Praise God for a Healthy Boy!

No, not mine... well, mine is healthy. But my blog friend Whitney just posted pictures of her bundle of joy, born yesterday afternoon. What a cutie. I hope our baby gets red hair, too!

Weekend Update - baby, psych visit, target, awesome food, relaxation...

Note: This will be a long post! I haven't written in awhile and have lots of thoughts to process. I think I"d rather do one LONG post than several focused posts that are more of snippets from the last week.

This weekend has be AWESOME! Its the type I'd like to continue to have for the rest of my life.

For starters, we had a positive baby doctor appointment on Friday. Our little boy was alert, doing his practice breathing, and batting his eyes at us. His biophysical profile was right on the money. I'd been having trouble getting a straight answer about our co-pay for the appointments... sometimes I owe for them and sometimes I don't. The insurance company has been billing the doctors, who bill me, but telling me NOT to pay the bills because they are covered under "global billing". What a run-around! It turns out that our prenatal care is covered by my insurance 100% plus the cost of one co-pay, but the ultrasound procedures I have each week are not covered and are billed as a separate appointment. Wha?? But anyway, this mysterious paper trail that has frustrated me and the accountant at the office has been solved! Good news!

After the baby doctor appointment and LONG periods of time on hold with the insurance company, I visited with a somewhat famous psychiatrist. I am lucky to have appointments with her, because she really doesn't take new patients. She specializes in eating disorders, research on gastric bypass, and gender issues. She has been published and is really famous in her field. I've been struggling with eating disorder behaviors and anxiety and body issue problems through the pregnancy, but they have intensified in the last trimester. I knew that I needed to seek some help for the depression and anxiety and mal-adaptive coping strategies. After my appointment, I felt less in the dark about how to cope with the really uncomfortable situations, how to change some of my inner dialogue, and strategies to prevent me from getting so low. She assured me that the issues I am having - anxiety, depression, body image, communication with husband, loneliness/separate from female friends, etc - are VERY common in pregnancy and are just exacerbated by my history. Its also helpful to be vigilant NOW to prevent post-partum depression, since peri-partum depression is often linked to PPD. So. Good visit with the good doctor left me feeling hopeful and gave me some concrete ways to live my life and deal with my pregnant self.

On Friday, I had a nice shopping trip to Target... because I needed to buy more invitations for a baby shower I wanted them to be all the same, and since I am having only one baby shower, there were TONS and TONS of invites to make. I felt proud that I only messed up one envelope with an incorrect address. It was like a flashback from addressing wedding invitations and thank yous! Note: I am not throwing myself a party - that's socially bad manners. I decided to take some pressure off of my busy sister and address them myself, since I have way less going on than she.

On Friday night, we had a low-key evening. Husby worked in the yard, adding fresh mulch and beautifying our yard. he worked really hard! Then, Husby finished up his last episode of 24:Season 5, and I did as much housework as I could tolerate! I also ate a delicious cantaloupe.

On Saturday morning, we parted ways to enjoy two very different hobbies. Husby has become quite a marksman and collector of antique guns. He got a new addition to his collection... its brown and wooden and old. I don't know much more about it, except that it is the envy of many of his friends and my dad ! A family friend had also given him a rifle a few weekends ago, and hadn't had the opportunity to use it. So, he had made some bullets using reloading materials and was off to the range to test out his new arms.

I, on the other hand, went to our rec center to take a water aerobics class. I was greeted by the now familiar faces of nice old ladies. Many commented that the baby was getting bigger, but I wonder if it was that I wore a different swim suit! I feel pretty self conscious with this large watermelon belly being covered by a thin tankini top. Once I get in the water, however, my concern about the swim suit fades and the gravity lifts the belly and takes all pressure off my back and abs. Its awesome!!! I am already looking forward to tomorrow's class because as I sit here to type, I notice the strain in my upper back and lowest spine bones.

Saturday morning was just so beautiful! The sun was shining, there were a few clouds, and the temp was a comfortable 68 degrees. I didn't have any cash to spend at the farmers' market, so I headed to HyVee to pick up supplies for the week's meals. I bought ingredients for butternut squash risotto and enchiladas. I also picked up some more Candy Cantaloupe, as I am definitely getting addicted!

When at home, I decided to prepare the risotto. Its my ultimate comfort food! I used the tedious recipe to see if it was better than the easy recipe (I'll post both later this week!). It took nearly 2 hours! LOTS AND LOTS of stirring. When I was done I had just enough energy to clean the kitchen and find my way to the couch. It was time to rest! Husby and I laughed at the British Office. Then I zonked out.

We hadn't had an official celebration of our wedding anniversary. Husby had heard of this restaurant in Boonville, Glen's Cafe. It is in a historic hotel building on the Missouri River. Extremely high ceilings, neat furniture, amazing layout. The building alone was enough to make my evening! There was live music that wafted through the breezeway into the dining room. What an amazing place!

I decided to dress up - high heels, flat ironed hair, awesome eye makeup. Hot dress. I felt good and glamorous! Like myself. I have been feeling more and more like myself lately, Yippee!

Oh, and the restaurant... we were in for a delight! All husby had to say was "fresh gulf oysters" and I was hooked. There was perfectly brewed iced tea, lump blue crab cakes, and FRIED OKRA. I was in heaven! We ate slowly... I wanted to savor the delicious, thick, almost-muddy taste of oysters and my very delicious salad. Husby's gumbo and Shrimp Creole looked tasty, but I had no room for a sample with my delicious food! I can't believe he'd never had fried okra. I must be a Southerner by nature. I haven't had food as delicious since being in southern Alabama or in Apalachicola. Even though it was a half an hour drive to a small town with few other attractions... I'd def make that drive again!

When we came home, stuffed and happy, we watched some SNL. It was a great relaxing way to spend the evening!

This morning, I woke up feeling only mildly nauseous. Another blessing! I can handle mildly nauseous. We went to early church, and I felt well enough to again wear heels and a dress. After we heard a good message about praise at church, we went to Target to return that ugly bedspread set and buy some shelves I'd seen. Good news... they were on sale today! We saved about 40 bucks waiting just 2 days to buy them. They will go in our new guest room and will serve to store the towers of books that have been piled on the floor of a closet.

Husby worked on removing the baseboards and painting trim in the guest room, while I folded laundry and napped this afternoon. I felt well enough to make dinner (another huge blessing and rare occurrence). I tried a new recipe, called Mini Salsa Meatloaves, that was super tasty. I'll post this recipe this week, too!

Then I sat down to blog, which is a nice way to wrap up an evening. I've got to put away the laundry I folded and clean the floors and counters of the little meatloaf bits... then read... the not feel stressed about an upcoming work week - because I don't have an upcoming work week! I love summer vacation from teaching!

I hope you had a lovely, relaxing weekend. If not... there's next weekend! Aim for it!

Daily Affirmation

"Don't overthink. It's one thing to savor the present but quite another to analyze it to death."

