7 Weeks

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.

How far along? 7 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? -1. Better than Monday, I was down 3 on Monday.

Maternity clothes? Nope, though I broke down and bought a Be Band from Target so my jeans count is back to two.

Stretch marks? Nope. I started the lotion this week so hopefully I won't see any new marks for quite some time.

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts.

Best moment this week? Telling his family on Christmas Eve and Christmas last week.

Movement? Nope but I do have cramps. Actually, quite a bit of cramps at the moment. And, I'm still nauseous all the time. It makes me not want to eat, but not eating makes it worse!

Food cravings? Nothing yet, I'm anxious to know what I'll want and if it is something that I normally eat!

Gender? It will be a boy. We both really want a girl so we're getting a boy.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Not feeling queasy morning, noon, and night. Remedy?

What I'm looking forward to? New Years in Vegas and my first appointment next week.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't think that just because you said "Excuse Me" means that a pregnant lady will let you pass on the escalator.

Milestones: Making it past 6 weeks!

Emotions: One night in Vegas last week, we're on the escalator outside Planet Hollywood. I'm tired, hungry, nauseous, and my feet and back hurt. This couple tries to pass me on the escalator by saying "Excuse Me" and I get pissed because they only have like 5 more feet to wait and decide to say that if I'm not moving fast enough then let me move faster and go racing past them. I was royally pissed. Then, 5 minutes later I'm in tears. Joy.

Sharing the news

So, last Tuesday was the day to share the news. Well, it was originally Christmas morning, but with the photo shoot, we moved it up a day.

So, we were set on Tuesday. I packed up my car with the gifts in tow and went in to work. About 2:00 it starts to rain. Totally bummed! Sure, it didn't rain for very long, but it still rained. And, as we were taking pictures at the Desert Botanical Gardens, I thought that the rain we did get would cause the desert to look flooded and so, after discussing with the photographer and my mom, we cancelled it. It looks to be rescheduled later on this week.

But, as we were so excited to share the news, we asked to all go to dinner together anyways. So, the 6 of us went to Claim Jumper. As soon as the food was ordered, I gave them their ornaments. My dad was messing around with his cell phone and my mom made him put it away as this was important. So, they start opening everything. My mom starts tearing into my grandma's gift, lifting up the tissue paper while my sister is still getting through the wrapping! I made my mom stop doing that and had everyone wait for each other. Finally, my sister catches up. I hear my dad (he was sitting next to me) read his and mom's ornament out loud, my sister has this puzzled look on her face (I kept looking at her waiting for the light bulb to turn on, like Joey in Friends!). My grandma asks my mom if I am and she says yes! Then my sister gets all excited! Everyone stands up to give me a hug and my mom can't wait to start talking details! She told Jason that he is to call her as soon as we get to the hospital on delivery day so she can get on the next plane here. As soon as I shared the August 18 due date, my dad said "Nope. Baby will be by scheduled c section on August 22." That also happens to be his birthday. I really wasn't sure how he was going to react, but apparently he had a giddy smile on his face the whole time.

We told Jason's parents on Christmas Eve. Jason was concerned that the first words out of his parents mouths was to be about money and he said that if that was the case, that we were going to turn around and leave, so I was really hoping that wasn't going to happen. We made sure they opened their real Christmas gift first (otherwise we'd be leaving and they would open the gift without us). Then they opened their bibs. As soon as his mom saw it she looked right at me with this look of shock and understanding. She asked if I was, to which I said yes. She and Jason's dad said congratulations. Jason said that she then proceeded to say something about money but he shushed her. Then it was the conversation about when I'm due, how was her pregnancy with Jason (neither my mom with me or Jason's mom with him had morning sickness with us), and just general excitement, so I was very relieved by that.

This weekend we went to Vegas with my family. We left on Christmas morning. I was fine until Saturday night. I had a quick whirl of emotions that included me blowing up on someone because they wanted to pass me on the escalator and then crying in my room 5 minutes later. Sunday was just awful. I felt sick the whole time. Today I called the doctor and got the ok to take Emitrol and Dramamine and then got a prescription for phenergan. As it has a tendency to make me drowsy, I only plan to take it at night, and only as needed as it appears to be in Category C for effects on the baby.

That's the update there. It's time to watch Suns basketball!

6 Weeks

Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.

How far along? 6 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? 0 so far for either direction.

Maternity clothes? Nope, though I broke down and bought a Be Band from Target so my jeans count is back to two.

Stretch marks? Nope. I started the lotion this week so hopefully I won't see any new marks for quite some time.

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts.

Best moment this week? Telling my family yesterday.

Movement? Nope but I do have cramps. Actually, quite a bit of cramps at the moment. And, I'm nauseous nearly all the time. My poor wrists hurt so much from the sea bands. There is only one other thing that I am truly dreading about the pregnancy besides for this morning sickness and that is the labor.

Food cravings? Nothing yet, I'm anxious to know what I'll want and if it is something that I normally eat!

Gender? It will be a boy. We both really want a girl so we're getting a boy.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Not feeling queasy morning, noon, and night. Remedy?

What I'm looking forward to? Telling Jason's parents tomorrow and Christmas on Friday.

Weekly Wisdom: Never count on the weather to help you out. Stupid rain.

Milestones: 6 weeks!

Emotions: I did get frustrated today with an issue at work that I just don't feel like dealing with anymore. I can't tell if that's the hormones talking or the fact that I'm checking out of this job and preparing to start my new one on the 4th.

How to tell the family

Ok, so I wanted to wait until I was out of the first trimester to tell my family. My mom has been wanting a grandchild since 9 months after we got married and I wanted to make her stew. But, with the job offer I got the day before, I caved and had to ask her since I know this new position will be more stress on me. But, she says that she has not told my dad, my grandma, or my sister. She wanted to tell my dad and I told her no, it was not her secret to tell it was ours.

So, anyway, now we're going to announce it on Christmas. Or, that's the plan.

We're going to do a family photo shoot in town on Tuesday.

We bought ornaments for each family member. My parents is Mr. and Mrs. Claus holding "the list" and it says grandpa and grandma to be. My grandma is a snowman holding a baby snowman and it says great grandma to be. My sister always says that she will be Aunty Lauren so she gets a yellow star and it says Aunty Lauren to be.

Do we give the presents for them to open on Christmas morning or do we give them during the photo shoot to capture their reactions (mainly my sister's) on camera?

I can tell you we bought "I love grandma" and "I love grandpa" bibs to give to the in-laws and they can open those on Christmas Eve when we do Christmas with his family.

What do you think?

5 weeks and 2 days

So, I do have a 5 week bump shot - ok, the only reason I have a bump is because of my fat, but anyway it will be nice to see my starting point, right? But, I don't have the picture uploaded yet. When I do, I'll add it to this post. I just don't feel like doing that at the moment.



Your embryo (looking kind of like a tadpole) is starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of hCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests)... which triggers production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone... which trigger all those great symptoms you've probably been noticing!

How far along? 5 weeks 2 days

Maternity clothes? Nope, though I only have 1 pair of jeans that I can wear now because of how bloated I am without getting a bella band or whatever that thing is called.

Stretch marks? Nope. But, when should I be putting on lotion? Do I do that now? Recommendations?

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts.

Best moment this week? Finding out about my job/promotion then getting the BFP!

Movement? Nope but I do have cramps. I describe it as if one of my cats tries to invade my space and nuzzle up next to me.

Food cravings? Nothing yet, I'm anxious to know what I'll want and if it is something that I normally eat!

Gender? We actually have not thought about that at all, we just want to make it through 12 weeks.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Caffeine. Not feeling so tired around 1:30 everyday.

What I'm looking forward to? Christmas next week.

Weekly Wisdom: Nothing so far, I'm lame I guess.

