As much as we would like to, we have not been able to establish much of any kind of routines with Alan. Therefore, things are constantly changing. Something will work for a few weeks and then, sometimes all of a sudden, it doesn't work any more and we find something different.
Our current setup involves a lot of me sitting in the recliner nursing Alan to sleep, and often just holding him while he sleeps. This lends itself to a lot of tv watching. I have gotten back to my 'love' of a few years ago, Food Network. The past week or so I've also done a lot of channel surfing and found some Christmas specials.
Last night was one of those times. I came along just as the ending credits of The Polar Express. Even though I'm not a big movie watcher I've always been interested in seeing that one. Not only is it Christmas, but it's Tom Hanks! I really like him as an actor. I don't know what he is like in real life or where he stands on major issues, but I am ok with that. When most (all) of your movie watching is either what is shown on tv or what you borrow from the library for free, it's not like I personally am funding anyone. Oh anyway. Where was I.... oh yes - Tom Hanks. Some of my favorites?
Joe vs. the Volcano
Sleepless In Seattle
Apollo 13
You've Got Mail
That Thing You Do
Not such a big fan of The Green Mile, haven't seen Catch Me if You Can...... I'm sure I"m forgetting some, but listing Tom Hanks movies wasn't even the point of this post. In fact, I have veered pretty far from the where I began and the intended point of this post. Which was:
The Polar Express.
As soon as the credits finished rolling, it ran again on the same channel, so Greg and I stuck around to watch. First of all, the animation is amazing! Wow! It was fun to watch just for that! And, it being Christmas and Tom Hanks and a really cool train, the story line sucked us in pretty easily too.
However. This being run on tv meant there were a LOT of commercials. Almost as much commercial as there was movie. And it being the second showing of the night meant it was going to be pretty late finishing up. And we value our sleep around here. So, we decided to call it a night without finishing the movie. We figured that in "real" movie time we were only a half hour or so into it. We did like it enough that we both agreed we want to check it out from the library in the next week or so and watch it uninterrupted. Well - uninterrupted by commercials at least. Around here, an uninterrupted evening is pretty much unheard of.
My question for you is: Have you seen The Polar Express? What did you think? Don't give anything away, though! Remember - I haven't seen the whole thing yet!
What is your must-see Christmas movie or tv show?
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
I forgot to take pictures, but soon you will thank me for that.
The characters:
My Dad, aka "Gramps"
Alan
Me
The scene:
transplant clinic office
The time:
Thursday, Noon
The story:
The three of us arrived at straight-up noon, a full half hour before the appointment. We had just had lunch in the hospital cafeteria, which wasn't bad at all. The waiting room at the clinic has recently been updated with some really cool toys that hang on the walls and do stuff. I'll have to get pictures of those sometime. Gramps and I were taking turns entertaining Alan with the toys on the wall that do stuff, while he looked and reached, all while sitting in his stroller.
I'm not sure whether it was my eyes or my nose that first alerted me to the problem. My best recollection is that it was simultaneous. Just as I spotted the tell-tale half circle of wetness coming up from Alan's waistband, my nose told me this was not going to be good. Upon a quick closer inspection, I find that the wetness is also spreading down one leg. Oh, dear.
Fortunately, I had packed an entire set of extra clothes. Unfortunately, they were in the van, in the parking garage, a full 7 minute walk away. Gramps sets out for the clothes, while I turn to do something with the child. I knew the bathroom across the hall had one of those plastic fold-down baby-changers, but
#1 - Cleanliness? ew
#2 - This is a big baby, with a big mess, who is unlikely to hold still for more than 10 seconds (on a good day)
The office is not fully staffed from their lunch break yet, and only one lady is behind the window. Her back is turned, so I start tap-tapping.
Tap-tap.
I am person very hesitant to interrupt or inconvenience anyone, so when she doesn't turn around, I assume I haven't been tapping loud enough and I pick it up some. Tap-tap. And then some more. Tap-tap-tap!!
All the while, Alan is standing in his stroller, with me bent over him so he can chew my necklace. I"m not sure how we got to this little arrangement, but there's not much more I can do but to keep it up at this point. He isn't going to stay happy long, and I certainly can't hold him!
