No she didn't....

I saw my first Town Dress outside of the Old Navy commercials today.


Worn by a confident senior in the halls of my high school.

Gasp, is what I thought. What a lovely girl, in entirely too much stretchy fabric. And she must be chilly with the lack of sleeves.



I say let's stay away from nightdress type clothes for the season, okay girls? I know, this pregnant momma probably could pull it off, since the baby bump would add some interesting shape to the other wise unshapely dress.

I for one will leave the shapeless stretchiness to the Modelquins.

Husby's Birthday

Recently my husband celebrated his 27th birthday.

What an old man. Wait, those are happy wrinkles!

He and I view birthdays very differently. I think they are special. He does not like a spectacle. I think everyone needs cupcakes delivered to work on their birthday, and he made me promise not to bring sweets by his office. He is VERY low key about his birthday, but fortunately for me, he does know to make a big deal out of mine!

For his birthday, I bought him three gifts. The first was a pair of gray athletic shorts (which was selfish, as I am trying to replace a tattered golden pair he loves to wear to play ball in). The second was a small garden crocodile sculpture. A few years ago he bought a large, identical style croc as a souvenir. When I saw this little guy, I had to buy it! The third gift was more of a voucher. Usually, gift cards to a gun supplier or shooting range or sporting goods store are a huge hit! He has also mentioned that his athletic wardrobe is a little dated... not that he'll go shopping to update it... So I created the little giftie coupon below.

We had begun a bedroom painting project, so he spent the first part of the evening adding a coat of paint to the walls. In his typical low-key fashion, he suggested ordering a pizza and watching 24.

He was persuaded to go out for dinner since the paint fume odor was fairly strong, but only if I dared not mention it was his birthday. I promised not to tell the server. There would be no free pie or birthday song. Fine, its his birthday, right?

He chose a local Mexican restaurant, and, as promised, I refrained from any sort of celebrating. Surprisingly, our waiter brought us a little dessert of honey, chocolate, and cinnamon chips. I was very surprised and said, "How did you know?", which lead the waiter to be confused and said, "No charge! No charge!". Then, I turned to my husband and said, "You get special treatment on your birthday anyway!" The waiter looked confused.

Moments later, we heard chanting and drums and saw the entire staff of the restaurant coming towards us. A look of panicked annoyance crossed his face. They cheered for him, put a tiny sombrero on his large melon, and then smashed some whipped cream in his face. Then they took a digital photo. It will be memorialized on the front of the restaurant.

Next year, we will go ahead and get that pizza pie for you, buddy. Sorry bout that. For your birthday, your wishes should prevail, so it will be an un-birthday birthday. Maybe I'll just give him cash and a pat on the butt. :o)

Meal Plan Monday!

I don't at all feel like a poser this week... I can proudly post the apron icon because I wore an apron while cooking. For real. It was like I was a for real kitchen goddess.

Well, yes, I do love drama and characterization and costumes, but in this case, an apron was necessitated. The big bulge on my abdomen kept getting splashes from the sink on it, and bits of cooking materials, so I rounded up a Christmas gift I'd gotten but never used.

Here's the Menu Plan:

Sunday dinner - Roast Turkey, roasted Parmesan Asparagus, Baked Sweet
Potatoes, Sage Stove Top Stuffing, Pillsbury's Breadsticks, Homemade Baked
Apples. (Glazed Carrots were on the menu... but scorched. Bummer!)

Monday dinner - BBQ Shredded Turkey on Whole Wheat Buns, Baked
Potatoes (make the soup in the crock pot for tomorrow)

Tuesday dinner - Turkey Noodle Soup, French Bread

Wednesday dinner - its LOST night... so we'll order in pizza or make home
made pizza

Thursday - left over night!

Friday - Dinner in STJ

Husby takes leftovers in lunch every day, that is one reason why I make extra veggies when really, we didn't have to have that many different ones this week. I am hoping that I'll feel well enough for some sweet potato and asparagus for lunch tomorrow! (its been lots of Chex Mix and toast for me).

Oooh, I almost forgot the other thing I made for us: Key Lime Pie Bars! Good grief. They are amazing! Super duper rich, I can only have 2 fork fulls at a time. BUT whammo good!

I might post some of the recipes later this week, if you're up for it.

Roll Call... Who reads this?

My friend ChrissyRenee79 just did this on her blog... and Mrs Priss and Ashley.star do this too...

So I will!

Who is reading my blog?

I know people are because people know things about me or what's going on that I only share on this blog.

So, please:

1) Comment. If you don't want me to publish your name or something, I won't! Just mention that and I will respect your wish.

or

2) Send me an email. Bethanyhaid at gmail dot com.

But don't... continue to lurk... unless you love anonymity or stalkerhood (or if you are an ex-bf that still has feelings for me but you want to never tell me, so as to keep my current happy household and life currently happy and livable!)

My guess is that 11 people will respond. I think another 5 or 6 will try to, but that they won't understand how to get a google username (ahem, MIL!). And then I think I have about 6 friends who are a little bit lazy and just won't do it. Because its not their Internet-type thing!

