Yes, it's prep day. And I'm not talking about veggie prep like you do when you are preparing to create a salad masterpiece. I"m talking about the Mother of all prep - colonoscopy screening prep.
My screening is in the morning. Therefore, today is prep day.
I decided to blog minute by minute (or hour by hour at least) mostly for ME but also because I looked for other blogs from women doing this and really I didn't find much. Okay, I didn't find anything. I found lots and lots of medical blogs and stuff like that. I have that from my own doctor. I wanted the anecdotal version.
Do I have to do everybody's job? Geez.
Day started at the usual time. I had coffee. (rules say I can have coffee. Just no creamer, etc. which I don't like in my coffee anyway. )
8:00am Ironman makes blueberry muffins. Luckily he made them from a boxed mix. Duncan Hines is good........ but easily passed up. So didn't bother me.
I kept myself busy watching cooking shows. (shhh! I enjoy cooking shows.) I read, talked, cleaned the kitchen, etc. The Engineer was here this weekend so I went through the coat closet and tried to pawn a few jackets off on him so I'd have more room. He took one. )
1:00pm Ironman orders pizza. PIZZA! Listen, it was fine. In fact, I'm glad he ordered food instead of cooking food because the fragrance of something delicious in my oven would have made me a little anxious. I like pizza as much as the next girl, but I can pass it up. So once again, didn't bother me.
2:30 I settled in by myself to catch up on my DVR shows. Dined on fine green jello. Drank a big glass of water. Then got a little sprite. Yes, I still don't like sprite. I test out my sprite hatred every 10 years or so.
3:00 First official move. I took 2 dulcolax. I did NOT chew them or CRUSH them. The instructions are very very detailed.
It's now 4:10. In 20 minutes I have to begin drinking the prep liquid. The directions do say that I only have to drink HALF of the jug. If I'm "clear" then I can stop. If not clear, I have to drink the rest. Of course I'll let you know....... that's why I'm doing this!
I'm going to post this first part and then return to finish it. I don't want it to get lost or something.... besides it makes it more suspenseful.
BTW, this morning at about 9am I mixed up the prep and put it in the refrigerator where it's waiting for me right now.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
The Day I Cleaned My Kitchen Sink
Am I a party animal or what? Good times at my house today.
I cleaned this house. Top to bottom. Even vacuumed the crown moulding! Oh the glorious smell of a clean house.
Recently I saw a post on pinterest about cleaning your stainless steel sink.
Here's my story:
Materials needed: vinegar in a spray bottle, baking soda, olive oil, paper towel with holiday design and goo be gone. I didn't have goo be gone in a squirt top thingie. But I found Goof Off wipes which.. well, don't want to spoil the ending.
Fresh wipe on the left compared to the one I used to scrub my ALREADY SCRUBBED SINK!
I cleaned this house. Top to bottom. Even vacuumed the crown moulding! Oh the glorious smell of a clean house.
Recently I saw a post on pinterest about cleaning your stainless steel sink.
Here's my story:
Welcome to my kitchen.
Say hello to my kitchen sink.
Step 1. Spray the entire sink with vinegar. Sprinkle with baking soda. Wait 10 minutes.
While you are waiting, boil a pot of water.
When the timer beeps, rinse the sink with the boiling water. I could not take a photo of that. I then
wiped down the surface with a dry paper towel taking extra scrub time in the nooks and crannies. Things were looking shiny and clean.
Then here's the big surprise. After I rinsed the sink, I scrubbed it down with a Goo B Gone Wipe.
OH MY GOODNESS!!
What is happening??
Whose sink is this?
I wiped the sink with olive oil. Buffed it to a shine.
Stood back and thought, "You really need to get out more"
I love a clean kitchen.
Almost forgot. Colonoscopy Countdown: 4 days
Almost forgot. Colonoscopy Countdown: 4 days
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Color-Helper Pro
I can not WAIT to show you my new toy.
Ladies and Gents, introducing my new color wizard. Officially called Color-Helper Pro. I first saw it on the Discovery Channel show Cool Tools. And oh yes, I thought it was super cool. Here's how it works.
Push the little black button to turn it on.
Press the bottom against the painted surface and..............
like magic it will identify the color by name and manufacturer!
I pressed my new little friend against the wall in my master bedroom. When we bought this house the former owners did not provide us paint information.
Ironman enjoys painting.
So I needed to know the exact color!
If the photo were better, you could see that the color-helper pro identified the paint on my master bedroom walls as
Sherwin Williams Morning Fog #6255
Aren't paint names fun?
Nail Polish Names are fun, too.
So now I know the official paint color.
