I dozed off on the couch last night … at 9 p.m. Obviously I was tuckered out. So I trundled off to bed and quickly fell into a heavy slumber. Around 2 a.m., I awoke – startled – to a terrible, horrifying, deep-throated, loud, rattling, choking sound. I sat up. The sound was coming from downstairs. My mind raced and quickly came up with a likely reason for the awful noise. Grover (my cat) must be choking on the mother of all hairballs, or even worse, being strangled in the blinds. Since Grover never once has had a hairball, I dismissed that theory and immediately thought the worst: my precious pet was in peril!
I sprang from the bed and dashed through the darkness to aid my ensnared feline. But as I reached the bedroom doorway, I heard the teeniest, sleepiest, cutest “meow” coming from the corner of the bedroom where Grover enjoys napping. “What’s the ruckus all about and why did you have to wake me up?” the kitty communicated with the little squeak. My sleepy mind raced. If Grover was OK (whew!), what on earth was that awful racket coming from downstairs?
I came to the obvious conclusion. Someone had broken into our house and was now having a heart attack and dying on my kitchen floor.
I froze in the doorway, thinking a thousand jumbled thoughts: Steve’s not here. What am I going to do? If he (the burglar) is having a heart attack, he can’t be that dangerous. I should go downstairs and make sure there actually is a burglar and make sure he actually is dying – then I can call 911. No wait! If for some reason he isn’t dying, just hacking up a lung or something, he might be dangerous. I need a weapon. And my cell phone.
As I stood in doorway and contemplated weapon choices (Where was that mini baseball bat?), again I heard the violent, scraping, snarlish, ear-racking noise. Except it wasn’t coming from downstairs.
It was coming from the guest bedroom – just down the hallway.
And that’s when the light bulb turned on. My mother-in-law, whose faults are very few, was nearly ripping the paint off the walls with the ferocity of her snores.
Giggling, both at the impossibility of such a lovely human being able to make such a horrific, explosive sound (and not wake up!) and at my comical cognitive reaction, I shut my bedroom door and tiptoed back bed.
After all, I had four hours to sleep until my alarm went off.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The best part about buying a house …
... is knowing that you don’t have to move again for a long, long time.
Who actually enjoys moving? I have never heard of anyone. But the good news is that all of our earthy belongings are now in the new house. Unpacked? Where they are supposed to be? Decorated? Of course not. But it will get there, and I have plenty of time to do it.
It’s nice to be home.
Who actually enjoys moving? I have never heard of anyone. But the good news is that all of our earthy belongings are now in the new house. Unpacked? Where they are supposed to be? Decorated? Of course not. But it will get there, and I have plenty of time to do it.
It’s nice to be home.
My new loves
Since my last update, I have developed some new loves in my life, things that are trivial, but wonderful and make me happy. I want to share them with you:
1. Cover Girl foundation for Sensitive Skin. I don’t even have sensitive skin, so I am not sure what inspired me to buy this … but I am sure glad I did! It feels like you are putting lotion on your face. Then it soaks in and doesn’t make your face feel cakey, dry or covered in anything. It feels like you are wearing nothing. And it looks like you are wearing nothing … but in a good way. When I wear this foundation, my skin looks so smooth and even, but you can’t tell I have foundation on. It is fantastic. It is once of those products that really makes you look better, but you can’t really pinpoint why … it just makes your skin look like it is naturally beautiful … even if it is naturally blotchy and uneven. The powder in the compact the CG makes gives you that nice airbrushed look, like on the cover of a magazine. However, it does make my skin feel a tad dry, but I am prone to dryness. BTW, my shade is “buff beige.” I like that. I am buff … and beige.
2. Walgreens. To be honest, I never understood how Walgreens stayed in business … that is, until I started working at my current job. Until recently, the only time I frequented a Walgreens was to pick up photos. Then I started working in an urban area, with only a half-hour lunch break. If I had errands to run, I better be able to knock them out in one stop. Enter Walgreens. In the past few weeks I have purchased: makeup, sugar-free chocolate, stick-on Velcro and packing tape. I ask you, where else could you buy Velcro and chocolate in one transaction? For your convenience, wide variety of goods and proximity to my place of employment, I salute you, Walgreens.
