Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The Crud That Won't Die

Hey Humble Readers...

Geez... I was feeling fine over the weekend, but here I am again with a scratchy throat, plugged ears, and aching sinuses.  It's like the crud just started all over again.  Summer colds suck, big time.

Anyway, let's see.  What's been happening around here...

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Weight loss has totally plateaued.  Part of the problem is that with the crud I haven't felt like getting up early for my walks, and when I do, I can only manage a part of my usual distance.  Another part of the problem is that I've been eating things I shouldn't just because they make me "feel better" (only in the moment, then I feel even worse after).  I'm trying not to get discouraged.  I will get over this stupid cold, and I will be able to get back on track soon. 

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We had a long weekend last weekend, and spent most of it with my Beloved's family.  His oldest brother and older sister are in from Little Town Far Away, and so there was a lot of food, card games, and laughing.  I have to say, my Beloved's family is so strange to me.  They get together and there's absolutely no drama.  They like each other.  All of them.  Crazy, right?

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My favourite plus size clothing store (not that I have a whole lot of choice here in the Shire) had a one day sale on bras on Saturday.  Because I swear half of the weight I've lost is from my boobs, I was in desperate need of new bras again.  I'm down a full band and cup size, two band sizes on the sports bra I bought.  I managed to get four bras (a couple of them are really rather sexy too!) for $100!  That's amazing for me.

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My mom is supposed to be passing through the Shire on Sunday, so I may get to meet her new beau.  That's just so weird to say.  In other family drama news, Mom and the Douchewaffle (formerly known as Dad) have a court date at the end of September to finally settle this whole divorce mess.  Thank Heaven!

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I have a small conundrum with my addiction to the television.  The third season of Game of Thrones is going to be aired (on a Canadian network) starting at the end of the month.  Problem:  I have yet to watch season 2 because I'm #16 on the wait list at the library.  Thankfully, they have 3 copies, so the list is going quicker than I originally anticipated.  I may record season three just so that I have it, and don't have to wait for the library to get season 3 (sometime next spring).  That's just a lot of space on my pvr.  Hmmm...

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I'm planning on painting the bathroom and the hallway in a couple of weeks.  I've been trying to psych myself up for this for a while now, but it's time.  We've lived with a shmegly green bathroom for more than five years.  I need to make a change in there. 

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I've been reading a fair bit lately.  I read Perks of Being a Wallflower (awesome!) and The Honest Toddler (not so great... was really funny at first, but got old quick).  Now I'm rereading The Help, with Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Café and Mistress of My Fate on deck. 

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Toothache warning... sweetness ahead!  Playing in the wading pool at my Beloved's brother's house yesterday. 

Coming Up For Air

Hey Humble Readers...

Well, that was a loss of two weeks. 

First, we were just busy.  Westerner Days and Parade with the wee-lings, and Ginny's first ever class-type program (Mom & Tot Gymnastics), and a quick visit from my sister and her family. 

Then we all got sick.  Well, as much as my Beloved ever gets sick (a few sniffles and a frog in his throat), anyway.  The rest of us have been sneezing, snarfling, and coughing for days and days.  Ginny is on the mend, but Pippin and I are still suffering.  You know, I can handle a lot of the whole bodily fluid thing, but snot and drool about do me in.  And dealing with it when I'm barely holding it together is beyond challenging.  Motherhood is grand!  (and yes, I know this is what I longed for!)

Well, I need to lay down again.  Thank heaven for nap time (Ginny) and play pens (Pip). 

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer!

Sunday Night Chit-Chat: Under Quarantine

Good Evening Humble Readers...

Well, another weekend down the toilet, thanks to the crud.  I'm still coughing like an 80-year-old with a bad case of emphysema.  Ginny is still barking like a seal.  And now poor Pippin has got the wretched cough to add to his intense teething and drooling (cut 2 teeth...FINALLY... on Thursday).  The only hold out is my Beloved, but he rarely ever gets sick.  I can only think of twice in the past seven years that he's been sick, beyond some sniffles.  What I wouldn't give to have his immune system. 

Oh, and to add insult to injury... my regular cough medicine (safe for high blood pressure and diabetes) was recalled back in January due to a packaging flaw, and hasn't been available since.  What am I supposed to do without my Buck.ley's???

I did, finally after missing five days, get a walk in this morning.  But while I didn't go my usual 6km, I think I overdid it, because during breakfast I got really light-headed and ended up needing to lie down for the rest of the morning.  I will walk again tomorrow, but I'm going to take it slower. 

The good news?  Well, at least it's stopped raining. 

Well, this was supposed to be a nice little shot of Ginny and I.
Gotta love toddlers... :)

Onto this week's Chit Chat.  Here's what I'm...

Reading...  Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister.  It's an enjoyable little book, a follow-up to School of Essential Ingredients.  I think you all know by now that I'm a foodie, and this book speaks that that aspect of me in a big way.  A sort of collection of stories about a group of people all connected by way of a small restaurant (and the cooking classes the owner offers), this a book for those who enjoy cooking.  My only complaint is that I think one or two of the characters could be a little less introspective... everyone in the stories spends a great deal of time living inside their heads. 

Watching... I'm sad that there's no more Call The Midwife or Mr. Selfridge now for quite a while, but the season/series finale of Smash is on tonight, so I need to see how they tie up all the strings.

Listening to... Ginny talking about her shadow-girl. 

Cooking/Baking...  I'm so glad that I planned an easy supper for tonight.  My Lazy Sausage Casserole.  Italian sausage, taters, carrots, fennel, onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, green pepper, garlic, and some herbs and balsamic vinegar all roasted together.  I love how it makes the hobbit hole smell like a pizzeria.

