Monday, February 28, 2011

Mattress Shopping as an Analogy for Life?

I've been mattress shopping.

For a month.

I've actually ordered 3 separate mattresses, and then in a last minute of, "Oh no! What I have I done?" I canceled them. For various reasons. Not the right box spring, too expensive, and why the hell did I even consider buying a mattress online?

Sheesh.

The more I looked, the more my head spun. Have you ever tried comparing the price of mattresses? If you have, you know that tried is the operative word as mattresses are renamed from store-to-store and even from state to state. You can try comparing them by features but even then, it's not easy determining the difference between Eurotop and Pillowtop.

Well, for me at least.

Mattress shopping sucks.

Today, I resolved myself that this would be my final day of mattress shopping. I had to make a choice. I had to get a new comfy bed.

So I got up, got dressed, and headed to the store.

With my daddy of course.

And I laid on this mattress and that mattress. I declared them too firm, still not soft enough, and almost but not quite right.

Then..I found one that I liked!

The salesman suggested a price.

I suggested a lowered one.

(Ermh, well...my dad did.)

And he agreed!

So...

I bought a mattress!

Dang, mattresses are expensive.

Afterwards I started stressing...

Maybe I could have found something better. Maybe he charged me too much. Maybe I didn't need a mattress at all.

But tomorrow night...

fingers crossed...

I'm gonna have a good night's sleep.

And I refuse to stress it. No matter how big the purchase or what else this poor single mama could have done with the money. I am going to be happy that I made that big leap and move on with life, trusting that it was the right thing to do. I am going to be proud of myself for doing something for me.

If I were a better blogger, I would point out the analogy. Maybe something about how "settling" isn't always a bad thing. Or, maybe there is something to be said for just going for it. I might mention something about the importance of trusting yourself. I might assert that there are no guarantees in life. Expound upon the idea that a little support goes a long way...

If I were a better blogger I would connect all the dots, figure it out, and explain it all profoundly, poetically, and purposefully.

But I'm not a better blogger.

So this is what I have for you...

Mattress Shopping = Life

(maybe)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cheer Up Swap

Do you remember how I posted about that swap I was participating in? I got my package today, came to work, took picures (yes, at work), I wrote a long, ridiculously descriptive post about how awesome the package truly was (yup, still at work), and BLOGGER ATE IT!

My first instinct was too be sad, but hey, that would defeat the purpose of a Cheer Up Swap, huh?

So here is the condensed version of that post:

Here's the button!



Thanks Brandy at You Don't Know for hosting!


Thanks times a trillion Nichole!

The beach/poolside themed gift was a perfect reminder of the upcoming spring, especially on a day like today that looked like this:


(I took this one at a red light...)

(...and this one while driving...)

(...and this one when I had safely made it to work)

I didn't get a picture of it, but the gift came in a Lego box.

But...

It wasn't Legos!

Check out my goodies!

(Totally not the first time in my life that I have said that.)


This is a super cute tote with a matching beach towel inside! I love the colors!

Isn't this a great idea?

Lots of fun stuff! A candle, sunblock, chapstick. gum, towel clip, floating candles, nail polish.

Cute little clips for Gemma!

Displayed on a Post-It. (I told you I was at work!)

And a letter, explaining all of the thought she put into this gift.

I sincerely appreciate everything Nichole, and I had so much fun participating.

If you want to see what I gave Nichole, click here.

And if you want to check out the other swappers, there is a link up here on Brandy's blog.


Monday, February 21, 2011

Checking In

Hi Friends!

Today is a dreary day, but my spirits are actually starting to look up. I know I have been a bit of a drag off and on...well...all winter, but hey...we all get into ruts right? I am hoping the warming weather will encourage me to be a little more active again. It can be a bummer trapped inside the house with a 1.5 year old day. A cute bummer, but definitely a bummer.

Speaking of cute...Here she is in her cheese-tastic glory:



I got my new point and shoot this past Friday, and although I haven't gotten much of a chance to play with yet, I am pretty pleased! (It is a Canon S95, if you're wonderin')

The grad school application process is driving me absolutely nuts. First there was the hold up with my transcripts. I thought I had that all sorted out and I found out that 2 of my 3 recommenders didn't attach a letter with the form that they submitted. I am scrambling now. On top of that, I called records and registration today to verify that my transcripts had been sent and they hadn't. They promised me that it would go out today, but I sort of feel like it is a race against time at this point. This has certainly been a lesson learned in giving yourself plenty of time when applying for programs...I had wanted to have it together last November, but hey...I didn't. What can I do now but cross my fingers and move forward...

