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Inwardly: I am stomping my feet, yelling “NO, NO, NO!”.
We spent two blissful weeks of Julia napping 3-4 hours a day.
After daylight saving began, she started waking up later (Thank God!) and we thought we’d be able to skip her morning nap and just do one long afternoon nap.
How long you ask?
Today: 30 minutes.
Beautiful! Just what a mama always wanted.
Oh, and I burnt the cake I was making.
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8
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Since Julia was born, I’ve been getting more and more anxious about her fully grasping her “heritage”. We’re mastering the Hispanic side (thanks to Grandma), but I’ve found that the tried and true Southerner side will mostly likely only come from me. Not good.
See, I spent a majority of my high school and college years running away from my roots. Honestly, there never seemed to be much use in holding on to them, until I moved to Iowa and had a baby. Now, I want desperately for Julia, Dubya Dos and any other Windham babies to just “get” it. I know of some things that will come naturally for me to pass on: saying ma’am and sir; calling coke, coke, none of this pop stuff; enjoying a good glass of tea; knowing how to make a mean batch of fried chicken; and understanding where the Mason-Dixon line clearly cuts off.
I googled different “Southern” phrases for a laugh. Although, I am thoroughly convinced these are used everywhere, not just in the South. Let me know if you’ve actually heard and used them, as I know for sure I have:
Like a chicken with your head cut off
Snowball’s chance in h*ll
Argue with a fence post
Rode hard and put up wet
Short end of the stick
Ruffled her feathers (I actually say this way more than I realized!)
Chewin’ the fat
I declare (said like “Well, I declare!”, when something is shocking or a surprise)
Bump on a log
Bitten’ off more than you can chew
Barking up the wrong tree
Like water off a ducks back
And here are some of my favorite stereotypes:
A Southerner knows that “fixin” can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.
Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines … And when we’re in line, we talk to everybody!
In the South, y’all is singular …. All y’all is plural.
Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
All Southerners know exactly when “by and by” is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.
Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who’s got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor’s trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin’.
But, truth be told, there are a few things about the South that I will gladly leave behind and never, ever teach my children. And that’s the great thing about being a Southerner in Iowa. I get to pick and choose what Julia and Dubya Dos learns about all things Southern.
*When I was in college, a guy I knew used this as a pick-up line on me. He wasn’t actually meaning it (or if he was I never knew!), but he said it every time he saw me.
Singing in the rain!
Posted on: March 8, 2009
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First things first: Happy birthday, Leah!
Ok, now on to my post…
I really like rain. It does get old when it constantly rains, but for the most part, I just plain enjoy it. Nothing like playing in the rain makes you feel quite like a little kid. However, I’m not a big fan of wet jeans. You know, where your hem gets all wet and nasty from running car-to-store-to-car-to-house-to-car-to-library, etc, etc. Other than wearing only flip flops with my jeans rolled up, have I ever solved my dilemma. But, not this year.
This year for my birthday, Jonathan is buying me a pair of rainboots! About now is where you can imagine me giving a gleeful cheer.
Rainboots, for all vanity’s sake, aren’t what I’d consider attractive. However, I think they are uber cool and very functional. Given that we have a mud pit in our backyard (that will soon enough be a garden), it’d be nice to have shoes to wear that can resist rain and mud without getting ruined. And not to mention that it’s easier to dash from my car to the store with Julia in my arms when I’m not worried about getting soaked or slipping in my beloved flip flops.
But, as always, I’ve too many choices. So, will you be so kind as to help me pick out my new boots?
Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. I will be wearing them with many, many different outfits (jeans, shorts, skirts, etc) that will range in color.
2. I will be wearing them in mud.
3. I like unique, but not weird. There is a fine line, in my opinion. Liz Lemon, unique. Angela from the Office, weird.
4. They should be well priced. Meaning, I’ve seen some way cool ones, but they are a tad expensive.
Here are a few that I’m digging:
Plain jane with a little flair.
Any favorites? Any suggestions?
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Don’t shoot – but I really like cleaning. I find something rather therapeutic in the act, and really, really love the results. However, I’ve come to realize there is one chore that I dread above all others….
Making the bed.
Shocking I know. Probably would have guessed cleaning the bathroom, or doing dishes, or something that seems rather “dirty”, but no, just making the bed. It’s something that has to be done daily (in my book at least) and it seems to be the one thing I’d rather forgo doing alone, as it takes a lot of time. I can think of only two reasons for my growing displeasure of bed making; 1) we upgraded to a king size in September, thus making the chore “larger” and 2) we still have all our winter blankets on the bed, thus making the amount of covers made seem to never end. Perhaps once real spring roles around and we put away some of the covers things will be a little simpler.
