You know the saying, "All dressed up and no place to go". Well, I am just the opposite. I am so exhausted with tons and tons of stuff to do and places to go. We were hit with some pretty yucky stuff last week and I am just now coming out of the sicky haze. As the dust settles I realize, there is a lot of dust!
It's not even spring yet and I feel like I am behind. This weekend was supposed to be spring cleaning because the rest of the month is devoted to outings and of course, gardening. We were blessed with some 60 degree weather and of course, I was inside for all of it. So, I didn't even get to enjoy it. But, it was just enough to give me some spring fever!
Along with the urge to clean and plant, I have the urge for change. I have been wanting to paint the living room, get a new wardrobe and get a new haircut. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone else have the fever?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It all started with Nancy Drew
When I was a kid, I would spend entire days shut up in my bedroom sitting in my red beanbag chair reading books. My parents always found it necessary to check on me periodically, because there wouldn't be a single sign of life from me for hours on end: no music playing from my radio, no laughing, no sounds of active play, nothing...just silence, the kind of silence that always indicated to my family members that my nose was stuck in a book and wouldn't be coming out anytime soon.
Looking back on those days of Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables, I see myself as a willing prisoner of books. I remember terrible leg cramps, a sorer than all get out butt, and various limbs and appendages falling asleep. Yet, I rarely moved a muscle while I read, perhaps just to turn the pages. I remember wanting to move, wanting to leave my bedroom because I was hungry or thirsty or desperately had to pee, but I would get so engrossed in the story at hand that I somehow just couldn't budge.
My love of reading has never ceased. Today's post was actually inspired by a book. I'm about to finish A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner), and I've found it to be a fascinating read. It's about two Afghan women and the turmoil of both their country and their own daily lives, a very powerful and eye-opening story. It's the kind of book that reminds me how very fortunate I have been to live the life I've had so far, to knock off the occasional whining and self pity, and to smile and laugh a little more often.
Which leads me to a question: I'm wondering which books you've read that have had a significant impact on you specifically as a woman. Here's a short list (not in any particular order) of some of the books that I've read recently that have somehow made a change in my outlook on life as a female:
1. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book spoke to me, because I have experienced great fulfillment in my life through travel. When I learn about and experience other places, I learn more about myself and am more content.
2. The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. This book is an easy read, but I found the sisterhood of women and the celebration of femininity in this story to be profound.
3. Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad, by Waris Dirie. This is a fascinating autobiography about supermodel Dirie growing up in Africa.
4. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculee Ilibagiza. This has to be the book that has made the greatest impact on me in a long time; its lessons about faith and forgiveness are indispensable, and the story is absolutely gripping.
So, which books have made an impact on YOU as a woman? (Plus, I do have an ulterior motive: I'll need a new book to read soon, so bring on the suggestions!)
Looking back on those days of Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables, I see myself as a willing prisoner of books. I remember terrible leg cramps, a sorer than all get out butt, and various limbs and appendages falling asleep. Yet, I rarely moved a muscle while I read, perhaps just to turn the pages. I remember wanting to move, wanting to leave my bedroom because I was hungry or thirsty or desperately had to pee, but I would get so engrossed in the story at hand that I somehow just couldn't budge.
My love of reading has never ceased. Today's post was actually inspired by a book. I'm about to finish A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner), and I've found it to be a fascinating read. It's about two Afghan women and the turmoil of both their country and their own daily lives, a very powerful and eye-opening story. It's the kind of book that reminds me how very fortunate I have been to live the life I've had so far, to knock off the occasional whining and self pity, and to smile and laugh a little more often.
Which leads me to a question: I'm wondering which books you've read that have had a significant impact on you specifically as a woman. Here's a short list (not in any particular order) of some of the books that I've read recently that have somehow made a change in my outlook on life as a female:
1. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book spoke to me, because I have experienced great fulfillment in my life through travel. When I learn about and experience other places, I learn more about myself and am more content.
2. The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. This book is an easy read, but I found the sisterhood of women and the celebration of femininity in this story to be profound.
3. Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad, by Waris Dirie. This is a fascinating autobiography about supermodel Dirie growing up in Africa.
4. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculee Ilibagiza. This has to be the book that has made the greatest impact on me in a long time; its lessons about faith and forgiveness are indispensable, and the story is absolutely gripping.
