Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Best Compliment

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Today I received a compliment that filled my heart with such joy, I just had to share.

I’m in a Christian women’s group called Leading Ladies. We are reading “The Resolution for Women.” Today we discussed a chapter about compliments.

I don’t care what religious affiliations you have – if any – every woman struggles with compliments. Whether giving or receiving, compliments are tricky.

As women, we over-think darn near everything! So you know we can’t hear someone say, “your hair looks great today!” without thinking to ourselves … Does it not look good other days? Does she really like it like this? REALLY?

And when we tell someone else, “I love that scarf!” we wonder… Did I sound fake? Why didn’t she compliment me back? She wasn’t very appreciative.

It’s exhausting!

Today’s lesson leader had us do an exercise where we went around the room and each person was complimented by every other person. I was mortified by this!

It turned out to be such an uplifting experience for me. These women told me their personal feelings about me, and they were good! I think we all spend so much of our lives feeling unnoticed. I realized today that people see. We just don’t always share.

Amongst the heartfelt, moving compliments given to me was that I’m a really great mom. (This made me cry. Shocking, I know!)

And the compliment that I will never forget was from my cubicle neighbor. She told me to I am kind and generous, and that I give to people who would never ever return the favor. She told me that she never knew someone as giving as me.

I couldn’t respond in the moment for fear of breaking down, but that was the best compliment I could have ever received because that has been my goal for so long. I want to be like my mom – a woman who gave freely of herself, but rarely took from anyone. She was such an amazing, thoughtful and caring woman.

I know now that I’m definitely on the right track with my life and who I am becoming.

My heart is full tonight!

Blog Resolution for Year Two

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Resolved: I shall dedicate myself to posting consistent, meaningful blogs that pertain to those items about which I am most passionate.

I have been blogging (inconsistently) for a full year now! I received confirmation of my auto-renewal payment, so I can officially say that I’ll be sticking around.

I started thinking more about the direction of the blog, mostly because I don’t feel like there is direction for my blog. I write sporadically and about random topics. My goal for my second year of blogging is to focus my writing to those things that I am most passionate about, sprinkled with a few things I wish I could do…

This, by the way, is not as easy as it sounds. Since becoming a mom, my whole life has revolved around Charlotte. I guess you could say that I am defined by my new role. … But that’s a post for another day!

Discovering, or re-discovering, what I’m passionate about is not an easy task, and I still think that I have a lot to learn about myself and what I really enjoy outside of motherhood. That was a lesson all in itself.

As of today, I would say that I’m passionate about Charlotte, HOS, family, pancreatic cancer awareness, reading and cooking. I would like to do more crafts and learn more about hair/makeup/fashion, but fear these will never be passions – unless you can be passionate about things you really aren’t very good at…

So, beginning with my next blog post, I’ll be using new topics. Don’t worry! I’ll be keeping all of my previous posts. They will just live under new topical roofs.

Be on the lookout for these new topics that make up my daily rainbow! (I’ll explain each title in the first posts.)

  • Becoming Mom
  • Dear HOS
  • Family Matters
  • Purple Ribbon
  • Legit Lit
  • Good Eats
  • Uncategorized (For those pesky times when my thoughts just won’t fit into a predetermined box.)

Good Eats: Homemade Granola Bars

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A little more than two weeks ago, I made a major decision. …

This Midwestern, medium-rare steak eatin’, food lovin’ girl gave up meat.

It wasn’t a decision made lightly. And it wasn’t based on animal rights – not that I think there is anything wrong with that. I chose to give up meat because I have struggled with stomach pains for about seven years now. I’ve seen a number of doctors, but to no avail.

SO, I’ve finally decided to make major dietary changes to help me identify the types of foods that cause my pains. After my body adjusts to a vegetarian diet without any issues, I’ll slowly reintroduce different meats. I already had suspicions that red meat was part of the problem. I guess I’ll find out soon enough!

The hardest part of becoming a vegetarian isn’t giving up meat. It’s finding easy, quick and appetizing recipes!

