A Ruined Dinner...

Remember how yesterday I said I should've put the roast in a smaller crock pot? Well, I really should have. Really. I BURNT IT! In the crock pot! Maybe if it had been in the smaller pot, the liquid would have been deeper. Or maybe I should have added some water to it. Or maybe I should have taken it out earlier. *sigh* I guess that's what happens when I try to cook on no sleep. H ate some of it anyway. Yuck. Not me. Chick-Fil-A got my business last night.

Today the plan is cream of wild rice soup. Wish me luck with that one. It's not in the crock pot, so maybe I'll be okay.

I Need Some Motivation...

I am so tired, so if this makes no sense whatsoever, just ignore me. I worked last night, but not the night before, so it's been a while since I've had any good sleep. I did just get an hour and a half of semi-sleep while I let M run around the bedroom. Now she's enjoying her lunch of chicken and lima beans (her favorite).

I've done a load of dishes in the dishwasher and a load of laundry (just have to fold them now) today. And I have a barbecue roast in the crock pot for dinner. (I think I should have put it in the smaller pot.) I've also showered. I'd say I'm doin' pretty good for noon! I planned on doing some major cleaning today, but so far I'm not motivated. Maybe some Christmas music will help.

I've got to finish up my Christmas shopping. I'll probably do that tomorrow.

I just remembered that we have to go to my sister-in-law's pinning for nursing school. Oh, I remember mine like it was just yesterday. I'm so proud of her for finishing. I mean, yeah, I finished no problem, but I also didn't have 2 kids and a husband who's gone for a week at a time. I don't think I could have done it in her situation. Congratulations, Adriana!

Ok, off to get motivated. This house isn't going to clean itself. Oh boy, wouldn't that be nice if it did?

My Name Is Pink Pickles...and I'm Obsessed with Twilight

The first time I saw the book Twilight (by Stephenie Meyer) I was in Target with my friend Stephanie after our book club meeting. We were looking for our next book (which happened to be a Karen Kingsbury book, if you just have to know), but didn't find it there. Twilight caught my eye...it's quite eye-catching. I picked it up, flipped it over, and read the words "Edward was a vampire" and I put it down, thinking "I don't like vampires."

Fast forward several months and I keep hearing about these fabulous books everywhere. So I decide to try them. O.M.G. I could not put them down. I read the first one in a weekend, and on my way home from work Monday morning, I picked up the next 3 and read them that week. I've already read Twilight twice...it happened to be my favorite. I'll probably read it again before I go see the movie. I also read Midnight Sun, the partial draft that SM posted on her website. She is not planning to publish it because some dumb butt leaked it. Arghhhhh!

Stephenie Meyer, if you're reading this (LOL) PLEASE reconsider. There are gobs and gobs and GOBS of people who would be ecstatic if you published it.

Tickets to the movie are on sale now, and there's going to be a midnight showing, so if any of my peeps wanna go see it with me, give me a holla!

A Little Bit of Nothin'

I just felt like I should post something, so this is just a little bit of nothin'. I've been awake for 24.5 hours (and counting...it's only 9 am), so if something doesn't make sense, that's why. Okay, technically I did get an almost 2 hour nap yesterday afternoon, but whatever, I'm still tired.

I worked last night so that I could be off on Halloween. I'm having a bit of a "party" a.k.a. gathering of family, here on Friday. So today I'm planning on cleaning house. Actually, H did a pretty good job last night. He moved all of my ribbon and hair bow making supplies off of the bar. That made a huge difference.

Our living room is fairly clean, save for a few magazines and a lot of M's clutter (toys, blankets, colors, coloring books, etc). I really need to do some cleaning of the couch and chairs. They look like we have a toddler sitting in them spilling stuff. Imagine that. I also need to clean the french door windows. They have pint-sized hand prints on them.

Tomorrow, I'm decorating M's wagon. We're pulling her and "A" (our neighbor's daughter) in it for trick-or-treating. I've got some black tulle and silver tinsel with stars that a girl at work gave me to use. It's gonna be cute!

