Proverb 17:17

Proverb 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times”.

^^^^One of my amazing, self-less friends^^^^

This is something I’m really working on.  Being a good friend is really important to me (and by friend I mean friends and family – because you can be a friend to family members too), but sometimes I struggle with being a selfish friend.  Not in a horribly bad way, I know that I am generally a good friend.  However, it can be hard to be a good friend when you are so busy with your own thing or you have other plans or other stuff going on.  That is when it really counts though.  It’s easy to be a good friend when it’s easy – it’s when it’s hard that really matters.

I have a lot of great friends – sometimes I feel like I have better friends than I deserve.  I have friends that would do anything for me – and that means so much to me.  And, in theory, I would do anything for them.  At least, as I sit here now, I feel like I would do anything for them.  The thing is, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty – how many people would really do anything (and I’m not talking about ridiculous things like loan a million dollars or donate a heart or something, just normal everyday favors)?  I think as human beings we make so many excuses for things.  I can’t because of a, b, and c.  I have to work, I don’t have time, I have kids, I have class, etc.  But really, we should be there for our friends and family.  In good times and in bad.  And we should want to be there.  Yes, it takes energy and work to be a good friend, a good family member, and a good spouse - it’s not easy.  But it is totally worth it. 

This is something I have been working on – because it was easy for me to make excuses before and even easier to make more excuses now that I am one of those people with a husband and kid.  It’s harder for me to pick people up from the airport at odd times, to bring food to someone who’s busy or sick, to help people move, to grab a coffee with a friend I haven’t seen for a while, etc.  However, I don’t want to make excuses.  I want to be there when it matters most.   Because it feels good when people are there for me – when I can count on friends or family to drive me to the airport or help me move or fix something at my condo, or bring me donuts or cupcakes every time they come visit.  And to be honest – it makes me sad when I can’t find a ride the airport or I need someone to help out with Dolce and no one seems available.

I’m not sure what the point of this post is, but it’s something that has been marinating in my head for a while.  The feeling that I need to step up my friendship game and make sure that I am still there for people.  I don’t want to become one of those people that gets so involved in the business of their own lives that they forget that others still need a helping hand every once in a while.  And yes – being a friend can be inconvenient at times.  People need help when they need help, they don’t always abide by your schedule, but a true friend is there for you no matter what. 

So, I am going to try harder.  I’m going to call people and write them letters and check up on them.  And when they need favors I’m going to say yes without hesitation.  It’s going to be a goal of 2013.  And since I just ordered a new planner so that I can write more things down – maybe I won’t forget this goal!

I’m not really sure what happened to my brain

I don’t really remember being forgetful when I was pregnant.  I guess maybe I was, but I don’t remember it being a problem.  I never remember forgetting my keys or forgetting tasks or dates.  I remember people warning me about pregnancy brain and how growing a human uses so much brain power that I would become stupid.  I just don’t think it happened.  And then this little guy showed up:

And now I can’t remember anything.  It’s a tragedy.  I am forgetting things left and right.  And I’m not really sure if I can blame this lovable little monster.  I mean, with a smile like that, pretty much everything is forgotten, right?

But then again, it could be lack of sleep or stress or age, right?

Whatever it is, I need a remedy.  I have forgotten so many things at work that I have to write things down on the back of old business cards and stick them up everywhere.  It’s not enough to flag emails because I get too many emails and the flags go onto another page and then I forget about them.  It’s not enough to make a To Do list – the list gets too long and some of the things get lost in the list and I forget about them.  So, now the second an email comes in that needs some action – I have to stop and do it (if it will take less than 5 minutes) or I write it on a business card and tape it to my computer.  Every day I come in and I put the cards in order and I do them. 

At home I’ve had to makes lists for EVERYTHING.  I have a list of what I need in my lunch (so I don’t pack milk and forget oatmeal), I have a list of what goes in the diaper bag for my sister, I have a list of the things I need to do before going to bed, I have a list of the things I need to cook for the week, etc.  So many lists. I should probably make a list of the lists so I don’t forget to look at one.

