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Archive for the ‘Andrew’ Category

reason number 5,937 I love my husband

Posted in Andrew, Italy, traveling, trips on March 23, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

He takes me to foreign countries and does 100% of the planning.

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Yes, that is our schedule. All seventeen days are planned down to the minute.

I realize that it appears overwhelming and a bit much, but in truth, the overly planned schedule allows us to have the most flexibility possible. Basically, we have all the information at our fingertips, like bus and train schedules, as well as the locations and hours of all the places on our itinerary, which means we can decide to stick to the schedule, or fly by the seat of our pants, should we change our minds, need a coffee break or encounter a rainstorm. And plus, when you’re in these amazing places, it seems like such a waste NOT to make sure you see as much as you can. Andrew has planned all our trips this way and we get the best of both worlds; we see tons of stuff, but if we’re tired and need a change of pace in the middle of the afternoon, he’s prepared with the information we need to take a different train or go see something else instead.

I tell you what; for a girl who lives 365 days a year in constant ‘plan-every-moment-of-her-day-and-waste-no-time’ mode, a 17-day break in which Andrew takes over is absolute heaven.

Oh, and did I mention he’s working on his Italian?

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Yeah, I got a keeper. In college, I thought I knew what I was in for, marrying Andrew. Just barely! I think his passion for travel makes up for the clothes he leaves on the floor…

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long-distance

Posted in Andrew, Friends on March 23, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

We had a rare moment–two of them, actually–when Andrew was on the phone this week for more than five minutes at a time.

Last night, Andrew’s friend Silas called from Alaska to chat, and a day or so before that, Andrew talked to one of our other Ohio friends, Dave, for two hours (!!).  I even caught a smile as he read a text message from another friend, Brandon, who now lives in Texas.

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There is just something so ‘manly’ about a man and the relationship he has with other God-fearing men.  Andrew didn’t have brothers growing up, but he does now.

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and the pantry was no more

Posted in Andrew, house projects on March 3, 2013 | 2 Comments »

So, Andrew has continued with the kitchen lighting project this weekend, but to do that, had to take the ceiling out of our pantry to run the wiring.  And that, of course, calls for a complete pantry re-do.  Obviously.

Before:

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The bright blob in the upper left is the light.  We’re going to be doing recessed lighting–that’s Andrew’s specialty–and attempting to get a little more space by taking the room down to the studs (hmm…sounds like the laundry room, huh?) and reconfiguring the shelving.  He’ll also be bringing the existing kitchen tile into the pantry, like it should have already.

I’ll admit, there really wasn’t anything wrong with the pantry; in fact, I’m lucky to even have one in an older home.  But, in true Andrew fashion, shortly after moving in he was peering into the space with that ‘how can I improve this’ look on his face.

So, I schlepped all the stuff out of the pantry and dumped it in our dining room before heading off to study for the GIANT TEST I HAVE TOMORROW.  (Why am I blogging?  I should be studying.  I will right after I finished this.  I promise.  Seriously.)

The dining room table:

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My assortment of Modular Mates, which is where I store all my flours, sugars, grains, rices and pastas, as well as some cereal and snacks.  And the breadmaker:

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After arriving home three hours later, I found this and heard banging coming from inside:

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My heart leapt; he remembered to put a sheet up to minimize the dust!  I could have kissed him right then!  (In retrospect, I should have.  Maybe I did.  I can’t remember.)

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After:

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We’ve both been google-ing “small pantry organization” and looking at tons of pictures for ideas.  Here are some we’re toying with:

-a deep cabinet on the bottom, on top of which I can put the mixer (trying to gain more kitchen counter space) and inside of which I can store the breadmaker, miscellaneous food and tools

-less-deep shelves above, measured to fit my Modular Mates

-perhaps some narrow shelves to make use of some deep but not very wide space from floor to ceiling on the left (there were existing shelves there, but pretty shoddy)

-frosted-glass french doors to get into the pantry, and change it and the molding to white (currently black)

Key goals:

-create more ‘free’ space, so it doesn’t feel so cramped and claustrophobic

-maintain as much storage as possible

-better lighting

-some enclosed storage (like a cabinet) in which to keep certain items dust-free

Of course, I’m already thinking of paint colors (I am SO ahead of myself) and wish I could throw myself into this project.  Alas, school just keeps getting in the way :(

And, my husband was kind enough to bring up and assemble one of the chrome shelves we’d had sitting in the basement.  Organization has now returned to my life.