Happy I accomplished this week... I got Ginny registered for her first ever 'program'.  She's going to be doing a parent and tot gymnastics camp of sorts this summer.  I know, by some standards, I'm behind on getting her involved in something like this, but I have my reasons (budget, transportation, etc).  Part of the issue is that her birthday is in November, and so many programs required her to be 2 by September of last year for enrollment.  I've also discovered a music program that I may enroll both Ginny and Pip in for the fall. 

Looking forward to next week... Getting back to a regular schedule once we kick the crud to the curb.  I also have an appointment with Dr. B, and I'm hoping that he will be very pleased with my blood sugars.  I'm going to request that he do a blood pressure check as well, because I'm wondering if my hbp meds are too high. 

Thankful for today... my Beloved.  He doesn't shy away from jumping in and taking care of things when I'm out of commission.  He takes such good care of us. 

***Bonus Question*** What chore around the house do you 'dislike' the most?  I know I've said this before, but I despise laundry.  It's never finished.  It takes an absurd amount of time from beginning to end.  Only to have to start all over. 

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This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat.  Pop over and check out what the other's are chatting about this evening, or better yet, jump in yourself and join the conversation.

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Spring Fever

Howdy Humble Readers...

Spring fever indeed.  Ginny and I are both suffering with the crud... sinus congestion, hacking cough.  Ginny seems to be okay most of the time, until she throws a tantrum (she is two, after all) or eats something.  Me, on the other hand... oy.  So much for a fun extra long weekend. 

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The crud has been taking it's toll on my new exercise routine.  There's no way I can walk 6km+ when I'm hacking up a lung.  And quite frankly, I don't have the energy to do it.  It's also wreaking havoc on my stick-to-it-ivness as far as the diet is concerned.  I haven't given in yet, but it's getting harder.  All I want are my old comfort foods... potatoes, fries, pasta, bread (and not just my low carb stuff.  I want a thick slab of brioche with strawberry jam).  MUST.  STAY.  STRONG.  I've even relaxed my self-imposed ban on artificial sweeteners, just to help manage the pressing need for sweet.  Diet Dr. Pepper, anyone?  The lack of exercise, and the cold itself are making an impression on my blood sugars, not for the better. 

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Are all toddlers/preschoolers more than a little bit OCD?  Or is it just Ginny?  I swear it's getting worse.  The toys from her farm set CANNOT intermingle with her toys from her airplane set.  And heaven help Pippin if he messes with her tea set or picnic basket once she gets them set up.  Certain books have to be on particular shelves (ok, she may have gotten that from her mummy) or she will throw a fit.  Meal times can be a challenge at the best of times (where oh where did my good little eater go?), and if she gets the wrong colour utensil or plate?  Yikes!  Please tell me this is a phase. 

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A couple of you asked, so here it is... my thoughts on the new Star Trek movie.  I loved it!  (Technical difficulties at the theater notwithstanding... ended up getting a free movie pass because the sound was messed up so I can go see it again.  With my Beloved this time.)  I thought that it was spectacularly well done, and the story was awesome.  Like the first in this reboot series, it's very accessible to new Trek fans, and still honours the original.  I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but there are some great tributes to the original series.  And of course, the eye candy in the movie is outstanding.  :)  I never would have thought that I would find a Vulcan attractive.

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I've given up on "The Purchase" by Linda Spalding.  I got 150 pages in, and it was just too depressing.  I swear, if I wanted to read about Job I would read about him in the Bible.  Life is too short to read boring maudlin books.  I've moved on to "Shepherd's Abiding" by Jan Karon (second to last in the Mitford series), and I picked up a couple of books at the library yesterday that I'm looking forward to reading... "Lost Art Of Mixing" by Erica Bauermeister and "Winter Palace" by Eva Stachniak.   What are you reading right now? 

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It was supposed to stay nice all day today, but the clouds are rolling in.  I would guess that we're in for some rain earlier than anticipated.  It suits how I'm feeling.  Maybe once the wee-lings are settled for their afternoon naps, I'll get a chance to curl up on the couch with my book and a cup of tea. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Digging Out

Hey Humble Readers,

Long time, no talk.  I'm recovered from my stomach flu/day of pure hell last week, mostly.  My tummy is still rather sensitive, but I'm doing ok and thankfully no one else in the hobbit hole contracted the wretchedness.  The only positive to come out of this is that I have busted through my weightloss plateau in a big way.  Of course puking and dry heaving for a full day can do that...

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The Shire, and indeed the whole mid to northern part of the province got slammed today with a doozy of a snow storm.  About an hour north of the Shire there was a major pile up on the highway that resulted in 300 (yes, 300!) injuries.  The highway was closed for several hours, and the injured were sent to hospitals in 9 different surrounding communities.  So much for spring, right?

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We did actually manage to go out on Sunday for the afternoon and evening.  I was feeling well enough to be out and about so long as we took it easy and I was able to stop to rest and drink water several times throughout the afternoon.  My MIL came up, even though the roads weren't the greatest, and spent the night.  My Beloved and I had lunch, toured a show home (more on that later), did a little shopping (shoes for my Beloved, Easter baskets for the wee-lings), went for dinner, and then to a movie (Identity Thief - so funny!).  It was so nice to just be together, not thinking about which wee-ling needed to be fed or bathed or distracted or consoled.  It was wonderful to be able to browse through stores I could never take the wee-lings to (like Pier 1), and to be silly with my Beloved.  I was completely wiped out when we got home and spent all day Monday on the couch, but it was worth it. 

