Late Weekend Update

Saturday evening we headed to C'ville to go to a cookout for my brother. Several people showed up and several family members. It went really well. There was tons of good food, memories, and laughing. We really had a great time. We always talk about the good old days and what bad things we all did either to ourselves or each other. This time my cousin Jeremiah got picked on. It was great. I didn't get as much video as I could/should have, but I did get a little. He will be gone a total of 14 weeks; 8 weeks bootcamp and 6 weeks specialty training. He'll come home for 2 weeks after that (early December) then be shipped out to his station. I will definitely get more film then and make a movie. Shame on me, I know! Lindsay (youngest sister) came home w/ us and spent the night. Although she spent a lot of the time at our house on the phone w/ her boyfriend. (Oh the horror of them being w/out each other for 1/ONE NIGHT!)

We got up Sunday morning and headed to this place close to our house for breakfast. TERRIBLE. It did not sit well on any of our stomachs. Needless to say we won't be going back. We'll stick w/ our old fogey place w/ gay servers! After breakfast we went to the pet store and bought some stuff and checked out the animals then headed home. We just hung out around the house for a few hours then headed back to C'ville to take Lindsay home. After dropping her off we headed to my dad & Peg's to spend some time with them and have dinner. To our surprise, my grandparents who we don't see very often were there, so we got to see them! Yay! We visited with them for quite a while then headed home. I was really feeling bad, so we just laid on the couch and watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

I ended up staying home Monday from work b/c I still wasn't feeling great. I think it was mostly stress and nerves of my brother leaving. I know it is a great thing for him to do. I'm just a little concerned with his timing more than anything. I guess I always knew deep down that he would eventually join the army. He has always been intrigued by it (his uncle is also in) and I think it will do him some good overall. He seems like he is really ready to go and do whatever he has to. He seems happy about it. Maybe it will sink in more when he actually starts, but honestly, I still think he'll love it! That's just the kind of person he is. I'm happy for him whatever his desicion. Today he has opened a whole new door to his life.

Back to Friday Fives...Lasts...

1. When was the last time you laughed?
Today laughing about this e-mail I received about "Athletes NOT going to Athens" (I'm still laughing.)

2. Who was the last person you had an argument with?
Hmmm.... Not sure on this one. Probably one of the profs about the copy machine...

3. Who was the last person you emailed?
Danialle (personal)
My boss (work)

4. When was the last time you bathed?
This morning before work

5. What was the last thing you ate?
I had a personal pan Pepperoni & Mushroom Pizza from the Hut

There's nothing hypothetical about ovulation.

Eric asked me last night, "Hypothetically speaking, if you were to ovulate this month, when would it be?"

How can anything about ovulation be "Hypothetical" when you've been trying to get pregnant for over a year now? And on occassion (last week) it really depresses you!

So I told him (looking at our calendar on the wall) "I started my period on 8/16, 14 days from that is 8/30, then give or take ~4 days on either side." His thinking "we better get busy!" I guess he forgot that we weren't trying this month...

So, now I've got it in my head the approximation of when I will be ovulating. Ugh. I was trying to not think about it this month... I do have to laugh at myself though b/c I know even though "I'm not trying this month" I know he still is at least secretly, but then I guess it's not really a secret is it? ha ha ha ha

Crash

For some reason I have not been sleeping well for about the last week or so. I knew it was starting to affect me yesterday afternoon. For instance, the whole "stinky situation" with Dave Matthews Band dropping 800 lbs of shit on a tour boat full of people was hilarious to me. Everytime I read something on-line about it or even heard anything on the news I just starting rolling with laughter. This probably isn't the most funny thing, but for some reason I thought it was. I get so giddy and laugh at things at people's expense. Of course sleep deprivation isn't the only thing that causes this, but yesterday it was a big factor. On the way home I could feel a headache coming on and knew I was getting close to crashing, so we just got Wendy's and went home. After dinner I took 2 benadryl and crashed before 7:00. I feel better today except now I'm sort of a medicine head. That's about as bad a feeling as being sleep deprived.