Choices, choices.

Today I needed to buy some stamps. Our grocery store had two AWESOME choices.

OR

I went with the Simpsons, but it was a tough call!

Summer Sun Salutation and Meditation Challenge

I often read a local blogger's yoga thoughts. She has a positive outlook on the world and sometimes reminds me to get back into my yoga thought self.

At one point in my life, most of my problems were solved on my yoga mat. At other points in my life, my yoga mat was the one place that I could leave all problems and just be. Its hard to explain the benefit of intense concentration and muscle movement and deep breathing. Sometimes I forget how valuable this experience is to my life!

So... I found this on her blog:

Join me during the month of June for this sensational Sun Salutation challenge.

Say a little thank you to the summer sunshine.
Guaranteed to make your body and soul feel divine!

Here's how it goes:On June 1, 1 sun salutation A or B (minimum), June 2, 2 sun salutations, June 3, 3 sun salutations...June 20, 20 sun salutations. (You get the idea).
After the sun salutations, do some yoga postures.
The key here is to LET YOUR BODY lead you.

Do what your body wants and what feels good. Keep your mind out of it!
Lastly, get your bum on the mat and meditate for as many minutes as half the number of sun salutations. For example, on a 10 sun salutation day, set your meditation timer for 5 minutes.

Be easy on yourself with this one, if it's a stretch.
Remember...relax, let go, no judgements, just breathe and be.
Happy Summer! Namaste.

A sun salutation is a type of flowing yoga, where you move your body to new postures as you breathe in and out. Sun salutations are really great stretches for the spine, your legs, and your shoulders. You really can't mess them up - just go to your comfort level.

Usually, I hold each pose for two breaths at first - as a way to stretch my muscles. If I do the poses as a flow more times in a row, I follow the pattern of moving on an inhalation or exhalation. The picture in top of the post shows the breaths that correspond to the movements.

Side note: I anticipate that pregnancy will make the forward bends difficult (heartburn) and the Up Dogs nearly impossible. However, the Down Dogs will feel amazing as the baby settles down and out of my lower back!

A little rusty on your sun salutations? Watch this video to brush up:

This website has some cute bendy figures and an easy to follow flow.

And I like the diagram below from a yoga textbook I have because it gives you a little script to say to guide a person in the moves.

Sorry, I'm Just Not That Into You...

Dear Super Clearance 8 Piece Complete Bed Set,

I really wanted to like you. You've got all that I want - a bed skirt, a sheet set, 4 pillow cases, and a plush comforter. And WOWZA, why did Target mark you down so low in price? Fifty percent off? You are a steal of a deal to a lucky shopper.

Unfortunately, I'm just not a geometric kind of girl. I really wanted to like you in my new guest room, with new black furniture and perhaps an aqua colored wall. Alas, I must be true to myself. You aren't a quilt. You aren't unbelievably soft and supple. You aren't my favorite shade of purple. You don't scream me. So I am returning you to the store and buying three other possibilities online at Target's Bedding Clearance.

No hard feelings,

Mrs. Haid

PS. You'd be perfect in my bro-in-law's room; however, I bet he'd have no clue what to do with your dust ruffle.

PPS. Maybe the Scandinavian Pink/Grey Bed in a Bag will be right up my alley.

PPSS - Or perhaps this Barclay Reversible Quilt Set will be versatile enough for me.PPPSS - I think the Brown Ava Quilt Set will really tickle my fancy.

Happy Wedding Anniversry, Groomie!

Today is my four year wedding anniversary.

Three whole summers, three Christmases, and three birthdays have passed since I got married! In fact, there have been lots of THREES to remember on this FOURTH anniversary... Three different jobs for me. Three pregnancies, too. Three viewings of our wedding ceremony DVD (we forgot where it was one year...)

Through all of these milestones, I've had a husband who is sweet and supportive.

He doesn't hold grudges and he apologizes when he is wrong or has wronged.

He is the guy that my friends fuss over and compare their current (usually losery) boyfriends to.

He lets me make my own choices and has never criticized a decision I've made.

He writes "my Bride" affectionately for most greeting cards and tells me he feels lucky to have gotten to marry me.

I'd like to think I am as romantic and sweet as him, but really, I don't think I am. For example: the card he bought for me today said:

"Happy Me and You Day

That's how I think of it.

Today doesn't belong to family or friends or jobs or anything that can't fit inside the circle our our arms around each other.

Today belongs to you and me.

I LOVE YOU.

Happy Anniversary"

And his personal message said:

The card was placed next to my bed with these sweet pink roses.

He encouraged me to sleep in and look at both pretty things later. (So I did)

Here are some of the more enjoyable pictures of my husband from our wedding day. Yes, he looked VERY attractive in the tux and his smile and excited expressions still make my heart melt.

I love my wedding anniversary because it is a day for me to remember how much I love my husband, how he blesses me, and just how admirable he is.

I like his happy face here. He was being a good sport posing for pictures, because he generally hates posed group shots like this. Actually, all the guys in the photo are being good sports. They are all sort of candid-type guys.

And his reddened, excited face right after we were announced officially as "husband and wife"

Another radiant, huge smile.

Here's a melt my heart picture. I like that I can still remember the feeling of him leaning into the side of my face.

In this photo, I can tell how much younger we were. Its a very innocent looking picture!



He was also so carefree and happy in this picture. It was taken before I gave him an ENORMOUS piece of cake to chomp.

And this candid shot shows so much expression in his face. He was just grinning at me while they played our song and it was a perfect moment.

After going through all these pictures, I am a weepy mess. Maybe I am more sentimental on wedding anniversaries. And probably the extra pregnancy horomones make me feel even more lovey-dovey and affectionate towards my husband.

I love you, Mr. Haid!

I want more fabulous adventures with YOU!!

Product Review: L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Colour

On my blog title description, I list that I have opinions about all sorts of things, including lipstick.

Yep, I sure do!

I had a bout of non-lip color wearing during December, January, February, March, and April... basically, due to intense morning sickness. Makeup made me gag! What a sad, pale few months those were. Especially for my under attended lips.

In the beginning of May, I discovered I could wear lip color again! I started off with some simple Burt's Bees products, tinted Chapstick, and Nivea Kiss of Color. I noticed no extra nausea... so I took the leap and used the lip liner (L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Liner in Au Natural)!

Here is my tried and true, go to lipstick: L'Oreal Colour Riche Colour Me Natural in 854, Cashmere. Sure, I have others. Many other colors. This color is a pink-ish nude color, which isn't brown, pink, coral, or red based. I think it has some plum tones, because those look the best on my skin tone. Cashmere 854 is part of the Colour Me Natural Collection, which I just now researched on their website. I realized the other L'Oreal colors (colours!) I own are from this collection as well.

This pretty golden tube makes it to the top of the rotation so often that I actually have to purchase more.

Shock! Atypical Mrs. Haid behavior.

I rarely ever finish a lipstick before I lose it, forget to seal the cap securely and get little dust bits from my purse in it, or it seems to taste odd.