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So, this show home we toured... It was a town home in a new complex that I would love to live in.  And when I say love, I mean luuuuuuurrrrrrrrvvvvvvvve to live there.  Seriously, the house would be perfect for us.  Four bedrooms (we would have a spare bedroom!!!), three and a half baths, finished basement, with a postage stamp sized yard that is cared for through the homeowners association (whose fees are less than half of what we pay now for HOA fees).  There are new schools being built nearby, and it's close to a great little shopping center with groceries, banks, and a Starbucks (I'm pathetic, I know). 

Canada's favourite handyman - Mike Holmes
One of my celebrity crushes.  :)

The best thing is the builder of this complex has partnered with Mike Holmes as a part of his Holmes Homes program.  That means that all the building materials and procedures meet Mike's high standards.  The best insulation, the best high efficiency appliances, hot water tank, and furnace.  Even lumber and plywood that is mold and moisture resistant.  The only negatives about this townhouse complex is that we aren't in a place *right now* to put down a down payment (but we will be in about a year or so), that it's in a brand new area of town so there's not a lot of trees or parks yet (but there will be!), and it's over the dollar figure that we have been toying with (but not so far that it would be impossible for us).  They are currently building phase one, so POTENTIALLY we could get in on future developments through this builder.  (And if you're interested, I pinned the floor plan on my Dream House board on pinterest.)

Even if this isn't in the cards for us in the future, it's incredibly exciting for me to be thinking about what our next (forever) home is going to be.  Less than two years, Humble Readers.  Less than two years. 

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I can't recall off the top of my head if I told you all this, but both my Beloved and I are getting new glasses this year.  He's actually already got his and they are snazzy!  It's no secret that my rx is pretty ridiculous.  I'm blind as a bat without my glasses and have panic attacks if I can't find them.  When the girl at the eyewear shop gave me an estimate on how much my lenses are going to cost I almost had a heart attack.  I've always bought the cheapest lenses, without any bells and whistles, but we have agreed that I need better quality.  Anywho, with both of us getting glasses we knew it was going to get expensive.  The good news is, my Beloved just did our taxes and we will be getting back enough to cover about half of our new eyewear!  The other half will be able to be put through on my Beloved's health benefits with work.  Yay!

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Bits & Pieces

Howdy Humble Readers...

Have you ever tried to make your wishes known to and understood by an active toddler WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A VOICE?  I am 100% voiceless and can barely manage a whisper right now.  Other than the voice, though, I seem to be conquering the crud.  I'm sleeping better and thankfully I don't think the wee-lings have caught it at all.  I'm only wishing that we had gone further with the baby sign than we did. 

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Canadian-ism of the Day:  I switched my cold remedy from the day/night pills to an old standby and seem to be getting much better results.  Yes, my fellow Canucks... I have resorted to taking Buc.kley's.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the dark brown bottle and the awfulness contained therein, please allow me to educate you.  Imagine if you melted down Vic.k's vaporub and boiled it with pine needles... that's about what it tastes like.  In fact, their company motto is "it tastes awful, but it works".   And in my experience, it does.

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The crud has impacted my attempts at being productive, but I'm still managing to get a few things done.  Yesterday I went through our closets and dressers, and bagged up 3 large black garbage bags of stuff to go to the thrift store.  All my maternity wear and things I haven't worn since I was working (how has it been more than two years since I left my job at the bookstore?) were all packed up and sent on to a new home. 

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Update on the applesauce:  Ended up making enough applesauce to last us about 9 weeks!  My freezer is now stocked with bags and bags of the golden loveliness. 

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Ginny has picked up a few new words that I'm hoping she doesn't say in public, but I know she will... First, she's learned the word 'dark' and because we are approaching the darkest time of the year, she's saying it a lot.  The thing is, when she says it, it doesn't sound like dark.  It sounds more like a not-so-nice word for lesbian.  Second, while my Beloved and I have been under the weather, she's taken to imitating us and doing this little fake cough thing.  She's now picked up on the fact that we are calling it her fake cough, so she's started saying it too.  Only when she says 'fake cough' it sounds a whole heck of a lot like my precious wee girl is telling me to f!#@ off.  *sigh*

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I'm planning on writing a series of posts, starting next week, on family traditions.  Be thinking about some of what you and yours do to make special days stand out and how you make the ordinary extraordinary.

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We are forecasted to get a pretty significant amount of snow today.  5-15cms.  Lovely.  Thankfully, we don't have any major plans that require being outside today.  Wherever you are, please stay safe and warm.  :)

Sunday Night Chit Chat: A Houseful of Sickies!

Hey Humble Readers...

So you may have (or probably not) noticed that I didn't get a Foodie Friday Post up this past week.  That's because Thursday afternoon the Crud landed in a big way on yours truly.  My Beloved had been suffering with it since last weekend, and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  A head cold accompanied by a doozy of a headache and fever.  Not fun.  But I am feeling moderately improved, and my Beloved is almost over his bout.  Now if we could just get past two teething wee-lings with diaper rash who are having difficulties with the time change...

Pip falling asleep sitting up.  He was fighting it so hard.

Reading - Sad to say, I'm still reading Casual Vacancy.  I'm enjoying it, honest I am.  I just haven't been able to get much reading done this past week.  *sigh*  I need to get my butt in gear, I need to be re-reading the Hobbit soon!

Watching - Nothing much right now.  Later, once the wee-lings are asleep it will be my usual Sunday night fare... Call the Midwife and Upstairs Downstairs. 

Listening to - Ginny whispering secrets to her Daddy.  It's toooo cute!

Cooking/Baking - Lemon Dill Roasted Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed veg (broccoli, cauliflower, & carrots), and yorkies.  It's Sunday!  Tomorrow I'm making up another big batch of applesauce in the slow cooker.  Ginny just flies through it, and with Pip starting solids soon we're just going to go through it faster.

