My Mom is here visiting and while I'm glad she's here, she moves slowly... She's 85, so I can't complain, but it is challenging. She wanted to go shoe shopping today. We went. We went VERRRRRRRRRRY slowly. It's good. I only took twoK with us. twoK is my most patient and least spaz-y child. She thought Grandma was slow, but she didn't complain.
It's almost time to go cook dinner...
I've been working, in a very slow manner, on some things for work. It's nice to work in a slow relaxed manner, although, I hope I've been working enough so that I'm not totally scrambling next week. I know I will have to pick up the pace a bit more. The good news is since I'm working, I'll won't have to take as much vacation. We're supposed to take 3 days of vacation this week, but I probably won't have to take more than 1! Woo!
On a not slow note, I went to take Zumba last night. It was good. It kicked my butt though as I was very slow getting out of bed this morning.
I hope to get back here tonight to do a little reflecting on this year and discuss goals for next year. If I don't make it back, Happy New Year's Eve to everyone. Be safe....
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
New picture!
Just in time for the new year, a new picture....with ALL 5 of us! (MWH is walking in front.)
I think I even need to change my tag line....It used to be:
Life with 3 very little girls. They are cute, but it feels like a circus most of the time.
I'm not feeling original right now, but it could be something like:
Life with 3 girls. They are cute, and even though they are growing up, it still feels like a circus--but not as much as in the past.
Or maybe: Look, we don't even have to hold their hands all the time any more...
Maybe...
3 little girls are growing and not so little any more. (They are still cuter and more fun than a barrel of monkeys.)
Here's the old blog look.
I think I even need to change my tag line....It used to be:
Life with 3 very little girls. They are cute, but it feels like a circus most of the time.
I'm not feeling original right now, but it could be something like:
Life with 3 girls. They are cute, and even though they are growing up, it still feels like a circus--but not as much as in the past.
Or maybe: Look, we don't even have to hold their hands all the time any more...
Maybe...
3 little girls are growing and not so little any more. (They are still cuter and more fun than a barrel of monkeys.)
Here's the old blog look.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Post Holiday
It's been BUSY around here! My niece came on Christmas day and we had a fun visit. She didn't drive me crazy and she seems like she is growing up a teeny bit. I wrote about her a while back and described how egocentric she was (3 years ago), but I didn't label her as "niece" back then because it was a fairly complain-y post. She's now 30; though she has a long way to go, I believe she is trying to grow up and figure out what she wants to do with her life.
I could write a whole blog post about her, but I'm not going to, I'll save that for another day.
Let's see.....Thanks for the comments about Santa. It was good to hear from Ruth and Alice again! That was a wonderful Christmas surprise! I don't get many comments any more--perhaps because I don't blog much any more, it seems. Anyway, I was wondering if you were still out there Alice. Ruth emails and keeps me updated, but I hadn't heard from you and I missed you, Alice!
Anyway, the girls have asked a couple times why Santa doesn't bring big presents, but both times have been in the middle of something else and I haven't gotten to discuss it with them. I wish they didn't believe, or want to believe, so fervently. Maybe it's my fault, it's always the Mom's fault, maybe I don't make things in life magical enough for them so they are clinging to this belief fiercely.
Eh, whatevs.... I'm sure I've totally screwed them up and that's what they'll tell their therapist some day.
I think I'm in an odd mood tonight. My Mom just arrived for her visit. She'll be here until 1/10/11. I am going to try to enjoy the visit and not get overwhelmed. I think it will be okay. I'll have to discuss the ways she screwed me up if I have time--heh.
Back to the story of the BIG day.... The girls were bummed that MWH and I didn't want Christmas to start before 9:00 am. I finally said we would get up and get them at 8:45. I set the alarm for 8:30 and went downstairs before 9. Two of the Three were still asleep. REALLY?????? Wowza! I was happy that I had lazy children, but I wished I hadn't set the alarm clock. Next year, I'm not setting the alarm before 9 am! (Note for posterity, oNe was the only one awake.)
The tree was overflowing with gifts. I ended up caving and buying twoK one more present on Christmas Eve... You see, she told us she thought she was going to get a new American Girl Doll. She wasn't and didn't. I told her, when she told us she thought she was getting one, that I knew she wasn't because I knew Santa wanted her to pick out her next doll to make sure she got the one she wanted. (There I go, propagating the SANTA-LIE.) twoK was okay with that, and learning that she wasn't going to get an American Girl Doll, but I could tell she'd be disappointed if she didn't get more than just American Girl Doll clothes. (That's mostly what she got from us and her relatives.)