P.S.  Just a complete aside.  There are rodents living in my ceiling and it is grossing me out.  As I sit here typing this the house is super quiet and I can hear a rodent running across my ceiling over and over again.  I haven’t seen any signs of rodents in my house (i.e. mice poop, etc.) but I KNOW there is something living up there and it is giving me the heebie geebies.

Well, today I realized that I now need a list for school.  We had an extra credit assignment (at least I hope it’s extra credit) that was worth 50 points.  It was a 50 question test that we had to do online.  You got two attempts which made it extra easy because if you did the first one, if gave you the answer to the questions you got wrong.  So pretty much – the second time should be a breeze.  I forgot to do it.  I NEVER forget to do homework assignments.  And I have no excuse.  I was home on Friday.  I was actually working Friday night because I distinctly remember emailing my coworker at 10pm.  Was I taking the online test?  NOOOOOOOOOO!  I’m not sure how I forgot.  I guess because it wasn’t on the syllabus so I wasn’t thinking about it as much.  We have a paper due on Wednesday and I have been thinking about that – but somehow I forgot to think about this stupid online exam.  Boo.

It makes me so mad.  I want my memory back.  I want my brain back.  I am tired of making lists and forgetting things and making more lists.  I just want to remember things again!

Memory, can we be friends again?  Please move back into my head.

Going for a walk with Bob

Notice how the title of this post says walk and not run.  Yeah, I’m not sure what happened to me and running.  We are apparently not friends anymore.  I was doing really well with running – I ran a few times a week while I was on maternity leave and then I even continued to run during lunch while I was at work.  Then I got really busy and I didn’t have time.  And since laziness begets laziness, I quit running on the weekends too.  I think getting up so early during the week along with being tired from going to work, going to class, and being a mom started catching up to me and I just wanted to be lazy. 

The thing is, I really love running.

I guess I will wait until my motivation returns.  I have a feeling it will return with the warm weather.  We’ll see though.

Even though I haven’t been running, I did get my booty out for a walk or two.  With BOB.  Let me tell you – I love my BOB.  I was a little hesitant spending so much money on a stroller, but I am so happy I did.  Not only is BOB my favorite color, but he is an awesome stroller.  And I finally went out for a decent walk with him.

I don’t know what I was thinking but I had it in my head that Evan had to be 6 months old to ride in the BOB without the car seat.  I must have made this up in my head though, because when I looked at the instruction manual it said 8 weeks.  What was I thinking???  I had been dying to use my weather shield but thought that I had to wait until Evan was 6 months (since the weather shield does not fit over the car seat). 

Good thing I had the sense to look at the manual.  The second I discovered Evan was old enough for a walk in the BOB, out we went.  The first two times it snowed.  No worries though, Evan stayed nice and toasty and dry inside his plastic igloo.

He seems to always fall asleep when we go for a walk. 

Dolce and I got wet though.  It’s too bad there isn’t a weather shield for Dolce.  Or a dog raincoat that would fit him.  Along with doggie booties.

I love going on walks with Dolce and Evan (and BOB). 

The only problem is getting BOB in and out of the apartment.  First, the BOB stroller is a bit heavy.  And large.  And I live on the third floor of a walk-up condo.  At first I was carrying the BOB downstairs, then running back up and getting Evan and Dolce.  But then I had to strap Evan into the stroller outside and then put the weather shield on.  So, instead I decided to get him all set in the house and then go down the stairs with him in the stroller.  This has worked but it can be tricky trying to get the stroller down the stairs with one hand and making sure Dolce doesn’t bolt off with the other hand.  Going back up the stairs is just as fun.  We are getting better – and my arm and back muscles are slowly getting stronger.

Dolce is a great walker with the stroller.  He sometimes walks too close and gets run over (see picture below), but for the most part he walks right next to me and doesn’t act like a maniac.

Notice all the dog fur stuck to the wheel.  He hasn’t quite learned that he needs to give the stroller some space.  He’s working on it though.

I can’t wait for my walks to turn into runs.  I really can’t wait to go running with Evan.  It is the whole reason I bought the BOB – so we could spend quality time on runs.  So far he seems to enjoy the stroller, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed he stays content in there.  It’s too bad I can’t take Dolce for runs with us – we could have a fun family outing.  However, Dolce is getting old and has some leg problems so running isn’t the best for him.  Also, if he could run, winter would be the best time.  When it gets warmer it’s not the best idea for him to exercise too much.  He’s really an artic dog – so the summers are a bit too hot for him.  I feel bad leaving him at home though.

