January 19th, 2010
I threw my back out again. It happened right before church 2 Sundays ago and I made it to church through sheer force of will, but have been taking it easy ever since. A friend whose mom has the same problem suggested it might be my sacroiliac (SI) joint in my pelvis and after a good bit of research, it certainly sounded possible! I finally broke down and called a chiropractor. They took x-rays and I was absolutetly shocked at how twisted my spine and pelvis were. I also found out I have an extra vertebrae which definitely doesn’t help my back situation! I’ve been getting adjusted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning and it’s made a world of difference. Howe we’ll pay for it, I don’t know…but it is worth every penny.
I admit that I was somewhat skeptical of chiropractic care…while I believed they could help with back pain, I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it went further than that. But I’ve seen changes in some other things (including kidney stones!) that have made me think there may be more to it, but I’m not totally convinced yet. It’s definitely helped my back, though!
I intended to write some more posts about last decade, but I feel like it’s too late now. Oh well, I may do it anyway. It was fun for me to remember the pivotal moments of the decade!
Posted in Health, Me Stuff
January 3rd, 2010
I turned 18 in 1993. I was 21 in 1996. Graduated college in 1998, got a job and lived on my own for 2 years after that. But I don’t think I really became an adult until 2001. It was a big year for me. I got married. Lost my father to cancer. Experienced my first layoff, as did my husband. And then there was September 11. I think a lot of people had to grow up fast that day. Most of these were negative experiences but they helped me to grow…a process that was necessary for what I would face in 2002.
On New Years Eve 2001 my husband and I returned to the place where we met. His fraternity house was having a party and we thought it would be fun to go there to ring in the New Year. I remember getting drunk and telling people it was the last time I’d be doing that because I intended to have a baby the next year. Most of them laughed. I think they were surprised because we hadn’t been married for very long at that point and we (obviously) were still into partying. I was right though…before January 2002 was over I was pregnant and had experienced my 2nd layoff. That left us both unemployed, expecting a baby, and scared to death. This started another step toward adulthood…moving far away from our families and friends so that we’d have a source of income and a way to support our child. Everything that was secure and comfortable was gone and suddenly we were facing parenthood on top of all of that.
These were scary, stressful situations but they taught me a lot of life lessons and prepared me in ways that reading books never could have.
Posted in A Decade Remembered, Me Stuff
January 2nd, 2010
Last decade was pivotal for me. It’s the decade in which I truly became an adult, a wife, and a mother. I lost my father to cancer, moved away from my hometown and family and then moved to 2 more places. Bought and sold multiple houses. Learned a lot, laughed a lot, loved a lot. It had it’s good and it’s bad for sure, but overall it has been the best decade of my life yet.
The first pivotal moment of the decade was probably my engagement…October 7, 2000. My wedding day was exactly 6 months later on April 7, 2001. We’d found out just days before the wedding that my dad had terminal lung cancer (after months of failed diagnoses) and I suggested holding off a few months until things were a little less dramatic, but nobody would hear of it. People were coming from out of town, everything was paid for already. It was better to go ahead. Nobody said it but we all thought it…if I didn’t do it then my dad wouldn’t be there.
So we went ahead. I had my portraits done a few days before the wedding. Afterwards, I went to the hospital, still in my dress and hair and make-up all done. We wanted to be sure my daddy saw me in case he didn’t get to the wedding. People stared. They asked questions. When we explained, the pity in their eyes was painful.
The weather on my wedding day was beautiful. Warm, sunny…it was exactly what I’d hoped for. My dad was released from the hospital for the festivities and was able to walk me down the aisle and give me away. He was wearing house slippers, but he was there and I’m pretty sure nobody realized or cared what was on his feet. He forgot to lift my veil before he sat down and so I was behind it for the entire ceremony. I liked it that way, though. It kept me calm for some reason. Fully involved but slightly removed from it all. When my brand new husband lifted it to kiss me at the end, it felt very symbolic.
At the reception my parents danced. I’m sure I’ve shared this here before, but I stood in a corner and sobbed. I think everyone in the room was teary-eyed….even the caterers. We all knew it would be the last time they danced together. It was so hard to watch. I was beginning my married life and my parent’s was coming to an end, not because of divorce or something that made sense, but because of cancer. A cancer that had moved so fast and so quietly that he had less than 6 weeks from diagnosis to death. It seemed so wrong and so incredibly unfair.
