In my continuing examination of twenty-year-old music, Exhibit Foo Fighters. Out of the ashes of Nirvana, polymath Dave Grohl writes and plays all instruments on the group's eponymous album. It wasn't even an actual group yet (he had to recruit them for the tour!). I liked Nirvana OK, but for all the posturing, I was never wholly a grunge person. Even at my worst teen angst, I was still inherently an optimistic person, and have always been a lover of melody. And even in this first attempt, we see what Foo Fighters would continue to be: more melody, more interesting harmonies, better singing, a freaking sense of humor, lyrics that aren't just about shocking people... So yes, I maintain that Foo Fighters is/was a way better band than Nirvana, even at this stage.
And this video--with all its grunge-era posturing--is apparently about fighting viruses or something, a la Fantastic Voyage? Already this is more fun than Nirvana. Just wait until they start spoofing Mentos commercials!
Rosina had kind of a pointless field trip this morning--storytime at Barnes & Noble? Other than change of venue, this is basically what they do every day at school--but after dropping her back at school, I had a particularly Bourgie Mom morning: eyebrow threading (ouch! luckily I only do this about once a year to maintain shape), Bath & Body Works (belated birthday gift for my mother), then shoe shopping (because I always default to sneakers, even to work, and I don't love that). Does it help that the shoes are faux Alegria Mary Janes with a blue-and-purple swirly pattern? They should go really well with my new hipster-Ariel glasses...
Showing posts with label crunchy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crunchy. Show all posts
Friday, March 4
Wednesday, July 16
(More) Housekeeping
Today is apparently the day I try to catch up on things. I am currently uploading more than 200 pictures to Rosina's Shutterfly site, and it seemed like a good time to get my ass in gear and update my freaking blog already. Poor neglected 13-year-old blog... (My blog has made it to menarche and likes to slam doors and fantasize about...hmm, about whom would an almost 13-year-old fantasize these days? Sadly, I probably fantasized about Kurt Cameron or something. Uh, the singer from Ylvis with the floppy hair? David Wright on the Mets is pretty hot as well.)
First thing: I am going to swear. This song totally fucking ROCKS. Like, I can't even. It saddens me that I specifically remember denigrating the White Stripes when they came out, assuming they could not play their instruments. Um, evidence to the contrary, right here.
I mean, WHAT WAS THAT.
Also, we have had some adventures. We did indeed buy a new laptop--of course, it's taken me three months to actually put photos on it, so there you go... We had a nice visit from my mother, sister-in-law and nieces in early May, then met them and my brother at Sesame Place in late May. We picked just the right time to go, as the temperatures were about 15 degrees below normal (wearing cardigans post-Memorial Day = heaven), and there was a soft-open for a whole new section of rides. We then drove up to New York to visit my grandparents and spend more time with my brother's family. Things did get old with my mother. (Also, kind of seeing a divergence in parenting styles here: my mother gave my then-16-month-old niece a timeout for biting. Can a baby that young even understand that kind of thing?! Ugh.) But we survived. I even managed to drive back alone with Rosina (over two days--there was a lovely visit with the squishy and adorable Maddie in between legs), since Mark had to fly home after a few days.
Once we returned, it was time for potty training boot camp. We would've preferred it happen organically, but with her having already turned three, it probably wasn't going to happen on its own--plus she had to be ready in time for preschool in September. It was a rough first week, with lots of accidents everywhere. Just when I was beginning to doubt it would ever catch on, I had an elucidating conversation with Rosina (benefit of training late: your kids can tell you what's up): we were talking about poop, as you do, and where different people and kids that she knew pooped. When I asked her where she pooped, she said, "In my diaper!", tugging on her training pants. That's when I realized that she thought training pants (actual Gerber ones, plus some underwear I tricked out with padding) were just a really ineffective diaper. Eureka! She went commando for the next three days, and finally figured it out! And the first week wasn't really a waste, as it got her really used to the ritual. (Including the reward M&Ms and stickers.) It hasn't been perfect--today she peed ALL OVER the bathroom floor because she timed it wrong--but that was the first real accident in a few weeks. (She is still in a diaper at night and for her nap--she's a big sleeper--but we may be ready to eliminate the latter soon.) We did learn that we need to carry around her foam seat because she's scared to sit on a toilet without it (legitimately--she is still quite small), but I can deal with that. Anyway, long story short, POTTY OUT, we are awesome, etc.
