Just in case you were wondering, here's proof:
For some reason I've been absolutely exhausted lately. So last night at 10 o'clock when my warm cozy bed was calling my name - I forsook the Jazzercise wear I had just washed and decided to leave it in the machine. The thought did cross my mind that it might sour overnight - but I figured if I took it out right when I woke up this morning (usually around 6:30 am) it would probably be fine. After all, Justin did just take the washing machine apart and clean it all.
Now, I'm going to try and be as cryptic as possible here so the creepy googlers don't start stalking me. Let me start by saying that while teaching Jazzercise I wear special underwear. I never used to wear this special underwear - in fact, I will confess to you that I used to be too prudish to even consider it. But after looking at myself in the mirror a couple times, and considering the fact that at any given time while teaching anywhere from 5 to 50 students could be staring at me for an hour, I decided I didn't want lines to show and I also didn't want anything digging into my well-endowed hips under my form fitting workout pants. So anyway, one run-on sentence later, I finally found these. They fit all my Jazzercisin'-special-underwear-needs perfectly.
If you clicked on that link - you may have noticed that these special underwear cost a pretty penny. I bought a bunch of them (new) off e-bay which helped, but was still a small investment. Good thing it's also a tax write-off for me. Heh heh - underwear a tax write-off? Nice. Being such, I try and take good care of them. I have enough to last me a couple weeks worth of classes so every couple weeks I wash them in cold water, a little Woolite, a little Borax and then I hang them to dry. Well, tonight as I was getting ready to go to class I grabbed a pair that I had washed last night and noticed that they had, in fact, soured. Ugh. Fortunately, I remembered that I had one last pair in my drawer and decided to throw the rest of them into the utility sink with a little Oxy-clean. All of them (except one). In the sink. With Oxy-clean.
So I go grab the one lone pair and the pants I was going to wear, go to use the facilities and throw my clothes (the one lone pair) on the bathroom floor. As I picked them up to put them on - approximately 5 minutes until departure time - I notice they're wet. Hm. That's strange. I wonder how they got wet? Did Justin take a shower and a little water got on the floor? No. I glance toward the potty seat sitting in the corner. Could it possibly be? No! No way! Not my one lone pair. Not Steele missing the potty seat. No! Please no! My one lone pair!
Yup. My one lone pair. Steele missing the potty.
I felt a surge of rage come over me that only a mother of a three-year-old-who-cannot-possibly-be-blamed for missing the potty seat can possibly feel. You know the feeling - the same feeling you get when you go to put on your dress for church on Sunday only to realize it has spit-up on it. The same feeling you get when you finally find another outfit to wear to church and as you're running late your toddler gives you a big syrup laden hug around the leg. You know the feeling. The feeling you can't do anything about except get a hold of yourself. Get a hold of yourself Cutzi! It's just underwear! And a little bit of pee!
So tonight folks? I gave a whole new meaning to freestyle Jazzercise.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
No Show
I was awakened at 6:08 this morning by a phone call from a class manager telling me that my 6 am instructor hadn't shown up. What should she do? Send everybody away? Ask them to wait a few more minutes? Keep calling the instructor? Is it ok for them to hop around a bit on their own? They're just sort of standing around staring at me. I didn't have much advice for her - this has only happened a couple of times since I owned this business - my best advice is usually "apologize profusely." In the back of my mind I'm thinking, I'm glad I'm not the one who has to face them...
So anyhow... I'm up. I decided to wait up for a bit to see if the instructor would call. (She hasn't.) But my main dilemma is whether or not to go back to bed for a bit. Now it's almost 7. I have to leave at 8:45 or so to teach my own class. Steele isn't awake yet ...op - there's the door - I spoke to soon. I guess my decision's made....
Have a great day everyone!
So anyhow... I'm up. I decided to wait up for a bit to see if the instructor would call. (She hasn't.) But my main dilemma is whether or not to go back to bed for a bit. Now it's almost 7. I have to leave at 8:45 or so to teach my own class. Steele isn't awake yet ...op - there's the door - I spoke to soon. I guess my decision's made....
Have a great day everyone!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Coffee, Chickens.... and a Little Bit of Adoption
Even though Adia is yelling, "Mama! Hey Mama!" every couple of minutes or so from her bedroom, I'm going to sit down and write for a moment. She's my joyful riser - she doesn't mind siting in her crib for a bit.
So after I wrote this post I freaked out a little. All of a sudden, as a few comments came in, I realized that people actually read this blog. And lately, people who I don't actually know actually read this blog. People who only know me from high school as Miss Smarty Pants Orchestra President actually read this blog. I'm going to have to be careful in how I approach some of these topics.
And this morning I had a revelation. I can start with the easy(ish) ones and chew on the rest for a bit.
So let's see...
Coffee
Jodi pretty much hit it on the nose. She said I could write about it as long as I didn't say anything about needing to stop drinking it. Grr. That's how I feel. Every. single. darn book I have ever read about hormones, endometriosis, infertility, PMS etc. etc. etc. has said to not drink coffee. Yah, usually I just sort of skim over that part. Lately though (actually for quite a while) I've noticed that I feel kind of weird after I drink it in the morning. I used to notice it as I was driving to Jazzercise. I would feel like I was going to start crying. Now, unless you've dealt with any sort of worse-than-normal hormone issues, you probably won't understand this. It's a physical reaction, not really anything emotional. Not like I'm thinking about sad things or anything - I just feel like crying.
The problem is that my first cup of coffee in the morning - along with my Baker's Breakfast Cookie (5 points but it's tradition) - is my favorite part of the day. And this whole I-feel-like-I'm-gonna-cry thing is messing it all up! I remember one time my Jazzercise mentor, Karmen, told me that she doesn't drink coffee 'cause it makes her feel weird. Not jittery, "weird." I get it now. But I'm not giving it up. Not yet. I can deal with a little caffeinated weepiness.
