New obsession

Buying cloth diapers on Ebay.


Yup.  That's right.  Diapers- as in something that someone else is going to poo in and then I have to change.  And I'm in love.


I'm 20 weeks pregnant.  Half way.  I've gained a total of 14 lbs.  My baby's gender is going to remain a surprise until birth (even to us!-- eep).  Currently baby is around 12 ounces.  :)


We are doing a Dr. Seuss theme for the nursery!  We chose bright colors (grey, orange, and green) and my aunt is going to help me create neat decorations out of the pages of my favorite Dr. Seuss book (Oh Say Can You Say).  We plan on doing the totally cliche name on the wall, although it will obviously have to wait until after baby is born.  We also are going to incorporate a really cool fortune I got in a cookie somewhere.  I currently keep it in my wallet.  :)


AND we are going to cloth diaper.  EEEP they are adorable!  There were so many good things about cloth diapers that I really couldn't say no.  And my company makes diapers, so that's really saying something.  So, since cloth diapers are so expensive to buy at the beginning, I'm starting to stock up now.  We looked at a few, and I chose Gdiapers.  I have won 8 size small and I'm hoping to win 6 size medium today.  It'll at least be a good start.


This week's projects include painting the nursery and maybe building some of the furniture.  I'm SUPER excited.  It is so freakin' real.


As you can tell, I have ONE obsession as of late.  Sorry I haven't written, but I have absolutely NOTHING else going on.  Work is keeping me on my toes.  I've been in training for a good while, and it's finally sinking in, which is good.  It's still a lot, though!  I can't wait to really get settled in.  I have a feeling baby will be here before that, though!  haha.  


Oh.  PS.  We have a girl's name picked out, but since we aren't sharing it with my family, it's not really fair to share it with you.  We have a boy's name that Mike is "sleeping on".  I love it.  I'm hoping it sticks.

Happy Fridays

My "to blog" list is getting rather large.  I've been extremely lazy lately.  My house is a wreck, I haven't freezer cooked, I barely do laundry, Mike cleaned the bathroom last, my blog is a little lazy (no pictures lately... boo), and you really should see my knitting pile.  It's bad.  Oh, and that reading thing.  The book I'm on is rather boring, to be honest.  Who would have thought?  It's Robin Hood.  I'm trying to finish it this week, but I'm behind.  So behind.


BUT!  Today is a very happy Friday indeed.  I took my last full vacation day at my current company.  I woke up and ate, tried to read, and then fell back asleep.  We had Red Robin for lunch, and then I went and bought $25 worth of books for $5 (because I bought a groupon a while back).


Today is a very good Friday indeed.  Next up- hopefully doing some organizing with my knitting projects.  Get some things in order.  Get some to-do lists and timelines hatched out.


Enjoy your weekend!

100 posts?

Today is my 100th post (ok, so 2 of those aren't published yet, but who's that specific?)

I did a bad thing last night.

I introduced my mom to 16 and pregnant, and as luck would have it the show was Leah's (from teen Mom 2) so I have also introduced her to Teen Mom 2.  I admit I really hate the show.  While I enjoy 16 and pregnant because it has a purpose and serves that purpose well, I think Teen Mom just exploits the problem and really just makes it worse by saying "you're a teen mom!  let's make you famous for screwing up!". 

But none the less, even though my mom was extremely irritated with how immature some of these girls were, she was hooked.  That motherly instinct kicked in (which I swear is the only reason we love shows like these) and sure enough she wanted to see what happens to these girls.

It's officially a guilty pleasure, I think.

Top 10 Signs You've Overdone Christmas

I saw an article online today that listed some pretty goofy ways to tell if you spent too much on your kids.

1- We don't have kids, so it obviously doesn't apply.
2- I never intend on spending the type of cash a lot of parents tend to spend apparently.  Seriously?  You people are just nuts.
3- The article was stupid.

BUT!  People over do the holidays ALL THE TIME!  Every year I hear all of this complaining, and griping, and general "I'm freaking out from so much to do!" ness.  I think people have lost the idea behind Christmas.

