I read in a book or on a website somewhere that in your first trimester you may have very vivid dreams. And boy are they vivid.
Usually dreams don't make sense after you wake up, but my dreams have been making sense and seem so real. Unfortunately, they're dreams about family members and friends being decapitated or losing other body parts or they're about my students pooping their pants. Weird.
I am now halfway through week 8 and almost to week 9. You should see the difference between week 9 and week 10. I am going to be super duper exhausted this week, because I have a lot of human making to do. This week, our baby got his or her knees! I hope they're better than my knees.
I'm having serious issues with this eating thing, because I'm on a very strict pregnancy diet with lots of calcium, protein, and iron. But all I want is bad things. And when I eat things that I don't want, I want to throw up. For example, right now I want pizza or macaroni and cheese. But I have tuna fish and broccoli. I want to curl up on the floor and cry.
For a late night snack (well, 8:00) lastnight, I made some macaroni and cheese. Because I wasn't going to fall asleep without it. Cheddar cheese is no longer helping my craving. I need hot unhealthy cheese.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cheese Please
I'm sorry for writing about boring pregnancy things, but all I can think about is cheese. I just want things with cheese. Nachos and cheese, cheese pizza, cheese sticks, cheese burgers, cheesy fries, cheesy bread, cheese and crackers, Cheese Nips...
This has always been a craving of mine, which is how I got the name from my grandma, "little mouse." I was always getting into the refrigerator for a slice of Kraft American Cheese or of course, my favorite, shredded cheddar.
So I'm not sure if this is actually a pregnancy craving or if I just finally have an excuse for cheese, cheese, and more cheese.
This has always been a craving of mine, which is how I got the name from my grandma, "little mouse." I was always getting into the refrigerator for a slice of Kraft American Cheese or of course, my favorite, shredded cheddar.
So I'm not sure if this is actually a pregnancy craving or if I just finally have an excuse for cheese, cheese, and more cheese.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Hey! Sorry for the hiatus, but you may need to give me a huge break during this first trimester. It's killer some days. I haven't been sick, just exhausted. Today was a great day. I feel fabulous, but it's Sunday and we didn't really have to do anything. However, it is 4:30 and I feel like I should be going to bed in an hour. I've been falling asleep at 8:00 most nights. And I say falling asleep, not going to bed, on purpose, because I actually do just fall asleep wherever I am at 8:00, usually on the couch.
I'm enjoying this time though, because I know my nights of 9 hours of sleep are about to end for the next 25 or so years (considering we plan on having more than just one child).
Aside from that, John and I both are just excited. I am addicted to Target.com and Babies R Us, reading reviews on the best baby products, and I actually got online half an hour ago to look up pregnancy exercises and here I am instead.
I'm really feeling good about the place we chose to have our baby. The midwife and RN at the place spent an hour and a half with me on Friday and are doing all they can now to make sure I have a healthy, uncomplicated birth. If you or anyone you know is planning on having a baby, please tell them to do their research. There's a great book called "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer and I highly recommend it.
Our hospital here in Naples has a 42% cesearean rate, which means that obviously many of those cesaereans must be unnecessary (though of course sometimes they are). With a natural birth, mothers are up and around faster, have better luck with nursing, give birth to happier babies, have lower risk of postpartum disorder, and much more. I've learned that IVs and fetal monitors are absolutely not necessary and can actually do more harm than good. Also, keeping a laboring mother from food is absolutely ridiculous. What is the reasoning behind these things?
Our culture has taken a natural process and warped it into something clinical, as if when you're pregnant you are ill, there's something wrong with you. Doctors tell women they should have a C-section because they're too small, they're too big, the baby's too large (which they can't actually know), and the baby's heart rate is too slow (which usually happens because of drugs and epidurals), etc. I wish more women would do their research, as this is such an important decision in their lives and in their child's.
I'm enjoying this time though, because I know my nights of 9 hours of sleep are about to end for the next 25 or so years (considering we plan on having more than just one child).
