Day 79




Corinne is sick with a cold.


She's asleep right now.


I'm going to sleep.

Day 78


The pictures are up on facebook from our professional photography session!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




It is good that we did it last Saturday, and not this Saturday. Poor baby girl has got a little cold. It has been progressing throughout the day.


She was doing fine this morning, we even went on a walk for Autism Awareness! We lost a sock or two somehow, (we even saw someone holding her sock, but said, "No, that can't be her sock, we had those socks totally tucked into her pants....and she's got a blanket tucked in on top of that! - Apparently the sock is better at escaping than Nemo). She was nice and snug and warm, though....and her feet were totally covered by the blanket the whole time. We thought all was well.

I mean, even with the sock casualty, we made it back in one piece....until her eyes got watery. And she started coughing. And the liquids that fell from her face flowed like the great Niagara.


Poor baby.


She has been upset on and off all afternoon. The last hour and a half have been the worst so far. She is in a light sleep right now. I am typing as softly as I can....the only thing that soothed her was when I stood with her underneath the ceiling fan in the kitchen. She loves ceiling fans. They are all her dearest friends. She is immediately happy if she sees one. It doesn't even have to be on. It just needs to exist and be within her eyesight. Once these requirements are met - bam! Happiness.


Thank you for all of the comments on Corinne's pictures!! We love her so much. I am going to go for now. I hope the baby feels better soon!!!!

Day 77


Corinne's helping me write today.


Only have a few minutes.


She's reaching for the keys! She's very professional. She's got Arthur the Turtle in her hands.


Here's one of our favorite songs of the moment, off of Paul Simon's new album......

Have a good weekend, everybody!

Day 76


Tonight I'm going to the gym and I'm going to run/walk three miles.


This should be interesting, because I've started to walk like one of these things:


a) an Ostritch


b) a great, great, great, great grandma


c) a snail


I haven't decided which is the most accurate. But they're each pretty close.


I'm tired from work. I just did some housework and snuggled with my baby. 


She is so pretty. She has Stevie's smile. It lights up the whole room. She had her 6 month appointment today. Here are her stats:


87th percentile for height - she's TALL!
47th percentile for weight 
15 pounds, 10 ounces


She's our love! 




Welllll, the baby is in bed now. I've written a little bit. It's time to go to the gym. There are a million reasons to go, and none not to. I would only want to stay to hang out with the baby....and she's asleep. OK - I would want to stay to hang out with Stevie, too...but I'll see him later. No excuses. Gym time.


I had to get some earphones that wrap around my ears, because those annoying little earbud things keep popping out of my ears. Do they work for anyone???


I tried creating a contraption with a headband holding in the ear buds, but I looked like I was visiting planet Earth from some other planet and it didn't work anyway so I just gave in and bought new earphones. Much, much better.


Does anyone have any suggestions for workout music?? Please let me know. 


Hope you all have a good night.

Day 75

One of my favorite songs.

I ran 2 miles today.

OK, I walked a little bit.

But I am just starting out here, people.

Give me  a break.

;)

I'm trapped in a Wednesday again...but the thing is....it's basically Thursday right now. 

You can't argue with a Thursday.

I'm going to bed. I hope you like the music.

Day 74


Today I am inspired.


I ran three miles. I walked a little bit, but for the most part, I ran.


I'm going to keep going, too. I'm going to keep running and I am going to train for a half marathon.


I'm going to raise money for a good cause. I know what it is, but I don't want to say what it is yet. I want to ask permission and see if it is ok to reveal any details for my cause. If I ran a half marathon, would you support me? Would you give $5 toward a worthwhile cause? I know I would. I wish you'd consider it. 


The more I think about it the more I see that there is a lot in the world that needs some good love. So I think Steve, Corinne and I....we can work to spread some good love. First by being a family together. And then after that - the sky is the limit, folks.


I'm really, really inspired. 


I've been writing this blog for 74 days straight. I've been working on my novel a lot. Various events in my life have shown me I know that I can keep going with something, when the going gets tough. I know I can train and do this. 


I've been thinking about how to help out the world around us, and make a positive impact on the world. I want to be a good example for Corinne, always. I want her to see what good kindness and determination can do. 


There are so many horrendous things happening in this world. There are so many horrendous things happening locally. Did you hear the news bashing Buffalo Teachers today? Are they serious? It should NOT be a parents vs. teachers war. Parents and teachers should be able to work together. Teachers should be praised for all of the hard work they do. Teachers - you all are amazing!!!!!!! All the time you are amazing. Especially when you get up in the morning, you do not want to go to work because it is just too hard, and you still drive in, get out of the car, and you're back in the classroom that morning. Just doing THAT makes me think you each are my hero.




 I want to do more good. If anyone wants to run with me....let me know. If anyone wants to give money...let me know. I will give you details, soon. 




