I was home unexpectedly for 11 days, just returning to Colorado yesterday. My Mom was sick so I was spending upwards of 14 hours at the hospital for most days. You try to be there by time the Doctors do morning rounds, otherwise you miss all of the information and your opportunity to ask questions- and of course I had a lot of those. Some days, luck would have it that I would be walking down the hall at 8:30 am and they would just be leaving her room... even though they didn't stop by on previous days until after 9. Grr!!
Anyway, it was certainly interesting to be tending to all of that because we're a pretty healthy bunch and haven't ever been hospitalized for a week. It's a lot of questioning, hurrying up to wait for hours on end, long days, bad meals, lack of sleep, and overall worrying. And for me, Mom says I shouldn't have had to take care of her like this for another 40 years at least! It's funny how when you need to be in charge/responsible you just spring into action and do what needs to be done. But, I did tell her that if she really missed me that much she could have just asked me to come home- no need to go throwing yourself into the hospital!
I'm really, really glad that I was able to make arrangements to be there though. Even though Mom said "No, you don't have to come," at first- she did actually want me there, of course. Dave too. I'll go back in a few weeks for her surgery and some of that recovery. I'm fortunate enough to have a job where I'm able to do my work from anywhere and pretty much at anytime of the night, as evidenced by my e-mails sent out at 11 pm and websites built at 6 am! I'm really lucky.
To everyone who thought of us, called me, e-mailed, sent a text, flowers, plants, books, magazines, etc.- however you reached out, I (we) really, truly appreciate it. Those days get long and when you're not getting improving news or you are getting worsening news it can really wear on you. So a big THANK YOU! Mom is on the mend right now from this bout. The surgery will be in a few weeks and prevent her from ever having to deal with this entire situation again. Thank you University of Michigan hospital for being the amazing place that you are. World class facility. Go Blue!
So, you're probably wondering what the title of this post has to do with all of that hospital talk? Well, it refers to the fact that I spent many, many meals on the go (i.e. McDonald's, pizza, a donut for breakfast, etc.) or in the hospital cafeteria (i.e. sandwich, soup, salad, repeat). In fact, that's pretty much all I ate. Let's just say that it all left little to be desired and I was just salivating for some real, good food. Since the hospital is about 45 minutes away and I was there most days from 9 - 9 or longer, the last thing I really felt like doing was going to the grocery store and cooking at that time of night. The thing that sounded the best to me the entire time was some of Brian's family's "famous" spaghetti. Famous to me at least. True home cooked goodness. Tonight, my friends, I will be enjoying it... finally!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Shadow Box Gift
Last weekend was an engagement party for our friends. They had just gotten engaged over Christmas and since the party was so soon, then obviously weren't registered anywhere for anything. I didn't want to go the typical fine wine/champagne/etc. route, so I thought long and hard (ok, really just for about an hour) about what Brian and I could give them that would be a nice lifelong keepsake.
This is what I came up with...
Shadow box.
Their last name in letters.
Different fabric to cover the black velvet board inside of the shadow box.
Fabric affixed with spray adhesive.
Thankfully their name isn't any longer! Affix with hot glue and cross your fingers that days, weeks, months, and years down the line they don't fall off! I'm not really sure what else you could use but I hope this method lasts!
I typed up a little phrase to put in there, in place of where they will be able to pin in pictures from their wedding after the big day. The phrase was appropriate since they met while traveling the world in their jobs. I printed it out on white paper first to be sure it would fit how I wanted it to.
And the finished project!
The idea is that they can pin in photos, maybe put some dried wedding flowers and other memories (a wedding program?) and trinkets in there. It was extremely easy and can be adapted for other occassions as well- baby, anniversary, graduation... just a few that come to mind.
This is what I came up with...
Shadow box.
Their last name in letters.
Different fabric to cover the black velvet board inside of the shadow box.
Fabric affixed with spray adhesive.
Thankfully their name isn't any longer! Affix with hot glue and cross your fingers that days, weeks, months, and years down the line they don't fall off! I'm not really sure what else you could use but I hope this method lasts!
I typed up a little phrase to put in there, in place of where they will be able to pin in pictures from their wedding after the big day. The phrase was appropriate since they met while traveling the world in their jobs. I printed it out on white paper first to be sure it would fit how I wanted it to.
And the finished project!
The idea is that they can pin in photos, maybe put some dried wedding flowers and other memories (a wedding program?) and trinkets in there. It was extremely easy and can be adapted for other occassions as well- baby, anniversary, graduation... just a few that come to mind.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Weekend Projects
I hoped to accomplish more this weekend on one large project I have going on, but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate so I could not spray paint all of the picture frames. Has to be 50 degrees out for them to dry properly. The big project is putting together a "gallery wall" on the stairway wall.
