Took a little holiday hiatus from the blog - sorry about that. Mom, Dad, and Patrick came up to VA for Thanksgiving so I was busy off having adventures with them.
On Thursday we had Thanksgiving dinner with Tina and one of my friends from high school and her husband. It was fun to get to sit down with everyone and then hang out digesting for a while. There was a lot of football to be had, as well as plenty of food (even though we had one casualty - the green bean casserole didn't make it...moment of silence for the casserole dish that also didn't make it). We mostly lounged around after dinner and then everyone hit the hay.
Friday consisted of more football, this time of the college variety. We all watched as Alabama choked against Auburn, none of us really knowing what to do since we strongly dislike both teams. In the end, we were mostly rooting for Auburn to get knocked around enough that they might be a little slow next week against the Gamecocks in the SEC championship game.
We decided to venture into the city on Saturday to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery/National Gallery of Art (same building...two names). The Rockwell exhibit was really cool, and is made up of the two private collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The one question that was left unanswered for me is, do they have these pieces on display somewhere all of the time? Or do they live in storage?
We also got to see one of Dad's sisters and her family. Frank and I see them on occasion, but my parents only see them every other year or so, so it was a nice visit. The four of us went back to the gallery afterward, I wanted Dad to see the Presidential portrait exhibit. It is a permanent exhibit, and one of my favorites in DC. If you've never been, I highly recommend it! They have at least one portrait of every president as well as some other cool paintings and artifacts throughout the hall.
Saturday night was, of course, highlighted by the sound beating that the Gamecocks delivered to the Clemson Tiggers. Nothing says 'quality family time' like gathering to watch the sad faces of Clemson fans on a big tv. 29-7. Lovely.
Today was brief; church then departures. The SC crew hit the road around 11, hopefully beating a lot of the other traffic on I-95 S.
Things I'm thankful for, looking back on this weekend:
1. Dad kept on top of our dishes. With 5 adults in the house and no dishwasher, it was a life-saver to have such a vigilant dish washer among us. I think I thanked him 100 times, but I'm not sure it was enough!
2. Success in hosting the family. I know my family, and I generally can anticipate their needs, but there is always that nervous "what if we forgot something important" feeling just before the arrive. My parents and brother were great guests, helpful, happy, easy, and I'm glad Frank and I had the opportunity to host them for the holiday.
3. The Gamecocks pounded the Tiggers. 'Nuff Said.
4. The hounds behaved....mostly.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Forgot to give this one a title
1. I started to clean yesterday (inspired by my husband who cleaned his side of the room on Friday!) and ended up taking pictures off of walls, patching holes with spackle, doing touch-up painting in the dining room/living room, and cleaning out space in the basement.
Two full trash bags and three trips out to the recycling bin later...I wasn't near finished. I vacuumed, resisted the urge to clean out the coat closet (might do that today), and did my laundry. The combination of house guests coming and being pregnant has hit - it took all of my strength not to paint the stairwell and REpaint the bathroom. Not kidding.
2. The Colts lost to the Patriots last night. Not only that, but they lost because Manning threw 3 picks in the game - that is for a season total of 7...he almost doubled his season total during this game. Not fun, especially when your husband is a Patriot fan. Ick.
There is always next year - yes, I'm writing this year off already - and maybe Manning should take it easy for the rest of the year and we'll come back 110% next year when half of the team isn't hurt.
3. My smaller hound is having issues, which is causing me to have issue. R wakes up at 6:56am every day, no matter what and begins to FREAK OUT as if someone is stabbing him in the face. Then, once let out to 'do his business' he won't go back to sleep. If he keeps this up, someone might give him a reason to FREAK OUT...
The amount of exercise he gets is more than the average hound, and it doesn't matter how much water he drinks, or what time he goes to bed. There aren't even any noises that we can pinpoint that would wake him up. THERE ARE ALSO TWO OTHER DOGS SLEEPING PEACEFULLY BESIDE HIM WHO SEEM TO BE FULLY CAPABLE OF SLEEPING PAST 7AM.