Office lady swivels in her chair to reach for a file and I see she is on the phone. Oops.
And then I hear her say Alan's name. At least I'm rudely interrupting a phone call about my own kid.
Finally a nurse's aid passes through and I'm able to ask her if I can use an exam room.
No problem. Excellent! I lay Alan down and begin stripping him.
Ew.
That's all I'll say. Ew.
All my tap-tapping must have taken longer than I thought, because I am just finishing Alan's bottom half when Gramps reappears with the change of clothes. Just in time, because now I need to take the shirt off. Up, over the head, and.... EW. What was supposed to be in the diaper but was on the inside of the shirt is now smeared up to Alan's shoulder blades. Ew.
And this is one of the many reasons we were in an exam room and not a public restroom. All I had to do was turn to the really cool 12-18 inch deep sink and plop my naked, soiled baby down in it. Couldn't have been better. Well, actually, it would have been a lot better if I would have pre-heated the water. Most babies don't like cold baths. Mine turns out to be no exception. But some (cold) running water and a few squirts of anti-bacterial handsoap and Alan is a new man. With plenty of time to spare before our appointment. :) See? I told you you'd be glad there were no pictures. :)
And the writing of this little drama has just reminded me.... those clothes are still in a bag in the bottom of the stroller.
Ew.
My Dad, aka "Gramps"
Alan
Me
The scene:
transplant clinic office
The time:
Thursday, Noon
The story:
The three of us arrived at straight-up noon, a full half hour before the appointment. We had just had lunch in the hospital cafeteria, which wasn't bad at all. The waiting room at the clinic has recently been updated with some really cool toys that hang on the walls and do stuff. I'll have to get pictures of those sometime. Gramps and I were taking turns entertaining Alan with the toys on the wall that do stuff, while he looked and reached, all while sitting in his stroller.
I'm not sure whether it was my eyes or my nose that first alerted me to the problem. My best recollection is that it was simultaneous. Just as I spotted the tell-tale half circle of wetness coming up from Alan's waistband, my nose told me this was not going to be good. Upon a quick closer inspection, I find that the wetness is also spreading down one leg. Oh, dear.
Fortunately, I had packed an entire set of extra clothes. Unfortunately, they were in the van, in the parking garage, a full 7 minute walk away. Gramps sets out for the clothes, while I turn to do something with the child. I knew the bathroom across the hall had one of those plastic fold-down baby-changers, but
#1 - Cleanliness? ew
#2 - This is a big baby, with a big mess, who is unlikely to hold still for more than 10 seconds (on a good day)
The office is not fully staffed from their lunch break yet, and only one lady is behind the window. Her back is turned, so I start tap-tapping.
Tap-tap.
I am person very hesitant to interrupt or inconvenience anyone, so when she doesn't turn around, I assume I haven't been tapping loud enough and I pick it up some. Tap-tap. And then some more. Tap-tap-tap!!
All the while, Alan is standing in his stroller, with me bent over him so he can chew my necklace. I"m not sure how we got to this little arrangement, but there's not much more I can do but to keep it up at this point. He isn't going to stay happy long, and I certainly can't hold him!
Office lady swivels in her chair to reach for a file and I see she is on the phone. Oops.
And then I hear her say Alan's name. At least I'm rudely interrupting a phone call about my own kid.
Finally a nurse's aid passes through and I'm able to ask her if I can use an exam room.
No problem. Excellent! I lay Alan down and begin stripping him.
Ew.
That's all I'll say. Ew.
All my tap-tapping must have taken longer than I thought, because I am just finishing Alan's bottom half when Gramps reappears with the change of clothes. Just in time, because now I need to take the shirt off. Up, over the head, and.... EW. What was supposed to be in the diaper but was on the inside of the shirt is now smeared up to Alan's shoulder blades. Ew.
And this is one of the many reasons we were in an exam room and not a public restroom. All I had to do was turn to the really cool 12-18 inch deep sink and plop my naked, soiled baby down in it. Couldn't have been better. Well, actually, it would have been a lot better if I would have pre-heated the water. Most babies don't like cold baths. Mine turns out to be no exception. But some (cold) running water and a few squirts of anti-bacterial handsoap and Alan is a new man. With plenty of time to spare before our appointment. :) See? I told you you'd be glad there were no pictures. :)
And the writing of this little drama has just reminded me.... those clothes are still in a bag in the bottom of the stroller.
