Does Anyone Else Feel Betrayed? July 15, 2008

Those of you using Reader, the story didn’t embed, so here it is in link form:

Cookie Story

How can you continue to be called “Cookie Monster” if you no longer eat cookies in plural form? I try to be as healthy as (okay, healthier than) the next guy, but cookies? U R My Friend. [Cookie] Monster, you have been castrated, and you are dead to me. May your former cookie-binging self live on in my memory.

200 July 14, 2008

It’s my 200th post! I know! Celebration time!

I can’t believe I’ve stuck with this and enjoyed it as much as I have. Good for me! b*pats self on back*

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Anyway, I like to commemorate milestones with gifts for YOU, my dear readers, who make this blog as fun as it is (seriously, if I had no commenters? I would have lasted two weeks, tops.). Because I think it would be fun to do Bloggy Giveaways at the end of the month, I’m going to wait to reveal the prize until then, but here’s the sweet deal for those of you who have been riding this train for awhile. You will each be allowed 3 comments toward winning the prize. See, WordPress has this neat feature where I have to approve your first several comments before you’re allowed leeway to comment freely. For those of you who have passed that point (a.k.a. my regular commenters) by Bloggy Giveaway time, you can comment three times and have as many entries into the giveaway.

Oh, I so wish I could tell you what I have to give away. As much as I love funny books and Bath & Body Works, this giveaway will top the prior ones, in my opinion. So stay tuned!

And feel free to wish me some sort of congratulations on my stick-to-it-iveness.

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Lastly, I have a question for you friends. What would you like to see/hear/read more of on this blog? Be honest, now; you won’t hurt my feelings! If there’s something you’d like more of that is not in the poll, feel free to comment below.

 

Between One Page and Another July 10, 2008

Beck tagged me with this fantastic book meme. So here it is. If you want to do it, too, I’m always interested in what other people read.

1. Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?
I watched a lot of Sesame Street, which focuses on letters a lot (sometimes rather scarily), taught myself to read (by age 3! I know; I’m a stinking genius…haHAha!), and got heavily involved in the world of Bert, Nan, Flossie and Freddie.

2. What are some books you loved as a child?
- The Bobbsey Twins Series
- The Little House on the Prairie Series
- (rather unfortunately) The Babysitters’ Club Series

Are we noticing a trend here? Pretty much if it was a series, I read it. Trixie Belden, Boxcar Children, Sweet Valley Twins, and on and on. Barf.

- My one redeemable quality was that I was also in love with Roald Dahl. Matilda, James & The Giant Peach, The Twits, George’s Marvelous Medicine, Danny Champion of the World. He’s a great author. And you can’t beat his illustrator, either.

3. What is your favorite genre?
Right now? Probably non-fiction (is that a genre?). I read mostly manuals about how to operate a baby. When I have free time, I delve into fluff or my husband’s books, like A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss or the Narnia books or C.S. Lewis.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?
Nothing notable, I’m sure.

5. Where do you usually read?
Anywhere I can. I bring books or other reading material with me all the time.

6. When do you usually read?
All the day long. Books? At night after Anja goes to bed.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Rarely less than five.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Well, yes…I’m usually looking for information from a non-fiction book. I don’t often read them for entertainment value. Place? Not so much.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I buy most, check them out second (may as well buy them for the amount of overdue fees I accrue), and borrow last.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
I try not to, but I’m one of those people who gets attached to material objects, especially ones that are made of paper and have WORDS on them. So the answer is yes, yes I do.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?
Since Anja’s at that “I like board books except for when I want to rip something up” phase, here’s what I plan to share with her as she gets older:

I’m with Beck on Ramona books and Archie comics (my mom had a vintage stack that I would read through almost every summer), but other than Roald Dahl (which she WILL read, even if she HATES it!), I rather hope she’ll take after her father and read something meaty. The Redwall series by Brian Jacques (yes, a series) and the Mortimer books by Joan Aiken (oh, how I LOVED them—how could I have forgotten?).

And I still love The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Even as an adult, if you haven’t read it, you MUST.

12. What are you reading now?
The Bible, Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week, Digital Photography by Eismann, Duggan and Grey (isn’t Grey a lovely word?), Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp and Camera RAW by Rob Sheppard.

13. Do you keep a To Be Read list?
Kind of, in my head.

14. What’s next?
I’d like to get my hands on Believing God by Beth Moore, and I own about 40 books I’ve not yet read. The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton is in the running.

15. What books would you like to reread?
I simply salivate over the word pictures in Roald Dahl’s books (and sometimes, gag), so I might pick up one of those again sometime. Mere Christianity (C.S.) and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, too.