Milestones: BFP!

Emotions: Nothing really on the emotion front from what I can tell.

I need to change a goal

Here is a picture from the Christmas Party we had:



Ok, here is where I stand...

7. Send Christmas cards
Finally got them out last night. Sunday night. Yay!

9. Have a movie night once a week for six months
Last week's movie was Hook. I love Peter Pan and Hook was on TV so we sat down and watched the movie. It's not a fantastic movie, but I do love Robin Williams too, so there we go.

23. Do not go on facebook for a week
I did it! I was not on facebook from last Monday to this Sunday, 1 week. Man, I missed it. Jason almost made me log on too to look at something someone posted but I made him use his facebook and go to mine to view it.

95. Get Pregnant

Saturday was due day for AF. I had felt very crampy, and was just preparing for AF's arrival. So, as I do, I began to wear my black underwear that week. Well, Wednesday, I thought I was spotting, but as it was black, I couldn't confirm or deny so I waited for the rest of it.

Now, let me say that I thought November was gone. Jason was sick twice, the first time he gave it to me, and I gave it back to him. And, because I was sick, I thought that was going to push back my O date, and I wasn't charting or watching symptoms at all. So, I was prepared to move on.

Well, Saturday came and I still didn't think anything of it. I went out, did quite a few errands, some Christmas shopping, then came home. By the time I came home, I needed a nap. So, after my nap I went back out to Target to pick up some more Christmas things and I also picked up a test. Why not I thought. So, about 8:00 that night, I went to POAS.



Almost instantly that second line showed up. I shut the bathroom door and went to go vacuum the upstairs up the house. About 5 minutes later, I went back to see how it looked, and sure enough - 2 lines.

Now, I will say that I was on an antibiotic for an infection in my thumb for a while, but we searched and see nothing that says it contains HCG (or is it HSG?) to create a false positive. But, to be safe, I took another this morning (still positive) and will take another on Thursday.

I am in disbelief! Still! It was a very exciting weekend as I was offered a job promotion on Friday, so needless to say, I had a lot to think about! Wow!

So, the goal I need to change is number 94 as I clearly don't need to get Jason to submit a specimen sample anymore...

Solved a problem

I decided to create a personal blog, at least for the time being. This will help me share those things that I wanted to on here without prying eyes and allow me to do a more personal entry. So, that's good.

24 games in

Well, here we are, essentially one third of the season is over. It's crazy to think that we're already a third of the way done with this season. The Suns stand at 16 and 8. Not as good as earlier, but not bad. They got a great win against Orlando on Sunday and was one bad no call away from getting a tie with Denver in the final seconds of last night's game. They look better, not as down and tired as last week when it was obvious that they were the NBA's team that has had the most home games and the most back to backs. My boy Leandro Barbosa is currently injured. He tweaked his ankle in a game at the end of November and is out till roughly Christmas. So, given that, it's not bad. I would like to see us go on another nice win streak, like 7 or 8 games or so. That'd be nice. For now, December is a rough month, we have San Antonio on Tuesday and it doesn't lighten up wither. Cleveland comes to town this month along with the Lakers and the Celtics. Wow.

We have a friend's daughter's 3rd birthday party to attend today. She is so cute. It will be at Peter Piper so I'm curious to see how she handles all the games and such. Otherwise, I have to find a black sweater for me to wear for a family picture photo shoot. Christmas gifts are done. Oh, and I was offered a promotion on Friday. Thing is, I don't know if I want it.

Today is Day 1

Day 1 of Number 23, not going on facebook for 1 week. This is going to be hard. I have it on my phone and can check it anytime I want... My homepage is set to facebook. I had to remember to hit the stop button to keep the page from loading this afternoon as I got home from work. Oh boy. Wish me luck!

Number 6. Host Holiday Party.

Saturday was it, our 3rd holiday party. It was the ugly Christmas sweater theme. The people I knew that would rock the ugly sweaters did not attend, the wife got so sick that the husband stayed home. Everyone else just wore the traditional Santa's hat. So, no one got the prize. It's ok, I have a picture of me and Jason wearing our sweaters. I just haven't uploaded them to my computer yet. There was someone else that was sick and someone who's roommate's grandfather passed away and stayed home to be supportive. I actually think this was the worst one of the three we've had so far. I like the second weekend in December for having these things... Maybe next year we can have it then.

Number 9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months.

Last week we watched The Greatest Game Ever Played. It's a Disney movie about an underdog in sports. What's not to love?! It stars a post Even Stevens/pre Transformers Shai LeBouf as Francis Oiumet, a guy who loves golf but does not come from a background that would allow him to play golf. I don't know anything about golf but you don't need to to understand the movie. We both saw this movie a while ago. In fact, I bought it when it first came out on DVD and remember taking it with me to London (I think?) when we went and had my family watch it one night in the hotel as they had never seen it. Now they own it.

Number 13. Try 10 new restaurants

Last week Jason took me to Manuel's on Bell Road. He has been there before but as I'm not a Mexican food fan, I had never been. I once again had fajitas. That is the safest choice for me besides for a cheese crisp. I was surprised though that there were only three tortillas and how much meat I got. I had enough for lunch the next day but I can't imagine how much would have been left if the peppers and onions were used too. It was alright, but as I'm not a Mexican food fan, I will try to not go back.

Arizona Ironman

Ok, I guess its time to recap working the Ironman.

I had wanted to go down to see the start of the race at 7am (well, 6:50 for the pros). I wanted to see the massive swim as I've seen pictures from big events (like the Kona championships) and it just looked incredible. However, I was suffering from a cold that day (well, got it during the later part of the week prior) and thought it was best to not go down so early (plus, I had a 2nd interview the next morning). My shift started at 2:00 but in preparation for the possible traffic and parking problems, I left around 12 and made it in at 12:30. There were some pros that were on their marathon at that point, having already completed the 2.4 mile swim, the 122 mile bike and were starting the run. That was amazing.

I watch the athletes finish the bike and get going on the run before looking to see where my station with post race food for the athletes will be. I'm there about 45 minutes before to see stacks of pizza and fruit and water sitting in the sun and tables and chairs needing to be set up. So, with the assistance of my friend who also volunteered with me, we start moving items out of the sun and discussing where tables should go, possibly putting food in some sort of order. We just had to do something as our team leader was not there yet.

Our team leader was only slightly ridiculous. But, that's another story.

Everyone shows up and things finally get moving. The first finisher finished the race before 3:10 - completing the ironman in about 8 hours and 15 minutes. Wow. Once the athletes finally started coming in to the food, it was really interesting to see how each person was at the end of the race. Some were talking and acting like it was just another day at the office (pros and amateurs) and others were not able to say too much, and the most extreme were shaking - they'd be trying to drink chicken broth and it would be shaking and spilling out everywhere. And, I didn't even see the ones that went straight for medical attention.

Many people I did speak with have done at least 3 ironmans, one has done 6! Many experienced their best time at this race, including a guy that (as of then) was calling it quits and completed his last race.

As I worked the race and I looked around at the athletes hanging out in their athlete lounge, I was just so inspired. I thought the whole experience was simply amazing. I will definitely be volunteering for this thing again. It was fantastic.

Possible trip in my future?

New Zealand

Looks pretty, right? This is the Auckland skyline. My college roommate, the one that set Jason and I up, got a teaching job at a music conservatory here. That is awesome. She currently lives on Hawaii and has this easy going personality. I'm sure she will love it there. Well, she moves out sometime in January as their school year starts in February and goes through November.

So, she has asked us to come and visit her. We can stay with her, and we can fly stand by on airlines for a very cheap expense. As long as we don't mind the 13 hour plane flight. We're thinking that we can go during Jason's spring break in March and maybe spend 3 days in New Zealand and 3 days in Sydney - especially if we make this trip, why not see something else in that region?

