I've Always Wanted To Be Normal :)

Good Morning Humble Readers...

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Beta #1 - 269 (18dpo)   Beta #2 - 1300 (22dpo)

I guess my emotional begging yesterday got through to DocB.  He called me himself just a few minutes ago with the results.

Breathing Easier ... But Frustrated

Good Afternoon Humble Readers...

Okay... everyone take a deep breath in.  Out. 

All is well, I just have a really dopey GP.  Apparently, he misread the information my OB sent over about the prometrium he prescribed.  DocB thought I didn't have the meds yet.  Oy! 

Then he started going on about how my beta numbers were 'rather low'.  I interupted him, and said that for 18dpo (thank you Elana for pointing out my miscalculation) 269 was right in the normal range, he clarified... low as in comparison to where they will be in two weeks.  Argh!  You don't tell a woman who has been at this as long as I have, and has been through two early miscarraiges that the numbers are low when they really aren't!  Double oy! 

The one good thing that came out of the appointment... I have paperwork for weekly bloodwork between now and my ultrasound (April 20).  I did have to get a little emotional, and practically beg for the bloodwork, but I got it, and went for another draw this afternoon.  I'll get the results on Thursday morning. 

I'm feeling much more relaxed, and I so greatly appreciate all your support.  You guys are such a huge help...

A Little Low... But Respectable ** UPDATED **

At 19 dpo my beta number - 269

Not exactly as high as I would like but not low enough to cause me to stress out.

DocU wants me to repeat the test in two weeks.  I pick up the requisition tomorrow.  Here's the thing, he's going away for two weeks.  So, if I wait the full two weeks to go for the blood work, I won't be able to find out the results until the end of April. 

I'm thinking, if I go for the bloodwork at the beginning of next week, that will put me at 10 days since my last test, and I should be able to get the results before he goes on vacation. 

Honestly, I'd like to go for another blood test tomorrow, but I will wait if that's what he wants. 

I will not worry.  I will not stress.  I am going to enjoy this pregnancy.

UPDATE: I just got a call from my GP's office.  DocB wants to see me tomorrow.  Now I'm more than a little nervous.  The nurse said that it's as a follow-up as requested from DocU, to discuss further treatment (?!?!).  Maybe DocB will send me for a repeat on the bloodwork sooner.

Please pray that I can chill out for the rest of the day... and sleep tonight.

Mild Anxiety... Please Tell Me To Chill Out

Good morning Humble Readers...

So I'm on pins and needles a bit here.  Someone please slap me back to reality?!?

I was told to call my OB's office today to get the results of my beta on Friday.  I waited until 10:30, called, and his nurse told me that the results are in, but DocU hasn't had a chance to look at them yet.  She said she'd call as soon as he does. 

I know, even reading that back, it sounds innocuous.  But it was more the tone of her voice. 

Maybe it's just a hectic day at the office.  I hope that's all I heard.

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: A Day Of Firsts

Good Evening Humble Readers..

First up, I apologize for not being around the last few days.  My laptop was in the shop for a de-bugging (the lousy browser re-direct virus is history and I can use search engines again), and I've been pooped.

*****
I had my first doctor's appointment this morning.  It was like no other first prenatal visit I have ever had.  No piac, no weigh in, no blood pressure check.  Right away, DocU did an u/s, to see what we could see.  There on the screen was the little black spot in my 'nice thick lining', where the halfling has taken up residence.  Afterward, we talked about my concerns and the next steps.  First, he gave me a req for an ultrasound in 3.5 weeks.  I will be 8 weeks at that point and a heartbeat should be visible.  Second, he wrote out the req for my bloodwork.  And last, he gave me a prescription for prometrium... yay!  He was honest and said that it's not a miracle drug, but that it certainly can't hurt.  I won't get my beta numbers until Monday.

*****
Ok, so the prometrium.... WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?  What didn't DocU or the pharmacist tell me?  I was prescribed 200mg twice a day for the next 8 weeks.  To be taken internally, of course.  I know about the increased breast tenderness and bloating... but what else?  And because I know that my Beloved will ask... what about bd-ing?  Please give me any info you can!

