Eight Years Ago

New Year's Eve has never been my favorite holiday, not since my first boyfriend dumped me my senior year on NYE. Instead of looking to the future, I always looked back on my various failings over the year.

So I told my friends I was staying home on Dec. 31 2000. A friend had managed to get a room on the Strip that year, another friend B had college buddies visiting from out of state. So my friend Anne insisted I go with her, and she personally promised she would not let me get too introspective. I had lived in Vegas for three years and hadn't spent New Years on the strip so I figured I might as well give it one more shot.

When we got to the room we were introduced to B college friends, Bud and his brother R. I had heard a lot of stories about the parties these guys had thrown back in the day. I thought "that Bud guy looks cute". As the evening progressed we got to talking, about baking, and different recipes we both liked. He told me the secret to moist banana bread was thin slices of apple in the mix. We are the only two people to flirt by exchanging recipes. I finally asked him the big three questions, margarine or butter, mayonnaise or miracle whip, and semi-sweet chocolate or milk chocolate chips? He had all the right answers (butter, mayo, and milk chocolate). We spent the rest of the night talking about everything, my family, his family, how he wanted to go back to school to be a teacher and coach. I kept telling him it was a shame he lived in a different state, and he just said "it's only an 8 hour drive". Yeah right buddy.

So I made a bit of an ass of my self falling all over him, there was a lot of drinking. Anyway I gave him my phone number when it was time to go and didn't figure I would hear from him. The next day my friend B called to see if I wanted to join them for a movie. I got to the theater late and took the only empty seat in the row, pretty soon I heard laughing and everybody got up so Bud could sit next to me. After the movie he asked if he could call me when he got home. Again I was "yeah sure you will".

Two days later I got a delivery of flowers at school, he had written a really sweet card and included his phone number. (seriously guys, send flowers to her work if you can) The kicker, the flowers were purple, which I had mentioned was my favorite color. Any girl near her thirties knows it is hard to find a man that listens. We talked on the phone for three and a half hours that night. Then talked every night until he came out a week and a half later to see me. He met my whole family, who loved him.

The morning he was leaving he brought a present for me. It was a bag of the valentine conversation hearts, but they were from the bin and there were only a few in the bottom of the bag. He told me there were thirty in the bag, and if I ate one everyday he would be back before they were gone. I know, he's so cute.

Anyway three months later he moved here. A year and a half after that we were married, and nine months after the wedding we had Owen. In the eight years since we met everything has been a whirlwind, but an awful lot of fun. The best part? We met on the Strip, but we both hate it. We spend NYE at home, with a bunch of snacky food and movies.

It has been eight great years, I owe my friend Anne big time.

New Year's Quiz

Here are my answers to All and Sundry's New Years Quiz. I don't usually do these, but I thought a bit of self reflection could be fun. I can see I really need to get out a bit more.


1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Became more assertive and direct when dealing with others.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't normally make resolutions, can't fail.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope

4. Did anyone close to you die? We were having twins and lost one.

5. What countries did you visit? None

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? More time!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? April 1st, my Master's paper was due, November 7th found out having twins, then... not so much.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Finishing my Masters Degree!

9. What was your biggest failure? Not keeping up on things I enjoy that are just for me.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Lots of morning sickness, then a few rounds o' the flu

11. What was the best thing you bought? Bedroom furniture for us.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? So many of my student became active in the election this year. Even though most were too young to vote, they became involved and volunteered in the campaigns (on both sides!)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Many of the adults involved in politics.

14. Where did most of your money go? Bills, blah

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The election!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Moose A Moose, Everywhere I Go on Noggin. I can't ever get it out of my head.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Pregnant so definitely fatter. (but great boobs)
c) richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spent more time with my husband

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Complaining about my paper

20. How did you spend Christmas? With my mom, brother and his family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Just with my husband, I know, cheesy

22. What was your favorite TV program? The Office

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Not really hate, just disgusted.

24. What was the best book you read? Nothing really stands out. Maybe a trip to the library tomorrow.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? That I can't spend $15 on iTunes because I can't make up my mind. It's pathetic

26. What did you want and get? A mandolin slicer. yay

27. What did you want and not get? My box of See's candy.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Hmmmm. I need to get out more often.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? We just had family over for dinner, and I turned 37.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Someone to clean my house so I can focus on the people I love.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? I'm suppose to have a fashion concept? How about capri pants hide my thighs?

32. What kept you sane? My husband, truly I would be adrift without him.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Obama

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Education (I'm a teacher)

35. Who did you miss? My in laws, we couldn't make our yearly trip to see them, and I really miss them. They are great people.

36. Who was the best new person you met? We have a new teacher in our department, who could end up being a good friend.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. My husband and I can get through anything, we make a great team, and we should not take that for granted.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Something unpredictable, but in the end it's right"

20 Weeks

I hit the halfway mark on Christmas. This pregnancy has been very different from my last two. Partially it is because we are so busy with the other two kids. Mostly it is the variety of complications, that have made this pregnancy seem a bit unreal. We are still dealing with some uncertainties. This is hard for a control freak like myself.

