Thursday, June 4, 2009
Pumping Iron
Got deferred (turned down) at my apheresis appointment this morning because my iron levels were too low. Big bowl of spinach and red meat with a glass of red wine, here I come!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
C25k and DMB
Starting Week 4 of the C25k tomorrow morning. Did my last Week 3 run last night, and it didn't go all that great. I'm having some shin pain. I can't tell if it is muscle or bone pain, but it hurts like an mneffer. I tried to do some good stretching last night after the run, and again this morning before and after my elliptical, but it was lingering. I'm going to keep my eye on it.
We had a great weekend. Uncle Bennycakes stayed over with Ellen so John and I could go see Dave Matthews at Fenway and stay in the city overnight. We had a room down at the Hilton Boston Financial District. It was a beautiful hotel. Our room had recently been redone, and it was pretty glorious, if small. The hotel was a bit of a pain to get to, being as it is 5 or 6 blocks from the nearest trains. It's also pretty far down into the financial district (um, hence the name), so there's not really a lot going on down there in the night. Not a huge deal, but as we were planning to return to it fairly late, we definitely could have stayed somewhere safer. After the concert (which was pretty fun and great, thanks Guy and Shai!), we decided to forego going back to Cambridge to hang out with the crew in lieu of an earlier bedtime and more shut-eye. We couldn't get a cab back to the hotel, so we walked to Back Bay and hopped on the green line there. We walked down from Government Center, and toward the end we encountered some shadyness. There were two angry, large men arguing about a half block from the entrance of the hotel. As we approached, a lady of the night fled in the opposite direction. We had definitely interrupted something. I should have expected as much from a hotel that requires a key for re-entry after sundown. Anywho, we fairly ran into the hotel after inserting our key, and we were able to avoid being gunned down. (Phew!)
We went upstairs and ate Wendy's, watched some college softball on ESPN, and were asleep by 12:30.
We arose at the break of 10am (man, that was nice!), and scurried home to see Uncle Bennycakes and Miss Ellen. Ellen had had a great night. Uncle Ben took great care of her, despite the fact that the dogs went into a frenzy at midnight and 5am, waking her both times. He handled it with grace, however. All in all, it was a great success!
We had a great weekend. Uncle Bennycakes stayed over with Ellen so John and I could go see Dave Matthews at Fenway and stay in the city overnight. We had a room down at the Hilton Boston Financial District. It was a beautiful hotel. Our room had recently been redone, and it was pretty glorious, if small. The hotel was a bit of a pain to get to, being as it is 5 or 6 blocks from the nearest trains. It's also pretty far down into the financial district (um, hence the name), so there's not really a lot going on down there in the night. Not a huge deal, but as we were planning to return to it fairly late, we definitely could have stayed somewhere safer. After the concert (which was pretty fun and great, thanks Guy and Shai!), we decided to forego going back to Cambridge to hang out with the crew in lieu of an earlier bedtime and more shut-eye. We couldn't get a cab back to the hotel, so we walked to Back Bay and hopped on the green line there. We walked down from Government Center, and toward the end we encountered some shadyness. There were two angry, large men arguing about a half block from the entrance of the hotel. As we approached, a lady of the night fled in the opposite direction. We had definitely interrupted something. I should have expected as much from a hotel that requires a key for re-entry after sundown. Anywho, we fairly ran into the hotel after inserting our key, and we were able to avoid being gunned down. (Phew!)
We went upstairs and ate Wendy's, watched some college softball on ESPN, and were asleep by 12:30.
We arose at the break of 10am (man, that was nice!), and scurried home to see Uncle Bennycakes and Miss Ellen. Ellen had had a great night. Uncle Ben took great care of her, despite the fact that the dogs went into a frenzy at midnight and 5am, waking her both times. He handled it with grace, however. All in all, it was a great success!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Today is Monday
Ellen and I had a full day.
Before lunch we rode over to the post office to mail off our first batch of pretzels. On the way home, we stopped by the park at Elsie Hastings. First, we tried the swings. They don't have infant swings there, so I just hopped on one and held her on my lap. After an initial smile, I couldn't really tell if she was digging it, so I put her down in the grass near the swing and got back on myself to see if I could get a feeling for her vibe. She was smiling away in the grass, so I picked her up again. Then she started scowling a bit, so I cut it out with the swings. Maybe next time.
