I'm moving the entire operation over to the blog I started when Jason and I got engaged. It's actual updates and such. I'll be shutting this one down once I've had time to get things off of it and take what I want. It's part of my 40 Days, 40 Bags challenge (see other blog).
Follow me here: www.theyingers.blogspot.com
- I'm peachy.
2.24.2012
11.23.2011
Top 5 Tuesday: Stupid Money Wasters
Yes, I know it's not Tuesday, but deal.
Top 5 Wasters of Money in My Life
Preface: Since Elliott was born, I really do try to reign these in...try being the operative word.
*Target: Now, the things I buy there aren't usually wastes of money (food, formula, clothing), but I ALWAYS manage to spend a lot more than I intended. You can't just "run in" to Target.*
5. Dunkin' Donuts: Almost every morning that I work, and absolutely every Friday, I get a Boston Cream Donut and a Medium Dunkachino / Coolatta (depending on the season). I used to hate coffee, but these two drinks barely count and I'M A NEW MOM, OKAY!?
4. Crochet Patterns: Now, once they're bought, I can use them a million times, but you can't see them before you buy them, so sometimes I can't complete the pattern and that is more frustrating that almost anything else. I think Jason supports it because that means he can use it too, if I'm successful.
3. Books: My husband works at a library. We own over 300 books. Why in goodness name would I need to purchase a book? I'm also a really slow reader, so it's not as if I've read everything we own or that I even read the new books I buy.
2. Nail Polish: Yep, this made my list too. Jason actually asked me to stop buying nail polish. It's not really that cheap and I seldom paint my nails in the first place. Also, piggy-backing on what Sara said: how many greys does one lady need? All of the greys.
1. Moleskine Products: O Lord help me. I've become a Moleskine addict. My planner for the past 18 months has been a Moleskine; I also bought a monthly version of the same planner; I bought a 2012 planner that is a Moleskine; Anytime I need a notebook, it's a Moleskine. I'm at my desk and there are 14 different Moleskine products in front of me, and my planners aren't even on my desk! They do make me look more professional, but I certainly don't need this many notebooks.
- I'm peachy (and based on the above list, both poor and lucky)
Top 5 Wasters of Money in My Life
Preface: Since Elliott was born, I really do try to reign these in...try being the operative word.
*Target: Now, the things I buy there aren't usually wastes of money (food, formula, clothing), but I ALWAYS manage to spend a lot more than I intended. You can't just "run in" to Target.*
5. Dunkin' Donuts: Almost every morning that I work, and absolutely every Friday, I get a Boston Cream Donut and a Medium Dunkachino / Coolatta (depending on the season). I used to hate coffee, but these two drinks barely count and I'M A NEW MOM, OKAY!?
4. Crochet Patterns: Now, once they're bought, I can use them a million times, but you can't see them before you buy them, so sometimes I can't complete the pattern and that is more frustrating that almost anything else. I think Jason supports it because that means he can use it too, if I'm successful.
3. Books: My husband works at a library. We own over 300 books. Why in goodness name would I need to purchase a book? I'm also a really slow reader, so it's not as if I've read everything we own or that I even read the new books I buy.
2. Nail Polish: Yep, this made my list too. Jason actually asked me to stop buying nail polish. It's not really that cheap and I seldom paint my nails in the first place. Also, piggy-backing on what Sara said: how many greys does one lady need? All of the greys.
1. Moleskine Products: O Lord help me. I've become a Moleskine addict. My planner for the past 18 months has been a Moleskine; I also bought a monthly version of the same planner; I bought a 2012 planner that is a Moleskine; Anytime I need a notebook, it's a Moleskine. I'm at my desk and there are 14 different Moleskine products in front of me, and my planners aren't even on my desk! They do make me look more professional, but I certainly don't need this many notebooks.
- I'm peachy (and based on the above list, both poor and lucky)
11.13.2011
Feeling Old and Lame.
Last night I, along with two friends from college, chaperoned a Masque event. It was a "Happening Hour," and the club needed three faculty / staff members to check ID's, give out bracelets, and just be there. It was super easy, and most people left by 11 (for the cast party, I presume), and I just hung out with folks and chatted until midnight.
