Back in college I was presented with the opportunity to spend a semester to study in Bath. I met some of the most amazing, talented people. People I've been able to recently re-connect with thanks to Facebook. What I miss the most about my trip was the accountability we provided one another as writers. We were writing EVERY DAY. Sometimes we'd be writing ALL DAY. We'd write in our personal journals, our travel writing journals, our letters home, required classwork essays, poetry, short stories...on and on. I hate to admit this but I was as home sick as a helicopter mom's pathetic kid on his first trip to summer camp. But the writing helped. The accountability helped. I haven't been through my old writings in some time and hope to pull it out now that I'm "nesting" and dig into it.
The point of bringing this up is to introduce a very talented friend who is also expecting her first baby any day now. I have so many vivid memories of Heather and our time in Bath, but one that sticks out includes our last week there. We had a group of about 25 students and 4 faculty members on the trip with us. Some English majors, some Theater majors and some just major idiots. Just kidding. Kind of.
Anyhow, I was never unaware of how unbelievably talented Heather was so I told her it would be a fun thing to write a poem for the final dinner to read in front of all of our colleagues and faculty. BUT, knowing full well how fantastic of a writer she was, I told her we had to write it in 5 minutes and could only include what we came up with in that time frame.
Why you ask? Well, I figured if people knew that I only had 5 minutes to prepare something they would be much kinder and not hold the same level of accountability as if I had 5 hours. That's a big difference to a writer.
Anyhow, Heather liked the idea and came up with something amazing in 5 minutes but decided she wanted to craft it and turn it into something much more special. And it was. "Sometimes a Chard" is what it was called and all I can remember about it's contents is that I teared up and felt much too silly to read the something "fun" I had written in 5 minutes. It would be like Katy Perry following Pavarotti.
Blink
Blink
Blink
See I am self-conscious just like the rest of you.
Anyhow, today Heather has her own blog filled with many amazing posts. In fact anytime I visit her blog I am filled with calmness and always leave inspired. You can tell I've taken her idea of including images into my posts as she has in order to make my posts that much more "decorated". I hope the saying holds true: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and I hope she feels flattered to have me share her work with you. She has been on some amazing adventures including a recent BIG move from Patagonia to the States that I won't spoil for you here. She can be found at http://www.ameasureof.blogspot.com as well as on my "Can't Get Enough Of" blog roll. I've printed out her most recent post and carry it with me as a reminder. I'm not sure any book I read will comfort me as much as her poem has.
If you ever read this Heather, thank you for the inspiration, accountability and I wish all the blessings for you, S and your soon to be family of 3.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
:17
So I don't know if it's the recent shaking of the San Andreas Fault or what but last night found me waking up at 17 past the hour EVERY hour starting at midnight.
Yesterday I was up so early that I just decided to hit the gym. I had some funny stares while I was there. I guess it does look a bit funny for a woman 6 months pregnant to be jogging on a treadmill. But I didn't care. I set my Pandora to the JayZ channel and ran a mile and a half and ended my workout with a bit of a modified version of Tracy Anderson's legs video she sent me.
What? Oh I know. I'm not Gwenyth but if I can get legs like Petter Potts then you'd better believe I'll try it. Now that the doc gave the okay for cardio I am going to attempt pruning these tree trunks!
The main point is, I'm getting used to these early mornings and have decided to make lemonade by getting to the gym. The problem is at 12:17 I had two options: 1. Force myself back to sleep or 2. Stay up watching shake weight infomercials until the gym opens at 5:30.
What I DIDN'T know was that every hour after that at 17 minutes past exactly, I'd wake up thinking it was time to get out of bed and hit the gym. Turns out I wasn't the only one. At 3:17 on the nose I woke up thinking I heard the shower. I verygracefully turned over and saw through hazy eyes that the hubs was not in bed. I fell back asleep and woke up in a fright with the hubs standing over me telling me he was heading into work. Turns out he couldn't sleep either.
4:17 came and went and when 5:17 came by it was time to get up and hit the gym. First things first, Winston was whining to get out and relieve his bladder. Oscar looked so cozy in bed that I decided sleep was more important than the gym and told myself that if I didn't fall asleep in 5 minutes I'd get myself ready for the gym.
I didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 6:15.
Nothing exciting or ground breaking but thought it was sort of eery to be waking up at the same time EVERY HOUR. Maybe 17 is my lucky number this week...
Yesterday I was up so early that I just decided to hit the gym. I had some funny stares while I was there. I guess it does look a bit funny for a woman 6 months pregnant to be jogging on a treadmill. But I didn't care. I set my Pandora to the JayZ channel and ran a mile and a half and ended my workout with a bit of a modified version of Tracy Anderson's legs video she sent me.
What? Oh I know. I'm not Gwenyth but if I can get legs like Petter Potts then you'd better believe I'll try it. Now that the doc gave the okay for cardio I am going to attempt pruning these tree trunks!
The main point is, I'm getting used to these early mornings and have decided to make lemonade by getting to the gym. The problem is at 12:17 I had two options: 1. Force myself back to sleep or 2. Stay up watching shake weight infomercials until the gym opens at 5:30.
What I DIDN'T know was that every hour after that at 17 minutes past exactly, I'd wake up thinking it was time to get out of bed and hit the gym. Turns out I wasn't the only one. At 3:17 on the nose I woke up thinking I heard the shower. I very
4:17 came and went and when 5:17 came by it was time to get up and hit the gym. First things first, Winston was whining to get out and relieve his bladder. Oscar looked so cozy in bed that I decided sleep was more important than the gym and told myself that if I didn't fall asleep in 5 minutes I'd get myself ready for the gym.
I didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 6:15.
