Wow, I am certainly the blogging fool today! Maybe subconciously I am trying to make up for my lack of blogging for so long. Or perhaps it could be that Sophie is actually entertaining herself for a bit today (which has NOT been the norm this past couple of weeks)... ahh, it is so nice. Our living room looks like it hasn't been cleaned in weeks, but hey, she's happy. (And it was clean this morning, just so ya know!)
Anyway, I thought I would share some movin' and shakin' tummy drama. Just now I was sitting here with my belly looking like barbies could surf on it. I thought - how cool, I'm going to video tape it. I get my camera, sit down and prepare to entrance you all with my belly dance (curtosy of unborn baby Brielle)... and then she is calm. Hmmmm - she's already trying to spite my blogging! lol I put the camera away, she gets active. I pull the camera out, she stops. I keep the camera out... she doesn't move a muscle.... she's a smart one! :)
Another funny belly tidbit. This morning Sophie was sitting on my lap. She often pulls my shirt off my belly so she can 'see' the baby. Then she rubs it, sings to the baby, etc. It really is cute. Anyway, she points to my stretch marks and belly button (now stretched) and very concerned like says with wide eyes, "Mommy, broken!!!"
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Nie Nie Auctions
Those of you really connected in the blog-o-shere probably already know about the Nielson family. The parents were in a plane crash and are recovering from severe burns over most of their bodies. They have 4 small children. Anyway, the blog world is having a fundraiser for them. A ton of different blogs are doing silent auctions with all the items donated and the $ raised will go directly to the Nielson family medical bills. If you'd like to check out some of the auctions, you can go to: design mom (who has a whole list!) or ponytailchallenge.
Tag
Well, I'd better hop to it I guess since I have been tagged by two different people in two days with the same survey :) At least that makes it easy!! I actually like the little tags because it helps us all to get to know each other better! :) So, here goes...
1. Four places I go over and over:
Walmart, my parents' house, church, mom & tot gymnatics (or the airport, it's a toss-up)
2. Four people who email me regularly:
My baby group for this baby (wow, I get SO many emails a day, it's hard to keep up), Mallory, Alana, and it's hard to pick between my SIL Kassi, my MIL SueAnn, and my mom - they all are kinda equal I guess.
3. Four of my favorite places to eat:
In town or in general? Hmmm, I'll guess in town...
No Coast Sushi, Zen Garden (sushi again), Dos Hombres, The Ale House
4. Four place I would rather be right now:
With Aaron (pretty much anywhere), somewhere with a great beach, in bed, getting a massage!
5. Four TV shows I watch:
I'm not really regular on any tv shows, but the ones I try to catch are:
So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol (when I can catch re-runs as I'm never home when it's on), LOST!, What Not To Wear
6. Four people I tag:
Hmmm, who hasn't done this one yet?
Alana, Lauren, Allie B, Teresa
1. Four places I go over and over:
Walmart, my parents' house, church, mom & tot gymnatics (or the airport, it's a toss-up)
2. Four people who email me regularly:
My baby group for this baby (wow, I get SO many emails a day, it's hard to keep up), Mallory, Alana, and it's hard to pick between my SIL Kassi, my MIL SueAnn, and my mom - they all are kinda equal I guess.
3. Four of my favorite places to eat:
In town or in general? Hmmm, I'll guess in town...
No Coast Sushi, Zen Garden (sushi again), Dos Hombres, The Ale House
4. Four place I would rather be right now:
With Aaron (pretty much anywhere), somewhere with a great beach, in bed, getting a massage!
5. Four TV shows I watch:
I'm not really regular on any tv shows, but the ones I try to catch are:
So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol (when I can catch re-runs as I'm never home when it's on), LOST!, What Not To Wear
6. Four people I tag:
Hmmm, who hasn't done this one yet?
Alana, Lauren, Allie B, Teresa
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ask and ye shall receive.
