When it rains, it pours
Posted on | April 16, 2012
by | Kim
Well, the best laid plans always don’t come to fruition, I’ve determined.
I was able to stick with my Triduum Internet Fast (except going online once to refill my Lovenox injections, but that doesn’t count) and had grand plans to return Easter Monday.
Except that Easter Sunday – Easter Wednesday was a massive, massive attack of the Third Diagnosis. And on Easter Wednesday we learned of a death in the family. So that plus recovery from the Third Diagnosis rearing its very ugly head, I was pretty much exhausted for the rest of the week.
But, I’m feeling better today – on all fronts. I did reap plenty of fruit from the Triduum Internet Fast – which will be shared in a later post.
In the meantime, Elise is sick with cough + fever – at first I thought it was whooping cough but she lacks the whoop and has been vaccinated against it. There’s an outbreak in my town so it’s hard not to think about whooping cough. We’re keeping an eye on her but she’s definitely not a comfortable little girl. Today is one of my patron Saints feast days – St. Bernadette. So, if you can please ask St. Bernadette to pray for little Elise, I would surely appreciate it (as would Elise).
St. Bernadette, pray for Elise! And the rest of us!
Comments: 1
A blessed Triduum and Easter!
Posted on | April 5, 2012
by | Kim
As we end Lent and embark on the holy season of Easter, I am going to lay low online. Borrowing Jennifer’s idea of an Internet fast, I’ll be taking the Triduum off from all Internetting, which should be awesome and challenging all in one.
I pray you all have a blessed and holy Triduum. The Choir is singing the Holy Thursday Mass tonight, of which I am looking forward to. The Choirmaster has selected just gorgeous music for the entire Triduum and Easter Sunday, all to help lift our hearts and minds to the Lord. So, if you’re local; I strongly encourage turning out for the liturgies, if you can.
Also, if you could pray for my brother-in-law, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan and it looks as if he will not have access to any Mass this weekend. His access to the Sacraments has been limited, so please pray for him! And for more vocations to the priesthood, especially for our soldiers who so desperately need priests!
Menu Planning Revisited
Posted on | April 3, 2012
by | Kim
As we roll into Spring and fun, I want to revisit my Secret to Sanity: menu planning. In order to cut down on trips to various places and save money (for us), I make menus on a two-week basis. I used to make them on a rotating basis, but I have the hankering for new recipes every now and then, so every two weeks a new menu is drawn up.
I try and ‘shop in the pantry’ as much as possible, especially when my parents or Greg’s parents bring us meat from the Commissary (or, when there’s a case lot sale at the local military installation). I do like to stock up on staples though, so most of our shopping list consists of getting the big ingredients, or perishable items.
As we get closer to Baby Wok’s arrival, I want to do some freezer cooking as well as advance menu planning so there’s less to do as we adjust to a new (outnumbered) normal.
And if you’re curious, we do our shopping the week of payday with one (or two) trips between paydays (usually for milk). We all go together, then go out to eat afterwards. No place exotic, usually Subway although Elise has a hankering for Pizza Hut so that looks like that’s on our menu this week.
What else is on our menu for the next two weeks?
* Cube steak in the crock pot
* Zesty slow cooker BBQ beef roast
* Fish
* Chicken caesar sandwiches
* Tacos
* Dinner with Greg’s parents
* Buffalo chicken stuffed shells
* Pork blade steaks
* Tater Tot Casserole (Mama’s all-time favorite comfort food)
* Hash brown casserole
* Spaghetti
* Chicken Macaroni Bake
* Egg Salad Sandwiches
* Fajitas
* Leftovers
and appropriate sides, of course!
Nothing fancy or exotic, but tasty and easy for me to whip up. And, it’s always nice to have an answer to the question of “what’s for dinner?”
Hello, energy
Posted on | March 29, 2012
by | Kim
I’m starting to feel a little perkier around here.
I like to think this is going to be a long-lasting change, better than the last 13 weeks of slug-like activity. Greg has done such a super job helping out and flat-out doing things for me (such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry) but I have to admit, it’s nice to be getting back in the swing of things.
I still am incredibly sick and have accepted that that’s how it’s going to be (again). Thank God for Zofran, because without it (and I’ve tried this week), I am essentially incapacitated.
