Our Columbus Friends

Even though we knew we wouldn't be in Columbus very long we made some really close friendships. I love how easy it was to make friends and feel comfortable with these kids and their moms. We miss you all tons! Calder asks about his friends a lot and we frequently look at pictures of them.

These cute little girls are Grace and Alexis. I love their moms. They were the best visiting teachers and we sure had a lot of fun together. Anna (Grace's mom) helped me line out a running schedule so I can do a 5k at the end of June. She was also great at giving advice and just listening if I were having a problem or concern. She is so smart and genuinely kind. Daiane (Alexis' mom) made us homemade black beans from Argentina and is such a fun girl to talk to. She also throws AMAZING parties. I'm going to miss you ladies.

This is Amy and her son Will. They were our first Columbus friends and we have many great memories. Amy is such a relaxed mom (in a good way). She taught me that it is okay to chill and let your kid be independent sometimes. She was always willing to meet us at COSI or wherever we felt like going. Calder LOVES Amy and would often ask to hang out with her. I miss our weekly outings and I miss Amy.

This is Archer. His mom (Cassie) was my sewing buddy. We made the cutest stuff. She was also my shopping buddy. We bought the cutest stuff. Our boys were just starting to play well together when we moved. I'm really going to miss them.

Spending Fast Week 2

Thank you. I appreciate all the kind comments and words of encouragement. I'm feeling much better.

I honestly think I was mostly feeling like I couldn't do anything creative and that was getting me down. I found some larger remnants of fabric from past projects and have a few things in the works. I think this will ultimately be really good for me to see how to use things in a new way and use fabric for projects I may not have otherwise chosen.

I do need to spend some time in the basement just organizing and figuring out where I'm going to put my packed boxes once I start packing. So, I have projects, and that helps.

There was a talk at church today that I found very fitting for me. I love that! Basically it was the circle of goals. So, you start at the top with your goal and start with gusto. You are on the down hill and it's pretty easy. Your enthusiasm carries you to the bottom. But at the bottom, it gets hard and you're not as excited about it. The bottom, lets call it 6:00 through 8:00 is the hardest. You have to persevere if you want to reach your goal. Then, as you start to come back towards the top (victory) again you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it gets easier. I think I just hit 6:00 but hopefully I'll move through the hard part quickly.

This week I spent $49.66 on groceries. I didn't really use anything from the pantry which made it harder. I'll be changing that this next week. I ended up not getting as much as I would have liked, but we survived.

I did mail a few things at the post office, so I spent $4.88 there. I'm okay with that. I didn't really actually buy anything to take home.

We also spent $218.00 on two new suits for Jason. Joseph A. Bank had a sale that they only have twice a year. Jason has been watching their website for months. The sale just happened to be this week plus we had a great gift card so we did it. I also don't feel bad about this one. Really, it was Jason buying them. I just chose fabric. If only that logic worked at JoAnn's.

Spending Fast Week 1

I am so happy I made it through the first week. Honestly, it was hard. I hope this gets easier. How was your week Lauren? Lorraine?

I went to a fabric store yesterday. Playing with fire, I know. I went with a friend of mine to help her pick fabric for a dress that we're making. This dress, actually. It is my favorite Columbus fabric store. They are celebrating their 2 year anniversary and had tons of fabrics 20% to 50% off. That was by far the hardest part of the week.

Groceries
I went grocery shopping for the week on Monday. I took a calculator with me and just dialed in $50 and subtracted each item as I put it in the cart. That was hard when I got to produce, but I just estimated. I ended up spending $33.86! Can you believe it? I was shocked. I tried really hard to use the food already in our cupboards and veggie drawer in the fridge. I think the first week will be the easiest since I have the most food in my cupboards to choose from. To answer Madeline's question, I don't have a super well stocked pantry. In fact, since I knew I would only be in Columbus for a year I purposely didn't stock up. I hate moving food. So, I do have some, but nothing compared to most people.

I needed walnuts for the delish recipe this week, so I went back to the store and impulse bought a box of Cheerios. So, add another $5.34. Final grocery total for the week: $39.20.

I've decided the money can't roll over from week to week. Once the week is over I get a new $50 allowance and that's it. So, it will be harder as the month goes on and my pantry decreases.

