Sunday, January 17, 2010
January 17, 2010
I have been persuaded to read Gone with the Wind. As much as I'm enjoying it, I am starting to think it's foolish to tackle at 1037 page book while I'm working full time and pregnant (which means I fall asleep on the couch around 8:30 every night). Here's how far I've gotten.
Secondary Project
I have a secondary project; not really another New Year's resolution but just something I want to try to keep in the back of my mind. To keep myself accountable, I want to blog about it, but see no point in creating aNOTHER blog to do so. So, here it is.
Continuing something I've been working on since around the time A was born, I am trying to be easier on the planet and potentially better for my own health (and, the health of my unborn child). I'm also trying to balance this with making things cost efficient, because we, like so many others, are fairly strapped and have a hard time making ends meet and paying the mortgage on time.
This is hard, since I am married to someone who firmly believes in the benefits of modern chemistry, or whatever that old slogan was. He has no problem leaving a cell phone charger plugged in with nothing attached, has all kinds of electronics plugged in that drain energy even when we're not using them, and totally loves the Bath and Body Works antibacterial hand soaps. He looks at me like I'm crazy when I wash zip bags and recycle aluminum foil.
Recently, I was reading on a message board about something called "No poo." I discovered by reading through the thread that this means not using traditional shampoo, so I googled it, and found this website of the process. I tried today for the first time. I probably didn't do things properly.
I have what you might call baby fine, stick straight, hair. When looking for hair care products, my priorities are: 1. Cost, 2. Will not leave my hair tangled, 3. Will not give me static/flyaways, 4. Body.
I took a tablespoon of baking soda and mixed it with some water. It was more thin than a paste, so I probably added too much to that. Anyway, I mixed it up and rubbed it into my scalp. I left it in while I washed my face and body, then rinsed it out. It was very weird to not use anything on the ends of my hair (esp considering I had just come from the pool too). Then I took about 2T of apple cider vinegar in a cup. Buuuut, that spilled as I got into the shower. Great. So I was probably left with 3/4 of a Tablespoon at most. Then I mixed in a little bit of water and put it on my hair, making sure to put it on the ends. Not sure what to do from here, I rubbed it through my hair like I would with a traditional conditioner. Then, I rinsed that out.
I went forward with my normal routine--dry, towel turban, get dressed, then come back and comb out my hair. I totally and completely expected a tangled mess and even got out the detangler. This, however was not at all the case; my hair was completely untangled. After blowdrying, my hair is still fairly tangle free. As far as volume, it is a little bit flatter than normal, but I don't think anyone but me would even notice.
Another thing people commented on was the smell--since you're using vinegar, does the hair smell? No. It really doesn't smell like much of anything. No vinegar smell, just... clean.
So, I think I'll try this method again!
**Update** After about 12 hours, my hair feels... well, kinda greasy up at the part area. I haven't looked in a mirror in awhile to be able to tell what anyone looking at me would think. The ends of my hair have developed a little bit of static too, but nothing too too major considering the dryness of winter usually makes them wonky.
Continuing something I've been working on since around the time A was born, I am trying to be easier on the planet and potentially better for my own health (and, the health of my unborn child). I'm also trying to balance this with making things cost efficient, because we, like so many others, are fairly strapped and have a hard time making ends meet and paying the mortgage on time.
This is hard, since I am married to someone who firmly believes in the benefits of modern chemistry, or whatever that old slogan was. He has no problem leaving a cell phone charger plugged in with nothing attached, has all kinds of electronics plugged in that drain energy even when we're not using them, and totally loves the Bath and Body Works antibacterial hand soaps. He looks at me like I'm crazy when I wash zip bags and recycle aluminum foil.
Recently, I was reading on a message board about something called "No poo." I discovered by reading through the thread that this means not using traditional shampoo, so I googled it, and found this website of the process. I tried today for the first time. I probably didn't do things properly.
I have what you might call baby fine, stick straight, hair. When looking for hair care products, my priorities are: 1. Cost, 2. Will not leave my hair tangled, 3. Will not give me static/flyaways, 4. Body.
