Stepping back in...

Post Number 40! You know, that really shouldn't feel like a milestone, but somehow it does. I think it's because towards the end of my pregnancy, and over the last 3 months, blogging hasn't been very easy for me to fall back into. I have a GORGEOUS baby girl named Ever Joelle and believe me when I say that many days, she's the only thing keeping me sane.

SEE????? I told you she's gorgeous! And really, that doesn't even show you how great she looks in person. If Scott and I were better photographers, maybe we could really capture some of her more priceless looks. Not to sound vain, but that child needs to be in magazines.

So... I guess the best way to get things back off the ground again is to say that, well, it's been a tough few months. To sum up and not dwell, here's just the facts, ma'am. I had Ever in what some have considered an epic birthing story... maybe I'll post it on here, but I haven't yet mastered the ability to tell the tale without the TMI details. A week or so before giving birth, they took my dog walks away for fear I would end up going into labor in the middle of the sidewalk. In all fairness, that would not have been good for the company. BUT, they did let me keep my petsits, which ended JUST in time. Literally, I had my last petsit on the day I went to the hospital!

And so, from all that and the hell that is recovering after natural childbirth, I didn't go back to work. I'm way past ready to start doing some lia sophia shows again, but so far, nothing big is on my calendar. Any takers??? After more months than we really should have held on, we finally let go, and gave up the townhouse we'd been living in this year. Money just wasn't adding up and we couldn't hold on any longer. It's been a really painful transition for me, moving back in with family after 3 years on our own AND now having just had a new baby. It's not exactly how I pictured my life right now. Nevertheless, it's where I am, and as my mom loves to say ALL the time, "Oops is not in God's vocabulary."

My very good friend over at Wearing Mascara has inspired me a little to focus more on things I'm thankful for... I have to be honest, this is something I have NOT done in a long time. If I'm honest, I've actually been pretty stinking ungrateful for the blessings God has placed in my life because I've been so bogged down in what's been going wrong. To that end, here goes... a list of things I am grateful for (and I'm forcing myself to list them simply, not allowing for explanations or exceptions because that's not really being grateful now, is it?)

• I am INCREDIBLY blessed beyond imagination to have such a beautiful baby girl who brings me smiles upon smiles every day, and is trying her darndest to turn me into more of a morning person (she's not doing too badly either!!)
• I have a husband who loves me and is committed to going to work every day, loving his job, and working incredibly hard to make sure we're able to pay down the debt we've come into so we can work towards getting back out on our own
• I have a family that loves me and wants desperately to support us and help us get to a better place in our lives
• I have very generous and inviting friends who have helped to make my transition to mommyhood much smoother than it would have been otherwise
• A week or so ago, I was at Wegman's to pick up a couple small things and realized I forgot my wallet at home. There was a girl behind me in line, Anna Maria, who saw what I was getting and said, "You're not getting much and you shouldn't have to drive all the way home and back with a baby." She paid for my groceries.

There are other things, of course, but I think that's a pretty good start. Hopefully I'll start getting a little better about this whole blog thing an you'll see me on here more often. See you soon!!

Irene

Fabulous Giveaway for Mommies with Babies!

Hey Moms (and friends of moms!!)

I just discovered a GREAT giveaway today on a very cool mommy blog called Moms Need Answers. They're giving away a Beeba Babycook, but you can only enter through July 31! Send your mommy friends to the blog for their July Giveaway. Good luck everyone!!!

How are you "guys" today?

Ok everyone.... issue of mild controversy here. I've been having an argument with the hubbs about the social acceptability of referring to a mixed group of people as "guys," particularly by restaurant staff to the table they're serving/seating/etc. My personal opinion, largely gained from the years of influence from the matriarchs of my family (often referred to by myself as "we Dobbins ladies"), is that it's rude. And while I recognize that it is a common practice, especially in the midwest, north (maybe?) and nowhere-land of Northern VA, I think it's lazy, informal, and far too personal for a group of people you don't know, especially not on a first name basis. The worst offense, to me, is when a waiter comes up to a group of all females and says, "How are you guys doing today?" At that point, I'm ready for a clobber fest. And seriously, don't even get my grandmother started. I've seen her almost walk out of a restaurant for such an offense.

Hubbs on the other hand, thinks it's absolutely proper because that's just what everyone does. It's accepted as common practice, so there's no reason to change it! No really, we argue about this. He retorts to me that I'm saying it's WRONG to do so. No, I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm saying it's all the things I mentioned before. But we can get into a discussion of right versus wrong later. You just say the word.

So, I've been doing a little research on the topic and honestly not much can be easily found, much to my disappointment. However, my mom found a very thought provoking blog/article on the subject back from 2007 that I enjoyed reading. I thought about pasting the whole darned thing here for you to read, but I've decided I'm lazy, so instead, here's the link. Please click over and read the article. And if you don't often comment, please do so here!!! I want some feedback on this topic! Thanks, kids!

I'll be serving you guys this evening...

What Exactly IS Free?

So I've been reading a lot of what people have been saying today on Facebook in regards to Independence Day. Some have some good things to say, some people are being just plain asinine - like one kid who commented "Happy white people's Independence Day." As if the wars that have been fought for this country's freedom over the years, starting with the Revolutionary War couldn't possibly in any way affect a black kid in the DC area. I guess that's a big F-you to the Tuskegee Airmen too. Way to go, genius.

I'm really tempted to go into a rant about how much a lot of black people piss me off with that kind of attitude, and how disgusted I am that now history books are being rewritten to apologize for slavery and to equate it to the Jewish Holocaust, but I'll just leave my opinion with that sentence for now and maybe I'll go off about it at a later date. Suffice to say, racism goes in ALL directions, and if you want everyone to be equal, you have to actually treat EVERYONE as, oh, I don't know, EQUAL??? You are me and I am you, and that's the only way we can thrive in this world.

What I really want to focus on today is the fact that we all have to remember that freedom isn't really free, and we've all had a hand in fighting to keep it over the decades - black, white, red, yellow, green with purple polka-dots..... If not for the wars that have been waged, we wouldn't have freedom, we wouldn't have a chance for it at all. So, as much as war sucks while it's going on, I'm grateful for it. This is hardly a platform for or against the war we are currently in, I'm not going there. But Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I & II, etc... they all had a REASON for being fought. There was something to be gained or protected and most of the time, it came back to why Thomas Jefferson wrote his Declaration in the first place. We must remember that, no matter what. If you lose sight of what's at the core of our freedoms, you lose sight of being able to even come close to understanding what it means to be an American.

Reader, I want to challenge you to something today... it's something that impacted me profoundly at the beginning of 2008 and started my journey to where I am today... a better wife, someone who can be a good mother, a better friend, daughter, listener, and leader and follower when the situation calls for either. Declare your independence. I can't tell you what it's from, only you can say what it is. For me, it was declaring independence from myself. And it was the hardest thing I've ever done. I still fight it every day.

But in order to REALLY grasp what this means, you need to completely get what those men did back in 1776. They were wealthy, intelligent, popular, powerful men. And they signed it all away. They found a problem that was worthy of their entire lives, families, fortunes, comforts (I think that's the most important one for us to grasp today), and material possessions. They knew, COMPLETELY, that signing that document was the beginning of the end for them. But it didn't matter because they knew in their hearts what was coming after. Because freedom, TRUE freedom, is worth any cost. It's worth death. It's worth losing everything. And I believe that mentality comes directly from Matthew 16:26 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

What are you enslaved by today that you need to declare freedom from? For me it was my constant criticism of myself, holding myself back, doubting my abilities and capabilities. Declare your independence today and step forward into a future of your own creation. Remember: "All truth comes in three stages. First, it is mocked, then it is violently opposed, and finally it is self-evident."

