Not-so-Blands

Parable of the New Paws

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:40:00 +0000

I hate fake nails, I don't know why I ever convince myself into getting them...

They look really nice at first...but when they start to grow out, they look worn--and awkward...THEN they start to crack and come off---leaving my nail bed layers cracked and depleted. They look much worse than they did before I got my nails done...If I could have been grateful for simple nails instead of 'HOPING' for nice, shiny 'CHANGE'.

I finally purged myself of the fake-ness---except I can't quite get one of them off my finger. Ironically, it's my middle finger...just taunting me.

I will eventually conquer, you fake, acrylic waste of my money and confidence!

Olivia's Blanket Project

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:45:00 +0000

I began this project a couple of months ago when I spotted this adorable fabric at Walmart. Olivia needs a new blanket when we upgrade her bed to a twin from toddler. So this right of passage will be marked with her mothers FIRST attempt at a blanket by herself...using her sewing machine!

Now back to the first person. I still have a border to sew to what I already have. I chose salmon...the color (let me just preempt that one right away). And what would a blanket for my little girl be without some adorable buttons?? I'm not sold on the red one, I do like the traditional look in tandem with 80's mod---BUT, the red button is simply not big enough. I need it UBER-sized...even bigger than the beige one. Speaking of beige, that will be coupled with the white squares. With the yellow squares, the brown will go.

Angels in Heaven...Dancing

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:24:00 +0000

A Tale of Two Blessings

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:29:00 +0000

This week has been a very blessed week for us. I tend to have a silly tone to my entries, but I must witness in my own small way the miracles, however small, God brings to pass in our lives. I know this might seem a bit materialistic at first, but considering our needs and even our desires...God has given us a field of lilies.

Last week, the university called Aaron to notify him of a tuition refund check needing to be picked up. We were eager to oblige their request! Of course we were assuming the sum total would be close to $7.28. You can imagine our surprise to find $1300 dollars waiting for us! We were excited to have some money to put away for our move to Tennessee. Well, the very next day, our air conditioning went out---AND a motor in our door that moves the window up and down went out of commission. So there was no heat, and our window had retreated into the door! Just in time for Fall weather! But what a blessing to have our needs taken care of before we even knew our needs!

Our second miracle occurred just yesterday. Aaron won a brand new laptop computer! He returned it to the store for a smaller computer--and found a jewelry dealership to get him a great deal on a ring for me. We have been needing a laptop for Aaron as his broke a few months ago--and he'll be entering grad school soon. The ring was just an added bonus from our Heavenly Father. The reason this was so special is because my ring was stolen a mere month into our marriage. I was so upset about this because I would never have the ring he proposed to me with...I could care less about the diamonds. So why was this ring such a great deal? It is exactly like the one I lost---AND we got it for 60% off the original price!!!!! Needless to say, this gift brought me to tears...and later we realized it was 5 years, almost to the day, that Aaron had proposed to me!

The Lord truly knows what is tender to us, and shows us His love through small and simple things!!

Want to Comment on the Blog?

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Many have expressed confusion over how to comment on my blog. It took me awhile to figure this out as well after installing intense debate...and uninstalling it removed comments entirely--so I reverted back to the previous installation.

If you want to comment, just click on the title to minimize to that particular entry--then you will see the comment field at the bottom of the post!

Eastern Idaho State Fair

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:49:00 +0000

The kids and I were able to go with Grandma Davis to the fair a couple of weeks ago. It was a lot of fun... Olivia was a bit melancholy in her stroller. Anna walked the entire time, and had a few one-liners that had us cracking up--Lucas was happy--and 'mom' (that's me) had an encounter with a few scary ladies who all looked related, apparently upset that I was stopping the flow of traffic. I had to stand in line for a scone! WHATEVER! Grandma paid for everything...which makes just about any trip worthwhile!

Belated Body Update

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:33:00 +0000

(sorry for glare---check out my P90X pose! I'm practically a superhero, I know)

Sorry, but with the commencement of our LAST SEMESTER in undergrad--things have been a little crazy...but I'm happy to report some improvements!

9/22/2009
Weight: unknown (kids broke scale)
Chest: 37
Waist: 29 1/2
Hips: 38 1/2
Estimated Lean Body Weight: 117.19 ?
Est. Body Fat Weight: 41.81 ?
Est. Body Fat Percentage: 26.30 ?
Est. BMI: 25 2/7 ?

The kids broke the scale, so I have no idea how much I weigh right now--so I calculated based on the last weigh-in. Having lost inches in my waist, I figured that was a safe number. Eat your heart out! Er, exercise your heart out?

Some Phun Photos Phrom Summer

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Random trip to Mom and Dad's cabin at Henry's Lake...Anna in the wildflowers--and Olivia cowering in the corner--not wanting her picture taken--but I took it anyway! The last three pictures are of the kids on the RV--heading to the Sorensen Reunion!

Weight Loss War Update...poo

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:17:00 +0000

So I have some bad news--and good news. Bad news first:

I gained 5 pounds on my trip--it appears.

The good news is what that weight represents--it really only represents about 2 pounds of fat--which isn't good--but 3 pounds of muscle! How is this possible?

When I first started losing weight, I had quite a bit of muscle mass due to all the weight I had to carry around. So by losing the fat, I also lost some muscle mass. After I lost a lot of the weight, I was able to engage in more physical activities, including an intense workout program: P90X. When I was fat, I could barely get out of bed, let alone do any crunches etc. This has resulted in the apparent gain in muscle mass that I had lost the first few months of losing weight. I'm bummed about the two pounds, but with the muscle gains, I should burn that off pretty easily...