My friend Sarah asked me to post my popcorn cake recipe, so here it is.
Popcorn cake is something that I've never seen anywhere besides a Clever family function. It's a tradition at our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Ummm, yummy. It's basically kinda like a rice krispie treat, but with popcorn instead of cereal, and with peanuts and gumdrops added in.
I hadn't planned on posting this, so I didn't take pictures before I took it to our church youth function tonight. It looks so yummy and cute, especially before it's cut. You make it in an angel food pan or something similar. It's easy and unique.
Grandma Clever's Popcorn Cake
4 qts. Popped popcorn
1 lb small gumdrops (sometimes we have to use the bigger ones and cut them. That’s pain.)
½ lb salted peanuts
½ c butter
½ c oil (my gma has ‘salad oil’…. I think that I normally use canola or something like that. Also, you can get away with not using that much - maybe between 1/4 c. to 1/2 c.)
1 lb marshmallows
Buttered angel food cake pan
Add popcorn, candy, and nuts in large bowl.
Melt oil and butter in lg saucepan. Add marshmallows. Bring to boil. Pour over popcorn mixture and mix.
Press into pan. Let cool.
I also thought I'd post another popcorn recipe. I can't take credit for this one - Kristi found this one and it's so yummy and different. The young women especially liked it! :)
Red Hot Popcorn
2 tbs veg. oil
1/2 c. unpopped popcorn
1/2 c. butter
2 tbs light corn syrup
2 (2.25 oz) packages cinnamon red hot candies
1. Pop popcorn and place in large brown bag (or large ziplock).
2. Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hots in a microwave safe bowl or saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake bag for 1 minute, until completely coated. Cool and serve.
I wish that I had a picture for you. It turns out bright red, just like the red hots, and tastes so yummy!
Another popcorn recipe for you...
Carmel Popcorn. This is not your normal crunchie carmel popcorn. It's got real, gooey carmel on top of the popcorn. We used to make this a lot growing up when 'the family' would sit down and watch a movie. SO good. SO easy.
Carmel Popcorn
1 c. popcorn (unpopped)
½ c. butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. white Karo syrup
1. Pop popcorn with an air popper. (You can also pop it in the microwave in a brown paper bag.)
Try to take out the seeds that don’t pop.
2. Mix butter, sugar, and karo into sm saucepan. Boil 2 mins and then pour over popped corn.
Popcorn cake is something that I've never seen anywhere besides a Clever family function. It's a tradition at our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Ummm, yummy. It's basically kinda like a rice krispie treat, but with popcorn instead of cereal, and with peanuts and gumdrops added in.
I hadn't planned on posting this, so I didn't take pictures before I took it to our church youth function tonight. It looks so yummy and cute, especially before it's cut. You make it in an angel food pan or something similar. It's easy and unique.
Grandma Clever's Popcorn Cake4 qts. Popped popcorn
1 lb small gumdrops (sometimes we have to use the bigger ones and cut them. That’s pain.)
½ lb salted peanuts
½ c butter
½ c oil (my gma has ‘salad oil’…. I think that I normally use canola or something like that. Also, you can get away with not using that much - maybe between 1/4 c. to 1/2 c.)
1 lb marshmallows
Buttered angel food cake pan
Add popcorn, candy, and nuts in large bowl.
Melt oil and butter in lg saucepan. Add marshmallows. Bring to boil. Pour over popcorn mixture and mix.
Press into pan. Let cool.
I also thought I'd post another popcorn recipe. I can't take credit for this one - Kristi found this one and it's so yummy and different. The young women especially liked it! :)
Red Hot Popcorn
2 tbs veg. oil
1/2 c. unpopped popcorn
1/2 c. butter
2 tbs light corn syrup
2 (2.25 oz) packages cinnamon red hot candies
1. Pop popcorn and place in large brown bag (or large ziplock).
2. Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hots in a microwave safe bowl or saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake bag for 1 minute, until completely coated. Cool and serve.