I'm excited about possibly going out that way. It may not be Paris, but how often do people make that long of a trip?!

Downside to this

I would love to be able to post entries just for me, a private setting... But, I don't think there is one. Anyone know if there is one?

Day Zero Recap

9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months.

Well, Jason being a Trekkie, he could not wait to own the new Star Trek movie. He had bought it before I made it home from work the day it came out. I saw it the evening after I did my triathlon in May, the 2nd day out in theaters. Needless to say, I was exhausted and didn't really pay attention to it. I then saw it at Feralli's supper club where I was much more alert and focused on the movie. I can say I enjoyed it. It wasn't too sci fi for me, not really any weird alien scenes. I don't know the characters, back stories... But, I found it enjoyable and funny in parts.

Last week with my family in town, we watched Home Alone on Thanksgiving while the food cooked. My mom told stories about how my sister was just a baby when we saw it and she screamed for the first half so my mom took her out in the lobby and came back for the second half, just in time to see the funny parts. It always seems to be a classic.

22. See 3 musicals.

On November 15th we went to Gammage Auditorium and saw The Phantom of the Opera. It was my 5th time seeing it and Jason's 2nd time. We had seats in row 7 so it was pretty good. We could really see their faces for their expressions. The production, as always, was very good, but the actors, I was disappointed in. The Phantom was an understudy (though the best one out of all of those and Christine was not good at all. The worst was Meg. She was terrible, looked like a fish when she sang and was out of tune. We were sad with that, but, it is still Phantom and we had a great night out.

46. Read 6 new books a year.

I finally finished Something Borrowed by Emily Griffith. It was a pretty easy read. I enjoyed it. Some parts were unrealistic I thought, but I did enjoy it. It didn't really make me think or anything, but I did forget about the world around me, and at times, that can be a good thing.

86. Drink 4 glasses of water a day for 30 days.

This one is done. I made sure to drink only water at work (unless I was tired and ran out to get a red bull) and, it resulted in more trips to the restroom! But, I finished it. Next up, 6 glasses.

99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet.

My family has this tradition to see a movie on holidays. So, we went to see The Blind Side. We love Sandra Bullock and we love sports underdog movies so this was a no brainer. It was fabulous! It will be one that we purchase when it comes out.

I know I have to post about my me days and the Arizona Iron Man, but that will come later.

To keep track

Last week's movie was Star Trek

My latest top 10 movie was Big Fish

This week's movie was Home Alone

Alphabet movie to add is The Blind Side

One musical down, saw Phantom of the Opera

Another goal down, completed 1 month of drinking at least 4 glasses of water a day. I've moved on to 6 now.

I also must talk about my One a Month Me days, and how volunteering for the Arizona IronMan went.

I'll go more into these when I have a chance.

A pleasant surprise

We are 15 games into the Suns 09-10 NBA season and we are certainly pleasantly surprised. We sit at the top of the league, sharing the league's best record at 12 and 3, undefeated at home. They left yesterday for another possibly brutal east coast trip in which they'll face the East power house Cleveland Cavaliers. December is actually a rough month for them. Cleveland, Lakers, Celtics, Spurs, Mavericks (I think)... We'll see once December is over if we are a contender or just a playoff spot. But, I believe it is safe to say that we are a playoff spot. And, that makes me happy.

An interesting few weeks

My mom's cousin, my grandma's sister's daughter, passed away November 13, she was buried Sunday, the 15th. When her mother, my grandma's sister, found out, she went into shock. She developed kidney stones, a UTI, a stomach that didn't want to digest food... She just started to shut down. They removed her IV's that were providing the nutrients to her this past Friday. I got word as I was working the Arizona Iron Man competition yesterday that she finally gave up and passed away. My mom is on her way to Mississippi for the second time in about 2 weeks. I am most worried about my grandma. Everyone knew that her sister was on her way out. When my sister was visiting my grandma last summer and saw her sister, she cried to me about how she would say that she just wanted to die. I believe my grandma knows that her sister is no longer in pain. However, the two family members in Mississippi that my grandma was closest to are now gone, in 2 weeks. My parents would move my grandma out to live with them here in Phoenix, but they themselves don't live here full time yet. I spoke with my grandma today and she didn't talk about her sister. She said that my mom was coming to visit and that she couldn't wait to come to Phoenix for Christmas and I heard The Price is Right in the background. We'll see, only time will tell I guess.

Who knew ugly was in?!

That is the sweater I found at Sears. My thought was to wear some sort of red or green long sleeved shirt with it, maybe a black skirt, and some knee length Christmas socks (if I could not locate some tights!). I go out to Goodwill over the weekend to look for something for Jason, and I come across 2 more "lovely" red sweater vests by this same designer for $4.00. Both, were probably even better than this one from Sears. So, I bought one of them and I plan to return this one back to Sears. Hey, it's an extra $25.00 I get back. But, I did not see anything for Jason.

So, the search online begins. I've come across numerous websites that have talked about the new hit thing is to throw these ugly Christmas sweater parties. I had no idea! Check out some of these sites:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/ugly-christmas-sweaters-461208

http://www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com/

http://thefuntimesguide.com/2006/12/ugly_sweater.php

http://www.hellishholidays.com/2006/12/ugly-christmas-sweater-party-guide.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5450556_host-ugly-christmas-sweater-party.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1246516/plan_an_ugly_sweater_christmas_party.html

http://homemanagement.suite101.com/article.cfm/ugly_christmas_sweater_parties

Who knew??! Now I just have to find something for Jason! If only he would agree to wearing a sweater.

Training for 1/2 marathon

So, I guess I can really look at running more and more for this 1/2 marathon in Disney World in March. Ugh, I hate running. But I guess the only way to get better is to keep at it, right?

So, let's start with a month's plan of running. I actually have a tentative plan through the race weekend, but I plan on changing that as I either progress faster or slower or become lazy!

Here it is:

Sunday, November 15: Run 1.5 mi

Tuesday, November 17: Run 2 mi

Thursday, November 19: Run 3 mi

Saturday, November 21: Run 3 mi

Sunday, November 22: Run 4 mi (and get inspired by watching/volunteering at the Arizona IronMan competition)

Monday, November 23: If Bike is fixed, Bike 6 mi

Tuesday, November 24: Run 4 mi

Thursday, November 26: Bike 7 mi

Friday, November 27: Run 4 mi

Sunday, November 29: Bike 7 mi

Monday, November 30: Run 4 mi

Wednesday, December 2: Run 5 mi

Friday, December 4: Run 5 mi

Saturday, December 5: Bike 8 mi

Monday, December 7: Run 5 mi

Wednesday, December 9: Run 6 mi

Thursday, December 10: Bike 8 mi

Saturday, December 12: Run 6 mi

Very aggressive... we'll see how I do. I did my 1.5 run today. Man, I hate running. What am I thinking??!

Starting Over

Alright. So, yesterday was the day that Fertility Friend wanted me to test. Jason and I had discussed that if no sign of AF had appeared by the weekend, we'd get me a test then. So, I took my temperature before getting out of bed yesterday, then headed to the bathroom and discovered that she had arrived.

In the 6 months that we have been trying, I had yet to be truly disappointed when she showed her ugly self. Yesterday was a different story though. I wanted it so bad and just "knew" that it was going to happen last month that I was extremely disappointed. I say I "knew" because the due date would have been at the end of July, right when Jason has band camp in Prescott. It would be the most inconvenient time to go into labor - he'd be out of town, my water would break - he'd have to rush down the mountain without the kids (don't worry, they'd have parents and district staff there so it would be allowed) - it would just be bad timing. And, I "knew" because of the bad timing, it would happen. And, I had purchased the VIP membership for fertility friend so I started tracking any and all symptoms or signs that I would have, started reading any spike and wondering if it was a "triphasic" chart or wondering if any dip would be an "implantation dip"... I had all this hope and anticipation and excitement built up that it all came crashing down.

