...To all two? three? readers. One of you, you have entries that are relevant to my interests, but I won't allow myself to read them until my honeymoon pictures are up. By the way, and all. Those pictures are part of the holdup on recent posts.
Anyways, this post is for bacon. It is so tasty. Oh, man....
The only way to make bacon better might be to taunt a cat with it. Oh, that's right. I do. Mercilessly.
And then I eat her share because I can. Not because I have two opposable thumbs and walk upright, but because I can get away with it. My weight is the only number that sets me apart clinically from an athlete.
...Guilt-free bacon is better than the cat's bacon.
9.25.2009
8.17.2009
It's storming...
And I love the way light diffuses in trees under cloud cover.
It makes me very, very happy and calm.
It makes me very, very happy and calm.
8.12.2009
A little too excited
A marine, in the middle of a conversation with me and another volunteer:
"OH MY GOD!"
...
"I'm in the south now! I can get moonpies and RC Cola!"
Good gawd, he was excited.
"OH MY GOD!"
...
"I'm in the south now! I can get moonpies and RC Cola!"
Good gawd, he was excited.
8.11.2009
Jewel - Stand
I was listening to Jewel's Stand and felt strange for a moment.
It was the feeling of wanting to live in the kind of place where any concern over a mayor spending money on hookers and hash isn't that he did so, but because spending all one's money on anything actually is related to the skills required to run a town. The kind of place where practicality is more important than morality.
Graduation is so far away that it is overwhelming and discouraging and I'm ready to give up.
It was the feeling of wanting to live in the kind of place where any concern over a mayor spending money on hookers and hash isn't that he did so, but because spending all one's money on anything actually is related to the skills required to run a town. The kind of place where practicality is more important than morality.
Graduation is so far away that it is overwhelming and discouraging and I'm ready to give up.
8.06.2009
Health snapshot
For some time now, I've known something is off with my blood sugar, and lately, the swings and symptoms have escalated. Given that I'm obese with a family history of type II diabetes, I automatically assumed that I had fattybeetus. I didn't want confirmation, and so I didn't see anyone about it, until yesterday. That, and the problems pointed towards hypoglycemia, rather than hyperglycemia.
First, I was surprised by my blood pressure reading: 110/60. A little over a year ago, my BP was in the prehypertension range. And then...my heart rate, after having been up five hours (and having exercised in the AM) was 62. You could say that's good, since meaningful numbers are resting HR numbers, taken first thing in the morning.
If not for these two numbers, I'd assume the lab results that came in today had been mixed up at the lab with someone else's:
Cholesterol: 172 (<200 is "desirable")
Triglycerides: 83 (<120 is "desirable")
a1c (a measure of average blood sugar): 5.x% (well within normal)
Fasting glucose: 98 (normal, but technically)
Aside from needing to practically double the level of good cholesterol, these are outstandingly average and healthy numbers. Which leave me hoping the my doctor has some further input, because these do not explain the problems I have keeping adequately fueled. Is this when PCOS becomes an actual medical consideration, and not something that's just a fact of life?
I'm glad to see undeniably quantified proof of the good that even semi-regular exercise brings.
First, I was surprised by my blood pressure reading: 110/60. A little over a year ago, my BP was in the prehypertension range. And then...my heart rate, after having been up five hours (and having exercised in the AM) was 62. You could say that's good, since meaningful numbers are resting HR numbers, taken first thing in the morning.
If not for these two numbers, I'd assume the lab results that came in today had been mixed up at the lab with someone else's:
Cholesterol: 172 (<200 is "desirable")
Triglycerides: 83 (<120 is "desirable")
a1c (a measure of average blood sugar): 5.x% (well within normal)
Fasting glucose: 98 (normal, but technically)
Aside from needing to practically double the level of good cholesterol, these are outstandingly average and healthy numbers. Which leave me hoping the my doctor has some further input, because these do not explain the problems I have keeping adequately fueled. Is this when PCOS becomes an actual medical consideration, and not something that's just a fact of life?