Chickens
The grammas are not laying! And since I love to research things I have read a fair amount on what could be going on. The problem here is that it could be a few things. I always say that the first year of having a baby is sometimes hard because things are always changing - too warm, too cold, getting teeth, getting sick, growth spurt, fussy, gas, constipation, tired, over-stimulated.... the list could go on and on. It's a bit of a guessing game sometimes. That's how I'm feeling with these chickens!
One has diarrhea so I've been putting some medicine in their water for that. I've also changed their wood shavings to straw since I read that wood shavings aren't good for chickens. Then the ladies at the feed store told me only cedar shavings are bad for chickens - the fir ones are fine. Oh well, I needed a whole bail of straw in the back of my van anyways. They might need some more light - so I need to go to Walmart and get a timer and hang up Christmas lights in their coop. (Yes, my husband is a union worker and we shop at Walmart. Don't even try it - I know some bad-A kickboxing moves...) They might need walls on the sides of their laying beds for a little more privacy. I'm also going to put a golf ball in there - hint, hint - this is where you're supposed to lay your eggs. I changed their feed which my have thrown them off a bit. I think they're molting since there have been quite a few feathers around - but I'm not sure because quite honestly, I've never seen a chicken molt before - but I do know they won't lay when they're molting. Or they could still be in shock from the move and are on an egg laying strike. Maybe the "a while" that the lady told me they wouldn't lay for actually meant months and not weeks like I assumed. Who knows -but that's the chicken scoop.
Adoption
(This might have to be quick - Adia's yelling has turned more persistant) Like I said, I mailed off our updated Adoption Application on Saturday to our agency. Wow! I haven't stopped by their web site for a while and was sad to see that the slide show they had on there - in which the first picture was of Steele's birth mother - is no longer there. But I was totally excited to see that they are now doing adoptions through Ethiopia. This is exciting since up until this point the agency has only done domestic adoptions. Cool. Anyway, we turned in our application. A friend of mine said it perfectly yesterday when she said, "So basically, you went off birth control." Pretty much. Actually, we've been ready for another baby for quite some time but wanted to see what was going to happen with Steele's birth mother before we proceeded with anything else. For us, this could mean that we get a baby 6 or 9 or 12 months from now... or it could mean we get a baby next week. Seriously. They could call us up and say, "There was a baby born at the hospital last night and birth mother has decided to place him (or her) for adoption. She wants a Mexican mom and a caucasian dad and an older brother and sister. Will you take him? (or her)" Knowing God and the way he's worked in our family so far - it could happen. I'm not gonna bet money on it - but it could happen. We've gone from 9 months with Steele, to 1 1/2 months with Adia. The baby ETA's seem to be getting shorter -drastically shorter. It's one of my favorite parts of adoption though - it's all so exciting!
I know I've said it before - but we believe whole-heartedly that God, only God, plans our family. He knows the children we will have, He has formed and created them, He knows their stories - we just sit back and wait and watch it all unfold. I can't even tell you what a joy and an honor it has been to see His work in our kids' and their birth mothers' lives. He has guided them ever so gently and exactly into our hearts and our home. If you have any prayer for our adoption journey, now is the time to pray specifically for the birth mother - that she would have confidence, peace and wisdom. That she would take care of the little one that is inside her (or about to be inside of her). Pray also for baby's protection and health.
I feel like there was more I wanted to write but I'm feeling like I need to get out of the recliner and off to prepare breakfast.
So after I wrote this post I freaked out a little. All of a sudden, as a few comments came in, I realized that people actually read this blog. And lately, people who I don't actually know actually read this blog. People who only know me from high school as Miss Smarty Pants Orchestra President actually read this blog. I'm going to have to be careful in how I approach some of these topics.
And this morning I had a revelation. I can start with the easy(ish) ones and chew on the rest for a bit.
So let's see...
Coffee
Jodi pretty much hit it on the nose. She said I could write about it as long as I didn't say anything about needing to stop drinking it. Grr. That's how I feel. Every. single. darn book I have ever read about hormones, endometriosis, infertility, PMS etc. etc. etc. has said to not drink coffee. Yah, usually I just sort of skim over that part. Lately though (actually for quite a while) I've noticed that I feel kind of weird after I drink it in the morning. I used to notice it as I was driving to Jazzercise. I would feel like I was going to start crying. Now, unless you've dealt with any sort of worse-than-normal hormone issues, you probably won't understand this. It's a physical reaction, not really anything emotional. Not like I'm thinking about sad things or anything - I just feel like crying.
The problem is that my first cup of coffee in the morning - along with my Baker's Breakfast Cookie (5 points but it's tradition) - is my favorite part of the day. And this whole I-feel-like-I'm-gonna-cry thing is messing it all up! I remember one time my Jazzercise mentor, Karmen, told me that she doesn't drink coffee 'cause it makes her feel weird. Not jittery, "weird." I get it now. But I'm not giving it up. Not yet. I can deal with a little caffeinated weepiness.
Chickens
The grammas are not laying! And since I love to research things I have read a fair amount on what could be going on. The problem here is that it could be a few things. I always say that the first year of having a baby is sometimes hard because things are always changing - too warm, too cold, getting teeth, getting sick, growth spurt, fussy, gas, constipation, tired, over-stimulated.... the list could go on and on. It's a bit of a guessing game sometimes. That's how I'm feeling with these chickens!