I'm making chicken tortilla soup for tomorrow. We're also having hamburgers and hot dogs because I come from a family of finicky eaters. My dad and grandpa would probably not touch that soup with a 10-foot pole. I'm also making hot apple cider and caramel apples. Yum-O.

Anyway, enough of my incessant rambling. 'Till next time...

Damsel In Distress

Today I took M to get her flu shot. We were in the office for about 35 minutes total. When we got back to the car, IT WOULDN'T START. ?!?!? My battery was dead. The car made a little ticking noise when I attempted to start it. So I called H, a little panicked. He gave me the number to the Allstate Emergency Assistance (I had a card with the number, but wasn't thinking at the time). So I gave them a ring, and they sent a tow truck out to jump start my car. About 40 minutes later, a scruffy looking man (what other kind of man would be driving a tow truck?) showed up and had my car started in about 2.5 seconds. Then he was getting all of my information and this is the conversation that ensued:

Scruffy: Do you have WIC for you and the baby?

Me: looking confused What?

Scruffy: Do you have WIC for you and the baby?

Me: still looking confused No.

Scruffy: Do you know what it is?

Me: bumfuzzeled by this time Yeah.

Scruffy: Sorry I don't mean to be nosy.

Seriously, what kind of question is that to ask a stranger? Do I look like I can't afford to feed my baby? Do I look incompetent of holding a good-paying job? I was actually looking pretty good today...jeans, black Banana Republic tee shirt, black espadrille wedges, full makeup (even mascara and lipstick) and a moderately-sized rock on my left ring finger. And my car, although dirty, is not even 3 years old.

Anyway, I went on my way, thankful that the scruffy, nosy man helped me out, and stopped at Pep Boys because Scruffy said that an auto store like that should be able to check my starter system (whatever that is) for free. I got M out of the car and left it running for fear that it would die if I turned it off. I asked the girl at the front register and she sent me to the service department. So I told the old man (mid to late 50's, I'd guess) my story about how my battery had died and I got someone to come jump it off and I wanted someone to check it real quick. He said he could, but it'd be a while. When I asked how long, he said about an hour. AN HOUR! I just spent 30 minutes waiting on a flu shot, 40 more on a jump start, and he wants me to wait another HOUR with a hungry, tired toddler?!? I told him that the car was still running in the parking lot, and he quickly interrupted with "We can't look at it in the parking lot. You have to bring it around back." I sighed, said thanks, and turned around and walked out. Whatever happened to helping out a damsel in distress?

So, now I'm home and my car won't start. I hope I don't have an emergency before H gets home with a new battery.

The Fever

I've had it for a while, but it's real bad now.

Baby Fever.

I visited a friend in the hospital last night who had just given birth, and I am SO itchy to do that again! To have another sweet tiny little person so dependent on me. To experience that new bond with another being I will spend forever loving. To give my sweet little girl a baby sister (or brother)...a best friend.

Okay, I'm getting all weepy now, so I'd better stop.

New Music

As I was making my daily rounds on the MySpace, I noticed that my sister is now friends with "Frank Foster." Frank is a guy we went to high school with. (OT, I feel horrible about leaving that last sentence ending in a preposition, but I don't feel like fixing it.) So, I clicked on his picture, and it's a music page...you know, like the kind of page that bands and musicians have on myspace. No freakin' way! Little Frank is a singer! As the music began to play, I was like "that's not Frank! He must be playing the guitar or something." But sure enough, he sings, plays the guitar, and writes music! And it sounds great (for country music...LOL)! Anyway, check out his page and help him get famous!

The Witching Hour--Conclusion *spoiler alert*

I finally finished this über-long book. Okay, so I finished it last weekend, but I'm just now getting around to updating y'all on it.

I liked it. I actually did.

Seriously.

I didn't really like the way it ended (Lasher becoming "human," running off with Rowan to Europe, and Michael left pondering why she left him). But I guess it leaves room for the next book, Lasher.