I made a Target run on Christmas Eve, and surprisingly, the store wasn't crowded. I got twoK a trundle bed for her American Girl Dolls. I guess, I should state for the record that she has one American Girl Doll and one "knock-off." The American Girl Doll was given to her by a friend who'd had it in the late 90s and decided she wanted to pass it on to a little girl who'd play with it. It was very sweet of her. (Note to self, I need to do something as a thank you for that friend.)
So twoK was thrilled with the trundle bed; oNe and Three-a were thrilled with their toys (described in the previous post), and MWH and I are excited about the trip that we're going to take in February. He got the family a lovely week in Hawaii!
The big surprise...MWH spoiled me with a new MacBook Air... (does this post seem like it's "faster?" It's being typed on the new computer and it's DEFINITELY faster than my old computer!)
I love my new computer, but I feel guilty because we don't usually do presents for each other...but MWH is a wonderful guy. I am lucky.
What else? I made eggplant and pasta sauce, Peanut Butter Soup and we ate a lot.
The rest of the week was busy with hikes, playing with toys, cooking other good stuff, reading books, looking at stuff under the microscope, watching new videos, and getting a pedicure with my niece. I've gotten some of my Christmas Cards done, but not all... Must finish and mail tomorrow!
Now, I must go snuggle with little girls. They just came up and asked me to come to their room.
I could write a whole blog post about her, but I'm not going to, I'll save that for another day.
Let's see.....Thanks for the comments about Santa. It was good to hear from Ruth and Alice again! That was a wonderful Christmas surprise! I don't get many comments any more--perhaps because I don't blog much any more, it seems. Anyway, I was wondering if you were still out there Alice. Ruth emails and keeps me updated, but I hadn't heard from you and I missed you, Alice!
Anyway, the girls have asked a couple times why Santa doesn't bring big presents, but both times have been in the middle of something else and I haven't gotten to discuss it with them. I wish they didn't believe, or want to believe, so fervently. Maybe it's my fault, it's always the Mom's fault, maybe I don't make things in life magical enough for them so they are clinging to this belief fiercely.
Eh, whatevs.... I'm sure I've totally screwed them up and that's what they'll tell their therapist some day.
I think I'm in an odd mood tonight. My Mom just arrived for her visit. She'll be here until 1/10/11. I am going to try to enjoy the visit and not get overwhelmed. I think it will be okay. I'll have to discuss the ways she screwed me up if I have time--heh.
Back to the story of the BIG day.... The girls were bummed that MWH and I didn't want Christmas to start before 9:00 am. I finally said we would get up and get them at 8:45. I set the alarm for 8:30 and went downstairs before 9. Two of the Three were still asleep. REALLY?????? Wowza! I was happy that I had lazy children, but I wished I hadn't set the alarm clock. Next year, I'm not setting the alarm before 9 am! (Note for posterity, oNe was the only one awake.)
The tree was overflowing with gifts. I ended up caving and buying twoK one more present on Christmas Eve... You see, she told us she thought she was going to get a new American Girl Doll. She wasn't and didn't. I told her, when she told us she thought she was getting one, that I knew she wasn't because I knew Santa wanted her to pick out her next doll to make sure she got the one she wanted. (There I go, propagating the SANTA-LIE.) twoK was okay with that, and learning that she wasn't going to get an American Girl Doll, but I could tell she'd be disappointed if she didn't get more than just American Girl Doll clothes. (That's mostly what she got from us and her relatives.)
I made a Target run on Christmas Eve, and surprisingly, the store wasn't crowded. I got twoK a trundle bed for her American Girl Dolls. I guess, I should state for the record that she has one American Girl Doll and one "knock-off." The American Girl Doll was given to her by a friend who'd had it in the late 90s and decided she wanted to pass it on to a little girl who'd play with it. It was very sweet of her. (Note to self, I need to do something as a thank you for that friend.)
So twoK was thrilled with the trundle bed; oNe and Three-a were thrilled with their toys (described in the previous post), and MWH and I are excited about the trip that we're going to take in February. He got the family a lovely week in Hawaii!
The big surprise...MWH spoiled me with a new MacBook Air... (does this post seem like it's "faster?" It's being typed on the new computer and it's DEFINITELY faster than my old computer!)
I love my new computer, but I feel guilty because we don't usually do presents for each other...but MWH is a wonderful guy. I am lucky.
What else? I made eggplant and pasta sauce, Peanut Butter Soup and we ate a lot.
The rest of the week was busy with hikes, playing with toys, cooking other good stuff, reading books, looking at stuff under the microscope, watching new videos, and getting a pedicure with my niece. I've gotten some of my Christmas Cards done, but not all... Must finish and mail tomorrow!