Aside from that, John and I both are just excited. I am addicted to Target.com and Babies R Us, reading reviews on the best baby products, and I actually got online half an hour ago to look up pregnancy exercises and here I am instead.
I'm really feeling good about the place we chose to have our baby. The midwife and RN at the place spent an hour and a half with me on Friday and are doing all they can now to make sure I have a healthy, uncomplicated birth. If you or anyone you know is planning on having a baby, please tell them to do their research. There's a great book called "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer and I highly recommend it.
Our hospital here in Naples has a 42% cesearean rate, which means that obviously many of those cesaereans must be unnecessary (though of course sometimes they are). With a natural birth, mothers are up and around faster, have better luck with nursing, give birth to happier babies, have lower risk of postpartum disorder, and much more. I've learned that IVs and fetal monitors are absolutely not necessary and can actually do more harm than good. Also, keeping a laboring mother from food is absolutely ridiculous. What is the reasoning behind these things?
Our culture has taken a natural process and warped it into something clinical, as if when you're pregnant you are ill, there's something wrong with you. Doctors tell women they should have a C-section because they're too small, they're too big, the baby's too large (which they can't actually know), and the baby's heart rate is too slow (which usually happens because of drugs and epidurals), etc. I wish more women would do their research, as this is such an important decision in their lives and in their child's.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Plans
In the master plan of our lives, John and I hoped to start trying for a baby in October of last year, but with an unexpected surgery, a new life got put on hold. Following the surgery, we decided not to try, actually, but not actively "not try," if you know what I mean. Well, John and I both have slightly competitive, driven natures and this suddenly did lead to trying which suddenly led me to hoping and praying desperately for a plus sign on the off brand pregnancy test, three dollars compared to the 15-30 dollar ones at Publix. I took the test wondering what my response would be, knowing it would be negative, imagining myself crying (or not caring? feeling relieved?) in a little ball on the bathroom tiles. Quickly, before the suggested time of 3 minutes was up, I saw a double line forming (I had locked John out of the bathroom). When I saw that this was actually developing into a plus sign, I put the test down and started fixing my hair, intending the wait that full three minutes just in case the lines like to appear and disappear. But when I looked again, there was definitely a plus sign, the vertical line even darker than the horizontal "test" line, as if to say, "It's true, you idiot!"
So I walked out of the bathroom with a disappointed look on my face and asked John to guess the results. With a look of pity, he said, "Negative?" And I quickly responded with a huge smile and said, "You're going to be a daddy!" John then responded with, "WHAAAT?!" And went on to say that this process was supposed to take an average of five months. But it didn't. Once again God blessed us with more than we expected, earlier than we deserved or ever thought possible.
And so now, much to some people's dismay, this blog may just become a place where I tell you all about being pregnant, which I know is a boring and sometimes disgusting thing. :)
Answers to common questions: I will be having our baby at the Naples Family Birth Center, which means I will have a midwife and a natural birth. I will stop working at the end of the school year and hope to take a full year off work. My first official appointment is on Friday, so I may have a better idea of my due date by then, but we're guessing mid to late September. Baby names we have picked out so far are John and Maryn, but are subject to change. We will find out what it is as soon as we can. And our baby room colors are blue, green, and yellow with a sort of froggy theme to it. I haven't been sick yet but feel like I have some weird indigestion almost constantly. Two pairs of my pants already do not fit. I had my first weird craving before we knew I was pregnant: scrambled eggs and fried fish (mixed together), and I always want cheese but suddenly don't like coffee or chocolate.
God's plans are so much better than our plans.
So I walked out of the bathroom with a disappointed look on my face and asked John to guess the results. With a look of pity, he said, "Negative?" And I quickly responded with a huge smile and said, "You're going to be a daddy!" John then responded with, "WHAAAT?!" And went on to say that this process was supposed to take an average of five months. But it didn't. Once again God blessed us with more than we expected, earlier than we deserved or ever thought possible.