Weekend Update

As you can see from my last entry, I had a time of it last week. I'm still not sleeping great, but am feeling a little better.

Friday I wasn't feeling well, so I planted myself on the couch and we watched the movie "Butterfly Effect". Weird movie. It was good, but definitely out there! I ended up going to bed around 9:00. On Saturday we went to Indy and had lunch at Mug n' Bun, which is sorta like a Dog n' Suds, but way better. Then headed to the park for my alum event. It was pretty much a waste of time, but the park was nice and the weather was great! We went to this good mexican place for dinner then headed home. We had another disaster when we got home. Apparently one of our dogs thought she was getting left and decided to chew on the carpet again. This one much bigger than the last. We just bought a huge rug to put over it and then once I get pregnant we'll recarpet it. We plan on putting a wood floor down in the office, too for when the dogs move in there.

Yesterday we ran a few errands then when we got home I went into "clean house" mode. I mopped the kitchen and dining room floors and also both bathroom floors. I even moved everything out of the kitchen before I cleaned. Of course I swept the house, too and Eric dusted. Then if that wasn't enough I thoroughly cleaned our bathtub out. After that I made dinner and we watched the movie Taking Lives" w/ Angelina Jolee (another weird one) and the olympics.

Thank you to everyone who had me in their thoughts last week when I was down. I'm feeling better now. We aren't going to be "trying" this month. If you haven't noticed I've taken my FF ticker and link to my chart off my blog and I'm not even going to go into FF this month. The only thing I have on my calendar is when my next period is supposed to start. I guess maybe I just need a break from trying. Maybe I just have too many things going on right now. Whatever the reason, I need a break!

We go Saturday for a cookout for my brother who will be leaving for bootcamp on the 31st of August, so just a week away. We are planning on taking the video camera, so I'll try to be like Danialle and post the movie we make. I'm sure it won't be as good as hers though since it will be our first one.

Life is Frustrating

My Job. My job consists of bullshit receptionist stuff, that I am over-qualified for. I went to school for what??? Not that! I seem to be stuck in a rut though. I've tried staying at the University b/c it is a good place to work. Unfortunately there are not many administrative jobs open. And when you do see an open one, they normally already have someone in mind to fill the position, so in essence I'm screwed before I even apply. The economy sucks, so obviously there aren't many jobs open outside of the university either. I proposed a new job for myself in my current job and now I'm just basically screwing myself. I offered to be the webmaster for the school, which they really need, but instead of making that it's own position, they want to make it part of my current job (which still includes all the bullshit receptionist stuff). Now I'm not always busy during the day, but taking over the school's web is a full time job in itself. They also did offer to get me a student worker, so that might help. I guess it will depend on how much they compensate me. I imagine only $0.50 and I don't know that I want to take on that much more work for that little compensation. That equates to only about a 3% raise... I know I can do so much more, but can't seem to find my niche or something.

Trying to Get Pregnant. Well, I could probably go on for hours about this. All I really need to say is WHY THE HELL CAN'T I GET PREGNANT??? You may have noticed I don't have the little cycle ticker at the top of my page anymore, nor is there a link to my chart. Right now I've trashed them both at least for the time being. I see babies or pregnant ladies everywhere! I even heard some students talking about pregnancy this morning in the hall. It really gets me down sometimes. The doctor has said there is nothing wrong with either of us, so what the hell is the problem? I never thought it'd take longer than a year, even when it started getting close. Now we've past the one year mark and it just really pisses me off. I want to be getting fatter from a baby not just from fat. I want to be shopping for baby clothes and furniture and painting the nursery. Oh, and getting new carpet in there. This probably frustrates me the most in life right now. I've tried not to think about it the last few months, but for some reason today it's really bothering me!

I'm just venting like nobody's business.

