There are various things/topics I have been considering for posts, but it isn’t always easy to remember any of them when I sit down at the computer. I also don’t usually have two hands free to type with. Fortunately, I am somewhat proficient at typing with one hand thanks to working at home during the first few months after Lexi was born. This morning, my mind is in a daze so I’ll just spit out some of the random ideas.
1. Recently, I was in a group of women that highly recommended the book Twilight as well as the rest of the series. They seem to worship the writer. I just smiled and listened because I hardly ever find time for reading. Several days later, one of them handed me a copy of the book to read. I picked it up and was completely engrossed. It is one of those books that draws you in. I know that means it is a great book, but that just makes me want to get the experience over more quickly. Thankfully, I finished reading it and can try to catch up on things like blogging and cleaning. Perhaps, I will wait to read the next book in the series when Jordan is sleeping through the night.
2. Last night, I caught a news clip on 20/20 about a family I used to babysit for when I was 14 years old. The wife had and affair and decided to confess to her husband. He went insane and started spreading lies about the affair with everyone they knew. Then he asked his brother-in-law to find a hitman. Of course, he went to the police & they set him up. They taped the meeting and showed it on tv. I was surprised to catch the clip because it aired several years ago.
3. (On that same topic) When I heard what the husband was saying and saw the intense way he easily lied, it reminded me of my parents’ divorce. Not that my mom cheated on my dad, but he became obsessed with telling everyone they knew ridiculous lies and making himself believe them. Now that I have moved back here, I see their friends quite often. I have been privileged to hear more about his insanity. Apparently, he actually told people that she was an internet porn star. In the Mormon community, that is a HUGE insult. I have to admit that it made me laugh. At the time, she was a 45 year old mother of 5. It is sort of a compliment.
4. I think girls make worse toddlers. They seem to hit the terrible twos earlier and harder. On the plus side, they are easier to potty train.
5. It must be difficult to come home to a cranky wife that has been dealing with a toddler that is just sick enough to be whining about everything. An evening meeting and bad traffic probably help the situation by prolonging the torture. Of course, nothing happened to make the think of this... but he did say he would be home on time tonight.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
How Green Is Too Green?
Lately, a lot of the international news has focused on the ramifications of using corn for fuel. We have also heard that the broken incandescent light bulbs practically require a Hazmat team for clean up. I guess I would consider myself fairly environmentally conscious. Who isn't, right? We recycle, always seem to produce less trash than our neighbors, and do other general things. I truly believe that every one of us needs to find better ways for almost everything we do. The drive to be better should never end.
However, I must admit that since the jury is out on some items I don’t feel at all bad about not jumping on every environmental band wagon, especially this one: cloth diapers and cloth pads. I know some people swear by them, but I refuse to believe that they are not more of a pain than their disposable counterparts. I will happily salute anyone who goes to that length for our environment, but sadly I am just not convinced that this particular sacrifice is worth it. In fact, I feel sorry for women in countries like Cuba and Haiti where they don't have an option. Of course, their cloth products are nothing compared to the posh ones available here.
If anyone is looking to start a charity, there is your idea. Raise money to send advanced cloth products to countries where they desperately need them. Some good should come out if it all. Unfortunately, I am just way too private/shy about all things female to do it myself the project would tank. This post is about as close as I come to discussing these topics that are taboo for me. I chalk it up to being raised with 3 brothers.
However, I must admit that since the jury is out on some items I don’t feel at all bad about not jumping on every environmental band wagon, especially this one: cloth diapers and cloth pads. I know some people swear by them, but I refuse to believe that they are not more of a pain than their disposable counterparts. I will happily salute anyone who goes to that length for our environment, but sadly I am just not convinced that this particular sacrifice is worth it. In fact, I feel sorry for women in countries like Cuba and Haiti where they don't have an option. Of course, their cloth products are nothing compared to the posh ones available here.
If anyone is looking to start a charity, there is your idea. Raise money to send advanced cloth products to countries where they desperately need them. Some good should come out if it all. Unfortunately, I am just way too private/shy about all things female to do it myself the project would tank. This post is about as close as I come to discussing these topics that are taboo for me. I chalk it up to being raised with 3 brothers.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Coupon Challenged
The biggest challenge about being a SAHM is living with less money. I have been noticing how my friends deal with it and I am pretty impressed by their shopping expertise. When it comes to clothes, I am good at finding bargains and shopping around. Groceries, however, are another story.
Considering the fact that there has always been a big black hole that eats up my shopping list between the time I write it and the time I walk in the door of the store, it is no surprise that coupons are also difficult for me to handle. I can clip them out of the newspaper. Sometimes I can even remember to take them to the store with me. If there is more than one though, I cannot seem to give them to the cashier.
