Olympic Thoughts... live blogging

1. So, anyone else wanting to move to Canada after watching the NBC opening ceremony coverage of the Olympics? I sure do. I've already gotten my clothes ready to pack in a suitcase. OK, really I just folded the laundry and set it on the couch to put away later, but those clothes could conceivably get packed and shipped to Canada.

2. I have a total Olympic-season-specific crush on Bob Costas. This has been going on since the 1996 Olympics, so Bob and I are celebrating our 14-year crush anniversary this year. Maybe I should send him flowers for Valentine's Day? Maybe not. I should probably wait for our 20th crush anniversary.

3. I know you're going to think that I'm a USA traitor, but I think it's completely presumptuous that Americans think that the USA should always win a medal. In every event. Even if it's curling or some other ridiculous event. I mean, I'm always proud when we win, and I root for the USA, but sometimes it's just a bit much. Spread the wealth, guys-- everyone wants to make their country proud and bring home the gold.

4. I totally want one of those USA Opening Ceremony ski caps. It's $75. Maybe Bob Costas will send me one??

5. The shot of the snowboarder Johnny Lyall coming down the mountain while the announcer was reading the Olympic sites was WAY COOL. Dang, I wish it had snowed big here. I'd be out practicing my own non-existent snowboarding moves.

6. We need Mounties in the US. I'm digging the outfits. And Canada's flag must be much easier to draw for kindergarten students than the US flag. Note: These thoughts are only related if you're watching the coverage and realize that the Mounties brought the flag into the arena.

7. I think I would do a much better job of singing "O Canada" as opposed to "The Star-Spangled Banner." The notes seem much more likely to be hit by my already-off-key singing voice.

8. Not into the ice sculpture blessings or whatever that was. I was ok with the whole thing until the totems raised their arms. I may have creepy dreams now tonight. I did, however, really like the free-style aboriginal dancing.

 Creepy totems that raised their arms

Totems going up

9. Thoughts on clothing: (Once I can find pics online, I'm going to add them. ESPECIALLY the Azerbaijan pants)

Azerbaijan pants= awesome

Another shot of the Azeri outfits

Bermuda wearing Bermuda shorts= awesome

Close-up of Czech Republic pants

Czech Republic pants= would have been awesome if I hadn't just seen Azerbaijan

Estonia outfit= awesome, but slightly girly. I feel bad for the guys. The snowflakes are a nice touch.

Finland= not awesome, mostly because there's a random guy in jeans... what happened to his pants?

France= fabulous. The outfits are ok, but I just love the French, no matter what my father-in-law and husband would say about that.

Germany's gender-coded outfits= possibly my favorite so far. They're just kind of fun.

India's hats= awesome

Ireland's pants= needed not to be in Hi-Def

Israel= now my favorite outfit. The track suit's ok, but I love the color.

Italy= wait... I like this classy look, too

Kazakhstan= ties with Israel for my favorite colored outfit

Lithuania green coat and scarf= ooh... I like

Monaco= CUTE sweaters on the guys and jacket on the girl. Good move, Monaco.

Mongolia flag-bearer= awesome

Montenegro= I just like how they held up scarves to remind people who they are

Pakistan= ok outfit, but with only 1 competitor and the other 3 guys, I thought they were adorable and wanted to give them props.

Peru= made me say "oooh!" Great jackets and hats.

Russian jackets and trucker hats= funny

Slovakia= I have that exact outfit. I love it! The crazy thing is... I'm Slovakian. Hmm... coincidence? I think not.

Slovenia jackets= what is it about the green jackets? I love them! And I'm wearing a T-shirt in the same shade now.

Sweden knit caps= please? For my birthday?

Switzerland= I'm pretty sure some other country is wearing the exact same thing...

Ukraine= I didn't like it when they first came out, but the outfits are already growing on me

USA= the hats and sweaters are awesome, but I feel bad for the girls in the white pants. What was Ralph Lauren thinking? These are skaters and skiers with toned but bigger legs (their words, not mine). Hmm... just realized you can't see the sweaters under the puffy jackets. Trust me-- they're nice.

Canada= nothing too spectacular here, but they look really warm and will probably get the most post-Olympic use out of their outfits. I'd wear it.

10. I feel terrible for the Georgian team, after having a luge competitor die today. They don't seem to know whether to smile or not now. I'm sure they're feeling conflicted, being at THE OLYMPICS (emphasis mine) and also being sad about a teammate.

11. Wow-- the Hungarians are all really good-looking. Who knew. And how are there not more competitors from Iceland? This is the Winter Olympics.

12. Norway is the all-time Winter Olympic medals winner. Hmm. That's a fun fact.

13. I'm finding this snow/glowing bear/breaking glacier thing more than a little odd. And I really hope that Matt Lauer was the one who made the "60,000-seat snow globe" comment... I don't think my dear Bob Costas would make such an inane remark. (Nope... went back and checked it out... Bob did make that inane comment. Sigh.) And those salmon are also way-creepy, for the record. Do they have teeth????

