Clean House

No lie, my mom called me yesterday to ask if I would be home because she would help me clean my house. And dad would come to so he could help in the basement. And Bradley would come to fix the wireless.

Um, yes please. (I can almost hear the choir of angels singing in the background)

If you know my mom at all, she is a much more thorough cleaner than I am. I don't, by any means, think our house is dirty or gross, but she actually moved furniture. And used the attachment pieces of the vacuum (they have one of those awesome ones like a rainbow!). More than one time, she laid flat on her stomach to reach those hard-to-reach places. She actually made me pull the stove and refrigerator out from their spots too. She probably would have hospital cornered our sheets if I asked.

I'm happy to say that our house now smells like bubble gum.

Bradley wasn't able to get my laptop online through the wireless, apparently because my 2002 laptop is ancient, isn't compatible with the new USB 2.0 format, and doesn't have the RAM. I nodded my head like he wasn't speaking Greek, and then I suggested we buy a new laptop instead. That was met with death gazes, so the desktop it is! Guests and neighbors will love our wireless though...you know, the people who can actually use it.

My dad and Seth worked on the basement. It's coming along great, and is officially a huge room. I'm so excited for it to be all done, though I generally don't like picking out building materials (I would be a terrible builder!). I get anxious thinking about choosing things like the Pergo. We love each other very, very much, but the house projects tend to bring out the differences.

I am all about the "Let's-go-to-Lowes-and-pick-something-out-and-buy-it" and he is all about the "Let's-go-to-Lowes-and-look-for-an-hour-and-then-come-home-and-research-it-ask-10-people-about-it-and-then-make-a-decision." Those plans do not mesh. Nor do they meet my "must be done before Christmas" plan. The rope in which my sanity dangles is very short during house projects.

All in all, it was a productive night. Seth practically has the basement ready for the drywall installers. They'll come next week to tell us how much they will rob charge us for the project. It is one area I am willing to spend the money though because it is such an important part of the remodel. Plus, one of my biggest pet peeves about the drywall that used to be in there was the visible seam down the wall.

Hopefully after the basement project, we are done for a bit.

So, we're down to 56 days to get it done before Christmas, so we'll be working fairly consistently after work and on free weekends when Seth doesn't have grad school. If you'd like to help, we'll feed you lasagna and brownies and thank you forever and ever, Amen.

Final Political Thoughts.

I swear, this will be my last "political" post until the election. Today, my aunt sent an e-mail with a blog by Randy Alcorn, a pro-life advocate. I've always been pro-life and always will be , but this guy....wow, he puts it well. I could by no means recount it all here, but here is one of the most powerful analogies to abortion I have ever read:

"Believing what I do that the unborn are human beings in the fullest sense, to be pro-legalized-abortion is exactly equivalent to being pro-legalized-killing-of-three-year-olds. Or pro-legalized-killing-of-teenagers. Or pro-legalized-killing-of-women. Or pro-legalized-killing-of-Jews.

What would you think if a politician said 'I'm not pro-rape, I'm simply prochoice about rape. And though I would not choose to rape a woman, I believe that every man should be free to rape a woman if that is his personal choice.' And what would you do if that politician promised the rape lobby that if he is elected president, the "first thing I would do 'is to sign legislation that would invalidate all the state laws that restrict rape in any way?

Well, I think I would say that man is pro-rape, wouldn't you? But technically, no, he is simply prochoice about rape. Well, okay. Be prochoice about whether someone should eat Mexican food or Chinese food, or cheer for the Phillies or the Rays. But don't be prochoice about whether men rape women or kill children. Because that is to be pro-rape and pro-killing."

I'll agree with what I hear a lot of people say--I'm not the hugest fan of either candidate. I've liked some of Obama's views. But quite frankly, his stance on abortion completely disqualifies him in my opinion.

Randy Alcorn goes on to say this about the video below:

"Don't think that anyone has the right to vote for a candidate who is committed to legalized abortion unless you are willing to watch the video below showing you exactly what abortion does. If you are not viewing the video to see what happens as the result of an abortion, then I hope it's because you know the truth. But if you refuse to watch this because it is too horrific to look at a dismembered child, then don't you think abortion is too horrific to be legal? And too horrific to be supported by your candidate? And too horrific for you to vote for by voting for him?"

Watch it with caution. It breaks my heart and made me cry. But it solidified my decision.

Friday Happenings

Good news. I'm not paralyzed from Friday's trip to the chiropractor. I could move my fingers and toes right after he cracked my neck, which was all I was asking for. I did, however, lose two (yes, two) hours of my life there. What I was told would be a "one hour new patient consultation/evaluation" turned quickly into a "now turn this way"...."ok stand"..."ok sit"..."let's go for x-rays" and on and on. And I was starting to get mad because it was dipping into our date night!