Now, I must go snuggle with little girls. They just came up and asked me to come to their room.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
More Merry
My last post was kind of bah humbuggy. Sorry about that. It's just how I feel.
On a merrier note, I am looking forward to some members of my family coming to visit. On Christmas Day, my niece will come visit. I love her dearly... sometimes she DRIVES ME INSANE, and other times it just works. Hopefully this will be a good visit. She stays until Tuesday and then my Mom comes to visit on Wednesday.
I'm excited for the girls... oNe is getting a microscope! She's been asking for it since early fall. twoK is getting a matching outfit with her American Girl Doll and a lunch pack for her. I'm thinking I may need to run to Target and get some Barbie accessories... Oh, wait, twoK is also getting a fancy pair of shoes... Check them out..
Fancy, yet practical!
She's also getting a pair of pink striped leggings... I wish I had black leggings for oNe.... Hrmmm....I guess her birthday is soon. (Note to self, Don't Panic... You have plenty of stuff for the girls.)
Three-a is getting a Buzz Lightyear doll. (It lights up and does stuff and may even have a remote control, I can't remember. MWH got it and he seemed very excited about it. I haven't seen it yet. Maybe tonight.)
The girls got each other a present, and their aunts and uncles sent them way too much stuff, too.
The thing I'm most excited about is that MWH and I decided that we would take a REAL vacation this year, and so we will have a BIG surprise for the girls on Christmas Day. I'll tell you about it then, too.
Note, this surprise is NOT at all like this Christmas surprise 6 years ago. Read Part 2 here.
On a merrier note, I am looking forward to some members of my family coming to visit. On Christmas Day, my niece will come visit. I love her dearly... sometimes she DRIVES ME INSANE, and other times it just works. Hopefully this will be a good visit. She stays until Tuesday and then my Mom comes to visit on Wednesday.
I'm excited for the girls... oNe is getting a microscope! She's been asking for it since early fall. twoK is getting a matching outfit with her American Girl Doll and a lunch pack for her. I'm thinking I may need to run to Target and get some Barbie accessories... Oh, wait, twoK is also getting a fancy pair of shoes... Check them out..
Fancy, yet practical!
She's also getting a pair of pink striped leggings... I wish I had black leggings for oNe.... Hrmmm....I guess her birthday is soon. (Note to self, Don't Panic... You have plenty of stuff for the girls.)
Three-a is getting a Buzz Lightyear doll. (It lights up and does stuff and may even have a remote control, I can't remember. MWH got it and he seemed very excited about it. I haven't seen it yet. Maybe tonight.)
The girls got each other a present, and their aunts and uncles sent them way too much stuff, too.
The thing I'm most excited about is that MWH and I decided that we would take a REAL vacation this year, and so we will have a BIG surprise for the girls on Christmas Day. I'll tell you about it then, too.
Note, this surprise is NOT at all like this Christmas surprise 6 years ago. Read Part 2 here.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
On your mark, set...
break...
(written Wednesday)
I am sort of on break. It always takes a while for the transition to occur, but I'm not going back in to the office until 1/3. I will do a little work, but not tons. This morning, I slept in, and I feel a little groggy. I'm out of my favorite tea for morning time and it's taking its toll. I didn't accomplish as much as I wanted to today, but it's okay.
I did a workout and a little bit of work and a little bit of Christmas shopping... I got frame ornaments for the girls and some for my Mom and MWH's Mom for their trees.
Here's something you don't hear very often, but I wish my 8, almost 9-year-old child didn't believe so FERVENTLY in Santa Claus. Seriously. She asks me all these questions about Santa that are difficult to answer, and I make up answers and I feel bad about it because I'm so LYING to her. She BELIEVES though. It could be that she's trying I'm sort of bah humbuggy, as you know, so it's hard for me.
(written Thursday)
I just couldn't do the post justice yesterday. I was very tired. Today, I didn't go into work and I was less groggy. Slept until nearly 9, but managed to get a lot done today.
In the done column:
Massive cleaning frenzy, zumba class, booked BIG Holiday surprise for the family, planned oNe's 9th birthday party (actually planned it a while ago, but sent the evites today).
In the To Do column: Holiday Cards, Gift wrapping, and lots more cleaning (with 3 kids, cleaning is NEVER DONE for long!)
I'm fading quickly now, but I thought I'd share some examples of the things oNe's been discussing with me...
One: So on Christmas night, can Santa pick up the toys we want to donate so he can clean them up and give them to other kids?
Me: No, he can't.
One: Why not? [friend] says he can.
Me: Well.... When I spoke to him, he said his policies had changed and he doesn't like to do that. If you call early enough to reserve space, he will try, but he can't promise.
