Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I should probably give this post a title
Hmm....cute video of Asher super jumping on his bed, then farting to propel himself farther (at least, that's his excuse).
Tried to get photos off my phone from christmas time but it's being a challenge. Usually they just load up to google+ automatically and I can pull them from there to here...but not today for some reason. I'll work on it but I have to let you know in advance that I'm a bad mom and ry is a bad dad and we didn't take many photos. I guess we just get caught up in the moment, and the minute Asher sees us taking a pic he either gets super hammy or tells us not to take his picture and tries to grab the camera/phone away from us.
Christmas was nice but I'm glad it's over. Even with spreading it into 6 places in 3 days it's still tiring. I just want to sleep for days. Also, Asher refused to sleep through the night the entire four days I was off and also he wanted to get up prior to the crack of dawn so I was pretty tired overall anyway.
Been thinking about baby names lately. First off, Asher has me convinced it's a girl because he keeps saying things like "my baby sister is in mama's tummy". We tell him, "It could be a brother, you don't know" and he tells us "I do know, and it isn't a brother. It's a sister." I think that is just wishful thinking for a boy who has no idea what he's talking about yet. So, I need to stop thinking of it as a girl until we know what it is later on, probably around the beginning of March. So far the names I like are Rory Ender if it's a boy and Rana Willow if it's a girl. I have this thing with "r" this pregnancy because I also like the girl's name Raina. I don't know...Ry hasn't vetoed those two names yet so that's a good sign, but it's so early they could change a hundred times yet.
Well, I can't get those photos up, I'll continue working on it and maybe make a bonus post later. Happy New Year if I don't post again before then.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Singing glory days are gone and everything's okay
So, just getting ready for the holidays and then the new year. I don't think we are planning on doing anything exciting this year for New Years Eve. Maybe just skyping with the CA clan for a bit. You aren't very much fun at a party with a 2 year old and being pregnant. It is what it is.
I have a new schedule for next year, starting on the 1st. I thought I'd be happy about it but now I am sad, I am going to a regular Monday through Friday day shift. So, I should be happy about having the whole weekend with my kin but instead I'm thinking it sucks because now Asher will have one more day at daycare and not at home. And then what will happen with #2? I'm really not sure what we are going to do once s/he is born yet...I've got some time, I guess. The one lab position's shift is looking to be a day shift with days off as Tues and Weds...I might go for that if I was offered the option...then we would only have to have daycare for 3 days...but ry and I would never have a day off together. Oh well, at least we would have the evenings. And we could meet for lunch on the days the other is working.
Time will tell.
I've been feeling much better, pregnancy wise. The last week or so has been so much better. Still tired a lot but not overwhelmingly exhausted. I'm not feeling nauseous as much as I was, barely at all, actually. Thank goodness for that.
I really don't have much else to say right now. I'll post some xmas pics up probably next week sometime. Asher's such a ham, so they should be pretty good.
I have a new schedule for next year, starting on the 1st. I thought I'd be happy about it but now I am sad, I am going to a regular Monday through Friday day shift. So, I should be happy about having the whole weekend with my kin but instead I'm thinking it sucks because now Asher will have one more day at daycare and not at home. And then what will happen with #2? I'm really not sure what we are going to do once s/he is born yet...I've got some time, I guess. The one lab position's shift is looking to be a day shift with days off as Tues and Weds...I might go for that if I was offered the option...then we would only have to have daycare for 3 days...but ry and I would never have a day off together. Oh well, at least we would have the evenings. And we could meet for lunch on the days the other is working.
Time will tell.
I've been feeling much better, pregnancy wise. The last week or so has been so much better. Still tired a lot but not overwhelmingly exhausted. I'm not feeling nauseous as much as I was, barely at all, actually. Thank goodness for that.
I really don't have much else to say right now. I'll post some xmas pics up probably next week sometime. Asher's such a ham, so they should be pretty good.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Our only goal will be the western shores
I got a call on Friday night that my friend Ellen Rohland died in the hospital on December 9th at 5:30 pm. She had been fighting an infection she got from falling on ice over 6 years ago. She every time she would get better something would happen and put her back in the hospital and each time it was worse than the last. I guess I'm glad she isn't suffering anymore but it just seems so wrong. I mean, she was only 36. People don't (shouldn't) die that young.
Her mom called me and told me that she had passed on. She told me that I was the first person she called. Before her own family. This statement bothers me. I guess I should be flattered but it just makes me more sad. I mean, does her mother really think that I was more of a support and friend to her than her own family during these times? Did Ellen? Because I feel I wasn't that good of a friend. I tried to be, but with a kid and her being in and out of the hospital it was hard to see her. She hadn't gotten out of the hospital for a long time, recently, and a month and a half ago her mother had called me and told me that Ellen had fallen into a coma. She came out of that coma and I wanted to go visit but she was (and continued to be) in ICU for the whole time, which Asher is not allowed to visit. I should have gotten a babysitter and gone to see her (but she was always so happy to see him). I should have tried harder to call her (I could never get a hold of her when I did lately). I don't know, I feel that I wasn't really there for her in the end. As it was, we only got to visit around twice a year before this last event. We did try to talk on the phone about once a month or so but...now I just don't feel that it was enough. I don't feel that I was there enough for her.
But honestly, we only talked about once a month because talking to Ellen was hard. It's very hard to have something encouraging to say to a woman who has spent 6 years in a hospital, who never seems to get better. It's hard to be supportive and not say the same wrote things over and over again. So, for the last couple of years, we just talked about me. How selfish is that? I felt it was selfish and I would feel bad for it, but it was better than the other stuff we could talk about. About how she had yet another doctor who could do nothing for her. How she got kicked out of another nursing home for being a "difficult" patient. About how she is being moved to another care facility, one that can better take care of her special "needs". I mean, we did talk about these things, too. I think they made her depressed, too, when she talked about them and that's why we didn't dwell on them for long. She loved to hear about Asher and what he was up to, what new words he had learned or what funny thing he had done recently. I didn't even get to tell her I was pregnant again, I really had wanted to tell her that. I think it really would have made her very happy.
She always wanted to go to Disney Land with me. She had worked there as a young woman in college and loved every minute about it. I've never met anyone so Disney obsessed as she was. We had plans to go, just me and her (no kids or boys allowed!) when she got out of the hospital. It was a dream she had and I was more than willing to oblige. Obviously it never happened...
The worst part of the whole thing is that there will be no funeral. Ellen's time in the hospital drained her mother's resources and she has nothing. Not even enough for a funeral or a burial. It's really sad. And I feel I need some sort of closure. I haven't seen her in months. I haven't talked to her in months. I feel kind of lost and adrift I understand that need for a funeral now. I need to say goodbye and apologize for not being there as much as I should have been. Her mother said she didn't want to ruin anyone's holidays with a memorial service (because Ellen's favorite times were the holidays), so she would maybe plan something in the springtime. I hope so.
So, rest in peace, Ellen Rohland. And I'm sorry.
Her mom called me and told me that she had passed on. She told me that I was the first person she called. Before her own family. This statement bothers me. I guess I should be flattered but it just makes me more sad. I mean, does her mother really think that I was more of a support and friend to her than her own family during these times? Did Ellen? Because I feel I wasn't that good of a friend. I tried to be, but with a kid and her being in and out of the hospital it was hard to see her. She hadn't gotten out of the hospital for a long time, recently, and a month and a half ago her mother had called me and told me that Ellen had fallen into a coma. She came out of that coma and I wanted to go visit but she was (and continued to be) in ICU for the whole time, which Asher is not allowed to visit. I should have gotten a babysitter and gone to see her (but she was always so happy to see him). I should have tried harder to call her (I could never get a hold of her when I did lately). I don't know, I feel that I wasn't really there for her in the end. As it was, we only got to visit around twice a year before this last event. We did try to talk on the phone about once a month or so but...now I just don't feel that it was enough. I don't feel that I was there enough for her.
But honestly, we only talked about once a month because talking to Ellen was hard. It's very hard to have something encouraging to say to a woman who has spent 6 years in a hospital, who never seems to get better. It's hard to be supportive and not say the same wrote things over and over again. So, for the last couple of years, we just talked about me. How selfish is that? I felt it was selfish and I would feel bad for it, but it was better than the other stuff we could talk about. About how she had yet another doctor who could do nothing for her. How she got kicked out of another nursing home for being a "difficult" patient. About how she is being moved to another care facility, one that can better take care of her special "needs". I mean, we did talk about these things, too. I think they made her depressed, too, when she talked about them and that's why we didn't dwell on them for long. She loved to hear about Asher and what he was up to, what new words he had learned or what funny thing he had done recently. I didn't even get to tell her I was pregnant again, I really had wanted to tell her that. I think it really would have made her very happy.
She always wanted to go to Disney Land with me. She had worked there as a young woman in college and loved every minute about it. I've never met anyone so Disney obsessed as she was. We had plans to go, just me and her (no kids or boys allowed!) when she got out of the hospital. It was a dream she had and I was more than willing to oblige. Obviously it never happened...
The worst part of the whole thing is that there will be no funeral. Ellen's time in the hospital drained her mother's resources and she has nothing. Not even enough for a funeral or a burial. It's really sad. And I feel I need some sort of closure. I haven't seen her in months. I haven't talked to her in months. I feel kind of lost and adrift I understand that need for a funeral now. I need to say goodbye and apologize for not being there as much as I should have been. Her mother said she didn't want to ruin anyone's holidays with a memorial service (because Ellen's favorite times were the holidays), so she would maybe plan something in the springtime. I hope so.
So, rest in peace, Ellen Rohland. And I'm sorry.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Call me third law because you know I say fuck the first two
That wonderful tidbit of lyricism is from my hubby who is a guest rapper on Killer Whale Party's new album which is coming out sometime next year. Get your copy reserved today...
Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better lately, just super emotional and moody and tired. Always cold and tired. Only a little morning sickness each day, now. There was a comment about why I don't use morning sickness remedies...well, some of them haven't really been working for me (horehound...which makes me sad because I love it so), peppermint has a very minimal effect and ginger makes me want to vomit even more. So I've been trying to eat small snacks all day long and drink lots and lots, and that seems to be helping. Also, I changed taking my vitamin from the morning with breakfast to right before bed, and that has helped tremendously.