Week 1 Menu
Monday: Salmon Pesto (leftover pesto served over Salmon and rice. Delicious, easy and cheap)
Tuesday: Dinner at the Judge's house
Wednesday: Leftover Salmon Pesto
Thursday: Chicken Curry over Rice
Friday: Leftover Chicken Curry
Saturday: Ann's One Pot Potato Soup (I doubled the recipe and froze half for later in the month. This is our favorite soup recipe)
Sunday: Leftover Potato Soup

I'm still looking for cheap but tasty recipes. Please tell me your favorites.

March

As I mentioned in my resolution post I want to go a month without spending money on anything other than groceries. I want to do it because I think I can and I want to make sure I'm right. I also want to try to consume less. When I was thinking and praying about what areas of my life I need / want to work on, I kept feeling like I needed to simplify. I needed to slow down, spend more time at home and consume less. I want to have a simpler life. I'm hoping I learn that I can really get by without buying so much and I will hopefully think a little harder about the things I do buy in the future.

Ideally I would like to have a very streamlined house with fewer items but the items we have are things we absolutely love and use often. I think this month long 'spending fast' will be the great start to that.

It may not seem like that big of a goal from the outside, but as I started keeping track of the little things I buy, it started adding up. Things like fabric, restaurant meals, clothes for Calder and me, and decorative things for the house.
So, March is that special month. I vow to not spend any money other than groceries, gas, rent and utilities.

I'm actually going to up the ante if you will. I have been spending somewhere between $75 and $100 on groceries every week. That's a lot of money. I haven't been watching what I spend like I should and I don't choose a meal based on the cost. I want to change that. So, for the month of March I will also be spending $50 a week on groceries.

I'll keep you all posted as the month goes on. If you have cheap but tasty recipes, PLEASE send them my way. I'm not even sure where to start with this and I'm grocery shopping on Monday.

Anyone want to join me? It would be a lot of fun to have a 'spending fast' buddy.

2010 New Year Resolutions

Oh my goodness. I just realized I wrote this post and never posted it. Well, we're half way through February. What better time to post your resolutions.

Here are my 2010 Resolutions:

Read the scriptures for 5 minutes a day.
Sew more for me.
Be more involved in our family finances.
Take Calder to the zoo.
Read 6 nonfiction books.
Go one month without buying anything new (other than groceries).
Learn to sand and refinish furniture. Redo Jason's desk.

Totally Blog Worthy

Some of you may not think this is blog worthy but let me tell you, it is. Calder had a babysitter tonight. He didn't cry hysterically and act like he was going to throw up. Yeah, he asked for me and fussed a little but I feel like it was a success. I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me. I CAN do a babysit exchange so I can go to the temple during the day. I CAN go on dates regularly with my hubby. I'm so excited!

2009 New Year Resolution Review

I am teaching a lesson about setting goals to my young women tomorrow and thought it would be fitting to review my 2009 New Year Resolutions. In case you can't remember here they are followed by my report of how I did.

• Read the Ensign every month So, I read the Ensign every month until we moved and then I was a bit spotty. Our subscription ran out in November and I found it weird to read online. I'm getting better though. So, not a total failure.
• Be a better friend / listener I've tried to be more mindful of others and remember small details about conversations and my friends preferences. I think this one was a success.
  
• Have a house that is visitor ready all the time I have actually done pretty good at this one. Calder loves to help clean and I've learned to let a few things go. I think this was a great success.
  
• Lose 10 lbs. (would it be a resolution list without this one?) Yep. Done.
  
• Read to Calder every day I did this one too!
  
• Get back to doing creative things regularly I feel like I did this. Once Calder started sleeping longer it was a lot easier to start creative projects.
  
• Wear makeup more often Yes! Thank you all for your makeup remover tips. I'm glad I'm not alone. I have been doing better at this one and I feel good about it.
  
• Find a fabulous pair of jeans to replace my favorite ones that are falling apart I have found a few pairs of jeans that I really love. This one was probably the hardest one. My weight has changed so much this year and all of my old favorites are now too big. I'm not complaining. There are much worse problems to have. I've actually started wearing more slacks instead of jeans and I really like it. I feel like they are just as comfortable but look a little dressier.
  