Last weekend, I got the closest ever. The list and the coupons made it through the whole shopping experience. As I was walking to the front, Jordan started crying. He was hungry, so I rushed to wrap it up. I felt bad for him, so I picked him up. In the process of trying to unload the food onto the conveyor belt, pay and reload the bags into the cart while holding him and entertaining Lexi, I forgot that the coupons had been shoved into my pocket. I didn’t remember them until the food was in the trunk and we were ready to take off.
I guess I will continue to clip coupons and make an effort, but I have realized that I am truly coupon challenged.
Considering the fact that there has always been a big black hole that eats up my shopping list between the time I write it and the time I walk in the door of the store, it is no surprise that coupons are also difficult for me to handle. I can clip them out of the newspaper. Sometimes I can even remember to take them to the store with me. If there is more than one though, I cannot seem to give them to the cashier.
Last weekend, I got the closest ever. The list and the coupons made it through the whole shopping experience. As I was walking to the front, Jordan started crying. He was hungry, so I rushed to wrap it up. I felt bad for him, so I picked him up. In the process of trying to unload the food onto the conveyor belt, pay and reload the bags into the cart while holding him and entertaining Lexi, I forgot that the coupons had been shoved into my pocket. I didn’t remember them until the food was in the trunk and we were ready to take off.
I guess I will continue to clip coupons and make an effort, but I have realized that I am truly coupon challenged.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Listening To Wisdom
When I was 12 years old, my dad’s baby sister, who was 18 or 19 at the time, got engaged and married. She was exceptionally beautiful, book smart, and naive. She had gone off to BYU, a.k.a. land of the meet & marry quickly. The engagement was very short and the wedding was set for the end of Christmas break. It was a typical inexpensive Mormon wedding with everyone pitching in.
During the hustle and bustle leading up to the event, I remember there being a lot of conversations between my mom and aunts about the groom. They all agreed that he was a very nice guy, but that she was making a big mistake. They thought that she should date other guys because she could do better. In the Mormon culture, she wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary and certainly nothing different then they had done. Perhaps that is why they could see she would not be happy with this particular guy. He didn’t have the drive and ambition that she did. Even back then, I couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t listen to them and at least postpone the wedding. I wish I could say that she knew what she was doing, but sadly they were right. He ended up being a career student. He finally got his PhD, but is working as a grounds keeper on Temple Square. She worked to put both of them through school and has been the main bread winner throughout their lives. He is “a nice guy,” but their marriage has not been a happy one. She should have listened.
I suppose this post sounds like it is about choosing the right guy or one of the negative points of the Mormon culture. However, it is about listening to those who have your best interests at heart especially when you are young and stubborn.
Because of my baby sister, I have been thinking about the transition from living at home to becoming an adult and how many decisions can end up affecting us for the rest of our lives like the major we choose, the jobs we hold, the first job after graduation, the guy we may or may not marry, etc. Now, I believe in change and that NOTHING is permanent, but decisions do take us in a direction at least for a while.
Isn’t it strange that someone would be so close minded during a time when big changes are taking place? Perhaps some of you are surprised that I seem to be calling my sister out on the carpet. It isn’t that odd in my family to say what is on our minds without offending each other because we usually just blow off everything we don’t agree with.
This time of life has been on my mind though thanks to her struggles. If I knew then what I know now...I would have made different decisions. Not that I have regrets, but life brings wisdom and a bit of foresight. I may have applied for scholarships and loans in order to go to Texas A&M rather than BYU. I most likely would have picked a different major like construction management (more money in a male dominated industry) or marketing (which my career has turned out to be in). Those changes would have allowed me to jump up the career ladder faster. Then perhaps I would have made more money for things like better vacations. Yes, we all have a bunch of "What Ifs" but hopefully life has taught us to at least listen open-mindedly to people who care about us and have lived a little longer.
During the hustle and bustle leading up to the event, I remember there being a lot of conversations between my mom and aunts about the groom. They all agreed that he was a very nice guy, but that she was making a big mistake. They thought that she should date other guys because she could do better. In the Mormon culture, she wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary and certainly nothing different then they had done. Perhaps that is why they could see she would not be happy with this particular guy. He didn’t have the drive and ambition that she did. Even back then, I couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t listen to them and at least postpone the wedding. I wish I could say that she knew what she was doing, but sadly they were right. He ended up being a career student. He finally got his PhD, but is working as a grounds keeper on Temple Square. She worked to put both of them through school and has been the main bread winner throughout their lives. He is “a nice guy,” but their marriage has not been a happy one. She should have listened.
I suppose this post sounds like it is about choosing the right guy or one of the negative points of the Mormon culture. However, it is about listening to those who have your best interests at heart especially when you are young and stubborn.