Here is where it is available for purchase, at a buy-one-get-one sale for $8.95. Which might be a good deal, considering I can't remember how much I actually spend on a tube when I go to the store.

I have lots of other lip chaps and balms and stains. When I was putting this on today, I thought, "Hm, I'll share the fine news of this super natural, lustrous shade with my blogging friends today". Maybe another day I can share some of my top favs in my make up stash!

Note: For those of you who know me well, you know I'd love to renouce my current lifestyle to become a professional makeup artist. Okay, I'd take Mr. H and Baby H with me when I do the fun makeup for DWTS or ANTP.
I love doing makeup for others, especially those who aren't confident at it.

Confident and Pumped!

Okay, I loved the water aerobics class this morning! It was a positive experience. I was capable of all the exercise required, and though I am nearly 32 weeks pregnant, I looked good out there!

Yes, I brag. I was doing low jacks and pushing the water with the best of them. I was doing the advanced level, even though it was my first try! Major self-confidence booster!

You should know, dear readers, that I was the youngest member of the class by at least 35 years. AT LEAST. A fair number of the other exercisers were in their 70s. The man next to me was 85 last week!

I don't care. It was still fun. It was WAY easier than most of the workout DVDs I've done... but really, at this point, doing lunges and jumping jacks are laughable. However, doing all sorts of cardio in the water and using the water weights... totally doable! I could do it!

I signed up for a membership through July 15 (my Maybe Baby Day) and bought a more athletic swimsuit top from Landsend.com. I didn't have any major wardrobe malfunctions today, but I might wear a sports bra under my other tankini top tomorrow. I think some of the old folks are shocked to see a pregnant lady wearing a bathing suit, but I don't mind. I feel the need to be a bit more modest, however, as I am surrounded by mu mu-esque style suits. So, no exposed tummy in a sporty bikini top there!

I loved the feeling of being UNpregnant. The water just took the ache away from my upper back and let the tension out of my lower back. I couldn't even feel the few BH contractions I had!

Its awesome.

I'm going back tomorrow. And maybe daily since having an hour of being UNpregnant is super nice.

Nervous/excited

Today I am going to take my first swim class since I was eight or nine years old. Yes.

I am going to our Activity and Recreation Center to participate in water aerobics! I expect there will be lots and lots of retired people there.

If, because I have been rather inactive in the cardio department and cannot keep up with the class, I will stay to try out "Moving My Joints" the class that is next. It is designed especially for those "who are challenged by arthritis or other special conditions that make participating in regular fitness classes difficult". I think pregnancy fits in the "other conditions" category... don't you??

I feel a little nervous about this for a few reasons:

1) Swimsuit issues - I don't have a "fitness suit" per say, and am nervous about a wardrobe malfunction. I look distinctly different than I normally do in a bathing suit, and have lots of parts I want covered up (and to stay covered up!)

2)Trying new things out of my typical routine has become progressively harder for me since graduate school. I don't know why. Its like I reverted back to a shy-self.

3) What if its too difficult for me? I am sort of a professional at yoga and I have always been really good at "gym stuff". I don't want to fall over or be more out of breath than the oldies who are there!


I am excited, though, because it is a way for me to spend time in the mornings in the summer that would otherwise be spent dozing and watching The Today Show or trolling the internet reading scary birthing stories or something.

Ask Me Anything,

Several of you bloggers have done the "Ask Me Any Question" post, and it's so much fun because I feel like I get to know a little more about you through the obscure questions that you are asked.

So now it's my turn! I want to answer the questions you throw at me.

Put on your thinking caps and ask me ANY question that you would like to know, and I will answer them all on my next post.

This should be fun. :)

On your mark, get set, GO!

Reflective Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... The rain has stopped and our gardens look verdant and fresh. I am excited to watch the bedding plants we installed yesterday grow and blossom!

I am thinking... About pregnancy and my reactions to it so far. Just thinking... not writing.

This week I will try to... Use my time wisely and enjoy my summer vacation.

I hope to teach... Hmm. School's out for summer. So I am really just teaching myself things. I would like to teach myself to say please and thank you with more frequency.

From the kitchen... Amazing strawberry pie. Expect a recipe and a picture!

I am wearing... Super soft bamboo yoga clothes, which are pre-pregnancy and therefore, ultra stretchy!

On my iTunes...The Police.

I am reading... The Big Book of Birth, by Erica Lyon

I am hoping... For energy and courage to tackle classroom checkout tomorrow morning! I know it will be easy to sleep in and get cold feet. Locking up Room 21 and saying goodbye will be strange and sentimental.

I am thankful for... Cooler weather, because it equals no AC and a comfortable me.

I am remembering... How difficult cleaning out a room can be! Our catch-all room got all the college notebooks sorted through and JUNK we've collected in four years in the house!

I am creating... A plan for this "new" space. Wall color, furniture placement and type, etc.

I am praying... Please, God. In reference for patience and pregnancy.

Around the house... "I think we're getting to have a more adult looking house", says husby a few moments ago. Yep. The nursh is 98% done, and our catch all room will be a guest room in 2 weeks!

One of my favorite things... Long weekends. When husby is off on Monday, Sundays seem to last so long. He's in such a relaxed mood!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Check out of school room, mail invitations to baby shower, go to the ARC for a water aerobics class, email my friends Amy, Ashley, and Ann, choose a paint color for new room, and plan a romantic honeymoon anniversary weekend.

A picture thought to share with you: New writing space.

Lonely for...

Drama.


Passion.


Spandex.

Gilles.

Mid Book Review: Purpose Driven Life

I've been reading through Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life again this spring. When I read it the first time as part of a small group study four years ago, I had some ideas of my life's purpose and some idea about the importance of knowing God's purpose for my life.

Four years later, I am married to the man I was engaged to during the spring I did the study. I live in the same town as I did when I did the study. I am teaching in the same content area as when I did the study. I'm going to the same church as I did then, though it is in another location.

I made notes through the book about thoughts, verses, etc.

As a mid-book review, I'd like to point out what I've noticed this time around.

1. This book is certainly written for someone who has felt uncomfortable reading through a Bible, or who perhaps has never read a Bible. Warren interjects many Bible verses as quotations throughout the paragraphs. I appreciate this as a writer, because it must have been difficult to establish and maintain the same voice and diction throughout the book while taking from many different authors. I don't appreciate it as a more-mature Christian, because some verses are a bit out of context or are abbreviated with ellipses (...) to make it make sense. For the reading to flow better, there are no citations throughout the body of the text. The references are in the back section of the book. The last time I read it, I wrote the verse references in the margin as a help and read the NSV version of the Bible to see how Warren's selected translations affected the meaning of the message.


2. I find it more difficult to maintain a motivation to read this book as the days progress. Perhaps because it is the second time around. Perhaps because the information is so basic and fundamental to my beliefs. It is like GOD 101. Yes, that is a good thing and a good refresh-er for me, to have the core tenants of my faith repeated in such a way to remind me and keep it in my thoughts, perhaps on my lips as I meet others.