Nothing exciting or ground breaking but thought it was sort of eery to be waking up at the same time EVERY HOUR. Maybe 17 is my lucky number this week...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, oh Monday
Happy New Year! I hope this year brings us all peace, joy and lots of fantastic memories.
Monday morning, well that did NOT provide with a fantastic memory.
Each week day I get up and dread the work day and each morning has it's routine:
Wake up
Let the dogs out
Feed the dogs
Get ready for work
Let the dogs out one last time
Put Winston in his run/garage
Go to work
Hey! I never said it was an EXCITING routine.
Well when I let the dogs out the second time I usually put Winston on his tether so he can chase the birds and be free to run and play for a little while. This makes Shawn tremble with fear that Winston will somehow escape or what I don't know. Shawn's imagination is not a predictable one so Ihave had no idea what his fear was and didn't pay mind to his conservative methods of managing the dogs. I just let Winston have his fun outside while I finish up getting ready inside. This has never led to anything weird or unsavory. Until this past Monday.
For some reason I went out to check on things and noticed he was chasing something. Maybe a bird, maybe a gopher, I don't know. What I do know is the moment the thought "Something REAL WEIRD is about to happen" it did.
Winston had run to the side of the house where the water source pipe sticks out far and attaches to his endless water dish. Well with Winston comes his tether and his tether had wrapped around the PVC pipe that connects the pipe to his water dish. The something REAL WEIRD was that as Winston gave up his search for whatever ran that way, he took off in the opposite direction resulting in a very loud SNAP and water GUSHING out into the yard looking something like a geyser.
So what did I do? Oh, only what I do best in situations like these.
PANIC!
ohmygoshwheredoesthispipegotohowdoIturnitoff???
Winston is none the wiser running about hoping I'll see he's picked up his Jolly Ball and toss it across the yard 85 times for him. Oscar, hating confrontation, retreated to the furthest point in the house that still allows a direct view to all of the chaos.
I call Shawn and freak out as I explain what I see in front of me. He of course is cool as a cucumber as I ream him for not putting the wrench back after fixing the garbage disposal.
Well! There's water going EVERYWHERE and I can't shut off the water main without a wrench!
I finally find the wrench but it's not gripping the water main. I call Shawn back and simply tell him he's just going to have to come back home.
Instead he calls Megan R. who is busy getting herself ready. Oh and her 2 kids. Oh and her 2 dogs. Oh and her hubs.
Megan is over in a flash with a cup of coffee in one hand and a wrench in the other. I greet her at the door with my hair soaking and my shirt splotchy. Yep, you guessed right! I tried to push the broken pieces of pipe back together. What?! I was desperate. But this Megan, man She's a real gem. How many girls do YOU know that are that well-rounded and ready to handle any home issue?
And whaddya know? In about 3 seconds flat she's managed to make me look like a fool as her wrench perfectly fits the water main valve as she miraculously turns it off. All while she is wrenching in one hand, holding a conversation with me in between sips of her coffee NOT EVEN LOOKING at the water main.
Blink
Blink
Blink
I mean I used to think I was handy. Well given that I lived with Trixie and Leasy I guess Oscar would come off as handy. Imposable thumbs and all.
So all was back to normal and I was on my way out the door.
I suppose once the babes comes I'll be dealing with all kinds of "fires" like these and then have the rest of the day to tackle. At least it's preparing me.
Monday morning, well that did NOT provide with a fantastic memory.
Each week day I get up and dread the work day and each morning has it's routine:
Wake up
Let the dogs out
Feed the dogs
Get ready for work
Let the dogs out one last time
Put Winston in his run/garage
Go to work
Hey! I never said it was an EXCITING routine.
Well when I let the dogs out the second time I usually put Winston on his tether so he can chase the birds and be free to run and play for a little while. This makes Shawn tremble with fear that Winston will somehow escape or what I don't know. Shawn's imagination is not a predictable one so I
For some reason I went out to check on things and noticed he was chasing something. Maybe a bird, maybe a gopher, I don't know. What I do know is the moment the thought "Something REAL WEIRD is about to happen" it did.
Winston had run to the side of the house where the water source pipe sticks out far and attaches to his endless water dish. Well with Winston comes his tether and his tether had wrapped around the PVC pipe that connects the pipe to his water dish. The something REAL WEIRD was that as Winston gave up his search for whatever ran that way, he took off in the opposite direction resulting in a very loud SNAP and water GUSHING out into the yard looking something like a geyser.
PANIC!
ohmygoshwheredoesthispipegotohowdoIturnitoff???
Winston is none the wiser running about hoping I'll see he's picked up his Jolly Ball and toss it across the yard 85 times for him. Oscar, hating confrontation, retreated to the furthest point in the house that still allows a direct view to all of the chaos.
I call Shawn and freak out as I explain what I see in front of me. He of course is cool as a cucumber as I ream him for not putting the wrench back after fixing the garbage disposal.
Well! There's water going EVERYWHERE and I can't shut off the water main without a wrench!
I finally find the wrench but it's not gripping the water main. I call Shawn back and simply tell him he's just going to have to come back home.
Instead he calls Megan R. who is busy getting herself ready. Oh and her 2 kids. Oh and her 2 dogs. Oh and her hubs.
Megan is over in a flash with a cup of coffee in one hand and a wrench in the other. I greet her at the door with my hair soaking and my shirt splotchy. Yep, you guessed right! I tried to push the broken pieces of pipe back together. What?! I was desperate. But this Megan, man She's a real gem. How many girls do YOU know that are that well-rounded and ready to handle any home issue?
And whaddya know? In about 3 seconds flat she's managed to make me look like a fool as her wrench perfectly fits the water main valve as she miraculously turns it off. All while she is wrenching in one hand, holding a conversation with me in between sips of her coffee NOT EVEN LOOKING at the water main.
