January 31, 2009
January 29, 2009
Avocado
Well, I think we've found the first food that Ella wasn't completely nuts about -- avocado. She seemed really gung-ho to begin with, but that fizzled out kind of quickly. And really, I can't blame her...I don't like the stuff either, even in guacamole.
But we'll keep trying...lots of times it takes 15-20 tries to get a baby to accept a new food.
But we'll keep trying...lots of times it takes 15-20 tries to get a baby to accept a new food.
January 28, 2009
100 Ways and Reasons to Get Rid of Your Clutter
Because You Have Too Much Stuff
1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
4. 1800GotJunk.com
Pay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.
5. Publicstorage.com
Lock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.
6. redshield.org
Schedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.
7. earth911.org
Find local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.
Because It's Fun
8. 127sale.com
Set up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.
9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.
10. Swaporamarama.org
Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.com
Watch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.
Because Someone Else Needs It
Cell Phones
12. Verizonwireless.com
Put a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.
13. Eco-cell.com
Or let its sale benefit an environmental charity.
14. Care.org
Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.
Digital Cameras
15. Operationhomefront.net
Help keep service members in touch with their families.
All Technology
16. Rethink.Ebay.com
Work with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.
17. youthfortechnology.org
Put scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.
Air Miles
18. Redcross.org
For Red Cross staff and volunteers
19. Heromiles.com
For deployed soldiers
20. Marrow.org
For transplant patients
21. Childrenscancerassociation.org
For terminally ill kids
Furniture & Appliances
22. excessaccess.org
Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
23. help1up.org
Furnish homes for disaster victims.
24. dressforsuccess.org
Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
25. makingmemories.org
Donate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.
26. www.operationfairydust.org
Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
27. onewarmcoat.org
A free coat to anyone who needs one.
28. boulderrunning.com
Ship shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.
Other
29. Suitcasesforkids.org
Supply children in foster care with luggage.
30. Uniteforsight.org & givethegiftofsight.org
Send eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.
31. Savethechildren.org
Convert American Express credit card points to cash donations.
32. Cartalk.com
Donate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.
33. Booksforafrica.org
Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
34. Cap4pets.org
Send towels and newspapers to animal shelters.
35. Goodwill.org
Fund job training programs and social services.
36. Freecycle.org
Post donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.
37. Habitat.org
Donate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.
Computers
38. Cristina.org
Technology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.
39. Sharetechnology.org
Connecting donations with charities across the U.S.
40. Worldcomputerexchange.org
Send computers to more than 50 developing countries.
Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else
41. Nikereuseashoe.com
Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
42. Patagonia.com
Donated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.
43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.
44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.
45. Pencilthings.com
Old newspapers become colored pencils.
46. Vivaterra.com
Rubber tires become sleek purses...
47. Passchal.com
...or rugged iPod covers.
48. Gaiam.com
Plastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.com
Yogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.
Because It Will Make Your Life Better
50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
51. Erase a $10K credit card debt (with an average interest rate) 65 percent faster -- and pay 75 percent less total interest -- when you pay double the typical minimum monthly payment.
52. Download security software like Stopzilla to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.
53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.
Because You Can Get Something Back
54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
56. Coinstar.com
Easily convert spare change into "real" money.
57. Craigslist.org
Sell it to your neighbors.
58. ebay.com
Sell it to anyone.
59. giftcardbuyback.com.
Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
60 Paperbackswap.com
Trade the books you have for the ones you want.
61. Peerflix.com
Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
62. Spun.com
Clear off your CD shelves, and make money in the process.
63. Titletrader.com
The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.
Because It's Old/Expired
64. energystar.gov
Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.
65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
66. Deep-six your toothbrush every three to four months.
67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months (or as directed).
68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month during cooling season.
69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.
70. foodsafety.gov
Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.
71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months to a year.
73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eye- and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for only a year and a half to two years.
74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick, and check out threecustom.com, T.J.Maxx stores, or Lancome's beauty bye-bye program for replacements or duplicates of discontinued cosmetics.
