10.28.2008 | 9:41 pm | Uncategorized
Go here and sign up for a free membership to Ebates:
http://www.ebates.com/refer-a-friend/0926promo.htm?referrerid=toFt5mvnJupy6CPXZh7law%3D%3D
If you sign up and make a purchase through one of their hundreds of online merchants by Oct. 31, you —and me, since I’m referring you— will get an automatic $10 cash back. Yes, really. 
After Nov. 1, you’ll still get an automatic $5 cash back on your first purchase. But $10 is better, so hurry!
I’ve shopped through them for over a year now, and I recommend it. Free money! Who couldn’t use some of that?
Share on Facebook
Comments (3)
10.27.2008 | 11:03 am | Daily Life, Breastfeeding
Before I start, I issue this disclaimer to any men who may be reading: This post is for girls only! You don’t want to read this, I promise. Run along now and do something manly.
So it’s probably easy to guess that I’m talking about the return of my womanly buddy, the one known to women around the world as Aunt Flo, or, simply “AF” for short.
Everyone knows that AF goes away and stays away during the 9 or 10 months during which a woman is pregnant. But I’m often surprised to realize that there are women who don’t know that AF also typically stays away during the time in which a woman is breastfeeding regularly. It’s known as “lactational amenorrhea”. Most women who exclusively breastfeed will get at least six months postpartum without a return of AF, and the majority who continue breastfeeding will stay AF-free for a year or more postpartum. Perhaps the reason this isn’t seen more often is that most American women don’t breastfeed for even six months, much less for a year (less than 20% of American babies are breastfed for the recommended one year!).
The absence of AF during nursing is related to the lack of ovulation. Once the baby is older and starts going longer stretches at night without nursing, ovulation can return, and when it does, the return of AF is usually close behind. With both of my boys, AF returned within a month or two of me going 10 hours or more without nursing at night—well, in Des’ case, it was me stopping pumping at night (he’s slept 12 hours or more at night without nursing ever since he was 3 months old! I got up and pumped once a night for months; I finally stopped doing that when he was 11 months old).
My experience with nursing Gray was that I didn’t get AF back until 8 months postpartum. So add in the months that I was pregnant, and I got a total of 17 months free from AF. Not too shabby. One of the reasons breast and ovarian cancer rates are lower amongst those who’ve breastfed for a good length of time is because of this extended period with no ovulation, and therefore with no hormonal stimulation. It also helps to keep endometriosis from returning, if you deal with that nasty condition.
But this time around, I was extra blessed. I made it to 13 months postpartum before AF returned! Add in the months I was pregnant, and it makes a total of 22 months—nearly two years(!)—that I’ve had no periods at all. It was really, really nice.
But it all ended last week, when I got the surprise visit out of the blue. She’s back.
I can’t complain too much. Not only did I have a good run AF-free, but her return was very merciful. No cramping, and her visit was short. So short that I didn’t even get a chance to try out my new Diva Cup, but I’ll try it out during her next visit. Something to look forward to, I guess!
Share on Facebook
Comments (7)
10.16.2008 | 1:22 pm | Daily Life
I posted pictures of the newly-cleared lot on Facebook. If you aren’t my friend there, you should be, so that you can see the pics.
We got approved for the home loan last week, and once some random legal stuff is done (shouldn’t be more than a week now), they’ll bring in the fill dirt, prep the lot, and start pouring the foundation! From that point, it should be no more than 60 days till completion, which puts us closing right around Christmas.
Share on Facebook
Comments (5)
10.16.2008 | 12:53 pm | Uncategorized
Philip and I, along with most Christians across the country, have been fervently praying about the upcoming election. We pray about every aspect, but one in particular that I’ve been focusing on is the bitter hatred from the left toward Sarah Palin. The way I’ve been approaching it is calling on God to protect her and her family from the onslaught of attacks. I’ve prayed through several of the Psalms that speak of justice and vindication from slanderers, and have found that they apply thoroughly to the unconscionable treatment she’s received from those who hate her.