Blink
Blink
Blink
I mean I used to think I was handy. Well given that I lived with Trixie and Leasy I guess Oscar would come off as handy. Imposable thumbs and all.
So all was back to normal and I was on my way out the door.
I suppose once the babes comes I'll be dealing with all kinds of "fires" like these and then have the rest of the day to tackle. At least it's preparing me.
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Real Conversation-Christmas Version
Scene: Cares and the Hubs driving to breakfast before attempting the slew of strollers and angry elves at the mall. Cares is singing along to EVERY Christmas song on the commercial-free satellite car stereo. Even to the songs she doesn't know the words to. What? It's Christmas!
Cares: (taking a break from her solo part in The First Noel) Babe, what's your FAVORITE Christmas song
Hubs: Ummmm....
Cares: (thinking she just KNOWS he's going to say "I dunno" like he does to EVERY random question she puts out there) interupts with What's your FAVORITE Christmas song and there's a gun pointed at your head?
Hubs: Rudolph
Cares: Blink, Blink Blink. Rudolph? Really?
Hubs: There's a gun pointed at my head! That's the first one I thought of! Rudolph!
Laughter filled the car as Cares thought there HAS to be a better way to get his opinions out.
Cares: (taking a break from her solo part in The First Noel) Babe, what's your FAVORITE Christmas song
Hubs: Ummmm....
Cares: (thinking she just KNOWS he's going to say "I dunno" like he does to EVERY random question she puts out there) interupts with What's your FAVORITE Christmas song and there's a gun pointed at your head?
Hubs: Rudolph
Cares: Blink, Blink Blink. Rudolph? Really?
Hubs: There's a gun pointed at my head! That's the first one I thought of! Rudolph!
Laughter filled the car as Cares thought there HAS to be a better way to get his opinions out.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Someone Smack Me
Okay. So I HATE clutter in my home. HATE IT. I had a major freakout over the weekend regarding a messy, cluttery kitchen that included feet stomping, real tears and some incoherent shouting about TOO MUCH STUFF. The poor hubs didn't know what to do so he just grabbed me by the shoulders, guided me to bed and kissed my face a million times before I curled up and fell asleep.
Cute.
Sure. REAL CUTE CARE! Sigh
So rewind to last week when a VERY generous co-worker offered up the opportunity for me and my ever growing bump to take a look at her stash of toys in her car headed for donation.
Blink
Blink
Blink
Headed. For. Donation.
Hmmmm. Now call me crazy but
WHY ON EARTH WOULD I WANT TO CLUTTER MY HOUSE WITH TOYS ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Two possible reasons for the generosity:
1. Her kids have outgrown the toys and she is simply passing them on to a soon-to-be clueless mama
2. She didn't really want to drive to the donation site
I'm certain it's option 1. and she's just incredibly helpful. So someone please tell me I'm being unreasonable and tell me to take the toys filling up a Christmas-sized shopping bag and find a new home for them at my house where they can eagerly await the arrival of our sweet bundle. Or tell me to give them away! I'm very impressionable when it comes to my 3 readers. Okay maybe 4 on a good day. But you get the point.
I'm TRYING to prepare for the influx of STUFF we're about to be given and I still don't think I'll be able to comprehend it.
Help?
Cute.
Sure. REAL CUTE CARE! Sigh
So rewind to last week when a VERY generous co-worker offered up the opportunity for me and my ever growing bump to take a look at her stash of toys in her car headed for donation.
Blink
Blink
Blink
Headed. For. Donation.
Hmmmm. Now call me crazy but
WHY ON EARTH WOULD I WANT TO CLUTTER MY HOUSE WITH TOYS ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Two possible reasons for the generosity:
1. Her kids have outgrown the toys and she is simply passing them on to a soon-to-be clueless mama
2. She didn't really want to drive to the donation site
I'm certain it's option 1. and she's just incredibly helpful. So someone please tell me I'm being unreasonable and tell me to take the toys filling up a Christmas-sized shopping bag and find a new home for them at my house where they can eagerly await the arrival of our sweet bundle. Or tell me to give them away! I'm very impressionable when it comes to my 3 readers. Okay maybe 4 on a good day. But you get the point.
I'm TRYING to prepare for the influx of STUFF we're about to be given and I still don't think I'll be able to comprehend it.
Help?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Baby Sidney
It's been a long trying week for the Blackwoods. Shawn's cousins have suffered a mighty big loss and it's been nothing short of heart-breaking. If you wouldn't mind sending your thoughts and prayers their way I know it won't go unnoticed.
I sometimes struggle with my Faith but am nothing short of grateful for it when there's such a great loss with no explanation. That's the hardest time for me to believe and keep that faith, but I cling to it like a child clings to his mama. There's been a lot of tears and praying going on in my house and you can bet if you're reading this, you've been in them.
Hug your loved ones oh so tightly tonight because life is short and sometimes very unfair.
All my love,
Cares
I sometimes struggle with my Faith but am nothing short of grateful for it when there's such a great loss with no explanation. That's the hardest time for me to believe and keep that faith, but I cling to it like a child clings to his mama. There's been a lot of tears and praying going on in my house and you can bet if you're reading this, you've been in them.
Hug your loved ones oh so tightly tonight because life is short and sometimes very unfair.
All my love,
Cares
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Free Music
I love getting new songs and love it even more when they're FREE!