For now, we’ll keep taking him on long walks.

And I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a few good runs coming my way!

Give it up for…

It is the season of Lent.  It seems so early and totally snuck up on me.  I have given something up for Lent for years and years, as long as I can remember actually.  When I was little my mom always told us (my sister and me) to give up gum.  So we did.  Even when I stopped going to church for a long time, I still gave something up.  It is one of those things that gets ingrained in you and you just can’t change it.

So, what am I giving up this year?

Well, I actually don’t “give” things up so to speak.  My nun friend once told me that it’s not really about giving something up, it’s doing something that makes you closer to God.  And sometimes it gets confusing because if I give up things like chocolate or sugar or sweets – is that really giving up something for Lent or is it just an excuse to give up something to lose weight?  Who knows.  I guess it can be both.

^^^^^That’s my me and my nun friend^^^^^^

One year I gave up biting my nails.  I was actually successful, which is amazing.  But then I started up again.  Lucky for me I randomly quit biting my nails last Thanksgiving.  I guess after 30ish years of eating my nails, it was time to stop.

So, here are my Lenten promises:

1. Listen more.  I really need to start listening to people more.  I have so many thoughts running through my head that sometimes I am thinking things when I should be listening.  Or I am thinking how I’m going to respond or what I can say next.  Really, I should just listen.
   
2. Stop complaining about money.  This is a big one.  I always feel so broke.  However, there are so many other people out there who make less money than I do and I need to just get on with my life.  I should be thankful for what I have.  So I can’t afford everything I want.  Not very many people can.  We can pay our bills, buy some food, and take care of our son.  That’s all that’s important.
   
   
   Seriously, who is more important than this little dude????????
   
3. I will not eat store-bought cookies.  That is my “normal” thing that I will give up.  I can eat homemade cookies because homemade cookies contain lots of love and we need all the love we can get.  However, store-bought cookies contain junk and no love whatsoever – so who needs them.  Even if Chips Ahoy Chewies taste oh so delicious.

Good thing I only gave up store-bought cookies because my Mom sent me these yummy Valentine’s Day cookies.  Can you believe that she only sent me three???  What were you thinking Mother???  Ok – so maybe there were more and I ate a bunch before taking the picture….

So, those are my Lenten promises.

And here’s our Ravens fan – go Ravens!  I know it’s a bit late, but I didn’t get a chance to upload my photos earlier.  And yes, we always buckle him in, we just took the photo before putting on his seatbelt.

 

Do you give anything up for Lent?

What are your favorite cookies???

A Lofty Goal and a Party

This past weekend was a bit crazy and out of the ordinary.  Which is why I didn’t get a chance to write about it until now (that and because I’ve become addicted to Parenthood and can’t stop watching it).  But I guess better late than never.  At least that is my philosophy for many things.

I was so excited because I finally got to go to Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Open House on Saturday. 

I have wanted to go to nursing school for a long time, since I was in college actually.  It just never seemed to be the “right" time.  I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true.  For some reason I was always pulled to follow a different path, knowing that one day I would follow the path to becoming a nurse.  Looking back on it, I’m glad I followed those other paths.  First, I loved everything I did – going to grad school for public health, joining the Peace Corps, meeting my husband, finding my current job, etc. – and I would not have had any of those experiences if I had gone to nursing school when it first occurred to me. 

However, now after all these years, I am almost finished with my pre-reqs and looking at finally applying to nursing school.  It’s a bit of a daunting feat – especially thinking about quitting my job when my salary supports myself, my husband, and our baby.  I just keep hoping it will all work out.  So, this past weekend was an Open House for Hopkins Nursing School – my #1 choice.  Yes, I realize that Hopkins is the #1 nursing school in the country and the chances that I’d get in are a little slim – but you should dream big right? 

All I can tell you is that going to the Open House REALLY made me want to go.  It is an amazing school and everyone was sooooooooooo nice (as I’m sure they always are when they want you to apply).  They have so many programs and opportunities – it sounded exactly like what I wanted.  The main reason I even thought to apply was because they have a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer program, which fits right into my line of interests, but after the open house I realized that there are many other things that draw me to their program specifically.