Because You Don't Want to Suffer from "Stuck Song Syndrome"
77. And these five tunes are among the most persistent: Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle, "We Will Rock You," the "Mission Impossible" theme, "YMCA," and "It's a Small World After All." (Tip: Try drowning them out with classical music, which is less likely to haunt you after it's turned off.)
Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around
78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.
79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to dmaconsumers.org.
Because There's a Better Option
82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).
Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them
85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations"
86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens"
87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple"
88. The family in the documentary "Packrat" (packratthemovie.com)
89. The Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.
Because If They Said It, It's Probably True
90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci
91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want." -Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, "Going My Way"
Or Just Because...
95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
96. It hasn't been used in over a year.
97. There is no logical place to keep it.
98. It doesn't work.
99. An ex gave it to you.
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?
Lifted from Martha Stewart.
1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
4. 1800GotJunk.com
Pay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.
5. Publicstorage.com
Lock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.
6. redshield.org
Schedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.
7. earth911.org
Find local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.
Because It's Fun
8. 127sale.com
Set up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.
9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.
10. Swaporamarama.org
Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.com
Watch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.
Because Someone Else Needs It
Cell Phones
12. Verizonwireless.com
Put a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.
13. Eco-cell.com
Or let its sale benefit an environmental charity.
14. Care.org
Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.
Digital Cameras
15. Operationhomefront.net
Help keep service members in touch with their families.
All Technology
16. Rethink.Ebay.com
Work with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.
17. youthfortechnology.org
Put scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.
Air Miles
18. Redcross.org
For Red Cross staff and volunteers
19. Heromiles.com
For deployed soldiers
20. Marrow.org
For transplant patients
21. Childrenscancerassociation.org
For terminally ill kids
Furniture & Appliances
22. excessaccess.org
Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
23. help1up.org
Furnish homes for disaster victims.
24. dressforsuccess.org
Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
25. makingmemories.org
Donate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.
26. www.operationfairydust.org
Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
27. onewarmcoat.org
A free coat to anyone who needs one.
28. boulderrunning.com
Ship shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.
Other
29. Suitcasesforkids.org
Supply children in foster care with luggage.
30. Uniteforsight.org & givethegiftofsight.org
Send eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.
31. Savethechildren.org
Convert American Express credit card points to cash donations.
32. Cartalk.com
Donate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.
33. Booksforafrica.org
Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
34. Cap4pets.org
Send towels and newspapers to animal shelters.
35. Goodwill.org
Fund job training programs and social services.
36. Freecycle.org
Post donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.
37. Habitat.org
Donate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.
Computers
38. Cristina.org
Technology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.
39. Sharetechnology.org
Connecting donations with charities across the U.S.
40. Worldcomputerexchange.org
Send computers to more than 50 developing countries.
Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else
41. Nikereuseashoe.com
Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
42. Patagonia.com
Donated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.
43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.
44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.
45. Pencilthings.com
Old newspapers become colored pencils.
46. Vivaterra.com
Rubber tires become sleek purses...
47. Passchal.com
...or rugged iPod covers.
48. Gaiam.com
Plastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.com
Yogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.
Because It Will Make Your Life Better
50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
51. Erase a $10K credit card debt (with an average interest rate) 65 percent faster -- and pay 75 percent less total interest -- when you pay double the typical minimum monthly payment.
52. Download security software like Stopzilla to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.
53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.
Because You Can Get Something Back
54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
56. Coinstar.com
Easily convert spare change into "real" money.
57. Craigslist.org
Sell it to your neighbors.
58. ebay.com
Sell it to anyone.
59. giftcardbuyback.com.
Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
60 Paperbackswap.com
Trade the books you have for the ones you want.
61. Peerflix.com
Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
62. Spun.com
Clear off your CD shelves, and make money in the process.
63. Titletrader.com
The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.
Because It's Old/Expired
64. energystar.gov
Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.
65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
66. Deep-six your toothbrush every three to four months.
67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months (or as directed).
68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month during cooling season.
69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.
70. foodsafety.gov
Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.
