I Need A New Hobby

Most women, when they need a change of some sort, get a new haircut. Or maybe a new hair color. If not that, they at least go to the mall and purchase a few new outfits. Not me. No, when I need a change I paint. And I'm not talking about a canvas with a pretty mountain view. I paint my entire house. This is now becoming a hobby for me as I am on my third color in three years. I've never been totally satisfied with the first two, but I think I'm sold on this one. It's Sherwin Williams Blonde (the color of Premier Bank for those of you in Tallahassee).

Dean left town yesterday for a one night trip to Fort Lauderdale for a few Miami games, so I decided that was the perfect time to start. And since my piano students are on spring break this week, I don't have to hurry up and finish by Tuesday. I have until Thursday for my 3 students who take lessons during their break (they're dedicated, I know). So my plan is to wait until Tommy's sleeping at night and do as much as I can before I fall down from exhaustion or getting high on paint fumes (put a little vanilla extract in it and it cuts down the smell significantly. Kind of makes you want a sugar cookie). Last night I got almost two hours worth and began priming the front half of the house. Today during his nap I primed around the back half. We have a sloping roof and a few heavy pieces of furniture so I have almost done everything I can without needing a ladder or a big strong man. But Dean will be back tonight so rest assured I'll put him to work! Wish me luck!! And if you're bored I have an extra roller or two.

Rain

I feel like I've been in overdrive for a while now... actually I can't remember not feeling like I'm in overdrive- well, except maybe last weekend. Anyway, as I sit here it's raining for the first time in what seems like forever. Something about the rain is relaxing. I don't know if it's because it pretty much forces you to stay inside or just the distant rumbling of thunder (unless you have a little one, then it's terrifying). So now I'm just sitting quietly. And loving it. I realize that I have a basket of laundry to fold, 60 pounds of wheat to figure out where to store, and a host of other things before my piano students arrive in an hour. But for now, Tommy's sleeping and things are quiet. And I'm loving it.

In Need of Furniture!

I've been meaning to get rid of some furniture and just start over with new stuff. I've been planning on this for a year or more and so I just decided on a whim the other night that now's the time to do it. So I listed a good amount of furniture on Craigslist (who is this Craig guy anyway?!?_. However I had no idea how quickly they might get sold. I've had a number of e-mails for each thing I've listed and I've already sold some (they're waiting to be picked up). So we may be sitting on the floor and sleeping on boxes in the next few days. AAAHHHH

While I was Out...

Dean took advantage of his Daddy/Tommy time this weekend by taking Tommy to a Florida State Baseball game or two. Here's what I missed...




Tommy also woke up on Saturday morning at 3:30ish and didn't go back to sleep fully. Then he came down with a fever. I don't think Dean will ever let me leave again. But he handled it wonderfully! He was superdad.

I'm Back and Refreshed!

I had a wonderful weekend! I kicked it off by heading to Gainesville Friday night and meeting Shane, Lindsay and Riley for dinner at Beef O'Brady's. Then they graciously let me use their guestroom so I could crash for the night. Riley and I are buds. It's like she knows I'm going to be her mother-in-law and is just bonding early with me. I guess we'll just have to leave those details up to Tommy and Riley. And it was great to visit with the Knipples. I'm certainly ready for them to come back to Tallahassee- no more Gators for them!

After walking around an adorable farmer's market type thing on Saturday morning with Lindsay and Riley, I slowly made my way into Orlando. I couldn't check into my room until 4, so I planned on being out by the pool by at least 2 and then heading up at 4. Getting to the hotel should have only taken about 2 hours. But somehow I stretched it into a 5 hour ordeal. First I went to First Baptist Orlando during the Ligoneer conference so I could pick up some books for Dean. The place is massive! Then I headed toward my hotel but wanted to stop and get a bathing suit because I had forgotten mine (a crucial element to laying out by the pool). So I figured the best place would be one of the many outlet malls in Orlando. Unfortunately I forgot that big cities have big traffic and Orlando has traffic lights that are red for an eternity. It took me at least 15 minutes to go less than a mile down the street. By the time I finally made it to the outlet mall parking lot, I pulled a U-Turn and decided to go somewhere else. I tried the Ross and TJMaxx down the street but found nothing. I went to the exit where my hotel was, realized that there was another outlet mall at the same exit and tried to find it, but no luck. Seriously, you could see it from the interstate, but once I got off, it was nowhere to be found!

