A Romantic Valentine

So, a few weeks ago, many of you may have enjoyed a swoon-worthy day full of wine, chocolate and roses...  Or maybe that's just television people.  I don't know.  It wasn't me.  That's not a fair statement.  Chris sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers to my office on Friday, and then claimed that there was another part of my present.  Sure, Chris, ok.

Saturday rolls around, I had already given Chris his chocolates early, and I decided that since his BIG, FABULOUS, SECRET present was still coming, I better get him something else.  And I better go grocery shopping if I wanted anything cooked for dinner.  (He's sweet enough to cook it, but brave the crowds armed with shopping carts?  You've got to be kidding.)  I wandered around Best Buy for a little bit (the kid is a tech-junkie), picking up random things, putting them back, picking them up again....  Generally scratching my head and trying to dodge persistent salesmen.  Finally, I decided we had wanted a nice dSLR camera for the LONGEST time, and intended to get one for the honeymoon anyway, so Chris was getting the uber-expensive camera for Valentines.  (Yet, I have no pictures in this post, go figure.)

Of course, Chris hates surprises, so he got an unwrapped camera in a Best Buy bag the second I walked in the door.  He was psyched, but looked quite scared.  We now have taken about 5 MILLION puppy and cat pictures testing out various settings.  Thank goodness they're willing models.

Sunday, Chris cooked a truly lovely meal of filet mignon in a wine and mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  Unfortunately, he used lots of butter and milk, and I spent the rest of the night sick.  He tries, but forgets about the lactose-intolerant thing sometimes.  Thought that counts, right?

FINALLY, Tuesday, I think it was, a package arrives.  In it?  The bathing suit I had talked about buying to shame myself into working out even more.  It's really a great suit.  Fits me perfectly right now.  Hope it's falling off soon!  My real dilemma, though, was whether or not to share the photos of myself in said bikini.  Obviously, I have decided against it.  Believe me, it's not pretty.  Maybe once there's an impressive "after" shot.  Maybe never.  I mean, what if I want to run for president? 

Anyway, that's my long over-due run down of our Valentine's Day.  I promise to post some pictures from the new camera soon.  It really is wonderful.

Prayer and the Blogosphere

So, last night was an amazing experience...  For the past week or so I've been trying to find a Bible verse EVERYWHERE and was about to give up, assuming that I had been making it up.  I go to mass last night for Ash Wednesday, and what do you know?  The Gospel was the passage I had been searching for.  I really felt spoken to.  And what is this verse you ask? 

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

"Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

This has been on my mind because of the prevalence of people posting on blogs or facebook that they are "praying for you".  I certainly am not against prayer, and certainly not against comforting those in need, but I do worry that too often people post this message to demonstrate their holiness.  It has bothered me to the point that I have begun to avoid leaving "I'll pray for you" messages.  If it is a close friend, I may write a personal email, but then I face a dilemma when it comes to blogs I read, but don't personally know the writer.

I already feel vaguely stalker-ish for reading other people's blogs, though I certainly welcome the random reader here.  But, I do know that I would appreciate people lifting up prayers for me if I were in need.  I just really don't want to be someone waving my arms saying, "Look at me and the good I do!"  So, maybe an anonymous comment?  That always feels like it's not really meant, though...  And I don't feel comfortable sending the unsolicited stranger email.  I have no answers, just some internal ramblings.  Let me know if you've come to any revelations on the matter. 

A Little Humor

So, getting married in the Catholic Church is one of the most ridiculously over-complicated processes that was ever created.  Thank goodness I don't intend to get married again.  I couldn't take it.  Anyway, one of the million-and-one steps is to have two people that have known you since you were of marriageable age testify as to your ability to marry.  My mother called in to our church's marriage coordinator, and the conversation went something like this:

Liz:      Is Katy keeping any deep secrets from Robert prior to their wedding?
Mom:  Well, that depends.  Who is Robert?
Liz:      Her fiance.
Mom:  Well, that would be a deep, dark secret, seeing as her fiance's name is Chris.
Liz:      Oh, you're right!  Robert's his middle name!

The things we have to go through...

No Explanation

ANGRY FOR NO GOOD REASON

So, apologies to Chris.  I was just in the foulest of moods yesterday.  And intermittently for the past week.  I don't really have a good explanation, but I DO like Megan's explanation over at Tales of the Trees.  She referred to it as February Funk.  So, all I've got to say is go read Megan's post because it was perfect.   

Make-up? I don't need no stinkin' make-up.

Ok, complete and total lie.  I need make-up.  I just don't always WEAR it.  AGES ago, Whitney over at Glamlife Housewife posted a challenge to post what's in our make-up bag.  I keep forgetting to take pictures, but here's some of the items.  By no means am I paid to say any of this, and if I were, the companies would be asking for their money back because I'm really not a huge fan of most of the things I use. 

Something I use, and like, and start my day with.  Neutrogena lotion with SPF.  Hey, I'm a pasty white girl.  Gotta protect from the sun.

Next up?  Almay Pure Blends Foundation.  It's alright.  Matches pretty well.  Got it when I was on a "green" kick and didn't want all the extra junk in the make-up.  Full disclosure:  I use ivory (pasty).