71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months to a year.
73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eye- and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for only a year and a half to two years.
74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick, and check out threecustom.com, T.J.Maxx stores, or Lancome's beauty bye-bye program for replacements or duplicates of discontinued cosmetics.
Because You Don't Want to Suffer from "Stuck Song Syndrome"
77. And these five tunes are among the most persistent: Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle, "We Will Rock You," the "Mission Impossible" theme, "YMCA," and "It's a Small World After All." (Tip: Try drowning them out with classical music, which is less likely to haunt you after it's turned off.)
Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around
78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.
79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to dmaconsumers.org.
Because There's a Better Option
82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).
Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them
85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations"
86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens"
87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple"
88. The family in the documentary "Packrat" (packratthemovie.com)
89. The Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.
Because If They Said It, It's Probably True
90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci
91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want." -Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, "Going My Way"
Or Just Because...
95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
96. It hasn't been used in over a year.
97. There is no logical place to keep it.
98. It doesn't work.
99. An ex gave it to you.
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?
Lifted from Martha Stewart.
January 27, 2009
Oh, by the way...
Today (well, technically Monday, January 26th) marks 3 years of this blog...can you believe that I've had so much to say about nothing in particular?
Also, the previous post was #700!
Just thought you'd like to know :D
Also, the previous post was #700!
Just thought you'd like to know :D
Firsts
I was tagged by Sara and Shelly for this one.
1. Who was your FIRST prom date? I didn't go to prom.
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Everyday!
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Vodka and Sunny-D.
4. What was your FIRST job? First REAL job was as a cashier at Phar-Mor (remember Phar-Mor?).
5. What was your FIRST car? Chevy Corsica -- totaled by a dump truck.
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? I don't text.
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Ella, since she was babbling and squealing in the pack-n-play next to me.
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? How sad is this -- I can't remember her name. I can picture her, though.
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Probably to Atlanta. I don't remember, I was little.
10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them? Tina, and no, I haven't talked to her since 3rd grade.
11. What was your FIRST sport played? Horseback riding, I guess? I didn't do sports when I was little.
12. Where was your FIRST sleep over? I have no idea.
13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Ella.
14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? my own? I was a flower girl in a girl named Marcy's wedding...she married a guy named Tim, I think. I was about 5.
15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Let the dogs out, then made the baby a bottle.
16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
17. FIRST tattoo or piercing? Ears.
18. FIRST foreign country you went to? The Bahamas.
19. What was your FIRST run in with the law? I got pulled for speeding one time, but only got a warning.
20. When was your FIRST detention? I don't think I ever had detention.
21. What was the FIRST state you lived in? NC
22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? Ken.
23. Who was your FIRST roommate? Ashley...ugh. Nightmare.
24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? When I got married, I guess, although that wasn't really a limo, now that I think about it.
25.Who will be the FIRST to repost this? I have no idea.
1. Who was your FIRST prom date? I didn't go to prom.
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Everyday!
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Vodka and Sunny-D.
4. What was your FIRST job? First REAL job was as a cashier at Phar-Mor (remember Phar-Mor?).
5. What was your FIRST car? Chevy Corsica -- totaled by a dump truck.
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? I don't text.
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Ella, since she was babbling and squealing in the pack-n-play next to me.
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? How sad is this -- I can't remember her name. I can picture her, though.
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Probably to Atlanta. I don't remember, I was little.
10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them? Tina, and no, I haven't talked to her since 3rd grade.
11. What was your FIRST sport played? Horseback riding, I guess? I didn't do sports when I was little.
12. Where was your FIRST sleep over? I have no idea.
13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Ella.
14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? my own? I was a flower girl in a girl named Marcy's wedding...she married a guy named Tim, I think. I was about 5.
15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Let the dogs out, then made the baby a bottle.
16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
17. FIRST tattoo or piercing? Ears.
18. FIRST foreign country you went to? The Bahamas.
19. What was your FIRST run in with the law? I got pulled for speeding one time, but only got a warning.
20. When was your FIRST detention? I don't think I ever had detention.
21. What was the FIRST state you lived in? NC
22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? Ken.