So, Asher was in the hospital for a respiratory infection. I was feeling pretty guilty about the whole thing, Ry took him to the ER while I was working and then they checked him into the hospital, while I was working, and I felt really helpless and out of control. I went and saw him right after work and stayed with him until he feel asleep, but they said only one parent may spend the night with a child so I went home (Ry and I both decided that it's best for me to save up as much of my sick time as possible for maternity leave next year) and ry spent the next day with him in the hospital while I went to work. It was incredibly stressful and upsetting for me, especially with my super charged emotional state, and I have been feeling the residuals from it in the form of anxiety, exhaustion and listlessness.
Asher is going to the Dr. today for a follow up check up.
So, you know one thing I feel ripped off about? Pregnant women are not allowed (or not supposed to) eat lunch meat. Deli meat. Because it could be dangerous to your fetus. Listeria. You know...think about this...it means that most all deli meats (and hot dogs) are contaminated with Listeria on a regular basis and it's okay for everyone else to eat them. This should make some people question the food that they are fed that is considered "safe" for everyone else. Maybe old people shouldn't eat deli meat, either. Maybe the infirm? I don't want to go on a tirade about deli meats and hot dogs, other than the fact that, Fuck you mr. deli meat maker. Fuck you very much.
Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better lately, just super emotional and moody and tired. Always cold and tired. Only a little morning sickness each day, now. There was a comment about why I don't use morning sickness remedies...well, some of them haven't really been working for me (horehound...which makes me sad because I love it so), peppermint has a very minimal effect and ginger makes me want to vomit even more. So I've been trying to eat small snacks all day long and drink lots and lots, and that seems to be helping. Also, I changed taking my vitamin from the morning with breakfast to right before bed, and that has helped tremendously.
So, Asher was in the hospital for a respiratory infection. I was feeling pretty guilty about the whole thing, Ry took him to the ER while I was working and then they checked him into the hospital, while I was working, and I felt really helpless and out of control. I went and saw him right after work and stayed with him until he feel asleep, but they said only one parent may spend the night with a child so I went home (Ry and I both decided that it's best for me to save up as much of my sick time as possible for maternity leave next year) and ry spent the next day with him in the hospital while I went to work. It was incredibly stressful and upsetting for me, especially with my super charged emotional state, and I have been feeling the residuals from it in the form of anxiety, exhaustion and listlessness.
Asher is going to the Dr. today for a follow up check up.
So, you know one thing I feel ripped off about? Pregnant women are not allowed (or not supposed to) eat lunch meat. Deli meat. Because it could be dangerous to your fetus. Listeria. You know...think about this...it means that most all deli meats (and hot dogs) are contaminated with Listeria on a regular basis and it's okay for everyone else to eat them. This should make some people question the food that they are fed that is considered "safe" for everyone else. Maybe old people shouldn't eat deli meat, either. Maybe the infirm? I don't want to go on a tirade about deli meats and hot dogs, other than the fact that, Fuck you mr. deli meat maker. Fuck you very much.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Summer Nerf Wars....Finally. Betcha thought I forgot!
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| Asher says "Let's get ready....to RUMBLE!!!!!" |
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| Say hello to my little gun... |
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| Do you think he has enough guns? |
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| Tom watches the skirmish with longing. |
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| Choose your weapon, but choose wisely... |
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| Practicing his war cry. |
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| He can't decide if his beer or sword would be more effective. It's nice they gave him the time to choose, instead of cutting him down where he stood. |
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| A battle to the death between two fierce warrior women. |
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| Action Shot! |
Sunday, November 20, 2011
What's worse than constantly wanting to throw up all the time but not being able to throw up at all?
I'm not sure, but if you find something that is worse, let me know so I can dwell on how much worse it would be if that were how I felt every day for 6 or so hours. I will not be doing this again, and if it had been this bad with Asher I think I would have considered not doing it again at all. This is just peachy and awesome and, blahg. I can't even bullshit myself at this point. See, I probably shouldn't be writing this early in the morning when Asher refused to let anyone sleep last night (I feel that he must have thought at one point:If I can't sleep no one can) on top of feeling like I would love to throw up and get it over with when I know that a: there will be no throwing up and b: even if there was, it wouldn't make it end. I would just feel like this again and some more until I threw up or wished I could throw up again.
Seriously, go hug your mother for going through this for you. You had better. She deserves more than that but it's a start.
Finally back in my office. Of sorts. The cube walls haven't come in yet so it's just a big empty room with a bunch of desks in it so far but soon I will have my own slice of office again. It's nice, I guess, and they expect me to be falling all over myself to congratulate them on what a great job they did in here but quite frankly, I am not impressed. I would be more impressed if this hadn't taken 4 months of me not having anywhere to call a work station, if I had had warning about the demolition (they are currently demolishing a ladies bathroom that I don't use but other women who work here do use, and I was told they demanded management not pull another "jessica", so now my name is well known with unforcasted demolitions...joy), and if the whole thing wasn't just a gigantic kick in the face. Half of my shit is still covered in this ridiculously sticky dust and half of my stuff is missing.
But you know what? I have just overreacted this whole episode. Four months of overreaction. You know.
Seriously, go hug your mother for going through this for you. You had better. She deserves more than that but it's a start.
Finally back in my office. Of sorts. The cube walls haven't come in yet so it's just a big empty room with a bunch of desks in it so far but soon I will have my own slice of office again. It's nice, I guess, and they expect me to be falling all over myself to congratulate them on what a great job they did in here but quite frankly, I am not impressed. I would be more impressed if this hadn't taken 4 months of me not having anywhere to call a work station, if I had had warning about the demolition (they are currently demolishing a ladies bathroom that I don't use but other women who work here do use, and I was told they demanded management not pull another "jessica", so now my name is well known with unforcasted demolitions...joy), and if the whole thing wasn't just a gigantic kick in the face. Half of my shit is still covered in this ridiculously sticky dust and half of my stuff is missing.
But you know what? I have just overreacted this whole episode. Four months of overreaction. You know.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Oh, do I still have one of these blog thingys?
Wow, I haven't written in a while. I guess I've just been busy and stressed super tired and all that jazz. There is a reason, and since I'm pretty sure no one reads this (especially after a nice long hiatus from writing....), I'll tell you. I'm pregnant with my second kid. I think I'll occasionally update you on my condition, not that many people care, but since this is my blog I can do anything I want with it and you just have to deal with it. Wow, someone is snotty and internet angsty. Reign it in, girl.
Anyway, six weeks pregnant, so it's really early yet, but I've been feeling some awesome morning sickness. I didn't have any with my first kid, so this is an (un)refreshing change of pace. Also, super duper moody. Much more than last time already, so Ryan has already told me. Despite being mildly nausea filled most of the day, I still have an overwhelming appetite. So, of course, I'm gaining weight like a fat cow, too. Isn't that pleasant. I forgot (forcibly) how shitty it is to be pregnant and all those women who are like, 'oh, i love being pregnant!' can suck it. For real.
I think I'm going to write a few blogs based on the fear of literally everything that pregnancy advise websites and books and people in general who have only ever seen a baby once deeply incarcerate into the already overly emotionally overloaded minds of pregnant women everywhere. There's nothing like a good dose of fear to override all rational reaction.
Anyway, six weeks pregnant, so it's really early yet, but I've been feeling some awesome morning sickness. I didn't have any with my first kid, so this is an (un)refreshing change of pace. Also, super duper moody. Much more than last time already, so Ryan has already told me. Despite being mildly nausea filled most of the day, I still have an overwhelming appetite. So, of course, I'm gaining weight like a fat cow, too. Isn't that pleasant. I forgot (forcibly) how shitty it is to be pregnant and all those women who are like, 'oh, i love being pregnant!' can suck it. For real.
I think I'm going to write a few blogs based on the fear of literally everything that pregnancy advise websites and books and people in general who have only ever seen a baby once deeply incarcerate into the already overly emotionally overloaded minds of pregnant women everywhere. There's nothing like a good dose of fear to override all rational reaction.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Forsaken, Last Cleveland area haunted house review for 2011
Oh, I am sad. Another fun season of haunted houses is over with. But, it was a good one. Lots of good houses and fun with friends.
This week we went to Forsaken in Mentor. And we had coupons again! Talk about a discounted halloween, I think we had coupons for like half of the houses we went to this year. Score. Anyway...
This one was really good. For a first year haunted house, they have really dumped a lot of money in this one. It's all indoors (even the waiting in line, except for the buying of tickets) and the atmosphere is super awesome from the first step into the houses. It boasts a larger size than it should, saying it's got 30000 sq ft of scariness, but they are counting the big open courtyard where you can mill about, buy snacks or wait in line. It was nice, that at this house you could choose which order you wanted to go into the houses. I think this really helped the flow of people through the houses, instead of corralling people like the herd of cattle to slaughter that they are. We barely had to wait in line at all.
Also, there were lots of actors working and they were all pretty good. The props and decorations were high class, I don't think we saw a production value this high in any other house (though the factory of terror was a close second to atmosphere).
This isn't my favorite of the season but I think we all agreed it was the best house we went to this season, except maybe for Conneaut Lake Park. But that was so far away it lost some points from the crew.
This is a house I hope sticks around, we will be coming again next year!
Forsaken gets 9 out of 10 headless statues.
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| And they took our photo for free! |
This week we went to Forsaken in Mentor. And we had coupons again! Talk about a discounted halloween, I think we had coupons for like half of the houses we went to this year. Score. Anyway...
This one was really good. For a first year haunted house, they have really dumped a lot of money in this one. It's all indoors (even the waiting in line, except for the buying of tickets) and the atmosphere is super awesome from the first step into the houses. It boasts a larger size than it should, saying it's got 30000 sq ft of scariness, but they are counting the big open courtyard where you can mill about, buy snacks or wait in line. It was nice, that at this house you could choose which order you wanted to go into the houses. I think this really helped the flow of people through the houses, instead of corralling people like the herd of cattle to slaughter that they are. We barely had to wait in line at all.
