If you've been reading my blog for very long, you know I don't exactly love the way my current house looks. My big project for this winter is getting the second living room downstairs remodeled. Right now, it's got a big mural on the wall of eagles over a canyon, and then painted ducks on the other walls. My goal is to fix the issues in the drywall, repaint (a natural color, I'm thinking), put new carpet in, and turn it into a play room - the Wii and Nintendo will go down there, possibly some surround sound action, and then my exercise stuff.
We've got two pretty big TV's right now, but both of them are a bit outdated. The one is still little squares of color and the other is newer than that, but still HUGE! Moving this thing downstairs is going to be a bit of an undertaking, and because of that, I'm considering buying a new TV. A flat screen TV. I've been looking through flat screen TV stands on CSN and it's giving me all sorts of ideas! I never realized how many options were out there.
Any suggestions? I haven't even started yet so I'm pretty open to ideas! :)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tillamook Winner!
With 4 entries in the Tillamook giveaway, the winner is...
Here are your random numbers:
4
Timestamp: 2010-11-21 16:38:08 UTC
Congrats to Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}! I've e-mailed you, and you have 2 or so days to get back to me before I default to the other entrant. Alrighty?
Here are your random numbers:
4
Timestamp: 2010-11-21 16:38:08 UTC
Congrats to Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}! I've e-mailed you, and you have 2 or so days to get back to me before I default to the other entrant. Alrighty?
French Meadow Bakery Review
I was given the opportunity to try out a product from French Meadow Bakery, and after visiting their website I thought it sounded like a good idea. Problem is, there is only one store anywhere close to me (still 15 minutes away) that sells their products.
Listen up, local stores - French Meadow Bakery makes good stuff. Get their products in.
I chose to try their cinnamon raisin sprouted bagels*. The biggest issue with these? I had a hard time finding them. That was it. (They are in the freezer section, and if I had been smart enough, I would have remembered that it said so on their website.) They were pretty good. Definitely different from your typical bagels, but good flavor. My suggestion? Go get something from French Meadow Bakery and see if it's your thing! It's worth it.
*Sprouted bagels: Sprouting involves soaking whole wheat berries in filtered water. When the berries sprout, the excess water is drained and the sprouts are then ground into dough. During the process, the germ of the grain releases enzymes that aid in the digestion of such products and allow the nutrients to be absorbed. Just fyi.
Listen up, local stores - French Meadow Bakery makes good stuff. Get their products in.
I chose to try their cinnamon raisin sprouted bagels*. The biggest issue with these? I had a hard time finding them. That was it. (They are in the freezer section, and if I had been smart enough, I would have remembered that it said so on their website.) They were pretty good. Definitely different from your typical bagels, but good flavor. My suggestion? Go get something from French Meadow Bakery and see if it's your thing! It's worth it.
*Sprouted bagels: Sprouting involves soaking whole wheat berries in filtered water. When the berries sprout, the excess water is drained and the sprouts are then ground into dough. During the process, the germ of the grain releases enzymes that aid in the digestion of such products and allow the nutrients to be absorbed. Just fyi.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Dropps + Target = Bueno
Quite awhile ago, I did a review and giveaway for a company called Dropps. See it here. They are pretty fantastic little laundry helpers, if you ask me.
Well... drum roll here, yah... they are now available at Target stores nationwide! I love Target. I love Dropps. Put them together, what a fine looking... um, laundry detergent. :)
Just thought I'd pass that tidbit along, in case you wanted to try them as well. They are definitely easy and convenient, and save on packaging and time and, yah. They're just good.
Well... drum roll here, yah... they are now available at Target stores nationwide! I love Target. I love Dropps. Put them together, what a fine looking... um, laundry detergent. :)
Just thought I'd pass that tidbit along, in case you wanted to try them as well. They are definitely easy and convenient, and save on packaging and time and, yah. They're just good.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
I'm too excited NOT to share.
I thought I was excited about the Muppets movie.
That's nothing compared to how excited this made me...
