ICLW Failure

That would be me.  I have failed miserably during this month's ICLW.  I took a couple of months off for various reasons--then signed up for July because I thought it would be a nice way to end my summer break as I must return to school tomorrow.  Wednesday and Thursday I was able to meet my comment goal just fine, as well as post.  Friday, though, was a different story.  As soon as I made my blog post on Friday morning, I checked my email to find this note from J: "Mom is home sick.  Can you go over there and check on her?"  Sure thing!  No problem. (Honest--no sarcasm here.)  We emailed back and forth a couple of times so I could get some more information, then I quickly pushed aside my plans to spend the day working in my classroom to tend to my mother-in-law. 

When I arrived, she let me in and resumed her position in the recliner with the heating pad.  She was in A LOT of pain, and I offered to take her wherever she wanted to go (doctor, UrgentCare, ER, you name it).  She said she'd already called her doctor and he would be out of town until Tuesday.  I stood in the middle of her living room until she agreed to let me take her somewhere.  Good thing, too.  After a trip to the doctor's office, then the hospital for a CT scan, she was hospitalized for pancreatitis.  Not a fun illness.  At all.  So, I tell you this not to gain sympathy nor to complain, but rather to explain where I have been.  She is hoping to get to come home today, but we'll see.  I'm about to head that way myself to check on her. 

I cannot apologize enough for dropping the ball with my commenting for ICLW this month, but I have kept the list and plan to make it up to you all.  If you visited my blog, I truly appreciate your comments and/or thoughts.  While I won't meet my goal during the official ICLW week, I WILL return the love and hold up my end of the bargain.  Oh, on another note, I noticed that I've lost a "follower."  For whatever reason you left me, I hope you find the blog that is right for you.

Hugs and baby dust,

These are a few of my favorite things...

Fab 5 Friday...Entertainment Edition!  It's that time of the week again--time for a rundown of five of my all-time favorite things.  If you're new here, you should know that I like themes.  Sometimes, my posts are very random, but when I can come up with the right stuff, I choose a theme for my posts.  So, today I will share five of my favorite forms of entertainment.  They are in no particular order.

#5 -- Broadway musicals/stage plays

Whether I'm in the audience or on stage myself, theater is definitely among the top of my list of entertainment favorites.  Acting is one of my favorite forms of stress relief.  (Ironically, while in the production phase, it's also at the top of my list of stress inducers...) 

#4 -- Music

I'm open to most types of music (there are a few exceptions--for example, I don't  listen fast enough for Rap, and I don't like it when artists just "scream" at me through their lyrics).  When I was young, my parents didn't listen to much other than country.  Imagine my surprise when I turned 16, learned to drive, and found that there ARE other radio stations!  Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration.  (I was a child of the 80's, so I was quite familiar with The New Ki.ds on the Bl.ock...)  Seriously, though, when I got married I think I inherited the largest selection of music I could imagine (DH used to work on radio).  When I put my I.po.d on shuffle, you just might hear anything from Sin.atra to Nicke.lback to Pache.lbel's Canon.  Yes, my taste is quite eclectic.

#3 -- Movies

Like many women, my favorites are romantic comedies.  But I also like a good drama, and sign me up for a great action film!  Having seen the movie countless times (every Saturday for a couple of years during high school) and performed in the stage version twice, Ste.el Mag.nolias is one of my all-time favorites.  DH doesn't understand why I like to watch things over and over and over, but I don't think you can have a "favorite" anything if you can't quote most of it! 

#2 -- Books

I've always loved to read...well, I suppose not always.  After all, I didn't even learn how completely until the first grade.  But growing up, it was pretty rare to find me without a book in my hands.  My aunt used to complain that I brought one with me on Sundays to my grandmother's house or on vacation with us and I couldn't even "socialize" for having my nose stuck in a book. (I wish I could snatch a few of those precious moments back now.)  And my parents used to punish me for doing something by sending me to my room and telling me not to read.  Hmph.  Anywho, after all the heavy reading of college and grad school, I'm currently very much into chick-lit.  It's a nice distraction from all my empty-womb worries, but you have to be careful--every once in a while they'll sneak baby-talk in there.

#1 -- Reality  TV

What is the deal here?  I just can't stop myself!  I don't know if it's the whole "unscripted" thing that I find so appealing about reality television, but I just can't get enough!  In particular, I love Bi.g Bro.ther and The Am.azing Ra.ce.  I REALLY liked The Mo.le, but it doesn't come on anymore. 

So, what keeps you entertained? 

