OAIJ x 2 …and other matters

Before I get too far (well, before I get anywhere at all), let me just tell you all how HORRIBLE I feel about not blogging in like, FOREVER. It’s not that I’m wracked with guilt (except that I am), but I just enjoy blogging, and I miss it. What can I say? I’m a writer. Alas, time is not my friend these days… I honestly don’t know how Kath does it…three times a day! I know her posts aren’t long or eloquent, but it still takes time to take, download and upload photos, in addition to writing a snippet here and there. I find myself saying, “I don’t have time for (fill in the blank), and I don’t even have kids yet!” Seriously, how does one fit them in?!?! I suppose children are just like any other top-priority item; you just do.

All that to say, I’m sorry I haven’t blogged in awhile. No, I haven’t dropped off the face of the earth (although it sometimes feels like I have) and yes, it’s good to be back.

And, as usual, I have lots to say!

(I’ll use bullet points to avoid the number-conundrum…my OCD tendencies make it hard to end on anything other than 10.)

-Check out my Maple Syrup post for the co-op. The maple-bacon cupcakes (muffins if you want to sound “healthier”) are the perfect brunch item and will send the eyeballs of everyone to whom you serve them rolling into the backs of their skulls. Make them this weekend!

-We went to Ohio this weekend to visit our friends, Emily and Dan, and Dave and Jen, and their new baby, Aiden. I also got to see Susy, another dear friend and running-mate. We had a fabulous time, although I didn’t take enough pictures (I never do). I’ll be posting about our trip soon.

-I’m officially on “Easter Break” right now. Except that I still get up at 0-dark-30 to drink coffee/eat breakfast/workout. And I have school work to finish. In fact, I’m going to the chem tutor this morning. Oh, and I have tests in all my classes when I get back next week. Not to mention the mile-long list I’ve made of stuff to bake. So, really, I’m not taking a break at all–I just don’t have to go to class.

-A miraculous thing happened the other day: I finished off not one, but TWO jars of nut butters! If you don’t know already, this means I get to enjoy a rare treat TWICE–OIAJ!

-I made oats in the Smucker’s jar (left) yesterday for lunch: oats, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, flax seeds, a splash of strawberry kefir, dehydrated strawberries, cottage cheese and granola on top. (Thanks for the granola, Susy!) Of course, all that with a little peanut butter swirled in. This baby filled me up for hours! Yay for having another one (Crunchy Barney Butter) in the fridge.

-Andrew and I fasted last night while praying for some friends who are going through a rough time. I’ve never fasted before. I’ll be honest, food is kind of a big thing for me (as I’m learning through the Made to Crave Bible study–more on that later–I’m doing with Emily), so when Andrew first proposed the fasting idea last week, I was pretty against it. But, God totally changed my heart and by yesterday morning I was pumped and ready to go! I had my last snack at about 4:45 (we haven’t been eating until 7:30, so snacking at that time is normal for me) and we prayed together in two sessions. God totally provided (I thought I would be in agony; my tummy was growling, but I–obviously–made it through) and not only was it a great time of prayer and bonding with Andrew, but it also helped get me off my sugar-kick from this weekend and take one step further in my journey of leaving my food issues behind me.

-Speaking of food: I made Pioneer Woman’s Simple Sesame Noodle salad with Beef the other night and it was wonderful! This is something I saw on her blog ages ago and is included in her new cookbook. Andrew also really liked it, but I thought it was way too oily, so I’ll be reducing that next time. I added the beef to make it more of a meal (it’s a variation in her cookbook, not sure if it’s in the online recipe) and bell peppers for more color and nutrition. Topped with chopped peanuts–yum!

-I’ve come to the (sad) conclusion that I need a cup of coffee to get me through my T/Th Statistics class (1-3 p.m. yikes!) without my eyes uncontrollably closing on me. Guess that’s what happens with a 5 a.m. wake-up time and swim practice. I’ve done recent “taste tests” and I’m not a huge fan of Tim Horton’s (unfortunate since they are EVERYWHERE around here) or the cute little local place here in the Orchard Park village, Orchard Perk, (although they may have more than one roast…). I’d make some at home, but at the moment have no good coffee thermos with which to actually transport the coffee. To-do for this weekend: find one!

-Easter is this weekend and Andrew’s grandma is coming for a visit! SO EXCITED! I’m running in the Bunny Hop 5K, which goes right by their house (neat! I might have a cheering section), and I’m hoping to spend as much time with everyone this weekend as possible = get as much work done as possible before Friday night, and what in the world do we do with Hadrian??

-Did I tell you all I’ve officially gotten into the Dietetics Program at Buffalo State? Well, I have. I have one summer class before I start full-time in the fall. I’m a little anxious about scheduling my fall classes since I schedule last (as a new transfer student) and the classes I need are small with only 1 or 2 sections. I think the professors will provide an ‘override’ if I can’t get into something I must have, but I’m still nervous.

-I’m making steakhouse mac and cheese today from Cooking Light. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

Whew! I think that’s about it… Or at least a good start getting caught-up!

Alright, sun’s coming up and I have dishes to put away and a hubby to wake up! Happy Wednesday/first day of Easter Break/day I get to bake 🙂

a list

1. I haven’t been blogging much lately. I’m sorry. I hate that I’m not. I’m not even THAT crazy-busy (busy, but not CRAZY-busy), so I’m not even sure why.

2. We’re having a bit of a heat wave here. I’m going to be up-front and say I’m not thrilled. First, I was expecting massive amounts of snow and a long winter, which we didn’t get. Now, it’s basically feels like summer… What gives? We all know this 80-degree weather is going to disappear in favor of 60-degrees and rainy…just hurry up already!