Happy you accomplished this week - Sorted through most of Master Pippin's clothes.  He's completely outgrown his 3-6 month wardrobe.  There are a few holes to fill, but I think we're in pretty good shape right now.

Looking forward to next week - Re-establishing my daily to do lists.  I've gotten off track, but as of tomorrow morning, everything goes back to a routine.  It's the only way we'll get through the holidays.

Thankful for today - For the fact that my cold symptoms seem to be fading, for a warm chinook wind that's melting the snow, and for my Beloved who has let me be a whiny sack of snot for the last couple of days. 

What was your favourite show as a child? Tough one!  When I was really young Mr. Dress-up was the bomb!  When I got a little older (about 8 I think), I fell in love with Dr. Who... it was the doctor with the camel coloured coat, poofy hair, and the long scarf around his neck.  I remember it used to be on PBS and I would be very upset if I had to miss it (back in the days before VCRs, and decades before DVRs). 

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This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat.  Click on over and see what others are chatting about tonight!

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Howdy Humble Readers...

So it's Sunday again...  Another week has just flown by!  Of course, this past week has been dominated by kleenex, cough drops, and lots of extra fluids.  Still, we are on the mend! (the wee-lings are handling this cold with much better grace than I have)

Ginny looking very solemn,
showing off her new haircut

What are you:

Reading?
Gah!  After my big hyped-up talk last week about how I have my reading mojo back... this week has shown just how pathetic I am.  I am still reading Order of the Phoenix, only a couple hundred pages from where I was at this time last week.  I have got to get it in gear!

Watching?
Nothing this evening.  There is absolutely nothing on.  I thought that a couple of my shows were starting back up this week, but it turns out I'm a week ahead of things.  But that's okay.  It will give me time to hopefully finish up reading HP & OotP tonight.

Baking/Cooking?
Dinner tonight was the first of 3 new recipes for us this week.  Parmesan Pork Roast, served with the typical Sunday night extras... gravy, mashed taters, veggies, and yorkies.
PS - if you're ever curious about what's being served in the hobbit-hole, check out the menu over there on the right.  I have gotten a lot better about updating it every week lately. 

Happy you accomplished this week?
LOL... If I accomplished anything this week it certainly wasn't anything earth shattering.  Everyone was bathed, dressed, and fed.  That about covers it.

Looking forward to next week?
While it's not terribly grown up of me to admit it, I'm looking forward to my birthday.  I don't know what my Beloved has planned, if anything, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. 

Thankful for this week?
The fact that we are all, relatively speaking, healthy.  Yeah, I'm a wimp and can't stand being sick, but overall we are a healthy bunch.  My Beloved has had maybe one sick day since I've known him, and the wee-lings are healthy and happy. 

What website could you NOT go a day without checking in on?
I could state the obvious and say Blogger or Pinterest, but instead I'll give you...

My OB Said What? 

I started reading this site a couple of years ago, and now it's a habit.  It's a collection of all the stuff that doctors and nurses say to (primarily) pregnant women that is 100% assinine.  From the sublime (Thoughtful Thursdays are a glimpse into the sane in the medical profession) to the absolute ridiculous (one of today's contributions was said by an OB to a new dad repeatedly "Are you sure you're the father?").  Sometimes the comment section can get a bit heated, but all in all, I find it enlightening and entertaining, in a sick and twisted kind of way. 

Wanna know what Sunday Night Chit Chat is about?  Click over to Carla's corner of the blogosphere and see what other's are talking about tonight.

Things I Missed Talking About...

Howdy Humble Readers...

Well, that was a week of my life I'll never get back.  Jeez. 

It was just a doozy of a cold, and I guess I was due.  I haven't battled the Crud since my second trimester with Pippin (when I caught EVERY germ going around).  I'm feeling better for the most part, just a lingering cough (particularly at night), a gravelly voice and varying levels of plugged ears which are improving. 

I have been reading along with most of you this week, although I haven't made it to commenting.  I do apologize.  And there were so many blog posts I had planned, so many things I wanted to talk about this past week, like...

• Pippin's four month post.  I wanted to tell you all about how big he's getting (he's in size 3 diapers already!), about how much hair he's lost, and about how he's trying to sit up.  About how he's so fixated on sucking on his fingers that sometimes he can almost get his whole hand in his mouth.  About how he has this habit of not being able to fall asleep at night unless he fusses for 15 minutes first, like he's mad that he's tired and doesn't want to give in.  And about the beautiful way he laughs at his big sister (which I still haven't managed to get on video). 

• How hot is Michael Shanks?  Seriously.  For those of you who don't know him, he used to be in Stargate SG-1, and now he's in Saving Hope.  In SG-1, I thought he was kinda cute, but his character started out as such a dweeb that I never really appreciated him in a drool-worthy kind of way.  Now.... YUM!  Maybe it's the scenes with him in a tux or in doctors' scrubs. 
• Tuesday... 9/11, the fourth anniversary of when we lost Emily Hope (our first angel baby), and a year since we found out we were expecting Pip.  Whew... the emotions that day, on top of having a crummy cold, were pretty intense.
• A question for any of my Jewish friends (and it's probably super stupid)... why does it matter if laundry soap is kosher?  What makes the average laundry soap un-kosher?
• Have I ever told you all about my crazy annual craving for turkey?  Every year, usually in June, I start craving turkey.  I mean a full on turkey dinner.  Stuffing, sweet potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie, the whole 9 yards.  It kind of makes sense.  The last time I would usually have had a turkey dinner was Christmas.  (And no, a turkey sandwich made with deli turkey won't do!)  But by June, it's too dang hot, and turkeys are too dang expensive, to think about cooking the full deal, so by mid-September I'm thinking about turkey on a daily basis.  Thankfully, Canadian thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away!  October 8th baby!
• Christmas prep... Blame it on my years in retail, but now that the autumn is here, I need to be thinking hard about the holidays.  There are sooooo many crafts that I want to do!  Damn Pinterest!  I currently have one idea for a gift for my Beloved (which is stellar, as he is notoriously hard to shop for) and I'm toying with a couple of ideas for Ginny.  Pippin won't need much, and I'm sure he'll be spoiled by Gramma and Mama. 
• I have not forgotten about Foodie Fridays... I've just really let them slide by the wayside.  I am seriously hoping to resurrect them this coming week.  I have a new recipe that I'm trying this week and if it turns out well then I'll be sharing it with you.  And if it doesn't, I'm going to plan a backup post.  I promise!

