kapachino

Category: around here

  • friday things: odds & ends

    I started watching Glee from the beginning tonight. My brother had told me that there was zero chance that I wouldn’t like it, and he was right. In fact, I teared up in the first episode because of how happy it made me. My husband watched it with me and commented on all the stereotypes and how it’s basically just a cheesy high school movie. I looked him in the eye and said, “I like that.”

    ***

    My in-laws have been keeping Oliver for us since before David’s surgery, but since they’re going on vacation in the morning we got him back tonight. Even though we’re a little nervous about how it’ll work out with the big guy around, I have to say that I’ve missed him.

    It wasn’t two seconds after I sat down that his whole body was in my lap!

    ***

    Here’s a little TMI for you: today was day one of my feminine cycle. I can honestly say that I’ve never looked forward to it so much, because after almost 20 months of trying & waiting for one reason or another we are finally proceeding with fertility treatment: ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination. I debated on whether or not to share this, but I figured I already went through one miscarriage with you and it turned out okay. So today, despite dealing with my usual horrendous cramps and accompanying nausea, I was actually excited. I got a baseline ultrasound and a prescription for Clomid, which I start on Sunday. For anyone who has taken it before, what can I expect?

    ***

    On my way home from the doctor’s office I dug around in my wallet and discovered a long-forgotten gift card to Smoothie King with $7 left on it! Total score. It’s the little things. Then I stopped by a store I had a Groupon for called One Green Street and picked up a few new organic products.

    One of my goals is to transition to all-natural personal care products, so I’m trying out some different kinds to see what I like best. I’ll be sure to let you know how I like these.

    ***

    Today was a success! What about you?

  • how my day off turned out

    It all started with coffee. Coffee and breakfast, but mostly coffee.

    Not wanting to wake up any earlier than necessary, I skipped the shower and makeup, threw on some clothes, and harnessed Oliver. Thinking he was getting a walk, he helpfully pointed me in the direction of his leash.

    We arrived at the clinic at 7 a.m. and it opens at 8:30 a.m. We had secured our spot in line, but the following hour and a half was less than pleasant. That length of time in an enclosed space with a 93-pound dog (we found out later that’s how much he weighs), especially one who is naturally anxious and in a situation where he can easily see other cats and dogs through the window, never is.

    I tried to walk him around the parking lot once, but he peed on the storefront. Then I walked him behind the storefront and he peed on my foot. I decided I’d bear with him in the car.

    After an eternity, an eternity in which I somehow managed to read a few chapters of my book, they called his name and I left him there. It was kind of sad, actually. Kind of.

    I drove straight home and began tackling the front room, recently painted, which looked like this:

    After three hours of work, it now looks like this:

    You might be wondering, “What did she do in those three hours? Take a nap?” But what you don’t see is that the piano was splattered with miniature dots of paint all over and required much scrubbing. And you don’t realize the breadth of the joy that I received in organizing our books according to my own personal system.

    The bookshelf isn’t complete, though, and I didn’t even move the piano back in place because the floor still needs to be scrubbed. But this room has come a long way, and I’m proud.

    Soon it was time to head out to my acupuncture appointment. Who doesn’t love getting stuck with tiny needles?

    After that 20 minute nap, I met my pastor at Starbucks to discuss some things about the church we’re planting, specifically website & social media ideas. I had forgotten to eat lunch, so I ate a blueberry muffin to take the edge off so I could make it to dinner.

    I made a quick stop at the grocery store, then swung by to pick up Oliver. He was amazingly calm. I know that he was drugged up, but I still delighted in just one day and one night of calmness.

    At home again it was time to tackle my inbox, as well as do some chores like gathering paperwork for our home refinance, making dinner (grilled cheese sandwiches), and cleaning up a bit.

    Once that was all done, David and I settled in to watch The Bachelorette. For the record, I turned on the Tonys first but David practically BEGGED me to watch The Bachelorette. Looks like I’ll be watching the Tonys by myself later this week.

    A little after 9 p.m. my body demanded to be put to bed, so that’s what I did. And it was good.

  • what are days off for but to work?

    Here is a snapshot of my calendar for the month.

    Everything written down is some sort of engagement that I have planned, and the red numbers in the bottom right-hand corners are my work hours. There is one blissfully blank day next Tuesday, but that’s it. For some reason June has outdone itself.

    On Friday David and I are going camping for the weekend with some of our siblings (an excursion that quite possibly could end in disaster), and since I worked this weekend I haven’t had much time to prepare. If you scrutinize the fuzzy picture of my calendar, you will notice that I work twelve hours on Tuesday, eight hours on Wednesday followed by three hours of leading youth group, and another twelve hours on Thursday. That leaves tomorrow, Monday, as my sole day off before the trip.