Then I saw the Hyatt and turned down the street that appeared to lead right to it. Appeared. I wound up in Downtown Disney (where there was massive amounts of traffic, yet again). I finally found my hotel, ran in and asked where I could get a cheap bathing suit. The concierge chuckled a bit as he gave me directions to Walmart. Another 20 minutes away. By this time it was already 2:00 and my time at the pool was quickly slipping away. But after trying on what felt like a million bathing suits at Walmart, I finally found a tankini that worked for me. I really wanted to get away from the tankini, but I didn't like my other options... maybe it's the flourescent lights (I like to think so), but every other bathing suit looked absolutely awful. So tankini it is. Poke fun all you want (Bennett).

Okay after rereading this, I promise not to give a play by play of everything else I did there.

My friend's bridal shower was so much fun, I would not have missed it for the world. We haven't seen each other in about a year and a half and so there were tears when I walked in. It was wonderful! And she got so many nice things I decided that I need to start a club for already married people who just want to re-register for new stuff every 5 years or so. It wouldn't be weird because everyone in the club does it. Anyone in with me?

This morning I was able to get up at the amazing hotel, work out a bit, explore the grounds and the pool area, and head out. I got back home and the first thing Tommy said to me was "Hi Mommy! What did you bring me?" Thankfully, I had stopped by McDonald's on the way home and gotten a Happy Meal to give him the toy. So he felt special and I didn't feel too bad for not getting him anything from Orlando.

Church tonight was awesome. The music was great, the crowd was great, and Dean gave a great sermon on the will of God. He fielded some "You Pick" questions before the sermon too, and I thought he answered them really well. He really is an amazing pastor. I love the fact that even if Dean and I weren't married, I would still go to The Well and absolutely love my pastor. In a different way, of course.

My First Vacation!

Today I am embarking on what is the first trip I've taken by myself since Tommy was born. Not including trips to the mall or the grocery store, this will be the first time I've gone anywhere without Dean or Tommy. As much as I love those guys, I am soooo excited! Angela, one of my good friends from high school is getting married in May and is having her bridal shower tomorrow night in Orlando, and I was determined to go. I haven't seen her in a year and a half so just getting to see her is very exciting. So I decided to stretch the trip out (actually Dean's exact words were "Leave here on Friday and don't come back til Sunday... you'll have a great time") and see Lindsay Knipple tonight and then take the day tomorrow to mosey my way into Orlando. I'm staying at the hotel that Angela works at, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and I can't wait! Hopefully tomorrow I'll be laying out by the pool, sipping a pina colada and reading a good book. So now I have to go buy a bathing suit, go get a good book, and pack!

And PS, Tommy's still terrified of owls. I had posted yesterday that he wanted to see Big Mama. I told him he could listen for her in bed and he was so excited. About three minutes later, as I was getting ready to read to him, he started crying and said he didn't want to hear Big Mama. I reassured him that she's not real, only in cartoons. He refused to let me put him down in bed until after he had fallen asleep (that's rare... usually I just drop him right in after we read). Oh well. Now he thinks he's a mailman and he's "delivering mail" to Dean and I from all over the house. There's no fear of the postal service that I'm aware of so he should be okay with this one.

Big Mama (aka Tommy's Current Obsession)

Tommy loves to go to his MeMe and BeBe's house. It used to be because he would get waffles any time he wanted them. No such luck anymore (Big points to MeMe for making him eat his vegetables!). Now it's because he likes to watch "The Fox and The Hound" (and he loves them too!). His uncle Todd bought it for him before he was born, I think, and now he absolutely loves that movie. To refresh your memory, there's a kind Aunt Jemima-ish owl named Big Mama. Up until this morning Tommy was afraid of owls. But for some reason, he just decided this morning that he wants to find Big Mama. He has quite a vivid imagination, so he has been hooting like an owl and flapping his "wings". He keeps asking me if Big Mama will understand him. I assure him that she will as long as he speaks owl. Now he says he'll listen closely and when he hears her, she'll take him up to her nest... whatever floats your boat, buddy.