As you can see I already had two frames hanging there. As we were unpacking my things over the past few months I had an overwhelming amount of mismatched picture frames- white, light wood, dark wood, etc. My simple solution was to spray paint them all black, figure out what black and white photos to place in them (took me about 3 hours today), and then hang them all in a scattered arrangement going up the stairs.
I traced all of the frames onto leftover packing paper from Hobby Lobby (where else) and then traced in all of the picture slots so I knew what size I had to put where. I stuck them on the wall with painters tape which made for easy moving around to get the perfect line-up. I just ordered all of the photos and they should be here in a week. According to the weather report it doesn't look like it will be above 50 anytime in the next week, unfortunately. I knew I should have tackled this last weekend while I had the rare opportunity!
I have a good mix of friends, family, and adventures of Brian and I's. I think this is my favorite photo in the mix. I wish I had access to more old photos to mix in. I just happened to have a few on my computer that I scanned in years ago.
Great Grandma and I
My other small project was replacing a light switch plate in the guest bedroom/my office. I found the antique looking switch plate at Anthropologie and knew that it would look perfect with everything else that is going on in that room.
As you can see I already had two frames hanging there. As we were unpacking my things over the past few months I had an overwhelming amount of mismatched picture frames- white, light wood, dark wood, etc. My simple solution was to spray paint them all black, figure out what black and white photos to place in them (took me about 3 hours today), and then hang them all in a scattered arrangement going up the stairs.
I traced all of the frames onto leftover packing paper from Hobby Lobby (where else) and then traced in all of the picture slots so I knew what size I had to put where. I stuck them on the wall with painters tape which made for easy moving around to get the perfect line-up. I just ordered all of the photos and they should be here in a week. According to the weather report it doesn't look like it will be above 50 anytime in the next week, unfortunately. I knew I should have tackled this last weekend while I had the rare opportunity!
I have a good mix of friends, family, and adventures of Brian and I's. I think this is my favorite photo in the mix. I wish I had access to more old photos to mix in. I just happened to have a few on my computer that I scanned in years ago.
Great Grandma and I
My other small project was replacing a light switch plate in the guest bedroom/my office. I found the antique looking switch plate at Anthropologie and knew that it would look perfect with everything else that is going on in that room.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
They're On Their Way
Gold- Rachel Flatt
Silver- Mirai Nagasu
These two youngsters will be on their way to Vancouver in just a few short weeks. Sasha finished in 4th... a free skate full of errors, unfortunately. Even though I'm sad she won't be there I still cannot wait for all of the excitement to begin!
Will She or Won't She?
In the next two hours the US Ladies Olympic Figure Skating Team will be decided. This only happens once every four years and it's quite a nerve-wracking experience for a figure skating fan!
The "comeback kid," Sasha Cohen, is who I'm rooting for. She has not competed for almost four years but she looked fierce this week during her short program. Absolutely no one can compare to her presence on the ice. She dominates and commands the attention of every single person in an arena- it's quite remarkable. However, she has been known to crumble under extreme pressure in the past, so time will only tell if she will be able to keep it together tonight and make the Vancouver 2010 team.
And for the #2 spot, I'm rooting for Rachel Flatt who seems to be the next best choice for the US in terms of consistency and reliability. She's grown up so much over the past few years- both personally and as a skater.
My heart really aches for Alissa Czisny who was the 2009 National Champion. Some unfortunate mistakes in the short program didn't give her the start she was hoping for. What an amazing come back story it would be if she could make the team.
If you know me well, you know that I am glued to the television for any skating event, especially Nationals in an Olympic year, and of course the Olympics. Nothing compares! These girls give every ounce of their being to become an Olympic Champion and they train their hearts out leading up to the world's best sporting event. It's so amazing to watch it all unfold!
I'm rooting for Sasha tonight and hope she keeps it together for her third trip to the Olympics. She has lots of people saying she won't be able to do it and I, for one, hope that she proves every single one of them wrong!
Watch Sasha's Short Program below and keep an eye out for when she brings down the house with the world's best (seriously) spiral and footwork sequence. And, do not miss the final spin of her program- WOW!
The "comeback kid," Sasha Cohen, is who I'm rooting for. She has not competed for almost four years but she looked fierce this week during her short program. Absolutely no one can compare to her presence on the ice. She dominates and commands the attention of every single person in an arena- it's quite remarkable. However, she has been known to crumble under extreme pressure in the past, so time will only tell if she will be able to keep it together tonight and make the Vancouver 2010 team.