23. Who was your FIRST roommate? Ashley...ugh. Nightmare.
24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? When I got married, I guess, although that wasn't really a limo, now that I think about it.
25.Who will be the FIRST to repost this? I have no idea.
January 24, 2009
January 23, 2009
Ella's 6-month stats
-Weight: 16 lb 12 oz (60th percentile)
-Height: 26 1/2" (75th percentile)
-Head size: 17 3/4" (97th percentile)
The doctor says she's doing great...no concerns. Poor kid had to get 4 shots, 2 in each leg. So she was a little grumpy for the rest of the day...but I can't blame her. I'd be grumpy too.
She's been doing great lately, other than the post-shot blues. She's recently figured out that she can help hold the spoon to get the food to her mouth, which is a messy process, but so cute. She kind of forgets what to do with it once she actually gets it in her mouth though, so I still have to help her get the food off and get it back out.
She's FINALLY figured out how to roll from her back to her tummy. She's been rolling from tummy to back for quite awhile, but could never quite get the reverse. She got it this past week, though, and has even done it a few times since then.
Babbling has become a fun thing in the past couple of days as well... we're getting "ba-ba-ba" and "da-da-da" quite a lot now, and sometimes she'll say them back to you if you say them first.
The animals, especially Alex and Cosmo, have become very interesting lately. She loves to pet both of them (read: grab fists-full of fur), but they're both really tolerant of her. If she sees either of them, she'll just smile and reach for them to try and pet them. It's precious :)
-Height: 26 1/2" (75th percentile)
-Head size: 17 3/4" (97th percentile)
The doctor says she's doing great...no concerns. Poor kid had to get 4 shots, 2 in each leg. So she was a little grumpy for the rest of the day...but I can't blame her. I'd be grumpy too.
She's been doing great lately, other than the post-shot blues. She's recently figured out that she can help hold the spoon to get the food to her mouth, which is a messy process, but so cute. She kind of forgets what to do with it once she actually gets it in her mouth though, so I still have to help her get the food off and get it back out.
She's FINALLY figured out how to roll from her back to her tummy. She's been rolling from tummy to back for quite awhile, but could never quite get the reverse. She got it this past week, though, and has even done it a few times since then.
Babbling has become a fun thing in the past couple of days as well... we're getting "ba-ba-ba" and "da-da-da" quite a lot now, and sometimes she'll say them back to you if you say them first.
The animals, especially Alex and Cosmo, have become very interesting lately. She loves to pet both of them (read: grab fists-full of fur), but they're both really tolerant of her. If she sees either of them, she'll just smile and reach for them to try and pet them. It's precious :)
January 21, 2009
Baby food!
Back when I was pregnant, I toyed around with the idea of making baby food. The idea of it was a good one to me. We'd have a clearer idea of what Ella was consuming, especially as she starts eating more and more diverse food, and we'd be able to buy organic as well (they do make organic baby food, but that stuff is EXPENSIVE).
Up until yesterday, we had been feeding pre-made baby food. It IS convienent, and I know that baby food preparation is held to higher standards than regular food. So I felt OK about feeding it.
Last night, though, was my first foray into the world of homemade baby food. For dinner, I mashed up some fresh banana, which was a big hit (although EVERYTHING she eats is a big hit, so that shouldn't have come as a surprise). After that, I steamed some carrots, ran them through the food processor, filled an ice tray with pulverized carrots, and now I have 1oz servings of carrots, ready to be thawed and eaten. Nice! They'll keep in the freezer for up to a month. I didn't get as smooth a puree on them as comes in the jar, but it's smooth enough...no more lumpy than her rice cereal.
I found a great site with tons of recipes, information on when various foods can be introduced, what foods should be avoided, etc. As much as I'm not a cook, I'm actually excited about this whole little project, and introducing new and different foods to her!
