Wednesday Hodgepodge--5/25/11

1. What is something about living in this country that you value?

'This country' is whatever country you call home.
Freedom and Opportunity.  People have to freedom to be as ignorant, closed-minded, liberal, or stupid as they want to...and I have the freedom to publicly tell them they are ignorant, closed-minded, liberal, or stupid.

2. What is a favorite something you own that is red, white, and/or blue?
I'm having a hard time thinking of anything...my dog is white.  He is a favorite something of mine.

3. Do you fly a flag at your house on patriotic holidays?
I live in an apartment, so there really isn't a place to fly a flag.  I do have a pet peeve about people who fly the American flag without observing the rules for displaying it properly.  I love that people want to be patriotic and fly a flag outside their homes.  However, either take the flag down at night, or put a light on it like you're supposed to!

4. What ingredients do you think should be included in a great picnic basket?
Strawberry lemonade, a red and white checked picnic blanket, sandwiches of some sort, ants on a log (celery with peanut butter and raisins), shoe string potatoes, and cookies.

5. What is one interesting piece of trivia you know? Interesting is of course a relative term.
Some sweet Navy trivia:  The USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) is the only aircraft carrier ever to have its namesake come aboard for a tour.  Every year, former president Bush and his wife, Barbara, visit the ship while it is underway.  He actually has his own state-room on the ship.

6. Wednesday, May 24th is National Escargot day...have you ever tried them? Eww or ooh?
Never tried them, but I doubt I could stomach them.  I have tried oysters, and they pretty much remind me of boogers.  I imagine escargot would have a similar consistency.

7. What is one thing you know for sure?
No one makes it out of this life alive.

8. Yesterday was my first appointment with the doctor who will be delivering Macy.  He said I won't make it to my due date, and he gave me a 50/50 chance that I'll make it to Saturday.  I'm really hoping to make it that long, because my baby shower isn't until Saturday!  I've been trying to avoid labor triggers, and spend as much time on my back as I can.  Let's hope she holds out!

Prayer Monday--5/23/11

I have to be selfish again today.  I covet prayers right now.  I can use all I can get.  Today has been the Second Worst Day of My Life.  Today, I had to tell the man I love that it's over between us.  I've know for 2 months, but haven't been able to tell him because he has been out to sea.  I didn't think it was going to be this hard to put into words something I have known for so long.  It really was.  It took me three days worth of phone conversations to gather the strength to finally tell him that I can't be with him.  It took saying it several times to make it stick.  I kept saying it and then grabbing it back.

I didn't want to say those words.  I still love him.  I still want to be with him.  I didn't want it to be over--I still don't.  I don't want to feel like this.  I feel like I have lost everything--all over again.  I'm terrified that I made the wrong decision--that there really is some explanation behind this mess.  I'm weak and I'm a complete wreck right now.  I can't get his voice out of my head.

I know I'm not going to feel better right away.  I know it takes time to heal.  Right now, I just need God to give me peace.  I need Him to speak to my heart and tell me I did the right thing.  I need Him to help me sleep tonight.  I really need His help because I'm not strong enough to do this right now.

37 Weeks

I do apologize for being MIA here lately.  I had to make last-minute preps to travel 900 miles, followed by a 2-day drive.  Although I have LOTS of free time right now, I am certainly out of my element, and out of my routine.  It has definitely thrown off my blogging.  I promise I'll try to do better this week!  Here is the latest update on Macy.

How far along?
37 Weeks.

Total weight gain/loss:
I don't know.  I haven't weighed myself in almost 2 weeks.

Gender:
It's a Girl!! Macy Jane.

Size of baby:
Macy weighs about 6.3 pounds. She is about the size of a watermelon, and is over 19 inches from head to heel.  These are just rough measurements.  She is officially full term today!!

Maternity clothes?
Yes.  I only have a couple of non-maternity shirts that still fit.

Stretch marks?
Yes--I do think the Mederma is helping though.  I have noticed that they are lighter in some places.  I haven't developed any new ones since the ones on my hips showed up a while ago.

Sleep:
I get up a couple times to go to the bathroom every night.  It is actually somewhat difficult (and very uncomfortable) to haul myself out of bed half asleep.  I have been sleeping with my feet up, which isn't that comfortable.  I'm also not in my house, so that makes it harder to sleep.