4. I am hungry all of the time. We need to finalize our Thanksgiving menu, we then need to go to the store to purchase the necessary items. This could be disastrous. I may have to send Frank all by himself for fear that I'll forget to buy a turkey but remember to buy cookie dough.
5. I've never been one to have dry skin issues or use lotion on a regular basis. This has changed, and now I am applying generous amounts of lotion to my belly every night before bed and every morning after I shower. My legs and hands have also decided that they thirst for lotion, so that is a fun new routine for me.
6. That is all for now, maybe there will be more insanity later...stay tuned.
Status: 22 weeks, 2 days pregnant. 17 weeks, 5 days to due date.
Two full trash bags and three trips out to the recycling bin later...I wasn't near finished. I vacuumed, resisted the urge to clean out the coat closet (might do that today), and did my laundry. The combination of house guests coming and being pregnant has hit - it took all of my strength not to paint the stairwell and REpaint the bathroom. Not kidding.
2. The Colts lost to the Patriots last night. Not only that, but they lost because Manning threw 3 picks in the game - that is for a season total of 7...he almost doubled his season total during this game. Not fun, especially when your husband is a Patriot fan. Ick.
There is always next year - yes, I'm writing this year off already - and maybe Manning should take it easy for the rest of the year and we'll come back 110% next year when half of the team isn't hurt.
3. My smaller hound is having issues, which is causing me to have issue. R wakes up at 6:56am every day, no matter what and begins to FREAK OUT as if someone is stabbing him in the face. Then, once let out to 'do his business' he won't go back to sleep. If he keeps this up, someone might give him a reason to FREAK OUT...
The amount of exercise he gets is more than the average hound, and it doesn't matter how much water he drinks, or what time he goes to bed. There aren't even any noises that we can pinpoint that would wake him up. THERE ARE ALSO TWO OTHER DOGS SLEEPING PEACEFULLY BESIDE HIM WHO SEEM TO BE FULLY CAPABLE OF SLEEPING PAST 7AM.
4. I am hungry all of the time. We need to finalize our Thanksgiving menu, we then need to go to the store to purchase the necessary items. This could be disastrous. I may have to send Frank all by himself for fear that I'll forget to buy a turkey but remember to buy cookie dough.
5. I've never been one to have dry skin issues or use lotion on a regular basis. This has changed, and now I am applying generous amounts of lotion to my belly every night before bed and every morning after I shower. My legs and hands have also decided that they thirst for lotion, so that is a fun new routine for me.
6. That is all for now, maybe there will be more insanity later...stay tuned.
Status: 22 weeks, 2 days pregnant. 17 weeks, 5 days to due date.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Seriously?!
When did it become mid-November? Thanksgiving is next week, real winter weather is headed our way this weekend, Macy's windows are all covered up because they are doing their big Christmas window display reveal next week.
When did this happen?? I need a week off to catch up with life or else I'm going to be ready for Christmas some time in February.
Anyway, the good news is that my parents and younger brother will be making their way up to our house next week for Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to spending some down time with them up in our neck of the woods. I really do love where we live, I just get so caught up in life that I often forget to take advantage of it. Hopefully I can do a little DC living while the family is in town.
When did this happen?? I need a week off to catch up with life or else I'm going to be ready for Christmas some time in February.
Anyway, the good news is that my parents and younger brother will be making their way up to our house next week for Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to spending some down time with them up in our neck of the woods. I really do love where we live, I just get so caught up in life that I often forget to take advantage of it. Hopefully I can do a little DC living while the family is in town.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Status Update
A week or so ago I began to notice a new feeling in my abdomen that was happening somewhat regularly. It took a while to figure out what it was because 1)I've never been pregnant before 2)It didn't feel like 'flutters' 3)pregnant women are gassy so I kind of wrote it off as gas 4)It felt like little muscle spasms so I sort of thought my uterus was having small growing pains/spasms
Anyway, turns out it is the kid! I can't say if it is kicks, punches, or flips but I do know that it is fetal movement. It happens most often mid morning, around dinner time, and when I lay down to go to sleep.
