losing my wisdom

Friday morning, I'm finally getting my wisdom teeth taken out. The only reason I'm not having my usual anxiety attack from the thought of needles and that sterile, creepy hospital smell is that the doctor promised me he'd put me out with gas before the iv and other numbing agents are injected in my mouth. Also, a friend of mine said she's never slept better after her surgery.

At least, this is what I'm telling myself so that I don't start getting an ulcer. I just want to get it over with and finally tell my dentist I did what he's been telling me to do for years. I know this is such a routine, no-big-deal procedure, but once I enter that office, all logic seems to be forgotten. So if you remember, will you please say a little prayer for me Friday morning around 11am?

By the way, why are they called "wisdom" teeth? Especially if no one really needs them?

Unsolicited advice...priceless, I guess

So, I have this beautiful bridesmaid dress that needs lots of alterations before July 8. I spend part of yesterday morning calling as many tailors as I could find, and here is one conversation with a lady named, Nonie:

Nonie: hello?

Me: Hi! My name is Krista and I (blah, blah,.......Any of you who know me well, know I give too much information, so I proceeded to tell her that I plan on losing a few more pounds before I want to alter the dress so it fits really well.)

Nonie: Well, you'll only lose around 5 pounds in the next month and that won't make much difference in alterations. However if you exercise along with watching your diet, it might be a little more noticeable....blah, blah, blah.....(did I accidentally call a personal trainer?)

Me: (not what I'm thinking, but I say) You're right. May I ask what you charge?

Okay, I know what you all are thinking and yes, she is probably right. BUT, if anyone likes a challenge and hates it when someone tells me I can't do something, it's me. AND, she doesn't know I gain and lose weight primarily in my midsection, right? The MOST noticeable area, in my opinion!!

And to make matters worse, she is the most affordable. Darn it.

But...am I going to prove her wrong? What do YOU think?!!?

18 months

Hannah,

I can't believe a year and half has gone by so quickly. Everyone told me it would, but I still find myself sitting here, amazed at where the time went. You are doing so many new things lately, it's hard to keep track of it all. Your vocabulary, walking, and motor skills constantly improve. The stroller is rarely used anymore, you definately prefer walking. In fact, "shoes" is one of your favorite words and objects at the moment. The weather has been so nice, we've been going for walks and anything that looks remotely round, you immediately try to pick up and call it a "ball." "Juice", "more", "stairs", "no", "Daddy", and "Mommy" are just a few of the words you use on a regular basis. You love music and always ask for more. You are starting to sing....in a cute, monotone, kind of way...especially "If you're happy and you know it" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

As you can tell by the picture, I am still learning how to do your hair. In my defense, that morning, you decided bananas make great hair gel. You don't have much yet, but you are just now starting to want to wear barettes.

I wish I were better at recording all these milestones, but I'm just glad I get to experience them.



Hmmm....what do I want you to know about this time of your life?

I want you to know that before you came into our lives, I worried about what kind of mom I would be for you, and I suppose I still do, and always will. But lately, I've realized how much you have changed me. My heart has softened and opened up in such a profound way. Not only toward you, but towards others....although, your father at times might feel differently. =)

I find I worry more, but also cherish each moment. I feel like I understand a little more from where my own mother was coming. In fact, I realized this the last time mom came and visited. I love kissing you over and over on your cheeks, and mom did this to me the same way I now do it to you.

I also realize that you may not always appreciate my attachment to you. And in a way, I'm okay with that. I will always love you and be here for you and absolutely nothing will change that. I'm slowly gaining a better understanding of who God is and how He cares for us. My prayer for you is that you experience God's love and forgiveness for yourself. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy our walks to the park, laugh at your reactions to new experiences, and cherish every moment I have with you.

I love you,
Mom

Overheard at Old Navy

A mom, (speaking to her young daughter): Which dress do you want to wear tonight?

Daughter: To wear to the funeral?

Mother: No, honey. It's Communion, not a funeral.

Who's your daddy?

"Daddy, daddy, daddy,.....," says Hannah when she spots this picture. If only she said,"Mommy" over and over when she saw Jessica Simpson. (Sigh)

Update (For anyone who hasn't given up on me)

Hannah: Almost 18 months, and I can't believe it! She's adding new words to her vocabulary everyday while I'm adding more parenting books to my library. Her stubborn streak is showing, and I've got to figure something out, quick. For anyone who knows me well, I'm pretty stubborn, but I'm shocked to find how easily she softens me.