One: Oh.
One: So if we can't see [friends] before Christmas, can Santa pick up the toys we have for them and take them over to them?
Me: No, Santa doesn't do that.
One: Why not? He delivers toys.
Me: He delivers the toys he brings you, but not toys other people give you.
One: He doesn't bring us BIG toys.
Me: He tends to bring bigger toys to kids when their parents can't give them a present.
One: Oh.
Our kids get their bigger presents from us and fun, and they get stocking stuffers and things like DVDs from Santa. That's how it was done in MWH's family (minus the DVDs because they didn't have those back then). In my family, Santa always brought one big toy for me and stocking stuffers and then I got clothes and stuff from my parents.
I don't really like continuing to propagate the lie of Santa Claus. I like the sentiment of Santa, but oNe really wants to believe in the magical creature. I am not bursting her bubble by telling her the TRUTH (you can't handle truth, oNe!), but I wish she'd get a little suspicious and stop believing. I guess, it's possible that her tough questions means she is questioning him and his existence, but she doesn't seem to want to hear anything other than that Santa is magical and can do anything. I don't give her that answer. I discuss his policies.
Note: When I was in 3rd grade, I KNEW all the hiding places my parents had. I always KNEW what I was getting for Christmas. Yes, I was bad. Santa came anyway.
P.S. I don't like Christmas because it feels like everyone tries to cram in being nice to a short space in time. I think that Santa and the spirit of giving should be year-round. Maybe it's easier to just do it for one day, but that's not what I want to do.
(written Wednesday)
I am sort of on break. It always takes a while for the transition to occur, but I'm not going back in to the office until 1/3. I will do a little work, but not tons. This morning, I slept in, and I feel a little groggy. I'm out of my favorite tea for morning time and it's taking its toll. I didn't accomplish as much as I wanted to today, but it's okay.
I did a workout and a little bit of work and a little bit of Christmas shopping... I got frame ornaments for the girls and some for my Mom and MWH's Mom for their trees.
Here's something you don't hear very often, but I wish my 8, almost 9-year-old child didn't believe so FERVENTLY in Santa Claus. Seriously. She asks me all these questions about Santa that are difficult to answer, and I make up answers and I feel bad about it because I'm so LYING to her. She BELIEVES though. It could be that she's trying I'm sort of bah humbuggy, as you know, so it's hard for me.
(written Thursday)
I just couldn't do the post justice yesterday. I was very tired. Today, I didn't go into work and I was less groggy. Slept until nearly 9, but managed to get a lot done today.
In the done column:
Massive cleaning frenzy, zumba class, booked BIG Holiday surprise for the family, planned oNe's 9th birthday party (actually planned it a while ago, but sent the evites today).
In the To Do column: Holiday Cards, Gift wrapping, and lots more cleaning (with 3 kids, cleaning is NEVER DONE for long!)
I'm fading quickly now, but I thought I'd share some examples of the things oNe's been discussing with me...
One: So on Christmas night, can Santa pick up the toys we want to donate so he can clean them up and give them to other kids?
Me: No, he can't.
One: Why not? [friend] says he can.
Me: Well.... When I spoke to him, he said his policies had changed and he doesn't like to do that. If you call early enough to reserve space, he will try, but he can't promise.
One: Oh.
One: So if we can't see [friends] before Christmas, can Santa pick up the toys we have for them and take them over to them?
Me: No, Santa doesn't do that.
One: Why not? He delivers toys.
Me: He delivers the toys he brings you, but not toys other people give you.
One: He doesn't bring us BIG toys.
Me: He tends to bring bigger toys to kids when their parents can't give them a present.
One: Oh.
Our kids get their bigger presents from us and fun, and they get stocking stuffers and things like DVDs from Santa. That's how it was done in MWH's family (minus the DVDs because they didn't have those back then). In my family, Santa always brought one big toy for me and stocking stuffers and then I got clothes and stuff from my parents.
I don't really like continuing to propagate the lie of Santa Claus. I like the sentiment of Santa, but oNe really wants to believe in the magical creature. I am not bursting her bubble by telling her the TRUTH (you can't handle truth, oNe!), but I wish she'd get a little suspicious and stop believing. I guess, it's possible that her tough questions means she is questioning him and his existence, but she doesn't seem to want to hear anything other than that Santa is magical and can do anything. I don't give her that answer. I discuss his policies.
Note: When I was in 3rd grade, I KNEW all the hiding places my parents had. I always KNEW what I was getting for Christmas. Yes, I was bad. Santa came anyway.