I also adjusted my diet – nothing too drastic but after reading Lena‘s health and fitness blog, and coming across this – I have been working on increasing my protein intake, especially in the afternoon I feel like I’m dragging. I also am working on eating regularly (now that I feel like eating) and a lot of little snacks in between meals. While I definitely am not SUPER MEGA ENERGY and still need my daily afternoon rest times, I don’t feel as sluggish. Tired, yes; but not dragging. I suppose that doesn’t make any sense, but for me I can drag and not be tired, which is how I felt (even pre-pregnancy).
And the weather has turned well (for the most part) so we’ve been doing a lot more FUN things:
* nature walks (although now I’m extra vigilant due to a mountain lion being sighted in the vicinity)
* birding
* park trips
* library trips
* a visit to the police station (not for any thing bad!)
* playing outside (especially climbing the “mountains” of dirt in our “backyard”)
* and so much more!
I’ve been a little busier as well, as (thank You God) there is a Benedictine Oblate Group forming in my little town. It’s as if word got out that there were a couple of Oblates, and now everyone who are Oblates are coming out of the woodwork! I feel that perhaps we should all have a secret handshake or something like that! And the most exciting news of all is that our little Oblate Group has one person who just became an Oblate Novice last month. Exciting! It’s such a joy and privilege to watch someone explore the Benedictine Oblates, and especially to help them discern their call further.
Even Greg is getting into things, as he found himself a group of like-minded people (read: people who have had brain injuries like himself) who get together monthly. He’s so excited to find people who can understand what he goes through. I’m so happy he’s found this group, and he can finally talk about brain injuries and the effects with people who have been there, done that.
I’m so grateful that my energy is returning right as the weather is changing and Easter approaching. I feel as if my Lent has been long and hard. And even though it has been abundantly fruitful, I am ready for Easter.
Comments: 6
Book Review: Style, Sex, and Substance
Posted on | March 26, 2012
by | Kim
The Catholic blogosphere has been abuzz with the release of Style, Sex, and Substance – a collection of essays by Catholic women bloggers such as Jennifer Fulwiler, Danielle Bean, and Karen Edmisten. Edited by Hallie Lord, the essays range in topic from friendship, singlehood, and yes; even sex.
There’s a lot to be said about this book.
First, at the end of each essay are questions for reflection. These questions really help me think deeper about what each essay contained, to chew on them and apply them to my life. Almost like mini-lectio divina. They’re great questions that can be discussed with friends, family, your spouse, your book club, the mailman, anyone.
Second, each essay was a good length – not too long but not too short. They’re a good length for reading in the bathtub or just a chapter each night before you go to bed. Or as you start in the morning.
Third, there is a lot of inspiration to be found, if you’re open to it. I hate to say that this book makes me want to be a “better Catholic” because that’s not the point of the book at all. I suppose it may be more accurate to say that this book makes me want to really look deep and talk hard with God and figure out what is working and what isn’t, what is keeping me from being closer to Him and what is helping me stay close to Him. I don’t want to be anyone’s idea of a “better Catholic”, but rather; the ideal that God created me to be – that’s who I want to be, and this book is fantastic for providing that “shot in the arm” that sometimes is needed. Okay, that is needed a lot of the time for me.
Go forth, read, and be blessed.
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Style, Sex, and Substance. They are also a great source for a baptism gifts or first communion gifts. In exchange for my honest review, I was provided a copy of the book which I’m already reading again.
If you were an almost 2 year old boy…
Posted on | March 14, 2012
by | Kim
… who just so happened to be obsessed with planes, trains, and automobiles …
… who loves to snuggle …
… and loves to snuggle with your older sister’s handmade by Mama blanket (much to older sister’s annoyance) …
… then a racecar-themed handmade by Mama blanket for your birthday would be so incredibly cool, right?
I think I accidentally figured out last night how to miter corners … or at least pull something together that looks good!
Yup, my sewing area still lacks any kind of flooring, but I’m not complaining. It’s well lit, has ample room to work, and makes things like pinning the binding on so much easier.
Last night Elise came down and sat on my lap as I showed her how the sewing machine works, how to sew a straight stitch, how to turn the corner, etc. Tonight she wants to help sew on the binding, which should be fun and exciting for everyone involved.