And so now, much to some people's dismay, this blog may just become a place where I tell you all about being pregnant, which I know is a boring and sometimes disgusting thing. :)
Answers to common questions: I will be having our baby at the Naples Family Birth Center, which means I will have a midwife and a natural birth. I will stop working at the end of the school year and hope to take a full year off work. My first official appointment is on Friday, so I may have a better idea of my due date by then, but we're guessing mid to late September. Baby names we have picked out so far are John and Maryn, but are subject to change. We will find out what it is as soon as we can. And our baby room colors are blue, green, and yellow with a sort of froggy theme to it. I haven't been sick yet but feel like I have some weird indigestion almost constantly. Two pairs of my pants already do not fit. I had my first weird craving before we knew I was pregnant: scrambled eggs and fried fish (mixed together), and I always want cheese but suddenly don't like coffee or chocolate.
God's plans are so much better than our plans.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Prioritize! Be efficient!
I had such a busy week. Whenever we have parent nights at school, I am just dead. They ruin my life, I tell you. We had a "Report Card Pick Up Night" on Wednesday and then our Bible study until 10 pm on Thursday, then we had friends over for dinner lastnight, then I met friends for breakfast this morning, and today I'm meeting a high school girl for smoothies, so our house feels barely lived in lately. We have a huge pile of clean laundry that I was able to throw in and out of the washer and dryer but never had the chance to fold. Actually, now that I think about it, I should be doing that right now. Although there's not much point, considering it's all so wrinkly now.
I am completely in awe of single working mothers, or even full-time working married mothers. I really have to work on this efficiency thing. REALLY.
I bet if I just didn't get on the internet or watch TV I would get everything done just fine. What the heck is my problem?
I am completely in awe of single working mothers, or even full-time working married mothers. I really have to work on this efficiency thing. REALLY.
I bet if I just didn't get on the internet or watch TV I would get everything done just fine. What the heck is my problem?
Saturday, January 05, 2008
P.S. I Love You
A few girlfriends and I just went to see this movie today, and I feel the need to write about it.
P.S. I Love You will probably teach you a lesson about your spouse or future spouse, that you should appreciate them, love them all you can, etc. The thing is, I didn't need a two hour sob fest to teach me this. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my husband. He is every romantic movie's hero, every fairy tale's prince. I also let him know that I appreciate him so often, that if I tell him any more than I already do, he will probably go crazy.
I feel so much that I do not deserve John. I can't say I waited for him, that I waited for God to write my love story. I was coming out of a terrible "relationship" (if you can call it that), that I knew God had tried to steer me from again and again, and then came John. A handsome reward for...what? For nothing. And often I wonder if God intends to strip it all away from me. Because I didn't wait for His will to be done. It just did. I really didn't do anything to deserve a fairy tale.
So, needless to say, this movie made me feel miserable. So miserable I couldn't even talk to John afterwards without crying.
Now, I am writing this part later, on Monday, and I feel better! But I still don't recommend this movie to anyone who doesn't want to cry a lot. If you didn't appreciate the little boy dying in My Girl, then don't see this one. But if you're into that sort of thing, by all means...
P.S. I Love You will probably teach you a lesson about your spouse or future spouse, that you should appreciate them, love them all you can, etc. The thing is, I didn't need a two hour sob fest to teach me this. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my husband. He is every romantic movie's hero, every fairy tale's prince. I also let him know that I appreciate him so often, that if I tell him any more than I already do, he will probably go crazy.
I feel so much that I do not deserve John. I can't say I waited for him, that I waited for God to write my love story. I was coming out of a terrible "relationship" (if you can call it that), that I knew God had tried to steer me from again and again, and then came John. A handsome reward for...what? For nothing. And often I wonder if God intends to strip it all away from me. Because I didn't wait for His will to be done. It just did. I really didn't do anything to deserve a fairy tale.
So, needless to say, this movie made me feel miserable. So miserable I couldn't even talk to John afterwards without crying.
Now, I am writing this part later, on Monday, and I feel better! But I still don't recommend this movie to anyone who doesn't want to cry a lot. If you didn't appreciate the little boy dying in My Girl, then don't see this one. But if you're into that sort of thing, by all means...
Friday, January 04, 2008
Kansas Wins!