P.S. I don't like Christmas because it feels like everyone tries to cram in being nice to a short space in time. I think that Santa and the spirit of giving should be year-round. Maybe it's easier to just do it for one day, but that's not what I want to do.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Oh, yea...
I forgot I still needed to 1) clean, 2) wrap presents and 3) send out cards 4) do a BIG grocery shopping trip because OMG, ALL STORES CLOSE for ONE DAY.... We might starve! (Does any one else panic about the grocery stores closing on Christmas Day?)
Tonight, the girls and I straightened in their room tonight and the cleaners will come Thursday...I still have to tackle de-junking the guest room and sorting papers upstairs. (Did I mention that we're doing some remodeling things in the house? MWH has arranged for it all to happen--he is amazing! I am a slacker.)
Did I mention I got into a task for work today, too...? Game plan for tomorrow, go to work from 10-2 and then come home and clean (actually straighten). I'll leave the heavy duty cleaning to the professionals.
Did I tell you about Pilates? I do it 2x a week and it's a super good workout. I did a new exercise on Monday and it really worked. I never knew I had abs down so low, but damn, they are sore. It's good... I like it when I'm sore, it makes me feel like I'm doing good stuff for me.
Tonight, the girls and I straightened in their room tonight and the cleaners will come Thursday...I still have to tackle de-junking the guest room and sorting papers upstairs. (Did I mention that we're doing some remodeling things in the house? MWH has arranged for it all to happen--he is amazing! I am a slacker.)
Did I mention I got into a task for work today, too...? Game plan for tomorrow, go to work from 10-2 and then come home and clean (actually straighten). I'll leave the heavy duty cleaning to the professionals.
Did I tell you about Pilates? I do it 2x a week and it's a super good workout. I did a new exercise on Monday and it really worked. I never knew I had abs down so low, but damn, they are sore. It's good... I like it when I'm sore, it makes me feel like I'm doing good stuff for me.
Monday, December 20, 2010
I'll never be "done"
I don't know if I've told you, but one of my resolutions for 2011 is to not take on anything new for 2011. I thought it was great decision. The thing I failed to account for was that I was overbooked to start. January - March will see me REALLY busy... As soon as I get back to work in January, I'll be busy for 2 weeks, non-stop, on one project. Then I'll have to turn my attention to another project that I've been ignoring since October. The only good news is that the intensity on one project winds down a little, but not enough to offset the ramping up of that project I ignored for a while...
It's a good problem to have a job, one that is enjoyable, and to use one's mind.... I was just hoping for a little down time. The babysitter got to think of things to do with the girls today, and I didn't... I'm sad because I'd much rather be hanging with them and enjoying time with them when they are off school than working. I will get a little time in the next couple of weeks, but I have something big in January as soon as I get back so that will be hanging over my head.
In Holiday news, I think I am "done" shopping. I have done almost all the shopping online. I've had a few trips to Target, and so has MWH, and on Saturday we had to go out in search of two more gifts, but in general, it's been not too bad. Because I'm thinking it hasn't been too bad, I'm guessing I've forgotten something--probably something really big.
It's a good problem to have a job, one that is enjoyable, and to use one's mind.... I was just hoping for a little down time. The babysitter got to think of things to do with the girls today, and I didn't... I'm sad because I'd much rather be hanging with them and enjoying time with them when they are off school than working. I will get a little time in the next couple of weeks, but I have something big in January as soon as I get back so that will be hanging over my head.
In Holiday news, I think I am "done" shopping. I have done almost all the shopping online. I've had a few trips to Target, and so has MWH, and on Saturday we had to go out in search of two more gifts, but in general, it's been not too bad. Because I'm thinking it hasn't been too bad, I'm guessing I've forgotten something--probably something really big.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Whoooooosh....*
Another week went by and I managed to survive. Earlier this week, I remembered that this summer, I had thought I wasn't going to be very busy in December. I about drove off the road from laughing so hard from that memory. I am still chuckling when I think that I thought I wouldn't be busy... Oh, how I NEVER learn!
I got nearly everything done that I set out to do this week. That included reviewing data and writing up a section of report, brainstorming with a colleague and then reviewing her section of the report, going to [urban center school that is 45 minutes away] two times, flying down for my doctor appointment, and putting together a powerpoint. The powerpoint ended up being REALLY BAD, but it's okay, I can revise it 'cause it's not really due until January 3rd. (And even then, it's not REALLY due until 1/8, but I want it DONE 1/3.)
The week ended on a great note, though. MWH and I went with our friends and saw Harry Potter and then ate Indian Food! We've gone with these friends to all the HP movies. It's a tradition. Indian Food is often part of the HP tradition, too. I <3 our friends!