O. M. G!! I love Cars. LOVE IT. I'm so super excited to go see it when it finally hits theaters - JUNE 24, 2011. Mark that date down and come see it with me. K?
P.S. Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out today. This is how big of a dork I am - watching the trailer for this movie gives me the chills. I am going to see it this weekend with my for-real BFF Ari and could not be more amped up for it. Seriously. Total dork, right here.
That's nothing compared to how excited this made me...
O. M. G!! I love Cars. LOVE IT. I'm so super excited to go see it when it finally hits theaters - JUNE 24, 2011. Mark that date down and come see it with me. K?
P.S. Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out today. This is how big of a dork I am - watching the trailer for this movie gives me the chills. I am going to see it this weekend with my for-real BFF Ari and could not be more amped up for it. Seriously. Total dork, right here.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
And Now For Something... Completely Different
Or not really different at all, I guess. Take it how you want, okay? Anyway, now for the time you've all been waiting for - the coconut peanut butter giveaway! WOOOOO! And the crowd goes wild!!!
Ahem.
Sorry about that. But seriously. Remember me talking about the coconut peanut butter from Tropical Traditions?
Now do you remember? Good. Want to win, to try a bottle of this for yourself? Of course you do! Here's how:
Step 1. Leave me a comment. Have you had anything else from Tropical Traditions? Do you hate that we're besties now? Leave it in the comments, instead of screaming it into the screen! That way, I can hear you. Or y'know, read... you...?
Step 2. For an extra entry, become a fan of them on Facebook, then leave me a comment and let me know you did.
Step 3. For another extra entry, follow them on Twitter, then come back here and let me know.
You have to take step 1. But steps 2 and 3 are up to you. I'll pull a winner using random.org and all entries through midnight MST on the 27th of November will count. Got it? Open to residents of the US and Canada only. Now go, and enter, and be happy.
Ahem.
Sorry about that. But seriously. Remember me talking about the coconut peanut butter from Tropical Traditions?
Now do you remember? Good. Want to win, to try a bottle of this for yourself? Of course you do! Here's how:
Step 1. Leave me a comment. Have you had anything else from Tropical Traditions? Do you hate that we're besties now? Leave it in the comments, instead of screaming it into the screen! That way, I can hear you. Or y'know, read... you...?
Step 2. For an extra entry, become a fan of them on Facebook, then leave me a comment and let me know you did.
Step 3. For another extra entry, follow them on Twitter, then come back here and let me know.
You have to take step 1. But steps 2 and 3 are up to you. I'll pull a winner using random.org and all entries through midnight MST on the 27th of November will count. Got it? Open to residents of the US and Canada only. Now go, and enter, and be happy.
I just woke up from a night terror.
I don't know how I handled this so frequently when I was a kid. I remember bits and pieces of this one but more often than not, I don't remember anything. All I know is the feeling of dread. The only way I can describe it is, paralyzing fear. I wake up sobbing, pillow completely drenched, body completely drenched, full of a horrible feeling I can't shake. I feel like if I were to know I was dying, this is the feeling I would have. I wish that I could put into words how terrible this is. I've been awake for 15 minutes but the tears won't stop. I am absolutely afraid to go back to sleep. I want to call everyone I know and tell them I love them, because it might be my last chance.
Towards the end I knew I was in my bed and not in the terror but I couldn't get myself to wake up from it. I couldn't snap myself out of the world in my head, but I feel like if I don't, I'm not going to wake up. It's like that a lot - I can feel my pillow, feel my tears, know it's not real, but cannot make it stop. Other times, I wake up somewhere other than my bed, no idea what's going on or where I am or how I got there.
I can't imagine having to see this as a parent. I don't know how my parents did it. They would find me at the end of the hall sobbing and walking and talking but still asleep and they wouldn't be able to wake me up. How horrible to watch your child go through this and be able to do nothing about it. They put me on some sort of pill that helped but basically gave me insomnia that I didn't get rid of until I met Husband.
