30somethingandsearching

I mentioned a while ago that we are throwing my grandma a 90^th birthday party.

I made the invitations and included a photo of my grandma when she was 19 and from 2 years ago.  A few people have commented that they have never seen my grandma look like she did in the young photo.  My grandma has looked the same for over 40 years.

We mailed the invites out over a week ago and have gotten a few responses so far.

I am a bit nervous because we have 106 people on the list (including our immediate family) and the room only holds 80.  Generally, I would be certain less than half would show, but this is for my grandma and everyone adores her.

A week after the invites were mailed, we have near 40 people confirmed and have heard from less than half those invited!   We will figure it out if they all come.

The party is in about 5 weeks, so we are getting things done.  We found a dress to buy for my grandma.  My mom is going to have her try on her dresses to see how they look, but in case they don’t look good, we will buy this one.

I have found some decorations online, but I want to go look in the party store first.

I have the Chicago Timeline from 1919 to 2009 done and am almost done with the U.S. Timeline.  It’s amazing how much has happened.  I need to format them better, but the text is there.  The rest is just details.

I still have to hunt down the box of photos in the attic, but I have time for that.

I would like to paint the kitchen and one hallway because I know a lot of the out of town guests will be here the next day.  The rest of the house looks pretty good, but the kitchen needs painting and the one hallway is a project my step-dad has been planning to do, but it at least needs a coat of primer.

I know the next 5 weeks are going to fly, especially since I have a lot of work for school the next 3 weeks.  Hopefully, I can get a lot done during the 2 weeks I won’t have class.

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I have found a new treat.

Banana Nut Cheerios!

I have gotten into the habit of eating cheerios as an evening snack.

This is to replace the former snack of cookies or ice cream or some other fattening treat.

I actually lost a few pounds doing this.  I know you are not supposed to eat after 7 or 8 at night, but if I am hungry, I am going to eat and I am usually hungry around 8:30.

I have been eating Honey Nut Cheerios or regular Cheerios, but then I saw the commercial for the new Banana Nut Cheerios.

Butera had them for $2.50 a box, which, if you know anything about cereal, is pretty cheap.

They are good!  They taste and smell like Banana Nut bread!

The other day I had the brilliant idea that they might be even better with chocolate milk.  Like a chocolate covered banana.

I put just a little in a bowl and put some chocolate milk on them.  I had to dilute the chocolate milk because it was too chocolaty, but it’s pretty good!

I can’t say which way I like it better.  Both are good.  It is fun to change it up every now and then though.

It’s Fat Tuesday! 

If you participate, it is your last chance to indulge before lent begins.

Traditionally a religious observance, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, has become synonymous with excess.  Carnival is prominent in many cities worldwide, but in the United States, New Orleans is it. 

If you ever wondered why everything Mardi Gras related is purple, gold and green, it is because those are the colors of Mardi Gras.  There are several Mardi Gras parade krewes, but the krewe Rex selected the colors in 1872 and gave them their meaning in 1892.  Purple represents justice, Gold represents power and Green represents faith.  

Having French origins, it makes sense that New Orleans would be the host to Mardi Gras.  If you ever get down there, be sure to stop by Mardi Gras World and check out the floats and costumes on hand.

New Orleans is my favorite city; I have been there many times.  Every year around this time, she calls to me.  I can smell, taste and feel the city around me, though I am all the way in chilly Chicago.

It is not the alcohol and freedom from inhibitions that draws me, though it does not hurt.  It is the architecture, the art, the food (who could resist the food?), the music, the people.

It has been over 2 years since my last visit and I do miss you, Vieux Carré!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Do you watch the Oscars every year?

Will you watch tonight?

Do you see the movies that are nominated before the big night?

I watch every year and I will watch tonight, but I rarely see any of the films.  Once in a while I may have seen one or two, but not very often.  Though, the majority of the films nominated look like they might actually be enjoyable.

So, why do I watch? 

To see what everyone is wearing, of course.

I’m not one to follow any celebrities closely in the news or read the rags for bits of info.  If they show it on the mainstream news, I find out about it, otherwise, I am clueless and couldn’t really care less.

I do love seeing them all glammed up though.  It’s the one night of the year that the celebrities go back to Old Hollywood with the ball gowns and fabulous hair, not to mention the shoes and accessories.  I imagine Fashiona will have a recap of the best-dressed celebrities.

