tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89902812506865873292024-02-20T19:52:19.322-05:00Vika's CornerThis is my place to send random things...
I chtoby ya mogla govorit' to, chto ya xochu :DVikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-50238964675875040832009-03-08T21:39:00.005-05:002009-03-08T21:47:38.392-05:00Shenandoah State Park (Andy Guest)We went to the state park today and went hiking with the Turkey - despite a bit of lingering crankiness due to a cold he suffered from all last week he loved it! We really enjoyed ourselves as well, it's a beautiful, well-maintained little park with gorgeous views of the river and of the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains :)<br /><br />Happy March 8th!<br /><br />Also, yesterday was the fourth anniversary of my first date with STM. :D :D :DVikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-73047197519711558302009-03-08T21:36:00.002-05:002009-03-08T21:39:20.948-05:00Hey, Tire Guy!Teaching your kid how to check and adjust the pressure in your tires when someone is waiting to use the air compressor is fine, but there is NO reason to spend fifteen bloody minutes doing it.<br /><br />My kid woke up and started crying in the time it took you. And we took maybe five minutes to pressurize our own tires.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-2777879471350790192009-02-28T16:53:00.004-05:002009-02-28T16:59:38.327-05:00Weird.I have been watching more news again lately. For various reasons, especially stemming from how bloody TIME-CONSUMING being a full-time mom turns out to be, I have not been online or watching TV of substance recently.<br /><br />The reason this is relevant is because watching news shows again is fascinating.<br /><br />Earlier this week I realized just how much I like Rachel Maddow when another, perfectly worthy, newscaster from MSNBC filled in for her during an illness. I missed Rachel. STM and I both have a mild girl crush on her. She's pretty awesome. Also, it's nice to be more caught up on the stff going on outside of Leesburg.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-13119965120781110152009-01-27T19:10:00.000-05:002009-01-27T19:11:33.105-05:00I know, I know, you've been waiting....<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/blue625star">Check this out!!!</a>Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-48584271157014760842008-11-25T22:31:00.002-05:002008-11-25T22:34:26.599-05:00Gabriel...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjh_ZUguMUTKdGbZUPm2xYx-cDN15PRGCnGDEIfZNXt0V9pBo5DFyY40gPvRPc6Z_x3PMt8QFO8jniDnyS7cBnEjCVopGRifAILUf42v-4wKC3aVNb4E1B3fIpsXwgZWZc1keQbvGbrg/s1600-h/IMG_9150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjh_ZUguMUTKdGbZUPm2xYx-cDN15PRGCnGDEIfZNXt0V9pBo5DFyY40gPvRPc6Z_x3PMt8QFO8jniDnyS7cBnEjCVopGRifAILUf42v-4wKC3aVNb4E1B3fIpsXwgZWZc1keQbvGbrg/s320/IMG_9150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272804208745015522" border="0" /></a><br />No, not the angel, though he is awfully cute!<br /><br />Gabriel William...aka "the Turkey"...was born November 19th at 8:09pm. He was 7lb. 7 oz (so much for a gigantor baby!).<br /><br />We are tired. And very happy. VERY happy!!Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-90459721242400778702008-11-16T09:04:00.008-05:002008-11-16T11:02:56.788-05:00All the stuff I should Have been posting...We had an historic election! Where the guy who won did so on his own merits and also happens to be the first African-American president-elect in our nation's history!! Even MY state, a traditional Republican stronghold, went blue! And 70% of the voters of my state came out to vote, also historic! Yay!!<br /><br />Also, I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and for the last month I've had to test my blood sugar four times a day and watch my diet verrrry carefully. Fortunately my case is mild and controllable by such methods...I have a grand new respect for all those who suffer from this condition. I really miss ice cream. Not to mention that when a person with diabetes gets a cold or the flu their sugars become even more difficult to control and asthma meds also spike sugar levels. In the future I will not only be taking preventative measures for myself to prevent a repeat of this, but if I'm sick with a cold I will endeavor even more than usual not to get anyone else sick - sheesh.<br />ANd having a cold while pregnant is by itself no fun! Fortunately you have extra cards to pull in order to get extra rest, which is nice and makes it a little easier :)<br /><br />It also helps greatly with ALL of the above when you have a lovely husband who puts up with ALL of this and continues to be loving and sweet and supportive. Thanks STM!<br /><br />SO...the Turkay. My due date is November 28th. On the 14th we had an ultrasound and they estimated this little munchkin to already be about 7 lb. 11 oz. Eeek! At that point the word 'induction' started popping up with ever greater frequency, as you can imagine. So, if the Turkey does not arrive by this Wednesday, the 19th, I will most likely be induced that evening and the Turkey would then be born, hopefully, by Thursday the 20th.