One has diarrhea so I've been putting some medicine in their water for that. I've also changed their wood shavings to straw since I read that wood shavings aren't good for chickens. Then the ladies at the feed store told me only cedar shavings are bad for chickens - the fir ones are fine. Oh well, I needed a whole bail of straw in the back of my van anyways. They might need some more light - so I need to go to Walmart and get a timer and hang up Christmas lights in their coop. (Yes, my husband is a union worker and we shop at Walmart. Don't even try it - I know some bad-A kickboxing moves...) They might need walls on the sides of their laying beds for a little more privacy. I'm also going to put a golf ball in there - hint, hint - this is where you're supposed to lay your eggs. I changed their feed which my have thrown them off a bit. I think they're molting since there have been quite a few feathers around - but I'm not sure because quite honestly, I've never seen a chicken molt before - but I do know they won't lay when they're molting. Or they could still be in shock from the move and are on an egg laying strike. Maybe the "a while" that the lady told me they wouldn't lay for actually meant months and not weeks like I assumed. Who knows -but that's the chicken scoop.
Adoption
(This might have to be quick - Adia's yelling has turned more persistant) Like I said, I mailed off our updated Adoption Application on Saturday to our agency. Wow! I haven't stopped by their web site for a while and was sad to see that the slide show they had on there - in which the first picture was of Steele's birth mother - is no longer there. But I was totally excited to see that they are now doing adoptions through Ethiopia. This is exciting since up until this point the agency has only done domestic adoptions. Cool. Anyway, we turned in our application. A friend of mine said it perfectly yesterday when she said, "So basically, you went off birth control." Pretty much. Actually, we've been ready for another baby for quite some time but wanted to see what was going to happen with Steele's birth mother before we proceeded with anything else. For us, this could mean that we get a baby 6 or 9 or 12 months from now... or it could mean we get a baby next week. Seriously. They could call us up and say, "There was a baby born at the hospital last night and birth mother has decided to place him (or her) for adoption. She wants a Mexican mom and a caucasian dad and an older brother and sister. Will you take him? (or her)" Knowing God and the way he's worked in our family so far - it could happen. I'm not gonna bet money on it - but it could happen. We've gone from 9 months with Steele, to 1 1/2 months with Adia. The baby ETA's seem to be getting shorter -drastically shorter. It's one of my favorite parts of adoption though - it's all so exciting!
I know I've said it before - but we believe whole-heartedly that God, only God, plans our family. He knows the children we will have, He has formed and created them, He knows their stories - we just sit back and wait and watch it all unfold. I can't even tell you what a joy and an honor it has been to see His work in our kids' and their birth mothers' lives. He has guided them ever so gently and exactly into our hearts and our home. If you have any prayer for our adoption journey, now is the time to pray specifically for the birth mother - that she would have confidence, peace and wisdom. That she would take care of the little one that is inside her (or about to be inside of her). Pray also for baby's protection and health.
I feel like there was more I wanted to write but I'm feeling like I need to get out of the recliner and off to prepare breakfast.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Watching Dancing With the Stars...
Is it just me or does it seem like more than a couple of the professionals have gained some weight? Not that I'm necessarily one to speak, I'm just sayin'...
I also have to say, that as a thick legged girl myself, I'm happy to see some fellow thick leggers this season and not all of those stick people. Man, it really sounds like I'm putting myself down tonight. I'm not - I'm just a realist. A realist with thick legs. It's true. But as my grandma would say (quite frequently and because I inherited my thick legs from her - she's still trying to convince herself), "You should be happy you even have legs." I am, Grandma, I am. I'm very thankful for my legs.
I also have to say, that as a thick legged girl myself, I'm happy to see some fellow thick leggers this season and not all of those stick people. Man, it really sounds like I'm putting myself down tonight. I'm not - I'm just a realist. A realist with thick legs. It's true. But as my grandma would say (quite frequently and because I inherited my thick legs from her - she's still trying to convince herself), "You should be happy you even have legs." I am, Grandma, I am. I'm very thankful for my legs.
Oh wait, sorry. Those last ones are my grandma's.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I Know, I Know
Two posts in one night.
But look what I just found! Isn't that cool? And kind of creepy all at the same time.
Spanish!
But look what I just found! Isn't that cool? And kind of creepy all at the same time.
Spanish!
If You Need Me This Week
I'll be watching t.v.
I'll just confess to you now: I have my shows. And I watch them. Faithfully.
Oh yes, I try to come across as intellectual, deep-thinking, spiritual.... (are you buying any of this?) And the reality is that I'm a t.v. junkie.
So here's the line-up for this week. I'm so glad not every week is premier week.
Monday: Dancing With The Stars (tape How I Met Your Mother. nope. don't have tivo. drat.)
Tuesday: Dancing With The Stars
Wednesday: Dancing With The Stars (It's my favorite but COME ON! - 3 nights?!)
Thursday: Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy (Sorry Trina. I don't know what I was thinking - Thursday's out. Yes, I even sacrifice time with friends for t.v. You can judge me for that.) Grey's is on probation with me though - we'll see how it goes.
And I'm SO excited about all of it!! I can't wait!
Here are some of the topics I have swimming around in my head about which to write. I can't seem to form a lot of coherent thoughts on any of them though (could quite possibly be due to too much t.v.) Let me know if there are any you would like me to expand on. I need some help.
1. Divorce - Not me, other family and friends. It's got me all in a tizzy
2. Coffee - and how I feel weepy after I drink my first cup every morning.... weird.
3. The fact that I sent off our updated adoption application yesterday
4. Non-laying chickens
5. How I feel insecure around people younger than me lately
6. Anxiety attacks versus depression and how I recently had a huge revelation about the difference between them.
7. The ignorant old lady who was talking to my grandma about adoption and got her all worried
8. Adoption issues and the rant about them that I had in my head while in the shower last night
9. My wonderful pastor and the extraordinary sermon he gave today. It was so, so, so, so good. You can listen to it here if you'd like. Did I mention how good it was?