I'm glad to see undeniably quantified proof of the good that even semi-regular exercise brings.
7.25.2009
Sometimes, the mosquito bites are worth it.
For this entire trip, all my mosquito bites have been well-earned:
Either
1) I didn't put on bug spray. (FYI, mosquitos in Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs will eat your firstborn, carry away your livestock, suck you dry, and make dessert of your bone marrow)
2) Good times.
Yesterday, Matt and I arrived at what can only be described as my family's hometown. It's not big - the town's population is 314; the population of the town where my great-grandmother lives in a nursing home is just shy of 900.
We got to the house of my mother's aunt (and right about the same age, too! Great gramma had ten kids, with a nine year break), and she's so warm and friendly. We clicked well, and quickly. Ate delicious venison enchiladas, talked even more, and went to bed.
Today, we slept til noon, and then visited my great grandmother at the nursing home. She's 92, and her memory comes and goes. Today was a good day: she remembered her birthday, and knew who I was. After a great long visit with her, we hopped over to the local farmer's market to score a free cookie from another great aunt, and ended up buying a handmade quilt from a lady there: two herons in a pond. Quite applicable (and appliqued!), as we are in Minnesota.
From there, we went to a local lake and played hard. Which means we got hungry, and ended up going out to eat with other family members who have come in to town. I haven't met most of these people, but they are fun. So much fun that we all spent the evening socializing. And oh my god, do these people talk! They are my kin. Apparently, burping well, on command, is also a family thing.
I'm kind of learning more about what family means, and I like this lesson.
From there, more socializing: outside, with the legendary Minnesota mosquitoes. I thought they'd be more evil and ruthless, but they are even more tame than the ones at home. These three bitty bites are totally worth it.
Either
1) I didn't put on bug spray. (FYI, mosquitos in Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs will eat your firstborn, carry away your livestock, suck you dry, and make dessert of your bone marrow)
2) Good times.
Yesterday, Matt and I arrived at what can only be described as my family's hometown. It's not big - the town's population is 314; the population of the town where my great-grandmother lives in a nursing home is just shy of 900.
We got to the house of my mother's aunt (and right about the same age, too! Great gramma had ten kids, with a nine year break), and she's so warm and friendly. We clicked well, and quickly. Ate delicious venison enchiladas, talked even more, and went to bed.
Today, we slept til noon, and then visited my great grandmother at the nursing home. She's 92, and her memory comes and goes. Today was a good day: she remembered her birthday, and knew who I was. After a great long visit with her, we hopped over to the local farmer's market to score a free cookie from another great aunt, and ended up buying a handmade quilt from a lady there: two herons in a pond. Quite applicable (and appliqued!), as we are in Minnesota.
From there, we went to a local lake and played hard. Which means we got hungry, and ended up going out to eat with other family members who have come in to town. I haven't met most of these people, but they are fun. So much fun that we all spent the evening socializing. And oh my god, do these people talk! They are my kin. Apparently, burping well, on command, is also a family thing.
I'm kind of learning more about what family means, and I like this lesson.
From there, more socializing: outside, with the legendary Minnesota mosquitoes. I thought they'd be more evil and ruthless, but they are even more tame than the ones at home. These three bitty bites are totally worth it.
7.21.2009
7.05.2009
Don't leave home without it
"It" being a clean home. Matt and I skipped fireworks tonight to clean...although, I did set off a fair number last night and tonight. I have yet to ever shoot off a roman candle or bottle rocket, but the time is nigh for this to change.
It never occurred to me to take before pictures, but I should have, because the difference is amazing, even for me (she who lets things slide very far, and then makes them impressive by most any standard.) The closet was bursting at the seams before, with extra candles and home fragrance products, as well as too many pillows, sheets, bed skirts (wtf - who still uses those?), and stuff not put away properly. The whole reason for tackling this was to be able to put away all the sheets at once - neither of us had any intention of addressing organizational issues today, even though they're pretty damn important.