3. This book would be such an important study tool for kids who are in high school, college students, or adults with a mid life crisis. There were times in my life when I did think : What should I do with my life? Which path is best? What do I want? and had very few answers. During this season of my life, I sort of don't have the same questions. True, I do have two degrees and experience in one field of work, and a good intent to continue on this career path. Also true is that I am no longer asking the question if or when I should start a family, because I'm almost in my 8th month of pregnancy! I am not asking questions about who or when I should marry, because its about time for our fourth wedding anniversary. I bet there will be other times in my life when I need to be reminded of my purpose (serve God, love God, choose life paths that I love to glorify God).

I will continue to read this book, and when I am done, I will do a regular book review.

Book Club Time!

My local library does a summer reading program for adults called One Read. Often, the books are recent award winners, and occasionally, they are really gems. I haven't been a fan of all the books, but the one for this summer looks interesting!




“The Air We Breathe” by Andrea Barrett

"In the fall of 1916, America prepares for war, but time moves slowly for the tubercular patients, scientists and caregivers at Tamarack Lake sanitarium, an isolated community in the Adirondacks. A discussion group started by a well-meaning patient provides a weekly diversion, but also sets the stage for dramatic events that bring the war home. Andrea Barrett is a National Book Award winner for "Ship Fever" and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for "Servants of the Map.""

-- Excerpt from library's site and dust jacket.





Is anyone else interested in reading this book with me? I plan to attend at least one of the special events. Alternately, I found this site that lets you know what your community One Read program is going to be for the year, and so you could attend book events in your region!

I will check the title out from the library this summer, and my goal is to have it completed by June 30. That is a pretty easy reading goal to accomplish, providing that the book is a good one! However, if it is a tough one for me to read, such as Tortilla Curtain, I'll need that six week time frame!


I mentioned that I've been looking for new fiction to enjoy, and I noticed that there is a pretty hefty list of titles here that were nominated for the one read program, but didn't make the cut. I think I'll use that for my new reading list! Although, I often don't finish adult novels. I am really interested in teen literature and early adolescent literature now, so much so that I am becoming prolific at 150 page novels and considering taking up writing...

Weekend projects:

1. Clean out silverware and kitchen tool jar. (seriously, how do crumbs get into shut drawers?) Organize the silverware.
2. Put away last of winter clothes or too small pre-pregnancy clothes.
3. Plant and re-pot cactus and succulents.

I think since the weekend is three days, three tasks seem appropriate. However, I have a LONG list of things to do to get our house back into shape. I will try to become our house keeper, not just a house-live-r-in-er.

- Clean and organize under sink area. Decide what needs to go there... onions and potatoes OR medium sized kitchen appliances.

- Organize pantry. Throw out expired food. Find a system that WORKS.

- Sort through and cull out makeup and hair products. Ugh. I think this will TOTALLY change the way my bathroom looks!

- Sort through the stuff in our "stuff room" which will become a guest bedroom.
Organize the stuff in our guest bedroom (books, DVDs, electronics, lots of misc)
Decorate our guest bedroom.

- Get ahead on church birthday/anniversary card preparation for June, July, August.

Those are some big tasks looming in my future. I hope that I get some of this nesting instinct that people talk so frequently about, and it propels me into finding even more assignments to do!

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks...

Because school's out for summer!

and

School's out forEVER

(probably not, but at least for the next year!)

Last night I went to a social gathering at a local bar with co-workers. I sat on the patio with them and listened to their funny, bitingly sarcastic comments about the year and co-workers and supervisors for about four hours.

I don't usually whine about supervisors. I have a hard time being unprofessional even when I am not employed by that person. (Example: I had a boss who treated many people poorly and was very proud of his success. Looking back, I know there was a lot of mistreatment, but I still don't harbor malice for this guy. Poor him for living life like a jerk for so long, right?)

Oh, but it was VERY AMUSING to listen to the haters talk trash. Oh, and they were drinking copious amounts of beer.

Just being around the smell and the ice-cold look of it was nice for me. Sort of tortuous nice.

And being in a comfy patio chair, enjoying the warm, early summer breeze... it was relaxing. It made me want to porch sit or patio sit every night.

Of course, I'd need my pitcher of sweet tea like I had last night.

This morning, I woke up feeling so relaxed. I have to clean up a few things, organize, turn in my keys, and pack some teacher-junk in the attic, but I am SO DONE.

It makes me want to reconsider the title of my blog. I am just myself now. Just my first name and a commonly mispronounced last name.

Then again, I viewed my teacher name, Mrs. Haid, sort of like an actress's role. Its who I was and how I reacted from 8-3:30 pm. When some kid called Mrs. Haid a bitch because she enforced classroom procedures and had high expectations, I didn't take offense. It wasnt' a personal insult. So then maybe... Mrs. Haid really is like a screen name or pen name to me. And only close friends and family are the ones who call me by my "real" name.

Of course, my husband isn't too fond of me calling Mrs. Haid my "fake name". Don't worry, honey. If I stop feeling like Mrs. Haid, its just the teacher part. Not the after-affect of our super awesome wedding.

Writer's block? Writer's block no more! Let's roll out some more posts here, peeps.

Come on guys, you can do it. I know you can. My Google Reader and Blogs You Follow reading lists are getting a little slim! Don't make me go find new blog friends to read... I still want to be invested in your lives!

I don't want to brag or anything, but I have led several people to the blogger watering hole.

It is an ultimate writing teacher accomplishment! I feel a real sense of pride when I read about how writing has influenced another person's life in a positive way.


Several of my friends have contacted me in the last week telling me that they don't know what to blog about. And I have a few reticent readers who say it is their goal to start a blog, but they don't know how to select a theme.

I will try my best to come up with a list of ideas for you to encourage you on your writing journey.


idea #1

When you get an idea for a blog, write it on a piece of paper and put it in your pocket. Even if it goes through the wash, you have a funny story to share! I find myself doing this on the margin of my church's bulletin. I a stack of church bulletins in a notebook that have ideas from my pastor's message that I do intend to get to. I find that more ideas come up when I am quiet and listening to others. I don't always have a chance to sort through my opinions or fully form a decision while I am listening intently to their messages.



idea #2

Start to do "saved posts". Start a post, and if you lose momentum, just save a copy of it. It gets stored on this "edit posts" section. When or if you feel inspired to write again, open that file by clicking "edit". Its amazing how a short period of time can change your perception or give you words. You can even just put a title down or upload a picture, and then when you feel ready, you can write, write, write!


idea #3
Go through an old post you made. Copy and paste it into a new post. Re-write that post from a different perspective - either from a "gee, I feel so different about this now two months later" or a different writing genre. Re-write the post as a love letter. A poem. A list. An email. A complaint form. A newspaper article. A list of adjectives. Come at that same idea from a new place and see what you missed the first time.

