Here is another quick one that I did last night....it tells the story of the night I first had contact with Kent. Kind of a weird story....how we eventually got together. The photo is of me and Iago getting read to go to a graduation ceremony where I first saw Kent. You can click on the picture to read the story if you are interested. Can you tell I really like green?

So I think I am feeling better....except right now where I feel as if I am going to pass out for some reason. Hate that feeling. Makes you feel a bit vulnerable. Don't worry Mom...I am okay. The medicine seems to be helping. I actually had some energy today.

We are having some major storms tonight. Had to go to the basement for a tornado warning. Bella is so freaked out about tornados. Not sure where this fear came from. Every five minute she is asking if a tornado is coming....question after question. She is pretty upset....says she doesn't want to move again if our house is flattened. I think all of our moves in the past 3 years have been hard for her. She really likes stability....I guess all kids do. That is something I never had to deal with. Lived in the same yard my whole life. Hopefully we will not have to move for a long time.

Apparently today is doctor's day and what was on my desk but a container of chocolate. Needless to say, I failed miserably on my diet today, also ate a bunch of carmel popcorn, it was very tasty. Oh well, I will do better tomorrow.

For my design team stint on the 3scrappy boys design team we have to contribute to the newsletter. By the time I was able to sign up, I had to end up doing a "paper craft" for the May newsletter. Can I just say I don't understand the deal with the altering craze in scrapbooking. I HATE it! I just want to do scrapbook pages, not make stupid crafts to display around my house. Just not me....it seems like a waste of time to me. So what am I doing for the newsletter....just that. Yuck! I will survive. But I will hate every minute of it =). This is what I am going to explain (except it will use the March kit paper) Hopefully, someone will like it and it will "inspire" them in some way.

Anyway....all for now. Adios

Official Diagnosis: Sick

So before I discuss my official diagnosis, a note about the layout. I am trying to occasionally scrapbook about myself and stuff other than my lovely children. This layout shows some photos from when Kent and I were dating. We took these pictures at the mall in one of those photo booths. Trying to remember what happened so long ago....document it. Those little diamonds that are lining the top of the brown circle paper are actually lime greena and truly match....they are not multi-tonal... didn't scan well.

So I have officially diagnosed myself as sick. My illness started 12 days ago and is not improving, in fact I feel worse. Monday I tried to run and thought I was going to die. Today while I was doing some ab work {not typically known for being strenuous...} I felt as if I was going to pass out. And I won't repulse you by telling you what is in my nose. So I have been known to get pretty sick with a sinus infection...you that is my diagnosis. I found some meds and have started them. I don't like to go the doctor =). So I have a amusing story about the last time I had a bad sinus infection, which was actually probably in the lovely year of 2000. I was in residency and had a fever for like 7 days before I actually went to the doctor {didn't miss a day of work during that time.....you pretty much have to be dead to miss work during residency}. Anyway was at home, it was in the wee hours of the morning...I got thirsty and made my way to the kitchen, got my water and was making my way back to bed when I felt my vision going black...the next think I knew I was on the floor with my glass of water all over me and a big bump on my head. Kent, who fell asleep in the basement was as usual sleeping like a log {he could sleep on gravel and not ever wake up}. So I crawl back to the bedroom, find the phone by the bed and call him on his cell phone in the basement to come help me change my clothes, go to bed. Anyway....I find that story kind of amusing....don't know why. The next day.... I think I still went to work, but actually got sent home {!!!} and went to the Dr. Enough about my illness...hopefully, I won't pass out again with this one.

