Every time there is a winter storm coming, the residents of St. Louis make french toast. Nobody talks about it, in fact I suspect that I am revealing a secret right now and may be unwittingly putting our lives here at risk. I am, however, willing to risk harm to get the truth out. So how did I, an outsider, come to possess this knowledge if nobody speaks of it?
It's simple: Deductive reasoning. Every time the weather people predict a storm, everyone heads out and purchases copious amounts of bread, milk and eggs. And what do you make with these three ingredients? FRENCH TOAST!
But wait, you may say, maybe they are buying other items to eat with their milk, bread, and eggs. Nope! Peanut butter and jelly are left on the shelves, flour and sugar can be found in every store and soup? Well, you'll find cans of all varieties hopefully waiting to be taken home. Alas, the soup waits in vain. We were in Wal-Mart earlier today and there was not one carton of eggs left on the shelf and bread was wiped out. There was plenty of soup, though!
Now that I posses this knowledge, what am I going to do? I would think it'd be obvious. I'm going to stockpile maple syrup and sell it to my neighbors at excessively high prices every time it snows!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Peanut Butter Frosting
I was informed today that I need to post more often... It's true. I've even made a goal to write more often. So what have I been up to? Well, today I made cupcakes from honey pound cake with peanut butter frosting. I wasn't horribly impressed with the cake- it didn't taste enough of honey and it needs something more- but the frosting was pretty tasty.
Since I followed the advise of commenters on a recipe, I need to write down the recipe as I made it and I may as well share in the process.
1 stick butter, room temperature
1 1/2 c creamy peanut butter (Skippy worked for me)
1 T Vanilla extract (I used the real stuff)
2 c powdered sugar
1/3 c heavy cream, plus maybe a little more
Cream together butter and peanut butter until you can't see any butter. Add vanilla and mix until it's incorporated.
Add one cup powdered sugar and, while mixing, slowly add about half the cream. Once that's incorporated, add the other cup of sugar and slowly drizzle in the rest of the cream while mixing. If your icing is too thick, or just not as creamy as you'd like, drizzle in a little more cream until you've reached a good consistency.
I didn't add any extra cream to mine and it was a tiny bit thicker than I'd have liked, but I was still able to spread it on my cupcakes without a problem. It was nice and fluffy and tasted like peanut butter deliciousness. I can imagine that it'd be good on brownies, chocolate cupcakes, graham crackers... And other things that are good with peanut butter.
So there's a post for you. I will try to be better about posting in the future. In the mean time, enjoy your frosting!
Since I followed the advise of commenters on a recipe, I need to write down the recipe as I made it and I may as well share in the process.
1 stick butter, room temperature
1 1/2 c creamy peanut butter (Skippy worked for me)
1 T Vanilla extract (I used the real stuff)
2 c powdered sugar
1/3 c heavy cream, plus maybe a little more
Cream together butter and peanut butter until you can't see any butter. Add vanilla and mix until it's incorporated.
Add one cup powdered sugar and, while mixing, slowly add about half the cream. Once that's incorporated, add the other cup of sugar and slowly drizzle in the rest of the cream while mixing. If your icing is too thick, or just not as creamy as you'd like, drizzle in a little more cream until you've reached a good consistency.
I didn't add any extra cream to mine and it was a tiny bit thicker than I'd have liked, but I was still able to spread it on my cupcakes without a problem. It was nice and fluffy and tasted like peanut butter deliciousness. I can imagine that it'd be good on brownies, chocolate cupcakes, graham crackers... And other things that are good with peanut butter.
So there's a post for you. I will try to be better about posting in the future. In the mean time, enjoy your frosting!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
7:30 Christmas Morning
I'm awake. I intended to sleep in but my bladder had other plans and then my brain decided to agree. So I'm at my computer with the lights of the Christmas tree shining in the corner. I've spent Christmas without my family before but I'm feeling a little extra moody (sad really) and poor Branden has had to deal with me. When I was home, this was about the time that we'd finish opening gifts.