idea #4

Start reading other blogs. Its really easy to find some... just click "next blog" on the top left toolbar in Blogger. You'll get some really random blogs! Or look for the "Blogs of Note" section on your dashboard. Its sort of like seeing a hairstyle you like on a celebrity and then modifying it for your own locks.

idea #5

Get theme-y. There are all kinds of theme posts: Worth It Wednesday, Foto Friday, Wordless Wednesday (also a photo), Thankful Thursdays, Menu Plan Monday... lots of kinds. I am pretty poor at being consistent on these sorts of posts, but sometimes I write two or three of them, and again, save them to be published in subsequent weeks.

idea #6

Make lists. Lists are so easy to do. You can have a list post that is your To Do List for the week, your Dream Vacation List, your "Bucket List", a list of things you love, a list of your facebook or tweet statuses for the day, a list of regrets... really, lists of any sort. I think that making lists seems less committal than writing out paragraphs.

idea #7

Write little letters. Knowing your audience helps reduce the writer's block. You can put little private jokes, memories, or reminders to the person you are writing to.

Write to your boss. Write to the next door neighbor who lets his dog poop in your yard. Write to the food service person who prepared a great meal. Write to your ancestors. Its interesting how you can get started by choosing a person you would talk (or really don't want to talk to for realsies) and your writer's block is history.

Or, don't write to a person. Write to a situation that is happening in your life. Write to a color. Write to a season. Write to a favorite hair care product. Write to your city. Write to your stupid deadline. Even write a note to your blog.

Par example:

Dear Blog, I cannot commit much time or energy to you today. But I am nurturing you with a daily post. I hope you get a lot of visitors today!

idea #8

Questions.

Ask your readers a question each day. Maybe reading their responses will trigger your own writing.

Allow your readers to ask you questions and then do a Q and A post or series of posts. I am going to try this out very soon! You might get material for days and days of posts!

ideas from the web

This site has a list of nice topics: http://www.momdot.com/writers-block-on-your-blog/ for you to write personal narratives about. I could come up with at least two or three sentences for each prompt, and for others I could write a novel!

Do you feel like trying to write a little fiction? Or just being creative? The Story Starter is a website that randomly generates a first sentence or phrase for beginning a story. Just go to http://thestorystarter.com/ and click the long, grey button called "random".

Visit the site Imagination Prompt Generator for a blog-specific prompt. Some are very deep, such as What do you sense you're supposed to do before your life is over? Others are not so deep. You write what you want, and then challenge your readers to respond with their answer.

Join a blogger's support group. Seriously. There are some. NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) is a site that is dedicated to support you in your prolific posting. If you join this site, your blog can be featured on the Blogroll. You might get "discovered". You will probably discover some other really cool blogs that will be inspiration for you.


So... are you fired up to start writing? Yay!

Ready... Set... GO!

Dang, I guess I should have used all of my voting options.

I only did the text vote.

She wasn't the best dancer, IMO. But perhaps her routine was better for freestyle? Idk. I didn't like it. But it could have been the lime green and suspenders.

Or it could be that this is my last week teaching high school, and I am sick of high schoolers and their antics.

Or it could be that I am just a fan of sexy men. With good accents, good hair, and polite manners.

On a non-depressing note: Last night was to me as Halloween is for second graders. Fantastic costumes. Silly jokes. Fun with friends (well, Bruno would SO be happy to my friend, if he knew me). High energy dancing. Scary creatures (Lady Gaga and friends). Surprises.

I definitely got a sugar rush from watch the show!

If you missed it, here's a recap.

Every one performed the heck out of their dances. Big smiles all around. Then everyone got very nervous. Then they thanked the judges and said, "Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would have done this. Thank you to every single one of the fans." (and other such redundant sentiments).

Then every dance got a perfect score.

Its going to be a long summer, with a definite lack of sambas, fringe, and my favorite professional dancers.

Do you Craigslist?

I use facebook as a verb more often than a noun.

Facebook me your new address.

I was facebooking and saw her sister's wedding pictures.

So, let's add some more website lingo to our repertoire, shall we?

To Craigslist: to browse, shop, sell, or communicate on the

merchandise and services interface using www.craigslist.com

I Craigslist "kids and baby" frequently. Usually looking for nothing in particular, or something specific in particular.

I have added a few WTB items...

Chicco Key Fit Stroller, EUC and WTB: Prefold Cloth Diapers, Indian/Chinese/Bleached/Unbleached.

We've bought two items from Craigslist so far - Chicco Key Fit Car Seat Bases and a Full Size Bed Frame and Mattress. Both are in EUC and are less than a year old. What a great way to save some cash on our part, reduce shipping fees and freight, and reduce land fill fillage.

Another fun thing to do on Craigslist: look out for hilarious spelling errors.

Spotted today:
Sweat Dreams Dollhouse - price reduced
Washermachine needed for elderly lady
Wanted: Kitchen Nook (or whatever it is it is called)

Its just too easy with these people. I mean, we are just giving anybody a keyboard these days... and not employing editors. Tee hee.

Tuesday's List

1. Making a Garden Salad with Chicken for dinner ...baby needs more protein
2. Clipped back the mint from a small flower bed that had been conquered by the pleasant herb... my husband hates that mint! maybe if I take care of it, we can get some pretty annuals
3. Graded one set of finals, have one set yet to complete... then three tomorrow and two on Thursday, then nearly done with teacher paperwork!
4. Two loads of laundry to do and fold ... really, it never seems to end
5. DWTS season finale!! Whoo hooo!!! ...let's go Gilles and Cheryl!
6. Apply Palmer's Tummy Butter liberally... I can tell its time for a growth spurt and I want my skin to be nourished!

Book Review: Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

I heard about this book a few years ago when Jenny talked to The Today Show about it. I put it in the back of my mind as a book that might be entertaining to read when I became pregnant.

Two years ago I tried to check it out at the local library, but man! What a popular title! It was out for weeks! Then this month I stumbled across it when I was looking for books about birth plans. Quel suprise pleasante!

After reading so many factual, encyclopedia style books about pregnancy, birth, and infant care, it was a pleasant turn of events to read a first-person narrative account of pregnancy.


I don't really know or care to know too much about her personal celebrity life, but I did enjoy reading about her life during the 9 (well, 10) months of her first pregnancy. It was so relieving to hear the comedy and the "its funny because its true!" perspective. I think I'd been feeling so down at about how the scope of my pregnancy was going... sick all the time, grouchy at everyone, short on patience, and resentful of the baby for taking over my life that I lost sight of the bigger picture... its a condition that about half of the world can commiserate with! Enter Jenny McCarthy's refreshing, quick-read.


This is on my top list (which is still being compiled and is in rough draft form) of Pregnancy Must Reads.


Warning.

She tells it like it is.

She tells it like I wish it wasn't.

But you've been warned.

DWTS: Quickie Update

I've got some laundry to put away and some contacts to clean, so its minimal compy time for me. Here's a quickie DTWS review and link...