Current Obsessions

Since so many of you have asked, I've decided to do a post on my current obsessions at the moment. Okay, so no one asked, but I knew if you thought I had current obsessions you'd totally want to know all about them!

In no particular order:

1. Couponing- Not a word, but certainly an obsession. When my friend Devon told me about the site frugalcouponmom.com I immediately went there and started taking Ashley's advice. And shortly after I began collecting and using coupons and only buying things on sale (for the most part) I have been consistently saving at least 40-50% off of what I've been spending. Example: If I spend $80 on groceries, my savings at the bottom is $40. That's $120 worth of groceries! And it's all stuff we actually use and need. I don't just get things because I can get them cheap (unless they're free or I actually get paid to buy them... go to her site and you'll understand!). It's like this crazy high I'm on. The more I save, the more excited I get to see how much I can save. Today I got a free tube of toothpaste and you'd have thought that I won the lottery.

2. Eating better, feeling better- It's general, I know, but in the past week I've been watching what I'm eating like a hawk. And I truly feel better. I have more energy and perhaps, just perhaps, I'm shedding the last few pounds of baby weight (does it count as baby weight if your child is almost in preschool?!?). I started by making my own bread from freshly milled flour... which I'm still doing at least weekly and feeling way better because of it. Then my good friend Jenna is a dietitian and told me about an amazing site called The Daily Plate where you can calculate how many calories you should be eating a day based on a slew of things and then you keep an online food journal. It's amazing how much I actually don't want that piece of chocolate cake when I know I have to report at the end of the day that I ate it. Not that I don't treat myself anymore, I'm just more careful (cake every day is probably not a good thing). It's much easier just to have an orange or something like that! And the site not only breaks down calories, but also fat, protein, fiber, carbs, sugar, and all sorts of other things. Try it, but beware: you'll become obsessed too!

3. Yummy healthy snacks- Okay, this kinda goes along with #2, but I'm amazed at all the cool organic things you can find if you just look for them. Annie's bunny snacks are awesome (and they're much cheaper at Target than at Publix, in case you care). And I regularly check Ainsley's site to see what new snacks she's found. In this case, it's candy. I know what you're thinking... do I really want organic candy?!? And the answer is a resounding YES! And now when you go to her site, you can enter to win a free bag and try it for yourself. And if you don't get a free bag, never fear. If you shop around, it's really not that bad to buy organic and healthy. So give it a try.

There's lots of other things I'm excited about... very non important things like my percolator coffee maker that my grandmother gave me a year and a half ago and Gain laundry detergent. But I figured these are the big 3. What are yours?

It's Good to Be Back

We just got back from weekend number 2 of being gone (I'll be gone for 5 in a row, so I'm just getting geared up). This weekend we were in Ocala while Dean was speaking at a DiscipleNow rally. We decided to make a mini family vacation out of it. Tommy decided that he loves hotels. I mean really loves them. The fact that he could play with toys while sitting or laying on the bed and watching TV was the coolest thing ever to him. And then swimming was a blast. All day today he's been saying "Go back to the hotel!"

I also got to see our friends Lindsay, Shane, and Riley Knipple. Tommy was pumped to play with Riley and they had a blast together playing at the park. Lindsay got some great pictures... my camera batteries died. Story of my life. Anyway it was a great time. Followed by a great lunch with a former Well-er, Kate and her family. It was so nice of them to drive 45 minutes to meet me (after a 25 minute detour on my part) and Tommy for lunch at Woody's in Wildwood.

Unfortunately we didn't get to listen to any of Dean's messages while we were there. Tommy started getting really sleepy about 2 minutes into the first one and we didn't even make the second one because he fell asleep in the car on the way there (it was only 6:30 at night) and so I turned around and took him back to the hotel where he slept all night long til 8:30 this morning. Not a bad deal!