I was lucky enough to find a really great recipe for homemade granola bars. These bars are cheap, simple and don’t take much time to make. And you can make them as (un)healthy as you’d like.

Homemade Granola Bars

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Ingredients2 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup dried fruit (I used cranberries, raisins, cherries and prunes)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

Recipe

1. Mix the Rice Krispies, Oats, cinnamon, dried fruit and chocolate chips together in a large bowl.
2. In a saucepan, add the honey and brown sugar. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
3. Remove honey and brown sugar mixture from heat and mix in the peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Pour the peanut butter/sugar mixture over the dry ingredients and blend well.
5. Line a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with wax paper. And pour the granola mix into the dish. Use a spatula to spread out evenly.
6. Set the dish aside so the mix cools completely. This will take around one hour.
7. After the mix is set, use a pizza cutter (or any knife) to cut out the bars. Bag or wrap immediately and place in fridge or cupboard.

A Little More Romance

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I haven’t been very motivated to blog lately. I’ve been distracted by life and some of its slight downturns. I’ve always wanted to keep this blog positive, but I am human. I need to share my lows along with all my wonderful highs.

Lately, I’ve been creating rough moments for HOS and myself. I hear stories from people at work about romantic nights out with spouses or boyfriends. Friends are getting married. Shoot, friends are walking down the aisle just eight months after meeting one another.

The girly, silly side of me is envious.

I love my family, and all my time with HOS and Charlotte. I also have relationship needs. It’s selfish, I know, but it’s still a desire.

I’m a sucker for walks at the park, picnics and just spending time at the lake. Of course, I like a good meal and a movie, too. I like to think I’m easy to please. What’s not easy is finding a sitter.

HOS does his best. And he puts up with me on a daily basis. I should just be grateful for that! He does get frustrated, saying I compare us to others. I don’t deny that, but I’m not asking for a wedding. I just want a little more romance.

Is it unappreciative or too selfish?

It makes me feel that way.

Health Enhancements

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Almost three months ago, I wrote a blog post called We Are Bullshit. The post was really a rant about how women blame society for skewed views of what body type is healthy and attractive and those that aren’t. That we, as women, play the victim when it comes to body image. In the post I said that I was proud of my body, and I was going to write a post to stand by my body.

To be completely honest, I never wrote my follow up post because I gained 10 lbs after that post. I found myself in a very unhappy place regarding my body image, and it was starting to cause problems in my relationship. Despite feeling unhappy, I tried to ignore my feelings. I lied to myself, trying (and failing) to convince myself that I was 100% proud of my body. It was until April 20 that I experienced my breaking point.

Something as small and ridiculous as putting on a new shirt completely shifted my lifestyle, and the lifestyle of my family. I put that t-shirt on, looked at myself in the mirror and felt disgusting. I was disappointed that I let myself become unhealthy and unfit. And I felt so unattractive, which made me behave like an unattractive person. If that makes sense.

That was a Saturday morning. That night I stepped on a scale and was appalled. By Sunday, I started a healthy evening meal plan for HOS, Charli and myself. I started exercising on Tuesday. It didn’t take long for my muscles to remember what activity felt like. I felt good about my diet* and exercise, something I haven’t felt since the first trimester of my pregnancy.

*Just for clarification, when I say diet, I mean eating habits. I don’t believe in crash dieting. I want to make a lasting, healthy life choices for me and my family

One week after I felt so disgusting, I put that same shirt on. I’m no miracle worker, so I wasn’t without some extra love (softness in my tummy), but I felt good.

HOS and I chose to reshape our lives into something healthier. It’s something we can feel good about, and be proud of as parents. It’s only been two weeks, and we will have many obstacles to overcome as we move forward. We will also have moments of weakness – like my current obsession with cookies – but we are on track again.

I started this health enhancement wanting to lose 30 lbs, which scared my half to death. I weighed myself every day for the first week, but it only made me feel disappointed and frustrated. After week one, I only lost .5 lbs … Maybe 1 lb. … but I didn’t care! I felt great. I was happier with myself. I felt more comfortable on my clothes.

I have a new “weight” goal – feel comfortable in my own clothes and my own skin. Oh, and throw away the scale. That bitch just brings you down.