The linen closet after:
1 = guest pillows, after setting aside some to donate (the first of many things to be designated for charity today!)
2 = the winter comforter in a vacuum bag that didn't stay small
3 = sheet sets. I don't match the sheets - I just throw a top, bottom, and pillowcase in another pillowcase, and stack those. Makes changing the sheets a decision-less process.
4 = Blankets, after pruning.
5 = winter gloves, scarves, and heating controls for the electric blanket to the left. And other useful things like a rice pack for heat therapy, and vacuum storage bags
6 = One of my baby pillows. Every inch holds a different smell, and I started to cry when I buried my face in it.
7 = The coolest rug I have ever seen - the texture is incredible, the pattern is good, and the yarns...oh, man.
That's not at all a comprehensive list. I can't believe how much stuff we managed to fit neatly into that closet.
--
The bathroom linen closet is remarkable because I somehow managed to make the all-purpose shelf usable: the bin for band-aids and other basic first aid supplies is easily accessible, but not in the way of items to access on a regular basis like soap and qtips. The problem with this closet is that it is far too deep, and it's easy to accidentally lock stuff away. So I'd try to get to the peroxide and dig out an appropriate bandaid, and make a huge mess of the stuff towards the forefront.
I look at this closet and beam!
You can see at the bottom the single board Matt put in to be an additional shelf. It is my supply closet: full of miscellaneous personal care supplies that I have gotten for free, or damn near. Couponing is a great hobby, and I truly enjoy it. And with the mental inventory that comes from handling it all at once, I know that I should use the next few custmer choice coupons on conditioner, rather than shampoo.
I can't to go pee in the morning!
It never occurred to me to take before pictures, but I should have, because the difference is amazing, even for me (she who lets things slide very far, and then makes them impressive by most any standard.) The closet was bursting at the seams before, with extra candles and home fragrance products, as well as too many pillows, sheets, bed skirts (wtf - who still uses those?), and stuff not put away properly. The whole reason for tackling this was to be able to put away all the sheets at once - neither of us had any intention of addressing organizational issues today, even though they're pretty damn important.
The linen closet after:
1 = guest pillows, after setting aside some to donate (the first of many things to be designated for charity today!)
2 = the winter comforter in a vacuum bag that didn't stay small
3 = sheet sets. I don't match the sheets - I just throw a top, bottom, and pillowcase in another pillowcase, and stack those. Makes changing the sheets a decision-less process.
4 = Blankets, after pruning.
5 = winter gloves, scarves, and heating controls for the electric blanket to the left. And other useful things like a rice pack for heat therapy, and vacuum storage bags
6 = One of my baby pillows. Every inch holds a different smell, and I started to cry when I buried my face in it.
7 = The coolest rug I have ever seen - the texture is incredible, the pattern is good, and the yarns...oh, man.
That's not at all a comprehensive list. I can't believe how much stuff we managed to fit neatly into that closet.
--
The bathroom linen closet is remarkable because I somehow managed to make the all-purpose shelf usable: the bin for band-aids and other basic first aid supplies is easily accessible, but not in the way of items to access on a regular basis like soap and qtips. The problem with this closet is that it is far too deep, and it's easy to accidentally lock stuff away. So I'd try to get to the peroxide and dig out an appropriate bandaid, and make a huge mess of the stuff towards the forefront.
I look at this closet and beam!
You can see at the bottom the single board Matt put in to be an additional shelf. It is my supply closet: full of miscellaneous personal care supplies that I have gotten for free, or damn near. Couponing is a great hobby, and I truly enjoy it. And with the mental inventory that comes from handling it all at once, I know that I should use the next few custmer choice coupons on conditioner, rather than shampoo.
I can't to go pee in the morning!
7.03.2009
T minus 6
1 week from now, Matt and I will be in Chicago or the Des Moines area, headed to a casino in Emmetsburg, IA, where we'll stay for his cousin's wedding.
