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Saturday, January 31, 2009

So, nothing much going on today, just checking in. I made my second Black Apple Doll last night (pictures will be posted later as I haven't yet painted on her face) for an old co-worker that I plan on visiting soon. And today I started to work on a couple of baby girl tag blankies. I'm really hoping to get a couple of things posted to my etsy site by the end of next week.

Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow morning for a couple of hours (but I guess it's ok, since I have most of this upcoming week off and have a bunch of fun stuff planned for me and doodle), so I can't stay up late again. My husband and I just watched part of the First Season of Jericho, and it's slightly cheesy, slightly amusing, and slightly intriguing, so I think we'll continue to get the rest of the season from Netflix and see what ensues.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Stubby Pencil Studio Giveaway at I Never Grew Up

I Never Grew Up is hosting a giveway featuring eco-friendly art supplies from Stubby Pencil Studio at http://inevergrewup.net/giveaway-26-eco-friendly-art-supplies-from-stubby-pencil-studio/

Please check out her blog and the awesome giveaway which includes a pack of Color'n kids Valentine's cards, set of washable markers, crayon rocks, a recycled sketchbook, set of colored smencils, and a box #2 triangular pencils.

Also be sure to check out Stubby Pencil Studio's website, they have a ton of great products, including some great wooden toys! http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com/

T.G.I.F!!!

I'm so happy it's Friday! That means I can spend as much time sewing this weekend (as my daughter & hubby will allow) and I can stay up late (provided I have enough caffeine), because I have absolutely no responsibilities tomorrow!! I actually am wishing I had a beer (a margarita would be the most ideal, but who I am kidding, like I've ever mixed up a batch of margarita's at home!)...

So, I found out today that I won a giveaway on one of the blogs that I follow called Feisty, Frugal, and Fabulous! I'm so excited, I can't tell you the last time that I won anything. I ended up winning a few different products from a company called Classy Kid Inc (that sells germ protection and easy clean-up products). Here's the website, I'll tell you more when I receive the products: http://www.classy-kid.com/juvenile.html

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Another smoothie recipe

I made this today and it was delicious!!

1/2 cup frozen blackberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
2 bananas
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup vanilla soy milk

The measurements are approximates, as I just tend to throw things in until I reach the desired consistency. My smoothies tend to be more like thick milkshakes. I'm not a yogurt fan so I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted the vanilla yogurt and found it to be a custardy consistency that tasted a little like vanilla cheesecake. Yum-yum!

I had another great session with my life coach Claudia (www.significantself.com). The next step (or goal) is to eat healthier (and hopefully regain some long-lost energy that is not caffeine derived) and to work on relaxing in the evening (and preparing for sleep ahead of time, so I can actually close my eyes without seeing a laundry list of "to-dos" floating around). We came up with a great list of fast, easy foods that I can prepare for breakfast, lunch, or snacks that are healthy and also will help keep my energy at a normal level.

For example:
Breakfast - fruit smoothie with a hard-boiled egg or stick of cheese, multi-grain oatmeal with side of fruit
Lunch - omelette with cheese (optional meat & veggies), hummus & veggies on a pita, spinach salads with chicken, soup & crackers,
Snacks - triscuits with cheese & avocado, nuts, dark chocolate

The only hindrance I see to actually having a lot of these foods in my house is the cost of groceries these days. While fresh produce is relatively inexpensive (depending on what it is), certain foods like nuts are super high priced, in my opinion. So I might have to rethink my $50 a week grocery budget to accommodate some of these "healthier" tidbits.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Where did Tuesday Go?


Ok, so I missed a day. I'm only a few weeks into my daily blogging and I've already missed a day. To be honest, there have been a few days when thinking of something I wanted to write about was like pulling teeth. So, maybe my goal of writing daily for a year was little overzealous...and maybe I should just let yesterday slide and carry on with full gusto, pretending that it never happened. Just an oversight.