I did get to her him tonight at The Well, which again, was great. Loved the setup on stage. I always get excited to walk in and see what the stage looks like. Matthew always does an incredible job with his setup team of creative people. Dean's doing a great series now called "You Pick" where he answers questions that people have submitted over the past few weeks. And so you never know what will happen... guess you just have to be there!

As much as I love being on mini vacations, there's one thing I always look forward to about being back: good coffee. I admit it... I'm a coffee snob. While I love the idea of having a little personal coffee maker right next to my bed and at my disposal whenever I need it, I'm always disappointed in the finished product. Now I'm certainly not a high maintenance person, but when it comes to my coffee, I need things a certain way. At home, I don't get it set up the night before because I know having cold fresh water in the coffee maker is essential. And grinding the beans immediately before use is ideal. So in the hotel when they give you this single serving disposable pod thing and some nondairy powdered creamer thing (which says in bold letters on the back "CONTAINS MILK") I can't help but be disheartened. And the lobby isn't much better. Although they do have flavored cream (but it's Coffee Mate... read the ingredients, my friends... not so good), the coffee itself still isn't that great. So the first thing I did when I got back to Tallahassee today was to drive through Starbucks and just get a tall coffee. And oh was it good. Not that they don't have Starbucks in Ocala, it just makes being home that much better.

And We're Off!

Dean has been out of town a lot these last few weeks and so this weekend Tommy and I will be joining him in Ocala as he speaks at a retreat there. It's funny (and a mark of getting older) because I have literally been packing all morning. We're going to be gone for two nights, but we might as well be gone for a week. I have to bring toys for Tommy, his mattress (we're totally not sharing our bed!), his pillow, Elephant (who just happens to be a stuffed elephant), Elephant's Friend (that's his name, he also happens to be a stuffed elephant), and a whole slew of other things. What happened to the days of just throwing everything in a bag and being ready within a half hour or so?!?

Dorsi the Gimp

Dorsi has been limping for a while on and off now and so I finally decided to take her into the vet, fully expecting them to tell me she has hip dysplasia and that she needs surgery. We did the whole x-ray thing but what they told us surprised me. Yes, she does have mild hip dysplasia, but what's really concerning them is her "ankle" joint. And they wanted to send us to Auburn to see an orthopedic specialist. For dogs. Yes, you heard that right. I immediately started planning a road trip, but Dean used a bit better judgment and so I called the vet back to get a better explanation. Well, after talking to the vet again, he informed us that there's an orthopedic specialist for dogs right here in Tallahassee in case we'd rather do that (uh...yeah) and we could schedule a consultation with him for a small fee. My question is, can she get pet insurance now? Or does she have a "pre-existing condition"? Does insurance cover therapy? What if she needs to see multiple specialists? I can't believe I'm talking this way about a dog. But she is like a member of the family (I always thought people were a little strange that said things like that... now I'm one). If we do nothing we're looking at severe arthritis in the next few years. She's only 3. The vet's exact words were "This is a very unfortunate situation." Not so good.

So now, I'll be keeping you updated on Dorsi. And in the meantime, does anyone know what to do with dogs who have loose ankles (did anyone even know dogs had ankles)?

Zoo Day

Dean was out of town all weekend, so when he got home Sunday we all jumped back in the car and headed to Jacksonville. After a few longer-than-intended stops (if you go to Ali's Strawberry Shakes on Highway 90 and Chaires, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes for your milkshake), we finally made it to our friends Brian and Jenna's house. Tommy was so excited because he knew he was going to the Jacksonville Zoo the next morning and so going to bed was not his idea of a fun time. But once I wrestled him down (literally), he slept like a... well... a baby.

We had breakfast with Jenna and Buster (the dog) and headed out. This was Tommy's first real zoo trip that he could remember, so we hyped it up big time. And I think it lived up to the hype. His favorite animal was the gorilla. He was really excited to see the lions but once we saw that they were actual real lions and really ate stuff, I think he freaked out slightly and it was "All done lions!"

So here are some highlights from the zoo, followed by a recap video where I've interviewed Tommy on the way home.

Melt My Heart

Random, out of nowhere conversation with Tommy over lunch today:

"We're friends, Mommy!"
"That's right honey, we are friends. But I'm your mommy too so you need to listen to me."
"Tommy in trouble?"