Ew.
BooMama's Soup-Tacular
I got pretty excited a few days ago when I saw BooMama was having this soup carnival. I had just made my very own Baked Potato soup a couple of days before, and I was very proud of that soup. So proud in fact, that I was surprised my blog readers weren't clamoring for the recipe. (Even though approximately half of my 4 readers had been at my house to eat the soup.) Ahh, but pride goes before a fall, doesn't it? And not one commentor asked for my soup recipe. *SIGH*
But then! A soup carnival! Someone was interested in hearing my soup recipe! Or at least soup recipes in general.
But then! A soup carnival! Someone was interested in hearing my soup recipe! Or at least soup recipes in general.
And then, today, I go over to BooMama's to see how the carnvial is going and get ready to post my entry, and I'll be darn if BooMama herself hadn't posted a recipe that is very similar to mine, and even uses the CROCK POT! I love using my crock pot! I start to read the recipe. Ahhh yes, but mine uses BACON. And then, at the end, I see.... so does BooMama's. *SIGH* again.
But, so I can get it out of my head, and since I'm due for a blog post anyway, and in spite of the fact that my last post included recipes, I am forging ahead. Here it is, friends:
Baked Potato Soup
Baked Potato Soup
4-6 medium baking potatoes, cut in chunks
1 small onion, chopped
2 c. water
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pound (1 pkg) bacon
8 oz half & half
velveeta
Place potatoes with water and onion in large pot. Salt lightly. Simmer, covered, until potatoes are soft. Meanwhile, fry bacon until crisp. Add mushroom soup and half & half to potatoes, along with 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Add 2-3 (or 4-5) inches of a velveeta block, cut in chunks. Simmer & stir until potatoes begin to fall apart and cheese is melted. Serve with crumbled bacon.
Note: I would very easily substitue the half and half with a combination of milk and sour cream. I just had the half and half on hand and wanted to use it before it went bad. :)
Now - go here and find yourself some soup recipes. And have a souper winter! :) (sorry - couldn't help myself) ;-)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Works for Me Wednesday - What to Fix!?
Today is a themed WFMW:
It's 5:15 pm, the kids are hungry, you have a headache, hubby is almost home, and the pantry has three things in it. What is your BEST last-minute meal recipe? Share with everybody this week. We'll call it Works-For-Me Wednesday: The What-Do-I-Fix? Edition.
My best creativity sometimes comes from situations like these. Of course, when asked to remember those recipes later, either to make again or for purposes such as today's blog, I can never remember exactly what it was I pulled from a hat.
My best creativity sometimes comes from situations like these. Of course, when asked to remember those recipes later, either to make again or for purposes such as today's blog, I can never remember exactly what it was I pulled from a hat.
But, after some thinking, I can at least share these two:
Spaghetti Bolognese - The first time I tried this recipe, I looked at what went into it and looked at the finished product and felt very skeptical. It looked like plain ol' spaghetti to me! But at first taste, I knew it was different. It tasted like "real food" and not something out of a can! And I have actually made it more than one time. Quite a statement, coming from me! :)
Spaghetti Bolognese
8 oz. spaghetti
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
4 Tbsp. tomato paste
4 Tbsp. Italian Dressing
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Spaghetti Bolognese - The first time I tried this recipe, I looked at what went into it and looked at the finished product and felt very skeptical. It looked like plain ol' spaghetti to me! But at first taste, I knew it was different. It tasted like "real food" and not something out of a can! And I have actually made it more than one time. Quite a statement, coming from me! :)
Spaghetti Bolognese
8 oz. spaghetti
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
4 Tbsp. tomato paste
4 Tbsp. Italian Dressing
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
COOK pasta as directed on package.
MEANWHILE, combine meat, onions and garlic in large nonstick skillet; cook on medium heat 5 min. or until onions are crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and dressing. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN pasta; place in large serving bowl. Add meat sauce; mix lightly. Sprinkle with the cheese.
