. . .When you're laying on the table at the doctor's office, getting an ultrasound of your little baby boy, and you see his little mouth open wide into a big, lazy yawn, then a s-t-r-e-t-c-h with one arm above the head before turning over, hiding from view.
I really couldn't believe what I was seeing, but it was the cutest thing. Modern technology really is a miracle.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Just Saying "No" to Your Offer
I recently listed a few items on craigslist for sale including a brand new 6-foot torchiere, Tiffany-style stained glass lamp. I bought it online for over $100 + shipping but once I had it in my living room, I just didn't like it.
So, figuring it would cost me a good chunk of change to ship it back to the online store and insure it also, I figured I'd just sell it myself at a discount online. I boxed it back up and put it in my garage where it's been sitting, waiting to be bought by someone else.
Tonight, I get this reply from a craigslist buyer who wants me to A) drag the bulky and really heavy boxed lamp (the entire base of the lamp is metal) five miles across Chicago tomorrow to the busy Lincoln Park neighborhood where, if they like it, they will B) pay me all of $65 for the lamp that's priced at $95. Oh yeah. . .and they'll pay cash. Wow!
I guess they didn't read three pertinent things in my ad like 1) I only accept cash; in fact, 2) $95 in cash, not $65 and 3) I'm not a freaking decorative accessory delivery service, my ad spells out that "you need to pick this up, cash in hand." Do they really think I'm going to haul a 6-foot tall metal and stained glass lamp across the city so they can take a look at it? And on top of that, think I'm totally ok with them paying me WAY less than what I've asked for it which is a great deal to begin with?
Am I just hormonal, or are some people really just stupid and annoying? I think they'll need to look elsewhere for their lamp purchases as I'm just not that desperate for a sale. And I'm definitely not opening a delivery service!
So, figuring it would cost me a good chunk of change to ship it back to the online store and insure it also, I figured I'd just sell it myself at a discount online. I boxed it back up and put it in my garage where it's been sitting, waiting to be bought by someone else.
Tonight, I get this reply from a craigslist buyer who wants me to A) drag the bulky and really heavy boxed lamp (the entire base of the lamp is metal) five miles across Chicago tomorrow to the busy Lincoln Park neighborhood where, if they like it, they will B) pay me all of $65 for the lamp that's priced at $95. Oh yeah. . .and they'll pay cash. Wow!
I guess they didn't read three pertinent things in my ad like 1) I only accept cash; in fact, 2) $95 in cash, not $65 and 3) I'm not a freaking decorative accessory delivery service, my ad spells out that "you need to pick this up, cash in hand." Do they really think I'm going to haul a 6-foot tall metal and stained glass lamp across the city so they can take a look at it? And on top of that, think I'm totally ok with them paying me WAY less than what I've asked for it which is a great deal to begin with?
Am I just hormonal, or are some people really just stupid and annoying? I think they'll need to look elsewhere for their lamp purchases as I'm just not that desperate for a sale. And I'm definitely not opening a delivery service!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Old-Girlfriend-Meets-Baby-Shower Weekend
We had a busy last weekend and I'm just now getting caught up!
Firstly, Friday night, we had dinner with Craze's college girlfriend who was in town from NYC. I'm not sure if it's just me and the whole wife/ex-girlfriend thing, but I just find it SO difficult to like her in the least. I find myself constantly picking wholes in her life choices (the little I know of them) and finding fault with her in general.
She's not a bad person and she was perfectly polite to me. She gave us a lovely baby gift of a little blue bathrobe and rattle. That said, she also saved seats at the restaurant so that Craze would sit next to her and I had to sit at the complete opposite end of the table next to several of her friends I didn't know in the least, which I found somewhat irritating and I wasn't able to speak to Craze or the ex throughout the whole meal.
I guess the deal is that I sometimes question her motives (like the seating arrangement). At 40, she is still unmarried and I only met her for the first time at my wedding, which I also found irritating. Who wants to meet their husband's ex on their wedding day??? And the second time I saw her, we spent a couple of days together in Washington, DC, and she made a point of wearing her skimpy bikini and showing off her terrific yoga flexibility and contortionist tricks to Craze at every occasion. I just thought she was really showing off and I found it quite annoying and inappropriate.