So, what is your least favorite chore? The one thing that stares you in the face that you want to ignore but can’t?
Dear Dubya Dos,
Posted on: March 5, 2009
I love you. It’s been awesome being your “greenhouse” for the last 25 weeks. I’m looking forward to finally meeting you in the next 15 weeks (please no later – mama doesn’t like that idea). I have to admit I love when you kick, punch, roll, stretch around. Makes for some great entertainment, and reminds me that you are healthy and apparently pretty happy.
However, I do have one, small, tiny request. Can you please stay out of my pelvis? Especially at night. Sure, sure, it’s cozy and warm. But child, it hurts. Bad. I feel like you’re trying to push yourself out. Head (or butt) down, pushing on my lungs with all your might, squeezing as tightly as you can into my pelvis, makes mama very uncomfortable. And another question: are you purposefully waking me up at night with your kicking? Are you getting bored and in need of companionship? I’m just wondering, because Big Sis never did that, so it’s a little alarming. Personally, I’m hoping this means that you’ll sleep through the night long before Julia ever did, but hey, I’m a daydreamer.
Enjoy your next 15 weeks, stay healthy, keep growing and know that mama, daddy and Julia are anxiously awaiting to see your beautifulness.
Love,
Mama
Oh, wow.
Posted on: March 2, 2009
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Not to long ago we established that I am lazy but really need to be more mindful about where and how I spend our grocery money. So, last night I sat down with Hy-Vee, Fareway and Wal-Mart’s ads to make my grocery plans for the month (or close to it). It took me an hour and a half. Now, granted, I was doing my month meal schedule at the same time, while watching National Treasure 2, but still.
After Mabel woke up from her morning nap I was able to hit up New Pi and Hy-Vee. I scored some pretty good deals (in my mind) at Hy-Vee. We came home to eat lunch with Jonathan and then back out to Wal-Mart and Fareway (where I found 6 bell peppers for .59 cents total!). All in all, I spent 2 hours going from one store to another. And can I just say, I hated it. Alright, for someone who is lazy and likes to shop at one store and one store only, I sure wasn’t digging spending the better part of my day driving around to 4 different stores. And Julia really didn’t like it. Especially when she lost it in the Wal-Mart check out and got a spanking.
Whew.
Which makes me realize, Mondays are no longer my “grocery” days. We get Hy-Vee and Fareway ads delivered on Wednesdays, New-Pi’s are online, along with Wal-Mart’s. So, my new plan of action:
Mondays store run will be for “essential” items – cereal, milk, veggies for the week, etc.
Thursdays will be hitting up any deals that were posted from Hy-Vee and Fareway.
And random runs to New Pi thrown in throughout the week (it sure is nice that Jonathan works right next door!).
I think I’ll keep tweeking my plans as I go, but that’s what I thought would be best for now. I’m good with groceries till middle of next week (save for fruits and veggies), but I plan to still watch for whatever goes on sale this weekend.
What days do you shop? Is there a method to your madness? And if you have kiddos… how in the heck do you do it?!
Lent and accountability
Posted on: February 27, 2009
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I’ve never practiced Lent. In fact, I’m not even sure “practice” is the right term. Having grown up in the South, the only people I ever knew who observed Lent were Catholics. And I shamefully admit, I didn’t meet a Catholic till I was 15. I was surrounded only by Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, Latter Day Saints and a very few Methodists – all of whom, to my knowledge, never observed Lent.
However, since moving to Iowa I’ve heard more and more about Lent. Part of me is intrigued, seeing it as a way to honor God. Another part of me wonders why we need a set time to fast, pray and draw closer to our Lord.
In 2006, I gave up chocolate for an entire year. I allowed myself 5 days during that time to “enjoy” something chocolatey (all the dates were pre-set). I did it for two reasons; 1) I wanted to prove that I could and 2) I knew it was a stronghold in my life – something that I allowed to rule over me. The following year I started eating chocolate again, because I knew that we’d be trying to get pregnant and the last thing I wanted to deprive myself of was chocolate.
But, I think I need to give it up for this pregnancy. I’ve caught myself numerous times overindulging and blaming it on being pregnant, when really it’s a lack of self-control.
Yesterday was my first “no chocolate” day. I did great, I had no chocolate. But I treated myself to an overabundance of cheese cake bars (graciously given to us by Travis and Shari). Hmm… not good (the overeating, not the bars – the bars were amazing…). So last night I decided that for the rest of my pregnancy (YIKES!) I will give up sweets. There are some predefined rules:
1. I am allowed sweets (in any form) on my birthday in March.
2. I am allowed all natural sweets (honey, agave, etc) so long as they are not in traditional “sweeties” form (i.e. cakes, cookies, etc). In other words, I can still put honey in my yogurt or with my peanut butter and crackers.