I wish that I had a picture for you. It turns out bright red, just like the red hots, and tastes so yummy!
Another popcorn recipe for you...
Carmel Popcorn. This is not your normal crunchie carmel popcorn. It's got real, gooey carmel on top of the popcorn. We used to make this a lot growing up when 'the family' would sit down and watch a movie. SO good. SO easy.
Carmel Popcorn
1 c. popcorn (unpopped)
½ c. butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. white Karo syrup
1. Pop popcorn with an air popper. (You can also pop it in the microwave in a brown paper bag.)
Try to take out the seeds that don’t pop.
2. Mix butter, sugar, and karo into sm saucepan. Boil 2 mins and then pour over popped corn.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Oh yeah, baby update
Oh yeah... so did you know that the sour cream and the cottage cheese in my fridge now have longer expiration dates than I do? (My due date that is, if you didn't catch on.)
Hmm, I flip between that freaking me out a little and then thinking that I've already been pregnant forever so what is taking so long? I feel like we have so much to do in order to get ready for this baby to come home. Yet, anyone who has been pg lately would probably tell you that if feels like you've been pregnant for five years! Everyone keeps asking 'how much longer' and I just cringe... probably 5 more weeks! Ugh, that isn't much time. And double ugh that it isn't sooner!
I was in the dr's office yet again today for another apt. I love my dr - he's great. However, I hate all the waiting as of late. It didn't used to be that bad, but now you wait for an hour for a 5-10 min apt. I took Sophie with me today b/c Aaron is still (and again, which ever way you want to look at it) out of town. Luckily she was a pretty good girl, but anyone knows that trying to entertain a two year old in a dr's office for over an hour is not... stress free. Let's leave it at that.
Hmmm, seems like this has become more of a rant than an update. Sorry about that. I guess I'll get to the update part.
*Everything is looking good so far. :)
*In two weeks we go into the hospital to do all of our paperwork and tour and whatnot. We should have done it sooner, but we wanted an evening apt so we could leave the little one with my parents.
*My dr said that he'd consider inducing me as early as 38 weeks (which is Sept 15th). We haven't decided if we want to do that or wait for it to be spontaneous. I guess we'll wait and see.
*And we start having fun 'internals' next apt... good thing Aaron will be home and can watch Sophie. Wouldn't want to take her to that.
Hmm, I flip between that freaking me out a little and then thinking that I've already been pregnant forever so what is taking so long? I feel like we have so much to do in order to get ready for this baby to come home. Yet, anyone who has been pg lately would probably tell you that if feels like you've been pregnant for five years! Everyone keeps asking 'how much longer' and I just cringe... probably 5 more weeks! Ugh, that isn't much time. And double ugh that it isn't sooner!
I was in the dr's office yet again today for another apt. I love my dr - he's great. However, I hate all the waiting as of late. It didn't used to be that bad, but now you wait for an hour for a 5-10 min apt. I took Sophie with me today b/c Aaron is still (and again, which ever way you want to look at it) out of town. Luckily she was a pretty good girl, but anyone knows that trying to entertain a two year old in a dr's office for over an hour is not... stress free. Let's leave it at that.
Hmmm, seems like this has become more of a rant than an update. Sorry about that. I guess I'll get to the update part.
*Everything is looking good so far. :)
*In two weeks we go into the hospital to do all of our paperwork and tour and whatnot. We should have done it sooner, but we wanted an evening apt so we could leave the little one with my parents.
*My dr said that he'd consider inducing me as early as 38 weeks (which is Sept 15th). We haven't decided if we want to do that or wait for it to be spontaneous. I guess we'll wait and see.
*And we start having fun 'internals' next apt... good thing Aaron will be home and can watch Sophie. Wouldn't want to take her to that.
It's been a long time...
It's not like me to leave my blog so... un-updated for so long.