I think that's about it.  I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight, but it totally depends on the wee-lings.  Yup, that's right.  They both caught the Crud.  Pip was feverish all day yesterday, and both of them have been snarf-ly and grumpy.  Ginny woke up in the middle of the night last night crying because she was stuffed up.  **sigh**  We will survive this.  :)

Public Service Announcement

Hey Humble Readers...

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer vent?  Be honest now. 

I'm not talking about the lint trap, I'm talking about the actual exhaust hose and vent that goes outside your home.  It's a task that's easily missed in your annual home maintenance schedule. 

We are fairly sure that it had been done just before we moved, a little over four years ago.  Over the past couple of years, my Beloved and I have talked about having someone come out to take care of it for us, but something more pressing always came up... like a new furnace, a new hot watertank, a baby or two needing car seats and all. 

We finally bit the bullet and had a guy out to tackle this ooky job...  And man oh man, it's a good thing he did. 

(A bit of background... we live in an small older condo-ized apartment building in which every unit has stackable washers and dyers.  We live on the second floor, and the length of the exhaust tubing from the dryer to the outside is too long and too high for us to manage this task ourselves.  Hence the need to hire a professional.)

Humble Readers... there was a bird's nest in there.  And I'm not talking figuratively.  An actuall honest-to-goodness bird's nest.  Just imagine all the lint and gunk that was trapped in there along with birdy ickies.  It makes me shudder to think about it.  Beyond the grossness factor, the risk of fire associated with blocked dryer vents is substantial. 

So, my advice to you all... find out when you last had your dryer vent cleaned, and if it's been more than a couple of years, GET IT DONE! 

We now return you to your regularly scheduled head-cold.

The Crud Has Landed

Hey Humble Readers...

I was fully intending to do my "Pippin @ 4 Months" post today.  But instead, I have spent the day nursing an ugly head cold and sore throat. 

I confess that I'm a total wuss when I'm sick, and I know that mummies are supposed to be all selfless and be able to push through to take care of their families... but let's just say that the bare minimum is all that's getting done around the hobbit hole today.  And when Ginny decided during her morning nap that today was a good day for finger painting with the contents of her diaper... I cried. 

My Beloved even ended up cooking dinner for us tonight. 

I'll be back when I'm not so whine-y.

J is For... Jacob (and A Little Bit of Miscellany)

Hey Humble Readers...

First up, hells no, I don't mean THAT Jacob. 

I mean Jacob Jankowski... from Water For Elephants.  Once again, this was a book that I put off reading.  I had many customers come into the bookstore where I worked and rave about it.  Many of my staff loved it as well, and that just put it into the "It-Can't-Be-That-Good" category for me.  It wasn't until I saw the trailer for the movie that I became interested, and I fell in love with the story.  Sadly, I never did get around to seeing the film. 

At the beginning of the book Jacob, a young veterinary medicine student at the beginning of the Great Depression, discovers that his family is destitute after being forced to mortgage their home to pay for his Ivy League education.  This discovery, made at the time of his father's death, causes Jacob to have a bit of a break-down.  He runs away from his troubles and, after jumping a train, ends up joining a circus. 

The insight into circus culture (like the differences between freaks and geeks) was intriguing, but I admit I most loved the love story.  I'm a sucker for a well-written star-crossed lovers story.  And it really did seem that Jacob and Marlena were doomed to forever be apart. 

What is your favourite love story?

*****

A couple of other things...

I saw Dr. W today and all is well.  Blood pressure good, weight gain good, Halfling's heartrate good.  I did ask for clarification about why I'm having to meet with the anesthesiologist next week, and because my c-section is a scheduled surgery and because I am a large person (with a short neck) it is standard operating procedure.  The anesthesiologist just wants to take a look at me to make some preliminary notes and plans.  It DOESN'T mean that I will be put under general anesthetic (which was a huge relief for me), just wanting to be prepared. 

The crud that I caught from my Beloved is killing me.  I am such a wimp when I'm sick.  I'm just praying it doesn't become a cough. 

My hand is healing very nicely.  The blisters have all dried up, and while it's still challenging to grip things like my hairbrush or a knife, things are improving steadily.

And lastly, Ginny figured out finger painting today.  While in her crib.  With the contents of her diaper.  *Ergh*  I know all kids do at some point, but it's still just gross.

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The Road Goes Ever On and On

Howdy Humble Readers...

I'm sorry to say that your friendly neighbourhood hobbit is still under the weather.  It's still primarily a cough (a gross sounding, smokers-like cough), although I have had brief stretches of a low grade fever which has caused me a little angst (didn't get to 101F, so I think I'm okay) and the cough has made it apparent that I don't have the bladder control that I used to.  Ginny has also picked up a bit of the crud, a nasty cough and a runny nose, but that might just be teething.

