Teatopia

Good Morning

Don't have time for much of an entry because we're heading out the door to run errands, but I'm leaving you with a question.

Do you give treats to your toddler when they use the potty? If so, at what point should the rewards stop? I think Olivia squeezes out drops just to get a treat. We give her yogurt-covered raisins, so it's not anything unhealthy, but at some point, the rewards will have to stop.

True or False?

Deciding you want everything ordered and hopefully delivered BEFORE you move in your new house makes you completely OCD.

Everytime I do something for the house-- go shopping for a lamp shade, or browse the internet for area rugs, James tells me, "It doesn't have to be done now."

My response: Why the heck not? If I can get it done now, I'd much rather have it all ready to be set up when we move in. James thinks he's somehow protecting me from stress by telling me to do things gradually, but to me, stress is having a bunch of things hanging over my head and a baby on its way.

6 Things . . .

I don't usually do memes, but I got tagged and though, what the heck? So, here you go. Six totally random things about me.

1. I have my nose pierced. I got it done when I was 18 and have had it ever since. I love it!

2. I hate the way my stomach is shaped when I'm pregnant. It's not nice and round like most women-- it has a flat spot around my belly button and it annoys me.

3. I have repetitive dreams a lot. A couple I often have are that my teeth or falling out or that I'm still in college and I've forgotten to go to class or turn something in. I'm sure they mean something, I just don't know what! Weird, I know.

4. If I had to describe "my type" I think I'd have to say that I like smart, nerdy guys. LOL! Not weird or unattractive (we're not talking total geeks here). If you've met my husband James, you know that he's rather conservative and computer nerd-ish. Love it!

5. I love exotic cuisines: Indian, Thai, Korean, etc.

6. I have become somewhat "crunchy" since I became a mom. I cloth diaper, buy organic (when it's not insanely expensive), I nursed my daughter until she was 18 months and self-weaned, I use non-toxic cleaning products, and I am obsessive about recycling. I need to add though that I'm not judgmental or pushy about these things. I think some people tend to be extremists, and I'm not. :-)

Real men wear pink???

Everywhere I go, I see men wearing pink shirts. Pink polos with shorts, light pink dress shirts and slacks, even pink shirts paired with pink ties. I've always thought of pink being more of a girls' color, but now I'm not so sure. I think some men can pull it off.

James, on the other hand, disagrees with me. He doesn't think ANY man can pull it off. The other day we were stopped at a traffic light and a very straight looking man crossed the street right in front of us, walking proudly in his light pink polo. James immediately points and says, "I don't know WHY men have started wearing pink!" So I asked him if he thought it was a gay color and he said, "No. Not at all, I just think it looks girly."

So last night we were shopping for James and our two good friends B and J (I've mentioned them before-- they're both guys and also a couple) were helping James pick shirts. I knew we were in for an interesting shopping trip because B and J are VERY comfortable wearing many colors and they immediately started pushing James to go for colors he wouldn't usually wear. James is a navy blue, black, tan, gray, and the ocasional marroon type of guy. I have to twist his arm just to buy something green. Everything James picked up looked like 5 other things in his closet, so I was thrilled they wanted to "brighten" James's wardrobe.

We talked him into a coral color and a green, but then they saw the pink. Uh oh, I thought. Here we go!

J: "James, you've GOT to get the pink. Pink is such a great color!"

James: "I don't really like pink."

At this point I'm thinking James is going to kill me for allowing my two gay friends to "help" him shop. I am really enjoying this whole exchange of words between the three of them; the brightly dressed gay couple and my ultra-conservative (in terms of clothing) husband who wants to buy yet another gray shirt.

I felt bad because I didn't want them to think that James thought these shirts they picked were "gay". Finally, J reassured James that these weren't gay colors at all, that they look good on all kinds of people. James reassured him that he didn't think colors were gay, he just didn't think he'd look good in colors. We all agreed he would. Of course, I think James is sexy in anything. :-)

Finally, they talked James into a nice, pale lavender shirt to wear with gray slacks and I was impressed! Yay for B and J for getting him to branch out because he doesn't listen to me, and yay for James being so awesome to shop with my gay male friends AND take their advice. He really likes them too though. They're both really good people.

This whole shopping trip got me thinking about pink. I'll admit, I was kind of glad James didn't go for pink because there's a part of me that still sees it as a girly color, even though some men can pull it off.

What do you think? Is pink just for girls? Would you want your man to wear pink??

Florida and HP 7

We're back from Destin, FL. I'll post the few pictures I have later. My ultra sensitive camera was not happy about all the humidity in the air (it was BAAAADDDD!) and kept telling us "dew detected" and then shutting itself down. Grrr.....

For now, let's talk Harry Potter. Just finished it last night. I feel so depressed now that it's over. Last night, after finishing it, I started to cry as I put a load of laundry in. I guess I'm pretty pathetic (and Aunt Flo is here). Still, I get so involved in what I read. What will I look forward to now? There are very few series that I've fallen in love with, and this was probably my favorite next to the Mark of the Lion trilogy. *sigh*

Hellllooooooo out there

Lordy, Lordy! Am I so boring? Is anyone still reading?

I guess I shouldn't worry because I read blogs all the time and don't comment. It used to be because I nursed while I read, now it's because I read in bed with my laptop when James and Olivia go to bed, and it bothers James when I type. I really need to set aside time when I am free to read and respond. I miss my blogging time. :-(

I really need to update my blogroll, so if you read me and I don't have you on my blogroll, please leave your blog addy in the comments so I can add you. I am SO behind in updating my list.

Hey- those of you in GA-- Airtran has a deal right now that ends tomorrow at midnight: Atlanta to many different cities starting at $39. We got tickets to go see James' family for about $200 for all of us! Yay!!! I really want to buy Olivia a little suitcase. This is her 4th trip and I've really wanted one for a while. Which is the cutest?

This one from Sanrio. I loved Sanrio when I was a kid!

This one:

I'm a long-time fan of Pooh. This one is cute too:

James says that Olivia doesn't need her own suitcase, but we always bring enough to take up our own entire suitcase, so it's only fair that Olivia has her own too. Is it a silly idea?

Thong advice

Lucky you. You get to help me shop for undies!!!! (I know you're so excited!!!)