My parents never let us open anything the night before- something that Branden and I disagree about for our family. Christmas Eve was reserved for a dinner together and watching George C. Scott in A Christmas Carol. I remember begging to be allowed to open "Just one gift" but my parents always held their ground.
We were under strict orders not to wake our parents before 6 AM Christmas morning. I know we didn't always all cram into the same room to sleep- sometimes we did- but it seems that we always woke very early Christmas morning and ended up in the same room feeding off each others' excitement. At 6:00 on the dot the oldest child would go to wake Mom and Dad while the rest of us wrapped ourselves in blankets and lined up in age order. We had to wait for Dad to turn on the Christmas tree lights and he never failed to tell us that we should just go back to bed because Santa didn't come. Of course, Santa never actually forgot us.
After we'd seen our Santa gifts and our stockings had been explored, Dad began handing out gifts one at a time and we waited for each to be opened and shown off before the next was unwrapped. I loved to see my siblings open the gifts I'd so carefully selected for them. I feel the waiting and watching helped make things more about the giving than the getting. We didn't just rip into things, we took the time to appreciate the work that went into each gift and had the chance to talk and laugh in the meantime. That time also sparked some long-standing family jokes. (It's a... SWEATER!)
When every gift was out from under the tree the real mess began. Toys were removed from boxes and little parts and pieces were scattered around the living room. Despite Mom's instructions not to eat any candy before breakfast, chocolate made it into almost every mouth and wrappers scattered about with the toys. This was our time for chaos: when everyone wanted to look at and show off everything in the room. And then it was time for breakfast.
When we were young, Allan had a book called Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti. Well, I disagree, Daddy makes the best breakfast! Eggs and bacon and fried potatoes and hot chocolate- actually, the hot chocolate was Mom's contribution- and all the best breakfast items made just for us on Christmas morning. Don't get me wrong, he made breakfast many other days of the year as well but Christmas... It was the one meal we were sure to eat. Our stockings were filled with candy,microwave popcorn, beef jerky, cans of olives and packets of nuts. (I STILL want those things in my stocking.) With all that to eat, we didn't necessarily have another full meal that day. Oh, my mom tried to get us to eat something else but let's just say it's a good thing breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
We spent the day watching new movies and playing new games. Maybe we'd go sledding on brand new sleds or just go outside and play in the snow. Maybe we'd even go out to a movie or go visit a sibling who'd celebrated Christmas morning with their own family. The rest of the day was a blur of candy and fun with a nap or two thrown in for good measure.
7:30 AM was my true Christmas Day. After the gifts were unwrapped but before we had scattered to whatever activities we were going to do that day. When everyone was happy and there was a kind of peaceful chaos. I am hoping to have that again one day with my very own family. In the mean time, I hope you and yours enjoy your own 7:30 Christmas Morning feeling no matter what time of the day it arrives. Merry Christmas!
My parents never let us open anything the night before- something that Branden and I disagree about for our family. Christmas Eve was reserved for a dinner together and watching George C. Scott in A Christmas Carol. I remember begging to be allowed to open "Just one gift" but my parents always held their ground.
We were under strict orders not to wake our parents before 6 AM Christmas morning. I know we didn't always all cram into the same room to sleep- sometimes we did- but it seems that we always woke very early Christmas morning and ended up in the same room feeding off each others' excitement. At 6:00 on the dot the oldest child would go to wake Mom and Dad while the rest of us wrapped ourselves in blankets and lined up in age order. We had to wait for Dad to turn on the Christmas tree lights and he never failed to tell us that we should just go back to bed because Santa didn't come. Of course, Santa never actually forgot us.
After we'd seen our Santa gifts and our stockings had been explored, Dad began handing out gifts one at a time and we waited for each to be opened and shown off before the next was unwrapped. I loved to see my siblings open the gifts I'd so carefully selected for them. I feel the waiting and watching helped make things more about the giving than the getting. We didn't just rip into things, we took the time to appreciate the work that went into each gift and had the chance to talk and laugh in the meantime. That time also sparked some long-standing family jokes. (It's a... SWEATER!)