That's when I made a glorious discovery. Have you been to www.sherwin-williams.com lately?
They have a new magic page on their website called Chip It. It's similar (in a way) to Pinterest.
Upload a photo. Or download a photo from the web. You can identify up to 4 colors in the photo by using Chip It.
Ironman and I had new wood flooring installed in our master bedroom. And with new flooring MUST come new bedding. (It's the law, isn't it???) I'm teaching myself interior decorating trick with color, pattern, texture and shine. So Chip It will be invaluable to me. Thank you, Mrs. Sherwin Williams.
It's so, so nice to meet you.
Colonoscopy Countdown: 6 days to go!
Colonoscopy Countdown: 6 days to go!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Easy Sunday Morning
Hello All.
I've done N.O.T.H.I.N.G. today. And I mean NOTHING. I.T. girl was home for the weekend - her first visit since leaving for college. So we talked and ate and shopped and watched a movie and all that fun stuff. It was almost like a vacation. She left this afternoon to return to campus.
Sundays are often lazy around here. We come home from church and become slugs for the rest of the afternoon. Yep. It's been a slug day for sure.
Often on Sunday late afternoon/evening I get a second wind. I begin to think about the week ahead and decide to tackle a few things to make Monday morning easier. One of those things is cleaning. Yes, I often clean on Sunday evenings.
Here is how I clean my microwave. Easy as 1,2,3.
Oh, dirty microwave. Plus it smells like popcorn.
One microwave safe bowl and one cup of vinegar. As you can see, it doesn't have to be fancy vinegar.
Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes. Yes, you will smell the vinegar but it will fade quickly.
I usually let the bowl sit in the microwave to cool for a few minutes. All the spills will wipe out like magic. I just take a paper towel and wipe all the surfaces. No scrubbing required. Love a sparkly microwave!
I've done N.O.T.H.I.N.G. today. And I mean NOTHING. I.T. girl was home for the weekend - her first visit since leaving for college. So we talked and ate and shopped and watched a movie and all that fun stuff. It was almost like a vacation. She left this afternoon to return to campus.
Sundays are often lazy around here. We come home from church and become slugs for the rest of the afternoon. Yep. It's been a slug day for sure.
Often on Sunday late afternoon/evening I get a second wind. I begin to think about the week ahead and decide to tackle a few things to make Monday morning easier. One of those things is cleaning. Yes, I often clean on Sunday evenings.
Here is how I clean my microwave. Easy as 1,2,3.
Oh, dirty microwave. Plus it smells like popcorn.
One microwave safe bowl and one cup of vinegar. As you can see, it doesn't have to be fancy vinegar.
Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes. Yes, you will smell the vinegar but it will fade quickly.
I usually let the bowl sit in the microwave to cool for a few minutes. All the spills will wipe out like magic. I just take a paper towel and wipe all the surfaces. No scrubbing required. Love a sparkly microwave!
It rained this weekend. I sat outside for a while and just listened.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Mammogram and Colonoscopy
How's that for a title?
My annual mammogram was Thursday morning. It was the first time I had it done it in our current city. Although we moved 3 years ago, I continued to drive 2 hours back to our former neck of the woods for that yearly xray.
I feel more comfortable living here now. So I decided it was just silly to drive all that way when I could have it done here. So that's what I did!
People watching in the waiting room was so funny. People are funny. People are ridiculous! And people will talk about ANYTHING! Shhhh! I really am not interested in listening to your conversation, thank you very much.
As you know, the procedure is so quick and easy. I can think of many WORSE procedures.
Speaking of WORSE PROCEDURES I have one scheduled for next week. Ironman has had 2. This will be my first one. I'm not looking forward to it. Friends tell me the prep is the worst part. The actual procedure is a piece of cake and that I won't remember a thing. I hope they are right.
I'll tell you all about it! Ha! I told you people will discuss anything.
In the meantime... I've been in the crafting mood. I've spent hours on pintrest pinning away.
That's when I saw this pin. I LOVED it at first sight.
I could not get to Hobby Lobby fast enough to buy the few things I needed. I actually already had the colored felt. Here's the photo I pinned:
And here is the link for the tutorial: Halloween Porch by Jen
You will find the step by step directions on that link.
Read through them. And then read my tips. Because I made that wreath this morning and I figured things out as I went along!
I already had the black and white felt. I bought the turquoise felt at Hobby Lobby. I couldn't find orange felt, but I loved the bright orange polka dotted fleece. It worked just fine. I followed Jen's directions and wrapped the wreath form in the striped jersey. By the way, I just used a straw wreath and kept the plastic on. Pinned the fleece in place. Easy peasy.
