A Worthy Investment

You can never go wrong with white tissue paper. No one's ever said, "Man, I wish I didn't buy that white tissue paper." I don't think anyone has ever been saddened or inconvenienced by owning it. Quite the opposite, in fact. Oh if I could count the times I shouted from the rooftop, "Thank goodness I have white tissue paper! Sound the trumpets, the day is saved!"

Ok, that never really happened (but it could have). Seriously, though, it's good for everything. No matter how you wrap a present you can use it. In the box, in the bag, stuff the bag. Or the famous and reoccurring event when I have an awkwardly shaped item and the bag I bought isn't big enough. Tissue paper alone becomes the wrapping of choice. Plus, it's way easier for kids to tear open, it's fast and easy to get a gift looking presentable and is readily available at every store you might already be at while running errands. No special trips for white tissue paper. 

But wait, there's more!

While having white is a staple and universal, tissue paper has come a long way since the days your mother wrapped everything in a cardboard JC Penny box. It now comes in every color you can think of, snowflake designs, polka dots, glitter, confetti, you name it. This is awesome if you want to get all Martha Stewart with your gift wrapping (I'm completely guilty) and fun for kids crafting. 

But you really just can't be without plain old, tried and true, standard white tissue paper. If you see it in the store, buy it. If you see it on clearance after Christmas, buy it all. Grab it at the dollar store. Stock up the next time you go to .. .. anywhere. It's seriously sold at every store I can think of right now. Do not ever run out. You won't be sorry. 

I Hate This Post.

This morning I wanted to write about a depressing part of my life (you love reading my blog, don't you?) My constant struggle with my ability to be happy with myself the way I am. I think there was a time, one very brief time, when I was satisfied with how I looked in a pair of jeans and was comfortable with myself. This was right before I got pregnant with Megan. 

In high school I thought I was fat because, high school. I was never happy even though I only weighed 120 lbs at 5'4". In college I gained weight because, college. After college I did every fad diet there was to lose weight before my wedding and still wasn't happy with how I looked that day. After I got married I gained weight because, housewife. 

I ended up seeing a lot of doctors for a variety of other reasons and actually found out that I was insulin resistant. Some medication I was prescribed to fix some other stuff had a wonderful side effect of weight loss. Not a lot, but enough to motivate me to eat better and get to the gym to keep it going. Brian deployed and I was able to cook my own food just for me and go to the gym whenever I wanted. I lost 40 lbs. Brian came home and we started having ice cream dates and I stopped going to the gym to be home with him. You know what happened. 

Then I got pregnant with my first baby and I felt free to eat whatever I wanted and certainly didn't work out. It was an excuse to be fat. But after he was born I struggled to lose the weight. When he was three I got serious about it again. I got myself back down to 130lbs. I think ONE timeI actually saw 128 on the scale but I was probably dehydrated. I was happy. I felt good. My husband was attracted to me again. Then I got pregnant with my daughter. 

Don't get me wrong, I wanted this baby more than anything. It took a long time and some medical intervention to get pregnant and I was ecstatic. But it meant getting fat again and my body changing AGAIN. Mentally it was very hard for me. Now that she is 19 months old I'm still struggling with my weight and my shape and my acceptance of my adult body. I know I will never look like I did in high school. I don't want to. I'm over 30, I have two kids, and I drive a mini van. I'm supposed to wear mom jeans and a pony tail. Right? I'm just not there mentally and I don't think I have to be. 

I think I can be happy with myself again, I'm just having a really hard time doing it. I don't want it to take three years but I am more depressed about it than I am motivated. It doesn't help when your 5 year old asks you why your belly is so big. *sigh* I need help.

The Birthday Party Blog!

Caleb had a birthday, as so many of us do. He turned 5. My BABY turned FIVE! He drives me crazy. Absolutely bonkers. But he also made me realize how much love you could have for another human, even when I sometimes think he isn't. Which is why he got a Superman birthday party this year. Well, that and because it's all he talked about for a month.

We started with a telephone booth for the tiny superheroes to change into their capes. Grown Ups got a Daily Planet Press Pass.

 Then they tested their super strength by knocking down a brick wall. 

Some simple decorations and goody bags, yummy Superman cake and cupcakes, and even REAL kryptonite! (green rock candy). We finished it off with, of course, Superman ice cream. 

Everyone seemed to have a great time and Caleb was thrilled to have all his friends there. Thank you to everyone who came and made his 5th birthday so special, and to my sister-in-law for helping me make 15 tiny superhero capes. He's already told me that next year he wants a robot theme with real robots. I think I better start now.