When every gift was out from under the tree the real mess began. Toys were removed from boxes and little parts and pieces were scattered around the living room. Despite Mom's instructions not to eat any candy before breakfast, chocolate made it into almost every mouth and wrappers scattered about with the toys. This was our time for chaos: when everyone wanted to look at and show off everything in the room. And then it was time for breakfast.
When we were young, Allan had a book called Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti. Well, I disagree, Daddy makes the best breakfast! Eggs and bacon and fried potatoes and hot chocolate- actually, the hot chocolate was Mom's contribution- and all the best breakfast items made just for us on Christmas morning. Don't get me wrong, he made breakfast many other days of the year as well but Christmas... It was the one meal we were sure to eat. Our stockings were filled with candy,microwave popcorn, beef jerky, cans of olives and packets of nuts. (I STILL want those things in my stocking.) With all that to eat, we didn't necessarily have another full meal that day. Oh, my mom tried to get us to eat something else but let's just say it's a good thing breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
We spent the day watching new movies and playing new games. Maybe we'd go sledding on brand new sleds or just go outside and play in the snow. Maybe we'd even go out to a movie or go visit a sibling who'd celebrated Christmas morning with their own family. The rest of the day was a blur of candy and fun with a nap or two thrown in for good measure.
7:30 AM was my true Christmas Day. After the gifts were unwrapped but before we had scattered to whatever activities we were going to do that day. When everyone was happy and there was a kind of peaceful chaos. I am hoping to have that again one day with my very own family. In the mean time, I hope you and yours enjoy your own 7:30 Christmas Morning feeling no matter what time of the day it arrives. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
"I Want To Be Someone Who Believes"
I don't remember how old I was when I stopped believing in Santa Claus but I was probably too young... Definitely no older than six. Santa, or more accurately my belief in Santa, was the unfortunate victim of my older sister's need-to-know and her ability to get into the locked bedroom containing our Christmas gifts.
A few days ago I was standing in Hobby Lobby staring at a blue and silver sign that said "Believe" and debating whether or not to purchase when it hit me, something that everyone else probably already knows and it just took me a long time to figure out: Christmas is about believing.
It's the belief that there was a baby born in a stable and laid in a manger. It's the belief that a new star lead shepherds, and later wise men, to that stable. It's the belief that that baby went on to change the world in a big way.
It's the belief that there's a man in a red suit who gives gifts to good children. It's belief in the goodness of your fellow man. It's the belief that the magic and special feelings brought on by one special night can save Scrooge's soul or make the Grinch's heart grow... And it's the belief that those changes are permanent. It's belief in all the legends and stories of Christmas past.
Whatever else Christmas is about, it is first and foremost about believing. May you all find much to believe in this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.
A few days ago I was standing in Hobby Lobby staring at a blue and silver sign that said "Believe" and debating whether or not to purchase when it hit me, something that everyone else probably already knows and it just took me a long time to figure out: Christmas is about believing.
It's the belief that there was a baby born in a stable and laid in a manger. It's the belief that a new star lead shepherds, and later wise men, to that stable. It's the belief that that baby went on to change the world in a big way.
It's the belief that there's a man in a red suit who gives gifts to good children. It's belief in the goodness of your fellow man. It's the belief that the magic and special feelings brought on by one special night can save Scrooge's soul or make the Grinch's heart grow... And it's the belief that those changes are permanent. It's belief in all the legends and stories of Christmas past.
Whatever else Christmas is about, it is first and foremost about believing. May you all find much to believe in this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Notably Positive
It is, indeed, the time of year when we count our blessings. It is true that we should count them every day- in a way, that's what my Notably Positive blogs are about- but this time of year we tend to try harder, think longer and take an extra moment for gratitude. I admit that I haven't always done a very good job. This week has been... Emotional and trying for me so it's time for me to count my blessings.