Pretty much my excuse is that I can't stand TV anymore (which I normally have on in the background when I am on the computer) so I've been reading, reading, reading. First it was Twilight that my MIL and SIL convinced me to read. Can I just say that I LOVED it? Yeah, it was written for teenage girls. Hey, I was one of those.... awhile ago ;) So, after Twilight I had to read the other three books in the series, of course. Then I read The Peacegiver. After I finshed that one, it was Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald. Now it's Shiva Dancing by Bharti Kirchner. It feels like I'm forgetting one, but that might be it.
Of course, that's all in addition to our normal routine. I love being a stay at home mommy! It really hit me when everyone started going back to school. If I was still teaching, I'd be one of them. I'd be getting ready to put her in daycare, I'd be grading papers late into the night after she went to bed. Ugh. I can't stand the thought of leaving her - and she's 2 already! I know that there are so many mommies out there that would give most things to be able to stay home with their children. I am so lucky that we have that opportunity. We might not have the nicest things, or a lot of things in general, but I have what is most important.
Anyway, I digress. I just thought we would update you as to what's been going on around here. Maybe not the most exciting family out there, but we love it!
First of all, one of Sophie's favorite animals is a camel... yes, you read that right, a camel. I don't know why. When we went to the zoo, we sat and stared forever at the hairy butts that were probably 100 yards in the distance. She loves camels. So, when my parents found out they were doing camel rides again (she rode one at the county fair), we all went. I wish that I could have gotten her reaction on video - she totally freaked out when she saw the camel. "Mommy - camel! CAMEL. CAMEL! CAMEL!!!" It was TOO funny.
Sophie absolutely loves her dollies as well. She'll be such a good little sister (once we establish some boundries that is). Here she is surrounded by most of her babies. She was reading them all a story.
Daddy put in tile in our bathroom. Sophie wanted to help too :)
Who would have known that some of the best toys aren't toys?
I bought some of the rubbermaid bins to store unused toys and outgrown clothes. Sophie thinks it's great.
My little angel. I think I was keeping her entertained by taking pictures of random things that she wanted to see. We have a lot of pictures of the cat, her dollies, and both of our feet, but I didn't think that you'd want to see that :) I am in serious need of a pedicure!
Pretty much my excuse is that I can't stand TV anymore (which I normally have on in the background when I am on the computer) so I've been reading, reading, reading. First it was Twilight that my MIL and SIL convinced me to read. Can I just say that I LOVED it? Yeah, it was written for teenage girls. Hey, I was one of those.... awhile ago ;) So, after Twilight I had to read the other three books in the series, of course. Then I read The Peacegiver. After I finshed that one, it was Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald. Now it's Shiva Dancing by Bharti Kirchner. It feels like I'm forgetting one, but that might be it.
Of course, that's all in addition to our normal routine. I love being a stay at home mommy! It really hit me when everyone started going back to school. If I was still teaching, I'd be one of them. I'd be getting ready to put her in daycare, I'd be grading papers late into the night after she went to bed. Ugh. I can't stand the thought of leaving her - and she's 2 already! I know that there are so many mommies out there that would give most things to be able to stay home with their children. I am so lucky that we have that opportunity. We might not have the nicest things, or a lot of things in general, but I have what is most important.
Anyway, I digress. I just thought we would update you as to what's been going on around here. Maybe not the most exciting family out there, but we love it!
First of all, one of Sophie's favorite animals is a camel... yes, you read that right, a camel. I don't know why. When we went to the zoo, we sat and stared forever at the hairy butts that were probably 100 yards in the distance. She loves camels. So, when my parents found out they were doing camel rides again (she rode one at the county fair), we all went. I wish that I could have gotten her reaction on video - she totally freaked out when she saw the camel. "Mommy - camel! CAMEL. CAMEL! CAMEL!!!" It was TOO funny.