Happy Friday everyone!  Yay!  The weekend is here!  I'd better enjoy it.  It's my last before school starts.  Here's to a new group of 5th graders!

Hugs and baby dust,

Thoughtful Thursday

I was at a loss for inspiring quotes for this week's post, when I came across this video a friend sent me a few months back.  It's pretty neat.  Check it out, if you have a minute.

A palindrome reads the same backwards as forward. This video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward. Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite..


This is only a 1 minute, 44 second video and it is brilliant. Make sure you read as well as listen...forward and backward.

This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50" by AARP. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant.

Take a minute and watch it. 
 
Lost Generation
 
Hugs and baby dust,
 

Wednesday Wishes & Welcome ICLW!

Boy, it seems like I have several things to post about today. First of all, if you're stopping by for ICLW, I'd like to welcome you to my little corner of the blogosphere. One thing I'd like you to know about my blog--yes, we are TTC and yes, it consumes my brain nearly every waking moment. But I try very hard not to fill all my posts completely with that topic. For more information about my TTC history, you can read more here and here.

Thanks to those of you who rendered guesses as to yesterday's "Two Truths and a Lie." Here are the answers:

1. I am a night owl. -- Lie! I have to have my sleep, and if I'm up past 11:00, I can't gaurantee coherent speech. Plus, I get all giggly.

2. I can tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue. -- Truth! I haven't done this much, but I have tried it (with success) a couple of times. I can't do it with a short stem, though.

3. I love pajamas. -- Truth! This one is sort of mixed. I do love pajamas, but I am not one to wear them all day long. My mom was a teacher, and I can remember days when she would wear her pjs all day long during the summer or on a Saturday or snow day. I can't do that and get anything accomplished. I prefer to wear "clothes" if I'm not sick or something. But I absolutely love, love, love getting new pajamas.

Now, for my Wednesday wish...it's rather simple, really. I wish that my house addition was finished! Here are some pictures of our most recent developments--stairs and windows. At least now I don't have to take the groceries completely around the house to get in. (Doesn't take much to make me happy, huh?)

Door #1 goes to the MIL suite, door #2 leads upstairs, and door #3 goes out into the garage.

Upstairs...MIL living room/kitchenette

Yay for windows!  Won't a Christmas tree look lovely in that top window?

If you've been following me for very long, you may have noticed that I've been changing my background a lot in the last couple of weeks. I'm trying to find something I like. I thought I'd found it, but I like this one better before it all loads. I hate that it's so hard to read with that orange panel behind the text. I like it better when that part is still white, and I thought that's what it was going to be when I downloaded it. Hopefully, I'll be able to settle on something soon. Sorry things keep changing. I'm just trying to make my space pretty for you (and easy to read, too)!

Hugs and baby dust,

Two Truths & a Lie

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Since I went on and on and on yesterday, I'll keep today's post short. Sorry--I tend to be long-winded at times. It's nothing new. Get used to it. ;-)

Here are today's "Angie Statements." If you've read this blog very long, you know the drill. If you're new here, I'll present 3 statements about myself. Two of them are the honest-to-goodness truth, but one of them is a "lie." (Most of the time, they actually sound true.) If you'd like to "play" my game, guess which one is the lie. On Wednesday, I'll reveal the untruth. Sometimes, they have a theme, and sometimes they are just random statements. Have fun!

1. I am a night owl.

2. I can tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue.

3. I love pajamas.

Which statement is not true?


Hugs and baby dust,

Blogger Templates

Atypical Monday...

In typing that title, I couldn't help but notice how something as simple as spacing changes the entire meaning of the phrase.  For instance, had I hit that long, blank bar at the bottom of my keyboard after typing the letter "A," this post's title would read, "A typical Monday;" but because I did not, it reads, "Atypical Monday," indicating that this was, indeed, not a normal Monday.  Hm.  Yes, I am a dork.  Or a nerd.  Or whatever else you care to call it.  These are the things I notice.  Everywhere.  But at least I have fun.  (Case in point: on a recent trip to an amusement park, my brother and I commenced to reciting the instructions for our statewide assessment on a roller coaster ride when we realized ours was a car with a camera attached.  See?  I guess we're both dorks.)

But, I digress.  (Don't I always?)  Here's a rundown of my not-so-ordinary day.  Remember, I like to make lists, so I'll give you a list of the day's events. 