3. When feeling tempted beyond control (which honestly seems to happen a lot) to get something sweet, especially chocolate, I will turn to God. I will ask Him for self-control and patience.
I’m announcing my new goal so that everyone will feel free to hold me to my word. I am totally serious about this. Please, ask me at anytime over the next 16+ weeks if I am actually keeping my “fast”. I need people to call me out and hold me accountable, otherwise I will fail miserably.
So mark your calendars! If Dubya Dos arrives on time, then I have 109 days left of no sweets. Call me up, email me, or ask me in person how it’s coming and if you see me tripping up, feel free to call me out!!
Silly mommy
Posted on: February 25, 2009
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Julia has been sleeping like an angel this week. She’s taking 1 1/2 hour (or more!) naps twice a day. As this never happens on a consistent basis I am LOVING it. Granted I’ve already told myself 1) she’s in a growth spurt (which explains the massive amounts of food she consumed last week) 2) don’t get use to it.
This afternoon I put her down a little early, hoping she’d be up in time for playgroup and because I was d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g. I laid down and within 5 minutes heard her fuss. I told myself to give her 10 minutes, that if she didn’t stop I’d need to get up and let her play till closer to 2-2:30 before getting her down for a nap again. Next thing I know I was sleeping. Then she woke up. Without a second thought, I jumped up and went in her room.
Can you say silly mommy?
Clearly Julia took this as a sign that it’s time to wake up. But she’s only be down (not even sleeping) for 30 minutes. I let her sit on the potty for a few minutes, then put her back to bed. She cried for about 5, but has been quite now for the last 30. Hopefully I’m in the clear. Granted she won’t have much wake up time before the other kiddos arrive, but hey, at least she’ll be well rested.
And as for me… I would have thought I’d learned my lesson by now. Never go into her room until I know for sure she’s actually awake and not just talking herself back to sleep. Silly, silly mommy.
Drying your own fruit
Posted on: February 25, 2009
- In: Life
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Kelsey mentioned dry fruit and the possibility of doing it on her own. In a moment of impulse, I thought I’d dry some of the bananas and apples that we had on hand.
I sliced up the bananas.
Can I just say there is nothing like a good knife?! After 3+ years of so-so cutlery, I got a super nice Pampered Chef knife at Christmas. Amazing…
I peeled one apple and soaked it in lemon juice to cut down on “browning” (per recommendation on a site I found).
The next apple I decided not to peel or soak (I wanted to prove/disprove the browning theory and cut down on time).
I layered them on two cookies sheets covered in parchment paper.
I put them in the oven, preheated to 200, for 5 hours.
Walla! We have dried fruit.
I don’t think soaking the apples made any difference in keeping them from getting less brown. The bananas looked nothing like what I see in the store. I later read that it helps to soak them for several hours in water before hand. Which means you’d need all day (literally) to do this project. Once I figure out the costs I’ll let you know if it’s worth doing it yourself. One good thing – they taste really yummy!
Jonathan isn’t too sure how cost effective it is to use the oven for 5+ hours. I’ve found a formula that says it’s 1.5 units for every hour used (at such a low heat), but I can’t find on our bill how much the electric/gas company charges per unit.
I’m still doing research to find if there are any other ways to dry fruit without spending money on a dehydrator. I’ve read about hanging them outside for a few weeks (can you say, bugs?) but I’m not quite adventurous for that.
Coupons? Maybe I’m too lazy
Posted on: February 24, 2009
- In: Life
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I will be honest, I hate couponing. Perhaps I just don’t get it, or really, maybe I’m too lazy to put forth the effort. Whatever it is, I really don’t like dealing with coupons. Sure, I’ve used a few and liked the effects. But how often do I need Greased Lightning or Wacky Mac pasta? I’ve found that every time I get a coupon, I have to go out of my way to buy a certain brand, most of which contain HFCS or other chemicals I’d rather just avoid.
But, alas, I really, really need to work on our food budget. And I’m wondering how to go about doing this that will 1) not take loads of time to do (like spending hours searching the internet for .50 cents off), and 2) allow me to keep purchasing items that I will actually use. I’m not partial to name brands (save for Cheerios… don’t ask why), and am willing to branch out on just about everything.
Ideas? Suggestions? How do you cut your food budget? Where do you get good coupons?
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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