I never thought that I would be one to be truly upset if it didn't happen. I knew that it would happen when it happens... So, the fact that I would be crying off and on sitting at my cube yesterday... that was surprising to me. I told a coworker of mine not to worry about me - then I ended up briefly saying that we are TTC and that this "we'll see what happens" front is just a front to avoid questions. I also said (and this is how I feel) that due to my mom's 3 miscarriages, I feel like I want to hurry up and get pregnant, have my miscarriage so I can move on and start the real thing. I'm completely expecting to have a miscarriage and because of that, anytime that goes by where I'm not pregnant to lead to this miscarriage just means it will be that much longer before I become pregnant for real! Might sound silly on the miscarriage part, maybe I do that so that I won't be too disappointed/sad if/when it happens.

But, yesterday, I felt like if I had someone tell me that they were pregnant that same day that I might yell, throw something, sob uncontrollably, not really sure. But, then again, it depends on who that was... There are a few that I would be truly happy for, and there are others that, if told yesterday, would just make me angry. If told today... well, I'm not really sure.

Another movie, another restaurant

Number 13. Try 10 new restaurants.

Last night we tried Fajitas, on the Frontage Road just north of Dunlap. I'm not a huge Mexican food fan but Jason just loves it. So, I humored him with some Mexican food. I figured worst case I could eat a cheese crisp or something. The place was relatively empty when we walked in and we were greeted right away by our server by some very warm tortilla chips and salsa. I'm not a salsa person so Jason had the salsa. He said his (he likes to make his own) is better, or for a restaurant comparison, Chili's is better. But, the chips were very warm - I quite enjoyed them. For dinner, we both wanted fajitas, so we ordered the larger order of fajitas to share. The steak was steak, nothing really special, but their tortillas were homemade. Yum! They were so good! We'll probably go back at some point but it's not a top priority on our list.

Number 25. Buy new Pixar feature films.

Gotta love it when Jason doesn't have school. I came home from work today to see that Jason bought Up today. I think we'll be watching it before Glee tonight.

A 101 update

Number 9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months

So, I'm not ready for Christmas decorations to come out, but an occassional movie or some select Christmas songs? That's ok. So, we watched probably our favorite Christmas movie: Elf. I'm not a huge Will Ferrell fan but I adore him in this movie. We just laugh at so many different things and different quotes (Buddy the Elf, What's Your Favorite Color?, Francisco, That's fun to say, Ooh, What's a Christmas gram, I want one! Oh! It's very sucky!) HAHA! I love it.

Number 49. Take Ballroom Dance Lessons

Well, this past Friday was the dance party night at the dance studio I've been going to. $10 gets you a lesson and then the dance party where they'll play songs and tell you the kind of dance you should do to that song and you just dance. So, I went this past Friday, it was my first time going on a Friday. The lesson of the night was the Samba, which sitting here right now, I honestly do not remember. 1 hour just is not long enough to try to learn/remember a dance! Yeah, I cannot think of the basic step at all. Geez that's sad.

I ran into the same problems during the dance party - I struggled with remembering how to start certain dances or getting into the rhythm for certain dances. It didn't help though that there was this guy that wanted to dance by the name of Leonard. You know the saying where a person marches to the beat of a different drum? Well, Leonard dances to the beat of a different tune. He tried to do both Cha Cha and Tango with me and, well, I had no idea what I was supposed to do. It made things very interesting. But, I did get the chance to dance with another instructor by the name of Russ (or Ross! Ahh, it's a Friends episode!) who helped get me back on track with dances and such and I had a good time. This Wednesday is the NY Hustle (I think at least) and the Samba again (I think). If I make it to Friday's dance party/lesson, I will learn the Salsa. Then, that pretty much leaves the Night Club Two Step for their Wednesday Night crash course lessons. I'm still thinking Swing is the way to go for me though.

Number 99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Tonight, I watched the tear jerker that is P.S. I Love You. I had heard it was a tear jerker - I just wasn't expecting it to start after only 15 minutes! Wow! By the time I'd stop crying, I'd start again! But, I did really enjoy the movie. Just not one I can watch too often, unless I need a good cry!

Ok, now I haven't done this yet, but I'm starting it.

Number 46. Read 6 new books a year

So, I was trying to read Wicked, but I couldn't get into it. I loved the musical, but could not get into the book. I felt like I was forcing myself to try to read it. So, I'm trying a new book. I picked up Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin. I've only read the first chapter but it does make me want to read more, just not before watching my Suns, Dancing With the Stars, Glee or dancing.

I wish

I wish I was better at reading my chart... I don't want to think about what today's temperature might mean... It could mean positive or negative things. Only time will tell. I don't recall ever wanting to skip an entire day and just get straight to the next morning so much than I have during this cycle. And, that is why, if this is a negative sign, I will stop charting for a while. It will just drive me crazy and I don't like that.

Holiday Party

Ok, so I am already planning for our holiday party. The previous 2 years I didn't really worry about things until a few days before, but this year is different.

We are having people bring a dessert (typical) and an ornament if they want to participate in the ornament exchange. We're also taking it up a notch. We're asking that every guest wear an ugly Christmas/Holiday article of clothing, like the ugly Christmas Sweater or the ugly Christmas tie and so forth. As the host, I guess it was decided that I need to be over the top ugly!

So, off to Sears I went - well, Wal Mart was first, and they disappointed me! Then, it was the mall where I went to look at JC Penny's and Sears. Sears was like a gold mine! They had like 6 or 7 different sweaters or sweater vests or long sleeved shirts and such! I saw them and knew that I was getting the first piece of my outfit from there. I'm trying to find a picture of it online but if I can't, I'll be sure to take a picture and post it later.

So, I'll be looking to add to my new ugly black sweater vest! I think I'll be adding a red or green long sleeved shirt, some lovely Christmas earrings, maybe a couple of Christmas pins to pin on the sweater (because the sweater vest isn't enough I guess)... and I'm trying to decide what to do with my lower half. Because it's a sweater vest, this is where I'm stuck. A co worker of mine and I were talking earlier today about doing the stirrup pants in red or green then add the long socks over top that you scrunch down your leg, or if no stirrups, then leggings with the socks, or the Christmas tights/panty hose... But, then I'd also be looking for a skirt or something I guess... So, I'm starting now to prepare my outfit... I'll have to figure out something for Jason to wear...

And I'm trying to get a game plan as to how to handle the "scrooges" that come to the party and not wear something ugly. I want to give them something to wear so that they participate and would love to tie in Scrooge somehow and possibly have all the "scrooges" sing a Christmas Carol or something... I have one month from tomorrow to get everything figured out.

Basketball is here!

So, the Suns season started last Wednesday. We've had a pretty easy schedule up until now so we've won all 3 games. It's hard to gauge how they will be this season because of that. But, they are running and gunning again which I like and our center went to UA and high school here in the valley and the man can shoot 3s! A center that can shoot 3s! He made 6 for both the 2nd and 3rd games. I like it! It's interesting only having a half season of tickets though and knowing that the second home game of the season we didn't even have a choice to attend (unless we bought tickets). That will take some getting used to.

Funny Girl

99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Last night I did not go to Jason's marching band practice. He was using the rehearsal to focus on music and I'm a visual/marching person, not a music person. I was going to go to the West Coast Swing class but after inputting my temperature for the day and it telling me that it can no longer determine if I O'd or not, I wasn't feeling like it. So, another movie of my 26 it was.