Such a grouch...

That's how I've felt since I returned from FL. I felt that way on the trip home, on Friday, on Saturday, and on Sunday morning. It was like every little thing made me more grumpy and upset.

The length of the ride from the airport.

The smell of paint in our bedroom.

The disarray in the house.

The pain in my upper back.

The renewed barfage I was experiencing.

Nothing on the TV.

No motivation to work out.

No place to unpack my suitcase - the bedroom furniture is cramped in our bathroom, closet, and living room.

No "good" food in the house.

Feeling like I was gonna puke, but then never actually doing it.

My huge-o abdomen preventing me from laying comfortably on my back to sleep.

My huge-o abdomen getting in the way of me sitting up.

The HORRIBLE smell of gasoline he used to clean the paint brushes.

Can't take a shower in my own shower because there is a dresser in our bathroom. GRRRRRRR.

Oh yes, I was mad at everything. If I had a cat, I probably would have wanted to kick it! I had a hard time getting past this mood --I didn't even want to talk on the phone to my cheerful friends. I didn't take their calls!

Then this afternoon the stench of the painting project literally got to me. It drove me from the house. Husby suggested I go see a movie, but I decided to go to a better place.

I drove to HyVee, yes, where there is a helpful smile at every aisle. I had the Kid's Chinese special... 3.75 for noodles, General's Chicken, and a crab rangoon. Yum. I shopped the organic/natural section for fun. I bought ingredients for the meals this week. I bought a special treat - Tall Light Blended Mocha Frappacino. The checkout kid and the bagger girl were both former students. They are lovely kids and we talked about our Spring Breaks. It was really a nice trip!

Product Review: Turbo Tax

On Friday I spent about three hours completing our federal and state taxes using Turbo Tax online.

In the past, my husband and I have taken turns doing our taxes by hand (or using Telefile). I realized that since he had done it for the past 2 years, and I hadn't done it since we were dating, it was time for me to step up to the plate. He is stressed with a new job, painting our room, subbing on a volleyball team, and preparing for the FE (super stressful engineering exam). I made it my goal to complete job applications and resume paperwork before Spring Break and to get our taxes done on Spring Break.

I decided to use this company because my mom had pretty good luck with it a month ago, and my friends use the software edition and have pleasant responses from it. I'd heard just how expensive companies like H&R Block are, and the smaller accounting firms around the area are busy and don't indulge random appointment whims. I probably should have shopped around for other online tax programs, but their clever marketing lured me in!

There was a sale, ending March 27. Deluxe edition for only $29.95, twenty dollars less than normal price! Well, it was 1 pm on March 27. I decided to run with it, and see how far I got.

I spent about 20 minutes learning the ropes of the program and entering basic info - birth dates, occupations, etc. It was simple to use. I put off entering the actual forms and data until after dinner, and worked from about 8:30 pm until 10 pm getting all of the program completed. I was pretty meticulous and checked my work, so I could have been done sooner. I was pleased with the user-friendly set up of the program - it seemed as if I were online less than I actually was. No, no... I am not saying it was fun! Forms and numbers and tax law are not fun... not for me!

Pros: Extremely simple to understand directions. Nice font choices. Guided tutorials of deductions... I actually learned a few things about income and such. The "ask a question" feature is really nice, and it searches other similar questions/answers. I never actually had to pose my question to an expert, because I found answers to similar questions. So, good "helps" feature. Nice sale price, but I am not sure I'd like it for $50.

Cons: I inadvertently went to a menu for a 1040X form... and it was difficult to "undo" this. It seemed that others had the same problem, so it is probably a malfunction in their computer program. At the close of the LONG federal section, there is a brief statement that says something like, "Yeah! You're almost done. Want to also file your state taxes for an additional fee?" . At this point, I was tired of looking at the screens. So I clicked "YES!". The additional fee was actually $34.95, which I consider to be a HUGE fee, considering how simple the Missouri tax form is. But, since I was weary of taxes, I clicked yes. In a matter of seconds, this tax filing was also complete. I don't know if it was worth my time to print off a MO form and fill in all the blanks, but I certainly could have done it. Quite easily! I felt ripped off by the company, yet I felt as if I'd invested so much effort already, I'd just continue on.

So, after a few short hours spent on my laptop, we got our taxes filed electronically! I think our return amount is significantly higher than in the past two years because I used itemized deductions, something my husband avoided because of the paper work. Also, as a graduate student for most of the year, I didn't make too much. So our tax bracket was pretty low! We also had an HSA this year and a few charitable donations to include, so that must be why our return $$$ seems so high! Whooo hooo money!

We'll expect our returns around April 10... which means I've got some planning to do on how to spend the moeny I overpaid the government! My first ideas are completing our home decor projects - we've got the baby's room to furnish, paint, and decorate, as well as a messy catch all room we call "the office" to convert into a guest retreat room. I think we may also paint the kitchen, install chair rales, and add some art to the bare walls above our table. Don't worry... that money will get spent! And I'll post photo updates!