Next we went to try out the teeter-totter-y thing. It's not truly a teeter totter, because no one goes up or down, though there are seats on each end. Essentially, you can make the other person bounce a little. There's a rubber tire-like thing in the middle that the whole she-bang rests on that allows it to bounce. Anywho, I sat her on one end and sat on the ground next to her and bounced her. She loved it. Smiles all around. She would get really into it and then do this whole "No hands!" thing where she would let go for a half second. So cute. A real hit! I was looking at it and realized that the motion was a lot like riding a horse would be. Between this and her love for her horsey jumperoo, we might have to get this kid on a horse once she is old enough!
Finally, we went over to the big playground and I sat her on the articulated bridge (the bouncy bridge.) It was made of this plastic with little 1 inch diameter holes in it. She thought it was very cool that she could see through to the ground below. She also thought the holes were excellent fingerholds to use for climbing. She clambored up the (fairly steep!) side of the bridge to the platform above (which was a little scary, as I had to scramble up behind her post-haste!) Then she crawled around on the platform for a while until she decided to slide back down onto the bridge and do the climbing bit again. It was very nice to watch her explore.
Afterward, we went home for lunch (broccoli, cottage cheese, whole wheat pasta with parmesan, avocado, and blueberries) and a nap. After her nap, we played outside for a little while and then went to Target, where Ellen misplaced my glasses. She was getting antsy, so I gave her my sunglasses to play with. She must have put them down on a shelf or dropped them and I didn't notice. As we were leaving, I went to get them back from her and they were no where to be found! Ahh, well.
Then we went home for dinner (broccoli, cottage cheese, whole wheat pasta with parmesan, avocado, and yogurt.) After dinner, we walked to Roche Brothers to find dinner for Dad and me. Then Dad came home and I went to the gym and he gave her a tubby and put her to bed.
All in all, a great Monday.
Before lunch we rode over to the post office to mail off our first batch of pretzels. On the way home, we stopped by the park at Elsie Hastings. First, we tried the swings. They don't have infant swings there, so I just hopped on one and held her on my lap. After an initial smile, I couldn't really tell if she was digging it, so I put her down in the grass near the swing and got back on myself to see if I could get a feeling for her vibe. She was smiling away in the grass, so I picked her up again. Then she started scowling a bit, so I cut it out with the swings. Maybe next time.
Next we went to try out the teeter-totter-y thing. It's not truly a teeter totter, because no one goes up or down, though there are seats on each end. Essentially, you can make the other person bounce a little. There's a rubber tire-like thing in the middle that the whole she-bang rests on that allows it to bounce. Anywho, I sat her on one end and sat on the ground next to her and bounced her. She loved it. Smiles all around. She would get really into it and then do this whole "No hands!" thing where she would let go for a half second. So cute. A real hit! I was looking at it and realized that the motion was a lot like riding a horse would be. Between this and her love for her horsey jumperoo, we might have to get this kid on a horse once she is old enough!
Finally, we went over to the big playground and I sat her on the articulated bridge (the bouncy bridge.) It was made of this plastic with little 1 inch diameter holes in it. She thought it was very cool that she could see through to the ground below. She also thought the holes were excellent fingerholds to use for climbing. She clambored up the (fairly steep!) side of the bridge to the platform above (which was a little scary, as I had to scramble up behind her post-haste!) Then she crawled around on the platform for a while until she decided to slide back down onto the bridge and do the climbing bit again. It was very nice to watch her explore.
Afterward, we went home for lunch (broccoli, cottage cheese, whole wheat pasta with parmesan, avocado, and blueberries) and a nap. After her nap, we played outside for a little while and then went to Target, where Ellen misplaced my glasses. She was getting antsy, so I gave her my sunglasses to play with. She must have put them down on a shelf or dropped them and I didn't notice. As we were leaving, I went to get them back from her and they were no where to be found! Ahh, well.
Then we went home for dinner (broccoli, cottage cheese, whole wheat pasta with parmesan, avocado, and yogurt.) After dinner, we walked to Roche Brothers to find dinner for Dad and me. Then Dad came home and I went to the gym and he gave her a tubby and put her to bed.