3. Yoplait Thick & Creamy Light yogurt. I have never been much of a yogurt lover. It wasn’t that I didn’t like yogurt, it was just that I was ambivalent toward it. Well, that has changed, and I am not particularly sure why. But let me tell you, this variety of yogurt, in either the cinnamon roll (weird, I know, but it really, really tastes just like a cinnamon roll!) or vanilla flavors are just dreamy. Try them.
4. Lentils. Another strange food craving I have been having is for lentils. They are (in case you were wondering) a member of the legume family, but unlike dried beans, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. Lentils are low in calories, high in fiber, minerals and protein – a super food! Oh, and did I mention that, just like dried beans, lentils are very, very inexpensive. I made some lentil soup last night, To. Die. For. I based it off this recipe. Also, while doing research on lentils I found this recipe, which replaces some of the flour and nuts in brownies (!!!) with lentils, to make them healthier. I am intrigued and may have to try this!
5. Barley. Yum, yum! I recommend replacing white rice with barley in soups, sides, stir-fries, whatever. Seriously delish! And if you want to try barley without committing to buying a pound of the dried stuff, try Progresso’s Savory Vegetable Barley Light soup. That is what got me hooked. Now I am cooking barley on my own; it is relatively cheap, and very healthy. Yay whole grains! If you are interested in integrating more whole grains into your diet, the March issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray had this great article with tons of creative recipes.
6. Simon’s Cat. If you have ever had a cat, you will think this is funny. And if you don’t think this is funny, there must be something wrong with you. Sorry, it’s true.
7. www.thepioneerwoman.com: My dear friend, Becca, introduced me to this site, and my oh my, how I love it. I especially love her true love story about how she met and married her hunky husband. It makes me want to write down the saga of Steve and my relationship. Maybe I will do begin to blog about this. What do you think? (Oh, and beware when you start reading Pioneer Woman’s blog. I ended up staying up until 1:30 a.m. last night reading, and had to be awake at 5:30 a.m. But it was worth it! And I don’t take giving up my sleep lightly, so you know it is good)
8. Jacob Black. Yes, people, I might have a teeny, tiny (ahem) crush on the werewolf in Twilight. While I will tell you that it is the character in the book and movies that I am attracted to, it doesn’t hurt that Taylor Lautner is so delicious. Yes, I am aware that he just turned 18 … which makes me a slightly creepy cougar. And this blog was supposed to be about embracing my age …
1. Cover Girl foundation for Sensitive Skin. I don’t even have sensitive skin, so I am not sure what inspired me to buy this … but I am sure glad I did! It feels like you are putting lotion on your face. Then it soaks in and doesn’t make your face feel cakey, dry or covered in anything. It feels like you are wearing nothing. And it looks like you are wearing nothing … but in a good way. When I wear this foundation, my skin looks so smooth and even, but you can’t tell I have foundation on. It is fantastic. It is once of those products that really makes you look better, but you can’t really pinpoint why … it just makes your skin look like it is naturally beautiful … even if it is naturally blotchy and uneven. The powder in the compact the CG makes gives you that nice airbrushed look, like on the cover of a magazine. However, it does make my skin feel a tad dry, but I am prone to dryness. BTW, my shade is “buff beige.” I like that. I am buff … and beige.2. Walgreens. To be honest, I never understood how Walgreens stayed in business … that is, until I started working at my current job. Until recently, the only time I frequented a Walgreens was to pick up photos. Then I started working in an urban area, with only a half-hour lunch break. If I had errands to run, I better be able to knock them out in one stop. Enter Walgreens. In the past few weeks I have purchased: makeup, sugar-free chocolate, stick-on Velcro and packing tape. I ask you, where else could you buy Velcro and chocolate in one transaction? For your convenience, wide variety of goods and proximity to my place of employment, I salute you, Walgreens. 3. Yoplait Thick & Creamy Light yogurt. I have never been much of a yogurt lover. It wasn’t that I didn’t like yogurt, it was just that I was ambivalent toward it. Well, that has changed, and I am not particularly sure why. But let me tell you, this variety of yogurt, in either the cinnamon roll (weird, I know, but it really, really tastes just like a cinnamon roll!) or vanilla flavors are just dreamy. Try them.4. Lentils. Another strange food craving I have been having is for lentils. They are (in case you were wondering) a member of the legume family, but unlike dried beans, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. Lentils are low in calories, high in fiber, minerals and protein – a super food! Oh, and did I mention that, just like dried beans, lentils are very, very inexpensive. I made some lentil soup last night, To. Die. For. I based it off this recipe. Also, while doing research on lentils I found this recipe, which replaces some of the flour and nuts in brownies (!!!) with lentils, to make them healthier. I am intrigued and may have to try this!