We have the Little Car That Could. I know I just posted about this but I'm still grateful that I have it. When Branden told me this past Monday that he'd taken his car to the shop and the transmission was gone, I admit that I cried. But we still have a car. How blessed am I to have the money to own two cars. How blessed am I to have a family who, without a second thought, GAVE me a little car that meets my needs. How lucky am I to have found a husband who does everything in his power and learns new things to keep that car running. The Little Car That Could is many, many blessings rolled into one.
I have a husband who loves me. First off, I LOVE having a husband. Second, all those bitter people I met who told me that marriage changes everything were both right and wrong. Oh, things changed. There's a new sense of security, a permanence that means we'll both try our best because walking away isn't an option. With that, there's a renewed effort to meet needs. I'm not always good at this. Branden asks for little and most of what he asks for is not to give but to let be... I'm not good at letting be. I'm much better at giving. I do try, Love. (Yep, he reads this, too. Which brings me to how lucky I am to have a husband who cares about the things I write and wants to know my thoughts.) I appreciate the efforts I see him making to meet my needs and do the things I ask. I can be incredibly impatient and he still loves me and hugs me. And I love him, too, which makes life just that much better. :)
I have a bed. I don't remember the exact circumstances- maybe Katie does- but Katie's friend once told her that she should be thankful that she has a bed. That has stuck with me and I have shared it with others. If you have a bed that is yours, that means you have a place to live, a place to lay your head at night. It may not be the most amazing mattress ever made and it may not be in the most beautiful house but you have something others dream of. No matter how bad things get, no matter how much you think your life sucks, just remember and be thankful that you have a bed. I have a bed that I share with my husband- see above paragraph if you missed that I'm thankful for him- and even though the *insert strings of swear words here* cat peed on it yesterday and is never again allowed in the bedroom, the bed has been cleaned and there are fresh sheets and blankets on it. I am thankful for those sheets and blankets, as well, and the technology that allows me to get them washed and dried in a matter of a few hours rather than an entire day.
I have sisters who love me. I will admit here and now that I am horrendously jealous of a couple of them right now and it's been an emotional week because I want what they are going to have so badly BUT I still love them and they are sweet enough to include me in what is going on with their lives. I feel so lucky to have been able to develop the relationship that Chantelle and I have now. There was a time that I would have said we are too different to ever be close, but I would have been wrong. And I am so incredibly blessed to have the relationship that I have with Katie. I don't know if I do anywhere near the amount of stuff for her that she does for me and I can never repay her for all the love and understanding she sends my way. She's an amazing woman and when I called her to cry, she let me and helped me feel better as only she can. I am thankful for Bekkie and the knowledge and wisdom she has to share. We don't talk as often as we should but I enjoy every conversation. I am thankful for Carrie and all the support she has given me. I am thankful for Christina and the sweetness and love she has in her heart. I miss her hugs. I should note that I am also thankful for my brothers and their wives and my sisters' husbands but this is really about my sisters. :)
I know this isn't quite like my other Notably Positive posts but these are some things I've been thinking about. These things have brought me feelings of gratitude and I needed to share.
We have the Little Car That Could. I know I just posted about this but I'm still grateful that I have it. When Branden told me this past Monday that he'd taken his car to the shop and the transmission was gone, I admit that I cried. But we still have a car. How blessed am I to have the money to own two cars. How blessed am I to have a family who, without a second thought, GAVE me a little car that meets my needs. How lucky am I to have found a husband who does everything in his power and learns new things to keep that car running. The Little Car That Could is many, many blessings rolled into one.