Sophie absolutely loves her dollies as well. She'll be such a good little sister (once we establish some boundries that is). Here she is surrounded by most of her babies. She was reading them all a story.
Daddy put in tile in our bathroom. Sophie wanted to help too :)
Who would have known that some of the best toys aren't toys?I bought some of the rubbermaid bins to store unused toys and outgrown clothes. Sophie thinks it's great.
My little angel. I think I was keeping her entertained by taking pictures of random things that she wanted to see. We have a lot of pictures of the cat, her dollies, and both of our feet, but I didn't think that you'd want to see that :) I am in serious need of a pedicure! 
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Ahh, a vacation
As you probably know, Aaron and I finally got away by ourselves for a few days. It was the first time that I left Sophie overnight and I was definitely more worried about it than she was. She did great at Grandma's and had a lot of fun. I'm awfully grateful that Sophie has such wonderful grandparents!
Hubby and I drove to Salt Lake City and played around. The first night we relaxed and had dinner (hmmmm, sushi - my favorite!) and just enjoyed each other's company.
The next day we spent downtown - at temple square mostly. Here are a few of our favorite pics. I can't take credit for most of these. Aaron took the majority of them.
I LOVE this one. If you don't recognize it, it's the handle of door to the temple.
Aaron and I are sitting on this cute, romantic, little hidden away bench by the temple taking pictures of random things when all of a sudden this hummingbird flies up - right to us! This DOES NOT have zoom on it. Seriously the bird was maybe four inches away from our lense. He was a very curious little creature. He reminded me of a Disney character :)
Here is a picture of the Moroni statue on the top of the temple.
Okay, you're thinking... "a picture of a bench? Why?"
This bench has special meaning to me and Aaron... it's where he proposed, forever ago!
Hubby and I drove to Salt Lake City and played around. The first night we relaxed and had dinner (hmmmm, sushi - my favorite!) and just enjoyed each other's company.
The next day we spent downtown - at temple square mostly. Here are a few of our favorite pics. I can't take credit for most of these. Aaron took the majority of them.
I LOVE this one. If you don't recognize it, it's the handle of door to the temple. It says "Holiness To The Lord" and can you believe that the casts for this were made by hand? They're simply gorgeous.
Doing the touristy thing. I bet his Scotland shirt might have thrown a few people off.
Aaron and I are sitting on this cute, romantic, little hidden away bench by the temple taking pictures of random things when all of a sudden this hummingbird flies up - right to us! This DOES NOT have zoom on it. Seriously the bird was maybe four inches away from our lense. He was a very curious little creature. He reminded me of a Disney character :)
Here is a picture of the Moroni statue on the top of the temple.
Okay, you're thinking... "a picture of a bench? Why?"This bench has special meaning to me and Aaron... it's where he proposed, forever ago!
(This is right next to the temple, on the back side.)
He was wanting to do it at the lover's bench just a few yards from this one, but there were already people there. Of course, I had no idea what was happening, so I insisted that we just sit here instead. A little while later, we were engaged!
He was wanting to do it at the lover's bench just a few yards from this one, but there were already people there. Of course, I had no idea what was happening, so I insisted that we just sit here instead. A little while later, we were engaged!
Those were just some of the highlights from our trip. We enjoyed ourselves - and also enjoyed coming back. I missed Sophie.
On a side note, our drain IS now fixed. My good friend Alana actually called her brother, who lives in town, and had him come over to look at it. He's a year away from being a master plumber. What a good friend! I'm so grateful for my friends. Thank you!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Just a bad ending.
Ever have one of those days where everything is going pretty smoothly, you're excited and happy and doing good until... until whatever it is happens.
Today it was the kitchen sink. Yeah, I put some stuff down the garbage disposal that I probably shouldn't have. Aaron thought he fixed it and then later in the day the sink got clogged. Everything that I had under the sink got pulled out onto the floor, all the draino chemicals on the counter, dirty water in the sink (not to mention the plunger), tools on my previous clean counters, etc. Poor Aaron tried everything to get it unclogged. Then my dad came over and they did it all over again while I took Sophie to my young women's activity (a church activity where I'm a leader) so she wouldn't pull a pipe wrench onto her head or something.