It'll feel like this all day, too. This feeling doesn't fade quickly. It's such a helpless situation to be in - doctors don't know what causes them, they don't really know how to make them stop, it's just terrible. And people that have never had one or seen someone else during a night terror think they understand, but don't. It's not a nightmare; it's much, much worse. I literally feel like I could die during these dreams. I've woken up not breathing before and had to talk my brain into letting oxygen into my lungs again.
I wish there was something I could do to make my brain realize I'm okay. I really wanted to sleep in today. Urgh.
Towards the end I knew I was in my bed and not in the terror but I couldn't get myself to wake up from it. I couldn't snap myself out of the world in my head, but I feel like if I don't, I'm not going to wake up. It's like that a lot - I can feel my pillow, feel my tears, know it's not real, but cannot make it stop. Other times, I wake up somewhere other than my bed, no idea what's going on or where I am or how I got there.
I can't imagine having to see this as a parent. I don't know how my parents did it. They would find me at the end of the hall sobbing and walking and talking but still asleep and they wouldn't be able to wake me up. How horrible to watch your child go through this and be able to do nothing about it. They put me on some sort of pill that helped but basically gave me insomnia that I didn't get rid of until I met Husband.
It'll feel like this all day, too. This feeling doesn't fade quickly. It's such a helpless situation to be in - doctors don't know what causes them, they don't really know how to make them stop, it's just terrible. And people that have never had one or seen someone else during a night terror think they understand, but don't. It's not a nightmare; it's much, much worse. I literally feel like I could die during these dreams. I've woken up not breathing before and had to talk my brain into letting oxygen into my lungs again.
I wish there was something I could do to make my brain realize I'm okay. I really wanted to sleep in today. Urgh.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Happy Veterans' Day, Y'all.
Take the time to thank a veteran today. Even if you don't support war, you've got to support the people who risk their lives to serve our country. Okay? Okay.
On a completely unrelated note, I just got an e-mail from Walt Disney Studios with one of the most exciting things I've heard in awhile - they are making a Muppets movie. A freaking MUPPETS MOVIE! I love The Muppets. Here's a first look:
Awwwww, yeah! I can't wait. The problem is, it's release date is 12/25/2011. For those keeping track (or, you know, anyone that can recognize numbers), that is over a year from now. Sad day. And I can't wait, meaning we have a long time of me not being able to contain myself. Are you ready? It's going to be a rough year and some. :)
On a completely unrelated note, I just got an e-mail from Walt Disney Studios with one of the most exciting things I've heard in awhile - they are making a Muppets movie. A freaking MUPPETS MOVIE! I love The Muppets. Here's a first look:
Awwwww, yeah! I can't wait. The problem is, it's release date is 12/25/2011. For those keeping track (or, you know, anyone that can recognize numbers), that is over a year from now. Sad day. And I can't wait, meaning we have a long time of me not being able to contain myself. Are you ready? It's going to be a rough year and some. :)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Random Thought Tuesday. Wait... Wednesday.
Right? It's Wednesday?
Dear Spammers,
I've gotten four different spam messages from four different people (actual contacts of mine) in the last day. Way to go, you go-getters, you! Now if you could only devote as much attention to, say, world hunger as you do to trying to get people to buy Viagra from your website, all would be good in this world.
I have a robot background on my e-mail and it changes sometimes (pretty sporadically) and today, the robot is watering plants. I keep trying to tell him that it's freaking snowing outside and watering the plants should be the least of his worries (what with surface rust and squeaky joints and all that) but he pays no attention to me. Jerk.
Right now, I'm eating a black bottom super chunk Craver's cookie with a Sunny D. Talk about breakfast of champions!
We went to Texas Roadhouse last night for a friend's birthday and ended up getting into a peanut fight. Six buckets of peanuts and more than a few handfuls were thrown in the period of a few minutes. Pretty sure we can't go back there for awhile.
I'm not ready for it to be cold, and definitely not ready for it to snow. Ugh. Can someone please make it stop? Please? With whipped cream or frosting and a fruit of your choosing on top? (Some people don't like cherries, alright?)
