I knew being pregnant would provide lots of blog fodder.
I am expecting our sixth child. I mention this (again) to help the reality sink in for me so that you, gentle reader, will understand when I say I have experience peeing into small cups. Quick mental math (pregnant woman doing quick mental math-bwahhahaha!!) makes it 65 times, minimum, that I have hit the target. That's not including those pregnancy test sticks either.
Why am I blogging about this? Because like senior citizens, we pregnant ladies have the hormonal need to share our body functions. Mostly to mourn that our bodies are no longer under our control. If you're grossed out by any of this or think that this is more than you need to know about me, go here now.
Anyway, here I am at my first midwife visit with said familiar cup in hand. Walking into a bathroom with my hands full yet needing to turn on the light, my first thought is to hold the cup in my mouth to free up one hand. My second thought is that the nurse would probably get sick at the sight of lip marks on a urine sample cup.
So here I am aiming and doing my thing. But I need to know if I'm filling it up properly. Is there enough of a sample? Should I do more? And...oh man, I drop the cup! What do I do? Reach in and get the cup? But there's now nothing in it. And with my drawers around my ankles, can I reach the stack of new cups without making a mess? Do I have it in me to give another sample? Arrrrggghhh!
All this aggravation so the nurse could perform pregnancy test. WHAT?!? I've got two sticks at home I could have showed you!
Can't wait to see what fun the next visit has in store for me.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Exciting News
Well, in case you haven't heard the news yet, the Domestic Goddess is in the family way, she has a bun in the oven, she is with child, all these euphemisms to say I am pregnant.
Again.
While not exactly planned, we're not surprised either. And we're happy. After all, if God rolls up in the 'hood with a tricked out Lincoln Navigator just for you, you're not going to tell him that now is really not a good time. Well, maybe with the gas prices being what they are...exchange the Navigator with a trip to Hawaii and you'll get my point.
One cool thing about being pregnant is the potential blog fodder. Why I could post at least week's worth of material on people's comments to me alone. Just the other day, I had a woman ask me, "Do you know what causes that?" Being hormonal, I answered, "Sex or water and I'm not willing to give up either." Mind you, this was to an elder of my church at a Christian woman's conference. Do you think God is in heaven, covering his eyes and slowly shaking his head? Yeah, I think so too.
Anyway, as usual with the blog, I was trying to think of a nickname for Number #6 (which itself seems a little cold) when I was inspired. You can blame the Mother In Law for this one. Bo Hunkmeister sent his mom a birthday card saying "with love from G, H, W, H, J and TBA." The Mother In Law writes back, "Congrats! PS. No family humor on this one. You cannot name him/her TBA. Promise???" Ooo, I can't resist! TBA! So until we can think of a better name than Thomasina Bernice Angelica or Titus Benedictus Alfonso, we'll just refer to our little blessing as TBA.
Hey! I just thought of something! TBA-The Blessing Abundant
I'm so clever....
Again.
While not exactly planned, we're not surprised either. And we're happy. After all, if God rolls up in the 'hood with a tricked out Lincoln Navigator just for you, you're not going to tell him that now is really not a good time. Well, maybe with the gas prices being what they are...exchange the Navigator with a trip to Hawaii and you'll get my point.
One cool thing about being pregnant is the potential blog fodder. Why I could post at least week's worth of material on people's comments to me alone. Just the other day, I had a woman ask me, "Do you know what causes that?" Being hormonal, I answered, "Sex or water and I'm not willing to give up either." Mind you, this was to an elder of my church at a Christian woman's conference. Do you think God is in heaven, covering his eyes and slowly shaking his head? Yeah, I think so too.