I attempted to upload a video of my daughter here, but it's taking several hours, so I think it's a no go! Above is a pic instead....


Monday, January 26, 2009

Going Green

So, the big thing these days is to be "green" (or what I would refer to as being environmentally responsible) and to try to leave as little a carbon footprint as possible. I've definitely made some changes in my life recently to live a more "green" life - I'm not sure if this is a direct result of having a child and wanting the world to be a better place for her (or at least last to see her children's children's children) or partly because "being green" is everywhere. There is a plethora of new products to choose from, so as a consumer we now have options in being able to buy products that are "environmentally responsible". And most of these new "green" products are priced comparable to the old stuff, and work just as well, if not better, so we should have no excuses as to why we can't do our little part to save our earth.

Here are the ways I am green:

  • I recycle
  • I breastfeed - I consider this being green as I am using my body (or natural resources) to feed my baby, no packaging involved
  • I do on occasion make my own baby food (which again reduces packaging)
  • I use a more "environmentally friendly" disposable diaper made by Seventh Generation (their diapers and wipes are chlorine free)
  • I have on occasion used cloth diapers (I definitely plan on using them almost exclusively with my next baby, now that I am armed with more info and knowledge about them, and just have my shit together more as a mom)
  • I have switched my laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, and dish soap (and other household cleaners) to vegetable and plant based products (as opposed to petroleum based products). Again, I use Seventh Generation and have nothing but great things to say about them. They have "free and clear" versions of their products, which obviously contain no scents or dyes, and are great for the sensitive skin of a baby.
  • I wash all of my laundry in cold water only

Factoid: If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 25 oz. petroleum-based dishwashing liquid with Seventh Generation's (or other) plant-derived product, we could save 86,000 barrels of oil, which is enough to heat and cool 4,900 U.S. homes for a year!

For more information on their great products, visit seventhgeneration.com. Their products are also available at your local grocery store or at diapers.com. I was able to purchase a Seventh Generations savings card through diapers.com, which saved me a percentage of my purchases for an entire year on their products. And you can purchase the products by the case at diapers.com, so I just stock up for awhile! All orders at diapers.com over $49 get free shipping, so I highly recommend using them for any/all baby needs.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Smoothies for Breakfast

Ok, so my friend Autumn gave me this smoothie recipe to try, and we just bought a blender, so tomorrow will be the first taste test. I'm hoping to get in the habit of whipping us up different fruit smoothies so that we have something healthy, easy, and yummy for breakfast (since this is the meal Elliott and I most often forgo - except for our large weekend egg brunches).

For 2 servings:
1/2 cup soy milk (we chose vanilla flavor, since we've never tried soy milk before)
1/2 cup rainbow sherbert
2 bananas
4-8 oz of pineapple

I'll let you know tomorrow how they tasted. I'm exhausted tonight, so I am going to go relax with my hubby in front of the tv and hopefully go to sleep early.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Black Apple Doll




So, I'm pretty proud of myself. I spent all evening working on a Black Apple Doll. You can get more info on the creator Emily Martin and actual templates/tutorials on Martha Stewart's website at http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll


They're really cute, and I wanted to make one for my daughter Adeline - I definitely can't give it to her now, she'll just rip it (or bite it) apart, but I think it will be nice to have something that Mommy made for her when she gets a little bit bigger!

Obviously, she's not perfect, but I think I did awesome for my first try! And she is almost entirely hand sewn, I used my machine just for her little arms and legs! I can't wait to make more for the other lil women in my life!


Here's a pic of my little doll too!

Baby Tag Blankies

So, I've completed my goal of making two baby tag blankies this week. Hoo-ray! They're both made of the same fabric and ribbon. Both sides are fleece. All of the ribbons were anchored onto (sewn on) one side of the fabric first, and then I sew both pieces of the fleece together - so the ribbons are all sewn down twice to secure them.