I made a few rookie mistakes with the flowers.
1. I tried to sew on the machine. Nope. Even with the longest stitch length it was still too short. It's actually quicker and easier to do it by hand.
2. Another mistake: I did not stack the cut felt. I tried to wrap it around and around and around. That's how I did these turquoise flowers. It's not horrible looking.... but the next ones I stacked the cut felt and it was much easier.
3. I sewed the ends together with COAT AND JACKET thread. That was the ticket. The first flower I just used all purpose thread and it kept breaking. It's not fun when your thread breaks and you have to begin all over again. So choose the heaviest thread you have.
This orange fabric is fleece. I needed to cut it out with pinking shears as it was raveling pretty fierce
Also, I discovered that as long as the straight side is even, it's okay if the cut side doesn't match. In fact, it made the results more interesting. So don't fret about that.
Meet Martha Glue Gun! She helped me glue the little circles in the center. I did consider using contrasting colors for the circles but in the end I'm glad I used matching colors.
Martha Glue Gun glued little buttons in the middle and I pinned, pinned, pinned.
My annual mammogram was Thursday morning. It was the first time I had it done it in our current city. Although we moved 3 years ago, I continued to drive 2 hours back to our former neck of the woods for that yearly xray.
I feel more comfortable living here now. So I decided it was just silly to drive all that way when I could have it done here. So that's what I did!
People watching in the waiting room was so funny. People are funny. People are ridiculous! And people will talk about ANYTHING! Shhhh! I really am not interested in listening to your conversation, thank you very much.
As you know, the procedure is so quick and easy. I can think of many WORSE procedures.
Speaking of WORSE PROCEDURES I have one scheduled for next week. Ironman has had 2. This will be my first one. I'm not looking forward to it. Friends tell me the prep is the worst part. The actual procedure is a piece of cake and that I won't remember a thing. I hope they are right.
I'll tell you all about it! Ha! I told you people will discuss anything.
In the meantime... I've been in the crafting mood. I've spent hours on pintrest pinning away.
That's when I saw this pin. I LOVED it at first sight.
I could not get to Hobby Lobby fast enough to buy the few things I needed. I actually already had the colored felt. Here's the photo I pinned:
And here is the link for the tutorial: Halloween Porch by Jen
You will find the step by step directions on that link.
Read through them. And then read my tips. Because I made that wreath this morning and I figured things out as I went along!
1. I tried to sew on the machine. Nope. Even with the longest stitch length it was still too short. It's actually quicker and easier to do it by hand.
2. Another mistake: I did not stack the cut felt. I tried to wrap it around and around and around. That's how I did these turquoise flowers. It's not horrible looking.... but the next ones I stacked the cut felt and it was much easier.
3. I sewed the ends together with COAT AND JACKET thread. That was the ticket. The first flower I just used all purpose thread and it kept breaking. It's not fun when your thread breaks and you have to begin all over again. So choose the heaviest thread you have.
I varied the length of the cut felt so the flowers were vary in size.
This orange fabric is fleece. I needed to cut it out with pinking shears as it was raveling pretty fierce
Also, I discovered that as long as the straight side is even, it's okay if the cut side doesn't match. In fact, it made the results more interesting. So don't fret about that.
I placed them around the wreath form as I finished them.
And here's my front door!! I love it! Thanks, Jen, for the idea and the instructions.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Stories From My Closet, Part II
I never made it to the donation site today. Tomorrow it's on the top of my list, though, because if I don't donate these dresses (and more) they will find their way back into my closet. And that won't do anybody any good.
I've been thinking about these dresses, though. I can remember buying each one, wearing each one, and wishing I looked thinner, younger, fresher. Memories were hidden in the back of my closet. Like secrets, they are only real if you tell somebody. Pulling these dressed into the light was truth. And truth will set you free.
Disclaimer: The photos were not the best in the world. It's been a long few days.
I bought this dress at Banana Republic. It had to be on sale or something because it is horribly uncomfortable. See how it hangs on the hanger? That's how it hangs on my body. It wraps around and it clings and it suffocates until I'm so sweaty and uncomfortable and I have to get it off NOW NOW NOW. GET IT OFF ME NOW!!
I bought this dress at Macy's. It's cool and flowy. The sleeves are the perfect length - long enough to cover the bat wings but short enough to show off the bracelets. The v-neck is body lengthening and I usually wore a wide belt that created a waist. Have I ever told you I've seen every single episode of WNTW? Stacy and Clinton - my BFF.
