Consignment Fairs

I had no idea such a thing existed until a lovely coworker brought me a whole list of them in our area!

What is a consignment fair? There are a number of organizations in our area that organize local moms into these organized, high quality, garage sale like events. Except they take place in large gymnasiums, community centers, etc.

I've talked with a few women now that have come away with major scores from these events. Some of them are known for being more high-quality than others, but either way - I'm IN! I've even been able to get on a few pre-sale lists. I'm ready to sort through and find treasures. I'm all about saving a pretty penny or two where I can.

And, guess what, they start the weekend after we find out the gender of this kiddo! How awesome is that?

If you live in the greater Seattle area, I am happy to email you the list I was given!

Sharing is Caring.

Except when we're talking colds. And especially when that 'cold' holds the threat of your husbands pneumonia.

Yes, yesterday I caught the plague. Thankfully I am fairly confident I don't have pneumonia. I've only had a slight fever (99.3 was the highest) and it responded to just one Tylenol. I have developed a bit of a phlegmy cough (glad you stopped by today?) and a headache, but overall it could be worse.

I slept for a solid 11 hours and while I still have a cough, I'm feeling okay just relaxing in bed. I'm keeping an eye on the fever, which I haven't had at all so far today!

I was hoping for a drama free week, but we'll have to cross our fingers that week 12 brings that instead. For now, I'm back to watching house/bath/kitchen crashers and dozing.

Any fun weekend plans? Can I live vicariously through you?

Hope

Whatever you do, hold on to HOPE.
The tiniest thread will twist into an unbreakable cord.

Let hope anchor you in the possibility that this is not the end of your story,
that change will bring you to peaceful shores.

~Author Unknown

Not so mildly obsessed.

Can we please take a moment to discuss the new love in my life?

Pinterest.

I have developed a mild obsession with this website. I have my Mrs.S account as well as another personal account (hit me up if you want to follow that one) and Oh Em Gee we have a problem. I have started numerous phrases with, "I found this cool ____..." and Jeremy already knows where it came from.

My boss came in my office about two weeks ago and said, "You will never guess what I discovered, it is the most awesome website." My response? "Please tell me you're talking about Pinterest." She was!! We squealed like idiots and compared pins for the next 5 minutes.

This website is a planners dream. As you can see I started my Mrs. S (himplusme) account when I was still with Sprout. But still, when I need a few minutes to slip into baby-planning obsession I have my resource. When I hear one of my gal pals suggest something baby-related that she absolutely could not live without - you bet your ass I'm pinning it. What a great way to keep track of the things you love, ideas you have, and just general awesomeness??

I'm sorry to interrupt your daily goings-on with this moment of Pinterest love, but it had to be done. If you don't know what Pinterest is... well... I'm sorry. Feel free to email me and I'll invite you, cause you're missing out.

Warning: Pinterest is know to cause hours of the day to simply go missing.

New Look

What do you think? It is certainly simpler than I had before, but I woke up feeling like I needed a freshening up! I'm only mildly obsessed with the chevron pattern and the combination of gray and green (or gray and anything...).

I'd love to get your feedback! I still have a few more changes I would like to make. There will be more pictures coming soon, I hope. lol

Is there anything you'd like to see?

However, I am done for today. It is a gloomy fall day here in the Pacific Northwest. I am going to snuggle with my husband, make stew for dinner, and read a good book. The rest of my chores can wait until tomorrow.

Thank you

I am relaxing on the sofa this evening while J is out riding his motorcycle. I am laying here with no TV and only my thoughts. I want to take a moment to say thank you.

Thank you for always being there. For listening when I needed to vent, giving me motivation when I'd lost my way, empathizing when I needed someone to understand me, and mostly for providing me with tremendous support.

I have received SO many beautiful comments, emails, texts, and phone calls. Telling me that you've been praying for us, that our news made you cry with joy (even just typing that gets me all welled up again), sharing your well wishes, and giving up congratulations.

It has meant the world to Jeremy and I. I have shared each one with him. He's asked about your stories and been equally as touched as I have. We are very fortunate to have so many lovely individuals in our corner. We're blessed and want to thank you for the time you've spent pulling for us. For each time you've said a prayer or send us a positive vibe. I believe that the child we're expecting is a direct result of the cumulative positivity we've been so fortunate to experience.

We are forever grateful to have you to share this miracle with. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Praying AF is late, or never shows.