Dear Spammers,
I've gotten four different spam messages from four different people (actual contacts of mine) in the last day. Way to go, you go-getters, you! Now if you could only devote as much attention to, say, world hunger as you do to trying to get people to buy Viagra from your website, all would be good in this world.
I have a robot background on my e-mail and it changes sometimes (pretty sporadically) and today, the robot is watering plants. I keep trying to tell him that it's freaking snowing outside and watering the plants should be the least of his worries (what with surface rust and squeaky joints and all that) but he pays no attention to me. Jerk.
Right now, I'm eating a black bottom super chunk Craver's cookie with a Sunny D. Talk about breakfast of champions!
We went to Texas Roadhouse last night for a friend's birthday and ended up getting into a peanut fight. Six buckets of peanuts and more than a few handfuls were thrown in the period of a few minutes. Pretty sure we can't go back there for awhile.
I'm not ready for it to be cold, and definitely not ready for it to snow. Ugh. Can someone please make it stop? Please? With whipped cream or frosting and a fruit of your choosing on top? (Some people don't like cherries, alright?)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tropical Traditions Review - Coconut Peanut Butter
I ♥ Tropical Traditions. We're practically besties. I got the opportunity this time around to try their coconut peanut butter. It is really interesting! Pretty much exactly what I was expecting, other than the texture is really thin compared to normal peanut butter.
I wasn't as big of a fan of it on a PB&J sandwich as regular peanut butter (it was a texture thing), but this stuff rocks to cook with! It makes an excellent peanut sauce for chicken and rice. And after browsing through more recipes over at their recipe site I have tons of ideas of things to make. I've been trying to ease the Husband into Thai food and this is helping things along well. :)
I want one of you to have the opportunity to try it, but you're just going to have to wait. Check back later for a giveaway of this fantasticalcoconut peanut butter!
I wasn't as big of a fan of it on a PB&J sandwich as regular peanut butter (it was a texture thing), but this stuff rocks to cook with! It makes an excellent peanut sauce for chicken and rice. And after browsing through more recipes over at their recipe site I have tons of ideas of things to make. I've been trying to ease the Husband into Thai food and this is helping things along well. :)
I want one of you to have the opportunity to try it, but you're just going to have to wait. Check back later for a giveaway of this fantasticalcoconut peanut butter!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wordless Wednesday - the Autumn Edition
I have a love/hate relationship with Autumn.
LOVE:
HATE:
Autumn brings Winter, which brings the devil's fluffy stuff. Snow.
I. HATE. Snow.
And cold.
HATE:
Autumn brings Winter, which brings the devil's fluffy stuff. Snow.
I. HATE. Snow.
And cold.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
If This Isn't Random, I Don't Know What Is
I found this random list of 'getting to know you' questions and thought it would be fun to answer. Once I get done, it's your turn. Go do it, or I'll die a depressing death. Or not.
Why were you given your particular name?
My parents were going to name me Kennedy but my grandma absolutely hated President Kennedy, so they named me after my Grandpa Kendall. I have no idea where the random 'h' came from (but I ♥ it).
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
2 sisters and 1 brother
What is your favorite thing to do?
Craft, or go to the dunes, depending on the day
What is your favorite food?
I love food! Food is my favorite, you are right. :) It's easier for me to name foods that I don't like, than my favorite food. But I do love me some cupcakes. And ice cream. And spaghetti, and lasagna, and enchiladas, and Mongolian barbecue, and curry... I don't like seafood. That's about it.
What is your favorite book?
Mr. Popper's Penguins, or the Harry Potter books, or anything by Roald Dahl
What is your favorite candy bar?
This also depends on the day. Lately I've been craving Reese's peanut butter cups.
What is your favorite cookie?
Plain ol' chocolate chip
What is your favorite sport?
Ice hockey
What is your favorite kind of music?
I like basically anything, except the 'depressed kid with a guitar' crap, or anything acoustic, or old country. All else is fair game.
What is your favorite song?
Punk asks me this all the time and I can never answer. It all depends on my mood.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Bahahaha I don't want to grow up! I refuse to grow up! So how am I going to be anything? When I was a kid, I wanted to be a model. That obviously didn't happen.