The coolest part, in my opinion, is that Frank can feel it now, too! It took a few days of trying before he felt it, but earlier this week it happened! It was neat to see him react to the feeling - it is still faint like a small misplaced heartbeat.
I'm doing my best to enjoy it now when it is small and only occasional. I know later I'll be begging the little person to stop so I can go to sleep!
Another milestone, passed.
I am 21 weeks pregnant, 19 weeks until the due date.
Anyway, turns out it is the kid! I can't say if it is kicks, punches, or flips but I do know that it is fetal movement. It happens most often mid morning, around dinner time, and when I lay down to go to sleep.
The coolest part, in my opinion, is that Frank can feel it now, too! It took a few days of trying before he felt it, but earlier this week it happened! It was neat to see him react to the feeling - it is still faint like a small misplaced heartbeat.
I'm doing my best to enjoy it now when it is small and only occasional. I know later I'll be begging the little person to stop so I can go to sleep!
Another milestone, passed.
I am 21 weeks pregnant, 19 weeks until the due date.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Ode to Potbelly
I don't know how I ever lived without you
I don't think I could live without ever again
Your Italian sandwich is enchanting
And your cookies are perfect to the end.
Your location is so convenient to my office
The pricing is so very hard to compete with
The online ordering is so simple
A happy life without you is now a myth
I loved you even before I was pregnant
And I promise to love you forever more
However, if I keep eating with you often
I may someday no longer fit through your door
(In case you don't have a Potbelly near you, or you do and have never gone inside - I highly highly recommend it! You can search for locations on their website, http://www.potbelly.com/)
I don't think I could live without ever again
Your Italian sandwich is enchanting
And your cookies are perfect to the end.
Your location is so convenient to my office
The pricing is so very hard to compete with
The online ordering is so simple
A happy life without you is now a myth
I loved you even before I was pregnant
And I promise to love you forever more
However, if I keep eating with you often
I may someday no longer fit through your door
(In case you don't have a Potbelly near you, or you do and have never gone inside - I highly highly recommend it! You can search for locations on their website, http://www.potbelly.com/)
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Status Update
WOOOOOOAAAAAAH We're half way there! OOOOOOOOOOH livin' on a prayer!
We had our 20 week scan yesterday and everything looks great! We counted fingers and toes, and even saw the baby's brain (already his/her daddy's boy/girl!). The technician told us that the baby is measuring 1 day ahead of schedule, which works for me.
baby toes!
I am 20 weeks pregnant.
20 weeks until our due date.
I'm starting to feel the baby ( I think ) move around a little. Tends to be when I have a full bladder...though that may be unfair because it seems I always have a full bladder these days.
They didn't weigh me so I don't know if I've gained any more.
And the fun pregnancy activity of the week is......wait for it......teenage style breakouts on my face! Yay! Combine that with my awesome head cold and therefore super dry nose (due to all of nose blowing) and I'm your every day 14 year old boy! My face is oily, dry, broken out, and red all at once - awesome! It will pass, it will pass, it will pass.
We had our 20 week scan yesterday and everything looks great! We counted fingers and toes, and even saw the baby's brain (already his/her daddy's boy/girl!). The technician told us that the baby is measuring 1 day ahead of schedule, which works for me.
baby toes!
I am 20 weeks pregnant.
20 weeks until our due date.
I'm starting to feel the baby ( I think ) move around a little. Tends to be when I have a full bladder...though that may be unfair because it seems I always have a full bladder these days.
They didn't weigh me so I don't know if I've gained any more.
And the fun pregnancy activity of the week is......wait for it......teenage style breakouts on my face! Yay! Combine that with my awesome head cold and therefore super dry nose (due to all of nose blowing) and I'm your every day 14 year old boy! My face is oily, dry, broken out, and red all at once - awesome! It will pass, it will pass, it will pass.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A New Twist on "Leftovers"
We didn't have nearly as many Trick or Treaters as we thought we'd get, so we've been left with two very large bags of candy. I had heard of something a while ago and decided that I'd give it a try.