I took a tablespoon of baking soda and mixed it with some water. It was more thin than a paste, so I probably added too much to that. Anyway, I mixed it up and rubbed it into my scalp. I left it in while I washed my face and body, then rinsed it out. It was very weird to not use anything on the ends of my hair (esp considering I had just come from the pool too). Then I took about 2T of apple cider vinegar in a cup. Buuuut, that spilled as I got into the shower. Great. So I was probably left with 3/4 of a Tablespoon at most. Then I mixed in a little bit of water and put it on my hair, making sure to put it on the ends. Not sure what to do from here, I rubbed it through my hair like I would with a traditional conditioner. Then, I rinsed that out.
I went forward with my normal routine--dry, towel turban, get dressed, then come back and comb out my hair. I totally and completely expected a tangled mess and even got out the detangler. This, however was not at all the case; my hair was completely untangled. After blowdrying, my hair is still fairly tangle free. As far as volume, it is a little bit flatter than normal, but I don't think anyone but me would even notice.
Another thing people commented on was the smell--since you're using vinegar, does the hair smell? No. It really doesn't smell like much of anything. No vinegar smell, just... clean.
So, I think I'll try this method again!
**Update** After about 12 hours, my hair feels... well, kinda greasy up at the part area. I haven't looked in a mirror in awhile to be able to tell what anyone looking at me would think. The ends of my hair have developed a little bit of static too, but nothing too too major considering the dryness of winter usually makes them wonky.
January 16, 2010
We introduced A to another Pixar film yesterday; this time, The Incredibles. He just loved it. He looked so cute since he was so fascinated, despite asking him to turn to me and smile, I couldn't get him to do it for more than a second... he just wanted to keep seeing more.
Finally, though, I got a smile:
Finally, though, I got a smile:
January 15, 2010
I thought I looked pretty nice on Friday morning, so took a few minutes to play with my camera.
Of course, some of the pictures didn't come out that I looked so nice, but a few of them came out well.
Of course, some of the pictures didn't come out that I looked so nice, but a few of them came out well.
January 14, 2010
Thursday meant a midwife appointment. I had to run after work to pick up A then an hour to the midwife, an hour home, eat dinner, so the result was no picture. Twice in one week. Egads.
January 13, 2010
A discovered a new use for my new anti-fatigue mat in the kitchen.
And played some video games with Daddy.
And played some video games with Daddy.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
January 10, 2010
It's just A and me today since Daddy is away at a big fencing meet. As we were eating our breakfast, A started to be a ham, as is often the case, so I went for the camera.
The pictures are in order:
That picture was the reason I got the camera in the first place... he always makes this face when we eat (although with more of a frown), and keeps on doing it until we do it back to him. This is the point we also realize he's probably done eating and ready to be silly.
The pictures are in order:
That picture was the reason I got the camera in the first place... he always makes this face when we eat (although with more of a frown), and keeps on doing it until we do it back to him. This is the point we also realize he's probably done eating and ready to be silly.
January 9, 2010
I remembered to get a belly picture this week, and took it on Saturday. Please excuse--no makeup, tired look, etc.
I also took what I hoped would be a sweet series of pictures of the boys putting together a race car. It blurred a LOT, so I didn't quite get the sweet shot I had hoped to. Also excuse the mess of the kitchen, but it is what it is.
I also took what I hoped would be a sweet series of pictures of the boys putting together a race car. It blurred a LOT, so I didn't quite get the sweet shot I had hoped to. Also excuse the mess of the kitchen, but it is what it is.
January 8, 2010
Another day that was super busy after school. This time, I had an ultrasound appointment at 3:30--I was forgotten about and wasn't taken until almost 4:30. Again, by the time I got home, started dinner, etc etc etc, fell asleep on the couch, it was bedtime. No picture taken.
But wait... there WAS a picture taken on Friday, I remembered. Here it is!
The top picture is of the baby's hand, and I think there's a foot curled up too. The next two have the baby facing us directly.
But wait... there WAS a picture taken on Friday, I remembered. Here it is!
The top picture is of the baby's hand, and I think there's a foot curled up too. The next two have the baby facing us directly.
January 7
Only 7 days. It took only 7 days for me to forget to take a picture. Thursday was one of those days--I had a meeting that I couldn't leave until 4:30, had to pick up something, got A, cook dinner, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up from a nap that ended at bedtime.
I did plan to take a belly picture on this day, but it obviously didn't happen.
