Present Tenses
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| ...leap towards the future | ||
| Take a step back in time... | ||
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Wake Up: And, replied. |
"i dont even kno what ur on about, but the taught of ya saying it in ur american accent is enough to put a smile on my face!!! just coz ur a pregnant taken mom dosent mean you shouldnt be hot, and anyone who makes you think that is bang outa liine!!!" Dude. wtf. And he actually used 'taught' again. I'm speechless, and now going to ignore this moron. I'm amazing when people are actually too stupid to realize how mean someone is treating them. He is actually so dense he doesn't get it. More on Medieval festival later. I was looking at pictures from it and I feel like I've gained loads of weight. The truth is that I'm right on track-- I found a website where you put in your starting weight (I was around 120-125) and it tells you for the month of pregnancy you're in how much you should have gained (137-142 upper ranges). I'm right around 137, not quite 10 stone. So, I'll stfu. It's just hard remembering that like, pregnancy causes you to get bigger. I'm still nearly 15lbs under my prepregnancy weight from Jane! All that aside I'm trying to eat better again. I've been just noshing on crap lately which isn't my normal diet. So I'm trying to snack on bananas and eat my two eggs for breakfast, etc. Those cinnamon rolls didn't help! Plus yesterday we had hotdogs and chips and icecream for dinner at the festival-- I just feel like I'm not eating nearly enough veg. |
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Wake Up: Circumcision |
Isn't it mad that once upon a time, in the Roman empire, that if you were walking around the baths circumcised you might get a bit of hassle (obviously because it might mean you were a Jew)? So they actually repositioned foreskin! As a cosmetic procedure! And now we can't get women in the US to stop unnecessarily circumcising boys because it "looks funny" *eyeroll*. *watching show on History about ancient cosmetic surgery |
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Wake Up: Why am I getting emails from Cow and Gate? Ugh EUmom. |
Oh look Cow and Gate is giving "Mothers to Be" a chance to win a draw worth 250 euro every month towards a night nurse from the Belgrave Agency, nanny.ie, to help with your arrival or to send you on a weekend break in Lynch Hotels. Gee whiz Cow and Gate, helping new mothers, eh? I can register for a pregnancy pack full of 100 euro worth of vouchers (coupons)... can't imagine what sort of junk its for. This sort of thing is so, so unhelpful. Then again, they have no real shame so, there you go. /rant Off to Cobh, see youse guys tomorrow. Never baked anything, I'm a big ol' failure today. I'm slacking, even in my sickness normally I can conjure up a tasty treat. |
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Wake Up: This with a side of that! |
I want you to read the average, Irish forecast. "From Wednesday onwards, up to and including Friday, there will be good dry intervals, with sunny spells by day, but showers or longer spells of rain will occur at times also, with a high risk of heavy and thundery downpours." What the hell do you do with that? It's going to be sunny BUT ITS ALSO GOING TO RAIN BUCKETS. I think they should just say "you know what? We have absolutely no idea what the weather will be like-- you shouldn't plan to, either". So, that's summer. I'd like to have a party for Jane on Saturday. However I'm a little worried that it'll be pouring rain. -- Greenstar didn't collect our bins last night for some reason. They collected all the other bins around it, but not ours. wtf? We're going to Cobh tomorrow and staying the night-- I wanted to bake something but I'm not sure what to make. I don't have enough butter to make cakes at the moment. Maybe I'll make up some cookies in the morning. As an aside, I'm still dying. I've got a crappy cough. I don't know if I'm getting better or getting worse. I'm thinking infection as I've got phlegm everywhere. I'm going to get to bed again tonight at 10pm again. Jane has been getting to bed by 7:30am but waking up around 6am... I think its having to pee that's waking her. She wants to get up and go. So that in combo with being somewhat awake (due to the sun sneaking in the window)... means we're doing our best to keep her from jumping up at that time. I nurse her, but it just drives me nuts and I can't really sleep while I do it. Neat though, I've got colostrum peeking out. Cormac, Jane and I watched the second Harry Potter film today as it was pissing rain all morning/early afternoon. Jane really likes them! "Harry Potter!" she'll say. I know, it's wrong... but its so right. There are few enough things I expose her to. Pregnant debacle: I want cereal with milk, but I know the milk will make my phlegm worse. Damnit. I might have some warm oatmeal. It'll make my throat happy. |
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Wake Up: When people don't post recipes with Tastespotting entries... |
I get annoyed. Hey- It's not a recipe, if you use some sort of pre-made dough and then list what you put inside. I saw these delicious looking pizza bites on Tastespotting and she was like "I totally put oregano and mozzarella and pepperoni and tomato sauce inside!". no.fucking.shit. Although, that Trader Joe's pizza dough looks good... too bad I can't get it! I have some peppered steaks our for dinner... I guess I'm going to make some sweet potato fries and broccoli with it. I could do a steak and broccoli stir-fry type thing... I guess we'll see when Cormac comes home in a few minutes. Maybe he'll make it something. I'm tired. One of the American ladies, Sue, who I met on the fourth (who lives just over 5 minutes away in Kilmacthomas) came by today with her husband to take both a single and double mattress off me. I'm so happy. I was barely beyond death and had to get dressed but it was so worth it. The single was just on the floor in Jane's room as a play mat and the double mattress was taking up my hallway. I can't wait to get to Ikea and fill Jane's room with a bed and storage. I'd love to get some kitchen storage too but the girls' room is the priority if we can afford it. I set up Jane's tent and she's having a blast in her "house" at the moment. The teepee is still upstairs, smelling of cat pee, because Cormac hasn't cleaned it for me (since I told him its not wise that I do it...). I prefer the tent anyways. Speaking of which, he has four gigs in a row and it sucks for everyone. |
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Wake Up: Oh the endless sea of mucus... |
I'm... sick. Luckily the weather has just gone to crap in time for me to have great excuse to plonk down on the couch and space out. Jane is watching CBeebies and Cormac is still asleep. Last night was super fun. Jane has taken to waking up, and then clinging to my neck like some sumo-monkey. "hugs!hugs!hugs!monstoooos!". Sigh. Monstoos. I'm sleeping right next to the girl, but apparently I can't protect her unless she is cutting off my air supply. So, this went on for an hour or two. Cormac home at like, 2am. Jane awake again at 6:30am. Awesome. She was just, laying there, half awake, trying to cuddle up to me (I'm sick, remember?) while she la la las. Wasn't doing me any good, so I just brought her downstairs. So I'm snotty, sore-throated and sleep deprived. Oh well, this is mommyhood right? Maybe Jane will nap later. How is she functioning right now? On Tuesday we are going down to Cobh to see Cormac's parents and celebrate Jane's birthday a bit. I'm watching the weather, if its going to be nice we'll have a little party here on Saturday. Jane's birthday is the 21st. I'm doing a sling presentation for some of the women from the breastfeeding group down in Dungarvan that morning. The important question here is, of course, when will I get to see Harry Potter!??! Maybe when we go to Cobh we could get a few hours for ourselves... Anyways, she'll be 2! 2!! When did this happen? I'm 25 weeks pregnant, when did THAT happen? Anyways. I just got seriously irritated by some guy on ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} eiretamicha's "Yes" to gay marriage vote... after going on and on about the definition of marriage (and getting pnwed by me thanksverymuch) he just ends the whole thing by saying its "immoral and abnormal and against my beliefs". Why didn't he just say "look, I'm an ignoramus and there is really no point in me arguing with you". Don't pretend you have some sort of logic on your side and waste my time. Gah. THEN I had some random person message me about guns telling me ladders kill people on accident so clearly we should ban them. I face-walled a bit.Ugh. Sick. Time to go back to dying. |
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Wake Up: Oh teenagers! |
I just had a lovely chat with Kate Moran of MummyMaps. A couple of weeks ago Cormac's mom told me about a woman she had seen promoting MummyMaps on the morning show on TV3-- and that they were looking to review child friendly places in not only Dublin but the rest of the country. I emailed the website straight away offering my services for Waterford City/County-- and got a response quite quickly! So she gave me a ring tonight and had a great chat. I'm excited, its the opportunity to write small reviews about places nearby that are convenient for bringing children-- places that adults can enjoy themselves! I know that a lot of parents shut themselves indoors but Jane and I have always gone out and about. With that said, if you are interested in writing for your area in Ireland-- go to the website and drop Kate an email! I just used the comment form on the website. She's operating well in Dublin City at the moment, but for example (I'm looking at you Elana!) she said she'd love to compile a list of say, top 10 places to breastfeed in Dublin and I'm sure she'd love input there. I'm very impressed with the whole thing. She's American, too. Took some 5th class (about 11 years old) kids to the driving range today. Cormac's mum and dad came down around noon and I had a quick lunch with them before I took off. Cormac, Breda and Paddy took a drive all around Curraghmore estate and around the areas surrounding Portlaw. I think they had a very good time. I got back around 4 and we had a bbq. I enjoyed working with the kids, although I'll admit this group is much more challenging than the previous group I worked with who were a year or two older. I'm doing an art project next week, and the week after that, Splashworld. Volunteering makes me feel good :) And kind of glad I have/will have girls. haha. Speaking of which, Harper (yeah I'm going to be silly and use the name we've picked) is kicking up a storm inside my belly. Think I had a braxton hicks contraction the other day, its getting all real on me. I've nearly gained 15 lbs, too, that helps make things real. haha My moods have been pretty okay the last few days, I'm definitely having a decent lull at the moment. I'm trying to take steps to relax and avoid getting angry or upset. I feel like seeing Blade Runner again. There is a commercial with Anthony Hopkins quoting Rutger Hauer. Cool. |