And so many people said they didn't deserve to be there. What a bunch of turkeys.
We left for Miami around 4:15 and arrived at Dolphin Stadium at 5:30. It's been rather cold down here in south Florida, so we were bundled up for the 40 degree weather, with a wind chill far below that.
What I wore: long sleeve shirt, Jayhawks t-shirt, sweater, fleece jacket, fleece hat, scarf, jeans, two pairs of socks and my warmest Doc Martens. Thin jeans because that's all I have. Red and blue ribbons in my pigtails, red and blue football shaped beads.
What I ate and drank: a giant hot dog, a huge tray of nachos and cheese, water, hot chocolate, and a few of John's fries (I'm fasting today).
What made me uncomfortable: We were surrounded by Virginia Tech fans.
What made me feel better: We were winning throughout the whole game, and none of the fans got into any arguments. Everyone was actually very civil.
What I enjoyed the most: Winning of course. But the coolest thing was coming up the stairs to our seats and seeing the football field and stadium. It was so beautiful.
In conclusion: I am officially a faithful Kansas Jayhawks fan for life, no matter what happens. In season and out of season, winning or losing, basketball, football, whatever. And John has my permission to decorate our future baby's room (if it's a boy) with everything Jayhawks.
We left for Miami around 4:15 and arrived at Dolphin Stadium at 5:30. It's been rather cold down here in south Florida, so we were bundled up for the 40 degree weather, with a wind chill far below that.
What I wore: long sleeve shirt, Jayhawks t-shirt, sweater, fleece jacket, fleece hat, scarf, jeans, two pairs of socks and my warmest Doc Martens. Thin jeans because that's all I have. Red and blue ribbons in my pigtails, red and blue football shaped beads.
What I ate and drank: a giant hot dog, a huge tray of nachos and cheese, water, hot chocolate, and a few of John's fries (I'm fasting today).
What made me uncomfortable: We were surrounded by Virginia Tech fans.
What made me feel better: We were winning throughout the whole game, and none of the fans got into any arguments. Everyone was actually very civil.
What I enjoyed the most: Winning of course. But the coolest thing was coming up the stairs to our seats and seeing the football field and stadium. It was so beautiful.
In conclusion: I am officially a faithful Kansas Jayhawks fan for life, no matter what happens. In season and out of season, winning or losing, basketball, football, whatever. And John has my permission to decorate our future baby's room (if it's a boy) with everything Jayhawks.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Hey ma, look! New hair!
.jpg)
In response to Nathan's blog, here is the comparison between me in 1999 (my senior picture) and me in 2007. Not a big difference, but here ya go. :)Thursday, December 27, 2007
Hello from Ohio!
I've been in Ohio for two days now and boy, is it exciting. But for real, it is so nice to be able to relax and not feel the need to clean the entire house top to bottom or worry about my next meal. Mom always breaks out the food, whether I feel like cooking or not. It's quite nice.
Meanwhile, in Florida, two former girls from our youth group have become engaged! Let me tell you how weird it is to have a student of your own get engaged. I mean, I was their leader when they were 17-18, but still. Weird. Now they're just 19 and 20, but they are both more ready for marriage than many couples I've known.
Just when John and I thought we were done with weddings for a while...
Time to check registries and go dress shopping.
Also, I'm a little bit overwhelmed by Ohio State fans. I mean, we are in Ohio, but I swear there were not this many OSU fans when I left here four years ago, and it annoys me slightly that, now that they're awesome, they have all these fans. Seriously, I knew about TWO Ohio State fans my whole life, and now everyone is suddenly a die hard fan, painting their kitchen red and gray and stuff. Weird.
Meanwhile, in Florida, two former girls from our youth group have become engaged! Let me tell you how weird it is to have a student of your own get engaged. I mean, I was their leader when they were 17-18, but still. Weird. Now they're just 19 and 20, but they are both more ready for marriage than many couples I've known.
Just when John and I thought we were done with weddings for a while...
Time to check registries and go dress shopping.
