Ikea

I am feeling a weird desire to wander around Ikea and have a mid-browsing food break in their in-store cafe.  I've never eaten at Ikea, which is somewhat sad and surprising for a person who lived with Meredith Black for two years.  The girl is an expert on Ikea and their cafe.  So, are there any recommendations for when I give in to my desire on the Ikea situation?  What should I try? What should I stay away from?

Wildflowers

We gave out wildflower seeds at our wedding (two years ago) and finally got around to planting some of the leftover seeds. They still have a ways to go, but are looking so pretty!

Early Training

I am 32 years old, have graduated with a Master's degree and done some post-grad work, held down a full-time job since I was 23 (part-time before that), and lived on my own for a number of years.  I tell you this because I am an adult; have been one and considered one for years.  But I still go into grocery stores and, if I'm not pushing the cart, am hanging on to its side, because that is what the rule was when we went grocery shopping with Mom and/or Dad when we (my brothers and I) were little.  When I go into an art gallery, museum, or a store with A LOT of breakables (like an antique store), I still automatically fold my arms or put my hands in my pockets.  That was the rule when we went into stores like that when I was little.  It's an automatic habit; a sort of subliminal message left over from childhood that has entered into my subconscious when I am in those places.  I let go of the cart, and I gesture towards artwork or pick up breakables to get a closer look at them, but my first instinct and almost constant habit is to fall back on my early childhood training.  

It will be interesting to see what habits this kid picks up and takes with her to the future, subconsciously. 

Know-it-alls

We finished the last of the recommended baby classes last night, so according to Kaiser, we know everything there is to know about babies, childbirth, and how to keep sane. I wish they gave out certificates. That would be a fun one to hang on the wall and laugh at.

Livermorium

There are some new elements on the periodic table, apparently.  And no. 116 was created at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (where Kevin works...though not on this type of thing, but still).  So welcome livermorium, the latest element to be added to the periodic table.  It was created by smashing some atoms together and, once created, disintegrates quickly.  I'm not sure what the point is, but hey, I'm willing to bet it's important somehow, someway, to someone.  And Livermore is famous.  Sort of.  In certain circles.  This time for more than just me living here.

A few changes...

It is with some sadness that I report that I only have three pairs of shoes that fit me right now; a pair of tennis shoes, my flip-flops, and some open-back sandals (they are, however, pretty and kind of sparkly). My high-heels hurt my legs and my feet are too swollen for all my flats.  It is kind of devastating.  In addition, I am only able to put my rings on and take them off during certain parts of the day.  If I don't put them on early enough in the morning, my fingers have already swollen too much to get them on.  I can't take them off without liberal helpings of soap and cold water until around 10:30 or 11 pm when it cools down a little and my sausage fingers go back to a somewhat normal size.  I am pondering just giving up wearing the rings altogether, but then I think my hands look weird without them.  Hopefully everything goes back to normal after birth, because I'd hate to get my rings re-sized and have to start over on my shoe collection.  It took me a long time to build that up, and I really do enjoy all my shoe options.     

Accessories

This kid has already collected an impressive amount of hair accessories. And I love them; I can't wait to see her in them. But I needed a way to store them, so thanks to the magic of Pintrest, I found a little project. I like how it turned out and am still amazed at the sheer number of hair accessory options the kid has. Even I don't have that many.