I don't think she wants to be with my husband, but I do think she enjoys flirting with him (right in front of me). It's irritating and immature. GRRRRRRR... And don't get me started on her restaurant choice which we weren't consulted about. We went to Mexique, a French-influenced, Mexican restaurant were we spent $100 on one of the most blase and uninspired meals I have had in a long time. Aside from hanging out with Craze's ex-girlfriends, there's nothing I hate worse than LOUD, mediocre, high-priced, hipster restaurants!
Anyway, thankfully, we only had to hang out with her for the one meal and, since the window between her visits is typically LONG--over 4 years for this last one--, I'll unlikely have to see her again any time soon, which is totally fine with me.
Then, bright and early Saturday morning, we loaded our luggage and the dogs in the car and headed for the Motor City for Sunday's baby shower. Luckily, after the six-hour drive, my mother-in-law was not too dog crazy and our fur babies weren't relegated to the basement during our stay and behaved in a perfectly lovely manner. I'm not sure what her earlier dog mania was even all about. Craze called my father-in-law prior to our visit and even he said she was acting a little nutty regarding the dogs. Anyway. . .
The baby shower was really lovely. Great food. Small enough to be able to talk to everyone at a leisurely pace and an amazingly generous shower of baby gifts. So, many beautiful things from hand-made sweaters, booties and a blanket, to a stroller and a baby car seat, organic baby bath lotions and potions, books, diaper bags and so much more. We really are so blessed to have such a lovely and giving extended family. Everyone is genuinely excited about our forthcoming arrival.
It's really nice and such a difference from my own family where I have only my brother who has basically shown almost a total disregard for our forthcoming child. As opposed to Craze's family, they neither attended the baby shower or sent a card or gift to acknowledge that it was even happening. I guess not a surprise really since that's the same reaction I got to my two bridal showers. I guess selfish, self-involved people are unlikely to change so I'm not sure why I find them such a constant disappointment. I always expect better of them and it never happens. Craze wonders why I set myself up for disappointment where they are concerned and he is completely right.
As I've said before, I'm lucky my husband has such a great family and that they are now mine, too.
Firstly, Friday night, we had dinner with Craze's college girlfriend who was in town from NYC. I'm not sure if it's just me and the whole wife/ex-girlfriend thing, but I just find it SO difficult to like her in the least. I find myself constantly picking wholes in her life choices (the little I know of them) and finding fault with her in general.
She's not a bad person and she was perfectly polite to me. She gave us a lovely baby gift of a little blue bathrobe and rattle. That said, she also saved seats at the restaurant so that Craze would sit next to her and I had to sit at the complete opposite end of the table next to several of her friends I didn't know in the least, which I found somewhat irritating and I wasn't able to speak to Craze or the ex throughout the whole meal.
I guess the deal is that I sometimes question her motives (like the seating arrangement). At 40, she is still unmarried and I only met her for the first time at my wedding, which I also found irritating. Who wants to meet their husband's ex on their wedding day??? And the second time I saw her, we spent a couple of days together in Washington, DC, and she made a point of wearing her skimpy bikini and showing off her terrific yoga flexibility and contortionist tricks to Craze at every occasion. I just thought she was really showing off and I found it quite annoying and inappropriate.
I don't think she wants to be with my husband, but I do think she enjoys flirting with him (right in front of me). It's irritating and immature. GRRRRRRR... And don't get me started on her restaurant choice which we weren't consulted about. We went to Mexique, a French-influenced, Mexican restaurant were we spent $100 on one of the most blase and uninspired meals I have had in a long time. Aside from hanging out with Craze's ex-girlfriends, there's nothing I hate worse than LOUD, mediocre, high-priced, hipster restaurants!
Anyway, thankfully, we only had to hang out with her for the one meal and, since the window between her visits is typically LONG--over 4 years for this last one--, I'll unlikely have to see her again any time soon, which is totally fine with me.
Then, bright and early Saturday morning, we loaded our luggage and the dogs in the car and headed for the Motor City for Sunday's baby shower. Luckily, after the six-hour drive, my mother-in-law was not too dog crazy and our fur babies weren't relegated to the basement during our stay and behaved in a perfectly lovely manner. I'm not sure what her earlier dog mania was even all about. Craze called my father-in-law prior to our visit and even he said she was acting a little nutty regarding the dogs. Anyway. . .
The baby shower was really lovely. Great food. Small enough to be able to talk to everyone at a leisurely pace and an amazingly generous shower of baby gifts. So, many beautiful things from hand-made sweaters, booties and a blanket, to a stroller and a baby car seat, organic baby bath lotions and potions, books, diaper bags and so much more. We really are so blessed to have such a lovely and giving extended family. Everyone is genuinely excited about our forthcoming arrival.