Am I the kettle calling the pot black?  Maybe.  I do believe my last post listed how behind I was.  BUT!  I don't feel obligated to do ANY of it.  Did I have to get my brothers Christmas AND birthday gifts?  No.  We don't care.  Did I have to hand make over 40 Christmas cards (20 left, people)?  NO.  Did I have to hand make 3 gifts?  Decorate so much?  Bake 4 batches of cookies (and counting)?  NO!!!  I do it because I love making things, I love baking desserts, I love the "oohs" and "aahs" of all the people I care about.  I love giving.  I do it because I enjoy it.  I don't cuss as I trim the tree, or develop Tourette Syndrome while baking (although the cat can change that...).

So here are my top 5 signs you've over done Christmas-

5. You are fighting with the hubs (wife) more than you are smiling.
4. You emptied your bank account (or maxed a credit card) to cover the expense.
3. You are having trouble sleeping because you are dreaming about things going wrong.
2.  You find Christmas music gives you a sudden urge to turn into the Hulk.
1.  You ended up giving someone a bloody nose in a fight for the last ZhuZhu pet (or thing of silly bandz, or Bratz doll). 

Merry Christmas, and please.  Remember that you are supposed to ENJOY the Holiday season!

A Dream Come True- Fast Flats Review

**This post is not sponsored, but if you (*cough*Dr. Scholl's*cough*) wanna change that, by all means, give me a call, email, letter, personal visit, whatever!**

So, ladies... How many of you enjoy going out?  ME TOO!!!!  It's a ton of fun, and it's so worth the hangover headache, tired legs, aches and pains of staying up too long the next day.  I love it.  :)  It certainly helps that I have some majorly awesome friends to go out with though.  If you wanna borrow them, you can come join us in Cincy sometime.

Leaving the tangent world now.

So, if you're like me and like to look great when you go out, you probably wear heals, right???  Am I right???  But then if you're going dancing, or anywhere that you have to walk a lot, or you're just standing a lot, it can hurt like crazy be slightly uncomfortable.

Dr. Scholl's just introduced this awesome new concept called Fast Flats.  They are foldable shoes that come in a cute little wristlet.  AND THEY'RE ONLY $10* in Cincy... Not sure about elsewhere.

Ok, come on.  Foldable shoes?  They can't possibly be that great.

But for only $10, I decided it was worth a shot.  So literally 15 minutes before I had to leave the house I was out buying those suckers.  Perk- they have a variety of sizes, including the infamous 5/6 that I can never find and desperately need.  I really expected a cheap plastic wristlet that would fall apart in minutes, but surprisingly, it was actually really nice!  And, as a bonus, it was actually big enough to carry more than just the shoes.  I actually used it for a purse for the evening.  I even remember thinking "Wow... This solves a lot of my dressy occasion purse dilemmas."

So out I go for the evening in my awesome high heals.  We went to dinner, then to Shadowbox Live, then out to a bar for some dancin' fun.  It was a relatively easy night on my feet- dinner had a mild walk to the car, we sat for Shadowbox, and because of timing, we were only at the bar for about an hour at most.  BUT by the time we got to the bar, my feet were actually sore enough that I figured I'd try the new shoes.  And my feelings are.....

They are amazing.  True, I had a few drinks by that point.  BUT! I was comfortable.  I was able to dance.  The soles were pretty thin, but they were solid enough I felt comfortable that my feet were safe.  They are black, and if you look closely they aren't gorgeous, but for a night on your feet in dim lighting, no one could tell.  They are pretty much a pair of ballet flats.  The only down side is you have to carry your heals afterwards, but that was just a minor inconvenience.  Very much worth the comfort for my feet!  And the next day (I stayed with a friend) I wore them home.  Still comfy enough. 

I definitely recommend them.  They are a cheap way to fix a big problem for a lot of women.  Hats off to you, Dr. Scholl's.  Seriously, this is a huge problem for women, and I think some woman genius finally figured out a solution.  YAY!

Allergies???

So I've come to a realization... 


I am allergic to my make up.  


WHAT THE FREAK??????


I've come to this realization based on the following observations- (keep in mind that until very recently I hardly ever wore make up at all... so learning this now isn't so surprising).


1- Every morning I wake up and do my thing and finally get to putting my make up on before leaving.  Within the next 5 minutes I promptly begin to sneeze my head off (and try to stop the gunky runny nose that quickly follows) for a good 10 minutes until I have effectively removed all the make up under my nose via rubbing, blowing, or whatever.


2- I can't wear mascara due to an allergic reaction (I actually found this out a few years back when I was in colorguard and they tried to say I had to- my eyes were burning within 30 minutes.  And red.  Very red.)