*****
So, morning sickness kicked in full force this afternoon.  I was really nauseous last night, so much so that I had to sleep half sitting up.  I was feeling mildly pukey when I woke up this morning, but once I ate and got going I was ok.  But this afternoon... oy!  I ate lunch and almost immediately regretted it.  I lasted about a half hour before I had to leave work, and then I barely made it home before losing my lunch behind our fence.  Ugh.  Now I feel a bit better, but I'm exhausted. 

*****
In other news... my grandmother is not doing well.  She's currently in the ICU, on a breathing tube and kidney dialysis.  The doctors don't really know what's going on.  Please pray for her and her doctors.

*****
My Beloved just came home with flowers for me... tulips!  How sweet!

Without Apology

Good Morning Humble Readers...

All is well, here on the semi-frozen flatland.  We woke up to snow this morning.  Not much, but enough to remind us that this is Alberta, and snow can come anytime, especially in the spring. 

(at some point soon, I will write a post that isn't related to this pregnancy, hpts, doctor's appointments... I'm just a little tunnel-visioned right now.  If that means that you can't read for a while, I totally get it.  I hope that you will stick with me on this road, but if you need to take a detour, that's okay.  I understand.)

I made another decision last night.  My Beloved and I were discussing the future, particularly the nursery.  What colour I want to paint it, what we will need for furniture, and whether or not we will use cloth diapers. 

With every topic we discussed, I led off with, "I'm getting ahead of myself here..." or "If we get to that point..." or "I know I should wait to think about this..."  After three or four statements that started like that, I needed to stop.  I needed to acknowledge what was really going on in my head. 

As much as I want to not let the past colour my feelings about this pregnancy, that anxiety/fear/worry is there.  And it's not going to go away anytime soon. 

As I've stated before, I want and plan to cherish this pregnancy, no matter how long it lasts.  I want to dream and plan, to talk about the things that others who aren't a part of this club talk about when they're expecting. 

So, going forward, there will be no more provisos, no more apologies, no more if, only when... I am pregnant and I am going to let that sink in and even let it take priority in my thoughts.  Heck, I might even think about maternity leave. 

It still doesn't seem real.

A Weensy Bit Irked

Good Morning Humble Readers...

I love my OB.  He's great.  He's been very supportive through our losses and the testing we did last year.  After my hysteroscopy (to remove a uterine polyp), he told me, and put in my file, that I was contact him as soon as I 'achieve pregnancy' rather than having to wait for a referral from my GP.   

I knew he wouldn't send me for blood work until AF was officially late, which is why I waited until this morning to start pestering.  He knows my history, and silly me, I assumed* that I would be able to just pick up the blood work req from his office, go to the lab, and have my first appointment after the results were in.  Not the case. 

I can't get in to see him until Friday morning (and I have to try to juggle my work schedule to do it).  At that point I will get the paperwork for the labs I need.  Meanwhile, I'm sitting here wonderng if my progesterone is high enough and is low progesterone a contributing factor to blighted ova (both my losses were BO)?  I went looking for OTC progesterone cream yesterday, but no one in town has any.  Only by prescription.  Argh!

Also, of course I tested again this morning.  No eye-bending required to see the lovely blue line this morning.  I'm going to try a digital again later in the week.  Felt very pukey, too.  Yesterday I was a bit anxious, being that if AF was going to show, she would have done so, but there was no sign of the witch.  I'm feeling a bit crampy, mostly in the mornings. 

Because this whole thing still doesn't seem quite real, I couldn't bring myself to put up a floating baby.  So instead I found the one with the seeds/fruit comparisons.  I've also considered opening those books I bought ages ago... you know the ones. 

In other news... my laptop appears to have contracted some sort of a virus/spyware/malware something. It's weird, making it so that I can't use search engines (talk about annoying!). I go.ogle something and the list of webpages come up, but when I click a link it takes me to some ad list that is only slightly related to my search. I've tried using downloadable malware removal software, but it only worked once.  I think I'm going to have to take it in.  Lame!

I hope that you are all well, and enjoying ICLW!  I know I am!