And for the #2 spot, I'm rooting for Rachel Flatt who seems to be the next best choice for the US in terms of consistency and reliability. She's grown up so much over the past few years- both personally and as a skater.
My heart really aches for Alissa Czisny who was the 2009 National Champion. Some unfortunate mistakes in the short program didn't give her the start she was hoping for. What an amazing come back story it would be if she could make the team.
If you know me well, you know that I am glued to the television for any skating event, especially Nationals in an Olympic year, and of course the Olympics. Nothing compares! These girls give every ounce of their being to become an Olympic Champion and they train their hearts out leading up to the world's best sporting event. It's so amazing to watch it all unfold!
I'm rooting for Sasha tonight and hope she keeps it together for her third trip to the Olympics. She has lots of people saying she won't be able to do it and I, for one, hope that she proves every single one of them wrong!
Watch Sasha's Short Program below and keep an eye out for when she brings down the house with the world's best (seriously) spiral and footwork sequence. And, do not miss the final spin of her program- WOW!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Great Shoe Quest
You're probably starting to think that's all this blog is about. Or that shoes are all my life has been revolving around, for that fact. My Dad always has called me Imelda Marcos. I'm sure he doesn't say that without just cause! But, negative on both fronts- it isn't all about shoes (just shoes and purses!). It's just that I've just been on a quest lately to find some flats/sandals for my upcoming (I know, I know... several months upcoming) trips.
I may have a success on both fronts, all in one night! "May," because that only means I'm keeping what I currently have found unless I find something better. And, tennis shoes don't really count as the flats I'm looking for. So, I'm not done looking yet, I can assure you. But really, are you ever done looking for shoes?
Target
Kohl's
Verdict is still out on the New Balance shoes. I think I want something that's not a "running" shoe but still something comfortable and a little less bulky. Unfortunately, the verdict is also in on the Gap shoe below. They looked awful on my feet and didn't seem to be very well made (not that I expect the above Target sandals to last forever, but they were only $20, not $40).
While in my quest tonight, I came across these at Piperlime and realized I had tried on practically a perfect replicate at Target last night. I know it's always bad for the "real" designer, but I just love when Target does that! Maybe the "real" ones would be more comfortable and fit better than the Target ones, because unfortunately they hurt my feet.
Piperlime
Target (Also in Black)
And on a complete aside from anything shoe related, Target has some really great jewelry right now. It's decent stuff and I love the way it looks, which by the way is much better in person. This necklace especially!
Target
I may have a success on both fronts, all in one night! "May," because that only means I'm keeping what I currently have found unless I find something better. And, tennis shoes don't really count as the flats I'm looking for. So, I'm not done looking yet, I can assure you. But really, are you ever done looking for shoes?
Target
Kohl's
Verdict is still out on the New Balance shoes. I think I want something that's not a "running" shoe but still something comfortable and a little less bulky. Unfortunately, the verdict is also in on the Gap shoe below. They looked awful on my feet and didn't seem to be very well made (not that I expect the above Target sandals to last forever, but they were only $20, not $40).
While in my quest tonight, I came across these at Piperlime and realized I had tried on practically a perfect replicate at Target last night. I know it's always bad for the "real" designer, but I just love when Target does that! Maybe the "real" ones would be more comfortable and fit better than the Target ones, because unfortunately they hurt my feet.
Piperlime
Target (Also in Black)
And on a complete aside from anything shoe related, Target has some really great jewelry right now. It's decent stuff and I love the way it looks, which by the way is much better in person. This necklace especially!
Target
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sandal Update
So, in this post I talked about how I saw these great sandals in Chicago and that I thought they would be just perfect. I think that a lot about anything involving shoes and half the time it turns out it is less than perfect due to my "skaters feet."
The good news is that I did not buy them off e-bay for the expensive price! All I had to do was call my local Banana Republic with the name of the sandal and it turns out they had a 9 in brown and a 9.5 in pewter, for only $22.00! I was so excited, as you can imagine, but my excitement quickly died off when I tried them on and my fears were confirmed. My left foot just wouldn't fit where that leather crosses at the top of the foot. Darn bunions. And, for some reason shoes just aren't as "cute" in size 9 as they look to be in size 6. Darn large feet. Oh well. At least I know to always give it a try and call the store first. They were extremely helpful.