I'm going to be giving these two blankets for friends who recently had boy babies, but in the future, I would like to post and sell the blankets on etsy. Any ideas on a reasonable price? I was thinking $12.00, but don't know what other people would think was appropriate. Any ideas? The blankets are approximately 12" x 12". I obviously want to make it worth my while and need to take into account the amount of materials plus the labor it took to actually put them together. I would say I worked on the blankets a total of five hours (hope that things will go quicker as I get better).


Well, I'm currently washing the rest of the fabric that I got the other day, and hope to get started on some "girly" tag blankies and also putting together a Black Apple Doll tonight and tomorrow. I'm so excited!!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Chili

So, I make two kinds of chili...what I consider the really good stuff (and I've been told by a few people that it's the best chili they've ever tasted) and the other kind, which is more of an easy skillet version (the kind that I don't want to take all day to prepare/simmer).

Easy Skillet Chili

1 lb ground beef
1/2 medium onion
1/2 large green pepper
1 can undrained red kidney beans (dark or light whichever you prefer)
1 can undrained diced tomatoes (I prefer Hunt's diced tomatoes with green pepper, onion, and celery, or the diced tomatoes with green chilies from some added kick)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup instant rice
2-3 garlic cloves

garlic powder
chili powder
pepper
cayenne
cumin

1/2 cup - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and garlic.
Drain the grease, and then add the remaining ingredients to the skillet, except the cheddar cheese and stir. With the seasonings, I never measure in teaspoons/etc, I always just add to my taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. After the 20 minutes is up, throw the shredded cheese on top and cover again to melt the cheese. Serve with Frito Lay corn chips or cornbread.


The Really Good Chili

The secret to the really good stuff is using Brooks Hot & Mild Chili Beans - whatever sauce the beans are in is great, and only gets better when you add to it...

So, when I usually make an entire pot of this chili (to serve for a party) or my husband and I will enjoy leftovers for awhile, this stuff is great for chili dogs!

1 Large Can Brooks Hot Chili Beans (I think it's the 40 oz - though not sure)
1 Large Can Brooks Mild Chili Beans
1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef
1 Onion
3-4 Garlic Cloves
1 Green Pepper
1 Red or Yellow Pepper
1 Large Can of Undrained Diced Tomatoes or 2 smaller cans(again, I prefer the Hunts diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery, and onion)
1 small can diced green chilies
1 small jalapeno (optional, if you like heat)

Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Pepper
Cayenne
Cumin
Coriander

Brown the ground beef with the onions, garlic, and green or red peppers. Drain the grease, and then throw into a large pot. Add the Brooks beans (undrained of course), tomatoes, green chilies, to the pot, and then season to your liking. I usually simmer on low for about two hours or so, obviously watching carefully to make sure the bottom doesn't burn, stirring occasionally. You can also add fresh chopped cilantro to the top once you've dished it out. We usually top with shredded cheddar or jack/colby cheese and a dollop of sour cream and serve with corn bread.


Side Bar: I went to JoAnn's today (a sewing/craft store) and bought a bunch of fabric for my baby tag blankies and the Black Apple dolls (by Emily Martin) that I'd like to try my hand at making. I'm so excited to get started! I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Life Coach

So, I just started to work with a Life Coach (for new moms), and I think it's going to help me tremendously. Her name is Claudia and her website is www.significantself.com. I almost wish I had known about her earlier, and then maybe it wouldn't have taken me so long to realize that I wasn't alone and that a lot of new moms end up feeling frazzled and lost.

I've only had two sessions so far, but I already feel like I'm taking the proper steps in the right direction to help clear my head, manage my time, and be the best mom I can be. Part of it, I believe, is that I just might be finally getting the hang of this mom business after 10 and a half months. I've always been very self aware mentally, and have always known when it was time to reach out for help, so sometimes just a little external nudge (usually in the form of my mother) in the right direction is all that is required. In comes Claudia.

