Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
-
My New Quests
So, music has never been one of my strong suits. I have always wished that I was musically inclined, but I guess it just wasn’t in the cards for me. My parents aren’t musical, and I had no interest as a youngster in learning about music, but now I wish I had.
My neighbor is a piano teacher. My son is six years old. He wants to take piano lessons. I want him to be musical, especially because I never took the opportunity myself, but I’m having a hard time convincing myself to spend money we don’t have on a piano that may or may not be used. I can’t help but think that may have been how my parents felt too. I have been searching thrift stores for used pianos, but I haven’t had much luck yet. Any suggestions?
-
I feel. . . Wicked:)
I have once again spread my wings and went on an adventure. I left my bubble world and took a plane ride to San Francisco! I know, I know, I’m all grown up!
Why go to San Francisco you ask? To see Wicked of course!
It was splendiferous! I know that the production has been on the road, so if it ever comes to your neck of the woods, I highly suggest you make a point to see it.
Think of it as being. . . cultured!
-
My Sweet Valentine
My dear husband surprised me with a wonderful gift for Valentine’s Day. He knew that I wanted to expand my horizons and become more knowledgeable, so not only did he give me pearls, he also gave me a story the history behind them! How thoughtful:).
The Culturing of the Savage Pearl
A pearl is a remarkable thing of beauty. It has a subtle elegance that no other gemstone matches. Pearls use to only be available at the whims of nature. Fortunately though we have developed a process which allows us to cultivate, or culture, these fine treasures, enabling us to enjoy pearls more often. The oyster is brought out of the water, and a small irritant, usually a piece of shell or oyster tissue is inserted into the oyster. The oyster then activates its natural defense system and starts to coat the intruder with a layer of nacre. It keeps doing this until a full pearl is formed. This process, depending on the oyster and size of pearl desired, can take anywhere from 2 to 7 years. A common misconception of this process is that a grain of sand is used to “seed” the oyster. While sand can cause a pearl to be formed it is much more likely that a bead, piece of shell, or chunk of tissue was used. These provide more reliable pearls, and pearl shapes, great for pearl necklaces and pearl earrings.
The culturing of pearls has provided a unique opportunity for those who desire this jewel. They are able to have a real pearl made through the same process as natural pearls without having to wait as long. It also provides the chance to have longer strands of matching pearls. Whatever the case may be, the culturing of pearls has truly made the jewelry world a better place.
-
Futon Frenzy
Do you remember futons? It seems like every college dorm and bachelor pad seemed to be donned with a metal framed, stained, uncomfortable futon. When I use to hear the word, I would cringe at the thought of having one in my house. However, my husband recently suggesting getting one for our office to have a place for guests to sleep while not taking up much room. I agreed to look into them and I was quite pleasantly surprised.
Many people, including me, think of the cheap black metal frames, when they hear the word “futon,” but these days, there are many different styles of futons, and each part has multiple variations, allowing for an infinite amount of combinations, and in turn ensuring there’s a futon that’s perfect for you.
Take for instance the frame, while many futons do have a metal frame, they’re also available in wood. Wooden frames are sturdy and look good in many different settings. Also, wooden frames use slats to support the mattress which results in a more even and therefore a more comfortable, surface to lie on.
Speaking of the mattress, they’re no longer limited to cotton and polyfil. You can get them with an exterior made of several fabrics, including leather, and numerous fillings. Some have bed springs like traditional mattress, while others are made of space-age memory foam. They come in all levels of firmness from the most soft to the most firm, which means you can find one that suits you.
The last part of the futon is the futon cover. Most people either don’t know these exist. However they are an essential part, as they keep the futon safe and clean. They come in a wide variety of materials and designs.
-
Now What?
I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday season! I really did have one myself. However at three a.m. on Christmas Eve morning, my nearly two-year-old baby girl woke up throwing up. She repeated that every fifteen minutes for four hours! By noon my two sons and I joined her. It was yucky! Luckily it only lasted 24 hours with the worst of it being over after about 8, so we were able to enjoy Christmas day without repeated trips to the powder room.