Here's my situation. I've always worn regular underwear, preferably the cotton ones at VS. But then someone recently suggested I try a thong. I've tried one before, but only the ones that come with lingerie, but considering the situation, it didn't stay on too long. But I can say in those few minutes, having something up my crack felt kind of nasty. So, I'm wondering, have you ever worn a thong? If so, did you get used to that awful feeling?

And my biggest worry: are thongs only for skinny girls? What about girls with a few extra pounds (but I'm not plus-sized or anything)!

It would be easy to just buy what I'm used to, but my hips are so wide that my regular undies don't always cover my whole butt. I have true post-preggo hip spread. I weigh less than I did before!!!!

*I'll have to close this post soon because the spammers are going to LOVE IT! A$$holes.

shoes, Mormons, and muffin tops

I got the shoes, people! 2 pairs!! And by shoes, I mean the Robeez, obviously. I mean, any shoes cute enough to replace sexy dreams about my husband (and Orlando Bloom) are totally worth charging on my credit card. BTW, how sad is it that halfway through the month I'm nearly overdrawn?? Anyway, you wanted to see the shoes . . .

I got the mermaid ones I blogged about:

and these pea pod shoes, which I just had to have for my sweet pea. Her FAVORITE food, by far, is peas, pureed or whole. I love to watch her pick up the little peas with her thumb and forefinger. Anyway, the shoes:

I think I'm getting a cold. I've been very good drinking my hot tea and eating chicken noodle soup, but this thing is persistant. I tried to lay low today, except for the shoe shopping. I also went to Publix to buy supplies to make more soup.

I'd have to say, the low point of my day was spent hiding from the Mormons. Those guys are relentless! I am all for spreading the word, but "bothering" people at their homes seems to turn people off more than anything. I knew I wouldn't be able to get rid of them if I answered the door, so instead, I hid in various places I didn't think they could see me through my window, until finally I was back in our room where I could nurse and change Olivia. James laughed when I told him and said I should've told them we already had a church, but thanks anyway. But I'm way too nice. One moment I'd be politely telling them no, and somehow, a minute later they'd have ended up in my living room and I'd be serving them coffee. So I hid like an idiot. When I finally thought they were gone, I snuck out to my car to bring in my bags, and I'll be damned, they caught me! They were still standing out on my driveway. I felt really stupid, so I ran back in the house, and they finally drove away on their 10 speeds. Last year we had some that sat on the porch for a half hour. I was trapped! That's what I get for not having the guts to say no. Oh, and out of curiousity, would you have answered the door?

Sorry if I'm jumping from here to there, but my circulation is about cut off, and it might be affecting my brain. See, we're at my parents' house right now, and I decided to take a hot shower because I LOVE my parents' shower and I don't feel so hot, and steam clears your nose. Anyway, I asked James to pack my sweat pants in the little bag we brought, and he said he would and didn't. So, I had to squueze my fat ass into my mom's sweat pants, which are like a size 4 and I am SO freaking not a 4. I feel like someone is slowly squeezing me to death. I might have to ride home without pants. I could just put my jeans back on, but they have food on them, and I just don't want to. This is all James's fault. I think I might have to trade him in for a better model. He's been driving me nuts lately. He's luckly he's so damn sexy!!!!!

Ok, time to go eat cheesecake. I think that might just put me over the edge, literally. I'm already muffin topping! That's it, I'm going to have to ride home pant-less. But, cheesecake . . . yum!

Rainy Weekend, Wheat Allergy??, Unplanned Pregnancies, Grey's Anatomy catch-up!

Olivia is so freaking funny! Last night, my mom and I gave her a bath, and my mom sprinkled corn starch on her before putting on her diaper. Olivia took the powder (now closed) tried to dump some on herself, and rubbed and patted all over her diaper and legs. It was so cute!

It's been a quiet weekend. It's been rainy and cold, and we've spent a good deal of time indoors. Olivia has been really fussy from teething. She's been grinding her teeth (does anyone else's baby do this?) and had a bit of a runny nose. Poor baby!

We watched some crazy TV this weekend. I watched "Sweet Sixteen" on MTV. I really don't watch MTV much, because it's totally trashy, but this show is insane. Has anyone seen it? These super rich sixteen year olds plan extravagant, completely obnoxious parties. The one I saw today was shocking. The girl got a 96K jaguar for her 16th birthday!!!!! I went to high school with kids like that, and it made me sick. And it wasn't jealousy either. My parents were wonderful and helped me to get a car, but I had to earn money for it too, and buy a used one. Kids I knew in high school got brand new expensive cars that they often wrecked right away. Anyway, I saw this other show in the Health Channel last night where this girl ate six rolls of toilet paper a day. I think Olivia might possibly eat one if I let her, but six? Probably not.

On Friday, a good friend called and told me she's pregnant. That makes two friends with unplanned pregnancies in the last week. My friend who told me Friday said that she was on the pill and didn't miss one! That makes 3 people in the last year that I know to get pregnant on the pill! Kind of scary! I don't know what kind they were taking (except one was taking Yasmin), but it makes me wonder if a particular brand, or brands, is/are faulty. My friend who told me Friday, Sarah, is really scared. I feel badly for her. I'll be happy to pass along some of my baby stuff (not too much though, because we want another sometime next year!). I just hope I can help her. I know how emotional I felt during my pregnancy, and mine was planned, and I had a wonderful hubby to help. I'm just glad she decided to keep it! She'll be a good mom.

I'm worried that Olivia might have a wheat allergy. She has little bumps on her face, which the doctor said was eczema (she's had it on her tummy and arms before in tiny patches). I asked him if it could be wheat because she eats WAY too many Gerber fruit & veggie puffs, and he said it could be and told me to go 2 weeks without them and see what happens. I ordered these wheat-free alternatives from Healthy Times. Makes me kind of worried that the doctor didn't offer any suggestions until I asked about the wheat. I'm going to be careful because I DO NOT want her to have a wheat allergy later in life!