<br /><br />Which segues to my next bit...how does a first-time mom know she's in early labor?? I know what the book says, I know what my mom says (which was that she wasn't sure and had a doc appt, so she went to the appt and they sent her right into the hospital....) but I'm still not sure what this will be like for ME. So. But I'm having an awful lot more Braxton-Hicks. Enough that I'm going to start counting them today. And I'm getting a bit crampier every day. So.<br /><br />Updates to follow!Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-24107151919232771882008-08-29T19:42:00.002-05:002008-08-29T19:46:44.487-05:00Moving...Is a lengthy process. Sigh.<br /><br />Once we ARE moved in, however, our place will be really nice :) Until then we are tripping over things and having unnecessary arguments. <br /><br />Which is compounded by the fact that I can't lift or move anything, seeing as how the Turkey needs approximately the space twins normally use. I checked a picture of myself against a picture of my sister <span style="font-style: italic;">on the day she gave birth </span>to her baby girl - at six months I'm as big as she was at nine.<br /><br />My mother found this very amusing. SO far I don't mind, but if I get to the point at the end where I can't drive because I can't sit behind the wheel of a car without my belly getting in the way it will make me cranky.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-82713490624437250742008-08-15T07:49:00.004-05:002008-08-15T07:52:22.403-05:00Little It?My dad dubbed the Turkey "Little It" in an email. This immediately brings to mind images of It from the Addams family and It's very hairy offspring with pacifiers in their...mouths? I laughed a lot :) This was compounded by the fact that between us STM and I have approximately three feet of hair.*<br /><br /><br />*two feet of which is STM'sVikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-69712843629015646522008-08-15T07:37:00.003-05:002008-08-15T07:47:29.165-05:00Hi All!Wow - it's been a really long time since I posted. At first I had no interest in looking at a computer screen, I'd just gotten away from a job that required looking at one allllllll dayyyyyyyyy. Also, I had news that I was all too likely to share early....since then I've been both busy and lazy, if that's possible. STM and I and the Turkey are moving to Leesburg this weekend, I've taken a new job pouring wine tastings at a local winery, we've been to Puerto Rico and for our 1 year anniversary we went to Annapolis/Chincoteague...but the big news, which most everyone who reads this already knows, is the Turkey!<br /><br />STM and I are having a baby just around Thanksgiving time this year :D<br /><br />I have discovered many things, one of which is that when one is pregnant and has a full bladder, apparently said bladder is irresistible to tiny kicks. And punches. And occasionally a head-butt. This is a very strange sensation. I suppose it's like having a balloon in there to play with...and seeing as how it's probably kinda boring in there I can't actually blame the Turkey. Even stranger is when the little person decides that kicking is necessary NOW and must be done hard enough so that mommy can feel both the kick AND the head hitting the other side.<br /><br />This whole baby thing is fascinating. Although I will be happy when my nose stops running constantly.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-82209417080019923502008-03-28T08:51:00.001-05:002008-03-28T08:53:32.765-05:00Today and Monday.And then I am finished with this office. My poor office orchid, which was so happy in my previous location where it got plenty of light, is now losing all of its flower buds due to the new location (the dungeon!).<br />All three of the office orchids will come home on Monday when STM will let me have the car for the day :)Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-4317838097748972752008-03-24T13:00:00.003-05:002008-03-24T13:03:44.157-05:00WorkI'm in my last week at this office. It's not bloody happening fast enough, that's all I have to say about it!!!<br />After today: 5 business days left, four if I use my sick time...well, actually, 3 1/2. I've got plenty of sick time.<br />7 calendar days.<br /><br />I should get one of those little countdown boxes!Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-55811448564224636392008-03-19T14:17:00.005-05:002008-03-19T14:24:31.528-05:00Crochet. Sigh.I have now tackled several crochet projects, pictures of which will be posted as I:<br /><br />A) give the completed projects to their intended recipients and<br />B) get off my lazy butt long enough to post the pics. Which reminds me, I need to photograph a couple of things.<br /><br />Question: why do so many published and/or free patterns have mistakes in them? I've come across this a couple of times now, and it's quite irritating.<br /><br />For example, I am currently wrestling with <a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/beatrice/beatrice.html">this pattern</a>, a cute free shrug pattern from Berroco called 'Beatrice.' I'm using different colors and yarn, since I like wool and such :) My issue is that it doesn't seem to make any sense. I got through the first row with difficulty, but now I'm trying to make the directions work for the second row. It appears that the stitch count is off somewhere.<br /><br />Argh!