Okay, okay, I know - that is way more than 3 ingredients. But I have never put in the tomato paste, because I never keep tomato paste on hand. And I even made it without the beef one night because I didn't have any. SO - this recipe is flexible, and most of what it calls for are pantry staples.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos - another recipe that had me raising my eyebrows, but I tried it anyway and it has turned into one of our favorites!
Bake a couple of sweet potatoes in the microwave (I suppose a can of well-drained sweet potatoes would work as well, I've just never tried it). Drain a can of black beans. Combine beans and potatoes in large skillet and mash together. Add a cup or so of salsa and some cumin to taste. Heat through and spread on flour tortillas. Good with Monterrey Jack cheese or cilantro, but only if you have them on hand. ;)
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos - another recipe that had me raising my eyebrows, but I tried it anyway and it has turned into one of our favorites!
Bake a couple of sweet potatoes in the microwave (I suppose a can of well-drained sweet potatoes would work as well, I've just never tried it). Drain a can of black beans. Combine beans and potatoes in large skillet and mash together. Add a cup or so of salsa and some cumin to taste. Heat through and spread on flour tortillas. Good with Monterrey Jack cheese or cilantro, but only if you have them on hand. ;)
For more quick-fix, few ingredient, last-minute recipes, head over to Rocks in my Dryer!
Edited to add:
There is also our other favorite last minute meal: Breakfast for supper! Pancakes or waffles are our favorites. Scramble some eggs, and you've got a meal! :)
There is also our other favorite last minute meal: Breakfast for supper! Pancakes or waffles are our favorites. Scramble some eggs, and you've got a meal! :)
Getting stuff done
Monday, Alan woke me up really early. As I sat in the wee hours thinking of all I wanted to get done, I met up with my old friend, the To Do List. I made a nice list and got to work.
And stayed at work!
I really got a lot done, and felt good about it.
So, Tuesday morning, it wasn't quite as early, but my friend To Do List had helped me so much the day before, I decided to try again.
Here was my list:
Work in the kitchen (cleaning, etc) for about 20 minutes
Laundry
Christmas Cards
Blog entry
Make Spaghetti Salad
At the end of the day, this is what my list looked like:
Work in the kitchen
Laundry - 1 load done
Christmas Cards
Blog entry
Spaghetti Salad
It's all about priorities really. :)
And stayed at work!
I really got a lot done, and felt good about it.
So, Tuesday morning, it wasn't quite as early, but my friend To Do List had helped me so much the day before, I decided to try again.
Here was my list:
Work in the kitchen (cleaning, etc) for about 20 minutes
Laundry
Christmas Cards
Blog entry
Make Spaghetti Salad
At the end of the day, this is what my list looked like:
Work in the kitchen
Laundry - 1 load done
Christmas Cards
It's all about priorities really. :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Once upon a time...
....I was a Once-a-day blogger.
I have learned that once you have been a regular Once-a-day blogger, the 2 or 3 people that read your blog (Hi mom!) notice when you miss a day. Or two. Or three. You know.
I don't know why I feel I have run out of things to say. I think I feel the need to be funny, and let me tell you - some days it takes a lot of effort to take the ins & outs of our everyday life and spin it into an amusing tale. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, and I find joy and humor in just about every day. I think what must be lacking is .... ummmm.... I don't know... writing skills?
I have learned that once you have been a regular Once-a-day blogger, the 2 or 3 people that read your blog (Hi mom!) notice when you miss a day. Or two. Or three. You know.
I don't know why I feel I have run out of things to say. I think I feel the need to be funny, and let me tell you - some days it takes a lot of effort to take the ins & outs of our everyday life and spin it into an amusing tale. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, and I find joy and humor in just about every day. I think what must be lacking is .... ummmm.... I don't know... writing skills?
See! I'm laughing already, just picturing myself as a .... "writer". Look! More giggles! :) Lol. Skills or not, blogging is fun, so I will continue. And looking for the funny in the mundane-ness of our everyday lives is good for everybody. Don't you think?
So.... on to bloggy stuff....
