Bryn wanted to know the other day who Cletus's Grandma would be...when she learned he wasn't going to get different ones and she was going to have to share, she was a bit put out. Aaron and I have been waiting for her to figure out there will be some changes coming - it seems that it is starting to dawn on her!
It looks like we'll have a break from the snow for the next week or so. Now if we can get the temperature back up a bit Elmer and I can resume our walks. We'll see how it goes.
Aaron is gone this evening - he was at the Kansas vs. Kansas State basketball game. And for KSU fans it was an historic evening - the first time K State has beat KU in Manhattan since 1983. Aggieville will no doubt be rockin' tonight!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
More snow!
It looks like our heat wave is over...after almost 60 degree temps yesterday, we had a little mini-blizzard today complete with 40 mph winds. Bryn got out of school early and although the sun is now shining, we are holed up for the evening...
Speaking of school getting out early, I don't remember ever getting out of school early. I have no clue how working parents are supposed to make arrangements when the announcement generally comes 30 minutes or so before they close. What on earth are you supposed to do if they are busing your kid home and you are sitting at work 45 minutes away and can't get home? I personally find it ridiculous that they put parents in that kind of predicament for a half inch of snow. But as usual, nobody asked me!
Nothing else new going in here. I decided against getting out to go to swimming lessons this afternoon and will probably not go to dog obedience class tonight either. I'm sure the roads are passable, but it seems like a good excuse to hang out and do nothing this evening!
Speaking of school getting out early, I don't remember ever getting out of school early. I have no clue how working parents are supposed to make arrangements when the announcement generally comes 30 minutes or so before they close. What on earth are you supposed to do if they are busing your kid home and you are sitting at work 45 minutes away and can't get home? I personally find it ridiculous that they put parents in that kind of predicament for a half inch of snow. But as usual, nobody asked me!
Nothing else new going in here. I decided against getting out to go to swimming lessons this afternoon and will probably not go to dog obedience class tonight either. I'm sure the roads are passable, but it seems like a good excuse to hang out and do nothing this evening!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
When's spring coming?
Usually I am a huge fan of all things cold since it is the opposite of oppressive, sweat inducing heat, however I must say that this year I am already suffering form spring fever. I am ready for some warmer weather - or at least ready for the snow and ice to melt a bit so I don't look like an idiot shuffling everywhere I go to keep from falling over! Not to mention Bryn's new playhouse will be here soon and I want it to be warm enough that our putter-togetherer doesn't turn into an ice cube while he is assembling! All in good time, I suppose.
I went scrapbooking last night and didn't get much done, but still had fun. Aaron and I are headed to dinner with our Sunday school group tonight...I'll just have to figure out how to stay out of all the yummy desserts that are sure to be there!
And now for the reading meme that Debi tagged me for:
Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? It's only the first question and I am already stumped. I'll read just about anything so this is a tough one to answer. I guess I would have to say I generally shy away from classics (Grapes of Wrath is one in particular) - I think it is all of the forced reading of classics in high school and college and a rebellious streak that has convinced me I just won't like it! I do have many classics on my to be read list this year, though, so hopefully I'll get over it!
If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be? Guess I am feeling a bit twisted today as I would pick three amazingly despicable villains just to see if they would be able to survive each other for an evening. I'd put them at a dinner party just so they would all be on their best behavior, but I suspect they would be plotting against each other within seconds. I'd invite Annie Wilkes from Misery, Rasputin (is it cheating to use a real-life character?) and Zenia (The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood). Probably best not to invite anyone else as there would be a real chance of serious bodily damage...
You are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave? I actually don't think I can answer this one. I will trudge my way through just about any book I pick up and can't honestly remember the last time I put a book down for good because it was too boring.
You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? Hmmmm...As odd as it seems, I think I'd have to recommend Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. it is a book that captures the imagination and transcends age and gender boundaries.
A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with? I guess this question reveals my ignorance of world literature because I am perfectly happy reading in English.
A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick? I would have to say A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This was my favorite book when I was young and I still read it every few years. I think I could live with reading it once a year...
I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)? As a total newbie to the book blogging world, I really can't answer this one.
That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather-bound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favorite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free. I was going to say that it doesn't really matter just as long as there are a zillion books, but I realized I do prefer new books. I don't get many of those as I check most things out of the library, but there is nothing quite like the smell and feel of a book that hasn't ever been opened by anyone else. So I would have a zillion new books, a refrigerator filled with drinks and snacks and a nice comfy "napping" couch so I could take a few hours every day to snooze after getting my fill of some good reading.
