I realize that it's almost, if not already, Wednesday, but oh well.
Ice cream is and was my vice, especially when I was preggers. So much ice cream...so little time. I could barely limit this list to 5 (I guess 6...whatevs).
5. *Tie* - Banana Fudge (Wawa) & Graham Slam (Turkey Hill): Banana Fudge is fantastic. The fudgy pieces paired with the fairly subtle banana flavor is a real treat. Graham Slam, as any Phillies fan knows, is Turkey Hill's special flavor just for the team. Eating it reminds me of being at CBP and eating it out of a plastic Phillie's hat.
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter (Turkey Hill): I love anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter.
3. Mint Chocolate Cookie (Ben and Jerry's): Just lovely. The cookies are sometimes whole in the vanilla, which makes it even better.
2. Mint Chocolate Chip (Turkey Hill): I like MCC in a lot of brands, but Turkey Hill's is extra special. The chocolate is more like flakes than chips. I usually don't like chewing my ice cream (with some exception, see #1).
1. Chubby Hubby (Ben and Jerry's): This, in my humble opinion, is the perfect ice cream. Salty and sweet, fudge and peanut butter, pretzel and vanilla. Mmmm.
- I'm peachy.
8.29.2011
The Morning After
Well, Irene was as scary as all get out, but we came through it with no damage to life or property, which is awesome. Barney may be suffering from PTSD (perhaps I am too), and it was quite an adventure.
We decided against leaving, despite my parents' "invitation" (I think they were using Irene as an excuse to see Elliott). Around 10pm on Saturday, I deeply regretted that decision. The lights in our parking lot were out, so we couldn't see what was going on. Our electricity stayed on (thank God), so at least we had the internet for information. At about quarter to 2, just as I was drifting off to sleep in the living room, a strange alarm started sounding. I woke Jason, who grabbed Elliott, and I attempted to wrangle Barney into his carrier, with no success. Jason and I switched "dependents," and I got Elliott into his car seat. I put my shoes on, grabbed the car keys and prepared to leave. But hold on...what is this alarm for? We had already experienced tornado warnings, so do we go to the basement, or was this flooding, in which case we should probably just chill on the 2nd floor. Or, perhaps, was it a fire and if so, where do we go in this storm during a fire? I looked out in the hall. No one was leaving their apartments. Hmm. Jason finally got Barney into the carrier, and we pondered our next move. Jason ran down to the lobby to see if anyone was down there and had more info. He returned with the report: there was one guy downstairs just as confused as we were. We headed back to the lobby, evac bag, baby, cat, and diaper bag in tow. We were totally prepared to leave at any moment because of the storm. After about 10 minutes in the lobby, where about 3 more sleepy people joined us, the alarm went off. The firemen, who responded to the alarm, believed it was tripped by the weather. Great. So much for sleep.
We returned to our apartment, frazzled and frightened. Barney was happy the alarm was no longer sounding and clung to us all night (because that earthquake wasn't enough). Elliott basically slept through the entire event, which was amazing considering how loud it was. He heard everything, but was just to sleepy to care. Jason and I stayed up until about 4, when the storm died down. I kept waking up, believing I was hearing the storm gear up again, but fortunately it never did. In the light of day, we saw the one casualty of the storm: Evil Tree. In April, my parents' car was totaled by a huge branch of a dead tree in our apartment complex during a severe storm. It was our very first night in the apartment, as they were visiting to help us move. On Saturday, Irene took care of Evil Tree and he is no more.
By Wednesday, we should be getting to our new fall schedule. La Salle cancelled classes for Monday and Tuesday, so I won't go back to work until Wednesday. Holy cow, what a week.
- I'm peachy.
