Well, that Barbie did it again. She is my best source for blog fodder.
Me: "I'm feeling kind of out of it."
Barbie: "Did you take your drugs?"
Me: "No. This headache should get better. I just feel kind of out of it -- you know, like when people are on drugs?"
Barbie: "Yeah, well Mom, most people are out of it when they're on drugs. You're out of it when you're NOT on drugs."
Never let it be said that your kids don't know you better than anyone.
xoxoxox
Showing posts with label getting healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label getting healthy. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, February 7, 2009
New Barbie-ism
The garage sale continues. Stuff is everywhere. Not sure I'm making any money but I am keeping busy.
This has been quite a week. Rose had her wisdom teeth out Friday. She is our Squirrel. Barbie once tried to make a snide comment about what a squirrel she is, and called her a chipmunk instead. I almost died laughing over that one. Oh, the tone she used!
Now she looks a bit like a chipmunk. But only on one side, since they had to leave one of the teeth in. The Boyfriend doesn't know what to do, (typical man) and she is cranky because people have been messing with her. (Here, honey, have another Vicodin.)
I went to two doctor's appts this week; I've had it with these sinus headaches and I am insisting that they remove my head and fix it and then put it back on. They have instead put me on an antihistimine which knocks me out for 24 hours at a time. They have also promised a potential CAT scan of my head in 3 weeks.
Maybe I should contact Dr. House. I bet he'd take my head off and fix it and then put it back on right. (yawn)
And the latest priceless comedy moment from Barbie:
Hunk O Man and Rose and Barbie were getting out of the car at Chick-fil-A, where Rose used to work. Rose noticed that there was an unmarked police car in the parking lot. Rose knows these cars because apparently the police here frequent Chick-Fil-A more than the local donut shop.
Rose: "Hey look. There's an unmarked police car."
Hunk O Man: "Oh, yeah. "
Barbie: "Well it doesn't LOOK like a police car."
xoxox
This has been quite a week. Rose had her wisdom teeth out Friday. She is our Squirrel. Barbie once tried to make a snide comment about what a squirrel she is, and called her a chipmunk instead. I almost died laughing over that one. Oh, the tone she used!
Now she looks a bit like a chipmunk. But only on one side, since they had to leave one of the teeth in. The Boyfriend doesn't know what to do, (typical man) and she is cranky because people have been messing with her. (Here, honey, have another Vicodin.)
I went to two doctor's appts this week; I've had it with these sinus headaches and I am insisting that they remove my head and fix it and then put it back on. They have instead put me on an antihistimine which knocks me out for 24 hours at a time. They have also promised a potential CAT scan of my head in 3 weeks.
Maybe I should contact Dr. House. I bet he'd take my head off and fix it and then put it back on right. (yawn)
And the latest priceless comedy moment from Barbie:
Hunk O Man and Rose and Barbie were getting out of the car at Chick-fil-A, where Rose used to work. Rose noticed that there was an unmarked police car in the parking lot. Rose knows these cars because apparently the police here frequent Chick-Fil-A more than the local donut shop.
Rose: "Hey look. There's an unmarked police car."
Hunk O Man: "Oh, yeah. "
Barbie: "Well it doesn't LOOK like a police car."
xoxox
Monday, December 29, 2008
Beauty for the Beautifully Challenged
About 3 years ago, I had a friend introduce me to Arbonne. I loved the skin care line -- the one with all the vitamin C in it. It made my skin look SO much better, and I loved the smell of it.
But I gave it up because of the expense. It was almost $100 everytime I ran out of cleanser and moisturizer.
Two weeks ago, I was in Sally Beauty Supply looking for false eyelashes (for the play I was in). I ran across some stuff called "Beyond Belief Vita C+" moisturizer, eye cream, and serum. They were only $5.99 each so I got all 3.
Holy Facelift, Batman!
It's like I'm using the Arbonne stuff again. My skin is much nicer, wrinkles are diminishing, and it smells amazing. So I had to tell you about it.
Now I have mid-life aging skin that's had too much sun. I say this because you may have beautiful aging skin which has had very little sun, or you may have gorgeous young skin. Either way, this stuff is just flat WOW. You should try it.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Two Op-Eds and a Rant
ON THE HOSPITAL FRONT:
All better now. Sorta. I'm still coughing but I'm up and going. I laid low all day yesterday, in bed, sleeping to make up for all the sleep I've lost!
REGARDING A CUPPA JOE:
I've been drinking Bug's Chai Tea, and I find it very comforting and nice. It's got some body to it, rather than just a plain cup of teabag-ish tea. I have always preferred coffee. Coffee seems to have an umph to it -- a body, if you will, that tea just lacks. Tea seems kind of thin and watery to me.
Now this Chai Tea of hers is Mystic Chai that you can find at Sam's Club. It's very good. But I'd like to make my own if possible. The trouble is, you have to have cardamom. It's a spice and at my local Wal-Mart, it's $12! That's just too much for a spice unless it's gold-laced saffron or something.
So I'm on the hunt for some cheap cardamom. In the meantime I'm drinking my regular hazelnut with a splash of milk and 3 packets of aspertame.
My dad used to say "You like a little coffee with that cream and sugar?" I now reply to him, "Dad, you just enjoy that black nasty cup of paving tar and I'll enjoy my nice delicious coffee."
I learned to drink coffee when I was a senior in high school. It was a rite of passage for me, since everyone I've ever known in my family drinks the stuff. I mixed it with packages of hot cocoa mix, and it was wonderful. I did gain about 10 lbs. my senior year -- but I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee. And it was nice being able to sit after dinner with the grownups.
In college, I lived on the generic instant stuff and lots of milk and sugar or sugar substitute. How I did that, I can only attribute to the fact that I would also stay up all night and live on Diet Coke and McDonald's french fries. I would also treat myself to frozen cool whip with natural peanut butter, a spoonful at a time. Some people smoked weed or drank too much. Me, I just ate like one of those birds in Mary Poppins.
