Day 29 - Hopes, etc.

Oh, just call them what they are: resolutions. Haha. This year, I resolve not to gain back the 20 pounds I lost. I will drink more water. I will be a good mom. I will maintain a budget and stick to it. I will love my husband. I will spend time with friends. It will be a good year.

Guess it's pretty simple this year. Everything is new for me.

Day 28 - This Year in (not-so) Great Detail

This has been another very eventful year for me and for my family. Mainly, that I am part of a new family. Last year, Bobby and I were just a couple. Now we're a family. So, a snapshot of my year:

In January, I re-enrolled in school. I was giving up on getting pregnant and decided I should probably get on with forming the rest of my life. Since I didn't want to start over at the bottom of a four-year degree, I found a 2 year nursing program and started on the prereqs. I was very excited.

In February, I got fired. It was a very strange firing, as my employer's exit review indicated they were highly dissatisfied with my performance, and had been debating firing me for some time, contradictory to the raise they'd given me just a couple months prior following a very complimentary review. They also gave me two weeks pay and paid my insurance for a month. I am still very perplexed by it all, and don't quite know what happened besides my professional confidence being chopped up. About a week after that, I discovered I was pregnant.

In March, I was sick. Not ill sick, but morning (all the time) sick. I slept, I threw up, I lost weight. I worried about money and insurance. Not much else to say about all that. My friend Jen came with her baby, Janelle. It was very good to see her.

In April, I was sick some more. I was less worried about insurance, because of the government subsidy for COBRA insurance. Nausea replaced my sense. I forgot to put on deodorant, or change into a clean shirt before class. I left my purse at the grocery store or went to the store without it. I also had a sonogram and saw my baby move. I was incandescent. I turned 23 and we broke the news to the extended family that I was pregnant. There was much rejoicing.

In May, my "morning" sickness finally ceased and I stopped losing weight 16 lbs below where I'd been. My doctor wasn't worried, so I wasn't either; I was even cautiously optimistic that I might not have so much to lose after my pregnancy. I started to be able to physically tell I was pregnant, which was exciting and scary. I found out "it" was actually a "she" and the great name debate began.

In June, I started researching baby gear and thoroughly freaked myself out. I think it was the last month I actually looked for a job as well. I'd had a couple of promising interviews that completely bombed when I confessed I was pregnant. Bobby said I should just keep it to myself, but I didn't want to be working with people who felt I'd deceived them to get the job. So. No job.

In July, I slept a lot during the day and not so much at night. It was just starting to get uncomfortable. I saw my belly move for the first time, and, rather than think it was creepy/freaky (the way I did BEFORE I got pregnant) I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I was also steadily gaining weight again, about 1-2 lbs every 2 weeks.

In August, I went to Louisiana to meet Bobby's family at my baby shower. I also had another sonogram, and was surprised by how much she'd grown. It didn't seem like my stomach was all that much bigger (photos prove it was), but she'd gotten just huge.

In September, I started to get nervous about the actual delivery part. I also had a hyperventilation episode, which was very scary. We had my second (local) baby shower. I decorated the nursery. My cravings officially took over, and we (finally) chose a name. It even stuck!

I spent October in a constant state of, "Now? No? How about now?" as I waited to go into labor. I wanted it to happen already, but at the same time, I didn't. I got bronchitis and tried to read The Stand, by Steven King. Ultimately, I gave birth on the 26th. Bobby's parents stayed the last week of the month.

November is pretty hazy. Are you sure it happened? It must have. It was my baby's first month home. My first month as a mom.

December! Bobby was home more, and it was (is) glorious. I wish we could afford 2 trucks year round. We've got massive medical bills, however, and I know it just isn't possible. I'm getting better with Katie. She sleeps more, and so do I. I'm constantly in awe of her. I've applied for new insurance, but I'm still waiting on the enrollment confirmation. I had to cancel Katie's 2 month appt, delaying her first shots (damn, lol).

So. That's my year! It was pretty much completely consumed by Katie.

Day 14 - A Non-fictional Book

Even though non-fiction is a far larger body of work than fiction, it occupies a far narrower area on my bookshelves. I can consider individual books instead of series, authors or genres. Still, my favorite is still an entire category rather than a single publication. I love myths. Greek mythology was one of my favorite things to read about as a kid, and I still love myths to this day. I love the things they tell you about the people who told the stories, and the things they tell you about people as a whole. If we ever encounter other living things in the universe, I think the commonalities between our myths (and I've no doubt there would be some) would be fascinating to find.

Day 13 - A Fictional Book

I skipped the days I thought sucked.

Everyone knows I loooove my fiction, but I don't think I could ever commit to just one. Instead, I dedicate this post to fiction in general. Take the song, "Up Where we Belong" and replace the word "love" with "fiction." That's how I feel about it. I'm disappointed that genre fiction is not a respectable as just plain old fiction, and frequently perplexed by what warrants the distinction. Plenty of books I've found in the fiction section at Barnes & Noble were less than books found elsewhere. And books in the sci-fi, fantasy, occasionally romance, young adult, etc. genres were just as good as the best in plain ole fiction. But I still hear things from people who know I love to read and that I'm smart that they didn't think I read "things like that." (Most recently, it was referring to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.) I never quite get why I wouldn't read things like that. What's that?

