a champ.

Lessons I've learned from my short time of being a parent

1) Stay humble and alert when changing diapers. Everytime I get a little too cocky about my diaper changing skills, Baby G pees on me.

2) Our daily rountine and life is not about T and me any more, but it can't be ALL about Baby G either. There has to be balance. Note: I'm still working on finding the balance.

3) I feel most empowered when I view parenting as a problem solving task that demands creativity and flexibility.

4) Burp cloths and bibs are no longer optional.

5) I've learned to expect change when we feel that we are getting into a routine or rthym.

I'll say it...

2010-04-14T12:16:00.000-04:00

I was disappointed with Glee.

I really, really, really wanted to like it, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

Perhaps next week will be better.

Diapers.com

2010-04-12T20:22:00.000-04:00

I'm in love with this website.

It captured my heart when Baby G was a wee one and one night we found our diaper supply seriously depleted. G was new enough that trips out of the house were a BIG deal. So, I used the $10 off coupon from Parenting Magazine and almost cried with relief when the diapers arrived on my porch less than 48 hours later.

Six weeks later, a trip to Babies R Us by myself with the little guy to get a 200-something count box of diapers still does not sound appealing, so I continue to utilize the website.

My favorite part - free shipping if you spend $50. This minimum is NOT hard to meet for anyone with a child in diapers. My second favorite part - they have one of my favorite brands, Aden and Anais. The burpy bibs are wonderful and Baby G lived in the muslin swaddles for the few weeks of his life. The swaddling days are over, but we still use these blankets everyday. I highly recommend.

Tricks of the Trade

2010-03-31T22:03:00.000-04:00

For years I have been watching my mother in awe as she cuts fruit with a pairing knife and no cutting board. Rather than using the cutting board she sticks out her thumb to stop the blade. It always looks dangerous but after using all four of my cutting boards in one day, I decided to give it a go. (Apparently cleaning one was just not an option for me.)
So, for the last three mornings I have been cutting my strawberries sans board - putting my thumb in the line of fire. It's been a slow process, but I'm determined to learn this trick. I have decided, though, that as soon as I slice my thumb, it's over - I'll be back to my cutting boards.

Baby Bean is One Month

2010-03-23T11:53:00.002-04:00

First the pictures...

G's favorite way to pass the day

There is no doubt...G loves his daddy and his daddy loves him

I love this picture. I tried to use it for his birth announcement but no matter how I cropped it, it looked weird. It was unfortunate.

Lastly, we have been teaching G how to attract the lady babies with a wink and a smile.

Some things I've learned from the first weeks of motherhood...

1) Finger nails are dangerous. His are sharp, mine are too long and it has been detrimental to us both.

2) One can NEVER have enough changing pad covers, especially when learning how to change diapers.

3) Going out in the afternoon takes a whole morning of strategic planning. I've yet to leave my house in the morning, so I am still trying to figure out what must happen if I want to get myself and baby out the door before 11am. Start getting ready at 3am?

4) My days are not busy or productive, and, for the moment, I am OK with that fact.

5) The nurses at our pediatrician's office are saints.

6) T and I are funny people (at least to each other) when sleep deprived.

7) I will drop everything to see my son making cute or funny faces.

Read Across America Day

2010-03-03T12:54:00.000-05:00

I'm a day late. Read Across America Day was yesterday, March 2; however, I thought this list of teachers' top 100 books from NEA (National Education Association) was still worth posting. Click here to view the complete list.

Yes, I know these are children's books, but some of my all time favorites are listed here. For instance, I LOVE The Giver by Lois Lowry.

Did any of your favorites make the list?

Please don't go Bob Costas

2010-02-28T10:25:00.000-05:00

I heard the dreaded news around 3am when I awoke to Baby Bean lying on my chest snoring lightly. Bob Costas was on the TV telling me that the closing ceremonies for the Olympics happen TONIGHT.

AGH!!!! What, oh what, will I watch on TV from 1-5 in the morning during my turn on "baby duty"?

This is a serious question. I would be happy to take your suggestions.

Did you watch curling?

2010-02-17T06:29:00.000-05:00

If you didn't catch it yesterday, I strongly suggest you try to get a glimpse before the Olympics is over.

The sport is fascinating. First of all, who wants to sweep for fun and sport? Second, it kinda of reminds me of billards on ice with bigger equipment.

When is it time to say goodbye?

2010-02-12T04:08:00.000-05:00

My relationship with my hair stylist began about 6 years ago. She's good, her salon is close to my house, and I will forever thank her for talking me into short hair. It was a big step for me, and for about 5 years I have enjoyed many variations of my short bob.

But here's the problem: I'm growing tired of it. I want something new. But alas, beloved hair stylist apparently wants nothing to do with putting me in shoulder/mid-length hair. Despite expressing my desire that I would like to grow my hair out, our session ended yesterday with her taking a razor to the back of my neck and telling me that I'm a "short-hair gal". Perhaps I am. But I'm itching for a change, and after 9 months of almost getting through the ugly transition period only to have her chop the whole thing off (this has happened at least twice), I'm beginning to doubt that I will ever get my shoulder length hair back.

So my dilemma: Do I throw caution to the wind, say a pleasant goodbye, and find someone else who may or may not be as good? Or do I put my faith in my trusty hairstylist to know what looks best for my face and hair type and possibly live with the short bob for another 10 years? Comments?

Getting my Cook On

2010-02-10T06:38:00.000-05:00

I only get excited about cooking when life feels stress free. Otherwise, it's a drag. When there is a mile long to-do list, planning, shopping, chopping, cleaning up, etc...feels like an enormous chore. But yesterday, after a somewhat unexpected snow day and time to relax, I was ready to cook.

The menu: Pear and Spinach salad, Mini Meatball Soup, and roasted brussels sprouts (thanks, Two Pretzels, for recently pointing out the correct spelling). Yum, I can't wait for lunch so I can help myself to leftovers.

It was the first time I had ever cooked brussels sprouts. The verdict: I liked them roasted, drizzled with a little bit of olive oil, and sprinkled with salt. But here's the kicker - I didn't have to clean them. A woman from work gave me homegrown brussels sprout already washed and trimmed. I feel like I can't really judge these mini-cabbages until I experience the whole process, so I'm currently withholding my final thoughts. If you have some hints on the cleaning process of these little green gems, please share.

If it were up to me...

2010-02-10T06:07:00.000-05:00

my child would be born today. As a fan of numbers, I think 2/10/2010 would be a cool birthday. But alas, I think the little bugger is quite comfortable and has no plans for moving from under my ribs anytime soon.

The Prego Report

2010-02-06T08:40:00.000-05:00

It was another 3-appointment week.

The word from our nurse practitioner, OB/GYN, and perinatalogist...he's a plump baby (Thursday he was estimated to be 7lb 8oz, Friday's estimation was 8lb 3oz-obviously it's not an exact science) who seems quite content to hang out in his little cocoon.