However, it did make me realize how much I've aged socially since I graduated. I went from a typical college senior (I'll let you construct that image) to a wife, mother, and...chaperone. It's only been three and a half years since I graduated, but I've flashed forward. 90% of the time, I'm 100% happy with that. It's that other 10%, when my friends go out at the last minute, or people are still living footloose and fancy-free that I feel a little weird.
Oh well. I have an adorable baby and a husband who cooks me chicken parm and cupcakes filled with cookie-dough.
Final note: I don't miss the college-ness of the Masque, but I do miss meetings, planning, and working really hard. I hope a Ph.D. program fills that void. If not, I'll probably end up being a kick-ass den mother, dance mom, or room parent.
I'm peachy.
PS: Remember - updates about E and my family and general domestication are on theyingers.blogspot.com. I will also be featured soon on a motherhood blog. I'll let you know when that interview goes up.
However, it did make me realize how much I've aged socially since I graduated. I went from a typical college senior (I'll let you construct that image) to a wife, mother, and...chaperone. It's only been three and a half years since I graduated, but I've flashed forward. 90% of the time, I'm 100% happy with that. It's that other 10%, when my friends go out at the last minute, or people are still living footloose and fancy-free that I feel a little weird.
Oh well. I have an adorable baby and a husband who cooks me chicken parm and cupcakes filled with cookie-dough.
Final note: I don't miss the college-ness of the Masque, but I do miss meetings, planning, and working really hard. I hope a Ph.D. program fills that void. If not, I'll probably end up being a kick-ass den mother, dance mom, or room parent.
I'm peachy.
PS: Remember - updates about E and my family and general domestication are on theyingers.blogspot.com. I will also be featured soon on a motherhood blog. I'll let you know when that interview goes up.
10.25.2011
Top 5 Tuesday: Halloween Costumes
Some years I had a great costume, and other years were real busts. This year *might* be the first year I don't dress up, although Halloween hasn't come and gone yet, so who knows. This specific Top 5 Tuesday is difficult...I had some cute costumes. (I will add pictures if I can find them).
(Side note: Elliott will be a little monster for Halloween! Meg bought him the costume and it is so cute!)
5. Alice (From Alice in Wonderland): My parents bought me the dress from the Disney store as a nice outfit, but I wore it as a costume first. I guess I was about 4 years old, or 3 just about to turn 4. It was so cute.
4. Hawkeye Pierce (From MASH): I was really into the show MASH when I was in 7th and 8th grades. I was originally just going to go as an Army nurse, but with my mom's help, the costume evolved into very specifically Hawkeye. I wore olive drab clothing, a Hawaiian shirt, a blue bathrobe, a bucket hat (which they always wore when they went golfing), and painted on stubble. One person guessed correctly the entire evening, but a lot of people guessed I was someone from MASH. One person was very clever and guessed I was Klinger in reverse.
3. Princess and the "Pee": I dressed as a princess (gown from Ross, tiara) and carried around a fake specimen container with "pee" (actually, lemon candy). Props for this go to Sara and Megan for our Urinetown gifts.
1. Juno (From Juno): Jason and I went as Juno and Paulie, complete with fake stomach, Sunny D, and orange-flavored Tic-Tacs. I always said if I was pregnant over Halloween, I would wear the costume again. I was pregnant last Halloween, but I didn't know it yet and I certainly wasn't showing.
- I'm peachy.
(Side note: Elliott will be a little monster for Halloween! Meg bought him the costume and it is so cute!)
5. Alice (From Alice in Wonderland): My parents bought me the dress from the Disney store as a nice outfit, but I wore it as a costume first. I guess I was about 4 years old, or 3 just about to turn 4. It was so cute.
4. Hawkeye Pierce (From MASH): I was really into the show MASH when I was in 7th and 8th grades. I was originally just going to go as an Army nurse, but with my mom's help, the costume evolved into very specifically Hawkeye. I wore olive drab clothing, a Hawaiian shirt, a blue bathrobe, a bucket hat (which they always wore when they went golfing), and painted on stubble. One person guessed correctly the entire evening, but a lot of people guessed I was someone from MASH. One person was very clever and guessed I was Klinger in reverse.