Paso comparison... super fun, although I didn't really approve of the multiple costumes. Yep, Gilles deserved that 30 and the girls deserved the criticism.

Freestyles:

Shawn and Mark: Really weird masks. Reminded me of WWF wrestling ... when they flashed their jazz hands in their face... and not totally into the second jumpy portion, either. Her outfit really reminded me of Full House early 90s.

Melissa and Tony: Loved their costume choices. How fun! This dance reminded me more of Joey F., Mario, and Kristy's dances. It was fast, fun, and funky. I think she probably did deserve the 9s, but not really the "you're just not into it" remarks.

Gilles and Cheryl: When I saw their outfits, I immediately thought Jennifer Beals, 1986. No big surprise that it was flash dance... or that Gilles played the hot, steamy, sexy card. It was odd that the dance was so short and so limited on little tricks. I agree that the dance showcased Cheryl. I didn't mind, because I feel she is an excellent dancer and dance instructor. I thought Gilles might have just injured himself and wanted an easier routine, or perhaps he is more humble and didn't really get that Americans show off at any chance they get on national television!

What do you think?

Reflective Woman's Daybook, May 18

Prompt from Simple Woman

FOR TODAY, Monday, May 18

Outside my window... Its a perfect afternoon, the sort that makes me want to see a baseball game, buy a hammock, or call a friend for a walk.

I am thinking... that I owe my husband big time for painting, then re-painting, and now having the option of re-painting again... something just isn't quite right.

I am thankful for... his patience

From the learning rooms... its FINALS week! Which means I am going to be grading 145 exams efficiently so I can have my grades entered and BE DONE FOR SUMMER!!!

From the kitchen... I will make Rice Krispies tonight and Iced Tea

I am wearing... black gauchos and a grey/white striped maternity 3/4 sleeve top, with matching grey sandals. Its quite the Old Navy outfit!

I am creating... ideas for a perfect nursh - or one that is just welcoming and peaceful.

I am going... to fold laundry tonight during DANCING WITH THE STARS

I am reading... I've finished several of the birthing books from the library, and will begin some fiction tonight.

I am hoping.. for a smooth transition from full time, full speed ahead working conditions to slower paced summer vacation

I am hearing... swish of the water as husband cleans out another paint brush. Why can't I be decisive? Why can't paint look the same on the wall as on the tiny chip?

I am remembering... to drink more water.

Around the house... there are zero ants. Zero!

On my iTunes...I got a new arm band for my iPod, so I can exercise with it. Some of my best workout music is newer Britney!

One of my favorite things... from the weekend is that my dear friend Ann came to visit! We had a lovely lunch and short chat before she traveled along her path.

A few plans for the rest of the week: DWTS finale tonight and tomorrow plus the text voting that accompanies it, wearing dressy maternity clothes to work so I continue to feel professional, administering and grading biology exams, attending a softball game of husby's.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... April showers bring May flowers.

Dianthus, a perfect perennial that blooms about May 10 until September, is super hardy in through winter, is easy to grow and transplant, and is a member of carnation family.

Cool Paint Selector

We were very happy with the Glidden paint we bought at Home Depot for our bedroom this spring, and so it will be the brand we'll use to paint the nursh.

Nope, its not painted yet. Yes, its been on top of the THINGS TO DO LIST, but I haven't made the final color selection.

Here's a neat website that had the color palettes that are clickable, and is somewhat like the mosiac of color you see when you go into the paint aisle.

Glidden Paint App

I also found a more fun app from Behr, but since we didn't prefer its paint quailty as much, I didn't spend as much time on that site.

In case you are curious, we are choosing between two color schemes. I've narrowed the colors down to:

1) Enchantment WITH Blue Silk or Snowbell

or

2) Eclectic or Fairy Dust WITH Skyline or Faint Reflection

Both are cool, purpley blues. I started off wanting aqua shades of blue. I am wandering towards lilac. Its probably because my favorite color is in the RC27 - Giggles and/or Elevator. I suggested we repaint our bedroom this color. Husby said, "No."

Choices, choices.

Confession: Ex BF Wedding Invites

Confession: The invites will never even get opened.


A number of significant males in my life are getting married this summer. Or have been married in the very recent past. And some invite me.

This week I found an invite in the mail from a college BF. I put it in the recycle bin faster than you can say... hmm... I can't think of anything to compare it to. But I put it in the recycle QUICK.
This is because I opened one a few weeks ago. I was curious, and hadn't been alerted of the upcoming nuptials by mutual friends.



Oh no. Mistake.

I had weird dreams about being pregnant in weddings and being confused about groomsmen and boyfriends and my age for a few days. I woke up sweating and had to peek over the covers to make sure the man next to me was the right guy!



Did I invite any ex-BFs to my wedding?

NOPE. Here are the reasons:

1. I didn't want them to suffer the heartache of unrequited love.


2. I didn't want it to be awkward for New Husband of Less than a Day to see his New Bride of Less than a Day wishing she hadn't sent the invite to his family in hopes of receiving a nice consolation prize gift.


3. I didn't want the old BFs to feel low self-esteem, because obviously, I didn't pick him.


4. Socially bizarre.

I have to wonder:

• Are the fiancees sending me these cards?


• Why?


• Or is it the guy in my prom picture?


• How do they have my address?

I don't have to wonder:

• Is she prettier than me?


• Is she going to have a more fabulous bouquet?


• Will her dress be ugly and oh-so-typical cupcake style?


• What does he see in her?
  
• Will he cry when he sees her?
  
• And will this make me cry?
  
• Will he see me and panic and call off the wedding?


• Will she gloat when she sees me all knocked up and huge in an un-perfect dress (because they don't make perfect dresses for preggo girls) and get some satisfaction?
  
  

I don't have to wonder these things because they don't matter...

I had a fabulous wedding, had a fabulous bouquet, I had a killer dress... and....

I already have the best husband, and there's no turning back.

So send the invites if you want, but I am not going to open them. Sorry, no gift from your Target Registry either. Consider your gift me not telling your bride about some of the stupid choices you made!

Attention former GFs of my husband: I will probably put your invitations into the recycle bin, too.

Excitement: Book Release!

I've marked my mental calendar and added it to my amazon.com cart: the book Goodbye Ed, Hello Me.

It's written by the same author of Life Without ED, Jenni Schaefer.

That was a transformational book for my life: it captured some of what I was thinking, most of what I had experienced, and gave me a way to latch onto ED recovery.

I am excited to read about this book and encouraged in my own walk away from Ed, that jerk!

Product Review: Terro Ant Bait

I haven't found many products lately that are perfect.


Here is a product that I am not paid to endorse, but would happily be an enthusiastic infomercial girl shouting about how amazing TERRO Ant Baits are!



We have had the same ant problem for the 4 springs we've lived in our new house. It lasts until mid-September and involves small trails of ants filtering through our kitchen window sill and setting up shop somewhere inside our dish washer cabinet.