* I know that assuming makes me an ass, and that me being pregnant does not automatically make openings appear in my OBs appointment book.  I'm still irked though. 

March ICLW - A Strange Place To Be

Good Morning Humble Readers...

If you are stopping by for ICLW*, welcome to the hobbit-hole!

Normally, on the 21st of each month I try to come up with some witty intro, but I'm honestly a bit distracted** and I can't think of anything fun and funny.  So, instead I will give you a bit of a tour.

This little hole is my online home, and it has recently been under some renovations.  New rooms have been added and there are more changes coming soon (when I find someone to help with layout options). 

The Quest - Every good hobbit needs a quest.  And while I don't have a ring that needs to be destroyed in the fires of Mt. Doom, I am in search of my own mythical creature, a baby. 

The Library - pretty obvious... I love reading, I love books. 

The Larder - A collection of the recipes I have shared here. 

I hope you wander the halls and find this a comfortable place.

Just a heads up... the Larder is still under construction, but I would gladly whip something up for you if you're hungry. ;)  As a matter of fact, why don't you tell me what you would love to have for lunch today?  I'm a pretty good cook and I always love a challenge.

*ICLW - International Comment Leaving Week... the brainchild of the marvelous Mel (also known as Lollipop Goldstein or the Stirrup Queen).  It's a great opportunity to get to know about a gazillion other bloggers, and have them meet you.  Click the green box to the left for more info.


**Distractions... well, just really big one.  For more info, check out the last few posts.

More Of The Same... and A Decision

Good Afternoon Humble Readers...

Yes indeedy, I testeded again this morning.  I used my second FRER and a Clearblue.  The FRER came back with an uber-faint line, but the CB was friendlier. 

You know how you can watch the 'moisture' (trying to be polite for my non-procreation-obsessed readers) move across the little window?  Well, this line showed up right away! 

Still not as dark as I would like it to be, but I have to keep reminding myself that it really is still early.  I'm only 12dpo.  With our first pregnancy, I didn't get a faint bfp until I was 15dpo, even tho my luteal phase at that point was only 11.5-12 days. 

I am feeling very hopeful, and the three very necessary trips to the bathroom while I was at work today are just adding to that.  Tomorrow is d-day... the day that AF is due.  I really don't think she's going to show up.  I think this might be it...

And thinking along those lines helped me come to a decision.  The last time I was pregnant (Dec 08 -Jan 09), I was terrified the entire time.  I mean, shaking in my boots, crying at the drop of a hat, shit-scared that it wasn't going to work, that we were going to lose another baby.  Well, we did.  And being all stressed and anxious like that didn't do anything except ruin what should have been a happy time.  So, I have decided that I am going to enjoy this pregnancy... whether it lasts for 9 minutes, 9 days, or 9 months... I am pregnant, and I am happy.  Yes, there is a part of me that is nervous, but for right now I am choosing to ignore that voice.  I want to take joy in this moment.

Holding Pattern

Good Morning Humble Readers...

(Cue the Jeopardy theme music)

I'm still very hopeful, and all my signs are pointing to me being pregnant. (temps still going up, all usual suspects... very painful b00bs, nausea, tired, bionic nose, hungry, mild tugging cramps).  None of my usual pre-AF symptoms.  I did test again yesterday before I left for work on another brand of test (the Zellers brand) and got the same result... very faint positive.

We went out and bought a bunch of tests last night, and this morning I PIAC.  Let's just say, the tests weren't my friend.  I tried an FRER first... and initially it looked like a negative but a few minutes later. (less than 10) there was a super faint line (I did try to take a pic, but the line didn't show up).  FRER has never really been my friend, not working nicely for me until AF was late.  I decided to use one of the CB digitals... the test was a total dud!  Got the little hourglass symbol, but then nothing one way or the other.  Argh!

At this point, I am considering myself PUPO.  My OB won't send me for a blood test until AF is late, so I'm going to harrass him on Monday.  Right now, I need to get my lazy self off the couch and into the shower.  I NEED to go to Costco today and our cupboards are looking really bare. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has been so supportive through this... your comments mean the world to me (not to mention make me laugh)!  I love this community and all my bloggy friends! 