I had my PT appointment today. I am very proud to report that I am now down a total of 14 pounds from my starting point and a total of 6% on my body fat. I am about the same weight I was when I got married. I think I'm going to lose a few more pounds and then be done with it. Going for a body fat % of 22%...think that should be adequate for an old woman with children. Speaking of body fat, I found this cool formula that I tried out on my measurement both my starting and my current and it was pretty close to what my trainer got by pinching my fat, off by 1-2%. It is in the current issue of Womens Health . Here it is for your body fat % calculating enjoyment. 1. First calculate your BMI (body mass index) : Height in inches x Height in inches 2. Divide your weight by the answer in #1. 3. Multiply the number you got in #2 by 703....this is your BMI. 4. Next multiply your BMI by 1.2. Write down for future use. 5. Multiply your age by .23. 6. Add the number you got in 5 by the number you got in #4. 7. Subtract 5.4 from the that number you got in #6. That is your body fat %. There it is....enjoy (or not). By the way a healthy fat % is often considered about 20/21% - 26% (if I am remembering correctly). That is all for now.

Feeling kind of blah.....

Here is the photo I was trying to upload last night that wasn't cooperating with me. Made this last night. Bella's new favorite color is orange....so I thought she might like this.

I am feeling rather blah this week. I'm still sick, I believe this is day 10 {please tell me why I can stay well all winter with sick kids spewing snot on me all day everyday and THEN....the moment I go on vacation I get sick?}. So anyway, I'm feeling rather puny from that and when you combine that with the post vacation going back to work blahs....you get me. So to help with my blahness and of course my boredness at work {apparently, I'm the ONLY one who is sick now} I did some retail therapy and bought THIS . And what is even cooler....got an email that it shipped already so I should have it by the end of the week. This book looks awesome....my kind of scrapbooking. I want to be like them when I grow up.

It has been a long time since I have done an official bodybugg update. I meet with my trainer tomorrow and will probably get the fat pinched, all that fun stuff. So I will promise to update you with all the gory details. Excited....aren't you? I actually feel like I have been doing well. I didn't gain any weight last week on vacation so I was feeling good about that and this week I have really been trying very hard not to cheat at all...so hopefully it will pay off. I am so close to my goal...I just want to be done and start maitenance. Anyway....that is all for now, have a lovely day.

Nothing

Well...I tried {over and over} tonight to upload a photo but blogger is being obnoxious and I need to go to bed...so you'll have to wait until tomorrow night. Adios.

Back to work tomorrow =(

Here is a layout I finished today. You can't get it's true effect on the computer, but all of the edges are frayed (that made quite the mess). I think it turned out pretty good.

Bella had her first soccer practice today. It looks like she finally has a coach that is actually going to teach her something. That should be a nice change.

Emma, at the age of 3 years and 29 days (that would be today) had her first haircut. It wasn't planned, but since there was a large amount of gum in her hair, it had to be done. Oh well, it needed to be done anyway. Bella thought I did a good enough job that I could do it for a living. Hmmm.....

Anyway, I stole these questions from another blog. Enjoy (or not)

1. What is your occupation? Pediatrician, mom.

2. What color is your underwear? blue on the bottom, black on the top.

3. What are you listening to right now? Emma...yacking at me.

4. What was the last thing you ate? Tomato and Basil Pesto pizza, grapes.

5. Do you wish on stars? Occasionally

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? green.

7. How is the weather right now? It WAS 54 degrees....but very windy, making it too cold. Not sure what's happening outside now.

8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Kent George

9. How old are you today? 33

10. Favorite drink? water, ice tea.

11. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball

12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes....got to cover up those nice grays that are becoming more plentiful.

13. Do you wear contacts or glasses? I have glasses that I am required to wear by law when I drive.....I'm thinking I'm almost to the point where I will be needing them full time soon. Will probably get contacts then.

14. Pets? The infamous Betty. Before that the infamous Henry. I don't seem to have very good luck with cats.

15. Favorite month? All summer months!

16. Favorite food? Probably anything I'm not allowing myself to have =)

17. What was the last movie you watched? No idea. The girls watched Monsters, Inc in the car as we were driving....maybe that counts?

18. Favorite day of the year? I'm going to pick all Saturdays (except the ones I am on call)

19. What do you do to vent anger? Hmmm.....I'm not sure, that is probably bad, huh?

20. Hugs or kisses? Depends on who they are coming from =).

21. Cherry or blueberry? Cherry.

22. Living arrangements? A lovely house.

23. When was the last time you cried? I don't remember.

24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, a big purple exercise ball, laundry basket.