I looked for more natural methods - which involved creating a powder out of orange rinds and sprinkling around the perimeter of the house. I guess our ants love the smell of citrus! I tried putting a thin layer of baby powder on the window sill cracks, which acts as a barrier since the ants go into respiratory failure when they march through the dust. The powder was messy and drove my husband nuts. We bought these little ant traps and lined our floor corners with them, but they were not especially effective. Note: these weren't Terro brand. They were some random brand.

We usually squirted the unwelcome visitors with White Vinegar Windex - our cleaning agent of choice. I realized we were going through so much of the Windex, and it was a reactive strategy. I called the exterminator. Geez! They have some HIGH prices and must come back month after month to guarantee our home is ant-free.

I mentioned our ant issue on a post recently, and my friend JK recommended Terro Liquid Ant Killer. It comes in a little tube, and you squirt it on a small piece of cardboard. I immediately set out to purchase this, but on my way to the store, I stopped at my friend Hilary's house (note: Hilary, I can't hyperlink to your blog because you don't have one, let's change that, okay?). I informed her of my mission, and she told me that the liquid-goo drops used to be effective a few years ago, but recently the company changed the chemical strength or composition of the goo, and it hadn't worked for her since. Since we live in the same neighborhood, I figured our species of ants were the same, and took her word on getting TERRO LIQUID ANT BAITS.

We put all six of them out - one in the dishwasher, one near my shower, one on the window sill (point of entry), one near our patio door, and two on the counter top where they love to congregate. To set them up, you just tear off a plastic strip AND YOU ARE DONE! We left town that evening for less than 48 hours.

When we returned on Sunday afternoon, I saw four ants. One was wandering aimlessly on my shower wall. The other three were scurrying in the dish washer. I eliminated them using the standard Windex spray method, and disposed of their little bodies.

The next afternoon when we came home from work, there were NO ANTS anywhere. Shock! We took the ant bait from the dishwasher, and put it on the floor in a tiny corner.

For the next six days, there were NO ANTS. NONE.

Today is a full week later... still, no ants. This morning we remarked about how wonderful it is to not see them. We even did a little test run, and left a few dirty dishes in the sink. NO ANTS.

So, if you have any ants, go to the store and buy the orange box labeled TERRO Liquid Ant Bait. I found ours at Walmart, but have since seen it at Lowe's, Home Depot, and our grocery store.

PS - neat science-y thing... the active ingredient is Borax. Which means it is approved by the EPA as a safe chemical to use in your house!



Borax is a staple in any science department cabinet - for use raising the pH of water to denature DNA and proteins, for making slime (mix with Elmer's glue!, and for general lab clean up.

Borax (also known as sodium borate decahydrate; sodium pyroborate; birax; sodium tetraborate decahydrate; sodium biborate) is a natural mineral compound (Na2B4O7• 10H2O). It was discovered over 4000 years ago. Borax is usually found deep within the ground, although it has been mined near the surface in Death Valley, California since the 1800s. Although it has numerous industrial uses, in the home borax is used as a natural laundry booster, multipurpose cleaner, fungicide, preservative, insecticide, herbicide, disinfectant, dessicant, and ingredient in making 'slime'. Borax crystals are odorless, whitish (can have various color impurities), and alkaline. Borax is not flammable and is not reactive. It can be mixed with most other cleaning agents, including chlorine bleach.

Borax has many chemical properties that contribute to its cleaning power. Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water molecules to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This reaction is more favorable in hotter water. The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces a basic solution in water, thereby increasing the effectiveness of bleach and other cleaners. In other chemical reactions, borax acts as a buffer, maintaining a stable pH needed to maintain cleansing chemical reactions. The boron, salt, and/or oxygen of boron inhibit the metabolic processes of many organisms. This characteristic allows borax to disinfect and kill unwanted pests. Borates bonds with other particles to keep ingredients dispersed evenly in a mixture, which maximizes the surface area of active particles to enhance cleaning power.

I learned about using Borax to raise the pH of a solution and increase effectiveness of detergents during a Science Ed class when we were doing many experiments with proteins and organic molecules. I'd never heard of 20 Mule Team before, but now I use it often to increase the effectiveness of our laundry soap. It makes cleaning husby's softball pants way easier!


The #1 selling brand in the category. (A.C. Nielsen, 2003 & ACTIVANT, 2004) America’s leading liquid ant killer provides fast-acting elimination of the queen and entire colony. Safe for use in and around your home. The active ingredient, Borax, is recognized by the EPA as being among the safest and least toxic chemicals available to consumers. (One 1 oz drop bottle)

Lately...

My upper ribs HURT like a M-F'er.
I've spouted poison at my husband more often than kind words.
Nothing has been "just right" - too long, too boring, too incompetent, too weird, too hot, too annoying, too dirty.
I forget a lot of things. Like movie titles.
I haven't published any posts because they were too negative.
I haven't written much or talked on the phone to many people because of the aforementioned poisonous words that lead to cursing.
I have been unhappy and ill-content.
I am more of a harsh critic than Simon.
I feel like the mean girl at the back of the classroom, rolling her eyes and telling you with her glare that you are so loserish.
I have felt ambivalent about motherhood.
I am a source of negative energy.

So maybe I'll just publish some "generic" posts I've got - photos, book reviews, product reviews, wishes, etc.

Maybe until my damn ribs quit feeling like they are being crushed under 400 pounds of concrete and/or that I am being filleted for a McRib sand which.

Because I don't like to be a poor role model who whines and curses.

But just know - life isn't always rainbows and cupcakes.
I guess I've got to accept that it is also squashed worms and stale vomit smell.

With so many home improvements, our house is changing quite a lot.

We are talking home improvements of the cleanliness factor, the new furniture and paint factors, and garden delights.


And here is proof that it will be changing even more...

A baby swing! I don't really like the idea of baby stuff out invading our non-baby stuff space. Not yet anyway! But our living room is the least full room at the moment. The nursh (will this thing will be stored in corner or closet) is under construction. The kitchen provides minimal floor area. Our bedroom is becoming our ever-clean sanctuary. Our garage is being utilized for painting and sanding trim and chair rails, so its a no-go. So, our living room is where it stays! I wonder how many more of these plastic "things" will clutter up our house and make us both say, "We need a house with a basement!!!".

What's the good news?

Because I teach mostly sophomores (note: distinct difference in level of maturity between sophomores and juniors, particularly with males!), I have little opportunity to have thoughtful conversations with kids. This is not the case with a few of my students. One in particular, whom I will refer to as JC, is in two of my courses, so I see him every day.

Lately JC has been saying, "Mrs. Haid, what's the good news?". At first, I didn't quite understand his question. Is the good news that school is dismissing early and I missed it? Is the good news that the lunch room has started to serve Popsicles? JC clarifies saying, "What good things are happening in your life that you want to share?"