I also hear all the buzz and hoopla about the nominees, which then inspires me to watch the Oscars to see who wins. 

photo credit: oscar.com

I know there is a bit of a disagreement among critics as to whether or not the late Heath Ledger is deserving of a nomination, let alone the win, for his role in The Dark Knight.  

They are also discussing if the award will be presented to Heath Ledger’s daughter Matilda. 

I keep seeing commercials for the Academy Award special Barbara Walters is having prior to the Oscars.

She is interviewing Hugh Jackman, which makes sense as he is hosting the Oscars,

photo credit: moviesditsky.com

Anne Hathaway, who is nominated for Best Actress In A Leading Role for her work in Rachel Getting Married,

photo credit: oscar.com

Mickey Rourke, nominated for Best Actor In A Leading Role for his work in The Wrestler,

photo credit: oscar.com

 and the Jonas Brothers. 

What? 

The Jonas Brothers?

I can’t help but sing “one of these things is not like the other.”

Is this their attempt to get a younger demographic or is there a reason I don’t know of for having the Jonas Brothers on this show?  Am I missing something?

This season on The Biggest Loser, I am moved by the kindness and sense of community among all of the contestants.

Last season, I was disgusted with the way some of the contestants behaved and this season is like a breath of fresh air.

There are always some contestants that I feel connected too or cheer on a bit more than others.

It is usually someone in whom I see a strength or a great pain they need to overcome.

It is usually a woman that learns her own beauty and power.

This season, there are several that are standing out to me.

Tara (a 23-year old former model), of the green team, has been a powerful contestant from day 1.  She does not give up.  She fights for every pound every moment of the show.  She is definitely an empowered woman.  Her drive is inspiring.

(Tara on the left)

This week they had a challenge, which was to climb a tall hill to retrieve a key that would unlock the door to the gym.  Only 2 teams (4 contestants) would find the key that unlocked the door giving only those 4 contestants access to the gym the entire week. 

There were dozens of keys and they had to keep going up and down the hill until the 2 keys were found.  It was blazing hot out and they kept running up and down.  Tara was up and down that hill more than most other contestants.  She was throwing up from the physical toll on her body, but she kept going.  That is determination.

I was thinking, wow she is a machine.

A few scenes later, Tara showed us a more vulnerable side.  It was good to see that everyone, including someone as strong as Tara, could experience a moment of weakness.  It is okay to be scared.

Another contestant that stands out is Mandi, mother of 2 boys, from the yellow team.  This is a woman that came to the show with little self-esteem and had no idea of her own self-worth.  She is a competitor, though.  Give her a challenge and she will fight till the very end.  She does not give up.  She shows her weaknesses to the world, but when it comes down to it, she is just as determined as Tara.

(Mandi on the left)

The third person that stands out to me is Kristin, from the purple team.  She is currently the heaviest woman in the house.  Last week, after working her butt off, she gained 2 pounds.  She was devastated.  This week, she lost 12 pounds putting her under 300 lbs for the first time in 8 years.  She is trying to lose weight to have a baby. 

(Kristin on the left)

What I love about Kristin is her attitude.  She never complains.  She just does whatever her trainer tells her to do.  A woman of her size would normally be hindered by the weight and unable to complete some of the tasks let alone be a competitor.  She always does well and makes it look easy.  In the challenges amongst the contestants, she fights hard to win.  She has come in second a few times beating out the men, even winning a tough challenge last week through sheer determination.

I love seeing this kind of strength in women.  The kind of strength that proves you can do anything you set your mind to.  The kind of strength that tells the world you are someone to be reckoned with.  The kind of strength that says you can overcome any obstacle.

I’d love to see these three in the finals.  I’ll be rooting for you, ladies.

We have all seen this photo, correct?

photo credit: Chris Gordon, WireImage

The photo that set the world on fire, right?

The image shows Jessica Simpson with a few extra pounds from when we last saw her. 

The media has blown this story out of proportion.  She gained a few pounds.  So what?

I will disclose right now that I do not like Jessica Simpson.  I find her more irritating than I can even tell you.

Regardless of personal feelings toward her, I found this story to be offensive and a sad example of the pressure women are under to be perfect.

If a woman is not a size 0, she is fat.  I must be obese because I am a size 10 at 5’10.  Holy crap, send me to The Biggest Loser right now!

I don’t see a fat woman in this photo.  I see a woman who is healthy.  She is not a stick figure, she has curves. 

When are we going to stop beating each other up?  When are we going to say “that is enough?”

