Since I have a following of about six of you this probably won’t be read by many. However, you may know someone who knows someone … you get my drift.
There’s a lot of hate out there on the interwebz. Hell, there’s just a lot of hate out there. Please read this post and remember to always be mindful of what you say.
But if you keep up with me on Facebook you already know that. I am walking with a co-worker … uh at work … duh. From the front of our building to the street, up to the crosswalk, across the street, and then down to the freeway overpass is a mile. That’s what we did on the first day (last Tuesday). Every day we add a tiny bit to that.
We didn’t walk yesterday. I was an hour late to work and she was slammed with work. I felt a tiny bit guilty (only a tiny bit). Today she was still slammed with work. I could have bailed … but I didn’t. I didn’t ‘want’ to walk but I ‘need’ to walk. I need to walk because … damn … I need to lose some weight! I’m not talking about some vanity 10 or 20 pounds. I need to lose 100 pounds! But beside that I said I was going to walk Monday through Friday. And I want to do it even if I have to walk alone. Am I going to walk on principle or am I going to walk when it feels good? I’m still trying to figure out what I am going to do when it’s raining though.
Things I need to remember when I want to weenie out … walking makes me feel better. My foot hurts way less, probably from the retained water I peed out last weekend. I lost 3 pounds last week. Again from all of that peeing. Walking apparently is good for getting rid of retained water. I’m not as hungry after I walk. My kids need a healthy mommy.
Changing the subject entirely … school starts for Christopher next Wednesday. He’s going to be a First Grader! He is such a boy now and it is so awesome to see him grow and learn. Since Micah is a senior now, he doesn’t have to start until next Friday but he had to register yesterday and play at a football game this Friday. High school has no respect for the Labor Day weekend! And so I don’t get into trouble for not mentioning Sarah … she’s just freakin’ adorable! She was telling me about her imaginary friends and where they lived. One lives on a hill, one lives on a street and I forget where the third one lives.
In the time it took to write this I think I finally stopped sweating …
Forgive me friends, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and reading other people’s blogs suck up most of my time. What I usually need to say I can either get done in 140 or 440 characters. It sort of alleviates the need for blogging. But I like to say I have a blog, I like to write in my blog, and in that light here I am again.
Christopher is now six! Holy Crap! Where has the time gone?!? I can’t seem to find his stats for last year (I’ll try to find them for comparison purposes) but these are his stats for 2009 …
Height – 44.5 inches which puts him in the 99th percentile
Weight – 42.4 lbs which puts him in the 88th percentile
His current stats are:
Height – 49.5 inches which puts him in the 97th percentile
Weight – 53 lbs which puts him in the 83rd percentile
He is tall and skinny! He also has a great imagination and loves telling a story about whatever imaginary play is going on. He loves Angry Birds and superheroes. I am continually amazed at how well he will pick up one skill then balk at trying something else. He definitely has his own way of doing things. He likes to tell Sarah that she is doing things “wrong”. They worked on this with him at school and we continually work with him to tell him that people aren’t doing things “wrong” they’re just not doing things his way and that is OK!
He did really well in Kindergarten this year. He was in the 1st grade reading group and just finished reading The Cat In The Hat to me last night. His teacher did an awesome job teaching him how to sound out words. He understands that an “e” at the end of a work makes the vowel say its name (most of the time). He also learned about “trickster” words that don’t follow normal phonetic convention. It’s just incredible what the kids learned in Kindergarten! I am so excited for him to start 1st grade. He just loves to learn and share what he’s learned!
And on the learning front he is continuing to learn to swim. So far this summer he graduated from Advanced Tots and did one session of Flippers. He gained some water confidence last summer. Before last summer he wouldn’t even let me get his face wet in the bathtub!!! Now he’s got loads of confidence! He’ll wear goggles and dunk his whole head!
Pictures and videos are on Facebook …
It is always interesting to speculate how tall our children will be. When I was a kid I was continally told by my doctor that I would be tall … amazon tall. I topped out at a whopping 5 feet 5.5 inches. I got an e-mail from Babycenter.com saying they can predict the height of your children. I input both Christopher’s and Sarah’s information … damn they are going to be amazons!!! Christopher is expected to be 6 feet 2 inches and Sarah is expected to be 5 feet 11 inches! Good luck to them and we’ll see how this one shakes out!
I can’t believe it has been almost 6 months since I wrote anything for this here blog. I think it comes from being unemployed. I do not know how stay-at-home moms get ANYTHING done! So I was reading Suburban Bliss (a blog I’ve been reading for a long time and think you should read too) and decided to comment with my pulled pork recipe. Then I decided my comment would make a good blog post, since I haven’t posted squat in 6 months. (I’m really sorry about that too – I like having a blog.)