Before my last ultrasound we found that my numbers were elevated for spina bifida. However on the ultrasound everything looked really good. We went ahead and had the amnio, I know a lot of people feel that whatever happens, happens and they wait until the birth. Bud and I are not those kind of people, if they could tell me right now, where the baby will go to college, who she'll marry etc. we would find out.

Aside from the genetic information given by the amnio, it would also give information about the AFP levels in the amniotic fluid. Those come back pretty quickly, then a second test, the AChE would look for spinal fluid in the amniotic fluid. (I am just going off memory here, so I could be a bit off) Those results take longer, but the test is more accurate a positive result indicates an opening in the babies spine. The AFP still came back really high, and when the AChE came in it was slightly positive.

The genetic counselor at the office is great, she really explains things and is willing to spend great amounts of time doing it. She and the doctor both believe the loss of the twin is causing the weak positive result. She looked into some research articles and said she found one that supports a weak positive, and she is speaking to the director of the lab to see if he has seen this before. The theory is that as the one twin is being reabsorbed, different proteins are being released into the amniotic fluid. We go in on the 8th for another ultrasound, hopefully everything still looks good.

I haven't been as excited as I expected. I know that this is my last, so I had hoped to enjoy it, but I am so worried about this baby, and still so sad about losing the other. At first I thought it was good that we hadn't known about the twins, because I thought it would have made it harder. But we still are dealing with the grief without ever having had the excitement so I don't think it would have mattered. We have told very few people, and some who have been told, seem a bit casual about it, like well at least you are still getting a baby. And I do feel lucky, that we didn't lose both, but it's still hard. Is it crazy to grieve what you didn't know you had?

Wow, great update. But the queasiness it getting better, and she is starting to kick around a lot more. Also she seems to enjoy abusing my poor bladder. I am anticipating the gestational diabetes coming back, so I am enjoying food while I can.

Christmas Cute

I just couldn't resist these two pictures. No Owen isn't in them, but boy Christmas clothes just aren't as cute. So, whatever.

What lunatic designed this dress? And convinced my grandmother to buy it? We did somehow manage to keep the white part white. Sadly, this meant me acting like a deranged, hovering mom. Oh well, as my grandma always says, "it hurts to be beautiful". Yeah, she has a lot of great sayings like that.

Quickies

Did your husband just remember a potluck you are suppose to attend?Uggg Or did you just remember a party that you need a dish? Or has the stress made you feel like hiding in the closet eating? Here are two quick and tasty recipes.

Turtles

1 bag of Rolo candies
1 bag of pretzels (I use the little square ones, but the trees would be cute if you find them)
Pecans

Have a child open the Rolos while you put the pretzels on a baking sheet (preferably with sides)
Place one rolo on each pretzel, then pop into the oven at 350 for about 3 to 5 minutes. Take out of the oven. Press one pecan onto each rolo. And wait for them to cool.

I usually toast the pecans, I don't know if this is necessary. I have heard of some people placing the pecans on the rolo's before baking. That would probably work to.



Fudge

I got this from a Rachel Ray show.

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I use milk chocolate)
1 bag butterscotch chips
1 can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Heat the chips and milk until all melty. I use a saucepan over low heat, but you could probably use a microwave as well. Once the chips are melted add the vanilla. Spread in an 8 x 8 foil lined and buttered pan. This will take about 2 hours to set.

I leave some plain, then make a batch with raisins and walnuts. Yummmmm. I think you could use a variety of dried fruits. I have used craisins, and that was awesome.

Sick Day 724

Seriously, barfing flu can go suck it. I am tired of cleaning up puke, and doing laundry. Also, excellent time for the dryer to stop, you know, drying stuff. It basically takes our wet clothes on a carnival ride. But it did manage to burn a hole in Maddies winter coat in one of the fifty times we washed it this week, now it looks like one of us was smoking and nearly set our child on fire. Luckily I have 20 shirts the dryer has burned to show CPS when they show up.

The kids spent the night at mom's last night and when we went to get them this morning Owen had barfed all over her couch. So the only one unscathed at this point is Bud. Owen has no sense of self preservation and will just puke right on himself, rather than grabbing the bucket that we have placed right next to him. His excuse? " I forgot". How do you forget not to puke on yourself? Even the cats know not to do that. He is a bright kid, but..... Well the girl is up from her nap!

Sick Day: The Sequel

Bud had such a rough day with Maddie yesterday. By the time I left at 7:oo she had thrown up 8 times. She wasn't keeping anything down, including water, so he took her to the doctor. Not only did she have a virus but an ear infection to boot. This is her first ear infection, so we were surprised. I planned on staying with her today, so I set out stuff for a substitute yesterday before I left. Good thing, because last night I started up with the barfies. Good times today. Luckily Maddie was feeling good and actually eating.

Also hell has officially frozen over! We currently have 6 inches of snow in our backyard, we live in Nevada and we never see snow. It is still going strong and we are hoping for a snow day tomorrow. I don't see how we can have school since there are no snow plows here. We'll see in the morning.

Owen's Christmas program was postponed because of the snow. He was devastated, he has been looking forward to this for months, ok weeks, but it feels like months. We have heard that he has a solo, but he says it is more of a duet. We will see, I was hoping to get a new camcorder before the play but we haven't had a chance to look for a good deal.

Well off to check various sources to see if school is cancelled.