Now that I am older and wiser, I mix up a nice batch of half decaf, half regular beans. I use Millstone Hazelnut Cream. My mother in law got me a grinder about a million years ago, and I use it to grind the beans as I need them. Then I use a splash of milk and sweetner. It's better if I use evaporated milk -- but I fear that's too many calories for the amount of cups I drink.
Some people I've talked with tell me they enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. To this, I reply "What lightweights! I drink a POT of coffee in the mornings!" I used to split the pot with Lynnette, my walking partner, but that was many years ago when I would rise at 5AM to do a couple of miles with her. We only really walked for the coffee.
My children will now drink it, although generally it has to come from Starbucks. It was a mistake I made early on, taking them there. I heartily discourage any mom with children to make the trip, even if it does save the mom's sanity. It will cost you dearly, my friends.
REGARDING PROJECT RUNWAY, SEVERAL DAYS LATE:
Well, I know I'm late but I have been sick . . . excuses, excuses! I have failed to make it work!
The final three were LeAnn, Kenley, and Korto. While all 3 collections were gorgeous, LeAnn's really stood out as the most artistic and cohesive to me. It looked like all her pieces came from the same designer. This was kind of a "best of the best" thing for me -- they are all so talented, and all deserved huge accolades.
And LeAnn won, just barely beating Korto and Kenley came in third. They were all very weepy; typical of women contestants -- you'd have thought this might be Miss America. But in their defense, I have to say that there is a lot to be said for putting your creations out for the world to judge. It takes courage.
So now I hope Lost comes back, because there's nothing on TV for the next few Wednesday nights. Except Top Design, and I'm kind of wishy-washy on it. It's more fun to watch for Jonathan Adler's wide ties and Kelly Wearstler's ridiculous outfits.
AND ONE LAST BIT OF PREACHING FROM MY SOAPBOX . . .
My youngest watches Disney channel a lot. Recently, for Halloween, I heard from the other room that you could "logon and make your own spells" at their website.
Ok, that's it. That's taking it too far. I hope those of you with children who watch this channel just turn it off. Making your own spells? God tells us to have nothing to do with witchcraft or the occult. While I am decidedly not of those people thumping my bible and telling everyone who reads Harry Potter they're going to hell -- I do draw the line somewhere.
The thing to remember is that God tells us this to protect us. It is highly self-indulgent and out-and-out-conceited to think that we could possibly understand the unseen world. It will trick us and get us into serious trouble if we mess with it. There is a battle going on between Satan and God, my friends, and we are the battleground. Satan uses us and hurts us purposely, solely because we are loved by God and hurting us hurts God. Satan could care less about us. And if we dabble the unseen world, he's all the more delighted to take advantage of us.
So be careful. Be smart. And don't be logging on to create your own spells. Bad idea.
Instead, go have a nice cup of Chai Tea or really good coffee -- any way you like it!
xox
All better now. Sorta. I'm still coughing but I'm up and going. I laid low all day yesterday, in bed, sleeping to make up for all the sleep I've lost!
REGARDING A CUPPA JOE:
I've been drinking Bug's Chai Tea, and I find it very comforting and nice. It's got some body to it, rather than just a plain cup of teabag-ish tea. I have always preferred coffee. Coffee seems to have an umph to it -- a body, if you will, that tea just lacks. Tea seems kind of thin and watery to me.
Now this Chai Tea of hers is Mystic Chai that you can find at Sam's Club. It's very good. But I'd like to make my own if possible. The trouble is, you have to have cardamom. It's a spice and at my local Wal-Mart, it's $12! That's just too much for a spice unless it's gold-laced saffron or something.
So I'm on the hunt for some cheap cardamom. In the meantime I'm drinking my regular hazelnut with a splash of milk and 3 packets of aspertame.
My dad used to say "You like a little coffee with that cream and sugar?" I now reply to him, "Dad, you just enjoy that black nasty cup of paving tar and I'll enjoy my nice delicious coffee."
I learned to drink coffee when I was a senior in high school. It was a rite of passage for me, since everyone I've ever known in my family drinks the stuff. I mixed it with packages of hot cocoa mix, and it was wonderful. I did gain about 10 lbs. my senior year -- but I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee. And it was nice being able to sit after dinner with the grownups.
In college, I lived on the generic instant stuff and lots of milk and sugar or sugar substitute. How I did that, I can only attribute to the fact that I would also stay up all night and live on Diet Coke and McDonald's french fries. I would also treat myself to frozen cool whip with natural peanut butter, a spoonful at a time. Some people smoked weed or drank too much. Me, I just ate like one of those birds in Mary Poppins.
Now that I am older and wiser, I mix up a nice batch of half decaf, half regular beans. I use Millstone Hazelnut Cream. My mother in law got me a grinder about a million years ago, and I use it to grind the beans as I need them. Then I use a splash of milk and sweetner. It's better if I use evaporated milk -- but I fear that's too many calories for the amount of cups I drink.
Some people I've talked with tell me they enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. To this, I reply "What lightweights! I drink a POT of coffee in the mornings!" I used to split the pot with Lynnette, my walking partner, but that was many years ago when I would rise at 5AM to do a couple of miles with her. We only really walked for the coffee.
My children will now drink it, although generally it has to come from Starbucks. It was a mistake I made early on, taking them there. I heartily discourage any mom with children to make the trip, even if it does save the mom's sanity. It will cost you dearly, my friends.
REGARDING PROJECT RUNWAY, SEVERAL DAYS LATE:
Well, I know I'm late but I have been sick . . . excuses, excuses! I have failed to make it work!
The final three were LeAnn, Kenley, and Korto. While all 3 collections were gorgeous, LeAnn's really stood out as the most artistic and cohesive to me. It looked like all her pieces came from the same designer. This was kind of a "best of the best" thing for me -- they are all so talented, and all deserved huge accolades.
And LeAnn won, just barely beating Korto and Kenley came in third. They were all very weepy; typical of women contestants -- you'd have thought this might be Miss America. But in their defense, I have to say that there is a lot to be said for putting your creations out for the world to judge. It takes courage.
So now I hope Lost comes back, because there's nothing on TV for the next few Wednesday nights. Except Top Design, and I'm kind of wishy-washy on it. It's more fun to watch for Jonathan Adler's wide ties and Kelly Wearstler's ridiculous outfits.