All in all, a great Monday.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Butcher Shop
Apheresis is not the most fun thing I've ever done. My first nurse, Kim, infiltrated the vein in my left hand. Pretty badly. It hurt. Kind of a lot. But I wasn't going to blame her. Hey, people make mistakes. But then I got dressed down for being "dehydrated", even though I drank about 3 litres of water last night before bed and had a big glass of milk this morning before the train. I must say that being accused of sabotaging the procedure as the humongoid bruise is forming in my sore, sore hand is kind of a kick in the balls.
Anyway, the good thing I can say about Kim is that she knows when she's reached the limits of her phlebotomy talents, and apparently my tricksy little veins tax her past her abilities. There's nothing worse than watching a nurse shake with fear after she's already blown up a couple of your veins, trying to figure out where to try next. Kim did the right thing. She called over George, a phlebotomist at the donor center who must have been working there for about 108 years. He placed the iv in about 12 seconds, then moved on to do the one in my right arm.
I watched about 2/3 of The Devil Wears Prada after they got me all hooked up. All in all, it wasn't terrible, though I definitely think that the people at the donor center could be a little nicer. I don't expect a red carpet or anything, but a little kindness to their donors would go a long way.
Just sayin'.
Anyway, the good thing I can say about Kim is that she knows when she's reached the limits of her phlebotomy talents, and apparently my tricksy little veins tax her past her abilities. There's nothing worse than watching a nurse shake with fear after she's already blown up a couple of your veins, trying to figure out where to try next. Kim did the right thing. She called over George, a phlebotomist at the donor center who must have been working there for about 108 years. He placed the iv in about 12 seconds, then moved on to do the one in my right arm.
I watched about 2/3 of The Devil Wears Prada after they got me all hooked up. All in all, it wasn't terrible, though I definitely think that the people at the donor center could be a little nicer. I don't expect a red carpet or anything, but a little kindness to their donors would go a long way.
Just sayin'.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Goodbye, Sweet Platelets...
I gave whole blood for many years at various mobile MGH facilities. It doesn't take long, and I am a good candidate, as I have type O positive blood, which is the universal blood type. About four years ago, I got a letter from MGH that went a little something like this:
Thank you for donating at one of our mobile units. That was great, but you can do something even better. It turns out that you are a fabulous candidate for this little thing called platelet apheresis. This is a process by which your blood is removed from your body, the platelets are removed, and then your blood is returned to you, minus your sweet, sweet platelets.
The reason why you are such a good candidate is because you have the universal blood type and you are negative for Cytomegalovirus. CMV is a virus that is present in the blood of most people, and it causes them no harm. However, there are people, like cancer patients and premature babies, who can not receive blood that is positive for CMV.
In sum, cancer patients and preemies need your blood. If you don't care about helping cancer patients and preemies, don't worry about responding to this letter. If you do, please come do platelet apheresis at our donor center.
What could I do? I did the apheresis, but only once. It was a little scary, compounded by the fact that during the process of hooking me up to the machine, they discovered a faulty tube. It wasn't clamped where it should have been, and the resultant blood bath (literally, my blood sprayed everywhere, all over me, the nurse, the chair, the pillow my arm was resting on, and the tv screen) was a bit of a turnoff.
Just recently I started thinking about it again, though. I don't know if I am still CMV negative. I could have picked up the virus by now. But if I am, who am I to keep my sweet platelets from finding a new home among the sick and the brand-y new? Plus, I haven't paid much good into the karma-meter lately. Here I am in the catbird seat: sweet, healthy baby; kind, handsome husband; a nice house in the suburbs; a secure job; plenty of food to eat, etc. etc. etc.
So, I talked to my boss about taking some time off during the summer to find my platelets new homes. Unlike whole blood donation, you can donate platelets 24 times a year. She was kind enough to donate the time that gives me the ability to donate platelets 8 times this summer, and tomorrow will be my first donation.
I'll catch the early train and arrive at the donor center. I'll check in, and they'll screen me. Then they'll hook me up to a machine that sucks the blood out one arm, spins it through a machine, and replaces it in the other arm. All the while (about an hour and a half), I'll be sitting in this cool, comfy chair that has a tv screen that pulls down in front of it. I can watch tv or a movie. I'm a little nervous, but I figure it's the least I can do.