Photo adventures

I've posted two albums on my facebook of my trip to Florida.

The albums are mostly a beach, real estate, and flora tour of NW Florida. The first album is here and the second album is here.

I realized its been quite awhile since I've uploaded pictures to facebook. Its been even longer since I've ordered some from shutterfly! I'm been somewhat apathetic about my photography lately. I really like going into nature and seeing neat things, and I also love to capture people's expressions and life moments. BUT... there was an issue with rechargeable batteries not recharging and me forgetting to transfer the card from the camera to computer and back again.

I tried to add many captions to the photos, and most come off as if I am selling the neighborhoods to you, or else teaching you a little plant taxonomy.

I noticed there is a significant lack of PEOPLE in the pictures. Its hard when you go on vacation to the same place many years in a row... I just don't need more group photos at Pineapple Willy's or in front of a gigantic condo. I was alone for most of the picture taking, so its sort of boring to just photograph yourself! Maybe when Baby Haid is here I'll have a renewed interest in people picture taking!

I will post photos from the trip periodically on the sight and write a little story to go with them. This morning I'll pen a whole passel of posts and schedule them to publish through the next month.


Here is one photo to see before you go to the facebook albums and scope out all the beach appeal pictures. It is a quiet little low laying area outside of my friends' apartment complex.

The pine forests are characteristic of the area, as are the water retention basins, which prevent the area from being a swamp. I know they are man-made, but they are influenced by the topography of the land. I like to picture little crocodiles cruising across the pond. I haven't seen any yet, which is a good thing for the neighborhood pets!

Teaser... more to come.

DA

I am healthy, happy, wise and free.

Ugh. Please no baby shower.

I looked at some photos online of a friends' shower. Those games look like torture or just a major source of public humiliation. And (IMHO) who wants to eat a small, pink mint shaped like a baby?

While I agree its nice to celebrate a new baby, its definitely not okay to decorate every little nook and cranny with baby ducks or fake plastic babies. Ew.

And its not okay to have to be surprised and delighted at every little miniature baby accessory. Ew, ew.

I think I'll pass on all showers that involve "guess what strange brown substance is really in the diaper" or "guess how much weight the mother has gained" or involves gory and nightmare-inducing stories about terrible labor. Ew, ew, ew.

However, the genuine support from friends and family is nice. Cake is very nice. Gift cards to shop on the baby registry are also nice.

How about doing things differently, like Baeik -il, the 100 Days Party of South Korea. In this culture, they don't have any baby parties until the baby is 100 days old. At this time, there is a huge family celebration. Lots of food, fun, and presents for baby. Here is a description of another cool event in the party, in which the baby selects his or her own future.

Greetings from Sunny Florida!

I'm having a Floriday. A Floriweek, actually. I've had the opportunity to read, relax, walk on the beach, photograph nature, laugh and reconnect with a BFF, create a fantasy DWTS bracket with said BFF, eat my favorite PCB foods, drive around the area without maps or driving directions, window shop, and build up my flip-flop calluses!



All of the above have provided great fodder for writing. I am so glad to have this lovely experience to enrich my soul, as well as to add more thoughts for me to pen.

Life is Good

I wanted you to know, my blogger audience, that life is good. Or, my life is good!

I visited the shoppe "Jake on the Beach" today, which is a Life is Good retailer. I really appreciated the positive messages printed across each T-Shirt.

I am so lucky to have supportive relationships in my life, each of which enrich my life and make it better. I am fortunate to have a job and to have opportunities for other jobs, and because we live within our means, we have no worries about getting behind in our mortgages. This baby has stayed and thrived for five months, which is GOOD.

I didn't need a T-Shirt shop to remind me that things are going well. In fact, I have been counting my blessings pretty regularly. Its helped me to fight off anxiety and negative thoughts.


And another good thing... all of this blogging has improved my spelling! I've had many posts in a row that come back as "no misspellings found". Whoohoo!

Baby Book Review #1

First completed baby book... and my first reactions are not exactly what I'd hoped! I feel like this book made it all seem too easy. In fact, the book leaves me with these impressions:

• I might be totally prepared for a newborn. Its all common sense...
• Newborns don't seem to be hard work.
• Is this a collection of random facts from the Internet?
• Can it really be this cut and dry?
• If there's a normal range for a baby, and the normal range seems to be so big that it could encompass what I'd call abnormal... is that still qualifying as normal?
• Why was this the top ranked baby book on three websites?
• Seriously, who learned something from this? A ten year old?

Because I do not want to disrespect the authors, who are current pediatricians and perhaps are publishing the most common questions their patients ask them, I probably won't say any more.

Well... just this. It took only a weekend to read. I was sure glad that it resold on amazon in only 2 hours, because it wasn't worth another re-read or even asking dear husband to read.

Next baby book to read: Its a Baby Boy! The Unique Wonder and Special Nature of Your Son from Pregnancy to Two Years. I am not expecting much after the first read. There is a cute baby on the cover, so I can probably work up a little excitement for it.

DA

I can choose happiness whenever I wish no matter what my circumstances.


