This year I thought I'd go back (way, way back) to posting some fun(?) life updates with all my favorite phone photos from the week. Mostly because I'm too disorganized to fit all this stuff in separate posts. ::shameless grin::
Starting with the highlight: I got to see my favorite show at Universal three more times!
Celestina Warbeck and the Bashees put on "Nothing Like A Holiday Spell" for Christmas, and I am obnoxiously in love with it. (Here's my favorite song.)
The crowds were intense - even worse than the week between Christmas and New Year's! - but I gotta say, all the extra people made watching the show more fun. So much hooting and hollering and singing along - you could tell the performers were eating it up.
Check out the "snow" in all these sunbeams, so pretty:
And one more beauty shot from around Diagon Alley:
I've been playing with a new photo app called Pixaloop, check this out:
You can animate parts of the photo, add snow or rain, and you can replace the sky, which blows my mind. I edited this in Snapseed, which is still my favorite app, but then I added the
sky and snow in Pixaloop. The free options are limited, but it's really fun! (This isn't sponsored or anything, just thought I'd share.)
In less photogenic news, MY HOUSE IS A DISASTER.
But at least the Christmas stuff is packed up.
Yes, we shrink-wrap our trees. It makes life so much easier.
So happy to have my pass-through back!
Since this was a FAQ: We had over a dozen people claim the gingerbread entry, but sadly nothing panned out. No one seemed to realize just how big it was (one person wanted to pick it up with a minivan!) or they wanted it for their kids' playroom, which wouldn't be safe. (This was built for display, not wear-and-tear.) So this was the end of the line for it, I'm afraid.
All was not lost, though: the House mascot cookies went to loving, nerdy homes, and John carefully took the entry apart to save all the wood for future projects. Oh, and we kept the big peppermint swirl and sticks. :)
We spent the weekend trying to get the house back in order, because hoo BOY what a mess:
(The ceiling lights are staying for now.)
One hilarious tragedy: in my zealous post-Christmas purge I accidentally gave away half the stuff that went on those shelves under the fake fireplace, because I flat forgot they were there. Oops. By the time John raced back to the thrift store to buy them back, all but one vase was gone, ha.
That's OK, though: I have plenty of steampunky stuff to make up the difference.
Speaking of my post-Christmas purge, I'm going to be giving away more stuff to you guys in 2019, so buckle up. John and I are still working out the logistics, but I already have a big box of former projects with your name on it, and ultimately I want to be making lots more to give away.
The house has been such a struggle for me this week, so it's nice to see a little progress. I've been feeling rough for nearly a month now, back to near-constant stomach aches and reflux even though I'm still on strict Low Fodmap. I lost two days in bed this week, just exhausted and hurting, bleh. I tell ya, Low Fodmap works for me most of the time, but as soon as I trip up even a little - or have an especially painful cycle - it takes weeks to get back to normal. So frustrating.
This was sweet, though:
John asked me what meal I missed the most, and when I said "spaghetti" he spent the whole next afternoon buying all the stuff and cooking it for me.
Unfortunately I was hurting again by the next day - no idea what the culprit was, as usual - but dang, that was good spaghetti. (Pro Tip: Barilla makes the best GF pasta!)
I did have a big Adulting day this week: got my first eye exam since 2010 (which I only know because I wrote a funny post back then here on Epbot, ha), went to the chiropractor, and then I went... ::shudder::... clothes shopping.
I feel like there was a time when I liked clothes shopping, but those times, like my patience for high-waisted shorts, are long gone. Why do all the yoga pants have elastic ankles now? What happened to all the non-polyester tops? And why, for the love of Stay Puft, are there only 6 skirts in the entire store? Do people not WEAR skirts anymore?? (Yes, I'm basing my opinion of all available clothing items from a single visit to Ross. WHUT.)
Still, I think this Hufflepuff dress is kinda cute:
Plus there was this:
Although I didn't buy it. I know, I know: my shame is great.
And finally, because I love you guys, please enjoy the photo I sent John from the dressing room after our hushed argument over what size jeans I wear. It turns out John was right, I *do* err on the side/size of too big:
I could have fit a basketball in those pants with me, if I'd had one.
WHATEVER, JOHN.
(Back in MY day, jeans didn't stretch and were always too small. ::shakes cane::)
Skinner does my favorite GF pasta - it seems to be the only major brand that isn't majority corn flour, and I'm just not a fan of eating corn-flavored noodles with marinara.
