I was one of the fools to go out on Black Friday - and not just in the afternoon, but bright and early at the crack o' 4:30am. I woke up and started thinking about shopping, so I figured I'd get up and get it over with. It was sort of cool to be at the mall that early- and a little disturbing that there were so many people there. I got in, got my stuff and got out. Old Navy was my next stop, and although I thought they opened at 5, the store was trashed in a way that suggested it had been open for several hours prior. Either that or Santa's helpers were off duty for Thanksgiving. Again -success. Target was stop #3, and I was astonished to pull into the parking lot behind a caravan of cars, only to witness the doors fly open at 10 to 6, and a crowd of hundreds surge through the doors on both ends of the store. These wolverines attacked the POS of DVD's first, grabbing bad movies by the handful. Then they moved into electronics and stacked digital photo frames by the tens and multiple TV/DVD combos ($199 each) into the carts they wielded like battering rams. Seriously - I read something that estimated the average family spends $587 on 23 gifts for the Holidays. Well, that's not what I witnessed at Target. I probably checked out with the lowest ticket of the day ($20, thank you very much), but those around me were spending hundreds. As my sweet husband pointed out, the West Des Moines Target shopper probably does not represent the average holiday budget, but still, with the bags of stuff these people were lugging around, they probably spent my Christmas budget 3 or 4 times over - easy. After that I still had the strength to hit Toys r Us, which was a total bust. People were wrapped around the inside of the store waiting to check out, with carts of stuff. I found nothing there - the prices were high and the selection average. Not a bad experience, and I was still home by 8:30am.
Good News - no gestational diabetes!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
A rant
I've been too tired to blog lately - working too much, baby issues on my mind, all kinds of stuff. I'm still looking for a winter coat, and even searched some viable prospects in NYC last week. And found nothing. I went to the so-called Old Navy flagship on 34th and 7th & it SUCKED. The maternity section was tiny, hidden, and poorly stocked, with not a coat in sight. I was so ticked I even emailed customer service. I finally broke down and bought a coat at Old Navy online, and of course it's enormous. I'm taking it back tomorrow and am hoping to find something on ebay. I better figure it out soon, as we had our first snow storm yesterday. I can still barely fit into my North Face jacket, but that's only going to be the case for another few weeks.
It appears I have gestational diabetes once again. I was hoping that the modified diet would help push me through the glucose test, but no such luck. I did the 3 hour test yesterday with 4 tubes of blood drawn. I can pretty much guess at the results. Breakfast and dinner never seem to be as difficult as lunch is. I always want a sandwich or some pasta. Otherwise I'm just being careful about what and how much I eat. The exercise part is the tough stuff for me. I never make the time, and now that Winter is here, I won't be as inclined to take an afternoon walk with the family. I guess I need to figure out how to get into the tiny gym here at the complex. I'm really irritated at the diet part - especially as this is a strong indicator that I'll develop diabetes in the future. I do know that this has helped me to be more thoughtful about what I eat. I suppose that if I can keep that mindset, I'll be better off in the long run.
It appears I have gestational diabetes once again. I was hoping that the modified diet would help push me through the glucose test, but no such luck. I did the 3 hour test yesterday with 4 tubes of blood drawn. I can pretty much guess at the results. Breakfast and dinner never seem to be as difficult as lunch is. I always want a sandwich or some pasta. Otherwise I'm just being careful about what and how much I eat. The exercise part is the tough stuff for me. I never make the time, and now that Winter is here, I won't be as inclined to take an afternoon walk with the family. I guess I need to figure out how to get into the tiny gym here at the complex. I'm really irritated at the diet part - especially as this is a strong indicator that I'll develop diabetes in the future. I do know that this has helped me to be more thoughtful about what I eat. I suppose that if I can keep that mindset, I'll be better off in the long run.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Ho Ho NO
Went to the mall yesterday and was shocked to see that it was fully decked out for Christmas. Tree, lights, burgundy ribbon, Santa set, the whole 9 yards. Now, I knew it was coming - last weekend at Wal-Mart they were playing Christmas music - but isn't it a little early? Let us at least get to the weekend before Thanksgiving before we have to bust out the twinkly white lights. Peaches and I went for a walk tonight & even saw a home that had a fully decorated tree smack in the middle of the living room. I love Christmas, but we have to wait until Thanksgiving is over before I start unpacking the decorations. It's going to be a little different this year - we have to get a fake tree instead of cutting a real one like we usually do. No real tree smell, but no pine needles to vacuum every day.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Cupcake Obsession
Ok, so remember in my last post I said that I wasn't craving anything specific for my trip to New York? I was wrong.