I have a husband who loves me. First off, I LOVE having a husband. Second, all those bitter people I met who told me that marriage changes everything were both right and wrong. Oh, things changed. There's a new sense of security, a permanence that means we'll both try our best because walking away isn't an option. With that, there's a renewed effort to meet needs. I'm not always good at this. Branden asks for little and most of what he asks for is not to give but to let be... I'm not good at letting be. I'm much better at giving. I do try, Love. (Yep, he reads this, too. Which brings me to how lucky I am to have a husband who cares about the things I write and wants to know my thoughts.) I appreciate the efforts I see him making to meet my needs and do the things I ask. I can be incredibly impatient and he still loves me and hugs me. And I love him, too, which makes life just that much better. :)
I have a bed. I don't remember the exact circumstances- maybe Katie does- but Katie's friend once told her that she should be thankful that she has a bed. That has stuck with me and I have shared it with others. If you have a bed that is yours, that means you have a place to live, a place to lay your head at night. It may not be the most amazing mattress ever made and it may not be in the most beautiful house but you have something others dream of. No matter how bad things get, no matter how much you think your life sucks, just remember and be thankful that you have a bed. I have a bed that I share with my husband- see above paragraph if you missed that I'm thankful for him- and even though the *insert strings of swear words here* cat peed on it yesterday and is never again allowed in the bedroom, the bed has been cleaned and there are fresh sheets and blankets on it. I am thankful for those sheets and blankets, as well, and the technology that allows me to get them washed and dried in a matter of a few hours rather than an entire day.
I have sisters who love me. I will admit here and now that I am horrendously jealous of a couple of them right now and it's been an emotional week because I want what they are going to have so badly BUT I still love them and they are sweet enough to include me in what is going on with their lives. I feel so lucky to have been able to develop the relationship that Chantelle and I have now. There was a time that I would have said we are too different to ever be close, but I would have been wrong. And I am so incredibly blessed to have the relationship that I have with Katie. I don't know if I do anywhere near the amount of stuff for her that she does for me and I can never repay her for all the love and understanding she sends my way. She's an amazing woman and when I called her to cry, she let me and helped me feel better as only she can. I am thankful for Bekkie and the knowledge and wisdom she has to share. We don't talk as often as we should but I enjoy every conversation. I am thankful for Carrie and all the support she has given me. I am thankful for Christina and the sweetness and love she has in her heart. I miss her hugs. I should note that I am also thankful for my brothers and their wives and my sisters' husbands but this is really about my sisters. :)
I know this isn't quite like my other Notably Positive posts but these are some things I've been thinking about. These things have brought me feelings of gratitude and I needed to share.
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Little Car That Could
First, I admit that I've been procrastinating posting because I need to post wedding pictures and every time that I go to post I feel guilty that I haven't yet... But things are happening and the pictures will get up and I'm not going to stop posting just because I've been picture-lazy. Now for the post!
We have two cars. Branden's car is newer than mine by seven years, it has A/C, it's an automatic and we thought it was more reliable. Now that we can carpool to work- Huzzah for saving money!- we've been driving his car to prolong the life of my car. As it turns out, his car really isn't more reliable and now needs a new transmission. Since that will cost more than the car is worth, we are going to try to sell it as a parts car and buy an new-to-us car which won't be any newer but will hopefully run better.
Until such time as we purchase a vehicle, we are back to driving the Little Car That Could. I seriously can't believe how much this car has been through. Nobody thought it would last this long and we've been expecting it to die for a while now. Just as a reminder, this is a 1991 Nissan Stanza with something like 240,000 miles on it. It's been through multiple drivers, at least one car accident, a deericide, many trips from Northern to Southern UT and back again, at least once weekly from Kamas to Ogden and back for 6 months, 1300 miles out to St. Louis and a 40 mile round trip 5 days a week for more than a year. And somehow it's hanging in there, if only just. It so reminds me of the little engine who chugged up the hill saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
That said, eventually it's going to give up. Please, everyone send good energy our way in whatever form you practice. We just need it to keep going, well, technically forever but no less than 6 months. :)
We have two cars. Branden's car is newer than mine by seven years, it has A/C, it's an automatic and we thought it was more reliable. Now that we can carpool to work- Huzzah for saving money!- we've been driving his car to prolong the life of my car. As it turns out, his car really isn't more reliable and now needs a new transmission. Since that will cost more than the car is worth, we are going to try to sell it as a parts car and buy an new-to-us car which won't be any newer but will hopefully run better.