Whoops! Didn't mean to get up on my soapbox there. When it comes to fiction, I'm not terribly discriminating. The bulk of my collection is fantasy, yes, but I also enjoy mysteries, science fiction, kid's stuff, thillers, even graphic novels on occasion. I have my guilty pleasures in the romance and supernatural/paranormal novels. I toss in a periodic classic or book club pick. This does have it's drawbacks: with so much to choose from, I have a very long list of things I want to read, and never enough time (or money!) for everything. I wish I could give up sleep.

Day 9 - A photo I took

This is my husband, Bobby:


I can't put my finger on why I love this picture so much; it's not exactly well taken. I like the expression on Bobby's face, even if I'm not sure what it is. I took this picture in the Sequoia National Forest (Park?) in California. When we lived in Las Vegas, we took more day/weekend trips to various places.

On this one, the "Check Engine" light came on after we passed a certain altitude and freaked us out, and a hinge pin from one of Bobby's jobsites rolled to where it could swing and ping against the truck. Bobby was positive we were going to break down on some lonely mountain road, but calmed a little once we found and removed the pin. He didn't totally relax until the "Check Engine" light turned off on the way back, but we still managed to have a very good time meandering around in the woods. The trees, of course, were enormous and very impressive. The squirrels, according to signage around the trails, carried the plague and were not to be touched. (I have a picture of a plague squirrel too, but I can't find it just now.)

One of the enormous trees had fallen over, and you could climb on top of it. Bobby stood proudly on top while I snapped a photo; I made it halfway, then went the rest on my belly before needing help down. It was a biiiig tree. Bobby made fun of me for months, but I bore it well (hah). It was a very good trip. Much as I hated living in Vegas, it was very nice being close to a lot of outdoorsy destinations.

Day 8 - A photo that makes me sad

This is my cat, Filo. We got him when I was 5 because we thought our other cat, Gilly, wasn't going to survive being mauled by our dog. She ended up pulling through, so we had two cats, and got rid of the dog. Everyone thought he was ugly as a kitten, but he grew into a handsome cat. When my mom and stepdad divorced, Filo came with us and Gilly stayed with him. Last year, I had to have him put to sleep. He was definitely a very old man cat - almost 18 years old. He'd been wearing out gradually, but he was okay until the very last weekend. I wussed out and didn't stay for him to get the shot. I still think about it and wish I'd given him that.

My childhood was a little rocky, and Filo was my only constant. I remember telling a boyfriend I couldn't imagine loving a man more than I loved my cat. He'd let me hold him when I was upset and cry in his fur. When he was younger, he was very active and curious. He'd put a paw on your hand while you were eating and pull it down so he could sniff your fork. He wouldn't eat any; he just wanted to know what it was. He loved to sit in boxes. When we moved, I'd set aside a shoebox, and he'd ride in that on my lap instead of having to go in a cat crate. Filo was the best pet a girl could want.

Day 7 - A photo that makes me happy

I don't want to go with the obvious picture of Katie, so I scoured my hard drive for a happy making image.



I found this on flickr one day at work (working hard, boss!) and had to laugh. I printed it out and put it up at my desk and it never failed to make me smile whenever I glanced at it. It also just spawned a strange conversation with my husband about whether or not I'd freak out if a torso-sized snail was crawling on me. And I feel my response of, "What? Like you wouldn't?" is totally valid.

Day 6 - Whatever tickles my fancy

So I'm just going to babble semi-coherently, okay?

Not all six hours are created equal. Six hours starting at 11 are very different than six hours starting at 8. However, even if it allows less sleep, starting earlier (when I am less likely to just fall into bed and go directly to sleep even though my husband is already there and snoring like a lumberjack) means I have an opportunity for other activities. Go me! Though, I have to wonder, does waking up with a hickey mean that I'm not really an adult?

I am unbelievably lucky that Kate Monster sleeps 6 hours at night as young as she is.

There are other topics I could massacre, but I am horribly hungry (i.e. starving!) and there isn't any prepared or preparable food. How could I have let this happen? Oh, yeah: I'm a lazy, procrastinating, pathetic excuse of a housewife. Hmm.

Day 5 - Favorite quote

While I'm tempted to pick a line from Monty Python, I think another might be a better fit.

"The truth must dazzle gradually, lest every man be rendered blind." Emily Dickinson

Chosen more for the memories it evokes than for the phrase itself. This quote was written on a wall in a house in Bahia de los Angeles in Mexico on the Baja peninsula. I was there with a school group doing biology/geology field study. Bahia was one of my favorite places we visited. The house was very interesting, though all I really remember now is the toilets and the quote room. I slept outside in a hammock the night we stayed there. The toilets were in a little building separate from the house. We had 5 gallon buckets next to them to pour water in and trigger the flushing mechanism. When you'd done your business, you had to go down to the ocean and refill the bucket, then haul it back up the hill for the next person.