The calls from the medical experts that he might make an early appearance (based on some contractions I had) have faded. Now we are having conversations that go something like this: "Everything looks fine - he'll let you know when he's ready - we won't start thinking about induction until a week after his due date."

So, am I nervous about labor and delivery? Yep, especially if the predictions of his size hold true. However, here is some advice from some wise women (or at least my interpretation of their advice) that has helped keep me in the right frame of mind.

Many, many women across many continents and many generations have gone through this process. My own mother gave birth in an underprivileged nation 3 1/2 decades ago. My grandma gave birth to six children ranging from 8 1/2 - 10 1/2 pounds over a 22 year period. They both survived, and I will too.
There are so many things one can worry about while pregnant, so why worry until you have to? I'm trying to take this approach with labor and delivery.
Everyone has their own ways of coping, so be free to utilize whatever is needed to get through the process. Screaming, silence, hanging on to my husband's hand for dear life? All fine.

So, to our plump little baby, take your time. We're excited to meet you, but in reality, there's no rush. In fact, if you would like pictures on your walls to look at or perhaps some curtains on your nursery window, one more week before you make your grand entrance in this world would be fabulous.

They Got Me

2010-02-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

T and I recently dined with my brother and his family at Red Robin. This meal occurred a few weeks after our doctor suggested I become more conscious of my diet in the hopes of keeping Baby Bean's weight down. I should have ordered a salad, but they just didn't seem interesting that night. Instead, I ordered the Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Wrap. I thought the Spinach tortilla sounded healthier than a bun and when isn't chicken good for you if it's grilled?

I was horrified tonight to read an article on Yahoo! that listed this sandwich as one of the 10 unhealthiest around. As quoted from the article, "Chicken sandwiches have an undeserved healthy reputation—that's because, while they're built with the leanest meat, they're often stuffed and flavored with enough high-calorie sauces and fillings to sink a ship." Full article here.

Um, yep, I was definitely fooled. As it turns out, eating this sandwich had about as many fat grams as a Big Mac. Guess I still have a few things to learn about nutrition.

Calling All Cooks

2010-02-04T17:59:00.000-05:00

I need some help. Recently I made some OK-tasting enchiladas. I think they have the possibility of being great, but they are lacking some flavor. The meat filling called for garlic, onion, cummin, chilli powder, and a little bit of all-spice. But it was still a little bland. What would you add to the mix?

I was nominated...

2010-02-04T17:44:00.000-05:00

YAY!! Thanks to Two Pretzels for the nomination! You are fantastic, funny, and insightful, as is your blog. Here we go...it's like a big circle game and I LOVE it!

The Rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated me for this award: Again, thank you, Two Pretzels.
2. Copy the award & place it on my blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4. Share 7 interesting things about myself. (See below).
5. Nominate 7 bloggers. (See below).

My 7 things:
1. I have an extra bone/knob in the inside of my ankle. Thanks, Dad!
2. I would, at some point in my life, like to become scuba certified. Fishes, watch out!
3. Lucerne, Switzerland and Brugge, Belgium are two of my favorite cities outside the United States.
4. I will NEVER cook without a recipe, and really admire the people who can just "throw" things together.
5. Currently my husband and I are watching Twin Peaks - from the early 1990s. It weirds me out and yet fascinates me at the same time.
6. I HATE flying with a passion, although I will do it when necessary.
7. I love assembling pieces of furniture.

Nominations: Almost all of the blogs listed below have been nominated already, but I wanted them to know that I love their blogs and love hearing their updates. In alphabetical order...
1. Aimless Oasis
2. Chewlies
3. Musings on Motherhood
4. Snappy Tulip
5. Trophy Life
6. Two Pretzels
7. Written Permission

As a breakfast food fan...

2010-01-24T07:50:00.000-05:00

I have found a new love: The Bagel BELT from Tim Horton's. They describe it as a scrumptious layering of bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, and processed cheese (by far my favorite part of the description) on a delicious bagel of your fancy. I have honestly talked myself into thinking this thing is healthy - I mean, look at the veggies involved, you don't get that at McD's - and I can't be convinced otherwise.

I AM SO SMART, S-M-R-T

2010-01-18T16:39:00.001-05:00

I think this is a Homer Simpson quote, but really, it reminds me of my cousins, Megan and B-Rent.

And because I was giddy with glee, it's what I repeated to myself today after I finished my four hour graduation exam for my master's. I have a few loose ends to tie up, but essential in my mind, I'm done. Pressure's off. I have to tell you, despite this extra large baby I am carrying around, I feel 20 pounds lighter this afternoon than I did this morning. It's a fabulous feeling.

I really did enjoy my experience as a grad student. I have absolutely no regrets about the path I took to get this degree; however, I am definitely ready for a break from reading research articles and writing papers.

The Prego Report

2010-01-16T08:42:00.002-05:00

I've been to the doctor's office three times this week; here's a little synopsis of the three appointments.

Monday was the LONGEST appointment I have had. Little Bean was hyper and wanted to move during the non-stress test. This is both good and bad. Good because the doctor wants to see him move - bad because the monitor lost his heartbeat everytime he shifted. So I sat reclined in the chair for 1 1/2 hours. Not surprisingly, since breathing in a reclined chair is not an easy feat these days, my blood pressure was through the roof at the end of this visit.

Thursday, fortunately, was the quickest non-stress test we've had. Little Bean was still moving around, but the technology was cooperating this time. Halleluia! Doc said things looked great.

Friday we went to see the specialist that is in charge of monitoring my extra thick, sticky blood. During the ultrasound we got to see Bean's little face complete with a large bottom lip that I am convinced he inherited from his father and some little cheeks that I can't wait to kiss. At almost 35 weeks he's measuring 6lb 14oz. Here's where the mixed emotions come into play. My first thought: thank goodness he's growing despite the abnormalities in my blood. My second thought: I would REALLY prefer NOT to deliver a 9lb baby. The specialist is also a little concerned about his size. He told me to lay off concentrated sugars like candy, juice, and white grains. So, of course, what do I now crave? Orange juice, rice, sugary cereal, and one of my absolute favorites, frostys. I will have to dig really, really deep for some will power over the next few weeks.

Intel Advertising

2010-01-06T19:03:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed Intel's new marketing campaign? Click here and here for two examples. I applaud their efforts in trying to redefine the sciences as the face of "cool".

My only complaint? The lack of diversity in their science "rock stars". All of the advertisements I have seen have depicted white males as the scientists/inventors.

Intel, I give you two thumbs up in your efforts to make math and science more glamorous to the public. Two thumbs down, however, for not challenging (and perhaps promoting) the stereotypical image of scientist/inventor.