Thank you for donating at one of our mobile units. That was great, but you can do something even better. It turns out that you are a fabulous candidate for this little thing called platelet apheresis. This is a process by which your blood is removed from your body, the platelets are removed, and then your blood is returned to you, minus your sweet, sweet platelets.
The reason why you are such a good candidate is because you have the universal blood type and you are negative for Cytomegalovirus. CMV is a virus that is present in the blood of most people, and it causes them no harm. However, there are people, like cancer patients and premature babies, who can not receive blood that is positive for CMV.
In sum, cancer patients and preemies need your blood. If you don't care about helping cancer patients and preemies, don't worry about responding to this letter. If you do, please come do platelet apheresis at our donor center.
What could I do? I did the apheresis, but only once. It was a little scary, compounded by the fact that during the process of hooking me up to the machine, they discovered a faulty tube. It wasn't clamped where it should have been, and the resultant blood bath (literally, my blood sprayed everywhere, all over me, the nurse, the chair, the pillow my arm was resting on, and the tv screen) was a bit of a turnoff.
Just recently I started thinking about it again, though. I don't know if I am still CMV negative. I could have picked up the virus by now. But if I am, who am I to keep my sweet platelets from finding a new home among the sick and the brand-y new? Plus, I haven't paid much good into the karma-meter lately. Here I am in the catbird seat: sweet, healthy baby; kind, handsome husband; a nice house in the suburbs; a secure job; plenty of food to eat, etc. etc. etc.
So, I talked to my boss about taking some time off during the summer to find my platelets new homes. Unlike whole blood donation, you can donate platelets 24 times a year. She was kind enough to donate the time that gives me the ability to donate platelets 8 times this summer, and tomorrow will be my first donation.
I'll catch the early train and arrive at the donor center. I'll check in, and they'll screen me. Then they'll hook me up to a machine that sucks the blood out one arm, spins it through a machine, and replaces it in the other arm. All the while (about an hour and a half), I'll be sitting in this cool, comfy chair that has a tv screen that pulls down in front of it. I can watch tv or a movie. I'm a little nervous, but I figure it's the least I can do.
"Week 3" continues...
I took "Week 3" of the C25k program pretty slow. I had been having quite a bit of knee pain, so I wanted to ease up on the high-impact workouts a bit. I did the second run of week 3 this morning, and it went really well. My best run to date. I even ran an extra 2 minutes at the end just because I felt like it. Pretty great overall.
Last night Ellen did indeed chow down on some London broil and potatoes, as well as some sweet potatoes, some rice, and some yogurt. She also threw down some cheerios for good measure. Man, that kid can't get enough of her os.
This morning, Ellen blessed us by staying asleep as I left for the gym. She has been waking before dawn these past few mornings as I leave the house. As you can imagine, this does not a happy Daddy make. There were beginning to be murmurings of not being able to go to the gym so early, which did not a happy Mama make. So, I tried to be extra, extra quiet today, and it looks like it worked!
I get the day off from the gym tomorrow as I will be visiting MGH in the early morning to do some platelet apheresis. Drinking lots of water today to get my blood ready to be extracted, spun, and put back minus the platelets!
Last night Ellen did indeed chow down on some London broil and potatoes, as well as some sweet potatoes, some rice, and some yogurt. She also threw down some cheerios for good measure. Man, that kid can't get enough of her os.
This morning, Ellen blessed us by staying asleep as I left for the gym. She has been waking before dawn these past few mornings as I leave the house. As you can imagine, this does not a happy Daddy make. There were beginning to be murmurings of not being able to go to the gym so early, which did not a happy Mama make. So, I tried to be extra, extra quiet today, and it looks like it worked!
I get the day off from the gym tomorrow as I will be visiting MGH in the early morning to do some platelet apheresis. Drinking lots of water today to get my blood ready to be extracted, spun, and put back minus the platelets!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Monday
We had a nice Memorial Day. John was off from work (his first holiday of the year! Yahoo!), and Ben, Eli, and Miss Melissa were visiting. In the morning, John woke up with Ellen from 6:30 and let me sleep until 8:30, and then he went back to bed. Ellen and I went outside and watched Ben, Eli, and Miss Melissa play hide and seek. It was a fun morning.