Dear AF,

July is when J and I get down to business. As soon as you arrive, I go in for my baseline ultrasound and we get this show on the road. Today is CD29.

Here's the thing, if you show up in the next couple of days, this month is a bust. Why? Because two weeks from now (i.e. when I would be ovulating) I am in the sunny state of California for four lovely days and it will make an IUI a liiiiittle tricky.

That means that I need you to take your damn time getting here, or of course to take the next year off while I bake my adorable child. I'm cool either way, but damnit AF, if you show up in the next handful of days (the earliest you would have shown in quite awhile), I'm going to be sooo pissed at you. I will even put up with these sore boobies for a whole other week if you just hold the damn phone.

My patience is thin enough without you jumping up and down on it.

We clear?

Good.

Love and kisses,
Mrs. S

Glad we got that settled.

Avoidance.

I realized something today. Each month, at the end of my 2WW, I avoid my blog. I don't post as much, I barely visit check in, nada - zilch. I'm not certain exactly why that is.

Part of me thinks that I don't want to beat a dead horse (graphic -sorry). Here we are AGAIN, talking about trying not to get my hopes up AGAIN, while I have feelings of doubt AGAIN. I mean really... 30 months later.... BLAH

Another part of me thinks that if I don't talk about it, maybe I won't jinx it. Like I do every other month.

Both are silly. Ridiculous even. Preposterous.

Never the less, here we are! Late and avoiding my blog. Again.

Why exactly do you all come back here? ;)

A List

AKA - A Thought Dump or I'm Not Offended if You Skip This Mess

1. Yesterday I was in a funk. Probably as a result of some of the other items to come.

2. I'm thinking about going back to school. For What? Do I really have the time? Am I crazy? Why do I always have to bite off more than I can chew? Business? Photography?

3. I cannot get off the fence with this baby making business. Do I go back to the doc and start the process all over? Do I keep on going au naturale? Will the weight I lost help? Should I give acupuncture-only more time?

4. J's car isn't totalled after all. $8700 in damage and they're fixing it. Not only do I bust J's car into a billion pieces, but the lady with out insurance company gets him excited about car shopping and then takes that away from him too. I'm back to feeling like a jerk for the whole mess.

5. J's 30th birthday is around the corner and his friend and I have coordinated on what we're calling Mission: J's Badass Birthday Surprise. It's great. And on the off chance that sneaky squirrel pops in here - no details! He did ask me last Thanksgiving, "Why do we only eat this meal once a year?!" So, we're having Thanksgiving again for his birthday dinner! He's thrilled and that makes me happy.

6. It snowed today. I live near Seattle. That is not normal. Or welcome.

7. I want to run away to a tropical island and never return (See #6)

8. My life-long friend had her baby yesterday. I spoke earlier this year about her shower. Another moment where the tears were both for her happiness and the health of her sweet boy, as well as our pain.

9. I get my stitch out today. (See: Moley Post)

10. I cheated and went to the gym twice so far this week. I've been feeling fine and only did the elliptical. I did manage to maintain that whole time!

11. I survived my first week with the new job. I'm loving it so far! I felt so stuck in my old role and now I feel like there is all of this opportunity for growth, learning, and advancement. It is very exciting! (And a little daunting too for us folks who like to bite of more than we can chew. Practicing my patience!)

12. Being the newbie is hard. I am used to my job being second nature and I'm back to feeling a bit incompetent. I know it will pass, but those awkward moments are tough.

13. Old news now, but my sister scared the bejebus out of my mom for April Fools. My mom leaves the house for work before the sun comes up. She hates going to her car in the dark (it's only in the driveway, she's a wimp - like me). Well, she hit the button to unlock the car and, as always, the lights come on. When they did, it lit up a giant Jason picture my sister had placed in her window. She said that she about shit and has since been plotting her revenge. I died laughing at her message.

14. Today marks 40 days until our trip. It is next month.

15. I would like a nap.

The End.

Moley Moley Moley

Yesterday I had a not-so-fun visit with the dermatologist. The purpose of my visit was the investigation of a particular mole. I have quite a few moles and freckles (not the giant hairy kind, don't go getting imaginative!), but this one on my back seems to have grown, gotten oblong, and darkened up.

My doctor (AKA Mary Cutsohappy), decided that she didn't like it, or another one on my back and shouted, "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!" Ala the Queen of Hearts from Alice and Wonderland. I might be exaggerating slightly, but they were removed none the less. Off to the lab they go.