AND ONE LAST BIT OF PREACHING FROM MY SOAPBOX . . .
My youngest watches Disney channel a lot. Recently, for Halloween, I heard from the other room that you could "logon and make your own spells" at their website.
Ok, that's it. That's taking it too far. I hope those of you with children who watch this channel just turn it off. Making your own spells? God tells us to have nothing to do with witchcraft or the occult. While I am decidedly not of those people thumping my bible and telling everyone who reads Harry Potter they're going to hell -- I do draw the line somewhere.
The thing to remember is that God tells us this to protect us. It is highly self-indulgent and out-and-out-conceited to think that we could possibly understand the unseen world. It will trick us and get us into serious trouble if we mess with it. There is a battle going on between Satan and God, my friends, and we are the battleground. Satan uses us and hurts us purposely, solely because we are loved by God and hurting us hurts God. Satan could care less about us. And if we dabble the unseen world, he's all the more delighted to take advantage of us.
So be careful. Be smart. And don't be logging on to create your own spells. Bad idea.
Instead, go have a nice cup of Chai Tea or really good coffee -- any way you like it!
xox
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sick of Being Sick
In lieu of whining, I thought I'd share this with you regarding how I'm feeling today:
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
If's Not a Migraine, It's Something Else . . .
I actually purchased one of those microwave thingys of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup last night. And ate half of it, during rehearsals for Peter Pan.
Hack hack. Cough. Hack. Spit. Hack. Gross!
Hunk O Man loves to do gross things to me, like make me smell disgusting smells and hear disgusting sounds. Once in awhile he'll show me a mashed bug. So, I retaliate by matching his boyish grossness skills with a look at what comes either out of my nose or throat. Works everytime!
Babydoll has given me her plague. Her creeping crud. Little did I know those daily hugs and kisses were disease-ridden. Little mice look so cute, don't they? Even rats.
Ok, well, maybe not rats.
(sound of Darth Vader breathing)
Nonetheless, I am trying to tough it out with no medication. I think today I will give in.
I actually feel fine, although my throat is ON FIE-YA!
Last night I was up at 1:00AM. Again at 3:00AM to get the Vick's for my throat and chest and ibuprofen and throat spray (which I found while looking for the Vick's) water to drink. Again at 5 when Hunk O Man got up to go to Cracker Barrel for his bible study on Tuesday AM's. Again at 8:30 when everyone left for school.
It's actually kind of nice not feeling that badly. It won't really hinder my day. Although, if you're going to really get sick, you should get the fever and all that, just to really milk it for all its worth.
The coffee this morning tastes especially good going down. That warm liquid on a raw throat -- and I was reminded of my sweet friend Bethany, of whom I have not thought in a long time. She is a wonderful, smart, funny friend that I dearly love. And the last time I saw her, we were drinking coffee. She put her little containers of cream into her cup before the waitress came to refill it. Another friend with us asked why she did that -- she looked at me and said "You taught me that." I did? I didn't remember. Then she explained that when you put the cream in first, the hot coffee warms it for you.
Wow. I had no idea. :)
Hack hack! Cough! Where are my antihistimines and decongestants?
xox
Hack hack. Cough. Hack. Spit. Hack. Gross!
Hunk O Man loves to do gross things to me, like make me smell disgusting smells and hear disgusting sounds. Once in awhile he'll show me a mashed bug. So, I retaliate by matching his boyish grossness skills with a look at what comes either out of my nose or throat. Works everytime!
Babydoll has given me her plague. Her creeping crud. Little did I know those daily hugs and kisses were disease-ridden. Little mice look so cute, don't they? Even rats.
Ok, well, maybe not rats.
(sound of Darth Vader breathing)
Nonetheless, I am trying to tough it out with no medication. I think today I will give in.
I actually feel fine, although my throat is ON FIE-YA!
Last night I was up at 1:00AM. Again at 3:00AM to get the Vick's for my throat and chest and ibuprofen and throat spray (which I found while looking for the Vick's) water to drink. Again at 5 when Hunk O Man got up to go to Cracker Barrel for his bible study on Tuesday AM's. Again at 8:30 when everyone left for school.
It's actually kind of nice not feeling that badly. It won't really hinder my day. Although, if you're going to really get sick, you should get the fever and all that, just to really milk it for all its worth.
The coffee this morning tastes especially good going down. That warm liquid on a raw throat -- and I was reminded of my sweet friend Bethany, of whom I have not thought in a long time. She is a wonderful, smart, funny friend that I dearly love. And the last time I saw her, we were drinking coffee. She put her little containers of cream into her cup before the waitress came to refill it. Another friend with us asked why she did that -- she looked at me and said "You taught me that." I did? I didn't remember. Then she explained that when you put the cream in first, the hot coffee warms it for you.
Wow. I had no idea. :)
Hack hack! Cough! Where are my antihistimines and decongestants?
xox
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Thursday Lineup
1. On the Migraine front: it's pretty well gone although it took until yesterday to be gone completely. A migraine is like a runaway train -- I had it on the tracks by Monday, but it was a struggle keeping it there until yesterday. Lots of ibuprofen and sudafed and caffeine. Surprising, a combination that usually works for me. Ah, the lack of a migraine . . .
2. On the Tennis Front: Rose won! She beat the conference champ in a nail-biting tiebreaker by just 2 points. We had conference matches all day yesterday. I watched until I had to leave for play practice -- with my first sunburn of the year! Rose will probably meet this same girl, Niechelle, in regionals next weekend. Hunk O Man came in and said "This was the best match IN THE WORLD!" Both are excellent players and regionals should be very interesting. Our local sports guy even interviewed the "3 Sisters of Tennis." We'll probably see that footage tonight. What is it with kids that they're not impressed about being on tv anymore? Ah, the video age . . .
3. On the Broken Camcorder Front: and we will have video footage of regionals because -- hooray! -- our camcorder is fixed! It broke late last year when Barbie knocked it off the tripod and it fell, damaging something inside. Turns out that thing that was damaged was going bad in all the cameras of that type, so all you had to do was send it in and get it fixed. I did that, and got it back yesterday -- too late for conference tennis, but in time for Babydoll's birthday tomorrow and regionals next weekend. Ah, free is always so good . . .