<br /><br />On the other hand, I still like the look of the theoretical finished product. I will keep trying for now.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-8712077751869014672008-03-13T10:50:00.004-05:002008-03-13T10:52:29.360-05:00Because some things are worth publicising.....Neil Gaiman, of Sandman fame and author of many books which I have read, <a href="http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780060558123&WT.mc_id=author_AmerGods_FullAccess_022208">is offering one of his books for your free perusal</a>.<br /><br />Check it out now - it's only being posted for free for a limited time!!Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-41584721880316879602008-03-10T14:55:00.002-05:002008-03-10T14:59:17.105-05:00ANTMC Part Deux...And I really don't need to hear about your troubles with getting worker's comp for your 'foot injury', nor do I need to know what your doctor recommended (surgery) and how he must know best since he didn't recommend therapy, and how it's really been giving you trouble and how you have TRIED the orthotics but it's just NOT ENOUGH....<br /><br />Ahem. You get the picture.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-28381444637492721202008-03-10T12:48:00.003-05:002008-03-10T12:56:06.030-05:00Lest you think I've morphed into a full time PITASuper Thin Man and I had our three year anniversary of our first date this past Friday :) Yes, I know we are now married and have a wedding anniversary, but hey, it's more meaningful than Valentine's Day and it's a nice excuse to spend some time with my DH.<br /><br />We went to the <a href="http://www.usbg.gov/whats-happening/exhibits/Alphabet-of-Orchids.cfm">U.S. Botanical Gardens Orchid Show</a> on Saturday, and <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/wes.shtml">Westmoreland State Park </a>on Sunday. It almost made up for Daylight Savings Time, which is screwing with my brain.<br /><br />For those of you who have not been, the Botanical Gardens is a classic Victorian style greenhouse on the National Mall right next to the Capitol Building. It's a really nice place to visit anytime, especially in winter when it's grey and cold outside. They always have an abundance of green, living, sometimes flowering things to perk up your mood.<br /><br />Also, Westmoreland State Park is a tiny little park (1 mile square, really!) with a gorgeous beachfront, some lovely woods, bald eagles, tons of other avian life, pretty trails, and a spectacular view of the Potomac from the Northern Neck of Virginia, where the river is 5 miles wide. I highly recommend a visit.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-8136410412277774632008-03-10T12:44:00.001-05:002008-03-10T12:47:45.312-05:00A Note to My Coworker...I KNOW you've had this space of cubicles to yourself for quite a while. It still doesn't belong to you, lady. <br /><br />Talking on the phone about whether you packed the car or whether they should remove some sort of charge from your credit card is none of my damned business, nor do I have any interest in hearing about it. I understand that you may have some business related calls to make, and that's fine, but keep it DOWN when you're on a personal call. We share this space.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-88201990219135738772008-03-07T11:17:00.004-05:002008-03-07T11:23:07.691-05:00SighI miscounted.<br /><br />After Today, I have 15 days more of being in this office.<br />23 Calendar Days until my last day.<br /><br />I'm going to have to take my office orchids home much sooner, though. With this awful new cubicle I'm now occupying they only have office lighting, no natural light.<br /><br />I'm trying though - I printed out a number of photographs and pictures to try to brighten things up...and distract people walking by so they look at the pictures, not me.<br /><br />I'm not an exhibit in the zoo, people.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-22262615332899650612008-03-04T14:15:00.002-05:002008-03-04T14:20:21.342-05:00WTF!??!I have worked at my current office in various jobs for over 2 1/2 years at this point. I started as an intern during grad school and gradually worked up to full time beginning last August. During that time I'm sure I've had bad days, but I've also tried to be a decent worker.<br /><br />As a result, when I was hired full time I was moved from a desk in an office with a window to a cubicle without a door. Luckily there was still sunlight. Apparently this made sense.<br /><br />Now, with 3 1/2 weeks until my final day here (13 days I will actually be required to be in this office...) they are moving me again.<br /><br />To one of the smallest cubicles in the office, with no window, sandwiched between an intern and an administrative assistant.<br /><br />"Thank you for all the hard work Vika, we really appreciate the time you've spent here!!"Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-33864408461451885642008-02-29T13:56:00.002-05:002008-02-29T14:00:52.941-05:00No...Can't...Resist...ahhhhhhhhhhh<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887719/">Apparently Jessica Simpson had a movie.</a><br /><br />No kidding. It apparently also made about $.02 in the US.<br /><br />BUT - in Ukraine it made over $250,000.00 (which, considering a movie ticket costs about $1 there, is a lot.)