Two moles removed, two sets of stitches. One is right under my bra strap (almost on my spine), the other is on my left shoulder blade. Neither of them feel good when I move. Did you know that you basically cannot move a muscle without it moving the skin on your back? If you didn't, now you do. Because they are on my back and that is a high-tension area, I was instructed no stretching or the gym for two whole weeks until I had my stitches out. TWO WEEKS!? Doesn't she know I'm trying to ditch the Chub Club? Damn moles getting in the way of my Quest for Sexiness.

Today I'm doing okay. Uncomfortable for sure, but I'm toughing it out and I'm glad I got it taken care of now. J was very sweet and washed my hair for me last night since I couldn't take a shower for 24hours. It was a wet mess, but a sweet gesture. Love that man.

My good friend Rachel had a good question this morning. She asked, "Could it be hormonal? I mean, at this point can't we blame everything on your hormones?"

Damn skippy, Rach. Damn. Skippy.

ABC's of Me

To prevent myself from neglecting my blog too much, I decide to borrow this idea from Josey.

(A) Age: 26

(B) Bed Size: Queen. J and I love our bed. I don't know that I'd ever get a king. As it is, we snuggle from the time we fall asleep, until we wake up. If we've fallen apart in the night, and one of us wakes up, we come back together.

(C) Chore You Hate: Laundry. Especially folding it!

(D) Dogs? 2 - Lacey our beautiful 1yo yellow lab; and Harley - our sweet 7yo chocolate lab

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Breakfast. And a hairdryer.

(F) Favorite Color: I'm in a bit of an orange phase. But a love green too.

(G) Gold or Silver? Silver. Or white gold.

(H) Height: 5'7"

(I) Instruments You Play: I played the saxophone in elementary school, does that count? lol I can play some basic songs on the piano and otherwise jam out in my car or dance around the house and sing with J (we're always making up our own words)

(J) Job Title: Manager

(K) Kids: Someday.

(L) Live: The great Pacific Northwest (Seattle area)

(M) Mom's Name: Diana

(N) Nicknames: Sweetpea is my favorite.

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? Nope.

(P) Pet Peeve: Socks with sandals, hanging 'stinky trees' in your rear view mirror, and interrupting

(Q) Quote from a Movie: "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming!" Finding Nemo

(R) Right or Left Handed? Right

(S) Siblings: 1 sister

(T) Time You Wake Up? 3:50am (yes, I can hear you groan)

(U) Underwear: There was a line of no-line thongs from Tarjay that I loved, but they don't carry them anymore. Now it is mostly VS underoos for this girl.

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: I can't think of one. I even googled a list of veggies, to see what I could find. I'm sure there is something...

(W) What Makes You Run Late: Hardly anything. I feel like I'm always early. Oh, when we have to get dressed up to go out, I can run late. Usually because my hair won't hold a curl, or I have to iron J's shirts.

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: Tons. Wrist (at least twice), fingers, my ankle (at least a half dozen times)...

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: My lasagna, chili, and meatloaf are delish!

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: I love the African animals at the zoo - lions, zebras, giraffe, etc.

Feel free to play along!

Weigh in and check up are today. McSkinny Friday will have the results. Fingers are crossed!

Don't worry, I'm still alive!

Obviously I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. I think it is something that every blogger goes through occasionally. Please don't take it personally, I just needed some me time. I've been thinking about all of those that I follow and am looking forward to catching up. But, I've been SO busy. Work is a nuthouse, I've been back at the gym in the evenings, photography classes, etc.

I'm sorry I've been away for so long. To make up for it - here's a glimpse of what I've been up to...

Photography

I know that I have mentioned a few times around these parts that I am getting into photography. I have taken a few classes and do work here and there for friends. I really enjoy being behind the camera.

I started a landscape photography class yesterday and, as the discussion of photography always does, it got me excited. I have found my thing. My passion. That piece of my life that inspires me and makes me want to do something great. That two hours in class did more to break me from my funk than anything else I've been doing the last two whole months. I want to be great at this. I want to talk about photography, travel, absorb myself in subjects of all varieties, and my ultimate goal is to have someone feel something about a piece of work I've created.

I love the books my teacher assigns for class. They're excellent with instruction and methodology, but they also contain beautiful pieces of art. Each picture makes me feel something different, but that's just the thing - they evoke a physical response. That is my goal. I want one day for something I have done to move someone else. Because that is what I feel make a photograph memorable. We've all seen thousands and thousands of pictures in our life, but there are only a few that stick with us. For each of us those few are different.