I thought I may like to read the next installment in the Lives of the Mayfair Witches series, but after reading reviews on it, I'm not sure. It seems many people like the first one, but the second and third just don't measure up.

So now I'm reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. I hear it's a lot different from the movie. I could lie and say I watched the movie, but I won't. Actually, it wouldn't be a total lie. I did attempt to watch it, but as usual I fell asleep about mid-way through.

The Witching Hour: Update

So, I'm nearly halfway into The Witching Hour, and it's not nearly as frightening as I was expecting it to be. The only part so far that's sent chills down my spine is when Rowan is home alone in the middle of the night, and she wakes up with a feeling that someone is in her house. She goes looking for whoever it is (first mistake...I'd never leave the comfort of my bed), and sees Lasher (a spirit, but to her he's just a strange man) outside, looking in the window at her. Of course you're probably thinking that I'm silly, but that kind of stuff freaks me out.

It's been a really good read so far. The consensual incest (yeah, that's what I said) is a bit disturbing, but other than that, I'm enjoying it.

The Witching Hour

That's the title of the book we're reading in our book club this month. It's an older book (1990) by Anne Rice...the first in the Mayfair Witches series. I was a little apprehensive at first about reading an Anne Rice novel. I mean, witches and vampires aren't really my thing. I'd rather read some chick lit or something. But I'm going to be a good sport about it and read the book. H picked it up last Friday at Books-A-Million for me. I took it to work and started on it. It starts out just a little freaky. The worst of it is the anticipation of being scared. I've never read one of her books before, so I'm not sure if they're "scary" or not. I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat, ya know. I hate horror movies, and I really hate serial killer/murder movies. Needless to say, I don't read books like that either. Yesterday I bought a couple of other non-scary books just in case I get too scared and need something to read to take my mind off of the witches.

PMS, temper tantrums, and BFNs

So I just realized that I only had one blog post for the entire month of May. Not that I didn't realize that I wasn't blogging much, but I thought I was doing better than that. So this post is just a filler really. Just some major rambling.

I've been PMSing today...just ask H. I've been so witchy all day. H, if you're reading this, I'm sorry. :)

M has been kinda witchy herself today. Temper tantrums worse than ever. I wouldn't let her have my Coke today at Counter Culture, and she wouldn't stop crying, so we had to leave. She's had her bath and is currently in bed...but not asleep. Poor thing is crying. :( I never thought I'd be one for "cry it out," but sometimes that's all that works. Eventually she'll sleep. Last night she woke up crying around 12:30, so I got her and brought her in the bed with us, and that's where she slept. She hasn't slept with us since she was a tiny baby. She's always to hyped up to sleep when I bring her to our bed. I usually wish she *would* sleep with us...sometimes I just want to cuddle with her. But not always. I'm lucky that she'll sleep in her crib, and I hope that letting her sleep in our bed every now and then doesn't ruin it.

Maybe some of you are wondering if I'm knocked up yet. Well, no, not yet. I did test the other day, just because it was day 27 of a "who knows how many days" cycle. It said "not pregnant." I know that it'll happen when the time is right, but I'm really wishing for that big preggo belly (instead of the big fat one I have now), feeling the movements of someone so tiny and dependent, being able to park in the expectant mothers space at Brookshires. Heck, I even wish for the nausea and vomiting!

Anyway, we're about to watch The Other Boleyn Girl now. Until next time...

Oh, and she's asleep now. :)

Old Greg

It's Old Greg mania in the NICU. Our favorite charge nurse, P, introduced us to Old Greg. It's not for everyone. H thinks it's totally stupid. And to be honest, I probably would have too, if I hadn't watched it with P. She laughed and laughed and laughed. So I couldn't help it. Now I love it! And everyone else there (that matters) loves it too. Last night people had the script and were entertaining us with their fabulous rendition of Howard's encounter with Old Greg. L's British accent was great, and M was totally rockin' the Old Greg voice. It's kinda scary how good he was. Anyway, take a look at the video!