How many kids do you want when you get married?
Welp, I'm already married with one part-time kid. I don't want any more.
What place you would like to know about?
What the hell kind of question is this? I would like to know about any place where it doesn't snow. Never ask me this question again.
What place would you like to visit?
Australia. The Bahamas. The Canary islands. Alaska. Cabo San Lucas. Florida. Any place where it doesn't snow.
What is your favorite thing about your mom?
She's crazy. And I love her.
What is your favorite thing about your dad?
I'm such a daddy's girl; this is an unfair question. My daddy is my protector. I know if I ever need help, he'll be there for me.
What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Oh, I hate questions like this. Why do you have to torture me so? I guess I would say I love my loyalty to the people I am close to.
Do you like to sing?
I don't like to sing in front of people. But I like to sing by myself in the car.
Do you like to dance?
I love to dance.
Do you like to play a musical instrument?
This question makes me giggle a little, though I'm not sure why! I played a musical instrument when I was younger, and I hated my teacher, which made me hate playing musical instruments. So no.
What musical instruments can you play?
Sax-a-ma-phone (has to be sung in Homer Simpson's voice), clarinet
What is your favorite type of art?
Street art, grafitti mainly
Have you ever seen a broadway musical? Do you like theater?
Yep, and sort of.
Do you like building things?
YES! Oh, I love building things. Any types of things. I love Tinkertoys. And Lincoln Logs. And motors.
What would you like to learn about cars?
Everything! I love cars.
What would you like to teach others about?
Cars! Heehee or really, whatever. I want to teach others how to be more understanding of people around them, even if they are different. And look at yourself before you start making fun of other people.
What are three adjectives which describe you?
Loyal, caring, OCD
How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?
Hrm... I don't know. I hear this a lot: "tall, blonde, skinny"
In five years, what kind of person will you be?
A great one. I don't like this question.
In ten years, what kind of person will you be?
A serial killer? Jeebus people, what kinds of questions are these? I could answer this in a myriad of ways that would scare the pants off of you all but who knows which would be serious.
What do you want to be doing in five years?
Managing Husband's performance shop and making bows for a living
What do you want to be doing in ten years?
See answer above
What are your favorite subjects in school?
Baaaahahahaha school is for suckers. Unless you're Punk, and then stay in school 'til you're 32 and then you can date. Are these questions for 14-year-olds or what?
When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Craft
What is the strangest thing you ever did?
That sentence makes my grammar Nazi cry a little. What is the strangest thing I've ever done? Answer these questions.
What is the strangest food you ever ate?
The strangest food I've ever eaten is probably chicken hearts.
Are you working in your chosen profession?
Oh boy. I plead the fifth.
How many hours a week do you work?
40-45 at my day job, then countless more hours at night depending on the week.
What is your dream job?
Ice cream taste-tester, or roller-coaster tryer-outer :)
What is your retirement plan? What do you plan to do when you stop working?
I want to retire when I have enough money in the bank to travel the country with Husband in the motorhome and never have to worry.
What does your job entail? (For example: Do you often travel for business, work at home or perform dangerous tasks?)
I print stuff. Actually, I don't even print stuff; I tell people what needs to be printed and they print it for me, and then I give it to my customers. Nothing dangerous or overly exciting. I don't travel (thank heaven, I don't like to travel for business). I wish I performed dangerous tasks.
Why were you given your particular name?
My parents were going to name me Kennedy but my grandma absolutely hated President Kennedy, so they named me after my Grandpa Kendall. I have no idea where the random 'h' came from (but I ♥ it).
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
2 sisters and 1 brother
What is your favorite thing to do?
Craft, or go to the dunes, depending on the day
What is your favorite food?
I love food! Food is my favorite, you are right. :) It's easier for me to name foods that I don't like, than my favorite food. But I do love me some cupcakes. And ice cream. And spaghetti, and lasagna, and enchiladas, and Mongolian barbecue, and curry... I don't like seafood. That's about it.
What is your favorite book?
