The Terrible Two's: Hostess & Little Debbie

I work with college students. They are hard to feed on a budget so often times my office is filled with not so healthy food. Usually it leaves my office pretty quickly so it isn't a temptation but not always. Currently this stash of goodies has been in my office for about 2 months.

I did well for a while until Spring Break hit and I was pretty bored in the office. I broke. I stole (and replaced) a box of Little Debbie Star Crunch and in the past 2.5 weeks I have eaten them all except one. I am sure that last one doesn't have much longer to live. These need to get out of here! I really don't have much control when it comes to these two devils so I rarely buy them-twinkies, oatmeal cream pies are really the best ones if you ask me. They are a treat that I try to make last a very long time. So before you decide to send a care package to this pregnant lady, please DO NOT include any of these guys. I may want them but I will be thankful that I didn't eat them around July!!  

And yes two blog posts today...I was a little off and need to get back to the Lent goal!

The Future?

I wonder if this is what my house will be like in the future...

What ever happened to the Electric Car?

Look what we found during our trip to Austin the weekend...

Yes...that would be a parking spot for an electric car and a "fuel" pump to charge while you are shopping! If we could I think Dave and I would have an electric car but since they have yet to make one that will fit our family...and possibly me at this point...we won't be getting one anytime soon.

So here is an OK belly pick at Week 25ish. Yep...I am huge. All is going well though my feet are starting to hurt after being on them for a while. While we were in Austin this past weekend we bought a glider and a rug so we are slowly accumulating all the stuff we think we need for the boys (turns out one of my sisters didn't love the twinkies reference-though they are one of my vices that I give into every once in a while-they are delicious if you don't think about what is in them and the fact they are probably on disaster list because they last a long time). We still have a ways to go but we will get there. We did start a childbirth class last week and that really is a whole post on its own. It is helpful and interesting after one class so hopefully it continues. We get a second level 2 ultrasound this week to measure their growth so hopefully they aren't too far behond. They are kicking, mostly after meals, but it seems to be slowing down a bit so my guess is they are running out of room in there. Also on the horizon...the dreaded glucose test. Hopefully it won't be too bad and I will pass with flying colors!

Dreaming of...

we heart it

 a day of sand between my toes, warm sunshine on my skin (with sunscreen of course), ocean waves crashing in the background as i nap, and a pedicure at the end of the day. anyone want to join me?

March Madness

It's here! Dave has been getting so excited about this weekend as it is his favorite weekend of the year! 32 college basketball games...what sports fan isn't in heaven this weekend!  

we heart it

 Oh wait, that could be Dave. We booked a few projects for the house for Thursday last week because we knew Dave was planning to be home to watch the games (and we really needed to get some of these things done before the twinkies arrive. He thought he could watch the games while all the work was being done. Well...we live in a house that is 80 years so there were bound to be a few issues. When we had the front door replaced what is usually about a 3 hour job became a 10 hour job! 

Many of the projects you can't see but here they are...

• Foundation repair...one of the beams was rotten (I guess you can expect that after 80 years) and needed replaced. It isn't good when you can stand in the dining room and bounce like you are on a diving board.
• There will be a 2nd phase to this project as it needs to extend below the back room that was added on
• 2 new ceiling fans...they are already making a difference since it is getting into the 80's
• 1 new outdoor light
• plumbing issue in kitchen &  laundry room
• there turned out to be a gas leak in the water heater so we had to get a new one of those too!
• dryer vent replaced
• capped off a gas line

Somehow they were done by about 6pm that day and Dave barely was able to see any of the games. Hopefully he can spend a little time watching the rest of the weekend! Not that it matters but both of our NCAA brackets are a mess. Boo! 

Lent is a Great Time to have a Lentil Burger

Lentil burgers are a vegetarian treat! I know you are thinking...that sounds gross but I have always loved them. We occasionally had them growing up (they are SUPER cheap) and I was the only one other than my mom that would actually eat them in our house--there were a lot of PB&J sandwiches or bowls of cereal on those nights.  It is one of the things I used to make regularly when I was a vegetarian and now I make them a couple of times during Lent. I still at times prefer these to a regular hamburger.

Dave will try anything and he did try one once when we were in Indiana and surprisingly he liked them! I was a little shocked but usually if I tell him it is healthy he will give it a good try. I should also mention that when we do make them at my mom and dad's house everyone "just wants a bite" so I think their taste buds are coming around.

Delicious!

Should anyone wish to try it...here is my version of the recipe!

 Lentil Burgers

1 cup dry lentils

1/2 cup rice

3 cups water

Add some salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano or any italian spices you want to throw in (I don't really measure!)

Bring all to a boil, cover & reduce heat and cook until water has been absorbed. You should be able to easily mash the lentils when they are done. 

Remove from heat and let cool. 

Add about 1 cup of bread crumbs and 2 eggs, along with a bit more of the above spices.

The dough should be sticky and a bit moist. Make into patties and cover in wheat germ.

Bring 1/4 inch of oil to a medium high temperature and cook until golden on both side and warm in the center. They are delicate so be careful as you flip!

I like mine with a slice of provolone cheese, ketchup and some onion. Delicious and filling! Let me know if you give them a try!