Best moment this week:
Getting to call her Full Term.  If she comes out tomorrow, she should be perfectly fine--lungs and all.

Movement:
Feel those kicks?  She's gonna be a socca playa....she is...she iiiiiiiiiss.  She has changed up her routine a little.  Lately, she is super active in the afternoons, which is fine by me.  She is moving around quite a bit right now.  I think she has mastered the art of pushing against my rib cage with her feet and forcing herself even further down into my pelvis (and onto my bladder!)  She is head-down, and I think she is facing to my right side, because I always feel her kicking me on that side.

Food cravings:
Lemonade--all types.  McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade, Simply Lemonade with raspberry, Summer Shandy (lemonade beer).

Symptoms:
Let's hear it for CANKLES!!!  The literally showed up as soon as I got out of the car following my 900-mile trek.  I've been sleeping with my feet up, trying to stay off my feet, drinking as much water as I can stand, and trying to cut down on salt.  None of it really prevents my feet from looking like the skin on my ankles is about to pop by the end of the day.  I also go through about a roll of toilet paper per day, due to my hourly trips to the bathroom.

Belly Button: in or out?
The inside is flat, but the edges are starting to roll out a little bit.

Rings: on or off?
Off.

What I miss:
Bending over, shaving my legs without sweating and huffing, beer.

What I am looking forward to:

I have my first visit with the doctor who will be delivering her on Monday.  I'm excited to ask him my giant list of questions.  I'm also hoping a little bit that I might be dilated a couple centimeters.  I want her to stay in there until my shower next weekend, but after that--game on!

35 Weeks

How far along?
35 Weeks.

Total weight gain/loss:
32 Pounds.

Gender:
It's a Girl!! Macy Jane.

Size of baby:
Macy weighs about 5.25 pounds. She is about the size of a honeydew melon, and is over 18 inches from head to heel.

Maternity clothes?
Yup.  Even my large t-shirts are having trouble covering my whole belly.

Stretch marks?
Yes.

Sleep:
I've been sleeping pretty well.  It is difficult to get up out of bed to go to the bathroom though, especially when I'm half asleep.

Best moment this week:
Picking up my maternity pictures.

Movement:
I drank caffeinated coffee yesterday...it felt like there was a circus in my uterus...or maybe a track meet.

Food cravings:
Chocolate.

Symptoms:
Lack of mobility, peeing like a pregnant woman.

Belly Button: in or out?
Neither? It is pretty much flat at this point.

Rings: on or off?
Off.

What I miss:
Frozen alcoholic beverages.  I ate Mexican food tonight, and I really wanted a margarita.  McDonald's new frozen strawberry lemonade will have to do for now.

What I am looking forward to:
Heading to the So Ill this week.

What happened to Customer Service?

I am frustrated today.  My frustration actually started about 30 minutes after I woke up, which makes for a crappy day.  Spencer was supposed to go to the vet this morning to get all of his vaccines.  His appointment was at 8am.  I usually don't wake up until between 8 and 9, so I already had to get up earlier than normal--not really a big deal, though.  When I got to the vet's office to check in, I was asked if I had changed my phone number.  I have had the same number for nearly a decade--it's the same number they have in their computer system.  Apparently, they had tried to call me yesterday, but my number was "disconnected."  Then, I was told that they only have one doctor today, and they need to reschedule my appointment for next week.  If that won't work, I can drop him off and pick him up later--like around 6:00 PM when they are finished.  Are ya kiddin' me?  Also, I hardly think that calling me YESTERDAY to reschedule was an acceptable solution.  I still wouldn't be able to get another appointment until next week.

Spencer has doggie insurance through Banfield Pet Hospital, which is associated with Petsmart.  This post will hardly be a commercial for them, and I WILL be writing a complaint later on today.  They recently opened a new Banfield in the area.  Rather than hiring new vets, they just pulled vets from the other area hospitals to staff this new hospital.  The end result?  Now ALL of the hospitals are understaffed.  Is that my problem?  No.  Are they making it my problem?  Um, yes.