ReplyDeleteAlso, jeans sizes are totally inflating. My brain is still stuck on 80s sizing standards, but what was a 14 then is probably a 10 now.
Agreeing on the sizing -- my daughter, who wears an 8, can't get into my old 12s comfortably.
DeleteHere's one that takes me back further than all of you. I just reached the size I was in the 1970's! I once again fit into my button down Levis. One pair even has a knee tear. Isn't that vogue now? Got these jeans at the swap meet for druuuuuum roll, $5. I am not sure why I even have these jeans, must have been a nostalgic thing? BUT! there is no elastic comfort in them, just good old SOLID denim.
DeleteI adore Christmas decorations and having everything all magical, but I seriously love taking them all down and having my regular house back too. It's like a brain refresher!
ReplyDeleteI like getting that fresh start, too, though it always makes me need to redecorate EVERYTHING, ha. It's fun switching things around, I just need to learn to chill and take my time with it.
DeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteFellow FODMAPper here as well. Be cautious when using GF products--GF does not necessarily mean FODMAP free. There are a lot of ingredients(chicory root and certain beans for example) that are used to substitute for the wheat and it can cause a lot of grief to those on a low FODMAP diet. FODY (a Canadian food company) makes some really great sauces and products that are FODMAP friendly...their medium salsa is great.
Oof, sounds like something I need to look up, thanks for the warning! I know I'm too lax with the little things (like a small amount of sauce), but if there's a culprit in the pasta or bread that could be major. That could also explain why the GF pizza crust at Blaze made me HEINOUSLY sick, while their regular crust never did. ::sob::
DeleteYour problem probably isn't gluten/wheat. I am fine with wheat. Everyone has different triggers, so what works for me might not work for you--but read the labels. I'd recommend visiting Katescarlata.com She's an RD who specializes in gut issues and she's done a lot of research into FODMAPs. I have found her site to be a wealth of information. It's trial and error but it does get a lot easier once you know what your very specific triggers are. I'd also add, it's cumulative. I can tolerate very small amount of a trigger food, say--garlic powder. But if I start to get lax and indulge in 2-3-4 other trigger foods within a day or two...all heck breaks loose. (Literally.)
DeleteThe binders in some GF bread-like products are some of my biggest antagonists. I usually eat moderate FODMAP now that my gut is kind of in a good place (I say that but I've been cosplaying as the Hindenburg all weekend so...) but binders are always a tricky spot. That said, I stock piled french toast made from Oody bread in the freezer because Oatmeal depresses me after a couple weeks and I don't do cold cereals or eggs. (I do enjoy Bob's Red Mill Pancakes using earth balance, malk, and ground flax, if I keep it to a smallish serving my gut doesn't freak out)
DeleteA quick comment seconding the problem with the binders in GF foods. I have been GF for 12 years after being diagnosed with celiac, and I'm looking into avoiding Xanthan gum as well. It's supposed to be FODMAP safe, but I find that if I eat it I tend to get stomach cramps. It's tough because it's a common binder in most GF foods, but it is possible to get pasta and bread without it. Maybe give it a try? I'm in Canada though, so I'm not sure what might be available out there for you.
DeleteChiming in , a lot of GF foods use pea or apple in them, both of which are big red no's on FODMAP so I have to avoid them. Also tomatoes, might have to be a bit careful with those too I'm afraid. I can get away with tomato puree but the real things cripple me. There's couple of good fodmap apps for iPhones that let you look these up. One is from kings college and the other is an Australian one. Might be worth a shot.
DeleteYou also may want to look out for garlic -- my husband, when he went on FODMAP, had a huge problem with garlic (and onions, but I think that was a separate issue) even though it's supposed to be FODMAP-friendly.
DeleteIt's the strangest thing - the FODMAP diet sheet our doctor gave us has onions (all types) and garlic on the 'strictly no' list. I find we're alright with a little onion in a dish if it's cooked, but fresh is a definite no-no, and garlic is pretty much only okay if it's so scarce as to be homeopathic.
DeleteI was so confused when I read about the garlic oil bread, then I remembered that I've seen different lists with different foods that are allowed/banned (you'd think they'd be pretty standard, but apparently no?)
How much tomato did you have, and do you react to them in general? While a small serving is low FODAMP, too much becomes med/high FODMAP. Or perhaps the combination of the tomato and something in the GF pasta put you over?
