I've been doing research the last few days on cloth diapers, and I've come to the same conclusion about all of them. It's not going to be easy to pick one specific type of cloth diaper that we want to use because there isn't one specific type that everyone absolutely loves. Different people have different love/hate relationships with different types, and in the end we'll just have to try a bunch of different ones until we settle on the one type we like the most.
Yesterday my mom picked up a couple packs of pre-folds for me, and I'm going to start stockpiling stuff like that now. I've got a big plastic container for storage, and I'm going to purchase a few diapers here and there. My mom will be bringing me tons of stuff now since a friend of her's works for a franchise store that sells all their merchandise at a huge discount to employees every 90 days. Her friend is already bringing home bags of stuff for baby including lots of blue and pink clothes when it will be months before we know the sex.
A friend suggested that we definitely get a few AIO's to use overnight so we don't have to wake the baby up to change it's diaper. I don't see that being an issue in the beginning since we'll be up every few hours for feedings anyway, but I'm going to take her advice when we get to the sleeping through the night stage. Of course that will be a loooong way off.
Last night I placed my first order for diapers to add to my stockpile. I decided to start with a kit. I decided to start with the "Try It" kit from Cotton Babies that comes with 6 Indian or Chinese prefold diapers, 2 Bummis Super Whisper Wrap covers, and a Snappi. It will be months before my own baby will be here to try these own, but our best friend's baby is due any minute now. I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to try these out on their little one, especially if he or she is spending some time with us while Mommy and Daddy go shopping.
Of course, I'm definitely open to suggestions from any of you moms out there using cloth diapers. I was a cloth diapered child, and I want to carry on the tradition while saving money and helping the environment.
Oh Baby
We've definitely had a lot going on over the last couple of weeks. I've been running my legs off, well at least I was until I received some news that I need to slow down. I don't mean I need to bring my life to a dead halt, but I decided it's time to start prioritizing things and making time for myself...now that we've found out we're expecting our first child.
Yep, we're both seriously happy even though we weren't exactly expecting this right now. We don't have insurance, so we'll be paying for this out of pocket. It's definitely going to be a change in our lives. Before anyone suggests we check out the government programs for women and children in our area, we've already done so. We fall into the in between category. We don't make enough to afford our own private insurance, but we make too much to qualify for any of the government programs. I'm not worried about it though. I'll pay for things however I need to.
Anywho, maybe let that be a reminder to any of you who don't have insurance. Search around for insurance online because you may be lucky enough to find something you can afford.
Yep, we're both seriously happy even though we weren't exactly expecting this right now. We don't have insurance, so we'll be paying for this out of pocket. It's definitely going to be a change in our lives. Before anyone suggests we check out the government programs for women and children in our area, we've already done so. We fall into the in between category. We don't make enough to afford our own private insurance, but we make too much to qualify for any of the government programs. I'm not worried about it though. I'll pay for things however I need to.
Anywho, maybe let that be a reminder to any of you who don't have insurance. Search around for insurance online because you may be lucky enough to find something you can afford.
McCormick Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade
This time of the year we start planning to grill out at least once a week, weather permitting. I'm totally a charcoal girl, and the taste of propane makes my stomach turn. I normally make my own marinade, too, but a friend suggested we try one of the McCormick Grill Mates, so that's exactly what we did for dinner tonight.
We decided to try the Mesquite Marinade on our steaks tonight, and I was pretty pleased with the outcome. The marinade packet cost $1.60 at our local Ingles, and it's enough to marinade 2lbs of meat.
McCormick's description:
I can't exactly say I agree with the "slightly sweet" that much because what really caught my attention was the pepper. Seriously, if you don't like a good bit of spice on your steak you won't like this marinade, but it was perfect for us. We both enjoy an extra kick. Hubby ate half of his steak while he was standing at the grill waiting for the rest of our food to cook, and he went on and on about how great he thought the marinade was!
My only complaint, other than the pepper thing, is that the marinade was very salty. I don't cook with a lot of salt, and I don't tend to season with much either. That comes from growing up in a family where salt was kept off the table during most meals, so we became accustomed to not using any. The salt content was definitely more than I would have used, but it still made a good steak.
It's not a marinade I'll be using on a regular basis, but since Hubby loved it we will definitely use it in the future. I'm also interested in trying the Grill Mates Steak Rub, so we may just try that next time we grill steaks.
We decided to try the Mesquite Marinade on our steaks tonight, and I was pretty pleased with the outcome. The marinade packet cost $1.60 at our local Ingles, and it's enough to marinade 2lbs of meat.