I'd love to go back if I ever got the opportunity. It was a great little town, and the water wasn't so warm as it was further south. (A good thing, I promise.) There was one island that was really just a rim a land around a lake. One little section of it was low enough to allow water to flow in and out with the tide. It was only about 3 feet deep and 10-15 feet across. While we were on the island, the current was flowing inward and there were lots of stingrays both inside and outside. They would swim up until the current caught them and shot them across into they lake. Then they'd swim slowly back (the current was quite strong) and do it again. It was like a stingray waterslide. We tried it too, of course, and it shot people across the gap almost as quickly as the rays if you caught it just right with your flippers.

If I were a little less dependent on modern conveniences, I think I might just run away to Bahia.

Day 4 - Favorite Book

Oooo, this is definitely the hardest for me, as there are so many books I love. Robin McKinley is my favorite author, but she doesn't publish things very often. She wrote "The Hero and the Crown" which was the very first adult fantasy novel I read. (Very first was the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis.) She's often shelved in young adult, though, which I don't understand at all.

My second favorite author is Neil Gaiman. Unlike some other things I read, I don't devour his books as soon as I bring them home. They usually sit on my shelves for a little while, until I'm in just the right mood. He's a brilliant writer; I love his style and dry humor. I love his words. But he can be creepy (in a delicious sort of way) and that isn't always what I want. Bobby says he doesn't get why I can read his books, but not watch scary movies, and I can't explain it to him. I just know that Neil Gaiman really is fabulous.

My mother-in-law asks:

So have you checked out the Kindle yet? Any thoughts?

I say:
I have! It looks really neat, and I'm curious about how their digital "ink" really performs, but I don't think I'm ready to hop on the bandwagon yet for 4 main reasons:

1) I share books back and forth with my mom and the used bookstores. Not possible with digital editions.
2) Reading a book is comfortable. Staring at a screen, less so.
3) One of the publishers who contracted with Amazon changed their minds about something and made Amazon pull the book from the Kindles of people who'd purchased it already. They were refunded and all, but, I'm sure it's kind of like, "Umm, I was reading that!" Not to mention the big brother connotations. (Ironically enough, the book was George Orwell's 1984, big brother indeed.)... See More
4) I don't think the cost of digital editions is really enough less than that of paperbacks to make it worthwhile to overlook the other disadvantages. (I clicked on one just now to compare: $7.99 to $6.39. And it's available used for $2.39 from private sellers on the same site.)

If I were more into daily publications like the news and online feeds, I'd probably be more enthusiastic about the format. As it is. Ehhh. Nah.

So there it is people! Publishers, make digital copies cheaper, dammit! I'll have you know, I am the book authority in my friend circle, so people listen to what I have to say about books. And what I'm saying right now isn't positive. Money can make other complaints non-issues.

Day 3 - Favorite TV Program

I am currently enjoying the hell out of Bones. I'm halfway through season 3. David Boreanaz is really cute, and I think the relationship between him and Bones is very dynamic and interesting. My favorite character is the prosecutor, because I think she's hilarious. (In the episode I watched last night, she wanted Bones to kiss Booth under the mistletoe in exchange for a favor, because she was feeling "puckish.") I also love how Zach and Hodgins compete for "King of the Lab."

I think my next fixation will be NCIS. Bobby admitted (much to my surprise) that he actually likes it. He hardly ever likes programs I like. (Though I like things he likes, ie: Attack of the Show.)

Day 2 - Favorite Movie

I hate Mondays even though I don't have to go to work, because Bobby does. I wonder sometimes if I'm a little too dependent on my husband?

So, my favorite movie is probably The Princess Bride. There's a lot of movies I probably liked more at the time I watched them, but I've always loved The Princess Bride. My name is Inigo Montoya!

It's not really a blog until you've done a Meme

Here's the list:

Day 01 → Your favorite song
Day 02 → Your favorite movie
Day 03 → Your favorite television program
Day 04 → Your favorite book
Day 05 → Your favorite quote
Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 → A photo you took
Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 → A fictional book
Day 14 → A non-fictional book
Day 15 → A fanfic
Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 → A talent of yours
Day 20 → A hobbie of yours
Day 21 → A recipe
Day 22 → A website
Day 23 → A YouTube video
Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 → Your day, in great detail
Day 26 → Your week, in great detail
Day 27 → This month, in great detail
Day 28 → This year, in great detail
Day 29 → Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 → Whatever tickles your fancy

So, my favorite song is a bit of a tough one. I like a very broad range of music. (I'm listening to a tenor sing in Italian right now. The previous song was by Ashlee Simpson.) My "favorite" varies by my mood. So, here are songs I like a lot:

Hello Goodbye & Hey Jude by The Beatles (I don't need to link those, do I?)

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters

White Houses by Vanessa Carlton

I'm loving everything by Ludo right now, but I think Good Will Hunting by Myself is my favorite.