Please keep everything crossed and keep praying.

A Very Merry Un-Birthday?

Good Morning Humble Readers...

So, today is my un-birthday, or rather my half birthday.  Not that I really want to celebrate being 35 and a 1/2... when and how did that happen?

But, I think I may have been given a present... (yes, I only managed to wait until 10dpo.  I confess, I'm weak)

It's probably an evap line... I would even say that I'm probably imagining it, except that my Beloved saw it too.  What do you all think? 

Gratuitous, Self-Indulgent Dreck

Good evening... er, morning Humble Readers.

My sleep schedule is all out of whack right now, thus you are getting a middle of the night post. 

First up, because I'm sure you are dying to know... inventory last night went well.  Surprisingly so.  I don't wish to malign the particular inventory company whose services we utilize, but in all my previous experiences with them, their staff haven't been the brightest crayons in the box.  However, last night, I was pleasantly surprised.  The majority of them were efficient, filled with common sense, and altogether pleasant.  They were so good, that we actually had all the basic counting, verifications, and required audits done by midnight!  Amazing!  Normally, it's 4 or 5 am before the counters leave the store.

Second, a cycle update.  8... er, 9dpo now.  I made it through the morning (when I'm home alone) without caving to the taunting of the pee sticks.  I was going to assemble the shelving unit we bought at IKEA last weekend, but as I mentioned above, my sleep schedule is wacky right now so I ended up dozing most of the morning.  Phantom symptoms are more pronounced today (aka - the b00bs are KILLING ME!!).  The last two days I have had this odd sort of hot flash thing going on in the late evenings.  Not enough to register on my thermometer (yes I checked), but enough to make my face flush and make me feel uncomfortable.  Mild nausea, with a few moments of true gagginess.  The thing that's kind of got me a bit concerned is that I'm feeling kind of crampy tonight.  I know it could potentially be a good thing, but with AF showing her ugly face so early last cycle, I'm a bit freaked out.  Here's hoping that being back on the vitamin b is doing the trick. 

I know I'm over analyzing every little thing, and Sunday morning has the potential to be a real bitch.  But I'm still feeling that seed of hope.  I just hope it gets a chance to germinate. 

Here's hoping that my lack of interest in chocolate today is a good sign, too.

Like An Itch You Can't Scratch

Good Morning Humble Readers...

For all the rational side of me is screaming at me, I am actually feeling really hopeful for this cycle. 

My O went back to my normal, after three months of craziness.  My chart looks really pretty (check the link to the right), and with the help of the Ov.wat.ch, I'm feeling confident that we covered my O window well.  I'm 7dpo today, which means another 5 or 6 days to go.  My phantom symptoms are definitely there, although not overly persistent, which is different enough for me to note the change. 

And because I'm feeling so hopeful, I am starting to get that impulse to test.  Those two boxes under my bathroom sink are taunting me.  Calling to me...

I'm utilizing all my usual tricks while I'm at home to avoid the itch.  Distraction, misdirection, and avoidance... but I need outside help.  At least for another few days, until my temps start to drop, the need for chocolate grabs me, the mood swings start, and reality sinks in.

******
In other news: tonight is inventory at work.  Ugh!  I'm one of the lucky ones and am getting an early shift, 4pm-midnight.  Most are working until 4am.  Thankfully, we are only counting the toy and gift departments.  But it will still be a long shift.

How to Tell When A Hobbit is Tired...

Good evening Humble Readers!

(This is likely to be my second most boring post ever!  There was one post about a year ago that no one commented on, and I think this one might just tie that...)

Oooooh my, I am pooped tonight.  My work week was only three days, but I just am wrung out.  All day long I was using the wrong words (saying computer when I meant cucumber, one staff person's name when I meant another, reminding my staff to change their clocks on Sunday rather than Saturday... oy!). 

It's been weird at the store lately.  Quiet, traffic-wise, but lots of busy work.  