Also, I'm a little bit overwhelmed by Ohio State fans. I mean, we are in Ohio, but I swear there were not this many OSU fans when I left here four years ago, and it annoys me slightly that, now that they're awesome, they have all these fans. Seriously, I knew about TWO Ohio State fans my whole life, and now everyone is suddenly a die hard fan, painting their kitchen red and gray and stuff. Weird.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Stockings!`
John and I have spent the past two afternoons shopping for stocking stuffers for each other. He's going to be home soon with my presents. I am so excited. Aren't stockings almost the best thing about Christmas morning? I just love the whole concept.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Life with DVR
Since the purchase of our something something inch LCD television and a small box that is quickly becoming an idol in the Erdman household, life has not been the same. If you know me well, you know that I am not a huge fan of TV. I've never really liked sitting and watching things, except movies, because it's boring. I'd rather read a book because at least when I'm reading, I can picture people the way I want to and make their voices the way I want them to sound in my wacky little brain.
ANYWAY, for some reason the enormous-ness of this TV mesmorizes me, hypnotizes me and I find myself watching football, the news and John's psycho murder and sex abuse shows (NCIS, Law and Order, Criminal Minds) with newfound passion.
But the best thing of all is that I recorded all of those Janette Oak movies on the Hallmark Channel. Love Comes Softly, Love's Enduring Promise... I watch them before I go to bed. Then, I lay awake crying over the miraculous strength all the characters showed throughout their hardships, love conquering all things blah blah blah. They are as cheesy as they sound, but I just love every minute.
ANYWAY, for some reason the enormous-ness of this TV mesmorizes me, hypnotizes me and I find myself watching football, the news and John's psycho murder and sex abuse shows (NCIS, Law and Order, Criminal Minds) with newfound passion.
But the best thing of all is that I recorded all of those Janette Oak movies on the Hallmark Channel. Love Comes Softly, Love's Enduring Promise... I watch them before I go to bed. Then, I lay awake crying over the miraculous strength all the characters showed throughout their hardships, love conquering all things blah blah blah. They are as cheesy as they sound, but I just love every minute.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Yow-zah!
Guess what I am wearing to our staff Christmas party tomorrow night? A sports bra and a baggy shirt! Hooty-hoo!
In case you have been an unfaithful reader, I had surgery on Wednesday in a pretty sensitive area of the female body found in the general bra area. I know that's graphic, but we're all adults here, and just my luck, most of you are women.
So my bandages came off today, and I haven't had any pain so far except now that the massive bandage isn't holding things together anymore. So I'm stuck wearing a sports bra and holding onto my chest a lot. Awk-ward!
In case you have been an unfaithful reader, I had surgery on Wednesday in a pretty sensitive area of the female body found in the general bra area. I know that's graphic, but we're all adults here, and just my luck, most of you are women.
So my bandages came off today, and I haven't had any pain so far except now that the massive bandage isn't holding things together anymore. So I'm stuck wearing a sports bra and holding onto my chest a lot. Awk-ward!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Rhinovirus Hugs
There's always one huggy student in my class who always gives me a cold. This year it's Cheyenne. She's pretty much the cutest kid in the world, and she gives the best hugs. Whenever she gets into trouble (which she sometimes does), she always gives me a hug five minutes later and says, "I love you, Mrs. Erdman." So what am I supposed to do? I just hug her and think, one hour from now, I will be coughing. And sure enough, that's what happens. Every month of this school year so far. Last year, it was Samantha. The year before that, it was Priscilla. And my first year, it was Akira. They are forever in my heart as the ones who damaged my immune system.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
KANSAS JAYHAWKS GO TO THE ORANGE BOWL!
And I get to go to my first ever football game in professional football stadium! I am so psyched.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
December
December is here.
What am I going to wear in Ohio? The only winter clothes I have are the same ones I had all through college. Same coats, same sweaters, same shoes. It's not like I am going to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on winter wear that will only be good for seven days. Everything seems hugely out of style, and I am going to see friends I haven't seen in ages. They'll all have new, grown up looking jackets and sweaters. I'll have the same clothes they saw me wearing four years ago. Yippee.