3. On the Play Practice for Peter Pan Front: All is going well and Babydoll is an excellent Wendy -- who got measured for her "flying" harness last night. We had choreography and we learned to waltz. Ah, dancing with an 8-year old, a thing not to be missed in one's lifetime . . .
4. On the Saving Money front -- I gave the dog a haircut last weekend -- he kind of looks as if I used a lawnmower to do it. Oh well! It saved us $35 for grooming, and I also cleaned out his ears and de-flea-ed him. He was very patient. Ah, good dog . . .
5. On the Project Front: I also got this done --
I'm not sure if I'm going to post it for sale on Etsy or just keep it for the upcoming craft show sponsored by our local Arts Council -- but I'm working on another, and have to get a wedding gown hemmed and a halloween costume done for a one-year old. Ah, the sewing I have to do . . .
6. On the PR Dishing Front: Ok, so here's the scoop -- Kenley's in -- with this strange and wonderful fairytale wedding gown -- Barbie's comment was "OMG, it's the swan dress reincarnated!" I think she meant the one that Bjork wore to the Oscars one year --
and Jerrell is out! The top three competing for the big prize are Kenley, LeAnn, and Korto. LeAnn has already won in my mind -- her pieces are just gorgeous.
And just so we're clear -- what goes around comes around. Jerrell and Korto, the two responsible for the most sniping at Kenley last week, were both on the chopping block. Ah, the justice that comes when you least expect it . . .
2. On the Tennis Front: Rose won! She beat the conference champ in a nail-biting tiebreaker by just 2 points. We had conference matches all day yesterday. I watched until I had to leave for play practice -- with my first sunburn of the year! Rose will probably meet this same girl, Niechelle, in regionals next weekend. Hunk O Man came in and said "This was the best match IN THE WORLD!" Both are excellent players and regionals should be very interesting. Our local sports guy even interviewed the "3 Sisters of Tennis." We'll probably see that footage tonight. What is it with kids that they're not impressed about being on tv anymore? Ah, the video age . . .
3. On the Broken Camcorder Front: and we will have video footage of regionals because -- hooray! -- our camcorder is fixed! It broke late last year when Barbie knocked it off the tripod and it fell, damaging something inside. Turns out that thing that was damaged was going bad in all the cameras of that type, so all you had to do was send it in and get it fixed. I did that, and got it back yesterday -- too late for conference tennis, but in time for Babydoll's birthday tomorrow and regionals next weekend. Ah, free is always so good . . .
3. On the Play Practice for Peter Pan Front: All is going well and Babydoll is an excellent Wendy -- who got measured for her "flying" harness last night. We had choreography and we learned to waltz. Ah, dancing with an 8-year old, a thing not to be missed in one's lifetime . . .
4. On the Saving Money front -- I gave the dog a haircut last weekend -- he kind of looks as if I used a lawnmower to do it. Oh well! It saved us $35 for grooming, and I also cleaned out his ears and de-flea-ed him. He was very patient. Ah, good dog . . .
5. On the Project Front: I also got this done --
I'm not sure if I'm going to post it for sale on Etsy or just keep it for the upcoming craft show sponsored by our local Arts Council -- but I'm working on another, and have to get a wedding gown hemmed and a halloween costume done for a one-year old. Ah, the sewing I have to do . . .
6. On the PR Dishing Front: Ok, so here's the scoop -- Kenley's in -- with this strange and wonderful fairytale wedding gown -- Barbie's comment was "OMG, it's the swan dress reincarnated!" I think she meant the one that Bjork wore to the Oscars one year --
and Jerrell is out! The top three competing for the big prize are Kenley, LeAnn, and Korto. LeAnn has already won in my mind -- her pieces are just gorgeous.
And just so we're clear -- what goes around comes around. Jerrell and Korto, the two responsible for the most sniping at Kenley last week, were both on the chopping block. Ah, the justice that comes when you least expect it . . .
7. On the Wistfully Sad but Good Front: The big birthday bash is tomorrow -- my baby turns 13! As of tomorrow I will no longer have anything but teenagers for children -- Ah, how times flies. Sniff sniff. . .
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
No PR Dishing This Week
I've had an awful time with my internet connection this week. And PR was kind of blah -- the only real dishing I can do is to say that Kenley's "skinny jeans" should have been wide-leg 40's trousers. The designers (only 4 left at this point) were given a musical genre and told to dress each other in outfits that reflected said respective genre. In a word, yech. You can find photos and more info at their website.
On Top Design, they decorated bachelor pads and Shazia is out. I wasn't impressed with any of it. Maybe I've been having an off week! Same thing here -- you can find more info at their website.
The Marco Polos are descending upon us tonight for pizza and a movie. I doubt much movie-watching will get done -- these kids are so ADD that they end up doing about 500 other things while the movie is on. But Bruce Wayne has apparently been asking for my pizza for a few weeks now.
There is no finer compliment to one's cooking than to have a teenage friend of your teenager asking for it.
So I'll be making lots of pizza tonight. I've been cleaning up the kitchen to spare Rose lately; she's had tennis and projects and all sorts of stuff going on. It's felt good to me, actually. As much as I hate routine, I rather like getting in there and cleaning up and feeling both a sense of control and accomplishment.
And yesterday, amid my regular daily stuff, I got to switch out a mac keyboard on Babydoll's laptop. Whoever said that being a mom was monotonous and required no skill?
xox
P.S. I made cookies yesterday, and ate least 20 of them myself (why say it was only 10 when we all know I was grabbing 3 at a time at least 5 or 6 times?). I sabotaged myself knowing full well that having a "down" day today (and not eating) would not change anything. And this bingeing after a visit to a new primary doc, where the labs revealed that my triclycerides are over 300! Good grief! How did that happen? I am ordered back to the pool for exercise -- and I am hanging my head in shame. It is a PAIN getting older!
On Top Design, they decorated bachelor pads and Shazia is out. I wasn't impressed with any of it. Maybe I've been having an off week! Same thing here -- you can find more info at their website.