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Wake Up: Fourth of July, etc |
What a great long weekend! On Saturday, we had a fourth of July party here for a load of American expats I know through various means, mostly facebook. I had met most of the women before. Two of the newbies were from around Waterford, which was interesting. I think all the men got along swimmingly (all were Irish save one I believe!). The morning started off pouring rain, but by quarter past 11 the sun came out and we had a great day. No get together is like a get together with other Americans and everyone was making note of it. If you were to get a large group of Irish women together, most who had not met one another before, you wouldn't have the type of conversation we were having. That's a generalization, but we all felt it. And a good few of them actually like Ireland! Anywho, got my cheapy Tesco grill up and running-- BBQ ribs, hamburgers and hotdogs and so much food. Bless us 'mericans, we know how to throw a pot luck bbq. I feel like we cheated because we got so many leftovers. In particularly, ionracas's buffalo chicken dip. Talk about a preggo's wet dream! Carrie also brought me a jar of grape jam, I can't wait to eat that. I was almost out of the other Welch's jelly. It's nothing but various forms of sugar my body can't process with a hint of grape flavor, but I'm over it.That night one couple and their two kids (Laura and Russ-- but American from Ennis, and their kids Molly and Quinn) stayed with us. Jane loves older children so, so much. They had a blast running around and having a "sleep over". I enjoyed having a late night chat with them, as Cormac was off to a gig earlier in the evening-- they are newly ex-Jehovah's Witnesses (that is, in the last 2 years they left) and now atheist. They were off to a humanist meeting in Dublin the next day, I wonder how it went. On Sunday, Oona was free in the evening and I grabbed the chance to go with Cormac to one of his gigs in Dungarvan, as it was a little earlier than most (7:30-9:30). I was wrecked from the party, so I was fading around 8:30. We grabbed a disgusting McDonald's (I know) afterward because I was starving and I drove home (Cormac had a few pints for the first time during a gig in ages). I hadn't seen Cormac playing (besides during his uncle John's recent wedding) in over two years. Bizarre. I don't miss it. Well, not going out where we were. Loads of drunks, getting that inevitable drunkie who wants to have a chat about something no one cares about hovering over you, wenchy ugly woman dressing up like hoes. No thanks. As soon as the gig was over they started a DJ playing club music (yes, it was a pub)... I was ready to get out, I'm just an old lady who'd rather have a drink in an old man's pub. I'm been sleeping a lot. I'm exhausted. I'm trying to take some iron because I suspect that could be an influence. I'm heading in with Cormac in a little while to do some shopping as the cupboard is bare, and probably popping 'round Angelica's for a little while-- I'll see how Jane is doing. Tomorrow I'm taking some kids to the driving range from 1pm-4pm (I wasn't aware of the times when I agreed to it, and of course Cormac's parents are coming by as well and I'm going to miss part of their visit) for Foroige. Thursday is La Leche League. Busy busy. Jane just referred to a small ball as a "baby ball" and a larger ball as the "mommy ball". Cute. Have I mentioned, again, I really loathe people who thrive on being pretentiously intellectual via LJ communities? I really hate that. |
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Wake Up: I could use sleeping in and a few naps every, single, day. |
I have really got to stop arguing on the internets. It stresses me out too much, and I'm realizing I'm reaching that point I hear come up now and again about, not defending your stance, etc (well, on some things, in this case, religion-- don't get too excited!). And this isn't even in the Booj! Jane, gah, finally asleep. She's had a... long day. Rainy days are going to be increasingly more difficult to deal with since she's been so used to running free in the garden all day long. I'm sure this will go down well after summer, and we're stuck indoors, at home, with newborn baby sister. Anyways. Forecast isn't looking great for the week, feck it anyways. Saturday is "showers", which could mean anything from no rain to lots of rain in Ireland. Cormac is a little worried about cramming 21 adults + kids into our house were it to rain all day. I'm not all that stressed about it. We'll figure it out. Happy fourth of July, eh? My mom smuggled me some sparklers in the mail, along with A1 and bbq sauce, and about 10 packs of marshmallows for my fondant. Of course, just as Lidl is about to start selling them in their "American" line (they sell things like "sandwich sauce" that I've never heard of in my life, but apparently is American. I'm afraid to know what that is). I went to the Midway Youth Project here in Portlaw this afternoon, its part of Foroige (fur-oyg-a? think so). Worked with a few 13/14 year olds (1 years). They were well behaved and easy to get on with. I'm pretty laid back, and the language of this age is sarcasm which I speak pretty well-- we painted their silhouettes on the wall. Signed up for a few other days, some field trips. I don't think your woman realizes I'm pregnant. Had to turn down the water sports and mountain climbing outings, sadly. Plus, they are all day gigs and 9:30-5 would wear me out. I'm happy to work with teens. The ones coming to the group are targeted from suspect "problem" families or could be inclined to a bad path (an alcoholic parent or single parent family, etc etc). She's thinking she wants to stick me in with the older, more challenging teens. I'm okay with that. Tomorrow we're driving out to an "eco lodge" in Lismore to pick up some old glass doors to build a greenhouse with. I'm looking forward to Lismore (it IS beautiful, even though the forecast is, you guessed it, RAIN!). Plus, they have chickens and a self built adobe pizza oven I'm curious to ask about (who needs a bbq when you've got an outdoor adobe oven, oh yes). I want to make a cake for Saturday. Better bake that up tomorrow. Nothing else terribly exciting going on, I know I've been neglecting LJ a bit. I'll work on that. My food blog is sitting there waiting on an update, too, but my last recipe I forget to take a picture of and so, I'm teh fail. |
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Wake Up: Parents who hate kids befuddle me |
Why is there this assumption that all children/babies are disruptive? I mean, honestly, there are a couple of gals whining about bringing babies to movie theaters because even if you take the baby out as soon as they start crying that a 5-10 second disruption of their precious quiet time. ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} parenting101 poured out the hate on one lady's plans...Shut the fuck up, would ya? Jesus Christ. Some people are uptight and inclined to be whiners. Maybe I'm just seriously laid back, but it takes a lot to annoy me. It annoys me when people drive up my ass. It annoys me when people ignore their kids while they cry or whine instead of taking them out of the place and attending to their needs. It annoys me when someone is speaking loudly to a friend in a theater or restaurant. It annoys me when people can't hold open a door or walk straight into me. It doesn't annoy me when kids are present somewhere, even if I left Jane with someone to get out for a while. It doesn't even annoy me when a baby cries, as long as the mom is handling it. Some people have some sense of entitlement, I swear to god. Although, its curious how when I claim I have the right to bring my baby, who is likely to be sleeping and nursing (we brought Jane to the theater a few times as a young baby, I covered her ears), to a theater, I'm the asshole (which is hilarious, because in real life, come on, I'm a crazy nice and seriously considerate person). If she were to wake, cry, and it take longer than 5 seconds to settle her I'd go home (my loss). I don't think its much to ask for the tolerance of others for a possible, even unlikely, 5-10 second interruption during a movie (which they probably can't hear and wouldn't disturb them any longer than a person walking out of their row to piss). That goes for theaters, restaurants, or even the grocery store. Hate to break it to you, but kids and babies are not generally banned from theaters when a parent is present, thus they have a right to be there. Anyways, I'm always having arguments every few months over where babies can be. Jane has been everywhere. Classy art museums, Parisian restaurants, numerous plane flights, movies... and all we've ever gotten are tons of compliments on how well she's behaved. Children need to go out places. They need to be socialized and learn how to be out and about. We had a good couple kids at the house in Cobh this weekend and they were all really well behaved and its because they are all children who spend loads of time with adults. The wedding this weekend went well, great weather and a wonderful venue right on the Cobh Harbour. I need to upload pictures. Sun was (and is still) shining. It's also, warm! Highs around 70-75, which might as well be scorching for Ireland. I had to water my flowers because the ground was so dry. Amazing. Tomorrow I'm getting Angelica, Barry and the girls over for some garden time and food-- hopefully getting the paddling pool blown up. Took Jane around town today after running around at Angelica's for a while during our LLL talk while she slept in the stroller. I had some fliers printed for Boho Kitchen with phone number tear-offs. Hopefully I can generate some business this way. I have to call Tramore garda station tomorrow to see if my card is in yet. Bah. We have a lot of spinach. It's growing out our ears. The raspberries have loads of berries already starting to grow and a few ripening... its so exciting. Tomatoes need to be transplanted into bigger pots since I think they are crowded... some okay look strawberries... peppers look great and have flowers... cabbage and broccoli have caterpillars so we are dealing with that. Onions growing. Growing veg is fun times. More updating later. 