Until women stop buying the tabloids that vilify women for being womanly, our children are going to be the ones to suffer.  Little girls and young women see these stories and grow up thinking they have to be skinny or, worse yet, perfect to be accepted.

As a former anorexic, it pains me to see stories like this.  In the recent past, it was Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tyra Banks who were under fire for not being stick figures.

We can’t win.  If we are skinny and small chested with no butt, we are teased for looking like a boy.  If we are curvy and womanly, we are told we are fat.

NEWSFLASH!  There is no such thing as perfection.  It is a mind game and a sick form of torture.

Let it go.  As long as you are healthy, embrace your body. 

Where the media should have targeted Jessica Simpson in this photo is her wardrobe.  What IS that? 

I wanted to offer my sympathies and condolences to those in Australia who have been affected by the wildfires that have destroyed so much.  To Australia, my heart and prayers goes out to you all.  If I could, I would wrap my arms around each of you in comfort. 

It is devastating that these fires were intentional.  They believe an arsonist is to blame for setting the fires leading to the casualties they fear will be over 200.  Over a thousand homes have been lost and at least four towns destroyed.  Over 100 are injured, some in critical condition.

I cannot comprehend why anyone would set fires with the intention of destroying not only the land and wildlife but so many people’s lives. 

I hope they find those responsible and they pay dearly.  It won’t bring the lives lost back or undo the damage, but someone needs to be held responsible.

One heartwarming story has risen from this sadness.  I first saw this on Holy Cuteness  and then I saw it on Ellen.

photo credit: Mark Pardew AP Photo

A firefighter, David Tree, saw this Koala and the poor thing looked like it was in pain and pleading for help, so he stopped to help it.  He called for a bottle of water and the Koala drank 3 bottles while holding his hand.  Watch this video.

An unusual scene, to say the least.  This human-like response from the Koala and the kindness and generosity by this man really touched my heart.  The scene is truly heartwarming.

I pray the animals find habitat that is suitable for them and I pray that the human survivors get the financial and emotional aid they need.  It breaks my heart and all I can do is offer my love. 

I have refrained from commenting on this topic until now, but after watching NBC’s Ann Curry’s interview, I had to say something.

photo credit: washington post

By now, you have, no doubt, heard the story of Nadya Suleman, Octomom, as she has been dubbed.  The mother of newborn octuplets and 6 older children. 

I have no problem with women who choose to be single mothers.  I have no problem with women who choose to have several children, although I would prefer they adopt children who need a home, but that is their choice.  I have no problem with women who seek infertility treatment.  I have no problem with women whose IVF results in multiples.

Combine all of those things, being a single mom, having several children by choice through IVF and being unemployed all the while is where I think everyone is having a problem with this.

During her interview, she said she went on disability for a back issue and had been living off that while having 6 children in 5 years intentionally via costly IVF.

First of all, how can you have children and receive disability for a back injury?  I know a lot of women who have severe strain on their backs during pregnancy.  I’m thinking that would nullify your disability checks.  (Not to mention the back strain that must come from multiples.)

(looks like it would be a big strain on the back, no?) photo credit: TMZ

Next issue I have is she says she is responsible.  Ann Curry flat out asked her how she could think she is responsible.  Her answer was that she is responsible because she is there for her children.

Love is not enough, honey.  When you are single and unemployed with no source of income and you intentionally and continuously bring children into the world, you are not being responsible.  No matter how you cut it, that is not being responsible.

She said she always dreamed of a big family, all she wanted was to have children.

I can understand that.  I’ve always wanted children too.  Honestly, if I could find a man that would allow me to stay home and be a full-time mommy, that would be the life I would choose.  I have not found the man for me and am still single.  I am also unemployed.

However, logic tells me that as a single and unemployed woman, having children would be very irresponsible.  I have no means of supporting them.

I also live with my parents, as Nadya Suleman does.  Rather, she did.  It appears mom and dad ran for the hills when they found out there would be 14 children under the age of 8 in their home. 

 photo credit: uk.news.yahoo.com

I could just imagine my parents’ response if I came home one day and said, “hey guys, I know I have been living with you for a while and have been struggling to find a job, but I figured out what I want to do with my life.

I want to be a mother.  I am going to go have IVF and have as many babies as I can have, but I am going to live with you all the while and no, I don’t know how I will provide for them financially, but it’s just a risk I have to take for my dream.”

Do you have any idea how fast and frequently they would bitch-slap me until I came to my senses?

