tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60796262011-12-10T12:13:49.292-08:00i'll take my twist with a shout.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comBlogger5931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-72788145644933433822011-12-10T12:11:00.000-08:002011-12-10T12:13:49.302-08:00Please, Santa.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-31772763360418465712011-11-26T08:48:00.001-08:002011-11-26T08:48:15.367-08:00Man this thanksgiving weekend just keeps going and going. I feel like I've been off for a week. It's glorious. I got to sleep until 10 this morning (thank you, mister) after getting up at 4am yesterday to work at my moderately priced home goods store part time job.
I've only done the black Friday thing once when we wanted a tv for our bedroom to replace the 537 pound boob tube that was Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-8980001202966260252011-11-24T05:51:00.001-08:002011-11-24T05:51:34.551-08:00Nablopomo?Well that posting daily thing really didnt work out so well huh? This thing called life just sort of gets in the way of me updating my blog so that I can tell the world about what I made for breakfast or what I bought at the mall. But, alas, I just discovered an iPhone app for blogger so I might just finish out nablopomo strong.
Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies. I always have a lot to be thankful Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-66475322173951374552011-11-05T20:56:00.001-07:002011-11-05T20:56:50.664-07:00How's this for blogging material: pretty sure I just felt an earthquake in Kansas. THE WORLD IS ENDING.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-35965981916176524032011-11-04T19:47:00.000-07:002011-11-04T19:56:21.287-07:00Welp, missed another day. Sorry, I decided to be social with coworkers instead since I have to leave my job in January to student teach. However, even though I'm sad to leave, I found out I will still be in Lawrence for student teaching so I am pumped. Second grade, here I come. Can't believe I will be done in a semester.Here's a little fun something for you to enjoy: Back in BlackStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-20370017333665887192011-11-02T17:52:00.000-07:002011-11-03T10:13:51.387-07:00Well happy November, people. You know what November means? DAILY. BLOGGING.Already missed the first day, as I do every year. So, I'm just carrying on the tradition. Look out for a daily post from this girl *double thumbs to chest.*I'm starting off with a doozie. Wait, no. I am just throwing up a hello real quick and that's all you're getting tonight. Just finished my third class for the week. Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-68017166412060002592011-09-20T19:33:00.000-07:002011-09-20T19:45:51.652-07:00Internet? Is that you? It's been so long, I almost just hit "delete blog" when I logged on here because I figured if I can only blog once every couple of months, what's the point? But, here I am. November is coming soon, so I guess I have to keep this thing alive for the daily posting craziness that is NaBloPoMo. So, the reason, or multitude of reasons, that I haven't blogged in the last month Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-31174040585342581282011-08-10T11:41:00.000-07:002011-08-10T13:16:43.767-07:00Happy August?
Whew boy, this summer just whizzed right by and I find myself with only 4 days until I go back to work. Full-time work that is. I'm going to hang onto the part time job too. And yes, that's 3 nights a week of classes as well if you're playing at home. So, 2 jobs+3 nights of class+baby= dead by December. It will go fast though, I'm sure of it. Then in the Spring I will student teach Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-15091397332334514312011-07-12T20:15:00.000-07:002011-07-12T20:25:24.458-07:00Hey guess what?! I'm 30! And I feel like I'm 72 and can't keep up with life. Whooo boy, it's been a busy couple of weeks. I wasn't really planning on much for the ol' birthday, but lo and behold, that man of mine planned a surprise dinner with my fam on the plaza. It was basically the most perfect day of my life. It beats the wedding day. Doesn't quite beat Penny's birth, but close. The three of Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-44758571285821935932011-07-03T07:21:00.000-07:002011-07-03T11:19:24.272-07:00Good 'morrow young squires. It's been a rough week at the ol' house. Everyone but me has been sick, so pretty sure that sh*t's gonna get me this week. Hopefully I have the immune system of a robot and don't get sick. Jason brought it home when he went out of town for work, and it's still been lingering in him for over a week now. Thankfully Pen only had a couple rough days but seems to be better Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-76489617140072071412011-06-24T12:17:00.000-07:002011-06-24T12:20:54.959-07:00Hey peeps. Just taking a quick break from running the world. At least that's how I feel right now. During this 2 hour nap period, I am arranging to take a test Monday at Rockhurst, finding subsequent daycare during said test period, showering, possibly booking a flight to DC, and learning about the impact of colonialism on Southeast Asia... all while continually fighting the urge to vomit up the Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-1219756416279811272011-06-19T13:32:00.000-07:002011-06-19T14:08:24.612-07:00Happy Father's Day, dudes! We had a great morning out at the farm celebrating with the fam. Miss my dad. Miss my grandpa. But, we shared a couple funny memories this morning, so it was good times! So happy for the memories Penny is going to make with her daddy and PaPa. It's been a busy week, so here's a little Summa-time recap. First of all, I have discovered Bear's superpower. His hair can Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-45547675633123553932011-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:002011-06-09T12:45:07.307-07:00Hidey ho. Penny just went down for a late nap, and I'm blogging on the ipad since I'm too lazy to walk to the computer 10 feet away, so this might be short. As cool as the ipad is, typing on it kind of sucks. It's like an iphone and keeps trying to correct things that don't need correcting. Like when I try to type jonescoleman it says jones ole man. Because that makes soooo much more sense. Ole!Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-50873258583137442042011-06-05T20:18:00.000-07:002011-06-05T20:23:37.687-07:00Wow, for the past two hours I have been reading back over blog posts from 2005-2008. I'm at about summer of '08 when I got canned and moved back to Lawrence from Dallas. Man, this is some good stuff. Some conclusions:1. I am whiny.2. I was saying that I wanted to be a teacher back in 2005. WHY DO I FIGHT MYSELF? Here I am getting ready to finally get that damn degree and license in 2012 when I Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-79641974152291476132011-06-02T18:16:00.001-07:002011-06-02T20:04:47.832-07:00I blinked and it's Thursday. Let me just start this by saying, stay-at-home-moms, I IDOLIZE YOU. I'm looking at you, Shebe. And I only have one.Pen has actually been a dream this week, apart from Monday when she woke up 30 minutes early and proceeded to act like a blood-thirsty demon the rest of the day. Other than that, she's been the best, but holy hell I am beat. I feel a BIG obligation to herStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-4606215782870636052011-05-30T19:50:00.000-07:002011-05-30T20:24:13.233-07:00Happy Memorial Day... it feels weird saying "happy" Memorial Day since it's really all about remembering those who have given their lives, so I guess just "Memorial Day" to you.We had a nice windy day out at Grandma and PaPa's farm. Pen is OBSESSED with horses... or "sheshees" as she likes to call them. Fine by me. To steal a line from Tina Fey's book when she writes a prayer for her daughter- "Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-56092346539783675692011-05-28T21:13:00.000-07:002011-05-28T21:26:30.512-07:00Crashing into bed with a little SNL at 11:20. Been going nonstop all day.... Zoo, pizza, homework, OCD organizing. Yeah that last one was me putting together a summer "curriculum" for Penny complete with field trips and art projects. Lock me up. In a straightjacket.So you know how you get something in your head and no matter what happens, it must be played out or else, I don't know, THE WORLD Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-85796514637294554962011-05-27T06:45:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:58:33.443-07:00Good morning, mom. I say mom because I'm pretty sure she's the only one who reads this anymore. I know it might sound like an empty promise because it's been made before, but I'm treating this summer like NaBloPoMo. It's November in June, people. I will throw a little something up every day during Penny's naptime. Cross my heart.Today is Penny's last day at her in-home daycare. I'm staying home Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-16545183927922954012011-05-20T19:55:00.000-07:002011-05-20T20:11:55.654-07:00Do you know how refreshing it is to wake up knowing you have finally figured out your calling in life? Having been plaugued by the "quarter life crisis" phenomenon for the last 7 or so years, I have finally figured out what I'm supposed to be doing. Good thing it's the thing that I'm borrowing the equivalent of a fully equipped sedan from the government to go to school for. I would have been Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-78295811690901266562011-05-02T17:45:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:11:59.007-07:00Hey peeps, hot and fresh back from Louisiana, New Orleans to be exact. This trip was the mister's idea after we got our tax return back. Instead of paying some bills, we decided that return would be better spent on tickets to the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Money well spent indeed. We'll see if I still feel that way when my electricity gets cut off. I kid, I kid. But seriously, New Orleans has gotten Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-21769105492850489522011-04-12T18:35:00.001-07:002011-04-12T18:36:21.905-07:00Me: "I'm trying to tell you something important."Student: "I'm not going to change the world with it, tell me tomorrow."Again, love my job.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-14252693541352578672011-04-10T08:54:00.000-07:002011-04-10T09:45:30.517-07:00So incredibly cliche, but I cannot believe how fast time goes. Last post was a month ago already? What the french toast is going on? I had a week off for Spring Break, and that already seems like it was last year. Things have been moving at warp speed for the past two weeks, and I'm just trying to keep up.First of all, there are no words for how I feel when the weather is nice. The last two Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-14061403091372642862011-03-11T08:26:00.001-08:002011-03-11T08:45:19.138-08:00Oy. Sorry I go away for extended periods of time and then come back with nuthin'. Basically, things that have happened in the last month:1. Taking a little trip to the Big Easy end of April for the Jazz Festival. Going to see Mumford & Sons and the Avetts. This was 100% my hub's idea, and it kind of made me fall in love with him all over again. Instead of spending our tax return wisely to pay Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-87087624290489552922011-02-06T19:10:00.001-08:002011-02-06T19:22:54.265-08:00Well hello. Coming off one of the better weekends. I felt human again this weekend. Penny, I love her, but she was overdue for an overnight at Grandma's. This gave the mister and I time to have a nice dinner out that lasted more than 30 minutes since we didn't have to inhale everything before the baby had a meltdown. We had a bottle of wine, dessert, the works. Then we played