Tomorrow will be a laid-back Monday. A repair man is coming to fix our air purification system (which thankfully is under warranty) and I have to stay home between noon to five, which basically means I'll be home all day. I'm praying for a long nap time tomorrow so I can finish season 1 of Grey's Anatomy. Love it! I'm a little late to jump on board, so I'm trying to catch up. I'm totally lost when I watch the new ones. Hey-- can someone explain this whole gay controversy??? Is George gay on the show or in real life? Or am I totally lost and he's not gay at all?

The Ex Factor

I've never talked about anyone I dated before, probably because I'm now happily might be fun to share ex stories.

The other night, I had this completely random dream that my ex showed up and ruined a vacation that I was on with James, Olivia, and the rest of my family. It's weird, because I haven't thought about him in forever, but my sister and I were talking about ex's the other day, so it probably got me thinking.

First, I want to put this out there: for those of you who knew/know my exes (and there are a few of you), no judgement please, but you are welcome to e-mail me and laugh about any of them. :-)

Before James, I had three guys who I'd consider ex's. I dated inbetween boyfriends, had a stalker, and tons of crushes, but I'm only counting three other guys. Oh, and I didn't sleep with any of them. Just thought I'd clear that up. The first was in high school. I was young-- too young to technically date, but we held hands in school, went to each other's houses, homecoming, etc, and he totally broke my heart when his parents made us break up. He was my first love, although I can't for the life of me figure out what I saw in him. (Entsar, you are totally laughing right now aren't you?) The second was a sweet guy from my church. He was cute, played football, and was a good boyfriend to me for the 6 months or so we dated, but he was kind of dull and aparently, I broke his heart when I broke up with him the day before Valentine's day (ouch, I know).

My biggest relationship before James was one of the most intense relationships of my life. We met just before our junior year of high school and dated into my sophomore year of college. He was dark, intense, moody, and now that I'm older and wiser, I think he might've been slightly mentally unstable as a result of a very sick mother who raised him. Also, looking back, I think he was kind of a pervert, but that's neither here nor there. We had so much fun. We'll call him Doug. Doug was completely adventurous and funny. We camped together several times, played tons of jokes together, sent each other love letters when I was in college at Cambridge University, and then he flunked out of college and didn't tell me, but I didn't know that until it was ending anyway. Doug mentioned moving in, I didn't believe in it, and after it was clear we were in different places, he broke up with me. It's funny-- I thought I couldn't live without him, but when the day came, I felt very little sadness. I knew I wasn't meant to be with him and actually felt peaceful. And it helped that I met James 5 weeks later. I told James "no way"-- that I needed time to myself, but he strongly pursued me, and when I gave in, I knew it was right. And then I was totally amazed how much healthier a relationship could be. James was reliable, truthful, and also funny and adventurous like Doug had been. Most importantly though, he had a faith in God that amazed me, whereas Doug did not (another sourse of turmoil in our relationship).

Today, I look back and feel blessed that I found a man willing to save himself for marriage like I did (I hope he doesn't mind me saying that, guys are funny about these things), a man to prayed with me, and also, that my family approved of. They didn't want me to marry Doug.

I just thought I'd share part of my life I've never mentioned before. If you care to share, go for it. Do did you date before now? Someone creepy? Funny? Were you engaged? Bring on the stories!

Woman who drink are more likely to get pregnant

Read this.

Hmmmm . . . you think? If you drink a lot, you're more likely to have sex, which miraculously, is how babies are made. Who would've thought?

I guess the only problem left is who the father is and when the hell you conceived??? HA! "Doctor, I don't even remember having sex . . ."

Our City

I never got to write much last night because James finally came to his senses and decided to go to bed, so I had to get Olivia. Last night, I had dinner with Lovinmuzic, and it was nice to have girl time. We are at Johnny Carino's and it was really yummy! I've missed being with Rebecca this year. I'm happy in my new life, but there is still a part of me that misses my job and friends.

Today, as I ran my errands, I noticed all the growth here. There are so many new stores and restaurants going up-- 6 more Starbucks in the next 6 months, a Kohl's, Petco, and tons of others. But then, there is still a lot here than makes this town kind of redneck, so I decided to snap a few pictures with my camera phone.

This first one is hard to see. This pick-up truck was covered in hunting stickers and it says "redneck woman" on the back windshield. That's an ok title for a song, but not to advertise on your vehicle, in my opinion.

And this truck had the BIGGEST tired I've *ever* seen. Because the first car is closer, it makes the big truck look smaller than it is, but I passed by it on my way into a store, and the bottom of the car was almost at eye level. It's cool here to have huge ass tires. Kind of pathetic if you ask me.

And here's the cutest baby in our city, maybe even in the world! :-)

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Weird movie, food, and vote for my baby

I just got back from seeing a movie with my mom. Wahhhoooo! First one in 6th months! We saw "The Wicker Man" and all I can say is, what a shocker! It was pretty disturbing.

James watched Olivia while I was gone and did a great job. She was in such a good mood when I got home. She loves her Daddy. :-)

I'm going to go put together an Asian Slaw salad and figure out how to use our new ice cream maker. It's the one that attaches to the KitchenAid mixer.

Oh, and please stop by and vote for Olivia. See the top of my sidebar for details. There are many cuties on there, but I'd love for my bonnet wearing babe to win. :-) Thanks!!!

This and That

I worked again for my dad this afternoon (I'm working part-time doing accounting for his business). My mom just loves this time because she watches Olivia while I work! Have I mentioned that my mom has seen Olivia EVERY SINGLE DAY since she was born? I love it. My mom is such a good grandma to her. I know how blessed we are to have my parents here. I love going to my mom's every day (I work at their house). It's better than staying home all day and I get to still be with Olivia. Perfect.

Yesterday, my friend Rebecca, who I taught school with, dropped off a scrapbook she made of advice and letters from my students. It's filled with pictures and the cutest advice-- stuff like "don't lick your finger and wipe the baby's face" and "don't forget to change her or she could get a rash". It meant so much to me that Rebecca took the time. I cried as I looked through it. What a memory! The nice thing is, my mom actually will be teaching at the school I left, so I can visit her and Rebecca next year. Sadly, though, B got transfered to a rough school and he's really bummed. I feel badly for him.

Tonight, I got to cook again. I made chicken and rice as well as tapioca for us to eat later. Then, we went to look at some stuff James wants for his b-day next week and we stopped by Starbucks for Chai Frappacinnos. Yum!