*****
Despite the crud keeping me homebound this weekend, we did manage to get a few things done.  We are officially unpacked from our trip (finally!).  We were able to get all the Christmas decorations down (FINALLY!! I normally like to have them down by New Year's Day).   Laundry is done, and we are in the process of figuring out a better storage system for Ginny's growing collection of toys.  My to do list for this month has many organization projects on it, and I'm hoping that once I'm over this round of crud I'll be able to be more productive. 

*****
The Halfling has been jumping around like crazy, particularly whenever I drink something cold.  He/she seems to be awake more in the afternoons and evening.  Oh, and he/she really doesn't like it when Ginny decides to use me as a climbing wall.  Her little heels dig deep, and I guess the Halfling got a little pissed off because I got a pretty swift kick in return.  Is this the beginning of sibling rivalry?

*****
I would normally hold this back for my weekly update, but I want to get this down now, before I forget more than I already have.  I had a dream last night about the Halfling.  It was more than a birth dream, although that was part of it.  I saw her (and yes, it was a her), and yet I didn't.  I have no clear picture of what she looked like, except that she was small, smaller than Ginny was at birth.  I called her by name.  She was sucking her thumb right after delivery.  I'm pretty certain that she was delivered via c-section, although I'm not 100% sure.  I just know that I was so very happy.  And relieved.  I woke from the dream shortly after seeing her in the hospital bassinett in my room, but I woke with a peaceful heart.  It was a nice change from my other recent intense dreams. 

*****
Today is one of my 'memory-dates'.  One of those dates that is engraved on my brain.  It's not a loss, or an EDD that never came.  Instead, it's the date that this journey started.  Today marks the 4th anniversary of us beginning down the road to building our family, the day that I took my last birth control pill.  Our journey to get to this point hasn't been as long as some, but I'm thankful that this phase of our lives is slowly coming to a close, transitioning from a goal of getting/staying pregnant to something a little more future focussed.  This road doesn't end, only changes direction, with new challenges and opportunities.  As one of my kinfolk said...

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.       - Bilbo Baggins
(as quoted by J.R.R. Tolkien in LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring, CH. 1)

The Journey Out of Crazy Town

Hey Humble Readers....  (if any of you are still out there)

I know it's been a while.  The last you heard from this intrepid hobbit, I was just getting home from the ER after a terrible bout of stomach flu. Much has happened in the interim, but suffice it to say, I feel like we are coming back to normal.  At least our brand of normal around here.  Let me give you the run down... (hope you're prepared for a long story)

The Wretched Stomach Flu

Ginny came down with the nasty bug around the 12th or 13th of December.  Vomiting, diarrhea, the works.  For her, it lasted about 24 hours... with a few little straggling pukey sessions that lingered into the second day.  We had a recovery day, and went for doctor appointments for both she an I... her well-baby check up and blood work results for me.  Both were anticlimactic, botched test results for me and a cursory check over for the wee girl. 

That night, sometime just after midnight, I woke up with a horrible pain in my stomach.  I got up and assumed that I would be spending some time in the bathroom with my usual IBS issues.  An hour or so later, I started puking.  And puking.  And puking.  It lasted for close to twelve hours.  I couldn't keep anything down, not even water.  I started to get a little freaked out, and I begged my Beloved to stay home from work because I was in no condition to look after Ginny.  It was around noon, after a particularly ugly round of vomiting that I decided to call our healtlink hotline.  I gave the nurse all my info (pregnant, diabetic, stomach flu, etc) and she was adamant that I go to the ER. 

Another 6 hours, lots of needle sticks, and two bags of IV fluids later I was on my way home, feeling like I had been run over by a Mack truck.  My MIL came the next day to help look after Ginny so that I could rest.  She made soup, gave Ginny a bath, and basically ran things for the day, while I laid on the couch like a lump.  (Sadly, she ended up catching the vile, wretched bug.  Since that point, no less than 8 members of our extended family have had it, altho none of them ended up in the hospital thankfully!)

The Continuing Plumbing Saga

The Hobbit-hole has some issues.  It's small.  It's old-ish.   The front north corner of the building is slightly lower than the rest due to a settling foundation after a major flood at the building next door.  But the pressing issue this year has been our plumbing.  You may recall, if you have a good memory, that we had to have the kitchen taps worked on last year.  Then came the hot water tap in our tub.  A temporary fix, followed by an expensive replacement.  Then the aging hot water tank started acting up.  Two days after the stomach flu/ER fiasco the pilot light went out on the tank.  We called a plumber, and he got it restarted but strongly recommended getting the tank replaced.  We knew it was due soon (the tank was pushing 20 years old), but were hoping to hold out until tax refund time.  NO SUCH LUCK!

The next day, I had no hot water for my shower.  It had now been 3 days since my last hot shower.  Hobbits don't deal well with repeated exposure to icy water.  My Beloved and I bit the bullet and called the plumber.  They got us on the schedule for the next day, and they came in and with relatively little fuss (and a big check that I had to sign) they swapped old for new, and I had the promise of hot water... UNTIL...

The Carbon Monoxide Scare

The guy who was doing the install on our hot water tank was just finishing up.  I had just written the check.  The plumber was doing one final check on the tank when he noticed something odd.  Where the furnace and hot water tank exhaust should have been venting, it was backdrafting.  As in venting back into our furnace room.  As in carbon monoxide was filling the space.  Pardon the expression, but WTF!?!?!  If I believed in karma, I would be of the opinion that I really pissed someone off in a former life.  Plumber-dude immediately shut down both the new hot water tank and the furnace... in December... on the frozen flatland. 