25. Who is/are the friends you have had the longest? Amy Iago Yoder...we met in elementary school =). Oh yes and Dr. Mon....we actually have known each other since we were very young.

26. What did you do last night? Scrapbooked after the girls went to bed.

27. Favorite smell? Citrusy stuff.

28. What inspires you? All sorts of things...magazines (shock!), books, my girls.

29. What are you afraid of? Airplanes.

30.Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? None of the above....maybe a turkey burger or veggie burger.

31. Favorite car? I like sports cars...can't have one right now though....too many carseats.

32. Favorite dog breed? Not a big fan of dogs....they stink.

33. Number of keys on your key ring? 3- House, car and some key from work for an unknown purpose.

34. How many years at your current job? One

35. Favorite day of the week? Saturday...get to sleep in if I'm lucky.

36. How many states have you lived in? Three - Iowa, Ohio, Idaho {reminds me of a t-shirt I once saw....University of Iowa, Idaho City, Ohio}

37. How many cities have you lived in/name them? Frytown, Iowa (is that a city?); Canton, Ohio; Coralville, Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; Nampa, Idaho; Pleasant Hill or Des Moines, Iowa (take your pick says the post office)

38. What was the last book you read? How to be Lost

Have a good day!

The front cover

So here is the book....all put together. I got it from Scraptivity ( www.scraptivity.com ) The brand it Beary Patch. It is the chipboard covers and spiral binder...you make the pages yourself. Anyway, that is all for now. Going to go visit my lovely parents and spend my christmas gift certificate from the scrapbook store (like I need more stuff =) )

Emma's Birthday Book

Just a quick one tonight...I made this little birthday book for Emma. I photographed all of her gifts and made a page for each of them, telling why I chose what I did. Didn't spend a lot of time on it, pretty simple, but it is cute in person. These are the pages before I bound them. Have a lovely day!

I'm back!!

So we are back from our lovely "spring" break vacation to Minnesota. Wasn't very spring like there...but oh well....I guess you can't expect that this time of year. Anyway, before I give a brief overview of our time away.....I have some scrapbooking news. Check it out here: http://3scrappyboys.com/mayoctdt06.htm . I'm pretty excited...a pretty cool kit with lots of members....so this is a nice honor.
Anyway....back to our vacation. Oh and also before I begin, let me vent for a minute....they certainly take advantage of you while you are at the Mall of America...try to suck your wallet dry. Oh well again...think that is the nature of vacation.

Here is a photo of the underground aqaurium at the Mall of America. It is pretty cool. The girls really enjoyed it.


This picture was taken at the Rainforest cafe. Emma seems to have developed a love for eels. Not sure why as I think they look pretty creepy....but she was fascinated by them. This eel was sitting right by our table, so Emma was quite pleased. She made a cute comment about when she grows up she wants to be an eel. Interesting....


The amusement park was a HUGE hit with the girls. They LOVED it. LOVED it. Can't say that enough. We had two very upset girls when we finally left that day.



Here is Emma at legoland playing. The girls are big lego fans.


And finally, my favorite picture of all......

It made me laugh....made me think of the all the scrapbook products out there that say "live, laugh, love" or something to that effect. I like this better. Speaking of eating....for the first time since Christmas....I ate what I wanted and as much as I wanted (within reason). It actually didn't feel that great...I feel overstuffed and large now. I haven't checked out the damage on the scale yet...will do that tomorrow. Will also restart my program....only about 5 more pounds to go (that was.....before vacation). Have a lovely day.

Signing off for a few days

I made this tonight. Both the answers to the question and the picture were from November. Asked Bella some of her favorite things, etc.

So I probably won't be updating the blog for the next few days {unless the hotel has computer available....some do, we'll see}. We're heading for Minnesota tomorrow to hang out for a few days. Will probably be back on Wednesday....so I'll see you all then. Have a good weekend!

2 pictures and a recipe

Just a quick one tonight. Here is a layout I did tonight showing Emma's birthday. Just a summary of our day together.