I've always been kind-of against routines and schedules, a fly by the seat of my pants kind-of gal, but with Claudia's suggestion, I have established a very loose routine and so far, it seems to really be helping me out (ok, so I'm only two days in, but it's still a big deal to me, baby steps people!). I used to scoff at the mom's who couldn't attend certain playdates because they proclaimed that it was naptime at their house, and I knew that I didn't want to be tied down to any particular time everyday, and it didn't appear that my daughter did either, for she sleeps when she feels like it. But now, I half-see the wisdom of their ways, and realize that it is important for me and Addie to have some structure in our lives. And I said "some". I, at least, can have some idea of what I want to accomplish everyday, and make attempts to do that. And if something falls to the wayside one day, we'll just roll with it like we used to.

I'm excited because I feel like I'm going to be getting part of me back, and making time for stuff that I used to really enjoy (i.e. my crafts) and that I feel is essential for my sanity. I made my goal earlier this week of completing two tag blankies, and I'm on my way. The fabric has been cut and the ribbons pinned on, now I just need to sew them together. So, I'm giving myself until Saturday to complete them, as I have to work tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Establishing A Routine

So, I'm currently trying to figure out a daily routine that will help me get my shit together. I don't want it to be too structured, so that if we deviate from it one morning/afternoon that my baby goes nutz, but I do feel that some sort of routine will help.

I had to get up for work today at 7:30am and while that is like the butt-crack of dawn to me usually, I actually feel better today than days where I sleep until 9:00am or 10:00am. I am definitely tired and wishing I had made more than my usual two cups of coffee, but all in all, I actually had the morning to myself to work and play on the computer while the baby slept. So, I definitely think that rising earlier would be a huge help.

This is just going to be a loose routine for the time being (and will obviously only apply to days when I'm not working or have other plans), until I see how it goes and if I can stick with it...

Get Up - 8:00 - 8:30 am
Shower & Dress - 8:30 - 9:00 am
Spend a half hour on the computer checking email, blog, etc - 9:00 - 9:30 am
Baby Gets Up - Nurse, Change Diaper, Dress for the day - 9:30 - 10:00 am
Play with Baby & Eat Brunch - 10:00 - 11:00 am
Clean - 11:00 - 12:00 pm
Dad comes home for lunch - 12:00 - 12:30 pm
Baby Goes Down for a Nap - 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Work on Crafts/Other Interests While Baby Sleeps - 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Play with Baby - 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Clean - 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Make/Eat Dinner - 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Play with Baby, Feed Dinner - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tv/Computer Time - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Give Baby a Bath Every Other Day - 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Put Baby to bed - 8:00 pm

As I look the list over, I still have plenty of time to myself or for my hobbies/entertainment, while still spending time with my baby and getting the housework done. I'm learning that cleaning up in little bits here and there helps there to be less time spent cleaning overall. I hate those days where I feel like I'm in the kitchen for several hours just cleaning! So, this is my newest goal, to try this routine out for a few days and see how it goes!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I love Tuesdays!!

I love Tuesdays! Simply because it is no longer Monday, and partly because my favorite show The Biggest Loser is on tonight!!! I don't know exactly why it is I love this show, but maybe because it's uplifting to me. I have never been overweight, so I don't exactly identify with the contestants in that way, but I think it shows a general struggle and people overcoming that. I usually cry every episode and find myself seriously hoping that these people can change their lives for the better! I find it super inspiring!

Something else that has been inspiring me lately to get my act into shape, is looking at all of these amazing crafty creative blogs of mom's (and non-mom's - shoutout to my dear friend Robyn who is always whipping something up for charity) that find the time to do stuff that they love! I've come across so many neat and interesting crafty projects that I would love to dive into it...and honestly, feel that they are things that I can accomplish (if I manage my time more efficiently).