When it came time for us to leave, I asked my mom where the bubbles were. I was working and hadn’t had a chance to go pick them up. I’d asked her to do it for me but she forgot in the midst of everything else. There were a few moments of panic but the caterers came to our rescue with huge bowls of rice. The whole evening was absolutely beautiful and perfect, considering the circumstances. The memories are bittersweet but it was right. The events surrounding that time of my life are painful but in the middle of it all I married the man I’d loved for over 7 years in an absolutely beautiful and perfect ceremony. It was such a blessing in that difficult period of time.
Posted in A Decade Remembered, Family, Me Stuff
January 1st, 2010
We’ve moved so much in the 8 (almost 9!) years of our marriage that we’ve never settled down and made a really serious effort to make friends. Last year that all changed and I am now blessed with some of the best and most encouraging friends I’ve ever had. (And yes, I’m getting all misty-eyed because 2009 was an awesome year for new friendships!) It is a wonderful feeling to know that I can call on any of them to help me out in a pinch, or just cry happy tears together, or squeal over new movies like teenagers, or any one of a million things I’ve been missing for a long time.
But I’ll be brutally honest…my house was very neglected because when you’ve spent such a long time without friends or family who come over or visit often, it’s hard to make the effort to keep it neat. It’s easier to just throw up your hands and say “Well, nobody see it but us, anyway!” and simply allow it to get worse and worse. It wasn’t at hoarder level yet but it was definitely something I would have been embarrassed by if anyone had just dropped by and expected to hang out!
All that changed when my mom decided to come visit for Christmas. After finals were over I started straightening and cleaning like a madwoman and while my house still isn’t perfect (my office is full of *stuff* that needs to be gone through and/or gotten rid of and my bedroom is a wreck and I would die if anyone went in there right now) but it’s presentable. Which made me decide I needed to host a gathering. And I decided this on Christmas Day. And decided to have it today…which gave me exactly one week to prepare.
I was a little bit (um, make that a LOT) stressed, but it went off very well. There were 30 people (kids and adults) in my house this evening, playing, eating, talking, laughing…and it was fun. There were definitely moments where I felt overwhelmed by it, but those aforementioned friends helped me hold it together. They brought food, they made me laugh, they held my baby while I was trying to deal with other things, and they even cleaned my kitchen and made sure all of the toys got picked up before they left. It was a great way to start 2010, and it’s made me realize that with a house that’s being regularly maintained I can do stuff like this.
I don’t like resolutions because I don’t stick to them, but I’m making it a goal to invite someone over at least once a week. Whether it’s a playdate, a movie night, dinner, or whatever I can come up with…because tonight made me happy and it reminded me of how blessed I am to have this home and these friends. Plus it will keep me motivated to make sure my house is neat and maintained. It’s a win-win!
Posted in Family, House/Home, Me Stuff
January 1st, 2010
After reading about SwagBucks on the Southern Savers blog, I decided to sign up. Basically, you earn this virtual money (called SwagBucks) via online activity. And you can redeem this virtual money for various prizes. My plan is to use it on Amazon.com gift cards so I can get mp3s and video on demand for free. You only have to earn 45 SwagBucks to get a $5 Amazon card, which will pay for 4-5 songs, a couple of TV episodes (like Glee!), or a movie. I’ve already earned 3 for signing up, several for searching, and I’m trading in an old cell phone for 50. You can earn them by shopping online, too. All kinds of opportunities out there!
If you’re interested, go her
e and sign up. (And just in the interest of full disclosure, I do get SwagBucks for referring people, but I think it’s worth doing or I wouldn’t recommend it!)
And if you’re using SwagBucks, fill me in…how has it worked for you? How long did it take you to earn 45 and what have you gotten from them?