3. I got an 83 on my Micro TAKE-HOME test. an 83! On a TAKE-HOME test! “Impossible” and “unfair” aren’t strong enough words…

4. I rocked that last two days in Chemistry. “Rocked” = I managed to answer (aloud) more than one question correctly = the teacher thinks I know what I’m doing.

5. Yesterday was like Christmas! I got my order from SwimOutlet.com, which contained a pull buoy, paddles, fins, more swim caps and a mesh bag in which to carry it all; as well as my Amazon order that contained the Made to Crave book, devotional and DVD/workbook. Emily and I are going to do a long-distance Bible study together!

6. Did I tell you I got accepted into the Dietetics program at Buffalo State? Well, I did. Not that it was really up in the air… I’m a transfer student with a 4.0; were they not going to let me in?? Now comes the fun part–figuring out how to register for my online summer class and fall classes!

7. I haven’t cooked all week, which makes me sad. Despite our heat wave, I’m making French Onion soup tonight.

8. Andrew and I just finished the first season of Big Bang Theory. Hilarious!

9. Pioneer Woman’s newest cookbook arrived the other day. In it, she includes recipes for Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream and Dorothy Lane’s Outrageous Brownies. (Apparently she has some sort of friend or something from Cincinnati who has introduced her to some of Ohio’s more redeeming qualities.) It also has the lemon-blueberry pancakes I’m been dying to make. I’m in HEAVEN.

10. It’s already THURSDAY. On the one hand, this is awesome, because it means the weekend is just 1.5 days away (weekends start at noon on Friday for me). On the other hand, time is flying! Can you believe it’s almost APRIL???

a list

…because I need to get it all out of my head and onto the page.

1. I have become a first-rate procrastinator on certain things: Chem homework, test studying and article-writing. I blame Andrew for this.

2. I have my first Microbiology test this week and EVERYONE is freaked out. There is a ton of material and while the best way for me to study is to re-write my notes, I couldn’t bring myself to make a study sheet. I think all my note-writing from last semester burned me out.

3. I have been playing WAY TOO MUCH and not doing enough studying. I mean, do I still do more than the average student? Maybe, but it’s not nearly enough to keep me comfortable with the material, which is stressing me out. Big time. I had such good intentions going into this semester–that I would keep up with Chem–and alll I’ve done is put everything off to do other things.

4. “Other things” have included baking, cleaning, blogging, cooking, baking, exercising, walking the dog and more baking. Ever since I discovered what I’d been doing wrong this whole time, I just want to bake! Bread! Muffins! Cookies! Oatmeal! Yes, baked oatmeal–I have a recipe on the fridge that’s calling my name.

5. So, let’s just say this week is already stressing me out (a Micro test, two Chem homeworks due, all Stats due…) and it’s only Tuesday morning.

6. Add to that a new responsibility with the co-op (sending monthly emails to our member-owners–exciting, but there is a learning curve involved and the timing was such that it’s a bit more rushed than normal), prep for another article for the paper, our new Bible study started last night and we’re having friends over for dinner Thursday night. Whew!

7. Oh, and Andrew’s truck wouldn’t start yesterday. It took me to the gym and back (thankfully!) but pooped out on Andrew when he was warming it up. A friend of his brought him home last night and they think they diagnosed the problem–the fuel pump. FANTASTIC. Fuel pumps are expensive, and whether it’s a DIY or professional job, it isn’t going to be finished today, or tomorrow probably. The fact that the Layers happen to have an extra vehicle for Andrew to borrow is nothing short of miraculous–the thought of having to add “carting Andrew to and from work” to my schedule this week would send me for a tailspin.

8. I think I might start swimming again. Like, swimming for real, on a team. I’ve always known about Master’s swim teams–they’re usually run through gyms and universities and are for the 18+ crowd–and always kind of thought I’d eventually end up on one. They attract former high-school and college swimmers and while not terribly competitive, can be pretty hard-core, depending on the ages and abilities of the group. I joined one, briefly, in Ohio just after getting into the Air Force and was FLOORED by how fast some of the people were (it was a pretty young crowd) and how out of shape I felt in comparison. I didn’t end up doing much with the team (the practice time didn’t work well with my schedule), but it always nagged at me that I was secretly relieved to not have to push myself. Well, I think I’m ripe for a workout change and after seeing a flier for the Master’s team forming at the Y, I’m excited at the prospect of doing more swimming. I swim once a week for 30 minutes and do 1 mile (a 1650, or 66 laps), but I get bored easily and don’t vary the routine a lot. Swimming is kind of like riding a bike; you don’t “lose” your ability, and age doesn’t really change your performance as long as you’re continuing to work out. OK, this is getting long. Bottom line: I think I’m going to join the team (yay!), but that means I have to re-work my whole schedule to fit it all in (running, swimming, weights and some yoga/pilates) while allowing time for school, studying and walking the dog, and being the most efficient use of time and driving, which is seriously stressing me out. Thankfully, I don’t have to figure it out this week.

9. I have now moved past the “Oh, I’ll just throw a quick post together before studying” into “Crap! I’m running out of time to study!” because blogging is a form of procrastination. But, I can’t study with a million thoughts running through my head, either.

10. As I said, we started a new Bible Study last night. I don’t have enough time to go into it right now (got to study!), but I’m excited (I went solo since Andrew was working on his car) and can’t wait for our taco night next Monday! For now, check out what we’re doing at 40 Days in the Word.