DeleteThere's also the possibility you're reacting to something else in the tomato - they also have salicylates, glutamates, and amines, and sensitivities to those can cause hives, headaches, and digestive issues :-(
Fingers crossed you can figure out the specific triggers, and John can magic up a new recipe - I can't imagine life without Spag Bol!
Kahurangi, New Zealand
FYI, there is at least one commercially available line of FODMAP friendly foods out there. I took my daughter (who eats FODMAP free) to the local grocery store when I took her back to college and we found it in the specialty foods section. There was a teriyaki sauce, and several other similar things. I think the brand was "FODMAP for You"? This was in upstate NY so YMMV but keep an eye out!
DeleteYou looks super cute in both outfits! Hope the rest of the house cleaning goes well.
ReplyDeleteLove the Sherlock shirt! My kid had a similar one. Those stealth fandom things are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI've been buying dresses from eshakti.com lately. I love that they do pkussize and that they customize!
ReplyDeleteFor clothes - have you tried Stitch Fix? You can set how often they send a box, how much you want to spend, and I've gotten some really great stuff from them. Between them and some specific catalogs, I don't have to go out to buy clothes anymore.
ReplyDeleteOmg, clothes shopping... I shudder at the thought. I actually decided I will NOT buy clothes at all this year unless I am in desperate need of something. I spent too much money last year on onlineclothes, just to hate most everything. I wish I had a house-elf tailor who could make my clothes for me. In another note: we may have the same couches... the brown leather set in your photos look a lot like mine!
ReplyDeleteBoy, if you think THAT is a messy house, don't come to mine!!
ReplyDeleteJEN! First of all, we went to see Into the Spider-verse tonight based on your recommendation (and John's on FoE), and it was AHHHHHH-mazing. We (husband, 19-year-old son, and me) loved everything about it. I am not even a superhero movie fan, but holy flurking schnitt, that animation was beautiful, and Stan Lee's cameo was just everything. *sniff* Thanks so much for that post; it hadn't even been on my radar.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Universal pics, as always.
Sorry you haven't been feeling well. I know other people have mentioned this before on previous posts, but I haven't seen you respond. Have you asked your doc for a prescription for birth control pills that you just take non-stop (only the active pills with no breaks at all)? Listen, friend: I am speaking from painful experience here; it's life-changing to just completely kill your cycles. You don't need to have them. Stop suffering! Find the formulation that works for you. It took me a few tries to find the right pill that works with my body since there are countless variations. Here's the one that finally gave me my life back: norethindrone acetate / ethinyl estradiol 1 mg/.02 mg. Maybe you can use that one as a starting point. The one I get comes in a 21-day supply (no inactive/placebo/placeholder pills), and my cheap Obamacare insurance covers it completely. I just go straight from one pack to another. If your doc won't prescribe them for whatever reason, don't accept no for an answer. Go to someone who will. I ended up having to get a sympathetic nurse practitioner at a CVS MinuteClinic to prescribe them for me. No one needs to suffer like you do...or like I did. Take the freaking pills. If those pills don't take your pain away and turn you into a new person, please keep trying, and find some that do. ALL your other health problems are connected to your hormonal fluctuations throughout your cycle. These pills will even you the eff out, sister! If you have questions, email me at pacific 40s at yahoo dot com. I want you to be well.
XOXOXO,
KW
Brave woman to a)clothes shop at all and b)share the results. Where are the decent all cotton clothing?????? I hate polyester fabrics and do not want to feel like a sausage stuffed in a pair of pants. Thank goodness for LL Bean.
ReplyDeleteYou should investigate The Nemechek Protocol for your health issues! It is easy, natural and will fix your gut :)
ReplyDeleteAniiksa, the carbohydrate in onions and garlic that triggers symptoms is galactan. It's not soluble in oil, which means you can saute onions and garlic in oil to extract the flavors, but not the galactan. Other sugar carbs are either water or oil soluble so you have to really watch it. Alliums (onions, garlic, shallots, green onions) are all on the FODMAP no fly list.
ReplyDeleteI'd also add, you really need to watch out for sugar alcohols like xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol (any sugar ending in "tol") because those are ferocious triggers. It's naturally occurring in stone fruits and watermelon (WAHHHHHHHHH!!) but it's also used in sugar free candy, gum, protein supplements, diet foods, GF foods.... I'm so flipping trigger happy with sugar alcohols that I can't even chew a piece of Dentyne gum without crippling gas.