Monday, January 19, 2009

Top 5 "Spend" List

Ok, so if I had any extra funds coming in right now, here's the top 5 things I would spend the money on:

  1. A massage (a serious massage, at least 50 minutes long, and maybe involving something like hot stones)
  2. A haircut and dye (way overdue and I don't feel like dying my own hair right now)
  3. A blender (so I can make delicious, nutritious smoothies for breakfast)
  4. Some rock lullaby cd's for Addie - I found this cool website (through another blog) called http://www.crazybabyclothing.com/ and they sell Rockabye Baby rock and metal lullaby CD's that transform timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. The ones I would get for Addie would be AC/DC (cuz she loves their music), Coldplay, and maybe Radiohead.
  5. Materials to put together a "baby shower" gift basket or other craft materials to explore making crafts and selling them on etsy.com

What 5 things do you most want to spend your money on right now??

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Awesome Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller Giveaway at I Never Grew Up

Please visit the following link to view Vanessa's blog at I Never Grew Up for this amazing giveaway and to enter for a chance to win a bumbleride indie twin stroller:

http://inevergrewup.net/giveaway-25-bumbleride-indie-stroller/

This twin stroller is awesome and each side can be configured differently for your children (if they're of different ages). I love that you can put an infant car seat on one side and keep the other side in a regular sitting position for a toddler. Plus there is tons of cargo space underneath. This is exactly the type of stroller I would love to have for when the second baby comes along. The retail cost of this stroller is $589.99, so to win this stroller would be huge!!!

Left to my own devices

This weekend has been really long, and really boring! Left to my own devices with too much time on my hands has never been a good thing for me. I end up wasting time instead of using it, and then I feel down and guilty because of it. I know that if I had a more structured schedule during the week, I would either use my weekend wisely or at least be able to relax and do nothing and be ok with that.

I'm not a winter person. The snow is nice for the holidays, but the fact that the cold/gray/dark days drag on for months after the holidays are over, just sucks!! I just feel trapped in my apartment lately (I was indoors from last Sunday until Friday, due to the doodle having a cold and not wanting to bring her out in the extreme cold)...major cabin fever. I am looking forward to the spring/summer days, so at least if I want to go outside or see something different, we can go for a little walk, get some exercise and fresh air.

I am looking into getting another part-time job (just doing retail on nights/weekends) to bring in some extra funds to help us get better situated for buying a house this summer, and that will definitely take up more of my time, and I think if I do get another job, that I will use the rest of my time more efficiently. Now, I just have to get out and actually apply for some jobs!!!

My goals for this week are to apply at the Panera near my house, and to also focus more on my crafting and what I can get done (while the baby naps) every day that I'm not at work. I hope to complete at least two tag blankies this week. We also have plans for a couple of playdates, so at least the time will be broken up a little bit!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Saturday's blog is a little late!!!

I went to a Partylite Candle Party last night at a woman's house that I had never met. She and some of the other attendees are members of a "playdates group" that I've joined in the area. I'm not big on attending these types of "parties", where I feel obligated to buy something that is really overpriced that I probably don't even need, but my sole purpose of going was to meet some of these woman in my group. To get out of the house without the baby, maybe have a drink or two, and engage in some like-minded female chit-chat on a Friday night.

It always amazes me that some of the first information a mother will share with you is how she gave birth to her child - I mean, you'd think we'd leave the gory stuff for friends and family only, not complete strangers. But no, we dive right in, sparing no one all the graphic details, as if having vaginas and birthing children are all that we would have in common to talk about!

So, we're standing in the kitchen in a semi circle of about 5 of us, just chit-chatting, when I look down and realize my fly is open. Not because I forgot to pull it up after my last bathroom break, but because it's an older pair of jeans and the fly now has a mind of its own. I was mortified of course and wondered just how many of them had noticed and been too embarrassed to say something. I pulled my shirt down as far as it would go to hide it and had to wait another agonizing five minutes before we progressed into the other room and I could fix the problem. I almost laughed out loud later though when another mom was bent over her catalogue, thong halfway up her back, and realized that I'm not alone.