Until such time as we purchase a vehicle, we are back to driving the Little Car That Could. I seriously can't believe how much this car has been through. Nobody thought it would last this long and we've been expecting it to die for a while now. Just as a reminder, this is a 1991 Nissan Stanza with something like 240,000 miles on it. It's been through multiple drivers, at least one car accident, a deericide, many trips from Northern to Southern UT and back again, at least once weekly from Kamas to Ogden and back for 6 months, 1300 miles out to St. Louis and a 40 mile round trip 5 days a week for more than a year. And somehow it's hanging in there, if only just. It so reminds me of the little engine who chugged up the hill saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
That said, eventually it's going to give up. Please, everyone send good energy our way in whatever form you practice. We just need it to keep going, well, technically forever but no less than 6 months. :)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Where Is Fall?
Today is October 11, and fall is not in the air! Autumn is supposed to be cool and crisp. Yesterday's high was 87!!!! In fact, the last five days have been over 70 and getting warmer. After three days of coming home to a apt which was much hotter than the air outside, we finally turned the a/c on again... For the second time since we "turned it off for the year."
This is very disappointing to me. While I'm enjoying wearing my comfy flip flops just a little while longer, I'm not liking the fact that my favorite season is being barreled over by a summer that just won't end! Who wants to pull out the hot chocolate and start making soup when there's not even the need for a jacket? This is usually such a great time with leaves changing and the excitement of things to come but... It's hard to get in the mood when everyone is wearing shorts and sandals and there's no bite in the air.
This is very disappointing to me. While I'm enjoying wearing my comfy flip flops just a little while longer, I'm not liking the fact that my favorite season is being barreled over by a summer that just won't end! Who wants to pull out the hot chocolate and start making soup when there's not even the need for a jacket? This is usually such a great time with leaves changing and the excitement of things to come but... It's hard to get in the mood when everyone is wearing shorts and sandals and there's no bite in the air.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I Know I Need To...
Ok, so I should post a blog about our wedding and I'm going to do it. I've even STARTED said blog. But it seems that most people really want to see pictures of my wedding and I don't really have any yet. I could steal a few from Mindy's blog or I could just link you to her post for now. In the future I WILL post a massive blog with pictures and thoughts. Right now, though, I want to write a bit about our life since returning from UT.
We got back to MO on Tuesday, September 28 and I started my new job on Wednesday, September 29. I feel like I've learned a lot in the last week and the experience that I have has helped. My boss is great about answering questions and guiding me when I need it. Today was my first day without a trainer helping me and I THINK I did a pretty good job.
Branden has started training for his new position. He says that he's looking forward to being able to actually help people. Getting up early is taking a toll on him but it's been great to have the extra time together. The best part of his being tired is that I get more cuddling. :)
On Monday I went to the Social Security office and applied for my new social security card. Then I went to the DMV and got my new driver's license with my new name. It's official, I have a new last name! I am Mrs. Stage... Oddly enough, the Mrs. is stranger to me than the Stage. I'm not any good at signing my last name, but I did make sure to sign the right one on my new license. So far the government, my new job and the library are the only ones to have my new last name on record. I'll have to go to the bank and fix bills, etc., this week and next.
Along the same lines, we are both enjoying being married but it hasn't changed a lot of things for either of us. Since we already lived together, there are no surprises like finding out that he doesn't put down the toilet seat by falling into the toilet at 2 AM. It hasn't been strange calling him my husband. In fact, it seems completely normal, as if I've been calling him my husband for years. On the other hand, there is a small thrill in telling someone, "Oh, my husband is calling me." It feels so nice to have a husband.