I also love getting into the Holiday spirit and that means Holiday music. :-) The Civil Wars is giving away two free downloads and they are quite lovely. You can find out about it on their Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/thecivilwars
And get the free tracks here:
http://app.topspin.net/store/artist/3620?wId=46685&theme=black&highlightColor=0x00A1FF&w=400&h=300&src=fb
I'm feeling great and have a full on bump now. You can't see it from the Thanksgiving picture below but I'll post some pictures tomorrow. :-)
I still haven't felt the baby move and it's the size of a sweet potato now so you'd think I'd be able to feel it moving all about. I long for that day.
I'm a full 41/2 months along now which according to MY math means I'm halfway there! We'll see if baby feels the same way about that math. :-)
I have my 20 week check up on the 17th at 9am so any prayers and thoughts you send my way would be great. I'm confident Dr. Taylor will give me a clean bill and show me that the placenta is no longer blocking the cervix.
I've been listening to her and limiting myself to walking everyday at lunch for 30-45 minutes. It feels great to be getting some exercise.
Mom met me and the Hubs at the Baby Store in Los Gatos to get schooled on all things baby stuff. We picked out some items and are of course comparing prices which led to a wicked argument about what else? MONEY! Sigh. One of these days we'll be able to communicate without it ending in tears, teeth gnashing and door slamming.
Blink
Blink
Blink
What? Haven't you ever heard of pregnancy hormones?
Apparently the hubs has not and has not a thought about simply smiling and nodding rather than asking questions that lead into arguments. Again I ask this amazingly wonderful God of mine what in the world he was thinking putting a man and woman together. But that's a topic for an entirely separate blog post. :-)
Luckily I have a very good friend who's husband thinks pretty close to identically to mine. She listened and offered me sage advice on handling these discussions that start out with me excited about acribandadresserandastrollerandbassinetandacarseatandaandaanda well you get it, and end with the hubs punching the seemingly impossible numbers in his head.
I was not brought up to believe in that word. Impossible. It was a swear word in our house and I believe we'd have our mouths washed out with soap if we were to even THINK it.
What do you get when you mix apessimist realist with a dreamer? Just come on over to our house, bring up acribandadresserandastrollerandbassinetandacarseatandaandaanda and you'll find out. ;-) Mostly it's a gorgeous, complimenting, loving pairing but sometimes the stubborn-ness wins out and we both lose.
What?
Oh right. Like YOUR relationships are all rainbows and butterflies. Liar.
It's what makes us smarter, wiser and better people and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm open to any and all communication tips however. Those are never too much.
Love,
Cares
I also love getting into the Holiday spirit and that means Holiday music. :-) The Civil Wars is giving away two free downloads and they are quite lovely. You can find out about it on their Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/thecivilwars
And get the free tracks here:
http://app.topspin.net/store/artist/3620?wId=46685&theme=black&highlightColor=0x00A1FF&w=400&h=300&src=fb
I'm feeling great and have a full on bump now. You can't see it from the Thanksgiving picture below but I'll post some pictures tomorrow. :-)
I'm a full 41/2 months along now which according to MY math means I'm halfway there! We'll see if baby feels the same way about that math. :-)
I have my 20 week check up on the 17th at 9am so any prayers and thoughts you send my way would be great. I'm confident Dr. Taylor will give me a clean bill and show me that the placenta is no longer blocking the cervix.
I've been listening to her and limiting myself to walking everyday at lunch for 30-45 minutes. It feels great to be getting some exercise.
Mom met me and the Hubs at the Baby Store in Los Gatos to get schooled on all things baby stuff. We picked out some items and are of course comparing prices which led to a wicked argument about what else? MONEY! Sigh. One of these days we'll be able to communicate without it ending in tears, teeth gnashing and door slamming.
Blink
Blink
Blink
What? Haven't you ever heard of pregnancy hormones?
Apparently the hubs has not and has not a thought about simply smiling and nodding rather than asking questions that lead into arguments. Again I ask this amazingly wonderful God of mine what in the world he was thinking putting a man and woman together. But that's a topic for an entirely separate blog post. :-)
Luckily I have a very good friend who's husband thinks pretty close to identically to mine. She listened and offered me sage advice on handling these discussions that start out with me excited about acribandadresserandastrollerandbassinetandacarseatandaandaanda well you get it, and end with the hubs punching the seemingly impossible numbers in his head.
I was not brought up to believe in that word. Impossible. It was a swear word in our house and I believe we'd have our mouths washed out with soap if we were to even THINK it.
What do you get when you mix a
What?
Oh right. Like YOUR relationships are all rainbows and butterflies. Liar.
It's what makes us smarter, wiser and better people and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm open to any and all communication tips however. Those are never too much.
Love,
Cares
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Reasons My Co-Workers Might Hate Me....
So I work with a LOT of women and men who have experienced pregnancy either first or second hand making yesterday's FREAK OUT really no big deal. To those who had the inside scoop that I was pregnant.
To help calm myself down I went on a lunch time walk with my favorite colleague Niki. We laughed as I re-enacted the morning's scene that began with her walking by my cube and simply asking how I was doing. I mean, if I can't laugh at my crazy behavior what's the point? We then began talking about the very talented and actually very caring Social Media Manager who sits in front of me. He had innocently walked into work to see my tears of epic proportion and a seemingly frightened Niki trying to comfort me. At work. In front of everyone.
Niki Well, does he know you're pregnant?
Me Umm, well I never officially TOLD him but I mean doesn't EVERYONE know now?
Niki Maybe you should tell him
Blink
Blink
Blink
Me Omigosh he doesn't know and now he thinks I'm certifiable LOONEY TOONS!
There was nothing we could to to stop from laughing until our sides hurt.
Fast forward to this morning's conversation as said Social Media Manager settles in for the day:
Me: Hey sorry about yesterday morning!
SMM: Oh, no worries AT ALL. I mean we all have days like that.
Me: Yeah I just don't know how to deal with all these crazy hormonal emotions.