    And what have I decided to leave myself to do on that day off? Oh, nothing ambitious. Just:

    • Finally get Oliver fixed/his shots/heartworm pills
    • Buy Father’s Day gifts
    • Acupuncture
    • Meet with my pastor to discuss working with the church’s website & social media
    • Watch the Tonys on DVR
    • Clean & put the front room back together
    • Gather documents needed to refinance the house
    • Procure additional camping supplies

    My day off isn’t looking too restful, especially since Oliver and I need to be at the clinic by 7 a.m. It’s a first come first served place, so even arriving that early doesn’t ensure us a spot, although I have high hopes. I’m not looking forward to shelling out the $300 cash for everything he needs done (it all costs more than double because of his large size), but I can’t tell you how excited I am to get this surgery over with. I’ve been whispering sweet nothings in Oliver’s ear all day long, things like, “Enjoy your last day as a man!” and “You’re about to be turned into a eunuch!”

    I think he’s excited too.

  • dog park, farmer’s market, paint, and mothers

    It’s Tuesday and I’m still reliving my weekend. So what?

    I got a nice surprise on Friday when I was supposed to work until 7 p.m. and they let me off at 3. I was able to beat the traffic and convinced David to go on a mini-date. We went to Potbelly Subs & Sandwiches for dinner and then went back home to pick up the dogs. This part took a lot more convincing, because handling all three dogs at once is no easy task. But I recently bought these adorable tags for them, and now we could legitimately take Oliver to the dog park.

    It was Oliver’s first time there, so we were nervous. He’s still not neutered (I know, I know) so he has a tendency to act fairly alpha. He comes up to my waist and weighs around 100 pounds, but there was a dog much bigger than him there and Oliver had that dog’s tail between its legs just by sniffing. Overall he was very good, but he made other dogs nervous and we felt like we had to hover around him the entire time. I don’t think we’ll be going back until we get him fixed.

    On Saturday I was up bright & early to visit the local farmer’s market that I’ve been meaning to go to for ages. My sister-in-law and friend were supposed to come too, but neither of them could make it due to their respective babies so I was on my own. I found it easily and my first impression was that it’s small, but very cute.

    I walked around without buying anything once to see what was there, and I was happy to see that there was a big variety of food and other local, organic products. I had my eye on some tomatoes and peaches, but then I realized I had forgotten to bring a bag to carry them in. I ended up only buying some honey because I was too self-conscious. (Side note: has anyone ever tried honey in their coffee instead of sugar?)

    I must have really been in a food-buying mood though, because I ended up stopping at a larger organic store which was farther away. I was in the area since I had to get some blood drawn at a specific lab. The book I’m reading is completely changing my perspective on the foods I buy. David doesn’t know what he’s in for. :)

    For the rest of the day I had originally intended to drag David with me to the Art Car Parade, but when he told me he’d help me paint instead I couldn’t pass that up. My parents and father-in-law came too, and we were able to get the second coat on the front two rooms, paint the ceiling, and start on the trim. The trim and touch-ups are all we have left there, but it’s such a tedious chore. I can’t wait to finish and actually start decorating!

    Sunday morning found us at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, Los Cucos, for breakfast with my family. I’d never had breakfast at a Mexican place, but I have to say the eggs were the best I’ve ever tasted. I was really excited to give my mom her gift, because it was so unique. You may not know this, but my mom was a hippie in her day, and I think the gene is genetic. For Mother’s Day I signed us (along with my mother-in-law) up for a class teaching us how to make soft cheese and other dairy products at home. I can’t wait!

    Church was a fluster of activity because my brother and I were leading the music and we were not quite prepared. It ended up going smoothly, but only because we grew up doing music together and know exactly what the other will do. On the way home from church David and I stopped by a local bookstore for an amazing sale. Here are all the books we got, all for $5.95!

    Can you guess which three are mine? ;)

    By the time we got home I had developed quite a toothache that extended into my sinuses and down my neck. I took a Vicodin, read a few pages, and fell into a nap that lasted until my mother-in-law called me to ask me a question. It’s a good thing she did, because we were supposed to meet David’s family for dinner and I would have slept right through it. Dinner was delicious and the company was lovely, and to top the weekend off I took my mother-in-law to the play Harvey at the Alley Theatre, which we both loved.

    Only eleven more days until my next weekend off!

  • friday things: pictures from the week

    This week I bought a rug. I stressed over it. I deliberated. I took the plunge, and got way excited.

    I still like the rug, but I think it looks awkward in my living room. I am going to try it in the dining room when we finish painting, and if I don’t love it there then I’m returning it. I’m now looking for a light blue, 8-foot, round rug to go in this spot.

    ***

    This week I figured out how to get my hair out of my face for awhile!

    It took a headband and several bobby pins, but it sure was a nice break.

    ***

    This week I celebrated Passover with the youth group at church.

    I thought the horseradish smelled tasty, so I took a big bite. WHOA. There is a reason you are supposed to eat it during Seder, and it is to make you cry. But at least my sinuses were clear.

    ***

    This week I went to the semi-annual antique festival with my parents.

    Although I only ended up buying one thing, I had a fabulous time. My parents bought yard art in their typical fashion, tried to convince me to buy yard art (I resisted), fed me yummy food and ice cream, and were all-around fun and entertaining companions.

    ***

    Tonight my husband is taking me on a rare trip to the movies, this weekend I’m working (on Easter – sad), furiously preparing for vacation, and Monday we’re leaving to New York City!