Today, the whole family went out and went Christmas shopping. It wasn't bad, we only had to get two gifts, really. For MWH's family, we draw names and only buy for one adult. We still have to get some gift certificates for nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, but, again, that shouldn't be too bad. I'm really not in the holiday spirit because of work... It's just ANOTHER thing I have to do. On Christmas day, my niece will come visit, and then a couple of days later my Mom will come and I am excited about that--except for all the cleaning I have to do to get ready for their visits.
Tonight, I finally got around to playing with the vegan Peanut Butter Cookie recipe I found. I wanted to take out some of the carbs as I seem to be carb-sensitive. but I still like cookies at times. (Health update--My blood sugar is doing okay but I like it to be in the perfect range. It's closer to the perfect range, but still not quite there.) Anyway, I'll record my recipe changes here in case any one else is looking for lower carb cookies...
1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 Cup Peanut Flour
3/4 Cup Ground Flax Seed
1/4 Cup Quick Oat Bran
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1/2 mashed up Banana
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Creamy Style Organic peanut Butter
With these changes, I calculate about 6 grams of net carbohydrates per cookie. They are still yummy! I will keep making them and eating them. I haven't calculated calories, yet. Note, there's a good dose of fat in each cookie, but it's all vegetable fat, and lots of Omega -3s in the flax; my body seems to like fat a lot better than carbs. Next time, I might take out all the wheat flour and just use peanut flour. We'll see.
(Oh, just mix everything up and bake for about 8-12 minutes... Make the cookies like you would regular PB cookies... ball them up and then pat them down. They are VERY sticky during this phase, so don't expect criss-cross patterns to show on top!)
And a variation, stick some chocolate chips in the batter if you like. I prefer my cookies to be pure PB cookies, but MWH gives the cookies with chocolate chips two thumbs up!
* In 2006, I wrote a blog post with about the same title... I still love the quote... Go read for old times sake!
I got nearly everything done that I set out to do this week. That included reviewing data and writing up a section of report, brainstorming with a colleague and then reviewing her section of the report, going to [urban center school that is 45 minutes away] two times, flying down for my doctor appointment, and putting together a powerpoint. The powerpoint ended up being REALLY BAD, but it's okay, I can revise it 'cause it's not really due until January 3rd. (And even then, it's not REALLY due until 1/8, but I want it DONE 1/3.)
The week ended on a great note, though. MWH and I went with our friends and saw Harry Potter and then ate Indian Food! We've gone with these friends to all the HP movies. It's a tradition. Indian Food is often part of the HP tradition, too. I <3 our friends!
Today, the whole family went out and went Christmas shopping. It wasn't bad, we only had to get two gifts, really. For MWH's family, we draw names and only buy for one adult. We still have to get some gift certificates for nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, but, again, that shouldn't be too bad. I'm really not in the holiday spirit because of work... It's just ANOTHER thing I have to do. On Christmas day, my niece will come visit, and then a couple of days later my Mom will come and I am excited about that--except for all the cleaning I have to do to get ready for their visits.
Tonight, I finally got around to playing with the vegan Peanut Butter Cookie recipe I found. I wanted to take out some of the carbs as I seem to be carb-sensitive. but I still like cookies at times. (Health update--My blood sugar is doing okay but I like it to be in the perfect range. It's closer to the perfect range, but still not quite there.) Anyway, I'll record my recipe changes here in case any one else is looking for lower carb cookies...
1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 Cup Peanut Flour
3/4 Cup Ground Flax Seed
1/4 Cup Quick Oat Bran
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1/2 mashed up Banana
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Creamy Style Organic peanut Butter
With these changes, I calculate about 6 grams of net carbohydrates per cookie. They are still yummy! I will keep making them and eating them. I haven't calculated calories, yet. Note, there's a good dose of fat in each cookie, but it's all vegetable fat, and lots of Omega -3s in the flax; my body seems to like fat a lot better than carbs. Next time, I might take out all the wheat flour and just use peanut flour. We'll see.
(Oh, just mix everything up and bake for about 8-12 minutes... Make the cookies like you would regular PB cookies... ball them up and then pat them down. They are VERY sticky during this phase, so don't expect criss-cross patterns to show on top!)
And a variation, stick some chocolate chips in the batter if you like. I prefer my cookies to be pure PB cookies, but MWH gives the cookies with chocolate chips two thumbs up!
* In 2006, I wrote a blog post with about the same title... I still love the quote... Go read for old times sake!