By the way, I enjoyed the beach today. Perfect weather. Warm sun, cool breeze. Ahhhh.
What am I going to wear in Ohio? The only winter clothes I have are the same ones I had all through college. Same coats, same sweaters, same shoes. It's not like I am going to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on winter wear that will only be good for seven days. Everything seems hugely out of style, and I am going to see friends I haven't seen in ages. They'll all have new, grown up looking jackets and sweaters. I'll have the same clothes they saw me wearing four years ago. Yippee.
By the way, I enjoyed the beach today. Perfect weather. Warm sun, cool breeze. Ahhhh.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Pioneer Day!
Pioneer Day was a huge success. I forgot to take my camera, but I wouldn't be able to post pictures anyway. My job was to have 5 first grade classes make butter and explore the differences between today and long ago in the making of cornbread, butter, and getting milk. I just loved every minute of it.
It says something, too, about the differences between teaching middle school, high school, and elementary school. When part of your day is just teaching the same lesson twice or more, it sure does go a lot faster and requires less planning. It also leads, I think, to a better lesson and maybe a better experience for the kids.
All the first graders at Highlands Elementary received five very involved, very planned, and very hands-on lessons today from 8:00 until 11:00. I hope we do things like this more often.
At our school, none of the classes switch, not even fourth and fifth grade. I don't know how the 4th and 5th grade teachers get really in depth with schedules like that. Yet they choose to do it that way. I wonder why. It makes sense for the little ones to stay in the same class, but I don't know about the bigger kids.
Someday I'll write something on here that's interesting.
It says something, too, about the differences between teaching middle school, high school, and elementary school. When part of your day is just teaching the same lesson twice or more, it sure does go a lot faster and requires less planning. It also leads, I think, to a better lesson and maybe a better experience for the kids.
All the first graders at Highlands Elementary received five very involved, very planned, and very hands-on lessons today from 8:00 until 11:00. I hope we do things like this more often.
At our school, none of the classes switch, not even fourth and fifth grade. I don't know how the 4th and 5th grade teachers get really in depth with schedules like that. Yet they choose to do it that way. I wonder why. It makes sense for the little ones to stay in the same class, but I don't know about the bigger kids.
Someday I'll write something on here that's interesting.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Christmas Cards
Why do we send Christmas cards? To spread joy, to share news, to keep in touch with our friends and family, and many other reasons I'm sure. Like to show off our family, our pets, our talents, our money. Who knows, but a lot of work goes into this whole card business.
For one thing, I spent about an hour of my life searching for the perfectly worded, priced and painted card. I wanted something that said Merry Christmas. None of that Season's Greetings crap. Who the heck is happy about the SEASON? Well, unless you live in Florida. No Happy Holidays, either. I'm going to wish you a Merry Christmas like it or not, and if you want to wish me a Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, I will wish you a Happy Hannukah or Kwanzaa right back. But we do Christmas round these parts.
Then there's the issue of getting a Jesus card or a not Jesus card. A spiritual card or a goofy card, a cute card or a Santa card. Jesus cards are always a possibility for me, except all the Jesus cards have gold squiggly writing, lots of stars, Mary with a halo, or some other ridiculous hullaballoo. So I just look for cards with cute animals on them. You can't go wrong with cute animals.
Then there's price. Jesus cards always cost somewhere around twenty dollars a box. Jesus would so not be happy with you, Hallmark. Then they charge you extra if there's a Bible verse, as if God's agent is out trying to scavenge more money from us all whenever Scripture is quoted. God would so not be happy with you, either, American Greetings.
OK, so I finally found cards that fit my criteria. Nothing Jesus about them, but if you're moron enough to not figure out that I DO wish you a Merry Christmas, a blessed New Year, and that the grace of God be in your life, and praise the Lord that Jesus was born, come to the earth to save all humankind, yada yada, then I am sorry and will get the gold calligraphy card for you next year.