When all was said and done, he said no wonder I have a sore back with the misalignment I had going on. They want to schedule me for 3 appointments this week (I guess at the beginning it can't be a once and done thing...takes a few times at first, and then can go to once a month, every three months, etc, etc.). I think the lack of excitment read on my face to the secretary because the doctor called me on my way home to explain why I need to come 3 times.

Anyway, when I was finally done, we went out for dinner to Red Lobster. It was yummmmmy! Seth got the "bottomless shrimp" and, if you know Seth at all, he definitely got his $16.99 worth. I'm almost positive the waiter thought I was helping him eat them or he was storing them in napkins like the elderly.

But no, he ate them all. And ordered. And ordered some more. And them some more. My dinner was practically digested before he decided he'd call it quits (which, by the way, was at the suggestion of his wife who was just looking out for his well-being, clothing, and the impending stomach ache).

All in all, he ate 54 shrimp. As in 4 1/2 dozen. And the side dishes that went along with it. It almost makes me nauseous just thinking about it.

I thought for sure he'd be complaining he was full or his pants were tight.

No, no he did not. He told me he was "content."

Politics?!?

I saw the video below on Just A Bunch of Nothin' and thought I'd share. I'll be dead honest...I don't know much about politics and I'm super sick of the commercials, but this video intrigues me. He doesn't even know how to answer the very first question asked of him.

No Pain, No Gain, Right?

Somewhere between the first week of August and the present, I must have turned 90. Because ever since the Thursday before we went camping, I have had terrible pain in my lower back.

I think it's safe to say that I have a low no tolerance for pain, which, in turn, is probably paining everyone I come in contact with because, hello? Constant back pain is not cool.

The pain remains a mystery because I have never had back pain before. Perhaps it is from the death hike. Or from picking Bentley up incorrectly ("bend at the knees, not at the waist!"). I may never know. I'm hoping the chiropractor will help me out on Friday. Except probably not. Because chriopractors freak.me.out. The thought have having someone twist my neck in ways it was never intended makes me nauseous. I'm sure I'll tense up and he'll break it.

Oh, and while I'm on this health rant, let me also say that unlike any other year, this would be the year that my body would like to reject my flu vaccine. I got the shot on Monday, yet somehow, my body still aches, and the site of the injection is red, hard, and surrounded by a red circle. Awesome.

I figure by next week, I'll be in a walker.

Oh, I kid. Probably just using a cane. :)

Why Puppies Make Lives Happier

So I sort of had a bad day today. But then I came home and began to upload pictures from my camera. And I saw this picture I took of Bentley yesterday. Not even kidding, I can't stop laughing. No seriously, I am cracking up as we speak.

(The clothing on the floor is clothing we are selling on Craigslist...we aren't that messy. I had it out to sort it.)

Traditions...

I'll admit it: I'm a total sap when it comes to holiday traditions. I always seem to hear people talk so much about holiday traditions. I tried to think of some that Seth and I have, and really....we don't. It's kind of depressing, but we haven't really begun much of anything as a yearly occurrence yet. Sad to say, but I've never picked apples, pumpkins, or a Christmas tree (can you believe it?!), I've never been to a corn maze, I've never fully decorated the tree with him, and since we got engaged, we've never carved a pumpkin.

Don't get me wrong...we still have fun around the holidays, but it seems like the busy-ness of the holidays, work, remodeling, traveling, etc. tend to make those traditions hard to finagle.

This year is the 2nd year in a row we did something on the same weekend as the year before, so I'm going to step out on a limb and call this a pseudo-tradition. Year three will make it official ;)

Our tradition? We made homemade applesauce! YUM!

Here are some pics from our day:








As much as it pains me to begin Christmas shopping yet (we didn't even give thanks yet!!), I'm trying to get some of it done early so that we can really spend some quality time together this holiday season.

And I think if we plan it just right, we will have time to pick a few apples (...off the ground because most are probably gone from the trees), grab a pumpkin from the field after we run through the corn maze, speed home to carve it, put it on the porch for a night, toss it in the garbage in time to go Christmas tree shopping and decorate the tree.

Phew. Maybe one at a time.

What traditions do you have??

We're Wireless!

The basement remodel has promted us into wireless internet quicker than we thought. I am super excited at the thought that I will be able to sit in my living room on the internet with the laptop. And now, all of our guests won't have to stea...um, borrow, the neighbors. :)

YAY!!!

Boooooo!

Bentley didn't even place (they list up to 15th place) in the pet photo contest. I think it was rigged, because he's the cutest one I've ever seen. :)

Maybe next month!