* Wake up early (like 5:30) to bang, bang, bang on the other side of the wall.  (Dang construction.)  It's okay.  J gets up at 6:00 anyway.
* 6:50 -- J leaves for work.  Watch a DVR'd episode of The Na.nny. 
* 7:10 -- decide my head is killing me; go back to bed.
* 7:12 -- can't get back to sleep (still bang, bang, bang in the new family room).
* 7:15 -- stay snuggled in bed anyway with J's pillow over my head to shield from the light; set alarm for 9:00.
*8:45 -- bang, bang, bang stops (figures); decide I'm not going to fall asleep for 15 minutes, so I get up.
*8:47 -- watch another episode of The Na.nnny (I love that show); eat breakfast and take meds
*9:10 -- check blogger dashboard for friends' updates (aww...I love you guys)
*9:20 -- look through sale papers from yesterday's paper to see what's on sale that I might need to pick up while I'm in town
*9:23 -- mad because I got jipped out of some very important ads (no K.Mart or St.aples in my paper this week...grr...)
*9:25 -- look up St.aples ad online
*9:30 -- check blogger dashboard again
*9:50 -- take a shower
*10:05 -- get back in shower after drying off because I realize I didn't shave my legs (grr)
*10:15 -- sort laundry, put load in washer and prepare to start when I get back home
*10:20 -- put ham in slow cooker for dinner
*10:30 -- dry hair, brush teeth, put on enough makeup so as not to scare anyone
*10:50 -- leave for BG
*11:20 -- pick up meds at the drugstore
*11:27 -- arrive at St.aples; buy 2 packs of mechanical pencils for my prize box and 2 pencil boxes for my beginning of the year drawing (total spent: $1.06)
*11:40 -- move on to Off.ice De.pot; rearrange the inventory for them searching for Wide Ruled notebook paper; buy 5 packs of said paper and 5 folders (total spent: $1.59)
*12:01 -- too early to go to the doctor, so I go to Ko.hl's to kill some time; no intentions of buying anything
*12:30 -- try on some athletic shoes; don't really need any, but thought I'd look while I had 20% off
*12:35 -- find some denim capris on sale; decide to try them on, despite the fact that they don't have my size--let's try a size smaller
*12:40 -- surprise!  They fit!
*12:45 -- measure them with another pair (they must have been sized wrong)
*12:50 -- nope, they were the same size as 3 other pairs; search for a cute top to go with them
*12:55 -- try on top with capris; wonder if the sticker will stay on the leg that says they are an 8?  (Isn't it sad that I'm so excited over wearing an 8?  That's the smallest size I've ever worn in my adult life.)
*1:00 -- check out (total spent: $21.18...not too bad!)
*1:20 -- stop by Kro.ger on the way to the doctor to get some pain reliever for this darned headache that won't leave; make a pit stop at the restroom (can't get weighed without emptying the ole bladder, ya know); also, get $10 worth of gas (enough to make it through the rest of the week...maybe it'll go down by the weekend) 
*1:34 -- park car at the doctor's office; check shoes for rocks (again, don't want anything to weigh me down)
*2:00 -- in exam room, waiting for doctor; weighed the same (bummer, but at least I didn't gain anything, considering I've been on a 6-day cruise and 6-night trip to the mountains since my last visit)
*2:30 -- leaving doctor's office; don't have to come back 'til November!  Stop by Son.ic for a kid's meal with apples and a large Spri.te Ze.ro on the way home
*3:05 -- home; we have windows!  (Don't be alarmed; we've always had windows--I just meant in the new part of the house.) 
*3:10 -- try on new capris again, just to make sure they still fit; they do
*3:15 -- check blogger dashboard again to catch up; watch a couple more episodes of The Na.nny.
*4:00 -- start dinner; break knife dicing potatoes (guess who needs a better knife?)

Okay, so I guess it really was A TYPICAL DAY, after all.  The only thing atypical about it is that I now have a pair of size 8 bluejean capris hanging in my closet.  I know you skinny-minnies out there are probably wondering what all the fuss is about, but if you've ever been a 16, you understand.  While I still weigh more than most people would guess, I'm excited that things are looking up.  Maybe one of these days, I'll get to buy maternity jeans...

Hope you've all had a fabulous Monday.

Hugs and baby dust,

Saturday Smorgasbord

Good morning, all.  I've got lots on my mind this morning, but I'll try not to rant too long.  I just have a couple of things I need to vent about.  Sorry, but it's my blog and I'll rant if I want to.  You don't have to read it.  Feel free to leave now.  (However, I DID manage to find some funny quotes that I will save for the end, so as to "reward" you for sticking with my post that long.)