I really REALLY like this daily affirmation, though I find its hard in those tough circumstances to realize/remember that I do have the option to choose happiness. I am still learning how to step back from an emotionally charged situation to take a breath and get back on the right track.

Brave Girl

Okay, for me this is a brave thing. Flying across the country alone, renting a car and driving to my destination alone, and arriving at my destination ALONE.

Its not that I have to be surrounded by people, or that I am uncomfortable being by myself. It is more inside my comfort zone to travel with a buddy or to experience the world with another person. That's one reason why I love being married to Mr. Haid... he's my full time companion!

We left home for Lambert airport at 3:45 am. What an early rise! My husband was kind enough to drive me before work (talk about a long day!). Its emotional for me to be at airports. I was tired, nervous, and saddened to leave husby for a week. I get stressed out trying to remember where I put my plane ticket and figuring out where my gate will be. Perhaps the pregnancy hormones were to blame, because I was tearful and clingy.

Then Brave Girl returned and went through security, waited in lines, and confidently boarded the planes. I was brave during the take offs and landings (though I really hate when the plane is just "driving" around the runway at slow speeds). I waited in line at the rental car station and got a GOOD deal on a rental. Then I calmly drove from the airport to my destination city, about 60 miles away. Like it was no big deal.

Really, it was a big deal for me. I proved to myself that I am capable.

Ooo! I also had lunch at a beach side cafe alone and didn't feel self conscious. I parked at the beach and sat and watched the waves.

Causes

Here are causes that I believe in.

(update soon)

Etc.

Here I will write some ideas and misc things.

BIography

Here I will write an All About Me post.

Goals

A Work in Progress.

Right brained, left brained...

I am sort of an artsy type. I appreciate beauty. I like to create. I don't always follow recipes, guidelines, deadlines.

I am also a science-y type. I like new inventions, new systems of organization, when I finally understand or develop my own equation to simply life, and the order of nature.

I am forgetful and at times, impulsive.

I research most products or procedures before I do them (as in: reading all these baby books, researching twelve different recipe procedures, etc).

So... I guess my results make sense:

Brain Lateralization Test Results
Right Brain

52%
Left Brain

46%

Left brain dominant individuals are more orderly, literal, articulate, and to the point. They are good at understanding directions and anything that is explicit and logical. They can have trouble comprehending emotions and abstract concepts, they can feel lost when things are not clear, doubting anything that is not stated and proven.

Right brain dominant individuals are more visual and intuitive. They are better at summarizing multiple points, picking up on what's not said, visualizing things, and making things up. They can lack attention to detail, directness, organization, and the ability to explain their ideas verbally, leaving them unable to communicate effectively.

Try this quiz out yourself. See if which hemisphere you use most!

Preparations... lots to do tonight!

1. Fuel up the Jeep check
2. Charge up phone, iPod check
3. Pack chargers
4. Check-in online check
5. Get house keys from friend
6. Print driving directions check
7. Go to bank, get some cash
8. Call for rental car
9. Scour the house for SPF
10. Last load of laundry
11. Suitcase: summer shampoo and hair care, hair dryer, makeup, razor, swimsuit, vitamins/medications, swimcover up, flip flops, athletic shoes, socks and undies, tank tops, capris, sweatshirt, PJs, jeans, beach bag, hair brush, dress,
12. Carry on: snacks, lip balm, IDs, $$, book, iPod, phone, ticket, driving directions, sunglasses, light jacket
13. Set alarm clock for 3:45 am

What else??? Shoulda done this sooner!

Dream Job...

If I could do anything - really, anything - this is what I'd do.

I'd be an eye makeup artist. Probably, I'd be a regular makeup artist, too. I'd be able to have all sorts of brushes, colors, products. It would be so much fun. Sort of like Jillian Dempsy for Avon.

My dream places of work would be backstage at a huge event - like for The Bachelor, Miss America Pageant, that sort of thing. Of course, they'd ask me to coordinate wardrobe with makeup, so I'd get to rummage through sparkles and textures. I would get to feel like Pat Field for a day!

Genetic Disorders Reflection

This week my biology students are presenting research to the class about a genetic disorder they've studied.

As they present on Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Xeroderma Pigmentosa, Galactosemia, and a variety of other chromosomal disorders, I was struck by how lucky we all are. Most of these disorders have been already tested for in this pregnancy, so I know the baby isn't born with them. Other disorders, like Huntington's Disease and achondroplasia, are familial disorders, so our child doesn't have a chance to inherit them.

Phew.

As my preacher has said, if you think you have nothing to be thankful about, open up a medical textbook. As you thumb through it say, "Lord, thank you for sparing me from that" after each time. But for the grace of God I'd be living with Rett's Syndrome or something.

How fortunate we are, especially when we become more informed of how different things could actually be.

Healthy Hurray!

I have to blog this piece of news: I have an appetite now! I am actually hungry at lunch time. Its great! I have also had 3 days in a row that have been "minimally nauseating". Sure, there is the occasionally urp... but this is completely different than the past four months!