When we got back, Olivia was all smiles. She loves to have her diaper changed. It puts her in a good mood almost every time. I think she likes to lay on her back and have me leaning over her, talking to her in my sweetest voice and smiling at her. She always kicks her legs and makes the loudest noises. We carry on these long conversations that mean nothing but "I love you" and "I'm glad you're here." At least that's what I say, and I think she thinks those things too. Her latest fascination is her hands. She discovered them a few weeks back and sucks on them all the time. Today she gagged herself and threw up. She is also starting to reach for things, but isn't quite sure how to grasp objects. She has a few times though!

Tomorrow, I am going to do the thing new moms always dread. I am leaving Olivia with my parents so James and I can have a date. I trust them 150% percent, but all I can think about it Olivia when we are out. It's easier for James because he goes to work every day, but I am never away from her, and as healthy as it is, I don't want to be.

I don't really believe in jinxes, so I am going to come out and say that Olivia is napping better. But only when she's swaddled. And if she has her sleep positioner. And I sing first. And if she has a pacifier. And if she stops napping, I'll know it's because I told you.

Pictures, Pictures, and More Pictures!

I am finally getting time to post today because Olivia is sleeping next to me. (and no, she is not asleep for the night. This kid will wake up several time and finally decide to go to sleep around 1:00).

Today has been a busy day. My mom, sister, Olivia, and I went to Montgomery, AL to go shopping. We had lunch at Zoe's Kitchen and I bought some pillows at the World Market for our new couch and loveseat! This is the loveseat:

Tonight, I made dinner (frozen gnocchi with tomato sauce and a salad) and while we ate, Olivia sat in her Bumbo Baby Seat on the table. Tonight was the first time she didn't cry when we put her in it. She stuck out her lip last time. This picture is before we put her clothes on and moved her to the table. Here, we were sort of testing the waters so to speak. I think it's terribly sad this kid doesn't get enough to eat. (obviously, I'm kidding. Look at the rolls!)

After dinner, Olivia played in her new swing while I made cookies for my dad. He's been begging me to make him my famous filled peanut butter cookies-- there's creamy peanut butter in the center of the plain looking ones. The others have a dark hershey kiss on top. I made enough to take to my nursing mom's group tomorrow too.

And here's a Father's Day picture. I love my family. :-)

And this one because I like it:

Off to watch a movie with my sexy hubby. :-)

Help!

We have had terrible storms here and channel 7 is out! Who got kicked off of American Idol? I am dying to know and can't find it on the web.

Hello

I have been meaning to say hello to those of you who "de-lurked" and wished us congratulations. I have been seeing some new commenters lately and I wanted to say thank you for reading!

I have thought about doing some "de-lurking" thing on my blog, but I don't want to feel unpopular when like 2 people come out to say hello, so I'll leave it up to you. If you haven't commented before, or if you have only commented a few times and I haven't had the chance to come by your blog yet because all I do is nurse my baby and change her diapers, say hello and leave me your blog url if you'd like. If you prefer to stay anon, that's fine too. That way, I can attribute the lack of comments to the fact that you prefer to stay in hiding. LOL! :-)

good and bad

Good Things Today:

~ sleeping until noon (you read that right!)
~ leftover Eggplant Parmesan from last night
~ baking chocolate chip cookies
~ snuggling with my dogs (even when the poodle is snoring loudly and interrupting my show)
~ great weather
~ not having to go back to work tomorrow

Bad Things Today:

~ not going to church
~ swollen feet
~ constant peeing

at least the good outweighs the bad, right?!?

Today I am laying low and doing some things around the house. Tonight we are going to my parents' for dinner and then tomorrow morning, I am getting my membranes stripped! (is it odd that I am so excited about this?)

Things that are frustrating me

-- I haven't packed my hospital bag yet and just don't feel like doing it. Besides, half the stuff I need to pack I'm still using

-- having to pee every 20 minutes

-- the ever-spreading stretch marks

-- my long-term sub plans are not done yet

-- I haven't finished my thank you notes (I had like 50 to write!)

-- I am in charge on the literary magazine for 6th grade and it's not finished (almost, though) and I'm scared it won't be done before I leave

-- my last day is a week from tomorrow and I am worried I'll cry. I don't want to cry at school in front of my kids

-- my room at school needs to be cleaned out asap

-- Gracie (our rat terrier) has another ear infection-- a bad one! She has horrible chronic allergies and she keeps scratching in her ear and making it infected. She gets rashes too. :-(

-- I've had more meetings than ever at school and I haven't had time to get anything done. There's no use staying until 6:00 because I am too tired and am supposed to be resting in the afternoons. Yeah, right.

On Being Sick and Not Looking Pregnant

It's no fun being sick when you're pregnant (heck, it's no fun anyway). Yesterday I developed a heavy cold and fever. I left work a bit early, was in bed by 8:00 and woke up determined to go to school (I am trying to save all my sick days for maternity leave). Now that I'm here, I am wishing I had stayed home. I took some tylenol, but I am pretty limited as to what I can take since the baby is getting a dose of my medicine too.

At least I only have 2 more days this week-- YAY for no school Friday.

On another note, I look less pregnant today, leading me to believe that part of the growing tummy I noticed must've been water weight or something. I am almost halfway through and still no obvious belly. I am just really surpised because I thought I was popping, but apparently I was retaining water. Bummer. Can you believe that most of my students still don't know? Think I'll have popped by Christmas??? I initally thought I'd be big by Thanksgiving, but now I am doubting it.

The Weekend is Here! (and stuff about poop)

We were supposed to go out with some friends tonight, but when they had to cancel, I was almost relieved. That means my lazy ass can go to bed a whole 2 hours earlier because we won't be out so late. Ah . . . sweet sleep . . .

Tonight we are going to the best steakhouse in the entire world. Not sure if I'm in a meat-eating mood, but I can pick at one and enjoy it tomorrow. I haven't had much of an appetite because of poop. Every where I went today smelled like poop. My classroom has smelled like poop for the last few days. I thought it was me (hehe, not that I smelled, that I was the only one smelling the poop), but 2 other teachers confirmed that yes, it indeed smelled like someone took a big dump in my room. I don't even want to know why my room smelled like doo-doo. Then this afternoon, I went to visit my grandma, who BTW is still in an assisted living place temporarily until her knee replacement is put back in, and I went to get a drink at a soda machine. Little did I know that the large trashman in the way of the machine was filled sky-high with poopy diapers, and they were not from babies.