14. I like the tap dancing. Don't get the outfits or the sparks coming off the shoes, but I like the dancing. And the fiddles. But I'm not sure why they also have Irish dancing... and punk outfits. And a random running circus performer. And flying skiers who have been skiing for what seems like forever. And someone that I should perhaps recognize who is going on about Canada.

Punk Celtic fiddler

Flying/running (child?) acrobat/circus performer

15. Yawn. This is going on for a LONG time. Both kids are now in bed. The baby watched with me for a while and then decided he'd rather hit the hay.

16. Since Wayne Gretzky didn't help carry in the Olympic flag, it seems like a safe bet that he'll be the final torch bearer. Good grief... how much longer until that torch gets here???? Ah, finally. And... it's Gretzky. Wow. Didn't see that coming... or not.

17. Need a laugh? This is funny stuff. It's just about what I was thinking.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 4)

1. I love Chai tea. We buy boxes of concentrate at Costco and then I mix 1 part concentrate with 1 part milk. It's absolutely delicious and gives me a bit of a caffeine fix. I must have been pretty tired this last week when I went to mix it one morning, though...

This is Chai tea concentrate.

This is not.

 This is what I mixed with my milk.

It was NOT absolutely delicious, and the only reason I didn't notice at first when I poured the concentrate was because my sense of smell (pre-Neti Pot) was missing. I had to make a new cup of tea. Sigh.

2. I am ridiculously obsessed with these two Sesame Street videos. I loved the Spin Doctors "Two Princes" song when I was in junior high, and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" song always makes me smile when it comes on the radio. So, when C and I saw these videos on Sesame Street in the last two weeks, I was thrilled! It's the little things in life, people.





3. I almost feel badly for the pro-choice people who spent a week shrieking about the Tebow "Choose Life" Superbowl ad. Almost. It makes me sad (sad? hmm... not actually sure if that's the right feeling here) when I think about how many of those people revealed their true colors-- choose abortion, not life. The ad was so restrained that it just made the furor all the more ridiculous.

4. Only in Austin would you see this car:

M and I actually saw this car driving around town. It's ridiculous. 

5. One of the reasons I love living in Hill Country/Austin area is all of the great kid-oriented festivals: Zilker Park Kite Festival, Buda Wiener Dog Races, Wimberley EmilyAnn Theatre Butterfly Festival, etc. These are all coming up in the next few months-- whoo hoo! Hopefully we'll be able to make it to at least 2 out of the 3 events again. Last year my parents, C, and I flew an Elmo kite at Zilker Park and Clare and I fed watermelon to butterflies. M had to miss out on both, unfortunately, so here's hoping that he can join us this year.

6. Another reason I love this area is the Big Blue Barn, which is owned by the Arnosky Family. They grow veggies, flowers, and other plants. Every Saturday they're open full-service, and during the week they're self-serve. I like that-- you can get some things and just leave the money in a lock-box. It makes me feel like we live in a great small town (which we do). I'm hoping to take the kids this weekend a get some anemones or ranunculus-- both look gorgeous now! Take a look at their anemones...

 

 I know. Pretty, right?

I may just buy Valentine flowers for our family. I've never been one to need my husband to buy me flowers, anyway. Flowers are for every day, not one day a year.

7. I bought a new humidifier for H, since C has one in her room, but H is the super-stuffy one right now. It's amazing, and thus far (2 nights) I completely recommend it. It puts out a lot of moisture and H and I were both breathing better in the morning. I may have to replace the one in C's room with another Safety First kind. It's filterless and easier to clean! I never thought I'd be one to wax on about humidifiers, but stuffy little sleepers do not a good night for Mama make. (I can't decide if that last bit sounds adorably literary or just awkward).

O Neti Pot

(to the tune of "O Christmas Tree)

O Neti Pot, O Neti Pot, how did I live without you?

O Neti Pot, O Neti Pot, how did I live without you?

You clear my nose and sinuses out.

Now I can breathe both in and out.

O Neti Pot, O Neti Pot, how did I live without you?


O Neti Pot, O Neti Pot, I'm so glad I've found you. 
O Neti Pot, O Neti Pot, I'm so glad I've found you.
You're the oddest thing I've ever bought.
But you've helped me clean out my sick snot.
O Neti Pot, O Neti Pot, I'm so glad I've found you.

Seriously, this thing is amazing. It looks and sounds crazy, but it works.

Vanity, thy name is Lisa

So, I've mentioned that I'm taking Prednisone for my UC flare. It's a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, but has some unwelcome side effects, including:

-Weight gain (Luckily, the scale has stayed the same. But more on this later...)

