Thursday, March 29, 2007

Getting Settled

We spent last night in our new house, so I guess that makes it official! Most of our things are moved, though there are still some book boxes at our uncle's.

Obviously our Internet connection is hooked up, so who needs plates and flatware?

We already have quite a list of what we need/want to do in the house. Looks like we're starting with storm windows and flooring. The upstairs carpet is more worn than we thought, and since I despise carpet, any excuse to get that hardwood down!

The best news is that the window sills are wide enough for the cats to sit. In our old house we installed "window seats" for them, and I'm glad we won't have to do that here.

When I went to bed last night, there was a very bright, twinkling star that I could see perfectly while lying down. When I woke up this morning, all I could see were trees. Ah, back to country living. Is there anything better?

Monday, March 26, 2007

Evermore

The forests of April awaken from sleep,
and flowers unfold through the snow,
and the wind rushes high,
and the river runs deep,
and it sings what you already know.
You already know-

Evermore I will love you,
Evermore I will stay
ever right here to hold you.
Never so far away.
And though I know sometimes you go
to find your way alone,
evermore I will love you,
You are ever my own.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Can You Believe This?

Last week I posted that the baby had six teeth now. Well, make that EIGHT. Yup, the next two top teeth have made an appearance. We have had a week of miserable nights. It feels like he's a newborn again. Coupled with the move...yipes.


(This is not a picture of my baby, by the way. The last two aren't in all the way yet.)

More Lenten Meals

I've been remiss about updating this...

Last Friday we had spinach and ricotta calzones (from Wegmans, king of the grocery stores) as we were not settled in yet.

Today it was veggie pizza at lunch then salmon burgers on whole wheat rolls, brown rice, and broccoli for supper.

This Friday...for lunch we'll finish the salmon burgers. Dinner? We thought we were going to be moving, so I would have said more pizza (that's another thing about moving...bad eating habits surface!). I think, though, we'll do some kind of pasta. Ravioli with sauce and spinach or maybe butternut squash soup. That may be a little ambitious, though, considering the foreign-kitchen situation.

Anyone have any very simple ideas for a displaced family?

Keeping House In Someone Else's House

The past week has been a struggle. We're staying in a family member's apartment while he is away on business. It's been very odd because we feel like houseguests yet our hosts are nowhere to be seen! Cooking in someone else's kitchen? Not for the faint of heart! In fact, I've been barely cooking at all because I simply cannot function in that room! This is still very much a bachelor's apartment despite the recent addition of a fiancee, and there is NOTHING conducive to smooth cooking. You ladies now what I mean: your kitchen is set up "just so" with all you need easily accessed...or at least you know where it is! It's been a struggle to find drinking glasses never mind serving dishes, storage, or baking utensils! After almost a week, tonight was the first night I cooked a full dinner, and it nearly drove me bonkers! I was cooking with our food, but using their "stuff." Oy.

Nothing is babyproof either, and I spend all my energy redirecting, redirecting. Sharp corners, electrical cords, leather couches that look oh-so-tasty when you're nine month old...we were worried about the cats. Nah! There's a window with a view and a place to sleep. They're fine. Today I actually had DH set up the Pack-and-Play so I have a safe place for the baby to play and I can sit down for a minute. He was only in there for five minutes, but it's something!

I don't want to sound ungrateful because this truly a blessing. We are so lucky that we aren't having to live our of boxes (just suitcases!). There is a (more or less) fully stocked kitchen, furniture, towels, even a TV, but I've still been going crazy. Keeping house is someone else's house is...not the same.

Praise be to God, though, our closing is finally scheduled and next week we will be home.

To quote you-know-who, "There's no place like home!"

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Moving On

We've signed the paperwork for the sale of this house, although the official closing is not until Friday.

Almost everything is packed, and in less than 48 hours our first home will only be a memory. I think I'm still in denial; it doesn't seem real, and I can't imagine really living anywhere but here.