Weight 164
Chest 37
Waist 31
Hips 39
Est. Lean Body Weight 120.49
Est. Body Fat Weight 43.51
Est. Body Fat % 26.53
Est. BMI 26

I'm not gonna let this get me down, folks! I'm gonna really push it this week--I don't wanna let you guys down! But I'll be honest, I'm really doing this for a pair of fabulous boots my father promised to buy me:

I'm gonna 'kick' butt this week!

26.53

Weight Loss Update---FINALLY!

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Weight Loss War (monthly update--sort of)
(click to see first weight loss entry)

Weight: 162
Chest: 37 1/2
Waist: 30 3/4
Hips: 39
Estimated Lean Body Weight 119.07
Estimated Body Fat: 42.93
Estimated Body Fat %: 26.50
Body Mass Index: 25 3/4

CHEESE!

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Lucas 1st B-DAY

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:10:00 +0000

Bland, Beethoven and Marc Antony

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:55:00 +0000

May McMorsels

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Here is a collection of some short home videos we made recently

Toddlers Gone Wild (...it's a circus!)

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:44:00 +0000

Weight Loss War---Monthly Update

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:56:00 +0000

(I know, it's touching...forgive me for going overboard--but I just updated my windows movie maker and I couldn't help but play with all of the gadgets and subsequently thrust it upon you)

Easter Weekend Gems

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:47:00 +0000

With guitar in hand, Olivia is prepared to rock out Nashville style...

And the best for last: this year's Easter Egg Hunt :)

Our Savior, Jesus Christ

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:04:00 +0000

Here is a beautiful video about Christ that my aunt Linda shared with me today...just in time for the Easter season.

Hope Through Discipleship

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Parched Puckers

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:42:00 +0000

Have you ever tried to smile and your lips crack in like 5 places? Yeah, that is one of the many benefits of living in the cold tundra of southeast Idaho. I could stick my lips in the toilet and they'd absorb all of the water, but that would be wrong for other reasons that have little to do with this topic.

So how do you ease the stretchy pain of scaly lips when your toddlers have confiscated every tube of lip balm and eaten the contents?

Being a bit OCD is a wonder around my house when it comes to chores, but when it comes to lip care, not so much. I can't help but mercilessly tug on my lips in the hopes that will make a difference. Not so much.

To all of you suffering from parched puckers, my lips go out to you...hopefully you don't have little scavengers with an appetite for flavored wax.

Squeezing into our Genes

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:39:00 +0000

For any stranger observing my children at play, they would never suspect relation. Anna is rather skinny with long, straight brown hair, and Olivia is rather 'full' with short, curly blonde hair! The only thing they have in common is their height. I'm guessing that many assume Anna gets her physical characteristics from her father (who is skinny with brown hair) and Olivia gets her looks from me ('full', usually blonde hair). I have always maintained that Aaron's side of the family is responsible, regardless of my usually 'full' appearance these days! Both Aaron's mother and sister are over 6 feet tall--Aaron's brother is almost 7 feet tall! But it appears that even I was indirectly wrong to who the real culprit was: Aaron HIMSELF! As a courtesy to my recent revelation, I have posted this picture of Aaron who is probably 2-3 years of age (same as Olivia). Everytime we ask her who is in the picture, she promptly responds, "me"...duh! And anyone who has seen Olivia asleep in a stroller or chair would probably be conviced as well. The entire picture, however, is the only thing that made Aaron and I sure that it wasn't her---I photoshopped a young Rose Bland (Aaron's grandmother in Florida) out of the picture. FEAST YOUR HEART OUT! I thank God for wonderful pictures like these that bring so much joy into our family, not to mention fodder to taunt my husband!

One Too Many Trips to the Closet

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Personality Profiling

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:24:00 +0000

Here's my personality profile...do you think it's accurate? HAHA, looks like I could work on a few things..namely numero 3!

Cattell's 16 Factor Test Results

Warmth	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Intellect	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	74%
Emotional Stability	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	34%
Aggressiveness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	78%
Liveliness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	34%
Dutifulness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	74%
Social Assertiveness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	90%
Sensitivity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%
Paranoia	\|\|\|\|\|\|	18%
Abstractness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%
Introversion	\|\|\|\|\|\|	14%
Anxiety	\|\|\|	10%
Openmindedness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	66%
Independence	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Perfectionism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Tension	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	58%

Take Cattell 16 Factor Test (similar to 16pf)
personality tests by similarminds.com

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Weight Loss War-Monthly Update

Weight 174
Chest 49
Waist 34
Hips 41.5
Est. Lean Body Weight 126.93
Est. Body Fat Weight 47.07
Est. Body Fat Percentage 27.05%
BMI 27 2/3

No picture today! I have clearly hit a fitness plateau. There could be a number of reasons for this...I have a hunch that perhaps I am not eating enough, which in turn has decreased my metabolic rate. I am also concerned that perhaps I am not doing enough to build muscle mass--which would also help my metabolic rate. So my mission is two fold--eat more often during the day and become even more vigilant in my food choices; and increase core exercise and other muscle-building exercises with minimal cardio (I'm going to vastly inrease cardio when I lose another 15 pounds--to avoid wear and tear on my joints).

uhmahnduh@hotmail.com (Amanda) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:38:00 +0000

ANNA MONTANA!!

We are all guilty of what Anna does in this video--I don't want to spoil it...watch and you will see what I mean! HAHA.