The Late Bloomers: Links Worth Following

Showing posts with label Links Worth Following. Show all posts

Monday, January 25, 2010

I met some real live bloggers!

My first week as a SAHM was TOUGH!

We started off the week with Michael having a temperature of 102, so we took a trip to the pediatrician on Monday. Turns out he had a sinus infection. We started him on antibiotics, which I knew would clear up the problem, but I was so concerned that he would still be feeling sick at the end of the week. It was a big week because my baby brother was getting married!

Here's the happy couple...

Aren't they gorgeous? And check out that ring. Baby brother did good!

Anyway, we had family come from Puerto Rico and Ohio to participate in the festivities. One of my cousins arrived first, on Monday night. He stayed with my parents, but came over on Tuesday to visit and to meet Michael. I was a bit stressed that day because Michael was still very sick, and we just noticed that morning that one of his eyes was swollen. We thought maybe he'd hit himself with one of his toys, but weren't sure if it was something more serious that we needed to be concerned about.

But it was all good because you know what? My cousin is about to graduate from medical school and got here a few days before the wedding so that he could interview for a residency to specialize in pediatrics! Can you believe it? We got our very own house call! My cousin assured me that the swollen eye was most likely due to the infection and should be cleared up with the antibiotics. One of my sisters, who's a Physician Assistant, also called and instructed me to use the antibiotic drops that we'd been prescribed after Michael was born and had an issue with his eye.

I was so thankful that God had made so many arrangements so far in advance so that Michael could be healthy and happy by the day of the wedding. And I was also thankful that Michael didn't get sick until after my last day at work so that I could concentrate on him and not have outside distractions. Sometimes the kindness that God shows me and my family is almost too much to bear.

So the week began with some stressing and very little sleep, but I had an invitation for Tuesday night that was a nice reprieve. I'd been invited to a dinner for local bloggers, arranged by Missy and Amy. I was so excited to meet other bloggers, and I can't even tell you exactly why. After all, I'm a classic introvert and would usually prefer to stick needles in my eyes rather than meet a group of strangers. But maybe I was excited because I love the whole blogging thing and want to start taking it more seriously? Or because I was starved for some interaction with other moms? Or because I needed to escape from the house for a little bit? All valid reasons, for sure.

I almost didn't go so that I could take care of my little one. But my husband was so sweet to insist that I get out of the house for a while and let him take care of the baby. So I went to the dinner and enjoyed good conversation with some neat ladies. Here's a picture:

I'm the one in the front that looks like a sumo wrestler.

Kind of makes me look back fondly on these days:

This picture was taken about seven months ago. At least back then I looked pregnant for a reason.

The other ladies, on the other hand, all looked great. Here's a list of who's who in the group picture (stolen from Missy's blog).

Top row:
Julie/Elisharose News, Amy/Mom's Toolbox, Beth/Not a Bow in Sight, Ashley/Life Beyond the Pink, Lindsee/Lindsee Lou, Missy/Barefoot Family, Amanda/Baby Bangs, Kristin/Kiki's Crowd

Bottom row:
Missy/It's Almost Naptime, Callie/Smith Live, Heather/Step Inside, Debra/One Girl, Kristen/We Are THAT Family, Sumo Wrestler, Allison/ It Feels Like Chaos, Michelle/ Usr/bin/mom.

After the dinner I went home to relieve my husband from baby duty. By Wednesday, Michael's temperature was consistently normal, and by Thursday the swelling in his eye had pretty much disappeared. Just in time to party with the family!

We're about to start a new week...will this be a "normal" week? Is there such a thing?

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Links Worth Following 12/22/09

My husband is in the running to sing the National Anthem at a Houston Texans game! Garrett is Finalist #12. I was so proud of him that he was able to pull this off after being sick. His voice got pretty messed up (a lot of hacking involved) and I was afraid for a while that he wouldn’t be able to go to the audition, but he did it and sounded great!
Antique Mommy shares 10.2 Ways To Be A Gracious Guest. I thought this was brilliant. I thought numbers 2 and 9 were especially helpful.
Caring for Your Introvert. I LOVED THIS. It’s tongue-in-cheek but hits on a lot of truth. I can’t tell you how many times strangers have said to me, “Smile, it can’t be that bad!” I always want to say, “Nothing is wrong, I was just thinking.” But I’m an introvert and don’t want my response to be misconstrued as an interest in getting into conversation.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

I know you didn't ask, but still...

Who knew that the never-ending TMI on this blog would result in an award?

My blog friend Tara was kind enough to offer The Late Bloomers the Honest Scrap Award! I knew Tara was a kindred spirit when she wrote this post about watching my favorite movie. I was so moved that I spent entirely too much time writing my own post about it. But oh, it was fun.