A Gift

2010-01-04T06:52:00.000-05:00

My first delay of the year!

I was secretly hoping for it last night, but I quickly learned earlier in my teaching career that you NEVER make a prediction of delay or closure the night before or it's sure not to materialize.

So when T's phone buzzed at 5:15 with the news of a delay, I was overjoyed. Two more hours of break!

So what did I do with my extra 2 hours? Did I get some extra sleep? Did I grade the papers that didn't get finished over the past two weeks? Or perhaps work on my grad school action research paper? Or fold the laundry that I left in the dryer over night? Or get into school early, so I can check out my new room still covered in boxes?

Nope...here I sit on my couch, mesmerized by all the other school delays, reading blogs, and drinking coffee. It's a perfect morning, and I'm going to enjoy my last few hours of calm before I go back to trying to convince high schoolers that math REALLY IS important to them and their future.

The Prego Report

2009-12-31T14:18:00.000-05:00

I have already decided that I do NOT like NSTs (non-stress tests). I understand they give important information about the baby to the doctor, and for that, I am grateful. But I still don't like 'em.

There is one main reason for my lack of enthusiasm - the chair I have to sit in. It is not comfortable. It looks inviting - if I were not preggers, it probably would be the perfect chair. But it sits low enough to the ground that I can not gracefully lower myself into it - instead I have to do more of a backward flop and hope I align correctly.

Second, I can not breathe very well once I am in the chair. I would have never thought that I would ever hate reclining (naps are my favorite pastime), but sure enough, I do. And if the baby is not moving or the monitor is not printing correctly - both of which occurred for a while today - then I have to sit in the chair for upwards of an hour like a beached fish trying to catch my breath.

But enough complaining. I'm sure when I'm actually in labor, I'll be wishing for the relative comfort of the currently dreaded chair.

On to other things...

Baby Bean:
We got to see him last week in an ultrasound. They said he looks great. This was a huge relief because there was initial concern about blood clots - apparently I have extra thick blood despite the amount of water I guzzle - and nutrients getting to him. Bean seems completely unaware of this problem, however, and he's growing like a weed. The doc estimated him at 4 pounds 13 oz. Just for your reference, most books are telling me he should weigh around 3 to 3 1/2 pounds.

Today after the NST the nurse and doc told us his heartbeat was beautiful. As his parents, we totally concur.

Me:
Overall feeling great. Recently this week I have been experiencing some sore muscles and more fatigue than normal, but I am blaming it on the Wii. I think I might have gotten a little zealous with the new technology. This will not, however, keep me from playing our new game, Mario Brothers, sometime today.

T:
He declined an invitation for a guest appearance today, but I think I'm safe in saying he's very excited. (Today at lunch I called Bean 'Gavin' and T's eyes lit up and he quickly noted that it was the first time I refered to the little one by his potential name in normal conversation.) He's been working hard to clean out unnecessary clutter from the house and set up the nursery.

That's all to report for now. We are hoping for a calm remaining seven weeks.

Happy Birthday

2009-12-30T07:28:00.001-05:00

-to my husband.

There are so many things I have learned from him (keep in mind, dear friends, that I am still working on some of these lessons):

To lighten up
Prompt responses and communication are important
A good Sean Connery imitation takes years of practice
That life is stressful at times, but can normally be managed in a calm way
The value of having projects
The intrinsic reward that comes from helping others
Closing kitchen cabinet doors

Thanks, T, for these lessons and the many others that went unmentioned.

I hope it's a fabulous year! Happy Birthday!

A plethora of technology

2009-12-29T18:00:00.002-05:00

Atleast that is how it felt to me as I opened presents from my parents and siblings this Christmas.

I didn't ask for a Wii or an iPod shuffle, but I got them both. And they are amazing. I completely understand that neither represent new technology, but regardless, I can't help feeling like I am on the cutting edge.

On a slightly depressing note, I did my Wii Sports training age...50 years old. My balance is impeccable, but my strength and stamina need work. I feel completely justified blaming this on the pregnancy. The current plan is to work on improving this score during the later part of my maternity leave.

Christmas

2009-12-25T06:45:00.000-05:00

Five days ago I was proclaiming the beauty of my state. Now I sit here on Christmas morning listening to the rain tap on my windows - so much for a white Christmas. But no matter. Already I have been blessed to have some fabulous time with friends and family, and I look forward to seeing more loved ones in the next few days.

I wish you a Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

Magical in the Midwest

2009-12-20T04:30:00.001-05:00

The heartland of the United States is not a place people usually travel to unless they a) already live in the midwest and are taking a weekend trip or b) have family or friends residing there. It does not carry the attraction of the ocean of the east or west coast, and it does not have the mountains like Colorado or Tennessee. And although we have our good days, nobody typically raves about the weather that can literally drop 20 degrees in a day without anyone blinking an eye.

But I wish everyone could have seen my midwestern state yesterday morning in all its glory. It was gorgeous. An inch of snow had fallen and every tree branch, pine cone, fence line, and rooftop was outlined in pure white, and a soft snow continued to fall through out most of the day. Waking up to this scene on a Saturday morning was fabulous, and it seems impossible not to be cheery every time I look outside.

The end of an era

2009-12-10T19:57:00.000-05:00

I attended my last grad school class on campus last night. I haven't allowed myself to think about it yet. So I decided to give myself a little time to reflect.

Will I be sad that it is over? A little. I fully enjoyed being a part of a large, research institution. There is energy on campus, and the feeling that exciting things are happening or about to happen is always present.

I also enjoyed the learning aspect. It made me think and question things about my philosophy, my classroom, and how I approach mathematics education. Even if the learning I did wasn't always immediately useful, isn't it the goal of education to make us think about new things or old things in new ways? And that, I certainly did.

But mostly I am relieved to be wrapping up grad school. While it was fun and engaging, it was also stressful. Like any other student, I, at various points of my education, had to sacrifice time with family and friends, set aside my work responsibilities, and sit in front of the computer or pour over books and articles for hours at a time. I will not miss that part AT ALL.

But before I get ahead of myself, I still have one action research project to complete and a four hour written test to take. I have five weeks to get this done. Let the count down begin.

Clutter

2009-11-27T16:13:00.000-05:00

Clutter!
It's everywhere.

A 12 by 15 foot room that formerly acted as an office seemed like it would be a snap to clean out and transform into a nursery. But it's deceiving. The clutter grows and multiplies exponentially every day. And things that I wish would have disappeared and taken care of themselves have not. That beautiful SLR camera that I dropped in the beaches of Aruba several years ago...still hidden in the corner of the closet. The outdated, and therefore useless, printer that served me well for many years still lays idle on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. And the random pictures that date from babyhood to current day still remain in a neat stack waiting for me to decide where their permanent home will be. It's clutter, and yet, I have memories and stories for it all. Thank goodness for Fly Lady (never heard of her? Click here if you're a pack rat). Fly Lady brought the 27 fling boogie into my life. If it weren't for her I'd be frozen with indecision and the newest addition to our family would be sleeping inbetween my boxes of memorabilia and office supplies.