Then I had to deal with getting address labels that sort of match the card and try to figure out if I want the label to say Mr. and Mrs. Erdman, Mr. and Mrs. John Erdman, John and Amanda Erdman, The Erdman Family (which wouldn't leave Rosa out). Then I have to try to get special Christmas stamps, which will likely cost $950.00.
And of course, it's finding all the addresses that really takes a lot of time and makes you realize how much you suck as a friend. My best friends' addresses are still college addresses and we graduated 3 and a half years ago.
Then on the stinkin' cards you gotta figure out how on earth you should write everyone's name in the household on the card, seeing as the kids have different last names, sometimes the live-in boyfriend has a different name of course, illegitimate children, step children, grandchildren, children that are sorta-kinda moved out but not really...arrgh.
Sometimes people name their kids all these crazy names and you can't remember how to spell their names, so they just get left off the card.
Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy our Xmas cards this year!
For one thing, I spent about an hour of my life searching for the perfectly worded, priced and painted card. I wanted something that said Merry Christmas. None of that Season's Greetings crap. Who the heck is happy about the SEASON? Well, unless you live in Florida. No Happy Holidays, either. I'm going to wish you a Merry Christmas like it or not, and if you want to wish me a Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, I will wish you a Happy Hannukah or Kwanzaa right back. But we do Christmas round these parts.
Then there's the issue of getting a Jesus card or a not Jesus card. A spiritual card or a goofy card, a cute card or a Santa card. Jesus cards are always a possibility for me, except all the Jesus cards have gold squiggly writing, lots of stars, Mary with a halo, or some other ridiculous hullaballoo. So I just look for cards with cute animals on them. You can't go wrong with cute animals.
Then there's price. Jesus cards always cost somewhere around twenty dollars a box. Jesus would so not be happy with you, Hallmark. Then they charge you extra if there's a Bible verse, as if God's agent is out trying to scavenge more money from us all whenever Scripture is quoted. God would so not be happy with you, either, American Greetings.
OK, so I finally found cards that fit my criteria. Nothing Jesus about them, but if you're moron enough to not figure out that I DO wish you a Merry Christmas, a blessed New Year, and that the grace of God be in your life, and praise the Lord that Jesus was born, come to the earth to save all humankind, yada yada, then I am sorry and will get the gold calligraphy card for you next year.
Then I had to deal with getting address labels that sort of match the card and try to figure out if I want the label to say Mr. and Mrs. Erdman, Mr. and Mrs. John Erdman, John and Amanda Erdman, The Erdman Family (which wouldn't leave Rosa out). Then I have to try to get special Christmas stamps, which will likely cost $950.00.
And of course, it's finding all the addresses that really takes a lot of time and makes you realize how much you suck as a friend. My best friends' addresses are still college addresses and we graduated 3 and a half years ago.
Then on the stinkin' cards you gotta figure out how on earth you should write everyone's name in the household on the card, seeing as the kids have different last names, sometimes the live-in boyfriend has a different name of course, illegitimate children, step children, grandchildren, children that are sorta-kinda moved out but not really...arrgh.
Sometimes people name their kids all these crazy names and you can't remember how to spell their names, so they just get left off the card.
Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy our Xmas cards this year!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
All she ever does is complain.
Symptoms:
Tired. Body hurts all over.
I eat healthy, get enough exercise, drink enough water, and I eat good breakfasts. So what's the problem? My face hurts. My neck hurts. My feet hurt. What the heck?
Sigh. I don't know.
Anyway, with my sore body, lugging the new PLASMA television was not a pleasant experience, but thanks to John's MacGuyver skills, we got it into the elevator and into our condo just fine. Only one piece of crown molding was damaged. We used two of those huge water purifier bottles to develop a conveyor like system. I was in charge of replacing the bottles every two or three steps.
John put together an entertainment stand and a "media" stand yesterday, and we've pretty much been mesmorized by the TV since we plugged it in. I think I can actually get into football now that I can see the football.
I did take pictures of our new set up, but I STILL can't get my camera to download pictures onto the computer.
I invited 35 people to our house today for a Signature Homestyles party (that's like Tupperware, but baskets, blankets, and home decor) and only one person came. I pretty much hate myself now. But John bought me some tea from Teavana, so it's all right.