Anyway, as usual with the blog, I was trying to think of a nickname for Number #6 (which itself seems a little cold) when I was inspired. You can blame the Mother In Law for this one. Bo Hunkmeister sent his mom a birthday card saying "with love from G, H, W, H, J and TBA." The Mother In Law writes back, "Congrats! PS. No family humor on this one. You cannot name him/her TBA. Promise???" Ooo, I can't resist! TBA! So until we can think of a better name than Thomasina Bernice Angelica or Titus Benedictus Alfonso, we'll just refer to our little blessing as TBA.
Hey! I just thought of something! TBA-The Blessing Abundant
I'm so clever....
My First Meme (don't even know how to pronounce it)
I got tagged for a meme! Wow! I've never felt so....relevant... to the Web! Well, thanks to Lori for this. Lori, I looked for you at Women of Faith (I figured since it was New England, I'd find you as soon as I stepped into the place) but got caught up rockin' to Nicole C. Mullen.
So here are the rules for the meme:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag six other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.
My Six Quirky Things?
1. I can't put a book down even if it stinks. I'm not one of those ever sunny optimists until it comes to books. There have been many books that, by the tenth page, I'm thinking, "This person got paid for this?!?" But I read it through to the end because I keep thinking, "Well, maybe it will get better." It usually doesn't.
2. I don't eat any fruit. Unless its apples baked in a pie. Or melon with prociutto.
3. If I'm alone in my car, I like to turn the music up real. Real loud. Like dumb teenager loud.
4. "Clustered" things creep me out. Things like a swarm of bees, lots of ants in one place, a pomegranate interior. Don't ask, I don't understand it either.
5. I love to smell babies' heads. New borns, babies who just took a bath, my kids after playing out side. Now I'm pregnant and I’m excited I get to sniff a newborn again (that earthy smell only lasts a week or so)
6. I don't like the color sea-foam green. I don't think I have repressed bad memories of institutional buildings, but something about the color makes me nauseous. There's a day care near me where the exterior is entirely a heinous shade of sea foam green. To paint a place where children play that color is a grievous sin in my book.
So there it is. When I first started I thought I'd have a difficult time coming up with six. Now that I'm started, I could probably get to 20. Oops...time to eat.
I tag.....
1. Gail
2. Bo Hunkmeister
3. Steve, the only other blogger I know
4. I'd send this to Mary Ellen but she doesn't blog!!
So here are the rules for the meme:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag six other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.
My Six Quirky Things?
1. I can't put a book down even if it stinks. I'm not one of those ever sunny optimists until it comes to books. There have been many books that, by the tenth page, I'm thinking, "This person got paid for this?!?" But I read it through to the end because I keep thinking, "Well, maybe it will get better." It usually doesn't.
2. I don't eat any fruit. Unless its apples baked in a pie. Or melon with prociutto.
3. If I'm alone in my car, I like to turn the music up real. Real loud. Like dumb teenager loud.
4. "Clustered" things creep me out. Things like a swarm of bees, lots of ants in one place, a pomegranate interior. Don't ask, I don't understand it either.
5. I love to smell babies' heads. New borns, babies who just took a bath, my kids after playing out side. Now I'm pregnant and I’m excited I get to sniff a newborn again (that earthy smell only lasts a week or so)
6. I don't like the color sea-foam green. I don't think I have repressed bad memories of institutional buildings, but something about the color makes me nauseous. There's a day care near me where the exterior is entirely a heinous shade of sea foam green. To paint a place where children play that color is a grievous sin in my book.
So there it is. When I first started I thought I'd have a difficult time coming up with six. Now that I'm started, I could probably get to 20. Oops...time to eat.
I tag.....
1. Gail
2. Bo Hunkmeister
3. Steve, the only other blogger I know
4. I'd send this to Mary Ellen but she doesn't blog!!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
That there Debi Pearl book
So I did it....
After seventeen years of marriage, I finally read Debi Pearl's "Created to Be His Help Meet". You know, that book about which people either think, "This saved my marriage!!" or "This woman is the brainwashed spawn of the enemy!!" Being the consensus building female that I am, I fall somewhere in the middle. Well, actually I'm more towards Debi's side. But with reservations.