Also, there were lots of actors working and they were all pretty good. The props and decorations were high class, I don't think we saw a production value this high in any other house (though the factory of terror was a close second to atmosphere).
This isn't my favorite of the season but I think we all agreed it was the best house we went to this season, except maybe for Conneaut Lake Park. But that was so far away it lost some points from the crew.
This is a house I hope sticks around, we will be coming again next year!
Forsaken gets 9 out of 10 headless statues.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Factory of Terror, Canton Ohio, Cleveland Haunted House reviews, week 4
This week we went to Factory of Terror, Guinness Book of World Records holder for longest Haunted House in the WORLD!!!! Yeah...
We went here last year, too, and it had been heard that it was rearranged this year so that they could continue to hold the longest title. It was rearranged in some places, but it was mostly the same as last year. The areas where it was rearranged were not beneficial to the haunted house, it just made it seem...tedious. Like the area with the chain link fence. If you've been here, you know what I'm talking about. Just tedious.
Overall, though, this house is pretty good. It's def one to visit, though I heard that Saturdays hold an impossibly long wait time. We go on Fridays and we only waited for a little bit.
So, what's good about it? Well, it is long, and that can be good. It has really good atmosphere (as long as you don't have dumb girls behind or in front of you) and the props are really good. I think they depend on hydraulics a bit too much but, as my brother said, if they had the staff to work the house they could use that as a good distraction for a good scare. That brings up my main beef with this house. It was pretty understaffed when we went. There were some parts where you just walked around and...nothing. There was no one there. But, the actors that were there were pretty good. They have these two huge guys who work there...well, they are freaking huge. And creepy. And did I mention huge? Also, Satan is my favorite actor in the house. These actors, they have character. It's pretty cool.
Other good stuff about it? There was a pre-house before you even made it to the actual line for the haunted house. Pretty awesome. And the mirror maze. It really is pretty kick ass. The mirror maze was actually better this year than it was last year.
So, other than some parts of tediousness and the lack of actors, this is a solid house worth visiting. Make sure you get the $2 off coupon for max discountage and go on a Friday or Sunday night to avoid the lines.
Factory of Terror gets 7 out of 10 industrial disembowelments.
Next week is the last week, which is kind of sad. We are either going to Forsaken, in Mentor, or we might entertain going to Clay's Park, probably forsaken, though...
We went here last year, too, and it had been heard that it was rearranged this year so that they could continue to hold the longest title. It was rearranged in some places, but it was mostly the same as last year. The areas where it was rearranged were not beneficial to the haunted house, it just made it seem...tedious. Like the area with the chain link fence. If you've been here, you know what I'm talking about. Just tedious.
Overall, though, this house is pretty good. It's def one to visit, though I heard that Saturdays hold an impossibly long wait time. We go on Fridays and we only waited for a little bit.
So, what's good about it? Well, it is long, and that can be good. It has really good atmosphere (as long as you don't have dumb girls behind or in front of you) and the props are really good. I think they depend on hydraulics a bit too much but, as my brother said, if they had the staff to work the house they could use that as a good distraction for a good scare. That brings up my main beef with this house. It was pretty understaffed when we went. There were some parts where you just walked around and...nothing. There was no one there. But, the actors that were there were pretty good. They have these two huge guys who work there...well, they are freaking huge. And creepy. And did I mention huge? Also, Satan is my favorite actor in the house. These actors, they have character. It's pretty cool.
Other good stuff about it? There was a pre-house before you even made it to the actual line for the haunted house. Pretty awesome. And the mirror maze. It really is pretty kick ass. The mirror maze was actually better this year than it was last year.
So, other than some parts of tediousness and the lack of actors, this is a solid house worth visiting. Make sure you get the $2 off coupon for max discountage and go on a Friday or Sunday night to avoid the lines.
Factory of Terror gets 7 out of 10 industrial disembowelments.
Next week is the last week, which is kind of sad. We are either going to Forsaken, in Mentor, or we might entertain going to Clay's Park, probably forsaken, though...
Monday, October 17, 2011
I wish that Joan of Arc wouldn't hang around the park
Hello. This is just an update on life kind of post. A mishmash of stuff. And yes, I am aware that I still owe you a nerf war post. I promise, as soon as I get the photos up I will, it's just the computer dying has put me behind on pictures, you know? You know.
First, we made sauerkraut yesterday. Me and Ry and Asher, and Martin came to help for a bit, too. We made two buckets, 45 lbs of cabbage each. We were on a roll. Here's some photos of Asher helping for you to enjoy.
It was fun, even if there were 60 mile per hour gusts all day and it was pretty chilly. You make it outside, unless you really like having a huge mess all over. Cause it's messy. We still have more cabbages left, too. I guess we bought to many when Asher, Katya and I went to the farmer's market in Edinburg (I know it's far away, but their cabbage is so huge and cheap at 1.50 for a 10lb head). So, the kraut is fermenting and in a month I'll be canning it with my mother.
I am thinking about making a third bucket and selling it by the jar. I wonder how much people would pay for it and if people would want to buy it...I don't know, really. I mean, I love kraut, and fresh kraut is always better than that store garbage...but I don't know if many people share my love for kraut.
In other news, I just discovered recently a character flaw of mine. I over react. I was kind of surprised when I realized it, and then knew it to be true. I asked my friends about it and they told me that, yes, in fact, I do over react. At first I was a little upset that no one told me. I mean, isn't that what you should do when your friends are being crazy psychos? But, as my hubby pointed out, a good friend would just accept you for your faults and tolerate you, or just avoid you when you were crazy (if your friends are guys) and hang out with you when you weren't, but would never tell you when you were being a crazy super psycho bitch.
So, I'm gonna work on my over reacting. No promises, because often I don't realize I'm doing it until after the fact, but I'm going to try.
Anyway...not much else to say right now. Have two Halloween events on the same day next weekend, so that will be a challenge...I don't know, I need to talk to JJ...
I should probably get to work.
It was fun, even if there were 60 mile per hour gusts all day and it was pretty chilly. You make it outside, unless you really like having a huge mess all over. Cause it's messy. We still have more cabbages left, too. I guess we bought to many when Asher, Katya and I went to the farmer's market in Edinburg (I know it's far away, but their cabbage is so huge and cheap at 1.50 for a 10lb head). So, the kraut is fermenting and in a month I'll be canning it with my mother.
I am thinking about making a third bucket and selling it by the jar. I wonder how much people would pay for it and if people would want to buy it...I don't know, really. I mean, I love kraut, and fresh kraut is always better than that store garbage...but I don't know if many people share my love for kraut.
In other news, I just discovered recently a character flaw of mine. I over react. I was kind of surprised when I realized it, and then knew it to be true. I asked my friends about it and they told me that, yes, in fact, I do over react. At first I was a little upset that no one told me. I mean, isn't that what you should do when your friends are being crazy psychos? But, as my hubby pointed out, a good friend would just accept you for your faults and tolerate you, or just avoid you when you were crazy (if your friends are guys) and hang out with you when you weren't, but would never tell you when you were being a crazy super psycho bitch.
So, I'm gonna work on my over reacting. No promises, because often I don't realize I'm doing it until after the fact, but I'm going to try.
Anyway...not much else to say right now. Have two Halloween events on the same day next weekend, so that will be a challenge...I don't know, I need to talk to JJ...
I should probably get to work.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Haunted Houses week 3, Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park
We went to Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park this week. What a drive. I was under the impression that it was near Conneaut, Ohio. Which, if I had just looked at a map I would have realized that this was a false interpretation of it's proximal location. It's not really close to Conneaut, Ohio. It's much closer to Conneaut Lake, PA. Meaning that it's in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. Either way, after our 1 hour and 45 minute drive into the middle of nowhere PA, we get there and park in the largest mud pit in which you might have the pleasure to park your vehicle. I was gonnna drive this week, and it's probably a good thing I didn't cause I think the mud would have sucked my car into it's dark depths, but I had a flat tire.
My aunt gave us coupons, so that was rock on awesome. The park boasts 9 haunted houses which take you more than 1.5 hours to complete, if you dare... We dared. So we pay and enter and...walk around without much idea of where we are going. I kind of thought that the park would be operating rides, since it's an amusement park. I guess I kind of figured it'd be like it was when we went to Geauga Lake when it was still around, you know, amusement park is operating and haunted houses are going. No biggie, honestly, I was just saying. And apparently there was some type of fall festival going on in the daytime, all the tents were up and covered from the rain in the main concourse.
We walk around kind of aimlessly for a few until we see a booth selling tickets to the dodgem cars turned into Karney horror freak show ($2 extra) and ask and she points us in the right direction. Which we might not have found otherwise, because as we walked in the indicated direction, we were kind of leaving the park. Or so it seemed. As we walked by the Kiddie Park (which they really missed out on the scare factor, the giant bulbous clown head mounted above kiddie park is purely the stuff horror movies dream of recreating) we were slowly entering into a residential block. And then, there it was, the first condemned building, I mean the first house. I think I was more afraid I would fall through the floor or down the steps or off the bannister than of anything else in the house. My fears of tetanus and caving floors would become a common theme throughout the night. Since I didn't actually fall through the floor or get tetanus (that I know of, I did get splinter), it was good for the pump of adrenaline.
We finished the first house and it was pretty fun. Found out really quickly that Pennsylvania haunted houses are very touchy-feely. I got grabbed, touched, chainsawed, punched in the head (accidentally?) once and generally haunted house groped. It was cool with me, it makes things creepier and fun. Hopefully no one tries to punch out an actor, though, I think there's a reason that they don't allow that kind of stuff in haunted houses...Needless, to say, that shit wouldn't fly in Cleveland. But, I liked it. I think it's fun. We dump out on the same street and...follow the block, passing houses where people are living, a Halloween/fall bonfire in the back yard of one, some guy sitting in his patio, people watching TV. It really felt like we were trick or treating, which made the whole thing kind of surreal in a way.