So, my appetite today has been a little off. I guess it's good I'm getting used to the smell of poop. I will have a lot of it to clean soon, but at least it won't bother me when it's my baby's.

Do you think I'd get in trouble if I sprayed down each student with Lysol next week?

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

This weekend I am seriously going to put up pictures from our trip. They turned out beautifully and I hope they reflect all the beauty of Africa. I think of our trip every day and I miss South Africa, paricularly Cape Town, so much I can't stand it. But I have an extra special souvenir. :-)

There are many things I should have done already, but I am literally dead on my feet. I am more tired, nauseated, and sore (my boobs) than I have ever been, so you'll have to excuse my slowness.

I do have a number of things on my agenda for this weekend after I sleep 15 hours tonight (it might be possible), and the pictures are one of them. Please check back soon and pardon me for being so late!

Nighty night!

Exhausted

This evening we worked in the yard for a few hours and I am T-I-R-E-D! Our backyard is landscaped and needed some work. It was hard, manual labor, but we'll be glad we did it. We tore out the old tarp and raked up the pine straw, pulled some weeds, and started to replace the tarp. Tomorrow we have a lot more still to measure, cut, and stake down. Then we have to lay out the pine staw. I'll post pictures when it's all done.

We were so tired after working and showering, that we opted for take-out Chinese: chicken with black bean sauce, crab rangoons, sesame chicken, and broccoli with garlic sauce. Fattening, I know, but after the work we did I'm sure we burned some major calories!

Hope everyone had a great Friday! :-)

This is a First!

I got these questions from Lisanne and decided since I've NEVER answered questions on my blog, why not? :-)

1] Tell me something obvious about you: I love tea!

2] Tell me something about you that many don’t know: I have a couple inch long scar on my lower abdomen where I had a hernia repaired when I was little. I also got malaria on our honeymoon in Mexico.

3] What is your biggest fear? Getting old, losing someone I love.

4] Do you normally go the safe route or take the short cut? I am generally one to play it safe, but sometimes I surprise myself! :-)

5] Name one thing you want that you can’t buy with money: Children (although if you consider the one we want to adopt from Asia, I suppose all the money it costs is sort of like buying. Sad, huh?)

6] What is your most treasured possession? my diaries, my tea chest we brought back from Korea, photo albums.

7] What is the one thing you hate most about yourself that you do often? worry and obsess over things when I really should just give them to God.

8] Tell me something about your sex life that I don’t know: Uhhhh..... I didn't have sex until I was married, seriously. We chose to wait.

9] Tell me something about your sex life that everyone knows: that I have one.

10] What is your favorite lie to tell? I really can't think of anything.

11] Name something you’ve done once that you can’t wait to do again:
travel around Europe again, go back to Korea to visit James's family, lived in a big city.

12] Are you the jealous type? I can be sometimes, but I try not to be.

13] What is the one person, place or thing you can’t say no to? coffee. If I see a coffee shop, I'm stopping! traveling. I'm always up for an adventure!

14] What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you? James moved to Georgia for me. We had only been dating 6 months or so.

15] If you could do something crazy right now, what would it be? Hop on the next plane and go somewhere exotic, or get pregnant, but it's not time yet. Or, I would quit my job and open up a tea shop.

16] When was the last time you cried? A few days ago when James and I were having a serious discussion about money, moving, and our future. It was just stressful.

17] When was the last time you felt so good that nothing else mattered? Seriously, right now. I was thinking the other day that things are so good right now I'm worried something bad is going to happen. I am crazy excited about this trip, I adore my husband, we own a nice home, and we have something else to look forward to soon that I'm not ready to talk about. :-) You'll have to wait a month or so.

18] Do you feel comfortable in public with no shirt on? Um, no. I like not getting arrested, thank you!

19] Name something embarrassing you did while being drunk: This may come as a shock but I've never been drunk. (Please folks, no goody-goody comments!)

20] If you post this in your journal would you like me to answer it? Yes!

Totally Addicted

I am glued to Six Feet Under. I seldom get really involved in TV shows. Don't get me wrong-- I do like to watch TV: the Food Network, Discovery Times Channel, and the occasional reality show, but every once in a while I get super duper involved with a show. Nip/Tuck is one I love even though it's become totally sleezy and my other favorite is Six Feet Under, which sadly is in its last season. What do you like to watc?

Swaps???

Ok, it seems like there are tons of bloggers involved in various swaps and it sounds like *so* much fun! I absolutely love being in the teaswap and would love to participate in something else, especially something international (but I'd do anything really). Help! What swaps are you a part of? Do you know of any? I don't want to join some random something on yahoo, so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction? Or maybe I should start one? Hmmmm . . . I don't know. Help! :-)

My First Day of Summer

Well, my summer is off to a good start. Today I:

*was at home when James came for lunch. I made Greek salad and fruit salad for us.

*ran errands with my mom

*had coffee and bought a book at my favorite used book store down town

*did yoga for about 10 minutes and almost fell asleep. It was too relaxing! Then I swtiched to belly dancing instead! LOL!

*ran to Target for some things we needed

*made a healthy dinner of pita pockets with homemade hummus and fresh veggies

International Shipping

I went tonight to FedEx to mail Valkyrie some Reese's cups to satisfy her cravings and because she is so sweet (she's mailing me some tea from South Africa). Anyway, FedEx wanted to charge me $64 to ship a small package. I raised my eyebrows and repeated the price and he said "yep." Ok, so don't worry Valkyrie, I am sending them tomorrow, but I could use some help from ya'll as to where to go to ship my little package. I know many of you have friends abroad, whether it's through the teaswap or blogging. What company do you use? USPS? DHL? UPS? Something else I am not thinking of? I just know that I CAN get it cheaper and thought $64 was a rip-off.

Suggestions?