With that, he might never be in trouble again

Imaginary Basketball

Dean's been out of town for the past few days, but he's coming home today. Woohoo!! So yesterday we had a Mommy and Tommy morning. Actually Dorsi was in on that fun when we had to go to her vet in the morning because she's been limping really bad. X-rays on Tuesday. Never a dull moment in the Inserra household, I tell you! After the vet, Tommy and I went to our new neighborhood coffeeshop (which deserves a post of it's own), Tuscan Sun where we enjoyed bagels and coffee on the balcony. Well, I enjoyed the coffee, he just spilled a few cups of ice water.

Then we decided to go to our neighborhood park and enjoy the absolutely unbelievable weather we're having. Tommy has an amazing imagination and so one of his favorite things is to pretend he's in a basketball game. He doesn't need to have a ball or be anywhere near a court. Usually he just does a sort of sideways shuffle, taking him in circles and tells me "I'm playing basketball, Mommy!" So yesterday I decided he might like to feel like he's really in a basketball game. I took him on the basketball court at the park where he just ran up and down the court "dribbling". Mind you, this whole time, he didn't have a ball. You can catch a peek here. It went on like this for about a half hour.

Come On Spring!

Usually as soon as it starts getting warm I dread it- because I know it will be rediculously hot for roughly 8 months. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I am ready for some warmer weather! Don't get me wrong, I really love it being 65-70 degrees during the day, but in the morning and at night, it's still cold. When Tommy gets up anywhere from 6:30-7:30 every morning, he's ready to rock and he usually wants to play. Outside. But he can't because it's somewhere around 30 or 40 degrees and I don't have the energy to bundle him up or be out there myself. So this is why I'm wishing for warmer weather. I think this is the first year that I've actually thought that (except for our year and a half in Kentucky when we got snow in April... yep, I definitely thought it then!).

So now I'm ready for flip flops and capris and cute dresses. Heck, I've painted my fingernails and toenails hot pink in hopes that it will usher spring in just a bit sooner. Will I be regretting this post when it's 95 degrees outside with no end in sight? Absolutely. But for now, bring on spring!

I Love What I Do!

So it's not exactly "what I do" in the sense that it's my job. But it's one of the perks that comes with going to a church with lots of college kids. And I love connecting with them. Tonight we had some of the girls over for dinner and I got to make chicken parmesan and yummy asparagus and a salad. Then a few more people came over to join us for dessert, which was warm gooey brownies, strawberries, and ice cream. And then two more people popped in for our regular Tuesday night "Law & Order: SVU" party. Aside from the fact that I love to cook and bake, and dinner and dessert was really good (if I do say so myself), I've just always loved having people over. The more the merrier. And I also love that Tommy is growing up thinking it's completely normal for people to waltz in and out all day long.

And now I've gotta run. SVU is about to start.

Weekend Recap

Well the weekend was a major success. Tommy met Jonathan and was a wonderful sweet older cousin. At one point when Jonathan was laying on a pillow, Tommy brought him a blanket and put it on him. When Jonathan's paci fell out of his mouth, Tommy put it back in (after giving it a try himself first... sorry Kim). And Dean's grandma was thrilled to meet her newest great grandson. The only regret is that we didn't get the two boys in a picture with her. Hopefully we'll get to do that soon.


Dorsi also got to meet her cousin. Bennett brought Annie over to play with her, now that Annie's bigger and can fend for herself a little. We figured they would play well together because both dogs are socially awkward and just want to be everyone's best friend. At dog parks they wind up on their backs in submission immediately because they're just so darn friendly. So the meeting went well and they played nice. Mostly. But Annie is welcome any time.

Church was wonderful again. It was the first time in a while that I was just able to sit in the audience and participate in the service. And I loved it. I was also excited to see more and more adults that don't look like college students (don't get me wrong... we love college students! We're just beginning to see more diversity). When we got home last night Dorsi had helped herself to my fresh loaf of bread that I had baked earlier yesterday. Ate the plastic bag and all. So today I'm baking again. But I don't mind, I still have fun with it. And I haven't bought a loaf of bread in about two months, for those of you keeping score at home.