I'm excited to be this excited.

Crazy Schedule

This week has been insane. I almost typed out for you here what my planner looks like this week. Perhaps I will take a photo instead... NUTS. It is Customer Service Week and here at work that is always great fun - FOR EVERYONE ELSE. For me it consists of running around like a chicken with my head cut off for 5.5 straight days until I collapse in a heap under my desk. There are breakfasts to cook (for 75 peeps!), lunches to serve, desserts to bake, etc etc etc etc. Not to mention the activities/games going on throughout the week. Best part of the whole week is tomorrow. It is Crazy Hat Day and I have that in the bag. These punks better bring their crazy hat game, because I've just brought this shindig up a notch. Thankfully everyone does have a good time and I get lots of thank you's and job well done's. Planning is my thing and I pretty much kick ass at it, if I do say so myself.

In addition to CS Week I had a workshop to attend Tuesday. It was all day long and since it didn't get out until 5 I got to sit in traffic for about an hour and 45 minutes to get home. Looong day. Last night I spent the whole evening baking cookies. Monster Cookies - you're welcome. Tonight I start my next photography class. I am SO excited. The only downfall is that it isn't over until 9pm and that is usually my bedtime (I know, I'm old! But you try getting up at 3:50. Yes, I mean AM.). O'well, it is totally worth the exhaustion.

Sunday is where the shit really hits the proverbial fan. It is the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. My company is a sponsor of this event and we supply the registration tent volunteers. So, I will be at the park (about 40 miles from my house) at 7am on Sunday to get prepped and ready. From 9-12 I have a photography field trip. At 2pm I have my first ever paid photography gig (WOOOOOOT!). And then that evening we are going to dinner for the FIL's birthday.

And then I die.

At least that's the plan.

Needless to say - I took Monday off. Because once I die I don't think I'll be able to leave my bed for at least 23.25 hours.

B.U.S.Y. week, no? I know I'm leaving things out, but frankly I've got a lot going on at the moment, so cut me some slack alright? Next week should settle down and that is when I intend on making my first therapy appointment. I should be sufficiently distracted from my own mind until then. Don't you think?

Wish me luck - I'm off and running!

My day in a nutshell (a nut sounds tasty)

I'm starving.

I might die.

We have no food in the house.

--Did I mention my impending death?

GROWL < that's my tummy saying hello

--Did I mention my hunger?

Sometimes working from home is totally a pain. I'm not downtown, so I cannot just walk next door and grab a salad.

I caved instead and decided that a bowl of cereal would just have to do for lunch. I get upstairs - no clean bowls. I scrub one up, pour my tasty Lucky Charms (don't judge!), open the fridge - no milk! BAH!

Now I'm back to the drawing board. And STARVING... wait, I mentioned that? Sorry, I'm dieing here, so that must mean that in death you start forgetting things.

Is it weird that my dog's breath just made my stomach growl again? Yeah, that's definitely weird.

Is this God's way of telling me I could skip a meal or 10?? God is that you??


::Mrs.S disappears into the white light::


(PS - I totally won't judge you if this interlude into my psyche scares you off for good. Dangerous territory in there.)

Friday Fill-In

Because I'm in a bit of a writing slump, I'm stealing this weeks Friday Fill-In from Rotty!

Haven't done this one in a while

1. Layers of paperwork line my desk.

2. I wish I had more insight into my life.

3. I'd be willing to bet that this weekend will go way too fast.

4. The vacuum scares the dog.

5. I'm fond of popsicles by the kiddy pool in the sunshine.

6. I love carbs too much!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being with friends and enjoying the sunshine, tomorrow my plans include a garage sale with a friend and Sunday, I want to paint my kitchen and see a movie!

My Weekend 'Off'.

After my doctors appointment on Friday, I decided that I was going to make a conscious effort to take the weekend OFF. No thinking about baby making, IF, doctors appointments, etc. It was going to be chores and time with friends and family that kept me busy.

I'm pleased to report it was a success. Thoughts creeped in here and there of course, but they were not the daunting/dreadful kind. I've actually been feeling very confident with our game plan. Let's just hope the lady bits pick up on this confidence and get to work! I am almost done with my first round of the increased dosage of Femara. I'm still feeling a-okay. No crazy side affects to speak of, except that it seems impossible for me to continue to lose weight. I know 'weight gain' was listed as a side affect, so maybe I should be happy I'm not gaining?

