Today's News

Well, after posting last time about our need to pinch pennies, I feel sort of silly admitting that we bought a new mattress yesterday. :) I think I've mentioned a couple times on my pregnancy blog how I have been experiencing sciatic nerve pain now and then (it happened with my last pregnancy, as well.) The time it is the worst is when I wake up in the night, having to use the bathroom or just turn over. I noticed that while we were in Ohio, I had hardly any trouble with it at all. When we got home, we realized that sleeping on a good, firm, brand new mattress in Ohio must have been what made the difference. Because every night since getting home, I would wake up in such pain that I could barely move, let alone get out of bed. Jim was determined that it was time for a new mattress, although I was protesting that we could save money and just buy a new egg crate topper, or a memory foam topper. After checking prices, we discovered that memory foam toppers aren't cheap, and it made more sense to just buy a memory foam mattress at Sam's Club, continuing to use the boxspring we have under it. Last night was our first night on the new mattress. I have to say it was totally worth it, because I had only a slight twinge of pain in the night; nothing compared to what I had been experiencing. So Jim was right after all (as usual!) and hopefully this investment will last us a good while. Memory foam is a lot different than a regular mattress, so it takes some getting used to, but it's very comfortable and supportive.

We also got a new couch today (new to us, that is--but it was free). Most of our furniture has either been passed down to us from others, or bought used at very low prices, or handmade by Jim. This couch was from some friends from our old church who were redecorating and bought new living room furniture. It's actually not quite as comfy as our old couch, but it is in better shape and the biggest plus is that it has a hide-a-bed, which will come in handy when we have guests. I'm still debating whether to leave it as is, or buy a slipcover to go over it. It's very neutral colors, and goes fine with the living room--I'm just thinking a nice slipcover might dress it up a little. No hurry, anyway--it looks perfectly fine, but if I decide to I can always cover it later.

My grandmother is in the hospital getting some tests done today. She's been having some stomach pain and ended up in the ER, to try and figure out the cause of it. I haven't heard any news for a few hours on how she's doing, but hopefully everything is OK. It's so hard to watch my grandparents getting older and less healthy. I have so many happy memories from when I was younger, of all the things we would do together. I know that aging is a part of life that will happen to all of us, but it's not easy to see it happening to those we love.

We had a lot of rain last night that caused some icy/slushy conditions this morning. All the local school had 2 hour opening delays because of it. Today is my day to go shopping, but Jim thought I would be OK getting in and out of the driveway, since it was more slushy than icy. Well, I was OK going out, but when it came to getting back up it, I ended up stuck and unable to make it! It all worked out, though, as he and Nathan (the guy he works with) came by at lunchtime with the couch, and so they were able to get it un-stuck for me. :) I didn't attempt to go out again, though!

I had a hankering to eat homemade doughnuts last night--don't know if it was a pregnancy craving or what, but anyway, I decided to make some today. Got everything ready, only to discover I didn't have enough oil to fry them. Bummer. I guess I will make chocolate chip cookies instead. Jim and Sam will be happy, anyhow . . . but I still want some doughnuts!! And not just any--I really want the homemade, old fashioned kind. Maybe I'll venture out tomorrow and get some more oil. :)

Well, I suppose I should stop jabbering now and get something done around here, like making cookies. Supper is all ready, except for making a salad, so I'm all set there. I'm trying a new recipe tonight, a salmon casserole. It was really easy to make; now we'll just have to see how it tastes. :) I hope to post some pictures from our holidays very soon, so stay tuned for that!