Once the binding is on, it’s into the washer and dryer for a final wash, then stored away (briefly) for the big event!
Still on the river (and enjoying it!)
Posted on | March 13, 2012
by | Kim
Our Lazy River Days wind on …
Greg is now sick with whatever raging head cold from Hell the kids and I fought last week.
I’m still fighting it off. And I’m also still waiting for that glorious hormonal shift where the Heavens open, beams of sunshine descend on me, I get that delicious glow, and become surrounded by angels who declare: Glory to God, your morning sickness is subsiding! It definitely is not happening, but I have hope. And a lot of Zofran.
(Really not complaining about it all, I guess I’m a little worn out today.)
But, in between the green feelings and the cold, we’ve been making much use of this slightly Springtime weather that has settled upon us. We’re slowly erecting bird feeders, since Elise is all about birds right now. We’ve played at parks, made sun tea (more like mostly cloudy tea, but that’s okay!), gone on walks, saw the City burning slash piles, and just run around outside. We watch and discuss the wind based on how our American flag is blowing, what the clouds are doing, and how we don’t need coats outside (most days).
I’ve read some awesome books recently, such as Beyond the Sling
Benedict’s birthday is this week, and we’re keeping things quarantined because there’s no way I want to spread this around. Greg remembered that we were all sick on Bennie’s first birthday, too. Sorry guy. But, we plan on having a car-themed birthday cake and I’m making him a blanket – with cars on it, of course – for snuggling with at nights. I hope he has some fun, even if the majority of the adults in his life are hacking and sneezing.
Baby Wok is continuing to grow, last Thursday’s appointment was uneventful and Dr. M found Wok’s heartbeat with the Doppler without any problems. We were all pleased, and I get to go back again in two weeks for another listen.
If you’re curious, Wok is the unofficial name for our little one. Elise was talking to my mom before I even took a pregnancy test (or even thought of taking one) and said “Mama has a baby in her tummy. And it’s a girl and her name is Wok.” I suppose next time I’ll just skip the pregnancy test if Elise says I have a baby in my tummy. Elise is still adamant that Wok is a girl, but we will find out what we’re having simply so we can prepare her on the chance Wok is a boy.
Onward down the river…
Comments: 1
Lazy River Days
Posted on | March 6, 2012
by | Kim
The littles and I are sick. It’s a head cold of epic proportions, or at least it feels that way for me. Cranky littles, stuffy littles, achy littles, congested Mama, tired Mama, snoring like a rusty chainsaw Mama.
There’s been a steady supply of noses being blown and wiped, Hyland’s Cough and Cold 4 Kids being administered, plenty of fluids and twice a day naps. I’ve been working on drinking as much tea as humanly possible, along with honey and lemon.
I’m hoping and praying that this cold is like the last gasp of Winter that arrived today – a final push of sickness and snow and then it’s all over. Spring comes tromping in, with 60 degree weather, warm breezes, and birds.
But, in the trenches of colds and late first trimester nausea and fatigue; there’s some positives:
- super snugglers. Both kids have always been extremely cuddly and snuggly from birth, but as they get older they definitely are not as snuggly in the daytime. All of us being sick changes all that – piling into Greg and I’s bed, a pile of books, and plenty of snuggles.
- super helpers. Bennie has mastered the art of sweeping with his kid-sized broom, and Elise has towel and washrag folding down to a very cute science.
- a slower approach to things. As we’re all feeling crummy and snuffly, we’ve meandered through our days. Flashing back to my geology days, I feel like a river carving out a little path of oxbow lakes and meanders as opposed to a roaring river that’s shaping the rocks of the bed or making cut banks. There’s nothing wrong with being a roaring river – some days call for that. But, some days also call for a lazy river, one you can lay in an inner-tube in and float down all day long. You still get to your destination, but one’s a bit more intentional.
So not say we’re in “Ultimate Survival Mode” (because we are) I’d rather say we’re in “Lazy River Days” (because we are). Ultimate Survival Mode always conveyed this feeling of urgency, of “we just gotta get through these days because they’re horrible and useless and must be tolerated.” Lazy River Days are more days that are slower, have the potential to be rough in some spots (such as when a jet ski comes flying by), but still valuable and worth experiencing.
