• home
  • about
  • you capture
  • archives
  • JJF
  • photography
  • love
Layout Image
 

Archive for March 2009 – Page 2

Dream World

Friday, March 27th, 2009
By Beth

I have been having the craziest dreams.  Some are completely disturbing and some are just silly, but mostly, they are disturbing.

In real life, I am hosting a Pampered Chef Fundraiser Party for Team James and Jake tonight.  The idea is that rather than hosting a show and earning free products, Pampered Chef will instead donate a portion of the sales to Team James and Jake.  It’s a fun way to raise money. 

(edited to add: a few of you have asked if virtual friends can place an order from the show and the answer is yes, if you are interested, just email me and I’ll send along the details.  You will, however, have to have it directly shipped to you – foldinglaundry@gmail.com – also, if you live in the area, come on over!)

Yesterday, Brian and I went shopping for the goodies for tonight’s party.  Cheese, vegetables, fruit, meatballs, vanilla vodka and my beloved Miller Lite.  You know, your run of the mill “party” foods.

I went to bed feeling nice and prepared for tonight’s party, but then I had a dream.  A terrible dream that has knocked my confidence and my feelings of preparedness into the water.

First of all, in my dream, way too many people showed up.  People I didn’t even invite.  Then they arrived too early.  Then there were two owls in the tree by my front door who wouldn’t stop staring and “who-ing” at people as they arrived.

Because everyone arrived too early, I didn’t have a chance to get all of the food and drinks out, but everyone arrived REALLY hungry and REALLY thirsty.  I wound up trying to make Hamburger Helper (!!) but couldn’t find my bowls (bowls?) to serve it in because when everyone arrived I was rearranging my kitchen and I couldn’t find where I had shoved everything.

All of the guests just showed up and sat down.  Some in the kitchen, some in the living room and some in the garage.  While I was running around trying to get everyone satisfied, they openly talked about how sweaty and unprepared I was.

Even my Grandma was there, who passed away over ten years ago,  but she didn’t judge, she sat on the couch and just observed.  She wanted a glass of white wine.  I served it to her happily and in my best crystal wine glass.

Nobody would get their own drinks or their own food and nobody offered to help with anything.  They all just sat and watched me.

I also recall, in my dream, people asking for MY precious Miller Lite, even though we had so many great foreign and domestic beers available all they wanted was MY beer.  Before the party was even scheduled to start, my beer was gone.  I silently cried as I continued to get the food prepared.

My Pampered Chef consultant arrived late and when she did she laid down on the living room floor and starting nursing her newborn with her shirt wide open.  I know this because I had to step over her while I was serving people their Hamburger Helper in a bowl.  (and no, she doesn’t have a newborn and she’s also NEVER late.)

Then my sister Sarah showed up.   I was so excited because she’s such a great helper but she just told me that since I decided to have this party, I was on my own and that she has to go because she had to skip school.

This dream means one of two things:  first, it could mean that I’m really much more unprepared than I realize and that I should get moving rather than writing this damn post.  or two, it could mean that no matter what happens tonight, even if only three people show up (which is totally possible) that it’s okay, it will still turn out better than how it turned out in my dream.

But whatever happens, there better be some Miller Lite left over for me.

Categories: March for Babies, OMG, stupid crap

You Capture. Week Five.

Thursday, March 26th, 2009
By Beth

Last week’s challenge was reflection.  How did you do?

I have to say that as much as I love reflection, I did not do as well as I would have liked.  I tried to think “out of the box,” but my mind kept screaming water! water! water!  But that’s okay.  I very much enjoy the shots I do have and that’s all that matters.

On Saturday, the kids and I went for a nice long walk at a nature preserve.  Taking those pictures with my kids during that length of time just felts so good.  It’s great therapy.  I try to bring my camera wherever I go.  What about you?

Here are my two shots:

Barn DSC_5169 copy

I know this shot does not scream reflection, but I drive by this barn every day and every day I watch the reflection grow and shrink, depending on the water level in the ditch in front.  This particular day it was quite low.  At first I was disappointed, but then I thought that it was pretty cool.  This shot is my favorite.

This next one I do like a lot because these trees are just beautiful, even though they are bare.  I can’t wait for the branches to not be bare any longer.

reflection DSC_5381 copy

Now it’s your turn to share your reflection shots from this week.  I can’t wait to see the creativity flowing from blog to blog!

Just a few important details: please make sure you are linking directly to your specific You Capture post in Mr. Linky (and not just your site, for instructions, go here) and please make sure you are linking back to this challenge in your post.

next-week3

Next week’s challenge:  Spring. It’s going to be so interesting to see all of the different signs of spring across the country.  Get outside and take some pictures!  Go forth and capture!