23 weeks pregnant now-- saw not the doctor I was meant to see to discuss my chances of cholestasis and how that would effect my plans for birthing... seeing as I want a homebirth at the moment and thats not likely if I get cholestasis again. I was told I'd have checks throughout to see if I had recurrence. I ended up seeing some very emotionless female Indian doctor who barely looked at my chart (even though it had a long letter written by the midwives to the doctors I was SUPPOSED to see). She said "oh well, we won't check for that unless you have itching, and probably not after 28 weeks". Um. I get that, but, I'm paranoid and think I have itching now and again [interrupted] OH its really intense itching... NO SHIT I KNOW THIS I HAD IT BEFORE. *facedesk* No point it saying any more than that because well, she answered her mobile twice while we were sitting there and she was clearly uninterested. I had one douchebag doctor, I don't need another. I'm tempted to say nothing the whole pregnancy and take my chances no matter what happens. Did I mention I waited 3 hours for her to tell me nothing? Oh yeah. I waited three hours with Cormac and Jane tired in a hot hallway full of pregnant women for her to tell me nothing. Neat-O Waterford Regional. I'm letting the midwife know how upset I was when I see her at 28 weeks. |
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Wake Up: Butter, fold, fold, chill, butter, yum! |
I'm just done crying like a baby because I just say the episode of Ghost Whisperer where Jim dies for the first time. I'm ridiculous. Last night I watched a Criminal Minds where some kids brother killed him and the parents covered up the murder to protect their other sociopath son. Then I caught the end of Unfaithful. So I was a big ol' teary eyed hormonal sob cloud. Then I was just thinking about the situation in Iran and got a bit upset, too, and a car bomb in Iraq. Ridiculous. Pretty easy going day today. Ran in with Cormac for an hour and grabbed up some apples for a danish apple braid I'm going to make up in the morning. I made the pastry this evening and I want it to chill for a while. I'm also going to do a fry up for Cormac so I got some rashers and sausages. Went out to Maura and Vinnie's as we've been trying to make plans for several days now. Had a light lunch and went out to Annestown to see their polytunnel and all their veg out there. Amazing piece of land, 6 acres, over looking the water with the Comeragh mountains in the distance. Windy. Not the kind of place I'd want to be on a bad weather day but the exact place I'd love to be on a good weather day. Today was pretty good. Jane was having a blast running around with the kids. She loves big kids. We're off to Cobh tomorrow morning. BBQ with the family during the day and John and Louise's wedding on Monday. Doctor's appointment on Tuesday afternoon. Meeting with a woman who is in charge of a youth activity group here in Portlaw on Thursday to see if I can volunteer to help out. They've started it up for 10-18 year olds, you know, just like crafts and hanging out and pool tables and that sort of thing. I can get on board with that, Cormac and I were just discussing setting something like that up if we were still around here when Jane grew older. So, I'm LJ out for a few days. |
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Wake Up: Iran makey me sad. |
Anyone who might be able and is near Dublin. There is a protest planned for what has been going on in Iran- the election fraud, the demonstrations, and the firestorm of violence: Thursday 16th June, 2pm-4pm, outside the Iranian embassy, 72 Mount Merrion Ave. I wish we could go. I mean, we could... It really bothers me, I'm sad for these people. I'm glad to see so many strong voices and faces standing up from within the country. --------------------------------------- Jane went straight to bed. She's been pretty good for the last week. I think it took her a long time to adjust from the time changes and it didn't help that she was bringing down that last canine tooth, either. Now we have a total "routine". Some nights we have a bath-- tonight we didn't. Then its teeth brushed, PJs, close all the curtains and climb into bed, read a few books and have some mook (milk)-- fast asleep. Cormac does this without the mooks of course pretty easily, too. She needs that wind down, and she knows what to expect. She goes upstairs willingly "sleepy sleepy?". Then she says bye bye/goodnight to everything as we go upstairs. Cute. Cormac is working another 30 minutes later. Ugh. So he won't be home until 10pm, again. I think he's off all day tomorrow, though. Had tomato, couscous, white bean, garlic and spinach soup for dinner. Jane sucked down a whole bowl (it was thick, not runny at all). I told Cormac what I made (he had a McDonald's!) and he ycked at it. haha he loves my "soups". They are healthy! These Aptimal ads with the fake "immunofortis" commentary pisses me off. wtf is immunofortis? Oh yeah, some word we made up for you to believe it creates a fake barrier of immunity around your baby (they like, put this glowing outline around the babies in the ad). *eyeroll* |
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Wake Up: Thank vishnu's uncle! |
I have forbearance on my federal loans! One more payment not to worry about until next summer. I have graduated payments for my private loan so that's only $130 a month for the next year. Hopefully that means I have the lee way not to be saving money. We have John and Louise's wedding this weekend and I managed to snag that dress off ebay for Jane. The lady posted it out the day I paid so I should get it... probably tomorrow. We'll head down on Sunday. Cormac's sister is doing me a big favor and bringing me over some cake boxes and boards from the UK since they are driving their car over. I was going to make a cake for Sunday so I'll probably do that on Friday. Something with whipped cream icing to keep it light. As I mentioned, we're having a fourth of July party for some American expats I know. If everyone shows, there is going to be just under 20 adults here! That's excluding the load of kids who will be coming as well. I love it! We're doing a pot-luck sort of deal and hopefully we'll have been able to buy a good bbq by then. One woman has her own cows so we are getting beef straight off the farm, yum! Cormac hung up our 3'x5' American flag, haha. I keep joking that the neighbors are going to think we're nutjobs. Hopefully the weather will be nice so we can be outside on the day. In other news, Jane has been using the potty all by herself. We have the mobile kind that you can put anywhere so she just strips off her cloths and hangs out naked now and then. The last three days shes been going in it. She has done pees AND poos! She missed once yesterday and once today... I think she just didn't get the urge and connect it quick enough. That's okay, we're getting there! She just went for it the other day and its amazing how quick and far she's come in a matter of a couple days. She wants to do it. Maybe we'll be nearly potty trained when number two comes along? That would be most excellent! I went in and paid to get my garda card, again. Now Cormac can go and sign on and get the money he is entitled to for the summer. We're getting nearly double what we would normally get since this time they know about Jane and I. Sweet. Jane is playing a tin whistle at the moment, its both cute and immensely irritating at the same time. The weather was amazing yesterday. We were outside all.day. I went into town in the morning and did a bit of wandering (bought two blue suede pillows at 2.85 euro each on sale in Debenhams and some clear out stuff for 5 euro and less at Sasha, amazingly!). Came home to Jane butt naked in the garden. I cleaned out her the sand pit I bought her and had filled with stones and put in two bags of sand for her to play in. I think she played for hours. I read a book! I was thinking I really wanted to read about childbirth but my mind is set on reading about child psych and discipline at the moment. I'm reading "Discipline without Distress" and nodding the whole way through. Basically we don't/won't do punishments and rely on logical consequences. I'm getting a lot of tips for coping and the more you understand where your toddler is coming from and why they behave the way you do the less likely you are to quick to anger. I see some people just punishing all the time and trying to control behavior so much and getting really stressed, while their kids are not responding to the treatment at all... I just find this subject really fascinating. Cormac is working until about 9:30pm so I've gotta decide on something to make for dinner for Jane and I now. I can make something all beans/healthy since Cormac doesn't have to eat it :D New pictures on facebook of the garden, my belly, and Jane. Jane just had her second pee. |
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Wake Up: Mmm cheese |
I had an egg on toast for breakfast, I'm already starving again! Plus I Just saw a picture of fried cheese and now all I want is baked brie with some berry sauce of some kind. There is a really cute dress I think I'm going to snatch up for Jane for the wedding we have at the end of the month. Just look at it (and the cheapo price, I love ebay): http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie I have a super nice hippy looking preggo friendly dress from Bealls I paid $10 bucks for (sales, coupons, bless them!). Last night we had a big, delicious chicken caesar salad with spinach from our garden. We have so much of it. We also went for a walk in the woods and I uprooted a bit foxglove plant and replanted it in the front garden. So far, so good, hopefully it will survive. We have no food in this house and I'm starving, gotta figure out a good snack. Cormac is still sleeping as he got home at 2:45am last night from his gig, bummer. Thought we might picnic on the beach today, but its crappy forecast and wet and rainy already-- Cormac said it'd be nicer today, wrong! Food shopping today, we also have to go to Tramore to sort out replacing my garda card so we can get the dole money we're entitled to for the summer. Gah headache. |