Look for my 2010 New Year Resolutions in the next few weeks!

Fall in Columbus

Calder and I love taking Deebo for his afternoon walk. We point out all sorts of things. Trees and garbage cans are Calder's favorites. I am loving how vivid the colors are in our neighborhood and thought I'd share them.

This is the street we live on.

Don't you love the cobblestone streets?

New Shirt

A few weeks ago my friend Katherine posted a giveaway on her blog. I just happen to be the lucky winner! I am totally digging this shirt. I received it this week and have already worn it twice.

I love that it is a plain T-shirt (so it's super comfortable) but it has a little extra something so it looks fancy. I am planning on jazzing up some of my plain Jane T-shirts using the same technique Katherine talks about here.

Thanks Katherine!

Oregon

Calder and I had a marvelous time in Oregon. This post is going to be picture heavy and word light. Lets just say there was a lot of playing, present opening and bathing. There was NOT a lot of napping but we all survived.

The flights went well. (Thanks for all your advice) Calder refused to sleep on the planes on the way there. We didn't get there until 1:00 AM our time and he was happy the whole time. Thank goodness. He did actually sleep for about 45 minutes in his stroller during our layover in Denver. Thankfully I took the stroller. He we slept on both flights back which was AWESOME!

Calder and I with Jason's mom and Grandma Joyce

Calder and I with Jason's dad

Opening presents

My mom made this awesome Mader from Cars look alike cake for Calder. Unfortunately he was a little sick and I wouldn't let him eat it.

Bath time with cousin Anessa.

Playing with fridge magnets (Calder's favorite Oregon activity) with Paxton.

And some more magnet play with Anessa. She is wearing Calder's hat and I love how it completes her outfit.

Anessa with my friend Arlee's little girls RaeLynn and Ainzlee.

Will Travel With Kid

So, I'm going to be going to Oregon alone with Calder next week and I need some advice from all of you. I haven't traveled alone with Calder ever and so I'm a little nervous. I have three questions / concerns:

1. I want to get Calder a new 'special' toy for the trip. I'd like it to keep his attention for quite a while. Do you have any favorite silent (or very quiet) toys that would fit the bill?

2. The last time Calder was on an airplane he was 2.5 months old. I carried him in the sling and it worked perfectly. I can certainly do this again but I'm wondering if it would be easier for me to take the stroller. I won't be needing it in Oregon so it would be just for the airports etc. He will be 12 months at the end of the trip, is taking steps but not yet walking if that makes a difference. He likes his stroller very much and when we went to DC a few weeks ago (crud, I didn't blog about that yet) he took many naps in it. The sling is comfortable but I don't know if Calder would nap in it. I'm leaning toward taking the stroller but I think it will be a little bit of a hassle. If you've done this was it a big deal?

3. I'm worried there's something I'm forgetting. If you have any travel advice, please bestow it upon my comment section.

New Haircut

One of the most annoying things about moving is finding new doctors, hairstylists and, for us, doggy daycare. This is the second time I've gotten my haircut since we moved here. The first time was okay but nothing to write home about. The second time was a. maz. ing. I love the way she did the bangs and the big body in the back. If you ever need a good stylists in Columbus, Ohio, just let me know. I've got the girl for you.

Just For Fun

Baked: New Frontiers in Baking

I've been wanting to do this for a while and am finally getting up the courage to do it. I want to start a baking club. Here's how it works. We each buy the same cookbook (I am thinking Baked: New Frontiers in Baking by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito ). Then we all bake the same recipe and share our pictures and comments about the recipe. I think it would be best if we bake something new either every week or every other week. And of course we should take turns choosing what to bake.

I want this to be fun and successful. I really want to get as many people as possible to participate so even if you don't know me, please leave a comment that you're interested. Tell your friends to join. I'm totally serious. I think it would be a lot of fun.

As soon as we have a few people who are interested I think we should use a separate blog for our baking chit chat. Of course you can post pictures and comments on your own blog about the recipes we choose but it would be nice to have one central location to meet.