Bella brought this home tonight. I thought it was very cool. Love the sequins and the cutout pictures she glued on there. Another one I'm going to have to frame.


Don't know if anyone likes me putting these recipes on here, but here is a new one we tried tonight. Quick and easy and pretty good. I guess I'm on a turkey kick lately...guess it is healthy for you {if you are a meat eater that is =) }

Southwest Sausage and Rice
Cooking Light Magazine

1 (5 oz) package saffron rice mix (such as Mahatma)
2 (4 oz) links turkey Italian sausage
2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup (1 oz) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
½ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp black pepper
Dash of salt
Minced fresh cilantro (optional)

1. Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
2. Remove casings from sausage. Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon.
3. Add corn and garlic to pan, and cook over medium heat 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in rice, sausage, cheese, chili powder, cumin, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with cilantro.

5 servings (1 cup each). 253 calories; 6.7g fat; 14.8g protein; 37g carb; 2.7g fiber; 37mg chol; 1.8mg iron; 795mg sodium; 105 mg calcium.

One more thing...I think I'm kicking butt in the NCAA tourney...too bad I didn't enter my picks somewhere.

STINKIN' CAR!!!!!!

So Emma does this periodically when we are driving somewhere in the car. I'll hear this little voice sounding kind of mean and gruff say "Get out of mama's way". Last night it was, "Get out of mama's way" a brief pause then a disgusted little voice saying "Stinkin' car". Kind of cracked me up. She's funny. We were in the car because we were finally going to go to Borders to use up Bella's gift certificate she won from the library's summer reading program. {It only took us 8 months to use because there are zero bookstores on the east side of town, I guess the stupid people on the east side aren't smart enough to read (i've only been living here a year and already I feel inferior to the west side inhabitants of this fine city)...and going across town is a 15-20 mile trip, and you all know how much I like to travel} Back to the story....she got to spend $20. She bought a bunch of Magic treehouse books. She was pretty excited. Will give her something to read on our trip to Minneapolis. We also went to Macaroni Grill. It was okay. I find more and more often that I am disappointed with restaurants that we go to. Not that I'm a gourmet chef, but often I think I could have done better myself at home without spending the money. I want someone to feed me something I can't make at home....oh well. I guess those types of restaurants are hard to find without spending $$$$$. Today we went to the doctor to have the girls check-ups. They of course are healthy {I could have told you that} but I had to have someone sign their daycare slips to say they were. Thought about doing it myself....but decided against it. The Hepatitis A vaccine has just been recommended for all kids, so I asked Emma if she wanted a shot, she said very excitedly "yes!". She was a bit surprised when it hurt as much as it did. What a look on her face...shock, dismay..... I don't know if she will be volunteering anytime soon for another. Bella already got her Hep A shot as it was required in Idaho {land of the dirty food and water, I guess}. Anyway, that is all for now...have a good day.

Supper tonight and Why I am a social reject

So here is what we ate for dinner tonight. I can never quite seem to assemble this thing right. I always seem to forget a layer or something. Have had to take it out of the oven, try to scrape off the cheese and add a layer. Tonight I forgot the canned tomatoes....but remembered before it was too late. It is pretty tasty...not very spicy for those of you afraid of spice.

La Bamba Casserole
Cooking Light Magazine
6 servings (1 1/3 cups)
344 calories; Fat 10.7g; Protein 32.2g; Carb 30.7 g; Fiber 7.4g; Chol 77 mg; Iron 3.2 mg; Sodium 902 mg; Calc 269mg (using 2% cheese decreases to 308 cal and 6.7 g fat)


1 (5.25 oz) can whole green chiles, drained
Cooking spray
1 lb ground turkey breast
1 cup chopped onion
2 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilis, undrained
2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
1 (16 oz) can fat free refried beans
1 ½ cups (6 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped tomato
½ cup chopped green onions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Cut green chiles in half lengthwise. Arrange chiles in a single layer in an 8 inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium high heat. Add turkey, onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes, stirring to crumble. Add diced tomatoes; cook 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
4. Spoon turkey mixture over chiles. Top with corn. Carefully spread beans over corn. Sprinkle cheese over beans. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; top with chopped tomato and green onions.