Up until yesterday, we had been feeding pre-made baby food. It IS convienent, and I know that baby food preparation is held to higher standards than regular food. So I felt OK about feeding it.
Last night, though, was my first foray into the world of homemade baby food. For dinner, I mashed up some fresh banana, which was a big hit (although EVERYTHING she eats is a big hit, so that shouldn't have come as a surprise). After that, I steamed some carrots, ran them through the food processor, filled an ice tray with pulverized carrots, and now I have 1oz servings of carrots, ready to be thawed and eaten. Nice! They'll keep in the freezer for up to a month. I didn't get as smooth a puree on them as comes in the jar, but it's smooth enough...no more lumpy than her rice cereal.
I found a great site with tons of recipes, information on when various foods can be introduced, what foods should be avoided, etc. As much as I'm not a cook, I'm actually excited about this whole little project, and introducing new and different foods to her!
January 20, 2009
Today's the day!
I can't believe it's here...finally, Bush is leaving office. It's been a mirage for so long!
I have so much hope for the next 4 years. I hope our new president can live up to what he's promised, and can endure what's bound to be a long, hard road.
Class is ending early today so that we'll be able to watch the inauguration...so excited!
I have so much hope for the next 4 years. I hope our new president can live up to what he's promised, and can endure what's bound to be a long, hard road.
Class is ending early today so that we'll be able to watch the inauguration...so excited!
January 18, 2009
So little has been going on lately that I couldn't even come up with a title for this particular blog entry.
It's been really cold. I guess compared to the majority of the country, it's not that cold, but my genteel Southern upbringing (ha) doesn't allow me to tolerate these kind of temperatures well. So Ella and I have pretty much just been staying inside and keeping warm. The only time I've been venturing outside these past few days has been to take the dogs out. We've been having to walk them on their leashes because a tree fell on our fence, and there was a gaping hole in it (which Cosmo escaped through back before we went to Charleston...Jon got him back before he went too far though, thank goodness). The hole was fixed this afternoon, though -- hooray!
What else? I've been in a class for work this past week which will allow me to do online chat support. I'm pretty excited about this...I'll be able to work some when Jon isn't here, and I think I'm actually going to like it more than the phone. That finishes up next week.
Ella and I are pretty much over our colds, but we've both still got a bit of a nagging cough that we can't quite kick. Other than that, we're back to normal. Or as normal as it gets around this house.
It's been really cold. I guess compared to the majority of the country, it's not that cold, but my genteel Southern upbringing (ha) doesn't allow me to tolerate these kind of temperatures well. So Ella and I have pretty much just been staying inside and keeping warm. The only time I've been venturing outside these past few days has been to take the dogs out. We've been having to walk them on their leashes because a tree fell on our fence, and there was a gaping hole in it (which Cosmo escaped through back before we went to Charleston...Jon got him back before he went too far though, thank goodness). The hole was fixed this afternoon, though -- hooray!
What else? I've been in a class for work this past week which will allow me to do online chat support. I'm pretty excited about this...I'll be able to work some when Jon isn't here, and I think I'm actually going to like it more than the phone. That finishes up next week.
Ella and I are pretty much over our colds, but we've both still got a bit of a nagging cough that we can't quite kick. Other than that, we're back to normal. Or as normal as it gets around this house.
January 12, 2009
January 11, 2009
Survey!
Shelly posted this on her blog and tagged me, so here goes!
LASTS:
Last beverage → Diet Mtn Dew
Last phone call → Mom and Dad
Last instant message → no IM
Last person that you hit→ I probably whacked Jon at some point :)
Last song you listened to → Something on the way home from Charleston, don't remember what
Last time you cried→ last night
Last person you talked to→ Ella...but she's not much for conversation yet :)
HAVE YOU EVER:
Dated someone twice→ yes
Been cheated on → yes
Kissed someone & regreted it → yes
Lost someone special→ yes
LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
Blue, Green, Pink
IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU:
Fallen in love → Well I *am* in love...
Laugh until you cried→ Yes
Met someone who changed your life → Not this month
Found out who your true friends were → Yes
Found out someone was talking about you → Not this month
How many kids do you want to have → One. She's here.
