Up and Down

If I could insert an icon for the title of this post, it would be a wavy horizontal line. =) That's been my life and emotions this past week.

I had something fairly rattling happen to me two weekends ago, and spent a few days in shock before it really set in. (For those of you worrying right now, you can stop. I'm really okay.) I have been seeing a counselor, so we're working on it.

The unfortunate thing is that I am feeling some up and down emotions come about during, and in reaction to, various things going on that have nothing whatsoever to do with my incident. I am able to recognize that in the midst of it, but it has resulted in some anxious days this week, nonetheless.

The silver lining is that its triggered some stuff from my past that I think I can finally get some good healing from. The down side is I'm pretty sure this one's going to be around for quite some time, and possibly the rest of my life.

Working a lot of extra hours, plus doing some youth ministry stuff in the last two weeks has left me feeling really tired and without enough time to think and process. I have been doing a lot of craft projects, though. =)

I'm ready to babysit Rosie to get loved on, too, and/or go to Amy and Joe's to play with Iris and Crumley.

My Little R Playing Soccer For The First Time

New Music

I love music. Love it, love it, love it. I don't get to as many concerts as I used to, simply because they are so expensive.

I just downloaded John Legend's new album, and it did not disappoint. I immediately fell in love with the song "Everybody Knows." I encourage you to listen to it here.

Stupid Boys

I took yesterday off because I had to work all weekend. It was blissful. =)

At any rate, a good guy friend of mine called in the afternoon to chat. He asked what I had for lunch, and I shared that I had pulled a piece of lasagna (that I made) from the freezer and made some garlic toast to go with it.

To which he replied, "You eat a lot of junk."

I was totally startled and taken aback. Number one: he's old enough to know better than to say something like that to a woman. Number two: I made the lasagna. Anybody who knows me, knows that I cook my meals to Weight Watchers specifications. I only use Splenda, substitute eggs and the healthy margarine with omega 3s to reduce cholesterol. My lasagna used very little cheese, whole wheat pasta, ground turkey and lots and lots of veggies. My garlic toast was whole wheat toast with enhanced fiber, the healthy margarine, and a little bit of cheddar cheese. Needless to say, I was defensive.

I simply said, "Thanks?" In a confused voice. Then he began his backtracking. He asked if it was storebought or if I made it.

I told my roommate, Chantel, who simply said, "Who the hell is he? He doesn't come over here enough to even have the information to say that he thinks you eat too much junk food." Then she proceeded to go into the, "anyone who knows you knows that you don't buy chips, you cook your meals healthy..."

He totally felt like a schmuck and apologized for saying it. After further conversation, a few self-deprecating comments slipped out of his mouth that led me to believe that he's not feeling so good about his own body right now.

Stupid boys.

Mommas, please teach your boys to NEVER say anything about food or body size to women, especially those that are very thin or very big. =)

Baby I Believe in You....

And every little thing you do....

Went to see the New Kids on Friday night with the Princess. Here's my recap:

6 ish pm: Arrive at Amy's, meet Crumley and Iris. I fell in love with them both. Crumley has got to be the cutest dog on the planet. They jumped all over me and both Joe/Amy were embarrassed. Amy fed me pizza and diet Dr. Pepper.
7 ish pm: Leave for the concert. Excitement is building.'
7:45 ish: arrive and park. Get inside the building and literally stop in our tracks at the site of all these women with their various paraphernalia: old NKOTB gear, jean jackets with giant buttons, groups of women glamed out in 80s gear, etc. I go into a bathroom marked "women" It was actually a men's bathroom: there were so many women at this concert that turned many men's bathrooms into women's rooms for the NKOTB concert. lol
8 pm: enter to locate our seats. First opening act is playing. She looked like a cross between Samantha Fox and Christina Aguleira. She couldn't pull it off. HEr backup dancers were only wearing pink bra tops and super short skirts. They looked, and danced, like skankalicious whores. Even from our high up seats, all I could see was flying boobs in non supporting pink bras. I suggested that they should have thought of their audience - 30 to 40 year old women who love them some NKOTB. We don't respond to flopping, whorish boobs.
8:20ish: Natasha Bedengfield came out. She was fun. I must also add that her backup singer/dancers had bigger boobs that were supported and reigned in with proper bra supportage. Natasha had some bizarre haircut. It looked like she had one side of her hair pulled up in a ponytail, and cut it off. One chunk of her hair was cut short on one side, while the rest was long. Amy kept saying she had a 'half-mullet.'
8:50 ish: Natasha gets off stage, and they begin to strike her set. Anticipation is building.
9:10ish: the lights go down, and I literally jumped four feet off my seat and started screaming like a 12 year old at a Jonas Brothers concert. This didn't stop for 2 and a half hours.

I did not expect to have this much fun. I pretty much expected to spend the evening people watching and reminiscing about my NKOTB years while enjoying hearing their music one last time.

Instead, my love for them was renewed. They put on one of the best shows I've ever seen - even better than Harry Connick, Jr. They were amazing, and totally knew how to appeal to us. Truthfully, they missed us as much, if not more, than we missed them.

A couple of my highlights were when Jordan sang "Baby I Believe in You." I had been waiting all night to hear that song, and when the opening chords were played, I started jumping/running in place while screaming and clapping enthusiastically. My other highlight was an up close time with Danny in a sleeveless Ed Hardy shirt. He's HOT these days. In 2008, I'm a Danny girl all the way. I never thought those words would come out my mouth. He's absolutely grown into his own and is by far the hottest one up there. Blissful sigh.

