Un Cerveza Por Favor

I normally start out the blog stating I can't believe how long its been since my last one and how my goal is to start updating this more regularly - but, I just have to accept and acknowledge that no matter how good my intentions...I procrastinate and I will never be good at regular updates!!

I just got back from vacation this weekend...I loved it. What' s not to love? 12 Days, 85 Degrees, 7 books, 4 massages, 2 fun excersions, and many new friends. I can't believe how many people we knew there this year because of previous years - its so much fun to catch up, see them again, etc. Its hard to believe its over...and this year I cried before we left. I think I could move there permamently if I was able to find a job that would support me there. Mom and I also visited an orphanage...what a great expereince. I had anticiapted that it would be dark, dreary, and dirty - not at all. It was bright, the people were very nice, and I met the sweetest little girl, Rosa. She was a fiesty, spunky two year old who I would have loved to take home (unfortunately this orphanage dosen't do adoptions...).

I just don't understand...

how time slips by so quickly. Last week (or ten days ago it seems) I told myself I would update this more frequently - meaning at least twice a week. Well, here I am again and I am late.

Ryan, Ashley, Mudder and I went skiing in the UP last weekend. I like to ski, don't love it and definitely am not that great at it - but we had fun, it wasn't as cold as we anticipated, we got to sleep in, and Ashley learned to snowboard. So all was good. It was super pretty up there - they received a ton of snow before we came and then a few inches each night while we were there. Perfect for skiing.

This week has been like most others, working, volleyball, etc. Weird thing though - I am assuming most of you heard that Heath Ledger died...but seriously, I cried. I thought it was horrible. It reminded me of when Bryant Gumbal left the today show when we used to have to watch it in Mr. Nett's class. I don't know why but those things just make me so emotional. And its not like I don't deal with death everyday. Anyway, I just feel so bad for his little girl.

I went to 27 Dresses last night. Very cute. Not quite as good as PS I Love You - but worth the trip and the 10 bucks (for the ladies anyway - not much of a guy flick).

I am counting the days to Spring Break this year (since I am in school again I can call it that). Can't wait to hit the beach, have a few pina coladas, and relax. Its going to be about 100 degrees warmer there than it was here this morning - CRAZY!

This is long overdue...

I can't believe its been over a month since my last post. I take that back. I can believe it because I am always late.

First off - Congrats to my cousins Kim and Josh on their addition of little Griffin. He is so cute and most certainly loved. I know you guys will be great parents.

The holidays were good to me. I can't remember a christmas where I truly got everything I wanted. And what was the best part of that is - I didnt' even know I wanted it till I got it! The unexpected presents are truly great. Although I was busy running from place to place it went really well this year and everything seemed to be spaced out so I didn't feel rushed and could enjoy each occasion without worrying about getting to the next spot.

I have had a few doctor appointments since my last blog and have received optimistic news. The fibroid, endometeriosis, and cysts they found will hopefully (at this time) cause only limited/minimal drawbacks for pregnancy. As some of you know they have informed me it would be better to start trying now rather than wait to have a child because of my circumstances. So I was really happy to hear some positive news. Down side, not alot we can do about the pain right now. So I am just go to grin and bear it. And with the news that everything looks promising right now (I still have to take an ovulation test this month to confirm)...I think I am going to wait a little while (six months to a year maybe) before I try to conceive. Primarily because of school. I am going to have to travel a bit next year for that and I think it would be good to wait until I am almost done before I try pregnancy. Plus I have to do a search and find the right donor :).

I was also busy over the holidays helping Robin and Matt make their new house a home. We painted, and painted, and painted - but as much as I complained about it, the results I think were great. And they are happy to have more space and that's the best part.

This past weekend we hosted Cuzin Christmas at my house (Nathan, Amanda, Sarah - if you dind't live so far away you could have come too!!). We had a night of games, drinks and fun. We played a new game that is a definite conversation started (and really fun) - its called Loaded Questions. We also had my dad and his wife up for the January b-days (dad, Ryan, and Ashley...well, Kim too but she wasn't there to celebrate with us!!) We played another new game...Smart Ass. Its pretty fun. Its kind of like Trivia Pursuit without the stress and with clues! And I have discovered I am truly addicted to board games. Well, maybe not discovered...reiterated?

I usually have to comment a little on TV, Movies and Books because, well I love pop culture. I am so glad there are new episodes of Grey's, DH and Big Shots on again. The writer's strike is starting to make me nervous. I have been having to watch General Hospital with the use of scabs....hopefully I won't have to do that for the other shows. I saw PS I Love You - which I thought was a great movie. A chick flick that a guy could sit through and not want to leave ASAP. Next up I am hoping to see 27 Dress, Atonement and Bucket List. And if anyone wants a mindless read, Play Dirty by Sandra Brown isn't too bad.

I want to say congrats to my friends Amy and Mike on their upcoming addition. The little tot to be couldn't have a better family.

First It Was

The Turkey Trot...but this weekend they "made" me do the Reindeer Run. I don't know how mom and Robin got me to go through with it, but they did - maybe it was the idea that I got to bake cookies after? We (along with about 8,000 or so other Twin Citians) completed the 5 K Reindeer Run around Lake Harriet. It was cold, it was snowing, and it involved running - well my case walking - but it was still good to get out there and get my free T-shirt.

After the run, we went back to Robins and baked some Christmas goodies. I got to make the peanut butter Ritz kind - I love those! We then went to see the Holidazzle Parade which was a great night to go because of all the snow and the cold weather there were not many that ventured out.