So, I've come to the conclusion that the older you get, the harder it is to make new friends. And I'm talking "good" friends, "true" friends, someone you really have a bond with. I haven't made any "true" friends since I became a mom (and it's not for lack of trying).

And it's not that I'm lacking friends, but I am lacking friends who live near me that also have babies or young children and are stay at home moms! This lack of friends has brought me to the internet in search of other moms in the area. But it hasn't been an easy road...I've met plenty of really nice women, but no one that I really have much in common with (save being a mom) or would choose to hang out with (if our babies weren't the same age). I've also met a few drama queens (which I haven't seen the likes of since highschool) that are all about gossip, and judging, and just despicable behavior that I am way too old for.

It's disappointing really. Being a stay-at-home mom can be very lonely, which is why I immersed myself into playdates and meeting new people shortly after Addie was born. Ten and a half months old, and still not a "true" friend to speak of. But I continue to join new groups and get out of the house as much as possible in the hopes that I might one day make at least one good friend, cuz honestly, that's all I need!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Seriously Delicious Quesadillas!!


This picture doesn't do the quesadilla justice, but I thought I would try. I found this Rachael Ray egg recipe in her magazine and my husband just loves it!!! Below is the jist of it:
Ingredients - tortillas, eggs, bacon, avocado (sliced or mashed), shredded cheese, black beans
  • Fry up some bacon and break it into smaller pieces (usually between 4-6 pieces)
  • Make some fried eggs (or eggs over easy, depending on if you like runny eggs or not) - I use 2 eggs for my quesadilla and three for my hubbies
  • In the same pan that I fried the eggs, I melt butter and then throw one small tortilla in there
  • On top of the tortilla, place some shredded cheese, the eggs, the bacon pieces, some black beans, more cheese and avocado slices, and then top off with another tortilla.
  • I usually flip the quesadilla once (which can be difficult) so the cheese on both sides melts and holds it together. (Rachael actually folds the tortilla's in half to make one quesadilla, but we put too much fixin's on the inside to just fold over the bottom tortilla)
  • Cut into quarters, and serve with salsa, sour cream, or guac

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Confession

I still sleep with what I affectionately refer to as a "silky". It's just a regular ol' blanket with satin edges on it. But I like to run the satin edges through my fingers, and sometimes my toes.

The life of a silky is somewhat precarious, they can last months or they can last years. Eventually, the same fate befalls all of my silkies. The satin edge gets rubbed clean off the blanket, and I'm left with an old blanket and two ratty looking satin pieces. And then it's time for a new silky.

I have slept with a silky most of my life (not sure exactly when it was introduced, but figuring it was in infancy), and I find that it's hard to sleep without it. It obviously fulfills some slightly OCD habit I have of calming myself (used mostly at bedtime) by rhythmically running the silkies through my fingers. My husband definitely thinks it's odd, and doesn't care for "the rag", as he affectionately calls it. I often find the silkies discarded onto the floor next to our bed. :(

My daughter loves the silkies and reaches for it everytime she's in bed with us. She likes to chew on it, of course, but I find that she also likes to hold the satin piece in her little fingers while she's nursing and falling asleep. It's the cutest thing in the world! And despite, my husband's prejudice towards the silkies, he agrees!





Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The daily jumble

So, I used to have this amazing sense of humor. I can still laugh at a good joke with the best of them, but I used to say funny things too! Back in the day, I used to regale my fellow female co-workers with my funny dating mishaps and bawdy, drunken shenanigans, and have the crowd gathered in my cubicle roaring with laughter. The only difference between my life then and now is that I am not dating, getting drunk, or going to work every day. OK - so those are huge differences!! I'm going to have to learn to pool my material from something else, but what?? My adult humor has definitely taken a vacation (probably for all eternity or at least until my children are 18). I guess there are still naked poop stories to be told, only now they involve my infant.