We're going on our honeymoon, with the following itinerary:
--
July 9-11th: family wedding business in the midwest
-
July 12th: Drive to, and visit, Mt. Rushmore. Keep moving, and camp somewhere.
-
July 13th: Arrive in Grand Teton National Park. Stay at Colter Bay in a cabin.
-
July 14th: Our one day to take in Grand Teton. It's not enough, but it is what it is.
-
July 15-18th: Camping in Yellowstone.
-
July 19th and 20th: Drive to and arrive in Glacier National Park. We'll stay at Many Glacier Hotel the first night. I have driving to and arriving on my calendar twice...looks like we might actually have a spare day floating around. Ooops! Whatever shall we do?
-
July 21-22nd: Glacier.
-
July 23rd: Head home, by way of distant family in northern Minnesota. Thanks, mom, for effectively shortening our honeymoon by three days. It wasn't enough to guilt-trip me and make me cry on my wedding night, instead of acting like an adult and just congratulating us.
--
Like last year, we'll get a lot of use from the parks pass.
And that will be a period with limited internet, at best. Which means only blog posts from my phone. I may ask my friend Emily to log in and post pictures from my phone for me. I am someone who is mildly addicted to the internet (at best). I'm preparing for a whole trip without internet (other than my phone - which is good just for reading email, and sending pictures): paper maps, printed directions, lists of phone numbers and addresses - like they did back in the day!
I was going to note how I was a little disappointed in this trip as a honeymoon (as opposed to this as a stand-alone trip - i.e., fantastic)...but I just can't. Matt and I are damn fortunate to be able to do this, to have the time we do, and to have each other with whom to do this. Note to self: quit acting spoiled. It will be an amazing trip, and an amazing honeymoon. Essentially, every trip we've taken has been a honeymoon (and, judging by how often we're asked if that's the case, we act like it, too), and that's a good habit to establish and maintain.
I foresee many wonderous mornings, fantastic scenery, and that choking feeling I get in my chest when I'm unbelievably happy.
We're going on our honeymoon, with the following itinerary:
--
July 9-11th: family wedding business in the midwest
-
July 12th: Drive to, and visit, Mt. Rushmore. Keep moving, and camp somewhere.
-
July 13th: Arrive in Grand Teton National Park. Stay at Colter Bay in a cabin.
-
July 14th: Our one day to take in Grand Teton. It's not enough, but it is what it is.
-
July 15-18th: Camping in Yellowstone.
-
July 19th and 20th: Drive to and arrive in Glacier National Park. We'll stay at Many Glacier Hotel the first night. I have driving to and arriving on my calendar twice...looks like we might actually have a spare day floating around. Ooops! Whatever shall we do?
-
July 21-22nd: Glacier.
-
July 23rd: Head home, by way of distant family in northern Minnesota. Thanks, mom, for effectively shortening our honeymoon by three days. It wasn't enough to guilt-trip me and make me cry on my wedding night, instead of acting like an adult and just congratulating us.
--
Like last year, we'll get a lot of use from the parks pass.
And that will be a period with limited internet, at best. Which means only blog posts from my phone. I may ask my friend Emily to log in and post pictures from my phone for me. I am someone who is mildly addicted to the internet (at best). I'm preparing for a whole trip without internet (other than my phone - which is good just for reading email, and sending pictures): paper maps, printed directions, lists of phone numbers and addresses - like they did back in the day!
I was going to note how I was a little disappointed in this trip as a honeymoon (as opposed to this as a stand-alone trip - i.e., fantastic)...but I just can't. Matt and I are damn fortunate to be able to do this, to have the time we do, and to have each other with whom to do this. Note to self: quit acting spoiled. It will be an amazing trip, and an amazing honeymoon. Essentially, every trip we've taken has been a honeymoon (and, judging by how often we're asked if that's the case, we act like it, too), and that's a good habit to establish and maintain.
I foresee many wonderous mornings, fantastic scenery, and that choking feeling I get in my chest when I'm unbelievably happy.
6.27.2009
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