********************************Depression Vent**********************************************

I learned something very depressing yesterday...a student from my very first class (you know, the class that graduated this year), is expecting.  A little girl.  Gosh.  At least I got married before he did.  I suppose it could be worse.  I could have been his kindergarten teacher.  But being his 5th grade teacher is bad enough when you think about him beating me to parenthood.  I was 22 when he was 10.  Now he'll get to celebrate Father's Day before my sweet husband.  Talk about unfair.

Wait a minute.  I just remembered something....another former student of mine had a baby last year.  She was an eighth grader.  It makes me sad to think about.  So I'll try not to.

*************************************SIL Vent**********************************************

She drives me CRAZY sometimes!  I know I shouldn't pay any attention to some of the things she does, but she happens to be the mother of my precious nephew and niece, so I have a vested interested in her shenanigans.  I don't think she knows how lucky she is to have such darling little ones.  I know for a fact that she takes them for granted.  Please don't think I'm being too harsh, but it really bothers me that she takes them to the baby-sitter's at least once a week (perhaps more on some weeks), and has all summer long.  She doesn't work, and isn't taking summer classes.  She just takes them so she can "have a break."  From what?  Being a mom?  Next thing you know, they'll be griping about money troubles.  Gee, I know how they could have saved some money...  Sorry.  I guess it's really none of my business. 

Okay, I'm done being sad for today.  Here are some funny quotes I ran across and thought I'd share them with you.  I hope to have a house update with some pics tomorrow.  Happy weekend, everyone!


* Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

* Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

* Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to make mistakes when nobody is looking.

* If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

* Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.


Hugs and baby dust,

Fab 5 Friday...

...Comfort Food Edition!

AF has not been kind to me this week, and I wanted desperately to turn to some of my favorite treats for comfort. But, for the most part, I was able to resist. (Okay, I skipped 3 out of 5.) Here are some of my favorite comfort foods.

#5 -- Doritos

The original, Nacho Cheese flavor, nonetheless. Oh, how I miss your cheesy, crunchy, leave-your-fingers-orange goodness.

#4 -- Sweet Tea

I can't indulge in this very often for several reasons. First of all, there's the calories. Then, of course, there's the caffeine. Not only is it a no-no for TTC purposes, but it also counteracts my blood pressure medicine. I stay away from it whenever possible. That leaves out the tea at restaurants. At home, I can make the decaffeinated version. With Sple.nda. Yum.

#3 -- Marshmallows & Chocolate Chips

This is actually very good. I discovered it last year after celebrating "National S'mores Day" with my students. I had some leftover chocolate and marshmallows, and tried them one day in a moment of desperate hunger. It was so yummy! (And I indulged in some this week. *Hangs head in shame.*)

#2 -- Mashed Potatoes

I made these for dinner--with skim milk and light butter--on Tuesday night, and I could have eaten the whole bowl myself! I didn't even care if I had anything to go with them. But, I shared them with DH, since it was part of dinner.

#1 -- Bru.ster's Ice Cream

Current favorite flavor--chocolate peanut butter buckeye. Ooh, how I wish I had some right now. Or any other day, for that matter. It's is a butterfudge ice cream with miniature buckeyes mixed in. Yummy, yummy, yummy!

Now that we're dieting, I try not to depend on food when Mother Nature throws curve balls, but it's still nice to have a treat now and then. How do you combat the wicked witch?

***************************************************************************
As for Tuesday's Two Truths and a Lie, here are the answers:

1. I am addicted to list-making. Truth. As a matter of fact, yesterday I made a list of all the lists I need to make for the beginning of school!

2. I can't seem to sleep in past 5:30. Lie... but not by much. Due to construction, I have had ZERO days to sleep in this summer. They've been here working super early (usually somewhere between 5:15 and 5:45) to beat the heat. But DH gets up at 6:00, and I rarely go back to sleep after that. Occasionally, I sneak in a quick snooze in the afternoon when all the workers are gone and before starting dinner.

3. I am a big fan of naps. Truth. I'd take one every day if I could!

Hugs and baby dust,

Two Truths and a Lie

Yesterday, in the midst of doing laundry, I went to town with mom to get some *gulp* school supplies for the upcoming school year. Normally, this task is met with the same butterflies and excitement that I had when I was a student, but I just couldn't muster up those feelings this year for some reason. I really do love my job, but it's very hard to believe that in just over a week, I'll have to begin getting things ready for a fresh batch of minds to mold. Where has the summer gone? Ah, well. I suppose you're not here to listen to my banter, but rather to ponder this week's "two truths and a lie." So, without further ado, here they are:

1. I am addicted to list-making.

2. I can't seem to sleep in past 5:30.

3. I am a big fan of naps.

One of these gems was at least partially made up. Which one? You decide!