10. The overwhelming reality that I am sinful and that I live in a sinful world. Because of this, I am abundantly grateful each day for God's eternal hope, grace, mercy, blessings, joys, new days, work in me and in my husband and children. For His love and care for me. For the faith and confidence He imparts to me. For His: ways, mighty works, word, wisdom, people, church, promises, covenants... Where would I be without my Lord?
I'll just confess to you now: I have my shows. And I watch them. Faithfully.
Oh yes, I try to come across as intellectual, deep-thinking, spiritual.... (are you buying any of this?) And the reality is that I'm a t.v. junkie.
So here's the line-up for this week. I'm so glad not every week is premier week.
Monday: Dancing With The Stars (tape How I Met Your Mother. nope. don't have tivo. drat.)
Tuesday: Dancing With The Stars
Wednesday: Dancing With The Stars (It's my favorite but COME ON! - 3 nights?!)
Thursday: Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy (Sorry Trina. I don't know what I was thinking - Thursday's out. Yes, I even sacrifice time with friends for t.v. You can judge me for that.) Grey's is on probation with me though - we'll see how it goes.
And I'm SO excited about all of it!! I can't wait!
Here are some of the topics I have swimming around in my head about which to write. I can't seem to form a lot of coherent thoughts on any of them though (could quite possibly be due to too much t.v.) Let me know if there are any you would like me to expand on. I need some help.
1. Divorce - Not me, other family and friends. It's got me all in a tizzy
2. Coffee - and how I feel weepy after I drink my first cup every morning.... weird.
3. The fact that I sent off our updated adoption application yesterday
4. Non-laying chickens
5. How I feel insecure around people younger than me lately
6. Anxiety attacks versus depression and how I recently had a huge revelation about the difference between them.
7. The ignorant old lady who was talking to my grandma about adoption and got her all worried
8. Adoption issues and the rant about them that I had in my head while in the shower last night
9. My wonderful pastor and the extraordinary sermon he gave today. It was so, so, so, so good. You can listen to it here if you'd like. Did I mention how good it was?
10. The overwhelming reality that I am sinful and that I live in a sinful world. Because of this, I am abundantly grateful each day for God's eternal hope, grace, mercy, blessings, joys, new days, work in me and in my husband and children. For His love and care for me. For the faith and confidence He imparts to me. For His: ways, mighty works, word, wisdom, people, church, promises, covenants... Where would I be without my Lord?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Something You Might Not Know
I have a nose ring. I was on my way to the grocery store tonight and thought to myself (after having worn my nose ring today), "I'll bet a lot of my bloggy friends don't know I have a nose ring." After all, it is really tiny and I don't wear it all the time. It might not even show in a picture unless it was really close up. I left it on Amy's table the other day. She was grossed out. I was just amazed that she found it. Sometimes I wear it just to shock people. Ok - maybe not to shock them, but just give them a little surprise. You know - throw a little curve ball. It's good to keep people on their toes. Like on the first day of leading a Bible study or something.
Also, something else you probably don't know. I'm back on Weight Watchers. Blech, blech, blech and double blech. I'm not even joking you - this is like the 5th time. The first time I lost 20 lbs. Then I went back up 10 and have stayed there forever. But I don't want to be back up there so I joined with my new next door neighbor who is tiny but has gained 10 lbs in the last year since she got married - freaked her out a little bit. Here's the problem - I'm just so hungry all the time!! And I refuse to eat fake food. In fact, I felt so angry when I went to the first meeting and I looked around at all the sincerely overweight people and thought about the fact that they probably got where they are by eating fake food and here they were learning how to replace their old fake food with new, low point fake food. I wanted to invite them all to Jazzercise. In all honesty, I'm pretty much paying them to weigh me every week. It keeps me accountable and balances all the yummy *real* treats I like to eat. It also keeps me from eating too much of all the *real* food I like to eat. I'm all about keepin' it real. But, I lost 6 lbs the first week so I felt good even though part of me sometimes wonders if it's worth it. I told myself I would be happy with 2 - and I would have been - but I was stoked with 6. Here's to another 2 this week. I can't believe how much will power I've had. It's totally unlike me but I get a little compulsive about it sometimes. Like now, it's like 9:45 and I'm going to go work out 'cause I need a few extra points. But really, that's not a bad way to live necessarily. Ok.... I'm rambling..
I feel like I should add some pictures. Here are some. They really have nothing to do with anything I just wrote about.
Us with Great Grandma and Grandpa Steelhammer.
A house on the side of the freeway about 45 minutes south of my house.
I want it. I covet it every time we drive by.
You do not even know how much skill it took for me to get this picture as we were driving by at 70 mph.
Also, something else you probably don't know. I'm back on Weight Watchers. Blech, blech, blech and double blech. I'm not even joking you - this is like the 5th time. The first time I lost 20 lbs. Then I went back up 10 and have stayed there forever. But I don't want to be back up there so I joined with my new next door neighbor who is tiny but has gained 10 lbs in the last year since she got married - freaked her out a little bit. Here's the problem - I'm just so hungry all the time!! And I refuse to eat fake food. In fact, I felt so angry when I went to the first meeting and I looked around at all the sincerely overweight people and thought about the fact that they probably got where they are by eating fake food and here they were learning how to replace their old fake food with new, low point fake food. I wanted to invite them all to Jazzercise. In all honesty, I'm pretty much paying them to weigh me every week. It keeps me accountable and balances all the yummy *real* treats I like to eat. It also keeps me from eating too much of all the *real* food I like to eat. I'm all about keepin' it real. But, I lost 6 lbs the first week so I felt good even though part of me sometimes wonders if it's worth it. I told myself I would be happy with 2 - and I would have been - but I was stoked with 6. Here's to another 2 this week. I can't believe how much will power I've had. It's totally unlike me but I get a little compulsive about it sometimes. Like now, it's like 9:45 and I'm going to go work out 'cause I need a few extra points. But really, that's not a bad way to live necessarily. Ok.... I'm rambling..