If you're interested please leave a comment letting me know the following things:
1. If you're interested.
2. If you think Baked: New Frontiers in Baking is a good choice. If you have a different baking book you would like to suggest, please do so.
3. If you think we should choose a new recipe every week or every other week.
4. What day works best for you to 'present' our baked item.

Kindness

I have been trying to be a better friend. I was never intentionally a 'bad' friend I just feel like I'm a little socially awkward sometimes. OK, a lot. I always think of nice things to say or remember to ask about how something is going about 10 minutes too late. You know when you're driving home from church and you wish you could rewind so you could say that incredibly nice thought you had or ask how starting solid food is working for your friend's baby. That happens to me more than I care to admit.

I have many incredible friends. I have one friend in particular who is JUST SO NICE. I am always amazed at her kindness. It's not like she gives me things or is overtly generous like she pities me. She is genuinely a nice person who cares about ME. She asks how specific things are going in my life and always makes me feel special. I need that. I'm sure others need that and I could be that friend if I could just think a little faster and possibly more clearly. I do eventually think of these things, so I have potential to be a good friend. (I think.)

I wonder if I'm just selfish and therefore spend more time thinking about telling people what I think instead of focusing on them. I am having a hard time figuring out how to get from where I'm at to where I want to be. My specific friend is a fabulous example but it comes to her so naturally that I have a hard time knowing where to start. I need to spend more time just listening and asking more questions I think.

As I made this goal I tried to come up with ways to be a better friend. I thought I would be a better friend by baking goodies and giving them to my friends. Thus showing my friends I care and think about them. Well, that's where the thought process ended. Being the perpetual list maker and checker off-er that I am, I moved on to the next resolution. As I've been reevaluating my resolutions I've really been pondering friendship and have been observing what I feel makes a really good friend. Baked goods are nice but that's a small part of being a good friend.

At book group this month we read The Pact by Jodi Picoult. We discussed the relationships of the characters and the topic of friendship came up. There is a point where friendships get too close as I feel happened in the book. I think it is hard to find the balance. I find myself wanting my friends to be closer but being afraid to get closer to my friends. It's lame and I know it. I don't know if I'm afraid of putting in more effort and working harder to nurture the relationship or if I'm afraid people won't like me when they really get to know me well. I'm envious of people who have those close relationships. There are two girls in my ward who are such amazing friends. You can tell that they have done service for each other and spent a lot of time together. They understand the other's needs and seem to always have a good time together. They're close but not too close. I want that. I'm envious of that. It's like the relationship I have with my sisters.

I shy away from talking on the phone. I try to avoid it at all costs. I love to email and text and hear from friends that way but I'm not someone who could throw in an hour on the phone just chatting. Does that decrease my ability to be a good friend? Maybe. I think I could at least call to see how someones day went. But my goodness that's hard. In so many ways I'd rather bake a cake and drive it to their house than talk on the phone.

So, what makes a good friend to you? Do you think we need really close friends as adults or are solid friends good enough? Do you like to talk in the phone? How would you suggest building relationships? Do you feel a little fuddy duddy in the friend department?

CPSIA

{Begin rant}

As many of you know I like to make (and sell) baby clothes. I really enjoy doing it and find it is a fun creative outlet. I had a shop on ETSY and got a lot of great business. I decided to take a break while we were in San Diego and after Calder was born.

I was recently thinking about getting back into the swing of things but then heard about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This is a law passed by congress in August 2008 requiring a lot of safety and lead testing on any item intended for kids. The testing costs anywhere from $300 to $4,000 per item batch. This seems fine if you are a large manufacturing company making large batches of toys, but for someone who makes each item individually and uniquely it is detrimental. I understand CPSIA was designed after many toys were showing up dangerous and poisonous from Chinese toy manufacturers in 2007. I agree that there should be a law to protect that from happening, but seriously, did they not think about the little people?

Well, I'll stop complaining about it and tell you two things you should do.

1. Write to your congress person if it's important to you. I've never been one to write to my congress person. It's not that I've never felt like issues were important enough I just never got around to doing it. There have been a few times I thought I should write but never did. I totally understand that this issue may not be a big deal for most people. But, if you want to buy handmade items or items from smaller manufacturers in the future, you might want to write.

