Weekend... Complete w/ Pics!!

Our weekend was lazy again.

Friday we grabbed dinner out and then came home and vegged on the couch. Eric had a promotion and left around 9:30. I watched 3 episodes of Grey's*Anatomy (Season 1) and went to bed about 11:30.

Saturday we got up and I finished the last 3 episodes of Grey's. Then we got ready and took Godiva to the dog park. Before she got out of the car she was growling and had a mohawk down her back. Of course after she got out of the car she was complete baby and scared. We registered her and headed to play. When she first got inside she sorta froze anytime a dog would come up and smell her. Finally she got the hang of it and ran to her heart's content. She had a blast chasing other dogs. At one point we stopped to get a drink of water and for some reason she started rubbing her snout in the dirt. It was funny.






After we got home from the dog park we got cleaned up and headed to dinner at BW3*s. It was good as usual. We stopped to get some groceries and then headed home. I watched some TV and fell asleep on the couch.

Today I got up, had breakfast and read the newspaper. Then I got to cooking. See I've been quite addicted to the Food*Network the last few weekends and found some recipes I wanted to try. First I started with a turkey. A whole turkey mind you, for 2 people. :D It's called Garlic Citrus Turkey and it was wonderful. I stuffed it with a lemon, orange and garlic. Then basted it with this lemon juice, orange juice, garlic, fresh oregano mixture. See...


I also tried a recipe for penne w/ spinach sauce. It calls for reduced fat cream cheese, goat cheese (although I used feta), garlic (I forgot mine) and fresh baby spinach leaves.

I desperately needed a real food processor as the handy LITTLE one wasn't so handy so I didn't get it as mixed up as it should have been. However it turned out quite yummy. I even made Eric try the pasta even though he doesn't like spinach.

Eric told his mom he now has his own "Food*Network Chef", so I guess I have to live up to that. I'm digging the cooking though. I just need to get a bigger food processor and a real basting brush. I'm relaxing this evening and plan to watch Cold*Case and tape Grey's. Tomorrow we are hitting the gym in the morning, then work. Blah. Tuesday is the big day for the consultation about the study we are on the waiting list for that I mentioned a few days ago.

Hope everyone else had a good weekend, too!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Choose one: moving to another state, having triplets, or never being able to eat chocolate again.
*Having triplets, of course, because well... I'm an infertile... Why else? I could however be swayed to move to another state though, but only if the mandate fertility coverage. hee hee

Soup
Name a news story that truly shocked you.
*So much of the news is shocking these days. I'd have to say any story where a child is hurt being an adult. I just can't imagine how a person could harm a child.

Salad
What was your very first job?
*My first job was of course babysitting, my first paying/"real" job was a "Sandwich Artist" at Subway.

Main Course
If you had the chance to read the diary of someone you're really close to, would you? Why or why not?
*No, b/c if we were really close I would already know nearly everything that was in the diary. Even if I had a chance to read anyone's I wouldn't, although I'll admit it would be temping, but wrong.

Dessert
What's something you're looking forward to?
*Right now I would say I'm really looking forward to Danialle moving back to my area. We have big plans between the two of us and I can't wait to start on them.
*In the near future, I'm looking forward to having kids. One way or another we will have kids.
*In the far future, I'm looking forward to celebrating double digit anniversaries with my husband!

Feel free to borrow this and leave me a comment, so I can check yours out, too!

Courtesy of Friday's Feast

Calling all Designers...

I'm thinking of changing my blog up a little. Here's the problem... I have no idea what I"m doing & I can't afford to pay someone to do it for me... I know how to change color and that's about it. I was wondering if anyone of you out there have a few minutes to give me some pointers on how to design a new blog (even just a new header) or would be willing to design a new one for me. I hope someone can assist me in one form or another. I'm not even sure exactly what I want, something creative & catchy, but sleek & smooth. Anyway, if you'd be interested, leave me a comment and/or e-mail me. Thanks a bunch!

Oh and even if you have an idea on what you'd like to see on my blog or what "sounds like me", let me know that, too. I need all the help I can get. :D

I'm not even sure what my options are with blogger, I'd love to switch to typepad, but as I said I have a money issue, too...

B-I-G NEWS!!!

I haven't updated about our TTC adventures recently b/c we haven't really been trying very hard. We've decided to take a break and see what happens. In fact we also decided not to do any sort of treatments until 2008. We have some big things we want to do in the meantime and we don't feel like going into debt over fertility treatments is as close to the top as it was anymore. Don't get me wrong, we are definitely still trying, but just not every day around "the window", temping, anything. Just simply making love when the mood strikes us. Yes we still sorta "know" approximately when that said "window" is, b/c it's hard to re-train your brain not to know, but really just trying not to dwell on it.

