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Nov 30, 2011
Better
I had a better today. I am still anxious to get the heck out of Dodge (so to speak) but I am willing to let it happen in it's own time. I will say it won't be soon enough for me, but that's okay too.
Nov 29, 2011
Yuck
I have had a couple of crappy, stressful days and my head is pounding. I will be back with more cheerful thoughts, for now I will just wish that Santa would bring me enough money to leave this awful place!
Nov 28, 2011
Nov 27, 2011
Two Frogs - An Inspirational Tale
Here is another story that really inspired me and I had to share it with you all!
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.
The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.
The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
Nov 26, 2011
Saturday PhotoHunt: Handwritten
The theme today was Handwritten and it reminded me of the fact that a handwritten note, got me busted on the tooth fairy this year. She noticed that our handwriting was the same. So I am posting pics from the day she lost her very first tooth . . . back in 2008. She was afraid that the tooth fairy wouldn't be able to find her tooth under her pillow so she put it in an envelope on her desk and taped a note to her headboard. She was so excited by the letter the tooth fairy wrote back to her.
Nov 25, 2011
Introducing!
Today!
My Ultrasound is today. Keep your fingers crossed for me that the baby shows it's wares and I get to know whether we will be a family of little princesses or whether a little prince will be joining in the fun! And that whatever the gender is, the baby is healthy!
Nov 24, 2011
Are You A Carrot, or An Egg, Or A Coffee Bean?
I read this article and was so touched by it that I wanted to share it here too!
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked. "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another lever?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked. "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another lever?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
Nov 23, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Sometimes only Daddy makes it all better
Nov 22, 2011
Oh No! Busted!
I was totally busted on the tooth fairy this morning. Princess Belle, left a note for the tooth fairy along with her tooth and she recognized my handwriting in the answer. I told her I was surprised that the tooth fairy could write like me, but I am not sure she bought it. Darn it! I was so happy she still believed enough to write a note, but I guess it couldn't last forever. I am still holding on to some hope for Santa, but she has been half questioning him for a while now.
Nov 21, 2011
Evenings
I love evenings with Prince Charming. Every evening after the kids go to bed, we sit on the couch and watch our shows and chat. It can take us 2 hours to watch a one hour show because we keep pausing it to chat. I love that after 10 years of marriage we still can't sit quietly for one full hour show without having to pause it and share our thoughts, our days, to remember things, to laugh at our kids, or just to chat. After all these years, we haven't run out of things to say to each other and he still manages to make me laugh out loud.
Nov 20, 2011
Looking Forward
For some reason, I am really beginning to look forward to Christmas this year. I know I still have all the prep to do, but I can't wait to put up the decorations, watch all the Christmas movies with my girls, and have Christmas Dinner with my friends and family. It will be a great Christmas, because Christmas is about family and friends and no matter what I am blessed in that area of my life!
Nov 19, 2011
Saturday PhotoHunt: Wet/Rain
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There were probably other choices for the theme this week, but I immediately thought of our fun at the splash park this summer. Princess Magpie had a fabulous time and was completely adorable in her joy.
Nov 18, 2011
Healthy Baby club
I was out a Healthy Baby Club today. It was nice to get a chance to chat with the moms. The nurse was there this time and she had silicone models of babies at different gestational ages. I was amazing to hold a baby in my hands that was 2 weeks younger than my little monkey is right now. It looks so sweet and real, it brought tears to my eyes thinking how real it made my baby to me.
I have to admit that I have been a bit overly hormonal the last few days. I don't mean to be and I try to control my reactions, but I know that I am more sensitive and more easily overwhelmed than I usually am. When I can feel that I need help because I am sick and overwhelmed with it all, I ask Prince Charming for help and he is always quick to help. So at least he and Princess Belle are understanding. I have to give Princess Belle credit, she has been so completely helpful the last little while. She is thrilled with life right now and she is anxious to help in any way she can.
I have to admit that I have been a bit overly hormonal the last few days. I don't mean to be and I try to control my reactions, but I know that I am more sensitive and more easily overwhelmed than I usually am. When I can feel that I need help because I am sick and overwhelmed with it all, I ask Prince Charming for help and he is always quick to help. So at least he and Princess Belle are understanding. I have to give Princess Belle credit, she has been so completely helpful the last little while. She is thrilled with life right now and she is anxious to help in any way she can.
Nov 17, 2011
Baby stuff
I saw my doctor again. He seems to be seeing me every two weeks, I guess that is because I am considered high risk. I don't mind, I enjoy every chance to check on my little one possible.