A couple of days ago, a friend directed me to Psalm 37, and how it applies to this election and how we should view things should Obama win the presidency in a few weeks. What a source of peace!
I’ve found that it’s an also an excellent resource when praying for Sarah Palin. I encourage my praying friends to pray for her (and this ticket) daily, if you aren’t doing so already. God can change what seems unchangeable, but it takes prayer and faith on our part.
I think Psalm 37 is a good place to start, should you find yourself worrying about the possible outcome of the election, or about the rampant voter fraud a’la ACORN, or if you’re dwelling on the hostility that’s aimed at Palin (and therefore, at us!) from every direction. We should do what we can to change things, but once we’ve done that, we can leave the outcome in God’s hands, and we can be at peace knowing that he will bring vindication and justice to our cause and to leaders like Sarah Palin. I just hope it comes sooner rather than later! 
Psalm 37, NIV:
1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD’s enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.
23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;
33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future [b] for the man of peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future [c] of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Share on Facebook
Comments (4)
10.14.2008 | 9:13 pm | Uncategorized
Bill Clinton has been making the rounds lately in the media. I’ve seen him in several interviews, all of them casual and relatively lightweight. And something strange has been happening. I’m not sure I can even write these words, but I’ll try. I sort of…kind of find myself…involuntarily…
…liking him.
Aaaaaaaaargh! Someone help me! Quick!
Of course, I know who he really is, and Philip makes sure to remind me of his corruption every time he sees my eyes glazing over and me falling under his spell. But nevertheless, for the first time ever, I can see how people like him, and I can see his charm shining through, now that he’s no longer a threat.
It’s funny, though, for as bad as Clinton was for our country, Obama actually makes him pale in comparison. If an election were held today and the candidates were Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, I would vote Clinton in a heartbeat.
No doubt, Clinton is a liberal, but next to Obama, he looks like Reagan. Socialism is very scary, and even though we’re already on our way there, Obama will get us there at mach speed with his plans for our country. He’s a dangerous man, likely the most dangerous who has ever run for president (and that’s saying a lot).
I wish Hillary would’ve won the nomination; even she would’ve been better for the country than Obama. At least her intentions were more honest. And yes, I would vote for Hillary if the choice were between her and Obama. That says a lot about Barry, doesn’t it?
Anyway, back to my point. I still don’t like Bill Clinton overall, but when he’s just talking about whatever, and not being a candidate, he is truly likeable.
My husband is laughing at me…
Share on Facebook
Comments (6)
10.13.2008 | 1:34 pm | Daily Life, Gray Matters
We had our coveted tickets as we headed downtown to the civic center just after noon. G and I were beyond excited about getting to see Sarah Palin in person and to hear her speak. The only thing dampening the mood was the damp weather—it was raining steadily and showed no signs of letting up. But we had our hoodies and umbrella and were ready to brave the elements if that’s what it took to see her.
As I drove down the ramp off the interstate and onto the downtown streets, I saw the line. There were people everywhere! The doors had opened at 11am and would close when SP arrived, which was supposed to be around 1:30. As I rounded corners and drove around blocks looking for a spot to park, the line just kept going. I assumed these must be people without tickets, who were hoping for a chance to get in.
I found a parking spot, we got out into the blowing rain, and off we headed toward the civic center. When we came upon the line, I found out that this WAS the line into the civic center (one of two lines, actually), and it was indeed the ticketed line. Ugh. So we made our way to the end of the line, which snaked at least seven blocks from the civic center. Thousands of people. I called Philip and told him I wasn’t sure what was going on, why the line was so long, or how in the world we would make it inside before SP arrived and the doors closed.
He hung up to call the campaign headquarters, and in the meantime, G and I stood in line as the rain poured down and the wind buffetted us. We were just a couple of blocks from the bay, so the storms coming in from the Gulf were hitting us extra hard, especially the wind. It was pretty miserable. The best we (and everyone else in line) could do was stand with our backs toward the wind, with our umbrella angled sideways behind us, to block the brunt of the wind and rain. G wasn’t bothered too much by it; he was rather enjoying himself and the fact that he was getting soaked.