3- My eyes can't stand my make up.  They water.  I just thought it was from the sneezing.  But they water even without the sneezing (i.e. after the sneezing has finished).  I literally found a tear rolling down my nose this afternoon... And the closest thing to an emotional moment was the fact that the Bengals were losing to...  sit tight... the browns! (eep)


So... what's a girl to do when she's allergic to make up?  Or at least something IN make up?  I seriously am at a loss here.  Any suggestions?  Know any hypo-allergenic make up that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?


And on the note of make up... Since I'm new to this world... What do you girls use as your face wash?  My face has recently been breaking out a little more, and I think it's because my face wash isn't quite up to the task of removing make up AND getting my face beautifully clean... It's an issue.  I'm thinking maybe I need a good make up remover FIRST then wash my face???  Ugh.  I feel like such a dork.


And now that I feel like a twelve year old who apparently never asked her mommy the right questions as a child, I am going to drink some coffee (at 6:30 pm) and hopefully move on to something less embarrassing.

Have you seen....?

My new look???

It's been this way for a while, though, so sorry I didn't tell you!  I got it cut way back at the end of July, but the lady screwed it up.  So I went to this really great guy in August to fix it, and he did AMAZING!  BUT.  I had all this left over weight that I didn't exactly like.  Plus the stress and drama of what is the much hated month of August happened.  So I waited.  And waited. 

The weight is still there, but... oh well, what the heck.

This is the ideal haircut- when I was about twenty pounds lighter, 3 years younger, and not wearing glasses.  Isn't it gorgeous???

And THIS is the new haircut- it's a little longer because it's grown for a month.  And styled very differently for fun.  It's supposed to look like Sharon Osborne's cut, one of my mom's faves.

Like???  Don't Like???  This pic is also without glasses because I hate those suckers.  Maybe someday I can afford contacts.  :)

The Taming of the Office

So we've been living in our house for just over 9 months now, but we've failed to even hang most of our decorations and artwork, let alone decorate the house in general!  It's sad, I know... But we want to fix that!

So we started with the most daunting rooms- the office.  That miserable room has been the graveyard for all things unknown.  It's where we have the litter box, the bean bag chair, the desk that's covered in all the papers that need to be sorted and taken care of.  It's an unholy mess.  The window isn't even intact!

So we started decided on design ideas.  Since it's mostly Mike's office, I went with some pretty masculine and modern ideas.  I decided everything months ago, fyi.  I even bought the paint and the window treatment things! 

AND then months later I finally decide to just grit my teeth and bear it.

And this?  That's a scratching pad.  For my declawed cat.  What, you say?  I know.  He's weird.  It belonged to a female kitty who lived with us for a few months.  He was in love with her.  Apparently he still is.  I wasn't allowed to touch it.  I kid you not.

So we emptied the room first.  THAT'S a chore.  And to be honest, the papers that need to be gone through are now sitting in the living room waiting to be gone through (haha!).  BUT we got it emptied.  Into our guest room.

This was the guest room.

And Orion is STILL guarding his post.

I then spent 90% of my Saturday scrubbing, taping, and then painting.  I was so sore by the end of the day!  But I finished, with only a minimal amount of paint on the ceiling and trim.  :)

See my lovely paint job???

And then Sunday I touched it up because it apparently needed a second coat (after the guy at home depot swore it wouldn't) and I didn't quite have enough paint to do a whole second coat.  I was rather upset.

And Orion was SO worried about his scratching post.

But it worked out nicely, and we actually got a lot of the stuff moved back into the room that evening.  The desk moved to the other side of the room to make it look bigger.  I now have a desk where the closet was.  I organized his bins and files and now everything has a home.  :)  It looks fabulous!  And it's not even done yet.

Orion is still only worried about his scratching post.  You do notice it's still there.  Normally I would not be ok with this, but I'm so upset that I broke my cat's heart that I can't bear to get rid of it.

Tonight I still have to hang everything on the walls, including- 2 cd racks, 1 large shelf (in the closet), 5 degree frames (2 degrees, 3 certs), a shelf for a trophy, a plaque, 4 paddles, two dry erase boards, and 3 beautiful pieces of artwork.  Maybe someday I'll figure out how to design a movie reel piece of art for the wall as well.  I also have to make the cornice and hang it.  I might hang the curtain rod back up as well and hang a nice sheer there, but there are so many trees outside it's honestly not necessary at all.  Oh, and I have one more trip to Ikea before I'm finished.