The Marco Polos are descending upon us tonight for pizza and a movie. I doubt much movie-watching will get done -- these kids are so ADD that they end up doing about 500 other things while the movie is on. But Bruce Wayne has apparently been asking for my pizza for a few weeks now.
There is no finer compliment to one's cooking than to have a teenage friend of your teenager asking for it.
So I'll be making lots of pizza tonight. I've been cleaning up the kitchen to spare Rose lately; she's had tennis and projects and all sorts of stuff going on. It's felt good to me, actually. As much as I hate routine, I rather like getting in there and cleaning up and feeling both a sense of control and accomplishment.
And yesterday, amid my regular daily stuff, I got to switch out a mac keyboard on Babydoll's laptop. Whoever said that being a mom was monotonous and required no skill?
xox
P.S. I made cookies yesterday, and ate least 20 of them myself (why say it was only 10 when we all know I was grabbing 3 at a time at least 5 or 6 times?). I sabotaged myself knowing full well that having a "down" day today (and not eating) would not change anything. And this bingeing after a visit to a new primary doc, where the labs revealed that my triclycerides are over 300! Good grief! How did that happen? I am ordered back to the pool for exercise -- and I am hanging my head in shame. It is a PAIN getting older!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
You've Just Gotta Try This
This is what I've been making for the past two weeks. Everytime a pan is gone, I make another one. It's from Devin Alexander on the Discovery Health Channel. I've linked you to her original recipe, so if you'd rather make hers you can. This is essentially the same recipe but doubled, and you use a 9x13" pan rather than an 8X8. You also use a lot more coffee and chocolate chips.
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
1/2 cup applesauce*
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
8 egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup flour
2-3 coffee scoops of your favourite coffee, ground
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
chocolate chips
butter-flavoured cooking spray (or just regular spray)
Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 9x13" pan with spray.
Mix up the applesauce, vanilla, egg whites, and sugar until well combined with a whisk or in a mixer.
Add the dry ingredients and stir or mix until just combined and no lumps remain.
Pour into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle handfuls of chocolate chips over the top. Use as many as you like.
Bake about 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
Try not to eat the entire pan.
Some notes from me:
- Devin says to use unsweetened applesauce. Since I get those little cups of applesauce at Aldi for school lunches and snacks, I just use two of those. They're about 1/4 cup each. They also have cinnamon.
- I always, ALWAYS use real vanilla extract. That cheap stuff just isn't worth it.
- Devin says to use just 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder. I just use the coffee I drink everyday. I use beans that I grind myself, and they are hazelnut flavoured. But any ground coffee will work.
- Devin says to use 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips. Probably a better idea if you want to keep the calories down.
- Devin's brownies are 88 calories each. Mine are more like 100-120 each, depending on how many chocolate chips you add.
Enjoy! This ain't no diet food!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
REGARDING . . .
Regarding . . . my aspirations to ever be a tennis coach.
I beg your pardon. I ask you, what aspirations?
I was conscripted into service to substitute coach for Monday's away match. Every girl lost except one. Even the doubles matches -- although I have to say we did give them all a run for their money.
During the doubles play, three of the girls were hit by balls. Hit hard. As in slammed with the ball at several bazillion miles per hour.
I mentioned to the opposing coach (a very nice older man with an absolutely grand panama hat) that we'd be happy to supply them with crash test dummies for practice if they liked.
He was not amused. I was even less amused.
I found it difficult to not be a very angry mom when two of the girls who were hit were my daughters. As if they were being used for target practice. JB got quite angry and slammed the balls back a couple of times for some excellent hits. Fortunately, she did not aim for either of the opposing players.
But in the end, they lost.
Also in the end, I found that neither my daughters nor I were able to distinguish between the mom and the coach. All attempts at coaching were met with rolled eyes and sarcastic comments.
So that's the end of that, literally.
Regarding . . . my aspirations to lose weight.
I must say, it's working. Slowly, but it is working.
Let me first say this. It's not true that no diet works. Every single diet there is will work, if you do it. I never believe it when overweight people say that the diet didn't work. I think the diet worked fine -- it just stopped working when they went back to their old habits.
Which is exactly what has happened to me after Weight Watchers.
The second time.
I'm having some limited success on this Alternate Day Diet thing. But here's the thing --
IT'S THE WAY I ALREADY EAT.
On the "down" days, I generally just eat very little or simply fast. I drink a lot of water and visit the little girls' room a lot. And on the days when I eat, I really do eat whatever I want.
I am not journaling what I eat, as you are well advised to do when doing this diet. I hated that with Weight Watchers and I hate it now -- although it does keep one accountable.
These days, there are so few battles that I win. Having to journal what I eat feels like one more thing I have to do, one more shackle on my ankle. So, I don't do it. I keep a mental track of the calories on the down days, staying generally under 500. And the up days I throw all caution to the wind and sometimes even make brownies.
And when I get on the scale after a down day, I get to win a little. I still have a long way to go. But I'm encouraged.
Today was a weepy day for me, rainy outside and I was sad. Allergies have beset me coming and going -- I am living on Claratin and Sudafed. Some days, life is just no fun. Add to this that I live in a town with a paper mill, and the wind has been blowing our direction. My house tends to smell like rotten garbage. It is most certainly NOT the smell of money (although I am thankful that it does employ so many in our town).
But hopefully tomorrow the wind will change and the sun will shine. And I will stop bristling under small chores like feeding the dog, or doing the dishes, and I will remember that these are the holy things in life, these small tasks. They prepare us for heaven.
Not that I'm ready right now or anything. This minute.
I beg your pardon. I ask you, what aspirations?
I was conscripted into service to substitute coach for Monday's away match. Every girl lost except one. Even the doubles matches -- although I have to say we did give them all a run for their money.
During the doubles play, three of the girls were hit by balls. Hit hard. As in slammed with the ball at several bazillion miles per hour.
I mentioned to the opposing coach (a very nice older man with an absolutely grand panama hat) that we'd be happy to supply them with crash test dummies for practice if they liked.
He was not amused. I was even less amused.