Two days and five furnace specialists later, the problem/mystery was solved.  It turns out that one of the downstairs units in our building had the furnace replaced, and the asshat who did it managed to hook that furnace up to our chimney (again I say, WTF!?).  He then ran an exhaust hose from that furnace, through our chimney to the roof, and then capped it, effectively blocking the path for our furnace exhaust.  Our furnace was venting into the wall between our unit and the one next door.  Sounds like a great idea, huh?  The particularly fun bit was when the owner of the unit with the furnace in question decided to drag her feet for half a day before she would come and let the furnace guys into her unit to check it out (her exact words to my Beloved were "how do you know it's coming from my unit?  What proof do you have?"). 

Travels with a Toddler

Two days after the whole furnace fiasco, we were heading out to fly to K-town to spend the holidays with my family.  Ginny has flown before, and she did well, sleeping through the whole journey.  This time, no such luck.  Plus it wasn't a direct flight... we had to fly through Vancouver, so add an extra hour to our flying time.  Less than 15 minutes into the flight, she somehow managed to wet through her diaper, onesie, jeans and my shirt (she hasn't had a major leak like that since she was in cloth diapers!).  I wasn't prepared for it, and we had no change of clothes for her in the diaper bag.  So, I got to sit on a plane with a very wet, very fussy baby soaking me. 

Then, on the descent into Vancouver, Ginny started to have some issues.  And when I say some, I mean major issues.  She became 'that' baby on the plane.  The one every traveler dreads.  The screaming, snotty, pee-soaked, red in the face baby.  Oh, and did I mention that I really had to pee?  The Halfling 2.0 decided that would be a good time to line dance on my bladder.  And we had to change planes... kind of.  We had to get off the plane in Vancouver, with all our carry ons and a very upset baby, only to get right back on it 10 minutes later.  The only upside was that I had a moment to go pee. 

The flight from Vancouver to K-town was considerably quieter (thank you Tyl.enol), but that was the last quiet time we got for a while.  Apparently, Ginny is going through a phase where change is a very bad thing.  Sleeping in a strange play pen, in a strange room, sharing said room with Mommy and Daddy... all added up to very little sleep for 10 days.  Other than that, it was a great trip, and I'm glad we went.  The flight home was much less traumatic, and significantly shorter as we had a direct flight.  Ginny didn't sleep on the plane, but we weren't even out of the airport parking lot before she was out cold.  She slept for the two hour drive from Big City to the South to our little city. 

I'm now in that post-trip recovery mode.  I'm feeling like I'm coming down with a bit of a cold.  I've unpacked two out of three suitcases, and hopefully tomorrow I will have the energy to do the third suitcase and start to take down all our Christmas decorations. 

Oh yeah, and I have a little thing called an ultrasound tomorrow afternoon!  Yippee!

The Crud Is Back

Hey Humble Readers...

Remember how I said that I was going to get the flu shot and that was going to be the end of continuing cycle of colds that I have been experiencing this fall? 

That was the plan. 

The plan didn't work. 

I don't have time to be sick this week.  Ginny's b-day party is in less than two days, and I have to get the house cleaned up, and do a whole crapload of cooking (including baking a cake).  Ugh. 

Off to go make some tea. 

Excuses, Excuses

Hey Humble Readers...

Just wanted to stop in and let you all know that I am still alive (altho I really feel like I'm just hangin' in there).  I spent pretty much all day sleeping and I feel like I could go to bed right now.  I've got a lot of strikes against my energy levels...

I'm pregnant (soooo not complaining, just stating a fact)

I'm on prometrium (also not a complaint.  I'm so thankful for the whoo-haa pills!)

I have a biotch of a cold (yes I AM complaining about that)

and my blood sugar levels are all kinds of f*cked up (up, down and all around.  yes, it's a complaint.  Thank the Lord I start insulin on Monday)

All that, Humble Readers, to say that I'm sorry I haven't been around.  Hopefully, tomorrow or Monday will see me feeling a little more human.  Until then, I pray you are all doing well.  I know that there's been a lot going on in the blogosphere.  I'll get caught up soon.

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Snot & Other Bodily Fluids

Good Evening Humble Readers...

How are you all doing? 

If you're affected at all by back-to-school season, I hope that things have gone smoothly for the start of the year.  Locally, kids went back today, which doesn't make a whole heap of sense to me... send the kids back for two days before a long weekend?  How many kids are even going to show up until next week? 

*****
All's quiet here in the hobbit hole, at the moment anyway.  Ginny has what I think is a cold.  She doesn't have a fever, but she's seriously snotty and has something other than her usual fake cough.  She's also been having several bowel movements a day.  I know that it's possible that this is related to her teething, but it seems to be bigger than that.  Her sleep schedule has been thrown off because she's having difficulty breathing with being so stuffed up, and while she still has moments of her usual cheerful self, but she's mostly pretty lethargic.  Poor wee girl... I'm hoping she's better soon.

*****
So, remember when I said I was going to start charting again on my next cycle, in hopes of feeling a little bit more in control?  Ha-freakin'-Ha!  My cycle started 18 days ago, and I reactivated my FF account and have been getting back into the swing of things.  Now, remember that wicked sunburn I got on the weekend?  I'm pretty sure it's screwed up my temps.  I'm almost certain I O'd on CD 16 based on my EWCM and a couple other usual signs.  The thing is, my temps from CD15 and 16 are way higher than normal for that time in my cycle, and now I can't see a clear thermal shift that ties in with my other O signs.  The whole point of charting was so that I could pinpoint O and keep an eye on my luteal phase.  So much for that idea this cycle. 