3. Princess and the "Pee": I dressed as a princess (gown from Ross, tiara) and carried around a fake specimen container with "pee" (actually, lemon candy). Props for this go to Sara and Megan for our Urinetown gifts.
 |
| A year later, that dress barely fit. |
A 2. Twin from The Shining: The Masque costume room is a treasure trove for Halloween costumes. Pam and I discovered three matching dresses, and we decided this would be a good costume. We were fairly creepy looking. The following year, Liz C. and I used the costumes for the Masque Haunted House (Pam had to be a zombie because she was a campus tour guide).
 |
| I didn't have to buy a thing for this costume. |
 |
| 2007: Jason, Sara, and I reverse roles. |
 |
| 2010: A sexy cosmo. My shoes had little lime wedges too! |
10.18.2011
Top 5 Tuesday: Defining Songs
This is a countdown I can get into. Like Sara, mine isn't in any order...they are all pretty equal. This was also pretty difficult. Music is a powerful trigger for me and my memories, so this list could have been really long. I went with what songs came to mind first.
(Who knows what these videos are...)
5. "Say Yes" - Elliott Smith (Either/Or)
This song takes me back to freshman year of college and the way I changed in that year. It reminds me of the time that it took from me hating being at college to me adoring being at La Salle.
4. "Feed the Birds" - Richard and Robert Sherman (Mary Poppins)
I have always felt that this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Even as a little kid, I understood the wonder and meaning of this song. Mary Poppins is my favorite Disney movie, and one of my favorite movies period, so it alone has had a big impact on my life. When I was in high school and was cast in My Fair Lady, I spent more time listening to Julie Andrews sing than the silly movie version. I used this soundtrack to break up the monotony of my "vocal training."
3. "We Didn't Start the Fire" - Billy Joel (Storm Front)
I have loved Billy Joel since I was about 4 years old, and this is one of the first songs I remember listening to with my parents. I *thought* I knew all the words. Since becoming an adult and learning what each of the lyrics is actually referring to, I have figured out the actual words. "Eisenhower backscene" is now more correctly understood as "Eisenhower, vaccine" referring to the polio vaccine. It's just the cheesiest song, but I love it (and it's historical teaching value).
2. "I Was Meant for the Stage" - The Decemberists (Her Majesty, The Decemberists)
This song perfectly describes what I feel when I perform. Plain and simple. It was also the final song in my college theatre group's senior slide show the year I graduated, so it also brings me back to watching that with Sara and Michele in the theatre.
1. "You Can't Stop the Beat" - Hairspray
Oh, A-15. This song was our calling card. We played it at every party, danced on the couches in our house, and got us ready to just be crazy the rest of the night. We also played it at my wedding to help get people out on the dance floor, with the group of us as an example. Anytime I hear this, I just have to stop and dance.
- I'm peachy.
(Who knows what these videos are...)
5. "Say Yes" - Elliott Smith (Either/Or)
This song takes me back to freshman year of college and the way I changed in that year. It reminds me of the time that it took from me hating being at college to me adoring being at La Salle.
4. "Feed the Birds" - Richard and Robert Sherman (Mary Poppins)
I have always felt that this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Even as a little kid, I understood the wonder and meaning of this song. Mary Poppins is my favorite Disney movie, and one of my favorite movies period, so it alone has had a big impact on my life. When I was in high school and was cast in My Fair Lady, I spent more time listening to Julie Andrews sing than the silly movie version. I used this soundtrack to break up the monotony of my "vocal training."
3. "We Didn't Start the Fire" - Billy Joel (Storm Front)
I have loved Billy Joel since I was about 4 years old, and this is one of the first songs I remember listening to with my parents. I *thought* I knew all the words. Since becoming an adult and learning what each of the lyrics is actually referring to, I have figured out the actual words. "Eisenhower backscene" is now more correctly understood as "Eisenhower, vaccine" referring to the polio vaccine. It's just the cheesiest song, but I love it (and it's historical teaching value).
2. "I Was Meant for the Stage" - The Decemberists (Her Majesty, The Decemberists)
This song perfectly describes what I feel when I perform. Plain and simple. It was also the final song in my college theatre group's senior slide show the year I graduated, so it also brings me back to watching that with Sara and Michele in the theatre.
1. "You Can't Stop the Beat" - Hairspray
Oh, A-15. This song was our calling card. We played it at every party, danced on the couches in our house, and got us ready to just be crazy the rest of the night. We also played it at my wedding to help get people out on the dance floor, with the group of us as an example. Anytime I hear this, I just have to stop and dance.
- I'm peachy.
