Sorry February, I'm seeing someone...

I think we've started a nice little tradition. This is the third year we've snuck away to Palm Springs for a long weekend at the end of winter. It's like cheating on winter and stealing a few days of May weather while it's still February!

We had a lovely little getaway, and got back in time for the Aggie game on Saturday night. Some of the highlights of the trip...

The Palm Springs Village Fair - Downtown Palm Springs - reminded us of Logan's Summerfest. Andy bought some locally grown strawberries, and I got some earrings from a lady with a four foot patchouli oil aura/radius. There was also a man with a pet pig, and our favorite - the inexplicable "ask the Rabbi" booth - which always had a line of people. I'm still wondering, what do you ask a Rabbi? We enjoyed listening to the talented local musicians and wandering among the booths.
The hotel has the most lovely pool. It was quiet and we lounged and read the afternoon away. I finished Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, and Andy read The Hunger Games. I'm not going to comment on that, since I was the one who gave him the copy, but he liked it and we're going to see the movie when it comes out. So that is all I'm going to say about that.

Since last week we've had the dining room re-textured, and laid out the grid position of the wainscoting. I've also started a pinterest board that shows where I'm going with it. Andy felt very vindicated by the comments on the previous post. Turns out the green is not as universally disliked as I thought it would be :)

FYI & TMI

Another month, another negative pregnancy test.

I know people want updates, but are hesitant to ask. My sweet friend Becca (who I love for being brave enough to just ASK) always prefaces her questions with "now you can totally tell me it is none of my business...but..." Honestly, your questions make me feel loved. Even if my answer is "no news" it's nice to know you're thinking of me.

The truth is, I've been focused on being strong for so long, that I worry I am suppressing things. Sometimes I gut-check myself just to see if something will come bubbling up. For example, this weekend I was in our spare bedroom. The one we refer to as the 'baby' room. I asked myself - what if at some point we turn this room into an office, or home gym or shoe closet? Then I waited for panic to set in, or tears. But it didn't happen. Just peace. Even staring at that test line, and wondering if I will EVER see two lines, the panic didn't come. Just peace.

I started wondering if there is something wrong with me since I'm not going as crazy as other people expect me to. I'm worried that it might be a sign that I don't want this as bad as I keep telling myself I do. As we round the two year mark, I compiled a list of some of the things we have gone through. I know other people have struggled longer and harder, but I'm proud of this list. We've fought hard.

• For two years I have woken at 6AM to take my basal body temperature. Weekends, holidays, every day.

• For two years we have timed and scheduled a good chunk of our sex life. As you can guess, it has been less than romantic. I’ve had sex when I was slobbering sick. When I was mad at my husband. When I would rather have done anything else.
  

• I have had my blood taken countless times. Those old plasma donation scars I have (a story for another day:) ) are serving as handy "landing strips" for the nurses.
  

• I’ve taken all sorts of medications. Including some that have potentially increased my risk of certain kinds of cancers. One medication gave me midnight hot flashes. Another headaches and problems sleeping.

• I’ve counted, tracked and monitored every single detail of my cycle. I purchased special software to help me do this. I’ve read everything I can find to help me understand my body better.

• I’ve laid open the most intimate details of my life to complete strangers (doctors). Over and over. I've gotten so good at this I've thought about moonlighting as a phone sex operator. The extra funds couldn't hurt since...
  

• We’ve paid thousands of dollars for doctor’s visits, prescriptions medications, test strips, consult fees, lab tests and medical procedures.

• I’ve had surgery and gone under general anesthesia.

• I’ve had ultrasounds, and several other painful, uncomfortable and embarrassing procedures. The details of which I will spare you :)
  

• I’ve flown out of state on more than one occasion to meet up with my husband who had to work at “inconvenient” times of the month. Again, this sounds far more romantic than it actually was. Funny yes, romantic no.
  

I’ve prayed, pleaded, kept my chin up, questioned myself, wondered about my motives, second guessed my past choices and adjusted my future expectations. As we enter into year three, we are winding down the options that we are willing and able to take at this time. I'm not crazy yet, but I am tired. I've been running for a very long time now.

Now! On to exciting news! Next week I will be posting some before (and hopefully in progress) shots of our latest project - the Dining Room. Here is a sneak peek. It has literally taken me three years to convince Andy that these shades of green went out with the twentieth century... If you agree with me, please post a comment, I don't think he trusts me on this....

and please ignore the crazy-grimace I am sporting and direct your attention to that lovely chandelier. It was the first thing to go.

A rose by any other name...