-Mood swings (Up, down, up, down... mostly up for 2 weeks, now all over the board)

-Insomnia (What? I'm sorry... I haven't slept much in 2 weeks and can't process this thought)

-Avascular necrosis of bone (Yes, that would be another way of saying BONE DEATH. Hello, aching knees last week)

-Acne (Unfortunate, given that my skin has been so clear the past few months)

Now that we've dealt with these, I'd like to introduce you to Sara Beth. She's been hanging around lately, though I won't be too sad to see her go, hopefully sooner than later. Sara Beth is my... buffalo hump.  There. I've said it. I. Have. A. Hump. I'm going to have to talk to our church about hiring me to ring the bells instead of the electronic system they have. Just call me Quasimodo. Prednisone can cause a "redistribution of fat," which is a polite way of saying that it migrates to places you DO NOT want it to go... belly, neck, and face (hello, moon face! What's up with this terminology, anyway? "Moon face" and "buffalo hump" do not do much for one's self-esteem). So, even though the numbers on the scale are the same, I'm still looking rounder.

While I refuse to display a photo now of Sara Beth, check out this website if you're curious.

This whole process has been interesting, and is really forcing me to get over myself, particularly when it comes to my looks. Post-pregnancy time is already tough, but add a very round face (and I already HAD a round face!), a hump, and an inability to lose weight while on this medicine, plus bloodshot eyes due to insomnia, being a bit sick, and having 2 somewhat-sick kids who wake up multiple times each night, I've had to just see the humor in this season of my life. Thus, "Sara Beth" was named. "Sara Beth" sounds much nicer than buffalo hump. I've accepted her as my buddy during this time, since she won't be going anywhere until I'm off the meds sometime next month. 

This does not, however, mean that I'm giving up all vanity. I seriously need a haircut so I don't look like I belong in Deliverance. Just make sure my hair hides the hump, though, please.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 3)

1. Forget all about how amazing I thought Prednisone was. Yes, it's helped my ulcerative colitis flare. Yes, I had amazing energy for a while. BUT... I woke up yesterday feeling as if my knees were being crushed by a giant. I fell all over the house and could barely walk, as I'm being weaned off the meds. I can't wait to get back to normal (and for my puffy face to get back to normal!). I'd rather have less energy but more physical ability any day!

2. What would I do without my parents and in-laws? I am so blessed that they are able to help out. Mom showed up last night to help watch C while I take H with me to the doctor (for the whole Prednisone side-effect thing).

3. Double ear infection= no fun for Mommy or C. She's pushed every limit possible the last few days and has developed quite the daredevil nature... standing on EVERY chair/bed in the house and then cracking up. She's become well-acquainted with time-outs the past couple of days.

4. Thomas the Tank Engine is awesome. Especially when it comes to entertaining a 2-year-old. Especially when Mommy can barely walk. We watched LOTS of Thomas yesterday. And I don't feel the slightest bit guilty.

5. I always forget how good a fresh pear tastes. Why don't I buy them more often?

6. I love my new Petunia Pickle Bottom bag. It makes me happy. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

7. I'm enjoying working on the blog early in the morning while the kids are still in bed. It's nice to have something just for me.

Mmmm...

My, but my kitchen was bubbling, boiling, and baking today! C and I cooked inside (wish I'd taken pics in our aprons!) while M worked out in the shed, wiring it for lights. I made the chimichangas two nights ago but actually baked them yesterday-- this was what I heated up for M's lunch today:

You've gotta love fresh $0.25 avocados! Way to go, HEB!

Simmering the tortilla soup ingredients-- my poblanos were HOT today!

 

Simmering the tortilla soup after it's been blended... smells sooooo good!

Making "Aunt Debbie's Banana Cake" (see link-- it's AMAZING!)

Time to frost it! I underbaked it a tiny bit, but will know better next time!

The finished product! I only had a handful of pecans, so it's a bit sparsely decorated... not that M noticed as he devoured it!

C and I had such a good time today measuring and stirring and throwing things in pots and pans. She's becoming quite the sous-chef! It must be all of her practicing in her own little kitchen. :-)

A Squirrel Named Cake

We have a new friend around the house... Cake. Cake has made regular lunchtime appearances in our backyard for the last couple of weeks or so. We used to have about 3 or 4 squirrels that ran around and taunted our dogs, but this one has some serious staying power.  I've been working on C developing her imagination lately by asking her the names of dolls, what animals we see are doing, what she cooks in her little kitchen, etc. I asked her what this squirrel's name was, and she immediately, and emphatically, pronounced it to be "Cake." So Cake it is! C watches him eat his lunch each day ("'corns," according to her) and loves to tell me exactly what he's doing ("Jump down! 'Corns! Jump up! 'Corns!"... this is not a complicated animal) the entire time.

 Cake, a very focused young thing