Mr. Popper's Penguins, or the Harry Potter books, or anything by Roald Dahl
What is your favorite candy bar?
This also depends on the day. Lately I've been craving Reese's peanut butter cups.
What is your favorite cookie?
Plain ol' chocolate chip
What is your favorite sport?
Ice hockey
What is your favorite kind of music?
I like basically anything, except the 'depressed kid with a guitar' crap, or anything acoustic, or old country. All else is fair game.
What is your favorite song?
Punk asks me this all the time and I can never answer. It all depends on my mood.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Bahahaha I don't want to grow up! I refuse to grow up! So how am I going to be anything? When I was a kid, I wanted to be a model. That obviously didn't happen.
How many kids do you want when you get married?
Welp, I'm already married with one part-time kid. I don't want any more.
What place you would like to know about?
What the hell kind of question is this? I would like to know about any place where it doesn't snow. Never ask me this question again.
What place would you like to visit?
Australia. The Bahamas. The Canary islands. Alaska. Cabo San Lucas. Florida. Any place where it doesn't snow.
What is your favorite thing about your mom?
She's crazy. And I love her.
What is your favorite thing about your dad?
I'm such a daddy's girl; this is an unfair question. My daddy is my protector. I know if I ever need help, he'll be there for me.
What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Oh, I hate questions like this. Why do you have to torture me so? I guess I would say I love my loyalty to the people I am close to.
Do you like to sing?
I don't like to sing in front of people. But I like to sing by myself in the car.
Do you like to dance?
I love to dance.
Do you like to play a musical instrument?
This question makes me giggle a little, though I'm not sure why! I played a musical instrument when I was younger, and I hated my teacher, which made me hate playing musical instruments. So no.
What musical instruments can you play?
Sax-a-ma-phone (has to be sung in Homer Simpson's voice), clarinet
What is your favorite type of art?
Street art, grafitti mainly
Have you ever seen a broadway musical? Do you like theater?
Yep, and sort of.
Do you like building things?
YES! Oh, I love building things. Any types of things. I love Tinkertoys. And Lincoln Logs. And motors.
What would you like to learn about cars?
Everything! I love cars.
What would you like to teach others about?
Cars! Heehee or really, whatever. I want to teach others how to be more understanding of people around them, even if they are different. And look at yourself before you start making fun of other people.
What are three adjectives which describe you?
Loyal, caring, OCD
How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?
Hrm... I don't know. I hear this a lot: "tall, blonde, skinny"
In five years, what kind of person will you be?
A great one. I don't like this question.
In ten years, what kind of person will you be?
A serial killer? Jeebus people, what kinds of questions are these? I could answer this in a myriad of ways that would scare the pants off of you all but who knows which would be serious.
What do you want to be doing in five years?
Managing Husband's performance shop and making bows for a living
What do you want to be doing in ten years?
See answer above
What are your favorite subjects in school?
Baaaahahahaha school is for suckers. Unless you're Punk, and then stay in school 'til you're 32 and then you can date. Are these questions for 14-year-olds or what?
When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Craft
What is the strangest thing you ever did?
That sentence makes my grammar Nazi cry a little. What is the strangest thing I've ever done? Answer these questions.
What is the strangest food you ever ate?
The strangest food I've ever eaten is probably chicken hearts.
Are you working in your chosen profession?
Oh boy. I plead the fifth.
How many hours a week do you work?
40-45 at my day job, then countless more hours at night depending on the week.
What is your dream job?
Ice cream taste-tester, or roller-coaster tryer-outer :)
What is your retirement plan? What do you plan to do when you stop working?
I want to retire when I have enough money in the bank to travel the country with Husband in the motorhome and never have to worry.
What does your job entail? (For example: Do you often travel for business, work at home or perform dangerous tasks?)
I print stuff. Actually, I don't even print stuff; I tell people what needs to be printed and they print it for me, and then I give it to my customers. Nothing dangerous or overly exciting. I don't travel (thank heaven, I don't like to travel for business). I wish I performed dangerous tasks.
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