So I was digging through a file tonight and found some remnants of the Meyers-Briggs personality test that we had to take during our first year of residency. We all took it and then had to discuss it during our first year retreat....build team spirit or something, learn to get to know each other. Anyway...similar to that computer quick test the other night that is posted here on my lovely blog. Anyway on the "real" test I was a ISFP....also very rare and very "special". Here are the highlights from that description of "me":
1. I am inclined to the "fine arts" (?maybe)
2. A major source of misunderstanding is the tendency to not express themselves directly, but through action. If they find a medium of expression, some art form, then the character is expressed in some degree via the medium. If not, it simply doesn't come out, and no one knows them (I think that is a nice way of saying I'm a social reject...I agree).
3. I do not plan and prepare (....sometimes)
4. Has a special kind of intelligence (...kind of like that one=) )
5. The senses of the the ISFP seem more keenly tuned than those of others (is that why I can smell stuff others can't?)
6. ISFP is not usually interested in the developing facility in speaking, writing, or conversation. Sometimes seen by others as reserved and private. This reluctant speech is not so much a lack of ability as it is disinterest. (....yep, I am a true social reject, I agree)
7. (this is my favorite one.....) ISFPs have a lot of leeway in choice of occupation, especially if they don't drop out of school early (most do since school offers little that is of interest to them or that challenges their special brand of intelligence) It is a sad day indeed when the ISFP chooses work wherein the operations are fixed by rule or necessity and not free. To be happy and productive the ISFP must choose variable actions and be rewarded for doing them. (maybe I chose the wrong profession?)
8. They are quite at home in the wilds and nature seems to welcome them. Some have a remarkable way with animals (must be referring to children as Betty and I don't get along...she is scared of me) (oh here we go.....)in some instance a similar bond may be seen between the ISFP and young children.
9. And finally....ISFPs are misunderstood not only because they are retiring, reserved, and even self-effacing, and becuase they have been cast as "introverted feeling types".

Sorry that was probably boring....but it actually does describe me in all my social rejectedness glory =). Have a lovely day

Another weekend gone

Hawks ROCK!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta love winning the big 10 tourney!!!

Alright back to normal size print. Here is a layout of Miss Emma this past Halloween. She picked out the cheerleading outfit herself. She loves candy so much....it is kind of scary.

Here is another very quick not so pretty one too...also of Emma shaking her pom-poms...practicing for trick-or-treating. I think as usual it is more cute in real life....has some red glittery stuff on it you can't appreciate here =).

So I survived being on call this weekend. Had like 100,000 calls. Just so you know when you call your pediatrician during the middle of the night.....take their advice with a grain of salt. You never know if they are truly awake or just mumbling rubbish in a half asleep state. You've been warned. Anyway...that is all for right now. Have a lovely day.

My personality.

Here I am...what do you think....is it accurate?

ISTP - "Engineer". Values freedom of action and following interests and impulses. Independent, concise in speech, master of tools. 5.4% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Updates

Sadly, the T.V. in my bedroom has been sitting on the box it was unpacked from for the past year. The good news is that a few weeks ago I looked at, couldn't believe it was still sitting on the box and decided to go to Target and fix that.

The result is nothing grand.....but I think it is definitely more attractive than the box.

These are the shelves I put together for the girls (also from the lovely Target store where I spend my life savings every week).


Other updates: we thought long and hard about spring break...looked up average temperatures, driving times, etc. etc. Decided that the temps weren't warm enough to warrent 2 days in the car of driving with a 3 and 7 year old who like nothing better than to pester the crap out of each other. So where are we going? North. Not warmer....colder. Going to go to Minneapolis. Hang out there for a few days. Maybe go to the mega touristy Mall of America to see the aquarium, the indoor amusement park, etc. Should be fun....especially just to get away. We decided that maybe a trip east/south would be good in June or something....might include stops in VA to visit those that live there.