Crickets begin chirping throughout the office
Me: (thinking: oh man so he DOESN'T know!) Soooo I don't know if you knew but I'm pregnant
SMM: Oh, wow I DID NOT know! Congratulations! And that makes perfect sense now!
Me: Sooo you just thought I was a crazy loon then huh?!
SMM: laughing Well I mean I just figured it was a bad morning or something
Me: Well, no not really I mean nothing was really wrong or anything I just couldn't stop crying!
SMM: Bending over from laughter My ex was like that with all 3 of ours. I mean we'd be in the middle of dinner talking about trees or something and when I looked up from taking a bite she'd just be bawling!
Me: Yeah I kind of feel bad for my husband. But thank gawd! I thought I was crazy!
SMM: No, I think that part's pretty normal! But congratulations again!
Oh the comedy that is my life. I mean honestly. I can just imagine if it were me walking in on yesterday morning's irrationality. NOT knowing the back story only to find out that
a. the fool was prego and
b. there was absolutely nothing wrong.
That's pretty funny, right?
To help calm myself down I went on a lunch time walk with my favorite colleague Niki. We laughed as I re-enacted the morning's scene that began with her walking by my cube and simply asking how I was doing. I mean, if I can't laugh at my crazy behavior what's the point? We then began talking about the very talented and actually very caring Social Media Manager who sits in front of me. He had innocently walked into work to see my tears of epic proportion and a seemingly frightened Niki trying to comfort me. At work. In front of everyone.
Niki Well, does he know you're pregnant?
Me Umm, well I never officially TOLD him but I mean doesn't EVERYONE know now?
Niki Maybe you should tell him
Blink
Blink
Blink
Me Omigosh he doesn't know and now he thinks I'm certifiable LOONEY TOONS!
There was nothing we could to to stop from laughing until our sides hurt.
Fast forward to this morning's conversation as said Social Media Manager settles in for the day:
Me: Hey sorry about yesterday morning!
SMM: Oh, no worries AT ALL. I mean we all have days like that.
Me: Yeah I just don't know how to deal with all these crazy hormonal emotions.
Crickets begin chirping throughout the office
Me: (thinking: oh man so he DOESN'T know!) Soooo I don't know if you knew but I'm pregnant
SMM: Oh, wow I DID NOT know! Congratulations! And that makes perfect sense now!
Me: Sooo you just thought I was a crazy loon then huh?!
SMM: laughing Well I mean I just figured it was a bad morning or something
Me: Well, no not really I mean nothing was really wrong or anything I just couldn't stop crying!
SMM: Bending over from laughter My ex was like that with all 3 of ours. I mean we'd be in the middle of dinner talking about trees or something and when I looked up from taking a bite she'd just be bawling!
Me: Yeah I kind of feel bad for my husband. But thank gawd! I thought I was crazy!
SMM: No, I think that part's pretty normal! But congratulations again!
Oh the comedy that is my life. I mean honestly. I can just imagine if it were me walking in on yesterday morning's irrationality. NOT knowing the back story only to find out that
a. the fool was prego and
b. there was absolutely nothing wrong.
That's pretty funny, right?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
While the Cat's Away....
Shawn's out of town for 2 nights and while this isn't a big deal, I've always hated it when he goes. He doesn't leave town very often but the codependent part of my soul absolutely hates watching him pack. The passive aggressive part of me wanted to hide all his clean laundry so he'd have nothing to pack and therefore not be able to go! That was only a thought. I made sure he had all the clean clothes he needed. :-)
Finding ways to fill my time for 2 nights wasn't hard. I even took Winston to "school" on Monday to make sure he was good and tired Monday night. He can be very high maintenance in the evenings. This is usually remedied by sticking him on his tethered leash and letting him roam "freely" out back but it's been raining which means mud, lots of mud and Shawn just shampooed the carpets for my Dad's upcoming visit. Muddy dog paws on light carpets don't really match and it makes me break out into hives and I've even been known to seize once or twice because of it. What? I like a clean house!
Anyhow, I filled my Monday with a pot of creamy potato soup shared with Tessy as we watched Monday night football and talked trash to Char online. This was topped off when Tessy asked me if I had plans the next evening. Side note: Tessy has a new BF :-) and when she told him that I hate when Shawn leaves he offered to take me to dinner the following night to help the time go by quicker. SCORE! Two dates in a row with ThankGodForTessy!
I woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I wanted to roll over and spend the entire day in bed but knew I was trying to take Friday off to spend with Dad. I yawned my way through my morning moves, patted Winston goodbye and left for work.
I should have listened to my body.
Suddenly at about 11AM a wave of Hell AKA my allergies washed over me. I was sneezing, coughing, wheezing, sniffling and couldn't find enough tissue to stop my eyes from watering out. I was getting evil glares from my co-workers whose facial expressions shot at me like daggers willing me to go home OR FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP COUGHING/SNEEZING/SNIFFLING! I've been given the okay to take Claritin, but I have a hard time taking medicine in general so you'd be a fool to think I'll easily take it now.
Well I'm the fool for not taking it. I was miserable all the rest of the day long and had to cancel my dinner date with Tessy and her BF. I went home, put on my PJs and hit the sack. At 4PM.
Blink
Blink
Blink
Winston was NOT happy. I tried to coax him with 2 new bones, wet food mixed with his dry food, I even tried to bribe him by telling him he could "play" with the orange cat that keeps teasing him out back. What? I was desperate! And that cat is really mean to stand just-that-close to the edge of Winston's tether.
We both found sleep and I didn't wake up until 9PM. With a splitting headache the size ofmy newly protruding pregnant ass Texas. I called Shawn and told him he needed to come home. Now. I don't care how, get on a plane and get home. What's so irrational about that? I think he laughed and I swear I could hear him shaking his head through the phone.