One Good Mechanic Can Make a Difference

Ok, in all fairness, I need to give you an update on how things ended with the Jiffy Lube fiasco. The short answer is: MUCH better than I expected it to. Things were not nearly as bad as I originally suspected. Praise God!!!!! Now for the story...

So, I called JL again this morning around 9:30, to be told they hadn't even checked their voice mails yet. Sorry, what?! So, when does that kind of thing generally happen? After you close for the week? Anyhoo... so I told the guy on the phone the story again, he went back and looked at the video, and sent someone from the Woodbridge store down to check out what was going on with my car. They arrived, and found that my engine was TOO full of oil! See, as it turns out, 10:30 at night with no flashlight and bad lighting from streetlamps and headlights still don't do much for you. My darling hubby checked the wrong dipstick and thought my oil was empty, when he was really looking at the transmission fluid which is barely visible at night. I'll spare him the embarassment and just say simply, he doesn't know Hondas very well. *wink*

The JL manager from Woodbridge was very understanding, completely getting why we would have made that mistake, and took the time to check everything else to see what the problem was. Turned out, the engine light came on because of a tube that connects the engine to the air filter (or something like that). When they finished my service, a supervisor went back and inspected all the work, and checked off on it.... but the cap was sitting there, unhooked for all the world to see! That means my engine was taking in extra air which, while not mechanically fatal, wasn't good either. It was basically one of those stupid careless mistakes that take your math test grade from an A to a B+ because you just weren't paying attention. Plus, they didn't wash my exterior windows like they said they did, which kind of annoyed me, but either way...

So, at the end of the day, my car was drained of the extra oil, which was put back into the bottles to be used at a later date, the hose-thingy was reconnected, and my engine light was reset so everything is now good to go. I got an apology from BOTH store managers for the error, the supervisor who signed off on my car was "taken care of" (whatever that means), and I got a card for a free oil change next time I go in! I still kinda feel like the Burke store should be doing something extra, since they're the ones who half-assed the job in the first place, but I think I'll let it go, just to be a nice person.

Sunday Night Twofer

Ok, so apparently I unintentionally lied. I didn't repost yesterday. Sooooo, here's a little double whammy for you tonight! And please, stay tuned for the second part of this post. It's a REEEAL doozy.

BABY HEALTH UPDATE

Ok, so I realized I hadn't kept you updated on how things went for me after my 3-hour glucose test. Honestly, it's because after I heard back about the results, there wasn't a whole lot to tell. My levels were as follows: Fasting (94), Hour One (148), Hour Two (146), Hour Three (98). Translation, I really only technically failed one of the 3 sugar tests, BUT the way the sugars processed means something was still a little off. I drew my own conclusions on what this meant, but still waited the 2 weeks to see my doctor and get her final thoughts on it. Turned out she agreed with me completely. Yay! I'm smart!!!

My final and official diagnosis, which in all fairness I just got on Wednesday, is that I have a Glucose Intolerance. I had just been referring to it as "Borderline" Gestational Diabetes. All it means is that my body is currently not processing sugars as quickly as it's supposed to, so I have to watch my sugar and carb intake, drink lots of water, and keep exercising (aka, walking dogs). This has been mostly pretty easy for me, though, especially since figuring out that if I get a sweets craving, I can chow down on some fresh fruit and it completely takes care of the craving! Besides, it's a way better and healthier way to munch. Ta-dah!

Baby is still developing very nicely, and they are very happy with the way she seems to be coming along. I'm more convinced than ever that she's been transverse this entire time, but it's starting to feel like she might be turning and getting into her final birthing position. Gosh, I hope so!!! I can't wait to meet my little gummy bear!!!!

STUPIDITY REALLY HAS NO LIMITS!!!

So I went to Jiffy Lube today to get an oil change. I've heard some sketchy things about some locations, but I've never had a bad experience myself, so I guess fair's fair either way. But, what happened to me today was absolutely BEYOND insane. Ok.... so, here's the pop quiz of the day... when you go to get an oil change what is THE most obvious thing that needs to be done? Hint: it's so blatently obvious that you're probably sitting there saying to yourself, "no, that can't be it, that's just too easy!" I'll give you three guesses. I promise you won't get it.

Give up? Well, here's a thought, after you've drained the oil out and put in a new filter, AND replugged the opening, how about putting the NEW OIL in my car?!?!?!?!?! Seriously!!! And here's the best part... I drove from Burke, where I had my oil changed, all the way up to Potomac Falls (Great Falls side of Sterling) for a friend's party this afternoon, and then back down to Lorton to see my hubby at work. All the while, I was completely unaware that my car had absolutely NO oil in it!!! As I'm leaving the restaurant around 10:30, my "Malfunction Indicator Light" comes on. Now, admittedly, I'm no mechanical genius, but I know a lot of the lights that come on in your car for different reasons. I've never seen this one before.

Sooo, I turn around and park again in front of the restaurant, get my husband to turn around before he's too far gone, and he comes back and checks on my car for me. We double check the gas cap and all other caps, etc, as recommended in my Owner's Manual. Everything checks out just fine. Then, Scott pulls my dipstick out of the oil reserve. Bone. Effing. Dry. Seriously. Are you kidding me?! You mean I just drove over 55 miles with NO oil in my car?! Thank GOD my engine didn't completely sieze up on me!

Let's just say... whatever poor sap is opening up Jiffy Lube in the morning is really in for quite the voice mail message. If I don't have a phone call by the time I wake up in the morning, they're getting another phone call. Plus, I expect a full refund, a re-embursement of the money I had to pay for NEW oil, AND, if there's any lasting damage to my car, they're paying for all the repairs. I almost hope I need a new engine. And boy, oh boy, they'd better not try to pin this on me. This is too big an error to pass off on the customer. Heads will roll, baby. Just you wait.

Summer Chill and Downloads

I am realizing, dear friends, that I have not been holding up my end of the deal and keeping you updated with things! I'm sorry! I've been a little out of it lately, and this week I've been battling an unfortunate head and chest cold that's got me all sinusy and hacking up a lung. This afternoon, I'm SUPPOSED to be going to the annual company picnic for my Dog Walking job, but I'm thinking infecting people and their young children with my untreated germs probably isn't the best way to spend my afternoon. Plus, yesterday didn't turn out so well for me.

Imagine if you will, this lovely combo: 88 degree weather with what felt like 80% humidity. Eight months pregnant, massive summer cold, and out walking dogs/doing pet sits, driving around town for say... 5 hours in and out of the car in all that heat. My stomach was hurting all day because of (1) I swear I have a knee shoved in there lately, (2) all the coughing and (3) drainage. By 4:00, I had reached my limit and had to rush home from my neighbor's house to get back to my A/C and almost throw up in the kitchen sink. (This of course was really not helped by the smell of eggs from breakfast that had not been cleaned up yet... ugh!!)

Translation, I was much busier yesterday than my body could handle and I paid dearly for it. That pretty well solidified my choice to stay away from the party today. I just don't especially want to have a repeat performance. I'm much more content staying home and watching movies on my laptop... while scanning and cleaning up my computer from a Trojan Virus I accidentally downloaded last night. Frick!!! I should have known better - I DID know better - and I went against my better judgment and didn't scan the blasted file before running it. Genius, I know.

For the sake of keeping this post reasonibly short, I'll end here and save the rest of my info for a later post. And yes, I promise I will post later today. See you soon, lovelies!