With all the rule following this dress does, I can't wear it. I wore this dress on a Sunday morning. It was just a regular Sunday. Ironman and I had been going to this particular church for several months. Our daughters left us in the parking lot to their Bible study Class. As Ironman and I entered the room we were told (yes, TOLD) that the men and women were splitting up. The women would be way down the hall, turn left, go through the glass door, up the stairs. Seventh room on the right. Okay I'm exaggerating. But that's basically what I hear the woman TELL me. Blah blah blah. She lost me at "Split up". Ironman is my definite safety blanket.
The story continues. I'm ushered into a room full of women none of whom I've ever seen before. It's a new church in a new city and although I'm a married mother of three, I suddenly feel like the new 7th grader. It was awful. I was embarrassed and out of place. I attempted to introduce myself to the woman sitting to my right but just as I opened my mouth she suddenly turns to greet her long lost friend whom she probably saw three minutes earlier.
It should come as no surprise that I never returned to that Bible Study class. And I can never wear this dress because of the feelings it invokes.
Stacy and Clinton - you can have this one.
This is a dress I bought at Stein Mart. I had been exercising daily and really putting my nose to the grindstone (or the treadmill) to lose the weight from three pregnancies. I bought this dress because it fit. It's actually not as boxy and it looks in this photo. I remember I was wearing this dress one late afternoon when I pulled into the driveway of one of my neighbors. As I got out of the car, her husband appears from the garage with a quizzical look on his face and says, "I just have to see what you look like dressed up" Oh.............. can you say IMPROPER and TACKY? And let's not forget CHEESY!
It wasn't the first time he said some sexist remark to my face.
But that's not the only reason I'm donating this dress. I can't fit into it.
I bought this dress at Belk's. I paid $15. FIFTEEN DOLLARS. It was on clearance. I had a coupon that was $10 off any purchase. $25 dress would have been a steal. But $15? For a dress that wasn't horrible? I'LL TAKE IT. And it's not a horrible dress. It's actually slimming. Has that optical illusion thing going on with the grey waistband.
I'm donating it because I've worn it several times. I've had it for several years. It's time.
Now this dress. One time I was DRUNK SHOPPING and I bought this dress.
I wore this dress on a date with Ironman. Hey, it was 1986 okay?? Big poofy sleeves were stylin'.
We drove to New Orleans. Went to dinner with some friends. Laughed and talked all night. I thought about keeping it just for the sweet memory. It's the only time I ever wore it. Poofy sleeves didn't stay fashionable after 1988. Hmmmmm. REsist the urge! Donate the dress.
I end with the ugliest dress in my closet. First, it's not a nightgown. It's a true daytime dress. It just looks and feels like a nightgown. What.......... I can't defend the purchase. I may have worn it? It's more likely that I put it on and tried to make it work, but changed before I left the house.
This was fun.
I'll have to go through the keepers in my closet next time.
I've been thinking about these dresses, though. I can remember buying each one, wearing each one, and wishing I looked thinner, younger, fresher. Memories were hidden in the back of my closet. Like secrets, they are only real if you tell somebody. Pulling these dressed into the light was truth. And truth will set you free.
Disclaimer: The photos were not the best in the world. It's been a long few days.
With all the rule following this dress does, I can't wear it. I wore this dress on a Sunday morning. It was just a regular Sunday. Ironman and I had been going to this particular church for several months. Our daughters left us in the parking lot to their Bible study Class. As Ironman and I entered the room we were told (yes, TOLD) that the men and women were splitting up. The women would be way down the hall, turn left, go through the glass door, up the stairs. Seventh room on the right. Okay I'm exaggerating. But that's basically what I hear the woman TELL me. Blah blah blah. She lost me at "Split up". Ironman is my definite safety blanket.
The story continues. I'm ushered into a room full of women none of whom I've ever seen before. It's a new church in a new city and although I'm a married mother of three, I suddenly feel like the new 7th grader. It was awful. I was embarrassed and out of place. I attempted to introduce myself to the woman sitting to my right but just as I opened my mouth she suddenly turns to greet her long lost friend whom she probably saw three minutes earlier.
It should come as no surprise that I never returned to that Bible Study class. And I can never wear this dress because of the feelings it invokes.
Stacy and Clinton - you can have this one.
It wasn't the first time he said some sexist remark to my face.
But that's not the only reason I'm donating this dress. I can't fit into it.
I'm donating it because I've worn it several times. I've had it for several years. It's time.
We drove to New Orleans. Went to dinner with some friends. Laughed and talked all night. I thought about keeping it just for the sweet memory. It's the only time I ever wore it. Poofy sleeves didn't stay fashionable after 1988. Hmmmmm. REsist the urge! Donate the dress.
This was fun.
I'll have to go through the keepers in my closet next time.
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