I did plan to take a belly picture on this day, but it obviously didn't happen.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
January 6, 2010
I had wondered what would happen when I was too busy or something happened and I couldn't take a picture on a given day. Today was almost that situation--problems with my car meant A didn't come home from school until 5:45, running to get dinner ready, eating, and 20 minutes to play then it was time to get ready for bed. It almost ended up being a self portrait just to get my own face in this project. Then I remembered, A and I had taken some pictures this morning as we were (literally) walking out the door! I said to him, "You look so cute in your hat!" and he replied, "Take my picture" or maybe just said "Cheese!"
Then, he wanted to see the pictures I had taken... a perfect opportunity for a shot of the two of us!
I'm well aware that these pictures are terrible, but they work just fine as far as a "day in the life" goes.
Then, he wanted to see the pictures I had taken... a perfect opportunity for a shot of the two of us!
I'm well aware that these pictures are terrible, but they work just fine as far as a "day in the life" goes.
January 5, 2010
This photo was inspired by A. I didn't plan on taking a picture, but the moment was just too great. He told me his baby brother or sister was in Mommy's tummy, then acted like he wanted to give my tummy a kiss. So I pulled up my shirt and he did. I was then able to get him to do it three more times for the camera! To be sure, the pictures came out terribly, and didn't even come close to looking like he was kissing, but it's still too cute!
January 4, 2010
My boys looked so sweet, cuddled up watching TV. I believe this was the day we got our Cars freak to watch The Muppet Movie. Did I mention he requested it, after starting and stopping? Mommy was ecstatic!
Alas, BAJ always makes mean faces or yells at me for one reason or another. This has led The Boy to "Don't take my picture, Mommy!" just as often as "Cheeeese!" This was one time I got the former.
Alas, BAJ always makes mean faces or yells at me for one reason or another. This has led The Boy to "Don't take my picture, Mommy!" just as often as "Cheeeese!" This was one time I got the former.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3, 2010
Mitten, my 8 year old cat, was enjoying the sights out our bay window this afternoon. She looked so pretty with the way she was sitting, especially with the amaryllis next to her, I decided to take her picture.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
January 2, 2010
This morning, A decided he wanted to pet Mitten. Imitating us, I suppose, he reached out his arm while laying on the couch, and made the spp spp spp noise (sorry, no idea how to onomatopea that one) while rubbing his fingers together.
I also took some progress pictures of our brand new Aerogarden. We got it and plugged it in on December 27 around 10pm. We had a few sprouts yesterday, but have some really noticable growth today.
Later in the day, I took this pictures of A and couldn't resist putting them up here.
And this one is my favorite:
Later in the day, I took this pictures of A and couldn't resist putting them up here.
And this one is my favorite:
January 1, 2010
Happy New Year! My son requested to watch Toy Story, which was interesting since he typically requests Cars. For awhile, he was standing next to the couch watching the movie, and I kept telling him to sit on the couch. Finally, he did.
Then, I started playing around with my new flash. The first shot, I had the flash pointed at 45 degrees toward the ceiling. For the next one, however, I pointed the flash directly to the ceiling. I also got a little smile...
Then, I started playing around with my new flash. The first shot, I had the flash pointed at 45 degrees toward the ceiling. For the next one, however, I pointed the flash directly to the ceiling. I also got a little smile...
The 365 Project
In 2009, a friend of mine took a photo a day for the whole year. I love to take pictures, and now have a bunch of awesome photo equipment, so thought this might encourage me to take more pictures, more regularly. I hope to take more shots of the little things, the everyday of our lives together.
Of course, day one resulted in three pictures, so I have to decide what happens in those situations. I also have to decide if only pictures of people count, or if this is an opportunity to improve my photo skills. Right now, I think it's both.
So, here it is. My photo a day project. It might be dumb, but it's mine. Now to find a place to host, since my blogger photo account is completely maxed out. ;)
Of course, day one resulted in three pictures, so I have to decide what happens in those situations. I also have to decide if only pictures of people count, or if this is an opportunity to improve my photo skills. Right now, I think it's both.
So, here it is. My photo a day project. It might be dumb, but it's mine. Now to find a place to host, since my blogger photo account is completely maxed out. ;)
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