Sugar: To Eat or Not to Eat

It really is kind of a tough question! Since last Thursday, I've been facing the possibility of having Gestational Diabetes. Wednesday, June 3, I took my standard one-hour glucose tolerance test. It was a bad day, which pretty well screwed me up for the rest of the week because I never really got a good chance to recover from the initial experience. I failed pretty badly. To give you an idea, a person taking a GTT has a normal reading if showing 95-140 in their blood sugar levels. My blood sugar was at 180. Not good. Especially considering that while not required, I fasted because it was just easier for me than trying to figure out what I could or couldn't eat the morning of my test. I had a small glass of milk, which would have had SOME effect on my levels, but certainly not THAT much.

When you fail the first test you are required to go back into the doctor to take a more involved 3-hour test. Mine was yesterday. This time, I was required to fast before hand. I arrived just after 9:00am, already feeling a little queasy because my stomach had been empty for over 12 hours. They drew my blood to find my fasting blood sugar, and then I had to drink a bottle of orange flavored glucose (100g concentrated). YUM!! *twitch* FYI, the bottle I drank for the 1-hour test was 50g of glucose.

After only half an hour, I was ready to die. I was dizzy, nauseous, and pretty much just wanted to kill the obnoxious family yacking away sitting on the other side of the waiting room from me. They wouldn't go away!!!!! Tell me, really, who the heck needs to take the entire family with you - old parents, sister, and little girl - just to go have your yearly checkup?! Good gravy!

Fortunately, the staff at my doctor's office is really sweet and accomidating and they checked one me to see how I was doing - I'm pretty sure one of the front desk girls saw me getting up to move to another seat (after the Clampets left, we took over their station right by a plug so Scott and I could watch a movie on his laptop) and she had a nurse come see how I was feeling. I lasted in the waiting room for the remainder of my first hour, and then they took me back into my own private exam room to sit out the remainder of the test. Then, they sent Scott back after my second blood draw of the day. He finished the movie, I slept. Believe me, being able to lie down and fall asleep made the entire experience a LOT more endurable. After some napping, and two more blood draws, we went home and I was feeling quite a bit more recovered than after the last ordeal. That could be a good or it could mean nothing. At this juncture, I feel like my body IS processing the sugars, just a lot more slowly than it really should.

So now I wait... and while I've been waiting, I've been doing my research. Call me a little bit of a data freak if you want. I'm a researcher. I like to be able to understand what my body is doing, what it's going through, and when family or friends of mine get conditions I don't understand as well as I'd like to (Chronic Lyme's Disease, Celiac, Diabetes), I do some research so I can have a better picture of what they're dealing with. So I Googled. I found a great article on the American Diabetes Association website that gave me some good information for what I may be potentially facing. Follow the link for more info, but here are the basics:

Gestational Diabetes affects about 4% of pregnant women, about 135,000 cases each year. So, while it's not a common problem to have, it's common enough that they certainly don't want to make the mistake of overlooking it. GD works in your body similarly to the way that Type 2 Diabetes would affect you. Because of the hormones in your body as a result of the placenta feeding and growing your baby, the insulin the pancreas is creating isn't able to adequately do its job to break down sugars. This is a pregnant woman's special version of Insulin Resistance. Since it's happening as a direct result of the pregnancy, it will go away after delivery and BS levels should return to normal. Occasionally, having GD can uncover Type 1 or 2 Diabetes in the mom, although it's not very common for that to happen. What IS common, however, is for mom to get GD in subsequent pregnancies (about 75% chance), and of developing Type 2 years down the road.

The biggest concern of GD is how it affects your developing baby. Most commonly, when not treated properly, GD will result in Macrosomia, or "fat baby." Since the placenta is absorbing nutrients from you to feed and develop baby, if you have access sugars in your body, so does your baby. You both have a pancreas going into overdrive trying to combat the excess sugars, causing abnormal weight gain. Babies with Macrosomia are much more likely to have heart problems, weight problems, etc,. later in life. What's good to know, however, is that large baby doesn't necessarily mean GD. It just means it's one possible cause. Big babies are born all the time to perfectly healthy moms with no complications to speak of.

So there you have it, now we're both a little more educated, and I've beaten a little more time while waiting to hear from the doctor or not, about how my blood test turned out. If I don't hear from them, we're good!! I'll keep you posted. ;-)

Hold My Heart

Ok, so yes, I do generally try to steer clear of downer posts... I know, no one REALLY wants to read about that, even if you are my friends and care about how I'm doing. For that, I'm very grateful. Suffice to say, this is just kind of where I am in my life right now, and today's been especially tough. No specifics needed, those who need to know already do. For the rest of you, I appreciate your good thoughts and prayers. In the meantime, here's a fan-made music video of a song that pretty well speaks to where I am these days. Lyrics (though not 100% correct) are in the vid. Enjoy, perhaps it'll speak to you as well.



And a special thanks to Jen at Cake Wrecks. I saved up reading posts from the last few weeks and well worth it. I was in need of some extra laughs today. Thanks!!

Leg Cramps in Pregnancy

It's not very often I experience something so painful it's actually worth blogging about. But if you've ever had a Charley Horse Cramp, you know exactly what I'm talking about. For those of you not fortunate enough to have already experienced the "joys" of pregnancy (no, I'm honestly not complaining, I'm just not one who has found pregnancy to be a particularly joyful experience and I'm just being authentic about that), let me tell you, they happen a LOT!

Now granted, this is also coming from a woman who has yet to actually experience the pain of labor and delivery, but up to this point, I think a Charley Horse is easily the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my life. Anything that wakes you up to the point that you're crying out in VERY unexpected pain, sometimes to the point of tears, pretty well takes the cake in my book. I think, before the fact, that the one thing that would make a bad leg cramp trump labor/delivery pain is that at least with delivery you KNOW it's coming. You're awake, and aware, and you can feel the pain coming on. You may not realize just how bad it's going to be, but at least it doesn't completely blindside you in your sleep.

Over the past 2 months or so, waking up with a mild cramp in my calf has become a daily commonplace. They're not so bad I can't handle it. They don't feel great, but they're not the worst thing either. I stretch my leg out, flex my foot, and it's gone. And I go back to sleep. Twice in the past 3-4 days, however, I've been rudely awakened by a cramp SO bad that I can't keep it to myself. This morning, I was nearly in tears. That makes the fourth time in my life I've experienced a leg cramp to that severity.

Ironically, leg cramps were the topic of the week for me in my Pregnancy Weekly emails (I am now 27 weeks along!) and some tips were helpful and some weren't so much. For example, they recommend sleeping on your side to prevent the cramping. Unfortunately for me, I do always sleep on my side, with a Boppy pregnancy pillow, and my knees bent. In my opinion, the bent knees only add to the risk of cramping. Also, while I already knew that a Charley Horse often comes as the result of a calcium deficiency or imbalance, I finally got confirmation that the problem could also be with potassium (time to eat more yogurt, I guess). Dehydration is also a culprit, and likely my big enemy in this situation. Staying hydrated, drinking enough fluids has always been a difficult thing for me, no matter what tips and tricks I've tried. I keep trying, and some days I'm a lot better than others.

So, to all you pregnant ladies, be warned, but also be comforted. You're not the only one, this too shall pass.... eventually. Now, I'm off to price things for a yard sale I'm already late to. Fun times! Hopefully I can use my fabulous new camera that I got for Mother's Day (!!!!!) and take some fun photos to share.

Another Cake Wrecks Post

Ok, yeah, I get it, I think I mention or blog about Cake Wrecks than anything else in here. But well, truth is, kids, I've been in a tough spot lately and believe you me, I just don't think you want to hear about my woes. And honestly, I'm not so sure how keen I am on writing about them at the moment. So instead I get my daily does of hilarity from Cake Wrecks and I realize that perhaps my life isn't so bad... or at least I get to forget about the stuff going on for a few minutes. That said, I just HAD to share with you a little of the Mother's Day homage going on down in cakeland. Enjoy.