To accept this award, I need to:

list ten honest things about myself
nominate five other bloggers

10 Honest Things About Myself

Let me start off by saying that I already feel sorry for you that you're reading this list. When you're done, you may curse yourself for giving up 90 seconds of your life that you'll never get back. Consider yourself warned.

I could drink Coke by the gallon. While sucking on a lemon. This can be an expensive habit. I was almost shamed into giving it up when I discovered in college that my parents hid Coke from me when I came home to visit. Keyword: almost.
I kinda sorta want a Snuggie. When I first saw the commercials, I thought it was the stupidest thing I ever saw. But, somewhere along the way, my heart changed and I began to feel a sense of longing. Shame caused me to keep this longing hidden, especially as Internet ridicule of the Snuggie and its cousin, the Slanket, increased (like here, which made me laugh so much). And I can understand the ridicule. I once counted myself among the hecklers. But then I saw that someone I highly respect gave in to her desire. So I finally got up the nerve to tell my husband. More ridicule ensued, which has so far kept me from running out and making the purchase, but, as in the Coke situation above, I have a feeling that shame will not keep me from fulfilling my desires.
I honestly and truly dislike the taste of water. And don't tell me that water doesn't have a taste. With all the chemicals they put in bottled water, there's some kind of after-taste going on. I find Ozarka to be the most offensive. If you can bring me a glass of water straight from a mountain stream, I'll be willing to re-evaluate.
I love to watch my husband nap. He just looks so peaceful and relaxed and his mouth does this cute little pucker thing. I would take a picture and post it but suspect that would be crossing some sort of line. So you'll just have to trust me on this.
My clumsiness knows no limits. Just this morning as I was making breakfast I dropped a freshly-cooked slice of French toast and a slice of banana on the floor. I've been known to fall down the stairs (three times), walk into a glass door (once), and walk into walls and doorways (countless times). I don't know what's wrong with me.
I love sushi. Wait, you don't understand. I reallllly loooove sushi! Seriously. As a matter of fact, I prefer to eat raw salmon over cooked salmon. Spicy tuna rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, and anything with cream cheese and avocado. Oh, be still my heart.
I like the smell of gasoline. Hold on a minute - don't picture me sniffing gasoline in a closet somewhere. I'm just saying that when I have to pump gas, I don't hate it. That's all.
When I first met my husband, I asked myself, "Could I kiss those lips?" The answer is yes, yes I can. And I have. Many, many, many times.
There is no end to my hair. I was born with a head full of hair. Growing up I called it the "mane" (as in lion). Many women look forward to having thick luxuriant hair during pregnancy (because not as much hair falls out), but not me. I neeeeeed for hair to fall out. It is OUT OF CONTROL.
I am the anti-athlete. I've tried to be athletic and sporty. I really have. I've thrown myself into Ultimate Frisbee, physical training lessons, and an ill-fated two weeks of Boot Camp at my church. All to no avail. The only things I got out of it was a sprained ankle, a growing awareness of my asthma, and a T-shirt.

Nominations

I don't know that many bloggers, so I'll have to limit this list to four.

Margaret
Cristie
Jennifer
Missy

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Links Worth Following 3/14/09

The 10 Songs 'American Idol' Finalists Should Avoid Like the Plague - The producers of the show really need to take this advice to heart. What was with the whole Michael Jackson thing this past week?
Mom Jeans and the Dreaded "Long Butt" - May I never make this mistake.
Facebook Made Me Do It - Do people have no shame??
Baking Soda Beauty: 13 Reasons To Move It from Your Fridge to Your Medicine Cabinet - Maybe I can find a use for all of the baking soda I found in my pantry this week. I really need to keep inventory of what I have.
This word should be stricken from the English language. After all, there are other options.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hunkered Down

Hunker. What a word. It feels thick in my mouth, chewable. I just looked it up in Merriam-Webster and it's defined, "to settle in or dig in for a sustained period." That's us.

We spent yesterday and this morning preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ike, an unwelcome visitor. When Ike arrives, he can expect to find our back windows boarded up, our patio furniture in the living room, and us hiding in the pantry if he gets good and mad.

Right now Garrett is in our living room taking a nap on the mattress pad that we brought downstairs for a little extra comfort. He wants to get a few hours sleep in so that he can stay awake tonight when the hurricane arrives. We're nothing if not hospitable.

We're pretty far up in northwest Houston, so we should be ok. This website says that we can expect maximum sustained winds of 86 mph. Our major concern is flying debris. And doing without electricity. What's a curly-haired girl to do without her flat iron???