So, which books have made an impact on YOU as a woman? (Plus, I do have an ulterior motive: I'll need a new book to read soon, so bring on the suggestions!)
Monday, March 2, 2009
I Graduated from Therapy!!
So, after my blow up last week, I have this good news to share. I have been release on my own recognisance. Watch out blogosphere...they are letting the crazies out by the dozens:-)
But seriously, my therapist feels that I am exercising self-therapy at this point and I am no longer in need of her services. I am proud of myself however, I couldn't help but feel like she was breaking up with me. I felt the same way with my OB-GYN after my youngest was born. I mean, these professionals go through something very important and personal with you. You have a rapport and then when the goal is achieved, it's just over.
I blame blogging for the break up:-) Coming out here and purging my soul daily/weekly has really helped me work out the demons....even the demons that I didn't know I had. So, thank you blogosphere! That is $50 a month I won't have to spend anymore. Just don't break up with me, ok?
But seriously, my therapist feels that I am exercising self-therapy at this point and I am no longer in need of her services. I am proud of myself however, I couldn't help but feel like she was breaking up with me. I felt the same way with my OB-GYN after my youngest was born. I mean, these professionals go through something very important and personal with you. You have a rapport and then when the goal is achieved, it's just over.
I blame blogging for the break up:-) Coming out here and purging my soul daily/weekly has really helped me work out the demons....even the demons that I didn't know I had. So, thank you blogosphere! That is $50 a month I won't have to spend anymore. Just don't break up with me, ok?
Friday, February 27, 2009
I Feel Pretty
I made a big switch this week. I stopped using Maybelline Great Lash. I've used it for the last 564 years, but I tried something new and fell in love...with Maybelline Lash Stiletto.
It lengthened. It didn't clump. It made my lashes shiny. And quite frankly, I look fabulous - all for under $10!
Which brings me to this week's question? What makes you feel pretty? What have you used for years that you absolutely swear by?
Word of mouth is still the best advertising.
Keep it under $10 - since we're all watching out budgets - and let's help each other live a little bit better this week - feeling fabulous!
It lengthened. It didn't clump. It made my lashes shiny. And quite frankly, I look fabulous - all for under $10!
Which brings me to this week's question? What makes you feel pretty? What have you used for years that you absolutely swear by?
Word of mouth is still the best advertising.
Keep it under $10 - since we're all watching out budgets - and let's help each other live a little bit better this week - feeling fabulous!
Monday, February 23, 2009
I'm a Homemade Smoothie Junkie
I feel that it is time for me to extol the many virtues of The Smoothie, made from fresh, wholesome ingredients in one's very own blender.
My smoothie habit began several years ago upon reading an issue of Southern Living Magazine. In it was a short breakfast recipe for Banana-Berry Smoothie and an accompanying picture of said smoothie that made my mouth water. In truth, this was about eight years after receiving a blender as a wedding gift, and the only task my blender had ever really performed was making frozen margaritas (something else I'm addicted too, but that's another not-so-flattering story); I often wondered what sorts of yummy culinary concoctions I was missing out on by not putting my blender to more creative uses. So, one morning I decided to give the smoothie a try...and YUM, was it ever tasty. I immediately knew that the Banana-Berry Smoothie would be a regular part of my culinary repertoire.
Before I go any further, allow me to share the recipe with you:
Banana-Berry Smoothie (from Southern Living Magazine)(Note: this is NOT the smoothie pictured above - keep reading for that recipe.)
1 cup plain yogurt
3 C frozen strawberries
2 bananas, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup crushed ice (I just threw in a couple of ice cubes)
1/4 cup honey
Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Serve immediately. Makes about 5 (1-cup) servings. (Note: for my small family of 3, I only needed half of this recipe.)
At the time that I first tried this recipe, my son, Kurt, had just turned one. He was a very picky eater (which he gets from his mother - I put my parents through hell at that age with my own eating habits), so I was looking for anything that would encourage him to eat more fruits and vegetables. The first time he tried the smoothie, he was hooked. I was deliriously happy that I had the opportunity to ensure he was getting a nutritional snack - yogurt, strawberries, bananas - I could just see all of those little strains of good bacteria and multiple vitamins and minerals coursing through my son's body making him strong.