After a while, Philip called back and said that HQ told him the delay was due to the massive response and how the venue had been changed to the civic center…they didn’t have enough staff to handle the security checks, and there were only two entry points for over 10,000 people. She also said that SP had been delayed and her plane wouldn’t be landing until 2:30, and that she’d arrive at the civic center soon after that. D’oh! I’d planned everything with the intent of leaving to head home at 2:30! I’m still nursing and I had to be back home by 3:00. Now what?
I told G that SP had been delayed and that we might have to leave. He got upset and said, “No! Mama, I wanna see Sarah Palin!” I told him we’d stay in line and see what happens. It was only a bit after 1:00 at this point.
So, we stayed in line. For two hours total. Two. Hours. In the rain. G never once complained; he just shuffled along the sidewalks with the rest of us, a couple of feet at a time, inching our way toward the civic center. I kept checking my watch, each time warning G that it wasn’t looking good, that we proably weren’t going to make it in before she got there. He would tell me, “No Mama! Never, ever give up!” LOL He gets that from me.
This is him never, ever giving up.
We got all the way to the base of the building, still at least a block away from the entry point, when I gave up. It was 2:45, and I had to get home to nurse Des. I took his hand and we broke from the line. “Mama, no! I wanna see Sarah Palinnnn!” he cried. And yes, he really cried. As we walked back down the sidewalk away from the civic center, I tried to explain why we had to give up—that there was no way we could’ve gotten inside before she got there and the doors closed. Right then, we heard the sirens of her motorcade, as she arrived. Nope, there was definitely no way we would’ve made it in. I felt a little relieved by that, because it affirmed that I’d been right in my decision to give up and head back.
It didn’t help G, though; he cried all the way back to the car, and so did I. I cried mostly because I was sad that he was so sad about it (I had no idea he’d wanted to see her that bad!), but I also cried a little because I was sorely disappointed. I love this woman and what she stands for. She’s inspired the nation with her true conservative policies and views, and I wanted the chance to be in the same room with her, darn it! I was also a little mad about the very poor planning and handling of the event by the campaign. How could they not have known that she’d draw so many people? Especially in a city and area like ours (military, verrry conservative)?
For the last block or two back to the car, I was on the phone with Philip, letting him know we didn’t get in. One statement I made to him was, “I am so P-O’d.” G heard me and said, “I am so C-U-P. CUP.” After I hung up, I asked him what that had meant. He said, “You said you were P-O. So I’m C-U-P. (LMBO! I guess he just picked a random word.) What does P-O mean?” I told him it meant I was mad.
Share on Facebook
Comments (6)
10.3.2008 | 12:07 pm | Daily Life
Sarah Palin is stopping in our city. And guess who’s going to be there? Me! The first round of tickets were given out yesterday before Philip could get there, and the second round went fast this morning—however, he got there early and scored two tickets for us. Only he can’t go, since 1) he has to work that day and 2) someone has to stay home with Des while he naps. It’ll be just me and Gray, and I’m quite excited! He is, too, even though he doesn’t quite understand why. LOL
I thought she really shined last night in the VP debate. Can’t wait to see her in person!
Share on Facebook
Comments (4)
10.1.2008 | 11:27 am | Uncategorized, The Young'uns
It’s amazing how different you (well, me anyway…probably others too) parent your second child compared to your first.
We obsessed over everything with baby Gray. Cleanliness, milestones, teaching him this and that, safety, even discipline. And about a thousand other things.
With Des, he’s lucky he gets fed and his diaper changed periodically. Everything else is optional. LOL!
Poor second child.
He’s made it so far, though. He’s alive, he’s growing, and I think he’s making milestones. I’d check the baby book, but that’s another one of those things I’ve let slide this time around.
Share on Facebook
Comments (4)
If you shop online