Halloween Candy Pie!
One pie crust, one pie pan (or small casserole dish if you are me), and a bunch of candy is all you need. I filled the pie crust with M&Ms, snickers, twix, etc and popped it into the oven for about 45 minutes on 350. Let the pie cool until the chocolate sets, then, go for it!
It is sweet, and a little bit chewy from all of the melted caramel.
Who knows how much of this we'll eat, and how many cavities we'll get in the process, but it was a fun experiment and I'm glad I did it!
Halloween Candy Pie!
One pie crust, one pie pan (or small casserole dish if you are me), and a bunch of candy is all you need. I filled the pie crust with M&Ms, snickers, twix, etc and popped it into the oven for about 45 minutes on 350. Let the pie cool until the chocolate sets, then, go for it!
It is sweet, and a little bit chewy from all of the melted caramel.
Who knows how much of this we'll eat, and how many cavities we'll get in the process, but it was a fun experiment and I'm glad I did it!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Happy Election Day!
Just your friendly neighborhood reminder to go vote today! Just because it is a midterm election, doesn't mean it isn't as important as a presidential year! No matter what side of the aisle you associate with, or what your biggest issue is, every election is a chance to have your voice heard.
I hope you've taken time to brush up on your issues and candidates. The worst kind of voter is an uneducated voter! Find out what matters most to you, starting at the local level, and familiarize yourself with your candidates. You'd be amazed at the impact your local leaders have, and they need your support and constant interaction!
Sure, sure, Congress matters but the best governing happens at home. Remember to support your local school board, county council, even the dog catcher! These are the people that know your neighborhood and they need your support if they are going to do their jobs well.
Always remember, Vote Early and Vote Often!
I hope you've taken time to brush up on your issues and candidates. The worst kind of voter is an uneducated voter! Find out what matters most to you, starting at the local level, and familiarize yourself with your candidates. You'd be amazed at the impact your local leaders have, and they need your support and constant interaction!
Sure, sure, Congress matters but the best governing happens at home. Remember to support your local school board, county council, even the dog catcher! These are the people that know your neighborhood and they need your support if they are going to do their jobs well.
Always remember, Vote Early and Vote Often!
Monday, November 1, 2010
I'm Excited About: Owls & Apples
I decided to make my own nursery bedding after fruitlessly looking for a set that appealed to me (that was not insanely expensive). So far I've chosen the fabric, purchased the bumper pads, and gone over the pattern for all of the pieces.
Since our housing situation is still somewhat up in the air, the only plans we're making for the nursery involve the items that would move with us if we moved. I'll paint the walls back to a neutral/sand color to satisfy both the colors in the nursery and the possibility that we'll be moving again in early 2011.
The owls & apples will be the bumper cover, with the yellow gingham used for the ties. The yellow gingham will be the bed skirt, possibly with a line of owls & apples a couple inches up from the bottom (if I have enough fabric). The curtains will be a combination of the two, as will a throw pillow or two (for me in the rocker, not for the crib). And lastly, I've decided to make a ribbon board with the owls & apples - somewhere to keep all of the cards and things we've been receiving.
I was originally looking for a bright green gingham to be the complimentary fabric, but after scouring three different fabric stores I decided to go a different route. I chose yellow gingham! I even took a picture of it next to the main fabric, but somehow I deleted it just now. Cool.
Since our housing situation is still somewhat up in the air, the only plans we're making for the nursery involve the items that would move with us if we moved. I'll paint the walls back to a neutral/sand color to satisfy both the colors in the nursery and the possibility that we'll be moving again in early 2011.
The owls & apples will be the bumper cover, with the yellow gingham used for the ties. The yellow gingham will be the bed skirt, possibly with a line of owls & apples a couple inches up from the bottom (if I have enough fabric). The curtains will be a combination of the two, as will a throw pillow or two (for me in the rocker, not for the crib). And lastly, I've decided to make a ribbon board with the owls & apples - somewhere to keep all of the cards and things we've been receiving.
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