Posted in Free Stuff, Fun Stuff Friday
December 31st, 2009
Not a single thing in my 12 days of Christmas list was under my tree, but there were a few surprises. My husband bought me (well, I picked it out) a wall sconce for a focal wall in my living room. My mom’s gift was the paint and window treatments for that room, so that was nice. My big surprise was a Shark steam mop. Oh yes, it was something I wanted! Our entire house is 50 year old hardwood floors. All of Violet’s clothes have dirty knees because it is impossible to get them really clean…they look clean, but her clothes tell a different story. I could mop daily and they would still not be clean. Fifty years of dirt doesn’t go away easily, so I’ve been wondering if a steam mop would help. When my mom heard me talking about them, she decided to get one and add it to my Christmas gifts and I was so excited! Haven’t used it yet, but plan to tonight or tomorrow before our big New Years Day shindig for people from church.
I also got a Waterpik from my brother and his wife. Sounds like a weird present, right? It’s not! I really wanted one because it is so difficult to floss my very crooked bottom teeth and the bridgework on my upper teeth. In fact, I chipped a tooth several weeks ago while trying to floss my lower teeth so I’m a little nervous about it now. The Waterpik gets all of those crevices clean and makes my mouth feel much better than flossing!
It was a good Christmas. My mom was here, I got the stuff I needed to finish my living room (I’ll share a picture when it’s done, but it may be a few weeks) and a couple of surprises as well. The kids got most of what they wanted and we had a wonderful dinner with friends on Christmas Day. It was a really great holiday.
Now on to planning Violet’s first birthday which is less than 3 weeks away now. I can’t believe it…where has my baby gone?
Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Me Stuff
December 29th, 2009
Yum, yum, yum. I did some experimenting with new recipes for Christmas dinner and the results were fabulous! We always get a recipe sheet in our Angel Food boxes so I looked through them to find something different. This is a slightly adapted version of theirs.
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 medium celery stalks, chopped
- 1 bag (15-16 oz) cubed seasoned stuffing
- parsley flakes
- 1.5 chopped apples
- 1 lb andouille sausage (I’m sure I spelled that wrong…sorry!)
- chicken broth
- In a large nonstick skillet, brown sausage and break up well. Drain and set aside.
- Using the same skillet, melt the butter and saute the onion and celery.
- Transfer vegetables and butter to a large (VERY large!) bowl.
- Add stuffing and parsley. (I eyeballed the parsley amount, about 1 tablespoon I think!)
- Stir in enough broth to moisten the stuffing, about 2.5 cups.
- Add the sausage and apples.
- Place stuffing in a baking dish, drizzle with additional 1/2 cup of broth, then cover and bake until heated through.
It was delicious! And this made a ton of stuffing. We’re still eating it but the good news is it’s so yummy that we’re not tired of it yet! Let me know if you try it. It was a hit at my house…definitely a good change from the standard stuffing we have been eating here.
Posted in Food/Recipes, Tasty Tuesday
December 24th, 2009
Certainly there are many things I want. Material things, intangible things, impossible things. But I’ve already received the greatest gifts I could ever imagine. My husband, my children, my loving friends and extended family. God has richly blessed me and for that I am eternally grateful.
And I’m most grateful to Him for the gift He gave us so many years ago. There would be no Christmas without the birth of Christ. It’s something I have a tendency to forget because of the hectic nature of the season. I hope that today I can remember why we’re celebrating. There will be the craziness of preparing a special dinner, opening gifts, and then more gifts tomorrow morning and 2 more big meals. But somewhere in there, I plan to sit down with my kids and remind them of why we do this. The ultimate gift has been given to us in the form of a Savior. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Faith/Religion, Me Stuff
December 23rd, 2009
Books. I love to read. I’ll read almost anything (obviously, as I read and loved Twilight despite my skepticism) and our little county library is seriously lacking in good material. I can’t afford to buy books any more, so I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading and borrowing but there are several books on my list that nobody I know has and that our library doesn’t have. A gift card to a book store would definitely make me smile!
Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Me Stuff
December 22nd, 2009
Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. For like 8 hours in a row, uninterrupted by teething babies or night terrors or snoring husbands. A silent night, if you will. Perhaps what I need to ask for is a gift card for one night in a hotel? I suspect that’s the only way I’d get 8 hours…but then I’d be lonely and wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. It may be a while before this Christmas wish gets granted, but I have full faith that it will happen again someday. Besides, after 3.5 years of interrupted sleep I’m pretty used to operating on less. I’m not happy about it, though.
Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Me Stuff, Parenting