Because of my baby sister, I have been thinking about the transition from living at home to becoming an adult and how many decisions can end up affecting us for the rest of our lives like the major we choose, the jobs we hold, the first job after graduation, the guy we may or may not marry, etc. Now, I believe in change and that NOTHING is permanent, but decisions do take us in a direction at least for a while.
Isn’t it strange that someone would be so close minded during a time when big changes are taking place? Perhaps some of you are surprised that I seem to be calling my sister out on the carpet. It isn’t that odd in my family to say what is on our minds without offending each other because we usually just blow off everything we don’t agree with.
This time of life has been on my mind though thanks to her struggles. If I knew then what I know now...I would have made different decisions. Not that I have regrets, but life brings wisdom and a bit of foresight. I may have applied for scholarships and loans in order to go to Texas A&M rather than BYU. I most likely would have picked a different major like construction management (more money in a male dominated industry) or marketing (which my career has turned out to be in). Those changes would have allowed me to jump up the career ladder faster. Then perhaps I would have made more money for things like better vacations. Yes, we all have a bunch of "What Ifs" but hopefully life has taught us to at least listen open-mindedly to people who care about us and have lived a little longer.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sleeping Single
When you think of married couples, you don't picture them sleeping separately. The funny thing is that for us, procreation leads to sleeping apart. It started with Lexi. We quickly realized that we would both be better off in different rooms. Steve felt that getting a decent amount of sleep would help him to function at work. I liked being near the tv or computer so I would have something to do during late night feedings. Babies are sweet, but waking up in the middle of the night to sit in a dark and silent house is just not fun. I wanted something to keep me from nodding off. For the first few months, I slept in the guest room or on the couch.
When Jordan was born, there was no question that we would do the same thing. It started the first night we brought him home from the hospital. There were a few nights of being together at Christmas due to guests filling up the place. Other than that, my husband and I live as roommates. We hang out and talk for an hour or two after Lexi is in bed and then part with a simple kiss. It is starting to feel like we have been doing this a long time even though Jordan is almost 3 months old.
With Lexi, I was back in the bedroom right before the 3 month mark. Her sleep time started lengthening more and more, so it wasn’t bad. Then, she began sleeping through the night right at 3 months.
Even though I have used the exact same methods with Jordan, he still wakes up STARVING every 3 - 4 hours. I try to slip in the pacifier to coax him into sleeping longer and it works for half an hour or so. Maybe I shouldn't complain because once I feed him, he goes right back to sleep. I tried giving him formula one night to see if that would hold him over for longer, but it was worse. He woke up & screamed for 2 hours. That is a big deal for a baby who doesn't cry much. I guess since he was early, I should be thinking that this is more like 2 months.
For now, my hubby & I are roommates. He has nobody to snuggle with, but he can sprawl out on the bed. He can also get some much needed sleep so he can have the energy to help clean, cook, and take care of the terrible two year old. I'll just continue to carry on with sleep deprivation. Fun times!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Missing Miami?
This morning for the first time since we moved here, I miss Miami. Actually, I should clarify that I miss Miami Beach. I watched part of the Today Show on location there. The beautiful water, warm weather (it isn't exactly cold here), and happening scene all made me think about the great things there. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have taken the day off of work so we could take in the excitement.
What am I saying? I don't have to take the day off to have fun with my kids. We may not be hanging out on the beach, but we are going to the park. I would even drive them down to the beach here (Galveston is not nearly as pretty), but I have one kid that is 3 weeks into potty training and another breast feeding. That hour and a half drive each way would not be fun. Ok, part of me still misses it. The burbs just can't compete in some ways.
What am I saying? I don't have to take the day off to have fun with my kids. We may not be hanging out on the beach, but we are going to the park. I would even drive them down to the beach here (Galveston is not nearly as pretty), but I have one kid that is 3 weeks into potty training and another breast feeding. That hour and a half drive each way would not be fun. Ok, part of me still misses it. The burbs just can't compete in some ways.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine Romance
Tonight, I am making my husband's favorite meal, lasagna and homemade French bread. There is nothing like onions & garlic breath to spice up your love life. Good thing we're having chocolate cream pie for dessert.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Advice for a Friend
Lately, I have had several friends contact me asking for advice on major life issues. While I am normally good at coming up with points they should consider, this is not exactly a good time to get my brain in gear. Months of very little sleep has created a fog around my brain, which in turn has depleted my IQ.
The first friend that called had a tricky scenario about whether or not she should marry someone. Given the fact that she is extremely bright (I’d say genius), I wasn’t too worried about helping her. She probably just needed someone to bounce ideas off of or just talk it through to. I can always half way listen.