I do a more North Carolina-ish version than the one Melissa posted. I like the vinegary meat with the bbq sauce. Here it is …
Slice an onion (I like sweet white ones) very thinly and put it in the bottom of the crock pot.
Put a pork butt/shoulder roast in the crockpot.
In a measuring cup mix about a half a cup of apple cider vinegar, some splashes of Worstershire (sp?) sauce, a couple of spoonfuls of brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if you’re brave (I am not). Wisk for a second and pour over meat.
Cook 10 hours on low. 8 hours is not enough! Shred and put back into sauce to keep meat moist.
Get bagged coleslaw mix and add coleslaw dressing. Also get good buns. On the bottom half of the bun put bbq sauce, then put meat on top. On the top half of the bun put cole slaw. Carefully put the two halves together. Serve with a lot of napkins. This is so good my picky pants kids eat it!
Because I don’t want you to think I forgot about my blog, I stole this meme from Carmen. I love her blog. You should go read it and love it too. Oh, but read it later.
The layers of me
layer one
name: Elizabeth
birth date: February 3
birthplace: San Francisco
current location: Eugene
eye color: brown
hair color: brown with a lot of grey
height: 5’5″
righty or lefty: mostly righty but a lefty mouser
zodiac sign: Aquarius
layer two
your heritage: 1/4 German 1/2 Polish 1/4 various British Isles
the shoes you wore today: Croc sandals
your weakness: any carbohydrate
your fears: dying and leaving my kids with no one to to care for them
your perfect pizza: olive
layer three
your most overused phrase: dude!
your first waking thoughts: give me coffee and no one dies
your best physical feature: lips, used to be my feet until I had kids
your favorite memory: I have no idea
layer four
pepsi or coke: I am not a soda drinker
mcdonald’s or burger king: McDonald’s
single or group dates: single
adidas or nike: Nike
lipton ice tea or nestea: unsweetened iced tea
cappuccino or coffee: coffee
layer five
smoke: no
cuss: more than I should
sing: not exceptionally well
do you think you’ve been in love: yes
want to go to college: already did
liked high school: not particularly
want to get married: already did this
believe in yourself: Some, I’m working on this
get motion sickness: some
think you’re attractive: some
think you’re a health freak: no, but I believe in vitamins
get along with your parents: mostly
like thunderstorms: NO
play an instrument: I play the radio
layer six
in the past month…
drank alcohol: yes
smoked: no
done a drug: no
made out: since I’m married do I have to admit that?
gone on a date: yes
gone to the mall: probably, but hopefully not
eaten an entire box of oreos: not really a fan
eaten sushi: I hope so!
been on stage: no
been dumped: no .
gone skating: no
made homemade cookies: yes
gone skinny dipping: no
dyed your hair: yes
stolen anything: no
you sound boring: No, I sound like a parent.
Remember this is only in the past month
layer seven
ever…
played a game that required removal of clothing: no
if so, was it mixed company: no
been trashed or extremely intoxicated: no
been caught “doing something”: no
been called a tease: no
gotten beaten up: no
shoplifted: no
changed who you were to fit in: no
layer eight
age you hope to be married: been there done that
numbers and names of children: Christopher & Sarah
describe your dream wedding: been there done that
how do you want to die: in my sleep
where do you want to go to college: been there done that
what do you want to be when you grow up: rich and free
what country would you most like to visit: Italy
layer nine
number of drugs taken illegally: none
number of people i could trust with my life: one
number of cds that i own: 300-400
number of piercings: four – ears only
number of tattoos: none
number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Once?
number of scars on my body: c-section, ankle surgery, from the trunk of the rental car in Florida, Henri’s bite, Jeanie Schumaker in 1st grade.
number of things in my past that i regret: it is a bummer to regret things … less than 5
If you really know me then none of this should be a surprise.
I am currently sitting on the front porch while Sarah plays in the sandbox and Christopher runs loose in the house. Wait, I kid, he just came outside. I am typing this on my phone.
It should only get up to 62 degrees today and this should help everyone’s allergies!!! For those of you who have never visited the southern Willamette Valley in June have never truly lived in allergy hell … provided you are allergic to grass! Oy!
School will be out on Thursday but I enrolled Christopher in “summer school” which is just two weeks of three days each. He loves the social and learning aspect of school and mom offered to pay for it! Thanks mom! Then we need to figure out what to do for July and August.
Well, as expected, with the two kids playing out here I have to go referee.
[edited to add] Damn and double damn, writing this stupid post from my phone just put it in my drafts. I had to come online and actually post it, so it’s posted a day and a half after I wrote it.