Hugs and baby dust,

Here's your sign...

We just got back from a trip to the mountains on Saturday evening. Here are a few pictures of funny/unusual signs I snapped on our trip. Enjoy...some are funny, some just have mistakes.

Hmm....very interesting.  Of course, we didn't see this sign until after we'd paid to see the bears at Ob.er Gat.linburg.  Luckily, they were mostly napping while we were there.

Hey, those "ornainents" look just like Christmas ornaments!

I know, there's a bad glare on this one.  In case you can't make out the words, it says "Going out for business!"  I guess their deals can bring people in, huh?

 

Ah, I love a good "sail!"

There was one more that I wanted to take a picture of, but we didn't stop along the side of the road.  We passed a little house that was apparently being used as a sign company.  On the front porch was a "For Rent" sign.  I didn't know if that was just a sample of their work, or if the building was indeed available for rent.  Oh, well.  The mysteries of life...

Hope everyone is having a great Monday! 

Hugs and baby dust,

Saturday Smorgasbord

Whew!  Today, we're coming home from spending a week with our friends in the mountains.  (If they're reading this, thank you for your hospitality.)  Since I have to get gifts wrapped for my brother's birthday celebration tomorrow, I'm going to keep this post pretty un-original.  A friend of mine emailed this to me a couple of years ago.  I'm sorry to report that I can relate to most of the statements on this list.  Happy Saturday, all!

YOU KNOW YOU GREW UP IN THE 80's or early 90's IF-

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE ".
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair "
4. You wore biker shorts under your skirts and felt stylish. (*hangs head in shame*)
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own. (I owned every single book--now, they're on the shelves in my classroom.)
6. You owned those lil Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls. (and curtains...and a bedspread...)
7. You know that "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom.
8. Two words: M.C. Hammer
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars. (yeah, 'til I pulled 'em off)
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales ".
12. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons. (AND I brought all my dolls to the couch, so my "children" could watch too)
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.  (um, my 4th grade school picture proves it)
14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big screen.  (Yeah, and my little brother MADE me sing the theme song to him in the car every time we went anywhere)
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side. (I had one in every color)
17. You played the game "MASH " (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House) (More than once if it didn't turn out like I wanted it to!)
18. You wore Jordache jean jacket and you were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten.
21 You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all the Ramona books. Ramona completed in 1st grade. (Now, they're making a Ramona movie!  Can't wait!)
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF "
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing.
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off...
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took Lunch Pails to school.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to! say "NOT " after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought Sheera and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (Still have the scars--j/k)
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I? "
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up "
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. "Don't worry, be happy "

Hugs and baby dust,

Fab 5 Friday

Typically, I'm a simple girl. I don't wear a lot of makeup, and I'm usually not very high-maintenance; but here are some of my must-haves!

#5 Chewing gum

While I may not always be chewing it, I like to have it available in case I feel the need. I prefer mint, but will chew just about any flavor. Oh, and it has to be sugar free, of course!

#4 My favorite Hair Clip

On days that I take the time to straighten my hair, I usually leave it down; but when I go curly, I usually put it up at some point during the day. This is my absolute favorite hair clip, ever. It is flat on the side that goes "into" your head, making it super comfortable. I had a couple of them (I think I bought them at the Dol.lar Tree many, many years ago), but they both broke. I couldn't find them anymore, either. I was heartbroken (well, as heartbroken as one can get over a broken hair clip). Then, a few years later, I found them again. I somehow managed to lose one, but kept up with the other. Ultimately, as you might have guessed, it broke. (While I was trying to put it in my hair one day, I might add. Overuse, I suppose.) One day, I was cleaning out a box after I moved and I stumbled upon this one. I was so happy! (Doesn't take much, huh?) I've taken extra good care of it.

#3 Fabric softener

I LOVE soft, good-smelling clothes! A friend turned me on to Snug.gle Blue Spar.kle a couple of months ago, and I absolutely love it! I use it all the time. Sometimes, I even wait to make the bed until the sheets I just took off are cleaned just so I can have that "fresh-from-the-laundry" smell for a few days. I try to catch up on all of our laundry (at least during the summer) on Mondays. The first day I used this, our whole closet smelled like Snug.gle. It was great!

#2 Painted toenails

(Pardon my ugly feet.  They get me where I'm going.)  While I am fine with less-expensive nail polish, I do insist that my toes never be without it. Even in the winter, when nobody sees them but me, I make sure to keep polish on them.