It was a nice change of pace from the normal haunted house recipe that seems to be commonly followed. We proceeded to go into Conneaut Hotel, under the beach house/boardwalk, into another condemned house, a maze in a barn made of hay, into an arcade and a storehouse. All the houses were inside, which was nice, since it was raining off and on, so we only had to be in the rain while waiting in line or walking to the next house.
The last "house" was just riding the blue streak "ghouler" coaster in the dark. Which was pretty awesome. I really like riding a new roller coaster for the first time in the dark, you don't know what's coming and it makes it even more awesome. Also, I am a sucker for wooden roller coasters, maybe it's my nostalgia from the Big Dipper. I don't know. Either way...it was awesome.
I really liked this house, even though it was really far away from our base of operations. The whole night (all 9 haunted houses) cost only $20.00, if you find the coupon, available at Arbys in the Youngstown market, you get 2 bucks off. It was an awesome deal.
I give this house 8.5 out of 10 crazy chainsaw guys.
I'm giving it such a high score because of the 'trick or treat' feel it had, the value, and the overall charisma of the place and the actors. I'm not saying the actors were great, but some of them were, and most all of them were having fun. You can tell these things. And it makes a difference.
My aunt gave us coupons, so that was rock on awesome. The park boasts 9 haunted houses which take you more than 1.5 hours to complete, if you dare... We dared. So we pay and enter and...walk around without much idea of where we are going. I kind of thought that the park would be operating rides, since it's an amusement park. I guess I kind of figured it'd be like it was when we went to Geauga Lake when it was still around, you know, amusement park is operating and haunted houses are going. No biggie, honestly, I was just saying. And apparently there was some type of fall festival going on in the daytime, all the tents were up and covered from the rain in the main concourse.
We walk around kind of aimlessly for a few until we see a booth selling tickets to the dodgem cars turned into Karney horror freak show ($2 extra) and ask and she points us in the right direction. Which we might not have found otherwise, because as we walked in the indicated direction, we were kind of leaving the park. Or so it seemed. As we walked by the Kiddie Park (which they really missed out on the scare factor, the giant bulbous clown head mounted above kiddie park is purely the stuff horror movies dream of recreating) we were slowly entering into a residential block. And then, there it was, the first condemned building, I mean the first house. I think I was more afraid I would fall through the floor or down the steps or off the bannister than of anything else in the house. My fears of tetanus and caving floors would become a common theme throughout the night. Since I didn't actually fall through the floor or get tetanus (that I know of, I did get splinter), it was good for the pump of adrenaline.
We finished the first house and it was pretty fun. Found out really quickly that Pennsylvania haunted houses are very touchy-feely. I got grabbed, touched, chainsawed, punched in the head (accidentally?) once and generally haunted house groped. It was cool with me, it makes things creepier and fun. Hopefully no one tries to punch out an actor, though, I think there's a reason that they don't allow that kind of stuff in haunted houses...Needless, to say, that shit wouldn't fly in Cleveland. But, I liked it. I think it's fun. We dump out on the same street and...follow the block, passing houses where people are living, a Halloween/fall bonfire in the back yard of one, some guy sitting in his patio, people watching TV. It really felt like we were trick or treating, which made the whole thing kind of surreal in a way.
It was a nice change of pace from the normal haunted house recipe that seems to be commonly followed. We proceeded to go into Conneaut Hotel, under the beach house/boardwalk, into another condemned house, a maze in a barn made of hay, into an arcade and a storehouse. All the houses were inside, which was nice, since it was raining off and on, so we only had to be in the rain while waiting in line or walking to the next house.
The last "house" was just riding the blue streak "ghouler" coaster in the dark. Which was pretty awesome. I really like riding a new roller coaster for the first time in the dark, you don't know what's coming and it makes it even more awesome. Also, I am a sucker for wooden roller coasters, maybe it's my nostalgia from the Big Dipper. I don't know. Either way...it was awesome.
I really liked this house, even though it was really far away from our base of operations. The whole night (all 9 haunted houses) cost only $20.00, if you find the coupon, available at Arbys in the Youngstown market, you get 2 bucks off. It was an awesome deal.
I give this house 8.5 out of 10 crazy chainsaw guys.
I'm giving it such a high score because of the 'trick or treat' feel it had, the value, and the overall charisma of the place and the actors. I'm not saying the actors were great, but some of them were, and most all of them were having fun. You can tell these things. And it makes a difference.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Cleveland area haunted house reviews, week 2
We only went to one house this weekend, Cornstalkers in Hinckley. We got a Groupon for buy four passes for $8 each, which is the only reason we went to this one (honestly I hadn't heard of it before and it didn't come up on my searches when I was looking...). Which ended up being an awesome deal, because admission was $20.00 a person normally.
Anyway, I definitely recommend this one. Even if you are paying full price (suckers...). It was the longest house we have been to so far this year, it took us an hour and some change to get through all three parts. It's all outdoors, so keep that in mind if you do go. We had a perfectly beautiful night for it, too, in the lower 60s.
What made this house good without details that ruin it? Hmm...well, it was long and interesting. That's always a plus. And some how they got their corn impossibly tall. I swear it was 10 feet tall. Genetic engineering nowadays.... but it was nice because corn haunted houses where you can see over the corn are kind of lame, no offense. The props and created scenery were a little lacking, but this house is all about ambiance and actors. We had some pretty good actors, even though they were few and far between. It wasn't that busy so they were able to double back on us and get us repeatedly, but if it were busier they might have been spread too thin.
Sometimes not having a lot of theatrical props and hydraulically operated monsters in a house is old school and fun. Ambiance means a lot in a house and sometimes bigger haunted houses rely too much on gizmos and rubber masks and not enough on the basics. I'm not saying this is the scariest haunted house I've ever been to, but it has the basics down, which is refreshing. And it was fun. The actors had fun, we had fun, it was a good time. Could they make improvements? Definitely. But were they a decent and sound haunted house which provides a good time that lasts longer than 15 minutes? By far.
My score for the Hinckley Cornstalkers Haunted House: 7 out of 10 legless zombie girls.
Anyway, I definitely recommend this one. Even if you are paying full price (suckers...). It was the longest house we have been to so far this year, it took us an hour and some change to get through all three parts. It's all outdoors, so keep that in mind if you do go. We had a perfectly beautiful night for it, too, in the lower 60s.
What made this house good without details that ruin it? Hmm...well, it was long and interesting. That's always a plus. And some how they got their corn impossibly tall. I swear it was 10 feet tall. Genetic engineering nowadays.... but it was nice because corn haunted houses where you can see over the corn are kind of lame, no offense. The props and created scenery were a little lacking, but this house is all about ambiance and actors. We had some pretty good actors, even though they were few and far between. It wasn't that busy so they were able to double back on us and get us repeatedly, but if it were busier they might have been spread too thin.
Sometimes not having a lot of theatrical props and hydraulically operated monsters in a house is old school and fun. Ambiance means a lot in a house and sometimes bigger haunted houses rely too much on gizmos and rubber masks and not enough on the basics. I'm not saying this is the scariest haunted house I've ever been to, but it has the basics down, which is refreshing. And it was fun. The actors had fun, we had fun, it was a good time. Could they make improvements? Definitely. But were they a decent and sound haunted house which provides a good time that lasts longer than 15 minutes? By far.
My score for the Hinckley Cornstalkers Haunted House: 7 out of 10 legless zombie girls.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Cleveland Area haunted houses week 1 review
So, this past Friday we went to North Olmsted's Fear Experience and Elyria's Hauntville (in that order). Originally we were going to go to North Olmsted and Hinckley but the Hinckley house is all outdoors and we are currently in our fall monsoon season so it was closed due to weather. So, here is my personal review and opinion of the houses.
The Fear Experience, Haunting a strip mall near you...
We had a groupon for this and got VIP tickets for the same price as regular tickets so we could have gone through the houses again for free as many times as we wanted (all except for martin who had to buy a regular ticket) and we wouldn't have to wait in line. That would have been good later, but this early in the season we didn't have to wait in line anyway. Oh well. Still, it would have been nice. This groupon we had to buy for a specific day and they were only offering them for the first few weekends anyway, so they had our number. Honestly, we weren't even gonna go here, it was the groupon that saved us when Hinckley fell through.
They also tried to upsell us on this ride where they put you in a hydraulic coffin and shake it around like you are being buried alive. I passed on that, too. Not a fan of being put in a box and shaken around.
These houses were pretty good. Nothing amazing but they weren't disappointing, either. The actors were okay, the makeup was good, the effects were normal haunted house fare. I mean, nothing jumped out at me and said, hey, this is super duper cool or scary. So, nothing left a major impression. They were fun and amusing and that's all one can really ask for from a haunted house in a strip mall. I mean, the ambiance is lost a little when the whole second house smells a little like the Chinese restaurant next door.
My overall score: 6 out of 10 mallrats.
Hauntville, stripmall spooks second set....
So, this one was a little harder to find, since the sign was small, unlit and located out in front of a strip mall just like it was a "vote for Hauntville for mayor" sign in the grass. Lucky for us there was also a giant searchlight above it or we probably would have driven past it again the second time.
Surprise! This one is also in a strip mall, conveniently located next to Halloween City, just in case you needed to go get some fake blood to look adequately mangled after your housing experience.
This was supposed to be three haunted houses but really it was just one house with three separate themes located inside. We always had a guide show up at the entrance to the next area to tell us we were entering the next area. The beginning of cell block 13 was interesting but then after the beginning it was all kind of just black hallways and a few rooms, and even fewer actors. The second one, psycho manor, had a little more decorations and actors happening and the third "house" (if you can call it it's own house...) the dark abyss was kind of swampy but nothing spectacular. I will tell you, I've been through the vagina tunnel (if you are a haunted house you know what I mean...it has nothing to do with an actual vagina nor does it look like one), they surprised me a bit with this one. That's all I'm going to say about it.
The website and the banner at the location claim this is "Ohio's Scariest Haunted House!!!" I politely disagree. It wasn't bad, it was kind of understaffed and a little dull in spots but it was pretty average for a haunted house. I had fun but I wasn't convinced on the "Scariest Haunted House" part of the self proclaimed review.