I found it difficult to not be a very angry mom when two of the girls who were hit were my daughters. As if they were being used for target practice. JB got quite angry and slammed the balls back a couple of times for some excellent hits. Fortunately, she did not aim for either of the opposing players.
But in the end, they lost.
Also in the end, I found that neither my daughters nor I were able to distinguish between the mom and the coach. All attempts at coaching were met with rolled eyes and sarcastic comments.
So that's the end of that, literally.
Regarding . . . my aspirations to lose weight.
I must say, it's working. Slowly, but it is working.
Let me first say this. It's not true that no diet works. Every single diet there is will work, if you do it. I never believe it when overweight people say that the diet didn't work. I think the diet worked fine -- it just stopped working when they went back to their old habits.
Which is exactly what has happened to me after Weight Watchers.
The second time.
I'm having some limited success on this Alternate Day Diet thing. But here's the thing --
IT'S THE WAY I ALREADY EAT.
On the "down" days, I generally just eat very little or simply fast. I drink a lot of water and visit the little girls' room a lot. And on the days when I eat, I really do eat whatever I want.
I am not journaling what I eat, as you are well advised to do when doing this diet. I hated that with Weight Watchers and I hate it now -- although it does keep one accountable.
These days, there are so few battles that I win. Having to journal what I eat feels like one more thing I have to do, one more shackle on my ankle. So, I don't do it. I keep a mental track of the calories on the down days, staying generally under 500. And the up days I throw all caution to the wind and sometimes even make brownies.
And when I get on the scale after a down day, I get to win a little. I still have a long way to go. But I'm encouraged.
Today was a weepy day for me, rainy outside and I was sad. Allergies have beset me coming and going -- I am living on Claratin and Sudafed. Some days, life is just no fun. Add to this that I live in a town with a paper mill, and the wind has been blowing our direction. My house tends to smell like rotten garbage. It is most certainly NOT the smell of money (although I am thankful that it does employ so many in our town).
But hopefully tomorrow the wind will change and the sun will shine. And I will stop bristling under small chores like feeding the dog, or doing the dishes, and I will remember that these are the holy things in life, these small tasks. They prepare us for heaven.
Not that I'm ready right now or anything. This minute.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Veggie Tales
Over at Ponytail Challenge, Camille is double-daring us to try some new vegetables.
To this, I simply reply "Deceptively Delicious." It's Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook about how to puree the nasty things and sneak them into your regular food.
I am completely not kidding. I sneaked some squash into chicken enchiladas, and Hunk O Man remarked that they were better than usual.
It works like this: you make baby food puree from the steamed veggies, freeze, and then thaw when needed and put into the sauce of whatever you're making.
I think the real trick is to make sure that whatever you use is relatively the same color as whatever you add. For example, beet puree would work nicely in spagetti or pizza sauce. Yellow squash or pumpkin puree would work in macaroni and cheese.
I love a juice I found in California (and is available everywhere) called Naked Juice Green Machine. We affectionately refer to it as pond scum or toad guts. But it's a great-tasting pineapple-based juice with spirulina and spinach and all sorts of green goodness in it. And it's thick, like a milkshake.
So if you can abandon your aviary tendency to judge a food by it's looks, hold your nose, and get the stuff down -- you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I am all in with this double dare. We have church tonight, but everyone will be hungry afterward. I think I may put some peas into some green thing I might have tonight. Hmmm. . .
To this, I simply reply "Deceptively Delicious." It's Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook about how to puree the nasty things and sneak them into your regular food.
I am completely not kidding. I sneaked some squash into chicken enchiladas, and Hunk O Man remarked that they were better than usual.
It works like this: you make baby food puree from the steamed veggies, freeze, and then thaw when needed and put into the sauce of whatever you're making.
I think the real trick is to make sure that whatever you use is relatively the same color as whatever you add. For example, beet puree would work nicely in spagetti or pizza sauce. Yellow squash or pumpkin puree would work in macaroni and cheese.
I love a juice I found in California (and is available everywhere) called Naked Juice Green Machine. We affectionately refer to it as pond scum or toad guts. But it's a great-tasting pineapple-based juice with spirulina and spinach and all sorts of green goodness in it. And it's thick, like a milkshake.
So if you can abandon your aviary tendency to judge a food by it's looks, hold your nose, and get the stuff down -- you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I am all in with this double dare. We have church tonight, but everyone will be hungry afterward. I think I may put some peas into some green thing I might have tonight. Hmmm. . .
Thursday, September 4, 2008
PR Dish
STELLA! STELLA! STELLA!
Leatha Stella is OUT! Whatever the leatha shall we do? My leatha heart is just breaking!
She said to Heidi as she left, "Well, my ego was a little too big for this place." In the words of our Bunny, "true dat."
She made a nice outfit with a leather cape, which made the whole thing just look silly:
for the legendary Diane Von Furstenberg's new collection, based on a "spy" look:
(is it me, or is this woman's speaking voice just AMAZING? I could listen to her talk all day long. She could easily replace Edward Hermann's voice putting me to sleep every night)
LeAnne won with this -- I like LeAnne, and I hope she gets into the top 3 --
Although I had a hard time deciding whether or not Korto got robbed of a win with this:
because it looks very DVF from her runway collection. But I'm not wild about Korto as a person, so there you go.
Suede, the one with the blue mohawk, made this:
to which I replied with this:
I think Stella's outfit was better. But I do like Mr. 'Speaks of Himself in the Third Person' Suede, so I'm glad he's not out.
I really think that being out has more to do with whether or not your outfit was good enough and whether the leftover people constitute "good tv."
Talk about subjective.
On a whole 'nother subject, thanks everyone for the giveaway comments! I'll choose one via Random Integer Generator tomorrow around 3PM, and I'll have a recipe for you!
And I am loving the Alternate Day Diet! 6 lbs. so far! Wa-hooey!
Monday, August 4, 2008
How to Handle Stress 101
I didn't used to handle conflict well. I still am pretty bad at it, but not in the same way.
I have the spiritual gift of prophecy. That means I am compelled to speak the truth -- always, no matter where, no matter when. I used to blurt it out. This tended to create conflict.
Now I am a little better with timing. I am told this is called "tact."