There are still some details to be ironed out with the new house (the sellers have been trying to manipulate us and violate the contract), but it looks like everything will work out. At this time last week we thought the entire deal was going to fall apart, but things are coming around. Because of all the nonsense, though, we aren't closing on that house this week and so obviously will not be moving into it this weekend. We were in a real kerfuffle for a day for so. Thankfully, DH's uncle is working in Hawaii until October and is graciously and generously letting us stay at his home for a few weeks. He's doing us a favor, but is also grateful to have people in the house to keep an eye on it. It's wonderful because we don't need to bring anything but ourselves and some clothes, and can store all our things. That's a real blessing because we won't be packing and unpacking then repacking in a few weeks like we would have if we'd had to rent an apartment.

We will have Internet access at Uncle's place, but I'll probably be pretty scarce the next few weeks. It's been an exhausting time for sure.

In other news, the next two teeth are finally poking through bringing the grand total to 6: 4 lower and 2 upper. Teething has been getting worse as we've been going along. By the time molars arrive, I expect to be ready for my commitment papers.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Fashion Meme

Thanks for Emma for this!

A: What accessories do you wear everyday? I always wear my wedding ring. It’s white gold with 12 or 18 tiny diamonds in it. If I go out, I put on my crucifix, earrings, and watch (although my watch has lately vanished).

B: What is your beauty routine? I brush my teeth and pull my hair into a ponytail as soon as I wake up. Later I shower and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I fix my hair pretty simply, and almost always off my face (unless going out) because the baby likes to pull it. I'm a compulsive teeth-brusher as well.

C: What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased? I’m having a hard time remembering. I bought a very pretty pink flannel shirt at Northern Reflections around the holidays and some knee socks at The Gap. No! It was two skirts for around the house ($4.50 total) at the Salvation Army. It was a few months ago, though.

D: Do you use a dresser, closet, or both? Both. Until a year ago, I had TWO dressers. I’ve pared down to one now, but I use the closet in the office and about 1/3 of my husband’s closet. I’m a bit of a clothes horse.

E: What type of earrings are in your ears right now? Nothing now, but most often I wear the pearls a family friend gave me for my 21st birthday. A lady must have pearls!

F: What type of figure do you have? I’m very average (short) in height (5’3”), and have a thin figure with a slight hourglass. I’m underweight right now. I’m having a hard time keeping weight on while nursing.

G: Do you wear glasses? Yup, since second grade. I more often wear my contacts, but this week they’re bothering me so it’s been glasses all the way. I have a pair that have snap-on sunglasses since my pale eyes are so sensitive to light.

H: What type of handbag do you carry? I have a Java Blue Vera Bradley wristlet and diaper bag (thanks, Andrea!).

I: What is your ideal style? I have to go with Emma here: I love the look of the thirties, forties, and fifties. If I was daring, I would wear clothing styled from that time period. I love really full skirts, though I’m not always brave enough to wear them away from home.

J: What jewelry are you wearing right now? Just my wedding ring.

K: Do you wear knee-hi stockings? Thigh-highs with lace tops to Mass, otherwise fun knee socks or leggings in the winter. From May-October, I have a strict NO SOCKS rule.

L: Do you *have* to wear matching lingerie? Hah! I never have.

M: Do you wear makeup? Only a little powder and maybe concealer if I have a blemish. I have a pretty nice complexion (peaches and cream, I'm told). Or that's what I tell myself since I don't like to fuss with it.

N: Do you wear nightgowns? I would love to, but I haven’t found good ones for nursing. I wear mostly flannel PJs in the winter and a mish-mosh of PJ bottoms and tee shirts in the summer.

O: What outerwear do you put on when going out on a typical winters day? Always a scarf (I hate a cold neck), my wool coat, and hand-made mittens. I always buy a new pair of mittens at holiday craft fairs, and I think they’re way warmer than gloves. Boots if it's especially snowy or slushy.

P: What is your favorite perfume? I wear Evening in Paris. My mom gave it to me for Christmas. It was popular in the fifties and marketed in various ways for ladies at all income levels. It’s what my grandma wore. It disappeared for a while, but now the Vermont Country Store carries it. I never knew my maternal grandmother (she died at 51), so this is a way for me to feel close to her.

Q: Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories? In theory, but I love quality AND quantity. I love the creative challenge of putting unique outfits together.

R: Do you wear rain boots? Nope.