And I'm sure the scratching post will STILL be there when I'm done.

You never think it will be you

We say this about just about everything.  Car accidents.  Losing your loved ones.  Athletic accidents.  Even good things like championships.  Setting records.  Even finding the love of your life, especially after a bad heartbreak.


But no matter how often it's applied, it's always true.  You really never think it could happen to you.  The idea is just simply unfathomable.


Unfortunately, it has to be you sometimes.  Statistically speaking it has to be someone, and what makes you any different from the next guy?


I turned 24 on Friday.  For my birthday, we had a doctor's appointment.  We were supposed to hear a heartbeat.  That beautiful sound that acknowledges there is something indeed growing inside of you.  They couldn't find one, though.  No worries.  I've gained weight, my blood and all the other tests are great.  It's probably just earlier in the pregnancy than we thought.


Just in case, though, they scheduled an ultrasound for today.  And it turns out they were wrong.  There is no heartbeat, and the baby stopped growing approximately 3 weeks ago.  For no apparent reason, I have yet to actually miscarry, but it's going to happen within the next week.  If it doesn't, then I'll have to have a D&C, which if you don't know, they will go in surgically and remove what should have naturally left on its own.


As emotional as this is, I'm thinking I've cried it out, and can hopefully move on.  I've never felt so sad, but unlike what the pamphlet says (who the hell writes that thing?  They obviously don't know JACK SHIT about losing a baby.) I don't feel guilty.  I know it's not my fault, that there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.  I'm confident we can still have children, and we will be trying again.  Hind sight is 20/20, and to be honest, it felt too good to be true.  I don't think I ever really fully accepted that I was going to be a mom.  Something just never sank in.  I never connected with "baby".  I'd like to think it was for this reason, but hind sight is certainly 20/20.  Had I not had the ultrasound today I would never consider that thought.


I think I'm more afraid of the miscarriage now.  Is this going to hurt?  How long until it happens?  How long until I recover?  I'm honestly a "cry it out and move on" type of gal.  I don't like waiting.  I have about 10 lbs to lose now.  I want to be healthy again.  I want my house to be clean again.  I want life to go back to normal again.


Please?

The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

Ever read that book?  It's actually very cute.

Today has started off that way, although I won't lie- the title's a little bit of an exaggeration, much like in the book (seriously, find a kid as an excuse and read it).

Ever wake up late?  I did.

AND as the 9 weeks along tends to produce massive attacks of nausea, I had to eat right away.  Normally if I'm running late I'd skip breakfast.  Haven't had that opportunity for a while.  So I ate cereal in bed.

And then proceeded to violently sneeze.  My long, yet to be styled hair ended up IN the cereal.  Gross.

Do you know how to get milk out of your hair?  You don't.  I tried everything but washing it (cuz seriously... I woke up 15 min before I had to leave).  It still has issues even now.  Tonight I'm hopefully getting my hair cut.  They can get it out.  I've been known to go to salons with all kinds of crap in my hair (I won't discuss the worst, because seriously it's the saddest story you can hear and I don't want to cry myself, let alone make you cry).

So obviously I got out the door late.  So late, in fact, that Mike was pulling in as I left.  This is NOT a good sign.  I usually cross paths with him around the half way point.  And he wasn't running ahead of schedule.

Oh, and my cat killed a moth this morning.  That he chose to leave in the living room for all to see.  Gross.

I get to the parking lot.  I see it's sunny.  I leave my umbrella in my car.  We walk the 10 minutes in (Mom and I park together).  We get all the way inside, and THEN she mentions "oh, it's supposed to storm today".  Seriously?  You couldn't have said this AT THE CAR???

So here's to all of you out there with the same type of day- that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day where in the end we'll arrive for a haircut late, with milk in our soaking wet hair from the storm.  Have a drink for me, please, because that's the other part... I can't.

Nor can I take the pain meds I so want for my back.  Must have slept on it wrong.  Le sigh.

For the record- yes, I'm a complainer.  But usually life is happy, so when I get the chance, I try to make it humorous.  That was my intent here.  Did it work?  Oh, and the pain meds- I hate taking meds, but one dose of advil and my back would be as good as new.  So sad.

The Joys of a New House

We have reached a stage in our lives.  It's called "Everyone we know buys a house" Stage.