Work: It's been rough. Not too many crazy gardner comments, which I've missed the comic relief. I am looking forward to quitting after the season is over....only a few more weeks. After that, I get to work at a summer day camp and Isaac transforms into a stay-at-home dad, In the fall, I've decided to continue watching this sweet girl, Katie and another baby girl part-time. Even though child care was not in the plan, these girls are super sweet, and will be great playmates for Hannah. And in the long run, it's less work than what I've currently been doing.

Family: I miss my family and get to see them at my baby sister's wedding in July. We also get to spend some quality time with Isaac's sister and husband this summer. It's been a long time since we've hung out and we miss them so much.

Home: I used to say our old house has character, but I changed my mind...it builds character. Lots of things need fixed and will be in time. Poor Isaac, this is more his load, than mine. But we have a beautiful patio, so come over...I love guests! Speaking of guests, our wonderful houseguest for the last several months is moving to her new home at the end of May. So we're taking applications for our next roomate....anyone interested?

That's about all. Just wanted to put something up before I for got my password.

Violin music starts.....now

It feels like a Monday.

I have 7.5 bundles of work to do.....about 9 hours of work, if I"m lucky, Hannah and Katie are being more high maintenance than usual, and I for some reason planned a "quick" meal for today that required me to take the skin off of a chicken before placing in the crockpot, which I"ve never attempted before. How do I have time to post this blog, you say? Well, I have a few minutes before I put them both down for a nap, hoping that they are playing hard enough to earn a few more minutes of naptime.

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday.

Huh?

More crazy gardner stuff:

1. 6 more losing lottery tickets- they are also postmarked from Providence, Rhode Island, just like last time

2. I think all this guy wants is a catalog, but here's what he wrote:
"If I order Don't Nothing if it isn't ordered By me. I so it will Be burned in a Fire. Some Cause Trouble in Pasture. If I had Got your Book (for Seed and Plants) Theair is Few Seed I would liked to had. But We (My wife & I) live only 60 road Miles From Fort Waldon Florida Or 76 Miles From Panama City. We Plant Some of the Seed you have in the last week of the year. And Some Up and Almost Reedy to Ploon. The Pear Start (This 2-2-06) to Bloom Sundy 1-29-05 Send new Book 1-12-06. Unless Seed Go Up."

Dear Vanilla Ice,

Awhile ago, a good friend of mine made this great mix CD with which for me to run. She included your hit, "Ice, Ice Baby". Now, I've heard you'd like to forget those days, just like I'd rather not admit I listen to this kind of music genre, but I have to tell you, at mile 5 your song was the wind beneath my wings. Thank you. I no longer will be ashamed of you and I will learn the words to this song so I can rock out at the next karaoke party. That is my pledge to you.

Your not-so-secret fan,
Krista

Those crazy gardners

Here's my two recent favorite pieces I've recieved in the mail:

1. a small slip of paper stating, "FREE 'MARK OF THE BEAST' C.D. TELL THEM A FRIEND. 1-800-643-4645"

2. 5 scratched lottery tickets...no order, no note, no nothing....What was the scenario that brought someone to do this? Any suggestions?

I wrestle with the aching question, "Why does God allow suffering?" I'm finally reading what so many of my friends have found a refreshing look on Christianity. I have to say, I needed to read this months, if not years ago. I'm only through the first section, so more posts to come!

"If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. A world of automata--of creatures that worked like machines--would hardly be worth creating. The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that they must be free." --C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

As you all probably know, today is the anniversary of the Challenger explosion. For my generation, this is probably the first memorable event that we seem to remember where we were when we heard about it.

I was one of the many students who watched the launch live on tv. For weeks (it seemed), we studied, read, & heard about this event. Remember Weekly Reader? The 4th & 5th grade classes crammed into the hallway to watch the Challenger. I remember feeling shock and disbelief. Is this for real? I kept waiting for the announcer to inform us that this launch was the trial run or something. My memory is pretty cloudy, but I don't remember discussing it much in class. The teachers were pretty stunned as well, and I think they just tried to move on with the day.

Even before the launch, a lot of attention was focused on Christa McAullife, the first teacher to participate in space travel. Science was never my favorite subject....very boring....how can you understand such "hands-on" concepts by merely reading a textbook? Anyways, even though I didn't consider myself good at science, I had an immediate connection to this teacher because she was the only other person I knew who shared my name. Kind of a silly reason, but I felt I held a special bond with her that none of my classmates would understand. Because of this, I wanted to go to Space Camp and be the next "Christa" to join a space mission.

Well as you know, this hasn't happened yet. But this anniversary reminds me of my past dreams and desire to do something significant. (I also wanted to be the first woman president.) My dreams have somewhat changed....maybe reality has just set in. I want my life to be less about me and more about loving and serving others. (But I keep getting in the way.) But the little girl in me every now and then yearns for something big to happen......