9.15.2011
Oddly Controlled.
Life has been just so different around Casa de Yinger in the last three weeks. I went back to work on the 31st, thanks to the hurricane, and balancing that with baby, Jason's class and work, and keeping up with life has been crazy, but as the title suggests, oddly controlled. Because I have so little time to myself, I don't waste time the way I used to. I'm much more efficient. It reminds me of how I was in my senior year of college during the shows. I finally had figured out what worked for me in life, and was happy with my life in general. Therefore, I didn't procrastinate as much, I got in shape, I ate better (not great...just improved), and I felt at peace with my life.
Elliott is 2 months old today. I'm amazed at how much he has changed, as well as how much Jason and I have changed. I no longer look like I had a baby, and most of my old clothing fits. I need some new jeans, but that's not surprising. I'm amazed at how much I enjoy being a working mom. I get out, talk to grown ups, and work, then come home and bum around with my baby. Playing on the floor, dancing, singing...it's awesome.
- I'm peachy.
Elliott is 2 months old today. I'm amazed at how much he has changed, as well as how much Jason and I have changed. I no longer look like I had a baby, and most of my old clothing fits. I need some new jeans, but that's not surprising. I'm amazed at how much I enjoy being a working mom. I get out, talk to grown ups, and work, then come home and bum around with my baby. Playing on the floor, dancing, singing...it's awesome.
- I'm peachy.
9.06.2011
Top 5 Tuesday: Childhood Board Games
The McGee's love board games, so this was an easy list.
5. Bonkers: This game was one of the cleverest games I've played, but no one outside of my group of friends at home has seemed to hear of it. There are a number of tiles and you lay them on the board next to the spaces as you play. Eventually, each space has instructions next to it on the tile. Every time you play, it's a new game. It also had pink and purple pieces, which was awesome.
4. Sorry!: One of my family's favorites. My grandmother used to play it with me, which taught me to strategize and to lose. My grandmother never believed in letting little kids win if they didn't actually win.
3. Mall Madness: I scrimped and saved the $35 to buy this game when I was a kid, and it was money well spent. I loved the announcer's voice and having my own "credit card."
2. Monopoly: I agree with Sara that this game is amazing. It's not a passive game; you must be engaged the entire time, and it can be days before it's over. My sister and I also played Monopoly Jr., which was set at a carnival and you paid different amounts to ride the rides ($1 - $5). It was a lot simpler, but introduced you to the basic concepts of the game. I have two versions now: Original and Seinfeld.
1. Trivial Pursuit: I've been playing this since I was a kid, and I have always enjoyed it. When I wasn't getting a lot of answers right, I was learning new things by hearing the questions and answers. Otherwise, I was kicking ass and taking names. When my family plays with my extended family, my parents and I aren't allowed to be on the same teams. :)
I also loved Yahtzee, but it didn't make the cut. As a kid, I had Disney Yahtzee, which had characters' faces rather than numbers.
5. Bonkers: This game was one of the cleverest games I've played, but no one outside of my group of friends at home has seemed to hear of it. There are a number of tiles and you lay them on the board next to the spaces as you play. Eventually, each space has instructions next to it on the tile. Every time you play, it's a new game. It also had pink and purple pieces, which was awesome.
4. Sorry!: One of my family's favorites. My grandmother used to play it with me, which taught me to strategize and to lose. My grandmother never believed in letting little kids win if they didn't actually win.
3. Mall Madness: I scrimped and saved the $35 to buy this game when I was a kid, and it was money well spent. I loved the announcer's voice and having my own "credit card."
2. Monopoly: I agree with Sara that this game is amazing. It's not a passive game; you must be engaged the entire time, and it can be days before it's over. My sister and I also played Monopoly Jr., which was set at a carnival and you paid different amounts to ride the rides ($1 - $5). It was a lot simpler, but introduced you to the basic concepts of the game. I have two versions now: Original and Seinfeld.
1. Trivial Pursuit: I've been playing this since I was a kid, and I have always enjoyed it. When I wasn't getting a lot of answers right, I was learning new things by hearing the questions and answers. Otherwise, I was kicking ass and taking names. When my family plays with my extended family, my parents and I aren't allowed to be on the same teams. :)
I also loved Yahtzee, but it didn't make the cut. As a kid, I had Disney Yahtzee, which had characters' faces rather than numbers.
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