In the meantime....I don't really need another tattoo to show me that I have hope. I need to be the one to show myself I have hope. And my husband, and daughter, and anyone else who is listening. 


In church this week the sister act chorus sang "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine", and it was beautiful. I think I will let my light shine.




 Every day.

Day 73




I don't feel like writing anything tonight.


I feel kinda down.


Maybe the cookie karma didn't work this time.


Maybe I should just go to bed.


Stepped on the scale today - I weigh the same as I did last Monday.


Went to work - sleet outside. All day.


Went grocery shopping.


Came home and the baby was exhausted. We only had a few hours together.

Watched an episode of "Game of Thrones" - it made me want to write. Then it made me feel like I needed more energy to write. And I don't have any tonight.


I keep thinking about a lot of people who need help.


I really want to do something to help. I've been thinking of running...and raising money.


I don't even know if anyone would sponsor me.


I don't know. I'm in a weird mood.


And now it's 10 p.m.


And I'm tired.


And I don't feel like writing anything tonight.


Sometimes I think about getting another tattoo.


Of a dove.  Just an outline.


I need to remind myself somehow


that even though it's dreary outside


and it's dark out 


when I wake up


and when I come home


there is hope somewhere


leaning on my shoulder.

Day 72


Soo according to my statistics here I have some fans in Russia! 


Here's a shout-out to my comrades!! Heyyyyyy!


I feel amazing right now. I just went to a sister-act church.


If you live in or near Buffalo, NY, please go to St. Joseph's church on Mainstreet on a Sunday at 11:30 a.m. You will think to yourself, "Am I in Sister-Act?" And then you will be so happy it is unbelievable.


Right now I feel like this song feels:

Oh my goodness I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to bake up some Cookie Karma!


I'm giving them to my sister in law Mary to give to her coworkers at Summit Educational Resources. Here's a link for more information on that school:


http://summited.org/


 Those teachers need some love. Their days are long and hard. Cookies are something I'd like to give them...and so I will.


I challenge you to do a cookie karma. Bake some cookies for someone you know who needs them. I guarantee fantastic things will happen. It is magic. I swear.

Day 71

Below is a list of 5 baby items I would like to be full-sized so I could use for myself also.


1. Swings that exist inside of your house, complete with i-pod dock, soothing rainforest sounds, and cushy - soft padding. Yes, yes, yes.


2. 1-piece Jammies with footies. Yes, yes, yes, yes. I would never want to get out. Oh, wait, they do exist. Someone out there gets it. Amen!


3. Those light up plastic aquariums that play classical music that you put inside of a crib. I would not object to having one of those things as a part of my bedtime routine. Seems soothing.

4. Bibs. I should have never stopped wearing them. My goodness.


5. Pop-up books. I would enjoy reading books off the bestseller list which are also pop-up. Pop-up biographies on Albert Einstein? Okay. Pop-up encyclopaedia? I would choose this over an Encyclopedia Britannica any day. Pop-up Hunger Games? If you get me a helmet, I will do it. 

That's my list. Just my opinion. Yes.

Day 70!!!


I have a pedometer. So far today I'm at almost 6,000 steps.


I am trying for 10,000 because Dr. Oz says that is the recommendation for good health.


I also had two slices of breakfast pizza, a sticky bun, orange juice and a coffee today. 


Then I realized I should be watching what I am eating and not just watching it as it goes into my belly.


So I put the stops on that business and I'm going to stick with water for the rest of the night and keep on stepping.


I will go up and down the basement steps a million times if I need to. 


If only Dr. Oz said I need to eat four pieces of pie a day for good health.


I would do that so happily.


Anyway - I will tell you a little anecdote of how I got the breakfast pizza.


It was my day at work to bring in breakfast. 


That is because I am in "The Breakfast Club" at work: I'm the dark haired quirky one......just kidding! Oh I am hilarious. But really, I'm in The Breakfast Club. I swear.


Don't you forget about me, people.


Anyway - back to my anecdote.


Someone from the club provides breakfast for the rest of the club every Friday.


Today was my day.


I ordered the breakfast pizza for three reasons:


a)It is that breakfast pizza from Tops. It is the only thing from Tops I've known to be delicious. If you have not tried it, you will pleasantly find that it is really, really, really glorious.


b)I had no time to bake a fabulous and memorable breakfast. I'm a busy lady.


c)Why wouldn't I order breakfast pizza?


The problem was, I ordered it from the wrong Tops.


Instead of just ordering from a tops on "Niagara Falls Boulevard", it was ordered in Niagara Falls.


I got to the counter this morning, at the one where presumably the delicious breakfast pizza was waiting for me, and the lady at the counter sent me away.


"No Katie Galbo Pizza here."


That was a slightly startling, because Katie Galbo pizza needed to happen.