I think Baby Haid is also healthy. He moves so much from 3 - 7 pm, and then again occasionally when I am laying down on the couch or in bed. He's like Hey! I'm here! Don't forget about me!

And I am not forgetting about him. Only 131 days until the estimated delivery date!

Daily Affirmation

Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full current of human life.
-- Goethe

I Love Monday Nights...

How I will be spending my Monday night...



On the couch, delightfully calling out my scores and critiques as the fourth judge!

Recent purchases...

I love Land's End shoes. They are always so comfortable, durable, and garunteed for return, no matter what.

Here's a few pairs I've purchased. Now I must decide which pairs to keep!

Like these Terrain Janes and Ballets? Find them here and here.

I wish... Music Edition

I've been writing a few greatest hits posts, like music that I think is a soundtrack for my life. I have been waiting on publishing them until I have a series of them ready.

I've been thinking of what songs are moving for me, which lyrics are significant. I realized that there is also part of me that identifies with the singer and her passion.

Which leads me to my I wish...

I wish I could belt out a song like Whitney Houston. I watched her perform this tonight on a David Forrester special. I am guilty of coveting her confident, strong voice.

Return to sender....

I'm returning a plethora of tankini tops to Lands End. My brilliant idea was to buy a few larger sizes and see which one works out. So I ended up purchasing a dozen tops and a few bottoms. Only 2 tops fit! Eek.

I now know that my pregnancy size is not 14B, 16 C, 18 C, 18 D, 18DD, 16DD.
My size could be 14DD (whoa!) or 16D (another whoa!)

The tops are long enough and stretchy enough in the tummy to cover up my tummy, and there's plenty of room to grow. I can't wait to be in the pool this summer! (Or the ocean next week!)

Hello from inside the uterus...

I think Little One is waving a lot lately, because the movements seem bigger, not just wiggling. So much bigger that my husband thinks he felt 2 movements last night!

Morning online...

I've spent all morning online, with scarce a bathroom break.

Business or pleasure, you ask? Both.

Business - making contacts with future employers, completing applications, and a resume frenzy.

Pleasure - ordering some spring maternity wear from Oldnavy.com and 2 friendly emails.

But for now... I need some nourishment, some sunlight, some physical activity beyond my fingertips. I think I'll make some lunch, do some errands, and some housework. Maybe even go wild and watch an episode of STAC!

We've got family coming tomorrow, so I do need to make myself and our house presentable. So... goodbye little laptop. Gmail, I promise to check you this afternoon!

I miss...

Using my teeth whitening tray.
Eating breakfast.
My abs working normally.
Having a $2 beer at Dan's summer softball games.
The taste of wine. Any, all.
Pants that button.
Unchapped lips.
Only feeling tired if I've actually done some physical, strenuous labor.
Swimsuit season workout.
My (small) beautiful bras.

Pheww.......

Good meeting with my boss just now.

My job is secure. I am a valued employee.

He supports any decision I make, and urges me to put my family's needs first.

Geez, I've got a big decision to make!

Do I continue to teach in a public school setting, a job I am good at and like, or do I venture into a world I don't think I do want, SAHM, or... is there some sort of fusion? Some other option?

Clarification: I do, indeed, have to make my choice soon. I'll have to return my teacher contract in a few short weeks. I would be out some money and have a "bad mark on my record" if I took the maternity leave offered by the district and then suddenly resigned because I changed my mind.

ALSO... I have some ideas about happy medium that are in the works, but I feel compelled to NOT discuss them until I've made my choice and had a discussion with my current employer.

I'm just trying to teach you something...

Yes, I am a science teacher, and I am prepared to accept all accusations that I am also nerdy, after this post.

But, since so many of you tell me that you read my book recommendations or that you do more research upon my recommendation, I would be amiss if I didn't try to teach you a little something about genetics.

In college, genetics class was one of the top three hardest classes I took. The professor dressed up like Gregor Mendel on the first day and I'll never forget his Polyploidy Parade demonstration. I had a tiny crush on my genetics TA, because I admired his cute awkwardness and his huge brains. That being said, I could barely keep afloat in that class. I never had to rush through exams like I had to in that class, often not finishing the last three problems. My median grade for those tests was about a 75. SHOCK. But, for that amount of information, it was actually pretty good (especially when a curve was applied... and a 75 was a B+).

I love teaching genetics. Its probably my favorite unit to teach. I "saved" it until spring semester so it would help my year go faster! Up to this point, I've taught basic Mendelian inheritance patterns, sex-linked traits, incomplete dominance, co-dominance, meiosis and crossing over, alleles/genes/DNA/chromosome relationships, structure of DNA and very basic protein transcription/translation, and phenotypes/genotypes.

Today I got to teach pedigrees (family trees that show transmission of traits). It was fun watching some of my "slow kids" tell me, matter-of-factly, that of course the parents were heterozygous for a given trait because their child showed the recessive phenotype. WHOA! It blew me away that I had misjudged how much information was soaking in, and how they can make good decisions in regards to genetics problems.

