this is what you call intellectual

I got called Peter Parker, Clark Kent, and a detective today.  All because of the specs.  I was really hoping more for hip and downright beautiful, but oh well, I LOVE THESE GLASSES. 

Something else I love is this new blazer.  I've always felt a little masculine in jackets (maybe that's where all the male references came from??) and this one's no exception, but I decided to suck it up and get my hipster on. 

knit blazer from O.N.

a full blown anxiety attack

I hate the eye doctor.  I've always hated the eye doctor.  I'd take a pap test any day over going to that stupid place.  The way you have to smell the doctor's breath because he's three inches from your nose, the puff of air that tests for glaucoma (who the hell has glaucoma), the letters that you've memorized but you try really hard to figure out if you can actually read them. 

It always takes forever, and it costs way too much.  I've had my share of eye problems, so I'm constantly paying out $30 co-pays for those visits where you're just "making sure everything looks okay."  I started ditching those appointments once I figured out their little scheme.

Anyways, my friend works at a new eye place in town and she had a 50% off coupon on your entire pair of eyeglasses.  FIFTY PERCENT OFF.  That meant I could buy the name brand pair!  Like, a really cute name brand pair!

Of course my prescription was expired (a conspiracy, I'm sure) so I had to see the doctor to get a new one.  Now, I may hate going to the eye doctor, but I LOVE my actual eye doctor.  He's tall, handsome, has good hygiene, and wears nice clothes.  All of which matter more than having a Doctorate in Optometry.

So the anxiety attack.  My stomach was already in knots from a stressful day, and I was also worried about what Patrick was going to eat for dinner, I had this eye doctor appointment, et cetera. 

This was a new eye doctor.  He smelled funny, he wore a $10 John Ashford sweater, he had acne scars, and he wouldn't stop talking.  I mean, I was ready to high-tail it outta there like ASAP.  He went on and on and on about his daughter's education and how they wanted to send to her a Catholic school, BLA BLA BLA.  Enter:  FULL BLOWN ANXIETY ATTACK.  Either I was going to barf or I was going to start bawling - I really held it together though, I was proud. 

Because I knew I'd be ordering my new fabulous pair of glasses!  The last pair of glasses I bought were from 2007.  Patrick recently destroyed them, which was okay because my vision went kaput after going through pregnancy so I really needed a new pair. 

nine west

This is the pair I ordered - I LOVE THEM.  They're just what I was looking for, and I even paid an extra sixty bucks for the anti-glare.  Ya know, going all out here. 

So the moral of the story is sometimes anxiety attacks are worth it when you get a materialistic prize in the end.

you're in control of my heart

Frazzled.  Frustrated.  Frikking roller coaster of emotions.

Every emotion God has created for humans to feel, I have felt this week.

• Out of control
• Weak
• Joy
• Overwhelmed
• At the breaking point
• Happy
• Sad
• Disappointed
• Relaxed
• Content
• Love

All I can say is thank goodness it's Friday.  I just need time to focus (and think of nothing else) on what I'm meant to be:  a Mama to my baby.

"I'm a lightweight, easy to fall, easy to break.  With every move my whole world shakes.  Drowned in your love."

a family staple: pepper steak

This meal is da bomb.  My mom has been making it for years, and it's always been one of my favorites.  It's best to have when the peppers are fresh in the summer, but it really doesn't matter. 

Ingredients:

 

3 c. hot cooked rice

1 lb. lean beef round steak, cut 1/2 inch thick

1 T paprika

2 T butter

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 1/2 c. beef broth

1 c. sliced green onions, including tops

2 green peppers cut into strips (I used red, obvi)

2 T corn starch

1/4 c. each, water & soy sauce

2 large fresh tomatoes, cut into eighths (optional)

 

 

While rice is cooking, pound steak to 1/4 inch wide thickness.  Cut into 1/4 inch strips.  Sprinkle with paprika and allow to stand while preparing other ingredients.  Using a large skillet, brown meat in butter.  Add garlic and broth - cover & simmer for 30 minutes.

 

Stir in onions and peppers - cover & cook five more minutes.  Blend corn starch, water and soy sauce.  Stir into meat mixture.  Cook, stirring until clear and thickened, about two minutes.  Add tomatoes and stir gently.  Serve over beds of fluffy rice.  Serves six.  Or one Jeff and one Stef.

 

My mom always served it with hot crusty rolls & butter.  Mmmmm.