But many are in a bad situation. Some waited too long to evacuate the coast and can't get out now. Others don't understand the seriousness of the situation and refuse to leave. They need our prayers. Reminds me of Psalm 91. This will be my prayer during this ordeal.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

City Slickers

I always say that I won't go camping unless there's a hotel room involved.

We came pretty close to that ridiculous statement at The Retreat at Artesian Lakes this past weekend. We got a one-room log cabin for a couple of nights, which came with a couple of beds, table, kitchenette, but NO TV.

Since we didn't have the distraction of a TV, we did things like read, play card games (Speed, Rummy, Poker), and sit on the porch and talk.

We had a visitor to our cabin...

...but he didn't stay for long.

We even walked around outside for a while (I believe outdoorsy people call that "hiking").

Just to prove that we actually got out in The Nature for a while, we snapped a few shots to chronicle our experience.

The Nature

Not a cloud in the sky, which meant The Nature was HOT!

Garrett in The Nature

Some of The Nature is kinda gross (those are bugs swimming around in there!)...

...but some is rather pretty.

What is it about a country road that makes you want to see what's at the end?

And what is it about a wooden bridge that makes you want to cross it?

Is it just me, or does it look like someone added food coloring to this lake?

I had fun with you, sweetie!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Shopping Funny

Garrett and I were shopping in one of those "antique" malls and came across this gem. It's an old shopping list notepad.

I feel such a kinship with the woman in the picture. You see, I also go to the grocery store in a pencil skirt and stiletto heels. And I don't truly feel like a woman unless I spend an hour on my hair and makeup in order to look my best for the cashiers. I also stop at the end of every aisle and strike a pose...just in case anybody is watching.

I jest.

No, really?

Here's what grocery shopping looks like for me - I'm wearing jeans and comfortable shoes. It's the end of the day, so my makeup has worn off and my hair is a frizzy mess. Garrett is usually with me and pushes the cart, which is a good thing because I need to focus all of my attention on not running into any people or displays of canned goods (I don't always succeed).

And, of course, there are the hopes and prayers that we don't run into anyone we know, necessitating two minutes of idle chit-chat while trying to maintain eye contact so that they don't look into our grocery cart and see the packages of Gas-X and tampons.

In summary, grocery shopping is such a pleasant experience that I just spent 15 minutes evaluating whether or not we should use Amazon's Subscribe & Save program to ship grocery items to us.

June Cleaver I am not.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Template Auction!

Some exciting news! Lindsay over at Splat Designs is having a sort of silent auction of three templates to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She's running the 1/2 marathon (I can only imagine) for them and needs to raise money.

Can you believe it?? Three templates??? You can get one for every day, Christmas, and even for Veterans Day if you want to. Or maybe Mother's Day and spring. Or fall and Grandparent's Day. The possibilities are endless!

Check out the auction here. And please let me know if you win! She does great work and I'd love to see the new designs.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Enjoying the New Look

Hello peoples,

As you can see, we're enjoying a new look here on The Late Bloomers blog. Lindsay at Splat Designs did an incredible job. I just couldn't stop smiling when I saw the new design!

I love the picture in the header because Garret and I usually decompress by watching TV together. Although these days we're usually each on our laptops and not cuddling. So sad. And we're usually watching some version of Law & Order or CSI: Some City in the USA. Although the other day we watched The Simpsons Movie. That was OK. And Friday nights he graciously allows me to watch What Not to Wear. Anyway, I'm sure that's all you ever wanted to know about our television viewing.

Back to the blog: I'm also going to change the address from http://garrettandleslie.blogspot.com to http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com. At least I'm going to try. We'll see how that works out.

TTYL
(See how I'm trying to use these little abbreviations? I'm so hip and now. Although people probably don't say that anymore. Whatever.)

Thursday, April 10, 2008

They Make Me Laugh

Along the same lines as yesterday's post, here's a list of blogs that I read because they totally crack me up. These are truly Funny People. Laugh out loud funny. I want to be their BFF.

BooMama - I would love to get into this woman's head. She does an American Idol post every week if you're into that. And this post is probably the funniest thing I've ever read.

Big Mama - I think BooMama and Big Mama are friends. Big Mama has the cutest little girl that says the darndest things, like this.

The Queen B - I love how she calls herself, her husband, and her daughter the queen, king, and princess. This post is really funny and reminded me of my father (luv ya, dad!).

Stuff Christians Like - I just found this recently and have laughed and laughed over the truth of what he says. The thing that I like about it is that it makes you think about the difference between Biblical behavior and what has become the Christian Culture. Some of the posts that I especially like are this one, and this one, and oh my goodness let's not forget this one.

Enjoy, and let me know if you know of other Funny Blogs.

The Late Bloomers

Please visit the new blog...