So....on with the big news right? NO, I'm not pregnant...

I came across an article about a new fertility procedure they are trying in relation to IVF. A doctor near us is doing it and now they are doing clinical trials. You can guess where this is leading right? Eric called (b/c I was at work) to find out what the criteria is or how we could participate in the study. They gave him a link to go to and said if we met all the criteria then there was a number to call. I meet everything except the Day 3 testing. (and we just realized it's been over a year since his analysis). Ah, what the heck, I called anyway to see if that would totally rule me out. This was yesterday morning. I got voicemail, it figures....

Yesterday afternoon they call me back. She told me they are taking 15 patients for the study, plus a waiting list of 10. She would add me on the waiting list as #7. A long shot, yes, but not too long. We go next Tuesday to have a consulation with them. This would be free, however if they choose us to participate in the study then they will actually charge us for the consulation. Fair enough. They'll go over the criteria, the procedure, all kinds of stuff. Then I'll just have to sit and wait to see if my "Lucky Number 7" gets picked. Oh and I asked about the Day 3 testing and admitted that I had not met that criteria and she said it was not a big deal at all. They'd just require me to do it if they picked me and go from there. I assume this is true for the male analysis, too.

Even though our chances are slim I was super excited after I got off the phone yesterday. So much that I was actually shaking a little. Please, please, please let #7 be our lucky number!!!

Oh and after I know a little more about it (or when we are picked) I'll fill you in on what the actual study is... Doesn't feel right sharing it just yet. In fact, I know a few of your are local readers, so if you know the study I'm talking about (or figure it out for the non-locals) DO NOT comment about it here. Please feel free to e-mail me though. Big thanks! :D

Help Me Dear, Dear Readers

We need your help. Unfortunately we had to cancel our trip to Seattle this June b/c of cost. We weren't able to get the timeshare like we thought and between hotel, flights, car, etc. it was just going to be way out of our budget to go. Sooo.... when my in-laws were over last weekend they told us about these 3 day, 2 night trips they had and they said we could use. We thought we'd pick something w/in driving distance and plan to go sometime this fall. Unfortunately we don't have lot of choices, but we've narrowed it down to 2. Actually there are really only 3 w/in driving distance. :D

Gatlinburg, TN or Branson, MO

I wasn't thrilled with the idea of Branson at first, but after doing some research, here's what I've come up with on "Things to do...

Gatlinburg, TN
*Smokey Mountains (obviously)
*Museums (Ripley's, Guinness Book of Records, etc.)
*Cade's Cove
*Sky Lift
*Winery

Branson, MO
*Ozarks (plane, helicopter, boat)
*Outlet Mall
*Silver Dollar City
*Winery
*Inspiration Tower
*Museums (Ripleys, etc)
*Caverns & Caves

I wasn't as into Branson at first b/c we just aren't into the "shows" they offer, but after checking out other things it might not be such a bad deal.

So, I need your help! If you've been there (to either) tell me what you love and hate, recommend and don't recommend, must sees and skips! You get the idea. I have been to Gaitlinburg when I was young and I know it would be fun. My family has been to Branson, but they go for the "shows", so I'm not as inclined to ask them about things to do/see. Although I will after we've done all our research and you've told me all you know!

Thanks so much for your help if you can offer it. It's greatly appreciated!

Weekend

Overall we had a pretty borning weekend, which was perfectly fine with us since it was the first one this year we haven't had something scheduled. Friday night we grabbed dinner out and then headed home. Saturday Eric let me sleep in and I didn't get up until almost 10! I never sleep this late, but it was nice. I had breakfast, then I went to work steam cleaning our bedroom and the office. The carpets definitely look better, but I wasn't as pleased with the office. We spent the rest of the day being lazy. Since I cleaned the office, Eric was forced to sit on the couch with me and we did enjoy each other. We watched some movies and were just plain lazy. Yesterday we got up early and headed out to breakfast at i*Hop. It was quite yummy. After breakfast we wondered around Sam*s, then headed to Pet*Smart to get Godiva a harness to try to break her from walking me instead of the other way around. Plus we had a $5 off coupon, so bonus! After that we picked up some pictures I had printed and then headed to the grocery store. After we got home I spent the rest of the day on the couch. Breakfast didn't sit well or something, but my stomach was in knots. I was fine laying down, but as soon as I'd get up it started getting upset again. I didn't mind too much except I would have liked to do a couple things. Yesterday evening I started going through a bunch of stuff I've collected to scrapbook. I actually put all of the stuff in Eric & my scrapbook and made a list of some pics I need to print to finish it. It goes from 2001-2005. I'm going to start a new one for 2006-whenever it gets full. It was fun putting all that stuff in. I also went through all of our GWO stuff and boy am I behind in it!!! I need to start w/ GWO 8 - Oct 2004. I organized each one though and put all the stuff in differnt envelopes, so all I need to do now is print out the recaps and pics and then put it all in my scrapbook. It was actually really fun. My next project after those is to work on a scrapbook for my brother. I have a lot of the pics printed, but I want to get caught up on the other stuff first, just for myself. Before I went to bed last night Eric gave me a nice back massage with oil. It really was a nice weekend even if we didn't have anything planned.