As I mentioned before, we are traveling to NYC a day early and spending the night before boarding our flight to Jo-burg the next evening. We arrive in NYC around 4:00 and will probably be in our hotel by 6:00 or so. Any ideas or suggestions for dinner? We want to eat somewhere fun in the city-- maybe even splurge on this one night in NYC. Has anyone been anywhere they'd recommend?

Back to Reality

While most of my family is still at the beach, I am sitting here with 30 crazy 6th graders who think the school year was over yesterday! *sigh* Also, it's back to heathy food after my splurging this past weekend. Although I wasn't as bad as you may think. I ate salad for a few meals and you know that amazing dessert I posted about? I only ate half! Lunch was a chicken sandwich and a salad with lots of veggies. I'm trying, but man oh man, that Mint Mocha bottled Frappuccino is calling to me!

Memories, Regrets, and Mushrooms

I'm sitting here drinking a glass of White Reisling that I swear has an aftertaste of Shitake mushrooms while thinking about all the places back home (in Washington, D.C.) I wanted to go, but never did. Regrets suck, they really do.

I am sitting here thinking about the fact that I probably won't ever move back, but at the same time wanting to . . . Uncertainty sucks too.

There was the adorable Indian bistro across from my favorite hot spot, Xando, that I never got to try. And the many restuarants along the water in Georgetown-- I started to try some of those, but then 9/11 happened and the armed guards freaked me out and kind of ruined the ambiance of this classy district. I did, however, go to one I had long admired just before we moved. I can honestly say that it was not only the best Italian restaurant I had ever been to, but also the most unusual.

Anyway, the point of all this is, I am, once again, whining that I miss home and since I know I won't move back, I need to just get over it. So, can anyone tell me why Lindeman's 2002 White Reisling from Southern Australia tastes like mushrooms???

Grumbles

I hope ya'll love me enough to read my complaints. I know I'm being stupid, but when my orderly life is not in order, it makes me upset. I am a person who needs control, and right now I don't have it. :-(

Ok, first of all, my love of tea is costing me $500. Well, it's not just the tea that caused the problem, but if I hadn't been drinking Oolong tea in the living room, I wouldn't have spilled it on the carpet, and James and I wouldn't have tried 2 different stain removers that caused a chemical reations, thus dying a sizable part of my carpet orange. So tonight, we wasted money having our carpets cleaned when the carpet is in fact dyed and no longer just stained. And now I have wet carpets and the furniture is all moved and me, being anal-retentive, cannot stand it. I am certain I have mild Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, because I have already begun counting down the hours til everthing can be moved back (21 hours left). And the samples I brought home tonight do not match, so we have to cut some of the carpet to take to the store and the bare spot will annoy me. So now we are replacing a large portion (12ft x 20ft) and I want it done before my spring break next week so I can enjoy it and not obsess about carpeting. Oh, and while the carpet cleaners were here, I remembered that my special on South African politics was on and I missed it. I taped it, but I am enjoying complaining, so it's still annoying.

Oh, and I didn't get to read any blogs today at work because they are now monitoring what we do because some people are "abusing" the privledge of having internet. I don't check it when I should be teaching, but if I have a few mins, I do occasionally look at a blog. I guess since big brother is watching me now, I'll have to check them only in the evenings. Bummer! Sometimes they get me through rough days. I love reading blogs!

And tomorrow, I have a doctor's appointment in the morning to have more blood work because when I had it done a few weeks ago from being so sick, it wasn't normal. I had high glucose levels and I'm scared. Diabetes runs in the family.

I really am not as unpleasant as I sound, but a girl is entitled to bitch once in a while, no?

Sunday Night Ramblings

Well, actually, it's Monday already. I don't usually post this late on school nights, but we did something unusual tonight-- we went to a late night showing of "The Ring 2." The first one really freaked me out, so I was actually nervous about seeing this one (I swear I am still scared of the dark), but this one wasn't quite as scary. I enjoyed and it was fun staying out late, although I'm pretty sure it won't feel "fun" when the alarm goes off in six and a half hours or so. I need my 8 hours.

Before I turn out the lights, I want to send good thoughts and wishes to Lisanne, who is right now attempting to sleep through contractions and nerves. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

And one more thing . . . I had an especially good day today. I stopped by a coffee shop I love for a blended caramel thingy and then I enjoyed perusing down the aisles of the grocery store. I'm a leisurely shopper. Now there are times when I want to get in and get out, but when I don't have a lot to do, I like to take my time. Half the time I plan the menu for the week at the store. I have a couple Thai things I want to make this week. Should be yummy. Ok, nighty-night!

Just Veggin'

Tonight we are at home relaxing with Papa John's pizza and 2 movies: Shark Tales and Second Hand Lions. I'm in my PJ's, I've got my spa socks on (see sidebar for link), and after a hot, relaxing bath, I am squeaky clean and very moisturized. Just wanted to tell you about this awesome hand salve I have fallen in love with. Davies Gate Garden Made hand salve smells awesome and it nice and creamy. It's been cold this week and my hands are dry from the obsessive handwashing I've done since I was so sick-- don't need to catch anything else thank you very much. Anyway, I love bath and body products and this salve is a must-have. It's part of my nightly ritual before going to bed. :-) And with extracts of grape, kiwi fruit, apple and strawberry, who wouldn't love the smell?

An Hour and a Half 'Til Friday!

This has been one heck of a week. I had my gifted class on Tuesday, an open house to recruit students for the IB program next year, and the biggest thing of all, my grandma's surgery. Her incision has been bleeding a lot and she had to have a blood transfusion today, but the hospital wasn't really concerned. She's on a blood thinner, so it's not clotting well.

I am *so* glad tomorrow is Friday. James has been even busier than me, and we've had no time together. He had a big exam tonight, so some of the stress is off. Tomorrow night we're going to visit my grandma, and then we're staying in the rest of the night with pizza and 2 movies from Netflix. Our dogs will be very happy. :-)

And on Saturday, we are journeying to Peachtree City, about an hour and a half away, to go to an excellent Thai restaurant, TeaFusions, and Williams-Sonoma. We are also finishing our taxes so we know how much of this trip we can pay off!

Happy almost Friday everyone!