5. Barley. Yum, yum! I recommend replacing white rice with barley in soups, sides, stir-fries, whatever. Seriously delish! And if you want to try barley without committing to buying a pound of the dried stuff, try Progresso’s Savory Vegetable Barley Light soup. That is what got me hooked. Now I am cooking barley on my own; it is relatively cheap, and very healthy. Yay whole grains! If you are interested in integrating more whole grains into your diet, the March issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray had this great article with tons of creative recipes.
6. Simon’s Cat. If you have ever had a cat, you will think this is funny. And if you don’t think this is funny, there must be something wrong with you. Sorry, it’s true.7. www.thepioneerwoman.com: My dear friend, Becca, introduced me to this site, and my oh my, how I love it. I especially love her true love story about how she met and married her hunky husband. It makes me want to write down the saga of Steve and my relationship. Maybe I will do begin to blog about this. What do you think? (Oh, and beware when you start reading Pioneer Woman’s blog. I ended up staying up until 1:30 a.m. last night reading, and had to be awake at 5:30 a.m. But it was worth it! And I don’t take giving up my sleep lightly, so you know it is good)
8. Jacob Black. Yes, people, I might have a teeny, tiny (ahem) crush on the werewolf in Twilight. While I will tell you that it is the character in the book and movies that I am attracted to, it doesn’t hurt that Taylor Lautner is so delicious. Yes, I am aware that he just turned 18 … which makes me a slightly creepy cougar. And this blog was supposed to be about embracing my age …
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Making Progress
Last time I posted, I told you of the mountains of paperwork that are required to buy a house. Didn't believe me?
Each item that you see is actually many, many sheets of paper stapled togther. BUT, we are almost done. All of the paperwork in the picture has been completed and mailed to the appropriate parties. Now all that is left is acquiring homeowner's insurance and signing the mountain of paperwork at closing! (Oh, and packing boxes and moving furniture ... whew)
It is so exciting to think we will be homeowners! I feel like a real grown up. I am so thankful for the blessings that we have.
As far as sock knitting goes, it is still fun. If you ever want to knit socks, I HIGHLY reccommend this book.
The fact that you can do two socks at once makes them so easy and portable. I totally am a person who, if I knitted the socks separtely, would finish one and never start the second ... so I would never have a pair!
I made my kid-sized sample pair a few weeks ago, and have started my adult pair, but haven't gotten as far as I would have hoped. The very thin yarn and the tiny needles mean that each stitch I make only adds about a milimeter to the socks. Right now, the socks seem a little larger than what will fit my foot, but maybe I can shrink them a little in the knitting process.
Here's what they looked like when I first started:
And here's what they look like now:
I'm almost done with the legs and ready to turn the heel. I'll keep you posted.
And finally, I'll leave you with this annoying pet owner photo. I find Grover lying like this in the middle of the hardwood floor on a regular basis.
Why? I assure you that my home has plenty of rugs, soft beds, couches and laps to be sat upon. And aren't cats supposed to curl up in balls, not lay belly-up, showing the entire world their "tighty whitey" fur pattern?
Each item that you see is actually many, many sheets of paper stapled togther. BUT, we are almost done. All of the paperwork in the picture has been completed and mailed to the appropriate parties. Now all that is left is acquiring homeowner's insurance and signing the mountain of paperwork at closing! (Oh, and packing boxes and moving furniture ... whew)
It is so exciting to think we will be homeowners! I feel like a real grown up. I am so thankful for the blessings that we have.