We decided against leaving, despite my parents' "invitation" (I think they were using Irene as an excuse to see Elliott). Around 10pm on Saturday, I deeply regretted that decision. The lights in our parking lot were out, so we couldn't see what was going on. Our electricity stayed on (thank God), so at least we had the internet for information. At about quarter to 2, just as I was drifting off to sleep in the living room, a strange alarm started sounding. I woke Jason, who grabbed Elliott, and I attempted to wrangle Barney into his carrier, with no success. Jason and I switched "dependents," and I got Elliott into his car seat. I put my shoes on, grabbed the car keys and prepared to leave. But hold on...what is this alarm for? We had already experienced tornado warnings, so do we go to the basement, or was this flooding, in which case we should probably just chill on the 2nd floor. Or, perhaps, was it a fire and if so, where do we go in this storm during a fire? I looked out in the hall. No one was leaving their apartments. Hmm. Jason finally got Barney into the carrier, and we pondered our next move. Jason ran down to the lobby to see if anyone was down there and had more info. He returned with the report: there was one guy downstairs just as confused as we were. We headed back to the lobby, evac bag, baby, cat, and diaper bag in tow. We were totally prepared to leave at any moment because of the storm. After about 10 minutes in the lobby, where about 3 more sleepy people joined us, the alarm went off. The firemen, who responded to the alarm, believed it was tripped by the weather. Great. So much for sleep.
We returned to our apartment, frazzled and frightened. Barney was happy the alarm was no longer sounding and clung to us all night (because that earthquake wasn't enough). Elliott basically slept through the entire event, which was amazing considering how loud it was. He heard everything, but was just to sleepy to care. Jason and I stayed up until about 4, when the storm died down. I kept waking up, believing I was hearing the storm gear up again, but fortunately it never did. In the light of day, we saw the one casualty of the storm: Evil Tree. In April, my parents' car was totaled by a huge branch of a dead tree in our apartment complex during a severe storm. It was our very first night in the apartment, as they were visiting to help us move. On Saturday, Irene took care of Evil Tree and he is no more.
 |
| Good riddance, Evil Tree. |
- I'm peachy.
8.27.2011
Weather!
So, as anyone who knows me knows, I love weather, especially extreme weather, and other natural disasters. I'm fascinated. Therefore, this week has been super exciting. I've been watching MSNBC and CNN online all week (we don't have cable). I already know how to stay safe in these situations, because I've been learning about these events since I was little. When I was about 7 or 8, my aunt moved to California, and in 1994, she experienced the Northridge Earthquake. We were glued to the TV. The coverage was riveting. My family is a family that probably watches way too much TV. It's always on. The idea of an earthquake was scary to me, so my mom or dad suggested I learn about them. If I could gain understanding of an earthquake (and that they don't happen often where I live), I would fear them less. So true!
That brings us to this past Tuesday. I was in the kitchen cleaning up my lunch dishes when the apartment starting trembling. "It's just my neighbors," I thought, "they walk around like elephants." I began walking back to my room, where Elliott was sleeping the afternoon away. Suddenly, Barney bolted past me, his tail as fluffed out as a raccoon's. That's when I realized the bookshelves were swaying and everything was moving. I ran to my room and scooped up Elliott, who had not realized anything was amiss until I picked him up. Barney was under the bed already. "Good," I thought, "the cat knows what to do." I looked for a heavy piece of furniture to stow myself and my child under, but the desk wasn't really an option. There were wires and other things in the way. I went for my second best option: the doorframe. It should never be your first option, but it's better than nothing. I stood there for a few seconds and the shaking stopped. I checked the apartment for fallen items or damage, although I was sure there wouldn't be any, and then tended to my poor trembling cat. He didn't leave my side for the rest of the day, and has been clingy ever since. My neighbors, who I initially believed to be the source of the shaking, are moving out, so they have been noisier than ever. I've had a couple of "Oh no, more earthquakes" moments, but watched Barney for an appropriate response. He knows what's up.
I'm more concerned about this weekend's hurricane, Irene. It will probably prove to do more damage to the area, and since my apartment is surrounded by GIANT trees, one of which totaled my parents' car in April with just one, albeit large, limb. I contemplated packing up the kid, the cat, and the husband for a weekend jaunt to safe, only slightly damp Harrisburg, but the storm is weakening and I feel like it's not worth it. We re-parked to the car to a less tree-infested area, we took other precautions, and are ready to leave should things turn. I have a feeling it will just be super exciting.