Do you have any pets → 2 dogs (Cosmo & Lukin) and 3 cats (Gussy, Wilbur, & Alex)
What did you do for your last birthday → Went out to eat...thought I was having a baby in 2 days, but that didn't happen.
What time did you wake up today? → Around 9:30.
What were you doing at midnight last night? → Working
Last time you saw your father → This past Thursday.
What's one thing you wish you could change → About what? That's a really broad question.
Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → I'm sure I have.
What's getting on your nerves right now → Just this nasty cough that's rattling my lungs.
What's your real name → Kelly
Zodiac sign → Cancer
Hair color → Darkish red
Long or short → Short...finally!
Are you health freak → No, but I'm trying to do better.
What do you like about yourself → My sense of humor.
Tattoos → None.
Righty or lefty → I'm right handed.
FIRSTS :
First surgery → Wisdom teeth
First piercing → Ears.
First best friend → Tina Wilkinson is the earliest that I can remember.
First pet → A squirrel named Squeaky.
First vacation → The beach.
CURRENTLY :
Eating → nothing.
Drinking → nothing.
YOUR FUTURE :
Want kids? → Already have one.
Want to get married? → Already am.
Careers in mind? → Part-time work-at-home mom.
HAVE YOU EVER :
Kissed a stranger → Yes.
Lost glasses/contacts → Well, I did drop my contact lens in between the cracks of the deck one time. (Don't ask.)
Ran away from home → Nope.
Broken someones heart → Doubtful.
Been arrested → No.
Turned someone down → Yes.
Cried when someone died → Yes.
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY :
Is there one person you want to be with right now? → Yes, he's at work though :(
Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time → No.
LASTS:
Last beverage → Diet Mtn Dew
Last phone call → Mom and Dad
Last instant message → no IM
Last person that you hit→ I probably whacked Jon at some point :)
Last song you listened to → Something on the way home from Charleston, don't remember what
Last time you cried→ last night
Last person you talked to→ Ella...but she's not much for conversation yet :)
HAVE YOU EVER:
Dated someone twice→ yes
Been cheated on → yes
Kissed someone & regreted it → yes
Lost someone special→ yes
LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
Blue, Green, Pink
IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU:
Fallen in love → Well I *am* in love...
Laugh until you cried→ Yes
Met someone who changed your life → Not this month
Found out who your true friends were → Yes
Found out someone was talking about you → Not this month
How many kids do you want to have → One. She's here.
Do you have any pets → 2 dogs (Cosmo & Lukin) and 3 cats (Gussy, Wilbur, & Alex)
What did you do for your last birthday → Went out to eat...thought I was having a baby in 2 days, but that didn't happen.
What time did you wake up today? → Around 9:30.
What were you doing at midnight last night? → Working
Last time you saw your father → This past Thursday.
What's one thing you wish you could change → About what? That's a really broad question.
Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → I'm sure I have.
What's getting on your nerves right now → Just this nasty cough that's rattling my lungs.
What's your real name → Kelly
Zodiac sign → Cancer
Hair color → Darkish red
Long or short → Short...finally!
Are you health freak → No, but I'm trying to do better.
What do you like about yourself → My sense of humor.
Tattoos → None.
Righty or lefty → I'm right handed.
FIRSTS :
First surgery → Wisdom teeth
First piercing → Ears.
First best friend → Tina Wilkinson is the earliest that I can remember.
First pet → A squirrel named Squeaky.
First vacation → The beach.
CURRENTLY :
Eating → nothing.
Drinking → nothing.
YOUR FUTURE :
Want kids? → Already have one.
Want to get married? → Already am.
Careers in mind? → Part-time work-at-home mom.
HAVE YOU EVER :
Kissed a stranger → Yes.
Lost glasses/contacts → Well, I did drop my contact lens in between the cracks of the deck one time. (Don't ask.)
Ran away from home → Nope.
Broken someones heart → Doubtful.
Been arrested → No.