Spencer's appointment has been scheduled for several months.  Yes, I said MONTHS.  I didn't just call last week to set it up.  Yet, this morning, I had to rearrange my day because of their scheduling error.  My baby has to spend his day locked in a crate, just so he can get his shots.  Then they act like I have no right to be frustrated about this.  Seriously?  I pay these people $20 a month.  AND they didn't even apologize for inconveniencing me!!  

What the hell happened to "the customer is always right"?!

Wednesday Hodgepodge--5/4/11

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Do you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?
I have never been served breakfast in bed.  I prefer to keep crumbs out of the bed, so I would rather just eat it on the couch, I think.  If someone were to serve me breakfast in bed, I would want some Pillsbury orange sweet rolls, hashbrowns with cheese, turkey sausage, milk, and some 5-Alive juice, I think.

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?
I got nothin'.  I'm going to be a new mother in a few weeks.  Any advice for me?

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.
The last time they bagged my groceries in paper instead of plastic at the commissary.  Seriously, they have done it twice in the last few weeks.  Both times, it absolutely RUINED my entire day.

4. Can you hula hoop?
Right now?  Probably not.  Pre-pregnancy, I could.

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?
I could write a dissertation about this, but I won't.  We have A LOT of traffic in this area.  All the time.  The biggest thing that bothers me is when people are impatient and feel that they MUST have a more urgent need to get where they are going than all of the other people waiting in traffic.  A couple of months ago, I was waiting to turn left out of my apartment complex.  The intersection behind the complex is pretty busy, and there isn't a light.  In the evenings, it can take a while.  Some guy didn't want to wait behind the other 4 cars to turn left, so he got in the right turn lane, then pulled out to turn left as I was turning left, nearly causing an accident.  I waved a special finger at him.

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?
If it's a work situation--like someone who works for me did something and they won't just say "yeah, I'm jacked up," and instead they decide to make up an excuse--I'll tell them they're full of shit and I know it. 

If it's a personal disagreement, I'll argue my point, and eventually just drop it if they're really sticking to their guns.  Then I'll bring the issue to my circle of friends and we will mock them behind their back for being so stupid (in some cases).

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?
Any activity with someone who makes me laugh.  It doesn't really matter what I'm doing--if I'm laughing, I'm having fun.

8. The rain from the Midwest has finally reached the East Coast...somehow, I don't think it will do quite the same amount of damage out here. I suppose I shouldn't speak too soon, though.

34 Weeks

Sorry I didn't dress up for you today!

How far along?
34 Weeks.

Total weight gain/loss:
31 Pounds.

Gender:
It's a Girl!! Macy Jane.

Size of baby:
Macy weighs about 4.75 pounds. She is about the size of a cantaloupe, and is about 18 inches from head to heel.

Maternity clothes?
I broke down and spent way too much money at Motherhood Maternity the other day.  They are over-priced, but their clothes are so cute!

Stretch marks?
Yes...and I don't know that this Mederma crap is even doing anything.

Sleep:
I've been sleeping pretty well this week.  My dreams have gone from upsetting, to just weird.  I do get up at least once a night and stumble to the bathroom, though.

Best moment this week:
The last bit of my travel paperwork is FINALLY finished.  I'm so grateful that God took care of everything for me--I've been so nervous.

Movement:
Quite a bit.  She has fingernails and toenails now, and I think she is starting to use them as weapons in there.

Food cravings:
Chocolate...I guess it doesn't help that I hit the Walgreen's after-Easter candy clearance for a large bag of Hershey's eggs, some M&Ms, and 2 boxes of Cadbury Creme Eggs.  Once the tasty treats are in my house, I have very little willpower to keep from eating them.

Symptoms:
I'm convinced that my bladder now holds about 10 mL of fluid--which is about 2 teaspoons. (Driving 900 miles next week should be interesting) I have all but lost the ability to lean forward, and it is getting difficult to roll over and get out of bed.

Belly Button: in or out?
Neither?  It is pretty much flat at this point.

Rings: on or off?
Off.

What I miss:
There aren't many things in the world I would like more than to eat a 16-piece order of Boss wings from Wild Wing Cafe with extra EXTRA bleu cheese and celery, and drink a couple of Summer Shandys.

What I am looking forward to:
This is my last weekend of work!!  Then I get to go home for over a month!  I haven't spent more than a couple weeks at home since 2005.