Monday, December 13, 2010
10 minutes
Until the end of work this year, I'm going to only give myself 10 minutes to blog.... I can have that amount of time up to 3 times a week. Yes, it's that crazy at work, and no, I am NOT happy about it. I managed to survive last week and not fall too far behind, but I have a LOT more work to do. The pace of it is starting to wear me down. (Just ask MWH how grumpy I've been the last few nights. Sorry MWH! I hope to be less grumpy tonight, but who knows. I <3 you!)
Friday was an insane day.... not all due to work. I went to kindergarten to help make gingerbread men. Super fun. After you bake the men, they "run off" and the kinders have to find them. Super cute. Also, I got my hair done and then the girls got hair trims. Actually, oNe got 8.5 inches chopped off and she's going to donate it. She's a giving child--so sweet. The fun and festive thing was my work party that evening.
Saturday afternoon, oNe and I went out to shop for her sisters and get stuff for her school craft project. I think the craft project will be her Christmas gift to the family, but I probably shouldn't know that, eh? Anyway, while it was just the two of us, she was holding my hand and being super sweet. I don't get a ton of alone time with each girl. I decided I wanted to spend more time with all of us together, but this was so nice. It made me want to build in more one-on-one time again. Maybe even just every other week, a time for me and one girl. I think I can make that work in the new year.
Sunday, we got pictures made, but the prints won't be in until Saturday at the earliest. We got a couple of nice ones of the whole family--with the exception of one little thing. I was SO UPSET when I saw it last night. I will post more about this later when I am more in-control about it. (After I see what it looks like on the prints will determine how quickly I recover.)
Okay...2 more minutes... Tomorrow I go on a plane (by myself) to see the special doctor about my weird antibodies.... (Dr. RR). I am so bummed that MWH can't go with me, but I booked the appointment without checking to see which plane we could take. It turns out that to get to the appointment I have to catch the 7 am flight. That means no one would be able to get the girls to school.
Though I don't like going by myself, it definitely will be easier to just go than to find someone to help with the girls at 6:30 in the morning. Note to self: NEXT TIME, check on the plane flights... or now that I know, don't book an appointment before 2 pm... AND make sure to put in a note to CANCEL the appointment 2 weeks in advance in my calendar in case I get crazy busy.... (I totally wish I didn't have to go tomorrow. Fortunately, I should get lots of time to do work on the plane, while waiting to see the doctor, and on the plane back.)
(Oops 5 minutes over my allotted 10 minutes... Back to work!)
Friday was an insane day.... not all due to work. I went to kindergarten to help make gingerbread men. Super fun. After you bake the men, they "run off" and the kinders have to find them. Super cute. Also, I got my hair done and then the girls got hair trims. Actually, oNe got 8.5 inches chopped off and she's going to donate it. She's a giving child--so sweet. The fun and festive thing was my work party that evening.
Saturday afternoon, oNe and I went out to shop for her sisters and get stuff for her school craft project. I think the craft project will be her Christmas gift to the family, but I probably shouldn't know that, eh? Anyway, while it was just the two of us, she was holding my hand and being super sweet. I don't get a ton of alone time with each girl. I decided I wanted to spend more time with all of us together, but this was so nice. It made me want to build in more one-on-one time again. Maybe even just every other week, a time for me and one girl. I think I can make that work in the new year.
Sunday, we got pictures made, but the prints won't be in until Saturday at the earliest. We got a couple of nice ones of the whole family--with the exception of one little thing. I was SO UPSET when I saw it last night. I will post more about this later when I am more in-control about it. (After I see what it looks like on the prints will determine how quickly I recover.)
Okay...2 more minutes... Tomorrow I go on a plane (by myself) to see the special doctor about my weird antibodies.... (Dr. RR). I am so bummed that MWH can't go with me, but I booked the appointment without checking to see which plane we could take. It turns out that to get to the appointment I have to catch the 7 am flight. That means no one would be able to get the girls to school.
Though I don't like going by myself, it definitely will be easier to just go than to find someone to help with the girls at 6:30 in the morning. Note to self: NEXT TIME, check on the plane flights... or now that I know, don't book an appointment before 2 pm... AND make sure to put in a note to CANCEL the appointment 2 weeks in advance in my calendar in case I get crazy busy.... (I totally wish I didn't have to go tomorrow. Fortunately, I should get lots of time to do work on the plane, while waiting to see the doctor, and on the plane back.)
(Oops 5 minutes over my allotted 10 minutes... Back to work!)
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Survived!
Wowza... It's been two weeks since I've been here.
I've thought about you a lot, but first, I didn't have the energy to write because MWH was having surgery. He wasn't worried, so I had to try NOT to worry. I couldn't write because, well, I might have worried out loud in the writing. Anyway, now, MWH is almost back to normal. It'll be two weeks since the surgery on Tuesday. Tomorrow (before two weeks), he's planning to go back to working out, so that's a super sign! I love you, MWH!