Tag 4 people for this meme... I'm not going to tag, but if you feel compelled to play along, please do!
I went scrapbooking last night and didn't get much done, but still had fun. Aaron and I are headed to dinner with our Sunday school group tonight...I'll just have to figure out how to stay out of all the yummy desserts that are sure to be there!
And now for the reading meme that Debi tagged me for:
Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? It's only the first question and I am already stumped. I'll read just about anything so this is a tough one to answer. I guess I would have to say I generally shy away from classics (Grapes of Wrath is one in particular) - I think it is all of the forced reading of classics in high school and college and a rebellious streak that has convinced me I just won't like it! I do have many classics on my to be read list this year, though, so hopefully I'll get over it!
If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be? Guess I am feeling a bit twisted today as I would pick three amazingly despicable villains just to see if they would be able to survive each other for an evening. I'd put them at a dinner party just so they would all be on their best behavior, but I suspect they would be plotting against each other within seconds. I'd invite Annie Wilkes from Misery, Rasputin (is it cheating to use a real-life character?) and Zenia (The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood). Probably best not to invite anyone else as there would be a real chance of serious bodily damage...
You are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave? I actually don't think I can answer this one. I will trudge my way through just about any book I pick up and can't honestly remember the last time I put a book down for good because it was too boring.
You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? Hmmmm...As odd as it seems, I think I'd have to recommend Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. it is a book that captures the imagination and transcends age and gender boundaries.
A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with? I guess this question reveals my ignorance of world literature because I am perfectly happy reading in English.
A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick? I would have to say A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This was my favorite book when I was young and I still read it every few years. I think I could live with reading it once a year...
I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)? As a total newbie to the book blogging world, I really can't answer this one.
That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather-bound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favorite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free. I was going to say that it doesn't really matter just as long as there are a zillion books, but I realized I do prefer new books. I don't get many of those as I check most things out of the library, but there is nothing quite like the smell and feel of a book that hasn't ever been opened by anyone else. So I would have a zillion new books, a refrigerator filled with drinks and snacks and a nice comfy "napping" couch so I could take a few hours every day to snooze after getting my fill of some good reading.
Tag 4 people for this meme... I'm not going to tag, but if you feel compelled to play along, please do!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Not much new
It's been one of those weeks...busy, busy, busy without much to say about it! Just been doing normal stuff - dog obedience class, dentist appointments, church stuff.
I am surviving pregnancy aches and pains I didn't' experience the first time around...some stomach muscle pain from stretching (I guess). I was on bedrest and Bryn was almost born by this time in my last pregnancy, so this is all new to me. Not being able to bend over as easily, weird belly button changes and muscle separation...I am just thrilled to be able to experience it rather than being laid up in the hospital!
The basement is progressing nicely - it is exciting to see it coming along. He is painting today and it sounds like it will all be done in a month or so. I can't wait!
I am surviving pregnancy aches and pains I didn't' experience the first time around...some stomach muscle pain from stretching (I guess). I was on bedrest and Bryn was almost born by this time in my last pregnancy, so this is all new to me. Not being able to bend over as easily, weird belly button changes and muscle separation...I am just thrilled to be able to experience it rather than being laid up in the hospital!
The basement is progressing nicely - it is exciting to see it coming along. He is painting today and it sounds like it will all be done in a month or so. I can't wait!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Book Review - What's in a Name Challenge
I am so excited to be a part of Annie's book challenge! I finished my first book and LOVED it!
I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See for my book with a plant in the title (I know "flower" is kind of a lame plant name, but it was the best I could do at the time!) and it is a fabulous book.
The story is set in 19th century China and focuses on the friendship between Lily and Snow Flower. They are matched as "old sames" when they are just girls - this bond is stronger and deeper than marriage and lasts a lifetime. Their messages of friendship are sent to each other in nu shu - women's secret written language - on a fan. This book follows the friends as they endure the torture of footbinding, the anticipation of marriage, the stresses of Chinese culture and the birth and raising of children. It is a beautiful and painful story of the friendship between women - filled with love and joy, yet heartbreaking and riddled with misunderstandings.