OKAY... here's the cool part where you LEARN something. Go to this website:

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ Poke around there for awhile. Forgot what DNA is? How traits are passed on in families? Visit the "Tour the Basics". Confused about cloning? Visit the module on cloning and play a cloning game and learn about the myths and techniques. Then play the "Mouse Party" game which shows how drugs work in your brain (its really a great animation!). I'd also recommend you look at the "What's a stem cell?" section and play out the Virtual Labs. They are so cool!

So, there's just a little user-friendly genetics tutorial!

Book Review: Shannon Hale's "Princess Academy"

I recently finished a lovely tale, of which I wanted to review and share with you!

From the author's website:

High on the side of rocky Mount Eskel, far from the valleys where gardens are green and lush, where lowlanders make laws, Miri’s family has lived forever,
pounding a living from the stone of the mountain itself.

For as long as she can remember, Miri has dreamed of working alongside the other villagers in the quarries of her beloved mountainside. But Miri has never been allowed to work there, perhaps, she thinks, because she is so small.Then word comes from the valley that the king's priests have divined Mount Eskel to be the home of the prince’s bride-to-be—the next princess. The prince himself will travel to the village to choose her, but first all eligible girls must attend a makeshift mountain academy to prepare themselves for royal lowlander life.

At the school, Miri soon finds herself confronted by bitter competition among the girls and her own conflicting desires to be chosen by the prince. Yet when danger comes to the academy and threatens all their lives, it is Miri, named for a tiny mountain flower, who must find a way to save her classmates—and the one chance to leave the mountain each of them is determined to secure as her own.

I bought this book last fall upon the recommendation of a dear friend and fellow adolescent literature aficionado. I opened the first chapter several times, but for some reason, was not automatically pulled into the story. One day I realized why I wasn't ever starting the book with the intention to read it... I judged the book by the title and the character's names. I thought that it would be a silly, too-familiar princessy book, and I was turned off by the fantasy names like Katar, Marda, Miri, and Peder.

It had been a long time since I read a "just for fun" novel, so I started to read this book again during the last week of February. The pace of the book is calm, relaxing, and the text is often lyrical. Several times, I put the book down to reflect on the author's word choice. How lovely.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's adult literature Austenland, and I am looking forward to reading her new adult book The Actor and the Housewife, as well as checking out her other famous adolescent stories Goose Girl and Book of a Thousand Days.

I would love to teach a literature circle unit on this book to a class of 10-13 year olds. I think girls would like it best, however, there are few themes of romance to deter male readers. I think the life lessons of integrity, self-discovery, teamwork, love of learning, overcoming adversity, and appreciation of diversity are the key points of this tale. I felt a bit inspired, even as a 26 year old, to adhere to my conscience and strive for my personal best. What a great message to share with older elementary students!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday - Pancakes, southern style hash browns with Tabasco, onion, and cheese, Country Ham, Eggs over easy

Tuesday - Me: Parent- teacher conference food, Him: Frozen Pizza

Wednesday - Me: Parent-teacher conferences food, Him: leftover Shrimp Scampi with Pasta, tomato, and artichoke

Thursday - Schzechuan asparagus and marinated chicken

Friday - TBD

Snacks - Chocolate chip cookies

Cooking Cookies Tips

This weekend while at my MIL's house, I picked up a Good Housekeeping sweets cookbook she'd borrowed from the library.

I love to read cookbooks. Usually, I browse through the table of contents or flip through the pages first. This is sort of how I read a magazine, but definitely not how I read fiction or non-fiction (I realize that cookbooks are non-fiction, but I think of them more as instruction manuals).

The photographs were wonderful, especially the ones of the tarts. I've never made a tart before, but if I do, I will make the summer plum tart. Just thinking of it makes my mouth water!

But seriously, as for the title of this post, I did learn a few tricks and tips about baking cookies from this website.

First tip - for cookies that have gotten too crispy, the culprit is a too-hot oven. The remedy is storing them in a sealed container with a piece of bread or slice of apple. I had Toll house Break-n-Bake cookies today, and popped them in after I baked potatoes... in a too hot oven. They didn't come out moist and chewy. So I am trying this bread in the bucket remedy now!

Second tip - you can freeze cookies for 3 months. I never thought about this.

Third tip - cookie sheets shouldn't have edges or sides. They might have one slightly raised lip, but the ones with shallow edges are actually called Jelly Roll pans. Interesting! Apparently, the raised sides alter the temperature of metal sheet, making the cookies heat unevenly.

Its been actual ages since I've made homemade cookies. I don't keep a fully stocked baking pantry, and so running out of the correct type of flour is my excuse for occasionally buying those tasty pre-made cookie dough ones. Oh, and I just love the Pillsbury ones with colorful holiday shapes. Its hard for me to pass them up! When I have the girls over for some occasion, I usually buy a box. Its a rare day to have any left to bake! (right Amy? Elegan? You two were the last ones over for that batch! haha).

If/when I make that plum tart, I'll let you know how the recipe stacks up!