We got back to MO on Tuesday, September 28 and I started my new job on Wednesday, September 29. I feel like I've learned a lot in the last week and the experience that I have has helped. My boss is great about answering questions and guiding me when I need it. Today was my first day without a trainer helping me and I THINK I did a pretty good job.
Branden has started training for his new position. He says that he's looking forward to being able to actually help people. Getting up early is taking a toll on him but it's been great to have the extra time together. The best part of his being tired is that I get more cuddling. :)
On Monday I went to the Social Security office and applied for my new social security card. Then I went to the DMV and got my new driver's license with my new name. It's official, I have a new last name! I am Mrs. Stage... Oddly enough, the Mrs. is stranger to me than the Stage. I'm not any good at signing my last name, but I did make sure to sign the right one on my new license. So far the government, my new job and the library are the only ones to have my new last name on record. I'll have to go to the bank and fix bills, etc., this week and next.
Along the same lines, we are both enjoying being married but it hasn't changed a lot of things for either of us. Since we already lived together, there are no surprises like finding out that he doesn't put down the toilet seat by falling into the toilet at 2 AM. It hasn't been strange calling him my husband. In fact, it seems completely normal, as if I've been calling him my husband for years. On the other hand, there is a small thrill in telling someone, "Oh, my husband is calling me." It feels so nice to have a husband.
Friday, September 24, 2010
I Should Be Asleep
I'm not usually one who has a problem sleeping in when I can but this week I can't even sleep until my alarm goes off. It doesn't matter what time I was planning on getting up, either. Yesterday we were going to be up by 7 AM so we'd have plenty of time to get ready and get to the County Clerk's office. I was wide awake at 6:30. Today we were thinking we'd have a bit of a relaxed morning with breakfast at the hotel so 8 or 8:30 would be ok. Yep, 7:15 I was cuddled next to Branden trying to doze off again and 7:30 I gave up.
Branden doesn't seem to share my sleep troubles. Then again, Branden is very good at sleeping in and even better at putting things out of his mind to do so. Even when he does wake up earlier than he wishes to get out of bed, he can usually manage to roll over and drift away again... And if I'm in bed at that time I usually get a bit of cuddling and an early "I love you" out of his brief moment of wakefulness. :)
I don't feel like I'm extra stressed right now. I really feel out of the loop. I'm here and I haven't had a real chance to sit down with my sisters and find out what's going on. My mom and I have had a chance to talk, I tried on my dress with her and there are just a few things we need to get done. Branden's mom, Mary Jo, jumped right in and helped with the boutonnieres and had them under control in no time. I had a fun chat with Stacy while she dyed my hair and it was great to see two of her kids. Katie brought all the girls together at her house for an evening of food, talking and laughter. Chantelle gave me lots of hugs and made sure our room was ready for us. Of course, Rick'n'Abby gave us a warm welcome our first night and Rick showed me my cake toppers... They are both adorable so I'll be displaying both of them. I've had a lot of fun but I still am not sure exactly how ready we are for tomorrow.
Feeling out of the loop is no reason to be awake early so I have to think that I'm more stressed than I feel. I'm getting married tomorrow... Maybe I'm just too excited to sleep. It feels unreal and thrilling at the same time. After all this time, I'm getting married tomorrow. :)
Branden doesn't seem to share my sleep troubles. Then again, Branden is very good at sleeping in and even better at putting things out of his mind to do so. Even when he does wake up earlier than he wishes to get out of bed, he can usually manage to roll over and drift away again... And if I'm in bed at that time I usually get a bit of cuddling and an early "I love you" out of his brief moment of wakefulness. :)
I don't feel like I'm extra stressed right now. I really feel out of the loop. I'm here and I haven't had a real chance to sit down with my sisters and find out what's going on. My mom and I have had a chance to talk, I tried on my dress with her and there are just a few things we need to get done. Branden's mom, Mary Jo, jumped right in and helped with the boutonnieres and had them under control in no time. I had a fun chat with Stacy while she dyed my hair and it was great to see two of her kids. Katie brought all the girls together at her house for an evening of food, talking and laughter. Chantelle gave me lots of hugs and made sure our room was ready for us. Of course, Rick'n'Abby gave us a warm welcome our first night and Rick showed me my cake toppers... They are both adorable so I'll be displaying both of them. I've had a lot of fun but I still am not sure exactly how ready we are for tomorrow.