Over all, I think there's a lot of good stuff in the book. We wives would all be better off in our marriages if we followed the general idea of what Debi says. That being said, Debi does have a plain spoken (read 'blunt') way about her that, in this day of political correctness, is automatically deemed judgmental. And she has some ideas that might be a little too counter-cultural for some (i.e. heavy emphasis on herbal remedies, self sufficient living, etc). However, I think it’s a shame that people who are turned off to her manner of speaking or some of the ideas contained within her book will dismiss it entirely. Outside of the Bible, I've never read a book thinking, "This must be the inerrant truth on this subject because it's written by [fill in the blank]." I think it's dangerous to read any book with that mindset (well, maybe Thomas Sowell but that's another conversation). I've always kept in mind that the advice contained in a particular book might not work for my situation, or maybe it will, but not at this time. Even books I start off disliking have something that will make me pause and reconsider what I believe. They either strengthen my beliefs or cause me to research further if I've been wrong (which, of course, seldom happens, right Bo?)
Anyway, here's what I found interesting:
1. God created Adam with a job to do which he commenced doing before Eve arrived on the scene. Basically, what I think Debi's saying is that we were created to help our man, not the other way around; Adam's occupation takes precedence over Eve's. That's not to say Adam disregards Eve's wants or desires (an unhappy wife is not a good thing. Ask Bo). But it might not be God's plans for Bo to drop his career because I want to be free to pursue mine. What I'm taking away from this is that I'm to be Bo's helper. I'm not his roommate doing my own thing, but someone actively working to help him do his job.
2. "A good marriage is good because one or both or them have learned to overlook the other's faults, to love the other as he or she is and not to attempt to change the other or bring him or her to repentance." (p.129) AMEN. Ladies! Stop trying to get him to be Mr. Right and focus on being Mrs. Right! Pray for him and then let God deal with the spouse's short comings (God's better at it anyway).
3. "If you find pleasure in being a source of temptation to men, you are definitely an ungodly woman and are in desperate need of repentance." Whoa. This is what I mean by blunt. So if I wear a tank top, am I in this group of "definitely ungodly"? I understand what Debi says about too many women not understanding the workings of a man's visual stimulation. And I hear all you ladies out there saying, "Well that's the guy's issue. I'm not responsible for their dirty minds." Modesty means different things to different people. But I do think we have a responsibility to help our fellow human with living as best as they can. If I know my friend is on a diet, I'm not going to suggest going to an ice cream shop and say, "Well it's her issue." Although I have to go on a small rant here. TEEN GIRLS: STOP WEARING TANK TOPS TO CHURCH. Ok, I'm done.
4. "Any good woman should be able to fix a screen door." I've heard many a wife complain about how hubby is "just not getting around to fixing x, y or z." Honestly ladies, is it easier to sit around, complain and wait forever for the work to get done by a disgruntled spouse? Or should you use your God-given resourcefulness, get the job done and surprise hubby with one less thing on the "To Do" list? If you have given birth, you are more than capable of getting some handiwork done around the house.
The general idea I take away from this book is to respect your man as a man. Treat him like the blessing from God that he is and he will rise to the expectation. If you keep thinking that you're the one who's OK and you're waiting for him to get his !@#$ together, you'll be waiting a long time.
So, if the whole idea of wifely submission makes you start snarling, don't read this book. If you're down with it and looking to refine your technique, it's worth a read.
After seventeen years of marriage, I finally read Debi Pearl's "Created to Be His Help Meet". You know, that book about which people either think, "This saved my marriage!!" or "This woman is the brainwashed spawn of the enemy!!" Being the consensus building female that I am, I fall somewhere in the middle. Well, actually I'm more towards Debi's side. But with reservations.
