Scrapping

I had a couple of you ask about what I use to scrap.

CS5 Photoshop to create and edit my pages and photographs. But, as it is massive $$$ and can be overwhelming if you've never used a photo-editing software before, I highly recommend Photoshop Elements. It is way less (like $70!) and has most everything you'd ever need to do digi scrapping.

I used a kit from one of my favorite designers called Fix Me Up, Doc and 2 templates. The only thing I created from scratch were the 2 blue arrows. Though I manipulated almost every element!

There are lots of free supplies that you can download to play with if you think you are interested, one of my faves is The Shabby Princess.

My go-to online stores are
The Digichick
Shabby Pickle
Scrap Orchard
After 5 Designs

Leave your name and number at the beep!

I don't know if you've noticed, but my "in the trenches" blog list is shrinking, which is excellent for my bloggy friends who are getting pg, but not so much for my daily reading and commiseration!

My next thing was, ok, I'll click over there on my followers. If they are reading me, I should read them...

And that's where I hit upon the problem. If you click on one the cute little icons over there, all you get is the list of blogs they (you) follow. And while that's great, I want to read them (you).

So, if you read me regularly and don't see yourself over there on the blog list, comment and leave me your blog address. I must tell you though that my Google Reader has more on it than my blog list, and sometimes those 2 don't match. I don't know why, call it laziness. I mean, come on, I just got around to dividing up the blogs into categories and all. But my Google Reader list is shrinking too and I need some more content.

And I know you girls have plenty to say.

Confession: My dinnerware addiction

My only consolation in this confession, is that many people share my addiction to Fie$ta stone.ware. It's colorful, cheerful and I can use it to compliment my seasonal kitchen decor.

Mic and I got into a G/Chat about this very thing Tuesday morning. And I ended up having to email her how exactly I store 29 place settings of Fie$ta. She thinks I need to have a very large buffet!



PS - I'll be checking in later to let you all know how my u/s goes!!

Technical Difficulties

I was made aware today that my comments were not working on the new design. I've played around a little, moved some stuff around (again!) and finally got the comments working again. So please comment away!

Thanks Emmy!

In my spare time...

You know, I had a lot of time to pursue other hobbies in this last cycle.

And I did learn something new. You crunchy-granola people will appreciate this: canning! Well, more pickling...

Cucumbers and salsa were sealed:

Because you didn't know this before

I want to be pregnant.

There. I said it. I want this. I want this very, very much. And it's going to hurt like no tomorrow if it doesn't happen.

But, I'm just sayin' - I want to be pregnant.

If only it were "nesting"

I am in a mean-cleaning-machine kind of mood. I have reorganized the attic, the spice drawer and the coat closet. I've also been playing in my garden and been doing a little prep work. I'm hoping to plant flowers today.

I also bought a box this week and have been packing up the baby stash. It was all kept in one closet before we staged the house for selling. Then it all got separated and new things have been bought, too and usually I just try and find an out-of-sight place for that piece at the time being. It's all getting put together now. That way when I get pregnant, it will all be easy to locate!

Next week's agenda calls for a full-closet clean-out. I'm going to go through all the closets and weed out what doesn't fit, I don't like, or just haven't worn in at least 2 or 3 seasons. I'm going to make the hubs thin out his clothes, too.

Ugly Shoes

I broke down this weekend and bought a pair of ugly shoes. In my defense, they are for the garden - only - and they were the cutest pair of ugly shoes I could find. May I present my cotton candy cro.cs:

Collections

You know how there are some things in life that you will just never have enough? Mine is tote bags. I have more than a dozen, bought another today. But it's cute! (Like they all are) It's lime green and hot pink. It was on clearance. I use my bags frequently, so it's one habit that I don't feel bad about.

So, do you have something that you can always justify buying another?

No Such Thing

You don't have to read this blog very long to figure out I don't consider much "TMI" - at least here in the blogosphere.

So, trust me, Good Egg*, I'll let you know how that vaginal upheaval goes when I get there. But I don't go there til Saturday. I had the days wrong - I take the Estr0gen 8-12. I received my *free* pills in the mail yesterday. I plan on getting panty liners tomorrow - I have been advised!

Also, thanks for the comments & encouragement on the last post about the insurance. I know some people might view it as irresponsible. But those people probably haven't been as desperate as I am. Thanks for not judging me! And even telling me that you'd do the same thing.

And, on a completely different note, I love chai tea. Let me couch that, I love B0rders chai tea. Not that new junk they started selling a few years ago when they let Community C0ffee (I think) take over running their in-store cafes. Before, when it really was B0rders, I loved it. Practically lived on the stuff during the winters in high school. Then it changed. And I hated the new stuff. Where is this going? Well, I came across a recipe in this month's Rea1 Simp1e mag. And tonight I tried it and oh! my love has returned! And now I can make it whenever I want! Oh yay!

*Good Egg, I've never told you this, but I just love the name of your blog, Such a Good Egg!

150

This is my 150th post. Since July. Wow. Not much has changed.

I've been working like crazy this week. And I'm losing my voice. That's about all that's going on in my world. Still on the 'mid, start the Est. on Saturday, U/S on Monday (7:30a CST). I'll know more at about 7:40... whether we will proceed and when.

Also, a note to all the non-preggers out there - run, don't walk, to your nearest Ann Tayl0r L0FT and pick up a couple of their long-sleeve t-shirts for only $12 today!!!! I picked up 3 - orange, green and navy. Too cute and can't beat the price (since they are regular $30!).