#1 Lip Balm

When I first started wearing makeup, lipstick was my thing. I loved experimenting with colors, brands, and formulas. I would combine colors to achieve that "perfect" shade. Now, I rarely wear lipstick, but I still want my lips to be protected from the elements. That is why you will rarely find me without a tube of lip balm of some sort. My favorite is Blis.tex Silk and Shine, but I'm open to others as well.

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope your weekend is fabulous.

Hugs and baby dust,

Thoughtful Thursday

“Portrait of a Friend"

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts,

or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will

search for answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,

nor the future with its untold stories.

But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.

I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;

Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;

I can only support you, encourage you,

and help you when you ask.

I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,

from your values, from me.

I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,

But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,

room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,

But I can cry with you and help you pick up the piece

and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.

I can only love you and be your friend.

 

--Author unknown

 
 
Friends, I hope I can offer back the same support you have given me along my journey.  I never thought I'd depend on perfect strangers for one of the most important and trying times in my life.  While I'll likely never lay eyes on most of you, thank you for being there always.  I'm sorry I'm not as good a rock as you all are, but do know that I think of you ALL often, and I often talk of you as if we are old friends. 
 
Hugs and baby dust,

In case you were wondering about yesterday's Two Truths and a Lie, the lie was #3. I cut a CD to be used as the music for our wedding ceremony. (Big mistake--I recorded, and re-recorded, each song several times. I would cut off the air so it wouldn't kick on, unplug the phone so it wouldn't ring, and pulled the piano to the middle of the living room then padded the microphone with a bath towel. I'd listen, find a mistake, and say, "I can do better than that," and start all over again.) As for number 2, I refused to wear the nametag, and ducked out of there before anyone could recognize me after the wedding!

Wednesday Wishes...

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,

A church filled with family and friends.

I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,

He said one that would make me his wife.

-- Author Unknown

My wish for this Wednesday, July 7, 2010, is simple. I wish every bride and groom (past, present, and future) could be as happy as I was then and still am today. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from 07/07/07.

Getting ready.  Isn't this a neat picture? 

Another "special effects" shot.  This is one of my favorites.

This one is framed on my nightstand.  I wake up to it every morning.

The new Mr. & Mrs. 

This one graces my desk at school.  It helps a lot when I'm having a bad day.

So happy!  Three years and counting.

I know we share our anniversary with MANY other couples across the country (and, perhaps, around the world), as it was a very popular date (07/07/07).  I pray that each of those couples have a safe, loving celebration of their marriage and are as happy as we are.  I guess we really are "Lucky" in love! 

Hugs and baby dust,

The Proposal...

Since tomorrow marks our 3rd wedding anniversary and I've been sharing little milestones of our dating relationship this past week, I thought I'd offer one more: the proposal.  I guess, in retrospect, most people wouldn't find parts of it very romantic.  But it was perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing about it.  Here's our story:

As I write this it is 1:25 a.m. December 31, 2006. Jeremie just left my house. Again, he got down on one knee; but this time he wasn’t tying his shoe (see Monday's post if you're confused). He was asking me to be his wife. Here’s the scoop…

It was a rather busy night. I was s little jealous because I was hoping we’d have some alone time. With Christmas and all, we’ve been running around like crazy. We spent much of the evening at my mom and dad’s house helping them with some computer problems and hooking up my dad’s satellite radio. Then, we had to make a trip to his brother’s house to help them with something. We ended up stopping at my parents’ house again on the way back through to fix something else. Anyway, it was nearly midnight when we got back to my house. I didn’t expect him to come in, as he usually doesn’t when it’s that late; but when we pulled up in my driveway, he took off his seatbelt and turned off the ignition. (I should have known something was up.)

He immediately excused himself to the restroom, and so I thought maybe that was why he came in. Then, he made some excuse to go back to the car. I still didn’t think anything of it. When he came back in, he said he couldn’t find what he was looking for. We sat on the couch and talked for a little while. He then noticed the time on the VCR and said, “Look…it’s New Year’s Eve.” Then he starts all this talk about what a good year it’s been and that he expects 2007 to be even better. He looked at my television set and said he envisioned a big-screen TV in its place.  I asked him if he thought I was going to win the lottery (I'm so dumb).  He said that he thought the new year should represent a new beginning for us. Then, before I knew what he was doing, he was on one knee in front of me with an open ring box, asking if I’d be his wife. I finally managed to choke out a “Yes!!!” through all the shock. Then he said my mom was probably waiting for my phonecall.

Happy Tuesday, all!
 