Now, just to highlight my 2 favorite cakes on here today...


Just when you thought CCCs couldn't get any worse, they go and turn them into three piece monstrocities! What is this thing?! I think my favorite theory is "bear arms." I mean, wouldn't you totally be in the market for albino bear arms attacking a rose bush to honor your mother on this one day of the year that she gets a little credit for all her hard work and lack of sleep? Oh yes, this does it for sure.

And my favorite for the day....


Ohhhhhhh! I get it! So THIS is what Kermit and Miss Piggy's love child looks like. I always wondered. Dear God, help us all... but really, I just can't help but burst into song when I see this one. Heh!

WM Smashbox Giveaway!!!

Hey ladies! My fabulous friend Julie over at Wearing Mascara is having one heck of a giveaway (and if she knows what's good for her, she'll let me win!! Haha!!!)

As I am, she is a biiiiig fan of the makeup - hence her blog name - and in celebration of quite a few blogging milestones she is giving away some really fantastic Smashbox goodies. Check out her blog for your own chance to win!

Good luck! (But not too much because, seriously, I'd better win.)

It's Called Motherhood. Google It.

Ok, something has just finally gotten to me, and I think it's time to have a mini gripe fest about it. I don't mean this towards any person in particular, but more against a mindset that, in my opinion, is all too popular among "seasoned" parents towards first time pregnant women and moms. And by "seasoned," I generally mean those who have one, maybe 2 kids under the age of 3.

What is it about a women in her first pregnancy making a comment about how she's tired, not sleeping well, or up earlier than she'd really like to be, that makes you think you should immediately respond with sardonic laughter and an "Oh, you just wait. Once that baby comes, you'll really know what no sleep is like." Who the heck asked you?!?!?! And what gives you the right to be anything but happy for someone expecting her first child?

I realize that there are SOME unsuspecting, clueless poor saps out there who somehow have created the mindset that motherhood, especially EARLY motherhood is somehow simple and that all babies do is eat, sleep, and poop. Oh, and I guess they're supposed to eat only between the hours of 8:00am and 10:00pm so Mommy can get her beauty rest. Any takers on that theory? No???? I didn't think so.

Believe it or not, THIS IS WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR!!!!!!! I already know that I won't be getting any sleep once this little girl comes, that she's going to be needing me at her every beck and call, and that I will literally get nothing accomplished for at least the first 4 months of her life. And you know what? I'm ok with it! I actually want what comes with a newborn, and those crazy, terrifying first steps into parenthood. None of this comes as any big surprise to me.

Thing is, right now, I don't have a little baby screaming for me at 3:30 in the morning, 20 minutes after I finally got her back to sleep. I don't have the inability to shower for 5 days at a time, to never eat (the REAL reason why breastfeeding mothers can lose weight so fast, for anyone who was wondering), and to probably be disolved in tears at least half the time my child is. I'm not saying that I'm completely prepared for it psycologically and emotionally, but I do know what's coming.

I'm almost 6 months pregnant, I'm tired, I'm not sleeping well when I do sleep, I wake up at 5:30 in the morning with indigestion that lasts until I finally get to sleep at midnight. Right now, I'm working a job that has me up and out at 7:00am, driving around town all day, chasing after diabetic cats (more on that later this weekend), and IF I have any energy, doing whatever I can and need to around the house during the day before going back out for my final visits at or after 9:00pm.

I enjoy my job, but it's not easy. The schedule is rough some days and I don't always have it in me to run around with what ends up being a 14 hour day when I can't get myself to sleep for a nap during the day. If I'm tired, and want to whine just a little bit about about how I'm not happy to be up before 9:00am, I think I've earned the right. I'm pretty darn confident that any other pregnant women out there felt the exact same way their first time around.

It doesn't take much to either not say anything, or to say, "Sorry you're not sleeping well. I went through that too. I know it's rough." Is that so hard??? What is it about other moms that completely leeches them of any sense of empathy, any sense of happiness on the part of a new mom coming into this weird new world where we could use all the help and encouragement we can get? Saying crap like, "Oh, just you wait," just gets old and after a while, it just pisses us off. Do you not realize how much we're looking to you for guidance? You've walked this path before. You know what's ahead with better awareness than we do. We have a respect for you that can only pass between a first-time pregnant woman and a mother. Do us a kindness and return the favor a little. And don't be such a pain in the ass about it.

Funniest Blog I've EVER Seen!

I just could NOT pass up the opportunities to share this blog I just discovered with you fabulous people. I was cracking up laughing the whole time I was reading. My husband actually had to come upstairs to see what all the fuss was about.

That said, please enjoy Cake Wrecks to your heart's content. Cheers!

A Little Breather

After the hellish day of pain I had yesterday, I am pleased to report that I am doing MUCH better today. The cramping has been basically non-existent all day and my baby girl has been popping and kicking around all afternoon. She is going to be the cutest thing on this planet, I SWEAR!!!

We've finally settled on her first name, which we are keeping mostly a secret for the time being, but now we're tossing back and forth on her middle name. The original option is an archaic, Shakespearean name I've loved for several years, but I also thought of the idea recently to use her middle name as a way to sort of name her after my hubby's dad, who passed away 6 years ago.

For those of you with kids, how did you make the choices on how to name your children? Was it a hard choice for you, or did you and your spouse know right away? Did you end up using names you liked most of your life, or did those names go right out the window when you got pregnant and started REALLY thinking of names?

The Saga Continues... unfortunately.

Ok, now for the update I was alluding to in that last post. As I posted before, I've been starting to have some cramping in my lower abdomen the last few weeks. You can catch up on the details from that in this post, this one, and the final one here.

Ok, so, for today's news, I went out on my dog walk, and I LOVE these 2 dogs. They're freaking adorable. Unfortunately the puppy must not be feeling so hot because he had an awful case of the runs. Poor thing. Since it was right in someone's front yard, I kinda felt like I couldn't just leave it, so I did my best to clean up the mess, but unfortunately, that turned into me whirling around and emptying the contents of my stomach (which weren't really ANYTHING at the time) into the grass on the other side of the sidewalk. Awesome.

After I finished their walk, I ate a granola bar to re-settle myself, and went home rather than spend more time out marketing like I had really wanted to. Then the cramping got REALLY bad. It wasn't fabulous this morning, but it was bearable. But then it just kept going, and wasn't getting any better. Finally, about noon-ish, I decided that was quite enough of that, and I was going to bed.

I am so grateful for facebook because I was able to post what's been going on and got some really great comfort and advice from lots of friends who have been there, done that, and have the confidence that what I'm experiencing is probably very normal and that I don't need to panic. Based on my intuition and the confirmation from a friend and my mom, I've put myself on bedrest for the remainder of today and probably the rest of the week except for a couple times I know I'll need to leave the house. I already have a standing appointment to see my doctor on Friday and if things don't improve on their own I'm definitely calling them early to give them a heads up of what I'm experiencing and what I'm doing about it.

For the remainder of today, I'll be lying right here, reading, surfing the web, and watching some movies on my laptop, with my pregnancy tea with raspberry leaf in hand. Just say a prayer for me and my little girl that everything is indeed as it should be.

Take care!

Erin Go Braugh!

Greetings, my dears, and a very Happy St. Patty's day to ye! I hope ye all be wearing your green and/or orange, whichever be your preference.