16. Who are your favorite authors?
C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl and Joan Aiken come to mind. Apparently, I’ve never grown up. I think I’m okay with that.

Mo’ Meme June 28, 2008

Veronica tagged me for a meme a few weeks ago, and I felt like doing it tonight, so…here it is! If mine looks different than hers, it’s because I picked and chose questions from the person who tagged her…

Favorite food? Cookies!

Quirks about you? Not a one. Just kidding. I have about 5-10 water bottles rolling around on the passenger-side floor of my car at any given time. I floss religiously. I can bend my fingers at the top knuckle only.

How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? Husband says: “Nice, pretty, good cook, smart, creative, fun.”

Is someone sucking up?

Any regrets in life? Wasting time.

Favorite Charity/ Cause? Bethlehem Baptist Church, Compassion International, Wycliffe, the US Center for World Missions.

Something you can’t get enough of? Cookies.

Worst job you’ve ever had? Working as an assistant to the president of a private school. I could say much more, but I won’t.

What job would you pay NOT to have? Workin’ a honey wagon.

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? People’s homes right after I leave. I would like to hear what people say about me behind my back. Wouldn’t everyone like to know? Perhaps not…

Favorite Bible verse right now? I’m not big into Bible favorites, but the 3^rd chapter of Colossians has always hit me at the right times.

Guilty Pleasure? Cookies.

Got any confessions? I haven’t showered yet today.

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Camera gear or clothes.

Favorite thing about your house? People I love live here. And it has white trim on the interiors.

Least favorite thing about your house? Not as much storage as I might like.

One thing you are bad at? Staying focused on one task until completion.

One thing you’re good at? Mad Gab. I’m not allowed to play that game anymore, because my team always wins by a landslide.

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I would like my impinged biceps tendon to be healed so I could play summer sports again.

Who would you like to meet someday? Jesus. Sounds like a Sunday School answer, but it’s true.

What makes you feel sexy? Not much. I think when I feel witty I feel better about myself, but I rarely feel sexy.

Who is your real life hero? Jesus.

What is the hardest part of your job? Right now? Finding things to do! Construction is in a slump.

When are you most relaxed? Saturday mornings. Husband usually gets up before me and takes the daughter out of our room if she’s fussing so I can sleep a little late.

What stresses you out? The lack of time in a day (she writes as she’s wasting time).

I’m only tagging you if you want to play. So, go forth and meme if you want to! I just made meme a verb, by the way.

But that doesn’t stop me from dancing, does it? June 26, 2008

I have found for me that summer means short, fairly pointless (but sometimes not!) posts when I can squeeze them in.  Summer is FAR too short in Minnesota to not be enjoyed.  Today that enjoyment meant 5 1/2 hours on the golf course in the blazing hot sun (above 90 degrees!  In Minnesota!  I know!) with co-workers.  Apparently SPF 30 is not good enough for my post-pregnancy skin, because even after 3 applications, I am bright pink.  Bright, painful pink, that is.  But we took second place in the tournament (to our surprise, too).  Every time I go out golfing, which isn’t often these years (I hadn’t been in 3 years before today), I am reminded how much I love it.

Back in high school, my “summer job” was golfing.  Daddy had some sort of dream of me being on the LPGA Tour.  Not likely, dear father.  I think my best round ever was one over par.  That just doesn’t cut it.  But it was sweet of him to make me clubs all those years (I had my first set at age 3!).

Speaking of the LPGA tour, they’re playing the U.S. Open in Minnesota this week!  Fun times; lots of extra traffic.

Anyway, my point was, I used to golf about 18-36 holes a day and LOVED it.  My friend Jason and I would go out in the early morning and breeze through 18 holes in 2 hours since no one else was on the course yet.  Then we’d sit in the clubhouse for awhile and go out and play another 9 or 18.  Sometimes his little brother would come along.  Or some days he’d be busy or have gotten up too early for me, and I’d go with my other friends.  Jana had a cart that we used sometimes; that was always nice.

So today brought back good memories.

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In other news of things I have forgotten that I like, here are some links. 

Making Fiends

Mr. Nice

I could watch Mr. Nice all day.  Isn’t that sad?

Mediterranean night with a bit o’ homestyle thrown in June 16, 2008

Some of you have been asking for updates as to how our night having Husband’s foodie relatives over went. It was fabulous! I decided to go with an Italian a Mediterranean theme (because my friend pointed out so kindly that Italy is SURROUNDED by the Mediterranean. so. there.), except for dessert. Because I had rhubarb on hand, and I can’t say that it’s Mediterranean. Did I mention Husband’s aunt is vegetarian? So we made all vegetarian stuff, but non-vegetarians wouldn’t have even noticed. By God’s grace, it turned out that good!