Something that I think is drastically improving my general disposition is the weather. SUMMER HAS FINALLY ARRIVED IN THE NORTHWEST. Damn it feels good to say that. Me and the weather around here were stuck in the same rut. Nothing but gray, dreary, yuckiness. I'm happy to report that this week it is blue skies and 90 degrees!

Our kitchen is on its way as well. I cannot tell you how much better it already looks and that's only with primer! I promise when we're all done there will be before and after shots. By this weekend I'm hoping we'll have the paint done and then I can start shopping for tile/stone backsplash! In fact I may need to show you what I am trying to decide between so that you can vote... Sound like fun to you?

A lot is going on today.

I am grateful that I was able to work from home today. I have SO much to get done today and I am happy to say I got an early start and have managed to accomplish almost all of it! I love to check things off my to-do list. Especially after a long and incredibly hectic week!

I dropped Miss Lacey off to get spayed this morning. I didn't cry! I am very proud of myself. She loves our vets office (they're very liberal with the treats, lol) and was very happy to see Dr. Victoria. I think her being so comfortable was really helpful. I get to pick her up later this afternoon/evening.

I'm back to the doc today too. Fingers, legs, eyes, arms are all crossed for major follicle growth. If that goes well, it is IUI time folks!

::deep breaths into a paper bag::

Then it is off to my moms house to celebrate my grandmothers 75th birthday! It will be nice to spend some good quality time with my family. I'm thankful to have great women in my family and to gather together AND eat steaks... well thats just a damn good Friday if you ask me!

Sometime today I've got to put together my outfit for tomorrow night - LADIES NIGHT! J and his buddies are going out for a bachelor party, so us ladies are having dinner, going to have drinks and do some dancing downtown! Since I'm at that awkward, between sizes, stage - I think there might be shopping in my future!

TGIF!

(*Pssst* Check out the new addition to my bar on the left. You can now follow me on Twitter! Yup, I am now a Twit.)

Getting my dog fixed.

Don't you just love the randomness that comes from my posts? lol

Tomorrow I have to take my puppy in to get her fixed. Lacey is a purebred yellow lab and we toyed for weeks with the idea of breeding her. We decided that we just didn't have the capacity to take that on right now. I'm really bummed! I don't want her to have to get surgery, even though I know doing so decreases her risk of breast cancer as well as infections. I cannot guarantee that I won't cry. Yes, I'm a big baby for my dogs.

Is it weird that in the back of my mind I'm hoping the Karma Gods aren't upset with me for wanting a baby, all while taking away my dogs chances of doing the same? I will have to find other ways to boost my karma this week I think. This will most definitely take a hit on my karma balance. :)

Weekend Recap

I had a wonderful weekend, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Saturday I went out with an old friend and took maternity photos for her. She is due within the next month. It was a gorgeous morning and we had a great time catching up and visiting. We definitely need to do it more often. Meanwhile my husband spent the whole day doing yard work! I told him that I could reschedule my photo shoot and he said absolutely not. That he didn't mind. He kissed me goodbye and told me to have fun. LOVE that man.

Saturday evening we went out to dinner and hung out for a friends birthday. Again, it was fantastic to see some of my favorite people, and their babies, and just relax. Have a beer, sit on the back porch, and chat.

Sunday it was kitchen destruction! We have slowly been working on our kitchen. We recently got a new refrigerator and dishwasher, and yesterday we installed our new microwave. While we had the old one off the wall we began a project that has been two years in the making - Mission Remove Wallpaper. Sweet baby Jesus do I hate wallpaper. The previous homeowners definitely had a different opinion. I do have to give them their props because they did an excellent job hanging it. Perfectly trimmed, the light switches are covered and do not break the pattern. A professional job for sure. I just don't dig the four different birdhouse/floral patterns they chose. Yuck! Thankfully they prepped the walls just as well as they hung the paper and it is coming right off! I cannot wait to paint and tile. It's coming right along!

Following our productive morning we were off to a grad party BBQ. Another event with great food and fun people! We grilled and hung out by the pool. It was relaxing and an excellent way to spend a Sunday.

I had a really great weekend. I'm so grateful for the wonderful people in my life. After an incredibly crappy week, I'm glad it is over and that it ended on a positive note. Now it is Monday and I get a fresh start. Let's hope this week improves!