I can't help it.  I'm competitive and proud.  I compare.  It's a sin.  I'm going to hell.

I'm green with envy.

We bought our house for a few reasons.  1- We honestly didn't have a LOT of money to work with, and our house is actually valued around twice as much as we paid.  It's big for what we paid.  But it's bare bones.  It's very neutral in decoration.  The doorways aren't pretty arches.  The wood floor isn't finished.  The windows are all old.  The walls are all one. neutral. boring. color.  It also has some issues- the people who loved it before us really loved it, but they weren't handy, and you can tell.  They tried, though.  I give them a B for effort, sound good?

Another reason we bought it- the bare bones were exactly what we wanted.  Several smaller rooms.  Open living space.  Lots of storage.  A nice back yard (oh the backyard!  I love it). New carpet, appliances, kitchen. 

But then I see places like my buddies'.  They bought older houses.  They have issues that I can see, and I'm not saying their houses are better or that I even want their houses.  But they have things already in place.  Such as beautiful wooden archways.  Oh, the archways!  I'm such a sucker for character in a house.  No a/c?  Oh well.  They have arches!

Or my friend just built a house.  It's gorgeous.  It has everything they want.  Of course it does.  They built it!  They spent months living somewhere else while a crew built everything to their specifications.  I personally love the idea.  Maybe if we eventually sell our house (maybe.  I love our house) we will build one. 

I just wish I could make my house more presentable.  I'm so lazy.  The house is a mess (I have an excuse right now, though).  The projects are semi-planned to completely mapped out.  They just aren't moving.  Someone motivate me please?  I really want someone to be green with envy over MY house. 

Many Apologies

I'm so sorry I haven't written in over a week.  A WEEK!!!!  I just can't believe it.  At first I thought it was because nothing has happened, but that's honestly a lie.  Soon I will update you with some interesting posts- a friend flying into town, seeing a movie, all day morning sickness, and golf lessons.  So there's your preview.

The topic to cover first- of course it's the morning sickness!!!!

First- how extremely gross.  Pregnancy is supposed to be about glowing, and being uncomfortable in your skin but happy, and there's the emotions and cravings, right?

Wrong.  At about the 6.5 week mark I gradually noticed the icky feeling becoming stronger and lasting longer.  Eventually I was literally sick ALL FREAKIN' DAY!!!  It lasted about a week while I tried to reign it in.  Turns out, I'm learning.  Small meals just about every hour.  If I get up in the middle of the night I should eat some crackers.  Don't eat foods that smell bad.  Don't eat foods that make your stomach turn.  Don't eat a whole meal.

I have not had the total package deal, thankfully (PLEASE knock on wood for me) and I'm hoping that with the few tricks I've learned I can avoid it.  So far I'm doing well today, which is the first in several days, although I have gradually gotten better at it.  I didn't eat lunch today, which is usually the trigger.  I ate slightly less than half a lunch.  I will eat the rest in an hour or so.  I will eat some crackers about an hour after that.  I have a peanut butter sandwich for just before I leave work.  All this because there's something the size of a blueberry in my womb?  CRAZY.

So there you have it.  It's the totally lame excuse real reason I haven't posted an update.  Being sick takes all your energy.  But now that I'm feeling better I hope we can keep each other posted, mmmk?

AND if you're interested- I'll be 8 weeks along on Sunday.  I have gained 3 pounds, but I also weighed myself at a completely different time of the day and at least 2 of it was probably from that.  I'm tired, but not too badly exhausted.  I have to get up in the night to use the facilities, but that's the only difference there.  So far the biggest issue has been my stomach and finding the right combination of timing and food to please it.  My nose is an excellant companion in that department.  Mike brought home chicken for his dinner.  The idea of it disgusted me... until I smelled it.  I devoured half before he could eat it.  lol.  Poor boy.

Romeo has also changed- I think he knows something's up.  He's been extremely clingy and totally ignores Mike when I'm in the room.  He has also started sleeping in between Mike and I, which is new.  He's always gotten in the way, but now it seems intentional compared to before.  Like he's protecting me?  From Mike?  Weird.

The Dreaded Father's Day

I wrote this post a couple weeks ago, but couldn't post it immediately.  It's a delicate subject, ya know?