My review: 6.5 out of 10 vials of fake blood at 20% off retail value.
These houses weren't great but they set a good start for the Halloween season. I'll see you back again next week with our first Pittsburgh reviews.
The Fear Experience, Haunting a strip mall near you...
We had a groupon for this and got VIP tickets for the same price as regular tickets so we could have gone through the houses again for free as many times as we wanted (all except for martin who had to buy a regular ticket) and we wouldn't have to wait in line. That would have been good later, but this early in the season we didn't have to wait in line anyway. Oh well. Still, it would have been nice. This groupon we had to buy for a specific day and they were only offering them for the first few weekends anyway, so they had our number. Honestly, we weren't even gonna go here, it was the groupon that saved us when Hinckley fell through.
They also tried to upsell us on this ride where they put you in a hydraulic coffin and shake it around like you are being buried alive. I passed on that, too. Not a fan of being put in a box and shaken around.
These houses were pretty good. Nothing amazing but they weren't disappointing, either. The actors were okay, the makeup was good, the effects were normal haunted house fare. I mean, nothing jumped out at me and said, hey, this is super duper cool or scary. So, nothing left a major impression. They were fun and amusing and that's all one can really ask for from a haunted house in a strip mall. I mean, the ambiance is lost a little when the whole second house smells a little like the Chinese restaurant next door.
My overall score: 6 out of 10 mallrats.
Hauntville, stripmall spooks second set....
So, this one was a little harder to find, since the sign was small, unlit and located out in front of a strip mall just like it was a "vote for Hauntville for mayor" sign in the grass. Lucky for us there was also a giant searchlight above it or we probably would have driven past it again the second time.
Surprise! This one is also in a strip mall, conveniently located next to Halloween City, just in case you needed to go get some fake blood to look adequately mangled after your housing experience.
This was supposed to be three haunted houses but really it was just one house with three separate themes located inside. We always had a guide show up at the entrance to the next area to tell us we were entering the next area. The beginning of cell block 13 was interesting but then after the beginning it was all kind of just black hallways and a few rooms, and even fewer actors. The second one, psycho manor, had a little more decorations and actors happening and the third "house" (if you can call it it's own house...) the dark abyss was kind of swampy but nothing spectacular. I will tell you, I've been through the vagina tunnel (if you are a haunted house you know what I mean...it has nothing to do with an actual vagina nor does it look like one), they surprised me a bit with this one. That's all I'm going to say about it.
The website and the banner at the location claim this is "Ohio's Scariest Haunted House!!!" I politely disagree. It wasn't bad, it was kind of understaffed and a little dull in spots but it was pretty average for a haunted house. I had fun but I wasn't convinced on the "Scariest Haunted House" part of the self proclaimed review.
My review: 6.5 out of 10 vials of fake blood at 20% off retail value.
These houses weren't great but they set a good start for the Halloween season. I'll see you back again next week with our first Pittsburgh reviews.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Zombipocalypse, 2011
So, this weekend was the first ever Zombipocalypse. It rained. It happens. I mean, zombipocalypses could potentially happen at anytime so, it makes sense to be prepared. Here are the photos and some quick little side notes. First is the preparation. I made zombie fingers. Basically I used the fresh bacon from the CSA and wrapped it around rod pretzels and securing them with toothpicks, then baking them in the oven for about 20 minutes. I was worried when they first came out because the bacon had made the pretzels soft. I let them cool off before I coated them in chocolate, though, and they hardened right back up. And were amazing. I should have gotten a second pack of bacon, but I was worried they wouldn't turn out and I would ruin all that bacon.
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| Zombie fingers... |
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| pre-zombie fingers... |
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| Bear helped mama with her costume. |
So, day of party photos now. Mostly just chilling. Since it rained all weekend we ended up hanging in the house and the garage. We put up a sheet over the garage door and projected movies and music, it was pretty boss. Ry was diligent and actually got a fire started, too. So we had that, though it was cold cold cold and I didn't spend much time outside because I didn't want little bear outside. Oh, did I mention I let him stay up til 11? We were going to let him go til he dropped but he refused to drop so we eventually put him to bed. He had a blast. I think it's safe to say we all had a great time.
I did makeup for ry, myself, bear, tom, the shig and Brittany. I got better as I went on, my makeup (which I did first) was considerably the worst. Rachel's makeup, which she did her self was pretty awesome, and Jess pain did a pretty good job, too. Honestly, most of our zombie compatriots were pretty excellently made up. I should have made Rachel do all of our makeup, though. She was much better at it than I was. Oh well, practice makes more zombies.
JJ brought these lovely treats, which I'm going to pretend she made with CSA eggs as well:
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| Deviled eggs level 2, eyes of the damned. |
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| Zombie casual hour. Just chilling and mixing. |
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| Keef of the dead and his lovely zombie drove all the way from Maryland to hang with his undead companions. |
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| Silly survivor. It's only a matter of time before you are one of us. |
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| Zombie hoard smells brains. |
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| Hey, I can see you out there... |
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| We even had a zombie Chell. She made her own glow in the dark companion cube and leg braces. Awesome. |
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| What zombie party is complete without the second coming of Christ? And his beautiful prom queen of the damned, of course. |
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| I always feared my child would be the death
of me...
|
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Beach Body Insanity, day by day, part two
And the beat goes on. Here's part two of the beach body insanity posts. Here's a link to part one in case you missed it. My hope is that if you are just a random internet person and are lacking a buddy for the beach body program (and you really need a buddy, it just helps) you can be my buddy, even though I already did it. Just follow along day by day, and share my misery and pain and eventually feel the success. Or something motivating, I don't know. Insert something witty, clever and motivational for you and pretend I said it. Rah-rah go team!
By the way, the colors are the same. My original comments are in black, my comments from today are in red and A's comments are in blue.
Day 16: Cardio Circuit:
I hate the floor work on this one, it kicks my ass. it doesn't help when people come over and see me flailing around in shorts and a sports bra, flab flying willy nilly. Low moral day? Why do you ask?
I think this one my be my favorite one so far. I don't know why...maybe b/c it has more ab stuff that I can actually do and feel the burn on.
Day 17: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Well, I did better on pure cardio today. I didn't have time to do both, I was gonna take tomorrow off so I'll just do cardio abs tomorrow. I feel like I only have to take a few breaks during this one and I definitely feel that I'm not decimated when I'm done anymore. That's progress, right?
This was probably my best session so far.
Day 18: Cardio Recovery:
I did cardio recovery and cardio abs today to make up for missing it the other day. I actually prefer to do cardio abs with recovery than with pure cardio.
I'm still truckin' away...
Day 19: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Man, I did not sleep well last night and did this workout first thing in the morning without eating and being super tired. Needless to say, it kicked my butt. I was so tired throughout the whole thing. I really felt it more than usual, maybe that's a good thing?
Day 20: Plyometric Cardio:
this is the first time I felt a little sick working out, i'm still not sleeping well so I wonder if that's it. Otherwise a good workout.
Day 21: REST
Day 22: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
not such a good workout for me, either. I've been having a week of stomach trouble and little sleep, I guess it's finally catching up to me, I was just so tired and stomach achy throughout this workout that i don't feel it was the best I'd had.
Not too much into the workout today.
Day 23: Cardio Power & Resistance:
I forgot to write this in when I did it! yikes. Oh well, this is my favorite workout, if I have to pick one.
Not a good workout today. I was ble to finish, but only after pausing for 5 minutes or so.Day 24: Plyometric Cardio:
Not a great self esteem workout today. I really felt ineffectual and fat. and slow. so slow.
This is my favorite one. I know I've said it before, but I really feel I'm working out every muscle group in this one. I feel the most results, I guess. I'm trying out this new Berry Vega protein shake as a meal replacement once per day. It worked out okay today at work with me drinking it for breakfast. I didn't have time to have a snack in between breakfast and lunch, so I was super hungry. I usually have a banana or protein bar for a pick me up snack. Let's see how tomorrow goes. It tastes okay with the addition of frozen strawberries, applesauce, and orange juice. I'm not big on protein shakes due to the eggy taste, but this one is vegan, so I thought I would try it out. We'll see...
Day 25: Cardio Recovery:
SKipped this one cause I was sick. I'll make it up sometime.
Day 26:Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
This might be the first time I really feel good after I finished a workout. I was worried about this one because I was sick but I'm feeling pretty good right now. So go me.
Good workout today...even if I'm still feeling unmotivated. I'm getting nervous for Month 2...I hear it's a killer. I have one more workout, then core recovery week, then my month 2 starts.
Day 27: Plyometric Cardio:
Going on vacation...hope it doesn't ruin my workout schedule...
Shit. I'm sofa king gross right now with all of the dripping sweat.
Day 28: REST
Day 29: Core Cardio & Balance:
I prefer some of the other workouts to this one. I agree that hipflexors suck massively. I hate them, I do I do I do. Also, my shoulders...after a while it really burns! I really hate Tonya. Down to 150.8 lbs! Woot. NYC and Beach body workout for the win.
This was an interesting workout. I would say a little tougher than cardio recovery, but not as high impact as some of the others. My hip flexors are going to kill tomorrow. This was also a good ab workout. Sipping on some whey protein shake that is actually yummy. My jeans that I wore today are officially too big. I was able to pinch a good 1.5-2 inches from the waist. I really should have started measurements...maybe I'll do that at the beginning of my month 2...
Day 30: Core Cardio & Balance:
day two down. I really don't feel the ab work so much on this one, i wonder if I'm doing it wrong... :(
I was pretty sore after yesterday's workout today in my lower back... A coworker that is also doing this told me to keep my knees faced front with the squat exercises. This helped today. The hip flexor burner exercises can kiss my ass, though.
Day 31: Core Cardio & Balance:
I kind of think Tonya doubles as a stripper. It's just that smile on her face. Seriously. I also think that there is some no doubt cover music in the beginning of the workout. I think that I prefer when we have different workouts every day, the same thing over and over gets, you know...
Yeah, I love everything except the hip flexor burner exercises. Suck it hard, Shaun T. Instead of rushing to get all of week 5 done before vacation, I've decided not to stress about it, because I know that I'm going to gain a ton of weight on vacation. I'm going to give myself a few days to get myself back in gear when I come back and prepare myself for the weigh in and Month 2.