Friday Feast

Courtesy of...Friday Feast... Thought this looked fun...

Appetizer
If you were a color, which color would you be, and why?
Medium Blue, I don't really have a reason, it's just my favorite color.

Soup
When was the last time you went to the doctor, and what was your reason for going?
Podiatrist, last week b/c of my foot problem, now know as sesamoiditis. It's something dancers and runners get... I am NOT a dancer or runner. It figures.

Salad
What do you collect?
I collect a few odds and ends, but nothing extreme. I like imperial glass in the blue/purple carnival glass color. I also collect wooden safari type things like masks, animals, boxes, etc.

Main Course
What were you like in high school? Name one thing you miss and one thing you don't miss about those days. (If you're still there, imagine how you'll remember it in the future.)
I was shy in high school. I never really felt like I "belonged" in any group although I never really let on. I realize now that was just fine. Miss about HS - I suppose the lack of responsbility and the free spirit of doing things like playing softball, going to football games, hanging out with friends, etc. Do NOT miss - the stupid cliches and that stupid idiot of a guy I called my boyfriend and wasted 4 years with. Of course I learned exactly what I did NOT want in a relationship from him. hee hee

Dessert
Pretend you're standing in front of your home, with your back towards your home. Describe the view - what can you see? Trees? Cars? A zoo? Wal-Mart?
I see houses b/c we live in a cul-de-sac. I also see the top part of a child as she swings just above the the top of their privacy fence. I see a part of a trail that runs through our neighborhood. There are a few trees, but they are young trees. The only "big" tree is the weeping willow, which is gorgeous until it starts losing all those leaves and they blow all over the neighborhood.

Surprise!

I got an extra special surprise last night for Valentine's. Eric got me 2 massage gift certificates at the local spa. I'm so excited to call and make an appointment for them! It was a very pleasant surprise.

Oh and for dinner last night we went to our favorite Japanese restaurant Mt*Fuji. I had thought to myself that we should go there, but didn't say anything. Thankfully he read my mind (or was thinking the same thing). It was very yummy as usual and we beat the crowd b/c I think when we left there was only maybe one table empty.

Happy Valentine's Day

I don't get to hung up on valentine's day, but wanted to wish you all a happy one anyway. Eric got me a huge red pot to replant my tree in this weekend, which was my gift for Valentine's day. I repotted it last night. We exchanged cute cards this morning and will go out to dinner tonight, but I'm not sure where. I told him to surprise me. I also bought some sexy lingerie for me to wear tonight for his Valentine's day present, which is perfectly fine with him. (ha ha) He was with me, so essentially he helped pick it out.

What are you doing for Valentine's day?

Weekend

Our weekend was quite full and hectic. Friday I got off work early and my in-laws got into town about 4 pm. We chatted a bit then hit the road to head downtown for the Pacer*s game. We got downtown without too much traffic and headed for dinner first. We went to Hard*Rock, but the music was extremely loud, so we left and went to Spaghetti*Factory. It was quite yummy. I actually tried some spinach ravioli w/ marinara and they were good. Plus I had some spaghetti marinara. After dinner Eric was supposed to meet his boss and C wasn't there yet, so we went over to the mall for a little while to waste some time. C called to say he was about 20 minutes out, so we headed towards the game. Eric & his dad stopped at the meeting point and Eric's mom & I headed on in to the game. We chatted for a while and eventually the guys came. We watched the game, but ended up leaving after the 3rd quarter b/c it was rather boring. After we got home we all pretty much went to bed.

Saturday we got up and got ready. We headed for a late morning breakfast. Unfortunately we couldn't eat at the place we hoped and breakfast wasn't all that great. Then we ran around town. We went to Sam*s, Target, HH*Gregg, Best*Buy, and the mall. On our way home we stopped to get some chocolates and some Birthday Cake Custard for Eric's mom. We were all pretty exhausted when we got home for the day of shopping. Eric's parent's left shortly after and Eric & I got ready for our evening. They opened a few BW3*s and we were invited to the VIP party. It was packed, but we managed to grab some food and talk to some people. Then we headed home.