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my immune system said, “i quit!”

Posted in Andrew, grocery shopping, sick on December 6, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Seriously.  It was as if immediately after my morning final yesterday, my immune system started dwindling, and I mean FAST.  By mid-afternoon I was experiencing misty eyes, a headache, sore throat and sniffles.  Add to that an out-of-whack neck (emergency massage appointment made for tomorrow), and the fact that my afternoon coffee was kind-of turning my stomach (when I’m sick, I reach for tea, not coffee) and I knew the inevitable was happening:  I was coming down with something and there was no stopping it.

By the time I left my co-op meeting just before 8 p.m., I had decided to skip swim practice and was ready to hit the sack.

I mean, can you blame my poor immune system??  After three months of 5 hours of sleep a night, constant motion and stress, coupled with my less-than-ideal eating habits lately, it probably couldn’t wait to get out of dodge!  Its bags have been packed for days while I ran on fumes getting through these most recent finals.  Well, I’m resting!  I need that system back in full by Monday at 8 a.m.!  So, I’m taking it slow this morning (had to cancel a breakfast date with a dear friend who I haven’t seen since SUMMER–boo!) and am currently making the cookies I committed to bringing to the co-op event this afternoon.

Oh, and in other news–Andrew did his first “real” grocery run last night to Wegmans.  Not sure if I mentioned it, but he’s decided I spend too much on groceries and that he’s taking over the shopping.  Yes, ladies, you heard that right.  I know–I can hear your laughter from miles away.  I freely admitted to him that yes, I totally blew our grocery budget these past couple months because it was the one area of my life I felt like I could ‘let go’ and actually pseudo-enjoy myself while shopping, not to mention I had no more brain power left to plan or cook meals.  If I wanted it, needed it, or thought it would add to convenience food items at home (like granola bars on sale!), I threw it in the cart.  Most of my peers use the gym to escape schoolwork; instead, I study on the elliptical and get to enjoy a few moments of bliss while walking the aisles of Wegmans.

ANYWAY, I said (in a little bit of anger, at the time), GO AHEAD and grocery shop.  YOU scour our pantry shelves, fridge and freezer to see what we have and don’t have, plan a weekly menu around what needs to be used up, make a shopping list, grocery shop and unload it BY YOURSELF.  (All while making sure the means are well-balanced, healthy and NOT from a box.)

Well, the control freak/only-person-who-really-knows-what-we-have-in-our-kitchen in me ended up making a menu and grocery list and sent him on his way last night.  Actually, it was probably the last thing he wanted to do at 8 p.m., but someone’s got to.

I wish I had pictures, but by the time he got home AFTER 10 p.m., I had already faded and was barely upright enough to help put the groceries away.  But I did, because I love him and felt bad and he is a gimp, after all.

He ended up spending exactly the amount left in our weekly budget, although about a third of that was non-food items, like toilet paper and cat litter, so there is a little slack there.  Sure, he’ll spend less at the grocery store, but we won’t eat as well.  Should I burst his bubble and tell him that he barely bought three dinners’ worth of food?  Partly because I’m trying my darndest to be creative and use things we already have–like jarred sauces or meat already in the freezer–and because I still haven’t gotten back to the old Holly who cooks a new, from-scratch meal every night.