I took from my parents collection (ok, really my mom's collection) Funny Girl, with Barbara Streisand as my mom loves her. The movie was very cute. Barbara is an aspiring star who doesn't give up and once she gets her shot in a production, it continues with her life and falling in love, starting a family, being more successful than her husband...

31. Watch 10 of the IMDB top 250 movies.

I had a little bit of time today after work before the Suns game started (east coast so the game started at 5:30). So, I viewed the list of movies to see what I had that was on the list and what was a quick movie. Enter The Lion King. Who doesn't love that movie?!

No solution yet

But, I really shouldn't hide while I sort myself out. So, I'm moving on and trying to just have fun and not sweat the small stuff. As soon as this cycle is over (as FF is currently not able to show O for me this time and it's about CD20 right now) I'll stop charting for a while to just try to have fun and not wonder. I can't think of much else I can do at the moment.

This is It

Well, I'm sad that This is It was it for Michael Jackson. It was interesting. I went in knowing it was kind of a concert documentary thing. The first number was Don't Wanna Be Startin Something and it was interesting sitting in there and he's on the screen singing a song - well, sort of singing. There were parts during the song numbers where he wasn't singing full out, or at all. It was all to "get a feel" or "get the timing" down and such. By the time the second tune came on, Jam, I started to loosen up a bit and nod my head a little. The third tune was much better and there were some songs I was ready to sing out loud like Human Nature, Billie Jean, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal and Earth Song. Some of the movies that they had made for segments during the show were shown, including ones for Thriller and Smooth Criminal. Thriller was new stuff, not the original video. It was in a cemetery with a grave digger who looked an awful lot like the guy in the big ghost scene on the Haunted Mansion ride. I must say they surprised me in it though as they also introduced a spider during the song and it wasn't just zombies. I was so not a fan of that part and had to look away. They finished the movie with Man in the Mirror and were frozen on Michael Jackson at the end of the song. Then, it fades to black to make way for the credits and the new song, This is It. And, that makes me sad.

Last weeks goals

Number 9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months.

Friday we watched Air Force One. I do love me some Harrison Ford! Today will be our movie night for this week as we're pretty busy this week. The chosen movie will be This is It, the Michael Jackson movie. We're both pretty excited about it. I'll share my thoughts after I see it.

Number 49. Take Ballroom Dance lessons

Well, this past Wednesday was the day I was looking forward to. The Foxtrot (eh) and the East Coast Swing (Yay!). We started off on East Coast Swing, but I'll share my thoughts on Foxtrot first. The Foxtrot I felt was very similar to the Tango as you move backwards in a very close position like the Tango, yet I didn't have as hard of a time with this as the Tango. Perhaps I'm feeling more comfortable with it? I would do the Foxtrot again but I still prefer the Latin dances. We learned a few moves and I felt bad for the other gal there as she had done a little bit of Foxtrot before but couldn't move on as I had never done it before.

East Coast Swing is very, very similar to West Coast Swing. Really the only difference I saw was that there is an extra shuffle step in the basic move (ok, really 2 shuffle steps). So, instead of West Coast with one step right, one step left, rock step to the back, East Coast is 3 steps right (small steps), 3 steps left and the rock step back. Otherwise, the moves are the same! I was loving it! There was only me and one gal in the class that night, the instructor (male) and the guy that comes to be an extra guy if needed. So, they didn't have to waste time in teaching the lead part and could just focus on the follower's part. And, the instructor knew I had danced swing before so he would put on a song, we would dance the steps he just taught us, then he would finish the song and see what I could do and I would keep right up with him. It was great. I can't wait to go back.

Number 54. Try a new meal/food once a month for 6 months.

Well, last week Jason made empanadas. I know, I've never had them before - Chicken empanadas with jalapenos. I have also never had those before. I was not a fan. I'd eat the empanadas again, just not with the jalapenos.

Number 96. Donate to Goodwill. We have both been making piles of stuff in our hallway for donation. I finally took old/small clothes, shoes and such to Goodwill yesterday.

Number 99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet. Well, I haven't seen it yet, but I'm marking it in anyway. Jason and I go see This is It today. I was not sure originally if I wanted to see it but knew I would if Jason wanted to see it. He did, so we bought our tickets the date they went on sale and we see it today. A coworker saw it Thursday and just raved about it. She said she was going to see it again before it left the theaters so I'm really looking forward to it now.

:)

On a positive note

Number 50. Vote in a Non Presidential election.

I receive mail in ballots for each election. Normally I don't pay attention to them unless it's a huge election.. Ok, the Presidential election. But, now seeing what can happen if you don't vote or vote no on the budget overrides for school districts first hand... I wanted to be sure that I voted in this election for the school district that we live in even though its not the one that Jason teaches in. So, I filled it out (both of them, I got one for the override and one for city council) and put it in the mail this afternoon.

Number 86. Drink 4 glasses of water a day for 30 days.

Ok, drinking water is not all that exciting I know. I'm just putting it here so you all know that I am currently working on this one. Day 2 is down!

Number 89. Workout/train 4 days a week for 30 minutes a day for 2 weeks.

Sunday I went out for a run. It was nice getting back to it but at the same time, I've been sitting around for too long! That was hard!

Need some time to readjust

I have to say, I have no idea how Lisa did it. And, in one of her more recent posts she talks about how it can sometimes still hurt. Nor, do I know how Vanessa handles it knowing that she has her special appointment tomorrow.

I'm very happy for everyone that is getting pregnant, I really am. And, I know we're pushing the 6 month mark for us on our TTC journey (because that is really what this is) and don't panic as everything on my side from last week checked out ok. So, I'm not panicking. It's hard not to get down though when every other day it seems that someone else has news to share. Why does my fever have to be hitting at the time when there is this crazy baby boom going on? Why couldn't it be after the boom has happened or before it?

So, I am thankful that currently it has only been 6 months and that at least I know that I'm ok (for now). If we really push a long time then we'll get the hubs checked out. Though, it would also help if I had a hubs that was willing to participate on this journey with me. I'm not saying that he doesn't want a baby, I'm saying that these past few months and through mid next month he's always tired. The bags under his eyes are back. He comes home, wants to forget about his work day and zone out to the tv and go to bed. I can't TTC with him like that. It's not fair to me nor is it fair to him.

With all that said though, I think I'm going to step back from the rush of all this stuff. I think while I figure out how I want to approach this and handle this I want to stop charting after this month (since I'm half way through this cycle) and just let things happen. It's not fun right now and it needs to be. There's pressure that I don't want around me right now. I want to sit back and enjoy this but while I figure out how best to do that, some of the chat boards I normally visit I may not as much. Not because I'm afraid of another positive pregnancy test from someone else but because I'm not ready for questions or comments or words of encouragement or discouragement. I want for Jason and I to figure this out and how to deal with this as it is something that we are both hearing about now and go from there.

Of course, now having said that, should I be expecting my positive result? If one could only be so lucky.

More progress

9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months.

This past weekend we hung out at my parents house. They have their permanent house here but are currently living in San Francisco as their jobs are in the bay area. They hope to have this house as their retirement house in the (hopefully) not so distant future. But, they come in every few weekends and hang out. On the off weekends, we try to go over to make it look like people are there. So, we go to hang out while they're not in town, take a ride on the boat (oh yeah, the house is on a lake) and hang out. While surfing the Direct TV channels (well, the movie channels) we were bummed to see that nothing exciting was on so we settled on Shrek. It was originally the Abyss, but underwater scenes freak me out. Even though I'm a swimmer, before I became a swimmer I almost drowned in Mexico on vacation and have never looked at ocean swimming the same way or anything under the water. So, I changed it and we went to Shrek. I've come to love Shrek 2 so much that I forgot all the great parts of the original, how they throw all sorts of movies into it and not just cartoons, or references to things that only adults and teens would catch and not little kids, the quotes! I love it when Donkey tries to move in with Shrek and says that they're going to stay up late swapping "manly stories" and he says "and in the morning - I'm making Waffles!". I love it.