Back during the olympics, I ran a contest for the staff.  I divided them into teams and set criteria for earning points.  Each team was given a country name... and after the two weeks, Denmark won the gold medal.  The prize for the team was a free lunch... but not just any free lunch.  I would make them something fantabulous! 

Things got a wee titch complicated when one member of Team Denmark told me he had a long list of allergies and intolerances (he can't handle spicy food, and for him ceasar salad dressing is too spicy... oh my) and another told me that she can eat pretty much anything except garlic (her husband is deathly allergic, so she can't have it at all... double oh my... no garlic?????).  The other two just had some basic nut and dairy issues, but I could work with that. 

I looked at the schedule, and today was the only day for a while that they were all going to be working at the same time, so I planned accordingly.  Except, I didn't take into consideration that I was scheduled to close last night and open this morning.  Yikes!

So, last night, at 10pm, I was cooking two separate meals.  Mandarin Almond Chicken with rice and salad for W & J (my food restricted folks), and Chicken Souvlaki, Roasted Greek Potatoes and Not-So-Greek Salad for M & R. 

By the time I crashed on the couch at around midnight, I was done in! 

It took me a while to fall asleep because my back was aching, and the alarm went off waaaaaaaay too early.  I was up and putting the finishing touches on the dishes at 6:30 this morning. 

Don't get me wrong.  I had fun last night cooking.  It was an adventure to make something that I hoped they would all like and still meet their tastes.  I just should have found another day to do it. 

Add to all this that my work shoes are pretty much dead, and are making it challenging to get through a shift on a good day...

I'm sore, I'm tired, and my Beloved and I are going shopping tomorrow in Calgary (Ik.ea here I come!)... I think it's going to be an early night for me. 

So, what do you guys have going on this weekend?

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: In The News

Good Morning Humble Readers...

It's not even 7am here, and I've already had an odd day. 

First, I read a news story that made me cry.  Corey Haim was one of my junior high celebrity crushes.  Well, him and Corey Feldman.  I saw all the movies they were in together, but I particularly remember renting 'Lost Boys' every weekend for a month.  I honestly hadn't thought about him in years, until the two Coreys did that reality show a couple of years ago.  It made me sad to see where his life had led, and the leading role that drugs now played in his life.  I didn't watch much of the reality show, because I don't like those shows that capitalize on peoples' struggles and pain like that.  So this morning when I saw his name at the top of the Yah.oo search list, I honestly thought that he had landed back in rehab or something.  Instead, I read this.  I hope that he has found the peace that he couldn't find in this life. 

*******
Next, I read a news story that made me laugh.  My Beloved actually told me a bit about this last night.  It really just goes to show that you CANNOT come between a Canadian and their hockey!  I can't help but be a tad proud of the people on that flight... their priorities were certainly in the right place!  I have to wonder if that would have happened south of the border. 

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And while this is not newsworthy by any means... I am a little confused by my cycle.  First off, I O'd earlier than I have for the last few cycles... Yay!  Second... my ov.watch says that I O'd on CD 15, but my bbt and cm say I O'd on CD 14.  Either way, we're covered, but still... confusing.

Show & Tell: My Tummy Still Hurts From Laughing

Good Morning Humble Readers! 

Last night's adventure was sooooooooooo much fun! 

We got to the theater early so that we would be sure to get our tickets.  Then we decided to wait around a bit to see if we could see some of the others from my work.  We saw J and her friend M, but after waiting for what seemed like a long time, we finally decided to go find our seats...

And oh what seats!  Third row, just off center!  It was great! 

McLean started off the evening with a hilarious new Dave & Morley story, involving Dave wanting to try out his neighbour's uber-expensive bike.  It was so funny that I was crying.  And because I had never seen him tell his stories before, I was especially amused by the fact that he sort of acts them out. 

He had some great musicians with him.  The bassist and the pianist were really talented, but I forget who they are.  The Good Lovelies are nominated for a Juno (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for best roots album.  They were fun and had a great bluegrass sort of sound.  I really enjoyed their music.