Prayer Monday--5/2/11

I'm tired today...not much to say 

Requests:

1.  Victims of natural disasters all over the world--earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes.

2.  My travel paperwork--almost done.

3.  Macy.

Prayer:

Dear God,

  I come before You today and ask that You make Your presence known in the hearts of Your people this week.  There are so many people hurting right now and asking "why?"  I ask that You give them peace.  I know that You have a plan in all of this.  I pray that You give us the faith to trust that you see the whole picture, while we only see a part.  

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Z is for Zombies

So I've been hearing about this "Zombie Apocalypse" for a while now.  I always thought it was sort of a joke, but lately, I'm not so sure.  I started to realize how many people really take this seriously when I had a conversation about it with a good friend of mine.  She and her husband actually have a plan for what they will do in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse.  At first, I was in disbelief.  Then she explained it to me, and it actually makes a lot of sense.

When I think of zombies, I think Night of the Living Dead--corpses coming back to life as zombies and climbing up from the ground.  As I did a little research (OK, let's be realistic--I Googled "zombie apocalypse," which directed me to Cracked.com), I actually found some feasible ways that a zombie apocalypse could occur.  According to the information I found on Cracked.com, there are actually 5 scientific explanations for this apocalypse.

1. Brain Parasites which lead to personality changes and, possibly, insanity.
2. Neurotoxins which cause the victim to appear dead.  The victim can be "brought back," but in a trance-like (read: zombie-like) state.  Supposedly, this has already happened in Haiti--a voodoo priest needed some cheap labor for his sugar plantation.  Google "Clairvius Narcisse"--he was supposedly found wandering his village 18 years after he had been declared dead due to this phenomenon.
3. Viruses like Mad Cow Disease.  Also known as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, it causes dementia, memory loss, personality changes, speech impairment, jerky movements, loss of balance and coordination, changes in gait... Sound like a zombie yet?
4. Neurogenesis--as in, stem cell research.  Most worrisome: the use of stem cells to regrow dead brain tissue.  Theoretically, we could actually create our own zombies in a lab.  Scary.
5. Nanobots--tiny robots, like, microscopic.  They invade a host and live there for days after the host dies.  Why are we trying to think this shit up?

I was a total non-believer before reading this article.  I guess I should add Zombie Apocalypse to the list of problems we are creating for ourselves through modern science--right up there with Super Bugs, which also scare the bajeezus out of me.  I have no idea what I would do in the event of the Zombie Apocalypse.  I suppose it is something to think about.

I may be a day late, but this concludes my A-Z Blogging Challenge!  I had a lot of fun, and I want to say Thank You to all the readers who have followed my alphabetical journey.  I hope you keep reading!!

Y is for Yard

As the last few months of my lease tick away, I'm very much looking forward to putting apartment living behind me.  I'm not just looking forward to having a real kitchen, but I am also ready to have a yard.

I love to be outside.  Sunshine just makes me feel good, and nothing beats the smell of evening in the spring time.  I live across the street from Home Depot right now.  Every time I walk past on my way to the park, I long to have somewhere to plant an herb garden and hang my collection of wind chimes.  It has only been very recently that I realized how much I missed living somewhere with a yard.  Lately, I've even found myself wandering through the outdoor living section of Target and really wanting to buy a table and chairs with an awesome umbrella.  Hopefully it won't be too much longer until I can start working on my perfect yard.

It will need a firepit, and of course that table and chairs with the umbrella.  I'll make sure the chairs are padded so they are nice and comfortable.  I'll plant lots of flowers--the kind that come from a packet of seeds so I can watch them sprout and grow.  Someday, Macy will be big enough to help with the planting.  I would also love to have an herb garden so that I can cook with fresh herbs without them going bad.  I might even plant a few vegetables--a tomato plant for sure.  I'll hit up Pier One and make sure I get plenty of candles and lanterns for ambiance.  I'm going to need to pick myself up a few buckets to put my beer in for get-togethers, and some colorful drink dispensers (the kind with the spout) for lemonade and sangria.  Also, this will be a good excuse to spend way too much money on Target's colorful plastic plates and cups that I really don't need.  

Hopefully next summer, this won't just be my dream yard--it will be reality.