<br />Ukrainians apparently feel about Jessica Simpson the way Germans feel about David Hasselhof. <a href="http://intouchweekly.hollywood.com/2008/02/ukraine_we_want_jessica_simpso.php">They think she's just like Barbie</a>. No Kidding.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-58464009960188117572008-02-28T15:11:00.000-05:002008-02-28T15:12:01.564-05:00And in slightly less philosophical news...<a href="http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/aero8.html">PRETTY!</a>Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-30289127745331074102008-02-28T14:38:00.003-05:002008-02-28T14:48:12.850-05:00Life, the universe, etc.My sister and her husband recently became parents to a lovely baby girl. She's really da*& cute, I'm serious. This has gotten me thinking about parenthood and the trials and tribulations facing parents today. So many people wait to have children until they can 'afford' to do so. (This is a fallacy. One never really knows what the costs and benefits of parenthood are until one is actually doing it.) I have a slightly different philosophy. Granted, what I'm about to write is probably what many people are thinking about but don't put into words, but hear me out.<br /><br />Having children has much less to do with finances than with the readiness of the parents. For example: my sister and her husband are at a point in their lives where they will be better able to give that gorgeous little darling the attention and love she deserves than if they'd tried having a child earlier, what with grad school and working etc. While their lives haven't stopped and they will still be working, etc, they've chosen <em>this</em> time in order to benefit their child. In my mind this is one example of how ready they are to be parents.<br /><br />I only hope that when it's my turn I'm able to be a good mom.Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-46893357492355614432008-02-27T13:47:00.002-05:002008-02-27T13:48:01.200-05:00Yup.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQchVsnR05JSh1rEsSbdJBpRqeBRZQlconQNdu0alM_HGWTsSkRAxUX6fULsGK2UxZ1tVQeHP0Q0mpzVRiPVUZrXva8rAliudxXe1EJTpkLe5go3COBCLphjLtxopFqK8BGXVLVn54mms/s1600-h/True,+True.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171733644961035282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQchVsnR05JSh1rEsSbdJBpRqeBRZQlconQNdu0alM_HGWTsSkRAxUX6fULsGK2UxZ1tVQeHP0Q0mpzVRiPVUZrXva8rAliudxXe1EJTpkLe5go3COBCLphjLtxopFqK8BGXVLVn54mms/s320/True,+True.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-60710394160270543412008-02-25T14:00:00.001-05:002008-02-25T14:02:17.874-05:00<3<3<3<3I love this plane.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/imagedetail.cfm?imageID=1042">I LOVE this plane.</a><br /><br />I think I want one. I'm sure I could rig it up to carry two and recoup my investment by giving rides. Sure! It would Work!Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-59706340470620321102008-02-25T10:14:00.002-05:002008-02-25T10:18:39.580-05:00Okay, Okay, I know Celeb watching is silly....but...I have a theory. <a href="http://showbiz.sky.com/showbiz/article/0,,50001-1306632,00.html">Angelina Jolie is pregnant again</a>. While I think most people would agree that she is normally a smoking hot woman that kind of oozes sensuality, it is also true that she has, in recent years, a tendency to be incredibly stick thin.<br /><br />So, my theory is that Brad keeps knocking her up to get her to gain weight. It looks good on her, it really does, so why not? They can certainly afford the kids, and unlike other folks in Hollywood whose woeful stories shall remain anonymous because I feel bad for them, they seem to be good parents.<br /><br />So let'em be happy and start a clan all by themselves. Why not? <a href="http://vikascorner.blogspot.com/2008/02/being-reason-not-to-post-on-ones-blog.html">Babies are adorable!</a>Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990281250686587329.post-17622192782616141032008-02-22T10:39:00.003-05:002008-02-22T10:42:48.579-05:00Lunar Eclipse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8frHNcPep1P8tLCBn1L2NYnJ41ZYYOvlEouBZg_Ji3B2qfsDmxP3VxzqE1MLdSwxKbagjcn3zmohn6KKk02DUTooxKLY7AJajbREBiMp_tnT6Yz1LNKw9uDapH_R70BE9csJ8LApGsEg/s1600-h/Eclipse.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169830476232700930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8frHNcPep1P8tLCBn1L2NYnJ41ZYYOvlEouBZg_Ji3B2qfsDmxP3VxzqE1MLdSwxKbagjcn3zmohn6KKk02DUTooxKLY7AJajbREBiMp_tnT6Yz1LNKw9uDapH_R70BE9csJ8LApGsEg/s320/Eclipse.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On Wednesday night STM and I witnessed a really neat thing - a full lunar eclipse. It was snowing lightly earlier that day (note: my office was open, no early closures that day either. Idiots...) but the wind picked up and blew all of the clouds away. It turned out to be beautifully clear and crisp! I must admit, the picture is NASA's, our camera doesn't have a tripod so all the pics are a little blurry.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The neatest thing in my mind was that the full moon was exactly 10:41pm EST, and the height of the eclipse was from 10:01pm to about 11pm. It was pretty awesome!</div>Vikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945392502253692118noreply@blogger.com0