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| Photo courtesy of McCormick's Press Room |
McCormick's description:
FLAVOR You Can See! A smoky, slightly sweet blend of garlic, onions & pepper that captures the smoky flavor of real grilled Mesquite
I can't exactly say I agree with the "slightly sweet" that much because what really caught my attention was the pepper. Seriously, if you don't like a good bit of spice on your steak you won't like this marinade, but it was perfect for us. We both enjoy an extra kick. Hubby ate half of his steak while he was standing at the grill waiting for the rest of our food to cook, and he went on and on about how great he thought the marinade was!
My only complaint, other than the pepper thing, is that the marinade was very salty. I don't cook with a lot of salt, and I don't tend to season with much either. That comes from growing up in a family where salt was kept off the table during most meals, so we became accustomed to not using any. The salt content was definitely more than I would have used, but it still made a good steak.
It's not a marinade I'll be using on a regular basis, but since Hubby loved it we will definitely use it in the future. I'm also interested in trying the Grill Mates Steak Rub, so we may just try that next time we grill steaks.
No Religious Material
Every year I have a very hard time coming up with a birthday present for my mom because she already has way more junk than she needs. She hoards collects teapots and tea sets, but she already has 3 china cabinets stuffed full of them. This year I refuse to buy her yet another tea set.
A couple months ago she mentioned she's hooked on a series of Christian books she started reading awhile back, but just my luck I can't remember what series she was talking about. I decided it might be a good idea to get her a few books Christian books that she might like anyway, so I tried to snoop tonight to find out some of her favorite authors. Of course that got me nowhere because she apparently trades all her books with her best friend once she reads them, and she can't seem to remember any of the author's names. That's typical of her, so I should have expected it.
Since her birthday is Monday I decided I'd take a trip to town to visit the Christian bookstore where I'd just pick out what I thought she might like. We got there only to find that particular bookstore has just gone out of business. It figures. I haven't been there in years, so I wasn't even sure it was still there anyway.
My next option was to hit up another local bookstore in town, and I was shocked to find the second bookstore doesn't carry any type of books or material that have anything to do with religion...any religion not just Christianity. Honestly I was kind of shocked by that. I've never been in a bookstore that didn't have something for everyone...except maybe pornographic type stuff.
Oh well I guess this weekend I'll take a trip to the mall. I know there's a huge bookstore there that should have something she'll like, and in the meantime I can spend some time on paperbackswap reading a few reviews. I'd use my points to order some used books for her, but I know they definitely wouldn't get here in time.
A couple months ago she mentioned she's hooked on a series of Christian books she started reading awhile back, but just my luck I can't remember what series she was talking about. I decided it might be a good idea to get her a few books Christian books that she might like anyway, so I tried to snoop tonight to find out some of her favorite authors. Of course that got me nowhere because she apparently trades all her books with her best friend once she reads them, and she can't seem to remember any of the author's names. That's typical of her, so I should have expected it.
Since her birthday is Monday I decided I'd take a trip to town to visit the Christian bookstore where I'd just pick out what I thought she might like. We got there only to find that particular bookstore has just gone out of business. It figures. I haven't been there in years, so I wasn't even sure it was still there anyway.
My next option was to hit up another local bookstore in town, and I was shocked to find the second bookstore doesn't carry any type of books or material that have anything to do with religion...any religion not just Christianity. Honestly I was kind of shocked by that. I've never been in a bookstore that didn't have something for everyone...except maybe pornographic type stuff.
Oh well I guess this weekend I'll take a trip to the mall. I know there's a huge bookstore there that should have something she'll like, and in the meantime I can spend some time on paperbackswap reading a few reviews. I'd use my points to order some used books for her, but I know they definitely wouldn't get here in time.
Changing Perspectives
I know in my last post I was bitching about how cold it has been, but today my eyes have been opened to a new issue. Today is warm...not just warm...perfect! 84 degrees is just about right for me. Of course Hubby being the man who sweats in 40 degrees swears we must have entered hell (as he swears this time every year). Being that I am THE woman who complains about cold chills in the middle of the summer, this weather is quite nice.
Unfortunately it has reminded me of something I'd rather not think about...that dreaded little piece of cloth we refer to as the swimsuit. Ok so maybe finding out that I can't fit my thighs into last season's shorts that were a perfect fit has something to do with that. Either way, it is now something that will haunt me until I either lose 20 lbs or cold weather arrives once again.
I know love the person on the inside and all that, but I admit I'm very insecure when it comes to the outside like many other women out there. I will not sit here typing that I am fat because frankly I don't believe I am. Insecurity comes in many forms, and in me it is the fact that even though I am not fat I am no longer the girl I was 10 years ago who could eat anything without worrying about how it would change my body.