Another friend (from Miami) sent me an e-mail that has really thrown me for a loop. The issue is SO huge that I am hesitant to step in because she will probably follow my advice. I am putting it out there so that we can come up with several ideas for her. As a little background, she has a teenage (15 or 16 years old) son that is quite shy and has always struggled in school. This is the e-mail she sent:
Things have been really hectic at my home. My son is going through a major depression (including hospitalization at Christmas). It is so stressful and hurtful when your kid is not happy. He is so "unsocial" that he just hangs out in his room. I feel so bad for him and I cannot fix him. He was on Prozac for a couple of months, but it made things worse. Now they are trying to get that out of his system so he is not taking anything. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday and she is going to try him on another medication. It is worrying me so much because I cannot have him get worse again. He was talking about killing himself. I don’t know what to do anymore, Stephanie. Do you have any suggestions? He does not want to talk to me. He just tells me to leave him alone.
If it were me, I would call a family friend that is a very good therapist here in Houston. Whatever he said, I would do. I would also never leave the kid alone. We’d be stuck like glue so he would not have a chance to do anything horrible. I know that every teenager would hate to get that much attention from their mother, but that is what I’d do. Please leave comments with your advice, so that I can try to help her.
By the way, two very sad posts in a row does not mean that I am sad. Quite frankly, I am too tired to be depressed.
The first friend that called had a tricky scenario about whether or not she should marry someone. Given the fact that she is extremely bright (I’d say genius), I wasn’t too worried about helping her. She probably just needed someone to bounce ideas off of or just talk it through to. I can always half way listen.
Another friend (from Miami) sent me an e-mail that has really thrown me for a loop. The issue is SO huge that I am hesitant to step in because she will probably follow my advice. I am putting it out there so that we can come up with several ideas for her. As a little background, she has a teenage (15 or 16 years old) son that is quite shy and has always struggled in school. This is the e-mail she sent:
Things have been really hectic at my home. My son is going through a major depression (including hospitalization at Christmas). It is so stressful and hurtful when your kid is not happy. He is so "unsocial" that he just hangs out in his room. I feel so bad for him and I cannot fix him. He was on Prozac for a couple of months, but it made things worse. Now they are trying to get that out of his system so he is not taking anything. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday and she is going to try him on another medication. It is worrying me so much because I cannot have him get worse again. He was talking about killing himself. I don’t know what to do anymore, Stephanie. Do you have any suggestions? He does not want to talk to me. He just tells me to leave him alone.
If it were me, I would call a family friend that is a very good therapist here in Houston. Whatever he said, I would do. I would also never leave the kid alone. We’d be stuck like glue so he would not have a chance to do anything horrible. I know that every teenager would hate to get that much attention from their mother, but that is what I’d do. Please leave comments with your advice, so that I can try to help her.
By the way, two very sad posts in a row does not mean that I am sad. Quite frankly, I am too tired to be depressed.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Sad Day
Today, the world lost a very lovely girl. I blogged about her in June shortly after she was diagnosed with brain cancer. I received news that my friend's fiancé passed away this morning. It is difficult to understand why a stunningly gorgeous, sweet, and fit girl in her mid-twenties would fall so quickly. Two years ago, everyone was shocked by how fast my seemingly healthy father deteriorated and died from the same thing. Cancer has no favorites.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Sharing a Gem
As many of you know, I am a bingeing Ebay addict. It isn't a full time addiction. The madness only hits 3 - 5 times a year, but it hits hard. Once I spend too much, I quit cold turkey and don't even check out the deals for a few months. I currently happen to be getting over a binge that was quite fun. Like every time, it started when I wanted to buy some cute outfits for Lexi. I buy her play clothes at all the normal places, but every once in a while I like to buy unique outfits. I start looking in the handmade/custom clothing for little girls section on Ebay. Before I know it, I have bid on way too many great things and I actually hope I lose many of them. I won quite a few this time and in the process, I found a wonderful seller. Her name is duvalldiva. Not only does she fit my criteria, of being a talented mom that is trying to make money, but she is a great seamstress that uses a serger. I got two wonderful outfits from her. Here is a picture and video of the adorable Valentines outfit:
Now, I realize the point of Ebay is to compete for items and therefore it would be smart to keep a gem like this seller a secret. On the other hand, I will not be checking out her stuff for the next few months. I also think the items she currently has for sale are not quite as cute and the prices have gone up a little. On the other hand, she is a rising star so her OOAK (one of a kind) outfits are still cheaper than the big sellers. By the time I get back to my addiciton, she'll be out of my cheap price range. Because of that, I might as well help her in her quest for the big bucks.
Now, I realize the point of Ebay is to compete for items and therefore it would be smart to keep a gem like this seller a secret. On the other hand, I will not be checking out her stuff for the next few months. I also think the items she currently has for sale are not quite as cute and the prices have gone up a little. On the other hand, she is a rising star so her OOAK (one of a kind) outfits are still cheaper than the big sellers. By the time I get back to my addiciton, she'll be out of my cheap price range. Because of that, I might as well help her in her quest for the big bucks.
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