I've been obsessing about cupcakes for the last 3 days, and I think I may break down and go on a cupcake hunt soon. I don't know what it is, but I can't stop thinking about those moist little bites of love, topped with smooth, creamy, fluffy icing. I could eat a chocolate one, a red velvet one, and a yellow cake with chocolate icing RIGHT NOW. I'm sure the fuel in my obsession is the lack of sugar and carbs in my diet - but I'm starting to worry about myself. You know how some people like to look at porn for hours? I've been looking at cupcakes online. I've chosen the bakery I want to go to in NYC, and have planned the trip out in my head. Walk 3 blocks to the Radio City subway station, hop the F train to Herald Square. Shop at H & M for about an hour and a half (this is the one with Maternity and Baby clothes, but not the best in the city - the best H & M is on 5th & 51st, but they don't have Baby or Maternity), then hop back on the F train to Delancy St. Walk a block to Rivington and enter the Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery. I will purchase one "Sexy Red Velvet", one "Lemon Yummy", one "Coconut", and one "Black & White... Just Right". I will eat two and pack the other two for the plane trip back home.
Here's the downside: I tend to build elaborate ideas in my head, which reality rarely lives up to. Can ya tell?
I've been obsessing about cupcakes for the last 3 days, and I think I may break down and go on a cupcake hunt soon. I don't know what it is, but I can't stop thinking about those moist little bites of love, topped with smooth, creamy, fluffy icing. I could eat a chocolate one, a red velvet one, and a yellow cake with chocolate icing RIGHT NOW. I'm sure the fuel in my obsession is the lack of sugar and carbs in my diet - but I'm starting to worry about myself. You know how some people like to look at porn for hours? I've been looking at cupcakes online. I've chosen the bakery I want to go to in NYC, and have planned the trip out in my head. Walk 3 blocks to the Radio City subway station, hop the F train to Herald Square. Shop at H & M for about an hour and a half (this is the one with Maternity and Baby clothes, but not the best in the city - the best H & M is on 5th & 51st, but they don't have Baby or Maternity), then hop back on the F train to Delancy St. Walk a block to Rivington and enter the Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery. I will purchase one "Sexy Red Velvet", one "Lemon Yummy", one "Coconut", and one "Black & White... Just Right". I will eat two and pack the other two for the plane trip back home.
Here's the downside: I tend to build elaborate ideas in my head, which reality rarely lives up to. Can ya tell?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Chocolate
I'm doing fairly well on the diet, but want to lick the TV when I see the commercials for that chocolate cake you warm in the microwave. Despite the Halloween candy in the house my willpower has been admirable, especially for me. My saving grace thus far has been low-carb Rocky Road ice cream with Splenda. I highly recommend it. It's nowhere near the deliciousness of regular ice cream, but it's the closest thing to chocolate and ice cream that I'll get for a few weeks. I'm going to have to decide whether or not I will go off the diet when in New York. There's nothing specific I want to have while I'm there, but the limitless options have me fantasizing about the possibilities.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Catching up
I've been remiss in my blogging and need to try and catch up a bit. News from the home front:
1. It's a boy. What did we do before the magic of ultrasounds? I guess if there's no chance of finding out what you're having, there's no need to worry about it. I give props to my friends who patiently wait it out (their thinking is "How many great mysteries are there in life?" - my response is that they need to get out more).