I not only enjoyed the story in this book, but the insight it provided into 19th century Chinese culture as well. As the footbinding process was described I found myself both horrified and fascinated - I even ended up doing an online search to see pictures of those little broken feet. The process of marriage, moving into the in-laws home and the household hierarchy is almost unbelievable. The customs surrounding various Chinese Festivals, birth and death are beautiful. Not only was the story in this book emotionally wrenching, the realities of life in China during that time are almost impossible to fathom.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. It is only 267 pages so it is also a fairly quick read. I would suggest making a friend read it at the same time as the only disappointing thing about this book was not having anyone to discuss it with when I was done!
I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See for my book with a plant in the title (I know "flower" is kind of a lame plant name, but it was the best I could do at the time!) and it is a fabulous book.
The story is set in 19th century China and focuses on the friendship between Lily and Snow Flower. They are matched as "old sames" when they are just girls - this bond is stronger and deeper than marriage and lasts a lifetime. Their messages of friendship are sent to each other in nu shu - women's secret written language - on a fan. This book follows the friends as they endure the torture of footbinding, the anticipation of marriage, the stresses of Chinese culture and the birth and raising of children. It is a beautiful and painful story of the friendship between women - filled with love and joy, yet heartbreaking and riddled with misunderstandings.
I not only enjoyed the story in this book, but the insight it provided into 19th century Chinese culture as well. As the footbinding process was described I found myself both horrified and fascinated - I even ended up doing an online search to see pictures of those little broken feet. The process of marriage, moving into the in-laws home and the household hierarchy is almost unbelievable. The customs surrounding various Chinese Festivals, birth and death are beautiful. Not only was the story in this book emotionally wrenching, the realities of life in China during that time are almost impossible to fathom.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. It is only 267 pages so it is also a fairly quick read. I would suggest making a friend read it at the same time as the only disappointing thing about this book was not having anyone to discuss it with when I was done!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Snow day!
We had a couple of inches of snow today and Bryn has been home in her jammies all day. I would have been in my jammies, too if it weren't for my appointment this morning. I saw the perinatologist and she started me on a lose dose of meds at bedtime to try to regulate the ketones in my urine. My sugars are still pretty good and she told me she was going to skip the scare tactics with me as I seemed to be a compliant patient. I told her the nurse had already done that! She also is not a big fan of insulin so I don't think she'll send me there unless things get dramatically worse! Hooray! Now we'll see how my appt and ultrasound go tomorrow - I feel like I am getting to be really good friends with the office and hospital staff after all of these appointments!
I am STILL trying to get the house in order. I finally got the Christmas decorations down last night. Pretty sad, huh? I have bookclub here this Saturday and a friend coming to spend the night on Sunday, so it is my normal "company is coming" cleaning plan! I actually got the name of a housecleaner from a friend - I have always wanted someone to come clean a couple of times a month. Hard to justify the money, but I think I would give up groceries if someone else would scrub my toilets!
I am STILL trying to get the house in order. I finally got the Christmas decorations down last night. Pretty sad, huh? I have bookclub here this Saturday and a friend coming to spend the night on Sunday, so it is my normal "company is coming" cleaning plan! I actually got the name of a housecleaner from a friend - I have always wanted someone to come clean a couple of times a month. Hard to justify the money, but I think I would give up groceries if someone else would scrub my toilets!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Feeling better
I am feeling better...my blood sugar seems to be stabilizing as I follow the diet so I am encouraged. I have been going for a walk every day - a slightly unpleasant experience as the temps have been hovering right around freezing. As long as there is no wind it isn't too bad, but even with wind it is worth it if it keeps me away form insulin injections! There is no telling how things will go as time goes on, but I figure one day at a time is about all I can handle at this point. I will see the perinatologist on Thursday and we'll see what she says then.
I am suffering form pregnancy brain as I seem to forget something I need to do everyday. Today I forgot to take cookies to church for a funeral dinner and delivered them to the door about 3 minutes before the dinner started. I am afraid to think of what I don't ever remember that I am forgetting...
Class starts tomorrow and I already have students emailing me with one issue or another. I was hoping for a good group to make my life easier - I suppose there is still a possibility I'll have great students but spring is always rougher than the fall. I have never been able to figure out exactly why...spring fever maybe?
Elmer and I are headed to dog obedience class tonight. It should be an interesting experience as Elmer doesn't listen to anything I say if we are out of the house. Too much other stuff to pay attention to, I guess.
I am suffering form pregnancy brain as I seem to forget something I need to do everyday. Today I forgot to take cookies to church for a funeral dinner and delivered them to the door about 3 minutes before the dinner started. I am afraid to think of what I don't ever remember that I am forgetting...