a nice long round ofStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-22169909108504402622011-01-23T10:09:00.000-08:002011-01-23T10:24:06.009-08:00Cute, isn't he? Except, that bone... we always joked about him whittling the tips to form a dagger-type weapon that he could use on us one day. Turns out, it's no joke. Bear tried to kill me last night.Here I thought one day he would try and stab me with that bone, but turns out the dog is pretty cunning. He simply left that bone directly in the middle of the stairs so that when someone gets up Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-56228615659125621412011-01-16T17:51:00.000-08:002011-01-16T18:00:44.006-08:00It's halfway into the first month of the new year, so I thought I'd go ahead and throw a little post up here. I tell you, with all these snow days and MLK holidays, I am BUSY. Uh, no. I am not complaining about all the time off, but between winter break and three more days off only three weeks into January... my bank account is crying. And I'm slightly bored. But, Penny is a pretty good time suckStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-4131232591777808362010-12-27T11:44:00.001-08:002010-12-27T12:04:21.417-08:00Um, okay, where did I leave off? Apparently when I said I was back blogging "with a vengence" I meant that I had a one-time wild hair to blog that day. So let's see, what's been going on the last few weeks....1. PENNY IS ONE! One crazy baby that is. And one year old. I've heard of the terrible two's but is there a horrible one's? Nah, she's not that bad. But for real it's like she learned how to Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-38399112146168261432010-12-07T19:24:00.001-08:002010-12-07T19:40:09.061-08:00Okay, I needed a week off from that daily blogging madness, but now I'm back with a vengence. I finally have things to discuss now that the holidays are here, classes are finished tomorrow, and I work with junior high kids. I should turn this blog into a log of things I hear them say each day. Let me just say, I am in my element. People who say things like "fresh toot" and "weiner".... my kind ofStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-15553184877417351262010-11-30T20:48:00.000-08:002010-11-30T20:57:26.074-08:00Wow, what a November. Can't believe I only missed one day in the face of all the craziness!Speaking of crazy, tonight after class Jason and I were standing in the kitchen chatting while making my after class blue box mac'n'cheese, a new after class ritual I really need to break, and all of a sudden our oven range hood falls from the sky, sparks, and takes with it all the electricity from our Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-64855586671381771382010-11-29T20:27:00.001-08:002010-11-29T20:33:19.761-08:00Started bright and early at a new job, followed by class, followed by writing a paper, followed by death. No, wait, not that last one, but I feel like someone could punch me in the face right now and I wouldn't really care. Let's just say, this first day.... not so impressed. I'm reluctant to say more because I want to chalk it up to first-day blahs where you don't know anyone and you don't know Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-64777944796866333752010-11-28T18:56:00.000-08:002010-11-28T19:01:06.874-08:00TODAY:Furiously painting in preparation for hosting people at our house in a couple weekends for Penny's Big Birthday Extravaganza. Painting trim, painting living room, painting myself into an early grave. I am beat.TONIGHT:I watched It's Complicated with Meryl Streep. I hope I'm as cool as that woman when I'm in my 50s...60s? I don't know how old she is, but I love her. The movie was okay. Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-73427382247949091832010-11-27T18:16:00.000-08:002010-11-27T18:29:35.495-08:00Holy Christ, is November over yet?So today we went to the legends for a quick sweater return to old navy and some pajama buying for penny at carters. While we were there we decided to have a drink and app at yard house. I didn't think I'd have to take a second mortgage for a couple of appetizers. $12 for some spin dip? How do they sleep at night?Anyway while we were waiting for a table, a little Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-11294000152673828392010-11-26T18:09:00.000-08:002010-11-26T18:11:20.536-08:00Today I drank at lunch, happy hour, and after dinner. My iPad just tried to spell "dinner" "dinger." all I know is I smell like a Greek restaurant. Going to bed. I love you.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-26657663295188136582010-11-25T18:20:00.001-08:002010-11-25T18:34:25.946-08:00At Thanksgiving Linner (we ate at 2pm, ya'll), I took pictures of EVERYTHING so that I could have a fantastic photo blog to redeem myself for the last 25 blog posts of this month. But alas, I left my camera at my mother's. Suck.I ate a plateful of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and about 22 rolls. Took a picture of all the beauty that is now resting in my tum. Penny would not even let turkey or Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-48157407778980025362010-11-24T18:59:00.000-08:002010-11-24T19:11:43.432-08:00Have you guys seen damnyouautocorrect.com? Kills me. Thanks for the giggles, Emily. Here are some of my favorites:Think I just lost 10 pounds from laughing, which is good, because I just devoured some ribs from Longhorn. Felt like a Friday today! Jas, Pen, and I walked the dog, went to Bed, Bath and Beyond for some new bedsheets since ours our 5 years old and have holes worn into them, and then Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-3512509150179777882010-11-23T08:49:00.000-08:002010-11-23T14:18:55.540-08:00And now, my Christmas list:Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-60841467123378676672010-11-22T18:03:00.000-08:002010-11-22T18:15:14.187-08:00World's Largest Jackass, party of one. Ug. Totally got the biggest going away party thrown for me at work... about 20 minutes after I let loose in my exit interview with HR. OOPS.One thing that makes me feel better is this:Kind of gives me chills.