UPDATE: Slice of bread with too hard cookies worked marvels! Actually, I put two slices of bread in, which made them a little too crispy. So as a quick fix for this quick fix, I left the lid of the container open over night.

List of Things

I've been MIA in the blogging world for a few days. This has been due to my lack of general well being and a weekend trip. However, here are a list of random things I've been meaning to blog about (or have started, but not finished).

• Shopping for clothes to wear on my trip to FL... which is now only two weekends away! Yes, this includes a bathing suit. Ah! What a unique situation!
• How I've spent too much time watching junk TV. Celebrity Apprentice, Howie Do It... all total wastes of my time but for some reason, seemed like a good use of resources at the time
• An amazing shrimp scampi with creamy tomato and artichoke pasta that I created... virtually recipe free!
• Visiting Hermann
• New baby h photographs - which are so strikingly human - and are initiating mother bonding I didn't know I had
• First wave of robins spotted in Ashland, MO on Feb 27 and research
• Hair color and cut on Feb 28 - by the fabulous Kara, unbelievable price
• 6 inches of snow when I visited my family
• Best Chinese food ever
• Pregnancy Workout DVD that kicked my butt
• LOST mid-season perspectives
• Want to keep researching and writing about non-chemical contraceptives, but am having a hard time
• Want to start researching how to make baby food
• finish my posts about pregnancy book reviews
• start post about pregnancy products I love or don't love
• career move updates
• my perceptions of plane rides and traveling alone
• tips about baking cookies I learned from a cookie cook book
• teaching genetics to 10th graders - insights, what to do differently next year
• pregnancy and eating disorder recovery research I did - put it into a coherent form
• post a few old pictures and describe memories about them
• how to sell my slightly messed up iPod
• the Ryan Adams concert I went to on Feb 26
• missing my girlfriends
• plans for updating house - guest room, baby room
• reorganizing bathroom space, spice rack, cooking supplies
• I love these sandals from Lands End
• noticeable lack of photography
• the tulips and crocuses sprouting in my yard
• benevolence committee I am on at my church

Well, that's all I want to write about for now. But yeah, I've been mentally blogging since last Tuesday, and so I'd expect a plethora of posts coming up... once they are all written down

Daily Affirmation

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied, "Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!"

-- Minnie Louise Haskins

DA

The greatest success is successful self-acceptance.
-- Ben Sweet

DA

He that lives in hope danceth without the music.
-- George Herbert

Funny Cow Cartoon

I was just looking for a picture of those experimental cows that have window panels on their sides to let you see in, but I couldn't find that picture. Instead, this silly cartoon.

Makes me laugh.

Then again, I do get thirsty anytime I drive near a Quick Trip station.

Baby Viewing

Tomorrow at 4 pm we get another baby viewing. We've been spoiled by the weekly, then every two week ultrasounds - because its been since Feb 2 since we've last spotted our little guy.

Although, I can tell he is "still there".

The extreme nausea and puking confirmed it today. I am still pregnant.

I appear visibly pregnant to strangers who aren't shy commenting.

I am feeling more and more movement. Today it felt like constant bubbling, without ANY jabs or twinges. That was nice! Husby still can't feel the movement externally, though I think by the end of the month he will be able to.

So, this is approaching 20 weeks, half way there point. I feel relieved not to have had a miscarriage, but I feel a little scared still, because now the miscarriage would be called a still birth, and that is a scary, creepy word. NO - there's no significant risk for a problem with the baby. I am just worried and am mentally preparing myself so I don't fall apart. It could happen. To me, to any pregnant person. Death just happens.

Not to end on a downer, I'll say this: Less than a day until seeing the baby is a really nice feeling. Sometimes I wish I could get a little camera installed in there, like a web cam, so I could stay in touch. Or perhaps install a plexi-glass viewing panel so I can constantly be aware. Sort of like those MU dairy cows with a glass window... know what I mean? maybe not... its a Missouri thing.

Embarrassment in the Girls' Room

Its been at least a month since I've had to stop teaching and RUN lickety-split for the nearest restroom. Until today. Today the no-puking-at-school-streak ended. Badly.

I feel really sorry for those girls in the same room who heard it. Gross-out.

On the plus-side, it might be an effective birth control method.

BREAKING NEWS...

Only 9 more weeks of school! (and from Friday, 45 days! That means only seeing some of the most challenging and negative students 22 more times!)

I think I can... I think I can... I think I can...



No, I wasn't aware of these facts! I fellow frustrated teacher gave me the scoop this morning! So far, I've only been counting down til Spring Break! --- which is only 2 more weekends until I am in Florida!

Cloth diapering links

Another Cloth Diapering tip blog that I enjoyed reading today and will help to make my shopping list: http://www.docmaureen.com/ She calls her posts "diapering manifestos" which I think is funny.

Meal Plan Monday

HURRAY!!! I am almost back to being my "normal self"! (quotations added for accuracy!)

I was able to grocery shop AND prepare dinner tonight! AND prepare a dessert! AND prep tomorrow night's dinner! AND do one load of laundry! AND empty the dish washer. AND begin to reorganize our lazy susan cabinet.