Class starts tomorrow and I already have students emailing me with one issue or another. I was hoping for a good group to make my life easier - I suppose there is still a possibility I'll have great students but spring is always rougher than the fall. I have never been able to figure out exactly why...spring fever maybe?
Elmer and I are headed to dog obedience class tonight. It should be an interesting experience as Elmer doesn't listen to anything I say if we are out of the house. Too much other stuff to pay attention to, I guess.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Ramblings, realities and delusions
Since my near nervous breakdown this morning I have had some time to reflect on my current situation and exactly where the realities and fantasies depart from each other.
The two high glucose readings (last night and this morning) on my new handy dandy glucose monitor and a trace of ketones in my urine this morning pushed me nearly over the edge. I think I have tried so hard during this pregnancy to convince myself I will get to experience a relatively uneventful pregnancy and full -term baby (despite the odds against that possibility) that the reality of the situation is a little more than my brain is willing to handle. I have spent the majority of the past couple of days feeling guilt over the fact that I probably had no business getting pregnant in the first place while not at an ideal weight or 100% perfectly healthy, for not being more careful about what I have been eating and for the high likelihood that I am about to put another baby and everyone else through the trauma of a preemie birth. And the fact that the nurse is likely right about my blood sugar - and the thought of (multiple) daily insulin injections somehow doesn't make me feel any better.
Thank goodness for Stephanie, who agreed to watch Bryn this morning while I went for a walk and got some much needed fresh air. All I can do is take things one day at a time and get on with business...after all, there's still laundry to do, a house to clean, online classes to get ready, a kid to discipline, a husband to nag (for no good reason) and a dog to clean up after. And of course a baby to incubate. All blessings for which I am truly thankful.
The two high glucose readings (last night and this morning) on my new handy dandy glucose monitor and a trace of ketones in my urine this morning pushed me nearly over the edge. I think I have tried so hard during this pregnancy to convince myself I will get to experience a relatively uneventful pregnancy and full -term baby (despite the odds against that possibility) that the reality of the situation is a little more than my brain is willing to handle. I have spent the majority of the past couple of days feeling guilt over the fact that I probably had no business getting pregnant in the first place while not at an ideal weight or 100% perfectly healthy, for not being more careful about what I have been eating and for the high likelihood that I am about to put another baby and everyone else through the trauma of a preemie birth. And the fact that the nurse is likely right about my blood sugar - and the thought of (multiple) daily insulin injections somehow doesn't make me feel any better.
Thank goodness for Stephanie, who agreed to watch Bryn this morning while I went for a walk and got some much needed fresh air. All I can do is take things one day at a time and get on with business...after all, there's still laundry to do, a house to clean, online classes to get ready, a kid to discipline, a husband to nag (for no good reason) and a dog to clean up after. And of course a baby to incubate. All blessings for which I am truly thankful.
Friday, January 11, 2008
I'm all educated
...in the finer points of gestational diabetes and glucose monitoring. The nurse today was not very confident that I would be able to control my blood sugar with diet, but I am thoroughly convinced I can prove her wrong. Guess we'll see how it goes over the next couple of days.
On the health front, we are dealing with new insurance and the prescription plan appears to be even worse than the last one. Sometimes I just want to curl up into a little ball and just cry about it - why does it all have to be so complicated, anyway?
Aaron left to go pheasant hunting so Bryn and I are going to have a girl's weekend. We don't have any plans yet (except going to the grocery store), but I am sure we'll find something to do!
On the health front, we are dealing with new insurance and the prescription plan appears to be even worse than the last one. Sometimes I just want to curl up into a little ball and just cry about it - why does it all have to be so complicated, anyway?
Aaron left to go pheasant hunting so Bryn and I are going to have a girl's weekend. We don't have any plans yet (except going to the grocery store), but I am sure we'll find something to do!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The honeymoon's over
I should have known it was too good to be true...I got a call from the doctor's office today and not only did I fail my glucose test, I failed it badly enough this time that I officially have gestational diabetes. I could kick myself for just not sticking to the diet through this whole pregnancy so far, but I guess I'll have to make up for it by sticking to it faithfully now! I should have an appointment within the next week or so to learn the ins and outs of finger pricks and blood sugar levels. I guess at least it is controllable and so far everything else is looking good.
It has been a fun day on the animal front (or not) as I had to clean the cat up after some intestinal problems and Elmer pooped in his kennel while I was out to lunch today.