And I was ok with all of this. I still was having a pretty good day - not the best for obvious reasons, but hey, it could have been a lot worse -right? Even when we had to eat PB&J sandwiches for dinner and the plates are stacked on the counter b/c I couldn't wash them, I was doing ok.
So, I finish my activity at church, put Sophie in the car, drive home. My dad's car isn't there, so I'm thinking that's a good sign. I walk in, Aaron is sleeping on the couch. I figure it's gotta be fixed. Wrong. There is still water in the sink (mixed with heaven knows how much Draino and Liquid Plumber); tools, dishes, chemicals, plastic bags, recycling stuff (that was draining the other sink before being put in the bag), and soggy napkins on the counter; the stool out where Sophie could now get to all aforementioned objects; and I don't want to think about how dirty my kitchen floor now is.
And then my day turned. Why I could keep my cool all day and then come home to a still-clogged sink and lose my whole composure? I don't know. It just seemed crushing. It's not fixed. I can't clean my kitchen. It's gross. And it's not going to get better for who knows how long until we can get someone to fix it. It's not even that we'll have to pay for a plumber. Well, maybe that is part of it. Maybe a part of it is pregnancy hormones too.
I think a lot of it is that Aaron and I are supposed to go out of town tomorrow for a get-away, just the two of us. Do you know that I've never spent a night away from Sophie? So, Aaron and I planned a trip - Grandma is watching Sophie while Aaron and I are supposed to go away for a relaxing trip, just us two. Now, my most pressing date is with a plumber whom we haven't called yet. Will we get to leave tomorrow? I don't know. I hope so.
Another part of it is that I feel so out of it when my kitchen is out of comission. I can't even wash my hands there. I had to go to the bathroom to wash peaches for dinner. And it's not clean. That's a major thing too. While I have been known to let clutter encroach on my kitchen (bills, books, purses, etc.) it's never really dirty. I do all the dishes after the meal, I clean the counters and stove, etc. I hate that I can't do that. I have a feeling that I won't be able to sleep tonight because of it.
And the funny thing is - that I know that it's a fairly simple thing. No one is hurt, it's fixable, etc. In the grand scheme of things, it's such a small and simple thing. Why so upsetting?
Today it was the kitchen sink. Yeah, I put some stuff down the garbage disposal that I probably shouldn't have. Aaron thought he fixed it and then later in the day the sink got clogged. Everything that I had under the sink got pulled out onto the floor, all the draino chemicals on the counter, dirty water in the sink (not to mention the plunger), tools on my previous clean counters, etc. Poor Aaron tried everything to get it unclogged. Then my dad came over and they did it all over again while I took Sophie to my young women's activity (a church activity where I'm a leader) so she wouldn't pull a pipe wrench onto her head or something.
And I was ok with all of this. I still was having a pretty good day - not the best for obvious reasons, but hey, it could have been a lot worse -right? Even when we had to eat PB&J sandwiches for dinner and the plates are stacked on the counter b/c I couldn't wash them, I was doing ok.
So, I finish my activity at church, put Sophie in the car, drive home. My dad's car isn't there, so I'm thinking that's a good sign. I walk in, Aaron is sleeping on the couch. I figure it's gotta be fixed. Wrong. There is still water in the sink (mixed with heaven knows how much Draino and Liquid Plumber); tools, dishes, chemicals, plastic bags, recycling stuff (that was draining the other sink before being put in the bag), and soggy napkins on the counter; the stool out where Sophie could now get to all aforementioned objects; and I don't want to think about how dirty my kitchen floor now is.