About 3 years ago my Dad's company held their bi-annual company picnic at King's Island.  As someone who was working there, I managed to wiggle my schedule enough that I would at least get to see him that morning (July was by far the busiest month at the park).  Mike and I spent all morning with them.  We split up pretty early, and it just felt odd.  I mean, I had to obtain Mike's ticket- my dad found an excuse for not getting him one.  Everyone knew how tense Dad was about me dating someone who wasn't (and still isn't) white.


That was the last time I saw my Dad.


I was having a birthday party in a month and everyone at the party already knew I was moving in with Mike in September.  Everyone except my Dad.  So a few weeks after the trip to KI, I called him up and let him know.  It didn't go over so well.  We yelled, we got disconnected, he called back and yelled at me for hanging up on him (I was driving- I went through a bad signal spot).  We yelled some more.  He hung up on me.  I called him back 4 times.  Finally his wife answered and said he didn't want to speak to me.


I could sit here and say I was absolutely shocked.  But unfortunately that would be a lie.  I was totally expecting it.  Doesn't mean that the actual words didn't hurt.  They still hurt today.  You wouldn't believe how many different ways I've learned to cope with the pain.


6 months later Mike proposed.  I wrote my Dad a letter.  I told him about it, and told him how much I missed him, and asked him to participate.  That Mike and I were an Us now.  Not just me.  He wrote back and turned every nice thing I said into something hateful.  He was mean.  I gave up.  I responded with every thought that I had formed and told him how awful he was for doing this.


1 year and 6 months later- It's Father's Day (oh how I hate this day).  One of my best friends was married 2 days earlier, Mike's best man was married the day before.  Our wedding was in 5 days.  It was my last shot- I called him.  It went exactly as I had expected.  He shot me down.  He even had the nerve to say "Had I voiced my opinions sooner, maybe things could have been different."


I hate Father's Day.  Today marks the 1 year anniversary of that horrible call.


But today is going to be different.  We're starting new holidays for us.  Not ones where we celebrate our own Father's, but one where we celebrate us as parents.

Happy Father's-To-Be Day, Mike.  I love you.  And yes, I'm terrified.


This also explains the lack of posts lately.  Because, quite frankly, when you have one big thing on your mind, it's hard to NOT write a post about it.  Now that I have, I will try my best to keep my blog from being over-run with pregnancy posts.  Please keep in mind I said TRY.

Confessions of.....

the Chocoholic.


This weekend I've had a LOT of chocolate.  My gracious husband has even gone so far as to make a run to Kroger at 12:30 am (on his way home from work.  I'd NEVER ask him to do that if he were home and ready to turn in. yes I have)

This had to be my favorite out of everything this weekend!  It is a venti double chocolate chip frappuchino from, obviously, Starbucks.  How much did it cost you ask?  It was free.  That's right, you heard me.  Free.  All because about a month ago the lady at the drive thru got my order wrong.  No worries my restaurant friends, I was very polite when I asked for it to be fixed.  I'm no where near ok with treating people like s*** for a small fixable mistake.

I was so excited about it I couldn't even wait to take the pic before drinking half of it.

Also consumed over the weekend- 2 single serving molten lava cakes, Oreos, and chocolate cookies and cream ice cream.

MY RING IS BACK!!!!

It's back it's back it's back!!!!!

REWIND


Easter morning began as any normal Easter morning.  I was getting ready to go to my aunt's house for Easter lunch.  As I go to put my beautiful ring back on after showering I drop it.  Towards the sink drain.


DUN DUN DUN!!!


I panic.  I grab as quick as I can and thankfully it DIDN'T go down the drain.  Instead, I chipped the diamond!  (you can do that???? Yes.  Yes you can.)


Do you remember how long ago Easter was?  It was early April.  It has taken a WHOLE MONTH to have it repaired and returned.  


But it's back.  It's finally back!!!!  No more silly looks like I have three heads when I tell people I'm Mike's wife.  Yes, as sad as that sounds, I get those looks.  What?  An interracial couple in Cincy??? Which I don't really understand.  Look around.  WE'RE EVERYWHERE!


The ring at least helps us look a little more legit.  And let's be realistic- it's a gorgeous ring.  I may have pretty much picked out my own engagement ring, but that wedding band?  In that gorgeous gold?  All Mike.  I'm so proud of him.  I couldn't have done better myself.  And I've seriously never seen a wedding band that I think is prettier.  Sorry girls.  I know I'm biased, but it's true.  I. Love. My. Ring.  :)  It took about thirty pictures to get one that you could actually see the ring through the shine.  :) 

My Weekend Wish- A Shaving Station

Confession- I hate to shave.  I avoid shaving.  In the winter, it's bad.  My hair, though, is blonde and very thin, so it's not the worst thing ever.  Right?