The Banana-Berry Smoothie became a regular part of our diet, sometimes as a morning snack or a late afternoon refresher. We especially enjoyed the smoothie during Houston's hot summer days.
As time went on, my husband and I started noticing that our son was experiencing a few health problems. As he got a little older, Kurt began struggling with chronic constipation which made him (and us) downright miserable. Since even before then, I had also thought that Kurt cried a lot throughout his infancy, not in a colicky way, but just did a lot of crying in general. My husband reassured me that that's what babies did. Even though I wasn't so sure he should've been doing as much crying as he did, I accepted my husband's explanation.
When Kurt was two, we knew something was amiss. He began vomiting in the morning and clearly suffered from allergies. Just after his third birthday, we knew we needed more help; our own attempts to help Kurt deal with whatever allergies he had were not working. So, we had him tested by an allergist. In addition to many tree and grass pollen allergies, the result's of Kurt's tests indicated he was allergic to milk (yes, we were clueless about this for THREE YEARS - nice parenting, huh?) and chocolate. The milk allergy was, of course, the cause of the vomiting, and it was also the probable suspect causing the constipation.
With that in mind, I immediately began changing the ingredients that I cooked with. The smoothie now contained soy or goat's milk yogurt and those same milk alternatives. And the bananas had to go until we were able to work through Kurt's constipation; so, I replaced the bananas with blueberries and raspberries. I also added up to a teaspoon of ground flax seed in each of our smoothies. The health benefits of flax seed are great, including most importantly for Kurt, a good dose of additional fiber.
Kurt just turned four last month, and I'm happy to say that his constipation has all but disappeared. He still has some setbacks when we travel, but at home, he is as regular as regular can be.
Due to Kurt's dairy allergy, the smoothie that we now make on a virtually daily basis has morphed into the following tasty mix:
1 small container peach or raspberry or strawberry flavored soy yogurt
1 cup apple juice
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/3 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
What's pleased me most of all is that we've conquered Kurt's constipation naturally. His pediatrician had given us medication for Kurt which we had used on a handful of occasions when his constipation was simply so awful that none of us could bear it any longer, least of all our poor little Kurt. I really believe the smoothie has been the key ingredient to helping Kurt become regular. When things got really bad for him, I'd make the above recipe and go particularly heavy on the raspberries which are especially high in fiber, not to mention adding a large spoonful of flax seed in Kurt's drink.
I've included a picture of our smoothie, just because the color is so very pleasing. It makes me happy before I've even taken a sip of it; something about that deeply rich tone of fuchsia puts a smile on my face every time. In the summer, I like to double the batch and make my own homemade popsicles by freezing half of it in popsicle molds. Kurt LOVES them, as you can see in the other photo. They're not only great in Houston's hotter-than-Hades weather but also whenever he is sick. If you're feeling too lazy to make popsicles, just pour some into an ice cube tray and when it's frozen, you can crush them up a bit and make slushies out of them. Kurt loves it that way, too.
In order to keep up our smoothie habit, I have a constant supply of three or four different kinds of frozen fruit in my freezer (I buy bagged from the supermarket; I'm way too lazy to freeze fresh fruit myself, but that would probably be a cheaper option). Sometimes, if I get bored with the recipe cited just above, I'll throw in some frozen mango or banana. The possibilities are endless.
Enjoy!
Sometimes Caregiving Blows
I am exhausted! I am feeling physically drained. Sometimes, I just get overwhelmed with everything I have on my plate but this week, my mom has really done a number on me.
She has had the flu for 2 weeks. She just sounds awful but I am just sick of going to the doctor with her. I had an appointment-free week planned for her which is rare. Seriously, she has a general practioner, a cardiologist, a diabeties doctor, a gynocologist, a dentist, an eye doctor, a retina specialist, defibulator doctor, a cancer doctor and now, she is going to have a respitory doctor too! Therefore, if each doctor wants to see her just once a year (it's more like 2 or 3 times a year) that's one appointment every month for 10 months! Really, it is more like once a week.
In addition to her health, she just got turned down for some government funding. So now, I have to figure out how to fund the rest of her life, her future care and her final arrangements. She spends half of her money on her medication and copays for all those doctors ($30 a pop) and the rest on food and shelter. I have bill collectors calling the house all the time for her. As her power of attourney I basically tell them, they can have $5 a month and that's it. It's ridiculous!!