A few years ago when I started to gain weight I would laugh it off. I would tell people "I'm not worried about it right now. I'm in the baby years that are going to change my body anyway. I'll worry about it after I have children." Apparently I was lying to myself through my teeth.
I've mentioned many times before that I need to lose a few pounds or I'd like to start working out again, but not once have I believed myself when I've said it. All the talk about diet pills and weight loss have been nothing but more lies to myself. I'd say it, then I'd tell myself I'd worry about it later because I don't need it right now.
Pulling out your summer wardrobe only to realize most of it doesn't fit anymore can completely change a person's perspective. Now I'm ready to do something about it. I'm going to start by getting my butt off this couch and taking a nice long walk.
Unfortunately it has reminded me of something I'd rather not think about...that dreaded little piece of cloth we refer to as the swimsuit. Ok so maybe finding out that I can't fit my thighs into last season's shorts that were a perfect fit has something to do with that. Either way, it is now something that will haunt me until I either lose 20 lbs or cold weather arrives once again.
I know love the person on the inside and all that, but I admit I'm very insecure when it comes to the outside like many other women out there. I will not sit here typing that I am fat because frankly I don't believe I am. Insecurity comes in many forms, and in me it is the fact that even though I am not fat I am no longer the girl I was 10 years ago who could eat anything without worrying about how it would change my body.
A few years ago when I started to gain weight I would laugh it off. I would tell people "I'm not worried about it right now. I'm in the baby years that are going to change my body anyway. I'll worry about it after I have children." Apparently I was lying to myself through my teeth.
I've mentioned many times before that I need to lose a few pounds or I'd like to start working out again, but not once have I believed myself when I've said it. All the talk about diet pills and weight loss have been nothing but more lies to myself. I'd say it, then I'd tell myself I'd worry about it later because I don't need it right now.
Pulling out your summer wardrobe only to realize most of it doesn't fit anymore can completely change a person's perspective. Now I'm ready to do something about it. I'm going to start by getting my butt off this couch and taking a nice long walk.
Frozen Solid
Oh my goodness it's freezing this morning! Hubby's building up a nice fire in the wood stove while I sit here under a blanket freezing waiting for the warmth to hit. When we woke up this morning it was 18 in the house. Luckily we have a small floor heater we use in the bedroom before we go to bed, and it heats the room up enough to keep it warm for all of us at night, pets included.
I was going to take a shower first thing this morning since I have a new soap I want to review, but we'll have to wait just a bit for the house to warm up before I even attempt a shower.
All this warm weather we were having has already spoiled me, so when yesterday brought snow and freezing temps again I totally wasn't ready. We didn't get any snow here, and that's just weird. Normally when we get snow around here the mountains where I live get pummeled while the rest of the county only sees a bit. This time the mountains didn't get any while the rest of the state got hit hard.
My dad apparently hadn't been watching the news because he called me yesterday morning wanting to know if I wanted to go to the Monday morning wholesale auctions with him a couple counties over. Little did he know they'd just received 10 inches of snow, and everything was shut down including the roads into the place. Yeah I know 10 inches isn't a lot for most of you, but for us it's astronomical.
Maybe we'll get to go next Monday because I've really wanted to check the place out. My farmer dad goes to the wholesale auctions in the morning and the cattle auctions in the afternoon, and I've seen some of the stuff he's picked up at the wholesale auctions. Any bulk pallets of computer parts I could pick up would seriously help my business, so maybe I'll get a chance to go check them out next week.
I was going to take a shower first thing this morning since I have a new soap I want to review, but we'll have to wait just a bit for the house to warm up before I even attempt a shower.
All this warm weather we were having has already spoiled me, so when yesterday brought snow and freezing temps again I totally wasn't ready. We didn't get any snow here, and that's just weird. Normally when we get snow around here the mountains where I live get pummeled while the rest of the county only sees a bit. This time the mountains didn't get any while the rest of the state got hit hard.
My dad apparently hadn't been watching the news because he called me yesterday morning wanting to know if I wanted to go to the Monday morning wholesale auctions with him a couple counties over. Little did he know they'd just received 10 inches of snow, and everything was shut down including the roads into the place. Yeah I know 10 inches isn't a lot for most of you, but for us it's astronomical.
Maybe we'll get to go next Monday because I've really wanted to check the place out. My farmer dad goes to the wholesale auctions in the morning and the cattle auctions in the afternoon, and I've seen some of the stuff he's picked up at the wholesale auctions. Any bulk pallets of computer parts I could pick up would seriously help my business, so maybe I'll get a chance to go check them out next week.
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