2. Go to ETSY and buy stuff. The law goes into effect on February 10. I hate to say it but I think the closer you get to that date the better deals you'll find. There are a lot of people trying to get rid of inventory because they know after Feb. 10th they won't be able to sell. So, support the little people.

{End rant}

New Year Resolutions

Every year I think 'I don't feel like making resolutions this year'. And then, like every other year I got caught up in the fun and made some. Here's my list of resolutions for 2009.

• Read the Ensign every month
• Be a better friend / listener
• Have a house that is visitor ready all the time
• Lose 10 lbs. (would it be a resolution list without this one?)
  
• Read to Calder every day
• Get back to doing creative things regularly
• Wear makeup more often
• Find a fabulous pair of jeans to replace my favorite ones that are falling apart

My resolutions come with questions. First, what type of makeup remover do you use? The honest reason why I don't wear makeup more often is because I hate that even when I wash it off at night I feel like it's not completely gone. When I shower in the morning I still have mascara that runs below my eyes. Does this happen to everyone? Maybe I'm just using the wrong thing.

The second question is: what is your favorite place to buy jeans? I mean, what is your favorite place to buy those amazing jeans that make you feel like a million bucks. Also, has anyone bought designer jeans on Ebay? If so, did you have a good experience?

Another Travel Adventure

As I've mentioned before, I have problems traveling. See here and here. It is not related to anything I can change or do and it is definitely a problem with me since Jason can travel just fine without me but I have problems alone or with others.

We were scheduled to go to Oregon on Dec. 22nd. Of course there was weather problems on both ends of our trip and our flights got canceled. When we tried to call Alaska Airlines to reschedule their lines were BUSY! No kidding. It's not like we got the message telling us to hold and the next available representative will be with us, but it just rang busy. So, after trying for 30 minutes or so, we finally got through to the aforementioned message. It only took us 1.5 hours from then to get a person on the line and rescheduled for the 26th. They did try to give us a flight through Anchorage but we kindly declined and flew through Seattle instead.

The fun doesn't end there! Both of our flights from Chicago to Seattle and then Seattle to Portland were delayed, so we didn't have any problems getting there, we were just late. But, somehow our car seat didn't make it. So after filing a claim they took Jason into a room full of random junk and showed him the carseats. He could then choose one for us to use during our trip.

I was nervous checking the car seat to begin with because I have heard they aren't very nice to them and since you're supposed to buy another one if it gets in an accident, how am I supposed to know whether it had an 'accident' while being loaded or unloaded. But, we did it anyway to avoid having to haul the stroller along as well.

Jason chose the best looking carseat available but of course it doesn't have a base. I'm sure he was much nicer than I would have been. I was so mad. So, we drove the 3 hours to Hermiston and back with a less than safe carseat. The roads were slick for the hour and a half of our drive. UGH What a mess.

They did call us that night to let us know that they had it waiting for us when we came back to Portland to pick it up.

The trip back wasn't so bad. All of our stuff made it but we were delayed in Seattle for a long time. We didn't get to Chicago until 1:30 or 2:00 AM. We were supposed to get there at 11:00 pm.

I'm sure Jason can't wait for Calder to get older so the two of them can go back to traveling without me. It's such a mess. Calder was a perfect little boy while were were flying. He had a meltdown on the way from Hermiston to Portland but we all survived.

99 Things

Okay, I've seen this on a number of blogs and thought it would be fun. The green things are the things I've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept over night on a train (Stockholm to Copenhagen and back)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23.Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone Deep Sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I've learned I have a lot of traveling to do. There are a few things on the list that I don't have any interest in doing. Of course there are the obvious things like breaking a bone or bouncing a check, but I've heard the Salt Lake is not a great swimming place and Russia is very very cold.

Hair

Okay, I'm going to cut my hair. I am not someone who is emotionally attached to their hair and my hair grows fast so I don't feel like I've spent a lot of time growing it out just to cut it. I've had long and short hair over the years and have liked it both ways.

I am tired of wearing my hair in a ponytail every day because that's all I have time for. That being said, I want to know which one you guys like. Please vote on the side for the one you think would be the best.

#1

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