Bodybugg: So I have been sucked in. The bodybugg is now mine....forever. I'm still not to my goal and it has been quite useful to me so I am going to keep it. Eventually I would like not to wear it as it is not the most fashionable accessory, but until then I will look like a dork. And since it is now mine forever....if I take it off and later decide that I need help again...it will be there for me.

Well that is all tonight. I hope you all have a good weekend. I'm on call this weekend. I have such a easy job that it is such a pain to be on call mainly because I hardly ever am and "disrupts" my easy life. Oh well....it could be much worse...much much worse.

Bodybugg update

So I have officially completed my 10 weeks of bodybugg. Here are my official stats: I have lost 11.5 pounds, my body fat is down 5.3% from starting %. I have lost 1" off of my arm, 2" off of my waist, 3" off of my hips (yeah!) and 1" off of my thigh. What have I learned?

1. I CAN'T eat whatever I want.
2. Burning 2000 calories (recommended daily allowance for women...what person in la la land came up with that, I don't know) requires some significant effort.
3. When having a lazy day (meaning sleeping in....lounging around, etc) you need to decrease your calories by at least 400.
4. Food has more calories than you think =).
5. Every little thing you put in your mouth does count.
6. Exercise is good...lets you eat more =).

That is all for now, will update my future plans with the good ol' bodybugg in the near future. By the way kded, I about keeled over when I saw that you posted....thanks!

Not much tonight

This is just a layout of Bella playing basketball this past couple months. She absolutely loved it. Wants to play for the rest of her life....maybe a life of cheerleading isn't in her future =).

So less than a year after I purchased my camera, I am slightly regretting not going for the "big gun". My camera is nice and takes great pictures....just thinking I should have got the digital SLR. Here it is.... Canon S2 IS . So if anyone is in the need of a good digital camera at a good price, just let me know =).

That is all for now. Keep those vacation suggestions coming.

Off to bed

I was going to post this nice long post, but in the interest of taking care of myself, I will forgo it. I seem to be having difficulties putting myself to bed at night for the past week. I'm talking like 1 a.m. at the earliest....but I haven't gone much past 2. Don't know why...not tired then, but the morning....hmmmmm that is another story. So anyway, against all that I believe in, I'm going to try to go to bed early tonight.

The stamps from stampin' up came in. If you ordered something, I'll try to get it to you as soon as possible. This is just a picture of the FREE stuff I got....just for hosting a party {and from buying some too}. Actually there is one more set of free ones not pictured here. I like free stuff. Not pictured is the stuff I actually purchased.



Would like to thank all who took time to look at my layouts and give me their opinions. It was NOT helpful at all, but thanks anyway =). I was hoping you all might agree on what was my best stuff. And almost none of you agreed with what I thought was my best stuff. Very interesting though, to see what people actually like. I asked because I was entering a contest (that I have very little chance of winning) and couldn't decide what I wanted to send in.

One more request for help. I am taking Spring break off (yeah vacation!!!!!!). We are thinking of traveling somewhere, preferably warm, cheap and drivable with a 3 and 7 year old. Thinking positive aren't I? Any suggestions?

More for your consideration {See yesterday's post}

Really truly.....I promise that nothing bad will happen if you comment {as requested yesterday}. In fact....you might actually enjoy it.....just a thought.

Your assistance is needed

Here is just a fun little layout I made a few days ago after having a conversation with Emma about her purple car pajamas. Actually it really wasn't a conversation, just her declaring that I was not to mess with her pajamas....mainly because they are very special. Thought it was kind of cute.

So....everyone, I would like some help. Please look over to the right --------------------> click on My Scrapbook Gallery and look at them please, then come back here and tell me which is your favorite one or two layouts. I would really appreciate it, especially from all of the people who never comment {that would be pretty much everyone except my lovely mom and the lovely Shannon} . Thank you in advance.

So I had another training session today. I have been doing the bodybugg for two months now and am pleased to say that I have lost a total of 11 pounds. My body fat % has decreased 5%. I am almost to my goal and then I can start eating a bit more!!! How exciting is that? It is....at least for me. That is all for now, have a great day!