Here's my issue- for all the gentlemen out there, do you realize how long it takes to shave your legs?  There's a lot more skin than on your face.  Plus, there's more distance.  You have to reach your ankles (easy, right?) and the backs of your knees (ok, so you have to twist a little), and the back of your thighs (ok... seriously, I either need a mirror, or do it blind, because it's just not possible).


Problem two- I have yet to find a razor that works.  Really works.  There should be a balance between so tough it cuts your skin off or to pieces and so soft it just doesn't cut.  I like the ones I'm using now.  They are disposable venus something or others.  They do a decent job.  But that still isn't great.  I have to double check and triple check (like I said, my hairs are blonde and thin) because without a doubt, the second I finish and dry off, I find a HUGE strip that just refused to let go.  And my knees... They're rather bony, or have scars (knee surgery in '02 and '08) and the terrain is just not tolerable of shaving.


The biggest problem- that stupid shower!  I'm not the type of girl who likes to do things separately, so I don't sit on the edge of the tub and shave.  I try to shave in the shower.  On second thought, maybe I need to just try the edge of the tub because shaving in the shower requires acrobat-like abilities.  My legs have no where to go.  The lighting is poor.  It just isn't working.


I think a woman needs to design a shower.  A shower entirely based around the needs of a woman, because let's face it.  Men need less out of the shower.  Just a tall shower head and a place to put his all-in-one (or so he thinks?) soap/shampoo.  It needs to have a bench (not the old lady bench, people) and a couple extra ledges to place things like, say, your foot while shaving.  How about a decent razor holder?  All the ones I've seen or used suck. Hang a mirror off of the ledge so you can automatically see the back of your thighs.  Add a second shower head (a mini one) within arms reach to rinse either razor or leg without having to leave your position.  Shaving would be faster, easier, and a lot more convenient.


Does anyone else feel this way when they shave?

What do You Want to Be?

That horrible horrible question. What do you want to be? What are you majoring in? What's your degree in? Oh, and what are you planning on doing with that (Spanish degree)?

Let me answer... I HAVE NO FREAKIN' CLUE!!!!

How frustrating. I'm 23. I have a bachelor's degree in Spanish. What do I want to be? A teacher. A nurse. A translator. A Human Resources Manager. I want to start my own business- a printshop, a daycare, a babysitting business, a nonprofit organization... I love art and I've considered photography. I have considered just managing my hubby's up and coming videography business (check it out here if your interested). I want to work for the UN with one of its humanities projects... You get the picture.

I have yet to find my calling. Except for one thing, and it's odd, because when you know something, you just know it. My relationship with Mike was that way. I had loved and lost before. But I had never felt THAT with anyone before. He just completed me. He was a part of me that I had never known I was missing. Like the way I feel about Mike, there is only one thing that I have always been 100% destined to be.

I want to be a mom. I LOVE children. They are my heart and soul. I've been a babysitter for years. YES YES YES I know it's NOWHERE near the same thing. BUT. I've been there. I was a nanny for my cousins when they were 14 months old. Yes, identical twins. Live In Nanny. 14 months old. I was 16. LOVED IT. I worked at their school FOR FUN. I helped my older brother on those long nights when his son was little and his parents just needed rest. I was their when he was colicky. I was there the night he was rushed to the ER because of his ears. So although it's not the same. I've been there. And I know my calling.

It's unfortunate, however. As nice as it would be to spend my years as a stay-at-home-mom, I don't see it in the future. Mike will have to strike it rich (or at least make enough to cover all expenses and my love of a comfy lifestyle). Currently, he and I together aren't making enough to cover our expenses!!! No worries, we're making it work and we're honestly fine. But the numbers are there, and we won't be fine forever this way. And I'm actually the main money source at the moment. And I carry our insurance. We just can't bring a baby into this situation AND have me quit my job...

In fact, at this moment we're not even sure it would be fair to bring a baby into our situation. So we're waiting (thought I was going to say I was pregnant, huh?) Which is rather sad for me. It'll come eventually, though. Patience is a virtue, right? I just wish I knew how to deal with the wait without making my hubby go CRAZY.