1. I'm still going strong on my dinner-making streak. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I'm actually looking forward to being in the kitchen. I'm keeping a running list of what we're eating every night over in the sidebar and I hope to find the time to get some more recipes up ASAP. Coming later this week: POMEGRANATE MARTINIS. You don't want to miss it.
2. We had a most excellent play date on Friday with Annagrace and Penelope. Genoa had a blast and we loved getting to check out their new house, which is fabulous. We listened to music while the girls danced and jumped around and a great time was had by all. I'm so happy we've been making such great new friends here. I also love that since Annagrace and I both moved into our houses at the same time, there is a seemingly endless supply of decorating discussion that might be mundane to others, but is plenty exciting to us.
3. Speaking of friends, I'm SO SO SO SO SO looking forward to seeing my California ladies again soon! My parents bought tickets for me and the kids (and Dave too, but he can't go because of work) to come visit at the end of March/beginning of April. MARK YOUR CALENDARS PEOPLE. We're gonna party like it's 2007.
4. We've been sick all weekend. Just annoying snotty colds, but still. Last night Genoa FREAKED OUT for over an hour beginning at 1AM. I still have no idea why, but she was just screaming inconsolably. Probably teething. Those canine teeth are horrific.
5. The weather was unusually Spring-like today and I ended up spontaneously taking the kids to the park on the way home from school. It's amazing what twenty minutes of fresh air can do for your sanity.
6. I think it's finally time for me to see a doctor about my blood sugar. I've been using Dave's glucometer to check it more often, usually when I feel like it might be low, and today my random readings were 45, 60 and 80. All low. The normal range is from 80 to 140, depending on whether you take it before or after eating and technically, hypoglycemia sets in once you get under 70 or so. Fun! The only place this entire problem leads is to Sugar Free Island and that's pretty much at the top of my Never Going to Happen list.
7. Today's weather has me thinking about the garden I want to put in this spring. I realize that today's weather was a big, skanky tease and tomorrow it's going to freeze again or go back to raining cats and dogs, but still, a girl can dream. I have no idea when it's even going to be the right time to start planting or what's going to grow in this climate, but I look forward to learning as I go. I'm going to cry if I can't grow tomatoes.
8. Remember how I'm allergic to the cold? (Don't look at me like I'm crazy!) I totally break out in hives within a few minutes after I'm exposed to cold temperatures, usually outside morning or evening air. At first I thought it must be some pollen or tree allergy, but it isn't. Depending on the length of my exposure, my hives last anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours. I didn't have any allergies at all my entire life until a few months after Alex was born and then I got this. Apparently I'm not crazy and there's even a name for it! I have Acquired Urticaria Idiopathic Cold. Woo-hoo! At least Zyrtec is finally available over the counter so I can start taking it again when Genoa weans.
I honestly thought you were kidding about the allergy...no laughing matter though, that would be awful! I hope the Zyrtec helps. Why would low blood sugar take you right to "low sugar island"? I always thought a treatment for hypoglycemia was more frequent, smaller meals that include protein. Is it somehow related to the surgery? Good luck...it must be hard to keep up with you little ones with low blood sugar. I'm having a hard time keeping up with mine because of being tired all the time...I keep telling myself I need to do something about my weight, and everyday I start off with good intentions, I just don't seem to be able to maintain them very long. I'm jealous of your time in the park, we're having 7" of snow...we can't even enjoy the snow day, the kids are sick! I like your blog. Good luck with the cooking...it's rewarding, but a lot of work. I'm on a streak here too, but feel like I'm getting overwhelmed with the leftovers...some things just aren't appetizing reheated.
Posted by: Stacey | February 12, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Your blood sugars suck.
Seriously. Keep that meter with you and get some glucose tablets, and call your PCP, and tell them about reactive hypo after WLS, because they won't believe you.
http://meltingmama.typepad.com/wls/hyper_hypoglycemia/index.html
Posted by: Melting Mama | February 12, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Oh don't you worry about growing tomatoes-they grow just fine around here...just don't ask me when to plant them. Strawberries do well here too. My folks are in for a suprise when it gets nice for real- the sun this weekend had me out digging in the yard. I don't have any real plans for the yard, but there 2.5 acres so I think I'll be able to figure something out.
Posted by: Sara | February 12, 2008 at 06:46 AM
what about voting? did you vote in the primary?
Posted by: Amy H | February 12, 2008 at 07:15 AM
You can pretty much grow anything and everything here, especially tomatoes. I'm dreaming of a garden too, but if you hadn't noticed we don't even have a fence yet and our yard still has construction debris nestled into all of its charming (not) hillocks--and I'm having a baby this summer and Jeffrey won't touch the garden so...the outlook is not so good. If you were closer I'd have to sneak over at night and steal. Just kidding. Maybe.
We had SO much fun with you guys and I finally had to hide the rest of the marshmallows because I wanted to eat the whole entire box in one sitting. And Pea's been talking about Genoa and saying that she loves her!
Posted by: Annagrace | February 12, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I just saw a website not long ago...squarefootgardening.com, I think. It made is all look so easy in a neat and tidy space.
Go you on the cooking streak!
Posted by: Nancy R | February 12, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I have a girlfriend who sneezes like crazy every time she's in direct sunlight, so I don't think the cold allergy is all that bizarre.
Hope you can figure out a solution to the blood sugar issue that doesn't involve going sugar free. That would be The Suck.
Posted by: cindy w | February 12, 2008 at 01:42 PM
As I type, your Magic Meatloaf is in my oven. I can't wait to try it. I'll let you know how it turns out...
Posted by: Erica | February 12, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Just recently discovered your blog and it's quickly becoming my favorite of all. Loving it.
Posted by: Kathy | February 13, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Zyrtec is finally available OTC?? I haven't been able to take it in years because my insurance won't cover it and nothing works as well.
Sorry about your hives, but thank you for the info about zyrtec.
Posted by: Ally | February 13, 2008 at 06:32 PM
I developed an allergy to acetomenophen (Tylenol) at 23. I can take a Benadryl and the hives go away so no big deal, but I thought it was weird to develop an allergy so late in life. The only really bad thing about it is that stuff is in almost every OTC medicine - Pamprin and cold medicine - and almost every prescribed pain medicine.
Posted by: jessica fantastica | February 13, 2008 at 11:19 PM