It's really nice and such a difference from my own family where I have only my brother who has basically shown almost a total disregard for our forthcoming child. As opposed to Craze's family, they neither attended the baby shower or sent a card or gift to acknowledge that it was even happening. I guess not a surprise really since that's the same reaction I got to my two bridal showers. I guess selfish, self-involved people are unlikely to change so I'm not sure why I find them such a constant disappointment. I always expect better of them and it never happens. Craze wonders why I set myself up for disappointment where they are concerned and he is completely right.
As I've said before, I'm lucky my husband has such a great family and that they are now mine, too.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Pre-Traumatic Dog Disorder
My mother-in-law, hostess of my forthcoming baby shower, totally stressed me out tonight. She seems to have developed a sudden complex about our dogs coming to her house. Now, keep in mind, we've been taking the Bug there since she was tiny (i.e. almost four years) and it's never been a problem. But now that we have the Stinky-Big-Headed Foster Dog (who is in the process of being formally adopted by us and is really no longer stinky), she seems to have an issue.
Out of nowhere tonight, she wants us to kennel the dogs instead of bringing them to Detroit. Keep in mind, that we leave for Detroit in three days, we have no papers yet for the Foster Beast (so couldn't kennel him anyway) AND I HATE kenneling the dog at all, especially the Bug who is my little fur child. Not to mention that we're talking probably $300 for kenneling them here in Chicago anyway.
My mother-in-law is always so vague and round-about that it's hard to find out exactly what she wants you to do or what her issue is. We have always been very careful about our dog in her house (keeping her off the furniture, making sure she doesn't track mud or water around, making sure she behaves, etc) and she has always been very good. So, I'm not sure why us visiting with the dogs is suddenly problematic. We had the foster dog at our brother in-laws house in July for a few days also and he was perfectly well behaved.
But now apparently, Mrs. Craze-in-Law said we can bring the dogs, but she wants them to stay in the basement. I thought at first that she meant she wanted them in the basement for a couple hours when folks are coming over after the shower. But upon further conversation, I'm thinking she means for the entire duration of our two-day visit (but, of course, she wouldn't come right out and say that).
Has she lost her mind? I'm not leaving my dogs in a dark basement for two days and nights.
The whole conversation is still stressing me out a few hours after the fact. I told Craze he needs to call his dad tomorrow and get to the bottom of it all. That's the only way we'll know what's really going on.
I was really looking forward to my shower. But now the whole idea of it is stressing me out. I have pre-traumatic dog disorder!
Out of nowhere tonight, she wants us to kennel the dogs instead of bringing them to Detroit. Keep in mind, that we leave for Detroit in three days, we have no papers yet for the Foster Beast (so couldn't kennel him anyway) AND I HATE kenneling the dog at all, especially the Bug who is my little fur child. Not to mention that we're talking probably $300 for kenneling them here in Chicago anyway.
My mother-in-law is always so vague and round-about that it's hard to find out exactly what she wants you to do or what her issue is. We have always been very careful about our dog in her house (keeping her off the furniture, making sure she doesn't track mud or water around, making sure she behaves, etc) and she has always been very good. So, I'm not sure why us visiting with the dogs is suddenly problematic. We had the foster dog at our brother in-laws house in July for a few days also and he was perfectly well behaved.
But now apparently, Mrs. Craze-in-Law said we can bring the dogs, but she wants them to stay in the basement. I thought at first that she meant she wanted them in the basement for a couple hours when folks are coming over after the shower. But upon further conversation, I'm thinking she means for the entire duration of our two-day visit (but, of course, she wouldn't come right out and say that).
Has she lost her mind? I'm not leaving my dogs in a dark basement for two days and nights.
The whole conversation is still stressing me out a few hours after the fact. I told Craze he needs to call his dad tomorrow and get to the bottom of it all. That's the only way we'll know what's really going on.
I was really looking forward to my shower. But now the whole idea of it is stressing me out. I have pre-traumatic dog disorder!
Monday, September 15, 2008
I PASSED!!!!!
A little over a week ago, I got the bad news that I had failed miserably at my one-hour glucose test which meant I potentially had gestational diabetes. So, in order to get the skinny, I had to do a three-hour test that involved more drinking of their nasty Hawaiian-Punch-on-speed glucose drink after a special three-day diet followed by a 13-hour fast. Oh yeah. And then there was blood letting. They took blood four times. In fact, so much blood that I still look like I have track marks on my right arm!