Turned someone down → Yes.
Cried when someone died → Yes.
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY :
Is there one person you want to be with right now? → Yes, he's at work though :(
Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time → No.
Quarantined.
Jon wound up taking Ella to the doctor on Friday afternoon (I had to work, so I couldn't go). As suspected, she's dealing with her first cold. She doesn't have any secondary infections, so that's a good thing. She got sent home with a prescription for some cough medicine, which I suspect tastes good, as she has no problems taking it, and the doctor told us we could give her infant Tylenol as well if she was particularly fussy.
She's been a little trooper. Jon said she was great for the doc (although she didn't like him digging around in her ears too much), and even though you can tell she doesn't feel good, she's still smiling and generally agreeable. She does get a bit sad and whiny at night before bed, and that's kind of tough. I just keep telling myself, "It's building her immune system!" But she's eating well, which is good, and she has been sleeping well at night too. Hopefully, she'll be over this in no time.
I'm dealing with pretty much the same strain of ick that she's got, and I can sympathize with the kid.
Sadly, we're going to miss Gracie's first birthday party tomorrow. I feel bad... I really wanted to go. But I don't want to infect anyone, especially the other babies, with this mess. So we bowed out. I told Sara to post lots of pics on her blog :)
She's been a little trooper. Jon said she was great for the doc (although she didn't like him digging around in her ears too much), and even though you can tell she doesn't feel good, she's still smiling and generally agreeable. She does get a bit sad and whiny at night before bed, and that's kind of tough. I just keep telling myself, "It's building her immune system!" But she's eating well, which is good, and she has been sleeping well at night too. Hopefully, she'll be over this in no time.
I'm dealing with pretty much the same strain of ick that she's got, and I can sympathize with the kid.
Sadly, we're going to miss Gracie's first birthday party tomorrow. I feel bad... I really wanted to go. But I don't want to infect anyone, especially the other babies, with this mess. So we bowed out. I told Sara to post lots of pics on her blog :)
January 9, 2009
Charleston
Jon and I took a few days and headed down to Charleston this week, while Ella spent some quality time with Grandma and Pop. Everyone involved had a good time. Jon and I didn't do anything in particular...slept late, ate lots of amazing seafood, wandered around downtown (Jon even humored me one afternoon by letting me poke around in a few cemeteries and take pictures).
Here are a few pics:
Charleston skyline, from the USS Yorktown
Bridge and sky
Baskets at the Market
Possibly the vaguest gravestone ever :)
Now that we're back, Ella and I are both sick. Jon actually had this particular crud before we left on our trip, and the baby and I have developed it in the meantime. I feel OK for the moment, but it's just starting to set in, I think. Poor Ella has a nasty rattly cough, runny nose, sneezing, the whole nine. Jon is taking her to the doctor this afternoon.
Here are a few pics:
Charleston skyline, from the USS Yorktown
Bridge and sky
Baskets at the Market
Possibly the vaguest gravestone ever :)
Now that we're back, Ella and I are both sick. Jon actually had this particular crud before we left on our trip, and the baby and I have developed it in the meantime. I feel OK for the moment, but it's just starting to set in, I think. Poor Ella has a nasty rattly cough, runny nose, sneezing, the whole nine. Jon is taking her to the doctor this afternoon.
January 4, 2009
If you were a box with a Macbook user guide and iWork disc...
...where would you be?
I've looked all over for this thing, and I can't find it. We got the computer less than a month ago, so it's bound to be around here somewhere. I wouldn't have thrown it out, and Jon doesn't throw things out, so he wouldn't have done it either.
It's making me insane.
I don't so much care about the user guides, but I really need that iWork disc! We got the family pack so we could put it on the laptop and the desktop, and in my current state of affairs, I'm not putting it anywhere.
Grr.
I have done practically nothing to get ready for our trip on Monday (and Ella's trip over to Grandma and Pop's tomorrow). I have started laundry, but even that's not finished yet. I think I stuck some jammies in Ella's bag, and that's it. I should probably get on the stick.