And... why is it news that that kid from American Idol is gay? Isn't this a bit "hellllllo duh we know this already?" Please stop spamming my Yahoo! front page with this crap for days on end. |
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Wake Up: Exhaustion. |
I used angelfalling for my facebook username because I didn't want to put my name. I did one of those How Well Do You Know Me things and under pressure picked some shit questions, oh well. I'm thinking of good ones now. My enter key brings up the sound options and will only space if I use it with shift. I'm going to restart and it'll probably work okay. It's crazy when TCM starts playing movies like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil as well as City of Angels. I'm glad they are playing these movies but, don't they normally have ridiculous old films we don't want to watch? Meh. I'm exhausted. I painted a few things on Jane's wall-- a surfer dude, a turtle, a Hawaiian flower on a surfboard. Not quite finished but it looks cool. Pictures soon. I planted my flower bushes in the front garden as well, and the soil was very compact clay so it was a pain to dig into. Cormac is out drinking with some mates for a "stag" of sorts... something really low key. I dropped him off a little after 8, and now I have to pick him up at 12:30am. It went from 11, to 12, now 12:30. Sigh. I'm so tired. I'll have to haul Jane's sleepy body along with me, but its not something he ever gets a chance to do so, I don't mind it. I'm going to have earned a lie-in in the morning. And time to finish painting. I've been ultra cranky-- I'm tired and pregnant and hormonal. So, bitchy. Jane went and sat on her potty and peed today-- by herself. We didn't place her there or tell her to go. It was while we were not looking at her. Go Jane! Going to set my alarm and try to sleep a little bit. |
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Wake Up: Cheeky monkey |
Jane just woke up, climbed out of bed, came down the stairs and came into the living room for the first time. I knew she was out of bed, I heard her scampering around... and sure enough down she came. She was so cheeky "morning now?"... I couldn't stop laughing at her, it was so cute. I'm sure that was a good idea. I have a feeling this is going to happen more frequently now, lol. |
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Wake Up: Attn Channel 4 |
Big Brother is total shite. It pisses me off that instead of good programming we have this shit playing all the time. Also, I love Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and like watching his programmes. However, could he make something that looks appetizing, like, once perhaps? Meh, he's admirable at least. I want chickens. I got paint today after nearly throwing my hands up in the air and cursing Ireland and the overpricing going on here. After being ignored at B&Q and having some incompetent employee thrown my way at Woodies just to be told 2.5L of paint was going to cost me nearly 30 euro... I went to Morris's friendly ol' DIY for a last ditch effort. I walk to the paint with Jane, there is a paint mixing desk with a paint STAFF who actually knows what he is doing! I ask him the cheapest option for the color I want (a sea colored light blue/hint of green) and he gives me a DULUX 5L. It cost me 15 euro. No joking. That's special color mixed. I was so thrilled something good had happened, especially since Jane had been a bit "challenging" earlier in our search-- didn't help that I was just stressed and no interested in exploring and running around the whole store with her. I also got a few flowers for the front garden I will get planted probably Friday. Maybe tomorrow. I have La Leche League tomorrow and an appointment with the midwives (I think I'm having a scan) tomorrow afterwards. I'm going to bake something in the morning for LLL. We rented a carpet cleaner at B&Q for 30 quid and the difference is amazing. I made up my own carpet solution. It was worth renting. The carpets look great. I'm going to try to use it on the couches tomorrow morning if I get a chance. I would have done it tonight but I'm completely worn out. Cormac just went off to a late gig, but was around until quarter to 11, so I'm about to head to bed now. I've lost weight since getting back to Ireland. That's good stuff. Weather looks good for the weekend, hurrah! |
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Wake Up: Want to get some stuff done... |
So, tomorrow I'm renting out a carpet cleaning and buying some flowers. I wouldn't mind picking up a can of paint as well for Jane and (am I allowed to say "and Harper's" room? cause that makes me feel kind of silly-- but I like it) ahem, for the girls' room. I'm stupid and like this kind of thing. I have that tree I made which I think I'm just going to paint. In this real world I have no time to do something fun like mosaic it. I think I will still trace over the sculpture I made on the downstairs wall and paint it like a bit of an applique or something on the wall. I thought I'd spray paint the original one and put it on the wall in Jane's room. Alternatively, I thought about drawing a really big one and painting it on the wall but I'm trying to get a theme together in my head. I thought about beachy-type stuff, like light blue half-walls, then paint the bottom part bright white. We have pine wood. It'd work. The dresser has red drawers but that can work together. I also thought, well, maybe a light periwinkle or purple and then put up the tree and do a mystical forest type room, which might be more fun. I can do flowers and fairies in various parts of the room, on the door and window sill edges. I'm so lame. I'm making chicken curry for dinner. Just so you know, the weather is crude. We missed the one week of summer. Here's for hoping another good few days will come out of the next few months. It's barely 60F, and rainy. We cleared out the front "garden" and Cormac attacked a large plant that was taking over the plot. It's gone now. I plan to replace it with some lovely flowers and pour in some stones around the bushes. |
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Wake Up: Finding patience |
And.... breathe. Holy hell. I realize Jane is having massive adjustment issues to the time changes and the bed time changes. We haven't been having naps, we've been unable to get to sleep on time and she is waking in the middle of the night hard to comfort and then sleeping later in the morning (as we all were). So. I should be more understanding of her total meltdown tonight. Last night was okay, the night before was like tonight but toned down. She fell asleep in my arms around 7:30pm, I left her to sleep on the couch until a little after 8 and took her upstairs to lie her down. Around 9 she woke up and would not be settled. This slowly erupted into the worst temper tantrum ever. Should I mention she is also bringing in her last canine tooth? Anyways, I fought her a little over an hour in bed and lost it towards the end more than I should have. I was shouting sternly and left the room. She climbed out of bed of course and I decided then we'd just come downstairs. Now the room is completely dark, I've got one of those babytv things on with floating stars and she is camped on the couch with a pillow and blanket sobbing now and again been mostly clutching her fake my little ponies. Le sigh sigh. Phase, yeah? Time change/teething/being 2, yeah? Of course I couldn't even really nurse her (nope, not weaned yet, no milk there anymore either) because she was crying so much her "nosey!" was stuffed up with "boogies!". (and yes sometimes she is so cute in the midst of all this I laugh at her wailing). I'm breathing. I'm adjusting my emotions to be more understanding. It's times like this I'm triggered big time and start to lose my head a bit-- thankfully she's my beautiful little girl and well, that keeps me from getting too upset. She just wiped her nose and gave me her finger "wipe finger?". Oh sigh. We'll try for bed again in a little while when I'm flat out (I'm exhausted from her waking from last night). Of course, Cormac is gigging, bah, so I can't like, trade off for patience reload. Next week will be different. |
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Wake Up: Bloo Poo |
When you stick you finger into a small container of concentrated blue food coloring, and eat it, you have a massive blue, butt-staining poo! Oh, the things you learn as a parent. (you also tend to end up with a blue tongue and a blue face, but then mommy gives you a bath and scrubs your face--it's just a shame when the blue butt comes AFTER the scrubbing) |
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Wake Up: Home sweet and sour home? |
I'm exhausted. Sorry I've not been around updating about the last leg of our trip. We jumped on the plane without much hassle and the whole plane trip was manageable. Jane only slept, maybe 1 hour (and in turn I only slept that long), but in her weariness she was laying with us pretty sedate watching her very own tv with Dora and Lazytown. We got so lucky. We had the whole row of four seats behind the toilets (where the bassinets pull down) ALL TO OURSELVES. PLUS it was the new planes that have personal TVs. I finally saw The Reader and also watched Dean Spanley (meh, should have picked something else, there were loads of great films to pick from... good acting, though). The headache came in Ireland. Off the plane, waiting a million light years for luggage, then missing our bus (after telling Cormac it was leaving at 8:30am he still insisted on calling several people looking for someone to check the schedule, only to have his dad misinform us). So we waited another 2 hours for the bus. With Jane, having not slept. Fun times. She slept the entire bus journey, though, thank sweet baby jesus. Angelica and Barry in their awesomeness picked us up with our own car so we could pack our two carry on suitcases, two large suitcases, two boxes, guitar and various tote bags (I had that luggage allowance perfect too, within like, 2 lbs per person). So we've been catching up on sleep. Last two days we slept until nearly noon. Today we slept until 10 and I had to deliver a cake (did I mention I came home and the next day I had to make a Christening cake?) this morning. She was very lovely and seemed to be impressed with the cake. I even did a few adjustments to my cake batter and man, that was some delicious moist cake. I was using powdered buttermilk I brought from the states and it worked a charm. I might be getting an order in for three cakes for a wedding! I wasn't going to do weddings, but she