I was wearing a green sweater earlier today, but have changed back into blacks and grays (as happens to be the color of my current lounging attire) because I've put myself on bedrest for the day. More on that in my next post. I want to keep this one to just one topic.

Today I bring you news from the land of my dear Mr. Brown over at Laughing Soul (no, that's not really his name, but he'll get the joke if he sees this) - I hope that I shall always be the Queen of Your Hearts!! In celebration of his 100th post (WAHOO!!!) he is hosting a fabulous giveaway. Enter to win and you will be in the running for either some fabulous loose teas or terrific offerings from Best Buy.

Amble on over by way of the rainbow to the pot o' gold he has waiting for ye. And watch out for them leprechauns! They be full of the blarney, the do!

Kelly's BABY BUMP?!

So apparently today, Kelly Clarkson's performance on American Idol last night is the MOST Googled thing on the internet today! There are rumors flying around that the first Idol is PREGNANT, despite consistent claims from her for a long time that she's not in a relationship. Check out the article here for more info.

Seriously, folks?! From one pregnant woman to the general public, that is NOT what a baby bump looks like. I mean... did no one else notice the weight she put on while she was on AI? Granted, it's not the same, but seriously! Good grief, Charlie Brown. And for you doubters, here's a picture to compare.
The weight she has put on is evenly distributed and perfectly flattering. That outfit, however, is not doing its job to make her look amazing. If she was a skinny-minnie with no curves, maybe. I'm hardly someone who is Kelly-Obsessed, but I believe in shooting stupid rumors in the foot when I see them. Good luck, Kelly! You did a fabulous job as ususal!

What was I so worried about anyway???

Well, simple fact, I knew my interview went well with the dog walking place. My interviewer and I have had too many fabulous conversations for it to have gone otherwise! Of course I was worried and freaked out for nothing because she hadn't called me when she said she would.

(a) I do still feel that wasn't the best way for her to handle things, especially with someone so new to dealing with their company, and with the front desk girl not having all the information.
(b) She explained VERY well to me what happened and why I hadn't heard from her until late Tuesday afternoon (instead of "by noon on Monday."

All that said, I got the job!!!! I went in yesterday for orientation, filling out paperwork, etc, and a couple hours following someone on 3 of her walks. It was good to be able to observe some specific processes, get some reminders on some common sense things, and to see someone with a different style of handling rambunctious big dogs than I would.

My office manager and I had a good laugh about that later, as my style is much closer to hers than to my trainer. Amazingly enough, the trainer reported back that she was concerned at HOW disciplined I am with dogs! Her style is some of "let 'em do whatever they want, we're here to show them a good time." My style is more "Let's have fun, get the dogs some exercise, but they need to know that when I'm here, I'm the boss. NOT them!"

I generally prescribe to the Cesar Milan method of dog handling. It's all about human training, not dog training, and the dog just has a clear understanding that you are the Alpha-Dog and "Pack Leader," as Cesar would say. When a dog knows who is in charge, they happily comply (typically) and are much more content with knowing that they're being given clear orders. My version of it is basically, "You do what I want you to do, and then we can do what you want to do!"

Well, now I'm off to day two of training!!! I'm told if I can be half the pet care professional this woman is, I will be doing fabulously in this business. Sweet!!! People need to learn those kinds of comments just make me want to jump higher!

Am I getting Dear John'd?

Ok, so I interviewed last Wed for a position dogwalking right here in my zipcode. It would be the perfect job for me right now while I'm pregnant. After my interview, which I thought went EXCEPTIONALLY well, the Manager told me I should call her Monday (yesterday) morning and if she hadn't heard from me by noon she would call me.

I call at 9:30 and was told she's in a meeting. I let them know I have a sonogram but will call back if I don't hear from her.

I call at 2:30. Front Desk Girl: "She's unavailable. As far as I know, all the positions are filled. I'll have her call you ONLY if she's interested and we'll keep your resume on file." She refused to let me talk to the Mgr, who I was under the impression would call me regardless.

Orientation is today and still no word. Should I call one more time, or just let it go?

It's a...........

Everyone, I just wanted to take this moment, with a brief post, to let you all know that the sonogram went well today. The tech saw nothing to lead her to believe that anything abnormal is causing my cramping. I could just be extra sensitive to the uterus stretching, or I'm just one of those lucky ones who gets to have cramps while pregnant! It could be WAY worse.

Baby is developing well and looks to be right in line for an August 14 due date. Hurray!!!

AND, we found out the really exciting news at the end... we're having a baby GIRL!!!!!

We haven't decided when we're going to make the name public knowledge yet, but I'll be sure to let you know when we do.

Love and kisses!

Irene

Happy Birthday to Sexy Me!!

So, I just couldn't resist and absolutely HAD to post this morning. I'm feeling quite special indeed today. I have already received some wonderful facebook posts from people wishing me a happy birthday. Thanks all!!

I don't really have much in the way of plans for the day. I went to a birthday party last night for my birthday twin, Nora. We were born 4 hours apart. If she had been born about 11 minutes earlier, we would have the same birthday!! So every year, I always have to tease her that I'm older than she is. (Which CLEARLY means I'm wiser and have more life experience behind me than her minuscule years!) We had a great time, and ended up hanging out insanely more than I expected. The 3 of us left at the end of the night, who have known each other the longest, were there talking, catching up, and playing my favorite game Whoonu until THREE IN THE MORNING!!! I could not believe we'd stayed up so late. A mom of two small kids, a pregnant woman, another friend who works with small children, and a final girl who has chronic Lyme disease. We were QUITE the group, let me tell ya!

So today, I check my blog logs to find a lovely surprise. My friend Julie at Wearing Mascara has bestowed upon me my first blog award!!!


Now, unfortunately, I don't know enough of you lovely ladies to give the award to anyone else, but I will certainly take part in the first part of recieving this prestigious award, which is to list 5 things about me that make me sexy! Here we go...

1. I am creating life!!! What is sexier than THAT?! (I can duplicate myself. What's YOUR Superpower?)
2. My eyes are like deep pools of the darkest chocolate.
3. I have patent teal stilettos and black tweed peeptoes.
4. I understand the art of seduction
   
5. My legs look damn good when I'm wearing a dress and heels.

Once I have more followers on here, I will most definitely be giving this award out... patience is a virtue!

Yesterday revisited

Ok, I'll keep this one short because I haven't been feeling too stellar today. Went to the doctor yesterday. Baby's heartbeat is still strong (although he/she was being a little shy and swimming away from the heart monitor!) and I've gained 3 pounds in the last 2 weeks. All good signs. She thinks everything looks fine, but wants to be safe rather than assume anything, so she is sending me to get an ultrasound. Called this morning to schedule and after a little guilting got them to get me in Monday morning at 10:30. Praise God!!!

I'll keep everyone updated on things then. And if we end up finding out the sex then I promise I will tell you, but I have to make sure everyone who NEEDS to know gets the info first. ;-)

In the meantime, check out this great new site I discovered today. Well, I don't know exactly HOW new, but new to me. It will soon be taking a place of honor on my sidebar, but this guy is downright hilarious!!!!! You might start seeing one of his vids flying around facebook soon. I know it's on mine!!

Earliest I've been awake to date!

Hello readers. I'm sorry, I know it's been a few days since my last post. I've been actually trying to figure out what exactly to post about... not a whole lot has been going on. After my last post, Dog-Man called and sort of tried to work things out. I decided to give him one more chance, but of course, I think he still has no real concept of how to run a business, and nothing really changed. Earlier this week, I actually got a call from another dog walking company - MUCH more local, MUCH more experience and professionalism and concept of business image with your staff just as much as with your clients. They actually had a real list of questions on an interview form!!! gasp!

