Karebear Central

50 Shades

karebear — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:48:22 +0000

I’ve been busy the last couple of months, but I was craving a good book, so I succumbed to all the talk–I bought “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James. I have often heard it compared to “Twilight.” But after finishing this book, I have no idea why. There are no vampires, werewolves, or any type of supernatural forces at work in this story. It’s a romance novel, or as most people have been referring to it “mommy porn.” I can’t believe I am going to say this, but I think there was almost too much in the book.

Anastasia Steele, the main character, for whom the book’s point of view is from, is just a normal recent college graduate who meets the elusive, rich Christian Grey. He fascinates her as much as she fascinates him. Only one problem, he’s really into the dark world of sex. Can innocent Anastasia really find a way to live in his world, will he he find a way to live in her world or will they compromise?

The book is a really quick read, only about 391 pages and ends with you really wanting more. If I didn’t know there were 2 more books in the series, I would be quite upset if the book ended now. There is so much more that wasn’t explored as to the reason’s behind Christian’s obsession about being in control. Anastasia is an open book, but I think that is because she is so believable, an every day girl with fears, as irrational as they may be. I like that the author made her hesitate a lot, defy Christian, as anyone else would have done in the situation. The one question I want answered, which I hope they do in the later books–why does he employ a lot of blondes?

E.L. James takes you on a journey into a world most people know nothing about or would rather not talk about. The honesty she writes in her book is refreshing. I felt like I was in the story, not just looking in. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Personal Shopper

karebear — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:34:50 +0000

I’ve always wanted a personal shopper. I used to have a friend who loved shopping as much as I did, and I would trust her opinion—not that she knew anything about fashion. But I would take her word for it if she said I looked good! Since we have been unseasonally good weather this weekend, I realized I didn’t have as much time to find some summer maternity shirts as I thought I did. I decided to go to Motherhood Maternity. I love going there because of their hands on help. I don’t know what a bra is supposed to look like or a swimsuit. The lady there was able to get me started on a great summer wardrobe as last time I was pregnant was through the winter/spring. It doesn’t help that we are planning on camping this summer, so I need to make sure I have clothes that will be airy and comfortable. Granted the price is something I wish was lower, but I guess I am also paying for the experience of feeling like I am the only one that matters in the store. I would recommend this store to anyone who wants the hands-on treatment, but expect not to leave without spending a little. But as I have been finding out, I can’t find maternity stuff in stores, only online. I am sorry, but I would like to try my clothes on before I buy them!

It’s a ……………

karebear — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:02:39 +0000

Girl!

Now we have one boy and according to the ultasound tech who hasn’t been wrong in 16 years, a girl! I am so excited. I love my little boy to death, but I always wanted a girl too. Of course, she probably won’t be the girl I want her to be—probably will refuse to watch Dirty Dancing with me and refuse to wear cutesy dresses. And, I think now we are finally done! If it would have been another boy, I wouldn’t be ready to say I am done. But at this point, yes I do not need to be pregnant again!

Alcohol Free

karebear — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:20:36 +0000

Its been 4 months since I have had a drink. The first 4 months haven’t been hard not to want to drink–even when I got half a case of wine for xmas from my mother-in-law. But now that it is starting to get warm, like in the 70s, (yes 70s in March in Wisconsin), this is when its starting to get to me. It is so nice to sit outside on the deck at night talking to the hubby or watching Gabe slide down the slide. I think it might get even harder when we are camping this summer. Yes, I want to go camping while 7-8 months pregnant. I am that strange!

Oh Baby

karebear — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:46:09 +0000

Well we have some great news to share from my household. My husband and I are expecting a new bundle of joy in 5 months–August 5th. Summer baby which it sounds like might not be so fun! Tomorrow, we get to find out the sex of the baby. Which to me, has never been a question of whether or not we would. For my son, Gabe, we knew immediately that we would. Same with this baby.

People always say a woman always knows the sex of her baby. This I do not believe. I know i h ave feelings of what the baby could be. But I will not admit what I think the sex is. A part of me thinks if I don’t, then the baby will be the sex that I want. But in the end, what I really want is a happy, healthy baby!