Day 32: Core Cardio & Balance:
So, I had to work a double today, boo on that, but i brought the jump drive to work and fit as much in as i could in my second lunch break. I only had to skip the shoulder burners which, to be honest, i really wasn't sad about. The celebratory sound my hips made today during hip flexors: pop, crack, pop, crack.
One more workout in before vacation...
Day 33: Core Cardio & Balance:
I had a horrible workout today, my kid has a jihad against sleep this weekend and I've been having mild insomnia so the combination made for a sluggish and exhausted workout. Gah. I'll do better tomorrow. veggie quinoa for the win, though. I found it in bulk so I'm super excited about that. I really want to make it for you, A.
This is the first workout that I've done since we've been back. I plan on "powering through" to the fitness test and just grow some balls and start month 2. I was happy to see I didn't gain any weight on vacation, so that's awesome....my husband's bodybuilder cousin had suggested muscle milk to avoid any pain after the workouts (stop scoffing at me). Tried some today. Holy fuck. This shit is sweet as hell...and it's the light version. I'll have to cut it with strawberries or water or some shit tomorrow. Will not buy again...but must finish 3 remaining servings. I'm not trying to bulk up, just get extra casein and whatever I need to avoid pain of month 2. He gave me other pointers.
Day 34: Core Cardio & Balance:
dude, last day of recovery week. I'm pretty scared. I don't have time to do both workouts tomorrow so I'm probably going to do the fit test with maybe the abs one and then do the max interval the next day.
I'm so scared for tomorrow. I'm going to skip the day of rest since those 9 days were my resting days and try to pummel through if work permits....
Day 35: REST
Stay tuned for part 3, the dreaded month two....
By the way, the colors are the same. My original comments are in black, my comments from today are in red and A's comments are in blue.
Day 16: Cardio Circuit:
I hate the floor work on this one, it kicks my ass. it doesn't help when people come over and see me flailing around in shorts and a sports bra, flab flying willy nilly. Low moral day? Why do you ask?
I think this one my be my favorite one so far. I don't know why...maybe b/c it has more ab stuff that I can actually do and feel the burn on.
Day 17: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Well, I did better on pure cardio today. I didn't have time to do both, I was gonna take tomorrow off so I'll just do cardio abs tomorrow. I feel like I only have to take a few breaks during this one and I definitely feel that I'm not decimated when I'm done anymore. That's progress, right?
This was probably my best session so far.
Day 18: Cardio Recovery:
I did cardio recovery and cardio abs today to make up for missing it the other day. I actually prefer to do cardio abs with recovery than with pure cardio.
I'm still truckin' away...
Day 19: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Man, I did not sleep well last night and did this workout first thing in the morning without eating and being super tired. Needless to say, it kicked my butt. I was so tired throughout the whole thing. I really felt it more than usual, maybe that's a good thing?
Day 20: Plyometric Cardio:
this is the first time I felt a little sick working out, i'm still not sleeping well so I wonder if that's it. Otherwise a good workout.
Day 21: REST
Day 22: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
not such a good workout for me, either. I've been having a week of stomach trouble and little sleep, I guess it's finally catching up to me, I was just so tired and stomach achy throughout this workout that i don't feel it was the best I'd had.
Not too much into the workout today.
Day 23: Cardio Power & Resistance:
I forgot to write this in when I did it! yikes. Oh well, this is my favorite workout, if I have to pick one.
Not a good workout today. I was ble to finish, but only after pausing for 5 minutes or so.Day 24: Plyometric Cardio:
Not a great self esteem workout today. I really felt ineffectual and fat. and slow. so slow.
This is my favorite one. I know I've said it before, but I really feel I'm working out every muscle group in this one. I feel the most results, I guess. I'm trying out this new Berry Vega protein shake as a meal replacement once per day. It worked out okay today at work with me drinking it for breakfast. I didn't have time to have a snack in between breakfast and lunch, so I was super hungry. I usually have a banana or protein bar for a pick me up snack. Let's see how tomorrow goes. It tastes okay with the addition of frozen strawberries, applesauce, and orange juice. I'm not big on protein shakes due to the eggy taste, but this one is vegan, so I thought I would try it out. We'll see...
Day 25: Cardio Recovery:
SKipped this one cause I was sick. I'll make it up sometime.
Day 26:Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
This might be the first time I really feel good after I finished a workout. I was worried about this one because I was sick but I'm feeling pretty good right now. So go me.
Good workout today...even if I'm still feeling unmotivated. I'm getting nervous for Month 2...I hear it's a killer. I have one more workout, then core recovery week, then my month 2 starts.
Day 27: Plyometric Cardio:
Going on vacation...hope it doesn't ruin my workout schedule...
Shit. I'm sofa king gross right now with all of the dripping sweat.
Day 28: REST
Day 29: Core Cardio & Balance:
I prefer some of the other workouts to this one. I agree that hipflexors suck massively. I hate them, I do I do I do. Also, my shoulders...after a while it really burns! I really hate Tonya. Down to 150.8 lbs! Woot. NYC and Beach body workout for the win.
This was an interesting workout. I would say a little tougher than cardio recovery, but not as high impact as some of the others. My hip flexors are going to kill tomorrow. This was also a good ab workout. Sipping on some whey protein shake that is actually yummy. My jeans that I wore today are officially too big. I was able to pinch a good 1.5-2 inches from the waist. I really should have started measurements...maybe I'll do that at the beginning of my month 2...
Day 30: Core Cardio & Balance:
day two down. I really don't feel the ab work so much on this one, i wonder if I'm doing it wrong... :(
I was pretty sore after yesterday's workout today in my lower back... A coworker that is also doing this told me to keep my knees faced front with the squat exercises. This helped today. The hip flexor burner exercises can kiss my ass, though.
Day 31: Core Cardio & Balance:
I kind of think Tonya doubles as a stripper. It's just that smile on her face. Seriously. I also think that there is some no doubt cover music in the beginning of the workout. I think that I prefer when we have different workouts every day, the same thing over and over gets, you know...
Yeah, I love everything except the hip flexor burner exercises. Suck it hard, Shaun T. Instead of rushing to get all of week 5 done before vacation, I've decided not to stress about it, because I know that I'm going to gain a ton of weight on vacation. I'm going to give myself a few days to get myself back in gear when I come back and prepare myself for the weigh in and Month 2.
Day 32: Core Cardio & Balance:
So, I had to work a double today, boo on that, but i brought the jump drive to work and fit as much in as i could in my second lunch break. I only had to skip the shoulder burners which, to be honest, i really wasn't sad about. The celebratory sound my hips made today during hip flexors: pop, crack, pop, crack.
One more workout in before vacation...
Day 33: Core Cardio & Balance:
I had a horrible workout today, my kid has a jihad against sleep this weekend and I've been having mild insomnia so the combination made for a sluggish and exhausted workout. Gah. I'll do better tomorrow. veggie quinoa for the win, though. I found it in bulk so I'm super excited about that. I really want to make it for you, A.
This is the first workout that I've done since we've been back. I plan on "powering through" to the fitness test and just grow some balls and start month 2. I was happy to see I didn't gain any weight on vacation, so that's awesome....my husband's bodybuilder cousin had suggested muscle milk to avoid any pain after the workouts (stop scoffing at me). Tried some today. Holy fuck. This shit is sweet as hell...and it's the light version. I'll have to cut it with strawberries or water or some shit tomorrow. Will not buy again...but must finish 3 remaining servings. I'm not trying to bulk up, just get extra casein and whatever I need to avoid pain of month 2. He gave me other pointers.
Day 34: Core Cardio & Balance:
dude, last day of recovery week. I'm pretty scared. I don't have time to do both workouts tomorrow so I'm probably going to do the fit test with maybe the abs one and then do the max interval the next day.
I'm so scared for tomorrow. I'm going to skip the day of rest since those 9 days were my resting days and try to pummel through if work permits....
Day 35: REST
Stay tuned for part 3, the dreaded month two....
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
all the parents of children under six say "hey!"
So, we took Asher to Yo Gabba Gabba live last night. And I was a little worried about a whole lot of things, if Asher would have fun, if he would be able to sit through the whole show, if he would cry when it was over, if we would be bored, if the whole night would end in disaster.
None of those things happened. It was super awesome. If you have a kid under the age of six, I highly recommend you to see this show. It's kind of expensive, we paid $34.50 a ticket after ticketmaster charges. What's sad is that the tickets were originally only like 25 bucks each, which isn't so bad. But, thank you ticketmaster. I appreciate you raping me every time I want to go to a show or concert. Just, thanks. You know I love it, secretly.
Anyway, it was at the Akron Civic Theatre, which is pretty much the coolest theatre I've ever been to ever. It was amazing and beautiful. Let me see if the internet has any cool photos of it... It's not much to look at on the exterior, but it's what's on the inside that counts.
Anyway, Yo Gabba. So, there is a huge tv screen on stage and DJ Lance comes on screen and talks to the kids. He then says he can't really hear them so he runs towards the screen, and jumps out of a hidden door, in the screen. Then he asks us to say the magic words to help our friends come out. When we chant Yo Gabba Gabba a few times the screen bursts into two panals and pushes open and our friends are inside, jut like the boom box on the show. It was super cool. We saw Dale Earndhart Jr. Jr. as our musical guest, because listening and dancing to music is AWESOMMMMEEEEE! And of course, Biz Marqie came out and did a whole segment with kids on stage doing Biz's beat of the day. It was fun.
I am not going to talk about the whole show, I really don't want to ruin it if you go and see it, and if you don't have a kid you probably don't really care. Just know there was a lot of fun and dancing and everyone had fun. I will try to post a video of asher dancing here, too.
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| It's a requirement for all parents of children who like yo gabba to know every one of these character's names. |
So, I know you want another beach body insanity post, which you will get tomorrow or the next day, I promise. Today, you are getting my Yo Gabba Gabba Live! post.