Finally

Finally AF has arrived. She brought with her some mild cramps and some bowl problems, but nothing too major. At least she arrived. I'm curious to see now if the same things happens at the end of next month.

Weekend Update

Friday night we went down to C'ville to see my grandparents. My cousin Chad was there, too. It was a nice evening. We went to Little Mexico for dinner and then came back to their house and chatted before heading home.

On Saturday we drove around campus and checked out all the new kiddies moving in. Had lunch at Fazoli's and then headed to the movies to see Alien vs. Predator. Unfortunately we went to the campus cinema and there was a group of students behind us that wouldn't stop talking. I turned around once and told them to "Shut up or Leave" and this was after some glares we gave them that they didn't seem to understand. Then finally Eric told turned around and said something to them. They still talked through the movie, but it wasn't as much as before, so we just let it go, but gave them dirty looks when we left. We had pizza and watched a movie to finish off the night.

Yesterday we did our usual running around town. We looked at a photo printer b/c our sucks, but didn't end up buying one. Decided that taking them to Payless was still cheaper. We did however buy some software for our new video camera so we can edit the movies and turn them into DVDs. Then the usual grocery shopping. When we got home I switched to housewife mode and cleaned house. Then I cut up a fresh salad for this week, cut up a musk melon (which is very good), cut up some celery, baked some cookies, and then made dinner. We also went on a 30 min. walk last night, which was really nice, too. We decided to start walking more last night alternating between 10 min (3x), 30 min (2x), and @ 60 min (2x) throughout the week. However, I checked the weather this morning and it's supposed to rain everyday this week, so hopefully we can still get it in.

CD 29, 14 DPO

Well, my temp went down even more today, but still no sign of AF. This is so weird. I sure wish she'd just arrive and get it over with. I really don't know what to think about these last 2 cycles now... Weird is all I can come up with.

Day 27, 12 DPO...Soon to be Day 1

Well, my temp took a nose dive this morning, so we all know what that means. I hope she arrives today and it isn't like last month. Better luck next month...

Friday the 13th

Well, normally I don't have superstitions about "Friday the 13th", but today I'm beginning to wonder. Eric just called and he was in an accident today. He was turning left and out in the intersection and the other cars coming towards him were stopping, so he started to turn, but this lady decided she was going to blow the light and hit him in the back side. It basically broke off the valve stem on our tire and did some damage to the back quarter panel and the back pass door. Now Eric gets to spend the rest of the afternoon driving around to the various places to get the tire fixed, talk to our insurance, talk to our dealer, etc. I'm glad I'm at work! ha ha Although, I did get in trouble because I was at lunch and didn't have my cell phone on. Oops!

That's about the only weird thing that has happened to us so far today. Better knock on wood, the day isn't over yet!

Day 26, 11 DPO

Nothing different. Still stuck at the 98.1 range.

TTC Update

OK, I'm getting anxious and started temping early... It might jinx us, but maybe not. As you can see from my chart my temp was 98.3 yesterday and 98.1 today. I have a feeling the next couple days will be the deciding point. My bbs aren't as sore as they were last week, but they are still a little sore. I had a couple breakouts on my face this week, which have been happening the last few months a few days before AF arrives, so that might be an indicator. Of course, it could just be an indicator that my hormones are changing, too. (I hope!) Maybe we'll see a major change tomorrow in my temp. I have noticed the last few days that it seems like after O-time my CM really picked up... Don't know what the deal is, but it was a LOT yesterday. I'll update again tomorrow.

Even if I'm not pregnant this month, I know that my body is making progress and it won't be long now!

Weekend Update

Friday night I got home and Eric had already cleaned the house, so we had a pretty relaxing evening. I rented Mystic River, but ended up falling asleep half way through it.