I’d love to hear about your adventures to be the happiest, healthiest version of yourself. What do you do to boost your self-esteem?

(I’ve been posting blogs from my phone, so I apologize for any and all errors. Obviously, they were all the fault of my phone and not my lazy forms of editing.)

The Great (and Depressing) Gatsby

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I reread The Great Gatsby last week in anticipation for the new movie release in May. I’m still trying to work through the message F. Scott Fitzgerald was trying to communicate.

I learned very quickly that while I remembered some of the major points of the novel, it was as if I were reading it for the first time. I can’t decide if this is because I did a poor job reading in high school or because my interpretation and thought processes have changed.

As for the characters, I didn’t really care for any of them except the narrator, Nick, and his fling, Jordan. Of course, Jordan was a bit of a mess.

Tom is an arrogant man who lived in a world of double-standards where he flaunted his money. Gatsby was a stalker who made his money in very sketchy business. He also flaunted his money. And the woman they both loved so much? I can’t even remember her name, I disliked her that much.

I do remember one of the things she said, though, in regard to her daughter. When asked about the you h child, she said that she breathes.

She breathes?

That’s all this pitiful, self-involved “adult” had to say about her three-year-old. I was over her by the end of the sentence.

She did manage to anger me again later when she paraded her daughter in front of her lover like a dog and then sent her away with the maid.

Aside from being terrible parents, the characters were drunks, liars, adulterers, murderers and just bad people.

Was Fitzgerald trying to demonstrate the ridiculous life of the wealthy? Was he trying to say that you can’t chase a dream – once it’s gone, it’s gone?

It’s as if Fitzgerald was trying to say that it’s not worth it. The big adventure, the dream, the whatever will just end in heartache.

It was all quite depressing, and at the same time, I can’t think of a better ending. They don’t deserve a happy ending.

Have you read The Great Gatsby? What are your thoughts on the novel?

5 for $20 (or more)

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Do you remember the good ol’ days, when we were kids, and our moms would take us to Walmart the store to buy multi-packs of underwear? Do you remember how many pairs of undies we got for $5? Shoot. We took those days for granted.

Now, I know my dad is probably mortified right about now. Blogging about underwear!!

But seriously, it’s ridiculous how expensive these necessities have become.

If I’m shopping at Target, I can get away with 5 pairs of underwear for $20. At Victoria Secret, the Pink line is usually 5 for $25.

What once could buy me 5 pairs, now buys one.

I realize I’m whining in this situation. I could easily buy the cotton multi-packs for women. While still more expensive than my youth, they are more affordable than what I do buy. But they just look terrible!

I’m a mom now. Affordable underwear may be what’s expected of me. … Are my underwear purchases to be forever limited to cotton briefs in white, black and beige?

I’m 25 years old. I can’t settle for that just yet.

I’ll just fork over what I deem to be ridiculous amounts of money for very few items, 5 for $20 (or more).

As for the cotton briefs … Check back with me in a few years. I may be singing a different tune!

Tiny Clothes Make for Big Reminders

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You know that moment parents have when they look at their child and are astonished to find they are so big, so old, so independent?

I had my first one today.

A friend from work is expecting her first baby in a few weeks, a baby girl. Her baby shower is this Saturday, and she currently only has one onesie.

I offered to bring her some of Charlotte’s clothes.

As I pulled out each of Charli’s tiny outfits, I relived the memories of her first giggles and coos. And realizing how small and fragile that precious baby was.

My heart just ached with happiness for my amazing daughter and the memories and it ached with sadness that she is growing so quickly.

I’m so astonished by her. Every day.

I just wish I could slow it down a little.

Puppy Love or Something Like That

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Today I had the dreadful experience of watching my precious daughter scream out of fear.

My only reaction was to instantaneously switch to “overly protective mom” mode and swoop up my crying baby.

*sigh*

My heart ached! But then I realized that I need to toughen up my kid.