I feel like I should add some pictures. Here are some. They really have nothing to do with anything I just wrote about.
Us.
Us with Great Grandma and Grandpa Steelhammer.
A house on the side of the freeway about 45 minutes south of my house.
I want it. I covet it every time we drive by.
You do not even know how much skill it took for me to get this picture as we were driving by at 70 mph.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
It Is Well
Just a little video because I can... and because I happen to think my kiddos are too darn cute. And because I never want to forget these happy moments playing "Saul" over and over and over again.
Must be the night for cute kid videos. Just as I was about to post this one I hopped on over to Billy and Green and found some awfully cute kids there!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Dreaming
I finally found what I've been imagining in my mind's eye for a long time. This is just about the exact kitchen I would love to have someday. The only thing I would change is to add a few more retro-ish accents. And vintage map walls of course... (can you see the blue tile and dishes in the cupboard?)
* I have to add that I TOTALLY agree with Stacy's comment. Wasn't down with the rock wall (although I do think brick would look cool) and definitely an island - maybe with the stove in it. The sink could maybe be where the stove is in this one - with a window over it. I like my sinks to be under windows.
* I have to add that I TOTALLY agree with Stacy's comment. Wasn't down with the rock wall (although I do think brick would look cool) and definitely an island - maybe with the stove in it. The sink could maybe be where the stove is in this one - with a window over it. I like my sinks to be under windows.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Uterus Update
Heh heh. I realized that some of you who don't know me "IRL" probably don't know my sense of humor. Of course, I covet your prayers and fully believe that God could grow a wee one in my uterus if He wanted to. In fact, I think He probably will someday. Probably when I'm like 50 - just for laughs. Good thing I have a good sense of humor. For now, he's choosing to bring us babies through adoption and I am thrilled with that. That is the the way HE chose to build our family and we love the things that God chooses. So if you got a good chuckle (Kate) don't worry - that's the way it was intended. ;-)
What's not so funny is that my uterus does cause me a fair amount of problems - not to mention pain. (ok - a lot of pain) Darn endometriosis. It's been almost two years since I had surgery to remove three blood-filled cysts from my ovaries. My uterus has lesions all over it. I have uterine tissue in places in my body where it definitely should not be. One of my falopian tubes is completely blocked. And aren't my ovaries so smart? When one bails, the other one kicks in to make up for it every month. Isn't that nice? Yah... thanks for that.
I chose not to go on synthetic hormone therapy that would make my body go into menopause. 30 years old? Menopause? Um, thanks but no thanks. Unfortunately I also did not go back on my natural hormone therapy either - I've been a little busy with babies to find a new naturopath after we moved. And now all of a sudden two years have gone by. My cycle has been 23 days long for the last few months. Along with pretty bad PMS, anxiety, fatigue, cramps, clots, low back pain blah blah blah... I also get what's known as "flooding." Use your imagination, it's as bad as it sounds. I've been dealing with a lot of this for 20+ years now - so I'm pretty used to it. But the 22 or 23 day cycle is killin' me.
The good news is that the best things for me are exercise and good nutrition - which I've been doing well at lately. It helps just about all the way around. I have to make an appointment with a naturopath this week. Have to.
And there's everything you never wanted to know about me. This whole bloggy friend thing just got a little more intimate.
I also need to add a number 3 to my "To Do" list:
3. Find a new car. Soon. Like yesterday. I never knew I hated car shopping so much.
ps. For more information on endometriosis you can go here or here. I've also done a ton, ton, ton of research on my own and might be able to answer some questions. Most of the truly helpful information I've found has come from this guy.
What's not so funny is that my uterus does cause me a fair amount of problems - not to mention pain. (ok - a lot of pain) Darn endometriosis. It's been almost two years since I had surgery to remove three blood-filled cysts from my ovaries. My uterus has lesions all over it. I have uterine tissue in places in my body where it definitely should not be. One of my falopian tubes is completely blocked. And aren't my ovaries so smart? When one bails, the other one kicks in to make up for it every month. Isn't that nice? Yah... thanks for that.
I chose not to go on synthetic hormone therapy that would make my body go into menopause. 30 years old? Menopause? Um, thanks but no thanks. Unfortunately I also did not go back on my natural hormone therapy either - I've been a little busy with babies to find a new naturopath after we moved. And now all of a sudden two years have gone by. My cycle has been 23 days long for the last few months. Along with pretty bad PMS, anxiety, fatigue, cramps, clots, low back pain blah blah blah... I also get what's known as "flooding." Use your imagination, it's as bad as it sounds. I've been dealing with a lot of this for 20+ years now - so I'm pretty used to it. But the 22 or 23 day cycle is killin' me.
The good news is that the best things for me are exercise and good nutrition - which I've been doing well at lately. It helps just about all the way around. I have to make an appointment with a naturopath this week. Have to.
And there's everything you never wanted to know about me. This whole bloggy friend thing just got a little more intimate.
I also need to add a number 3 to my "To Do" list:
3. Find a new car. Soon. Like yesterday. I never knew I hated car shopping so much.
ps. For more information on endometriosis you can go here or here. I've also done a ton, ton, ton of research on my own and might be able to answer some questions. Most of the truly helpful information I've found has come from this guy.
2 Point Banana Bread
It's yummy!
