Considering that she was almost completely bald at this time last year, these pony tails are amazing! (Sorry the pictures aren't great!)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Baby food jars
I am in search of about 30 glass baby food jars for a project for my daughter's class Christmas party. If you have any, let me know. Thanks!!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
WW and strawberries
So the 4.1 was a good omen- my loss today was 6.4! That is SO not the norm for me. That's my biggest loss ever except for my very first week, which is usually big for anyone. I'm sure part of that was major make up for an unexpected gain last week, but we'll take it! I'm sad to see that cutting back on the Diet Coke and drinking loads of water had a positive affect...
As for the strawberries, my friend Clairesse told me about a great sale on strawberries at the West Jordan Macey's- don't know if it's the same everywhere. $6.98 ish for a flat! For some reason I thought if one flat would be good, two flats would be awesome! I wanted to make freezer jam, now I'm swimming in it!
Out of the 5 lbs I have done so far, I have filled 21 jars- probably a little more than that since I pour the end of each batch into one jar and my kids have been eating it heartily! My plan is to use them for neighbor gifts for Christmas, but I'm not sure I have that many friends!
I am looking for other ideas of what to do with the remaining 11 pounds, so if you have a favorite way to preserve strawberries, let me know. I read in the Ball Blue Book about dry pack freezing them to eat whole at a later time. This sounds good because it doesn't involve 2 parts sugar to one part berries. Anyone out there tried this? Did you freeze them in jars? Ziplocs? I'd love to hear your advice!
As for the strawberries, my friend Clairesse told me about a great sale on strawberries at the West Jordan Macey's- don't know if it's the same everywhere. $6.98 ish for a flat! For some reason I thought if one flat would be good, two flats would be awesome! I wanted to make freezer jam, now I'm swimming in it!
Out of the 5 lbs I have done so far, I have filled 21 jars- probably a little more than that since I pour the end of each batch into one jar and my kids have been eating it heartily! My plan is to use them for neighbor gifts for Christmas, but I'm not sure I have that many friends!
I am looking for other ideas of what to do with the remaining 11 pounds, so if you have a favorite way to preserve strawberries, let me know. I read in the Ball Blue Book about dry pack freezing them to eat whole at a later time. This sounds good because it doesn't involve 2 parts sugar to one part berries. Anyone out there tried this? Did you freeze them in jars? Ziplocs? I'd love to hear your advice!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
4.1
I wish that was my weight loss this week, but WW isn't until tomorrow.
That IS, however, the score I got on my first college paper at the U.
If you didn't know, it has taken me years to get up the courage to go back to school, fearing the degree of difficulty of my remaining upper division classes. The school nerd in me REALLY doesn't like getting bad grades, so being a mediocre student for me is just as bad as failing. I don't hold other people to that standard, that's just my own measuring stick for myself.
So, back to the 4.1. Did I mention that was out of a possible 4? Who knew you could get extra credit? I told Tim that I did so well because unlike some of my classmates, I have never learned to write in txt language. Punctuation, capitalization, complete sentences- a dying art to some, normal to me.
The paper was analyzing an article about a study on the validity of the 5-second rule. It was an unusual topic, but if you are interested in my amazing (haha) paper, you can read it below. While I did manage to write a descent paper, I can't figure out how to post it here any other way. Ü
There are many means of gaining knowledge and understanding of the world around us. Much of our basic knowledge in taught to us from such a young age that we don’t remember ever NOT knowing it. This knowledge or tradition is such a part of us that we can ignore obvious truths or logic when the tradition meets our needs. However, just because we choose to ignore a fact doesn’t make it any less true. This is illustrated by examining the “five second” rule.
Some say the five second rule goes back to Genghis Khan; others place it in medieval times. Whenever it began, it served to make people feel justified about doing something they knew was probably disgusting or unacceptable. It is reborn on playgrounds, school cafeterias, home kitchens, movie theaters, any place we need to justify picking something off the floor and eating it or encourage our child to do the same. If we want the food item badly enough, we will eat it off the floor. Our tradition of the five second rule trumps logic because it meets a need- the need to eat the yummy thing!
Some traditions are so ingrained that we don’t recall ever being without that information. I don’t remember being taught the five second rule. My first memory of the application of the five second rule was in elementary school. I don’t remember being appalled by it at the time, so I’m guessing I had heard it before. Either that or I agreed that the food that hit the floor was worthy of being rescued. This tradition made it acceptable to scavenge recently fallen food. Our measure of scientific experimentation- no one we knew had ever died from eating a Hot Tamale off the floor- was all the proof we needed.
Other rules that have been tested and proven equally reliable come to mind. Crossing your fingers behind your back makes it OK to tell a lie. Cake consumed on your birthday is fat free. We make many false “rules” to help us justify bad behavior, knowing full well that they aren’t true. As a culture, we agree to abide by these rules together so we all feel a little bit better about ourselves.