Hugs and baby dust,

Two truths and a lie—Wedding edition

Wow, it's been a while since I did one of these, huh?  I have decided to have two posts today.  One, my regular "truths and a lie" game, and the other will be another piece of the Angie & Jeremie story.  I thought it deserved its own post, though.

If you've not read my blog when I did a two truths and a lie post, I will give you three statements about myself.  Two of them are completely true.  One of them is not.  If you choose to play along, decide which one is the lie.  Leave your guess in a comment, if you wish.  Tomorrrow, I will post the answer, and a brief explanation of the two truths, if needed. 

Okay, here goes nothing!  I did not make these statements about J, but I did keep with the wedding theme.  Being a pianist, I have played for my share of weddings over the years.  You wouldn't believe some of the stories I could share.  Here are just a couple.  Which one isn't true?

1. I played the piano for my own wedding.


2. I once played for a wedding where the guests were asked to wear nametags.

3. Once I had to play for an extra 30 minutes to stall the guests while someone drove back to the groom’s house to retrieve the wedding rings before the ceremony.

Merry Monday...

Well, it's Monday again.  Those things just have a way of creeping up on ya, don't they?  The good news is that J has the day off to celebrate Independence Day, and he even took a few more days off.  So, we are in the mountains!  Yay!  In keeping with my themes, I have a funny story to share about J and I.  Without further adieu, here is your merry Monday musing for this week.  It is being presented here exactly as I wrote it right after it happened.  Enjoy:

June 15, 2006
This has been the summer of the weddings in Edmonson County. I think nearly everyone I know is getting married this summer. I’ve been playing the piano at weddings left and right. I’m so sick of wedding music, I could just scream. (Incidentally, my mother has decided that I will cut a CD so I can play at my own wedding. Now that I’m out of their house, they think it’s time I got married, I guess…) But, I digress…last Saturday evening (6/10/06), I played for my cousin’s wedding. Jeremie and I had plans afterward, so I rushed home to change clothes. He arrived earlier than expected, so we just sat in the living room and talked for a bit before we left. As we were getting ready to leave, he excused himself and went to the restroom. When he returned, I asked if he was ready to leave. He said, “Just a minute. There’s something I need to do first.” Then, he got down on one knee in my living room. My mind raced and my heart pounded. Somehow, this was not exactly how I pictured it…I only hope he didn’t see me blush as he reached over to tie his shoe.

Ironically, exactly one year later (6/10/07), our wedding shower was held.  Coincidence? 
 
Hugs and baby dust,

Sunday Sketches

In case you haven’t picked up on it, I built the house J and I now live in before we ever even met. Well, it was in the process of being built when we met. It wasn’t finished until Christmas, and I didn’t spend the night there until the day before New Year’s Eve (because I didn’t want to mess things up). You see, my mom and some friends from school and church were throwing me a housewarming party that evening (12/30/05), and I had spent too many hours scrubbing floors, cleaning drywall mud out of the shower and tubs, and vacuuming carpets to actually “live” there and mess things up before having company. So, I decided that my first night in my new house would be that of the party. J didn’t really relish the idea of hanging out with a bunch of ladies he didn’t even know, so he took his mom out to dinner (typical Friday night), and promised to swing by after he took her home, as the party would be over by then.

I was out in the garage, where we had the food set up, visiting with some of my guests and opening some gifts when my grandmother burst through the door shouting, “Angie, you have to come in here!” My mother, who is easily perturbed by my well-meaning grandmother, told her she’d have to wait a minute because I was opening a present. Nana wouldn’t have it, though, and insisted, “No, you have to come here right now! There’s a man in your living room!” Trying to keep the peace, I put the gift back in the bag and promised the gift-giver that I’d be right back and followed my grandmother back to the living room to see what was so urgent. Indeed, there was a man in my living room, albeit one I knew—he was the local florist. He handed me a basket of flowers—the most beautiful I had ever seen—and apologized for being late (unbeknownst to me). He was apparently supposed to have delivered it an hour prior to the start of the party, but he had gotten busy with a couple of funeral arrangements and didn’t make it. I assured him that it was okay, thanked him, and he left. I figured they were from my father, who loves to give flowers (and my mother hates getting them), since he had just called me to wish me good luck with the party and to tell me he loved me. I nonchalantly opened the card, and all I could say was, “Oh, my goodness…oh, my goodness!” I’ve been told my face turned about 5 shades of red, especially when my grandmother ripped the card from my hands and read it aloud to the others.