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
1 cup banana, mashed (equals about 2 bananas)
1/4 cup applesauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Add egg whites, bananas and applesauce; stir just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean. Turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool before slicing. Cut into 12 equal slices.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
1 cup banana, mashed (equals about 2 bananas)
1/4 cup applesauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Add egg whites, bananas and applesauce; stir just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean. Turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool before slicing. Cut into 12 equal slices.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Fun With Grandma and Grandpa
I've been thinking about a lot of things lately, especially since visiting Justin's parents. Many of you might not know this - but I'm pretty opinionated. About a lot of things. Shocking. I know. Up until this point I've avoided blogging about many of the topics I feel strongly about for fear of being lambasted as I've seen happen on others' blogs. I have my own opinions, I'm convinced of them - and I don't necessarily need to convince anybody else. But, just as I don't scrapbook, I also don't keep a journal. And lately, I've kind of had this feeling that I want to puke out all the thoughts that are floating around in my brain. Where thoughts are concerned though, I generally find it wisest to sit on them for a while before puking them out. But never fear! While I sit on them a bit more I've got some pictures from Grandma and Grandpa's to share. Steele and Adia had a blast.
Steele had his first root beer ever while visiting with Uncle Norm.
When Justin asked Steele what he had he grinned mischievously and said, "Beer."
Sugar Heaven.
The new house should be done in December - just in time for Christmas.
When you walk through the front door and look out the living room window
Mt. Ranier is perfectly framed. Pretty cool.
I couldn't leave without a backhoe video.
(And a picture of our 5 star accomodations in the background)
Steele had his first root beer ever while visiting with Uncle Norm.
When Justin asked Steele what he had he grinned mischievously and said, "Beer."
Sugar Heaven.
The new house should be done in December - just in time for Christmas.
When you walk through the front door and look out the living room window
Mt. Ranier is perfectly framed. Pretty cool.
I couldn't leave without a backhoe video.
(And a picture of our 5 star accomodations in the background)
You're Very Beautiful
That's what the guy standing on the corner by the freeway exit told me today.
He was holding a sign that said, "Let's be honest. I need money for weed."
I don't know what kind of special mix that guy was smokin' but I'll take my compliments where I can get 'em.
I gave him a head nod and a wave and said, "Thanks!"
He was holding a sign that said, "Let's be honest. I need money for weed."
I don't know what kind of special mix that guy was smokin' but I'll take my compliments where I can get 'em.
I gave him a head nod and a wave and said, "Thanks!"
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
That's It!
I'm not promising you any more posts. Because, well, I never seem to get around to them and then I'm a liar. I don't wanna lie.
So here it is, my final fair post. I had a couple more swimming around in my brain but hey - the fair was weeks ago. The rest of the world is on to new things and I'm still stuck at the fair. And the fair is summer and I'm totally into fall. Bring on the fall.
The fair Part III: (is that even right?)
Remember how I told you that I am totally not cool-carnival-ride mom? Allow me to illustrate...
Now, I get sick just watching Steele go back and forth on a swing - I'm not even joking. Let's not get into why on earth I thought that promising Steele I would go on the Spinning Dragon with him sounded like "fun" - but I did. I claim temporary insanity. It mighta been the poffertjes. (I just found that web site - I'll be going there next) Anyway, back to the Spinning Dragon. So I ask Abbey and Gabe what they think would be a good ride for all for of us to go on (Justin was at work) and they suggest the Spinning Dragon. Ok. We wait in line and then go to get on the ride and all the dragons already had people in them so we ask the guy if we can go on the next turn and he agrees. We wait again. Get on. Just about set to go and along comes Danny. Sweet little Danny who asks if she can ride with us. Clearly not thinking, I agree. As we sit there and wait for the ride to begin I start to make small talk. "Hi! How are you? What's your name. I'm Cutzi. This is Steele." yada yada. And then suddenly, "Soooo.... Danny? Do you like to spin?....." And that's when I see it. She has one glass eye (I'm not even joking) which is suddenly staring at me piercingly. Out of her mouth it comes - her once sweet personae vanishes as her exorcist voice screeches out at me... "Yaaaah!!!" Dear Lord, help me.
The ride begins and we go spinning and spinning, around and around. Carnival light swirling by. I'm trying to focus on objects outside the dragon to avoid the rapidly rising nausea. Danny is devlishly spinning the wheel over and over and over again. Every once in a while I glance at Abbey and Gabe as if to say, "Help me!" They're staring at me with looks of concern and question. Looks of, "Please don't puke on us!" Finally, when it seems it will never end I say (in the sweetest, calmest voice I can muster), "Why don't we stop spinning for a little bit?" It lasts for a moment until Danny's exorcist voice emerges again, even wilder now, "SPIN! SPIN! SPIN! SPIN!" And the only thing out of my mouth? A burst of howling, nervous laughter. The kids are staring at me wide eyed. And then, finally.... it stopped. And Gabe asks me as we're getting off.... "Why did you laugh like that?" I don't know Gabe, I don't know.
So here it is, my final fair post. I had a couple more swimming around in my brain but hey - the fair was weeks ago. The rest of the world is on to new things and I'm still stuck at the fair. And the fair is summer and I'm totally into fall. Bring on the fall.
The fair Part III: (is that even right?)
Remember how I told you that I am totally not cool-carnival-ride mom? Allow me to illustrate...
Now, I get sick just watching Steele go back and forth on a swing - I'm not even joking. Let's not get into why on earth I thought that promising Steele I would go on the Spinning Dragon with him sounded like "fun" - but I did. I claim temporary insanity. It mighta been the poffertjes. (I just found that web site - I'll be going there next) Anyway, back to the Spinning Dragon. So I ask Abbey and Gabe what they think would be a good ride for all for of us to go on (Justin was at work) and they suggest the Spinning Dragon. Ok. We wait in line and then go to get on the ride and all the dragons already had people in them so we ask the guy if we can go on the next turn and he agrees. We wait again. Get on. Just about set to go and along comes Danny. Sweet little Danny who asks if she can ride with us. Clearly not thinking, I agree. As we sit there and wait for the ride to begin I start to make small talk. "Hi! How are you? What's your name. I'm Cutzi. This is Steele." yada yada. And then suddenly, "Soooo.... Danny? Do you like to spin?....." And that's when I see it. She has one glass eye (I'm not even joking) which is suddenly staring at me piercingly. Out of her mouth it comes - her once sweet personae vanishes as her exorcist voice screeches out at me... "Yaaaah!!!" Dear Lord, help me.