As for the five second rule, we continue to use it to avoid ridicule for doing something otherwise unacceptable. When we say it on behalf of another person, we give them permission to do as they wish without being judged. A gift, from me to you! We justify it because of our personal experience. I have never met someone who contracted a horrible disease by eating a cookie that they had just dropped. I do know lots of children who were sad because they dropped a cookie and were not allowed to eat it off the floor. We allow others to do something gross because the positive effects far out-weigh the negative by our measure. The slight chance of a negative outcome is worth the risk. Unfortunately people take this same gamble with higher stakes- failing to use a seatbelt, drinking and driving, having unprotected sex and so forth.
As consumers of information, it is ultimately up to each individual to honestly examine the data we are given in order to make an informed decision. In the case of Matthew Cole, his lack of fatal illness from eating off the floor does not negate the Clemson study findings. Bacteria still gathers on the floor whether or not Matthew chooses to acknowledge its presence. Likewise, we are confronted with vast amounts of knowledge, truth and tradition. Our choice to accept or reject it does not change the validity of any given tidbit.
There are many ways that we gain knowledge. Tradition is a strong source of information, correct or not. Our application of what we learn can protect us from harm and help us succeed if we choose to apply correct principles. It may be necessary to take a step back and re-evaluate the traditions we hold onto in order to make sure they are the best choice. We must decide for ourselves what is truth and what is error. So, how do we gain our knowledge? We pick it up, one morsel at a time.
That IS, however, the score I got on my first college paper at the U.
If you didn't know, it has taken me years to get up the courage to go back to school, fearing the degree of difficulty of my remaining upper division classes. The school nerd in me REALLY doesn't like getting bad grades, so being a mediocre student for me is just as bad as failing. I don't hold other people to that standard, that's just my own measuring stick for myself.
So, back to the 4.1. Did I mention that was out of a possible 4? Who knew you could get extra credit? I told Tim that I did so well because unlike some of my classmates, I have never learned to write in txt language. Punctuation, capitalization, complete sentences- a dying art to some, normal to me.
The paper was analyzing an article about a study on the validity of the 5-second rule. It was an unusual topic, but if you are interested in my amazing (haha) paper, you can read it below. While I did manage to write a descent paper, I can't figure out how to post it here any other way. Ü
There are many means of gaining knowledge and understanding of the world around us. Much of our basic knowledge in taught to us from such a young age that we don’t remember ever NOT knowing it. This knowledge or tradition is such a part of us that we can ignore obvious truths or logic when the tradition meets our needs. However, just because we choose to ignore a fact doesn’t make it any less true. This is illustrated by examining the “five second” rule.
Some say the five second rule goes back to Genghis Khan; others place it in medieval times. Whenever it began, it served to make people feel justified about doing something they knew was probably disgusting or unacceptable. It is reborn on playgrounds, school cafeterias, home kitchens, movie theaters, any place we need to justify picking something off the floor and eating it or encourage our child to do the same. If we want the food item badly enough, we will eat it off the floor. Our tradition of the five second rule trumps logic because it meets a need- the need to eat the yummy thing!
Some traditions are so ingrained that we don’t recall ever being without that information. I don’t remember being taught the five second rule. My first memory of the application of the five second rule was in elementary school. I don’t remember being appalled by it at the time, so I’m guessing I had heard it before. Either that or I agreed that the food that hit the floor was worthy of being rescued. This tradition made it acceptable to scavenge recently fallen food. Our measure of scientific experimentation- no one we knew had ever died from eating a Hot Tamale off the floor- was all the proof we needed.
Other rules that have been tested and proven equally reliable come to mind. Crossing your fingers behind your back makes it OK to tell a lie. Cake consumed on your birthday is fat free. We make many false “rules” to help us justify bad behavior, knowing full well that they aren’t true. As a culture, we agree to abide by these rules together so we all feel a little bit better about ourselves.
As for the five second rule, we continue to use it to avoid ridicule for doing something otherwise unacceptable. When we say it on behalf of another person, we give them permission to do as they wish without being judged. A gift, from me to you! We justify it because of our personal experience. I have never met someone who contracted a horrible disease by eating a cookie that they had just dropped. I do know lots of children who were sad because they dropped a cookie and were not allowed to eat it off the floor. We allow others to do something gross because the positive effects far out-weigh the negative by our measure. The slight chance of a negative outcome is worth the risk. Unfortunately people take this same gamble with higher stakes- failing to use a seatbelt, drinking and driving, having unprotected sex and so forth.
As consumers of information, it is ultimately up to each individual to honestly examine the data we are given in order to make an informed decision. In the case of Matthew Cole, his lack of fatal illness from eating off the floor does not negate the Clemson study findings. Bacteria still gathers on the floor whether or not Matthew chooses to acknowledge its presence. Likewise, we are confronted with vast amounts of knowledge, truth and tradition. Our choice to accept or reject it does not change the validity of any given tidbit.
There are many ways that we gain knowledge. Tradition is a strong source of information, correct or not. Our application of what we learn can protect us from harm and help us succeed if we choose to apply correct principles. It may be necessary to take a step back and re-evaluate the traditions we hold onto in order to make sure they are the best choice. We must decide for ourselves what is truth and what is error. So, how do we gain our knowledge? We pick it up, one morsel at a time.
Friday, September 11, 2009
In the still of the night...