Anyway, given my dad's history of diabetes, I was not hopeful about my results. But then today I got the call. . . and I PASSED!!!!!! In fact, the nurse on the phone said my results were "perfectly normal."
You can't imagine my elation. I actually screamed out loud with joy while still on the phone with the doctor's office. I am SO HAPPY!
Hurray for me not being diabetic! Craze, my little babe and I are all pleased as punch. . .just not Hawaiian Punch!
Anyway, given my dad's history of diabetes, I was not hopeful about my results. But then today I got the call. . . and I PASSED!!!!!! In fact, the nurse on the phone said my results were "perfectly normal."
You can't imagine my elation. I actually screamed out loud with joy while still on the phone with the doctor's office. I am SO HAPPY!
Hurray for me not being diabetic! Craze, my little babe and I are all pleased as punch. . .just not Hawaiian Punch!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Not So Sweet News. . .
So, the latest news on the pregnancy front is that I FAILED my one-hour glucose test, so I might have gestational diabetes. This makes me happy, not at all.
As a result I've been following a special diet for the past three days and have to take a 3-hour glucose test tomorrow. Fingers crossed that I pass. Like really, really crossed.
My father is diabetic which, combined with 50+ years of smoking and his unchecked high blood sugar, led to massive health problems (stokes, depression, dementia). I don't want to go down that road. I guess it didn't help though that when he found out he was diabetic he continued to eat about a loaf of white bread a day (liberally spread with trans-fat laden margarine) and then further supplemented his new "healthy" eating regime with regular meals of hot wings and frozen Snickers bars. Oh yeah. . .and a few smokes after each meal.
I can never imagine deliberately creating such a time-bomb for myself and, thankfully, I'm pretty knowledgeable about healthy eating and gave up my college smoking habit about 20 years ago.
So, I haven't had any sugar and have been watching my carb intake judiciously. Though oddly, my 3-day test prep diet has me eating a LOT of bread (whole grain for me, thank you), milk (fat free), fruit and juice. I even have to eat half a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a glass of milk before bed each night, which is decidedly weird. And tonight since I have to fast after 8pm for the test tomorrow morning, I have to eat dinner and my "bedtime snack" before then. Usually, we're barely having dinner by then!
Oh, well. All for a good cause. Let's just hope I pass the next test. If I do, I might just go crazy and celebrate with a DQ Peanut Buster Parfait.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. . .health conscious, yes. Perfect? Definitely not.
As a result I've been following a special diet for the past three days and have to take a 3-hour glucose test tomorrow. Fingers crossed that I pass. Like really, really crossed.
My father is diabetic which, combined with 50+ years of smoking and his unchecked high blood sugar, led to massive health problems (stokes, depression, dementia). I don't want to go down that road. I guess it didn't help though that when he found out he was diabetic he continued to eat about a loaf of white bread a day (liberally spread with trans-fat laden margarine) and then further supplemented his new "healthy" eating regime with regular meals of hot wings and frozen Snickers bars. Oh yeah. . .and a few smokes after each meal.
I can never imagine deliberately creating such a time-bomb for myself and, thankfully, I'm pretty knowledgeable about healthy eating and gave up my college smoking habit about 20 years ago.
So, I haven't had any sugar and have been watching my carb intake judiciously. Though oddly, my 3-day test prep diet has me eating a LOT of bread (whole grain for me, thank you), milk (fat free), fruit and juice. I even have to eat half a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a glass of milk before bed each night, which is decidedly weird. And tonight since I have to fast after 8pm for the test tomorrow morning, I have to eat dinner and my "bedtime snack" before then. Usually, we're barely having dinner by then!
Oh, well. All for a good cause. Let's just hope I pass the next test. If I do, I might just go crazy and celebrate with a DQ Peanut Buster Parfait.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. . .health conscious, yes. Perfect? Definitely not.
Friday, September 05, 2008
I Swear to God. . .
Not five minutes after I hit "Publish Post" on my last blog entry, I got an email about a new consulting job that actually looks definite and may start next week!
Thank You, Universe!!!!
Thank You, Universe!!!!
Rich In Lots of Ways (Just Not the Money One)
Just back from the doc's today for my monthly exam. Apparently, everything in my last ultrasound was great and looked just as it should. And my doctor also said that she is really pleased with how I've been managing my weight so far (which, as a heavy girl my entire life, is the first time anyone has every patted me on the back for weight management!).