He was almost completely successful, but failed on the most important item: organic milk.  I insist on it, for various reasons, mostly because I eat yogurt like it’s going out of style and it’s way more cost-effective to buy organic milk and make my own than buy both separately.  Guess he’ll have to make a bunch of vanilla pudding to use up the one he bought…  And he did come home with the oddest looking can of pizza sauce (hey, I’m always up for trying new things) and a Florida avocado (bright green skin) instead of a Hass avocado (black skin).  And don’t forget his splurges–Tricuits and Cavender’s greek seasoning.

I must admit, I could get used to this–as long as he gets what’s on my list!!!  Although I think that might defeat the purpose, if the list is too lengthy/expensive.  However, just the fact that he’s the one shopping and not me will eliminate all of my impulse purchases and microbrew beer grabs.  So, I guess we will see how it all goes :)

Prayers are needed for a FULL recovery and productivity over the next couple days as I study for the rest of my final exams and work on presentations!

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surgery

Posted in Andrew on October 30, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Andrew’s surgery was today. We arrived at the hospital around 7:30 and they whisked him away to pre-op by 8:30. I was more anxious and teary-eyed than I’d expected, and I’m so glad I was there. This was our first medical “thing” and I’m surprised at how nervous we both were.
While I waited, I wrote my entire history essay and snacked continuously. Hey, I’m an emotional eater; I’m workin on it…
He came out of surgery just fine around 12 and I was able to see him by 2.

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After a happy reunion, we headed home and Andrew has reclaimed his spot on the couch.

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It’s two Andrews! Like I need any more work in my life right now…

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sweet surprise

Posted in Andrew, cupcakes, Dessert on October 28, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

What did I find at our door? Nothing but a giant box of FIREFLY CUPCAKES!!!  Our friends in the cupcake business heard about Andrew’s accident and gifted us with some yummy treats :)

Here are some of our goodies, with the invalid himself in the background:

 

Good thing we (who am I kidding?  I’m going to benefit more from this than Andrew will…) have plenty more to enjoy :)

Thank you, Wendy, and the whole Firefly crew!!!  p.s.  Andrew and I were in on Tuesday night enjoying the pumpkin (me) and the blood orange vampire 0ne (btw, he deemed it his absolute favorite!) and we loved all your halloween decorating!  also, so glad we were in that night, since he got hurt the very next day…!

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achilles heel, and a list

Posted in Andrew, hadrian, house projects, school on October 27, 2012 | 2 Comments »

At least it wasn’t MY achilles tendon that got torn this week…

Yes, folks, you heard that right.  We had a major injury this week; Andrew tore his Achilles tendon at basketball Wednesday, which prompted a 4-hour stay at the local after-hours urgent care, in addition to a heck of a lot of craziness.

Not sure why I couldn’t manage to get a blog post out about it until just now–I do remember wanting to snap a photo while we were in the waiting room, except every time I thought about it, Andrew was playing with my phone.  As in, the phone with the camera in it.

And I’m not sure why I couldn’t manage to publish any of the already written posts I have sitting in the queue (since that is precisely what they are there for)…busy week, I guess.

ANYWAY, Andrew is laid-up with surgery scheduled Tuesday.  He’s definitely in some pain but has a hefty painkiller prescription, and is thoroughly enjoying Netflix’s instant streaming.  (A service we cancelled awhile back and he re-ordered just this afternoon in light of his couch-bound state.  Hmm…is that how things get done around here?  What kind of ailment can I come up with that will get me a re-attached basement door and some furniture???)

 

Thankfully, it’s his left foot, which means that–technically–he CAN drive (heck, he drove himself to urgent care!), and will be able to to so at some point soon.  Until then, he can bum rides to work with his dad and he’s pretty good on crutches.  Gosh, it’s been a HUGE BLESSING having Andrew’s parents here.

And another thing: I’ve learned I’m not a nursemaid.  Like, AT ALL.  I’m just not a nurse.  I’m not compassionate (not that I’m mean, I’m just not overly caring, I suppose) and totally thoughtless.  Maybe I’m just distracted right now with school.  In any case, pity Andrew–I love him to death and I do try to help, but it’s definitely NOT my gift.

