June 30, 2008

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's to the Gym I Go

Breathe in. Lift! Breathe out. Down.

1

Breathe in. Lift! Breathe out. Down.

2

Strains of "The Countess Cathleen" from Riverdance hum through my iPod while I concentrate on not killing myself. The breathing is important, or so I've been told. But no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get the rhythm down.

Sheesh, even when I was delivering Caleb, I couldn't breathe right. Maybe it's a genetic defect. Ooo, then I could blame my parents!

Somehow, my leg curls and extensions get done. They are accordingly marked down in my notebook. Then I move on.

Now Pirates of the Caribbean is blasting in my ears, and I jog in time to the beat on the treadmill. Breathing isn't so important here. I can forget everything else and just run (or walk. . . um, yeah. I like walking). And I remember why I like the gym so much.

I didn't think I would. Like the gym, that is. I joined it in a desperate attempt to be a bit more healthy and to keep the ominous suggestion of Diabetes far far away. But to my surprise and delight, I actually enjoy the gym.

You know why? Want in on the secret? Because for me, the world goes bye-bye when I walk through L.A. Fitness's doors. I get to block everything out. The simplicity of breathing and weight-lifting does wonders for the world-weary soul. Like diving under water, when everything around you becomes muted.

No phones. No instant messenger. No demands. No emergencies. Heck, no one even knows me!

And for an hour and a half, that peace and tranquility is all mine.

Ahhhhh, I love it.

June 25, 2008

I'm an Auntie!!!

Elizabeth Grace Jackson
born
June 24th, at 11:12 p.m.
7 lbs. 9 oz.
Congratulations, Shawn and Natalie!!! We can't wait to meet her!
"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him." Ps. 127:3

June 20, 2008

Hello Summer

Ahem.

I hate heat.

That is all.

Thank you.

It's 102 degrees here right now, friends. Which explains why I'm at the kitchen table on the lap top instead on in the office on my own computer. . . it's HOT HOT HOT in there right now. Not sure how Jason and I will survive raid night, but somehow we'll manage. :)

June 13, 2008

Stretching the buck a little bit farther . . .

A little over a month ago, on the advice of several friends, I made my first trip to Henry's Farmers Market. My Friday morning shopping trips haven't been the same since.

I *heart* Henrys.

Jason has had to listen to me rave about it for the last few weeks and now, dear friends, it's your turn. :) Let me tell you just why I *heart* Henrys:

  • 2 Sirloin Tip steaks (for a crockpot recipe) $6.30
  • 0.70 lb. chocolate covered pretzels $0.60
  • 1 onion $0.35
  • 1 bag red grapes $3.11
  • 1 green bell pepper $0.49
  • 1 carton of blackberries $1.50
  • 1 lb. of peaches $0.50
  • 2 cucumbers $1.18
  • 4 pluots (or plums) $1.67

And what did the steak and all that produce come to? A grand total of $15.70. That, my friends, is nothing short of a miracle. I could never have spent so little at Albertsons. I even have my doubts about Trader Joes. Ask anyone. Fresh produce is pricey.

But at Henrys, something magical ocurrs at checkout. You get more bang, or berry, or pepper, for your buck. That's why I *heart* Henrys.

There is a place, however, that I very much do NOT *heart*. A place that I ex-heart.

A place called Arco.

Where I filled up my little 13-gallon, four door Chevy today for $4.49 a gallon. I spent over $60 on gas today, folks. Sixty. 60.

Eeep!

That's a record.

So, in light of the evil gas pump, whose snickering I could almost hear as it sucked up my husband's hard-earned income, can you blame me for jumping for joy when I find delicious places like Henrys and Traders to shop at?

Well, I suppose you could blame me. But I ain't gonna stop. No siree. I'm a-jumping for joy with my steak and fresh produce in both hands.

At least a buck is still worth something somewhere.

Four Years . . .

. . . and counting. Four years ago yesterday, I married my best friend and became Mrs. Jason Neuhauser.

Has it really been four years? Where has the time gone?

Or, as I said to Jay the other day, "We could have gone through high school together by now!"

To which he gave me one of those looks that says, "My, what a silly wife I have!" :)




Happy Anniversary, my love!

And for those of you who are wondering, we're celebrating our four years on Saturday. Mom and Harry are going to watch Caleb, and we're going to spend the day together. Just the two of us. All alone. Well, almost. :) We will be sharing our day with The Natural History Museum as we peruse the Pompeii exhibit, and then with other diners at the Dakota Grill for dinner. But hey, I'm not complaining. A day with my man sounds just about perfect, no matter what we do.

June 3, 2008

In Which She Brews Some Coffee

A momentous occasion is underway at the Neuhausers this morning.

After nearly four years of marriage, I am brewing my first pot of coffee. Won't you join me? Appropriate attire is required, of course. Pajamas preferred.

Why, you ask, has it taken me four years to brew coffee? Well, one needs a coffee maker before one can make coffee. And I was not in possession of such a machine until a few weeks ago (thank you, Natalie, for saving me from the coffee void!). Oh! the little gurglie sounds are dying down; it's almost done! One moment, please.

*grabs her coffee mug in eager expectation*

-a few coffee scented moments go by-

Ahhhhhhhhh. De-caf with French Vanilla creamer. Hot and blonde. Does life get any better? I'll admit, the coffee's a little strong, but then, I'm new to this whole aspect of SAHM-ism. Less grounds next time. Mmmmmm, next time. I'm already excited!

Too bad Jason doesn't like coffee. Not the taste, not the smell. In fact, he's probably one of the reasons we've been coffee-maker-less these four years. And I'm probably the other one:

I don't do regular coffee much anymore. My body doesn't react too well to caffeine, be it soda, coffee, or otherwise. In my PLNU days, it was Cherry Pepsi and venti Carmel Frappaccinos. Now it's Sprite, Sierra Mist, or 7-Up, thank you very much. But unlike Jason, I still love the taste of coffee. So in an effort to compromise (I like to keep my body happy since, you know, we're attached and all), I drink de-caf.

(I know all you coffee-fanatics are "Pffft!" ing me right now, but that's ok. You Pffft! away and I'll just sit here and drink).

Well now. My mug may be a little emptier, but my day's looking a little brighter. I feel like I can face anything. Just me and my coffee mug.