I am hoping for things to get a little calmer around here as the evening progresses...I have had more fun than I can handle for one day!
BTW, Cletus is a temporary name - I don't plan on making this kid's life any more difficult than it will already be trying to fit into all of our craziness!
It has been a fun day on the animal front (or not) as I had to clean the cat up after some intestinal problems and Elmer pooped in his kennel while I was out to lunch today.
I am hoping for things to get a little calmer around here as the evening progresses...I have had more fun than I can handle for one day!
BTW, Cletus is a temporary name - I don't plan on making this kid's life any more difficult than it will already be trying to fit into all of our craziness!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Trying to catch up
It is always so hard for me to try to get back into the groove after vacation and this time is no exception. I can't seem to get the bags completely unpacked much less get all of the clothes washed. I suppose they will still be there when I get around to it, but I would just feel so much better if it was done!
The basement is coming along nicely - I can't wait until it is done. It will be so great to get all of the boxes and miscellaneous stuff that is piled up against the walls of just about every room down there into storage. Poor Cletus will just be sleeping in a drawer if it doesn't all get finished before he shows up!
Speaking of Cletus, all appears to be going well. My blood pressure was the lowest it has been all pregnancy when I had my appointment last Friday and there appear to be no other signs of slow growth or some of the other issues that were starting at this point in my pregnancy with Bryn. If I can make it past the 15th of this month, I will have passed the date when I went on bedrest with Bryn - it will be quite a nice milestone to pass!
We are starting obedience classes with Elmer - Aaron went to the orientation tonight and we'll have class once a week for the next six weeks. He has been doing very well with the housebreaking. The only downside has been that he can get easily aggravated with Bryn if she fools with him when he has a chew toy or is trying to sleep and no matter how much she is warned to stay away from him at those times she doesn't listen. I was hoping for the perfect easy-going dog that loves kids and I don't think we got it. On the bright side, he does really like to play with her and is always thrilled to see us all when we get home so I'm hoping for the best.
I signed Bryn up for swimming lessons and a big sister class and myself and Aaron up for a childbirth class (the class i was signed up for when I was pregnant with Bryn happened after she was born!) so we will all be busy for the next couple of months. I can't seem to resist filling my blank 2008 calendar up with too many things to do - I am pretty sure it is some kind of illness that I have!
The basement is coming along nicely - I can't wait until it is done. It will be so great to get all of the boxes and miscellaneous stuff that is piled up against the walls of just about every room down there into storage. Poor Cletus will just be sleeping in a drawer if it doesn't all get finished before he shows up!
Speaking of Cletus, all appears to be going well. My blood pressure was the lowest it has been all pregnancy when I had my appointment last Friday and there appear to be no other signs of slow growth or some of the other issues that were starting at this point in my pregnancy with Bryn. If I can make it past the 15th of this month, I will have passed the date when I went on bedrest with Bryn - it will be quite a nice milestone to pass!
We are starting obedience classes with Elmer - Aaron went to the orientation tonight and we'll have class once a week for the next six weeks. He has been doing very well with the housebreaking. The only downside has been that he can get easily aggravated with Bryn if she fools with him when he has a chew toy or is trying to sleep and no matter how much she is warned to stay away from him at those times she doesn't listen. I was hoping for the perfect easy-going dog that loves kids and I don't think we got it. On the bright side, he does really like to play with her and is always thrilled to see us all when we get home so I'm hoping for the best.
I signed Bryn up for swimming lessons and a big sister class and myself and Aaron up for a childbirth class (the class i was signed up for when I was pregnant with Bryn happened after she was born!) so we will all be busy for the next couple of months. I can't seem to resist filling my blank 2008 calendar up with too many things to do - I am pretty sure it is some kind of illness that I have!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
We're home!
We made it back all in one piece. Elmer and the cats were very glad to see us and I suspect we'll all just hang out tonight and relax. All the catching up on fun stuff will start tomorrow (washing clothes, mail, email, etc)...
We had a great trip...Bryn cried when we had to leave. We had a beautiful and sunny last day - it was hard to come back to the snow and freezing temperatures!
I'll post some pics when I get my act together - I didn't take a single one, but Cheryl took care of it and got some great ones.
We had a great trip...Bryn cried when we had to leave. We had a beautiful and sunny last day - it was hard to come back to the snow and freezing temperatures!
I'll post some pics when I get my act together - I didn't take a single one, but Cheryl took care of it and got some great ones.
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