I went in for a casual interview yesterday, which was actually pretty great. I get along really well with the marketing director, we have a very similar mindset about how a business should work and what customer service looks like. I left with no direct job offer, but feeling as though I was already a part of the team. I will find out Monday if I got the job, and will start PAID training Tuesday!! Yeah, did I mention before that with the other company, the only work I would have been paid for was the actual dog walking I did? I would have been expected to do my own marketing, build my own client base, and come in for training completely pay-free. Riiiiiiiight.

Moving on, the current thing on my mind is something I am starting to get a little worried about. On Sunday in church, I started feeling a little, uncomfortable but not entirely painful twinge right in the middle of my lower pelvis. I brushed it off as no biggie because I didn't really feel any real alarm over it, it just wasn't comfortable. That, and I had just called the doctor a couple days prior with concerns about what turned out to be just a bad round ligament pull. I don't want to be a neglectful mother, but I also don't want to be freaking out over stupid little things. So, I figured I'd let this one go.

Here's the problem, though... since Monday, off and on, and - I realized today - increasingly, I have been experiencing what feels a lot like mild menstrual cramping that fades in and out all day. It's completely subtle and doesn't impede my activities at all, but I definitely notice it. When it woke me up this morning just before 6:00 (not awful, just enough to wake me up), I realized I couldn't ignore it anymore. Now, I'm up at least an hour and a half earlier than what I'm used to, researching mild cramping in the second trimester, and starting to freak out. No one else is awake yet, my doctor's office isn't open, but the article I found basically said that because the pain is consistent I need to call the doctor.

They already decided they want me to get things checked out at my next sonogram to be sure they're not "missing anything" from the ligament cramping before - now THAT pain was bad! - and now, with my next appointment still 2 weeks away, I'm not sure if I can really wait any longer to get it done.

Are there any other moms out there who've experienced this happening? I'm really trying hard not to become a total worry-wart, but I've had a pretty constant fear of something awful happening to my baby, that I haven't ever been able to totally shake. I'm struggling with really relying on God and allowing him to give me peace about this whole thing. I just want to have a healthy baby...

Do I Look Like an Idiot to You??

Ok, so this post is really more of a pissed of rant than an update of any real caliber. Update portion is this: I've been looking into becoming a dog-walker part time between now and August (when Munchkin Melice enters stage left). The first place I applied actually called me right away. Walking dogs in the wealthy communities of DC and making a butt-load of money while getting in some exercise sounds like fun to me!!! Secretly, I've always had a little fantasy about being a dog-walker for a short season of my life, just to see what it's like. I keep remembering Maggie in "In Her Shoes" and having her first real job ever be walking and washing dogs. I know, oh so glamorous, but when this girl gets an idea in her head, it's hard to get it out. Call it checking off an item on the Bucket List.

Anyhoo.... so I've been in contact with this guy who's running the dog walking business in DC. We met last week (I swear it feels like it's been longer than that) up in Silver Spring, where I got turned around and he was still pissy about me being late. We talked for about an hour, which he kept saying he wasn't happy about. *rolls eyes* He tells me he's going to schedule me to come up for training and to get set up with a couple clients so I can start walking sooner than later. Sure, fine, I can handle that. Just let me know when to be where.

I don't hear from the guy for almost a WEEK! So, I call him and ask when I should start hearing about training and he says to come up Tuesday. Great another long drive to Silver Spring. Sure, no problem. I call Monday to confirm and he says no, Tuesday's to packed, he'll set up a meeting for me to get some training in Dupont. Oh yeah. I forgot to mention... I talked to the guy THREE times and he couldn't remember who I was!!!!! Does anyone else see anything seriously wrong with this!?

So, surprise, surprise, I never heard from him yesterday. I've been planning my week and my day around having this meeting in DC and I still don't know if it's happening! So, I call him this morning at 8:26. Yes, I know. Too early, but if I have to leave at 9:20 I need to get moving! No answer. I call again at 9:20. STILL no answer!

And then.... I get a TEXT MESSAGE!!!!!!!!! Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?!?!?! Seriously. You are placing me in an employer/employee relationship and you're seriously going to TEXT me to tell me you're in a meeting and the person YOU were supposed to schedule me with would call me to set something up?! Ok, fine. I'll play your stupid game. Keep in mind, please, that I'd already left two messages telling him I'm unimpressed with his lack of communication and giving me the run-around, especially since I'd been planning my whole day around this.

I text him back asking him to call me after his meeting because the way this has turned out is NOT ok. He then responds that "unless you take initiative, it is hard for me to manage every bodies schedule, until I get an office manager sorry. I have 45 people working for me right now."

And yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is exactly, letter for letter, how the message was typed. And apparently now I am the one who isn't taking initiative. Interesting how that works, huh? So I responded, "I am not arguing this with you over texts while you are in a meeting. Please call me when you are done."

Oh yeah, and by the by, it's now noon and I haven't heard from him OR the girl.

Another Giveaway!!

Hello ladies! Another new blog find, Newbie New Yorker is hosting a giveaway in honor of her 200th blog! Please go check her out and be sure to let her know I sent you.

Plus, I'm getting some inspiration, so stay tuned for a giveaway of my own coming soon!!!

Fab lia sophia Jewelry Deal!!!

Hello Ladies,

I hope this post finds you well. I probably won't do this very often (unless I get feedback that you want me to!!), but I want to give you all one last chance to take advantage of my fantastic February special before time runs out at the end of the week!

Our special this month is for every item you get at regular price (2, 3, or more) you can get an equal number of items at half price!!! Don't forget to make your MOST expensive items your half price ones!

Plus, as an added bonus, when you call or email me your order this week, buy 4 items and get $5 off. Order 6 items and get $10 off. Order 8 or more and I will give you $15 off your whole order!!!

The new catalog is absolutely stunning and I don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to SPRING into this season's fabulous new trends. You'll be the hottest mom at the bus stop (or chick on the metro)!!!

I can't wait to hear from you and put you in something beautiful today. I've placed my contact info below for your convenience. *kisses*

Sparkle and shine bright,

Irene Melice
Your lia sophia Advisor
irenesparkles@gmail.com
703-887-2000
http://www.liasophia.com/irene

Fabulous Giveaway!!

Hey ladies! Seaside Prep (a new blog to me and one I'm happy to have found) is hosting a fabulous giveaway! Check it out!!!

Re: My Heart Goes Out...

Well, I was just going to post this as a response on WM's blog entry, but I have too much to say. So I decided to make a post of my own instead. To see Wearing Mascara's original entry, click here. And now for my response.

I've seen the TMZ photo and it's devastating. No, I won't post it here either. I can't decide which I'm more appalled by - the photo itself, or the fact that someone was disgusting enough to leak it. And what breaks my heart even more are the people who are calling it a fake, or are saying we should hear Chris Brown's side of the story. (?!?!?!)

I don't care about HIS side of the story! I don't CARE how it went down, who started what, blah blah blah! You DON'T hit girls! It's disgusting. If there is something good that can come out of this, and the photo leak, I can only hope that this horrible atrocity breaking national news will give more women out there hope, and the courage they need to take a stand for themselves.

You DON'T deserve it, you DIDN'T "ask" for it. Now, I won't go so far as to say that Chris Brown should be put six feet under, but at some point in life, regardless of what you've been taught growing up, you need to learn that you and you alone are responsible for your actions. No man or woman should EVER resort to violence as a response to anger. I don't care who you are and how much money is in your off-shore accounts. Someone somewhere needs to let these rich boys know that they can't get away with crap like this!!! Ladies, you are beautiful and powerful, and you deserve to be treated better than that.