Sunday, I helped mom and her office move into a new facility for a while and then relaxed because last week was HECTIC at work and this week is shaping up to be just as bad, if not worse. Good thing about it is that the days fly by because I have been so busy, bad part, I feel like i don't have time to shop for christmas or check email or get ready for the scrapbooking weekend coming up.

I don't have any book suggestion this time around, hopefully soon though. I have just started "Three Dog Life" and its very promising. I want to go and check out the new movie, August Rush and haven't had a chance - plus, Enchanted, because although I am a McSteamy Fan all the way I gotta give McDreamy some credit - he's one handsome man.

Here a Turkey...

There a Turkey. Thanksgiving was really great this year. I totally enjoyed the addition of the family Turkey Trot. We had some really crazy ones (mom and sis) who thought running from Albany to Avon and back would be great; then we had some semi-crazy ones (three aunts, an uncle, Matt, and me) who went from Avon to Albany; and we had the ones that got it just right and went about 3 miles or so. It truly made it more fun to eat though - not much quilt when I went back for more sweet potatos. Looking forward to the next one (good tradition Terry!).

Black Friday was fun as usual. Robin, Mom and I were up and atta um by 4. We got some good deals, however, I didn't get one xmas gift- I just bought for myself. OOPS. Later we went out to eat and had some really good food. It was nice to relax with just the ladies.

Saturday we celebrated/surprised my Gpa with an 80th B-day party. Most of the fam was home so we thought the timing would be good, if not a little early. He was shocked and we enjoyed games, drinks and food at the Albany Golf Club.

I think in my last post I recommended Family Tree, well, yesterday I read another I thought was good. Sugar Daddy (probably just for the females) is a great story about lost love, finding yourself, trusting yourself, and your partner. I started it hoping it would give me tips - no such luck, I guess I am not going to find a Sugar Daddy of my own :).

One Conundrum

Down, one (or maybe more) to go. As some of you know for the last two years or so I have had sporadic, routine stomach cramping and pain. Previously, I was told it was associated with my anxiety, it was my gall bladder, and at one point I think heart burn (which I completely never thought)...but we finally have a more concrete answer after I spent some time in the ER last friday (the 16th) because of the most recent attack of pain. They found a cyst on my right ovary, a fibroid in my uterus, and signs that most likely (I need some additional tests) I have endometriosis. They are all common issues with women my age, but I am meeting with a Gyno Specialist in mid December to find out what to do next in order to alleviate the pain if possible and determine how this affects my fertility, etc. I am just happy to have answers. Not that I can really blame anyone but myself that it took so long - I was just trying to suck it up thinking it had to do with my pention for spicy hot foods. Guess I don't need to cut back on those anymore!

I can't believe I haven't updated this in almost a month (thanks for the nudge to get on it Amis). I have been super busy with work, school, and some family committments. I missed a GNO last week (when I was in the ER) which I was looking forward to. Hope they had fun.

I am looking forward to waking up at the crack of dawn - well, earlier - to shop on Friday. I can't quite grasp why its the only day I willing get out of bed. Robin, Mom and I plan to get as many deals as we can...and laugh at all the ruckus as people pummel to get through to the limited items advertised. And get a Caribou, of course.

I just finished a good book for any interested parties: Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky. Its a great story about acceptance and trust. I was super excited to see Transformers, one because I loved the cartoons (robots in disquise) and because Josh Dushamel (sp?) is HOT. However, not a good movie. I am a girl who loves an action flick as much as the next guy...this one just sucked. They should've just edited a whole bunch of the cartoons together. That would have been great. Another movie I was hoping to enjoy was Little Miss Sunshine. Its was alright - but really the last 10 minutes are the best and I think made me feel a little better about the whole thing. I have come to realize thatm in most cases with a few notable exceptions, if the critics praise a movie, I usually don't like it and if they bash it, I love it.

A couple weeks ago we had a baby shower for my cousin, Kim. (15 days and counting!!) I am so excited to see the little one. At first I was defintely thinking a baby boy - now I am not so sure. My uncle Terry was hilarious...he said he hopes it's a girl because he dosen't want a grandson named Griffin (their name of choice - which I love - for a boy). Too funny! Not that he would really care, I just think its cute that he said that.

Well, I hope you all have a great (or had as most of you will probably be reading this after the holiday) Thanksgiving. I have to start out bright an earlier in the morning as the Oehrlein's and their relentless pursuit of all competitions are having a Turkey Trot (a race/exercise event where we all have to run, walk, etc for any hour or so) before dinner. Works for me though I guess - I will feel much less guily about the amount of sweet potatos I consume.

Do you wake up happy or sad?

I have to ask, because lately I feel like everyone (with the exceptions of family and friends) - so strangers or mild acquaintances - is crabby. I call to order flowers, the person is crabby. I call to check on a work vehicle being completed at a body shop, they are crabby. I call to check on a death certificate being completed and Kristi (who I love) is nervous/anxious because the doctor she needs to check with is mean. So, I guess what I am getting at - is everyone crabby until they are made to be happy?? I feel like I wake up in a good mood (granted sometimes early mornings aren't my favorite) - but I wake up HAPPY. And, if throughout the day, things maybe don't go my way I might be annoyed for a bit but for the most part I am still HAPPY. I don't get mad or rude to people I don't know. I don't wake up looking for someone to make me happy.

I just needed to vent. I just think it takes too much effort/energy to be that crabby all the time.