HURRAY! Health and energy level are two blessings I'll count tonight when I thank the good Lord!

Here's Meal Plan Monday... yes, its been months since one.

MONDAY - French Bread Pizza with Baby Belllas and extra cheese
TUESDAY - Broccoli and Beef with homemade Bulgogi marinade
WEDNESDAY - ? LOST night... which may mean eating at our good friends' house, or making a little something here, like Nachos with homemade salsa (almost the last frozen from the summer)
THURSDAY - Roasted potatoes, mushrooms, onions and a Chicken dish (to be determined)
FRIDAY - maybe leaving town, otherwise - finding a VFW Fish Fry!

I've prepared a LUSCIOUS BLACKBERRY COBBLER for desserts (or my breakfasts...)
And here is a simplified version of the recipe *found using the key terms: blackberry, cobbler, easy* at recipezaar.com.

Melt stick of real butter in a baking dish in the oven. Mix together 1 cup self-rising flour, 1 cup sugar, one cup of milk. Pour this mix over the melted butter, but don't stir. Pour blackberries (thawed, from your mom's garden) on top, but don't stir. Dust the top with sugar, and then put in the oven for about an hour at 350 degrees F. Eat with ice cream (or Cool Whip!).

Note: This is a true cobbler, as apposed to the more commonly found "cobbler" which resembles a large, square blackberry pie. Both are delicious.

Dear Amazon.com - I love you. Thanks for all the resources you give me. Love, Mrs. H

Shameless plug for amazon.com ahead...

I love ordering books online after reading a few reviews. I also enjoy having "suggestions" to peruse. I think my library membership would be even more effective if its website could keep track of your checkouts and recommend a few books. Or if there were ways to read reviews of books before you checked them out. Yes, I love public libraries... but there is something very different in owning your own copy of a book.

Sometimes I order new when I've got over $25 in books and the shipping total for used would be more. Often I do order used. Even oftener I sell books on amazon.com that just didn't rock my world or that I don't think I could gift to a friend.

Recently I made an order from other sellers and from amazon.com.

Here are the three books that arrived today:

1. Institute, The Guiran. It's a Baby Boy!: The Unique Wonders and Special Nature of Your Son From Pregnancy to Two Years
2. Huggins, Kathleen. The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition
3. Jana, Laura. Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

And here are the titles that will arrive this week:

1. Pantley, Elizabeth. Perfect Parenting
2. Pantley, Elizabeth. Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry--Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby

As you can tell, there is a theme to this latest resource list! My friend Laura mentioned that she wished she'd read more parenting books, rather than just pregnancy books. I took this advice to heart. This time around, I revisited the books on pregnancy I'd bought 2 years ago, and read one additional. (I have a post started about these resources... reviews, recommendations, etc. based on the dozens of prego books I've read). When my husband asked if there was any book he should read about pregnancy or babies, I jumped at the chance to restock our bedside table library. I think I'll have him read the Heading Home... book first, and I'll read the Its a Boy! title first.

DA

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.
-- Langston Hughes


This an excerpt from another poem I memorized as an elementary student. I am so glad that my first grade teacher and my gifted teacher selected great poems!

Daily Affirmations

I am grateful for the power I have over the future of my life.



Think this one is good for when one feels hopeless or powerless...

A Post-Baby Baby Shower

Yesterday I popped in to a baby shower for a friend from high school. She had brought her month old son. There were blue balloons, cake, and gifts. There was also a very special guest: the child. It felt more of like a party for the baby than a party for the mother.

I liked the idea of a baby welcoming party.

Traditional baby showers make me feel very uncomfortable. I hate the games. I don't like being the forced center of attention (if it happens naturally, okay, that's a different story!). I don't like people feeling obligated to go or send a gift if they get an invitation. I don't like when people feel upset by NOT getting an invitation and feel unwelcome.

In Korean culture, there is no baby shower or party until the baby has lived 100 days. I think there used to be a higher infant mortality rate. At this 3.5 month mark, there is a huge family party. Both genders are invited, and the family celebrates good health of the baby. I think this tradition sounds like fun!

For our wedding shower with my husband's family and community, we had a together-shower. This was a nice event. It saved me from feeling uncomfortable not knowing most of the guests, because my husband could introduce me.

I don't think most baby showers are for both genders. Usually its a female only thing. I guess I could see why - if there are lots of birthing stories, if there is advice that could be given more freely in single-sex company, or if there are other "girly" things done. However, I'd like for my husband to feel congratulated for being a parent, too. I think his side of the family might like seeing him holding his baby. I don't think my husband would be thrilled playing Baby Trivia Bingo, or unwrapping onsies, or eating a cake shaped like a baby rattle, but I could be wrong. Perhaps he'd like to have these traditional "welcome to parenthood" customs.

So... I am thinking that there should be a party for this baby AFTER its birth. It should be a fun family celebration, similar to a wedding party. I think there would be better memories made, more pictures taken, and (maybe selfishly) I'd feel the most comfortable!