We had these fabulously amazing veggie paninis. I found them through Randi’s Recipe Box Swap. Seriously, you must make them. You will not be sorry.

We also had a fabulous little dish I’ve made several times (these photos are from a previous time and show that I did not have yellow peppers on hand at the moment…they also do not illustrate my photographic abilities with my flashy point-and-shoot…please do not judge), Tortellini-Asparagus Salad, straight from my Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. Again, YUM. Here’s the cast of characters and a shot of me stirring in the nuts and cheese and stuff at the end, because I’m too embarrassed to show all the even-less-nice ones from the process. But it TASTES good, and that’s what matters.

Tortellini-Asparagus Salad
Better Homes and Gardens
Yields: 10 side-dish servings

Ingredients

• 2 9-ounce packages refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
• 1 pound fresh asparagus spears (about 16 spears) trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow sweet pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil or salad oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or chopped almonds, toasted

Directions

1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven cook tortellini according to package directions, adding asparagus and sweet pepper during the last minute of cooking; drain. Rinse tortellini and vegetables with cold water; drain again.
2. For dressing, in a screw-top jar combine lemon peel, lemon juice, oil, mustard, sugar, salt, and garlic. Cover and shake well.
3. In a very large bowl place tortellini and vegetables. Add dressing; toss to coat. Cover and chill for 2 to 8 hours. Just before serving, stir in cheese, green onions, and nuts. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

We served all that up with a side of fresh berries (rasp-, blue-, and straw-) and cantaloupe, some wine and lemonades (yes, two kinds) and finished later with Rhubarb Crunch, the single best rhubarb item I have ever eaten.

Thanks for caring how it went, friends! I’d love to hear about your exploits in the kitchen; feel free to leave a link in the comments if you’ve recently posted something yummy!

Wowza, Internet Peoples! June 3, 2008

Thank you all for your overwhelming support–the comments, the emails.  You guys are so kind and encouraging.

I posted some photos of someone besides my daughter today, so if you’ve already requested a link and have it, go check it out.  For those of you who missed my last post, if you would like a link sent to you, either comment here that you’re interested in getting it or shoot me an email.

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In other interesting news, my daughter fell down the stairs today at the sitter’s.  I was NOT happy, and had to scurry out of there before I started crying.  Her sitter told me in a very nonchalant way, which:

A. Made me concerned that she should have been MORE concerned and called me at work to let me know

B. Made me less concerned because she must’ve thought Anja was alright

What would you have done?  Bawled her out right there?  Anja only has one more week with this sitter and then she’s on to a new daycare, and since it’s only 1 1/2 days each week, Husband suggested I keep her home next week and he’ll take the extra half day off work to watch her himself.  Is that wrong?  Will it convey unforgiveness to our current sitter?  They don’t have a gate at their stairwell, so I’m just concerned that it could happen again…

A Little Project June 2, 2008

Hi friends!

Long time no…write!  I think this is the longest I’ve gone without posting.  It feels awkward.

Anyway, the reason is, I’ve been working on a little project.  Actually, a big project.  I’m kind of embarrassed about it, because I don’t feel like I’m good enough to be “in the big leagues” yet, but I’ve started a photography business.  I have a new blog (since I can’t afford my own .com yet) where I’ll be posting favorite images, including those of some lovely folks who have helped me during my portfolio-building stage.

All that said, since my identity is somewhat secret on this blog, and I’d like it to stay that way, please email or leave a comment if you’d like a link to my new blog.  I’m fantastically excited, nervous and hopeful all at the same time.

I’ve long wondered, “Lord, what do I want to be when I grow up?”  I’ve been wondering that since high school graduation.  And…I think I might have finally found an answer.  Of course I want to be a MOM, but in order to be able to stay at home with my little peanut, some cash money needs to be made, and this photography stuff?  I’m addicted.

Thank you all SOOOOO much for your helpful support up to this point, and I will always, always appreciate your constructive criticism.

Free the hot dogs! May 23, 2008

What a fabulous Friday. Aside from the fact that my baby and I are getting over a mild case of the respiratory flu (Lord, can the fussing stop? Her, not me. :)), I have much for which to be thankful.

I have front and back windows open and a cool spring breeze is giving me free (and much better smelling) a/c. As a result, I can hear my neighbor’s wind chime and imagine myself on the dock at a lakeside cottage, waves lapping at the shore.

I just saved $46 at the grocery store in coupons and discounts.

I got me a little sprig of lilac from a park last night. Life is sweet. Except for that crying baby…excuse me…

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Carrie, who will graduate nursing school this weekend (yay! Pop over and congratulate her!), tagged me for a meme yesterday. So here it is:

The Rules:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.