I finally got back to sleep and didn't wake up again until a bad dream woke me up at 4AM. And like a fool I tried to cuddle with Winston. Then HE needed to get up. Up and outside we go. But it was wet. So then I was mad at Lee Soloman who told me LIGHT SPRINKLES if anything would affect us. LIAR! I haven't been so angry in my whole life. What's irrational about that? His job is to tell me whether (get it?!) it will be soaked in my backyard like when Winston gets really thirsty and drinks his entire 10 gallon water bowl in one gulp or just damp like when Oscar takes a leisurely sip from his 1/4 gallon water bowl. It was soaked and I had no towel for Winston's muddy feet. AT 4AM. Thanks a lot Lee Soloman. IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT.
He was a trooper and we worked it out.
Fast Forward to 7:30AM. Winston is in the back of the car and we're parked outside of his "school" waiting for the 2 other slow pokes who got there before us to drop their dogs off. One was a chocolate lab who's owner is ALWAYS there at 7:15 knowing full well that school doesn't open until 7:30. Then there was a woman with a snack size dog sitting on her lap in the driver's seat barking at EVERYTHING IT SAW. ANNOYING. We waited until the 2 others were safely inside and made our way in.
"Oh great Winnie, it's that kid you used to not like. I whispered out a small prayer: PLEASE LET THAT SWEET BLOND GIRL BE IN THE OFFICE ...pleasepleasepleaseplease."
The sweet blond girl was nowhere to be found and boy was taking FOR-EVER checking in Winston as I am anxiously looking out for any newsnack-sized dogs that might be making their way in the office. The boy who takes forever finally starts walking us up to the gate to take Winston into his pen when a woman and her snack-sized poodle starts making her way back. I'm not kidding. This poodle was like those small 100-Calorie Oreo cookie snack packs you can buy at the grocery store. What? They're good!
Winston mind you is the picture of calm. Me not so much. "CAN YOU WAIT UP TOP? HE'S NOT THE MOST FRIENDLY!" Now I'm not yelling but so scared that I can feel yesterday's lunch begin to rise up. Winston is sitting beautifully waiting for me to give a command. The boy who takes forever KEEPS WALKING. He has a history with Winston and knows how careful and cautious we are about him. Don't you think he might, you know, DO HIS JOB to prevent any freak out?! The lady keeps coming down clearly confused because the boy who takes forever is clueless. She gets it, turns around and waits up top. PHEW.
We walk by with no issue and Winston doesn't even give the snacked size poodle a second look. I look at the woman and say, "I'm sorry he's just not predictable".
Woman: Blink Blink Blink thinking to herself "Ummmm why is that dog even here then?"
I mean that's what I would be thinking. But Kevin the owner takes ALL dogs. Even dogs that are still intact. That's why Winston goes there. Because they love him there and work with him.
So the boy who takes forever and Winston have a history. Once, back when he was going every day, I asked how Winston was doing and if he was good with all the employees. They said all except the boy who takes forever. And they said something to the effect that Winston wasn't the only dog who took issue with him or that they didn't really like him either. So every time we saw the boy who takes forever I would get a little nervous because I knew this.
Today as I went to hand Winston off to the boy who takes forever he wouldn't go. He didn't charge him or bark or snarl or growl. He simply sat down and pulled back. Twice. I was really proud of him because most times he'll charge a person he doesn't like or at the very least bark that awfully frightening bark. Not today. He just calmly "told" me he didn't want to go with him. I walked him back into his pen and gave him a nice pat and whispered a "good job boy" in his ear. Not because he doesn't like the boy who takes forever, but because he controlled himself.
I apologized to the boy who takes forever and headed out.
Then I called Shawn and bawled my eyes out.
Blink
Blink
Blink
This heightened hormone horses*&! mixed with sleep deprivation is a whole new beast that I don't know how to handle.
I mean, do YOU think it's weird that when a coworker walks over to ask how I'm doing I start bawling my eyes out? For no real good reason? Because I don't.
Hurry home hubz. Please.
Finding ways to fill my time for 2 nights wasn't hard. I even took Winston to "school" on Monday to make sure he was good and tired Monday night. He can be very high maintenance in the evenings. This is usually remedied by sticking him on his tethered leash and letting him roam "freely" out back but it's been raining which means mud, lots of mud and Shawn just shampooed the carpets for my Dad's upcoming visit. Muddy dog paws on light carpets don't really match and it makes me break out into hives and I've even been known to seize once or twice because of it. What? I like a clean house!
Anyhow, I filled my Monday with a pot of creamy potato soup shared with Tessy as we watched Monday night football and talked trash to Char online. This was topped off when Tessy asked me if I had plans the next evening. Side note: Tessy has a new BF :-) and when she told him that I hate when Shawn leaves he offered to take me to dinner the following night to help the time go by quicker. SCORE! Two dates in a row with ThankGodForTessy!
I woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I wanted to roll over and spend the entire day in bed but knew I was trying to take Friday off to spend with Dad. I yawned my way through my morning moves, patted Winston goodbye and left for work.
I should have listened to my body.
Suddenly at about 11AM a wave of Hell AKA my allergies washed over me. I was sneezing, coughing, wheezing, sniffling and couldn't find enough tissue to stop my eyes from watering out. I was getting evil glares from my co-workers whose facial expressions shot at me like daggers willing me to go home OR FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP COUGHING/SNEEZING/SNIFFLING! I've been given the okay to take Claritin, but I have a hard time taking medicine in general so you'd be a fool to think I'll easily take it now.