Chipot-Yummy

2009-10-22T21:44:00.000-04:00

Excitement came today in the form of a "buy one burrito, get one free" Chipotle coupon.

YUM!

We decided to use it right away.

The burrito was so pakced full with goodness that it took me 45 minutes to eat it. That's heaven.

Observations of a Lunch Monitor

2009-10-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

After a month and a half of lunch duty, I have come to a realization. It is IMPOSSIBLE for people to walk up to a trashcan with out literally "throwing" items into it. People either practice their free throw shoot from 4-5 feet away or their underhand pitch from 2-3 feet away. NOBODY (I'm including teenagers and adults alike) walks all the way to the trashcan.

I've also come to the realization that there are typical reactions when a person MISSES their trashcan shot. People either 1) Follow through and pick it up right away, 2) Look around first to see if anyone noticed they missed it before deciding their next move, or 3) Pretend they never threw anything to begin with.

I have heard horror stories about lunch duty. But really, it's not as bad as I thought. So far it's an interesting place to observe human behavior - again, I'm including adults and teenagers. However, having said this, I reserve my right to change my opinion and decide it stinks at any time during the year.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-10-17T14:12:00.000-04:00

It's been a year since T and I bought our new TV and decided to join the world of cable. DVR is amazing. So I want to know:

If you had to narrow your TV viewing to TWO shows, which two would you pick?

The Prego Report - It's a...

2009-10-15T21:57:00.000-04:00

BOY!

Yep, that's Bean above.

Several days ago we visited a business in the area that specializes in 3D/4D ultrasounds and was recommended by several friends. We were going in to have the normal 2D gender determination but the women at the front desk suckered T into getting the 3D/4D done. I'm so glad they did. I'm fascinated by these pictures. Yes, they are a little surreal...I'm the first to admit, the child needs to gain a few pounds. But, look! Little feet!

Bean was camera shy at first; he kept rolling over so all we could see was his back side. But he eventually decided to cooperate and show his face and we had a great time watching him do his thing. His biggest form of entertainment - moving his arms - those things were all over the place.

So how sure was the techician about the gender? Very. Could I see what she saw? Um, no. But T says he could. We are aware, however, that the process is not 100% accurate. Our precious neice is living proof of that. Were we excited about Bean being a boy? Absolutely, but we would have been just as excited if Bean were a girl. It's just fun to find out more information about this little person that will join our family in a few months.

And now a note from T:

Hi everyone, it's T - I don't think I got suckered into it... I think I knew it was a special opportunity. It was like we got to spend 20 minutes with Bean, and it was great! I felt my second kick tonight while we were watching TV. Awesome.

And one last picture... Can you see T's bottom lip? It's definitely there.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-10-10T06:30:00.001-04:00

Background: T and I are visiting our alma mater for Homecoming weekend and staying with our dear friend, K. We walked into her kitchen and were greeted with the smell of pumpkin cookies! Yum! It got me thinking: most people have traditions surrounding cookies. So...

Question: What cookie traditions (when, where, type) run in your family?

I'm in LOVE!

2009-10-05T21:59:00.000-04:00

With Hostess' 100 Calorie Packs.

Chocolate cupcakes are my favorite.

100 calories

5 grams of FIBER!!

(Grams of fat and sugar are so not important.)

So You Think You Can Dance

2009-10-04T08:01:00.002-04:00

This was the week T took me to see the live performance of So You Think You Can Dance...dance...dance. I loved it! Here are some thoughts.

1) Jeannine is great, but in my humble opinion Brandon should have won season 5.
2) Phillip is just cool.
3) They performed so many dances that I absolutely loved. My favorite...the addiction dance with Capuno and Kayla. Some more favorites...the Breast Cancer dance with Ade and Melissa and the Pick Dance with Ade and Jeanette.
4) I was disappointed they only performed one new dance.
5) The dancers MCed the performance. I'm trying to figure out how to say this nicely...Loved their dancing, would have been OK with less talking.
6) T was completely outnumbered at this performance. It must have been a ratio that was somewhere along the lines of 20 females to 1 male.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-10-03T18:01:00.001-04:00

Sorry, this question is slightly indulgent. It was inspired by a recent inservice presenter that was excellent and the movie "The Freedom Writers". (We watched it last night, and it was excellent.)

Who were the three educators that impacted you the most? Why?

The Prego Report

2009-10-01T06:42:00.000-04:00

We will be able to reveal Bean's gender in approximately a week in a half. So, I'm curious....what are your guesses? Is Bean a she-baby or a he-baby? Word on the street with Tim's co-workers: Beans a Boy. Word on the street with my co-worker's: Beans a Girl.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-09-19T08:32:00.004-04:00

I want to know...

Have you ever been on TV? If so, for what?

The Prego Report

2009-09-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

Here's the word on our third doctor's visit...

BEAN:
18 weeks and growing like a weed, apparently...and feisty. Gave the Doc's stethoscope a kick while she was trying to listen to the heartbeat. Heartbeat was good and steady...around 145 bpm. I haven't felt movement yet, but this is no surprise since the placenta is apparently providing a nice cushion between me and Bean.

ME:
Besides the random wisps of hair that are growing below my normal hairline (really, will I have any forehead left?), I have enjoyed pregnancy. It's been so easy that sometime I forget I'm pregnant (knock on wood). Although this is getting tougher as my stomach seems to be growing exponentially. I've been very fortunate, though, that I haven't experienced morning sickness, have had energy, and have enjoyed a break from an achy knee because of all the cool hormones flowing through my body.

A Note from T:
Hi everyone... it's T here. Yes, I think this is my first time that A has allowed me to write in Metacognitive Musings. Every doctor's appointment is fascinating and I am reminded that it's truly a miracle growing in there. Our doctor is very nice and A is doing such a good job. Experienced parents at my office say things like, "I bet her mood swings are interesting, huh?" or "how's the new little one in charge doing?" and I have to tell them that really nothing has changed yet.

Yet, anyway.

Can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl!

Back to A.

Our Biggest Decision for the Moment:
To vaccinate or not vaccinate. I'm fairly comfortable getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu; however, my doctor would like for me to get the H1N1 vaccination. T is all for this and was relieved this was the doctor's advice. Me? I kept wavering. Being a teacher I am around students ALL the time. Sometimes they forget to cover their mouths when they cough or decide they don't need a tissue when they really do. At these moments, I think the H1N1 vaccination is a good idea. But then I get nervous...is the vaccination really safe for me and the baby? It seems to be rushed to the public and this is what makes me nervous. I guess the good news is that I have until October to decide.