On Saturday Eric got up early and couldn't sleep and I slept in a little. We got ready and Eric's parents arrived around noon. We had planned on going to Japanese, but our normal place was closed, so we (unfortuantely) settled for the other place. The food was ok, but we won't ever go back. The service was horrible. We finally got our california rolls when he was part way through w/ cooking our meal and that was after she gave another table ours, which ordered after us. You get the point. After lunch we headed to some stores. Eric's parents ended up buy us an early x-mas present, a camcorder, which we've been wanting for months now. We got quite a deal on it though, so we would have bought it even if they didn't. After shopping a few more stores we headed out to play a game of putt-putt (Donna won) and then hit some balls in the batting cage. Oh how I miss softball! :( Before going home we made a stop for frozen custard. They left shortly after we got home. We got a little break then my parents came up to visit. We visited with them for a little while then headed to BW3s for dinner. It was nice. The left around 10 and we were exhausted so we headed to bed.

Yesterday we were supposed to go to the Brickyard, but we were tired from the day before and just really didn't feel like fighting the crowd. We ended up going to Bed, Bath & Beyond and getting a new trash can (a really nice one) and a new duvet cover. We had a 20% & 15% coupons, so it was nice. We also got a few more pieces to go in the kitchen with my decor. We were trying to come up with some color to add to the kitchen, but haven't decided completely on anything yet. Eric would like to got w/ yellow, so I'm trying to come up with some things and see how it goes. I'm going to Hobby Lobby tonight to see if I can come up with some yellow accents that still goes w/ out blue and white Mandarin theme. If you have any ideas let me know. I'm working on trying to come up with something. I could use some ideas. Yesterday afternoon we watched parts of the race and just hung out, then last night we went on a short walk to finish up the evening.

On the fertility side
Nothing much to report really.I wasn't sure if my bbs were still as sore over the weekend, but they are back to being sore today, so we'll see what happens. As you can see from my chart I took my temp today and it was 98.1. Nothing exciting, but I thought I'd just check and make sure it was still up and all that good stuff. I should have started by this time next week, so I'll probably start temping over the weekend.

Fertility Trivia

Here's some interesting fertility trivia for the day...

*A study at the University of California School of Medicine revealed that men who cycle more than 100 km (65 miles) per week put their fertility at risk. The repeated banging of the groin against the bicycle seat can damage critical arteries and nerves

*Here's a clear cause of use it or lose it. Studies have shown that abstaining from sex for more than seven days can decrease the male partner's fertility. Any gain in sperm counts from lack of use is more than offset by the increased number of aged sperm cells with lower fertilization potential.

*Over $206 million dollars worth of pregnancy tests are sold in the U.S each year. (I know J * I have contributed to this...)

*Back in the 17th century, it was believed that a woman could tell whether or not she was pregnant by looking at her boiled urine. If she could see her reflection, she was pregnant! (Note: Don't try this at home.)

*Question: Who said, "Death and taxes and childbirth. There's never any convenient time for any of them?" Answer: Scarlett O'Hara!

*Keep in mind that babymaking is a numbers game. Even if you do everything "right," you still have only a 25% to 30% chance of conceiving in any given cycle.

* Here's a bit of sex-related trivia, just in case you and your partner are looking for a little inspiration. There are over 114 million sex acts performed around the world, according to a recent article on the Thrive@passion web site.

Job Opportunities

Ok, so I've decided to start job searching now. I updated my resume here at work and for the time being and going to stay here on campus. I'm hoping to get an administrative job, which is more my cup of tea. Of course it'd be more pay and better benefits (vacation, sick, etc.), so we'll see what happens. I put in for 3 jobs and will hopefully be called for at least 1 interview of the three. We'll see. I know the person interviewing for 2 of the jobs and also another person in that area, who I think will put in a word for me. It was hard telling my current boss and dept. head. They totally understood though. The dept. head told me, he'd just bring my back down the road when they had an open admin job, to be prepard. That was nice of him. I know he will at least try to do it, too b/c he brought my boss back after a few years, too. I really like where I work now, but it's just not challenging and I know I have more potential. Fortunately my bosses know it, too. I can't thank them enough though b/c if it wasn't for them I wouldn't even by at the University anymore. I had quit my last job (on campus) before I found this job, so essentially they saved me from being jobless. So far I've applied for 2 jobs within Engineering, but in different departments and 1 job that is in a brand new program and building. Heck, they only have one person hired in that area and it's the head of the department. I think I have a better chance at the engineering jobs, but I'll take what I can get. Any of the three would be challenging and good jobs.

