We’ve been working for ourselves since 2003, and we’ve had a lot of ups and downs. We were irresponsible with our money and our credit. We were young and immature all those years ago. We squandered much of our success. We were hit hard by the economic downturn and have been humbled. We’ve struggled to build ourselves back up and out of the hole we had dug. We did it, though. We finally did it.

We paid every last bit of debt we had. We’re debt-free. That means we are finally able to save money! Real, actual amounts of money. When we realized we had a good chunk, instead of celebrating being 50% towards a down payment on a house, we invested the money in our business. It makes sense, really. The business generated by our revamping will hopefully replace that investment and get us the rest of the way quicker. It will ensure than we will be safe and comfortable when we purchase that house.

It does make sense, but that didn’t make it any easier. Watching that money pour from our account and into the project made my heart ache and my stomach quiver. Our house just slipped a little farther away, and it scared me. But we did it. It’s done. And next week we will be officially operating with new equipment and under a new name, spruced up and modern. It’s terrifying, but so exciting.

Here’s hoping we invested properly. If we did, we’ve just made a huge step in the right direction. Our lives will be better, and we’ll be so much closer to our dreams.

My baby’s first birthday is just 6 weeks away, and I’m feeling the pressure to create a wonderful party for her. I know it’s more for me and the grandparents than for her, and I’m honestly not super stressed about it, but I’m completely stumped for ideas and full of questions.

How should I decorate?
Should I handmake her invitations, or buy them?
If I buy them, should they have a photo of her on them?
Should I hire a photographer for the party, or be happy with snapshots?
If I don’t hire a photographer will I be stuck behind the camera the whole time?
What should she wear? Fancy dress or normal everyday clothes?
Rent a venue, or do it at home?
Cake or cupcakes? Bake or buy?

I’ve seen dozens of blog posts about people’s amazing baby showers, crafty unique weddings, parties that seem extraordinary due to their simple details. I can’t think of any that have been about a baby’s first birthday party. So I’m calling out to you, my few readers, in search of ideas. I’m lost. I want the day to be wonderful, and I don’t want to regret missing things that should have been obvious. If you have any ideas or resources for me, please comment or drop me a line. I need help.

I’ve been struggling to lose the last of my baby weight. You see, right before I got pregnant I lost 20 pounds. It was a glorious time, and I was all set to continue down the health path. Then my husband knocked me up and I became a typically ravenous pregnant woman. I gained 65 pounds during my pregnancy. It wasn’t too difficult to lose 45 pounds of that weight in the past 10 months, but that’s where I’m stalled. Right where i was before I lost weight in the first place. The weight I sat at for years. Ugh.

So I joined the YMCA, I’ve been using their gym and pool. I feel healthier and stronger, but still not any thinner. I should be more particular about what I eat, but it’s tough because I love food. I worked out this morning then ate waffles and bacon for dinner. It was counterproductive in the most delicious way. Anyway, this comic is hanging on the lockers above the scale in the women’s locker room. It made me giggle (not cry), so I thought I would share.

So I’ve been slacking a bit when it comes to logging our dinners. I’m doing my best, it’s just that accomplishing anything on a regular basis when you’re also parenting a baby is nearly impossible. My husband is tied up in a seemingly never-ending work project, so the baby and I are left to our own devices more often than we usually would be. Anyway, tonight we had a sauteed trio of summer squashes in browned onions, baked kabocha squash, steamed green beans with garlic. For our protein we split a steak.

Since I forgot about blogging last nights meal until just now, here it is:

Last night was a bland crappy pork chop, roasted asparagus, the same trio of summer squashes only not quite as good, and the best potatoes ever. The potatoes really saved the dinner. I’m not going to attempt pork chops with sage and apples anymore.

2 lbs yukon gold potatoes
1 onion
1/3 pound center cut bacon

Slice your potatoes into 1/4 inch thick pieces.

Dice your onions and chop your bacon. Add both to a saute pan with a tiny bit of oil. Over med-high heat saute them until both begin to blacken. Add your potato slices and mix well. Cover. After a few minutes stir again, and turn heat down to medium. Cook for about 15 more minutes, stirring every so often so things don’t get overly browned.

I use center cut bacon so there aren’t really any drippings. If you use regular bacon you’ll have a greasier dish, and may want to drain it just before adding the potatoes.

In May ago I wrote a review of some dishes I won on a blog contest. I was happy that I won, and looking forward to using the products with my baby. She just started eating solid foods a few months ago, and we’ve been using the baby feeding spoons. They’re great!

I’ve been using small ceramic or glass dishes to feed her from. Last week I decided to pull out the corn bowls so that I could let her try feeding herself applesauce from a bowl. I knew it would be a huge mess, but I wanted it to be a safe mess so I eliminated the glass by enlisting the corn. And then this happened:

That happened while removing the packaging, not even during normal child use. I assumed that being a child’s product that it would be able to stand up to being smacked around. I fully expected my baby to pick it up and smack it on her tray within seconds of placing it in front of her. I’m so glad it didn’t get that far, because those edges are sharp! She would have really hurt herself if she’d been holding that in her hands.

I’m so disappointed. I wanted to love this stuff, I really did. I just can’t give this to my child, though, and wouldn’t recommend anyone do so.