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-55323973835521733162010-11-21T20:18:00.000-08:002010-11-21T20:33:21.114-08:00For the first time in a long time, I am 100% excited for a Monday. This will be my last Monday in Hades, er, the job. I am so excited that I might actually SMILE during our daily 8:15 circle jerk, er, I mean circle pow wow meeting. This is where we all stand around in a circle and tell about our "wins" and what we have going on for the day while our boss publicly chastises us for not working hardStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-91570556493514364592010-11-20T21:32:00.000-08:002010-11-20T21:41:40.989-08:00I am beat. I just spent the last 4 hours painting some trim white, and my back is on FIRE. I also stink pretty bad, which is exactly the way I started this day too. Woke up to take Pen to the doctor and just threw on some sweatpants that were on my closet floor. Five minutes into our car ride, Jason is visibly hurting from the stench coming from the passenger seat. We cracked windows. It was BAD.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-11886374861012712072010-11-19T19:22:00.000-08:002010-11-19T19:31:27.826-08:00Today I bought jeggings. Shield your eyes. Guys, what am I doing? Maybe if I find a pair of great boots to go with them it will work. But problem is, I can never find tall boots that fit over my calves. Maybe that's sign #1 I shouldn't be wearing jeggings. Couldn't get Pen into the doc today but she's going tomorrow morning. I can't think about anything else. She went down for a "nap" at 5 and Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-53359019931573509492010-11-18T19:15:00.000-08:002010-11-18T19:18:21.463-08:00Seriously, guys, I just can't do it tonight. The only things on my mind are Penny and her horrid cough and the fact that I want a pair of tall boots. Tonight Penny coughed so hard she threw up. On me. It was warm. Taking her to the doc tomorrow and waiting patiently for next week when no one's in the office so I can get some actual work done before I leave. That is all, sorry.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-28828038503386576912010-11-17T19:28:00.000-08:002010-11-17T19:43:20.681-08:00Hey oohhhh! Just finished off the last of our maker's mark that has been sitting in our liquor cabinet from before I was pregnant. Felt like I just accomplished something great. I also made beef in a crockpot for dinner. Beef. Can o' coke. Onion soup mix. Bam. Put it on a roll, and dinner. God I'm a great wife.Definitely in countdown mode at work. I have a replacement already (that was quick!) soStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-81811261142883555962010-11-16T20:28:00.000-08:002010-11-16T20:32:11.899-08:00This song makes me feel weird. It's like telling someone off but it's all jazzy and upbeat music. Love it. I might sing it on my way out the door next Friday...Ear muff it, mommy.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-53654804076705750192010-11-15T19:06:00.000-08:002010-11-15T19:10:19.501-08:00Guys. I drove to Kansas City and back twice today all for the same damn class. So, all I will be able to leave you with is a good quote because I can barely lift my head off my pillow right now."the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-27812330119757366122010-11-14T18:34:00.000-08:002010-11-14T18:41:04.409-08:00Tomorrow morning I have to go to a school in KCMO and teach 8th graders about the start of the Civil War. So basically, I've been teaching myself about the Civil War today because I remember that there was a North and a South and some slaves and that's about it. Lord help me. I'm relying a lot on YouTube and a pirated PowerPoint I found on the internets. I'll be using my free half day in the Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-88477450621205786452010-11-13T19:15:00.000-08:002010-11-13T19:23:28.996-08:00On a weekend when I have epic amounts of paper writing, I decide to spend my free time after pen goes to bed watching The Box and Sex and the City 2. Talk about time I will never get back. Probably the two worst movies ever. I should have slept instead. Today, a little 20 pound creature kicked my ass. Jason went to the ku game in Nebraska while I chased penny around wondering when she'll be old Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-72510803148335588752010-11-12T18:25:00.000-08:002010-11-12T18:26:28.510-08:00I heart this video so much.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-23401610688034521202010-11-11T17:27:00.000-08:002010-11-11T17:35:40.427-08:00Penny went to bed early tonight and I might follow suit. My back and neck have been achy all day, and I have a feeling in about 8 hours I'll have the flu. Probably caught it from my coworker since we literally face each other with our desks. Cool for if you want to have an impromptu staring contest. Not so cool when said coworker has been sick and projectile coughs across our unidesk. Actually Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-76996984053318876432010-11-10T17:37:00.001-08:002010-11-10T17:47:07.875-08:00One for the books today.Wrote what Jason refers to as a "stern" resignation letter and got a pretty stern response back. But, what else would I expect I guess? Happy I ripped off the band-aid, but I just feel a titch lousy because I hate having people dislike me. If it were just me, I probably would have just said "I have a new job, here's my notice." But seeing as how I am not the only person Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-35924138086121576502010-11-09T19:41:00.000-08:002010-11-09T19:48:46.640-08:00Happy birthday to my main squeeze! That was a little outdated of a phrase to use, but I thought I'd use something from Jason's era. BOOM! A you're old joke! Seriously, I'm happy you were born. Without