Well I'm the fool for not taking it. I was miserable all the rest of the day long and had to cancel my dinner date with Tessy and her BF. I went home, put on my PJs and hit the sack. At 4PM.
Blink
Blink
Blink
Winston was NOT happy. I tried to coax him with 2 new bones, wet food mixed with his dry food, I even tried to bribe him by telling him he could "play" with the orange cat that keeps teasing him out back. What? I was desperate! And that cat is really mean to stand just-that-close to the edge of Winston's tether.
We both found sleep and I didn't wake up until 9PM. With a splitting headache the size of
I finally got back to sleep and didn't wake up again until a bad dream woke me up at 4AM. And like a fool I tried to cuddle with Winston. Then HE needed to get up. Up and outside we go. But it was wet. So then I was mad at Lee Soloman who told me LIGHT SPRINKLES if anything would affect us. LIAR! I haven't been so angry in my whole life. What's irrational about that? His job is to tell me whether (get it?!) it will be soaked in my backyard like when Winston gets really thirsty and drinks his entire 10 gallon water bowl in one gulp or just damp like when Oscar takes a leisurely sip from his 1/4 gallon water bowl. It was soaked and I had no towel for Winston's muddy feet. AT 4AM. Thanks a lot Lee Soloman. IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT.
He was a trooper and we worked it out.
Fast Forward to 7:30AM. Winston is in the back of the car and we're parked outside of his "school" waiting for the 2 other slow pokes who got there before us to drop their dogs off. One was a chocolate lab who's owner is ALWAYS there at 7:15 knowing full well that school doesn't open until 7:30. Then there was a woman with a snack size dog sitting on her lap in the driver's seat barking at EVERYTHING IT SAW. ANNOYING. We waited until the 2 others were safely inside and made our way in.
"Oh great Winnie, it's that kid you used to not like. I whispered out a small prayer: PLEASE LET THAT SWEET BLOND GIRL BE IN THE OFFICE ...pleasepleasepleaseplease."
The sweet blond girl was nowhere to be found and boy was taking FOR-EVER checking in Winston as I am anxiously looking out for any new
Winston mind you is the picture of calm. Me not so much. "CAN YOU WAIT UP TOP? HE'S NOT THE MOST FRIENDLY!" Now I'm not yelling but so scared that I can feel yesterday's lunch begin to rise up. Winston is sitting beautifully waiting for me to give a command. The boy who takes forever KEEPS WALKING. He has a history with Winston and knows how careful and cautious we are about him. Don't you think he might, you know, DO HIS JOB to prevent any freak out?! The lady keeps coming down clearly confused because the boy who takes forever is clueless. She gets it, turns around and waits up top. PHEW.
We walk by with no issue and Winston doesn't even give the snacked size poodle a second look. I look at the woman and say, "I'm sorry he's just not predictable".
Woman: Blink Blink Blink thinking to herself "Ummmm why is that dog even here then?"
I mean that's what I would be thinking. But Kevin the owner takes ALL dogs. Even dogs that are still intact. That's why Winston goes there. Because they love him there and work with him.
So the boy who takes forever and Winston have a history. Once, back when he was going every day, I asked how Winston was doing and if he was good with all the employees. They said all except the boy who takes forever. And they said something to the effect that Winston wasn't the only dog who took issue with him or that they didn't really like him either. So every time we saw the boy who takes forever I would get a little nervous because I knew this.
Today as I went to hand Winston off to the boy who takes forever he wouldn't go. He didn't charge him or bark or snarl or growl. He simply sat down and pulled back. Twice. I was really proud of him because most times he'll charge a person he doesn't like or at the very least bark that awfully frightening bark. Not today. He just calmly "told" me he didn't want to go with him. I walked him back into his pen and gave him a nice pat and whispered a "good job boy" in his ear. Not because he doesn't like the boy who takes forever, but because he controlled himself.
I apologized to the boy who takes forever and headed out.
Then I called Shawn and bawled my eyes out.
Blink
Blink
Blink
This heightened hormone horses*&! mixed with sleep deprivation is a whole new beast that I don't know how to handle.
I mean, do YOU think it's weird that when a coworker walks over to ask how I'm doing I start bawling my eyes out? For no real good reason? Because I don't.
Hurry home hubz. Please.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Second Trimester Lies
Nothing I've read could prepare me fully for this pregnancy, and to be completely honest I haven't really done much research. I have my one and only website I visit, okay two if you count the one that compares the baby's growth and size to pieces of fruit. What? It's a cute site!
I want to experience this pregnancy as organically as I can. I mean it is MY experience after all and even though there are countless blogs and chat rooms that tell me how I SHOULD feel this week and what MIGHT happen to me this month, I want to go through it and live it as I FEEL it happening. This epiphany came to me after talking to my friend La (who is due a month after me!!!!) yesterday. I told her, I still feel so exhausted and THEY say that I get all this energy back in the second trimester. Her response was something along the lines of this is MY experience and could be, should be so different than any other one.
So. That said.
Every Saturday I begin a new week in my pregnancy. Don't ask me why the week begins on Saturdays. Something to do with the date of my last period and conception date and ovulation blah blah blah. The fancy dancy due date calculator told me so and my doctor agreed. So there it is.
This Saturday I will be 15 weeks along. WHAT? No, honestly. WHAT?! That's nearly 4 months nearly halfway.
The baby is the size of a lemon this week. A beautiful, lovely lemon.
Now if you know me I shouldn't have to tell you why this is my favorite week. I LOVE lemons. ADORE lemons. I will eat ANYTHING prepared with lemon and I could get all Bubba Gump on you but that's just annoying. I mean this post IS about the babes after all!
In the next week the baby will grow from the size of a lemon to the size of a naval orange. About an ounce of growth doubling its weight. I suppose it shouldn't be any wonder why I'm so tired!