None of those things happened. It was super awesome. If you have a kid under the age of six, I highly recommend you to see this show. It's kind of expensive, we paid $34.50 a ticket after ticketmaster charges. What's sad is that the tickets were originally only like 25 bucks each, which isn't so bad. But, thank you ticketmaster. I appreciate you raping me every time I want to go to a show or concert. Just, thanks. You know I love it, secretly.
Anyway, it was at the Akron Civic Theatre, which is pretty much the coolest theatre I've ever been to ever. It was amazing and beautiful. Let me see if the internet has any cool photos of it... It's not much to look at on the exterior, but it's what's on the inside that counts.
I am not going to talk about the whole show, I really don't want to ruin it if you go and see it, and if you don't have a kid you probably don't really care. Just know there was a lot of fun and dancing and everyone had fun. I will try to post a video of asher dancing here, too.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Day by Day, adventures with Beach Body Insanity, part 1
Here are the comments I promised I'd post about my Beach Body Insanity workout with A from across the country. I really didn't think I'd make it and here I am, 8 days left in my workout. I'm not sure what to do after this, I'd like to keep the nice toning I got from my workout. I wouldn't say I'm beach ready, but I'm much more fit and Ry tells me I look good. So, anyway, here's the condensed version with some of A's comments sprinkled in for flavor. My commentary from now will be in red, A's comments from at the time will be noted and in blue. This is from the first 15 days of the workout. I'm hoping that anyone who reads this will know that you can get through this workout I can. I know you can. Cause I didn't think I could and here I am...
Day 1: Fitness Test 1:
Wow. This is...well..just wow. by the way...weight is 154 lbs today
Day 2: Plyometric Cardio:
Almost made it through before I wanted to die. Then I realized it was just the warm up. It's gonna be a long tough ride. My calves are killing me! (here I'm trying to be optimistic, I haven't given up yet)
A: Fuck. I don't ever think my calves will recover.
Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance:
So, I skipped yesterday because I felt like i was in an a car accident. Today I was still super sore but this workout was better. Also, I paced myself a little better this time and didn't rush as much to keep up with the super athletes. (I really really really wanted to quit at this point. I was being optimistic on here because, you know, I didn't want to sound like a whiny bitch to A.)
A:Oh great. More sore calves AND almost puking during every push-up exercise. I rock.
Day 4: Cardio Recovery:
This one was the best so far. I wish I could just do this one every day. I really like it when Shawn T tells me that he's there for me.
Day 5: Pure Cardio:
I think Shawn T sums this workout up nicely when he says 'this shit is bananas!" And his admission that he was scared of this one, I was too. And, I really liked it when he said, "some people say, Shawn, why are you a fitness instructor? I think it's because I wanna look good." That was freaking hard. Btw, three days in a row if anyones counting. I'm proud of myself. (it's amusing that I'm proud of myself when the workout is supposed to be six days a week and I just made it three in a row. Seriously, though, this first week was agony)
Day 6: Plyometric Cardio:
Um...I did the abs workout today, was I not supposed to do that? It was only 18 minutes, maybe that should have clued me in. --------- Went back and did the pylo cardio the next day to make up for it. I suck at the groundwork. yes I do. (Yea, I often can't follow simple directions such as which workout to do which day, you'll find that as we continue. At least I made it up).
A: Second time around isn't so bad. Still feel like crap, but not as sore. I felt great in the morning. I felt like ass by dinner time.
Day 7: REST
Day 8: Cardio Power & Resistance:
This one is sooooo hard! I think it's the biggest challenge for me. But I made it through another day, so yea! 152.4 lbs
Day 9: Pure Cardio:
Did I say that yesterday was my biggest challenge? I think I forgot how hard this one was, too. Both are my biggest challenge. This one kills me. I thought i'd feel better about it today, like I'd have more stamina and whatever, but, no, that was not the case. Oh well, at least it's hard for the people in there, too. I don't feel so bad. (Pure Cardio is actually my favorite workout from the first month, now. When I fill in the blanks, basically when I'm skipping second level plyo (cause it sucks massive testicles), I substitute in Pure Cardio and Cardio abs.)
A: I got some more yummy protein bars at Trader Joe's and odwalla bars bulk in the mail. It's the one thing that I look forward to after my workouts, besides the long hot showers.
Day 10: Cardio Circuit:
Three hard days in a row is taking it's toll on me. This was way rougher than normal. Thank goodness tomorrow is recovery. I might skip tomorrow though, and take a day off, maybe, too. I'll decide how I feel tomorrow.
A: Who would've thought that Denny's pancakes and working out don't mix? Certainly not this dumbass.
Day 11: Cardio Recovery:
Man, for some reason this one really really made me sore. I'm gonna hurt even more tomorrow I bet.
A: **** doesn't know what he's missing. I love this workout.
Day 12: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Not too bad. I'm probably not going to be too reliable to be doing this for the next couple of days due to our trip to kentucky, I'll try but I might just have to make up for it next week.
A: Getting nervous for Fitness Test #2. I'm also excited for cardio abs tomorrow.
Day 13: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Yeah, three days off makes this one pretty hard. I'm very discouraged because I'm not losing any weight, I'm at the same I was at last time at 152.4. Big frowny face for today and the fit test, well, i kinda want to skip it and just keep working out, I don't want to feel ashamed of myself because I'm not any better than last time. I really don't know if I will do it or just skip to the next workout, I can only handle so much bad feelings about it, you know?
A: Drenched in sweat and disappointed...in myself. I'm pretty sure I was doing half of the exercises wrong, especially the c-position leg raises because I felt it half in my lower back as well. And, here's ****'s quote of the night: "That last exercise was ridiculous. You know...the fucking one."
Day 14: REST
Day 15: Fitness Test 2:Okay, I did the fit test. I did okay, maybe one or two better on some of them, only one where I did worse. So that wasn't too bad. I hate push up jacks. Let me just say that. I really hate them. My reward for working out hard? Stir fried veggie quinoa. It's my absolute favorite.
A: So, yeah. We're fine specimens of something or other here. I'm so nauseous right now that I probably won't do any protein bar tonight. Maybe some gatorade will help us out. I'm pretty disappointed. I'd thought we'd do better. I did more of every single exercise except the push-up jacks...which I did less of. A coworker says she sees results in me after 2 weeks. I still can't notice anything...maybe pants are fitting slightly better...
Wanna read more? Here's part two...
Day 1: Fitness Test 1:
Wow. This is...well..just wow. by the way...weight is 154 lbs today
Day 2: Plyometric Cardio:
Almost made it through before I wanted to die. Then I realized it was just the warm up. It's gonna be a long tough ride. My calves are killing me! (here I'm trying to be optimistic, I haven't given up yet)
A: Fuck. I don't ever think my calves will recover.
Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance:
So, I skipped yesterday because I felt like i was in an a car accident. Today I was still super sore but this workout was better. Also, I paced myself a little better this time and didn't rush as much to keep up with the super athletes. (I really really really wanted to quit at this point. I was being optimistic on here because, you know, I didn't want to sound like a whiny bitch to A.)
A:Oh great. More sore calves AND almost puking during every push-up exercise. I rock.
Day 4: Cardio Recovery:
This one was the best so far. I wish I could just do this one every day. I really like it when Shawn T tells me that he's there for me.
Day 5: Pure Cardio:
I think Shawn T sums this workout up nicely when he says 'this shit is bananas!" And his admission that he was scared of this one, I was too. And, I really liked it when he said, "some people say, Shawn, why are you a fitness instructor? I think it's because I wanna look good." That was freaking hard. Btw, three days in a row if anyones counting. I'm proud of myself. (it's amusing that I'm proud of myself when the workout is supposed to be six days a week and I just made it three in a row. Seriously, though, this first week was agony)
Day 6: Plyometric Cardio:
Um...I did the abs workout today, was I not supposed to do that? It was only 18 minutes, maybe that should have clued me in. --------- Went back and did the pylo cardio the next day to make up for it. I suck at the groundwork. yes I do. (Yea, I often can't follow simple directions such as which workout to do which day, you'll find that as we continue. At least I made it up).
A: Second time around isn't so bad. Still feel like crap, but not as sore. I felt great in the morning. I felt like ass by dinner time.
Day 7: REST
Day 8: Cardio Power & Resistance:
This one is sooooo hard! I think it's the biggest challenge for me. But I made it through another day, so yea! 152.4 lbs
Day 9: Pure Cardio:
Did I say that yesterday was my biggest challenge? I think I forgot how hard this one was, too. Both are my biggest challenge. This one kills me. I thought i'd feel better about it today, like I'd have more stamina and whatever, but, no, that was not the case. Oh well, at least it's hard for the people in there, too. I don't feel so bad. (Pure Cardio is actually my favorite workout from the first month, now. When I fill in the blanks, basically when I'm skipping second level plyo (cause it sucks massive testicles), I substitute in Pure Cardio and Cardio abs.)
A: I got some more yummy protein bars at Trader Joe's and odwalla bars bulk in the mail. It's the one thing that I look forward to after my workouts, besides the long hot showers.
Day 10: Cardio Circuit:
Three hard days in a row is taking it's toll on me. This was way rougher than normal. Thank goodness tomorrow is recovery. I might skip tomorrow though, and take a day off, maybe, too. I'll decide how I feel tomorrow.
A: Who would've thought that Denny's pancakes and working out don't mix? Certainly not this dumbass.
Day 11: Cardio Recovery:
Man, for some reason this one really really made me sore. I'm gonna hurt even more tomorrow I bet.
A: **** doesn't know what he's missing. I love this workout.
Day 12: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Not too bad. I'm probably not going to be too reliable to be doing this for the next couple of days due to our trip to kentucky, I'll try but I might just have to make up for it next week.
A: Getting nervous for Fitness Test #2. I'm also excited for cardio abs tomorrow.
Day 13: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Yeah, three days off makes this one pretty hard. I'm very discouraged because I'm not losing any weight, I'm at the same I was at last time at 152.4. Big frowny face for today and the fit test, well, i kinda want to skip it and just keep working out, I don't want to feel ashamed of myself because I'm not any better than last time. I really don't know if I will do it or just skip to the next workout, I can only handle so much bad feelings about it, you know?
