- The last week has been really, really hard. I’ve been dealing with more health struggles than usual lately, something very devastating has happened to a close family member, and our situation has been affecting Anthony and I pretty strongly lately. With all of this going on it’s been hard to remain positive and I’ve been teetering back and forth from deep sadness to impotent anger.
- Despite all this I do hope I have some exciting news to share soon. Fingers crossed!
- Today we’re on another impromptu adventure with the Grandparents and this time we’re off the San Francisco to spend the day in the city. We’ll probably spend most of our time at the zoo. Isobel is really looking forward to checking out the gorillas, something she hasn’t seen in person yet. While it’s frustrating that our job situation hasn’t changed it is wonderful to be able to do stuff like this at a moment’s (well, a day’s) notice. We’re eager to spend as much time together as we can in case we do have to move.
- I’m considering getting bangs again based solely off this photo of me from 1985. On the one hand, I am lazy and worried they will require daily maintenance to not look stupid. On the other hand, I haven’t had bangs since 2000 and I’m tired of looking at my forehead. Decisions, decisions.
- We perpetually keep a bowl of bananas on the counter for Isobel but at any given moment a few of them have passed Isobel’s accessible state of ripeness. This isn’t a problem, though, because I’m always needing to refill our supply of frozen bananas for smoothies. The best way to do this is to peel the banana, slice it into coins, and spread them out on a foil-covered tray in the freezer, like so. Once they are frozen you can transfer to a plastic bag and reclaim your tray. This way they blend quickly into your drink but stay nice and separate instead of freezing into one solid mass. The best part about this is that Isobel thinks that she’s sneaking a treat by grabbing frozen banana slices and eating them as a snack. One time she turned to me, mouth full of banana and said, “You make the best frozen bananas ever, Mom!”
- I haven’t been feeling the greatest physically lately. I had some serious insomnia the other night and ended up watching the entire first series of Call the Midwife. I looooved it.
- Isobel has her first black eye, and it’s not from attending Baby Fight Club. We have a side table near the front door for setting our mail and keys and other piles of crap on, and it is just the perfect height to catch Isobel right on her cheekbone if she turns around too quickly and isn’t watching where she is going. Poor thing.
- My husband has a personal defect which causes him to love exercise and working out and one thing he’s really enjoying lately is the fitnessblender series by a husband and wife team of personal trainers. They have a ton of free workout videos on youtube and in true thrifty spirit, can be adapted with or without equipment and to your fitness level. The best thing is that they have workouts you can do with kids and they have some nieces participating with them. Isobel loves this and while it only holds her attention for so long it’s a great way to introduce her to exercise. It’s my hope she grows up to view it as fun, like Anthony does.
- Bugs keep nibbling on all our strawberries which is particularly infuriating because the tag on them at the nursery boasted they they were extremely pest-resistant. I should have known better. Everyone loves strawberries!
- Anthony recently downloaded Shadow Over Mystara, a D&D-based arcade game that Anthony played as a kid when D&D was in its heyday. Isobel has taken and interest in gaming and because it has a two player option, Anthony has been teaching her to play with him. It’s about the cutest thing that’s ever happened. Isobel loves casting spells and selecting the map feature over and over.
Thrifty Giving: Mel & Lu’s Birthday Presents. I love them (the girls and the presents).
Scrapbook: Columbia State Historic Park. We are super-authentic except for my nose ring and non-white husband.
Follow Friday Guest Photographer Schmutzie. There’s a minor controversy about this but it’s totally ridiculous.
Recipe: Watermelon Blackberry Swirl Smoothie. Laziness wins again.
Knock-Off Action Figures. Pocket Monica makes me laugh-cry. Seriously, if you only click on one thing this year, click on this. You will not be disappointed.
Handmade Star Trek Smartphone Wallet. This is adorable.
“You are a fucking shit.” Dame Judi Dench painstakingly cross-stitches swear words and then gives them to fellow actors.
Hipsters Who Dress Like Jackie. This is really real.
The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog. This has so many educational purposes.
Man Rides Around on a Lay-Z Boy in China. I am afraid for him.
Convos with my 2-year old. This whole series is amazing and really highlights the psychopathic nature of toddlers. Via the lovely Ellen.
Illustrated Guide to 66 Kinds of Cheese. Educational and delicious.
Dune Sandworm Loaf. Seasoned with The Spice.
How Common Is Your Birthday? I’ve noticed we celebrate our friends’ birthdays in clusters.
Not Allowed to Wear Shorts, Male Train Drivers Wear Skirts. That’s hot.
“Why the Library Saved My Life.” A teen speaks out. Via @ScrewyDecimal
Cover your walls with literature. No shelves necessary.
“The house is too full and too empty at the same time.” One of the most powerful pictures of grief I’ve ever read.
From Robots, With Love. I used to get some fantastic spam comments.
Scrapbook: Library Visit. Don’t tell Isobel, but the first incarnation of the Pink Purse? Wasn’t even pink.
Reuse Roundup: Cloth Cleaning Rags. Still use these constantly.
Scrapbook: Dove’s Nest. My Mom’s cats were too lazy to murder them.
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