*ok, listen up. BIG BIG disclaimer here. I'm probably going to offend people in this blog post. If I do, feel free to leave a comment and let me have it! I don't know any of these people, and I'm sure they're wonderful parents. All of their babies are adorable. It's not their fault mommy & daddy maybe went a teensy bit overboard trying to be "unique". Also, this is just my own opinion - Andy disagreed with me on a few of these, you can too...*

Every year, our local newspaper does a novelty "Babies of the Year" section. Basically, any proud parent can send in a picture of their cutie pie (born in the last year) and have their picture and information printed. It's like an adorable baby yearbook. Here is a link if you want to take a look: http://hjnews.com/ads/BABES_2011.pdf

Why do I await this issue with great anticipation? Do I just love pictures of cute newborns in owl hats or ginormous bows? YES I DO! But even more than that, I love taking a look at some of the funny, strange, & bordering on criminal things people are naming their kids these days! I've divided my favorites from 2011 into five categories:

• Made up Names

Khysen
Brynlyn
Kazer
Grady
Vivia
Breklyn (the lesser known New York borough?)
Kenley Nevaeh (when a reality tart from an MTV show has a baby with the same name...never mind)
Dreyson
Blayton
Avyn
Dacen
Baya
Maysa
Maile
Datten

• "I'm going to need you to spell that for me" a.k.a. perfectly fine names with wacked out spellings

Paizlee (probably 20 different spellings of this poor name out there. The original was just fine!)
BreLeigh
Nixen
Allisynn
Danyelle (does this mean that 80's names are coming back? Will there be a Jhenipher & Mahlisaa next year?)
Phebe (as if the name Phoebe wasn't hard enough to spell already)
Trevi
Ryvre
Wende

• "the 5th graders will be brutal"

Hayze
Barbra (no name should have the word BRA so prominently)
Timber (hopefully this child isn't ever chubby. I can hear the TIIIIIMMMMMBERRRRRR taunts already)
Tymber (Tymber is so unique!!!)
Riot (will this child develop a self fulfilling behavioral disorder?)
Payne
Fridy (this name looks like a typo. period)

• " I'm speechless"

Zomer
Canyon
Berleigh (do they know the common definition of "burly" is "stout" as in FAT?)
Quaitlee
Jett (only because this name was given to a girl)
Twila (a Stephanie Meyer fan maybe? the name Bella was too obvious?)
Season (couldn't decide between the perfectly normal names - Summer, Autumn, Spring....)
Shakobe (couldn't decide who was the better player - Shak or Kobe)
Elliot Mae (only because this name was given to a girl)

• Another "unique" way to spell an overly trendy name (some of the girls on this list will have no choice but to become Vegas showgirls)

Treyson
Kapree
Kasyn
Oaklei
Berlyn
Ryker (yep, that famous maximum security prison they have in New York)
Tinley
Journee
Starlee
Kynlee
Bryton

Here's the final thing. Save the crazy names for your pets. If you have trouble telling the difference between crazy and not crazy, try to imagine your child, all grown up, being sworn in as the President of the United States. When he or she takes that oath, will their name sound normal, or ridiculous?

Signed,
the Grinch

How I kicked the winter blues

Every year around this time I usually suffer from a case of the winter blues. I joke about it a lot, but it's actually not very funny. It starts with going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark, being cold all the time, and no sun on my face. It ends up with pity parties and bad attitudes.

I am embarrassed to admit this, but there will be weeks at a time in the winter when I will come home from work, sit in front of something (tv/computer/book) & not get up until I go to bed. Since I don't have kids, and Andy's traveling, there is nothing to stop me from doing this. I don't get anything done, don't go anywhere, don't make any effort to see anyone, and generally just feel pretty sorry for myself.

This year I wanted it to be different. It started with the belief that I have the power to choose a different way. That I can take steps to avoid my tendency to winter sluggishness. These thoughts have been very empowering. Here are some things that have helped me avoid the doldrums this year:

1. I've been consistent about getting to the gym three times a week for a good hard run.
I have a love hate relationship with running. Mostly hate. I have to DRAG myself there and I DREAD it all day. Why? no good reason. The second I'm on that treadmill and Rihanna is rocking in my ears, I feel so much better. I sleep better. I probably look better. Win win win.

2. I've tried to keep the house in a tidy state. It is hard. After work I am tired. I don't want to do laundry or dishes. One week I panicked and paid my sister to help me do some 'spring'-cleaning. For four hours we worked together. It was worth every penny. When my surroundings are neat and orderly, I feel peaceful and happy. It also frees me up to do other things, without feeling guilty about unfinished chores.