13. Try 10 new restaurants

My first new restaurant was this place called Thee Pits Again. It looks like a 5 and Diner cafe from the outside and its actually quite similar on the inside except that you have pigs everywhere. Trophies with pigs on top for what I assume would be best in show, statues, figurines... All sorts of pig stuff. Needless to say, this place was a BBQ place. I had been curious about it driving past but then I found out that it was on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on the Food Network so I knew it couldn't be too bad. Jason had a pulled pork sandwich and I had a beef brisket sandwich. We both had fries and ordered a side of corn bread (I love me some corn bread). I quite enjoyed my beef brisket sandwich though I'd say half of it fell back out onto my plate! The fries I thought were delish! The corn bread I have to admit I was disappointed in as it was a little on the dry side for me. We can add this to our rotation and it will be a good BBQ place for when we don't want to drive down to Lucille's at Tempe Marketplace (though I could go for some of their sweet tea right now!). Plus, it's a much cheaper option than Lucille's!

99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet

Last night, while Jason watched the Cardinals play, I watched Marie Antoinette, the Kirsten Dunst movie. I grabbed a whole bunch of movies that I have not seen from my parents collection (like Netflix, but better!) and this was what I started with. I think I missed the part where all of France hates her... Granted, the movie is loosely based on her life, but I guess I thought it would have played a bigger role since they executed her by guillotine. I watched the movie not knowing much about Marie Antoinette so once I finished I had to google and read some highlights of her life so I knew what was true and such. Otherwise - I dunno. I doubt I'd watch it again, but I didn't hate it, it was enjoyable for me to watch. And, I thought it was crazy to see Molly Shannon in a period piece! I must say though, that I am glad that they did not show the execution at the end, though I would have preferred a little more of an ending, to me it felt like it just stopped. I guess like how the Sopranos ended (from what I hear at least).

19. Play mini golf once a year

Yesterday was the SixthMan tip off party for the Phoenix Suns at Crackerjacks. We had free reign over the whole area and free use of the bumper boats, go carts and mini golf. So, we played a round of mini golf! There was this one whole that just destroyed us but I am proud to say that I beat Jason! I won +9 to +14! I guess I shouldn't try to golf for a profession, huh?!

Things to Blog about

I must share with you my first new restaurant, Thee Pits Again, our weekly movie night, and the letter M movie, Marie Antoinette. Hopefully I can do one of those tomorrow.

Making more progress

Now that I have this list, I feel like that's all I'm going to talk about! Don't worry, the Suns season officially begins next week and I'm sure I'll have stuff to talk about on them!

Number 49. Take Ballroom Dance lessons

So, Wednesday was my second night of ballroom dance lessons. I learned the Tango and the Cha Cha. I was not by myself for class that night as 2 other people came and one who helps out was hanging out waiting for the Swing class later that night. So, I learned the Tango. I'm not a fan of the Tango. My knees kept hitting my partner's knees when that leg didn't move for either of us! And, our feet would bump each other yet once again, our legs didn't move! So, not a fan of Tango. I did like Cha Cha though. I have a feeling that I'm going to like the Latin dances more than the American dances (Waltz, Tango, next week is Foxtrot). But, of course, I'm still looking forward to swing. And, that is next week. Yippe! I'm told that the Wednesday night crash course Swing is East Coast Swing and I'm pretty sure I did West Coast Swing 10 years ago. So, it should be new for me. Once marching band season is over, I'm going in on Monday nights for West Coast Swing. I'm excited!

Number 99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet.

My parents have weird taste for movies. They go all the time and then my dad will go to the store or Amazon and just buy random movies. So, while I was hanging out at their house last week, I picked up The House Bunny (will file this under the letter H). I didn't realize that it was a Happy Madison movie. It reminded me of Legally Blonde (with the sorority parts) meets, well, I'm not sure. But, it was sort of cute, sort of corny, and sort of "why am I watching this?". But, it was entertainment, and I didn't feel like I wasted 90 minutes of my life, so that's good. Another movie done.

No real cause for concern

So, I had my follow up doctor's appointment yesterday to go over my test results.

In short (since that is all the time I have)... she sees what the previous office saw to diagnose PCOS, but she doesn't agree. It's the smallest factor to use when determining it and given that my previous blood test was done on a random cycle day, there was really no way to determine if the hormone ratio was where it was supposed to be. She did say that my testosterone level is at the high normal level, but, ok otherwise.

So, there we have it. There's more to it, but just no time to continue posting about it.

Another Day Zero person!

Vanessa has signed on for the Day Zero project. Check her out at http://babyfeverblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/101-in-1001.html

Good luck Vanessa!

Another one done!

Number 11. Agree on two boy names and two girl names (first and middle)

Yup. We're done now. We had Holly Morgan and we sort of had Hayley Ann and Christopher Steven and we had Hayden. Well, my thought was to have two names of each in case of twins, and I don't mind twins having the same first initial (I don't want to be like the Duggards and have every kid's name start with the same letter). So, with that said, if we have one and then decide to have 1 or 2 more... these may not stay.

Our final list for the first kid (or twins) is:

Hayley Belle

Holly Morgan

Hayden Ray

Hunter Steven

I was thinking about the possibility of a musical term for a middle name, like Lyric or Adagio or Aria or something. Being both involved in music for the majority of our life it seemed like a good idea. So, Jason brought with him to his competition last night his music terms and their meanings book (a musical dictionary). I started flipping through it and then saw bell. Like the bell to a horn or a bell you can ring. I thought about how to use bell as a name. Can't do Bella - I'm not a Twilight fan and even if I was, I don't think I would do that anyway. I have a friend who's daughter's middle name is Hermoine. Can't do it. Anyway. Then I remembered Belle from, yes, Beauty and the Beast. Now that I had my spelling I put it with Hayley. Hayley Belle. I liked it and showed it to Jason. He liked it. It's one we could see using both the first and middle name. We don't want to say that its named after Belle from Beauty and the Beast, that's not my intention of the name, just the spelling I guess because I couldn't remember otherwise. However, Belle is Jason's favorite princess and she is probably mine too. And, she is probably the best one to be named after - she loves to read, is smart, not your damsel in distress type, and, most importantly, looks at others for who they are, not what they look like. So, there's Hayley Belle.

We had talked about using a family name or a name from someone in the family as well. Having been stumped on Hayden forever... I went back to Hayden Ray (Ray being my dad's name). Jason had already agreed to it. It's not his favorite, but he likes it. Then it was Christopher. With 3 H names Christopher just didn't fit. So, off I went searching for another boy name that started with H that could work with Steven as a middle name (Steven being Jason's dad's name). I don't care for Hank or Henry or Howard or Hugh or Heath... Humphry is too old for me (though Humphry Bogart in Casablanca is fantastic!). I came across Hunter. Hunter Steven. Not my favorite but it works and I do like it and it seems like it fits in more than Christopher.

So, there we have it. We're done. Officially. Now we just need a baby! Then the big debate if its a girl will be which name do we use!

I should also add

Number 9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months

Friday night's movie was Back to the Future. I do love this movie. :)

1 thing to sort of cross off

And more that are a work in progress.

Number 49. Take Ballroom Dance Lessons.

This is the one to sort of cross off. If you look at my master list, it is both bold and red (indicating it has been completed) and in italics (indicating a work in progress). I didn't give myself a number of lessons to attend or how many dances to learn, so one could argue that I have accomplished this goal.