you, there would be no Penny and without Penny there would be no me. (I realize that kind of doesn't make sense, I'm being deep here, just go with it.)I'm glad we could celebrate properly by me Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-35117291788456244312010-11-08T20:01:00.001-08:002010-11-08T20:07:57.035-08:00Tonight in class I got a text from jas saying that one of our spider traps had ten spiders in it. TEN! Gross. Guess it's time to call the terminator again. It's stuff like this I haven't factored into my new budget after I take my severe pay cut, but that's okay because I'd give up a week's worth of groceries to have no spiders sharing my bed.Speaking of bed, I'm headed there now. Sorry this one Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-82091024345535306832010-11-07T17:08:00.000-08:002010-11-07T17:15:42.738-08:00Last week HyVee had this mega-sale and all cream of mushroom soup was $0.19. Normally, I only buy cream of mush every now and then when I plan on throwing a hunk of meat and a can of the stuff in a crock pot. Seriously, cream of mush+any meat= dinner. I kind of hate it because cream of mushroom soup to me says, "I don't care anymore." Kind of like granny panties. But, at $0.19 a can, I couldn't Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-12941587277609239372010-11-06T18:35:00.000-07:002010-11-06T18:46:25.686-07:00For the love of Christ, this baby better wake up with a full set of teeth in her mouth or I quit. Spent the day listening to a steady background noise of whining mixed with screeching, with a little hint of yelling. Nah, she wasn't that bad, but that noise. THAT NOISE. Let's just say I don't think she has a future as a police woman talking suicide jumpers off the ledge because that noise makes Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-75151634093628596212010-11-05T10:47:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:51:01.630-07:00OOPS.That must be some kind of record. 4 days in and I forget one already. I blame my husband for not reminding me and Private Practice, which I actually NEVER watch but hooked me last night, for distracting me. If you didn't watch it, the basis of the episode was a rape and beating. I was mildly disturbed after it and completely did not think about blogging for one second. I was mostly thinking Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-39297287216519269382010-11-03T10:43:00.000-07:002010-11-03T10:55:32.086-07:00So not only by the end of this month will I have blogged 30 times, I will also be a teacher. Today I accepted a position as a para at a junior high here, and while I've dreamed of the day I could tell my current job to shove it, I have surprisingly mixed emotions. Do I leave a somewhat comfortably financial lifestyle to basically become a college student again who doesn't have two dimes to rub Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-24066436823624584892010-11-02T15:51:00.000-07:002010-11-02T15:56:23.566-07:00Big things happening here today, so keeping it short. All I can say is I have a big decision to make that moves me into a position where I can actually gain a little experience in the education field and leave the seventh circle of hell. The only issue: money. There is nothing I loathe more than making a life decision based on money, but the bills don't pay themselves. So figuring out some thingsStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-33924596389370861642010-11-01T18:35:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:45:15.195-07:00Lock up your women, hide your children, it's November and you know what that means? NABLOPOMO! Or, blogging everyday in the month of November, to the layperson.You think running a marathon was hard? Pssshhh. Nablopomo remains my biggest accomplishment each year. The blog gets posted rain or shine. Sleep deprived or just plain out of writing material, SOMETHING shows up here daily. I can't vouch Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-41202760739515619412010-10-16T04:26:00.000-07:002010-10-16T10:16:50.839-07:00A week ago I ran a marathon. A MARA-THON. Before this, the only marathons I knew of were True Blood or Jersey Shore ones. I sure sweated less during those. This time, I'm talking a full on run the distance from Kansas City to Lawrence marathon. And I finished. It took me almost a full workday (6.5 hours) to do it, but I did it. And I'm feeling a little crazy to think I might want to do it again Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-30198657151967231662010-10-06T08:30:00.000-07:002010-10-06T08:33:45.953-07:00Ladies and Gentlemen (gentleman, Hi Jas!), I would like to announce that after six plus years of marriage, my husband has figured out exactly what one should say to a wife. A couple examples from this week:Me: I bought new shoes today.Him: Good, you needed them.Me: *picking jaw up off the floorMe: I want a cheeseburger.Him: Go get one.LOVE HIM.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-70326052707064673442010-09-23T19:12:00.000-07:002010-09-23T19:24:46.450-07:00I've got my super dark nail polish on which means it must be Fall. Let the Fall o' Friends commence! (well actually, it's already commenced so let it continue I guess)Last weekend, Pen and I took a little roadtrip to the Paris of the Midwest... Des Moines. Chuckle if you will, but Des Moines was a little Iowanian gem. Great food, cute boutique-y stores, good company. And Penny ROCKED the 4 hour Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-91344986026238624592010-09-15T09:07:00.000-07:002010-09-15T09:13:04.908-07:00My dear blog, you are like a stranger to me these days and I deeply apologize. I have about two million pictures I need to upload, and we all know how (not) timely I am with that task, so sorry for the hiatus. Please stay tuned because there will be some cool happenings coming. I dub this the Fall of Friends due to all the fun stuff we have coming up.Last weekend we had a fun day with our friend Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-9425560351503084592010-08-27T13:09:00.000-07:002010-08-27T13:33:23.899-07:00Did anyone realize that September starts next week? SHEESH! August was filled with a lot of baby crawling, a lot of wedding-going, a lot of vermin infesting, and a lot of life plan making. So vermin. Our house is overrun with poisonous spiders and fleas. Okay, maybe overrun is a stretch, but they are present, which makes me not want to be. For a couple of weeks I felt like I was seeing an Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-73420575037989294862010-08-24T05:54:00.000-07:002010-08-24T05:55:14.703-07:00It's official: I'm not only going to hell, I will be its mayor. I cannot stop laughing at this.