Over all, I think there's a lot of good stuff in the book. We wives would all be better off in our marriages if we followed the general idea of what Debi says. That being said, Debi does have a plain spoken (read 'blunt') way about her that, in this day of political correctness, is automatically deemed judgmental. And she has some ideas that might be a little too counter-cultural for some (i.e. heavy emphasis on herbal remedies, self sufficient living, etc). However, I think it’s a shame that people who are turned off to her manner of speaking or some of the ideas contained within her book will dismiss it entirely. Outside of the Bible, I've never read a book thinking, "This must be the inerrant truth on this subject because it's written by [fill in the blank]." I think it's dangerous to read any book with that mindset (well, maybe Thomas Sowell but that's another conversation). I've always kept in mind that the advice contained in a particular book might not work for my situation, or maybe it will, but not at this time. Even books I start off disliking have something that will make me pause and reconsider what I believe. They either strengthen my beliefs or cause me to research further if I've been wrong (which, of course, seldom happens, right Bo?)
Anyway, here's what I found interesting:
1. God created Adam with a job to do which he commenced doing before Eve arrived on the scene. Basically, what I think Debi's saying is that we were created to help our man, not the other way around; Adam's occupation takes precedence over Eve's. That's not to say Adam disregards Eve's wants or desires (an unhappy wife is not a good thing. Ask Bo). But it might not be God's plans for Bo to drop his career because I want to be free to pursue mine. What I'm taking away from this is that I'm to be Bo's helper. I'm not his roommate doing my own thing, but someone actively working to help him do his job.
2. "A good marriage is good because one or both or them have learned to overlook the other's faults, to love the other as he or she is and not to attempt to change the other or bring him or her to repentance." (p.129) AMEN. Ladies! Stop trying to get him to be Mr. Right and focus on being Mrs. Right! Pray for him and then let God deal with the spouse's short comings (God's better at it anyway).
3. "If you find pleasure in being a source of temptation to men, you are definitely an ungodly woman and are in desperate need of repentance." Whoa. This is what I mean by blunt. So if I wear a tank top, am I in this group of "definitely ungodly"? I understand what Debi says about too many women not understanding the workings of a man's visual stimulation. And I hear all you ladies out there saying, "Well that's the guy's issue. I'm not responsible for their dirty minds." Modesty means different things to different people. But I do think we have a responsibility to help our fellow human with living as best as they can. If I know my friend is on a diet, I'm not going to suggest going to an ice cream shop and say, "Well it's her issue." Although I have to go on a small rant here. TEEN GIRLS: STOP WEARING TANK TOPS TO CHURCH. Ok, I'm done.
4. "Any good woman should be able to fix a screen door." I've heard many a wife complain about how hubby is "just not getting around to fixing x, y or z." Honestly ladies, is it easier to sit around, complain and wait forever for the work to get done by a disgruntled spouse? Or should you use your God-given resourcefulness, get the job done and surprise hubby with one less thing on the "To Do" list? If you have given birth, you are more than capable of getting some handiwork done around the house.
The general idea I take away from this book is to respect your man as a man. Treat him like the blessing from God that he is and he will rise to the expectation. If you keep thinking that you're the one who's OK and you're waiting for him to get his !@#$ together, you'll be waiting a long time.
So, if the whole idea of wifely submission makes you start snarling, don't read this book. If you're down with it and looking to refine your technique, it's worth a read.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Menu Plan Monday
I'm a big fan of menu planning. Even when I'm not disciplined enough to do it all the time, I still proselytize about it. Menu planning makes the grocery shopping easier, the day goes easier, etc. Then I found this blog about menu planning and I had to jump in. If you need menu planning tips or ideas, this is definitely a good source. So here goes my plan for the week. I don't have recipe links because most of the stuff I make up as I go along.
- Monday -Fried Rice
- Tuesday -Cauliflower Soup (Tyler Florence's recipe)
- Wednesday - Spaghetti
- Thursday -Chicken Wraps
- Friday -Salmon
- Saturday -Pork Tacos
- I have a big family (seven of us total)
- There are some picky eaters in the bunch, myself included
- I've a new desire to stay on budget
- I'm trying to get more whole grains into our diet and less meat.
