Effortless Effervescence

Outside my window…
There’s frost on the ground and sunny skies. I probably ought to pull out my winter coat for the first time this year!

I am thinking…
About family drama, and drama in general. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of pettiness. And by tolerant, I literally mean “able to tolerate;” my body and mind have been reacting in extreme ways to conflict, and I need to figure out how to deal with my emotions in the least toxic way possible - especially now that I’m sharing my body with another human being.

I am thankful for…
A peaceful weekend with my hubby and friends. I was very productive and had lots of fun - it was just what a weekend should be!

From the kitchen…
I made Chicken Parmigiana last night and it was HEAVENLY. Even my husband, who HATES chicken, loved it. Recipe to follow shortly - if I don’t get too distracted!

I am wearing…
Jeans (because my yoga pants are in the laundry!) and the t-shirt I slept in last night.

I am creating…
I worked on a scarf for my cousin-in-law this weekend. I misread some of the instructions in the pattern, so it didn’t turn out quite the way it was supposed to, but it still looks pretty good. I hope.

I am going…
To take a shower and get ready for work. As soon as I finish this post!

I am reading…
The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior–Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood. It’s a ponderous book with a LOT of information. And just one of the many books I’ve been reading about infant and child care! I hope I can remember all this stuff when the little one gets here.

I am hoping…
That I’ll be just as productive this week as I was over the weekend. And that I can resolve the drama I alluded to above with honesty, kindness, and self-respect.

I am hearing…
My dog barking. He thinks NO ONE is allowed to walk down our street.

Around the house…
The need for a MASSIVE cleaning is becoming apparent. Having seven animals (eek!) means we have seven thousand pounds of pet hair lurking in each corner, under cabinets and book cases and beds. I may try to scrub/dust/vaccuum the daylights out of this place next weekend, so the house feels tidy and comfortable for Christmas and New Year’s.

One of my favorite things from the past week…
FINALLY finishing the hat I was making for my OTHER cousin-in-law. I made three different attempts, and the first two failed miserably.

A few plans for the week ahead…
Lots of crafting, mail some books for PaperBackSwap, hopefully mail off my stepson’s Christmas presents. And, of course, my day job!

A picture for thought…

The absurdity of this picture allows it, if need be, to stand on its own. A dark comedy about a serial killer who kills serial killers plus… cupcakes? Buh? Wha? However, if you read the post this picture came from, the picture becomes so much more absurd. And meaningful. And HILARIOUS. Photo credit to Mommy Wants Vodka and the narcotics-laced cough syrup she’s been swilling.

Outside my window…
…it’s very different from the world outside the windows at my grandparents-in-law’s home in smalltown PA! Firstly, no snow flurries, twoly, lots of cars and people and other animals. I really enjoyed walking our dogs through the fields and country roads and brisk fall air. But now I’m home in the “big city” (as hubby’s family would call it!) and although I’m always glad to be back in my own little world, I miss the peace and quiet.

I am thinking…
About Christmas preparations… and money… and trying not to stress. And about long-term goals and wondering where on earth I’ll “be” a year or two from now.

I am thankful for…
An extended family that has welcomed me wholly. Oh, and that I married a man who isn’t afraid to fix things around the house! I mean, I’m a feminist and I’m all about women feeling empowered to tackle things like car repairs and home renovations and everything else supposedly “masculine.” I’m also all about doing what you’re good at and what you like to do - and I am NOT good at solving plumbing problems, nor do I LIKE doing it. I am good at cooking yummy food and making sure we don’t run out of toilet paper. Hence why the division of labor in our house is so “traditional”… and I’m glad I’ve finally stopped feeling guilty about it!

From the kitchen…
I got a package of several different cuts of beef for a decent discount, and tonight we had pan-fried steaks, noodles and sugar snap peas. Tomorrow morning I’m loading the slow cooker with a roast, carrots and red potatoes.

Also, the freezer is stocked with Italian ice and ice cream sandwiches. Shopping while pregnant and hungry guarantees that I will purchase several different kinds of frozen treats. I’ve also stopped feeling guilty about that!