Each week I randomly receive emails from friends asking how I'm feeling, how excited I'm getting and if we're going to find out.
We're not going to find out! We want to be surprised and are both really excited about it. For now. That could change at any second so as of now we are waiting until delivery day. :-)
I'm so very excited about the baby but not so excited about what's going on in my body. Juju asked me a few weeks ago: How are you feeling? Are you glowing? Beaming?
Nope.
More like farting, burping and bloated.
Blink
Blink
Blink
Sure not the most lady-like of responses but do you want me to be honest or sugar coat it all?
That's what I thought. Besides, lady like is boring. Don't do that.
So apparently I was supposed to wake up on the first day of my second trimester feeling a wave of energy thinking I could conquer the world.
AHEM
Well, yesterday morning at work I did indeed felt as if
a. I was on crack or
b. I just had a triple latte.
And not a Starbucks latte a Peet's latte. I was on fire and so excited to have so much energy! I got SO much work done and dealt with so many fires with so much vigor and vim! (What? It's a real word. Just ask Tessy.) I was accomplishing so much in my day when WHAM! 2PM hit. And it hit hard. It was like coming down off a triple Peet's latte. BAD. I've never been so exhausted in my life.
I was ready for the burst of energy but not ready for the MACK truck that came behind it to take me out.
It's fine really, Winston has taken to rummaging in the kitchen for his own snacks now and Oscar follows him around vacuuming up his crumbs with his pug mouth. The hubz has grown accustomed to coming home from work finding me sprawled out in various positions throughout the house with my mouth wide open and a stream of drool hanging out. It's incredibly sexy and flattering. The icing on the cake has been my own flatulence waking me up. I'm not kidding. It's THAT loud. I mean I'm not eating anything weird, it's just a new fact of life at our house that can only be defended by my growing babes. There's nothing better than startling yourself out of deep REM sleep to the sounds of your own butt hole.
Graphic, perhaps but they sure don't tell you that in What to Expect. And guess what. I would have liked to have expected THAT even if I am going for an organic experience! I sure wish the Hubz blogged. I would just LOVE to hear about this from his perspective.
Happy Friday! ;-)
I want to experience this pregnancy as organically as I can. I mean it is MY experience after all and even though there are countless blogs and chat rooms that tell me how I SHOULD feel this week and what MIGHT happen to me this month, I want to go through it and live it as I FEEL it happening. This epiphany came to me after talking to my friend La (who is due a month after me!!!!) yesterday. I told her, I still feel so exhausted and THEY say that I get all this energy back in the second trimester. Her response was something along the lines of this is MY experience and could be, should be so different than any other one.
So. That said.
Every Saturday I begin a new week in my pregnancy. Don't ask me why the week begins on Saturdays. Something to do with the date of my last period and conception date and ovulation blah blah blah. The fancy dancy due date calculator told me so and my doctor agreed. So there it is.
This Saturday I will be 15 weeks along. WHAT? No, honestly. WHAT?! That's nearly 4 months nearly halfway.
The baby is the size of a lemon this week. A beautiful, lovely lemon.
 | ||
| Lemon Poster |
Now if you know me I shouldn't have to tell you why this is my favorite week. I LOVE lemons. ADORE lemons. I will eat ANYTHING prepared with lemon and I could get all Bubba Gump on you but that's just annoying. I mean this post IS about the babes after all!
In the next week the baby will grow from the size of a lemon to the size of a naval orange. About an ounce of growth doubling its weight. I suppose it shouldn't be any wonder why I'm so tired!
Each week I randomly receive emails from friends asking how I'm feeling, how excited I'm getting and if we're going to find out.
We're not going to find out! We want to be surprised and are both really excited about it. For now. That could change at any second so as of now we are waiting until delivery day. :-)
I'm so very excited about the baby but not so excited about what's going on in my body. Juju asked me a few weeks ago: How are you feeling? Are you glowing? Beaming?
Nope.
More like farting, burping and bloated.
Blink
Blink
Blink
Sure not the most lady-like of responses but do you want me to be honest or sugar coat it all?
That's what I thought. Besides, lady like is boring. Don't do that.
So apparently I was supposed to wake up on the first day of my second trimester feeling a wave of energy thinking I could conquer the world.
AHEM
Well, yesterday morning at work I did indeed felt as if
a. I was on crack or
b. I just had a triple latte.
And not a Starbucks latte a Peet's latte. I was on fire and so excited to have so much energy! I got SO much work done and dealt with so many fires with so much vigor and vim! (What? It's a real word. Just ask Tessy.) I was accomplishing so much in my day when WHAM! 2PM hit. And it hit hard. It was like coming down off a triple Peet's latte. BAD. I've never been so exhausted in my life.
 | |||||
| Exhausted/KatClein |
I was ready for the burst of energy but not ready for the MACK truck that came behind it to take me out.
It's fine really, Winston has taken to rummaging in the kitchen for his own snacks now and Oscar follows him around vacuuming up his crumbs with his pug mouth. The hubz has grown accustomed to coming home from work finding me sprawled out in various positions throughout the house with my mouth wide open and a stream of drool hanging out. It's incredibly sexy and flattering. The icing on the cake has been my own flatulence waking me up. I'm not kidding. It's THAT loud. I mean I'm not eating anything weird, it's just a new fact of life at our house that can only be defended by my growing babes. There's nothing better than startling yourself out of deep REM sleep to the sounds of your own butt hole.
Graphic, perhaps but they sure don't tell you that in What to Expect. And guess what. I would have liked to have expected THAT even if I am going for an organic experience! I sure wish the Hubz blogged. I would just LOVE to hear about this from his perspective.
Happy Friday! ;-)
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