Also, I used to hold everything in until I just blew up. Or I would just blow up because it was too much at one time. I was Volcano Mom. My kids can tell you, and I have begged God to erase their memories (and my own) of all the times I was a Volcano Mom. I have now figured out that it had to do with too much information coming in.
Perhaps I am autistic. Seriously, I should investigate that. Or perhaps I am just a serious introvert who is incapable of controlling the volcano.
Now I do better. Of course, I take crazy drugs, so I am somewhat tactful and I can handle the normal amount of information coming in.
(However, I am still crazy, the good kind of crazy -- I now have a bruise on my right elbow from my persistence in trying to hug my daughter. Bug is in her "I vant to be alooone" stage, which she frequents frequently, and so I wrestled her to the kitchen floor on Saturday. But I got my hug!)
Anyway -- I say all this because I have become a sounding board for a couple of people. What a compliment!
I try to be a good listener because I am a very bad one by nature. I just wanna talk about me. I love that quote from "Beaches" where Bette Midler says
So I've been listening lately to some frustrated people, and that has totally stressed me out. But not in a bad way -- rather, in an empathetic way. This is unusual for me, since I approach most problems with a "that's life, deal with it" sort of attitude. Although the cry of my early life was "But Mom, it's not fair!" I quickly changed when I became a Mom and had to answer questions like "But how come she gets one and I don't?" I responded by saying "Because I love her more than you."
I really do still say that. Respond to a ridiculous question with a ridiculous answer. My kids have always understood that.
So last Wednesday night, I decided enough with all this stress, I'm taking a sleeping pill and forgetting it all. I won't dream crazy dreams that make me tired, and I won't wake up to Hunk O Man's droning snore.
So I took the OTC generic sleeping pill. And I slept like a rock.
FOR TWENTY-FOUR -- 24 -- HOURS.
I tried to wake up Thursday morning. I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed. I brushed my teeth. I sat down and fell asleep in Hunk O Man's chair.
Dragging myself into the kitchen, I drank a cup of coffee. I walked into my bedroom and sat down on the bed. Uh-oh. Which turned into another 5-hour nap.
I got up. I stumbled around with my eyes half open. I drank Diet Coke. I puttered around. I tried to function. I walked into things. I tried to form complete sentences. I did pretty well for about 2 hours. I think I even fooled my family, except when it came to cooking dinner.
Then it was time for bed! So I got my crossword and settled in. I was asleep again by 11PM.
I woke up Friday morning refreshed, got up at 7AM, felt great, and got tons accomplished. I felt amazing! We got ready for the yard sale the girls hosted on Saturday, I went with B to the new Aldi store and Sam's Club and Harris Teeter. I bought fresh beets and hot dogs without nitrates.
When I got home, I checked the answering machine, and it was the newspaper lady, saying that she'd left a message with "sum-bahdy, sayin' yew wazzunt up yay-ette." The tone of disapproval in her voice made me cringe. I am going to kill whatever kid told her I was sleeping all day yesterday.
So the moral of this story is this: Be nice. And don't get stressed out.
(And if you do, take half a sleeping pill)
I have the spiritual gift of prophecy. That means I am compelled to speak the truth -- always, no matter where, no matter when. I used to blurt it out. This tended to create conflict.
Now I am a little better with timing. I am told this is called "tact."
Also, I used to hold everything in until I just blew up. Or I would just blow up because it was too much at one time. I was Volcano Mom. My kids can tell you, and I have begged God to erase their memories (and my own) of all the times I was a Volcano Mom. I have now figured out that it had to do with too much information coming in.
Perhaps I am autistic. Seriously, I should investigate that. Or perhaps I am just a serious introvert who is incapable of controlling the volcano.
Now I do better. Of course, I take crazy drugs, so I am somewhat tactful and I can handle the normal amount of information coming in.
(However, I am still crazy, the good kind of crazy -- I now have a bruise on my right elbow from my persistence in trying to hug my daughter. Bug is in her "I vant to be alooone" stage, which she frequents frequently, and so I wrestled her to the kitchen floor on Saturday. But I got my hug!)
Anyway -- I say all this because I have become a sounding board for a couple of people. What a compliment!
I try to be a good listener because I am a very bad one by nature. I just wanna talk about me. I love that quote from "Beaches" where Bette Midler says
"But enough about me. Let's talk about you. What do you think of me?"
So I've been listening lately to some frustrated people, and that has totally stressed me out. But not in a bad way -- rather, in an empathetic way. This is unusual for me, since I approach most problems with a "that's life, deal with it" sort of attitude. Although the cry of my early life was "But Mom, it's not fair!" I quickly changed when I became a Mom and had to answer questions like "But how come she gets one and I don't?" I responded by saying "Because I love her more than you."
I really do still say that. Respond to a ridiculous question with a ridiculous answer. My kids have always understood that.
So last Wednesday night, I decided enough with all this stress, I'm taking a sleeping pill and forgetting it all. I won't dream crazy dreams that make me tired, and I won't wake up to Hunk O Man's droning snore.
So I took the OTC generic sleeping pill. And I slept like a rock.
FOR TWENTY-FOUR -- 24 -- HOURS.
I tried to wake up Thursday morning. I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed. I brushed my teeth. I sat down and fell asleep in Hunk O Man's chair.
Dragging myself into the kitchen, I drank a cup of coffee. I walked into my bedroom and sat down on the bed. Uh-oh. Which turned into another 5-hour nap.
I got up. I stumbled around with my eyes half open. I drank Diet Coke. I puttered around. I tried to function. I walked into things. I tried to form complete sentences. I did pretty well for about 2 hours. I think I even fooled my family, except when it came to cooking dinner.
Then it was time for bed! So I got my crossword and settled in. I was asleep again by 11PM.
I woke up Friday morning refreshed, got up at 7AM, felt great, and got tons accomplished. I felt amazing! We got ready for the yard sale the girls hosted on Saturday, I went with B to the new Aldi store and Sam's Club and Harris Teeter. I bought fresh beets and hot dogs without nitrates.