I need ideas for good, cheap, easy lunches (am I casking too much?). Mostly it's peanut butter & Fluff sandwiches, hot dogs or mac & cheese. Uh oh..... is that the Bad Mommy Police at the door?
I'm back, it wasn't the police. It was my guilty conscience.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Just Where the !@%$# IS Waldo?
This was the scene this morning on in my living room. Happiness is children reading.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Fight the Frump
I know its kind of a tenuous connection but since we're talking style today, I thought I'd unveil the latest in Homeschool Mom Attire.
No drab black jacket here ladies. Should I get hot pink pants too? Or stay with your basic black? I will need a new pair of kickin' boots, though.
Friday, July 04, 2008
The List Grows
Found another piece of paper on my desk that had some more books on it ~sigh~
45. The 4 Hour Work Week - Timothy Ferris
46. Among Thugs - Bill Buford
47. Heat - Bill Buford
48. The Tin Drum - Gunther Grass
49. On Royalty - Jeremy Paxman
50. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
51. Piano - James Barron
52. Funny in Farsi - Firoozeh Dumas
53. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki
45. The 4 Hour Work Week - Timothy Ferris
46. Among Thugs - Bill Buford
47. Heat - Bill Buford
48. The Tin Drum - Gunther Grass
49. On Royalty - Jeremy Paxman
50. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
51. Piano - James Barron
52. Funny in Farsi - Firoozeh Dumas
53. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Oh Yessssssss......
I found this luscious little recipe on one of my favorite blogs The Pioneer Woman. I decided to make it last night for my bible study group. They were so good, Bo Hunkmeister said, "These ought to be called Crack-Overs." Do yourself (and your family, and your neighbors, and your friends) a favor, whip up a batch tonight. It's really easy and they taste
oh.
so.
good.
Apple Dumplings (from Pioneer Woman)
serves 8 or me and Bo alone if we have a decent cup of coffee
2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can (8 oz.) Mountain Dew
Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.
p.s. I copied the photo from Pioneer Woman because you just have to see how lovely these apple bundles of love dumplings are. If I've committed some kind of faux pas, someone please let me know.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
My Current List of Things I Want to Read
1.The Natural Child.-Jan Holt
2.Parenting the Strong Willed Child - Rex Forehand, Nicholas Long
3.Between Two worlds-Zainab Salbi
4.What Color is a Conservative? - JC Watts
5. Diamonds, Gold & War (So. Africa) Martin Meredith
6. Trees of Smoke Denis Johnson
7.Reading Lolita in Tehran - Azar Nafisi
8.Dark Star Safari-Paul Theroux
9. Ms. Moffets First Year-Abby Goodnough
10.A Survivor's Guide to High School-Luann Schackelford
11.Dumbing Us Down-John Taylor Gatto
12.The Sisters-Mary Lovell
13. Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi
14.Tending the Heart of Virtue - Vigen Guroian
15.Scratch Beginnings - Adam Shepard
16. Saving Childhood - Michael& Diane Medved
17. Eat The Rich - PJ O'Rourke
18. To Begin the World Anew
19. Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth - Jeffery Satinover
20. Raising a Happy, Unsoiled Child - Burton White
21. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness - Peggy Noonan
22. Motherhood Deferred - Anne Taylor Flemming
23. The Case for Marriage - Linda Waite & Maggie Gallagher
24. It Takes a Parent to Raise a Child - Glen Griffin
25. Kinsey: Crimes & Consequences - Judith Reisman
26. Moral Grandeur & Spiritual Audacity - Abraham Joshua Heschel
27. My Father's Secret War- Lucinda Franks
28. Domestic Tranquility - F. Carolyn Graglia
29. The Divorce Culture - Barbara Dafoe Whitehead
30. The Man Who Would Be King - Ben Macintyre
31. The Princess Bride
32. War Against Schools: Academic Child Abuse - S. Engelmann
33. The Great Mortality-John Kelly
34. The Joy of Being a Woman -lngrid Trobisch
35. 7 Myths of Working Mothers - Suzanne Venker
36. Spin Sisters - Myrna Blyth
37. Parent Survival Guide - Dr Todd Cartmell
38. Blg Fat Cookles-Elinor Klivans
39. Thomas Keller
40. let's eat-beatrice hollyer
41. Eleventh Hour Eleventh Day Eleventh Month-Joseph Persico
42. Bad Childhood Good Life-Laura Schlessinger
43. Not Your Mothers Life-AmyLowe
44. The Innocent Man - John Grisham
This is off my Palm Pilot hence the bad typing. The above list also assumes I don't get my hands on any more NY Times Book Reviews.