A: Drenched in sweat and disappointed...in myself. I'm pretty sure I was doing half of the exercises wrong, especially the c-position leg raises because I felt it half in my lower back as well. And, here's ****'s quote of the night: "That last exercise was ridiculous. You know...the fucking one."
Day 14: REST
Day 15: Fitness Test 2:Okay, I did the fit test. I did okay, maybe one or two better on some of them, only one where I did worse. So that wasn't too bad. I hate push up jacks. Let me just say that. I really hate them. My reward for working out hard? Stir fried veggie quinoa. It's my absolute favorite.
A: So, yeah. We're fine specimens of something or other here. I'm so nauseous right now that I probably won't do any protein bar tonight. Maybe some gatorade will help us out. I'm pretty disappointed. I'd thought we'd do better. I did more of every single exercise except the push-up jacks...which I did less of. A coworker says she sees results in me after 2 weeks. I still can't notice anything...maybe pants are fitting slightly better...
Wanna read more? Here's part two...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Backdoor cracked, we don't need a key
So, this blog has been an awful lot about cooking and not a whole lot about anything else. So, I promise some different content. Just because I enjoy changing it up and keep you on your toes.
I just found a book through an indirect recommendation from Wil Wheaton, it's a steampunk zombie series called Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. I know, right? I'm sure you just peed your self a little, too, just like I did when I saw that. In fact, I don't just think you did, I know you did. Just a little excitement pee, it's okay, I won't tell anyone. It happens. I bought it and I'll let you know how it is, there are three more of them when I'm finished with this one. How exciting. Also, just found out the last book in Guillermo Del Toro's series The Strain comes out on Oct 11th. Also something awesome to look forward to, you know? It's called The Night Eternal. I read the first vampire book by Cherie Priest (the one that was actually recommended by Wil Wheaton), called Bloodshot, and it was good. Not very smutty but witty and charming and good. I liked it and I recommend it. Especially if you listen to the audiobook, man, the woman, Natalie Ross, who read it, was awesome. Seriously she was the best reader I've heard so far. I reserved more audiobooks read by her from the library, unbiased as to who the author was! We will see how that turns out...
I only have 12 days of Beach Body Insanity left. 12 days. I can't believe it. I honestly didn't think I would make it this far. So, go me. And go to A, too. Cause we are in this together. I'm planning on posting my comments on each day's workout on here, if you are interested, I'm gonna work on it for the next week and post them by month (two months total). I think some of the stuff A and I say about the workout gets pretty funny. Also, I need to ask A but I want to put up some of her comments, too. Edited, of course, but still, she gets pretty amusing. So, look forward to that sometime in the near future.
Did I mention I got kicked out of yet another office? That they are tearing down the wall in that office, too? I feel like my middle name should have been Kali because I seem to bring destruction with me where ever I go around here. I put my office on a cart this morning and set up right by the front door, partially to make a point and partially because it was the only free internet hookup I could find, but then I got told that I couldn't set my desk up there and to commandeer the smaller conference room for this week as it wouldn't be used and then to see where I needed to go next week. I was upset about it earlier but now I just don't care enough to care. And I'm pretty hopped up on caffeine and so I'm too hyper to be mad. Oh well, I'm sure it'll catch up to me eventually.
I just found a book through an indirect recommendation from Wil Wheaton, it's a steampunk zombie series called Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. I know, right? I'm sure you just peed your self a little, too, just like I did when I saw that. In fact, I don't just think you did, I know you did. Just a little excitement pee, it's okay, I won't tell anyone. It happens. I bought it and I'll let you know how it is, there are three more of them when I'm finished with this one. How exciting. Also, just found out the last book in Guillermo Del Toro's series The Strain comes out on Oct 11th. Also something awesome to look forward to, you know? It's called The Night Eternal. I read the first vampire book by Cherie Priest (the one that was actually recommended by Wil Wheaton), called Bloodshot, and it was good. Not very smutty but witty and charming and good. I liked it and I recommend it. Especially if you listen to the audiobook, man, the woman, Natalie Ross, who read it, was awesome. Seriously she was the best reader I've heard so far. I reserved more audiobooks read by her from the library, unbiased as to who the author was! We will see how that turns out...
I only have 12 days of Beach Body Insanity left. 12 days. I can't believe it. I honestly didn't think I would make it this far. So, go me. And go to A, too. Cause we are in this together. I'm planning on posting my comments on each day's workout on here, if you are interested, I'm gonna work on it for the next week and post them by month (two months total). I think some of the stuff A and I say about the workout gets pretty funny. Also, I need to ask A but I want to put up some of her comments, too. Edited, of course, but still, she gets pretty amusing. So, look forward to that sometime in the near future.
Did I mention I got kicked out of yet another office? That they are tearing down the wall in that office, too? I feel like my middle name should have been Kali because I seem to bring destruction with me where ever I go around here. I put my office on a cart this morning and set up right by the front door, partially to make a point and partially because it was the only free internet hookup I could find, but then I got told that I couldn't set my desk up there and to commandeer the smaller conference room for this week as it wouldn't be used and then to see where I needed to go next week. I was upset about it earlier but now I just don't care enough to care. And I'm pretty hopped up on caffeine and so I'm too hyper to be mad. Oh well, I'm sure it'll catch up to me eventually.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I guess I could but if only I would
So, yeah, making pies. Put your orders in. Apparently everyone wants one for free, though. I can't do it that way anymore. Apples are expensive, even when they are in season, and my usual free apple hookup has run dry this year (her tree is on vacation). So, you want apple pies, you either have to come out and help me clean and core all the apples (in which case I'll give a discount) or you have to give me the apples for your pie (in which case I'll give you a really good discount). I'm not trying to be greedy or anything, or even to make a profit, just to break even with the cost of making them and the time that goes into it. I like to think my apple pies taste better than the garbage you get from the grocery store fresh and especially the frozen shit...but that's my opinion so I guess it's biased. Except for those of you who know me, it has taken years for me to feel that anything I cook tastes good, even if it did, so there is that.
Anyway, I digress, pies.
I have been put to the challenge to make a grape pie. I'm gonna do it, though I've never tried before. Here are the two recipes I found that I am torn between: this one from Allrecipes.com:
I think I prefer the second one due to the brevity of the ingredients list, sometimes less is better, you really get to taste the main ingredient, instead of hiding it behind a bunch of spices and stuff. I don't know...I guess once I get the grapes we will find out, right? :) Wish me luck...
Anyway, I digress, pies.
I have been put to the challenge to make a grape pie. I'm gonna do it, though I've never tried before. Here are the two recipes I found that I am torn between: this one from Allrecipes.com:
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pieAnd this one from nyfolklore.org:
5 cups Concord grapes
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
Directions
1.Wash grapes, and remove the skins. Save the skins. Place grape pulp in a large saucepan; mash a few at the bottom to release their juice. Cook over medium low heat until grapes come to a full boil. Remove pulp from heat, and press through a food mill to remove seeds. Combine pulp and skins in a large bowl. Stir in lemon juice.
2.In a separate bowl, mix sugar, flour, and salt. Stir into grape mixture. Pour filling into pastry crust, and dot with butter or margarine. Cover with second pastry shell. Flute edges, and cut little slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
3.Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in top crust. Cool.
5 1/2 cups Concord grapes, washed
about 1 cup sugar, depending on the sweetness of the grapes
1 tablespoon tapioca
Pastry for a 9-inch pie
Pop the skins off the grapes by pinching them at the end opposite the stem; set them aside. Put the pulp (without water) into a heavy pan, bring it to a boil, and let it boil 5 to 6 minutes. Put it through a colander or food mill to remove the seeds. Pour the hot pulp over the skins and let the mixture sit for 5 hours. ("This colors the pulp and makes it pretty.") Add the sugar and tapioca, then pour the mixture into the pie crust and dot with butter. Put on the top crust. (Irene uses a "floating" top crust—a circle of dough slightly smaller than the top of the pie—because it is easier than crimping top and bottom together and it also makes a pretty purple ring around the edge.) Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees and cook 20 minutes more until the crust is browned and the juice begins to bubble up.
I think I prefer the second one due to the brevity of the ingredients list, sometimes less is better, you really get to taste the main ingredient, instead of hiding it behind a bunch of spices and stuff. I don't know...I guess once I get the grapes we will find out, right? :) Wish me luck...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Hanging out with a mushroom man, frying turnips in my frying pan
CSA post this week! Here's the rundown of what we got:
Truck guy: what do you want to substitute?
1 lb pumpkin sage linguine
2 lb log of butter made from grass-grazed, organic milk
2 ct eggplant
2 red peppers
2 ct winter squash (varieties include butternut, acorn, spaghetti, honey bear, heart of gold, and a few more)
approx 1.5 lbs heirloom tomatoes
1 lb yellow wax beans
Quarter peck Gala apples
1 head leaf lettuce
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| Any goombas around to throw these at? |
The story on the tomatoes...so we get an email about the heirlooms that says they didn't get a hold of the Amish guy soon enough so they won't be heirlooms but just slicing tomatoes. No big deal. We get to the back of the truck and find out that the tomatoes are not happening at all. Also, no big deal. It happens. So they are substituting one of the following: apples, cantaloupe, turnips or kale. It went kind of like this:
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| Turnip and potato fritters...delish! |
Me: Hmm....I've never had them before, give me the turnips!
He looks at me, shrugs, and then gives me like 3 lbs of turnips. There were a lot of turnips. Good thing I had friends to come over and help me eat them all. I was a little nervous about how they would turn out but...they were delicious! I ended up using this recipe from Simplyrecipes.com, I used all of my turnips and made a double batch. So good.
Planning on cooking the eggplant, peppers and summer squash with the pasta tonight. If it turns out good I'll post photos...
And the apples this week? Absolutely amazing. Did I mention how much I love doing this CSA? There is talk that they might do a winter CSA as well...oh I hope they do! I'm already excited.
Oh, and a side note, the 2lb log of butter is 5inches tall and 6 inches long. It's absurd. And awesome.
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| A normal sized Gala apple for size comparison |
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