is desperate and needs just some simple cakes. Now, It's gonna cost her 250-300 with me, too, and I have no idea how much cheaper that is than in town for a two tier cake and an extra cake (and they are hassle cakes, like, one is a chocolate biscuit cake and the other is a fruit cake, with one vanilla cake). It'll take me a lot of time. I'm charging by serving for once and the size I make my cakes she'll get way more than what she needs anyways. Hopefully she'll go with me, I haven't heard from her today at all... yikes! I'm looking forward to them anyways if she decides to go with me! Jane has been having a tough time adjusting to the time difference. Last night I had her down at 9:30pm, only to have her wake at 10:30, then 11, then fight for an hour only to fail and bring her downstairs. It was as though she had a "nap" and was ready to wake. Full of energy. I got to sleep with her close to 1:30am. Needless to say, I'm shattered. Put away all of our packed stuff, finally. I've got Jane's clothes to sort through and put away. I want to get to Ikea. Jane needs a bed, and we need some sort of large storage unit for the girls' room so we can store the bucket loads of clothes they will have. We have hit terrible twos, btw. I'm trying to readjust my patience levels. This gets easier, yeah? We missed the week of summer Ireland had, anyways. So the weather was great the last week or two before we came home, and now its, well, raining and cold. We both (Cormac and I) thought yeah yeah America's great but we'll get home and be happy to be there. Eh. We're not. All we have done is complain (and we are trying not to). Right right quick recap on Georgia too! I'm so behind. We left Florida a week before we were flying out on a long roadtrip to Georgia. We spent a few days with Ramona, Jason and AJ hanging out in Calvary, GA (total hickville/crackheadville). AJ scares Jane, so thats, fun. It's hard to visit them there since I know they want to get the hell out. We had a fun time cooking out and catching up. I took Ramona to lunch at Longhorn so we both got away for a little while. We went up to Crystal and Ethan in Athens, GA from there, which was a long drive (5.5 hours). Their house is very cute. They bought a cheap place near town where a lot of professors live and did the place up (new kitchen floors and counters, new paint, cabinets, garden, etc). It's very nice. We were well impressed with Athens. It's a bit like Gainesville, but not so, Floridian. Cormac was in love with the place. We went around to a few bars and they had a lot of specialty brews... everywhere in America is SO DAMNED FAMILY FRIENDLY it kills me. Ireland is nearly anti-child anywhere you go. I was just overwhelmed at the friendliness towards Jane and the compliments we got on her behavior (even when we thought she was being rowdy). So many things for kids to do. Hell, on the way up to Gainesville we met with Jay and had lunch in Satchel's which is like a total hipster pizza place, and in the midst of this there was a kids play corner. With like a kitchenette. I'm not kidding. No where lacked high chairs. Even a really nice burrito bar place we went in Decatur. Oh yeah! I met marlatiara, Lance and Ruby. What a sweet family! It was fun to meet them in person, but honestly, it was like I had met them before when I saw them. Decatur was lovely and really impressed me. Completely walkable (just like Athens), kids' bookshop, subway train from the centre straight to Atlanta... upcoming events for families like beach day (they dump a load of sand in the town centre and everyone comes out and plays). No knackers. Kids being kids and looking/acting their ages. People looking happy and being pretty friendly. Good weather (it was much milder in Georgia, although I'm not convinced I want to move there :) ). Houses near where my aunt lives in New York are crazy cheap. Anyways. We discussed throwing the house back up on the market. Cormac is nearly more gung-ho than me. I think this trip really impressed him with the states, he felt he fit in. I think hanging out in Athens at some of the bars, loads of outdoor seating and such, he just really enjoyed that. I did too. Now, back to the real world for a while. I need to get together with Angelica and the rest of the Grant family. LLL on Thursday, midwives that afternoon (oh yeah, I'm 5 months now), Cormac's uncle John's wedding on the 22nd (supposed to see the doctor on the 23rd but I'll have to change that). It'll be nice to see some of the Kavanagh crew. Cormac's brother's wife Catherine is pregnant! Due one week after me! See, the Irish are not hip on well, sharing that they are pregnant. They are not really announcing it and we didn't even find out until well, a few weeks ago. Which makes me feel horrible since we've been getting all the congrats right in front of them all this time. We already know the sex and the name is picked. I don't think that's weird. But its very, un-Irish. Anywho. Fourth of July due with the American girls here at the house on well, July 4th. Lots going on. Gotta make some cake fliers. It is good to be home, though, in a lot of ways. |
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Wake Up: Home to Ireland soon |
Changed our minds (convinced him!): Harper Simone. Score! Leaving Florida tomorrow. Will update more later. Hear we are going home to fantastic weather, yippie!! |
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Wake Up: Memorial Weekend adventures |
I'll be 19 weeks pregnant this week *jaw drop* Sweet. Okay. So I've gained, 10-15 lbs so far. Is that bad? Tell me plz. I can't decide if its because I'm pregnant or because I'm eating delicious food treats. Quick recap of the weekend. Drove down to my Aunt Jenny's in Crystal Beach on Friday and had a smallish cookout. Jane had a blast while we had some chit chat just climbing in and out of the screened in area and around the pool/tiki hut. We head from there down to our room at the Barefoot Bay Resort and Marina on Clearwater Beach bayfront and checked in. Starving at this point from lots of sunshine, and Jane fresh from a nap we went down to the beach to eat our dinner at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill with my aunt and her husband, my grandma, my cousin Matt and his friend Cristy. I just realized I did get one picture of my cuz- we didn't get a chance to spend enough time chatting with one another but we have plenty in common (not to mention he's a total atheist). Had some nice grilled Caribbean Jerk Shrimp and enjoyed the beach. Jane LOVES the sand. Went out with Jenny, Roy, Matt and Cristy for a little while and spent some time chatting alone with Matt and Cristy which was great (and too short!). Day two we had breakfast and went straight out on the beach and enjoyed the whole day in the sun. Cormac, Jane and I have fantastic tans now. My dad hung out at one of the pavilions and my mom, Jenny, Cormac and I went out on the sand. She even got down in the water which was a big surprise seeing the drama we had over the pool. Warmer water perhaps? Lots of people/kids already in the water? Probably. Had dinner at Crabby Bills which was alright-- your average fried food beach fare. Cormac and I got some time out on our own in the evening. Monday (Memorial Day) we left our room and went down to my aunt Kim's in St. Petersburg for a cook out. Lots of family and food but it was really hot out. Jane was being the star of the show until her petals started to seriously droop. She was asleep in the car within seconds once we left! Now we're home and about to leave in oh, 30 minutes for Gainesville. Just stopping there as a half way point for lunch with Jay. From there we're heading up to Ramona. Then to Crystal's in Athens Thursday night (5 hours away). Marla on Friday in Decatur (more than likely, unless the weather is bad) and the weekend with Crystal and Ethan. Back to Citrus on Sunday. Flight home to Ireland on Tuesday. Home in Ireland Wednesday morning. Oh, might be hosting a Fourth of July party with all the America gals and their families at my house. If you're in Ireland and wanna celebrate, come to my place! (I'm looking at you Jessamyn!). I figure Clare will be gone by then? Bah. We'll see, unless the gals veto my place as being too far to travel to! Angelica and the gang might be borrowing our car for a little while, so they are going to pick us up from the bus stop when we get back in Waterford with our car (thankfully! I didn't want to lug around boxes and suitcases trying to figure out how to get home). Looking forward to seeing the Grant clan again. Do I miss my home? Yeah... sigh. Do I miss Ireland? Meh, not too much, honestly. Do I remember that I wouldn't move to Florida? Yes. Do I want to move to America? Hell yes. Will I shut it now? Sure. Georgia time. Pictures on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 |
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Wake Up: Oh jesus christ, literally. |
The booj gets so bent out of shape over religion. It's hilarious from a group of people who have no problem constantly criticizing how other people parent. And I said I was going to stay away from Booj on my vacation. What can I say, its been a rainy two days. I'll say this, again. Religious beliefs are not free from criticism. I'm totally over looking like an asshole when I criticize them. On one hand, I'm almost at the point where I ignore the debate. On the other hand, I'm just a Dawkinesque asshole who can't leave well enough alone and truly feel that a lot of religious beliefs are dangerous to the advancement of our society. Anyways, I have a rep now on booj, its seems, for being the asshole agnostic atheist. I'm okay with that. Ah, and that's not a religion, btw, no matter how many times someone would like to argue that it is. Lack of particular belief =/= type of that belief. Anyways, moving on. I felt the Spawn move. And I want to share the name we've decide on so bad, but Cormac really doesn't want me to. It's Simone. Shh, don't tell Cormac, its in black so he prob can't read this... I'm so going to get in trouble-- don't mention it in the comments!!! |
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Wake Up: Florida Update |