They left around noon, and we had lunch and then Ellen and I both took a nap. Around 2 we took a trip to iParty to buy stuff for Ellen's upcoming birthday. We bought plates, napkins, cake decorating stuff, tablecloths, and some decorations.
When we got home, John went out to plant his peppers and Ellen and I followed. Aunt Amber had recommended that I get Ellen outside with her shopping cart walker so she could have some practice unimpeded by furniture and walls. It was a good recommendation, because she loved it! She did a bunch of laps from the back door to the woodpile and back. She was barefoot and didn't seem so bothered by the grass, although she still wasn't a fan of touching it with her legs, arms, or hands. Afterward, she practiced standing on her own while I sang "You are my sunshine." She boogied down pretty hard and clapped for me a lot. I'm pretty sure that she learned quite a few moves from Eli when he was here this weekend.
We ate dinner and had a tubby to wash off her dirty feet and then I left her with Daddy while I went to the grocery store to get some food to prepare for the week. When I got back, she was out cold. This week she'll be eating sweet potatoes, carrots, cottage cheese, deli turkey, yogurt, and probably some London broil and potatoes (in the crockpot as we speak.)
I got home and prepared her food while John washed the bottles and then I sterilized everything for good measure (it's probably been a good month since we did it, so I figured we might as well.)
All in all, it was a great Monday. Back to the grind tomorrow.
They left around noon, and we had lunch and then Ellen and I both took a nap. Around 2 we took a trip to iParty to buy stuff for Ellen's upcoming birthday. We bought plates, napkins, cake decorating stuff, tablecloths, and some decorations.
When we got home, John went out to plant his peppers and Ellen and I followed. Aunt Amber had recommended that I get Ellen outside with her shopping cart walker so she could have some practice unimpeded by furniture and walls. It was a good recommendation, because she loved it! She did a bunch of laps from the back door to the woodpile and back. She was barefoot and didn't seem so bothered by the grass, although she still wasn't a fan of touching it with her legs, arms, or hands. Afterward, she practiced standing on her own while I sang "You are my sunshine." She boogied down pretty hard and clapped for me a lot. I'm pretty sure that she learned quite a few moves from Eli when he was here this weekend.
We ate dinner and had a tubby to wash off her dirty feet and then I left her with Daddy while I went to the grocery store to get some food to prepare for the week. When I got back, she was out cold. This week she'll be eating sweet potatoes, carrots, cottage cheese, deli turkey, yogurt, and probably some London broil and potatoes (in the crockpot as we speak.)
I got home and prepared her food while John washed the bottles and then I sterilized everything for good measure (it's probably been a good month since we did it, so I figured we might as well.)
All in all, it was a great Monday. Back to the grind tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
BSC
I have been spending a great deal of time at the Boston Sports Club lately. Why am I doing it? Well, I'm not just doing it for my health!...Wait...
Seriously, though, I have been contemplating re-adopting a more healthful routine since I began to heal from my c-section (which, sadly, took over 9 months.) I had been back to the gym intermittently, but nothing had "stuck."
As some of you know, I belong to an online women's/mother's group, and there is a whole health and fitness section where a smaller subset of women talk about, well, health and fitness. There is a "Couch to 5k" thread on there, and when I read about the C25k program, it seemed really doable. So, I'm doing it. I've enlisted Amber (who already runs frequently) and Mikki (who has been training for months for her first triathalon) to run with me in the Billy's Chowder House (if anything can motivate me, it's chowdah!) 5k on July 12th.
I am psyched, and overall, training has been going pretty well. I am running 3 days a week and doing some gentle cardio and weight circuits on three other days. Initially, I had some ankle soreness, and I have been resting and stretching for the past week to try to ease up some knee pain, but I am definitely easing into my routine.
I start week 3 of the program (though I've actually been at it for over a month) tonight. I am looking forward to it!
Seriously, though, I have been contemplating re-adopting a more healthful routine since I began to heal from my c-section (which, sadly, took over 9 months.) I had been back to the gym intermittently, but nothing had "stuck."
As some of you know, I belong to an online women's/mother's group, and there is a whole health and fitness section where a smaller subset of women talk about, well, health and fitness. There is a "Couch to 5k" thread on there, and when I read about the C25k program, it seemed really doable. So, I'm doing it. I've enlisted Amber (who already runs frequently) and Mikki (who has been training for months for her first triathalon) to run with me in the Billy's Chowder House (if anything can motivate me, it's chowdah!) 5k on July 12th.