P.S. On March 4th, this little blog turned 6. Does that mean it’s time to send my blog to Kindergarten?
Where I write
Posted on | February 29, 2012
by | Kim
Now that I’ve written about why I write, I am getting on the bandwagon and joining in Jennifer’s meme of where people write. So here’s my little contribution:
So pretty.
Since moving I’ve gone through a few iterations of where my computer should be, and finally settled on having it in the living room. The wireless printer was downstairs for the longest time, then I had that BRILLIANT IDEA of moving it upstairs next to the computer. Genius!
(The toothbrush is Bennie’s, if you’re wondering. I don’t brush my teeth at my computer.)
Obligatory Catholic item: second class relic of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. It’s hard to waste time online when Uncle Fulton is sitting there, looking at me.
The desk is also the bill-paying, budget-making, paper hub for the house. It’s been recently played with by the kids, and I’ve been too tired to do anything about it. I bought the exercise ball when I was pregnant with Bennie and loved it (especially in that “I’m 9+ months pregnant and ready to blow!” stage). I’m also too lazy to get a proper chair, so the ball is what I use. And, as a bonus, it keeps the kids out of the stuff on the desk since they can’t climb on the ball. Yet.
(If you’re curious, the yellow and blue tin on top of the envelope box is from Cougar Gold cheese. Best cheese I’ve ever had. I think I need to order some more.)
This is in our coffee table. Bennie was notorious for standing in the drawer of the coffee table, so I filled it with techy items I use regularly (external hard drive, external CD drive, camera and the cord, mouse, extra cords as needed) to prevent him from doing so. He stopped standing in the drawer AND hasn’t emptied the drawer out. Yet.
Most of my writing takes place during naptime. I’m a slacker mom and wake up with my kids (I got kicked out of the 0530 club, by the way), and after they go to bed Greg and I get going on a mad game of Pick Up Sticks, so nap writing it is. Unless Baby Wok is wearing me out, then it’s naptime for me as well. I also like to steal time when they’re playing and carve out a post.
Why I write
Posted on | February 28, 2012
by | Kim
Writing is something I’ve loved to do. It’s a release for me. It got me through some gnarly times.
I began keeping an online journal back in 1999. It was on a site called OpenDiary. It was incredible. I wrote daily. I wrote through moving to college, life at college. Changing my majors. Transferring colleges. Heartbreak, happiness, and everything in between. I changed mediums from OD to DiaryLand to LiveJournal to getting server space and a domain name. And that doman name has changed (just once – anyone remember hekhet?).
13 years later, I’m still writing. My humble little blog here is approaching its blog birthday (in 5 days), just as I am approaching my 30th birthday (in X days).
If you told the depressed 17 year old who started writing her pain that she’d still be writing 13 years later – she probably would have sighed and glared at you.
In all seriousness, I never expected to continue writing. Yes, there’s been stops and gos, but I’ve been remarkably consistent over the last 13 years.
For me, writing is a release. It’s how I process everything: from emotions to situations to Life. It’s not judgmental and patient, and lets me blow off my steam.
I never have wanted a “big” blog. I do enjoy comments, and I treasure all you fine folks who take time to read and comment and share my joys and sorrows. I write to record my life, what’s important and see how I have grown into the person I currently am.
And the person I will become.
There is no wrong way to blog, of course. But, for here, if you’re looking for tutorials or crafts or punditry or anything like that – it probably won’t happen. I’ve side-stepped so many Big Important Topics that I could have written about, but in reality; I don’t want that preserved. Some do, and I say; more power to you. But not for me.
As the years have come and gone, I’ve noticed the core group of readers expand and ultimately constrict. I feel like I really know who reads this blog (barring of course, lurkers). Most of the people who read here are long-timers – such as remembering the Pre-Greg days. And even earlier. I can get comments and know exactly who they’re from – whether they’re from across town or in the Heartland or even across the world. It’s more than just “oh … So and So in That Place” but more of “oh, YES! Her kids are SO INCREDIBLY CUTE!”
That being said, thank you for commenting, emailing, praying, encouraging, supporting, bouncing ideas around, being there when I have a question, when I feel at the end of my rope, and of course; reading.
Oh, and Elise has something to add: ebmazdjjjjps
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