On a side note: As my daily update, yep, my bbs are still sore. Yay! This new "symptom" has sorta got my brain running though b/c as I said before this has never happened to me before...

My BBs & My Mom

Nothing new to report today really. My bbs are still sore and Eric thinks it's funny. That is until I told him two can play in that game and I could tap his nether things.

It stormed last night and my dog is very afraid of storms so she usually just gets on the bed and lays at my feet or at my side. This morning she decided to lay on me with her legs on my bbs. That HURT!

Talked to my mom last night. She doesn't know that we are and have been trying to get pregnant. Anway, there was a baby there and my asked when we were going to have a baby. Being the smart butt I am, I told her when she quit smoking, she just might get a surprise. Of course, she said she'd quit today. I informed her that I wasn't pregnant right now (thinking I could be though), but told her she had to start working on that. Since she brought up the topic, I decided to ask her a few questions. I knew she was young and not married when she got pregnant with me, but she didn't realize she was pregnant until she was about 2 months. She just thought she had the flew. Before she found out, her & my dad went to Kings Island and I guess she was sick all the way there and they even stopped to get Pepto, but of course it didn't help. Hmmm... Wonder why? Anyway, I guess she was sick throughout her whole pregnancy with me, but I attribute that to probably her not good eating habits and also smoking. I guess I assume she didn't stop smoking when she was pregnant with me, since she did with my brother and sisters. Another interesting tidbit is that my mom was really sick with children 1 and 3, which are the best kids, but not children 2 and 4, which are a little more trouble makers... Anyway, apparently my mom and her sister went to the doc and found out she was pregnant and she cried the rest of the day. This was the start of an also very emotional pregnancy. I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the fact that she was young, too. I wish I could ask her more questions, but I don't want her to know that we are trying b/c that would probably stress me out. I think I'll start making a list of things to ask her when I am finally pregnant. So far I have down to ask her about labor and if she carried my full term and about her weight gain and stretch marks. If any of you readers think of good questions, comment and I'll write them on my list.

Confirmation

I know I've officially ovulated now. I'd still say I ovulated either Sunday or Monday, so I'll put a manual ovulation in Monday just to be safe. I think I could officially test on 8/18 or 16 DPO... If these tender bb's continue, I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long.

Now the waiting game begins...

Ovulate.... Maybe/Maybe Not

Ok. So my temp was only 97.7 this morning. In the past (when I was temping every day) that just meant I was getting ready to ovulate. So, I doubt I've ovulated yet if you look at those stats. Although this tender breast thing has thrown me for a loop. They are definitely still tender today... I guess we'll see how tomorrow's temp is. If tender breasts after ovulation is an indicator, then I'd say I O'd on Day 14 (Sunday). If temp is an indicator, then I'd say not yet. I think I'll do some research today on FF and see what others have been saying. Sounds like tender breasts might indicate I have ovulated. Of course, I don't hold too much in my thermometer either. The battery may be going or it might just be screwed up! (Remember last month at the end?)

Hmmm.... The analyzing begins...

Fertility Update

I noticed today that my bbs are sore. This is a rare thing for me. I don't normally have much sensation in that area and as we discussed at last GWO that would not be a good indicator of ovulation... Now for some reason they are sore. Odd. Today is Day 15 and I'm going to try to remember to take my temp in the morning so we know for sure. Of course, we are going to get another BD session in tonight just in case. I'll update tomorrow assuming I remember to temp in the morning.