Handheld calories

On Saturday morning, I decided to use up some leftover waffles in our fridge. My creativity overcame me and I thought I could develop something emulating a McGriddle, a breakfast sandwich with the hint of maple syrup flavor in the bread. I cooked up an egg and a piece of bacon and slapped them between my two waffles spread with just a hint of maple syrup. It tasted great and then it hit me. What was I doing eating this much?

Two waffles with syrup, an egg and a piece of bacon. Had that all been spread out on one plate, I would have felt like I was emulating "The Big Breakfast", not a McGriddle. This led me to think about the paradox of a handheld meal. If we spread a meal out on a plate, we would think it looked like much more food than what we needed, but if we stack it all in a pile between some bread, we bite right in.

It was a yummy breakfast, regardless, but it brought me to a weird examination of our culture and the handheld meal phenomenon. Think about what you have consumed lately and if it were all spread out on a plate, would you feel the same way about how much you eat.

Wireless blessing or curse

I had big concerns about getting wireless Internet after we bought our new laptop. I was concerned that even more hours of our days would be sucked up with mindless Internet surfing. I still have that fear, but it is being balanced with the extreme enjoyment of being wireless.

I'm currently sitting on the couch, watching CBS Sunday morning (one of my favorite things about a Sunday morning), eating a bowl of cereal and writing in my blog. Wow, that's multitasking!!! The boys are in bed together so I don't feel like I'm neglecting either one of them by being on the computer. This is great! A few nights ago, I checked work e-mail while still enjoying another of my favorite TV shows, after Jeremiah was in bed.

I think we may just have to keep the reigns short on the wireless habit. Using it for work or school is one thing, but not managing to not converse while in the same room because we are aimlessly surfing is another. For now, I must admit it's been a great convenience. I better sign off before the cat eats my cereal! I need to make sure the Internet doesn't suck me in this morning so I can manage to get a shower and get us off to church.

A tradition of unity

Traditions - to some they are meant to be broken and to others they embody feelings and emotions that only that particular tradition can and will ever produce. These people look forward to the tradition. At halftime of tonight's Illinois versus Michigan basketball game, an 80 year tradition will be lost. Chief Illiniwek will dance one final time.

The Chief's dance is a tradition that bridges generations, social backgrounds and education levels. Illini fans rise together to honor the chief and sing the Alma Mater with their arms wrapped around each other. A 80-year-old white man will embrace a 7-year-old African-American girl next to him at a football game. An alumnae will sway together with a civil-service employee as they watch the chief take his place in Assembly Hall. Tonight this tradition will be lost. Many may not understand the void this will create but for anyone who has stood for the 3-in-1, they know that things will never, ever be the same.

I could get into the political aspects of this decision and my distaste with the NCAA but that's not what I want to address so that's all I'll say.

Instead, I fear that we are losing a sense of togetherness that will never again be felt at an Illini sporting event. I am saddened that my son will never understand how a symbol and his authentic dance brought people together if only for a few minutes while the band played the 3-in-1. He will never experience the power of the Chief's kicks and arm movements. But he will know about this tradition because although the dance has been eliminated under the pressures of the NCAA, the Chief will be a tradition in the hearts of so many who loved him and the unity he represented.

Chief - Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Forever.

The Headlines

Last week had a variety of peaks and valleys. So here's the rundown of headlines in my life and a short explanation.

Blizzard '07 - We had nearly 14 inches of snow and stayed home from work for two days. It was treacherous outside but great to have some time together at home. Here is a picture of our mailbox to show how high the drifts were.

WrestleMania - John worked two 16-hour days of high school wrestling.

Spa-tacular - I enjoyed a mid-day spa getaway for a great friend's bachelorette gathering. About halfway through my facial, I thought to myself that all women should have a full spa day three months postpartum. I had a pedicure (first ever), manicure, facial, 15 minute massage and a wash and blowdry. John's mom was nice enough to come to town to babysit the little man so I could enjoy this little getaway.

Hairy Situation - I'm still adjusting to my haircut. I like the ease that it offers but I don't feel "pretty." I'm missing some aspect of femininity. This is not the greatest picture taken at arms length but you get the jist.