So, that’s the biggest news of our lives right now.  As early as the night it happened I was already considering it a blessing; it’s forcing us to stop our house projects and relax (well, he can; I still have school!) and spend time in the same room together.  I mean, if Andrew can manage it I’d really like a couple quick things done here before we totally call it quits (like that basement door and the drapes), and maybe he can just talk me through some of these tasks, too.

We also postponed our house-warming party, which has given me such relief it’s not even funny.  In all honesty, a couple days ago I started getting a bad feeling about the party–just that I wasn’t ready nor was I looking forward to it because of everything else on my plate–and between Andrew’s injury and finding out our new couch won’t be here until DECEMBER (Lazy-Boy, I am SO UNIMPRESSED I can’t see straight–probably a post all its own), in addition to school projects and the fact that we still haven’t gotten any more furniture or lamps….well, I was a bit stressed.  We’re thinking January might be a better time for it.

I’ve already single-handedly raked and disposed of every leaf in our yard.  Last night.  For three hours straight.  THREE HOURS.

 

I was out loading leaves into a trash can and hauling them to the curb in the dark.  You bet I earned those BBQ wings I wanted!

In other news, school is–just like always–completely insane.  If it isn’t one class, it’s another.  In the past week or so, I’ve had two tests, the first part of a project (to be blogged about later, I hope), and a test, two more projects, a quiz and an essay in the next week. And an article to write.  And packages to mail (sorry Heather–your b-day/care package will be in the mail Monday).  And I’ve got to get to Wegmans tomorrow–we’re out of spinach!  And I have to do research for one of the afore-mentioned projects.  I love that I can do homework at Wegmans.  Sort of.

Here’s a quick pic of one of my project groups:

 

I’m in the back peeking over two of the girls.  We had to come up with 10 recipes (5 regular, 5 fat-modified), and had the rest of the people in our lab cook them and perform a blind taste-test.  That was Wednesday, now THIS coming Wednesday we present our findings and a bunch of information as well as fat-reduced products you find at your grocery store.  I made two versions of fried chicken, and I’ll blog about it later.

One more thing:  we finally re-filled Hadrian’s bed.

 

The poor guy’s been sleeping on it almost completely flat for awhile now.  We just use packing peanuts from the UPS store.  You’d be amazed how they flatten over time…

Well, that’s a good summary of the past week or so.  Prayers for Andrew’s surgery and my sanity are greatly appreciated!

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on why i’m reluctant to buy freezie pops

Posted in Andrew, messes on August 7, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Freezie pops.  They are a staple of summer.  They were at my house growing up, and they certainly were at the Layers.’

However, these small and relatively inconspicuous wands of sugary goodness manage to create quite a stir in our house.

First of all, there’s what I call the ‘self-control’ issue.  Andrew has none.  Exhibit A, below:

Those were for a 5-minute car ride.  Let’s just say the Lay’s “You can’t eat just one” slogan couldn’t be more true.  And I get that they’re small–but does anyone ever need more than 10 freezie pops in a 24-hour period?

(This is also why I don’t buy soda–a six-pack would be gone in ONE EVENING.  Andrew 6, Holly 0.  Seriously.  And before you start in with the “You’re not his mother, let the boy drink what he wants,” Ma, he thanks me for it.  And so does his waistline.)

Moving on.

Reason number two: the disposal issue.

Where does one find freezie pop wrappers in our house?  (and car, apparently)

Oh, pretty much everywhere.

Car doors…

The decorative hurricane candle on the coffee table…

The snipped-off ends wind up in the sink, instead of the trash can…

Not to mention all the ones that settle on the kitchen table, coffee table, kitchen counters and floor…

But the one that truly takes the cake?

The shower.  Yes, you see that right people, the shower.

And did I mention that out of a box of 100, which lasts about a week in our house, I might eat five or six?

FIVE OR SIX.