My Harry Potter Addiction

2009-09-17T20:09:00.000-04:00

I'm in the midst of reading all seven Harry Potter books...it's my third time through, so I'm no stranger to the series. Currently I'm somewhere around page 400 in book 4 and loving every minute of it...again.

I've decided that to be a true Harry Potter fan, though, I need to watch all of the movies as well. I'm lacking in the silver screen rendition of the books; I've only seen the first three so I have some catching up to do. Has anybody seen the sixth? Any comments? I've heard rumors that book 7 will be divided into two movies. Anyone else heard the same?

Math, Science, and Technology Monday

2009-09-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

I got this problem from http://www.theproblemsite.com/games/secretnumber2.asp. There are several games, so you could do this all day if you so desire. Here is an example of one of the problems.

I am thinking of a 3-digit numbers. Can you guess my number from the following information?

The product of the first two digits is less than 20
The difference of the first two digits is greater than 3
The difference of the last two digits is less than 4
The difference of the first and last digits is less than 5
The product of the first and last digits is equal to 20

So You Think You Can Dance?

2009-09-10T17:24:00.000-04:00

I LOVE this show!!

I LOVE that there is only three weeks between season 5 and season 6.

I LOVE that Mary Murphy talked about her inability to raise her eyebrowns because of BOTOX on national television.

I LOVE watching all the different types of choreography.

I LOVE hearing about the dancers' stories and seeing how they bring life to the choreography.

I LOVE that my husband HATES this show but bought us tickets to the live performance anyway. Thanks, T! I can't wait for our date!

Fall Tradition

2009-09-09T20:27:00.001-04:00

For the fifth time in six years Labor Day weekend was filled with loved ones, games (ask BC friend, KD, about her new game, Pictionary Telephone. Very fun.), fireworks, a trip to one of our favorite breakfast nooks, and some shopping.

Now the weekend is officially over and the house seems very quiet. I don't like it.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for hosting, and thanks, dear friends, for spending so much time in the car to join us.

I'm already looking forward to the 6th annual.

Photographer: Dad

Math, Science, and Technology Monday

2009-09-07T08:28:00.001-04:00

I got this problem from http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.doubling.pennies.html . It's a fantastic internet resource for math teachers or anyone interested in mathematics although you might need a password to access some of it. I am adjusting the problem just a bit, so if you go online it will be slightly different.

Which is more: being given ten million dollars, or one penny the first day, double that penny the next day, then double the previous day's pennies and so on for a month?

The solution will be in the comments if/when you're interested.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-09-05T07:39:00.000-04:00

It's a lazy Saturday morning so far. So the following seems like a fitting question.

What's your favorite way to relax?

The techie teens

2009-09-04T17:22:00.005-04:00

I taught with a new piece of technology today, and I was nervous. The picture above depicts what Texax Instruments is calling a hand-held computer.

I was uneasy as I started class today. What if I forgot how to do something? Or what if I screwed up and hit the wrong buttons and didn't know how to correct my mistake? I, myself, have just learned to operate this machine at a basic level only a few weeks ago.

The class was excited as soon as I started passing out the new technology, and we quickly began the lesson of finding solutions for a system of equations. First we graphed the quadratic equations and then we looked at the table. And then it happened...I forgot how to calculate the points of intersection using the calculator.

Ummmm...trouble.

Then one of my quiet, female students raised her hand. "You go to 'points and lines'." So I did, and behold, there was the command I needed.

I realized then that it took mere minutes for my students to acclimate to the machines. And in one quick moment, before I could even register it, I became the student in a room with 24 teachers, learning how to operate my hand-held computer.

Cool.

Math, Science, and Technology Monday

2009-08-31T19:12:00.001-04:00

I recently received a card from a fellow co-worker/dear friend/wise mentor who reminded me that as a proud math/science geek I needed to help encourage others into the math/science geekdom. So with that charge in mind, I write my first math, science, and technology blog. Today it's a problem; next week it might be an interesting invention that catches my attention. If nothing else it will be a good way for me to keep up with my own professional community.

Although you could use some fancy mathematics to solve the following problem, it is not neccessary. Knowledge of operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and some time thinking is enough to solve it. Happy solving.

A man entered an apple orchard that had 7 guards and picked some apples. When he left, he gave the first guard half his apples and 1 apple more. To the second guard, he gave half his remaining apples and 1 more. He did the same to each of the remaining five guards and left the orchard with 1 apple. How many apples did he gather in all?

I'll leave the answer in the comments section.

Have You Seen My....?

2009-08-30T07:37:00.000-04:00

I FINALLY found my camera! (Thank goodness!) It was in my work bag. The sad thing is I have absolutely no recollection of putting it there or why I might have thought it was a good idea to store it there. I wish I could blame it on the pregnancy...experts do say you lose brain cells during this time...but people like my mother, T, Trophy Life, our good friend, S, and I'm sure several others would be able to call my bluff.

The truth is I am a person who temporarily misplaces things all the time. People are constantly accompanying me on shoe searches, key quests, and general 'Have you seen my (fill in the blank)?' hunts. I am not sure what this characteristic says about me, and to be honest, I would rather not think about it. I have just decided to accept this flaw and am appreciative of the people around me who put up with it.

The good news for me is now that I have my camera back I can share some pictures I originally intended to post.

Little Bean at 7 weeks. (Yep, that little oblong shape on the left is the baby.)

Profile of Little Bean at 12 1/2 weeks.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-08-29T06:30:00.000-04:00

If you were to go back to school, what institute would you attend? (Assume, of course, that we are all brilliant, admission is guaranteed, and funds are no object.)

Prego Report

2009-08-28T18:00:00.004-04:00

Disclaimers: 1) I am stealing Two Pretzel's idea of a pregnancy update. Hope you don't mind, TP. :) 2) A high school friend, MT (actually now MB), used the title phrase and I thought it was cute, so I'm stealing this too.

My goal is to write a pregnancy update every doctor's visit. So, to catch up to current times...

BABY:
First doctor's appointment was early July as was the first ultrasound. The baby looked like a bean and was a whooping length of 9mm. (Hence, from now on I will refer to it as Little Bean or LB when I'm feeling particularly lazy.) 5 weeks later at our next visit Little Bean measured in at 6 cm (about 2 1/2 inches), had arms and legs that moved, and a mouth that opened and closed. This blew me out of the water and was by far the first time I felt this whole pregnancy thing might be real. (I really wish I could show you some of the pictures, but my camera is MIA. So sad.)

ME:
Besides feeling as if I ALWAYS have a cold (since June) and sometimes can't breathe, I've been extremely fortunate and have been feeling fabulous. My regular clothes are starting to feel a little uncomfortable even with the hair rubberband trick, and I took my first trip to the maternity store at the beginning of this week. Pants with elastic waistbands...HERE I COME! I did have a little freak-out moment in the changing room when I put on the fake 7 month belly and couldn't see my feet. What?!