Christopher is learning how to tell jokes … not exceedingly well but he thinks he’s a kick in the pants! We were in the van and we had this conversation …
C: Mommy, let’s do Knock Knock jokes.
Me: Ok
C: Knock, knock
Me: Who’s there?
C: Boo!
Me: Boo who?
C: Boo boo silly face (lots of laughter)
—
Me: Let me have a turn.
C: Ok
Me: Knock knock
C: Who’s there?
Me: Banana
C: Banana who?
Me: Knock knock
C: Who’s there?
Me: Banana
C: Banana who?
Me: Knock knock
C: Who’s there?
Me: Banana
C: Banana who?
Me: Knock knock
C: Who’s there?
Me: Orange
C: Orange who?
Me: Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?
—
C: My turn! Knock knock
Me: Who’s there?
C: Banana
Me: Banana who?
C: Knock knock
Me: Who’s there?
C: Banana
Me: Banana who?
C: Knock knock
Me: Who’s there?
C: Banana
Me: Banana who?
C: Banana butt silly face (lots of laughter)
I definitely have a four year old!
My mom is at a point in her life where I would rather make a happy memory for her than give her something to put on her shelf for her birthday. Partly because she doesn’t need anything and partly because I’ll eventually have to deal with her stuff and the less she has the less I have to deal with. To make a nice birthday memory for her Thomas & I took her to King Estate winery for a tour, wine tasting and fabulous dinner. Growing up in SF it is sort of obligatory to take out-of-town guest to the Napa Valley so, needless to say, I spent my fair share of time showing guests my favourite winerys there. Now that I live in Oregon we decided to start exploring our local wineries. Well, I’ve been to two … so that’s not really much of a list. But of the two we have a favourite so far and that’s King Estate. Their facility is gorgeous, the view is spectacular, and the wines are good! We had brunch there in February for a tweetup/birthday celebration and were treated quite well so we knew that mom would enjoy the experience for her birthday.
We started off with a tour of the winery. It was easy enough for mom to walk the entire way since there was a lot of stopping in between all of the walking. It’s a French styled winery so they use oak barrels made in France and boy are they expensive! I’ll bet they have over a million dollars in oak barrels alone! 
After the tour we got down to the tasting. My favourite is the 2008 Signature Pinot Gris and since I’m such a drinker I worked on that while Thomas and mom tasted about 4 other wines. 
My second favourite was the 2006 Domaine Vin Glacé. It’s a dessert wine and has a hint of apple. Just thinking about it makes me want to open the bottle we bought. We also bought mom two small (375ml) bottles of the Pinot Gris and a Pinot Noir. Hey, you’ve got to send the birthday girl home with a memento!
It wasn’t until after we were done with the tasting that we decided to stay for dinner. (Thanks for babysitting Micah!!!) Given that it is May and the weather changes on a dime one may wonder why we chose to eat outside. All I can say is, when in Oregon act like an Oregonian! It was a decent enough evening and the view of the Lorane Valley was stunning so we risked it. 
It’s always tough chosing something from a menu when you’ve never had anything but we suffered through it. However when our server (Elizabeth of all coincidences) told us the specials we were back at square one … sort of. Once she told us the specials mom and I changed our minds and each chose a different special.
The meal started with an amuse-bouche which was a nice surprise! 
We were given one when we had brunch at the winery but did not know it was a regular event. It was goat cheese coloured with beet juice on a little toast and it was sprinkled with an arugula … um … drizzly stuff. Whatever. It was really freaking good!
Thomas ordered their special soup which was white bean and asparagus. For some reason I was expecting it to be cream but it wasn’t and for some reason I really enjoyed that. 
Mom ordered the porkchop on creamy polenta. 
I ordered the braised short ribs with potato gnocci. 
And Thomas ordered the grilled NW salmon. 
I always encourage him to order salmon when we go out because my ability to cook fish is down around zero.
By the time dinner was over the weather was quickly changing and we were escorted inside to a nice fire in the fireplace for dessert and coffee. Mom had the French Meringue 
and Thomas and I split the flourless chocolate cake. 
At the conclusion of our sumtuous meal mom said that it was the best meal she’d had since she moved to Oregon. She’s lived here for over five years …
As usual, I apologize for the formatting of where the pictures end up. I still cannot figure out this stupid program. Jonah told me to type my blog entry and put the pictures in at the end. As you can see, that didn’t help. I am sure, my estimable reader, that you can figure out which picture goes where.
My sister posted this on her Facebook Notes and I blatantly stole it because it is so awesome!
Regina Brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday, May 28, 2006
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