Heaven in a Cup!

I have an addiction. And it comes in the form of a non-fat pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I've never had heaven in a cup before, but on one particular Starbucks run with my work friends, they told me to try one.

I think my initial reaction was somewhere along the lines of ew, that's nasty. I could only assume it tasted like hot pumpkin pie, but runny. And that, my friends, would not be good, because runny pumpkin pie would be right up there on the "disgusting textures" list.

But I gave in. And oh, oh was it good. Very good!

To keep Seth and I out of Chapter 7 bankruptcy from consuming so many (they only have them in the fall, people!), I went on a mission to find a made-from-scratch-yet-all-the-ingredients-still-cost-less-than-one-Starbucks-drink recipe.

And I found it!!!! I tried it and it's freakishly close to the real thing.

So try it out if you like PSL (Valerie!) and tell me what you think! :)

Pumpkin Spice Lattes
3 T. canned pumpkin
2 T. vanilla syrup
1/4 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 c. milk
1-2 shots espresso (really strong coffee)

In a small saucepan, stir pumpkin into milk. Add vanilla syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Heat gently, continuing to stir just until the mixture begins to steam and foam begins to appear.

Pour mixture into mug and pour espresso over the mixture. Top with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice! Makes 1 mug.

Enjoy!

And the Winner is...???

I totally entered Bentley in a pet photo contest. A little pathetic, I know. But it won't sound so pathetic when cutie pie Bentley wins his mama and dada $300, huh? :)

Here are the two photos I submitted. Bentley will be heartbroken if he loses.

Laundry enforcement.

I don't particularly like doing laundry. But what especially makes me hate doing laundry is when I pull the load out of the dryer and every single item is inside out! I almost pulled my hair out this morning when that was the exact case.

So, my new rule goes into effect at midnight tonight: only things that are put into the laundry basket not inside out (right side in?!) will get washed. The rest will sit on the floor in the laundry room until the culprit (him or I) need that article of clothing bad enough to walk down and flip it the right way.

Sound harsh?

It is. :)

7 Unusual Things

So there is this thing going around on tons of blogs I've seen where you write 7 random things about yourself and then tag other people to do the same. I love reading everyone's--so fun! But, I don't know 7 more people who have blogs that haven't already done this, so I'll answer the 7 things, but won't tag anyone. Bethany and Valerie, if you guys want to do it, go for it!! :)

1. I have a very scientific theory about the number/gender of the children I want to have. I really only want 2 kids, but if I have 2 of the same gender, I’d try for 3 in hopes of having the other gender. But if I had 3 of the same sex, I’d be DONE! I’m not risking a 4th!

2. While I think it may, at some point, be really fun to be a stay-at-home mom, I don’t really have an interest in it just yet. My parents spent a lot of money on college and I plan to put my college degree and hard work to good use for at least several years before I stay at home.

3. I’m super weird about food textures. Things that crunch in something soft are a big, fat no go (think raw onions on a burger, celery in tuna, etc.) I also have a thing about certain condiments touching certain foods. Like…mustard and ketchup should never touch lettuce (only mayo should).

4. Sometimes when I take Bentley to the vet, I think about how fun it would be to be a vet. And then I quickly think how that could mean I have to see animals other than cutesy little dogs and cats…like lizards and gerbils. Ew. I love animals to a point, but I absolutely freak out when we go to the pet store for mice for Seth’s snakes. I’m constantly asking him if they are still in the box. One time, I had the box of mice between my feet on the floor on the way home and I looked down and a white mouse was crawling up my pants leg. If you know me at all, you know that I freaked out. Like really freaked out.

5. I’ve always had a little bit of an interest in celebrity PR and marketing. I know that living in central PA, that will never happen, but the thought of working at a PR company in LA or NYC is SO exciting. Maybe someday, I’ll be the next Lizzie Grubman!

6. In high school, I was athletic (and I guess probably still am to a point. I just don’t have as many outlets to express it!). Seth still laughs uncontrollably when I tell him I was the MVP of my volleyball team, but I was!!! Gee, he’s so supportive. :)

7. I have been present for the birth of two calves that I can remember. I didn’t help or anything—well, unless you count the moral support.

Men, Listen Carefully...

Yesterday, I kid you not, a MALE asked me if the baby was kicking yet.

I think you can imagine my (and also his, rightfully so) horror as I said "I am not pregnant."

His saving grace? He thought I was someone else (one of my co-workers). Who recently began telling people she's pregnant.

Lucky him, huh? :)

So here's my advice men: unless you are 100% positive that you know the person you are speaking to and 100% positive that she is the one who is pregnant, do not EVER bring that up. Ever. Seriously, ever.