Regardless of the sex, we have clothes for both girl and boy babies, thanks to my sister and cousin. They both had boy and a girl so that works for us in the long run. Anyone who turns down hand-me-downs, I just do not understand. We have saved so much money by not buying any clothes!

Thomas the Train

karebear — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:24:31 +0000

I have been meaning to post this picture for awhile. About 6 months ago, all of a sudden Gabe became really obsessed with Thomas the Train. When it got close to Halloween, I gave Gabe a flier and asked what he wanted to be–Thomas, Elmo or something else and he decided on Thomas. I had been really willing to pay the $25.00 that they were selling it for. But then I had this great idea to stop at a second hand store we have, Once Upon A Child. I found a Thomas the Train costume for $6.00. It needed minimal fixing–just a little sew job and I added ties to the side. He ended up being a pretty darn cute Thomas and for the 2 times he dressed up this year–it was worth the $6.00.

Never been a Show like…..

karebear — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:17:11 +0000

Cover of Veggie Tales

Veggie Tales! Veggie Tales has become a big part of our household in the last couple of weeks. Even though we aren’t a very churchy family, the show has really grown on me. Not only does it have some of Gabirel’s favorite vegetables, it is quite amusing. My favorite parts are Silly Songs with Larry—I love “SUV.” There are some other songs, but lately Gabe has been obsessed with one and only one video—”The Snoodle’s Tale” so I know that song by heart. We have been trying to figure out if they are making fun of SUVs or if they really love SUVs.

I think the show will really help teach Gabe some lessons. He isn’t one to sit still, but he will if Veggie Tales is on. The only problem Andy sees with the show is not all the characters are really vegetables which Andy thinks will perpetuate that problem.

Sister Wives

karebear — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:06:12 +0000

Growing up, the only time I’d seen the polygamy lifestyle was on TV such as a movie with Beau Bridges. Yes, even at a young age, I watched Lifetime (as Andy refers to it the man hating network.) The Lifetime movie I watched did not paint a good light on that lifestyle. But since I started watching Sister Wives on TLC, I actually don’t think it’s that bad of a thing. Its not my cup of tea at all, but if that is what they want to do with their lives, so be it. I could never share my husband, he’s mine and only mine. I barely have enough time for one husband and one kid. How do you find time for 16 kids and 3 other wives? I love watching this love story between the wives and Kody. Luckily, Netflix has Sister Wives, season one.

25 or Less

karebear — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:19:10 +0000

Prior to getting pregnant, I was at about 170 pounds. Somehow, after I had my son, I actually lost 20 pounds. Now, almost three years I have been stagnant at 155. My husband and I now have a bet to see who can lose 25 pounds first by February. We make a bet like this every other year, but it just seems like we lose steam a couple weeks into it. Last few years, I have had a prize–the complete series of Gilmore Girls. This year, there isn’t a dollar limit, if I lose 25 pounds, I may get an Ipad2 just because I want an Ipad. I haven’t quite asked Andy what he is going to get if he loses first–maybe a Roku?

We’ve Been Robbed

karebear — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:55:21 +0000

Maybe we are too trusting. Maybe we are too lazy. During the summer, it is just way to convient to leave our unattached garage unlocked so we can go to there to get a soda or pizza or whatever we are craving since we have the extra fridge out there. I don’t like to carry the house key in my pocket and I don’t like to open the garage door since its right by Gabe’s room. Turns out, in these times, we shouldn’t be lazy. Last Thursday night, our garage got robbed. The only thing that was stolen was Andy’s beer. It wasn’t like it was cheap beer either–it was the premium stuff. The theives left the Bud Light! I think the only reason we noticed right away because they dropped a bottle in the driveway. It would have taken us a couple days probably to notice them gone. And then it would have been blame game–but Andy drinks IPAs and hoppy stuff. Me–I’m a Stella Artois or Spotted Cow girl. Since they left the bike trailer, the bikes, the wagon, you know the expensive stuff, we figure it was just kids. Andy is just really upset that they took his beer and not the Bud Light that we have for our guests. Its cheap beer–we are now beer snobs and will not drink the cheap stuff! I guess we are lucky that we didn’t get anything of real importance stolen. It did change my view on the neighboorhood now, not as safe as I once thought. And doors locked at all times.