Even though that just might warrant a post in and of itself, the idea of my blog here is about my quest to find and try new things. So, simply writing about our family flu bug just wouldn’t really fit. So, I will continue on with the story. After my sickness had ended, I had lost a few of the holiday pounds that I had packed on , and I used that as an excuse to feast like I have never feasted before! When my family celebrates anything, we do it around food. Great tasting, high calorie, delicious to the taste food. I usually enjoy the food, but do so in smaller portions. Not this year. I really enjoyed my food.
That leads me to today. Here I am, on a Monday morning feeling TERRIBLE! Not because I am sick, but because I did things like ate Snickers for breakfast, had dessert after every meal, and enjoyed seconds on every serving. I didn’t even exercise like I usually do. Once again, I feel TERRIBLE! I stepped on the scale this morning and nearly DIED! I immediately rushed to my computer to find a healthy weight loss chart, and found that while I am still in the “healthy weight range” for my height, I am creeping to the side of the spectrum that I want to avoid.
My husband gave me a gym membership for Christmas. I am always complaining about how hard it is to work out at home with the kids, so he felt like a gym membership would be something that I would enjoy. I was offended. I am shallow. He kept repeating that he didn’t give it to me because he felt like I needed to lose weight, but because he thought I would enjoy some “me” time. Deep down I know he is serious. On the surface I’m still a little offended.
Anyway, on to the point, after a combination of my excessive holiday weight gain and my husband’s thoughtful Christmas gift, I have decided to start Body for Life. I have done it once before, and I was thrilled with the results. I loved the way I felt. I didn’t feel like I was depriving myself or like I was missing out on the “good stuff,” and I really felt like I could eat that way for life. However once the 12 week program was over, I let my guard down a little bit. Ever so slowly my old habits took over and I am right back to where I started in the first place. How depressing!
This time I am doing it and I am doing it right. I started this blog with the hope of becoming a better person. More experienced and more confident. If I’m not feeling good about myself, I am far less likely to take risks and try new things. So this is part of my new quest. Wish me luck and feel free to join me if you’d like!
-
A new skill?
I thought I would share a new skill I have been trying to develop, I have been working on photoshop and I think I’m really starting to get the hang of it. My mom asked me to design her a photo Christmas card for her, and I had a great time working on it! Here is my finished project, let me know what you think!
-
My Personal Epiphany
It all happened one night while I was lying in bed. I was feeling kind of stuck. Stagnant. I felt like there was nothing that I had that made me excited.
I began tearfully expressing my feelings to my ever-so-patient husband calmly asked these questions, “If you could do anything with your day, what would you do? What are your talents, or your passions? Do you have any hobbies?”
I immediately began soul searching. In desperation for an answer to his questions I responded with,
“I make really good tacos, oh and my enchiladas are pretty tasty too.”
I could tell he was holding back the laughter so once again I burst into tears.
When he could see that I was hurt by the fact that he found humor in my “talent” he did his best to explain:
“Sweetheart,” he said “your tacos are fine, and yes your enchiladas are tasty, but you’ve got to go deeper if you want to be happy. I just don’t think your talents with Mexican food will bring you all the satisfaction you deserve.”
He was right.
That began my personal epiphany. I was so busy being a mom and a wife and cooking tasty yet simple Mexican dishes (just fyi, my meal plan did also consist of spaghetti and sloppy joes), that I lost myself. I had to find the answer to his questions if I ever wanted to be fulfilled. I had to find myself so that I could be completely present for my family.
That’s how I began my quest to become a sensational skill seeker. I decided that I would try anything I could get my hands on. Cooking, sewing, crafting, kayaking, you name it, I just may try it. I will find a skill. I will be able to answer my husbands questions, and I am convinced that I will have a lot of fun along the way.
Categories
Tags
Sites I Like
- Baby Gifts
- BAD Cars Blog
- Carports
- Curtains
- Dog Kennels
- Duvets
- Essential oil
- Fashions Blog
- Games Blog
- Good Deals Blog
- Great Books Blog
- Healthy Weight Loss
- Leather Purses
- Pearl necklaces
- Trampolines