Random Thoughts on a Monday Evening

As I said last Monday, I always feel a sense of accomplishment once my Monday is over. This week will be especially hectic for a number of reasons: 1) I have my last class for gifted certification tomorrow night, at least until the next class starts in 2 weeks (I am getting certified to teach gifted classes) 2) My dear grandmother is having a 2nd knee replacement tomorrow and I'll be lucky if I see her before 8:00 pm, and 3) I have to attend and help with a big presentation Thursday night at school to recruit students for the gifted program next year. It'll be a late night.

And the reason for the title of this post-- I told James that 2 of the things I am most excited about doing in South Africa are watching TV and going to a grocery store. My husband thinks I'm nuts. He just looked at me, so I felt the need to explain. I am interested in the simple, everyday stuff-- how people really live. Being a food lover, I am interested to see what people buy and eat there. I'd rather visit a grocery store than a museum! James's dad lives right next to a grocery store in Korea and when we were there last summer, I went in it all the time just to look around. It was interesting, but kinda stinky. As for the TV, I love foreign commercials, and I adore the South African accent. I want to see what they watch there. Is that weird?

And just look at our trip counter baby! Woo hoo! It's been 20 days since I started the counter. :-)

Comfort

Tonight, as I made potstickers for my family, I thought about all the things that make me happy. I am a person who likes comfy things-- in fact, I go out of my way to do things that give me that warm, fuzzy feeling. Take one of my favorite things in the whole world for example: food! I love cooking and eating. It gives me a sense of security. And then there's family. Often, I'd rather hang out with my family than my friends. They are the coolest people I know-- really! I share so much in common with them and I am lucky to live so close to them. I always have. And reading . . . I adore books. Cookbooks, novels, magazines, you name it. I love curling up with a book. I also love watching movies and snuggling on the couch with my hubby and puppies by our fake fire (well, not fake exactly, but it has gas logs, hehe). I also love socks-- warm, thick, fuzzy ones. And I can't forget chapsticks. I have always loved them. I like the way my lips feel. And most importantly, I can't forget my love of hot beverages, especially tea.

I know everyone likes comfy things, but lately I seem to go out of my way to find things that give me a sense of security. I'm sure this is partly because I've spent the last 6 weeks feeling pretty crappy and am only now returning to my normal self :-) If you don't have your health, not much else matters, eh?

BTW, the hubby and I are STILL working on my phone (it's a T-Mobile issue luckily and not a problem with my precious new phone). I will be posting pics and recipes for some things I've made over the last few days. I may have dropped 10 pounds being sick, but I am back cooking and eating in full swing . . . I knew it wouldn't last long. Those 10 pounds will probably be back before I know it. I can't resist my natural domestic urges. :-)

Big Baby

Today I just haven't been myself. I took off one last day in the hopes of getting my strength back, but I'm not even sure it worked. I have felt so odd today. It could be the mix of medications or even my monthly friend who always comes at just the right time. It could be the fact that I hadn't seen the sunlight in days. Who knows, but I found myself crying when I had to leave the house this afternoon to go to a meeting for work. And it's not that I wanted to saty home because I found my house depressing as well. I found myself sobbing like a baby and wanting my mom, grandma, and James -- all the people who are so good at comforting me. I made myself tea and sat on my patio, trying to get it together before I had to leave, but nothing seemed to work. Everything I tried made me more and more sad. This just isn't like me. I feel like a clingy child, wanting attention and love. I better get it together because tomorrow I face reality, aka hell.

Even now, as I write, home from my meeting, I still feel "off." Someone please put me back "on." This is the worst feeling ever!

Healthy or Just Plain Sad?

I have a friend who believes that the ultimate female declaration of independence is going to the movies alone. Of course she's single and I'm married, so that makes it different right there. She likes going alone and I just have a husband who won't go-- well he always does, just not to Hotel Rwanda. I want to see it very badly, but no one will go with me. "It's too sad," "I don't think I could bare the violence." Yada yada yada. I understand, but . . . I want to see it!

So I ask you this: By going to the movies alone, are we sending a message that we are independent and confident or will I look akward sitting in such an intense movie completely alone with my tissue box?

Is this something you have done?

Sick & Bored

Here I sit at a workshop on reading and writing-- something I love. But I'm hacking my brains out and I'm sure that I'm annoying everyone. I am happy to have a day away from the students. No yelling, no discipline issues, but I was hoping it would be a big workshop, where I could hide out in the back with my tissues and magazine (bad Hannah), but instead, they're making us work. Ugh.

BTW, yes, my wonderful flu, or whatever it was, turned into bronchitis. Lucky me. I've never been sick so long. I 've been pushing myself and I know I need more rest, but I have so many classes and workshops. There's not much time for resting. Ah.... the woes of a first year teacher.

Update: Now they're making us sing. Okaaayyyyyy . . . I seriously doubt anyone wants to hear me sing today.

Flu

The sub has been called, the lesson plans have been created, and I am all ready for a day of R and R tomorrow because the flu has kicked my butt.

I am feel yucky. I have a fever, chest and throat pain, and the stuff I'm spitting up is bloody. (the doctor assures me this is normal for a bad infection). If I don't wake up tomorrow, James can sue. Just kidding. Ugh. Man, I wish I had been able to get a flu shot.

Friendship

When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You’re caught in a one way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel like you can’t face the day

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I’ll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You’re not alone

- "Crash and Burn" by Savage Garden

I was just reading a friend's blog and she was talking about how she doesn't know too many people where she just moved and it got me thinking. I have lived here in Georgia for 3 years now and I barely have any friends. I have always had tons of friends, so this is unusual. I have several people I hang out with, but it's not the same as having a BEST friend. In fact, just a few weeks ago I was talking to one of my best friends from Maryland and she was telling me about her new best friend and how they are soooo close and they are like soulmates they are so tight. I don't know if she was trying to rub it in (because I know she's jealous I'm married), but it hurt. I am happy she found someone else she can be close to, but it made me feel sad. It was almost juvenile they way she rubbed it in. This was a girl I went to Cambridge University with. We left our homes in Maryland and spent a summer semester abroad together and when we returned, we were closer than ever. So many memories. . .

Now, it's so different. It's harder to find close girl friends after you're married anyway, but I miss it. Sure, I have people I talk to and hang out with, but I miss that really intimate friendship you can only have with some women. I just feel lonely and James doesn't get it because he's more of a loner and he's happy with only having more casual friendships with other people.