The ride begins and we go spinning and spinning, around and around. Carnival light swirling by. I'm trying to focus on objects outside the dragon to avoid the rapidly rising nausea. Danny is devlishly spinning the wheel over and over and over again. Every once in a while I glance at Abbey and Gabe as if to say, "Help me!" They're staring at me with looks of concern and question. Looks of, "Please don't puke on us!" Finally, when it seems it will never end I say (in the sweetest, calmest voice I can muster), "Why don't we stop spinning for a little bit?" It lasts for a moment until Danny's exorcist voice emerges again, even wilder now, "SPIN! SPIN! SPIN! SPIN!" And the only thing out of my mouth? A burst of howling, nervous laughter. The kids are staring at me wide eyed. And then, finally.... it stopped. And Gabe asks me as we're getting off.... "Why did you laugh like that?" I don't know Gabe, I don't know.
I mostly just posted this pic 'cause I look cute and stylish in it.
Those are few and far between - scroll down this post for another one.
Look how happy we all appear.
Uh oh. How could we have known of the impending doom?
Naively making small talk.
"I will carry out my evil plan to spin dragons across the whole world!"
It's all over.
"Somebody get me offa this thing."
This is what I think about your freaking spinning dragon, Danny.
Those are few and far between - scroll down this post for another one.
Look how happy we all appear.
Uh oh. How could we have known of the impending doom?
Naively making small talk.
"I will carry out my evil plan to spin dragons across the whole world!"
It's all over.
"Somebody get me offa this thing."
This is what I think about your freaking spinning dragon, Danny.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Pray for Me!!
We're going to stay with Justin's parents for four days.....
I kid, I kid.
Sorta...
We considered going on a small family vacation as Justin has two weeks off right now - but since Justin's parents (and both sets of grandparents) live 3 hours away and we don't get to see them very often we thought we'd head down. We'll be there until Saturday.
The kids love Justin's parents and Steele, especially, is really looking forward to it. Justin's grandpa Steelhammer (Steele's namesake) used to have a dairy farm. They still have all of their land, their horse BUF, their dog Katie, a bunch of beef cattle and best of all: lots of machines! Tractors, blowers, chippers etc. etc. Steele will be in machinery heaven. Justin's parents are also building a ginormous house so we're looking forward to seeing the progress on that. Grandma Jobes even mentioned that they have a surprise for Steele so he's rarin' to go. All that to say - I won't be around for a few days.
Don't worry about me - I'll be fine.
But don't forget to pray...
Grandma and Grandpa Steelhammer with Steele
at his baptism luncheon.
I kid, I kid.
Sorta...
We considered going on a small family vacation as Justin has two weeks off right now - but since Justin's parents (and both sets of grandparents) live 3 hours away and we don't get to see them very often we thought we'd head down. We'll be there until Saturday.
The kids love Justin's parents and Steele, especially, is really looking forward to it. Justin's grandpa Steelhammer (Steele's namesake) used to have a dairy farm. They still have all of their land, their horse BUF, their dog Katie, a bunch of beef cattle and best of all: lots of machines! Tractors, blowers, chippers etc. etc. Steele will be in machinery heaven. Justin's parents are also building a ginormous house so we're looking forward to seeing the progress on that. Grandma Jobes even mentioned that they have a surprise for Steele so he's rarin' to go. All that to say - I won't be around for a few days.
Don't worry about me - I'll be fine.
But don't forget to pray...
Grandma and Grandpa Steelhammer with Steeleat his baptism luncheon.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Chicken Antics
Oh Blanche, Blanche, Blanche. That little lady has escaped twice already. The first time we chased her around our next door neighbors Aaron and Lara's yard. We knew they wouldn't mind - Blanche had made a run for it while we were trying to get her in the coop on the first night. But tonight? Well, tonight the whole trio saw an opportunity and decided they would make a run for it.
On Saturday we let them out to roam in our little side yard all afternoon while Justin worked on their coop. Today just the same (it's turning out quite nicely, I might add). I don't know what we were thinking but Justin and Steele came in for dinner and when we went to check on them afterward they weren't there. Fortunately they hadn't gone far. Ercy is still by far my favorite and she let me catch her quite easily. No nombre proved to be a bit harder. And Blanche... well, as we were chasing her she escaped under our front fence and across the street. I've been trying to keep the whole chicken thing on a bit of the down-low in the neighborhood. One comical book I read said that any neighbors who might at first be bothered, won't be once they start getting some fresh eggs here and there. That was my plan, at least. But tonight that all went out the window (or under the proverbial fence). We chased Blanche across the street and behind the neighbors' house where she found cover in a raspberry patch. Great. Once we got her shooed out of there she ran to another neighbor's yard (we know them a bit better) and was threatening to cross another side street. I was still in pajamas from the morning as I spent all day doing laundry and cooking - I had a snow shovel in one hand and chicken feed in the other. Justin had a broom. Those chickens are fast! Next thing I know, our across-the-street neighbor Adam was out the door and helping us corral Blanch into a corner. We finally caught her.
I wish I could say that I'm good help in the chicken catching department - but I'm just not. You see, once the chickens start running and I see my husband or my neighbor sprinting to try and cut them off I almost pee my pants laughing so hard. I'm sure my laughter could be heard clear across the neighborhood tonight. And once they start calling, "Come here, Blanche. Come here. No Blanche! No!" I really lose it. It's hilarious. I was laughing especially hard tonight once Justin had Blanche securely in his hands and Adam said his wife had looked out the window and mentioned that she thought we were chasing chickens. He yelled at her, "Where are my shoes? I'm goin' out there!" He said it's something he never would have imagined he'd be doing - chasing chickens around the neighborhood. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe.