2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

3. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.

4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What were you doing 5 years ago?

- I was at home preparing for my wedding. Last-minute things, like printing programs (should that be last-minute? Probably not.), coming up with favors, picking out centerpieces from the huge conglomeration of antiques my grandmother let me borrow…and I was enjoying my last few days with my maiden name.

What are five things to do on your to do list for the day?

- Get groceries (done)

- Make supper

- Go for a walk with Anja

- Plan locations the hubby and I will visit the rest of this weekend (we’re celebrating our 5th anniversary a week early since we’ll be up north with family next weekend)

- Spend time with God

What are five snacks you enjoy?

- Cookies (duh)

- Chips (I never used to like them until I hit “puberty” at age 21. That’s when I first started getting zits and craving salty things.)

- Ice cream

- In season fruit (right now pineapple is ending its peak and stone fruits are on their way, people!)

- Cereal (especially Quaker Oatmeal Squares)

What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?

- Stay home with Anja

- Buy a house instead of a townhome (though I really am thankful for our nice home)

- Invest in some charitable gift annuities and live off the interest while helping those ministries out

- Support other ministries in new and astounding ways (currently on support list: Wycliffe, Compassion International and our church/Desiring God)

- I don’t know. Maybe travel?

What are five of your bad habits?

- Biting torn nails when I don’t have a file handy

- Doing one of them right now (Internet)

- Overplanning

- Impulse buying

- Complaining

What are five jobs you have had?

- Maintenance/Landscaping at the D.O.T.

- In-home elderly care

- Camp counselor

- Executive assistant at a private school

- Youth minister

What five people do you want to tag?

- my good friend Jennifer

- my other good friend Jennifer who needs to get a new blog so I can link to her when she does a guest post

- bloggy friend Sharkey

- bloggy friend Jamie at her new home on the net

- bloggy friend mck Mama

My Brother, the Naive May 14, 2008

Not to be confused with knave.

Beck wrote a lovely post about her daughters today that reminded me of some more stories of my manipulative tendencies toward my younger brother.

I really did have the perfect brother for manipulating.  He was tender-hearted, gullible and naive.  He thought I hung the moon until he was about 4.  Then there was me: nerves of steel (or at least gold, in which one can leave a mark with one’s teeth), heart of stone and mind chock full of skepticism.  I needed to take advantage of his innocence like a redneck needs an old dryer in their front yard.

We, like Beck’s children, had a “special tree” in our neighbor’s backyard.  It was a pine, not an old, gnarly, notched deciduous.  Norbert kept the branches trimmed up about 3 feet, but they were so long that they hung down to the ground, creating a tee-pee-like space underneath.  We would play on the soft brown needles underneath.  Our favorite game was “fairies.”  I would tell Brother stories about how the fairies arrived (by rocket, of course) and explain to him why he never saw them (even though he would often claim that he did, the pour soul).

I would run out to the tree, Brother trailing behind but running as fast as his chubby little legs would carry him, and say, “Oh, Brother, you just missed them!  There went their rocket!”  Sweet little boy would look up in the sky, shading his eyes, his lower lip trembling, hoping to catch a glimpse.  But it was hopeless.  Only I ever got to see the fairies.  As he got older and tired of my lies, he would attempt to manipulate me back (that or he was hallucinating).  He would run to the tree and say, “Oh, Heidi, you just missed them.  Too bad.”  And I would say, “Brother, you didn’t really see them.”  “Uh HUH,” he would whine.  “Yes I DID!”  And I would walk off smugly, knowing better, and he would feel ashamed.  I was loving like that.

Story #2

I was not the only one who liked to take advantage of Brother’s gullibility.  When visiting my aunt here in the Twin Cities, it often RAINED PENNIES.  I kid you not.  Miraculously enough, it only did this over her driveway.  It never rained pennies in my hometown.  We (my mom, aunt and myself) would stand in the driveway of her townhome complex and throw pennies in the air.  As they would land, Brother would shriek, “Another one, Mommy!  Look!”  And as he would stoop to pick it up, we would toss another penny some distance away.  As he got older and more suspicious, we would wait until planes were overhead and tell him that the planes were dropping them.  I remember this scheme working until he was probably 6 or 7 years old.  Sorry little chap, wasn’t he?  I only feel slightly better about all my manipulations knowing that my mom and aunt, adults, took their own delight in fooling him.

So there you have it.  More stories of me being a terrible older sister.  Let’s hope, for Anja’s sake, that I have gotten over my need to have fun in such a fashion. 

Come back tomorrow–I may post a photo or two of me and my tow-headed brother.  And tomorrow’s a special day.