I'm sorry I haven't updated. I'm just too busy, you know, living my life. Ha! It's great to be busy doing so many other things that you don't feel the need to waste hours on the internet. I'm not sure what I've updated about, but we've been enjoying our time here. We went to Howard's Flea Market outside Homosassa and picked up a few things (including 600 count Egyptian cotton sheet set for our bed for 15 bucks and a push car for Jane to use here for 5 bucks). Cormac loved it, and took a lot of pictures to prove its existence back home. I forgot how much I love things like that-- even the cheap food places that have fries and burgers and hotdogs at the flea market, or the people who set up with loads of junk that's clearly been rotting in their garage for the last 5 years. Beautiful. Saturday we are supposed to go to Clearwater beach for the weekend. We'll spend the early part of the day with my family at my aunt Jenny's, and later they'll join us for dinner down in Clearwater Beach. Fingers crossed the weather is good. I can't complain, we had awesome weather until this week-- the last few days have been rainy. Instead, Cormac, Jane and I went to Ocala yesterday, had lunch at Chili's for 10 bucks (thanks gift card and coupon) and hit Michael's and Old Navy. No Target, because well, I'm poor and there isn't anything I truly need from there. Cormac wants to go back for more t-shirts at Old Navy... we might shoot down to Brooksville today or wait and consider the farmer's market in Ocala tomorrow morning (unfortunately if its raining it might not be on). We are heading up to Ramona in Georgia on Tuesday, spending two days, then heading up to Crystals. We'll hopefully get there Thursday evening and I'm hoping if marlatiara is free we can meet up with her on Friday while Crystal and Ethan are working. It will suck if the weather is horrible the whole week. 1. driving in heavy rain will blow 2. we can't go hiking. We'll see!In the meantime we've been spending our evenings this week with Jimmy. I had a candle party last Saturday and Ramona came down, as did Paloma and Jay (who we will hopefully lunch with when we stop in Gainesville on our way up to Ramona, its a good halfway point), Jim and Ashley. It was great to catch up (and I got like, $170 in free candle shit, which I can't complain about). Anywho, evenings playing Risk with Jimmy. Cormac is pissed because again, he has lost all our games. I won last night :D How I'm good at this, I don't know. I've got to start packing my "stuff" bag. I have to see how much all the stuff we've bought here weighs, lol. At least we've taken it easy on clothes buying this time. We budgeted every cent so its been tight this time around. New pictures on Facebook. Our tans are looking pretty good-- its a solid coat of shading (not crazy beach all day tan). Ahem. Life is good. Jane's loving this. |
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Wake Up: Party time! |
I've just uploaded a lot of pictures from the zoo yesterday on to Facebook. It was great. Today we went up to the flea market in Homosassa and had a look around. You know those fisher price cars you push with your feet? Got one of those for 5 bucks for Jane while we're here. When we went to the zoo in Tampa (which was loads of fun) we also went to Whole Foods. My god (elana you know what I'm think)... I was nearly in tears. God I love Whole Foods. I'd update more about what we've been doing, but I don't have time (I love it). Just know we're swimming in the pool and relaxing a lot. Tomorrow is our partylite party. Yeah, I know, selling candles. But its for socializing really. I made a cake (which is fn melting! my buttercream just squished out of the cake layers in a way I'm not used to because its so much warmer in this house, like, 10-15 degrees warmer, than our house in Ireland). We have salsa Cormac made and I'm going to make bean dip and quiche in the morning. I'm looking forward to seeing some people!! We have rum, just saying. If you want to come, the party is at 2PM. My cell is 352-220-3495 or if you comment to me I'll message you our address. |
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Wake Up: Had the scan... |
IT'S A GIRL! Feck, now I've gotta decide on a girls name! I'm delighted, actually, I kind of wanted another girl, deep down :D |
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Wake Up: Happy Mother's Day |
You're all amazing moms and I'm so happy that I know you, even if its just on the internet. It makes me feel like I have a little comradery (especially before I had any real life crunchy mummy friends). I hope you guys are getting the special treatment today! We're off to Cedar Key for the day, going to play on the beach and have some lunch. Tomorrow, we find out out the sex of spawn 2! |
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Wake Up: Safe in Florida |
Finally here in Florida. Jane was pretty great on the plane (I didn't even have to drug her, hah, just some Bach's Rescue Remedy). 10 hours is a long time to be on a plane with a toddler, but we had 4 seats to ourselves. Nothing else particularly eventful about getting here (besides going through security AGAIN coming through on the Orlando side). I plan to avoid the internet as much as possible. Well, wasting time on it, that is. Two things, if you want to come to my house on the 16th for the Partylite party, at 3pm, comment to me and I can email you directions to my mom's. My cell is 352-220-3495. Call, text, whatever. I will be online daily anyways. Time for sunshine. The heat is fantastic. My hair/curls look fab because the water isn't so hard. My skin feels soft and its not super dry. Love it. |
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Wake Up: VHEMT |
Um... what? http://community.livejournal.com/vh *facesmack* Yup, that's a great solution. |
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Wake Up: Hey, this is a decent film! For once... |
LULZ I forgot that Hugh Laurie was in Man in the Iron Mask. And he has to wear a ridiculous wig that has me singing the Blackadder theme song. I'm so happy I'm an American who is aware of the real Hugh Laurie. I'm going to sit back and relax and watch this film. I'm exhausted. --- To those of you with more than one kid, did you ever while pregnant with subsequent kids have a real moment of "holy shit, I'm having another one, awesome"? I'm very... unaware of this pregnancy at the moment. Jane is so cute, she's changing so much everyday, she occupies my mind most of the time. But it just hit me, I'll be doing this again, with a totally different kid I'm going to somehow low as much as Jane. It's beyond me how I can love another child as much as I love Jane. Awesome. |
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Wake Up: So hungry all the time, give me food! I'm going to make an egg sandwich. |
I had a busy day today, I felt very... accomplished. Jane had us up a little after 7am this morning, the beautiful alarm clock that she is. I had my breakfast (which has been an egg sandwich for weeks now. I'm just loving the egg slightly runny on whole grain with a touch of mayo and spinach. YUM), and I brought all the clothes upstairs (we just washed everything). I managed to get myself and Jane just nearly packed for our trip. In fact, I don't foresee adding anything since my good bra and jeans are out and likely to be worn on the flight. Plus its still ridiculous cold here so I haven't been breaking out the tanks, t-shirts and quarter-length pants quite yet. Jumped on the indoor trainer for my bike for the first time today as well. It's weird, different, not like cycling on the road. It's a great workout, though. You sweat much more because the wind isn't cooling you down (although I had the windows open and it was adequate to keep me cool). I was able to get a better workout, I believe, because I was keeping a constant pace. Usually I spend 20 minutes struggling up the hill road and 10 minutes mostly flying back down it and getting home. This time I was cycling steady for 30 minutes (while watching a Family Guy episode). Anyways, I was starving after that. And I'm feeling, well, a little sore in the abdomen. I feel like I ought to take it easier next time. Eh. I'm going to make this tomorrow, because it looks amazing: http://sarahnett.wordpress.com/2009/0 Plus, I'm embarrassed to say, I've never made pasta before. I know, how could this be? Well... I'm not 100% how I'll cut this pasta. Can I just, roll it out thin and cut it into strips with a knife? I need the pasta attachment for my kitchenaid. Either way, I've got lots of fresh spinach to use up so why not? Just emailed schmoomom about our plans to get to the airport. This is the stressful bit for us. We were going to go up and stay with E and co. (because they are wonderful, generous people we don't see frequently enough) the night before out flight, but Cormac is working late teaching on Wednesday and buses and the like ah. Too much travel. Now the plan is to catch a bus from Waterford City direct to the airport early on Thursday morning (like, 3 or 4 am)... wait, just looking at our tickets, our flight is at 11:50 am. I'll remind Cormac of this. He's convinced if we are on the bus at all during 9am traffic it'll take 10,000 hours to get to the airport. I think if we grab the 6am bus we'll be there on time. PLUS we can get some sleep, and we're more likely to talk someone into giving us a ride to town (or getting a cab). So, bus direct is best. Gotta look at the times now. I think its hourly.I have to take Zeppe to the kennels at 6pm on Wednesday. Self reminder. Cormac is off all day tomorrow (well, I think until the evening, like 8 or so, he has a gig in Kilkenny, oh yeah more on that). So, lots of garden stuff if its dry, I reckon. Tuesday and Wednesday he's working so I'm going to track down my lover Angelica and force her to spend time with me before I leave. The time we have left here will fly by and before we know it we'll be sitting on that 9 hour flight juggling Jane. I can't wait. About Kilkenny. Cormac played a gig there last night-- I was supposed to come along to see Malinda and her daughter but they bumped up the gig until after the match. Apparently 'The Field' (the pub) is a bit of a mad house anyways, a bunch of singles looking to get laid... but they were out of their minds and there was a stag party going on. They had a stripper there! And she stripped to NOTHING! This is at like, 7 or 8pm! Cormac said himself and the lads were just like, WUT? I'm told, and Cormac's not one to lie about this, that she was a 50 year old looking hag type not entertaining the crowd too well. The husband-to-be, however, was into and trying to finger this stripper. What the hell is wrong with these people? I swear to god, animals. This isn't the first wtf story Cormac's given from this place, but it makes all the other previous places he considered hell look like desirable, reasonable gigs. Gross. Jane was "helping" in the garden all day and I got her into a bubble bath earlier. She hadn't napped so at 8pm on the dot she fell asleep in my arms downstairs. I just dumped her into bed and she is still out cold. I'm starving now-- I made burgers, and I could eat another one... or I could be nice and leave it as a snack for Cormac when he gets home and have an egg sandwich instead. Hmm... |