Good things in my life that I want to share... well, I can't always share all those good things of my life in a quick little conversation with a student or in front of a class. But when he says this phrase, it makes me stop and take a quick assessment of my life.

Have I any good news?
Am I behaving in such a way that reflects I have good things going on in my life?
What is the good news of the day?
Am I thankful for the good in my life?

And so today, when I was feeling a little bit frustrated with my LOUD, UNRULY 5th hour ACT Prep Class and he asked this question, I answered frankly, "The good news is that I have only 3 more days spending 75 minutes with this lot of noisy kids, whom are a struggle to exercise patience and assist in test taking prep."

This shocked JC and the rest of the class. Eh, its honest... I thought. It is great news! I hate teaching this ACT Prep Class because I feel it is a silly course to teach. I haven't prepared an adequate syllabus or found very effective strategies. I get new students each quarter, and over half of them have no interest in taking the ACT.
The remaining students aren't aware that the science reasoning portion of the test is just as hard, if not harder, than University level science thinking. They whine about it being reading rather than being factual recall. I don't know how to help them "get it" ... I think they really have to have motivation for higher level thinking than factual recall.

What's the good news?

What a powerful question! I have started to ask it to others as well as a form a a greeting. What's the good news with you?

Happy Window into the World of Sparkles and Mirror Ball Trophies

Tonight I again woke the baby from his peaceful intrauterine slumber with my cheers and jeers and cries of "TEN!" while watching DWTS.

In case you missed this amazing dance by Louie Van Amstel (or whomever is this mega talented dancer Mark and Samantha fawn over)... here is a clip:


My favorite parts tonight were

1) Gilles and Cheryl in their purple passion dance of amazingness.



2)When Bruno told the audience to SHUT UP and LISTEN! They totally deserved the chastising! Good grief, studio audience! Ty and Melissa really did show some errors and therefore, the judges comments were merited. Geez. Its ballroom dancing, show some restraint, people!

3) How silly Ty looked wearing those multi-colored sequin es. Like a cupcake with sprinkles!!

4) When Bruno told Gilles, "Where is Lil Kim? She lives on dancing inside your pants!" note: he is referring to the hip action and booty-licious-ness of the SALSA!

Reflective Woman's Day Book

I liked writing using the prompt from Simple Woman. However, I cannot continue to call it by that name. I have not made much of an effort to live simply in the last week, and I think I might be frivolous this week, too.


However, I do think I these posts encourage me to be reflective, so I am re-titling them.



And here is my entry for the week of May 11, 2009.

Outside my window... a freshly mowed (mown?) lawn.

I am thinking... of not publishing my thoughts about Mother's Day, trying to ignore unpleasant and uncomfortable feelings

This week I will try to... do Gaiam's Prenatal Yoga - Energizing Practice daily and Erin O'Brien on Friday morning.

I hope to teach... my back to be straight with Pilates posture. My ribs have been aching something fierce this week, only alleviated by sitting as if "someone is pulling a string straight up that is connected to the spine"

From the kitchen... mingling scents of brownies, cleaning products, and tonight's enchilada experiment

I am wearing... a free, neon green Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week T-Shirt, size L. It fits across my abdomen as a size S would have only four short months ago

On my iTunes... music to sleep to - Enya's The Memory of Trees.

I am reading... Belly Laughs, by Jenny McCarthy. It is one of 12 birthing/pregnancy books I checked out from the library yesterday.

I am hoping... that I won't miss much LOST on Wednesday night due to student award ceremony at work

I am thankful for... Dancing with the Stars, because it gives me a fun start to my week and keeps me from being crabby on an otherwise crab-for-sure Monday.

I am remembering... to take my Nexium twice a day to eliminate gastritis and esophageal inflammation, which gave me this nasty pirate-like cough

I am creating... my Meal Plan Monday blog post next

I am praying... for endurance and patience - I want to finish the year as a happy teacher, not a stressed out one

Around the house... I notice how TIDY it is! Friday was a great day for clean!

One of my favorite things... forgiveness and a chance to start anew after repenting and asking forgiveness for bad behavior

A few plans for the rest of the week... Baby doctor appointment, LOST season finale, top biology students awards certificates, watching one of husby's softball games, day off of work on Friday

A picture thought to share with you: Easy Does It.

Happy Mother's Day!

Complaint:

I'd like to file a complaint please. Against a few people in particular but also against a common societal notion.

Its not okay to tell someone that you want to see their belly. That you want to come to see her because you want to see her "big belly".

Its even more not okay if you aren't in contact with this person(s) regularly via phone or email or face to face.

I promise to never tell another person I want to visit them to just comment on their physical appearance - their boob job, sunburn, hair cut - none of that. Promise.

EDIT: I forgot to mention "big belly" as a result of pregnancy. Not as a result of weight gain due to any other reason.

Daily Affirmations

One man that has a mind and knows it can always beat ten men who haven't and don't.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Friday = Day Off, but Day ON for To Do List

I haven't had a To Do List for awhile. Mostly, my attitude has been "try my best, let husby do the rest" - I wonder if he figured that out?

But, here are somethings I intend to do tomorrow with my "snow day" away from school.

• Healthy Breakfast and morning TV time
• Gaiam Preg Yoga DVD (if too tired for Erin O'Brien's intense workout, if not, do hers first. Even the squats and Grand Battements "baht ma's")
• Change the bedsheets and duvet cover
• Laundry (3 loads?)
• Call Kara about hair appointment Saturday
• Pick up contacts from Eye Express
• Put away winter clothes from closet, cull out summer clothes that don't work with huge abdomens
• Clear out leftovers that have gone bad
• Mail packages to friend Ann and MIL, card to Gma C
• Wrap mom's MDay gift
• Select paint colors for Baby H's room
• Vacuum living room, bedroom, baby H's room
• Sweep kitchen
• Consider mopping kitchen
• Seek out a way to eliminate ants from dishwasher, kitchen window sill, and bathroom sink
• Call insurance company to complain about change in benefits, ask questions about high-risk pregnancy billing
• Blog about NST and contraction monitoring at each weekly appointment

Here are things I don't intend to do, but feel I should do

• Mop kitchen floor
• Clean my shower
• Nag husband to clean his bathroom, especially shower
• Shop for baby mattress
• Complete Thank You cards
• Organize exploding number of hair products
• Wash out residue/goo from fridge shelves
• Make cards for church card ministry, address, start mail system

Here are things I probably will do, but aren't essential and are, at best, distractions:

• Scour eBay looking for deals on Pottery Barn Kids Crib bedding - I think I like Addison blue check from the outlets, but I don't want to pay full price
• Hem and haw over choices for baby changing table/dresser from online retailers
• Write a few blog posts to be published this weekend, or finish a few drafts
• Organize iTunes and sync iPod
• Look for Friday Garage sales and attend Estate Sale with Husby
• Chinese from HyVee for lunch?
• Nail care -not pedicure, can't really reach my toes for a precise painting!
• Phone call Ann, text Amy, email MIL, read other blogs