I am wearing…
My Philly E-train tee shirt, which I bought in (you guessed it) Philadelphia a few years ago. And black yoga pants covered in paint.

I am creating…
A blog post… it feels so good to have access to the net again!

I am going…
…back to work tomorrow And to the OB, for the results from some routine blood tests.

I am reading…
The backlog of blog posts in my Google reader, LiveJournal friends list, and Dreamwidth subscriptions! Also Anne Lamott’s Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. Lamott is such a brutally honest person that sometimes I’m wriggly and uncomfortable reading her words. And at the same time, comforted by the fact that someone else out there is as screwed up as I am, and willing to admit it, and certain that Jesus loves her (and the rest of us jokers) anyway. And I find myself nodding along quite a bit, too, because she’s got a tight hold on the fact that life is damn hard but God i big and grace is real.

I am hoping…
That I’ll be able to finish all of my Christmas crafts in time!

I am hearing…
The TV show my hubby’s watching in the living room. Something about guys that drive heavy duty tow trucks.

Around the house…
… there’s lots of luggage, stuff we toted back from the grandparents’, dirty clothes, various snacks and trash and nearly a week’s worth of junk mail. It’s going to take me awhile to recover from vacation!

One of my favorite things from the past week…
Our dog Milo snoozing on my lap nearly the entire way up to PA and the entire ride back home!

A few plans for the week ahead…
Laundry, balance the checkbook, work on a training presentation for work, crochet, eat ice cream, read!

A picture for thought…

I found this picture when I searched for the word “grace” on Flickr. I have a thing for cute animals, and that is one darn cute animal… but more than that, she seems full of joy and light. Isn’t it awesome how animals manage to transmit happiness to us with a look or a touch? It’s a beautiful mystery…

(Photo credit.)

For November 23, 2009:

Outside my window…
It’s overcast and blustery. Still not COLD, but we’re definitely progressing through fall and swiftly approaching winter. I’m trying not to pout too much over how night falls so early now; I’m trying to remember to just enjoy bundling up at home and letting my body hibernate a bit. (Especially since this winter I’m using all my energy to grow a little human being!)

I am thinking…
Of all I still need to do for Christmas (so many presents to make!)

I am thankful for…
The wonderful man I’m married to.

From the kitchen…
Not much. I’ve been focusing on needlecrafts so much lately that I haven’t been doing any fun cooking or baking!

I am wearing…
The brown Dockers slacks I bought for about $10 a few months ago, and a plum-colored shirt.

I am creating…
Christmas gifts! Hopefully this week I’ll be able to tear myself away from my yarn stash and work on some ornaments I’ve got in mind.

I am going…
To see my in-laws up in PA for Thanksgiving. We leave Wednesday afternoon, and I am so excited!

I am reading…
First-Time Mom: Getting Off on the Right Foot from Birth to First Grade by Kevin Leman. Dr. Leman is a well-known Christian author and speaker whose advice never comes across as preachy. He’s funny, practical and sensitive (First Time Mom allows for all kinds of moms - single, married, biological and adoptive) and I highly recommend his work.

I am hoping…
That our dogs get along with the Pennsylvania dogs this weekend!

I am hearing…
My friend who’s on the phone getting directions.

Around the house…
It’s a mess. I won’t lie! I only have so much energy right now, and I’ve been channeling it into crafting, so things like sweeping and mopping have been low on my list of priorities. When we get back from PA, I really want to put up the Christmas tree, so maybe I’ll do a good deep-clean before we do that. (Or maybe I’ll just do a quick once-over and call it a day!

One Two of my favorite things…
Right now, peanut butter and yogurt! Lately I’m hungry ALL. THE. TIME., so I try to keep lots of quick, healthy snacks around. A few saltines with peanut butter or a cup of yogurt knocks down that OMG SO HUNGRY feeling and keeps nausea at bay.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Laundry, pack, and craft.

From my camera…
My two most recent crochet accomplishments!

A cotton knapsack for my niece Bella; I’m making one in pink for her sister Kate!

A rainbow beer cozy - one of a pair I’m making for our friends Annette and Kay.