I went to the Gainey Dance studio last night for what they call a crash course in the Waltz and the Rumba. It was a group class for $10.00. They have these group crash courses every Wednesday night and each night they learn two new dances. Next Wednesday I believe is the Tango and the Cha Cha. Anyway, I show up for this class about 10 minutes early, and I find out that I am the first to arrive. Not only that, but I'm the only one to arrive. Apparently these courses repeat about every 2 months and I came right at the beginning of a new one so there is a possibility that I might be the only one, or one of a few, for the next few weeks if I continue to show up. I got a private lesson in the Waltz and Rumba at the cost of a group rate. I learned the basic steps (enough to get me through one of their dance parties on Friday nights) and I learned that as of right now, I would prefer the Rumba over the Waltz.

I picked up a calendar while I was there for all the dance events. Wow. Almost any night of the week I could go dancing. And, unless it states on the calendar, everything is $10.00. I can handle that! So, Thursdays is currently a Waltz workshop, and the workshops that go every week I have to catch at the beginning (which I would not have). Otherwise, Friday nights are their dance parties. They start with a lesson at 8:00 of just one dance style (this week is the Night Club 2 step) and then its open dance starting at 9 (and its any kind of dance, not just the one learned at the lesson). I guess like 50 people will show up for this! Sure, it's not a night club, but, you could certainly find someone to dance with. Saturdays will usually have more lessons or 1 day workshops or potlucks and parties (like the one on Halloween). Sundays are Zumba and the Argentine Tango. And then we're at Monday. The worst work day of the week, but possibly the best dance day of the week. West Coast Swing. This has my name written all over it. 10 years ago I did West Coast Swing, took lessons, went to clubs in Santa Cruz where I would do the flips, everything. I LOVED IT. I'm SOOOO Excited for this. Tuesday is your more aerobics type dance class and then a class on rhythm/Latin technique and then we're back at Wednesday. Oh, and Wednesday nights at 8 there is another swing class. I am so beyond excited about this. Too bad I can't get Jason to go with me. Maybe that should be a future goal of mine! Once I start going more times and learn the basics for a few more dances (the last Wednesday of the month is Foxtrot and Swing) I'll officially complete this one.

Number 31. Watch 10 of the IMDB top 250 movies.

Now, this list is probably an ever changing list. It is all based on user ratings. And, normally, for these movie goals, I will try to not use a movie I have seen before to cross off my list, but I'm not eliminating it entirely. So, with that, I had a terrible day at work and all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with my two cats Tonks and Lupin and watch a cartoon. So, I browsed the top 250 movies and came across Walle. So, Walle it was. 1 movie down, 9 to go.

Number 99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet.

After watching Walle, I was in a better mood. So, I went to my DVD collection and pulled out a movie I have been meaning to watch but never had. Tonight's movie was Dreamgirls. I had heard really good things about it when it was first in the theater and about Jennifer Hudson's performance, but Jason did not want to see it. Now that he is at a football game, I had the time to sit down and watch it. It was a little slow for me getting going, and for the longest time, I wasn't sure what the plot was supposed to be, but as the four Dreams came out on stage to do the final song at the end of the movie, I must say I had a tear starting to form.

Yay for more progress!

Hate to lose you

I am having a serious hate relationship with one of my friends right now. Not a love hate, just hate. It’s a shame because I’ve had this friend for just over 8 years now. She was instrumental in mine and Jason’s relationship starting. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding – actually due to my sister’s age/immaturity/location, she really acted as my MOH on my sister’s behalf. The only reason she was not MOH was because I could not justify not giving the title

We hardly see her anymore. She started dating this guy about 3 years ago (just about 6 months before the wedding) and that is where everything went downhill. Not to say he’s to blame for everything, I actually like him, for the most part (though he’s a 40 year old afraid of putting a ring on her finger, but that’s another story). She complains that she never gets to see her friends and that she only gets to see her boyfriend’s friends. We have invited (individually and as a couple invited) her (as a couple and individually) to do things. She almost never agrees. She also will not ask her friends to do something herself. It is a two way street you know. Then, we’ll invite her to our parties we have and she double books herself, comes late to the party (as in, the last one to arrive by nearly 2 hours) and is the first one to leave (after staying maybe an hour).

We complain about money but we have a budget in place and know when we can do things or when we can’t or when we have to save up for things. She complains about money all the time. She purchased an apartment gone condo in 2007 which we all know was the wrong time to do this. She then takes on a serious amount of debt to start tearing apart her kitchen and redo it. She then says she has no money, starts working 2 other jobs in addition to her teaching job and is completely miserable. Ok, I can see that. No worries there. She then quits her 2 jobs and starts to complain about not having any money again. Yet, she and her boyfriend go off and buy annual passes to Disneyland and take weekend trips to the park and brag about it to us. Am I jealous of their trips to Disneyland? Usually no except when they recently went to see the Halloween stuff as I won’t be able to see it. It just annoys me so much because she complains and complains and complains yet buys the ever increasing annual pass to the park and takes weekend trips there at least once, sometimes more a month. I don’t want to hear about it!

I’m ready to not send her the invitation to our holiday party this year just so that I won’t have to deal with her. Is that wrong? Should I talk to her and tell her how frustrating it is on my side? I don’t know the exact circumstances for her money problem, perhaps her savings is for these weekend trips and such and that is more important to her than something else. If that is the case, don’t complain about not seeing people because you don’t have any money to do stuff or don’t show up late and be the first to leave to an event or double book yourself. You owe more to your friends. If you can’t make it to a whole night with one, say sorry and try for breakfast at someone’s house the next morning!

Time to hit the ground running!

Ok, it is day 2 of my challenge and I have some items to cross off!

Number 4. Inspire someone to do 101 in 1001.

I am happy to say that so far 3 people have signed on for this challenge! I have added links to I think everyone's lists. Jaye, Kirstin and Lisa have all created their own lists. Yay!

Number 71. Buy a water heater blanket.

I love it when Jason is home. He gets so many things done. He is off today for Columbus Day and went to Home Depot to pick up a blanket for our hot water heater. It is supposed to help keep the water in there hot so that it uses less energy to heat the water up. With the weather starting to cool off here, we thought now was the time to buy one and start storing up the hot water in there from the summer.

There are also some others that have dents in them.

Number 11. Agree on 2 boy names and 2 girl names (first and middle)

I put this up here as we both know that I am very emotional. Both in the crying way and in the I can snap at any given moment way (which I am working on). So, we have decided to decide on names (2 each) ideally before I get pregnant. That way, when I am even more hormonal, it's one less fight to have. 1 name is official. Holly Morgan. We both love it. We have 2 other first names set too. Hayley and Hayden. Hayley has been my number 1 choice for a girl name since before we got married. But, now having Holly Morgan, that might change. We'll see. We may have 3 out of the 4 names officially decided on. Christopher Steven and Hayley Ann. I'm not entirely set on the first name of Christopher so I'm not marking off 3 names yet. I can't mark off 2 names either as Ann is my middle name and in order to use my middle name, we need a name from his side as an option too, thus the Steven. So, anyway... it's a work in progress, but we do have 1 down.

Number 24. Buy released from the vault and new Disney major animated feature films.

I have this on the list because it is a goal of mine to own every major Disney animated movie (the sequels don't count nor do the straight to DVD releases). I have quite the collection already but still need quite a few. So, I must wait for the Released for the Vault and such. So, yesterday I finally purchased Snow White. I am actually not a fan of Snow White though I'm not sure why. But, in order to complete my own goal, I have to have it. So, there we are.

Well, there's the 101 update for now!

Start Date

I'll give myself a start date of this Sunday, October 11th. That gives me an end date of Sunday, July 8, 2012.

Wee!