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-64196306465366183622010-08-15T19:04:00.000-07:002010-08-15T19:24:29.714-07:00These last two to three weeks have been a complete blur. All of a sudden, Penny got two bottom teeth, is crawling, and pulls herself up to stand. I knew the day when she could get around on her own would come eventually, but I didn't think it would happen so quickly. And while I am proud of her accomplishments, I kind of miss the days when she was just a little potato who did nothing but lay Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-55250682279205099522010-08-04T19:45:00.000-07:002010-08-04T19:50:29.271-07:00Oh, oops, forgot to update and let you know Pickles is alive. She bought herself another couple weeks. Got another shot and so far we are 36 hours poop-on-the-floor free. That is all.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-87457645775422237192010-07-31T08:20:00.000-07:002010-07-31T08:31:29.936-07:00I love Saturdays, but I'm starting to dread them since they mean the day for the weekly long run. I've been going to the gym and hammering out the miles between the treadmill and track, but for the next couple weeks, the gym is only open from 12-5pm. And call me crazy, but I don't really feel like running 10 miles in the middle of the day. So this morning I decided I'd hit the pavement, and then Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-88276116477052756632010-07-24T18:22:00.000-07:002010-07-24T18:29:18.958-07:00It's been a rough week at the Coolmans. The cat and the kid won't stop crapping- the cat on the carpet, and the kid, well, EVERYWHERE. Apparently the two pooper issues are completely unrelated. Penny has some sort of virus that probably came along with her little cold she acquired earlier in the week. And, Pickles has irritable bowel syndrome. No lie. She had this about a year ago and got a shot Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-58454492623470728442010-07-21T09:25:00.001-07:002010-07-21T09:25:35.225-07:00Trying to:Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-2610392567604375552010-07-19T19:11:00.000-07:002010-07-19T19:24:23.701-07:00Wooo whee, I am exhausted. We decided to take a one-day vacation to Omaha this weekend, baby in tow. Check out a fabulous recap here. Visited the Omaha zoo with skinny couple Jenn and Bri. Kind of thought Penny had allergies when she was sneezing the whole time and her nose was running like a snot faucet. Oh yeah, and her eyes were almost swollen shut when we left. I thought it might have been Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-70875633368692988982010-07-13T20:12:00.000-07:002010-07-13T20:16:38.874-07:00Oh my.I kind of just registered for the Portland marathon. And I am in the worst shape of my life.Jason also told me people die in marathons, so guess what I've been googling for the last two hours? "Are marathons safe?" "Dangers of Marathons" "MARATHON DEATH" "HEART EXPLODING IN MARATHON" That last one didn't turn up too many search results so I took that as a sign to go ahead and register.I Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-59412594594969019932010-06-28T17:22:00.000-07:002010-06-28T17:40:45.857-07:00I love dinner time. Yes, there are the obvious reasons of FOOD, but really I love dinner time in our household because it means time to do these kinds of things:Silly girl, love her so.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-84888111771786190462010-06-25T14:43:00.001-07:002010-06-25T14:43:49.474-07:00A pictorial representation of my husband and I:Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-14681277635583145282010-06-14T15:40:00.000-07:002010-06-14T15:45:32.377-07:00SIX MONTHS BABY!It feels like just yesterday her tiny screaming body came into our lives, but at the same time, I kind of can't remember life before her. All I know is I'm head over heels.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-78153206173000436982010-05-28T08:31:00.000-07:002010-05-28T08:51:46.824-07:00Mother lovin' 3-day weekend approaching, ya'll! Feels wrong to be so excited about a day off work when that day is observed because of remembering people who died. I will honor them by building a deck.That's right. We bit the bullet and took the house off the market. Who knows, it might have sold had we continued on, but now that it's summer, I kind of just wanted to get started on some projects.