The rain is starting outside...
- I'm peachy.
That brings us to this past Tuesday. I was in the kitchen cleaning up my lunch dishes when the apartment starting trembling. "It's just my neighbors," I thought, "they walk around like elephants." I began walking back to my room, where Elliott was sleeping the afternoon away. Suddenly, Barney bolted past me, his tail as fluffed out as a raccoon's. That's when I realized the bookshelves were swaying and everything was moving. I ran to my room and scooped up Elliott, who had not realized anything was amiss until I picked him up. Barney was under the bed already. "Good," I thought, "the cat knows what to do." I looked for a heavy piece of furniture to stow myself and my child under, but the desk wasn't really an option. There were wires and other things in the way. I went for my second best option: the doorframe. It should never be your first option, but it's better than nothing. I stood there for a few seconds and the shaking stopped. I checked the apartment for fallen items or damage, although I was sure there wouldn't be any, and then tended to my poor trembling cat. He didn't leave my side for the rest of the day, and has been clingy ever since. My neighbors, who I initially believed to be the source of the shaking, are moving out, so they have been noisier than ever. I've had a couple of "Oh no, more earthquakes" moments, but watched Barney for an appropriate response. He knows what's up.
I'm more concerned about this weekend's hurricane, Irene. It will probably prove to do more damage to the area, and since my apartment is surrounded by GIANT trees, one of which totaled my parents' car in April with just one, albeit large, limb. I contemplated packing up the kid, the cat, and the husband for a weekend jaunt to safe, only slightly damp Harrisburg, but the storm is weakening and I feel like it's not worth it. We re-parked to the car to a less tree-infested area, we took other precautions, and are ready to leave should things turn. I have a feeling it will just be super exciting.
The rain is starting outside...
- I'm peachy.
8.23.2011
Top 5 Tuesday: Constellations
Sara and Mary have started "Top 5 Tuesdays" on their blogs, so when I have time and remember, I plan on joining in. This week's is a little difficult for me, because I don't know that much about constellations aside from the ones from Elliott's Twilight Turtle nightlight.
Here goes:
5. Sagitarrius: My zodiac sign...he shoots stuff with arrows. Good stuff.
4. Cassiopeia: Named after the queen Cassiopeia, who was super self-absorbed. It's pretty easy to see, as it's a bright 'W.' In Youth and Government in high school, my bill was to make this the state constellation of PA. I don't remember why.
3. Orion: I can spot its belt every time. The rest of it? Good luck.
2. Gemini: The story behind Gemini is pretty cool in mythology. Pollux was immortal, while his twin brother, Castor was not. When Castor died, Pollux begged to join his brother in the sky, thus the constellation.
1. Ursa Major, or at least the Big Dipper: It's the first one everyone learns to find. Also, Ursa Major, the the Great Bear, is the name of one of my favorite roller coasters at Hersheypark. Lame? Perhaps, but my childhood summers were spent at the park and it has a special place in my heart.
- I'm peachy.
Here goes:
5. Sagitarrius: My zodiac sign...he shoots stuff with arrows. Good stuff.
4. Cassiopeia: Named after the queen Cassiopeia, who was super self-absorbed. It's pretty easy to see, as it's a bright 'W.' In Youth and Government in high school, my bill was to make this the state constellation of PA. I don't remember why.
3. Orion: I can spot its belt every time. The rest of it? Good luck.
2. Gemini: The story behind Gemini is pretty cool in mythology. Pollux was immortal, while his twin brother, Castor was not. When Castor died, Pollux begged to join his brother in the sky, thus the constellation.
1. Ursa Major, or at least the Big Dipper: It's the first one everyone learns to find. Also, Ursa Major, the the Great Bear, is the name of one of my favorite roller coasters at Hersheypark. Lame? Perhaps, but my childhood summers were spent at the park and it has a special place in my heart.
- I'm peachy.
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