Sunday we had a little bit of a lazy morning. We left and got groceries and a few other things late morning. After we got back I started cleaning the living room carpet and it looks much better! It probably took longer to clean it than it should, but it was my first time. I'm so glad to have a steam cleaner now. It got some stains out and I just feel like the carpet it fluffier now or something. I spent the rest of the evening on the couch. We watched the movie Doom and then headed to bed.

Friday Five

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a vet.

2. Did you follow through? If not, what happened?
No, I just decided that was not my path of life. I was so ready to get out of HS that I sat out for a bit. Then when I did go back to school I had to pay for it myself and thought the only way to go was a business school. By then it didn't even cross my mind to go to vet school.

3. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse?
In a lot of ways it's not how I thought, but in a lot of ways it is how I planned it. I knew I'd marry a wonderful man although I never planned on going through a few bad relationships to get there. My career isn't where I thought I'd be, but then again I'm sorta content with not having an extremely demanding career. I'm sorta mediocre in that area. I definitely thought I'd have kids and maybe even by done having kids by now. Turns out that was way off. I always knew I'd be ok financially and would live in a decent house that we owned. I lived in a trailer for a bit growing up and vowed to never go down that route again.

4. Paradoxes aside, if you could time-travel back to when you were 10 years old, what would you tell your 10-year-old self?
Definitely not to care what others think. I was so self conscious of myself and I was so shy and introverted. I never thought I was "good enough" for anything. Looking back I was a great kid. I'd tell myself it is absolutely what's on the inside that counts, not what you are wearing or how pretty you are. I'd also tell myself to be closer to my brother...

5. Do you think the child you were, would like the adult you've become?
Overall I think that yes, I, as a child, would be quite thrilled with how I've turned out as an adult. I hope to continue to do well in life and all things.

Soft Water, In-laws, Steam Cleaning, Pinkness (aka Ramblings)

Last Friday some guys came and installed our new "water treatment system". Finally after 2 1/2 years we have soft water in our house. Our toilets are clean enough to.... let the dogs drink from. Hee hee I spent a little while Saturday night cleaning my bathtub, which to my dismay was much easier to clean than before. It's all probably just in my head though. Plus we cleaned the sinks out and Eric cleaned the toilets. Well, I helped by putting "the*works" in, so he didn't have much of a choice. I'm crazy, but I am really enjoying my new system. The reverse osmosis thing I'm not so sure about yet. It seems good, but it's going to be a few more days before I can give an adequate evaluation.

Tomorrow my in-laws are coming to town. Unfortunately they are forcasting snow and crap weather. It's going to be a little slow going. Anyway, I'm getting off work at 3 and soon after we are heading downtown for dinner and the Pacer*s game. Should be a lot of fun!

Oh and apparently my MIL heard me talking about a carpet cleaner over Christmas (I don't remember talking about it though). Anyway, a few weeks ago she called to say she found a great deal on one and bought it for us for our anniversary (in April). I am tickled pink! I have wanted one for several years, but we just didn't want to spend the money. (Weird, I know) Now I'm finally getting one and will spend the rest of the weekend steam cleaning my floors. (Assuming she brings it this weekend of course!) I hope to see some nice results. Our carpet isn't that bad, but we have light tan carpet and I'm sure they are dirtier than they look. Especially with 3 dogs!

I accidentally found out what I might be getting for V-day next week, too. Eric is trying to work out a deal now, but he hopes to have this cute little device in my hand soon, if all works out and hopefully for a very minimal amount.

A to Z - Meme

A - Accent: Hoosier Hick

B - Breakfast Item: Sausage Biscuits and Gravy

C - Chore you hate: Washing Dishes by Hand!

D - Dad's Name: Brad

E - Essential everyday item: Wedding Ring

F - Flavour ice cream: Chocolate of course!

G - Gold or Silver?: Gold

H - Happy Place: On the couch w/ Eric & Godiva

I - Insomnia: Yea, it sucks!

J - Job-Love or Want to Leave: Like what I do, don't like co-workers so much

K - Kids: Want some soon!

L - Living arrangements: Hubby, 3 Dogs, Fish

M - Mom's birthplace: C'ville

N - Number of lovers you've had: A woman never tells...

O - Overnight hospital stays: When I had pneumonia in 5th grade

P - Phobia: Suffering when I die

Q - Question: Do I have to have one?