S: Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold? Both, unless it’s past May 1 and before October 1, then I happily freeze to death.

T: Do you have a set of travel luggage? Not really. I do have a neat vintage American Tourister cosmetic suitcase. I always admired my mom’s and she tracked one done for me on EBay. My mom is awesome!

U: What is your daily uniform? During the winter, a long skirt with a turtleneck and sweater. In warmer months, skirts of varying lengths with t-shirts, short sleeve button-down shirts or polo shirts.

V: If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress? If not, how did you do your hair? I wore my hair half-up with the veil attached over the barrette. You can see it here.

W: Do you wear a watch? I did until I lost it! Grumble, grumble.

X: What item of clothing always makes you feel eXtremely beautiful? I don’t know if it’s one particular item, but when a whole outfit and my hair come together and my coloring is just right. A little pink in my cheeks (which comes out when I’m anxious or excited), and I’m a knockout. Also, eXtremely humble. :-p

Y: What is your favorite type of yarn? Anything warm, but not too scratchy.

Z: Do you prefer zippers or buttons? I like buttons best but the baby loves to play with zippers on my clothes. Also, zippers are easier when you’re nursing so much!

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

It's a Duggar-ific Day!

We're having tater tot casserole for supper. Yup, we really are. I've had a secret longing to try it ever since I first saw 14 Children and Pregnant Again. As I said to DH, I'm a fan of the tots.

I'm not using the Duggar Family recipe, but a conglomeration of recipes I found on the Internet, in an attempt to make it as healthy as possible.

Our evening will continue with Raising 16 Children and On the Road with 16 Children. I heart the Duggars. Did you hear Baby 17 is on the way? God bless them!

(I do feel conflicted about them at times, but it's darn good TV.)



http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/blogs/dwp/2006/11/1885.aspx

Monday, March 5, 2007

Baby Belly Laughs

Perri over at My Life in Bits & Pieces posted recently about her granddaughter Sophie's first laughs. It's funny (pun intended) because I'd been thinking about my baby's giggles lately.

He started giving me (not DH or anyone else) amazing laughs at about four months. I mean he really sounded like those soundtrack laughs you hear from babies on television. It was so funny. I never knew what would set him off, but once he got going we'd both just laugh until I cried and he got the hiccups.

Fast forward to eight months...

The past few weeks he has entered the most adorable stage. Yes, he laughs for other people now. I think that started around seven months. Even better, though, is that he just finds the world amusing in general. He doesn't need silly faces or sounds from us anyone (though that gets him going), he just crawls around and laughs at everything he sees. It is so precious. His favorite source seems to be the cats. He'll crawl after them as they run away from him and just laugh! The baby gate at the top of the stairs does it too, especially when there's a cat or a person on the other side. It's hysterical!

He has all these different laughs now too. From the "trying to hold it in" laugh, to the loud shrieks and giggles, to the "I'm so tired I'm about to go over the edge" laugh, to the "I'm so happy to see you" laugh accompanied by stretching out for mom/dad/Grandma. (I got that last one this weekend when I came home from lunch out with my sister. Side note: first time out to eat since he was born!) There's a tone for every situation, and new ones all the time. This is so much fun. It makes the sleepless nights so worth it.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Keeping Busy

I've been packing this week. I can't believe how much stuff we have stuffed into this very little house. The thing is, it's all "necessary." So to revise by above statement: I can't believe how much stuff is required to run a household. A household of three people, one of whom doesn't even use plates, tableware, or cups yet! The kitchen alone is outrageous! I'm tackling knickknacks and photos today. At least that's the plan.

Today is my sister's 21st birthday. Happy Birthday, Whitto! She's supposed to be coming home this weekend, but since there's a "winter storm" in the form of ice there's a chance she won't make it. She better because I'm taking her out to lunch tomorrow without the baby, and I'm way too excited for words.

Baby is eight months now. Four teeth in, two more coming. Pulling up, cruising, and generally getting into everything he shouldn't. Still not eating much. Had a reaction to apples and blueberries (pureed) early in the week, so I've backed off again. Between that and the teething, we've had a week of Very Bad Nights.

Mama is tired.