*****
Funny Ginny story... the baby gate we have has a hinged door-type-gate on one side for easy pass through.  I really like it, but apparently it's not a love match for Ginny.  The other day I went through the gate to put something away in the bathroom, but I forgot to lock the gate behind me.  Ginny was in the living room playing.  I was just coming out of the bathroom when I heard her crying in the hall.  I came around the corner and there she was, hanging on the gate that was swinging back and forth because of her weight.  The poor wee girl couldn't figure out that she had to let go.  (for those of you who are gasping... the gate just blocks the hallway.  It's not to block any stairs or other dangers) 

*****
Finally, for all the old ladies who harrass me about how we're raising Ginny, I submit the following...

Click for a larger view

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The Cold Goes Ever On & On

Good Morning Humble Readers...

So, just when I was thinking we were past the worst of this crud, it's come back and landed squarely in sweet Ginevra's sinuses.  The poor wee girl woke herself (and me) up at 3am with some sort of combination sneezles and coughs.  She seems to be only moderately congested, but this is certainly a new experience in feeling helpless.  I've tried using the nasal aspirator, but I don't seem to be getting anything.  Steam is next on the list if she gets worse.  Thankfully, she doesn't have a fever, and she's her smiley self this morning.  I'll take any suggestions on how to help her.

*****
Okay, so looking at another type of cold... you would think that after all this time, we might merit a break from the cold and snow, or that I'd be used to it.  I'd love to have a day above freezing.  That's the thing about this time of year, I start going crazy for warmer weather.  This morning isn't quite as cold as it has been... only -10C but it's snowing AGAIN!  I love Canada, and being Canadian... but really, enough is enough of this winter crap!

*****
I think Ginny laughed for the first time yesterday.  It was just three little notes, but it sure sounded like a laugh.  What a beautiful noise!

*****
In my current quest to discover new foods and eat healthier, I have come across a new favourite.  How is it that I have lived in Canada for 4/5 of my life and somehow have never had Red River Hot Cereal?  It's awesome, people!  Whole grain wheat, rye, and flax... that's it.  Super low on the glycemic index, low in carbs and high in fiber.  Amazingly easy to cook up and tastes so much better than oatmeal.  Do you think they need a spokesperson? 

*****
We have a new little person in our extended family.  Do you all remember that wedding we went to last summer?  For one of my Beloved's nephews?  Well they were just newly pregnant when they got married, and wee "Thor" (the first great-grandchild) arrived just about two weeks ago... 7 weeks early.  A's water broke in the middle of the night, and after what sounds like a very hectic/chaotic journey to the hospital in the big city 2 hours south of us, the little man arrived.  Thor was less than 4 pounds when he was born, but he's living up to his nickname and is getting stronger every day.  He's been transferred back to our hospital and is in the special care nursery.  We won't get to meet him for a few more weeks, but I've seen pictures and he looks like a wee little piece of his daddy fell off and just grew.  The one tragedy... they had to shave off most of his hair so that they could place the IVs and things on his scalp.  He's sporting a pretty sweet mohawk tho. 

*****
The pizza dough turned out pretty good last night.  The recipe was easy enough and I was able to make it in the bread machine.  What I struggled with was shaping the dough, making it fit the pan at an even thickness without putting holes in it.  Any of you cooking superstars have any suggestions for next time? 

Kitchen Adventures: Valentine's Day Dinner

Hey Humble Readers...

This crud that I picked up while on vacation is currently kicking my tail.  It's currently sitting in my throat and ears... ugh.  So far, Ginny is appearing to be immune, which is a blessing.

But I wasn't going to let a cold keep me down last night when it came to making dinner.  Due to our financial situation, we agreed that we were only going to do a fancy dinner at home and exchange cards this year for V-day.  So, back in mid January I started looking for something new and outstanding to rock my Beloved's tastebuds.  And this is what I found...

Mediterranean Chicken in Puff Pastry

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and cut in half
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (of similar size)
2 cups of spinach, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Oregano
Thyme
Egg, beaten

Preheat your oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.  Roll out, on a lightly floured board, one half of the puff pastry until it is almost triple the size of your chicken breast.  In the center of the puff pastry, place 1/2 cup of spinach.  Top with chicken breast.  Spread one tablespoon of basil pesto on chicken breast, then sprinkle with half of the sundried tomatoes and feta cheese.  Sprinkle with a pinch of oregano and thyme.  Top with 1/2 cup spinach.  Bring sides of pastry up and press/roll together tightly.  Do the same to each end, so that the pastry forms a packet around the chicken.  Place wrapped chicken on baking sheet, seam side down.  Repeat all steps with second chicken breast.  Using a sharp knife, slice 2 or 3 small slits in the pastry to allow steam to escape.  Brush both packets lightly with beaten egg and put in the oven.  Bake for 40 minutes, until the pastry is nice and golden.  To serve, cut each packet in half on an angle and stack on a plate. 

What they looked like fresh from the oven.... YUM!

I served this with boiled new potatoes dressed with a bit of basil pesto, and oven roasted asparagus.  It was incredible, and I can't wait to try this with different combinations of meats and cheeses. 

Okay, it's time for this hobbit to crawl back into bed.  Thankfully the wee little girl is napping too.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig

Good Morning Humble Readers...

Just wanted to pop online and say that I'm back on the frozen flatland.  The time with my family was absolutely fabulous and I'm planning on sharing some of the highlights tomorrow. 

The unfortunate news is that a very irritating sinus thing hitched a ride home with me.  My head pounds, my nose aches and my throat scratches.  I can only hope that it is short lived and that Ginevra doesn't get it.

I'm off to go make some tea.