Today I am…
seeing: two sleepy dogs sprawled across our bed when I got back from the shower (this daily sight never ceases to make me smile); sunshine!; plant shoots sticking up through a dusting of snow
tasting: eggs, over-well; cinnamon-raisin toast with melted butter; juicy red grapefruit; pomegranate kefir; green goodness
hearing: tonight: the voices of women of many different ages coming together to learn, grow, and fellowship
smelling: the dampness of the coming spring
feeling: ever strengthening baby kicks; thankful and blessed; busy
So… it’s Wednesday and usually that means no words on the blog. However, seeing as I haven’t posted since the last Wordless Wednesday (making a wordless week) I’m going to make an exception today.
I’ll warn you right up front: this post is going to be random. And quite possibly rambling. Bullet points seem the best way to go.
- Gas is hovering around $3.39/gallon. This is the highest I’ve ever seen it… and it’s not even summer yet. I was thinking of trying to get back to Illinois sometime this spring, but if gas stays this high, it’s probably not going to happen.
- My smarty-pants husband recently had his annual review at work and received glowing reviews. This comes as no surprise to me, and I’m glad those around him recognize his abilities and hard work. I’m so proud of him.
- I love living near a Catholic church and hearing the bells ring out familiar hymns. On Saturday I heard “For the Beauty of the Earth” while out walking the dogs — fitting for a misty, early spring day.
- LG has written yet another wonderful post: “Books, Book Clubs, and Me” — Her words ring true.
- My heart is heavy for two very dear souls, one of whom is in a world of physical pain, both of whom are suffering emotional and spiritual trials. Only God knows how much longer the one will be present with us on this earth.
- My heart is also aching for another dear friend coping with loss right now. At times I can get overwhelmed by the suffering on this earth.
- I love seeing my 3rd and 4th grade girls at church on Wednesdays nights. It is a privilege to get to know them and their unique personalities. Hopefully I have a positive impact on their lives in some small way. However, this is the time of year when I’m ready for a break and looking forward to the end.
- My church’s women’s retreat is this weekend. Being the only female on the audio/visual team, these needs for special women’s events always fall to me. We will be off-site this year so I’ve been working to make sure everyone has what they need — with the help of two of our pastors.
- Other things keeping me busy these days…
- Babysitting for friends every couple of weeks
- Organizing our file system (this one’s been a long time coming)
- Making lists of projects and lists for those projects
- Birth research and baby research
- Cleaning out closets and cleaning in general
- Baby showers… lots of baby showers
- I’ve got some significant changes in mind for the blog. As soon as I have some time to implement them…
- We are resurrecting girls night! A few years back we used to get together monthly, then it moved to every few months, then it just dried up. We’re trying every few months again. We’ve got a bit different group this time around, and so far it’s working out well. We went to a little local Thai restaurant this weekend and had a lot of fun!
See, I told you that would be random.
Just to be perfectly clear: there’s still only one baby. Wouldn’t want a multiples rumor going around!
I had my 20-week ultrasound today with a full anatomy check. Everything looks healthy and normal! Praise the Lord! This also marks the half-way point. Isn’t that crazy? It still feels like July is plenty of time to get ready, but a bit of urgency is also starting to settle over me.
The tech estimated that he weighs about 12 oz. According to the handy dandy produce chart, he’s as long as a banana or about 10 inches head to foot. We’ve got a cute little profile shot of him as well as a face view that, even I have to admit, looks a little creepy and alien-like. He was all hunched up at first, but we eventually got him moving to show off for us. Then he wouldn’t keep those little feet still! (Future soccer player? I can hope…)
I’m feeling precious little baby kicks daily now. Turns out I was already feeling them when I wrote the last pregnancy update, I just didn’t realize it yet. I was hoping, but trying not to psych myself up over nothing. For me, the kicks feel like a pulsing… like if you hit your thumb with a hammer except without any pain. They were also lower than I expected so I thought it was part of my body pulsating. If Jeff gets his hand over quickly enough, he can feel it too.
We would have been excited for a boy or girl, and we’re definitely excited to welcome [yet another] boy to our extended family. Also, this means all three of us pregnant ladies in our small group are expecting little boys. And with the first birth in our church baby boom on Sunday, this takes the FBC count up to 7 boys, 1 girl, and 1 yet unknown. We’re seeing lots of blue around here!
I love thrift stores. If you asked me my favorite place to shop for clothes, I wouldn’t give you a brand or department store. Nope, I prefer to thrift my expensive name brands. When you get used to paying $5 for jeans, it’s hard to swallow “normal” prices, especially for some of my favorite brands like Gap, Anne Taylor, and J. Crew.
Additionally, thrift stores are great for more than just clothes. I love looking for unique furniture and home goods amongst their shelves; it’s like a treasure hunt for diamonds in the rough. Not only are you getting a good price and a unique piece, but you’re saving something usable from the trash heap. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the saying goes.
Before Christmas, Jeff and I rearranged the living room and were searching for some new side tables and a coffee table to fit said new arrangement. We spent a Saturday afternoon looking for treasures at our three closest purveyors of thrifted goods. Unfortunately, we didn’t find the furniture we were looking for, but that doesn’t mean we came away empty handed.
Find #1:
This little mirror was just 5 bucks at the Salvation Army store. I gave it a fresh coat of white paint and now it hangs over our newly made over coat and shoe area in the living room.
Find #2:
These beauties were also just $5 (for both) at the Salvation Army store. And while they have an intended place, they still need a make over before being hung in their new home.
This is where you come in, dear readers. What color should I paint them? I want to hang them above the fireplace, flanking the clock.
At first I thought white, but I’m not sure that would work with the cream face of the clock. Cream seems too similar to the tan wall, but it might work. The wood is not nice enough to keep as is, plus this wall already has a lot of wood. FYI, we’re also considering painting the faux brick a stoney slate color. What do you think?