Having to spend two weeks at home cleaning up pee was actually fairly convenient, as my old modern dance-acquired plantar fasciitis decided to act up. It was really bad for about a week, and even now it's not great. I think it was from wearing two different pairs of summer shoes that were both too big and had zero arch support. Anyway, for the past month I've only been in sneakers equipped with surprisingly helpful Dr. Scholl's inserts, and I've been doing lots of stretching. In other health news, I did actually get my act together and make some long-overdue doctor's appointments. My new GP seems very nice, though I haven't spent much time with her yet. My reproductive endocrinologist is really great--an actual published expert on PCOS, among other things--and we have a game plan going forward. (I'm currently back on my old pill, Yasmin, as well as going on extended-release metformin since the regular stuff made me so sick for so long. All of my bloodwork came back fine--even my testosterone levels were normal, which was unexpected--and I will have a follow-up in a few weeks, along with a gynecological surgeon to talk about possible surgical intervention. The more I think about it, since I'm basically on hormone replacement anyway, perhaps a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy would cause unnecessary side effects, and laporoscopic ablation/cyst-zapping would be more beneficial--plus I won't be housebound for six weeks. Jeez.) I also finally saw an orthopedist about my flared-up bulging disc. I'm in PT right now, and the exercises do help a lot, but I still wake up stiff and sore every morning. I just cannot get the hang of sleeping in a normal human position that doesn't result in numb arms or a very sore neck. Still working on that.
Fiber news: I did indeed start a fingering-weight cardigan, Zora, right around Rosina's birthday. I've finished the back and started one of the fronts, but haven't worked on it in a bit--with the Yarn Harlot doing her own biking this year, I didn't even think about the Tour de Fleece until I heard on the radio that the Tour de France was starting. So I'm back working on my pretty green Unplanned Peacock stuff (merino?). The other things I've worked on in recent memory are a reknit pair of socks for Mark (huge gauge mistake in the ones I made him for Christmas), a few starfish washcloths...and the other day I converted a singleton sock into a new steel water bottle sleeve. Yesterday I used some of the extra yarn to knit a new sock for my trashed sock blocker keychain sock.
Um, what else? I'm making dinner--attempting baked lentil falafel tonight. But in closing, look at this picture.
First thing: I am going to swear. This song totally fucking ROCKS. Like, I can't even. It saddens me that I specifically remember denigrating the White Stripes when they came out, assuming they could not play their instruments. Um, evidence to the contrary, right here.
I mean, WHAT WAS THAT.
Also, we have had some adventures. We did indeed buy a new laptop--of course, it's taken me three months to actually put photos on it, so there you go... We had a nice visit from my mother, sister-in-law and nieces in early May, then met them and my brother at Sesame Place in late May. We picked just the right time to go, as the temperatures were about 15 degrees below normal (wearing cardigans post-Memorial Day = heaven), and there was a soft-open for a whole new section of rides. We then drove up to New York to visit my grandparents and spend more time with my brother's family. Things did get old with my mother. (Also, kind of seeing a divergence in parenting styles here: my mother gave my then-16-month-old niece a timeout for biting. Can a baby that young even understand that kind of thing?! Ugh.) But we survived. I even managed to drive back alone with Rosina (over two days--there was a lovely visit with the squishy and adorable Maddie in between legs), since Mark had to fly home after a few days.
Once we returned, it was time for potty training boot camp. We would've preferred it happen organically, but with her having already turned three, it probably wasn't going to happen on its own--plus she had to be ready in time for preschool in September. It was a rough first week, with lots of accidents everywhere. Just when I was beginning to doubt it would ever catch on, I had an elucidating conversation with Rosina (benefit of training late: your kids can tell you what's up): we were talking about poop, as you do, and where different people and kids that she knew pooped. When I asked her where she pooped, she said, "In my diaper!", tugging on her training pants. That's when I realized that she thought training pants (actual Gerber ones, plus some underwear I tricked out with padding) were just a really ineffective diaper. Eureka! She went commando for the next three days, and finally figured it out! And the first week wasn't really a waste, as it got her really used to the ritual. (Including the reward M&Ms and stickers.) It hasn't been perfect--today she peed ALL OVER the bathroom floor because she timed it wrong--but that was the first real accident in a few weeks. (She is still in a diaper at night and for her nap--she's a big sleeper--but we may be ready to eliminate the latter soon.) We did learn that we need to carry around her foam seat because she's scared to sit on a toilet without it (legitimately--she is still quite small), but I can deal with that. Anyway, long story short, POTTY OUT, we are awesome, etc.