And then my day turned. Why I could keep my cool all day and then come home to a still-clogged sink and lose my whole composure? I don't know. It just seemed crushing. It's not fixed. I can't clean my kitchen. It's gross. And it's not going to get better for who knows how long until we can get someone to fix it. It's not even that we'll have to pay for a plumber. Well, maybe that is part of it. Maybe a part of it is pregnancy hormones too.
I think a lot of it is that Aaron and I are supposed to go out of town tomorrow for a get-away, just the two of us. Do you know that I've never spent a night away from Sophie? So, Aaron and I planned a trip - Grandma is watching Sophie while Aaron and I are supposed to go away for a relaxing trip, just us two. Now, my most pressing date is with a plumber whom we haven't called yet. Will we get to leave tomorrow? I don't know. I hope so.
Another part of it is that I feel so out of it when my kitchen is out of comission. I can't even wash my hands there. I had to go to the bathroom to wash peaches for dinner. And it's not clean. That's a major thing too. While I have been known to let clutter encroach on my kitchen (bills, books, purses, etc.) it's never really dirty. I do all the dishes after the meal, I clean the counters and stove, etc. I hate that I can't do that. I have a feeling that I won't be able to sleep tonight because of it.
And the funny thing is - that I know that it's a fairly simple thing. No one is hurt, it's fixable, etc. In the grand scheme of things, it's such a small and simple thing. Why so upsetting?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
What NOT to say to a person experiencing infertility... OR... the top 10 things to say if you're a complete idiot and want to make them feel like poo
It might seem a little odd that I'm posting a blog about what not to say to someone dealing with infertility problems, given that we are currently prego. However, many of you might know that we do have fertility problems. But I'm not posting on direct behalf of myself tonight. Unfortunately, fertility problems are more and more common now-a-days (yeah, I just used that word... I might be turning into my mother, so what?) and I have quite a few friends with their own reproductive challenges. After a tear-filled phone conversation with one of these friends yesterday, I thought I might post some guidelines for those who might not know what to say (or not say in this case) to someone having problems in the baby-making area.
We'll start with #10 and work our way down, just like Letterman...
10. How about getting a dog? (A dog, really?)
9. There are so many children in the world already. (And your point is......?)
8. Have you tried _______________ ("standing on your head after sex?"... just fill in the blank. Unless it's an actual medical procedure or something that has some reason or research behind it, just stop.)
7. When it's suppose to happen, it'll happen. (According to...? If you're religious and offering this advice, a double slap for you... don't you believe that you have to help everything along? I can't just assume that if I want to repent, that that's enough. You have to do something about it.)
6. You don't want to be pregnant anyway. It wrecks your body. (Yup, 'cause I'm worried about that Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover I have to shoot later in the year.)
5. Ya know, I thought we'd have problems getting pregnant too, but we didn't! (Gee, thanks. I needed to be reminded that you got knocked up without a problem.)
4. At least you'll never have to go through childbirth. (Are you serious? Would you rather go through childbirth or have a gazillion appoints with a million doctors who all want to check out your girly bits and then go through hormone supplements/shots, painful procedures, etc. not to mention all the emotional gut-punches?)
3. You're still young. Don't worry about it. (Don't worry if your bank account is empty and you have no job and this is your last box of crackers... it'll all work out - you're still young.)
2. Just relax and it'll happen. (Yeah, the last time I checked ALL the yoga teachers were just poppin' out those babies.)
1. Maybe you're just not meant to be a mother. (I am not a fan of cursing. However, there are some instances where I have been known to make an exception. You can assume that this is one of them.)
I hope that when you read through that, that you were using your best sarcastic voice for all the blue bits. If not, read it again!
I really am not a bitter person. I know my blue-bits of sarcasm might make you think that. I'm really not. I am very cheerful :) (: However, when going through the throws of infertility and perhaps losing your dream, or at least having it change, your emotions are a little.... whacky, psychotic, whatever you want to call it. And when someone tells you some of these things on the list it feels like they are trying to diminish your pain. We don't want it swept under the rug. We want you to listen. To offer support and say you're sorry that this is happening. To be THERE - as a friend, a mother, a sister, whatever you are. Just be there.