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-19765558462834841822010-05-12T19:49:00.000-07:002010-05-12T20:01:22.639-07:00Hello, friends. Long time, no blog. A lot has happened in the last month:1. First and foremost, I got an ipad, a digital maxi if you will. I was saying how one day it might be nice to have one and I could take it to class and mess around on the internets when the teacher is rambling on and lo and behold the very next day, the mister brought one home from work for me. I love that he is supporting Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-9758597048514076362010-04-30T07:01:00.001-07:002010-04-30T07:09:43.875-07:00Hey ya'll. Blogging from the dirty south of Alabama. We're here visiting in-laws but so far all we've done is sleep, which is GLORIOUS. Yesterday we got all packed up, packed up Penny and a car load of her things and took her to Gramma and Papa's. Apparently she's doing well, but I'm waiting for a call any minute saying that she's in the hospital from internal bleeding because yesterday as we Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-25263519203026135532010-04-25T18:34:00.000-07:002010-04-25T18:42:26.432-07:00Man this weekend was exhausting. On Tuesday we found out we were getting a surprise visit from Jas' parents, and it was the first time they met Penny. We spent Friday night in eating pizza and watching Penny cry a lot. Then on Saturday we hit Oak Park Mall (shoot me in the face) since it was raining out and we needed a good indoor activity. Then today we entertained in laws in the morning, I Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-2322817377664889532010-04-20T13:57:00.001-07:002010-04-20T13:57:59.215-07:00p.s. because I have super abbreviated updates lately, you can read Gosia's blog for a full description of this past weekend... complete with my new desktop photo of Pen.Click.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-58402147076014019272010-04-20T06:18:00.001-07:002010-04-20T06:20:44.630-07:00I love this man. He loves cheeseburgers so much, he'd risk burning down the house for them.-picture from this weekend when we "grilled" for our houseguests.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-18690979115583549342010-04-19T18:49:00.000-07:002010-04-19T18:56:38.534-07:00Just wanted to publicly thank Laura and Gosia for their visit this weekend. We had a lot of fun playing with Penny, walking around downtown, eating, and learning the ways of couponing. Seriously, Laura is a domestic goddess. She taught me how to make homemade laundry detergent so I basically will spend $2 a year on laundry soap, and she also taught me how to do some major couponing... like Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-74484656588045350132010-04-11T18:15:00.000-07:002010-04-11T18:25:34.932-07:00Keep your fingers crossed- we have a second showing of the house tomorrow. First time that has happened, so let's hope they like it the second time around just as much as the first. And then let's maybe figure out where this little family should live. So on the surface this weekend has been pretty awesome, but I feel like butt so everything seems like it was actually really exhausting. For Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-34982549517814425992010-04-02T14:01:00.001-07:002010-04-02T14:08:15.429-07:00Hey dudes! In my effort to maintain a little bit of sanity between work, school, and being all around awesome, the blog is suffering. Sorry. But I am committed to keeping you all abreast (funny word tee hee) on the Coolman household so I henceforth promise to be better.Today was about the best day of my life. I wore real pants. Not maternity pants. Real pants. WITH A ZIPPER. I also took off work Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-81876212773454907132010-03-17T19:22:00.000-07:002010-03-17T19:36:12.950-07:00This post will contain no pictures. If you want pictures, get on Facebook. Just thought I'd check in real quick and say 1. Happy St. Pat's Day and 2. I'm burning my candle at both ends. You can probably tell by my lack of blogging that things are slightly crazy around here. First of all, I've given up carbs. Well, not all carbs but I've drastically cut the amount of bread products and sweets fromStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-79802889056832267322010-02-27T10:43:00.001-08:002010-02-27T11:13:10.480-08:00Well hello. I've been a little MIA but that's because I returned to work this week. Yep. I'm not too thrilled about it, but at least I have a lot of work to do which keeps my mind occupied. That's about the only good thing I can say about that.Monday was a bit stressful all around. Other than returning to work, Pen got her first vaccinations. Sweet Jesus almighty, I hadn't heard Pen's "hurt" cry Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-24003415253400772962010-02-14T13:51:00.001-08:002010-02-14T14:18:15.875-08:00Happy Valentine's Day from the love bug:TWO MONTHS OLD! (bunches more pictures on Facebook and on Walgreens so if you'd like the link to print them, let me know and I'll email you)It's been a pretty nice day- went to Milton's for a V-day breakfast where Pen did so good and I accidentally kept hitting Scott Pollard in the leg with her car seat. Then we had a major cleaning sesh at the house since Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-68876677322881494032010-02-01T09:09:00.001-08:002010-02-01T18:04:30.227-08:00Hey people, what's good? Rough night with the babe last night. I'd be pretty cranky too if I were pooping rocks. Definitely have a call into the doc this morning. Kind of can't wait for this kid to be 18. Or at least old enough for her insides to function properly. Geez.Other than hanging out with the pooter all day, I've officially started my master's program! I am a student again, and a Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-82445160344561255142010-01-24T10:58:00.001-08:002010-01-24T11:09:58.972-08:00Whew, what a week here. Because I felt like taking care of an infant wasn't enough of a challenge, this week I took on the projects of doing our taxes, selling our house, and catching up on my DVR'd shows. Beep beep, back up that truck, selling our house? YES!!! Totally listed our house this week in an attempt to escape the ghetto. We figured it's a good time to try since we're not in a position Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-46856025986093474392010-01-18T15:31:00.000-08:002010-01-18T15:53:12.573-08:00I hate to be so cliche but time really does fly. I blinked and it's been a month since a baby was cut out of my abdomen. A MONTH, PEOPLE! I feel like I do absolutely nothing in a given day but all of a sudden it's 9pm and I should've been in bed 4 hours ago if I want to get a cumulative 8 hours of sleep in a night. So what do I do