When I got home, I checked the answering machine, and it was the newspaper lady, saying that she'd left a message with "sum-bahdy, sayin' yew wazzunt up yay-ette." The tone of disapproval in her voice made me cringe. I am going to kill whatever kid told her I was sleeping all day yesterday.
So the moral of this story is this: Be nice. And don't get stressed out.
(And if you do, take half a sleeping pill)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A Word about Being Healthy
I've been trying a couple of things I thought I'd tell you about.
When I was visiting in Indy, I had the pleasure of having coffee with my old friend Schmael. Schmael talked me into marrying my husband, and was always my run-off-and-have-fun friend during my college-ish years. He's a drug rep for GSK, so we affectionately refer to him as a Drug Dealer.
Schmael's wife is one of my good friends, and she has chronic migraines. So she's into all this health food stuff. She is my health food guru source. Also my homeschooling source.
So I was talking to Schmael at Starbuck's, and he told me that a long time ago he got rid of a chronic sinus infection with yarrow. Yarrow is a natural antibiotic, and has cleansing properties and is good for mucous membranes.
Apparently sinus infections are things you can have for years. Like, 20 years. Like, forever! Further reading on my part reveals that the Mayo Clinic now thinks that some of them are caused by fungus! But I digress.
So I got some yarrow capsules and am trying them. The bottle says to take something like 2 a day -- I'm taking about 5 three times per day. It will probably take several months, since I have had sinus problems since I was in my teens, and I am now 49. But I am going to keep at it.
The other thing I've been doing is taking Black Cohosh. I am just starting into that phase of life where unpleasant and uncomfortable things happen -- all assorted with that particular phase of life -- and Black Cohosh helps. I have some other things contributing to the symptoms I have. But the Black Cohosh capsules really seem to make a difference. They don't totally alleviate the symptoms, but I have to say that I'm noticing a marked difference in their frequency when I take the capsules on a regular basis.
All of these things I deal with work against me with regard to weight. I've had 5 kids, and I am the heaviest I've ever been -- I weigh more now than I did right after had my youngest child. You can say all you want about age putting weight on you. Folks, it all boils down to this: you gotta eat less and move more. And eat healthier. I weigh this much because I'm older, and not as active, and because I choose to eat the way I like to eat -- and not make the fitness of my body my main priority in life.
Plus I hate to exercise.
I bought Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook "Deceptively Delicious" mainly because I am the chief picky eater in my household. I eat all sorts of things that gross other people out -- like broccoli, and brussel sprouts, and beets. But I hate lima beans and peas. And I love bread and sugar. I am hopeful that I will get myself and everyone else in this household eating healthier food with Mrs. Seinfeld's ingenius method of putting veggie purees into regular foods.
And this last thing will have you all laughing your heads off at me. I remember my grandparents having this stuff in the house, and everyone hating it, and me trying it and finding it not so bad.
I bought prune juice.
I actually like this stuff, and my digestive system is thanking me. I've always had trouble with digesting food because I like so much bready-sugary stuff. But the prune juice is a good things all the way around. So nuff said there.
I am desperately trying for this post not to be TMI, but rather helpful. So if you have any of this stuff, by all means don't go trying things without checking with a reliable medical source first to see if it will be ok for you to do.
Let me know if you try any of this stuff, and if it works for you. What else do you all do or take that benefits your healthy lifestyle? Do tell!
When I was visiting in Indy, I had the pleasure of having coffee with my old friend Schmael. Schmael talked me into marrying my husband, and was always my run-off-and-have-fun friend during my college-ish years. He's a drug rep for GSK, so we affectionately refer to him as a Drug Dealer.
Schmael's wife is one of my good friends, and she has chronic migraines. So she's into all this health food stuff. She is my health food guru source. Also my homeschooling source.
So I was talking to Schmael at Starbuck's, and he told me that a long time ago he got rid of a chronic sinus infection with yarrow. Yarrow is a natural antibiotic, and has cleansing properties and is good for mucous membranes.
Apparently sinus infections are things you can have for years. Like, 20 years. Like, forever! Further reading on my part reveals that the Mayo Clinic now thinks that some of them are caused by fungus! But I digress.
So I got some yarrow capsules and am trying them. The bottle says to take something like 2 a day -- I'm taking about 5 three times per day. It will probably take several months, since I have had sinus problems since I was in my teens, and I am now 49. But I am going to keep at it.
The other thing I've been doing is taking Black Cohosh. I am just starting into that phase of life where unpleasant and uncomfortable things happen -- all assorted with that particular phase of life -- and Black Cohosh helps. I have some other things contributing to the symptoms I have. But the Black Cohosh capsules really seem to make a difference. They don't totally alleviate the symptoms, but I have to say that I'm noticing a marked difference in their frequency when I take the capsules on a regular basis.
All of these things I deal with work against me with regard to weight. I've had 5 kids, and I am the heaviest I've ever been -- I weigh more now than I did right after had my youngest child. You can say all you want about age putting weight on you. Folks, it all boils down to this: you gotta eat less and move more. And eat healthier. I weigh this much because I'm older, and not as active, and because I choose to eat the way I like to eat -- and not make the fitness of my body my main priority in life.
Plus I hate to exercise.
I bought Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook "Deceptively Delicious" mainly because I am the chief picky eater in my household. I eat all sorts of things that gross other people out -- like broccoli, and brussel sprouts, and beets. But I hate lima beans and peas. And I love bread and sugar. I am hopeful that I will get myself and everyone else in this household eating healthier food with Mrs. Seinfeld's ingenius method of putting veggie purees into regular foods.
And this last thing will have you all laughing your heads off at me. I remember my grandparents having this stuff in the house, and everyone hating it, and me trying it and finding it not so bad.
I bought prune juice.
I actually like this stuff, and my digestive system is thanking me. I've always had trouble with digesting food because I like so much bready-sugary stuff. But the prune juice is a good things all the way around. So nuff said there.
I am desperately trying for this post not to be TMI, but rather helpful. So if you have any of this stuff, by all means don't go trying things without checking with a reliable medical source first to see if it will be ok for you to do.
Let me know if you try any of this stuff, and if it works for you. What else do you all do or take that benefits your healthy lifestyle? Do tell!
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