Feeling out of the loop is no reason to be awake early so I have to think that I'm more stressed than I feel. I'm getting married tomorrow... Maybe I'm just too excited to sleep. It feels unreal and thrilling at the same time. After all this time, I'm getting married tomorrow. :)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
"There's Only Two Things In This Life I Hate: Heights and Jumping From Them."
I'm not a leaper. I don't jump off things, I have no desire to sky dive or bungee jump and I dislike the feeling of falling even when I'm strapped in to a roller coaster. And I don't take leaps of faith.
My "leap"of faith often involves standing with my toes near the edge and thinking. Then I may move one foot until my big toe hangs over the edge and think some more. Then I move my foot back and keep thinking... This goes on for a while- Branden will tell you he feels it goes on for too long with too much thinking. By the time I've decided whether or not to leap, it's often too late to leap. Either that or I've thought of all the bad things never leap because I was too scared. Very few times in my life have I just leaped.
But today I leaped. I turned in my two-week notice at work. On Wednesday I found an ad on Craigslist, on Thursday I interviewed and was offered the job, on Friday I decided to accept the job... And today I quit. The thing is, I'm taking a pay cut BUT I'll be working at a cake shop and there are opportunities for advancement.
I am TERRIFIED. What if we can't make ends meet? What if I just made a terrible mistake? What if... All the other what-ifs out there.
One thing that I've avoided talking about on here, though, is how miserable I am at work... How rude my boss is to me and how she talks about me behind my back. I don't mention that no matter how hard I work or how happy a customer is with their cake, I have still done something wrong in her eyes and she will immediately insult me after I get a compliment. I haven't told you about the girl I snapped at in June who hasn't spoken to me since and who goes out of her way to make my job harder. I have purposely left out all the bad days that I cried on the way home and all the times that I've had to bite my tongue. I haven't said anything about all of that.
So today I leaped. I'll either fall or fly but either way, I've left the edge and I'm on my way to wherever I'm going. In the immortal words of Rizzo the Rat: "God Save My Little Broken Body!"
My "leap"of faith often involves standing with my toes near the edge and thinking. Then I may move one foot until my big toe hangs over the edge and think some more. Then I move my foot back and keep thinking... This goes on for a while- Branden will tell you he feels it goes on for too long with too much thinking. By the time I've decided whether or not to leap, it's often too late to leap. Either that or I've thought of all the bad things never leap because I was too scared. Very few times in my life have I just leaped.
But today I leaped. I turned in my two-week notice at work. On Wednesday I found an ad on Craigslist, on Thursday I interviewed and was offered the job, on Friday I decided to accept the job... And today I quit. The thing is, I'm taking a pay cut BUT I'll be working at a cake shop and there are opportunities for advancement.
I am TERRIFIED. What if we can't make ends meet? What if I just made a terrible mistake? What if... All the other what-ifs out there.
One thing that I've avoided talking about on here, though, is how miserable I am at work... How rude my boss is to me and how she talks about me behind my back. I don't mention that no matter how hard I work or how happy a customer is with their cake, I have still done something wrong in her eyes and she will immediately insult me after I get a compliment. I haven't told you about the girl I snapped at in June who hasn't spoken to me since and who goes out of her way to make my job harder. I have purposely left out all the bad days that I cried on the way home and all the times that I've had to bite my tongue. I haven't said anything about all of that.
So today I leaped. I'll either fall or fly but either way, I've left the edge and I'm on my way to wherever I'm going. In the immortal words of Rizzo the Rat: "God Save My Little Broken Body!"
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