Categories: you capture.

American Idol – Top Ten

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
By Beth

Racecar is to my left.  Ariel is to my right, we are watching American Idol.  As soon as the show actually begins, they both begin talking to me about things not related to American Idol. Have they no idea the importance of this show?  I mean, c’mon.

Smokey Robinson has written over 4000 songs?  How is that even possible?

Matt Giraud – Let’s Get it On – I really like this guy behind the piano and I totally agree that he has some Michael Bublis and Justin Timberlake in him,  he still sounds pretty good, but he’s not my favorite, maybe he bores me.  I do love his geeky look tonight.

Kris Allen – How Sweet It Is – I think Smokey Robinson is totally cute, I want to put him in my pocket.   I kinda want to put Kris Allen in my pocket with him.  I like this guy and his voice.

Scott  MacIntyre – You Can’t Hurry Love -  He has on pink pants.   (does he know?  I don’t know. Oh hush, it was an obvious joke.)  He very much reminds me of Bruce Hornsby and that is not a good thing for me, it’s just his style of music, is all.  I think he’s wonderful.  But this performance is so over the top corny for me.    I can hardly take it.  Please end.

Oh thank God, Simon agrees with me and that means A LOT.   Randy agrees, too.  Paula is just so annoying tonight.  The way she continues to disagree with the smart judges while they are speaking is so incredibly annoying.   I sorta hope she hits herself in the eye with that golf ball ring that’s on her finger.

oh and he does know they are pink pants.

Megan Joy – For Once in my Life - When did she turn into a jazz singer?  Who listens to jazz singers these days?  I like her makeup, her her hair and her tattoo.   I totally feel like I’m on a cruise ship.  I should know, I’ve heard cruise ship singers before and this is what they sing like.  That doesn’t mean she’s not a good singer…she’s just not an American Idol. k?  I’m really happy that this performance is over.

When Paula says “the camera loves you,” she thinks you suck.  That is your first lesson in Paula-nese.

Anoop Desai – Ooh, Baby, Baby – Is it me or does Anoop look cuter and cuter each week?  He’s so velveety and MAN, he’s got quite a voice.  I think he gets better and better.  I adore him.  But I am interested in how he’ll sound when singing a song with a faster tempo.

Michael Sarver – Ain’t to Proud to Beg – I can tell you already that he is totally OVER SINGING this song.  Every chance he gets he seems to oversing.  The throat singing is happening too often.  MAKE IT STOP.   Not a fan tonight.

NEXT!

Lil Rounds – Heat Wave – I am so not sure about her hair tonight.  I know she’s stepping into character (right?) but I’m just not digging the hair, it’s like someone left a roller in too long on top of her head. To me she sorta sounds like she’s yelling at me and that’s not very nice.  I’m not excited about this performance and I’m totally tired of this song.  I’m pretty sad cause I love Lil.

I think Paula’s tutu is too tight.

And the moment I’ve been dreading…it’s Adam Lambert.  I’m not even kidding you, when I hear he’s coming up next, I physically cringe.  But here he is and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

First of all, I’m super glad that he’s not going to be screaming this week because that screaming is awful.  I’m glad to actually HEAR his voice, which is good, because his voice really is good.  But I have one thought…he totally looks like Robbie Rotten tonight.

robbie_rotten-11

Am I right or am I right?

Danny Gokey – Get Ready – Okay, here are my thoughts on Danny. First, he always sounds good.  Always.  But does it seem like he gives the same performance each week?  Also, the little dance move with the singers at the end of the song was pretty cute.

Allison Iraheta- Papa Was a Rolling Stone – I so hope this performance does not disappointment me tonight,  ILOVE this song and I LOVE Allison.  I can not believe that she’s 16.

LOVED THIS PERFORMANCE SO MUCH.  She is amazing.   (and Paula has a mustache?)  I need to go vote for Idol #10.

Bottom three? Megan Joy.  Scott MacIntyre.  Michael Sarver.

Who’s going home? Sarver.

Categories: American Idol

Let’s talk about belly fat!

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
By Beth

In January of 2006, I began a weight loss journey and lost a lot of weight.  I was the happiest I had been with my body in a long, long time.  Not only did I love the way I looked, but I loved the way I felt and not just because I had lost weight, but because I KICKED FOOD’S ASS.

It was such a great feeling.  My lowest weight was 155 but held steady at about 162.  It was the right weight for me.