Don't tell Dale, but last night was our town's annual Christmas parade. He missed not one but TWO opportunities to be in the parade because of his very tough and very lingering cold. One of those chances was to ride in PawPaw's 1929 Model A. That's what he's done the last two years. AND, the Model A has won 1st prize for decorated car the past 2 years. Unfortunately, due to some lighting issues (as in, there weren't any) it didn't place this year. Or maybe it wasn't the missing lights.... maybe it was the missing passenger! ;)
Don't tell Dale, but last night was our town's annual Christmas parade. He missed not one but TWO opportunities to be in the parade because of his very tough and very lingering cold. One of those chances was to ride in PawPaw's 1929 Model A. That's what he's done the last two years. AND, the Model A has won 1st prize for decorated car the past 2 years. Unfortunately, due to some lighting issues (as in, there weren't any) it didn't place this year. Or maybe it wasn't the missing lights.... maybe it was the missing passenger! ;)
Dale & Nana - Parade 2005
Most years after the Christmas parade we all get together for a bowl of chili. Usually at Nana's house. But since no one from our house would be in or at the parade, and because this year seems to be a year of veering from or altering our usual traditions, I volunteered to host everyone for a bowl of something hot.
But not chili. My chili attempts are not fool-proof yet. I had a close call on a pot last week that I saved with some very fancy kitchen footwork I was very proud of, but this didn't make me confident enough to host a chili get-together. Not hardly.
So instead I served Baked Potato Soup, which I think was a hit. And for dessert, Fresh Cranberry Bars with cream cheese icing. Oh, the cranberry bars. They didn't even last 24 hours. YUM.
And in an abrupt subject change of blogging randomness, here is a pic of the boys from this morning.
Alan discovered that with a missing couch cushion, he can climb up by himself! He loves it!
Usually we like to keep all of our couch cushions you know - on the couch, but due to an unforunate incident involving a small child with a really bad cough, some potato soup, and some GRAPE JUICE, the couch cushion spent the night in the bathtub.
My deepest apologies to those of you who were trying to enjoy some cranberry bars when the unfortunate couch cushion incident occurred. Did I mention it is a really bad cough?
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Dancing in the aisles
After a couple of days, Dale's runny nose turned into a cough & cold. When he woke up coughing an hour or so after bedtime last night, I dosed him up with some cold medicine.
This morning, he woke up kind of hoarse and before long was asking to take his vitamin.
I keep a bottle of children's chewables, but we aren't regular about taking them or anything. It is usually when he thinks about it and asks for one, so I didn't think much about him asking for one this morning.
A little while later I passed by and saw him just sitting on the couch. I asked him what he was doing, and he said, in his scratchy little voice:
"I'm just sittin' here. I thought my vitamin might help my mouth talk like it used to talk, but it didn't."
I gave him some juice, but that didn't help much either. Later he decided to try a nap to see if that would 'fix it' and disappeared into his room for a little while (this was all before 8:30 this morning). I guess a nap was boring, because pretty soon he was back to the couch for a 'rest' to see if that would help.
He eventually either gave up or got used to it and forgot because he's still hoarse now. Poor kid.
I'm sure he doesn't feel completely good, but we went grocery shopping earlier today, and he felt good enough to dance along to the sample CD clips in the candles/frames/decor aisle at WalMart. Besides, dancing doesn't require any voice at all! And silly me... I danced along with him. I just couldn't resist. :)
This morning, he woke up kind of hoarse and before long was asking to take his vitamin.
I keep a bottle of children's chewables, but we aren't regular about taking them or anything. It is usually when he thinks about it and asks for one, so I didn't think much about him asking for one this morning.
A little while later I passed by and saw him just sitting on the couch. I asked him what he was doing, and he said, in his scratchy little voice:
"I'm just sittin' here. I thought my vitamin might help my mouth talk like it used to talk, but it didn't."
I gave him some juice, but that didn't help much either. Later he decided to try a nap to see if that would 'fix it' and disappeared into his room for a little while (this was all before 8:30 this morning). I guess a nap was boring, because pretty soon he was back to the couch for a 'rest' to see if that would help.
He eventually either gave up or got used to it and forgot because he's still hoarse now. Poor kid.
I'm sure he doesn't feel completely good, but we went grocery shopping earlier today, and he felt good enough to dance along to the sample CD clips in the candles/frames/decor aisle at WalMart. Besides, dancing doesn't require any voice at all! And silly me... I danced along with him. I just couldn't resist. :)
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