2.Parenting the Strong Willed Child - Rex Forehand, Nicholas Long
3.Between Two worlds-Zainab Salbi
4.What Color is a Conservative? - JC Watts
5. Diamonds, Gold & War (So. Africa) Martin Meredith
6. Trees of Smoke Denis Johnson
7.Reading Lolita in Tehran - Azar Nafisi
8.Dark Star Safari-Paul Theroux
9. Ms. Moffets First Year-Abby Goodnough
10.A Survivor's Guide to High School-Luann Schackelford
11.Dumbing Us Down-John Taylor Gatto
12.The Sisters-Mary Lovell
13. Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi
14.Tending the Heart of Virtue - Vigen Guroian
15.Scratch Beginnings - Adam Shepard
16. Saving Childhood - Michael& Diane Medved
17. Eat The Rich - PJ O'Rourke
18. To Begin the World Anew
19. Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth - Jeffery Satinover
20. Raising a Happy, Unsoiled Child - Burton White
21. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness - Peggy Noonan
22. Motherhood Deferred - Anne Taylor Flemming
23. The Case for Marriage - Linda Waite & Maggie Gallagher
24. It Takes a Parent to Raise a Child - Glen Griffin
25. Kinsey: Crimes & Consequences - Judith Reisman
26. Moral Grandeur & Spiritual Audacity - Abraham Joshua Heschel
27. My Father's Secret War- Lucinda Franks
28. Domestic Tranquility - F. Carolyn Graglia
29. The Divorce Culture - Barbara Dafoe Whitehead
30. The Man Who Would Be King - Ben Macintyre
31. The Princess Bride
32. War Against Schools: Academic Child Abuse - S. Engelmann
33. The Great Mortality-John Kelly
34. The Joy of Being a Woman -lngrid Trobisch
35. 7 Myths of Working Mothers - Suzanne Venker
36. Spin Sisters - Myrna Blyth
37. Parent Survival Guide - Dr Todd Cartmell
38. Blg Fat Cookles-Elinor Klivans
39. Thomas Keller
40. let's eat-beatrice hollyer
41. Eleventh Hour Eleventh Day Eleventh Month-Joseph Persico
42. Bad Childhood Good Life-Laura Schlessinger
43. Not Your Mothers Life-AmyLowe
44. The Innocent Man - John Grisham
This is off my Palm Pilot hence the bad typing. The above list also assumes I don't get my hands on any more NY Times Book Reviews.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Remember Iowa
I have to say that while sitting in my cozy house that I've thought little of all the flooding going on in Iowa. Then I read this post by Darla. It occurred to me the double standard that I've had. Heck, I can remember baking cookies and selling them with my kids to raise some money for the Katrina victims. I don't think I've talked to my kids at all about Iowa. Read Darla's post. If I can find a more direct way to help, then I'll post it. Otherwise, I think the Red Cross might be a good place to start.
I copied these photos from Darla's site with her permission.
I copied these photos from Darla's site with her permission.
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