I've looked all over for this thing, and I can't find it. We got the computer less than a month ago, so it's bound to be around here somewhere. I wouldn't have thrown it out, and Jon doesn't throw things out, so he wouldn't have done it either.
It's making me insane.
I don't so much care about the user guides, but I really need that iWork disc! We got the family pack so we could put it on the laptop and the desktop, and in my current state of affairs, I'm not putting it anywhere.
Grr.
I have done practically nothing to get ready for our trip on Monday (and Ella's trip over to Grandma and Pop's tomorrow). I have started laundry, but even that's not finished yet. I think I stuck some jammies in Ella's bag, and that's it. I should probably get on the stick.
January 2, 2009
Little fusspot.
We think Ella might be in the beginning stages of teething, poor thing. She's been a whiny mess today, and everything she gets hold of she seems to want to try and chew on (moreso than usual). I check her gums everyday, but I haven't felt anything poking through yet. She's also had this sort of weird red-cheek thing going on, but only on one side of her face, which I read can sometimes be a sign of teething irritation. So we'll see where this goes.
She's doing great otherwise :)
Of course, as I was typing the above sentence, she launched into the most pitiful wail ever.
:(
She's doing great otherwise :)
Of course, as I was typing the above sentence, she launched into the most pitiful wail ever.
:(
January 1, 2009
2009!
Happy 2009!
Jon got to come home early from work, and I taped the hockey game, so we rang in the new year watching the 'Canes beat the Thrashers. We were so wrapped up in the game that we forgot to pause it to watch the ball drop in Times Square. I didn't notice we had missed it till 12:03. Ha.
After that, we played a little Rock Band, and then we decided to watch Cloverfield, which we got in the mail from Netflix today. If you haven't seen the movie, and if you care, you might want to stop reading here.
Jon and I were pretty excited about watching this. We don't tend to watch new releases (and yes, I know this was released almost a year ago...that's still new for us), but we'd heard good things about it, and we like a good scary movie every now and then.
It was freaking awful. Completely disregarding the fact that there's this massive monster that just shows up in the city with no explanation, which is in and of itself a bit...odd, for lack of a better word, there is so much about this movie that doesn't make sense. The lack of gratuitous swearing. The fact that the military people didn't immediately confiscate the video camera. The fact that these 3 kids somehow survived a HELICOPTER CRASH. I could go on.
I think I've just about decided that for the most part, I can't watch new movies like this anymore. I don't have the suspension of disbelief required to enjoy them. Jon and I just sit around and complain the whole time we're watching, and say things like "Why didn't they do THIS?" and "That makes NO sense".
Yeah, you probably don't want to watch movies with us...we're no fun ;)
Jon got to come home early from work, and I taped the hockey game, so we rang in the new year watching the 'Canes beat the Thrashers. We were so wrapped up in the game that we forgot to pause it to watch the ball drop in Times Square. I didn't notice we had missed it till 12:03. Ha.
After that, we played a little Rock Band, and then we decided to watch Cloverfield, which we got in the mail from Netflix today. If you haven't seen the movie, and if you care, you might want to stop reading here.
Jon and I were pretty excited about watching this. We don't tend to watch new releases (and yes, I know this was released almost a year ago...that's still new for us), but we'd heard good things about it, and we like a good scary movie every now and then.
It was freaking awful. Completely disregarding the fact that there's this massive monster that just shows up in the city with no explanation, which is in and of itself a bit...odd, for lack of a better word, there is so much about this movie that doesn't make sense. The lack of gratuitous swearing. The fact that the military people didn't immediately confiscate the video camera. The fact that these 3 kids somehow survived a HELICOPTER CRASH. I could go on.
I think I've just about decided that for the most part, I can't watch new movies like this anymore. I don't have the suspension of disbelief required to enjoy them. Jon and I just sit around and complain the whole time we're watching, and say things like "Why didn't they do THIS?" and "That makes NO sense".
Yeah, you probably don't want to watch movies with us...we're no fun ;)
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