Pictured below is the beautiful spray of flowers placed in the middle of my dining table, and underneath is the now-famous card that J sent me to celebrate my housewarming. Boy, he sure knew how to become the hit of the party without even being there!

"Hope these flowers warm your new home the way you have my heart. –Jeremie"

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe 4th of July.  Happy Birthday, America!

Hugs and baby dust,

Saturday Smorgasbord

I realized that by changing my Friday blog entries, I would also have to change my Saturday entry, since it was supposed to be reviewing things (products, movies, books, etc.) So, I have decided to make Saturday sort of a free-for-all, anything goes kind of day for blogging. Sure, I reserve the right to turn any day into this, but it’s kind of nice to have one day a week that is devoted entirely to the traffic in my brain.

While we’re waiting until the dust settles on this house project to see exactly where our finances are, we’re probably going to fill out the new patient forms for the fertility center soon after returning from our trip. J is so ready to get the ball rolling. I can’t decide if I’m nervous about this or excited (perhaps both). Right now, they say our project is coming in under budget. If only it would come in way under budget…

We’re making progress, though, on this house project. Here’s what it looks like right now.

Special congrats to Kitty.  Sticky vibes and hugs coming your way.  Can't wait to follow your new journey!

Hugs & baby dust,

Fab Friday 5…DH edition

I’ve decided that since I’m getting back into my “blogging routine” with my daily themed entries (or at least attempting to), I’m going to have to change my Friday theme just slightly. It’s too hard to come up with “Fun Facts” for Friday and facts for Tuesdays, so I’ve taken a nod from some other blogs I read and decided to go with a Fab Friday 5 instead. So, here I will briefly share five things that I love. Sometimes, they may have a theme, and other weeks not. Since this entire week is devoted to my wonderful DH, I have decided to share my five favorite gifts from J. While my very favorite things are intangible like love and support, those are mushy and probably no one would want to read about those. I am NOT a “material” girl, and I am not easily impressed by “stuff.” But what girl doesn’t like a nice surprise every now and then? Here they are, in a pretty much random order (other than #1):

#5 – Kitch.enaid Mixer

J got me this for Christmas a couple of years ago. It was a complete surprise, even though I had mentioned wanting one. I was actually going to buy it myself while it was on sale and I had a good coupon at the store, but J convinced me that I didn’t need it. He later bought it and hid it in our house until Christmas morning. I think he just likes to be surprising.

#4 – Kin.dle 2

As with the mixer, I had expressed a slight desire to have this item prior to last Christmas, but J convinced me that I did not need it. I finally agreed, but a couple of weeks ago received an email from another distributor with a similar item that had seen an incredible price drop. In making conversation that evening, I mentioned said price drop. I wasn’t expecting anything to come of it, as were trying to save all of our pennies the days (what with our house project and potential IVF cycle and all). Last Friday, when a package arrived for J, I really didn’t think anything about it. He ordered stuff all the time without telling me—usually for the computer or television or something. (He’s very tech-savvy.) He got home, asked me what that package was, and then opened it. He looked at it and said, “This must be for you,” and handed it to me, saying, “Early happy anniversary!” He wanted me to have it early so I could get it all figured out before our trip to the mountains in case I wanted to take it with me. How sweet!

#3 – I-po.d Touch

This was last year’s anniversary gift, also given early. I use this every single day! I love being able to store pictures and play games on it, as well as listen to music at school during my planning time. Recently, though, we had to do some updating to our computer that it syncs with, and my music and photos got deleted.  I’ll have to get that fixed before school starts!



#2 – My laptop

J has been telling me for quite some time that my desktop pc is about to die (it still hasn’t) and that I should replace it. I maintained that it was still perfectly usable, and I was okay with it being slow sometimes. Besides, I hoped that room would have a bigger and better purpose one of these days (i.e., a nursery) and I didn’t want to have so many gadgets to move out of there. So, last Christmas, he surprised me with a new laptop. I use this every day too! Not only can I work on things for school, but I can also check my email and, of course, blog!

#1 – My engagement ring

I love this ring for two main reasons. One, for what it means. J gave it to me, promising with it to love me forever. While this picture shows it alone, and I loved it that way, I must say it looks even better with my wedding ring wrapped around it. (I tried to get a picture this morning, but I couldn’t get a clear one.) The second reason it is so special is because J picked it out all by himself. Sure, he took his mom shopping with him for “approval,” but I’m a pretty traditional gal, and was glad he didn’t ask me to pick out my own. (Not that I think there’s anything wrong with any other girl choosing her own ring, but it just wasn’t for me.)

Hugs and baby dust,