Goin' to the Gym--Pt. 2

M was up early this morning, so we ate breakfast, got dressed, and headed to the gym. The girl at the front desk was going over all of the prices with me, and then came out with a special deal for summer: no initial fee and a discounted rate for 3 months. So over 3 months, I'd save $96. Sweet deal! The only catch is that it doesn't start until May 15. So my quest to get skinny is put on the back burner for another 2 weeks. I did go to the dreaded WalMart to get some workout clothes (you know, to pump myself up) and came back home to try out my pilates DVD. HA! Maybe I should get a little more fit before I try that again.

Goin' to the Gym

I'm fat. A big ol' blob. I feel so gross. So I'm finally going to do something about it. I'm going to join the gym. Too bad that's not all I have to do to get skinny. I actually have to go to the gym and work out. I'm supposed to go today with L to "try it out," but M and I had a busy morning and she's just now taking a nap and will likely still be asleep by the time I'm supposed to be there, so maybe another day. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll go and sign up. I'm not sure how long that'll take. I wonder if they do fitness tests or measure your BMI and body fat and all that jazz? Oh the horror! I really want to do some kind of class...maybe aerobics or spinning or pilates. I really like pilates, but I haven't done it in years...since I was actually skinny and in shape.

Now I'm going to go load my iPod with some workout tunes.

M's Spring Photos

It's been quite a while since I posted a blog, so forgive me. Give me a break...I'm a busy mom!

So on Thursday, April 3, M got her spring photos done. My good friend LM (*waving wildly if you're out there!*) met us at my alma mater, Centenary College, to begin the shoot. I was afraid M wouldn't cooperate because isn't that just how kids are? It only took her a few minutes to warm up to LM (she's so good with kids), and after a few chicken nuggets and some apple juice, she was ready to roll. The pics in the green smocked ladybug dress were taken at CC, and the ones in the black and white dress with pink bows were shot at Norton Art Gallery where the azaleas were in full bloom.









We're doing another photo shoot next week for birthday pictures. Yeah, I know her birthday was in February, but April is just such a nice month for pictures. :)

Building a Fence

It's tax refund time, and we've decided to use our big chunk of change to build a privacy fence. Our neighbors built their fence last year, so after assisting with one, building one should be a piece of cake, right?

Not so much....

Actually H and my dad are building our fence and my sister's fence. H is on spring break, so they have lots of time. Daddy got here around 8 this morning, and the dynamic duo headed to S's to measure her lot and then to The Home Depot to rent the equipment. S and I (and M of course) went to the grocery store. When we made it back home at 10:30, they had just gotten back with the equipment (big machine to dig holes with, and machine to mix cement with). They lollygagged around for a while before going to Lowe's to buy the lumber, etc for S's fence. It was about 4:00 before they even started digging the holes. Mind you, they only have these machines for 24 hours. They may need to get some spotlights so they can actually finish on time.

Happy Easter

It's Easter Sunday and I have to work. :( I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal because I didn't think M would be able to hunt for Easter eggs this year. But I was wrong. She did hunt for Easter eggs at great grandma's house. And I missed it. Oh what a bad mommy! At least H got some pics of her.

Here she is with her Mamaw and Papaw

It was a little cool, so she had to wear a sweater over her cute dress.

Little Miss Big Stuff

Well, M is finally walking. Wednesday she was walking small distances from one person to another. Thursday she walked a little farther. Friday when I got her out of her crib, I put her down and she walked to Britt (she was there to babysit). Saturday she walked all day. And she's been walking ever since.

Picky Toddler

So I've been visiting this website called wholesometoddlerfood.com. It gets me so excited about making good, healthy food for M. Last night I picked a few recipes and made my grocery list. This morning we got dressed, ate breakfast, played for a few minutes, then headed to Wal-Mart. Typically, I refuse to go to Wal-Mart unless it's before 8 am, but I was trying to be frugal (LOL). Our trip ran into M's naptime a little, but she didn't mind. At 11 when we returned home, I put her to sleep, lollygagged around, and began on her wholesome lunch. Chicken Potato Chowder. Yum-o. When she woke up from her nap, I let her play around for a while. She saw me put the bowl of chowder on the table, and looked like she wanted it. She took ONE BITE and made a face, SPIT IT OUT, and refused to eat anymore. She stuck her hands in the bowl a few times and licked her fingers, but that was it. I wouldn't care so much that she didn't eat any if I hadn't actually made it myself. Doesn't she know how hard I worked on that? LOL.