Do I sound completely pathetic? This is something I have been thinking about for a while. God, please send me a best friend to laugh, cook, and shop with!

Wedding Day

I was going through our wedding proofs and deciding which ones to order for Christmas gifts for Mom, Grandma, etc. Some of you may not know what I look like (my recent pics have been pretty blurry), so I thought I'd show you one from the happiest day of my life (August 3, 2002) .

Fall . . . finally!

Now that's what I'm talking about . . . it actually feels like fall today. There are leaves blowing around from cool, gusty winds. Ok, so it's nothing like it would be if I still lived in Maryland, but it's a start. Is it time to break in my fireplace for this year? Well, probably not, but I'm certainly trying to will it to get colder so that time will come! :-)

Almost Friday

I am feeling a little down today, even though I shouldn't be. It's a number of things really. The politics of the education system are irritating me. I worked an hour later than usualy doing paper work-- legal crap mostly. I'm also having those feelings again of dissatisfaction with where I live. I don't want to leave my family, but I don't really like Georgia (I'm sure you're thinking here we go again.) For one thing, it's this weather. I want to wear a fuzzy sweater. I could have worn shorts almost ever day for the last 2 months and not have been cold. I want to use my gas fireplace! :-) I want snuggly weather.

I'm so glad it's almost the weekend. We're going to this seafood restaurant tomorrow with two friends from my work and I'm excited. We've been wanting to go forever and they are supposed to have the freshest, best seafood around. They are pricey ($30 a piece), so this is sort of a special thing. I'm also looking forward to tonight because we are going out to dinner (too tired to cook) and we just received a DVd from Netflix. I'm sure there is hot tea in the near future too-- always relaxing. Last night we drank a whole pot of Golden Monkey. It's exquisette, there is no other way to put it.

Hope everyone has a good evening. :-)

Singing

Tonight I sat in Barnes and Noble and listened to different artists and songs on the headphones in the music section. This is something I like to do from time to time because I have always loved music. (I grew up with a music teacher mother). As I sat tonight listening to a myriad of different tunes, I was reminded of how much I always loved singing in choruses and suddenly I felt nostalgic and sad. From sixth to twelth grade I was always in a chorus, sometimes two, the majority of them auditioned choirs. I absolutely loved it. Because I was living in the D.C. area, we always sang a variety of international songs. As I type this entry, I am listening to some of my old recorded CD's when I was in choruses. I must find a chorus to join.

The Weather Channel

There's something addicting about The Weather Channel. I've always enjoyed watching it. I like knowing when it's going to rain and when I need a jacket. It somehow comforts me. I also like the elevator music they play. Sometimes at work, I like to sneak away to check their website. When we had all the hurricanes, man was I glued. I made each of my classes watch for the last 5 minutes of class. I'm so weird. :-)

Rainy Day

There's nothing like a good ol' rainy day for long, hot baths, cups of tea, and a good movie with your honey.

Late Night Grocery Shopping

James is having to work late tonight to finish some contract, so what I am doing? I'm going grocery shopping at 8:20. There's something refreshing about going to the grocery store. I don't mean a quick trip to buy one thing, I mean actually browsing the aisles for my weekly trip. We're out of some things I don't often buy like deoderant, conditioner, and vanilla extract, so I decided to do my normal shopping today instead of Saturday. It makes me feel good because there's a sense of security- I've stocked for the week and I have what I need to cook all my planned meals, which I enjoy immensely. So, I'm weird, because even after a long day, I am relaxed by going to buy groceries. . .

Comfy Things

As I sit here in my freezing classroom wishing I was home, I'm thinking about all the things that make me feel good and bring me comfort.

1) a good book

2) movies like "Lost in Translation" and "You've Got Mail"

3) Rachael Ray's shows: 30 Minute Meals and $40 a Day

4) Food! soups, oatmeal, and pancakes

5) Hot beverages like tea and coffee

6) the wonderful autumn weather that's on its way :-)

Take Me To South Africa

When I was younger, I used to stare out the window of the airport at the South African Airways plane while I waited for my boring, old plane to take me somewhere in the U.S. Its bright colors always caught my attention and drew me in. I assumed South Africa must be a wonderfully exotic place to have such brightly colored planes and now, this coming summer, one of these will take me with it.

Celebrating Friday with an Indian Feast

After a week of feeling yucky, I am pleased that it is Friday. Tonight I plan to do something I love-- something that I have missed this week after a diet of bland things like potatoes, apple sauce, and toast-- cooking and eating! I'm planning to make an Indian feast of spicy meatballs, roti paratha, palak panner (spinach with fresh cheese), samosas (frozen ones), and mago lassies. Mmmmm. . . .

Lost in Anticipation

I know what James will say when I tell him I watched "Lost in Translation" again today. No matter how many times I see it, I never cease to feel that link to the characters. The scenery of Japan I've heard James describe so often never fails to amaze me. I know there are many people who disliked the film, and unless you relate to it in some way, you probably wouldn't. It's rather slow and uneventful and it's a quiet film, which is one of the main reasons I'm drawn to it. It ties together so well the exhiliration of being independent--having time on your own to contemplate life, to explore, yet we still need someone to share life's burdens with. We need relationships to help define who we are.

I never even saw this as a love story until I read reviews of the film. I saw it and will always see it as a bond between two people-- a friendship. Some sort of romantic something is inevitable in most female/male friendships, but I don't think the movie was about that aspect of the friendship. It was about finding someone, in another lonely part of the world, to share a brief, but very significant few moments with.

Life

Lately I have felt overwhelmed when I should be feeling happy. The moment I have been waiting for for five long years is finally coming May 15- my college graduation! I will finally be free-- almost. I have been through a lot sice I began college: a rigorous scholar's program, a summer semester abroad at Cambridge in England, a move from Washington, D.C. to Georgia, and a wedding to a wonderful man. We have bought a house and adopted two wonderful dogs. My life is wonderful, but I am terrified. I am currently looking for a job for next fall and it's looking good. I'm also going to have a nice break this summer, but somehow life seems frightening. I have always dreaded change. I am at a crossroads . . .