So I have 2 questions for you:
1. Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
2. What were/are your dreams?

random thoughts

1. This new "immune-boosting tablet" called Airborne....the commercials are crappy, but what I really don't get is their choice slogan: "The one created by a teacher and trusted by millions." I'd much rather ingest chemicals developed by a teacher rather than someone in, let's say, the MEDICAL profession?!

2. My work for a landscaping company has begun again. So... tis the season for crazy rants from gardeners around the country. First rant of the season: "Here I am. The greatest man on earth except God and Jesus." No kidding.

3. Toddler: I think I can now say Hannah has moved from babyhood into the exciting world of being a toddler. She is not as cooperative as she once was. (Please, no "I told you so's"....I"m not in the mood.)

4. Why is making a menu for the week so overwhelming to me? I've completed more difficult things, so why does this seem difficult? Other moms I"ve talked to claim it's easy. Rachel Ray does it everyday in 30 minutes! I'm not convinced.

That's all for now. Sorry if this sounds a bit whiny. I'll post something more positive later.

more lists...

I haven't posted in a very long time and still don't have much to say of significance. But one of my friends posted this list, so I thought I would too.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:
1. delivered newspapers
2. Steak n' Shake waitress
3. 4th grade teacher
4. stay at home mom

Four movies you could watch over and over:
(I don't usually like to watch a movie more than once, but here are some I enjoyed a few times)
1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the old one)
2. Office Space
3. My Best Friend's Wedding
4. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Four places you’ve lived:
1. Gering, Nebraska
2. Lincoln, Illinois
3. Indianapolis
4. Normal

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. American Idol (new season next week!)
2. Saturday Night Live
3. Arrested Development
4. Seinfeld

Four places you’ve been on vacation:
1. Mt. Rushmore & Flinstone's Village (don't laugh, it was way cool for a young Nebraska girl)
2. Road trip along the California coast
3. Yellowstone National Park
4. Mexico

Four web sites you visit daily:
1. dooce.com
2. illinoise.net
3. igaff.com
4. cefcu.com

Four of your favorite foods:
1. nachos
2. pizza
3. ice cream
4. chicken fingers

Four places you’d rather be:
1. on the beach in the Carribean
2. in the midst of runners on race day
3. cuddling with Hannah after her nap
4. in the car on a road trip

Four albums/artists you can’t live without:
(I'm not sure I want to admit the strange variety of what I like....)
1. John Mayer
2. U2
3. Kelly Clarkson
4. Dave Matthews Band


Four magazines you read:
1. US Weekly (yes, I'll admit it!)
2. The Pantagraph....not a magazine, but that's about all the periodicals I read
3.
4.

Four cars you’ve owned:
1. 88 Dodge Colt
2. 98 Eclipse
3. 03 Honda CRV
4.


What about you?

Your 2005 Song Is

Beverly Hills by Weezer "My automobile is a piece of crap My fashion sense is a little whack And my friends are just as screwy as me" You breezed through 2005 in your own funky style!

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

Purple.....the new size 0

My mom, sisters and I went to a boutique today. A salesperson greeted us, explained their philosophy on sizing, then handed us a reference card. This boutique believes that every woman should celebrate and accept themselves, so instead of numbers being used to indicate your size, they use colors. So the reference card showed that purple was the smallest, followed by green, and so on.

This reminded me of a professor who told her future teachers to avoid red when grading papers because red communicated negativity and lowered self-esteem. So...if I use purple, will purple become the new red?

I'm not sure the boutique or the professor thought this through.

Update

For a while now, I've struggled with anything to blog about. But before the few of you who read this give up on me, here's an update:

-Currently we are in Omaha celebrating my youngest sister's graduation from Occupational Therapy school. She's a Doctor now! We are also cramming in Christmas and wedding dress shopping in these few days.

-My grandma and mom got sick when we first arrived, then the next day I got it. Nothing like having the flu in someone else's home.

-Our living conditions are cozy....see Isaac's blog

More to come....

You MUST go to Laurie's blog (link on the left) and add your 2 cents! Very funny. Men, you need to defend yourselves.

Is this MY problem?

So I'm checking out at Target, trying to buy some cough syrup for my poor, sick girl, when the girl behind the register asks me, "Can I have your birthdate?"

Knowing somehow this is part of the prevention of drug production, I gladly say, "Sure. 3-28-75."
Entering birthdate. Pause.
Girl suspiciously looks up at me and says, "I'm sorry it says your birthdate is invalid."

What can happen in 1 year