As far as sock knitting goes, it is still fun. If you ever want to knit socks, I HIGHLY reccommend this book.
The fact that you can do two socks at once makes them so easy and portable. I totally am a person who, if I knitted the socks separtely, would finish one and never start the second ... so I would never have a pair!
I made my kid-sized sample pair a few weeks ago, and have started my adult pair, but haven't gotten as far as I would have hoped. The very thin yarn and the tiny needles mean that each stitch I make only adds about a milimeter to the socks. Right now, the socks seem a little larger than what will fit my foot, but maybe I can shrink them a little in the knitting process.
Here's what they looked like when I first started:
And here's what they look like now:
I'm almost done with the legs and ready to turn the heel. I'll keep you posted.
And finally, I'll leave you with this annoying pet owner photo. I find Grover lying like this in the middle of the hardwood floor on a regular basis.
Why? I assure you that my home has plenty of rugs, soft beds, couches and laps to be sat upon. And aren't cats supposed to curl up in balls, not lay belly-up, showing the entire world their "tighty whitey" fur pattern?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Excuses for why I haven't posted lately
Sooooooo ... I have been slacking on the blog posts. Now I am going to make excuses as to why I have been so delinquent, thereby updating my myriad of readers on the recent happenings of life.
1. We bought a house.
Well, technically, we have a contract on a house that we are going to buy. If you had told me one year ago that I would be a homeowner in 2010, I would have been totally shocked. In fact, I am shocked still, even though this is really happening.
Steve and I had consulted a financial counselor, who told us that with our current savings and with the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, as well as low housing prices and extremely low interest rates, now would be a great time to buy. We considered it for while, then decided we would start looking at houses, to get an idea of what was out there. The first day we looked, we found this:
We couldn’t pass it up. It isn’t our perfect dream house, but it is close – way better than I ever imagined we could own as first-time home buyers.
Some of the things I love about this house is that it is new-ish (5 years old) so it has energy-efficient windows, heater/AC, and water heater. And the thing that really, really sold me on this house is that it has trees and a creek along the left side/back of the house. All of the houses in our price range were in those new subdivisions where, unfortunately, the developers mowed down all the trees and crammed houses together about 5 feet apart. I think living in a house without trees, packed in like sardines, is depressing. Well, this house is in one of those neighborhoods, but the creek along the side of the house prevented the developer from building another home on the left of the house. So, the trees stayed, and we don’t have neighbor on the left side of the house! It is glorious.
2. We have filled out a lot of paperwork.
A LOT. And there is more to come. Who knew that buying a house required so much stinkin’ paperwork. Seriously, if you ever buy a house, get a realtor. There is no way you can do it alone.
3. I have knitted two scarves, one pair of socks, and I am starting my second pair of socks!
The first pair of socks turned out way better than I could have imagined. Yes, there were some of mistakes, but I learned from them and they are easily fixable on the next pair. I will post photos sometime soon. And I will try to photo-document the construction of the latest pair of socks, to give you a step-by-step photo diary of knitting socks. (I know you can’t wait for that … what an exciting blog!)
1. We bought a house.
Well, technically, we have a contract on a house that we are going to buy. If you had told me one year ago that I would be a homeowner in 2010, I would have been totally shocked. In fact, I am shocked still, even though this is really happening.
Steve and I had consulted a financial counselor, who told us that with our current savings and with the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, as well as low housing prices and extremely low interest rates, now would be a great time to buy. We considered it for while, then decided we would start looking at houses, to get an idea of what was out there. The first day we looked, we found this:
We couldn’t pass it up. It isn’t our perfect dream house, but it is close – way better than I ever imagined we could own as first-time home buyers.