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Wake Up: Freebie defriending opportunity. |
I realize there are people of faith on my friend's list and well, that obviously some of my opinions in regards to Christianity or God may be offensive. I'll remind that this IS my personal journal and when it tickles my fancy, I will criticize whomever I please. I'm an ex-Christian and feel I'm in a position to criticize it more heavily than say, Judaism or Islam, which I know less about. It's certainly not that I feel those religions or more or less valid than Christianity, because I don't. INDEED the last post I made in regards to a video I watched from the atheists convention was a critique of general belief in god, not specifically Christianity. However, here we were. If you are offended by all this "there is probably no God and yeah I think its silly for you to believe in God based on the Bible and everything that involves", you are more than welcome to unfriend me. No judgments, no me coming to your journal commenting "BUT I THOUGHT WEZ WAS FRIENDZ!?". Just unfriend me. It's okay. I'm happy to have people of any and all faiths on my friends list, and I enjoy being challenged or having discussion. But if its offending you and I'm pissing you off, know that I don't plan on stopping, and sometimes there will be posts about religion. Anywho. I love you guys. |
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Wake Up: Travel travel travel |
Cork was great yesterday. We headed down a little late so I pushed by lunch with slangofoil until 2pm. I had Cormac drop me in Carrigtwohill to meet ionracas, even if it was for a short while. I spent about 20 minutes in the shop with her, and I was lucky enough to catch her husband and adorable son right before I ran out the door to catch the bus into the city. I've gotta make plans to go down during the summer sometime.It was handy catching the bus because I was meeting Clare at Scoozi's and that's just a skip and jump from the bus station. It was much easier without Jane to hop buses and trains and hustling around the city. Plus I was able to sit and chat for about 3 hours. This still boggles Cormac's mind. Irish people simply don't sit at a restaurant and chat for hours. Now I'm a bit disappointed I waited so long to meet up with her because she might be leaving in a short while. Bummer. Today I'm going to hitch a ride up with Cormac to Kilkenny. He's playing at early gig (5-7), so I figured I could meet up with Malinda (American expat) while we were there. So I'm going to meet her in the park across from the pub, I think there is some sort of may day thing going on this weekend (which will probably just have ended when we get there, no biggie). Since its early we might be able to peek in on Cormac playing. I hope so, I haven't seen Cormac gig in oh... nearly 2 years. sigh. I grabbed up a large wooden spool that was sitting outside the studio when I dropped off Cormac. It's the perfect size for a kid's outside table. I'm going to sand it down and paint it, and mosaic the top. I'm also going to prep the walls around out patio (half the slabs have been laid down, yay!) with bright white paint. I'm not sure what I'm going to do on them, but I have black, white and terracotta tile pieces from Kate that I can start with to get some sort of design going. I have a bit of colored square mosaic tile myself but I don't think I'll use that on the wall. I'm going to do the top of Jane's table and maybe with anything I have left over a few stepping stones. I doubt I'll get around to it until we come back from Florida. WE LEAVE IN 5 DAYS! Oh, we're all clear on the teething I think. Jane's back to sleeping like a normal little toddler and not a she-devil. It's been bliss. I'm going to go ahead and keep feeling like crap. I ate a big egg sandwich for lunch and it just didn't sit well. yippie. |
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Wake Up: Following the Lord's Word |
THE GOOD BOOK On her radio show recently, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative: Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. ... End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Law and how to follow them. 1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned > in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence. 4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring > > > nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but > > > not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. The passage clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? 7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if > I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan, James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus Dept. of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia |
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Wake Up: Hello canine babies |
Oh no. So, I thought the waking at night was related to the chicken pox. Now, we've having a runny nose, random bouts of crying and grabbing our mouth.... it looks like we could be breaking through... the upper canines. PLEASE MITHRAS DON'T DO THIS NOW! If you do it now, finish in a week, kthanx. Planted my basil and coriander in a large pot for the window sill to get them out of the seed trays. Planted some sage and thyme together in a pot now in the window sill. I was going to plant my peppers in a long planter today but Jane is done with outside already. I planted sunflowers around the side of our patio. I hope they can get enough sun there. Cormac bought strawberries, broccoli and cabbage for our raised beds! I've heard broccoli can be difficult but he didn't know. It's okay. We're in search of seed potatoes. I'm holding my breath, the word on the street is no seed potatoes left anywhere. I want to get some runner beans tomorrow at a garden centre we're going to check out on the way to Cobh. Once the beds are turned I can throw down carrots, peas and baby corn. I need to bake some cookies tonight (that's right girls, I'm going to bring you cookies). I'm going to go make some ranch dressing now, if there is any buttermilk left in the fridge. Chicken salad for dinner? Sure thing. |
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Wake Up: Ground Zero! |
Calling Mexico City "ground zero" for swine flu... is just... its classic. American media is just... classic. I'm not worry about traveling. I'm not panicking, either. I feel like the news is so bored they are hyping the hell out of this. |
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Wake Up: Getting emotional over nothing |
I look like as asshole now because I thought Cormac was going to be home at 6:30. He texted me just now and said "Home in 15 mins". I gave out to him because I thought he was texting me when he was already late (its not the first time). Turns out I was in the wrong as he taught until 6:30 today. I'm supposed to remember his varied schedule, apparently. Now I feel like crap because he corrected me. Why couldn't I have actually commented on one of the days he WAS already late? Damnit. I hate pregnancy hormones, they make me feel even more emotional and idiotic than I already feel normally. |
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Wake Up: Sleeping baby |
I keep seeing recipes for Isreali couscous and damnit, I want some. It's like regular couscous but larger. It looks nice. Chicken stirfry and broccoli tonight. Maybe something with lemongrass. Thai-ish? Jane is fast asleep. I got some samples for low fat hot chocolate on the street called "Skinny Cow". Then I get home and realize its Nestle. Oh well, they were free, no need to waste them now. Do you think I should be concerned about Swine flu? Have there been any cases in Florida? 10 days. I might go to Cork tomorrow, I don't know. The weather isn't going to be great, but when can you depend on weather anyways. I'm still undecided. Cormac's home by 6:30pm tonight, but tomorrow he is recording after teaching, so he'll be finished late. That would give me plenty of time to travel somewhere tomorrow. |
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Wake Up: Hating Children |
I have nothing against being child free. To preface. I have friends who are child free. But I do have two problems. 1. You can't understand the feeling of becoming a parent, without well, becoming a parent. I make the comparison to say, being raped. I wouldn't go up to a rape victim and say "well I can imagine how you must feel", because I'd likely be screamed at "NO YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN TO YOU". While its a negative and parenthood is generally a positive, that's my reasoning. Don't say "well I can imagine what its like to be a parent". 2. I don't understand someone who says "I hate children". Correction "despise children to their core". What the fuck? Anyways, if you can see these posts, the wank is all here: http://community.livejournal.com/antith You'd expect better logic in such a community, but apparently not. Again, this is not tear down those without kids-- but I can imagine no one here who is childless would say to me "well I know what its like to be a mother even though I'm not one". It's doesn't make any sense. Just like the irrational hatred of children. I don't particularly like all kids, I don't, I wouldn't choose to you know, hang out in places with loads of children all the time. Anyways. I'm just headdesking right now over the stupidity. |
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Wake Up: Religion: What in our brains lets us believe in a God (s)? |