I am in the Breakfast Club.


SO then I had to launch a private investigation as to what happened. It dawned on both Steve and I on the exact same moment in the car: we had to drive to Niagara Falls. 


Long story short....actually long story long, I've been typing this out for a little bit, it actually looks like a long story now....


We drove to Niagara Falls and then dropped off the baby at Grandma's and then went to work - and we somehow made it only being 1/2 hour late! 


So I guess the moral of my story is - 


Breakfast Pizza is more than just delicious. It is also a passport to one of the wonders of the world.

Day 69




Yesterday I went to an Esparanza Spalding concert with Steve and our friends Holly and Tim.


Here is one of my favorite songs she sings. I loved the concert. She is so so good.


If you haven't heard of her....you should check it out :)


She is singing about Portland, Oregon, where she is from. I would love to go there.


Yes, and I would love for us to go to Seattle, too, where you are, Matt.


And NYC, where you are Evan and Christine and Andi and Sadou.


And Kentucky, where the Tuschongs are....


And all the places the other Tuschongs are.


And California where my brother is....


And Florida, where Aunt Michele and family are....


And back to West Virginia where my other brother is....


And Michigan where my other brother and his wife and their baby are....


And there are so many more. I should just stop here I'd be writing for 100 more days, just mentioning people I want to visit. 


And ok so basically I know people everywhere in the whole world so Steve, Corinne and I (and Shay, too) we should basically just get an around the world pass and go visit everybody.


And then go to other places, too.


I guess for now I'll just hang out and write to you guys (and to everybody else, too)


in my blog


while I listen to a song


about the City of Roses.


You should, too!

Day 68


Today I ate Polish food.


Today I realized my dog's torso is as long as my torso.


Today I miss my baby (just like every single day)


Today I am going to a concert (I am on my way, momentarily)


Today I calculated that my butt


is as big as two people's butts put together


Today I realized that beets aren't so bad


Today I got out of work at 5


Today I learned what a polka actually is (but I didn't dance it, people)


Today I realized I'm stuck inside of a Wednesday again


That has been happening a lot lately (Why can't I realize I'm happily floating inside of a Saturday instead?)


Anyway - This was my today.


Hope yours was a good today. 

Day 67

I ate less, almost all of the foods from the "real" food groups and not the candy ones, and worked out yesterday.



I stepped on the scale this morning and gained 3 pounds since Monday.


WHAT.

How does that even happen?!

I cannot even process that. And so I won't.

I'm going to bed.

Maybe I'll be obese by morning!

Day 66


Today we got a paper birch tree sapling for Corinne.


She has a tree. 


Tonight we showed her how daddy makes coffee with a french press.


She loves to watch daddy and his culinary creations.


She also loves to snuggle.


Her eyes are now a deep gray blue.


Her hair is light.


Someone said her nose and eyes are just like mine, and her mouth is just like Steve's.


I am so in love with my baby girl.


And I know that so is Steve.

Day 65

I cannot believe how sleepy I am after a single weekend of going to Rochester.

You would have thought I ran a marathon.

I need to get in shape if I can keep up with this luxurious lifestyle of mine where I get to see my family and friends once in a while. 

It is time to take action.

I am launching my own "Try and lose some pounds so I can have more energy come on K you have stuck to something for 65 days now you have no excuse stop fooling yourself and get moving and eat less and have enough energy to keep being a good mom after leaving your 40 plus hour work week" plan. 

I will call it my "You win some, you lose some" plan.

I would win some by having more energy to be with my family. And I'd be healthier for them and me. And be a good example for Corinne. 

I would lose some....off my awesome bod of mine. Weight, that is. Not like a million pounds....but...really....I'm still way bigger than I ever have been in my life. It is time to take action here.

Time to stop the talky talky here. Everybody has their own ways of life, and mine needs to incorporate even more healthy eating, less portions and ...somehow...even more movement in my day. Probably more water drinking, too. I've gone a little crazy with the fizzie drinks lately.

So basically...since I'm already writing this here blog every day...I'll check in every Monday for the next 5 weeks to tell you if I've lost some weight....and gained any more energy. Or general amazingness. And if I haven't I'll have to sheepishly report that on Monday, and that would not be very fun for me. So. Let's just see what will happen. I'm already a firm believer in "Where there is a will, there is a way." So I've got the will, people. Let's see what happens.

I'll let you know if anything did happen, next Monday night. 

Tomorrow I'll probably just talk about something else.

Who knows what I'll talk about. Alligators? Robots? 80's hair bands? How many countries I've traveled to out of 100? The Congo? Anthony Bourdain? The man in the moon? Counting sheep? Something totally not even on this list? 

You'll have to stay tuned. 

And...did you see? I'm at Day 65. Yes!

If Amazing were personified, it would be me.