So far, even though we haven't gotten any eggs yet - I'm so glad we got them. We needed a little change of pace around here. And some laughter. And it's so sweet to hear Adia say, "Hi Chicken!" "Come here Chicken" and my personal favorite "Chicken Poop." She's having a hard time saying her "c"s.
Now to answer a couple questions:
1. Do they stink? The chickens themselves don't stink. Their poop does a little bit. So if you try and keep that to a minimum, you're good to go. The great thing is that our town pretty much continually smells like dairy farm... it masks the chicken poop smell.
2. Are they going to make our yard all torn up? We're hoping they do a little bit. It's actually good for aeration and fertilizing. If you leave them in one place all the time eventually that spot will turn to dirt. We plan on moving them around a bit though. The only thing I've read is that if you have special plants you don't want trampled you shouldn't leave them in that part of the yard. Today they burrowed their way down into one of my beds in the dirt to stay cool and clean themselves. And they stayed there all day - it was pretty cute. We also plan on letting them loose in our garden once we're done with it. They'll love it and so will our soil.
3. Are their eggs safe to eat? In my honest opinion, they should be safer to eat than most you'd find in a store. The chickens are going to be able to roam around our yard and eat all sorts of good stuff. We're also feeding them organic feed without soy so we don't have to worry about what sorts of hormones and chemicals end up in the eggs. That's the most exciting part.
I'm also really excited because I read today that chicken manure is great in compost. So we'll start dumping some of the wood shavings into our manure pile to use on our garden next year. Cool, huh?
On a side note, can you see my dahlias blooming behind the fence there? The dahlia lady from down the street (the one who gave me the tubers) rode her bike by today and said mine are looking beautiful. I was so proud. She showed me how to care for them a bit more and said she'd be back in a few weeks to teach me how to keep the tubers over the winter. I really should take some more pictures to show you - I just love them.
On Saturday we let them out to roam in our little side yard all afternoon while Justin worked on their coop. Today just the same (it's turning out quite nicely, I might add). I don't know what we were thinking but Justin and Steele came in for dinner and when we went to check on them afterward they weren't there. Fortunately they hadn't gone far. Ercy is still by far my favorite and she let me catch her quite easily. No nombre proved to be a bit harder. And Blanche... well, as we were chasing her she escaped under our front fence and across the street. I've been trying to keep the whole chicken thing on a bit of the down-low in the neighborhood. One comical book I read said that any neighbors who might at first be bothered, won't be once they start getting some fresh eggs here and there. That was my plan, at least. But tonight that all went out the window (or under the proverbial fence). We chased Blanche across the street and behind the neighbors' house where she found cover in a raspberry patch. Great. Once we got her shooed out of there she ran to another neighbor's yard (we know them a bit better) and was threatening to cross another side street. I was still in pajamas from the morning as I spent all day doing laundry and cooking - I had a snow shovel in one hand and chicken feed in the other. Justin had a broom. Those chickens are fast! Next thing I know, our across-the-street neighbor Adam was out the door and helping us corral Blanch into a corner. We finally caught her.
I wish I could say that I'm good help in the chicken catching department - but I'm just not. You see, once the chickens start running and I see my husband or my neighbor sprinting to try and cut them off I almost pee my pants laughing so hard. I'm sure my laughter could be heard clear across the neighborhood tonight. And once they start calling, "Come here, Blanche. Come here. No Blanche! No!" I really lose it. It's hilarious. I was laughing especially hard tonight once Justin had Blanche securely in his hands and Adam said his wife had looked out the window and mentioned that she thought we were chasing chickens. He yelled at her, "Where are my shoes? I'm goin' out there!" He said it's something he never would have imagined he'd be doing - chasing chickens around the neighborhood. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe.
So far, even though we haven't gotten any eggs yet - I'm so glad we got them. We needed a little change of pace around here. And some laughter. And it's so sweet to hear Adia say, "Hi Chicken!" "Come here Chicken" and my personal favorite "Chicken Poop." She's having a hard time saying her "c"s.
Now to answer a couple questions:
1. Do they stink? The chickens themselves don't stink. Their poop does a little bit. So if you try and keep that to a minimum, you're good to go. The great thing is that our town pretty much continually smells like dairy farm... it masks the chicken poop smell.
2. Are they going to make our yard all torn up? We're hoping they do a little bit. It's actually good for aeration and fertilizing. If you leave them in one place all the time eventually that spot will turn to dirt. We plan on moving them around a bit though. The only thing I've read is that if you have special plants you don't want trampled you shouldn't leave them in that part of the yard. Today they burrowed their way down into one of my beds in the dirt to stay cool and clean themselves. And they stayed there all day - it was pretty cute. We also plan on letting them loose in our garden once we're done with it. They'll love it and so will our soil.
3. Are their eggs safe to eat? In my honest opinion, they should be safer to eat than most you'd find in a store. The chickens are going to be able to roam around our yard and eat all sorts of good stuff. We're also feeding them organic feed without soy so we don't have to worry about what sorts of hormones and chemicals end up in the eggs. That's the most exciting part.
I'm also really excited because I read today that chicken manure is great in compost. So we'll start dumping some of the wood shavings into our manure pile to use on our garden next year. Cool, huh?
On a side note, can you see my dahlias blooming behind the fence there? The dahlia lady from down the street (the one who gave me the tubers) rode her bike by today and said mine are looking beautiful. I was so proud. She showed me how to care for them a bit more and said she'd be back in a few weeks to teach me how to keep the tubers over the winter. I really should take some more pictures to show you - I just love them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