List of Goals for 2009
Keep up my daily blog
Devote some time each week (or possibly day) to my crafts
Start up my own business so that I can make money doing something I love!!!
Buy our first home
Spend more alone time with my husband
Get pregnant (this can only happen once the above two goals have been accomplished)!!
Take a cake decorating class
Go back to school for a medical billing or coding certificate
Get more organized
Exercise more, make healthier meals
Be the best person (mom, wife, friend, fellow human being) I can possibly be in all arenas of my life!!!



Here are some pics of Adeline enjoying her first meal of spaghetti:


Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Half-Baked

I feel lately (or since I had my baby and quit working full-time) that I'm walking around in a perpetual haze, hence the half-baked part. My brain has become fuzzy. For example, the first thing in the morning I think about is making coffee (MUST HAVE COFFEE!), so I'll head into the kitchen to make a pot. My eyes will fall upon the sink full of dishes from last night's dinner, and soon I am washing and loading the dishwasher, thinking to myself, I should've made the coffee first and then done the dishes, and by the time I was done I would have a nice, hot delicious cup! But I still don't stop to make the coffee. As I'm throwing something in the recycling bin, I spot the washing machine, and think I should throw a load in real quick. So I'll gather up some laundry and start a load. While I'm in the bedroom gathering laundry, I'll spot some toys that have slowly progressed from the computer "toy" room across our apartment, so I'll go back in and scoop them up to return them to their home. Once I'm in the computer room, I HAVE to start my computer up, and maybe at that point, I'll remember again that I wanted a cup of coffee and return to the kitchen to actually make it. These inefficiencies (or the reason why I can never get anything done) occur all day long.

Does this happen to everyone? I think I'm ready for another baby, but shit, what the hell will my life be like with two lil babies demanding attention from their inefficient, foggy-headed mother??? Any suggestions/tips at this point would be greatly appreciated!!


Side-Bar: Easy Recipe I Made For Dinner Last Night
Cheesy Slow-Cooker Chicken

1 1/2 lbs of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
2 Cans of Campbell Cheese Soup/Sauce - I used Fiesta Nacho Cheese for some added flavor
1/2 cup milk

Spray some PAM in your slow cooker or I usually use butter to grease stuff up. Season the chicken breast with salt/pepper/garlic powder, put in the slow cooker. Mix the cheese soup with the milk and then pour over the chicken. Cook on high for about three hours (or I'm sure you could cook it on low for five-six hours).

The chicken was moist, shreddable, and just plain delicious. I served it with Taco flavored rice and a vegetable. My husband loved it! A really good recipe for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to put dinner together or has picky eaters...

Monday, January 12, 2009

a work in progress

I am a dreamer by nature - I love to create, imagine, and exist in some "otherworld" and have since I was very young. Though I hardly ever shared my dreams with others, I spent a great deal of my childhood hunched over a typewriter meticulously crafting my dreams into stories. My goal, of course, was to one day be a writer. I've made certain half-assed efforts to further my craft (taken the obligatory creative writing classes in college, kept a journal for much of my adolescence/young adulthood), but haven't in years finished anything I've started (with the exception of a couple of B+ poems). So, here I am, 31 years old, part-time homemaker, part-time administrative assistant, and full-time mom to a beautiful 10 month old baby girl, and I have never felt so incredibly clueless, inefficient, inadequate and extremely disorganized in my life. And I've also never been so happy!


So, that is what brings me here. I figure there must be a way to regain my former organized, witty, silly, creative "writer" self, fluent in not only husband and baby speak, but in intelligent adult speak as well. So, this is my promise to myself. I vow to maintain this blog, to visit on a daily basis and offer up whatever it is I can possibly offer at the moment (a story, news, a recipe, advice, etc., etc., etc.) for an entire year. And well, if I can manage that (with all my inefficiencies), I can do anything!


My Family

 
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