T:
Has been very understanding with all the minor aches, pains, and constant naps I take. He was particularly adorable when he sat down with me Tuesday evening to read and write some thoughts of his own in the baby keepsake journal we got from a friend this week.
Next doctors appointment: Mid September

Guilty Secret

2009-08-27T20:34:00.004-04:00

I'm addicted to Big Brother 11. I'm not proud of it. It's not great TV. It raises my blood pressure whenever it is on. But I can't stop watching it. Thank goodness the season will be over soon!

Back in Session

2009-08-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Summer is over and school will soon be in session. It's a big time for anyone with a job somehow related to education. Although I will miss the freedom of my summer, I also enjoy the excitement of a new school year. I am fortunate to be in a career where "do-overs" are possible for everyone involved. New slate. And for the moment, opportunities and possibilities are infinite.

Brita and Body Pillow

2009-08-24T18:01:00.002-04:00

A few random thoughts about two items that I purchased recently.

1) I LOVE my new Brita. Why I didn't invest my $18 earlier, I don't know. Since the little bean announced its existence earlier in the summer, I had an aversion to water, which was weird for me. I usually drank water all the time. Our tap water just didn't taste good anymore, and I hated buying bottled water. Although I'll do it from time to time, I hate the waste. Brita has made my water taste good again, and the upkeep of changing the little filter seems completely worth it.

2) My body pillow...it wasn't love at first sight for sure. I'm a toss and turn kind of girl. So the first night with the pillow was a little cumbersome. It's hard to swing an almost 4 1/2 foot pillow from side to side. T accused me of pulling some WWE wrestling moves the first night. I think I nailed him once with my elbow and a few times with the pillow itself. Since then I've learned to control the pillow a little better, and now I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to sleep without one again. I think it'll be a little hard to travel with, though.

Saturday Circle Game

2009-08-23T02:26:00.003-04:00

It's BACK!! I know it's not technically Saturday, so please excuse the tardiness. This question is in honor of the wedding we attended tonight. So much fun, but it'll take my feet some time to forgive me for the shoes I forced them into.

What is your favorite wedding reception song? The one that's going to get you groovin' on the dance floor. Or feel free to answer the opposite. What is your least favorite reception song, sure to leave you glued to your seat?

Teeth Cleaning

2009-08-21T06:28:00.002-04:00

I'll preface this post by saying I like my dentist office. There are five dentist that work there and a gazillion hygienist. Every single one of them that I have meet has been great.

But what I don't understand is why they try to talk to me with their hands in my mouth. Of course the yes/no questions are OK as I can nod my head to indicate my answer. Questions like "When do you go back to school?" or "Have you traveled anywhere this summer?" are trickier. So I wait until they briefly pull their hands out of my mouth, shout "Hilton Head" before she plunges her hands back into my mouth and hope they don't ask a follow up question that is any more involve.

"Carry On"

2009-08-19T21:57:00.003-04:00

T put a link to a video clip on OHSAA's website about two teenagers from Cleveland, OH that aired on ESPN . The video is about 10 minutes long, but I felt it was worth the time. There is a short update about the guys from the ESPN producer on OHSAA's website. These two guys are inspiring.

Mole Man, Part 2

2009-08-19T17:23:00.005-04:00

Dear Ty,

I wish you could have seen the look on my husband's face when you called him last night. It was sheer joy. I thought perhaps you told him that he was going to receive free milkshakes at the parlor for the next 10 years, or that you heard there was a lucrative position open in the Reds front office that he would be perfect for.

Nope, you were calling for family members who wanted his advice on how to get rid of moles. And he was honored you called him. (He didn't say this directly, but I could tell.) Finally, his hours of researching the little critters on youtube and Mole Man paid off.

I will never pretend to understand this fascination of his with moles and their extermination, but I will never cease to be amused by it. So many good stories have come from it. I mean, how can we ever forget the Momma K cell phone message about their mole.

P.S. If you're interested in refreshing your memory on Mole Man, Part 1 it was written in April 2007.

The joys of home maintenence

2009-08-18T20:44:00.005-04:00

There are some days I wonder if T and I had any business buying a house. Our knowledge about home maintenance is limited. The majority of the time we hire out jobs that need attention or we just turn a blind eye. For instance, two years ago T, with my consent, ripped the closet doors off our guest bedroom closet - I can't even remember why at this point, it's been so long. To this day the closet remains doorless and you can see all of my off-season clothes hanging in it as you reach the top of our second story. Classy.

But today I did it. I tackled a project on my own. The guest bathroom drain was plugged. In the past, if my homemade "Draino" (a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water) didn't do the trick, I called our faithful plumbers. God bless Scott, the plumber, who showed me how to unclog the drain by myself last year. The man did not crack a smile or even show traces of a pleasant personality during his time in my home, but he taught me a life-long skill. And this year, as I plunged and fished out the gunk from our drain, I silently thanked him for the $80 he saved me today. Joyously, victoriously, I enjoyed the lack of water pooling at the base of our tub. Sweet success.

Movie Review

2007-10-01T18:15:00.000-04:00

I highly suggest seeing "In the Shadow of the Moon." It's a wonderful documentary put together by Ron Howard that details the Apollo trips taken to the moon between 1968-1972. The men that are showcased in this film are inspiring. And the documentary itself was a pleasant surprise. I was entertained and already look forward to seeing it again.

Sights on the Highway

2007-09-13T19:43:00.000-04:00

T and I were taking a road trip on Monday night. As I typically do on long car trips, I took a nap. T woke me up to the sight in the pictures. It didn't take me long to wake up and grab my camera. This was too good to miss. I am convinced that road rage would not be a problem if this sight was seen more often on our highways.

Saturday Circle Game

2007-09-08T09:34:00.000-04:00

I am cheating today...kinda
I have played the circle game so often lately (awesome) that I have run out of my own questions.
So I have stolen this one from my "Go Ask Anyone!" cards...they rock.

If you were going to be appointed as U.S. Ambassador to a foreign country, which one would you want that to be?

Labor Day Weekend - Partial Circle Game

2007-09-05T21:48:00.000-04:00

It contained everything labor day should have...family, friends, football, and fireworks. I now feel that fall has arrived and I love it! Anybody else feel the same or are you lamenting over the end of the summer?

Update

2007-09-05T21:46:00.000-04:00

I found my paper reinforcers at Staples. They are my go-to place when others fail. They even had different colors so when I get really obsessed I can color code chapters, for instance, by paper reinforcers. LOVE Office supplies!

The thingies you put on your paper...

2007-08-24T22:07:00.001-04:00

These things (in the picture)!! There is NO good name for them. You ask for paper clips...EEEEVERYONE knows what you're talking about. You ask for reinforcers or paper reinforcements and NOOOOOBODY knows what you're talking about. As a person who owns 503,248 3-ring binders that get used almost daily, these things are essential in life.