Nadya Suleman, the Octomom (makes me envision her dressed in a leotard emblazoned with a big O on the front wearing a cape posing with her hands on her hips), stated she is going to finish her Masters in Psychology in a year and a half, and THEN she will be able to provide for her family.

A)  HOW does she think she is going to have TIME to finish her Masters with 14 kids, 8 as newborns?  All you mom’s out there, tell me, how will she manage this while caring for her 14 kids?

B)  WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD GO TO HER AS THEIR SHRINK!?!?!

C)  WHAT does she plan on using to support them in the meantime?  A year and a half is a long time when it comes to diapers, formula, food, clothes, shelter, doctor bills, etc.

She said she is planning on moving to a bigger home.  She has set up a website for donations.  She says she has never been on welfare, though she has lived on disability and food stamps.  She claims she was not hoping for the financial assistance of shows like Jon & Kate Plus 8 or the Duggers.

I find it all very hard to believe.

I think she is not mentally stable.  She is obviously not financially stable.

She ALREADY HAD 6 beautiful kids.  One with Autism, one with ADHD and one with a learning disability.  With that information and her financial situation, she thought it was responsible and not at all selfish to have 6 more embryos implanted.

I must be an irrational lunatic because this sounds very much like the actions of an irresponsible, selfish person.

God help these children.

It has been an entire week without my car. 

We replaced the battery, but that didn’t fix it.  We are waiting for the mechanic we know to get a chance to look at it.  I have no idea when I will get it back. 

It is very difficult to be without a car, especially for someone who has always had one.  I don’t like relying on someone else.  Not much I can do about it though.

In the meantime, we have finally made progress on my grandma’s party.

I think I have mentioned before that we are throwing Grandma a 90^th birthday party.  We aren’t telling her about it until a week before because she would obsess and work herself into a state of nausea.

We set the date over the weekend at a restaurant nearby.  I designed the invitations and am just working on the font to perfect it.  We got the cardstock on which to print them.  My sister will probably make photo collages like she did for my mom’s party, but I am working on some other photo projects. 

I am going to do two photo projects.  I am searching the house for this big Rubbermaid box of photos that belong to my grandma.  I found the box 10 years ago when I made her a photo gift for her 80^th, but it has been moved since and I don’t know where it is now.  I’m going to put the photos in an album for her and the guests to look at.

I also have searched online for some photos of the ballrooms she used to go dance at every weekend when she was a girl, the streetcars she took (yes, Chicago had streetcars once) and some other fun photos of Chicago in her heyday.  I’m going to print them, probably frame them and scatter them around the room.

In addition to those projects, I am also putting together a timeline.  US and Chicago history from 1919 to now.  It’s one thing to say she is 90 and realize how old she is, but entirely different to look at what has occurred in her lifetime.  It’s amazing how much has changed.  I might put some of that up as I get it done so you can see too.

My mom asked my sister to put together some music too.  Music from the 30’s and 40’s, mostly Jazz.  It should be fun, I love that music.

Right now, the main focus is getting the invitations out.  I am including a map and some nearby hotels for people coming from out of town, so I have to finish that up, then print them and the labels so we can send them out in the next week. 

It’s getting hard to not say anything to her, but I am excited and can’t wait to see who shows for this.  The guest list is about 100 people, but the room only holds 80, so let’s hope not everyone comes! 

You might recall that I do mystery shopping from time to time.

Recently, I did one at a local Cinnabon.  Part of the shop requirement is to purchase any fresh baked product.  I got a cinnabon and an extra frosting.  I get the extra frosting because I rarely eat it when I get it and after it’s gotten cold, it needs more frosting, but also because I rarely eat it all at one time.

I used to work in the mall when I was in college and one of the stores I worked at was right next to a Cinnabon.  I ate it every day for lunch!  That tells you the kind of metabolism I had at 19.  I ate a regular cinnabon and had a MochaLatta every day!  Talk about fat and calories!  Yikes!

If I tried to do that now, I’d be 200 lbs in a year!  Not to mention, diabetic.  That’s a lot of sugar!  (But I didn’t care about any of that back then.)

I do these shops generally once every month or two.  I don’t always eat them either.  Sometimes I send it to my uncle or get one for my grandma.

This last time, though I did get one for me and, as I said, I got a regular cinnabon, but this was no ordinary cinnabon.  This was the biggest cinnabon I’ve ever seen!  It took me 3 days to eat it!

I put it on a plate with the extra frosting so you could see how big this thing was.  It was at least twice the size of a normal cinnabon.  It was good, too.  Well worth the money, especially since it was free to me!