I just watched an interesting video, if you have an hour free, on Why We Believe in Gods by Andy Thomson. Now, I'm not going to proclaim this guy some genius, because I think he presented some slightly flawed arguments and well, didn't expand enough on other issues, but overall this is fascinating. I truly DO believe that neuroscience and the study of psychology will ultimately lead to a decent explanation of the human desire to believe in supernatural forces. I took some quick notes that I'm going to expand on now, in order of how he talks about them in the video. It takes about 10 minutes to get into the good stuff. (I make special notes about "music" and "love" since that was a recent argument for God we discussed). -I like the music part, that music developed and beat derives from the beat of the human heart. -I'm interested in how he touches on imaginary friends invented by children. This struck me straight away and it's something I had never considered before now. Imaginary friends are very, very common. It's an invented support system for a bored or lonely child. How much further of a leap is it to believe in God? -Aw, kissing Dawkins ass. It's okay, I would too. It is a sweet ass. Don't judge him, I believe Dawkins was in the audience. -He makes some stretches, that's true (I forget what he was talking about here). But with the children's ease of acceptance for "mythos" explanations, and the effort it takes to overcome a mythos belief... that's curious. He touches on this again later and I'll explain more why I like this. -Attachment! Do we lack enough attachment to other humans, I wonder? Oh okay, I see where he is going with this. I have to agree that a lot of people who dare to question their religion get sucked back in by their social network. I had trouble leaving my religion for a long time because of this exact thing. I lied to myself for a good while before really stepping out. -I have always been interested in the eye gaze stuff. It's just an interesting skill. I wonder if its something that animals have a capacity for (instead I think they have instincts in regards to body postures/gestures that we don't-- or don't need). -The MRI is interesting. I think its telling that its not some special place of the brain. It's funny because I was just talking about religion the basis of social development (I wish he had discussed more about WHY these developed). Tied into the Theory of Mind stuff he sure is going somewhere. It's interesting in the terms of talking to dead people or seeing them around (my dad swears he heard and saw our dog after she died for weeks). Inability to fully accept and understand our own death, that is, our consciousness no longer existing is pretty impossible-- this makes sense. I wish he got into it more. He skims the surface of loads of interesting ideas without really explaining where he is going with it. -VERY interesting is the delicacy of the child mind and the inability to know that the information you are getting is good or bad. What I hear constantly from well, Christians, because they are the ones I debate most, is that we have this innate system of morals. Children learn from their parents, and in general we learn from our society. And we accept this without a lot of question. This is why around the globe you see some pretty insane shit going down and people support it. There are women who have no problem walking around all day in black looking through one little slit in their veil because that's what they were brought up to believe and since it started as a child they have no reason to question it. I don't think its that much of a stretch to say the same for Christianity-- despite all the "woe is us aren't we so persecuted" nonsense they spout its much, much easier to be a believer in our society than not. I have hope around the world this will slowly change. As it becomes easier to be a disbeliever, there will be more who disbelieve. -Morality- I want to expand, he doesn't go the rest of the way explaining why its there in our brains and later in the Q and A someone mentions how this is something that religious individuals twist the other way around to support their own "God made us" views. He should have tied back to our social consciousness and the fact that this was a bi-product of advancement of society-- certain "moral" rules were necessary to work together and advance. He mentions several times about our brains developing as a means to support our necessity for advance social interaction (in addition to language, which he also mentions was a reason for our brain expansion... that I'm unsure of but it makes sense, as I said before, with language we began to organize the way we processed information in a way we could never do before). Right he comes back to language and human brain growth to accommodate it later on. -Empathy is funny, yeah, I wouldn't have thought that way but its good explaining. Coming back to this, I have to mention even now if I see 'Passion of the Christ' I get all sick and thinking "Oh, poor Jesus". This is a powerful emotion. No wonder the Catholics shoved it in everyone's face back in the day of "guilt! guilt! FEEL GUILTY!". I mean, I feel no less pain if I saw Jesus up there than if I saw someone in the street get smacked down. But I find it interesting that in Christianity this is the thing most readily thrust into your face (I handed out plenty of pamphlets in my day with that image on the front!), being reminded "but he died, FOR YOU!". -"hard to fake" ooo. This was where he talks about acts of faith and tradition that show an individual is not 'faking' their religious beliefs. I think Jane was going to sleep then and I didn't pick up exactly why he mentioned this. I thought it was interesting though-- was it a tie back to attachment? Or group mentality. -Haha in Q and A I like the bit about Hitchens and that God sure waited a long time to intervene, lol, 2 million years. This is always something I mention and that religious individuals are quick to ignore. Maybe because some of them don't believe the Earth is that old? I mean, once someone tells me they are young Earth believers than its like, end of conversation right there. It's absolutely, 100% nonsense. However, few will address the time before their religion "existed". Most modern religions are so ridiculously new in terms of human existence. You almost gotta respect the ones out there still worshiping the "goddess" or whatever else. At least that was one of the first ideas humans came up with. I don't think this is a firm "well there you have it!" as to why religion exists, I think at this point we have way more to explain since you are going to have people who hear this stuff and say "that means nothing" and counter with "faith". But, in the end, all debates with religious individuals end that way. You can't know, because you need faith. That doesn't make total sense? Well I have faith. Well I don't have all the answers, but I have faith. And well, faith isn't something you can argue with. I know lots of 5 year olds with faith in Santa. Phew. Well that was fun. If anyone else watches the video or has something to add I'd love to hear it. I think this could have been a better talk quite honestly, but its a great little intro to the ideas, I think. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2007/0 The Cult of Chick-Fil-A, its kind of scary. But damnit, its so delicious. I didn't realize that's why they are closed on Sundays. |
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Wake Up: Worried |
I keep getting little tinges of itch in my palm and my foot. It could be dry skin. It could be in my head worrying. It could be the start of IC. UGH UGH UGH UGH PLEASE DON'T BE!!! (IC = Intrahepatic Cholestasis = haha no homebirth for you crappy induction haha) |
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Wake Up: Self note |
I have my gender determination scan at 9:30am on May 11th. This way I won't lose my appointment, isn't the internet great? It's a Life Imaging in Brooksville, its only $50, AND I get a voucher to come back at any time for a $25 pregnancy massage. Um, yes, I will be finding a day to come back for that. It's about an hours drive, but this was the cheapest place. She said at 17 weeks they should have no trouble seeing the sex. They do as early as 15 weeks, but if they can't tell for whatever reason they don't charge you. How exciting! I'll know what I'm having nearly as soon as I'm there! We're making plans to go down to the Lowry Park Zoo as well. I was trying to plan them for the same day because then its one drive, but we will probably do separate trips. I think Jane will be old enough to enjoy the zoo now-- she loves animals, and I've never been to Lowry Park. Not to mention, its cheap. $20. It's $30 if you also do this boat tour thing. Has anyone been? It's supposed to be the highest rated zoo for kids in the country, I didn't know that. |
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Wake Up: Pox and Language |
Oh my god. Well, we didn't sleep last night. Poor Jane. She has very few spots on her body. I think the ones in her crotch probably bother her because of her diaper and the moisture. The big problem? She has a LOAD on her scalp. Wtf am I supposed to do to help her with that? I was rubbing (not scratching) her all night. She was super clingy, wanted to nurse all night, did lots of squirming awake. I was patient, but hell was I tired this morning. Still am. Managed a quick shower before Cormac left so that helped. I was going to go in today but, the weather is horrible and I'm comatose. Jane is keeping well enough during the day. No new spots today, the old ones on her body are crusting up. I just feel bad that most of them are on her head! We're really lucky I think that she has a pretty mild case. Or maybe I'm chicken pox stupid and tomorrow she will have even more. I'm going to go down to the pharmacist when Cormac gets home around 3 today. It's just impossible to have another night like last night. Sometimes anti itch is needed, maybe, eh... an antihistamine? I'm sure the pharmacist will have an idea. I hate the idea but she's miserable and tearing at her head. I wanted to set up my trainer this afternoon, we'll see how I feel. Another category of interest and maybe at least Kelly will have some input since I know she loves debating with Christians as much as I do-- I heard a new one for me. I feel like I haven't heard this excuse before. The article that sparked the discussion is here: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?s ( My rant got long so I decided to cut it ) I at least appreciate that all these arguments move me to draw on my own education that I never get to put to use. I always had a lot of my own ideas I wish I had, you know, had the opportunity to go on to graduate school and continue my education. I keep meaning to start refreshing my mind re: human evolution and a few other subjects that I've studied that I really enjoyed, like Medieval archaeology and Central and Latin American studies. Anywho. Time to read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. |
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Wake Up: Tweet tweet |
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| ...leap towards the future | ||
| Take a step back in time... | ||