all day? Change diapers and feed a baby. That literally takes all Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-40325163580939956642010-01-11T13:56:00.000-08:002010-01-11T14:07:42.463-08:00Coming off of a semi-return-to-normal weekend. Jason and I decided to go out to dinner with the babe on Friday night on our way home from a meeting with a lactation consultant (more on this later... long story short, she helped and gave some great advice but still thinking of switching to formula for some other reasons. Haven't completely decided yet, and don't judge me.) Anyway, we stopped at Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-49563226094731166302010-01-04T11:19:00.001-08:002010-01-04T18:52:14.207-08:00Happy 2010! So weird to say. Thought I'd have a flying car by now. I have about 2 secs before the babe needs to eat so I better make this snappy. Christmas was good and really spread out since we were snowed in on Christmas day and didn't go anywhere or see anyone. So we've been having Christmases with the fam over the past couple weeks. Santa was good to us as always. I feel a little bad that I Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-76000191031864478802009-12-22T18:53:00.000-08:002009-12-22T19:12:10.469-08:00Hey people, what's going on there in the outside world? I finally got out to see the sunlight today, thanks to my mommy. Who would've thought running an errand to Walgreens for a lint roller would be so thrilling? When your world consists of nothing but expressing milk from your boobs, the little things matter. A LOT.So yeah, my boobs. They hurt. Whoever said breastfeeding isn't supposed to hurt Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-83557133636123816822009-12-17T11:34:00.000-08:002009-12-17T12:26:13.281-08:00In case you haven't heard, I had a baby. A BABY. Did you know they are little HUMAN BEINGS? So weird. I think it finally hit me last night on our first night home when we were going to bed and I turned out the lights and FREAKED OUT that I wouldn't be able to see her in the middle of the night. So we slept by the glow of the tv. Can't teach her soon enough to love the tv right? On that note, lastStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-2094134149073062632009-12-10T08:16:00.000-08:002009-12-10T08:22:59.041-08:00Before you ask, the answer is no. No baby yet. Don't worry, peeps, you'll all be the first to know because no matter where you live, you'll be able to hear my screams... even down there in Antarctica, Laura. So yeah just been hanging around, doing some sleeping in, watching a lot of Ellen... who is a genius by the way. I think she's about the funniest person on earth. I run about one errand a dayStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-19164784728047154132009-12-03T20:07:00.001-08:002009-12-03T20:08:41.476-08:00It's probably because I became a fan of Anthropologie on Facebook, but FB has been advertising this site to me: shopruche.com and I'm digging it. It's kind of like Anthro but cheaper.... especially some of the earrings. $6.99? Yes please.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-36924298972490007212009-12-03T14:33:00.000-08:002009-12-03T14:36:58.726-08:00I am a domestic goddess. Totally got inspired by the weekly Wednesday grocery coupons in the paper and went to the store to stock up on things that can go in the freezer/cabinet so I can whip up quick meals after the babe is here. I have a full pantry and freezer for about $70 and I feel good about it. Went to the doc today and the nurse assures me that I'll go into labor tonight since it's a Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-6540169873539708032009-11-30T13:43:00.001-08:002009-11-30T19:32:03.116-08:00SUCK IT NOVEMBER!Currently watching 15 Celebrity Body Bouncebacks on VH1 and completely want to have this kid so I can go work out. But I also saw an Applebee's commercial and the boneless buffalo wings looked good. I wonder if they can somehow work hand in hand?Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-15445661120775605922009-11-29T19:45:00.000-08:002009-11-29T19:51:48.953-08:00Just got done watching Funny People, which was appropriately named since the entire movie was like, "look how many famous funny friends I have." No, it was okay, but four hours later I kind of think some of it could've hit the editing room floor you know? It was like a slightly funnier version of Gone with the Wind without the petticoats and slavery.After the movie, I also inspired a new "Yo MamaStephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-34499396365009110472009-11-28T19:53:00.000-08:002009-11-28T20:03:38.134-08:00Today was a nice little day at the Coolman residence. Got a lot done, baked some banana muffins, did a little Christmas shopping, ate a cheeseburger and made mom's potstickers for dinner. Then played a little Scrabble where I ALMOST beat Jas. If I had cared more and actually been paying attention rather than watching Knocked Up at the same time, I could've won. And look- I have a nice shelf for Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-15096609262276672912009-11-27T16:55:00.000-08:002009-11-27T17:04:50.744-08:00Happy Black Friday! Woke up at 4am this morning to try to nab a $250 32" tv for our bedroom since the current boob tube is a 153 pounder balancing on a tiny shelf. Kind of a hazard. Thanks to the mister's strategery, he went to Walmart and I went to Target since they each had a 32" tv deal. I've never done the 4am black friday thing before, and I was very naive thinking the lines wouldn't be too Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079626.post-3632460594980128822009-11-26T16:37:00.000-08:002009-11-26T16:38:31.326-08:00This is wrong on so many levels, and thus so right. My step dad was telling me about this skit at dinner when I may have over endulged a little bit, and I feel exactly like the fat man in it at the moment. And it starts with a random song about penises:Stephanienoreply@blogger.com