R - Religious Affiliation: Agnostic

S - Siblings: All younger - 1 Brother (22)(passed away), 2 Sisters (19 & 17), 1 Step-Sister (23)

T - Time you wake up: 5:51 regularly or 5:01 if we go to the gym before work

U - Unnatural hair colors you've had: Probably this one time my cousin Jamie & I tried to dye my hair purple with koolaid although it didn't work very well. Maybe b/c we used the kind w/ the sugar already added... Who knows!?

V - Vegetable you refuse to eat: Peas! Yuck!

W - Worst habit: Not sure, you should ask my husband. :D

X - X-rays you've had: Ovaries, Teeth, Nose, Finger, Foot, Chest, Arm

Y - Yummy: Mexican Food!

Z - Zodiac sign: Pisces

Now it's your turn to have some A to Z fun. :D

Weekend Recap

My weekend was not great. Friday I found out my gramps was in the hospital. He had an infection around his heart and was in lot of pain. They took him by ambulance to a bigger hospital late Friday evening. After work we went to our local hospital to see Baby Harper and let J & K know about gramps. My cousins, D & C, came down and got to our house about 9 pm and we headed to the hospital. We visited with my gramps and even practiced what he would say when he gets a job at Home*Depot. He currently works in the shittiest factory around and it's seriously killing him. I think he realizes now that he needs to retire. We left the hospital around 1 am. Obviously we went straight to bed when we got home.

Around 9 am Saturday morning we got a call that gramps had had a minor heart attack and they were going to take him in to surgery later that day for do a heart catheterization. We headed to the local hospital so D & C could see Baby Harper, then headed to C'ville to visit my brother's grave since it was his birthday. We took a balloon and some roses there. It's so hard to believe he's gone. I miss him so much. An ironic thing happened though. When we were at Kroger getting the flowers and balloon, Eric stopped in the restroom. He came out with this weird look on his face and told us that above the urinal someone had written, "Krystal M--ion Slut" Her whole name was all wrote out though. This was my brother's estranged wife. Weird, huh? Anyway, I made Eric take pics, but it was on a metal plate and you couldn't make it out in the picture. Just freaked us all out. After visiting Matt's grave we headed back to our house. D & C left and headed to the hospital to see gramps. I took a long nap. When I woke up I decided to clean our bathtub and bathrooms. It had to be done and I knew I wouldn't have time on Sunday. They looks great now though. D called and said gramps was doing great since his surgery. He had 95% blockage, but they used the balloon and cleared the blockage. He was eating and using the restroom and the works. I felt so much better.

Sunday we got up early and headed to Indy to visit my gramps. He was doing great! We spent a couple of hours with him and then headed back home. We got groceries and spent the evening watching the Superbowl. I did go to bed around 9:45 as I was just exhausted from the weekend.

Today I go to the foot doc to find out about my sore foot. Hopefully it's something minor that can be fixed with either a prescription or some kind of foot pad. We'll see shortly though!

Happy Birthday Matt

Today, February 4, is my brother's birthday. I miss him so much! My life has changed so much since he passed away. It's just not fair that he's gone. I know he's in a better place and I know he's always with me where ever I go, but I want to be able to call him on the phone or see he loving face. I want to hear him say his famous words, "I know". I'm selfish, but it's ok. It's so hard to believe that he's been gone a little over 6 months now.

Happy Birthday Matt! I love & miss you so much!


This is a picture of he & I at Christmas 2004.

P.S.

Check this out courtesy of Kitten! You have to know my brother, but he was notorious for this. It made my day seeing that this morning! Thank you so much Kitten!

Bad News

Just found out my gramps is in the hospital again. He was in a lot of pain so they went to the hospital. He apparently has a staph infection (he had surgery a few weeks ago) and now it is affecting his heart. Apparently he got an ekg and it was quite low so they are taking him to a bigger, better hospital. We are going down tonight it looks like. This really sucks!

Baby Harper

My cousins Joe & Krystal welcomed their new baby boy today, February 2, 2006 at 4:50 am. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure. Sadly I didn't get any of Krystal, but my sister did so hopefully she sends it my way today.







There are a couple more over in my flickr album, too.

$$ Cha-Ching $$

Finished up our taxes this morning. Already got an e-mail saying we will get the moolah transferred to our account on 2/10. Unfortunately it's already spent, but for good things. Not wasteful. ha ha ha

We have to do state this weekend. When I tried to do it on-line it said we owed and that just can't be the case. Of course we had to do state on paper last year for the same reason and yes we got a refundola.