Oh, hey that's really interesting! Thank you for taking the time to tell me that (Sorry - I also just realised I replied to your comment about GF food (also not something I'd ever thought of) rather than someone else's which was specifically about garlic being FODMAP friendly. I don't comment here often and I'm not used to the comment/threading format, and it really shows :/ ) So am I understanding it right - if I shove a load of garlic cloves in a bottle of olive oil I can still have the garlic flavour, as long as I only use the oil and don't actually cook and eat the cloves? I do have a little pot of freeze-dried stuff that I grind very sparingly into my cooking when a recipe calls for garlic (a bit like a pepper mill) and that seems to work ok, but being able to use infused oil would be so handy o_o
DeleteMy partner and I were both diagnosed with IBS close to a year ago now, and we're still very much blindly feeling our way around the low FODMAP diet sheet our doc gave us, trying to work out what our biggest triggers are and what we can get away with cheating on ;)
There are some great FODMAP resources out there (Monash University has an app with all food that have been tested, a couple blogging dietitians, etc) but there are a couple certified low fodmap oils out there (some packaged oils just leave garlic bits in there which isn't safe). My favorites are the FODY shallot oil and there's a certified safe toasted garlic oil on Amazon that's super garlic-y.
DeleteAniiksa, please don't put raw garlic in olive oil. Garlic can actually be contaminated with botulism, and storing it in olive oil can make you quite (deathly) ill. I do food professionally--I know stuff. I usually saute slices of garlic and onion in olive oil to sweat out the volatile oils (the stuff that gives it the fragrance and flavor) then fish out the peices and use the olive oil then in my recipe. I also make chili using a whole wedged onion wrapped in a little cheesecloth--then when it's done simmering, I squeeze the whole packet against the side of the pot to extract the juices and flavor, then I discard the packet. No one notices the missing peices of onion and I don't end up miserable.
DeleteAs Crossing the Delebear said, there's some fantastic apps out there--lots of cookbooks and certified FODMAP friendly prepared foods. I just caution people not to confuse gluten free with FODMAP friendly--they are not interchangeable unfortunately. And not everyone is sensitive to all the foods on the FODMAPS list. I'm not lactose or gluten intolerant but do not put me in the same room with cherries, peaches, apples or watermelon.
Kathy, goodness, what a lot I’m learning.
DeleteI feel as though ‘garlic might grow botulism, be careful how you store it’ should’ve been one of those things they taught in Home Economics class 25+ years ago, rather than ‘here’s how to stuff a red pepper in case your husband brings home his boss and you need to plan a fancy meal on the fly!’ - I know which of those I’d have found more useful.
I hate clothes shopping too! And I also lament at the lack of skirts in stores. Skirts are so comfy if you get the right kind! Why don't more people wear them? They're much better than jeans IMO.
ReplyDeleteHey now, this was the year I got my first eye exam....EVER! Went through 37 years of life never seeing one....and was told my eyes are great but I'll need reading glasses when I get older. Woo!
ReplyDeleteAlso.....a great big old F to clothes shopping.
I'm writing to commisserate with the post-Christmas mess. I finally felt well enough to box up Xmas (22 rubbermaid containers, plus the tree) and actually to get it all out to my shed through the snow last weekend. I have not, however, had the energy to put the furniture back and put up/out all my normal household decorations. Maybe this weekend. I live alone though, so maybe not. It hurts/inconveniences no one if I don't get to it.
ReplyDeleteI recently realized I need to buy some skirts, but you’re right—they seem harder to find. I thought it was just me...
ReplyDeleteToo true about the polyester shirts! I don't know if it's just me or if this happens to everyone but I instantly turn into a static electricity monster whenever I wear polyester--the fabric sticks to me like cling wrap (not a good look). Wearing a slip or undershirt helps a little, but my arms, legs, and any exposed skin are still a problem.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about FODMAP,but I'm going to guess corn as a grain is not your friend!
ReplyDeleteI find wheat & corn (as a grain) are NOT my friends. I bet inflammation, gas, bloat etc.
I use the rice pastas from my local Asian markets. I've actually found h7bby & I prefer it!
Most corn and corn products are actually Low Fodmap, so I can eat things like corn chips, grits, polenta, & even a little canned corn without issue. I just have to look out for extra sweeteners, or added wheat! Everyone's different, though, so you could be reacting to non-FODMAPs as well.
Delete