3. I haven't given in to my unsocial tendencies. I'm married to a social butterfly. This guy would have a party every night if I let him. He wants to see friends and invite people and hang out and visit and chat and talk and play. Sometimes I forget that his easy way with people was one of the qualities that attracted me to him. The truth is, he's onto something. Having 'plans' one or two nights a week keeps me feeling connected with people, and gives us something fun to look forward to.

4. I stumbled onto this blog post, and listened to the video she links to. Even if you're not a religious person, there is something very peaceful in his words. After the intro, I love the way it begins: "Embrace this day with enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks". I play this clip on my phone, and lay in a sunbeam on the floor in my kitchen (spike likes to join in). Here's the link http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2012/01/something-for-you.html
The end result is, I'm here at the end of January and I feel great - plus spring is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! I feel silly making a big deal about it, but if anyone out there finds themselves with the winter blahs, I hope this gives you some ideas. Cheers!

Our Roman Holiday

Last November we spent three amazing weeks in Europe with Andy's parents. Two weeks on a Mediterranean cruise, and a week traveling to and sightseeing in Rome, Italy.

It's hard to do justice when describing a vacation like this. We could go on and on about every stop and sight we witnessed but we'll spare you all the lengthy details. Our trip was non-stop, with something incredible to see around every corner. There were many days when we walked ten miles or more while touring. We explored many museums and got so used to seeing ancient ruins scattered about, that it started to seem normal...there is definitely a unique sense of history when you have modern homes built next door to millenia old ruins. We packed a lot into the three weeks, and it went by in a flash. Before we knew it, we were back home and it seemed like we had dreamed the whole thing (except the post-cruise ship lb's - those were real).

Here is a list of the highlights:

• Delta International first class both ways. Don't be too jealous, flight benefits come at a price :)
• Kathie has been raving about Italian gelato for years. We finally go to Italy where there is a Gelateria on every corner. We eat gelato every day for weeks - Missy tries many flavors, Andy picks dark chocolate every single time.
• Public restrooms in Europe - small, inconveniently placed and NOT free. Missy (aka 'Camel') doesn't need to use a single one, but Kathie and Andy spend many anxious moments searching them out.
  

• We lost Kathie and Tony for a couple of hours at the Forum. We eventually ran into each other at the Colosseum. We walked on a 2,000 year old stone footpath on Palladium Hill. Andy stared down a mean old lady who snipped at him for bringing a gelato cone into the Pantheon. He said if they don't want people to bring it in they shouldn't sell it at the front door!
  


• Exploring the dank catacombs where ancient Romans were buried. After that we walked to the Borghese Museum.


• Andy fought with Missy when she wanted to 'toss a coin' into the Trevi fountains - when all we had were 2 Euro coins. He won that battle, but lost the war when he remarked that the Trevi fountains reminded him of Caesar's Palace...in Las Vegas
  


• Vatican City - um, definitely the 1% :) Missy tears up in the Sistine Chapel. The gelato outside Vatican City was our favorite of the whole trip.


• Dogpeii, Oops, I mean Pompeii, is actually overrun by friendly stray dogs! We took a tour and basically realized that ancient Romans had better city planners than most modern cities.
• The Isle of Capri. What can I say about this little gem? When I die I may just opt to go to Capri instead of heaven. It is a little island paradise with fairies that polish the leaves and rocks on the footpaths after dark.
• Andy jumped into the smelly volcano waters off the coast of Santorini. It stained his swimsuit all brown, or so he says....
• Ephesus - visited the purported tomb of the virgin Mary. Walked through the incredible ruins of Ephesus (where Paul preached). The highlight here was the overpriced (and tragically moldy) pomegranate Andy bought from a street vendor...but not to worry -
• In Katakolon, there was a man selling Pomegranate juice from a special juicer. After I picked Andy up off the cobblestone street, he ordered a glass of juice and was in a fabulous mood for the rest of the day :) We also walked around Olympia, which was very cool.


• We climbed up Mt. Apollo... the highest point on the island of Delos - up a stone staircase that is almost 3,000 years old!
  

  

  

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• We saw ruins in Corinth & Athens where apostles walked and preached.

• We stopped at a pastry shop in Dubrovnik, Croatia - Andy had a pita, and Missy had a croissant. It reminded us of the little pastry shops on every corner in Melbourne. We walked the Dubrovnik city walls that have protected the town from attacks as recently as the 1990's.

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Here are a few more photos for your enjoyment:
The ColosseumThey really were sexyColumns are in no short supplyWaiting for the ferry on the Sorrento coastApparently the apostles originally baptized by immersion... odd.Arriving in Venice!We had a wonderful time. Andy's parents are great travel buddies, and we will remember this trip forever. The best part was spending three solid weeks with Andy exploring an intriguing and beautiful part of the world. Here's to many more adventures to come!