Ok, if I say anymore, I'll just be repeating myself. I've said my peace and I've counted to three.

Oops...

Well...... It's here! I'm excited it's here! But, um... well... I'll just let you see for yourself.


Yeah..... I know. My living room is ONE BIG COUCH!!!!!!! I say this, of course, with really more of a smirk than with angst. I kinda had a feeling this might happen, but I was still hoping and deluding myself just a little into thinking it was all a smidge smaller than it really is. And I figure, well, we just have to make sure our next living room is a good bit bigger!! And there may be a bit of rearranging to see if we can make better use of the space.

The major culprit, I'm sure you can see, is my beloved chair. But well, I was not and am not willing to give that baby up, so here it stays! And, man, let me tell you, this has got to be the most comfortable new couch I have EVER had the pleasure of sitting on, regardless of bad spacial reasoning.

On the down side, we finally got it all in, and then we discovered a gash in the storage ottoman and a huge scratch down the corner of the couch! So... now I'm off to call the distributor and see when we can get replacements. Oh well.

Bluebird On My Shoulder

Well, after two solid days in a total slump, I think I've finally reemerged into the land of the living. *aaaaahhhhhhh!* The sun is back out, which means I've got the bright blue of the sky reflecting through my office window and I can hear birds chirping outside. Plus, I'm getting my new furniture today!!!!!!!!!


Yes, yes, oohs and ahhs please!! I'm particularly excited about the round swivel chair because, well, it's my adult version of the egg chair I'd always wanted as a kid (*cough* and adult *cough*). Plus, this is the FIRST new furniture we've ever had as a married couple, short the bedroom set his mom got us for the wedding. Of course, now I'm thinking.... wow, I'm about to have a KID, and I thought stone microfiber was a good idea?! Thank God for Scotch Guard...

Now, I have to spend the rest of the day finishing my presentation on the 12 Deadly Habits of People Skills. This should be fun!!! To be honest, I'm looking forward to it a little more today than I have been the rest of the week, but I'm still not ready and would rather do anything else at the moment than this. Yes, I'd even go do the dishes!! Or blog, even...

I guess I should quit procrastinating and get back to work.... ho hum, I'm sure I'll be back here later.

Peace!

Cleaning Up My Own Mess...

Ok, not as dramatic as the title sounds, but that's kinda how I'm feeling today. I was doing a-ok while I was in bed (till almost noon... oops!!) reading Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner. Good book, not at all what I was expecting! It's a great, easy read about 3 women struggling with new mommy-hood and a new friend who, well... isn't. To find out more, hit the local library, girls!


Up next, I'll be tackling Certain Girls and The Guy Not Taken, which I think I noticed is a collection of stories.

Ok, so while I was in la-la-land reading my book, with my kitty curled up asleep with his head resting on my growing little belly, my day was just peachy! Then I finally got up, padded my way to my computer in my overwhelmingly chaotic office.... not dealing with that today... and tried to start doing research for a presentation I'm giving this weekend that SHOULD have been done weeks ago. But I guess there's only so much I've felt capable of doing over the past 2 or 3 months, getting my handle on "this pregnancy thing," which has turned out to be a little more taxing than I think I was expecting.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited to BE pregnant. To be having this baby, to be looking forward to and planning for this tiny little being that will rely on me for every last thing until my eyes are sunken in and my hair is falling out from lack of sleep and utter delerium. And that's not a complaint, dear, that's just reality. A reality I eagerly look forward to embracing, along with the insanity and mild psychosis that comes with it.

But today? Today I'm not doing so hot. I don't want to develop a training, I don't want to think about what clothes I'll need to be wearing and whether or not my pre-pregnancy clothes will fit me well enough that no one will really notice. I want to just stay in my PJs and make a pizza or some eggs and finish my book and catch up on the shows waiting for me on my DVR. I want to get caught up on the laundry so my husband and I can have something to wear, and I want to find the energy to start putting this house together so I won't be embarrassed to have people over, looking at my mail scattered all over every surface, and dishes piling up in the sink.

Maybe I'll start writing my own short story about my boring, boring life, sitting at home watching the sun go up and back down, and ending the day realizing I've accomplished absolutely nothing other than "resting," which so many insist is exactly what my baby and I need. And I'll change the names to protect the innocent, but it will be a loosely veiled picture of my own version of reality, where things are never quite what you expect them to be, and even though the reality turns out to be so much greater than the fantasy could ever be, there are some days that you'd trade it for the fantasy in a heartbeat and go get that mani-pedi you've been dying to get.

A New Read and A Fun Movie!

As I'm writing this to you this morning, dear reader, I keep thinking there was something else I wanted to write about last night, but now I can't remember what it was. Blame it on my poor pregnant brain!!

Yesterday turned out to be a lot more fun than I originally expected it to be. Hubby and I decided to take a trip to the library to see what fun books we hadn't read yet. I got 5, get got one on hold at another branch that I had to pick up later! The first one I dove into was...


Well, I started reading around 3-ish yesterday afternoon, and I'm already nearly half-way through!!! This is a frabjous book (callooh-callay!) about imaginary friends and learning to believe that the extras are what make life!! I strongly recommend it (and of course, it's predicessor P.S. I Love You, which I mentioned in a previous post.) I've been warned that there is a bit of emotion to it, and there have been a few heartbreaking moments so far, so take heed. Although, I can say that I haven't been reduced to tears QUITE yet!

(Actually, I have to confess, this is my first time getting to the computer today at almost 1:00pm because I stayed in bed reading all morning!!!!! I love first pregnancy... no kids yet and I can still DO that!)

Last night, I got to be spontaneous and go out to catch a movie with my friend SR. She and I haven't had the chance to do much together lately, so we grabbed the chance! Since we'd both been waiting and waiting to see it and hadn't had a chance, we saw...


The move was great, but the REAL story of our evening comes before the previews even started! We were the only people in the theater at the time (only 3-4 other people came in later anyway), and this big guy in a pinstripe suit and a fob comes in and asks if he could have one of our ticket stubs so he can leave the theater and get back in! ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Ummm, yeeeeeahhh.... so we played it cool, I "looked" for the stubs, and we concluded that I had tossed them while getting our snacks. Can we say CREEEEPY?!?!?! So he finally left us alone with our nachos and popcorn, but SR went to let security know there was some crazy guy trying to filch a free movie. The REALLY sad part? They didn't even care!!!

Well, after that bizzare moment, the last few people came into the theater Secretly, I was kinda hoping they wouldn't. I've always had a little fantasy about being able to see a movie in an empty theater. Makes me feel like they played it just for me! After the previews, we enjoyed the movie, cracked up at a few moments, were scarred by Candice Bergan's old woman clevage (SHE NEVER SHOWED THAT MUCH IN BOSTON LEGAL!!!!!) and totally called a wedding disaster before it happened, but trust me, it was better off that it did. I recommend it, but since it's on its way out of theaters, you may want to just sit tight for the DVD.

Well, that's all for now, my pretties. Enjoy your afternoons and have an amazing Valentine's Day. I will be enjoying a $100 per plate dinner/dance for my mom's work... for FREE!! Unfortunately, hubby couldn't get his shifts switched so I'll be going stag. Oh well, I'll be dressed up and pretty anyway.

Nice Boys Don't Hit Girls

Well, perhaps there are some who are tired of hearing about this, but personally I'm really shocked. I missed out on the Grammy's the other night but started hearing about the incident earlier this week.

At this point, the big thought going through my head is "Chris Brown hits girls?! Automatic expulsion!!! Didn't his mama teach him any better?!?!" Geeze Louise, people.