In the wee small hours of the morning, my husband heard screaming somewhere outside. He could hear a woman screaming things like "HELP" and "GET OFF ME." Not good things!
He got up and listened at the window but couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from. Being a good citizen & a caring individual, he called police dispatch to report it. The dispatcher asked him to hold on for a minute. When she came back she apologized, saying that they were actually causing the disturbance.
Turns out they were trying to arrest a belligerent woman a few blocks away and she was putting up quite a fight.
Classy.
He got up and listened at the window but couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from. Being a good citizen & a caring individual, he called police dispatch to report it. The dispatcher asked him to hold on for a minute. When she came back she apologized, saying that they were actually causing the disturbance.
Turns out they were trying to arrest a belligerent woman a few blocks away and she was putting up quite a fight.
Classy.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Pint-sized PMS
Lydia just had an absolute freak out when I didn't do her hair the way she wanted it. "No, Mom, like Emily (Coates)!" I didn't know she had such strong opinions about one pony tail vs. two pig tails.
Then to add insult to injury I put in a yellow bow when she obviously had planned to wear the pink flower clippies. HYSTERIA! She started pulling on the bow and almost undid the whole hair-do. I did compromise & change clippies. She still sobbed on my shoulder for a few minutes.
Do you know she's only two? Neither does she!
Then to add insult to injury I put in a yellow bow when she obviously had planned to wear the pink flower clippies. HYSTERIA! She started pulling on the bow and almost undid the whole hair-do. I did compromise & change clippies. She still sobbed on my shoulder for a few minutes.
Do you know she's only two? Neither does she!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Something awkward
Here's something awkward for your entertainment. Check out awkwardfamilyphotos.com
That should keep you busy until I have something clever to say!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Can't fight this feelin' anymore
It's September for two days and *POOF* I have the overwhelming urge to CRAFT! What I lack is the time, in a BIG way. What's a girl to do? How do you fight this urge (those who have it) or how do you embrace it with quick & easy crafts?
I had my mind all made up not to do the boutique in Spring City in November this year because I knew I would be so busy with school that I couldn't justify the time commitment. The flier came in the mail to sign up & I've lost the will to fight.
I have a few projects in mind that I can work on in the car while I am waiting to pick kids up from school. I had planned to use that time to study, but Lydia has other ideas. I can do a mindless task while we wait, but trying to remember what I read while talking to her isn't not working.
Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Let me know what you're working on these days. I'll put some pics on when I have a few completed projects.
I had my mind all made up not to do the boutique in Spring City in November this year because I knew I would be so busy with school that I couldn't justify the time commitment. The flier came in the mail to sign up & I've lost the will to fight.
I have a few projects in mind that I can work on in the car while I am waiting to pick kids up from school. I had planned to use that time to study, but Lydia has other ideas. I can do a mindless task while we wait, but trying to remember what I read while talking to her isn't not working.
Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Let me know what you're working on these days. I'll put some pics on when I have a few completed projects.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Shopping at Smith's
I know how you miss my shopping adventures, so I'll tell you about Smith's this morning. I didn't take a picture, so imagine it for yourself.
Here's what I got: 3 boxes Cinnamon Life Cereal, 1 box ice cream cones, 2 Betty Crocker Cookie mixes, 1 18 oz peanut butter, 1 Country Crock, 1 Pillsbury crescent rolls, 1 milk Chug, 3 2L Pepsi products, 2 2L Diet Coke, 1 Hair bow, 1 32 oz veggie tray, 1 head lettuce, 1 cantaloupe, 5 jumbo packs Huggies, 1 jumbo pack Pampers, 1 bag Fritos, 4 boxes Jolly Time popcorn, & 1 Push Pop for my little helper.
My total came to $120.xx, after my Fresh Values card, $5 off General Mills promo, $5 off coupon from Sunday's paper, $5 off from Happenings book, manufacturer/Smith' s coupons, & B1G1 Free popcorn, I paid $58.42 with tax!!! Remember- that includes 6 packs of diaper!!
I also got a $10 off next purchase from the Baby Club, and a 15 cent gas coupon. Woohoo!
Here's what I got: 3 boxes Cinnamon Life Cereal, 1 box ice cream cones, 2 Betty Crocker Cookie mixes, 1 18 oz peanut butter, 1 Country Crock, 1 Pillsbury crescent rolls, 1 milk Chug, 3 2L Pepsi products, 2 2L Diet Coke, 1 Hair bow, 1 32 oz veggie tray, 1 head lettuce, 1 cantaloupe, 5 jumbo packs Huggies, 1 jumbo pack Pampers, 1 bag Fritos, 4 boxes Jolly Time popcorn, & 1 Push Pop for my little helper.
My total came to $120.xx, after my Fresh Values card, $5 off General Mills promo, $5 off coupon from Sunday's paper, $5 off from Happenings book, manufacturer/Smith' s coupons, & B1G1 Free popcorn, I paid $58.42 with tax!!! Remember- that includes 6 packs of diaper!!
I also got a $10 off next purchase from the Baby Club, and a 15 cent gas coupon. Woohoo!
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