I walk into Meijer today to buy some. That was my first mistake. I should have gone to an office supply store, but after a long day at work I was looking for one stop shopping. It's nice to buy dinner, pillows, sidewalk chalk, and ring reinforcements all in one trip...but I am getting side tracked.

I ask the Meijer associate currently working in the office supplies section where I can find paper reinforcements...I promise you the look on her face almost convinced me that I had just asked her where to find the one horned purple elephants by mistake. She had NOOO idea what I was talking about and was clearly disgusted that I could not explain myself properly (in her opinion). After she made sure to display her annoyance with me for a good couple of seconds she sent me to the PARTY/CARD center section to look for them. I went because I was a bit scare of her, but as soon as I was out of her sight I took off from the store. Tomorrow...I will get them. And I might even ask a (friendly) Staples or Office Max associate what in the world I am supposed to call them.

Old Friend in a New Place

2007-08-23T18:29:00.000-04:00

When I was eight years old my parents bought a piano, and I started lessons. I played until eighth grade and then "gave it up" - at least I gave up the formal lessons. I continued to play and would frequently serenade whoever in the house would listen during middle and high school years. When I'd come home from college I would sit down on the bench and pound away at the keys - reteaching myself, it seemed, every time. Although I'm far from being a great piano player, it's always been a source of relaxation and joy.

It was sad when my parents moved from my childhood house 2 1/2 years ago and put the piano in storage. I could no longer wonder into the living room to say "hi" to my old, faithful friend (piano).

But two weeks ago my faithful friend and I were reunited. By the very kind act of my Uncle B. and Aunt S., the piano was transported to our house. Family and a neighbor came and helped us move her in, and it has been a joyful reunion. I forgot how much I like to play...not because I'm good, but because I enjoy music. It can echo any mood you want it to. You just have to find the right piece. (Dri-Do you remember the song "Hymne". You copied it for me years and years ago. I found it the other day - still love it.)

But here's my dilemma...I think the piano needs a name. A good, sturdy name for a friend (piano) that I've had for 20 years. Any ideas?

Trip to N. Carolina/Southern Virginia

2007-08-21T08:35:00.000-04:00

In my mind it was the last fling of the summer before the grind of work begins again. We worked some, played a lot, laughed hard, and cried a little. It was a great trip.

Some highlights:

1) Seeing M in the airport after two months.

2) Trip to M's work (beautiful place!) and Molasses Grill (wonderful restaurant!)

3) Exploring Duke and Chapel Hill.

4) My Taco salad at Jason's Deli on Monday. Seriously my second favorite salad EVER (California Pizza Kitchen's Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad is my first)!

Picture on the left is of moving day (Saturday). M is in a very cute house that will suit she and Marlie perfectly. Picture on the right is in the Duke Gardens. Beautiful place...if you have a chance to visit...do it! Picture below is also at Duke Univ.

Plans for today

2007-08-21T08:20:00.000-04:00

1) It was really nice to catch up on my favorite blogs this morning. I have missed doing that recently.

2) I thought I would go to work today. Then I decided that I was going to take one last day before summer ends (at least in my world) to enjoy my house. The grad school paper is done, I have to go to work tomorrow because of meetings, and I can work from home today while in my pajamas. In between times of work I can clean my home for guests I have coming this weekend, play my piano, crochet, and relax. Sounds lovely. I can't wait.

Catching Up

2007-08-13T17:49:00.001-04:00

It's been a long time without blogging. I am going to try to catch up with what I have missed...slowly.

The first thing to report...

The chompers are out and the pain is gone. My mouth still feels funny and I have a lingering stitch that doesn't want to dissolve. But the swelling and bruising is gone and I have long been off the Vicodin. I am glad it is over and definitely glad I did it during the summer. It would not have been pleasant to have to return to the classroom to talk for 8 hours a day shortly after surgery.

Happy Birthday, Poppa E!

2007-08-07T22:49:00.000-04:00

Happy (big milestone) birthday to a wise and generous man I am proud to call "DAD"!

Hope it was a great day. (I'm interested in hearing all of your dinner stops!) And here's to a fantastic year!

Love you!

The Chompers are Coming Out

2007-07-29T18:39:00.000-04:00

Surgery occurs tomorrow at 9:30am. I wasn't nervous about it until I started looking through the google images of wisdom teeth. Then I saw a whole bunch of people with swollen faces and gauze sticking out of their mouths. This cute carton makes me feel better, though. It almost looks fun with all of those teeth smiling. Unfortunately, I know better. I will be put to sleep, and they will remove all four. The bottom ones will be the least fun. They are pointing in various directions. The top two shouldn't be as bad. Let's hope surgery is a smooth ride tomorrow. And if not, let's hope the medicine is very, very strong.

Happy Birthday, Momma K

2007-07-26T07:55:00.001-04:00

It's a milestone. I won't tell you how old my very cute and loving mother is turning today, but let's just say you'd never guess if you saw her.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I hope it's a wonderful day and a wonderful year.

Love you!

Chicken Piccata

2007-07-25T14:15:00.000-04:00

Loved this recipe. It was relative quick and very tasty. Have to give credit to my Menno cookbook again for this one. Enjoy. Let me know if you try it.

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
dash salt
dash pepper
1/4 cup of flour
4 Tablespoons butter or margarine
8oz cartoon of fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
2 Tablespoons of lemon juice
2 Tablespoons of chopped parsley

Directions:
Pound chicken breasts to 1/2-in thickness. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; coat with flour.
In a large skillet, brown chicken in 3 Tablespoons butter over medium heat about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.
Add remaining Tablespoon butter to skillet, and cook the mushrooms and garlic until tender.
Return the chicken to the pan.
Add wine or chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer for 7 - 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
Top with parsley.

Explanation

2007-07-25T14:04:00.000-04:00

I have three reasons for not blogging lately.

1) I visited my college roommate and her family this past weekend. One thing I learned...there is not a whole lot of time to blog when you have twins. We had a great time playing instead. We went to the park, the farmers market, and out to eat. Good times. The twins are SOOOO cute.

2) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows arrived on my doorstep Saturday. I got my paws on it Sunday, and got no sleep until I finished reading it yesterday. Wonderful book. Sad the series has ended, but I decided I will now take my time and go back through all of them and re-read. (Will lose less sleep this time.)

3) The renovation of our master bathroom has begun. It started Monday with a meeting with our contractor. The demolition began yesterday and they are now currently fighting with our new shower. It appears that nothing in this house can be standard. So the opening for the shower that we thought was 48'' is really 47''. They have a plan, though, don't worry.

So those are the culprits. I will be back to blogging as usual now.