I am psyched, and overall, training has been going pretty well. I am running 3 days a week and doing some gentle cardio and weight circuits on three other days. Initially, I had some ankle soreness, and I have been resting and stretching for the past week to try to ease up some knee pain, but I am definitely easing into my routine.
I start week 3 of the program (though I've actually been at it for over a month) tonight. I am looking forward to it!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Carrot Cake Taker
As I mentioned yesterday, the carrot cake was a hit. The recipe yielded 24 cupcakes and a small sheet cake (the size of a loaf pan.) We frosted a handful of those bad boys up, and each of us chowed down on one after dinner (except Ellen, she only had a few bites.) Then I wrapped the remaining 18 or so up and implored Mik to take some with her the next day and hand them out at Eli's track meet. I left them, wrapped in tinfoil, on top of the stove, sitting on the cooling racks, pushed all the way to the back burners.
I arose dutifully at 4:45am and made my way downstairs to head out to the BSC. When I reached the back door, I found the foil savagely ripped open, and many cupcakes missing. Not one to jump to conclusions, I raced back upstairs and roused John quickly. "Hey," I said, "You and Mikki didn't happen to eat 11 cupcakes after I went to bed last night, did you?"
Umm, no.
Just then I remembered Roxanne climbing into bed next to me at 3:30am. She was groaning and whining a bit. "What's the matter, girl?" I had said sleepily. I stroked her chest and belly and soon she was asleep. I figured she was just lonely. Turns out, she was apologizing.
I arose dutifully at 4:45am and made my way downstairs to head out to the BSC. When I reached the back door, I found the foil savagely ripped open, and many cupcakes missing. Not one to jump to conclusions, I raced back upstairs and roused John quickly. "Hey," I said, "You and Mikki didn't happen to eat 11 cupcakes after I went to bed last night, did you?"
Umm, no.
Just then I remembered Roxanne climbing into bed next to me at 3:30am. She was groaning and whining a bit. "What's the matter, girl?" I had said sleepily. I stroked her chest and belly and soon she was asleep. I figured she was just lonely. Turns out, she was apologizing.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Your First Free Monday...
Ellen and I had a great first free Monday. We woke up early and she was down for a nap by 9:15. I spent her nap finishing up her new cart cover to replace the cheesy piece of crap I bought at Target (see above.) Seriously, the thing is supposed to make the cart a bit more cozy and provide a barrier between Ellen and the 10,000,000,000,000,000 (that's 10 bajillion, in case you've lost count) germs that accumulate on an implement that is handled by hundred of people each day and never washed. What good is it if it doesn't cover the part of the car that her hands are closest to and thus most likely to touch?Anyhow, the resulting cart cover is fresh. Super fresh, if I do say so myself. She was rocking it hard when we went grocery shopping.
We also took Roxannie to see Dr. Wolfus (who is, in fact, reminiscent of a wolf.) Roxannie needed her rabies shot, a heartworm test, some heartworm medication, a general checkup, and a chat about her reflux issues. Dr. Wolfus maintained that Roxanne is the "picture of health" and that her intermittent bilous vomiting is indeed just acid reflux. If it gets worse as she gets older, we can talk about some medication to control the acid, but for now it's really no concern. Her teeth look great, her weight is still great, and she's just a great and sweet and happy girl altogether. As Dr. Wolfus sat on the floor trying to examine her and Roxannie repeatedly bumrushed him and tried to kiss him full on the mouth, he commented, "So, she's pretty high energy, huh?" Clearly, he got to where he was at because of his superb observational skills. Seriously, though, I loved him. We've met a lot of cool vets and he was definitely my favorite. John usually handles vet duty since we moved from Boston, and he told me I would love Dr. W. He was right!
After the vet and grocery shopping, we went home and waited for Mikki and Eli to show up! Ellen was just about ready for naptime when they cruised in. She was so excited to see them! She eventually did take a nap. After that, we all went to the dog park and took a nice gentle hike. Gert and Roxie ended up filthy and stinking to high heaven, so upon returning home, Aunt Mikki began dinner with Ellen while I hosed down the pupper dogs. I was so glad she was there, because it would have been a nightmare to try to wash both pups and care for Ellen!