On top of everything else, she has to get a breathing machine to deal with her recently diagnosed sleep apnea. I have no idea how she is going to pay for that either.
This isn't new. She has been a physical, emotional and financial mess her whole life. Imagine growing up as her daughter. I can't believe that I am not in a straight jacket shaking in the corner. It's a miracle that I am as together as I am. I guess I can take solice in that. But sometimes, the whole thing just makes me tired:-(
She has had the flu for 2 weeks. She just sounds awful but I am just sick of going to the doctor with her. I had an appointment-free week planned for her which is rare. Seriously, she has a general practioner, a cardiologist, a diabeties doctor, a gynocologist, a dentist, an eye doctor, a retina specialist, defibulator doctor, a cancer doctor and now, she is going to have a respitory doctor too! Therefore, if each doctor wants to see her just once a year (it's more like 2 or 3 times a year) that's one appointment every month for 10 months! Really, it is more like once a week.
In addition to her health, she just got turned down for some government funding. So now, I have to figure out how to fund the rest of her life, her future care and her final arrangements. She spends half of her money on her medication and copays for all those doctors ($30 a pop) and the rest on food and shelter. I have bill collectors calling the house all the time for her. As her power of attourney I basically tell them, they can have $5 a month and that's it. It's ridiculous!!
On top of everything else, she has to get a breathing machine to deal with her recently diagnosed sleep apnea. I have no idea how she is going to pay for that either.
This isn't new. She has been a physical, emotional and financial mess her whole life. Imagine growing up as her daughter. I can't believe that I am not in a straight jacket shaking in the corner. It's a miracle that I am as together as I am. I guess I can take solice in that. But sometimes, the whole thing just makes me tired:-(
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Waterpark
We women spend a ton of time obsessed with our weight, don't we?
I've had the last couple of days off, and decided to hit one of those hotel waterparks with my family.
I didn't go in the water since I'm pregnant, but I did love watching my daughter and husband play. It's been a long time since I've seen her that excited - it made me very happy.
But as I sat on the "beach" I also had a lot of time to look around.
Skinny women wearing t-shirts, shorts and robes. Women who weren't so skinny wearing bikinis, without a care in the world.
Which just makes me wonder - what gives a woman self-confidence about her body?
I am not feeling very confident about my body. My husband assures me he finds my pregnant body beautiful. But when your old clothes are too small, and your maternity clothes are too big, keep falling down and even then still leave your belly exposed, I think it's hard to feel confident about how you look.
I think men actually judge us less harshly than we judge ourselves (after all, sometimes I think they're still just excited to see us naked!) But then they go and make stupid comments like, 'Boy, that Jessica Simpson's really putting on some weight, isn't she?' She is not! She's probably a size 4 instead of a size 2!
So, how do we come to a place of happiness and self-acceptance no matter what our size? Because at the end of the day, it'a all about making sure you're living life to the fullest right now - not after you lose another 5 pounds.
I've had the last couple of days off, and decided to hit one of those hotel waterparks with my family.
I didn't go in the water since I'm pregnant, but I did love watching my daughter and husband play. It's been a long time since I've seen her that excited - it made me very happy.
But as I sat on the "beach" I also had a lot of time to look around.
Skinny women wearing t-shirts, shorts and robes. Women who weren't so skinny wearing bikinis, without a care in the world.
Which just makes me wonder - what gives a woman self-confidence about her body?
I am not feeling very confident about my body. My husband assures me he finds my pregnant body beautiful. But when your old clothes are too small, and your maternity clothes are too big, keep falling down and even then still leave your belly exposed, I think it's hard to feel confident about how you look.
I think men actually judge us less harshly than we judge ourselves (after all, sometimes I think they're still just excited to see us naked!) But then they go and make stupid comments like, 'Boy, that Jessica Simpson's really putting on some weight, isn't she?' She is not! She's probably a size 4 instead of a size 2!
So, how do we come to a place of happiness and self-acceptance no matter what our size? Because at the end of the day, it'a all about making sure you're living life to the fullest right now - not after you lose another 5 pounds.
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