I guess I am just glad that I have some time to really work on my application.  And find some amazing scholarships.  Hopkins is NOT cheap and I don’t have any money.  I refuse to take out private loans for school, so if I don’t get enough federal loans and scholarships then I will have to take a different route.  We shall see what is in store for my future. 

We also celebrated my sister’s bday this weekend.  Fun times!  I love birthdays, especially when they aren’t mine.  It is always fun/crazy going to my sister’s house.  I swear, her kids are the funniest, sweetest, craziest, hyper-ist, kiddos around.  Just that night her older daughter was running around, slipped, and busted her lip open.  And that has happened before!  Plus, it’s so adorable because they love Evan so much and shower him with kisses – especially the middle daughter.  And there was cake.  I love cake!

So, that was my weekend.  Fun times for all!

Where did the week go?

It’s Friday and I haven’t blogged all week?  I also went to work four days a week instead of three (I usually work from home two days a week).  These two observations mean one thing: I had a stressful, busy week.

And looking back, I sure did.

Monday was the first day of spring semester classes.  Goodbye freedom.  Goodbye books I enjoy.  Goodbye time.

Ok, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic.  It wasn’t so incredibly bad.  The class is only 1.5 hours, twice a week rather than 3 hours twice a week (which my previous classes were).  Plus, the class is Life Span Development so I’m assuming it is going to be a lot easier than A&P.  Of course, that is uncertain at this point, but I’m hoping it’s true.

Along with less free time in the evening (if my time was ever really “free”), I had a big grant proposal that I was working on all week and that is stressful.  I hate grant writing.  I like thinking about new projects and designing projects in my head – but actually putting that on paper is not exciting.  Especially when there is a strict deadline and a ton of money on the line (and sometimes my job – this time my job wasn’t on the line though, so that’s a relief).  The first draft of the proposal was due today COB, so I worked until the last minute (and am hoping to revise a bit and stick my revisions into the file Monday morning before anyone else gets there).  But the worst of it’s done.  I can breathe again!

So, those are a few reasons for my absence on the blog.  I did try to be very organized this week and it worked partly.  I knew that class was going to complicate things and make it even more difficult to get stuff done and still get to bed on time.  So Sunday, I cooked and cooked and cooked.  Here is a little of what I made:

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup, also from Gina at Skinny Taste (for some reason I took this “before” picture and forgot to take a picture after it was cooked).

This turned out to be delicious.  I was afraid Ivan would think it tasted similar to the other types of food I’ve made and he’s tired of, but he scarfed it down.  It was extra tasty with some cheddar cheese and avocado on top.  Big time yum.

 

Baked Spaghetti Squash and Cheese from Gina at Skinny Taste

I had never made spaghetti squash before, but I attempted this with the hopes that I could eat this all week.  As part of my goal of spending less than $100 a week on groceries, I have started buying the “cheap” chicken instead of the organic chicken.  Since I am apprehensive of eating regular chicken, I have had to start eating vegetarian again.  Not every day (since I did eat the soup above, but I made that with organic chicken), but more often than normal.  I still buy chicken and meat for Ivan, since he doesn’t care what kind of chicken he eats, but I’m trying to make something different for myself.  We’ll see how well that goes.  The above dish turned out pretty good.  I’m not sure I’ll make it again, but I did like it a lot.

I also made BBQ wings for Ivan.

That was a lot of cooking for Sunday.  This is what the sink looked like….

Lucky for me, Ivan cleaned up the mess!

I was a little less organized the rest of the week, but we survived.  I did make my planned meals, for the most part, and we had plenty of left overs…until I made a Chili Casserole that Ivan didn’t like.  Now I have a bunch of that left and he doesn’t really want it.  I am crossing it off my list of food to make again!

And to make the week end on a high note?  We got a 10 minute blizzard that covered the ground with snow, but didn’t make it hard to get around.  That’s a huge plus!

Dolce loved it too!

It’s suppose to snow again tonight – we’ll see.  I love snow on the weekends! 

 

What good meal did you make this week?

Do you like snow?