Soon, John was home, and Ellen had plenty of entertainment. Mikki ran to the store to get some eggs and flour (I had forgotten to check if I had them before I went shopping) so I could test drive my Meems' recipe for carrot cake. Eli helped me grease and flour the pans, and I made the cake. It turned out great!
The kids went to bed and I declared our first free Monday a success!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Back to the Grind
As advertised, Mother's Day was lovely. The food was impressive, the day itself was sunny and breezy, and we all had a wonderful time. I took the day off from the gym, and it was glorious. I didn't even worry about gorging myself on food and cocktails. John got me an amazing purple orchid, and Ellen got me a gift certificate for our favorite diner, so we can share lunch there some Monday soon.
Yesterday was my last work from home Monday before my free Monday summer begins! I am very excited for that next week. I haven't quite decided what we're going to do yet, but I promise it will knock your socks off! Okay, maybe not, but I'll keep you posted.
But after my glorious gym-free Sunday, I was back to the grind yesterday at the gym.
Yesterday was my last work from home Monday before my free Monday summer begins! I am very excited for that next week. I haven't quite decided what we're going to do yet, but I promise it will knock your socks off! Okay, maybe not, but I'll keep you posted.
But after my glorious gym-free Sunday, I was back to the grind yesterday at the gym.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Frizziday Nizzle
It's Friday night and I'm having a quiet night alone. John got me some spicy tuna rolls and edamame and then left for his poker game...sweet fellow. I put Elle to bed and drank a couple of beers. I'm almost ready for bed myself, at 9 mnfin o'clock. Tomorrow is my early morning with Elle. I think we're going grocery shopping for the upcoming Mother's Day brunch. Amber and the clan and Scott and Steph are coming over. John and Dyl and Colin and Shawn and Scott are making the following for our brunch:
Ham+cheese+onion+mushrooms quiche
Turkey+cheese+peppers quiche
Pancakes
Michael's Potatoes Au Gratin
Sandwich platter (including New York's famous Mastroianni rolls brought fresh by Amber)
Bagels and lox
Fruit Salad
Pastry (Steph's choice)
Bella Napoli (NY, what?) donuts
Mimosas
If you're wondering, yes, we keep it very healthy.
If the weather is nice (which my spies at the Weather Channel tell me it will be, if perhaps a bit windy), we'll probably head outside for some horseshoes and maybe an impromtu game of wiffle ball after eating. The kids will run around and the adults will chase them. That's the way of things these days.
I am looking forward to our brunch, and mostly to being surrounded by our lovely friends and family for Mother's Day.
Ham+cheese+onion+mushrooms quiche
Turkey+cheese+peppers quiche
Pancakes
Michael's Potatoes Au Gratin
Sandwich platter (including New York's famous Mastroianni rolls brought fresh by Amber)
Bagels and lox
Fruit Salad
Pastry (Steph's choice)
Bella Napoli (NY, what?) donuts
Mimosas
If you're wondering, yes, we keep it very healthy.
If the weather is nice (which my spies at the Weather Channel tell me it will be, if perhaps a bit windy), we'll probably head outside for some horseshoes and maybe an impromtu game of wiffle ball after eating. The kids will run around and the adults will chase them. That's the way of things these days.
I am looking forward to our brunch, and mostly to being surrounded by our lovely friends and family for Mother's Day.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Mother's Day Tea
Today Ellen and I have a Mother's day tea at her school. I am excited. I dressed up, and I brought a dress to put her in for the tea. We have all these pretty dresses, and I'll never send them for a whole day at school, because they would get in the way of having too much fun, but for something like this, I think we should look our best!
Liz--the mother of the twins in Ellen's class--is picking me up in Back Bay at 3 and we're rolling from there!
Liz--the mother of the twins in Ellen's class--is picking me up in Back Bay at 3 and we're rolling from there!
Why Mondays?
Mondays are my special day with Ellen. I work from home on Mondays throughout the school year, which allows Ellen and I to spend the day together, even if I'm working. Beginning on May 18th, I will have the next 16 Mondays off, since I get Mondays off in the summertime. I started this blog to keep our friends and families updated on how and what we and Ellen are doing. I'll also keep you posted on what special things we are doing each Monday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)