Maybe she'll eat the tofu nuggets that I make tomorrow.

MTV Cribs - NICU

OMG! This is the funniest thing I've seen in a while. You probably have to be a NICU nurse to get it, but boy oh boy is it funny!

The New Results...

Not Pregnant. I should have stopped at Starbucks on my way home.

The Results...

So, I'm sitting on the pot, trying to pee on this darn stick, and I stop midstream, checking the stick. It's still dry. I've just woken up, mind you, and my vision is still blurry. I have problems with depth perception anyway, so being newly awake just compounds that problem. Part of me said, just put it away and try later. It's still dry, so no harm done. I didn't listen. So I try again, because I still have pee left. I managed to hit the stick, but I don't know if it was under the stream for the 5 seconds that it was supposed to be there. I put the cap back on and sat it on the back of the toilet. I waited. Not for the 3 minutes, because I'm impatient and can't wait that long (AEB my taking this stupid test anyway). As I peered over to the results screen, I saw what didn't look like words on the screen. Instead, there's a picture of a little book and an arrow. I grab the instructions and find the little picture next to the words "book error." Book error?!?!? WTF?! Apparently this means there is either too much or too little pee on the stick. Damn! I knew I should have stopped while it was still dry. In all my years of taking these darn tests, I have NEVER gotten an error. NEVER. Is this a sign? A sign that I shouldn't take a test yet? Or a sign that I should just pee in a darn cup and test that way.

So, after I dress the rugrat, we'll be heading to the nearest retailer of HPTs.

POAS (Pee On A Stick)

So I bought a pregnancy test today. Not that I really *think* I'm pregnant, but just to be sure...you know. I was going to go this morning after I got off work, but when I went to pick up M, she was dressed in her pj's, and I didn't want to take her to Wal-Mart in her pj's, especially in the rain...to get a pregnancy test. The checker girl would probably think it was a crisis situation.

Anyway, when H got home we had to go get *dog* some food. Along with a few other things from Target. So I picked up a HPT then. I wasn't going to tell him that I was going to POAS, but since he was there, I did. No biggie. I'm waiting until morning to do it though...when he's at work. If it happens to be a BFP, I'll have a little time to think about how I'll break the news. I'm thinking I'll just take a pic of it with my BlackBerry and send it to him in a message. Of course, H rarely checks his messages anyway, so I doubt he'll even get it. I got the kind of test that says "pregnant" or "not pregnant," so if he does get the message he won't be confused. Of course if it's a BFN, I'll just silently mourn, while pretending that I didn't really want to be pregnant now anyway, and act nonchalant about it when he asks.

Really we aren't *trying* to get preggo, but we're not *not trying* either. KWIM? I have PCOS, so I typically have about 4 cycles per year (not on the pill), but since December, I've actually had *short* cycles--like 23-26 days. Today is day 26 of my cycle. Maybe giving birth straightened some things out down there in the reproductive region. So I'm just leaving it up to God. Personally I think we should wait a little while longer, but part of me really wants to be pregnant NOW. And I know that God has a perfect timetable, so I'm just going to go with it.

Blogging

So, I've decided to start writing a blog. I'm not really sure how it's going to work out though. What will I write about? Will anyone read it? Will I have time to write on a consistent basis? We'll see. I'm thinking I'd like to write about my life as a mom. How boring is that? Or maybe it'll just be a mush pot of all my thoughts. Or maybe I'll blog my next pregnancy...whenever that may be. I had to think of a name for my blog before I began. I wanted something original. I like pink. And I like pickles. M (my 12.5 month old daughter) likes pickles also. So Pink Pickles it is.

Oops, the husband (H) is home. Gotta run.