Some of the things I love about this house is that it is new-ish (5 years old) so it has energy-efficient windows, heater/AC, and water heater. And the thing that really, really sold me on this house is that it has trees and a creek along the left side/back of the house. All of the houses in our price range were in those new subdivisions where, unfortunately, the developers mowed down all the trees and crammed houses together about 5 feet apart. I think living in a house without trees, packed in like sardines, is depressing. Well, this house is in one of those neighborhoods, but the creek along the side of the house prevented the developer from building another home on the left of the house. So, the trees stayed, and we don’t have neighbor on the left side of the house! It is glorious.
2. We have filled out a lot of paperwork.
A LOT. And there is more to come. Who knew that buying a house required so much stinkin’ paperwork. Seriously, if you ever buy a house, get a realtor. There is no way you can do it alone.
3. I have knitted two scarves, one pair of socks, and I am starting my second pair of socks!
The first pair of socks turned out way better than I could have imagined. Yes, there were some of mistakes, but I learned from them and they are easily fixable on the next pair. I will post photos sometime soon. And I will try to photo-document the construction of the latest pair of socks, to give you a step-by-step photo diary of knitting socks. (I know you can’t wait for that … what an exciting blog!)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Hobbies
Most of the time I feel pretty ordinary. I feel like if one of my friends were to describe me to someone who didn't know me, she wouldn't be able to say, "Hannah is so interesting. She has some really unique interests and skills." I just don't see myself as someone who is particularly fascinating.
Maybe I am wrong in feeling that way, maybe I am not. But I think the root of that feeling about myself is in the fact that I have never really had a hobby that I have developed, that I have gotten really good at. I've dabbled with a few things, sewing, sports, playing the violin, scrapbooking ... but I never really got good at anything. I lacked the follow-through. So, one of my goals for this year is to develop some hobbies and interests, to get good at some things ... and to enjoy it.
I am under no delusions that my interests are in any way "cool," but that doesn't matter to me so much. I mean, I am curious about some trendy pastimes, such as yoga. And I might take a yoga class to see what it's all about about. (Although I think I might prefer a yoga/pilates combo, "pi-yo" as all the cool kids call it.) But currently, I have been developing two of my interests: knitting and tea drinking. (You may now burst into laughter at my dorkiness.)
I have knitted for years, but never anything fancy, just the average scarf and occasional hat. That was the extent of my skill level. But in the last few weeks I have been trying to take it up a notch. I bought a few really neat knitting books that are opening up a whole new world of knitting to me. I have learned how to do a cable stitch (that twisting rope pattern found on lots of sweaters) and I was surprised to find how incredibly easy it is!!! Now I am taking on the scariest project of all, the project that takes an amateur knitter to a whole new level: I am making my first pair of socks. I haven't gotten to the hard part yet (turning the heel) but so far, I am having a blast. I am pretty excited, I'm not going to lie.
As far as the tea drinking hobby, well, I have been drinking a lot of wonderful loose leaf teas, and I am reading a book that has more information than I ever knew existed about the difference between an Oolong and a Rooibos, health benefits of each tea, the history of tea, and the methods of curing tea. Did you know that green, black and white teas are all from the same plant? What makes them different are the different methods by which they are processed.
So, friends, now that I confessed my dorkiness to you, you can tell someone who doesn't know me, "Hannah is so interesting. She has some very different, unique and ... nerdy hobbies."
P.S. Next things on my list to accomplish: reading more good books (Please leave me a comment if you have any suggestions; I am looking for a new read.) and learning about/listening to more classical music.
Maybe I am wrong in feeling that way, maybe I am not. But I think the root of that feeling about myself is in the fact that I have never really had a hobby that I have developed, that I have gotten really good at. I've dabbled with a few things, sewing, sports, playing the violin, scrapbooking ... but I never really got good at anything. I lacked the follow-through. So, one of my goals for this year is to develop some hobbies and interests, to get good at some things ... and to enjoy it.
I am under no delusions that my interests are in any way "cool," but that doesn't matter to me so much. I mean, I am curious about some trendy pastimes, such as yoga. And I might take a yoga class to see what it's all about about. (Although I think I might prefer a yoga/pilates combo, "pi-yo" as all the cool kids call it.) But currently, I have been developing two of my interests: knitting and tea drinking. (You may now burst into laughter at my dorkiness.)