Here’s what happened. …

Nothing about Charli’s day was routine, so the poor thing was just unsure about things. She went to work with me in Manhattan instead of going to daycare. My friend, Steve, picked her up and they spent the day together. Steve and Hillary have a small dog, Maggie.

Don’t worry, Maggie didn’t bite her! Quite the opposite. Charlotte apparently pulled a chunk of fur off Mags and tried to eat it.

Yum!

Despite that indiscretion, Maggie was loving on Charli by the end of the day.

Steve and Hillary dropped Charlotte off with me at my friend Andrea’s apartment. Andrea also has a small dog – an itty bitty dog, actually. Zoey is a mini dachsund, and the sweetest dog EVER.

Zoey also loves babies.

In typical tiny dog fashion, Zoey got very excited and decided to run when she saw Charlotte. Unfortunately, she ran right at my tired, hungry Charli and got in her face. …

I know it’s part of parenting, but I would wish that sound on no one. Hearing your baby scream and then cry from fear is one of the worst sounds I have ever heard. My heart broke for my little girl in that moment.

However.

Charli was scared of a dog that is smaller than our cat. This will not do. Charlotte and Zoey

I, myself, have only ever been bitten by one dog – a fat weiner dog – so I understand a little apprehension, but Charlotte was quick to cry around Zoey the rest of the night.

I would like to point out that Charli was being far too emotional and dramatic. … Then I have to wonder where she got it from. …

*NOT IT*

Obviously, not her mother!

Good Eats: Lemon Blueberry Muffins and Double Chocolate Muffins

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For the past two glorious hours, I have been elbow deep in flour, sugar and the wonderful world of baking.

My kitchen is a disaster.

My sink is filled with dishes.

My clothes are covered in ingredients.

And I couldn’t be happier.

I decided that this would be the night I would finally test out my mini muffin pans and the silicone liners. Ok, I realize that silicone muffin liners sounds silly, especially when you find out I spent more than $9 per dozen, BUT these are, hands down, the best baking purchase if you like to bake muffins! They are non-stick, reusable, and the muffins pop right out. Perfect!

Back to the really good stuff, the actual muffins.

I perused Pinterest for a while this morning until I found three recipes I wanted to try. Due to a combination of time, exhaustion and sheer laziness, I only made two of the three, Lemon Blueberry and Double Chocolate. Who could go wrong?

[Just a side note: Yes, Santa Claus makes an appearance in the background of my images. While I enjoy baking and sharing, I am lacking in the large Tupperware department. This is all I had.] 

Lemon Blueberry Muffins [mini]

Lemon Blueberry Muffin

Ingredients
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/2 tsp lemon extract
11/2 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 lemon juice
1 TB lemon rind (To be honest, I wasn’t 100 percent sure on what this was, so I left it out.)

Recipe

  1. In a large bowl whisk together milk, vegetable oil, egg, lemon extract and lemon rind. In a separate bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and nutmeg. Mix the dry ingredients into the large bowl and stir until smooth. Fold in sour cream and blueberries. I had to chop my blue berries because they were big enough to fill half of one mini muffin cup.
  2. Preheat oven to 375. Fill cupcake pan with liners (or use a cooking spray) and fill with batter about 2/3 the way full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove muffins from pan and allow to cool.
  3. If you were doing this correctly, you would combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl and drizzle over muffins. If you’re moving too quickly, like me, and don’t read the full instructions, you just squeeze a few drops of lemon juice onto the muffins. *sigh* At least they taste good!

Double Chocolate Muffins [mini]

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Ingredients
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 c yogurt
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c chopped milk chocolate (one whole Hershey’s milk chocolate bar)

Recipe

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin tin. Set aside.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Stir.
  3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  4. Add egg, vanilla and yogurt. Mix well.
  5. Combine the dry ingredients to the egg mixture a little at a time. Mix well.
  6. Add chocolate chips and chopped chocolate and stir it in.
  7. Drop the batter in to the liners using a small cookie scoop.
  8. Bake for 5 minutes in 400 degree oven. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees and bake 14 more minutes, or until browned on top.

I always recommend taste-testing 1-4 mini muffins before sharing with friends or family. I mean, they are mini.