2. While at the doctor's office, the nurse sufficiently put the fear of early death/ loss of limbs into me, so I've begun my version of the diabetic diet. This generally consists of no bread, pasta or sugars. It's only been about 36 hours, and I am taking it hour by hour. Although it's awesome that I love meat, peanut butter, and cheese, I really just want to dive into the bowl of Halloween candy and roll around in it. I also keep daydreaming about crusty french bread. I'm hoping that I'll feel better after getting through the weekend, but until then eggs and chicken patties are leaving me wanting more. More bread, pasta, ice cream, peanut butter cups..... I suppose a little bread withdrawal is a small price to pay for getting to keep my toes. I sort of have Fred Flintstone feet, but I do love to have my toes painted.
3. We fired our realtor. She wasn't giving us good service, and wasn't communicating at all. First she agreed to the termination, then said she would only sign it once we paid her for the ads she ran on our house. Funny - she didn't respond to my request for copies of the receipts for the ads, hard copies of all ads, and a copy of a signed agreement stating we would pay for any marketing expenses. Chalk it up to yet another learning experience - but seriously, how hard is it to send a few emails and not act like I'm inconveniencing you when I call to see what's new? We've signed on with a new firm, and I think I've heard from them more in the last 2 weeks than we did in 2.5 months with Tania. A heads up to those in Salem, OR looking for a realtor - Tania Turnell of Re/Max will do the least amount possible and make you feel bad about it. If you like to be made to feel like you're bothering your realtor by asking for updates, she's the one for you!
4. I hear that Oprah has thyroid problems. I can appreciate that she didn't know what the heck was going on with her body (first hyperthyroidism, then hypothyroidism), but I sort of resent that she related it back to being pre-menopausal. As a relatively healthy young woman, I am walking proof that anyone can have thyroid issues. I feel really fortunate that I caught it now, and not years later, and I also feel lucky that I am able to take medication that makes me feel so much better. I'm not exhausted anymore (well, I'm tired, but that's more baby-related than health-related), I'm not cold all the time, and I think once I'm back on a diet and exercise schedule, the weight will start to melt off.
1. It's a boy. What did we do before the magic of ultrasounds? I guess if there's no chance of finding out what you're having, there's no need to worry about it. I give props to my friends who patiently wait it out (their thinking is "How many great mysteries are there in life?" - my response is that they need to get out more).
2. While at the doctor's office, the nurse sufficiently put the fear of early death/ loss of limbs into me, so I've begun my version of the diabetic diet. This generally consists of no bread, pasta or sugars. It's only been about 36 hours, and I am taking it hour by hour. Although it's awesome that I love meat, peanut butter, and cheese, I really just want to dive into the bowl of Halloween candy and roll around in it. I also keep daydreaming about crusty french bread. I'm hoping that I'll feel better after getting through the weekend, but until then eggs and chicken patties are leaving me wanting more. More bread, pasta, ice cream, peanut butter cups..... I suppose a little bread withdrawal is a small price to pay for getting to keep my toes. I sort of have Fred Flintstone feet, but I do love to have my toes painted.
3. We fired our realtor. She wasn't giving us good service, and wasn't communicating at all. First she agreed to the termination, then said she would only sign it once we paid her for the ads she ran on our house. Funny - she didn't respond to my request for copies of the receipts for the ads, hard copies of all ads, and a copy of a signed agreement stating we would pay for any marketing expenses. Chalk it up to yet another learning experience - but seriously, how hard is it to send a few emails and not act like I'm inconveniencing you when I call to see what's new? We've signed on with a new firm, and I think I've heard from them more in the last 2 weeks than we did in 2.5 months with Tania. A heads up to those in Salem, OR looking for a realtor - Tania Turnell of Re/Max will do the least amount possible and make you feel bad about it. If you like to be made to feel like you're bothering your realtor by asking for updates, she's the one for you!
4. I hear that Oprah has thyroid problems. I can appreciate that she didn't know what the heck was going on with her body (first hyperthyroidism, then hypothyroidism), but I sort of resent that she related it back to being pre-menopausal. As a relatively healthy young woman, I am walking proof that anyone can have thyroid issues. I feel really fortunate that I caught it now, and not years later, and I also feel lucky that I am able to take medication that makes me feel so much better. I'm not exhausted anymore (well, I'm tired, but that's more baby-related than health-related), I'm not cold all the time, and I think once I'm back on a diet and exercise schedule, the weight will start to melt off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)