Having to spend two weeks at home cleaning up pee was actually fairly convenient, as my old modern dance-acquired plantar fasciitis decided to act up. It was really bad for about a week, and even now it's not great. I think it was from wearing two different pairs of summer shoes that were both too big and had zero arch support. Anyway, for the past month I've only been in sneakers equipped with surprisingly helpful Dr. Scholl's inserts, and I've been doing lots of stretching. In other health news, I did actually get my act together and make some long-overdue doctor's appointments. My new GP seems very nice, though I haven't spent much time with her yet. My reproductive endocrinologist is really great--an actual published expert on PCOS, among other things--and we have a game plan going forward. (I'm currently back on my old pill, Yasmin, as well as going on extended-release metformin since the regular stuff made me so sick for so long. All of my bloodwork came back fine--even my testosterone levels were normal, which was unexpected--and I will have a follow-up in a few weeks, along with a gynecological surgeon to talk about possible surgical intervention. The more I think about it, since I'm basically on hormone replacement anyway, perhaps a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy would cause unnecessary side effects, and laporoscopic ablation/cyst-zapping would be more beneficial--plus I won't be housebound for six weeks. Jeez.) I also finally saw an orthopedist about my flared-up bulging disc. I'm in PT right now, and the exercises do help a lot, but I still wake up stiff and sore every morning. I just cannot get the hang of sleeping in a normal human position that doesn't result in numb arms or a very sore neck. Still working on that.
Fiber news: I did indeed start a fingering-weight cardigan, Zora, right around Rosina's birthday. I've finished the back and started one of the fronts, but haven't worked on it in a bit--with the Yarn Harlot doing her own biking this year, I didn't even think about the Tour de Fleece until I heard on the radio that the Tour de France was starting. So I'm back working on my pretty green Unplanned Peacock stuff (merino?). The other things I've worked on in recent memory are a reknit pair of socks for Mark (huge gauge mistake in the ones I made him for Christmas), a few starfish washcloths...and the other day I converted a singleton sock into a new steel water bottle sleeve. Yesterday I used some of the extra yarn to knit a new sock for my trashed sock blocker keychain sock.
Um, what else? I'm making dinner--attempting baked lentil falafel tonight. But in closing, look at this picture.
Sunday, April 13
I love lists
This face says two things:
1. Somebody got some sun today. I wore sunscreen that apparently wiped off, and I got tired of the hat after a while at the (fun and low-key) birthday party. I may need to resort to a baseball cap. The freckles are taking over, and it's only mid-April! O_o
2. Will we ever find a flavor of training toothpaste that Rosina likes?! She likes the strawberry Tom's of Maine, but the dentist doesn't want her using fluoride toothpaste before she learns how to spit. In the meantime, she has tried and vetoed My Little Pony and Elmo flavors. I do hold out some hope for the Elmo, but the My Little Pony one does taste weird... In other tooth news, she finally for sure has broken tooth #17, after like, ten months. I still don't even feel two of her molars. I wonder if they'll even be in by her next dental appointment.
Today was another day I felt really tired, but couldn't nap, even when the rest of the house was asleep. I'm turning in soon, and am taking advantage of our computer-less state to sleep in until nine-ish--at which point I'll call my manager to find out if the old laptop in the office will actually work, so I can come pick it up. (I drove all the way down there on Friday afternoon to get it, but there were so many updates to run, it probably took hours and hours. Definite waste of time and gas--though I will definitely be counting the bullshit and travel time in my hours.) I don't know how long it will be until the new one arrives, and we haven't taken any action on our own computer issue--other than to basically rule out the Costco floor models. I think Mark may be considering a Galaxy tablet at this point. I suppose we can blame Sara Bareilles for that. ;)
So tentative plans for tomorrow:
1. schedule a physical with a newly-recommended doctor (my former PA has moved out of the area), which will hopefully include referrals to a GYN specialist--because this Pill is NOT regulating my PCOS, let's be real--and an orthopedist--because my old one' s now out of network, and my shoulder exercises are not helping. I realized the other day that I'm currently on track to be in habitual pain, just like my parents are now, and I want to take charge of this now while my body is still fairly young (and before I develop diabetes caused by my unregulated PCOS, sad trombone).
2. Drive to my office, pick up laptop. Possible stop at Trader Joe's on my way back! (I have to drive past TWO of the three in the metro area on my commute--though surprisingly only three McDonald's.)
3. Start putting out feelers for area preschools that aren't too far from my projected commute. I suppose this is something for which Facebook will be useful, for once.
4. Work on this dumb sock. I am finally through the leg, and am decreasing the gussets now. Mark has seen it enough now, and tonight Rosina said, "Mommy knitting Daddy sock" within his earshot (she also said, "Rosina knit Daddy sock," and pretended to knit, which was really freaking adorable--though I will probably wait another year before trying to teach her! She's got great fine motor skills, but I'm not going to push it!), so even if I don't finish before Wednesday night he will get them soon!
4. Laundry. At least two loads. I have new wool dryer balls ready to be felted, so that'll be fun...
5. Much-deserved Bollywood break!
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