101 in 1001

Thanks to some girls like Jenni, Stacey and Mya, I have deiced to join the world of 101 in 1001. I will keep you updated, and blog about each item that is crossed off the list. Italics are for entries in progress, and if an item is in RED it has been completed. I will post a link to this post in my side bar so you can see how I'm doing!

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Here's the list:

Blog:

1. Write an entry once a week for 6 months not including the updates on the list (16/24)

2. Write about Suns once every other week during the season

*3. Write about race training once a month*

4. Inspire someone to do 101 in 1001 Completed 10/12/2009

5. Write about each task completed

Family:

6. Host Holiday Party (1/3) Party 1 Completed December 5, 2009

7. Send Christmas Cards (1/3) Cards mailed 2009

8. Back up photos on external hard drive and CDs

9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months (19/24) Movie 1: Back to the Future 10/16/2009 Movie 2: Shrek 10/24/2009 Movie 3: Air Force One 10/30/2009 Movie 4: This is It 11/1/2009, Movie 5: Elf 11/8/2009, Movie 6: Star Trek 11/17/2009, Movie 7: Home Alone, 11/26/2009, Movie 8: The Greatest Game Ever Played 12/4/2009, Movie 9: Hook 12/10/2009, Movie 10: Enchanted 12/19/2009, Movie 11: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 12/25/2009, Movie 12: The Hangover 12/28/2009, Movie 13: Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian 1/8/2010, Movie 14: A League of Their Own, Movie 15: Across the Universe 1/17/2010, Movie 16: Julie and Julia 1/25/2010, Movie 17: Alice in Wonderland 2/6/2010, Movie 18: A Chorus Line 2/11/2010, Movie 19: Win a Date with Tad Hamilton

10. Visit Phoenix Zoo Lights on Christmas Eve when in town Completed 12/24/2009

11. Agree on two boy names and two girl names (first and middle) (4/4) Completed 10/18/2009

12. Menu plan every week for 2 months (6/8) Week 1 December 20-24, Week 2 December 27-30, Week 3 January 3-9, Week 4 January 10-16, Week 5 January 17-23, Week 6 January 24-30

13. Try 10 new restaurants (4/10) Restaurant 1: Thee Pits Again 10/24/2009, Restaurant 2: Fajitas 11/10/2009, Restaurant 3: Manuel's 12/2/2009, Restaurant 4: Smith and Wollenskys 12/31/2009

14. Turn off computers after 6:00 for 20 work days (0/20)

15. Turn off computers after 5:00 for 20 work days (0/20)

16. Complete the Sistine Chapel Ceiling puzzle with Jason

17. Go to 3 First Fridays (0/3)

18. Go bowling twice a year (0/5)

19. Play mini golf once a year (1/3) Game 1: 10/25/2009

20. Celebrate anniversary on actual anniversary

21. Attend 3 concerts (0/3)

22. See 3 musicals (1/3) The Phantom of the Opera: 11/15/2009

23. Do not go on facebook for a week Completed 12/13/2009

Movies:

24. Buy released from the vault and new Disney major animated feature films Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 10/12/2009, Aristocats 12/25/2009

25. Buy new Pixar feature films Up 11/11/2009, Cars 12/25/2009, Monsters Inc. 12/25/2009

26. Show up in line at 8:00am for a midnight release of a movie

27. Attend the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

28. Attend the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

29. Watch Godfather Part 2

30. Watch Godfather Part 3

31. Watch 10 of the IMDB top 250 movies (3/10) Movie 1: Walle 10/15/2009, Movie 2: The Lion King 11/3/2009, Movie 3: Big Fish 11/16/2009

Travel:

32. Visit Disneyland on Halloween once

33. Attend DCI Finals in Indianapolis once

34. Attend a DCI show outside of AZ and CA (Indy does not count) once

35. Visit Grandma in Mississippi

36. Visit Jason's Grandma in Lake Havasu

37. Travel to a country I've never been to

38. Travel to a state I've never been to

39. Take Jason to NYC

40. Go on a cruise

41. Go camping

42. Visit the Grand Canyon for more than 1 hour

43. Travel to a Suns away game

44. Go see the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

45. Go see the Chicago Symphony

Me:

46. Read 6 new books a year (3 at 6 months) (2/15) Book 1: Something Borrowed, Book 2: Something Blue

47. Take a day for me once a month (4/32)

48. Create a scrapbook of family of vacations

49. Take Ballroom Dance lessons Completed 11/6/2009 Waltz and Rumba 10/14/2009, Tango and Cha Cha 10/21/2009, Foxtrot and East Coast Swing 10/28/2009, Samba 11/6/2009

50. Vote in a Non Presidential election Completed 10/27/2009

51. Categorize the DVD collection

52. Do something that I'm proud of

53. Get a facial

54. Try a new meal/food 6 times (1/6) Food 1: Chicken Empanadas Completed 10/27/2009

55. Try Zumba

56. Print important digital pictures

57. Buy a little black dress and feel hot in it

58. Complete the 5,000 question survey (0/5,000) (http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?authorcode=D133099&entry=10001&mode=date)

59. Send a message in a bottle

60. Go swing dancing

61. Bake a cake

62. Find a wine I can drink and like

63. Tip 100% to a waiter who deserves it

64. Buy my mom flowers

65. Spend a weekend at a spa

66. Read all of Jane Austen's books (0/6)

67. Have a 30th Birthday Party

House:

68. Clean out 3rd bedroom

69. Add shelves to garage Completed 1/16/2010

70. Buy new master bedroom set

Going Green:

71. Buy a water heater blanket Completed 10/12/2009

72. Buy the can energy saver lights

Money:

73. Coupon clip

74. Create a shopping list for every weekly trip to the grocery store for 3 months (0/12)

75. Start an emergency fund

76. Earn a raise/promotion

77. Once pregnant, set up an account for college, etc, and deposit $20.00 a month Completed 12/19/2009

78. Put aside $5.00 for each item not completed

Health:

79. Lose 5lbs

80. Lose 10lbs

81. Lose 20lbs

82. Weigh 155

83. Race a half marathon

84. Race 2 sprint distance triathlons (0/2)

*85. Create monthly training plan each month and post in blog for 12 months (1/12)*

86. Drink 4 glasses of water a day for 30 days (30/30) Completed 11/22/2009

87. Drink 6 glasses of water a day for 30 days (30/30) Completed 12/22/2009

88. Drink 8 glasses of water a day for 30 days (0/30)

89. Workout/train 4 days a week for 30 minutes a day for 2 weeks (0/8)

90. Workout/train 4 days a week for 1 hour a day for 2 weeks (0/8)

91. Workout/train 5 days a week for 1 hour a day for 1 month (0/20)

92. Workout/train 5 days a week for 2 hour a day for 1 month (0/20)

93. Have no open circles on my BBT chart for 3 months (0/3)

95. Get pregnant Completed 12/12/2009

Community:

96. Donate to Goodwill Completed 10/31/2009

97. Donate food to local food bank

98. Donate books and puzzles to kids shelter

Ones I forgot to put in their category:

99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet (8/26) A movie: Avatar Completed 1/18/2010, B movie: The Blind Side Completed 11/26/2009, D movie: Dreamgirls Completed 10/15/2009, F movie: Funny Girl Completed 11/2/2009, H movie: House Bunny, The Completed 10/23/2009, M movie: Marie Antoinette Completed 10/25/2009, P movie: P.S. I Love You Completed 11/9/2009, T movie: This is It Completed 11/1/2009

100. Take 43 pictures of 43 things/places within 43 miles from where I live (0/43)

101. "Unplug" from the TV, computer and cell phone for 1 day.

94. Get a promotion/higher paying job Completed 12/11/2009

So, what do you think?

Edit* the * are ones that are on hold due to pregnancy.