Lots of Questions!

I've seen this little questionnaire (apparently, bloggers call them "Memes") floating around on people's blogs and thought it'd be fun!

How long have you been blogging? I started in July of this year. One day, I noticed that a ton of people have blogs and thought it might be fun to do one myself! It was right around the time that we got Bentley, so it was a good way to share pictures of him with everyone!

What are the good things blogging has brought to your life? It's fun to just sit down and write...since I'm fairly new to it, I haven't met a lot of people yet, but I'm sure I will.

What would you consider the pitfalls? Sometimes, I am at a loss for things to write about (like now, which is why I am filling this out). I know I don't want my blog to be too much about my day-to-day life, but a little bit of humor.

Tell us about your blog name. Ever think of changing it? If so, to what? Why? Well, I named by blog Ran Clan: Edition 3, because Seth and I are technically the 3rd (well, 4th if you consider mom and dad!) Ran Clan. B & S are 1, M & E are 2, so it makes sense for us to be 3! I have only considered changing it on the rare (or not so rare! ha!) occasion that someone asks if I'm trying to "tell them something." For now, though, I'll stick with it. Because one day, it'll fit all possible ways of thinking about it.

Knowing what you know now, was starting a blog a good thing for you? Why or why not? Yeah, I think it was a good idea. I like to write and I do it for a career, so it makes sense. Plus, I bet one day, it'll be really fun to sit back and read it from the beginning and reminisce on everything that I wrote.

How do you think blogging, bloggers, or the blogosphere has changed since you started? Since I'm so new to it, it doesn't seem like much has changed yet. I know a lot of people who have them, which I think is fun because it's a good way to keep up on the happenings in everyone's lives!

Ultimately, what would you like your blog to accomplish for you or others? I hope people who read laugh a little and get to know Seth and I better.

Name something or a few things that bug you and expound. We want your unfettered opinion(s). I have a few pet peeves. I'm at a little bit of a loss right now, but here are a few I can think of right off the top of my head: when people drive under the speed limit (unless it is bad weather), incompetent people who work customer service, when important businesses (doctor's offices, banks, tax places, Comcast, repairmen, etc.) only work 8-5, making it completely impossible for working people to go there or be home for repairs, presidential campaign commercials (they just go back and forth and tell us nothing useful!), sitting in traffic, when I can hear people clip their fingernails (gross!).

Tell us about one of your best childhood memories.
When my parents surprised my sister and I when we were 6 and 9 with a trip to Disney World. They only told us that we were going on vacation, but would give us no other info. They packed our bags (my mom packed us each a carry on filled with things to do!). When we finally arrived at Disney World, we saw our friends there too (our parents planned it together!). It was a lot of fun!

Describe your perfect day. Sleeping in, eating a nice breakfast, lounging around with Bentley and Seth, reading a good book, getting ready and going out for dinner and a movie with Seth!

Do you have a hobby that you love? I love to scrapbook!

What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you? Oh please, I could never possibly recount them all here.

What blog related thing bugs you?
Probably when people only post once every few weeks. haha!

Personal stuff:
How old are you? 24
Married? Yes
Children? Not yet
Favorite season? Spring and fall--when there are no extremes
Favorite color? The color blue that is on the tv screen when the DVD player is on but not yet playing
Favorite movie? Of all time, probably Dumb and Dumber
Favorite song? No idea... Mac or PC? PC 100%
Dog or Cat? By far, dog. Have you seen our puppy?!? :)
Salt or Pepper? Definitely salt!!!
Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate
Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? Iced tea…always iced tea
Steak, Chicken or Shrimp? Chicken usually, steak every once in a while

And, wow, that took too long.
Now you do it! It'll be fun.

These are a Few of my Favorite Things.

I got the idea for this post on another blog I saw, and thought it'd be fun! :)

1. Date nights with Seth!
2. Catching up with the girlfriends over dinner
3. When the house is perfectly cleaned
4. Naps in the middle of the day
5. My wonderful husband
6. Bentley
7. Freshly washed sheets
8. Remodeling the house (to a point)
9. pumpkin spice lattes
10. shopping!!!
11. Baking/cooking
12. Going on vacation, especially to the Caribbean
13. Family
14. Spring and fall weather, when there are no extremes
15. Being a little bit sarcastic
16. When I have time to sit down a read a good book
17. Hammocks
18. Laughing uncontrollably
19. The tv show Friends
20. Scrapbooking
21. Being creative
22. Hotels...so fun to just get away for a little bit!
23. iced tea
24. When all the laundry is done and there is no pile
25. Christmas

How about you? What are some of your favorite things? :)