And let’s not forget the sticky, messy scissors with which Andrew uses to cut the end off his pops that I find on the counter.  How many times have I asked him to simply rinse them off after each use?  How is that not common sense?  HOW?

And so now you know why it is only with great reluctance that I place that giant box of individually-wrapped colored sugar water packets in the cart at Wegmans…

(Disclaimer: This post makes me sound like an anti-sugar, anti-fun, anti-summer witch.  I would try to defend myself, but it really might be true.  But I should at least get points for buying the darn things–honey, I DO love you!)

 

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mr. espresso

Posted in Andrew, coffee on August 2, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Andrew’s been on an espresso-kick for a little while now.

Not actually drinking it, really, but more talking about getting an espresso maker.  I’m sure he’s imaging one of those sleek contraptions you can find at Williams Sonoma that shoot out your espresso and warm and froth your milk at the same time.  All I see is dollar signs and yet another thing that will compete for precious counter space.

The truth is, our Keurig’s days are numbered.  The once-reasonably priced K-cups have been skyrocketing, and our machine is starting to make funny noises and pop open during the brew cycle.  Only occasionally, so as not to cause a panic, but just frequently enough that I feel I have to pay attention.  Plus, I’d really like to buy my own beans, grind them myself and brew a great cup of coffee–not just rely on Keurig’s pre-packaged selection.  I’m starting to be a little bit of a coffee connoisseur, didn’t you know?

However, Andrew and I haven’t figured out what we want to do yet.  The last thing I want is both a bulky coffee maker and a bulky espresso maker sitting on the counter, and I don’t really want an all-in-one, either.  I really like the convenience of machine coffee, but then there is the elegance and great taste of french press…

Grandma to the rescue!  While I was in Carmel visiting, I mentioned Andrew was thinking about an espresso maker.  While at Sur La Table (my absolute favorite kitchen store), grandma started talking to the saleslady about espresso and within a few minutes, we had our answer: a stovetop espresso maker–made just how espresso began in Italy.  In fact, my dad used one of these for years when I was growing up!  I had no idea how cosmopolitan he was…

Grandma picked up the popular ‘moka pot’ by Bialetti, some Illy espresso and a milk frother for Andrew.  I even convinced her to wrap them up as a gift, since Andrew was missing out on the visit.  He was so touched when I got home with a gift bag, just for him!

He’s thoroughly enjoying the espresso, and I have to admit–I am too.  However, the first morning I made it, I was a little sad to skip my coffee.  I even contemplated having a cup of coffee WHILE brewing the espresso…!  I think it’s more the routine that I missed–the giving up of that first–almost instant–gratification that morning has arrived.  The espresso is very good–I actually think we’re making ‘mokas’ since I’ve been using a larger water-t0-espresso ratio–and the brewing isn’t hard at all.

And the best part?  It’s small enough that I can tuck it away in a cabinet when we aren’t using it.  Hmm., just like a French Press…

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it’s hot here, ya’ll

Posted in Andrew, New York on July 6, 2012 | 1 Comment »

Andrew discovered that getting spritzed with some water while standing in front of the fan was glorious.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not THAT hot here.  I know what hot is, and this isn’t so bad.  But remember, we don’t have air conditioning, so sometimes the house can get pretty toasty.  Like my kitchen, yesterday, as I was cake-baking and chicken-roasting.  What was I thinking??  Seriously, I had to move a fan so that it would blow on me while I was doing dishes.

(The problem with this house: vertical window openings + too few plugs = no place to put a fan in a window!)

The mornings and evenings are cool; I went running Wednesday at 10:15 in the morning and while it got pretty hot while I was out on the run (until about 11:15), the fact that I could even THINK about running at that time tells you it isn’t that bad there.  Overall, I love the weather here.  I’ll take a few uncomfortable days in the summer in exchange for mostly mild temps in the spring and summer, glorious fall leaves and snowy winters.

We’ll survive, but a great deal of sweating is going on right now.

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