McLean went on to tell one of my favourite stories.  The one where Dave decides that he's going to move an outlet in the kitchen.  But of course Dave doesn't know anything about electrical work or home renos.  It ends up involving 8 neighbourhood men, their powertools, and fifteen holes in the wall before they finally overload the circuits and the house goes dark.  And that's when Morley comes home from work.  Of course I am not trying to do it justice.  You need to hear him tell it, or read it in one of his books. 

Just before the intermission, McLean invited a young kid on stage to help him give away a bunch of free cds.  Their interaction was great!  And the kid was totally brave!

After the intermission, we were treated to a collection of reminisences of McLean's childhood, growing up in Montreal, the son of two Australian transplants, and how he got into radio.  Very sweet and funny.

And after some more music, we got to another new Dave and Morley story.  Dave agrees to watch all the neighbourhood dogs over spring break.  Now, Dave has an interesting history with his dog, and with his neighbours... and when you combine the two you know that chaos is sure to follow. 

We had such a good time!  I wanted to leave you with a clip of one of his stories, and this was the shortest one I could find that was still a complete story.  I hope you enjoy it.

Now, don't forget to swing by the marvelous Mel's place and check out what the rest of the class is showing. 

I Am Such A Lucky Hobbit!

Humble Readers... omg... I am soooooooooo excited!

I just got a phone call from work.  A very well known Canadian author/raido personality is in town this week.  I have mentioned him before, but seriously, Stuart McLean is hilarious!  He writes and tells the Vinyl Cafe stories on CBC Radio.  Some of you may be familiar with 'Dave Cooks The Turkey'.

Anyway, he's doing a concert tonight in town.  He stopped by my store today to do an impromptu appearance and sign his books (what a day to have off!!!) and his producer was giving away free tickets to our staff.  One of the other managers, who knows that my Beloved and I are huge fans, got his producer to set aside a set of tickets for us!  They run between $50-70 a pop... and we get to go for free!!!!  Tonight!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited?

Okay, I have to go get dinner started and put on something presentable. 

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Award Season...

Howdy Humble Readers!

Well, I missed most of the Oscars last night, but that's okay, because I didn't get to see many of the movies beforehand.  So much for that on my to do list for this year. 

Buuuuuutttt... just because the award season is wrapping up now doesn't mean that there aren't still awards to be announced!

Last week, Soo See over at HolyMoly Toledo(s)  honoured me with Happy 101 award... Thank you so much Soo See!

When you receive the Happy 101 Award, you have to list 10 things that make your day and then list 10 blogs worthy of this award. Post a link to the blogs you nominate, and make sure you let them know that they have been nominated!

I thought, for this round of bloggy love, I would honour some people who have recently honoured me by becoming honourary hobbits (that would be new followers).  Thank you guys for reading, commenting, and joining me on this journey.  I'm still getting to know many of these ladies, but they all totally rock!

1. Erica at Diary of an Infertile Mad Woman
2. Mrs. Spock
3. Jess at A Little Blog About The Big Infertility
4. Steggie at Crazy Cat Lady
5. Eileen at We Got Hitched, We Bought the Four Bedroom House, Now What?
6. Jessica at This Is Worthwhile
7. Baby On Mind
8. Crunchy Baby Mama
9. Stephanie at The Dreamer and The Realist
10. Kate at Busted Plumbing

So now onto the things that make my day...

1. Cooking... I know, if you stop by regularly, you are VERY aware of my passion for good food.  I love trying to replicate new tastes, and trying new recipes.  I love love LOVE that my Beloved isn't a picky eater and that he is patient with my experiments. 
2. Reading... Since I was just a wee hobbit I have been addicted to books.  I adore getting lost in a great story.
3. The ring tone on my cell phone that indicates I've gotten an email (often comment notifications).  I'm that much of a geek, that I get a thrill knowing that someone has read what I have written and has taken the time to comment on it. 
4. Green tea lemonade... Venti, extremely light ice.  Yum!
5. When my Beloved comes home for lunch... at least half the week I work in the afternoon/evening so I don't get to see my Beloved, so he comes home for lunch so that we get some time together every day.
6. Stolen time... when I am able to sneak in moments for myself.  To read, to veg, to pamper myself with a home facial.
7. A new do... something I am in desparate need of.  I honestly don't have a great opinion of my physical appearance, but the look on my Beloved's face when I come home with a new cut and colour... that makes me feel great!
8. Ik.ea... I just recently got a new catalog from them and have spent a fair bit of time day dreaming about how I would love to decorate our hobbit-hole.  It's a good thing that we don't have one of those stores in our little city, because I would be there all the time.
9. The combination of sweet and savoury... specifically m&m peanuts mixed in with hot buttered popcorn.  It makes going to the movies expensive, but man it's good!
10. My mp3 player... it makes the hours at work before and after we are open for business