I told him how I changed my diet to suit me better and showed how my sugars have improved since doing so. He said it is working and we will leave well enough alone for now.
He checked my blood pressure, which isn't high right now. He did say that my dizzy spells were related to my blood pressure and to make sure to sit down and be careful when I get them.
I should be able to get a good Ultrasound view of my baby next week. I can't wait to see if I have another girl or if I am having a boy!
I told him how I changed my diet to suit me better and showed how my sugars have improved since doing so. He said it is working and we will leave well enough alone for now.
He checked my blood pressure, which isn't high right now. He did say that my dizzy spells were related to my blood pressure and to make sure to sit down and be careful when I get them.
I should be able to get a good Ultrasound view of my baby next week. I can't wait to see if I have another girl or if I am having a boy!
Reminiscing
It is late and I am tired, but I was just thinking and remembering bringing my babies home from the hospital, the wonder of it, the joy of it. I am so blessed to be doing this again. All of my babies have worn the same pair of snugly jammies home from the hospital. I have them hung up on the wall in the girls room. I guess it won't be long before, I have to take them down, wash them and pack them up in a bag to be worn again. Do you get honestly think anyone could be any more lucky than me??
Look at those chubby cheeks! Too bad they didn't stay that way, they look absolutely munchable!
Look at those chubby cheeks! Too bad they didn't stay that way, they look absolutely munchable!
Nov 16, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Remembering the 1st time I did this
Nov 15, 2011
Tuesday Talk
I walked down the mall today. And let me tell you this pregnant body does not move like it used to. Before I was pregnant, I walked down there, almost every day, sometimes more than once if I felt like getting out of the house for a while. But, today? By the time I got back, I was walking at a snails pace, holding my back and my hips! I was sooo sore!!!! Who knew that walking could hurt my back like that??
On the upside, I dropped by the Sears Optical here in St. John's to check on the progress of my glasses prescription. he had me pick out frames while I was there. Scott, the man who works there was wonderful. He hand-picked out dozens of frames, had me try them on and was quick to put back the ones that didn't suit me. He knew what would look best on me and what would work best with my ridiculously high prescription (and thus thick lenses). He then proceeded to work magic and to get me a deal where I could get sunglasses too! And between him and the manager, they managed to get me them at NO EXTRA COST!!!! They were wonderful and helpful and really took the time to get me the best glasses for me at the best price! He doesn't get a commission, he gets paid no matter what kind of glasses I get or if I don't get any at all, but he is kind enough and diligent enough to do a wonderful job!
On the upside, I dropped by the Sears Optical here in St. John's to check on the progress of my glasses prescription. he had me pick out frames while I was there. Scott, the man who works there was wonderful. He hand-picked out dozens of frames, had me try them on and was quick to put back the ones that didn't suit me. He knew what would look best on me and what would work best with my ridiculously high prescription (and thus thick lenses). He then proceeded to work magic and to get me a deal where I could get sunglasses too! And between him and the manager, they managed to get me them at NO EXTRA COST!!!! They were wonderful and helpful and really took the time to get me the best glasses for me at the best price! He doesn't get a commission, he gets paid no matter what kind of glasses I get or if I don't get any at all, but he is kind enough and diligent enough to do a wonderful job!
Nov 14, 2011
Monday Mutterings.
- I have a headache again!!! this pregnancy is really kicking my butt with these headaches and the nausea.
- I am loving the feelings of this little person inside me, it really is a wonderful thing. I talk to my baby when I feel him/her. I love this little person so much and I haven't even touched my baby yet.
- Princess Belle went on a field trip to the library today. It was with the homeschool group. They got a tour of the library, information on how they work, and watched a film and everything. She had a lot of fun.
- She daily informs me of little things that she learned from all these random places. I keep telling her that learning happens everywhere you are, whatever you are doing and that is as much a part of homeschooling as the books we read and the work we do.
Nov 13, 2011
Sweet
I was just thinking about how cute it is that there are two beds in the room with Princess Belle (9 years) and Princess Magpie (3 years) and yet almost every night, when I go to check on them, I find them asleep snuggled up together in one bed.
Nov 12, 2011
Saturday PhotoHunt: Two
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The obvious choice for this weeks theme would be to post a pic of two of my girls. I have lots of pics of two of them together doing cute things. But instead I decided to post a pic of my Princess Magpie playing with her reflection, thus posting two pics of TWO Princess Magpies!
The obvious choice for this weeks theme would be to post a pic of two of my girls. I have lots of pics of two of them together doing cute things. But instead I decided to post a pic of my Princess Magpie playing with her reflection, thus posting two pics of TWO Princess Magpies!