I have knitted for years, but never anything fancy, just the average scarf and occasional hat. That was the extent of my skill level. But in the last few weeks I have been trying to take it up a notch. I bought a few really neat knitting books that are opening up a whole new world of knitting to me. I have learned how to do a cable stitch (that twisting rope pattern found on lots of sweaters) and I was surprised to find how incredibly easy it is!!! Now I am taking on the scariest project of all, the project that takes an amateur knitter to a whole new level: I am making my first pair of socks. I haven't gotten to the hard part yet (turning the heel) but so far, I am having a blast. I am pretty excited, I'm not going to lie.
As far as the tea drinking hobby, well, I have been drinking a lot of wonderful loose leaf teas, and I am reading a book that has more information than I ever knew existed about the difference between an Oolong and a Rooibos, health benefits of each tea, the history of tea, and the methods of curing tea. Did you know that green, black and white teas are all from the same plant? What makes them different are the different methods by which they are processed.
So, friends, now that I confessed my dorkiness to you, you can tell someone who doesn't know me, "Hannah is so interesting. She has some very different, unique and ... nerdy hobbies."
P.S. Next things on my list to accomplish: reading more good books (Please leave me a comment if you have any suggestions; I am looking for a new read.) and learning about/listening to more classical music.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Smells like Skinny
Around 4:30 a.m., I awoke to the warm, homey scent of cinnamon. My lovely husband, (whose sleep schedule is all whacked out right now, due a change in his work schedule) had decided to bake cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Yum!
When I got up, around 5:15 a.m., the dear man informed me that, out of the benevolence of his heart, he had consumed all five of the Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls (with real Cinnabon cinnamon and cream cheese icing).
“I really only wanted to eat four of them,” he said seriously, “but I knew you were on this diet, so I didn’t want to leave one of them and tempt you.”
Gee, thanks, dear.
Those of you who know my husband are aware of the ungodly amount of food he can consume. I have been married to him for almost three years; certainly by now I should not be surprised by this behavior. But this morning I found myself a little bit shocked: he ate 1650 calories for breakfast alone! And he won’t gain an ounce.
I, on the other hand, must consume fewer calories in a day than what my husband ate for breakfast if I am to have any chance of losing a few pounds per week.
No wonder you gain weight after you get married!
I all seriousness, I do appreciate my husband’s thoughtfulness and help to keep my on track for my weight loss goals, even if it was – albeit unintentional – kind of insensitive.
I am excited about seeing the results of healthy eating and working out. I can’t wait until I fit into clothing that I wore in high school. Mostly, I am envisioning being tan (via spray-on) and thin, wearing a bikini on the beach.
So this morning, as I measured exactly one cup of Multi-Grain Cheerios for breakfast, I tried to focus on that vision rather than the scent of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls that still lingered in the air.
When I got up, around 5:15 a.m., the dear man informed me that, out of the benevolence of his heart, he had consumed all five of the Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls (with real Cinnabon cinnamon and cream cheese icing).
“I really only wanted to eat four of them,” he said seriously, “but I knew you were on this diet, so I didn’t want to leave one of them and tempt you.”
Gee, thanks, dear.
Those of you who know my husband are aware of the ungodly amount of food he can consume. I have been married to him for almost three years; certainly by now I should not be surprised by this behavior. But this morning I found myself a little bit shocked: he ate 1650 calories for breakfast alone! And he won’t gain an ounce.
I, on the other hand, must consume fewer calories in a day than what my husband ate for breakfast if I am to have any chance of losing a few pounds per week.
No wonder you gain weight after you get married!
I all seriousness, I do appreciate my husband’s thoughtfulness and help to keep my on track for my weight loss goals, even if it was – albeit unintentional – kind of insensitive.
I am excited about seeing the results of healthy eating and working out. I can’t wait until I fit into clothing that I wore in high school. Mostly, I am envisioning being tan (via spray-on) and thin, wearing a bikini on the beach.
So this morning, as I measured exactly one cup of Multi-Grain Cheerios for breakfast, I tried to focus on that vision rather than the scent of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls that still lingered in the air.
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