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Saturday Night in the Shire

Happy Saturday night, Humble Readers!

It's been a while since I did a potpurri post, so I thought tonight would be a good time to update you on all the little things in our world.

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First up... I have a new love in my life.  Now before you get all concerned, I am still beyond head over heels in love with my Beloved.  However, I am way in love with a wonderful little piece of technology called the ov watch.  If you haven't heard of it, it predicts ovulation based on chemical changes in your skin.  It looks like a watch and has a sensor on the back.  You wear it for 6 hours a day and it measures the level of chloride ions in your skin.  Apparently, in the typical woman, the level of chloride spikes immediately following the LH surge.  By measuring chloride levels, the watch then determines your fertile window, tells you where you are (non fertile days, fertile days 1-4, O day, and less fertile days).  So... yesterday morning I woke up and the watch said 'fertile day 1'.  Do the math and I should be ovulating on Tuesday.  I haven't been this stress free pre-O in more than a year.  I can plan our gof-ing, and not be worried about will my temp spike tomorrow and am I missing the eggie because I'm too pooped to party?  I know it's not fool proof, but nothing is.  Will it work for us?  Who knows... but I know I'm enjoying not being as stressed about O. 

*******
My Beloved preached his first ever sermon tonight.  Our church has a small Saturday evening service, and since we are currently without a pastor, he was asked if he would be interested in leading a service.  His sermon was great, and even though he rushed the liturgy a bit, I am crazy proud of him! 

*******
In reference to my post from the other day, the one regarding the Canadian national anthem... Perhaps the Honourable Mr. Stephen Harper reads my blog.  Are you lurking, Mr. Harper?  Are you taking your cues from this little hobbit?  (AS IF... lol) I guess it doesn't matter if he reads this or not, the thing that matters is that he has done a 180, he has heard the Canadian people, and he has said that the politically-correct-ifying of 'O Canada' will not be on his agenda.  Woo-hoo!  If it ain't broke...

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Dinner last night was a fifty-fifty success.  I made chicken breasts stuffed with herbed goat cheese and wrapped with proscuitto (is that spelled right?  the new updated blogger doesn't seem to have spell check) and sundried tomato risotto.  The chicken had too much proscuitto (this hobbit doesn't like bacon, but I was trying to expand my palatte) and it needed something.  Maybe a pesto sauce or something?  But the risotto... O. M. G.  I cannot even tell you how good it was!  I can't take credit for the recipe... it's all Ree over at Pioneer Woman.  I cut her recipe in half and still had a bunch left over for lunch, and it was divine!

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We are still hoping for a pug to expand our family, but we have recently come up against some road blocks in the form of our condo board.  We have to change the by-laws for our building to allow for a dog, but the last time we brought it up, everyone seemed okay with it.  When my Beloved sent out emails just to ask if everyone would be okay with it if we went ahead and got the dog before the bylaw was officially changed because the breeder we have been in contact with has pups available now, the first response we got back was less than favourable.  As in NO!  And this was someone who doesn't live in the building (they rent their unit out to a bunch of partying college kids)... they cited the thin walls and worries over noise.  Pot, meet Kettle.  We still have a shot, we just need to get a yes from every other owner (need 5 out of 6).  *Sigh*  I wonder what she'd say if we actually get to bring a baby into our lives...

Photo Challenge Friday: The Colours of Life

Hey Humble Readers!  I sure hope that you are having a great Friday. 

Because it's Friday, that means that it's time for Lindsay's Photo Challenge.  Make sure to swing by her place so that you check out how others interpretted this week's theme and join in on the fun!  Come on, you know you have a ton of pics on your computer... show them off!!