Sigh.
Tired. Body hurts all over.
I eat healthy, get enough exercise, drink enough water, and I eat good breakfasts. So what's the problem? My face hurts. My neck hurts. My feet hurt. What the heck?
Sigh. I don't know.
Anyway, with my sore body, lugging the new PLASMA television was not a pleasant experience, but thanks to John's MacGuyver skills, we got it into the elevator and into our condo just fine. Only one piece of crown molding was damaged. We used two of those huge water purifier bottles to develop a conveyor like system. I was in charge of replacing the bottles every two or three steps.
John put together an entertainment stand and a "media" stand yesterday, and we've pretty much been mesmorized by the TV since we plugged it in. I think I can actually get into football now that I can see the football.
I did take pictures of our new set up, but I STILL can't get my camera to download pictures onto the computer.
I invited 35 people to our house today for a Signature Homestyles party (that's like Tupperware, but baskets, blankets, and home decor) and only one person came. I pretty much hate myself now. But John bought me some tea from Teavana, so it's all right.
Sigh.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Black Friday
Today we will be going to Circuit City to look for an enormous LCD television. We have saved up enough money for our Mac computer, but now that I am having surgery, we're going to spend the money on a TV and use the leftovers for surgery.
This works out to be a pretty good deal, because I will finally get my Christmas wish of having an entertainment stand. We just realized today that we have nowhere to put our old TV, which is pretty large and doesn't have much to offer. It's not HDTV or LCD or any of those other acronyms.
We started decorating for Christmas lastnight. I will try to take pictures. Our camera has been on the fritz. I hate it when people say that, "on the fritz." I am going to try to remember not to ever use that expression again.
This works out to be a pretty good deal, because I will finally get my Christmas wish of having an entertainment stand. We just realized today that we have nowhere to put our old TV, which is pretty large and doesn't have much to offer. It's not HDTV or LCD or any of those other acronyms.
We started decorating for Christmas lastnight. I will try to take pictures. Our camera has been on the fritz. I hate it when people say that, "on the fritz." I am going to try to remember not to ever use that expression again.
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Glass Castle
I just finished reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It was very good. It's one of those books that will keep me thinking for a while, and has probably altered my view of poverty, alcoholism and homelessness. I highly recommend it, but I don't really feel like writing a review. I'll give you a boring book report instead.
The Glass Castle is a memoir told by Jeannette starting with her earliest memories as a three year old living with her genius, impoverished, and mentally ill parents. Her father is a severe alcoholic and was probably suffering from some sort of paranoia. Either that, or he was one pretty sick liar. Her mother was an artist and writer who never sold anything and refused to do any house work or maintain any order in the household. You can imagine the tragedies that follow with these two adults trying to raise four young children.
Jeannette's way of telling her story is intriguing because she doesn't cast herself or her family in a pitiful light. Instead, her writing is sometimes very funny, but unavoidably sad. She paints her parents in a strangely positive way, so that you can't help but feel for them, love them, but hate them for their irresponsible ways and many mistakes.
Get the book. And while I wait for you to get it, I will be sneaking food into my students' backpacks just in case any of them is poor enough to go through the lunch room trash cans.
The Glass Castle is a memoir told by Jeannette starting with her earliest memories as a three year old living with her genius, impoverished, and mentally ill parents. Her father is a severe alcoholic and was probably suffering from some sort of paranoia. Either that, or he was one pretty sick liar. Her mother was an artist and writer who never sold anything and refused to do any house work or maintain any order in the household. You can imagine the tragedies that follow with these two adults trying to raise four young children.
Jeannette's way of telling her story is intriguing because she doesn't cast herself or her family in a pitiful light. Instead, her writing is sometimes very funny, but unavoidably sad. She paints her parents in a strangely positive way, so that you can't help but feel for them, love them, but hate them for their irresponsible ways and many mistakes.
Get the book. And while I wait for you to get it, I will be sneaking food into my students' backpacks just in case any of them is poor enough to go through the lunch room trash cans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)