For anyone who missed it (which at this point, may be about 5 people out on a farm in the midwest), here's a link to an article which gives a few follow up details. What I can say for sure? I bet Rihanna's getting a new man after this settles down!

Ps. I definitely stole this linkage from Wearing Mascara. Thanks love!!

Getting to Know You...

Well, I've been completely stubborn and am refusing to post my "25 Random Things About Me" on facebook, but I decided that since I'm starting this new endeavor I would love for you to know a few fun things about me. Who knows, maybe I'll cave and go ahead and post this to my FB later on... but only because I already went to the trouble of writing it out here.

Therefore, here are 25 random things about me, some that are well known, some perhaps not very well known. Here we go!!

1. I hate Harry Potter and I love Twilight. Arguments could surely be made for both sides, but my opinion still stands. Sorry, JK, I just can't stand the way you write, dear! (Although, to be honest, I do kinda enjoy the movies. Just won't read the books.)
   
2. I love pink flamingos. This is as a result of a fundraiser that I started for my senior class in high school, where we went around flamingoing people's yards for money. We made over $500!
3. I was in a fraternity in college. Yes, that's right, a FRATERNITY! Phi Mu was the second female fraternity in the United States (only 2 months behind Alpha Delta Pi), in 1852, by Mary, Mary, and Martha. We were founded at a time that the word "sorority" had not yet been coined and so, to this day, we are called what we have been since the beginning, a fraternity of sisters. I LOVE my Sisters. LIOB.
4. I'm secretly really a fun mix between Idina Menzel and Imogen Heap. Well first of all, we all have "I" names. HELLO!!!! Plus, Idina and I are both lefties, and I'm pretty sure we're all about the same height. I like to think my voice has some similar qualities to Idina (although I think I probably have a style closer to Ingrid Michaelson - another I-girl!!! - or Sara Groves), and I am totally committed to playing Elphaba on Broadway someday before I die. Or in local theatre if that comes first.
5. I love to write, but I'm not sure I'm actually any good. Don't get me wrong, blogging like this is pretty fun, and puts me in a bit of my element, but I REALLY love writing short stories, have tried to write the Great American Novel a couple times, and I am an attempted songwriter, but I never feel totally right about the way anything turns out, or how the words come together.
6. I wanted to be an artist up until 7th grade. At which point I realized I really can't draw. At all. I draw people and they look like freak shows. I'm too much of a perfectionist. But secretly, there are some days that I just want to pick up a paintbrush and go to town doing something really abstract and crazy.
7. I actually CAN sing! I just don't do it in public much... and I get shy. Being on stage in a character, makeup and costume is a breeze for me. I have somewhat of a mask to stand behind. But singing is just flat out raw and naked. And that scares the crap out of me. If I ever fulfilled my dream of being a recording artist, it would take a LOT of practice and ugly disasters before I could perform in front of people. Yikes!!!!!!
8. I love fashion but I normally just wear jeans and tees. I think this is mostly because I'm afraid of what I'll really look like in some styles, so I cave and revert to my oh-so-not stylish HS/College wardrobe. Boring, but comfy. I DO have a few outfits I'm proud of tho. I'm getting there...
9. I have a red guitar named Bella. This isn't entirely because of Twilight. Honestly, Alice is my girl all the way, but I've always thought the name Bella is pretty and when I saw it in the book, it just fit! Plus, my friend Ashley named her red jeep Jasper, and I kinda felt the need to be a copycat.
10. All my guitars are girls. Alex, Olivia, and Bella. But I don't name my cars.
11. Addendum to #10, my first car was the PMS Mobile. This is because she was always moody and I never knew what she was going to do. It was annoying, but slightly endearing at times.
12. I watch shows like Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, and the like because I want to see how the actors developed the characters and how well the writers did, not so much for the storyline.
13. When I was a kid, I wished I had blue eyes. Then I read the story of Amy Carmichael, and how her brown eyes saved her life when she was in India, and I stopped complaining after that.
14. I had a birthmark on my left cheek that I had removed my Senior year of high school. It was hard for me, but I was too freaked out by the chance of it becoming cancerous. Plus, now I have a cool scar from where it didn't heal quite right.
15. I just recorded demos for the first time last month! Granted, it wasn't my own music, and it was for a submission for a children's worship CD, but still! I'm pretty dang excited about the whole thing.
16. I miss Charlotte and still kinda want to move back.
17. I LOVE fried pickles. From the Penguin OR from Tim's Rivershore. Don't care. And the ones at Cheeseburger aren't half bad in a pinch, but the others are definitely better.
18. Regina Spektor is actually growing on me. She got on my last nerve when I first heard her music, but now I kinda like it.
19. Cheeseburger's House Pina Colada is my favorite frozen drink in the WORLD!!! And why can't I spell that with a tilde??? Grr...
20. I have one tattoo on my right foot. I want more. It may or may not ever happen.
21. I had a crush on Johnny Depp. Right up until he played Willy Wonka. I can't see him the same way anymore... and while he was pretty hot as the barber of Fleet Street, it was a little much for my little heart.
22. My favorite part of P.S. I Love You (the movie) was seeing Jeffery Dean Morgan's naked backside. Yes, my husband knows it. He makes fun of me for it.
23. I wish more people would read P.S. I Love You (the book). I really want to have more people in my life who will understand what the heck I'm talking about when I say things like "Spensive white dress," and "...have a cup of tea." The movie and book are TOTALLY different - and maybe really should have just had different titles - but both wonderful in their own rights. (BTW, I cried like a baby in the movie, and laughed my head off reading the book)
    
24. I'm an artsy singer, actor, excentric of sorts, but I am also a Republican, 5-point Calvinist Christian (no, not Baptist), and I despise the thought that anyone could possibly consider the life of an unborn child as optional.
25. I'm REALLY opinionated, and not terribly shy about it. The challenge for me is finding a way to share my opinions only when they are appropriate to share, and in a manner that is loving and respectful.

Well, that's a little of me! I hope you enjoyed what you learned. Three blog posts in one day is a lot for me, so we'll see how long that pattern lasts. See you soon, lovelies!!!

Irene

Ta-da!

Well, I think I've settled on a blog title (and one that no one else has taken yet, thankyouverymuch!!!). I'm pretty happy with it, correct Italian phrasing or no. Now I just have to find a super fancy background that fits, and get some blog entries that live up to it! Enjoy, dears!

Irene

Internal Disaster, Part One

Well, hmm... it's actually been a while since I've even attempted a blog, but I've been feeling the urge lately, so maybe I'll give it another go and see what happens. Thing is, I'm not TOTALLY sure what I want to blog about! Hence my unusual blog title... for the moment.

I could just ramble senselessly about my day to day routine (which, trust me, isn't nearly as quirky and exciting as some blogs I read... at least not very consistantly). Or I could use this as a platform for my rantings on herbal living and my war on High Fructose Corn Syrup and artificial sweeteners. But that could get old pretty quickly too. There's always my love of fashion, purely limited to my gawking at couture designs and Christian Louboutin shoes *sigh.* BUT, I don't want to be too much of a copy cat of my lovely friend Julie at Wearing Mascara. She's got that side of the market cornered BEAUTIFULLY!

No doubt, I'm sure I would throw some fun posts in here somewhere about my first pregnancy (I'm currently 14 weeks along - wahoo!!), or my super cool jewelry business (shameless plug for lia sophia). And I'll even throw in a bone or two about some of my quirks, like my constant tendancy to badly abuse the poor little exclamation point. Just keep an eye out, you'll notice, I promise. *wink*

So, there's that (to quote Stacy London). What are your thoughts, unsuspecting readers? Any opinions on what I should blog about?