She said, at my current rate of gaining, I may weigh less than I did before I got pregnant after I give birth. Wow! Wouldn't that be great?!? "Yes, I shed pounds with the nine-month pregnancy diet. Worked for me!"
Still no work to be had, though. Lots of people said they might need help in September, but nothing has materialized yet. I am in super frugality mode. Luckily, Craze gets his monthly bonus next week and it might be a really good one, since he's been working really hard and doing extra jobs. I just wish I'd get one good job to come a long. That would be truly great!
The good news on the money front is, we pretty much have all the baby stuff we need for our December arrival--almost all of it gleaned economically from craig's list and yard sales this summer. I just need to get the room painted and organized. And we're still having a baby shower in a couple of weeks, so more baby gifts to come from my lovely in-laws. Given my own lack of real family support, I am truly blessed with the BEST in-laws. Everyone, from my brother-in-law's wife, to my mother-in-law and even Craze's aunts, could not have been nicer or more generous to me over the past few years. I may not have a rich husband, but he's made me rich in so many other ways!
The bad news on the money front? We seem to be going through another breakdown phase. The attic fan got fixed about a week ago, which set us back $325. Then yesterday in our "Thank You, Hurricane Gustav" Day of pouring rain here in Chicago, our upstairs skylight started to leak for the first time ever. Oh. . .and today on the way to the doc appointment, I realized there's something seriously up with the car. It's a stick shift and wouldn't get in gear, literally. Lots of engine revving and SLOW moving. Luckily, it didn't break down on me on the expressway.
I guess even in disrepair and an economic crunch, there are still things to be thankful for!
She said, at my current rate of gaining, I may weigh less than I did before I got pregnant after I give birth. Wow! Wouldn't that be great?!? "Yes, I shed pounds with the nine-month pregnancy diet. Worked for me!"
Still no work to be had, though. Lots of people said they might need help in September, but nothing has materialized yet. I am in super frugality mode. Luckily, Craze gets his monthly bonus next week and it might be a really good one, since he's been working really hard and doing extra jobs. I just wish I'd get one good job to come a long. That would be truly great!
The good news on the money front is, we pretty much have all the baby stuff we need for our December arrival--almost all of it gleaned economically from craig's list and yard sales this summer. I just need to get the room painted and organized. And we're still having a baby shower in a couple of weeks, so more baby gifts to come from my lovely in-laws. Given my own lack of real family support, I am truly blessed with the BEST in-laws. Everyone, from my brother-in-law's wife, to my mother-in-law and even Craze's aunts, could not have been nicer or more generous to me over the past few years. I may not have a rich husband, but he's made me rich in so many other ways!
The bad news on the money front? We seem to be going through another breakdown phase. The attic fan got fixed about a week ago, which set us back $325. Then yesterday in our "Thank You, Hurricane Gustav" Day of pouring rain here in Chicago, our upstairs skylight started to leak for the first time ever. Oh. . .and today on the way to the doc appointment, I realized there's something seriously up with the car. It's a stick shift and wouldn't get in gear, literally. Lots of engine revving and SLOW moving. Luckily, it didn't break down on me on the expressway.
I guess even in disrepair and an economic crunch, there are still things to be thankful for!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Ventured Out of the House!
After holing up at home for days like one of those crazy old women you read about in tabloids who never leaves her home for 12 years, I finally went out today! Met up with a former work colleague for a sushi lunch and then it was off to Target to pick up odds and ends (mostly dog and cat food).
It was super hot here yesterday, but today is decidedly cooler which suits me just fine. This past weekend, Craze and I did a few small projects around the house AND actually started the front porch painting which I've been bugging him about all summer. The porch railings have been primed and painted once, just one more coat to go and then on to the porch and steps. I'll be so happy when we're done!
I was going to go out today to try and get the second coat in, but it's a little rainy. Bummer. Rain, rain go away. Let me paint the porch today!
It was super hot here yesterday, but today is decidedly cooler which suits me just fine. This past weekend, Craze and I did a few small projects around the house AND actually started the front porch painting which I've been bugging him about all summer. The porch railings have been primed and painted once, just one more coat to go and then on to the porch and steps. I'll be so happy when we're done!
I was going to go out today to try and get the second coat in, but it's a little rainy. Bummer. Rain, rain go away. Let me paint the porch today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)