Finally

2007-07-19T03:20:00.001-04:00

It's 3:15am and finally raining. It freaked me out at first because I had forgotten what it sounded like on our chimney when it rains hard.

Toying with Me

2007-07-19T02:47:00.000-04:00

I don't think I'd be upset if it ACTUALLY RAINED, but I am rather annoyed with the weather right now. My great state is experiencing drought like conditions. So it's 2:45 and I've been up for an hour because of thunder. (I am not a fan of storms - or being in second stories of houses when storms come in.) But there is NO rain that is accompanying the thunder. There is just the audio reminder that it's out there but not at our house.

Hummingbird

2007-07-18T07:31:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled that a cute little hummingbird has decided to add our backyard to his list of stops. I see him buzzing through our yard about once a week. He's a fast little thing.

(Picture not mine :) ).

New Look

2007-07-17T07:42:00.001-04:00

FYI

Time for a blog template update. I love the dark dotted look and will probably go back once winter approaches, but I feel the colors did not do this season justice. A new look was needed for summer. :)

The Deacon's Bench

2007-07-16T07:54:00.000-04:00

T and I are searching for a church. We haven't been very pro-active, but yesterday we decided to take a trip to a church we've visited before. For the first time we heard the pastors preach (we seemed to have the knack to go during the summer when they are on vacation) and we were impressed. More impressive was what they did afterwards, though. They provided a time they called "The Deacon's Bench" when people (anyone) from the congregation had the opportunity to come up to the front and make comments on what they just heard. It was fascinating. People did not come up and merely say, "Good job, it was interesting". Instead they questioned and asked for more explanation in a particular area, added their own opinions, and even at times doubted what was said. They were critical thinkers and were working together as a congregation. We liked it. Perhaps the search will become a little more pro-active.

NPF

2007-07-16T07:19:00.000-04:00

T and I went to watch our first NPF (National Professional Fastpitch League) softball game on Saturday. For me the experience was a cool one for many reasons. The main reason was to see the women getting a chance to play the game they love at a high level of competition and getting paid for it. Society has given this opportunity to men for a long time in many sports. It is fun to feel like perhaps I live in the era when this same opportunity is being extended to women. It will take a while for the organization to have widespread recognition. But as I watched the little girls and boys scramble for autographs after the game, I am convinced that the NPF has a future. I know I will return.

My favorite part of the game...the left fielder breaking through the fence to prevent a home run. Second highlight...the pitcher laying out to catch a foul ball to end the top of the inning. The Racers won the game in the 7th inning 3-2.

Sunday Circle Game

2007-07-15T15:20:00.001-04:00

I'm still in vacation mode, as I assume some of you are as well. So I decided that the circle game should be related to travelling.

In 1997 my dad visited his 50th state when he, my mom, and I travelled to Hawaii the first time. I think this is a cool accomplishment, and I hope that I too can one day say that I have experienced all 50 states. So here's the question: Approximately how many states have you visited and which one is your favorite?

I had problems of thinking of all fifty states, so I have provided a list here.

(This picture is from our recent Hawaii trip, not our previous one. And yes, B-rent, I swear I took this picture and the ones below in the vacation update.)

Recycling

2007-07-13T08:01:00.000-04:00

I am ashamed that it took this long to happen, but I am FINALLY taking advantage of our curb side recycling...and I feel very good about it. Plastics #1 and #2 you shall never enter my trash again! Aluminum cans, you too!

P.S. I am now in the habit of using my canvas shopping bags...at least 98% of the time...and I am a true believer. Not only am I saving on plastic bags, but I can sling all my groceries over my shoulder at once and make only one trip into my house. Love it!

Nature Walk

2007-07-13T07:37:00.000-04:00

Last night T and I took a slow, leisurely walk around our local Metro Park. We decided on the short trail that curls along the river. For some reason last night I was particularly taken by the beauty of the trees. I loved reading the plagues that described the black walnut (pictured), American sycamore, hackberry, and of course the pride of our state, the buckeye. The 70 degree weather made our spontaneous tree tour a very pleasant walk. I think my favorite was the Sycamore with their peeling bark that revealed a cool combination of greens and white. It was a nice reminder that although Hawaii and California (vacation spots this year) are gorgeous places, there is much beauty to discover in my own Midwestern state.

Highlight #2 last night was the Great Blue Heron relaxing in the river as we approached. He was a beauty and seeing those birds in flight is always breath-taking.

New Websites

2007-07-10T23:14:00.000-04:00

I was surfing the web tonight and found these two sites. If you are interested in environment-friendly practices check them out.

The first http://www.care2.com/ is a site that list all kinds of suggestions for "green living" as well as news and a variety of other things.

The second http://www.earth911.org/ focuses on recycling.

Back Update

2007-07-10T20:55:00.000-04:00

I went to the spinal specialist yesterday for what is hopefully my final visit. My hip/back is still sore but has improved since my first complaints in November. In an indirect way the doctor politely told me that to rid myself of the soreness I need to improve my posture, drop a few pounds, and gain some muscle tone. I have done well in thinking of posture and have been surprisingly viligant (pain is a good motivator) about doing my exercises. Weight, on the other hand, is not easy for me to lose. The truth of the matter is that I like food and quantity control is not a strong point. I'll keep working on this matter. I am hoping that in another 6 - 8 weeks, I'll be blogging injury free. We'll see how it goes.

Vacation Highlights

2007-07-09T16:39:00.000-04:00

Back to the real world. Here are a few vacation highlights from each day. Family, feel free to add your own highlights

June 23rd: Vegas

Maui

June 25th: Beach & dinner over looking ocean

June 26th: Maui Tropical Plantation & Ioa Valley State Park

June 27th: Helicopter Trip & Sunset Picnic on Haleakala

June 28th: Spa & Luau

June 29th: Drive to Hana

June 30th: Snorkeling & Dinner over looking ocean

San Francisco

July 2nd: Touring San Francisco & Ice Cream on Ghirardelli Square

July 3rd: Grey Line Tour of City & Dinner at Vietnamese Restaurant

July 4th: Duck Tour & Fireworks on the Bay

Thanks to the family for a great vacation! Looking forward to Vacation '08.

I LOVE my new Cannon Power Shot

BOOK REVIEW

2007-07-09T10:36:00.000-04:00

Over vacation I read Why My Wife Thinks I'm An Idiot by Mike Greenberg from ESPN. If you are related/married to a person who works in sports or is a sports fanatic, I think it is worth your time to read this book. I in no way feel that I completely understand my husband and his behavior after reading this book, but I think that it gave me a few interesting insights. It has the possibility to add to some of our discussions. For instance I can now say "Hey T remember when Mike said this...do you agree?" And I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that my husband starred lines that he liked during his own reading of the book.

The book itself is a short read and comical. My only negative criticism is that sometimes his somewhat negative outlook on life got to be a bore.