I took almost the entire week of Thanksgiving off and hung with the family. We didn't do much, but it was nice--except for the surgery part. Let's see, I worked Monday, Tuesday was the surgery, W-Sunday I hung with the girls and tried to keep them from bugging MWH too much. We played a lot of DDR on the Wii. On Friday, we got together with our friends for dinner. Good friends are so nice to hang with... just chill and relax. MWH didin't go, but he got to rest in quiet all day.
After the relaxing break week, I knew that I was going to be really far behind at work. I had a 3-page report to write, a training to do this week, and Zumba training this weekend. I wasn't sure how I was going to survive it all.
Friday morning, I almost lost it. Seriously. I had to do everything I could to not just sink into a heap and cry. (What triggered it? The people who clean our house were coming and I hadn't had much chance to straighten, plus I wasn't done with my 3-pager and I didn't think I would finish it in time to send it off for feedback before it was due.) Then, a miracle happened.
My Friday afternoon meeting was cancelled! I was able to sit for 2-hours completely uninterrupted, errr, well except by the cat who wanted to be next to me and purr, and work on the report. I made TREMENDOUS progress. I was able to pick up the girls, take them to gymnastics, work for about 1/2 hour while I was there and then finish it up and send it off by 6:30 pm. Truly miraculous!
I was able to go to Zumba training yesterday and just enjoy myself and NOT stress about the report! Zumba training was GREAT. I really would like to teach, and the training gave me more confidence. I'll maybe talk more about this in another post (AS IF I'LL EVER HAVE TIME). I got home from the training and I had feedback from the project lead on the report and he liked it! I went through the report one last time and sent it off this morning!
Today is the start of another crazy week.... Today, we have Girl Scouts and 4H on the same day. Next week, I have to work a lot on shaping a report for another project (2 pieces of it, the feedback piece and the results piece), survive more of the implementation of a project with 6th graders, and email off a survey for people to take. I HOPE to be back here sometime this week, but who knows. Did I ever tell you how CRAZY it always gets at my work in December? It does... ALWAYS and it sucks.
I've thought about you a lot, but first, I didn't have the energy to write because MWH was having surgery. He wasn't worried, so I had to try NOT to worry. I couldn't write because, well, I might have worried out loud in the writing. Anyway, now, MWH is almost back to normal. It'll be two weeks since the surgery on Tuesday. Tomorrow (before two weeks), he's planning to go back to working out, so that's a super sign! I love you, MWH!
I took almost the entire week of Thanksgiving off and hung with the family. We didn't do much, but it was nice--except for the surgery part. Let's see, I worked Monday, Tuesday was the surgery, W-Sunday I hung with the girls and tried to keep them from bugging MWH too much. We played a lot of DDR on the Wii. On Friday, we got together with our friends for dinner. Good friends are so nice to hang with... just chill and relax. MWH didin't go, but he got to rest in quiet all day.
After the relaxing break week, I knew that I was going to be really far behind at work. I had a 3-page report to write, a training to do this week, and Zumba training this weekend. I wasn't sure how I was going to survive it all.
Friday morning, I almost lost it. Seriously. I had to do everything I could to not just sink into a heap and cry. (What triggered it? The people who clean our house were coming and I hadn't had much chance to straighten, plus I wasn't done with my 3-pager and I didn't think I would finish it in time to send it off for feedback before it was due.) Then, a miracle happened.
My Friday afternoon meeting was cancelled! I was able to sit for 2-hours completely uninterrupted, errr, well except by the cat who wanted to be next to me and purr, and work on the report. I made TREMENDOUS progress. I was able to pick up the girls, take them to gymnastics, work for about 1/2 hour while I was there and then finish it up and send it off by 6:30 pm. Truly miraculous!
I was able to go to Zumba training yesterday and just enjoy myself and NOT stress about the report! Zumba training was GREAT. I really would like to teach, and the training gave me more confidence. I'll maybe talk more about this in another post (AS IF I'LL EVER HAVE TIME). I got home from the training and I had feedback from the project lead on the report and he liked it! I went through the report one last time and sent it off this morning!
Today is the start of another crazy week.... Today, we have Girl Scouts and 4H on the same day. Next week, I have to work a lot on shaping a report for another project (2 pieces of it, the feedback piece and the results piece), survive more of the implementation of a project with 6th graders, and email off a survey for people to take. I HOPE to be back here sometime this week, but who knows. Did I ever tell you how CRAZY it always gets at my work in December? It does... ALWAYS and it sucks.
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