However, I think I may have happened upon a pair of flats from Gap (not sandals) over at Making It Lovely that are in the running for being purchased for these two upcoming trips. In fact, I love most of the outfit she's featuring here.
Gap Leather Ballet Flats in Killer Tomato
The good news is that I did not buy them off e-bay for the expensive price! All I had to do was call my local Banana Republic with the name of the sandal and it turns out they had a 9 in brown and a 9.5 in pewter, for only $22.00! I was so excited, as you can imagine, but my excitement quickly died off when I tried them on and my fears were confirmed. My left foot just wouldn't fit where that leather crosses at the top of the foot. Darn bunions. And, for some reason shoes just aren't as "cute" in size 9 as they look to be in size 6. Darn large feet. Oh well. At least I know to always give it a try and call the store first. They were extremely helpful.
However, I think I may have happened upon a pair of flats from Gap (not sandals) over at Making It Lovely that are in the running for being purchased for these two upcoming trips. In fact, I love most of the outfit she's featuring here.
Gap Leather Ballet Flats in Killer Tomato
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sweet Treats
I'm smitten with this photo of cupcakes that I made tonight to take to an engagement party tomorrow evening for our good friends. The cupcakes look (and taste) delicious, but I'm more excited about how neat the photo turned out on my camera's digital macro setting. I love how the cupcake in the back blurs while the one in the front is so sharp.
Since it's an engagement party I thought it was totally appropriate to head straight to the Valentines Day aisle for some fun cupcake liners and sprinkles! Valentines Day = Love = Engagement Party, right? I think so!
Cherry Chip Cake, Vanilla Frosting
Since it's an engagement party I thought it was totally appropriate to head straight to the Valentines Day aisle for some fun cupcake liners and sprinkles! Valentines Day = Love = Engagement Party, right? I think so!
Cherry Chip Cake, Vanilla Frosting
Sunday, January 10, 2010
To Sandal or To Not?
When we were in Chicago over New Years, we stopped into Banana Republic (amongst many others) one afternoon on Michigan Ave. I saw these sandals (Janet Lizard Gladiator Sandal) that I loved for $30, but they only had sizes way too small for me so I couldn't try them on. I didn't know what they were called at the time but I managed to figure it out and find them in my size (or what I think I would wear) on ebay... of course for double the price. Go figure!
I have been looking to get some good, flat sandals (with a strap) for A) when I'm in NYC and Rome this spring doing a fair amount of walking and B) so I actually have something other than flip flops to wear on a daily basis... flip flops aren't the most comfortable things ever made. But now that I'm looking at them I'm wondering if that piece of leather going across the front is going to hurt my feet because of my bunion? And if I buy them and it does go across my bunion, am I going to be able to re-sell them for the same price? Siiigh... what to do, what to do???
My first step should be to call Banana Republic and see if they have any way to check inventory at all of their stores and locate some at the very cheap clearance price (in my size), and then I would have the option to return them if they don't work out. Maybe I'll get lucky and they will be able to check. Something tells me to not get my hopes up though. Until then, I'll be debating in my head, to sandal or to not?
I have been looking to get some good, flat sandals (with a strap) for A) when I'm in NYC and Rome this spring doing a fair amount of walking and B) so I actually have something other than flip flops to wear on a daily basis... flip flops aren't the most comfortable things ever made. But now that I'm looking at them I'm wondering if that piece of leather going across the front is going to hurt my feet because of my bunion? And if I buy them and it does go across my bunion, am I going to be able to re-sell them for the same price? Siiigh... what to do, what to do???
My first step should be to call Banana Republic and see if they have any way to check inventory at all of their stores and locate some at the very cheap clearance price (in my size), and then I would have the option to return them if they don't work out. Maybe I'll get lucky and they will be able to check. Something tells me to not get my hopes up though. Until then, I'll be debating in my head, to sandal or to not?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Up In The Air
Last night we went to see Up In The Air.
I had never even heard of it, but apparently it's nominated for some awards already. My suggestions for movie night were Blideside or It's Complicated. I'm glad Brian told me about Up In The Air, since it was a really good movie- with the exception of an abrupt ending. Plus, George Clooney starring as the main character??? Doesn't get much better than that! I say go see it, you'll enjoy it.
Happy Weekend!
I had never even heard of it, but apparently it's nominated for some awards already. My suggestions for movie night were Blideside or It's Complicated. I'm glad Brian told me about Up In The Air, since it was a really good movie- with the exception of an abrupt ending. Plus, George Clooney starring as the main character??? Doesn't get much better than that! I say go see it, you'll enjoy it.
Happy Weekend!
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