Ok, something I LOVE.  But, still isn't PERFECT.  Milani Black Magic Eye Liner.  Oh, it goes on so SMOOTHLY.  It's fantastic.  BUT it does smudge pretty easily.

The lipstick I wear doesn't seem to be made anymore (maybe I should get a new one?).  It's Clinique Blushing Coral.  Of course I have about 20, but that's my favorite.  Followed closely by a Cargo gloss that also seems to not be made anymore.  Alright.  Need to shop. 

For my eyes, I tend to use the Sonia Kashuk Perfectly Neutral Eye Palette.  Gives a descent variety of work-appropriate shades. 

 

Finally, alright, guess I like a lot of my make-up.  I LOVE this mascara.  It rocks.  Admittedly, I have long, thick lashes to start, but this really pops them.  Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara.

 

So, there's my not-so-expert opinions on make-up.  But it works for me.

Snowpocalypse

 

Harper LOVES the snow.  Not a little bit, not a whole lot, but with every cell in her body.  If she's not outside, she's whining to GO outside.  Or staring outside.  Or sniffing the floor for snow chunks to eat.  She makes up for all the people that weren't so thrilled by the 28" we got this weekend, or that are dreading the 12"+ that are coming Tuesday night.  That's actually not us.  We enjoy snow quite a lot.  But perhaps, not as much as the dog.

 

Measuring the snow by beer bottle height.

 

Resting in the snow with dad.

Hanging out at the park.

New Adventures in Homemaking

I'm trying something new and different.  While I've grown plants before, I've never started them from seed.  Well, for the most part.  There of course was the infamous story of the Pumpkins. 

For those of you who haven't heard it, Chris and I started a pumpkin patch in the courtyard of our apartment that we lived in prior to the house.  Oh, they were gorgeous.

However, the complex did not feel the same way about a pumpkin patch taking over their courtyard.  They insisted we at least keep it pruned back, but let us keep it until we could harvest some beauties.  Eventually, I pureed a bunch to cook with, but carved these two for a PSU/OSU party we had.  This may have been when people started referring to me as Martha...

My Dog the Television Addict

Proof that Harper was into the cartoon dogs.  Who knew?

UP is just as cute as everyone said it was.  Laughed out loud quite a few times.  Maybe even more so because of the silly German Shepherd.  She should be even more ashamed that this picture is proof that her ears are down again.  It's a result of teething.

Some things never change...

 

Alright, I'm no longer bald, or quite that small, but I do still sit on that table, as it has moved on to my family room.  It has had a LONG life.  And it's still as sturdy as ever.  However, I have sanded and restained it, so it's slightly red now, and Harper has chewed off the corner you see front and center.

I love hand-me-downs.  They have so many memories associated with them, and just feel like they're truly a part of you.  I don't mind that the couch was disposed of, though.  It lived in my parents basement for a very long time, until it was unraveling, lumpy, and ready to move on to a better place.

Anyway, just a little taste of my childhood. 

Weight Loss Victory

YAY!!! I've got a new 2nd digit to my weight. It's still not the one I'd like, but we're 10 lbs away!!! Then I'll be back to where I was when I moved to Pennsylvania 3 years ago. Over the course of 3 years, I've gained 20 pounds. I want to choke just thinking about it. But we're down 10. Took longer than I'd like, but getting there. Still have 4 months until the wedding. Gonna pull this off.

I guess associated with New Years resolutions, there are a few goals I've set:

1) Lose the weight (ideally, 15 lbs left, but 10 and I will be dancing)
2) Get back to swimming a mile at a pop (only at 1/2 a mile right now)
3) Run the 5k on April 10 (need to be ABLE to by March 1, currently at like 2.5 miles?)
4) Run the 10m race May 2 (training needs to kick into HIGH gear)
5) I would LOVE to do the Happy Valley Sprint Triathlon in July, but I don't know if that will happen.

The tools I'm considering:
The Tanita Body Fat Monitor - it has some great reviews, our scale is busted, and it would be nice to know about FITNESS not just weight.


The Retro Bandeau Bikini from Victoria's Secret. Ok. This may not seem like a weight loss tool, but I think it's super cute, and would LOVE to wear it on my honeymoon. Considering buying it, taking a picture in it NOW, and putting it on my fridge. If that doesn't control what I do, nothing will!

As always, any suggestions are welcome, along with any challenges or bets.

The Forgotten Child

Monster doesn't so much enjoy the new addition to the family. Sure...it may seem like Monster and Harper are "playing" when they run around after each other, and Harper certainly loves it, but Monster? His world has been rocked.

Gone are the days when it used to be Monster that would greet us at the door, and talk to us (he is a Siamese after all) about his day, and cuddle, and demand butter. He still does all these things on occasion, but recently he's much more likely to be hanging out in the bathroom by the vent. A little bit because it's nice and toasty warm, but mostly because the baby gate is usually up and preventing Harper from terrorizing/jumping on him.

I'm sorry, little buddy, we'll try and give you more lovin'!