Lovely Surprise
Nov 11, 2011
Template
I found out that when you ran a search on my blog, my template messed up after a couple of pages. I know that probably doesn't come up a lot, but I needed to fix it to keep myself sane. So now it should be working better. I took the opportunity to put a different background up.
COFFEE FILTERS
Better than paper towels and a lot less expensive...
COFFEE FILTERS
Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for $1.00, even the large ones.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10 Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.
11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..
13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.. It soaks out all the grease.
14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."
15. &n"sp; As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18 Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.
20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.
22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.
23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag until they sprout.
24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..
25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.
OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS
COFFEE FILTERS
Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for $1.00, even the large ones.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10 Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.
11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..
13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.. It soaks out all the grease.
14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."
15. &n"sp; As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18 Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.
20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.
22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.
23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag until they sprout.
24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..
25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.
OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS
Nov 10, 2011
OMG!
OMG! I saw a mouse in my house!!!! I got up this morning and when I went into the washroom a mouse ran by my feet into the heater!!!! I am so freaked out! I knew there was a rat problem in the neighbourhood because of the restaurant a few doors down and their garbage. But I was living in blissful ignorance that anything would get into to my house! I have hated this house since we moved in. It is too small. There is no storage at all! The road I live on is way too busy! There is mold in the back porch. But now there is a mouse! I want out. This pregnant momma who woke her whole house by screaming in the morning, does not want to share her house with VERMIN! It is on healthy!
Btw, I am also fed up with this whole darned town at this point, but that is another matter entirely. For now, I have just decided never to have another nice relaxing soak in this bathtub AGAIN! EVER!!!! EWWW!!! ICK!!! YUCK!!!
Btw, I am also fed up with this whole darned town at this point, but that is another matter entirely. For now, I have just decided never to have another nice relaxing soak in this bathtub AGAIN! EVER!!!! EWWW!!! ICK!!! YUCK!!!
Nov 9, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Sleeping on the Floor
Nov 8, 2011
Tuesday Talk
Poor Princess Snifflefritz had to get some shots today. She has been groggy and sleepy every since. She really is sweet when she is just so overwhelmingly tired. I took a pic of her because she went into her room, grabbed the stuffed penguin she sleeps with, left it on the floor of her room, put her head on it, pulled up her blanky and went to sleep right there on the floor. So sweet.
I actually get the tired, I am feeling that way quite a bit too. I am really hating the regimented way of dealing with Gestational Diabetes, but I am hoping if I just stick with it, I will get used to it. In the meantime, little kicks from my belly will always make me smile.
I actually get the tired, I am feeling that way quite a bit too. I am really hating the regimented way of dealing with Gestational Diabetes, but I am hoping if I just stick with it, I will get used to it. In the meantime, little kicks from my belly will always make me smile.
Nov 7, 2011
Movement
I have been feeling a lot of movement in the last couple of days. It makes me so happy to feel my little monkey moving around and letting me that everything is okay in there. I can't wait until the 25th when I get to try to find out if I have a prince or princess growing in there!
Nov 6, 2011
Princess Magpie
Princess Magpie is very funny. She makes me laugh on a regular basis. Just this morning, I heard her in the room with her sister, "Sisser! Wake Up Sisser!" *pause* "Sisser!", "Sisser! Wake Up Sisser!". Apparently, if she is awake, everyone else has to be too. (I am sure her "Sisser" did not find this whole exchange as funny as I did while I was nursing my morning coffee.
Nov 5, 2011
Nov 4, 2011
Friday Five
- Well, my headache has eased up. That is definitely a good thing!
- I even got out of the house to meet with a group of pregnant moms. It was kind of fun. I like any opportunity to get out of the house.
- I seem to be doing okay with my diabetes control right now. At least the diet has stopped making me sick.
- The girls are doing really well. They like to play in their rooms when they are supposed to be sleeping, but once they go to sleep, they tend to stay that way and sleep in enough in the mornings for me to have a nice cup of coffee and breakfast in quiet.
- I have taken to giving the girls a bath most mornings. They like it so much that it is a cheerful way to wake them up. And they are just so cute playing in the bathtub together. I have to laugh because Princess Snifflefritz is so small that a lot of times, she starts to float when she is trying to sit. She is just too cute.
Nov 3, 2011
Headaches
This pregnancy has definitely brought more than my fair share of headaches. I swear it is hard to deal with. The days start out with a mild amount of pain until it builds up to intolerable by bedtime. UGH.