Check out Amy's blog for many of the details. I decided not to type them redundantly. Let's just say that the "kids" are all grown up and playing a show for grown women. There was more than a little sweatin' goin' on. =)

Greatest. Night. Of. My. Life.

NKOTB

Please don't go gguuuurrrllllll......

Going to NKOTB tonight with Amy. Read her blog entry - it's much more fun than I can write right now, and this will be my first NKOTB concert. =)

I am trying to 'just breathe' right now. I have a big two day event my office is putting on in the south side tonight and tomorrow. It's hectic, I won't be there tonight, but the upside is that it's taking place about 12 blocks from Amy's house, so its convenient for my plans.

Crafty

I decided to get crafty this week.

I tend to get really excited about projects, and love to do them. My creative energy prefers to have projects to work on, especially when I'm stressed out. If they require a lot of time and patience, however, I may not finish them. I am determined to change that.

In reverence and respect to our crazy economy, and in respect to my slimming disposable income, I am making some crafty things for Christmas gifts this year. Right now I am working on a cute blanket for my friend's son. I am not going to disclose which friend, although I don't think he/she reads my blog.

I have some blue-purple fleece, and am sewing a teddy bear on it that I made from an old pair of brown cords that I had worked a hole into. Right now I'm working on the details of the bear: he has button eyes and nose, with twine for his mouth and claws. I cut out some brown patterned handkerchief for the inside of his ears and his paw pads, and he has buttons down his belly. He's super cute and I love him. When I sew him onto the fleece, I'll put some cotton balls behind him to make him puffy. I was cutting him out and sewing the details on his face while my friend Tricia was over on Sunday night, and she adorably asked me if I would make her a teddy bear. She might get one for Christmas. =)

All I have left to do to the bear is sew his arms and legs on, and his claws, then I'm ready to attach him to his blanket. I still haven't figured out how I'm going to 'finish' the sides. Perhaps I'll cut strips of the corduroy and give it a 'framed' look similar to satin edges of baby blankets.

I'll post pictures when I'm done. I plan to make a similar blanket for a little girl with flowers on it, using butt pockets from some clothes as flower pots.

quesadillas with a kick

i've been loooving quesadillas with a bit of hot sauce and ranch dressing mixed in with the cheese prior to cooking.

mmmm!

My Declaration

After getting back from Aldi and spending $25 on what would have cost me $10 three months ago, I promptly downloaded Quicken on my computer and made a vow:

I will only shop at Costco, Trader Joes and Jewel from now on (bc Aldi was seriously the same price or higher than regular grocery stores on almost everything, and they don't take coupons) and only once a month.

Hence, my once a week menu is going to have to become once a month. Here's what I'll be eating the rest of this month:

Week 2:
Thursday: leftover pizza for lunch
beef stew for dinner
Friday: leftover pizza for lunch
winter squash, dried fruit and pine nut lasagna
Saturday: wedding reception lunch, beef stew for dinner
Sunday: brunch (pancakes and turkey sausage) and the lasagna

Week 3:
the lasagna
roast beef sandwiches
tater tot casserole
chicken pot pie soup
breakfast for dinner

week 4: tater tot casserole
frozen regular lasagna
spinach and cheese ravioli
quesadillas
breakfast for dinner
pork chop and veggies

I lost a pound

We're now up to four, and am now at my previously heaviest weight. Woo-hoo! My goal is 8-10 lbs lost this month.

Weekend Bliss

I just got back to Chicago after four days visiting my family. It was awesome.

While I didn't intend this, it was Palmyra's homecoming. Because of that, I got to visit with a former classmate who is now my neice Emily's teacher (Carrie S., formerly M.) and see one of my 'little ones' that I used to babysit all grown up and on homecoming court (Alan K). I almost cried when I saw him in the parade. =) He's a SENIOR! I can't believe it! His sister is a sophomore in college.

I also saw another classmate, Todd F., whom I don't think I've seen since high school. A family friend's baby was being baptized on Sunday am at my church, and he and his family came in support.

A couple of my big highlights were getting to see Madison (6) and Dylan (10 months) the children of Toni S., formerly Toni R. I went to Eddie R's birthday bash to catch up with Toni and clan. For some reason, Madison thought I was going back to their house with them, and it made for an unhappy Madison when it came time to leave. Due to some medical issues (Dylan being in the hospital so long) I haven't really gotten to see them and spend some playing time with Madison. I promised her some special time just for her when I come visit at Christmas. Dylan was so sweet! He is almost a year old, chubby, chubby, chubby and such a snuggler. I could have held him all night. He also definitely knows when Grandma is in the room. =) So cute!

My other fun highlight was shooting handguns with my dad in his newly put together shooting range on his property. I did pretty good, actually, and it was so much fun. Dad's already got the guns picked out that we'll shoot next time I come visit. I tried to get my sister to join us, but she said no. =)

Heightened Senses

I was speaking with some folks outside chapel this morning, and was struck by the sight of leaves falling off a tree. It was so beautiful, and made me slow down and admire the wonder of God's creation.

I've always loved fall. The colder weather makes sleeping much cozier and deeper, I can wear sweaters and long-sleeved shirts I haven't worn in months, the trees turning and the smell of fall in the air is something I'll always associate with happy thoughts of upcoming holidays, football games and hayrides.