When the students are gone...I do kinda miss them

It's Spring Break in Aggieland! The sun is shining, traffic is light, plenty of places to park, and the students are gone! This is my first Spring Break since living in College Station that I am actually here. Usually my colleagues and I are carting 60+ students to Europe. I was lucky to go to London twice and Paris once. We have been facing some cuts at TAMU and the trip was one of those cuts...at least for a minute. Turns out we received some funding and will be taking a group to Paris in May. I won't be a part of that trip sadly but I am sure these two little rugrats will be more fun and exciting than enjoying Paris in the Springtime.

Palace of Versailles, March 2009

However right now...campus is way too quiet. I like the break from students but it makes for some boring office time. I am getting caught up on some paperwork but really that can get old after a while. I love working with students. You never know what you are going to help a student through that day, what crazy questions you will answer, how students will make you laugh, and the nutty stories they share with you (whether you want them or not). I have been so lucky to work with so many fabulous students throughout my career and here at Texas A&M is not different but I can honestly say they have probably taught me the most.

It is a very diverse group of students so my "student lens" has changed a lot as I learn more about their lives, their success and hardships, and how hard students work to make it through a great deal of adversity. I particularly have loved learning about all the cultures! I have students from Mexico, Columbia, Guatemala, Chile, Venezuela, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, and the US just to name a few. A lot of my students speak English as their second or even third language. I am amazed at their success when in some cases they have only known English for 3-4 years. They are so smart!  So while I will enjoy them being gone for the week...I will be excited to have them back on Monday!

A few of the Cushing Group...some of them have been with me since they were freshmen!

And a few Gaines Mentors!

As a follow up to my last blog...I should mention that Dave does help with the dishes every night. I like to wash more than put away. Since I will be relying on him so much in the next few months, I am trying to do as much as I can. Believe me...his time will come!

Week 23

We went to the doctor last week and everything seems to be going great with me and the boys.  The boys are kicking and pulling but aren't super active which is nice just a reminder every now and then that they are there. They seem to be most active when Dave is not around which is not so much fun for him. One of them is VERY close to my bladder. Everytime I move I feel like I have to go to the bathroom. Twin A is head down and probably will stay that way, the other is still sideways. Other than getting tired really easy and a backache I am doing well! The big piece of great news was that the doctor was really optimistic about them making it until June! YEAH! I will be miserable but the longer they are in there the better. Cross your fingers!

I didn't think I had put on much weight before this appointment and I was right only about 4.5 pounds in the last month. Luckily the doc said it was fine just try to focus on gaining one pound a week and we will be in good shape. Not sure we are going to get to that 50 pound mark but we will see! I wish I had a few cravings to help that out but unfortunately not so much. Our doc took a measurement just for the fun of it and it looks like I am measuring at 30 weeks when we were only about 22 1/2 along. So...I am big as you can see. Hopefully they are too. They get another measuring ultrasound at the end of the month. And hopefully we will get that added confirmation that Twin B is a boy! I think it is but I would like one last reassurance since it was so difficult to see the first time and our most recent appointment. He just doesn't want to show his business!

Week 23

Since I am carrying around a beach ball I have realized a few things that are getting more difficult...

• Tying my shoes. I really need for the weather to warm up so I can begin to live in my flipflops.
• Washing dishes. I am short and my arms aren't long and my belly is right at sink level. Water everywhere. On me, on the floor, on the counter...everywhere.
• Reaching anything above the 2nd shelf in the kitchen. I couldn't reach much before but the added six inch difference to how close I can get to the cabinet makes everything a little more out of reach.
• Getting out of bed. One I am tried but two it is like trying to sit up with one of those medicine balls on your stomach.
• Stairs. I really don't take them. I now park on the side of the parking garage with the elevator. A little further walk but I would rather walk than climb stairs! 
• Honda Civic. Dave loves that car but it is getting a bit more challenging to get in and out of. But I am letting him enjoy it as long as he can since he won't have it for much longer. We will be trading in for something longer as he and the car seats don't currently fit in either car at the same time right now. Small problem.

So there is your baby update. We are still working on names and getting the nursery together. We have a long way to go! Perhaps the next post will be the before..since it only has a car seat and a dresser in it!

By the way my blogging week is from Wednesday to Wednesday for those of you who will hold me accountable to this goal!

Lent

Wednesday was Ash Wednesday which begins the Lent season. While I am not Catholic, Dave is so I usually try to do something or give up something. Afterall, it isn't a bad idea to sacrifice something or attempt to do something to not only better yourself but to also observe an important part of your faith, whatever that may be. 

So, Dave has decided to give up sweets. This is a big one for him because he has a major sweet tooth on the weekends and he usually has animal crackers during the week for dessert (I get out of making Monster Cookies for a little while longer!). Obviously I won't be doing anything having to do with food including no meat on Fridays this year.

we heart it

 I actually hope to have a little of this today! Sorry Dave!

I am going to do my best to blog 3 times a week. This will truly be a challenge as I am not a very good blogger but I think I can do it and perhaps gain a new habit out of it. I can't promise a ton of pictures and wonderfully written entries but I can guarantee typos and sentences that don't make any sense. I am going to blame those things on pregnancy--though it happens ALL THE TIME. I hope that I get better over the next few weeks but we will see! 

In the meantime if you have any vegetarian friendly lunches or dinners please pass them along! Otherwise Dave will be eating A LOT of peanut butter sandwiches for lunch! Anybody else doing anything for Lent?