Tradition Lost - On Friday, the University of Illinois announced that they will be retiring Chief Illiniwek on Wednesday night at the last Illini basketball game this season. As I continue to think about my disappointment with this decision I plan to post a full entry about it.

Watching over us

"I can' t understand what took me so long this morning and why I'm so far behind!"

These were my words as I jumped in the truck and hurried out of the driveway after kissing my husband goodbye this morning. As I was pulling out I heard the rescue truck sirens intensify and then fade as they zoomed out of town responding to a call. I dropped Jeremiah off at daycare and then headed for work.

When I got about three miles out of town, I approached the flashing lights of the rescue trucks at a multiple-vehicle accident. The winds picked up again this morning and the roads have been drifting quickly, faster than the plows can make their rounds. As I sat patiently to be directed around the accident, I called work to tell them I would be late and then said a prayer to thank the good lord for watching over me and my family. If we were running on time, John or I could possibly have been involved in the accident.

Now I understand why it took Jeremiah extra long to eat this morning.

The half-day efficiency paradox

I've realized that I am more productive when I have less time and a shorter work day. On Tuesday I left early due to bad weather and worked for a while from home. I think I got so much more done at home than I would have in the office in the same amount of time. That experience really made me yearn for a part-time job, where I could balance making some cash and providing benefits for Jeremiah and me with spending time with him and keeping a house. The downside is that they don't pay full-time salaries for part-time jobs. Darn!! Then, on Friday, I decided to take the afternoon off to run some errands that have been waiting for many months and spend some "me time" shopping and getting a new haircut. It's quite the change. I'll have to post pictures soon. Getting back to my point. I only worked until noon and was very focused and task-oriented on Friday morning, probably accomplishing more than what I sometimes do in a full day. I'm not saying that I suck at working a full day but I'm really noticing how much more efficient I can be when I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have plenty of work to fill a full day and then some but there is a question of focus, time management, distractions, etc. This is my workday paradox.

I've also developed a new mom retail weakness. Unfortunately, it's not a cheap one. Gymboree has such cute outfits for little boys. I succumbed to temptation on Friday and bought Jeremiah a new outfit with cows on it. It was $20 on sale. I can't believe I spent that much on an outfit for him. Silly mommy! That store is going to speak to me each time I'm at the mall. Do they have an outlet?

Crockpot update...I almost forgot

I meant to add this to the last post. I found a new crockpot recipe with very few ingredients and it wasn't half bad. I'm working on that continued relationship with my crockpot. Ha!

Shreaded BBQ beef
2 c ketchup
1 can cola (not diet)
1 envelope onion soup mix
3-4 lb. beef roast

Mix first three ingredients and poor over roast in crockpot. Cook on low 8-10 hours. Shred meat with fork. Return to liquid. Serve on buns.

Note - John needed to add a little BBQ sauce because it was a little too sweet. It was pretty good with the BBQ sauce.

3.5 down

3.5 - that's the number of pounds I lost this week. WhoooHooo! I have to admit that I didn't count points real closely this week but I did manage to get three days of light exercise in and I watched what I ate. Now I'm only 10 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight.

In other news, our new laptop arrived this week and we're like little kids with a new toy. I don't think it will be long until we decide to get a wireless router so we can have internet on the laptop too. I have historically had concerns with having the laptop available to surf the net from anywhere in the house (ie - the bedroom? or the living room when we're trying to spend time as a family) but I think we can keep the reigns short on our surfing habit.

Jeremiah and I survived without John. I actually accomplished quite a bit for being home by myself with Jeremiah but I think that was mainly because I was determined to get it done. Jeremiah was also very well behaved, which helped.

My parents are visiting tonight before they go to a postal meeting tomorrow. Then, we have to attend a class for Jeremiah's baptism/Christian upbringing tomorrow afternoon. I'll be intrigued to see what this really involves because I've never heard of this before now. On Sunday, we're hosting a gathering of friends for the Super Bowl. When I write it in three sentences I realize that our weekend will probably go very fast. I have every intention of trying to enjoy every moment of it. Since I'm back to work, I'm really trying to savor my weekends with John and Jeremiah.