Ok, so... the colours of life.  Hmmmm...

The only pics I have taken lately are of a meal I made earlier this week, which I want to use for a Show & Tell, so that means that it's time to delve into the archives. 

When we stepped out of the Port Authority bus terminal on our first day in NYC last fall, I remember feeling like I was on stimulation overload.  I was overwhelmed by the number of people, the colours, the images.  I didn't know where to look, there was always something else to see.  Everything felt bright, like it was moving faster than I could take it all in.  Dizzying.

And of course I can't show just one pic!

This one just really amused me.  If you haven't been there, there is a groovy Hershey's store in Times Square.  I just had to take a picture of it, especially for one of my co-workers who's addicted to peanut butter cups.

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A completely different topic:  If you haven't watched it, you need to check out the new show "Who Do You Think You Are?"!!  It follows  a few celebs as they trace their family trees.  I sort of watched it earlier while I was making dinner, and I was so intrigued that I'm watching it again.  Tonight's episode is about Sarah Jessica Parker... she learns some incredible things about her family history.  I am soooo envious of her doing this!

Blame It On The Olympics... Again

Okay, Humble Readers... I'm mildly irritated.  Maybe a little more than mildly...

The Canadian government, in its infinite wisdom, announced yesterday in the Throne Speech (similar to the State of the Union Address) that on Parlaiment's agenda this year is going to be a debate about the gender-inclusivity of 'O Canada'.  Specifically the line, 'in all thy sons command'. 

Really?!?!  This is what our government deems important enough to address from the throne? 

I may be opening myself up for attack here, but I will admit that I don't consider myself much of a feminist.  Yes, I believe in equal pay for equal work (but that isn't just a gender issue), and that all people deserve to be treated with equity, with the same respect and care.  And I see how language plays a role in those perceptions. 

But come on...

I think, if our government was so concerned about social equity they would spend time and energy rectifying the lack of support in our country for single mothers and the lack of funding for child care.  They could address the fact that 43% of adults in Canada are functionally illiterate.  What about the ever present health care and unemployment issues?  Heck, they might even look at the whole adoption and foster care system, and how it should be streamlined and improved.

In this day and age, I have bigger things to get knickers in a twist about... Stressing out about the language in our national anthem that was written at the beginning of the last century is not on the top of my worry list. 

And why did this whole situation start in the first place?  Because we heard the anthem so often at the Olympics and the Honourable Mr. Stephen Harper latched onto it as a pet project.  Or maybe a distraction tactic?

Sock It To Me!

Good Afternoon Humble Readers!

So guess what arrived in the mail today? 

The super-cool-crazy-awesome-smurftastic Nancy of TheNewLifeOfNancy was my sock buddy and she went above and beyond!  Three pairs of socks, all of which completely rock!

The first is the pair I am wearing right now... the ultimate in stripey socks!  Purple, over-the-knee, and completely cool!

The second pair are some really groovy knee-high argyles.  Purple, green, blue grey, brown, white and black... I'm going to wear them to work tomorrow. 

Nancy sent me an email last week letting me know that she was late but that my socks were on their way, and that they were some 'bad-ass socks'.  I wasn't sure what she meant but I totally get it now!  The third pair are the perfect rebellious socks! Black and white checks, with skulls and cross bones!

The theme for this round of SITM is the support we get in this community.  I can't begin to imagine how I would have gotten through this past year without the ALI (adoption/loss/infertility) community.  From the laughs, giggles, and rolling-on-the-floor-can't-breathe funny moments, to the words of encouragement and virtual hugs that come at just the right time, and the helping hands that pick me up when I fall, every day I am thankful that I was introduced to this 'place'. 

My Beloved asked me today why I was so excited about getting socks from someone I've never met... and I told him, that's just the point.  I have never met any of my IF sisters (and a few brothers) out there face to face, but I value your thoughts, words, and stories.  I see these socks as one of the few tangible expressions of our support that we have of each other.  And I will cherish these socks... and wear them every chance I get! 

Thanks Nancy!