I had joined Weight Watchers something like nineteen times prior to the time it really worked.  On occasion I would have success, but it never really clicked with me.  Before 2006, when I tried to lose weight, (totally hate the word diet, by the way)  I would try to eat as much food as I could for as little point values as possible.  In 2006, I learned that having that type of attitude towards food would never, ever lead me to long term success.

I did something I never thought I would do.  I attended a meeting and before I could do anything else, I bought a meeting pass for the next four weeks.  I knew buying those meetings was a commitment.  (plus, Brian would kill me if I spent the money on the meetings and didn’t go.)

The first week I lost eight pounds.  I never cheated, and I’m not just talking about the type of cheating where you sneak food here and there, it was also about cheating myself.  I figured out that if I were to stuff a cookie in my mouth, I was only hurting ME and I hated that.  I had to pay for the cookie later on.

Also, I joined a gym and worked out on a consistent basis.  I was so good to myself.

Occasionally, I would secretly cram food into my mouth that was against my food plan, I’d tell myself lies like “you deserve it!” and “it’s just a few calories and fat grams, no big deal.“  but later in the day I would sit down at my computer and enter the points that I had eaten behind my own back.   It was like I had formed an alliance with myself against the dirty, evil side of me that only wanted to eat bad food.

It was awesome.

I kept the weight off for a long, long time.  In late 2007, I became pregnant with twins.  With my previous two pregnancies I had gained so much weight, but this time, my attitude was different, I knew that gaining weight during pregnancy was not my “right.”  I was healthy and still loved the way I looked, I also enjoyed watching my belly grow but watching my butt and arms stay the same size.

And as you know, at five months, we lost the babies.  The weeks following our loss I had that awful “after baby belly.”  I can’t even begin to tell you how many people would ask me when I was due.  With each encounter I felt like I had been punched in the face.

With grief, I had no appetite.  I had no desire, nothing sounded good, I barely thought of food, my thoughts were consumed with our loss.  I could have gone for days without eating.  Luckily my family was there to feed me.

I lost weight rapidly and got down to 169 pounds.  I lost twenty pounds in a matter of weeks.

But slowly, I began to eat again and slowly I began to lean on food as my crutch.  I would often tell myself that “I deserve that bowl of ice cream.“  But really, I deserve so much more than that stupid bowl of ice cream.  (I hate that bowl of ice cream, but I love it so much but that makes me hate it more and why DOES IT TASTE SO GOOD?  FOOD IS SO COMPLICATED.)

This morning I weighed in at 181.4.  Which sucks because two days ago I weighed in at 178.6.  (Why yes, I have been stuffing my face these last two days.)

Today, I am  joining the Shrinking Jeans weight loss challenge, we started a new challenge today which will last eight weeks.

My goal?  Get down to 169…the healthy way.

Also?  Brian has lost 35 pounds since November.  He and I are going to break up the eight week challenge with mini challenges.  This week, if I lose more weight, I get a pedicure.  If he loses more weight, I can’t buy anything except food and gas for a week.

I need to win.  My feet are nasty.

Categories: Weight Loss

Hairy

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
By Beth

Man, you kids are fussy when I mention a hair cut and I don’t post a picture of said haircut.

So, that’s why I’m here right now, to post pictures just for you.  I have to tell you that I LOVE MY HAIRCUT.  I love it.  It’s so easy to do, I don’t feel frumpy any more and the compliments that I have been receiving just reaffim that my cut was the right thing to do.

I feel all yuck inside posting pictures just of me, so I took some with my adorable chickens and then also with my adorable friends.

Last night we celebrated Arianne’s birthday at a Japanese Steakhouse and it was OH.SO.FUN.  And I used chopsticks.  (with some gadget in between them to help me out.)  Happy Birthday, Arianne.  (go send that girl some love – her birthday is today!)

Beth and kids DSC_5573

Arianne's birthday 5723

Brian, the kids and I are heading to Chicago RIGHT NOW to go to the Shedd Aquarium, so I don’t have time to link to all of the ladies in the shot, but I will once I get home.

Arianne, Beth and Steph 5749

The hair is really cute, these picture just don’t do it justice, but I promise, it’s cute.

My friends are cute, too.  Don’t you think?

Categories: Friendly
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Beth Fletcher Photography

Clickin' Moms

Archives

Flickr Love

Trust Me TNT DSC_0445 Erin 200905 0506 WM Sarah Viola DSC05039 office after Sarah-and-Trey
Photobucket
BFP-ad-160
ccimage
ad150x300
partypail
shower-invitations (1)


Photobucket
advertise here

Geek Speak

Subscribe to I Should Be Folding Laundry by Email

dont steal button

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Advertise Here




I Should Be Folding Laundry
Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved
iThemes Builder by iThemes
Powered by WordPress