Ok, now really - I am NOT a bitter person. Will it take another smiley face to convince you? :-)
I just know how it feels, and maybe a little protective over those going through similar trials. Especially my friends. Now, your challenge - your test - your mission, is to not say stupid things. :) Or, for those of you all too familiar with these cliche, dense remarks, what are the ones you hated/hate the most?
We'll start with #10 and work our way down, just like Letterman...
10. How about getting a dog? (A dog, really?)
9. There are so many children in the world already. (And your point is......?)
8. Have you tried _______________ ("standing on your head after sex?"... just fill in the blank. Unless it's an actual medical procedure or something that has some reason or research behind it, just stop.)
7. When it's suppose to happen, it'll happen. (According to...? If you're religious and offering this advice, a double slap for you... don't you believe that you have to help everything along? I can't just assume that if I want to repent, that that's enough. You have to do something about it.)
6. You don't want to be pregnant anyway. It wrecks your body. (Yup, 'cause I'm worried about that Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover I have to shoot later in the year.)
5. Ya know, I thought we'd have problems getting pregnant too, but we didn't! (Gee, thanks. I needed to be reminded that you got knocked up without a problem.)
4. At least you'll never have to go through childbirth. (Are you serious? Would you rather go through childbirth or have a gazillion appoints with a million doctors who all want to check out your girly bits and then go through hormone supplements/shots, painful procedures, etc. not to mention all the emotional gut-punches?)
3. You're still young. Don't worry about it. (Don't worry if your bank account is empty and you have no job and this is your last box of crackers... it'll all work out - you're still young.)
2. Just relax and it'll happen. (Yeah, the last time I checked ALL the yoga teachers were just poppin' out those babies.)
1. Maybe you're just not meant to be a mother. (I am not a fan of cursing. However, there are some instances where I have been known to make an exception. You can assume that this is one of them.)
I hope that when you read through that, that you were using your best sarcastic voice for all the blue bits. If not, read it again!
I really am not a bitter person. I know my blue-bits of sarcasm might make you think that. I'm really not. I am very cheerful :) (: However, when going through the throws of infertility and perhaps losing your dream, or at least having it change, your emotions are a little.... whacky, psychotic, whatever you want to call it. And when someone tells you some of these things on the list it feels like they are trying to diminish your pain. We don't want it swept under the rug. We want you to listen. To offer support and say you're sorry that this is happening. To be THERE - as a friend, a mother, a sister, whatever you are. Just be there.
Ok, now really - I am NOT a bitter person. Will it take another smiley face to convince you? :-)
I just know how it feels, and maybe a little protective over those going through similar trials. Especially my friends. Now, your challenge - your test - your mission, is to not say stupid things. :) Or, for those of you all too familiar with these cliche, dense remarks, what are the ones you hated/hate the most?
Big Oil's biggest quarter ever: $51.5B in all
This is just a short clip of an article in the Yahoo news. Frankly, it makes me sick. The gas prices are affecting everything - the price of food, the price of commercial goods, and obviously the ability of lower and middle class families to make it anymore. As a family where only one of us works (my hubby), the only thing that I can say, is that it just makes me sick to my stomach that these people are pulling in such huge profits while most of us are scrapping to get by. Just sick.
HOUSTON - "Oil giants Chevron Corp. and Total SA wrapped up a string of gargantuan, record-breaking earnings reports Friday, a stretch in which six of the major international oil companies topped $50 billion in combined profit for the first time. "
HOUSTON - "Oil giants Chevron Corp. and Total SA wrapped up a string of gargantuan, record-breaking earnings reports Friday, a stretch in which six of the major international oil companies topped $50 billion in combined profit for the first time. "
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