Oh, I started the South Beach Diet today! I weighed 143.8 when I weighed myself this morning. I don't think I am doing the diet the way you are supposed to exactly, but I hope it still helps. I did wake up at 5 a.m. and  eat two of the enormous chocolate covered strawberries in the refrigerator and then throw the rest out so I wouldn't be tempted. I justified this by telling myself that they didn't count because technically, I wasn't up for the day...I went back to sleep after that. The rest of the day I at pretty well. I don't feel hungry and I am only craving carbs a teeny bit. We will see how it goes. I found out that the Girl Scout cookies I ordered forever ago will be here tomorrow. Go figure.

So, as I write this I am keeping on keeping on. Regardless of how things work out, I won't be in this same place next year. I won't let myself. I can't let myself.

I'm slowly emerging from my new mom cocoon, and now it is time to really try and figure out how to make my own path.

With her of course.

Wish me luck.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Things I Considered Blogging About Today

  1. Spring is Coming! Soon-ish. I hope.
  2. No grad school news yet :(.
  3. I'm horrible with money.
  4. I will have two new cameras soon! (See #3)
  5. Blah, blah, blah.
  6. This super cute picture I took of Gemma but forgot to take off my camera.
  7. Something...profound. (That is as far as I got with that one.)
  8. Yet another reassesment of my life goals, ambitions, and self improvement missions.
  9. #8, but for real this time.
  10. My life in lists. I stopped when I wrote "Good Things: ...." and couldn't think of anything to add.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Thank God for Processed Foods

So, I know that processed foods are bad for you and all, but...

sometimes they taste good.

This recipe is one of those recipes that relies on cans of Lord knows what, but the finished product tastes reallly good. The flavors aren't complex, but it is honest to goodness stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. This recipe is perfect for a weekday dinner that is as easy as it is yummy.

Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
(Picture and Recipe via AllRecipes.com)


Ingredients


 
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

 
2 tablespoons butter

 
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup

 
1 onion, finely diced

 
2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces

 
Directions

 
1.Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover.

 
2.Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.

Just a few notes...
  • I skipped the butter in mine, and I didn't miss it!
  • The first time I cooked it I added frozen mixed veggies and a can of new potatoes. This tasted more like pot pie, but it was good too. Feel free to add any veggies that you like.
  • Add your chicken frozen! It helps save you a step and supposedly helps the chicken retain its juiciness.
  • You can sub the 2-10 ounce cans of biscuits for a large 16 ounce can of biscuits...you will still have plenty of dumplings.
  • There are lots of variations that could be made to this basic recipe. Try it the "right" way the first time and then play around with it. Sometimes things are best when left alone!
So, do you have any yummy-but-maybe-not-very-good-for-you recipes to share? Am I a complete  heathen for not abandoning my beloved junk foods completely?

xoxo
-Kacie

 

Monday, February 7, 2011

Oh No!

I've lost another follower.

You're dropping like flies.

Life isn't very exciting lately.

I'm still anxiously awaiting word on the one and only grad school that applied to.

I'm shopping 'til I drop for stuff I "need".

I'm running around instead of tackling the entire crib full of clean laundry that needs to be folded.

(At least the crib is getting some use.)

Gemma is getting bigger and funnier and sweeter.

Apparently licking the dog is awesome.

Personally, I think it's gross.

So, yeah, things are pretty boring around here lately.

Sometimes I want to stop and be insightful, but I just don't have the emotional energy lately.

Erhm, hi though!

xoxo

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Doubt

My grad school application is finally in.

In as in sent and received by the school.

In as in completely out of my hands.

Last week I had a bit of a hang up...It is a lot to explain but basically my head was swarming with default/deferment/holds and other awesome things that happen when you never receive a student loan bill.

Oops.

But now, the hang up is un-hung.

And I am doubting myself.

All along, I have told myself, "When I go to grad school."

And now, I see that it is merely a possibility.

My entire life plan is a possibility.

Scary stuff.

I think about how I should have applied sooner.

And certainly I was crazy for only applying to one place.

Ugh.

I am totally doubting myself.

This. Sucks.