Oh, and I've done some research because I've been freaking out over whether we could proceed with this cycle *really* since we're in the middle of an insurance change. We'll be having to go on C0BRA until May 1. I went to the .gov site's FAQ today and found out that the coverage is retroactive to the day your previous coverage ends. For us, that's Feb. 28. So, even if we don't have it March 1 (which it's looking like we might not even get the paperwork til next week... grrr!!!), the coverage will be retroactive and therefore come May 1, we won't have a lapse in coverage. Because as we all know, it's just THE LAW that people get pregnant at the MOST INCONVENIENT times possible.*

*I'm fully aware that I'm choosing to proceed with this cycle, but fertiles proceed to have sex even if an "ooops" could be bad. I don't see much difference, esp since my chances of conception are even lower than theirs.

8dpiui

Here we are again in the 1ww. Will the fun ever end? I have several IPS - including SORE bbs! My fave, too bad I have them about half the time before AF. Though I will confess that the girls started hurting earlier than usual (4dpiui,vs 9-10dpo). And the acne - can we talk about that for a moment? I know I started a new skincare regimen, but after a week you wouldn't think that would be to blame for the new mountain range on my chin.

And here's one I've been meaning to ask if anyone has ever experienced: When I eat, no matter how if it's only 3-4 bites, I feel like the food is just sitting at the top of my stomach. I'm hungry, but after 2 bites I feel like I'm full and then 2 bites later I've already hit that "I ate too much, feeling almost nauseous" point. So, am I having gallbladder problems or is this a new IPS?

In non-TTC news, bet ya didn't know that I spent a long weekend in Charleston this past one. Yep, I'm just slick that way with the scheduling of posts. I don't care to tell you about it after the fact, but I always feel odd telling beforehand. My husband has family there, and we went to visit. It rained, we saw Ft. Sumter in the rain, it rained some more, we went on a Ghost Tour where it rained a bit more and then sun came out. And we got to go see some antebellum plantations in the sun - glory be.

And, I got a new desk today. A hutch from IKEA that my husband and daddy put together for me early this afternoon. I've spent the rest of the day organizing. I'm in love already. It's *exactly* what I've been wanting for a *long* time. It will also help accommodate the nursery we're surely going to be needing soon (please,please,please!).

Last, and really most importantly, my daddy got a new job!!! He's been out of work for almost 18 months and it was getting to be a little nerve-wracking. It happened very quickly and we are all very, very excited. First my husband, now my daddy. God's been raining down some very large blessings soon and I know he's big enough and great enough to send me a baby, too!

Product Review: update!

It's been just over 2 weeks since I updated my facial regimen.

I give it 4 stars! I love everything that I bought. Loved it so much that I went back and bought the High Potency Night-a-mins. I went with this tub of cream rather than the gel because it's still winter. When this is gone, I will get the gel for the warmer months.

Now, I know you aren't necessarily coming to my blog for beauty tips, but I have another recommendation: the Conair YellowBird hair dryer. It is *the* perfect hair dryer. It is powerful has 4 heat settings and a TEN foot cord! It's also bright, sunshine yellow. You aren't going to misplace this thing. But it's a pretty yellow, so not completely obnoxious. It's power and cord totally make up for the color in my opinion.

Confession: The Stash

I think if we're all honest, we'd admit that we all have some sort baby stash put away. I resisted the urge for a LONG time viewing it as a jinx of some sort. But, and isn't there always a but, this summer, 1 year into TTC, I broke down and bought something.

Frames. Three animal shaped frames.

To date, my stash includes: fabric to make the nursery decor, 3 frames, 5 pieces of wall art, and 1 stuffed animal that was purchased just yesterday in celebration of IUI#2. But I got a couple coupons in the mail and will be purchasing his friends Tiger and Monkey today.

Best Husband Ever

I'm sick (just congestion/sinus gunk). My husband brought me home my very favorite popcorn in.the.world. And picked up a great dinner at one of our fave restaurants. I am already feeling so much better!

As if I didn't want a baby enough...

I made these tonight:


I am just *dying* of their preciousness. And they took less than an hour from start to finish.

Oddly Enough

Y'all know I sew. Children's clothing mostly, some stuff for me. I make 6 different dresses for newborn-4 yo. I make a little outfit for boys, too and will be expanding that into another shorts and top set for boys this Spring. I even have a shop on Etsy.

Sunday afternoon I got it into my head that I wanted to try again to sew a baby blanket. Just a simple fleece blanket with a satin binding. The satin binding part being the problem the first time I tried this. But I found a new spray adhesive that I thought would hold the binding in place. And it worked!! It's definitely not perfect, and not even good enough to give as a gift, but it was my first real attempt. I'm really happy with the way it turned out overall - esp the mitered corners!

I may not be able to gift it away, but I'll definitely hold on to it, for any future babies I happen to have to have tummy time!

Reply All?

So last night I posted my f.b status as "pink". It has to do with breast cancer awareness and the color of your bra. But, several of my friends thought that I was just being cryptic about revealing that I was pregnant. Boy, do I wish I were that clever.

So, I messaged the 7 people who had commented to my status who didn't know what was going on the message I'd received about breast cancer and the color of your bra. It's just a fun little thing floating around f.b.

Well, one of the girls hits back, "too bad, I thought you were pg." I responded, "I wish." What neither of us realized was that she had hit "reply all" so the messages were appearing to the other 6 people on the list. We then got into a big discussion on our infertility woes - mine primary, hers secondary. It was after all that that she realized what she'd done. She hit back with a message pointing out her error and apologizing. I told her not to worry and asked everyone else to please keep the info to themselves.

Now, I didn't tell her anything that I wouldn't tell anyone who asked. It's just that a few of those people were really *random* friends that probably don't give 2 hoots. I'm just glad I was as vague as possible and just said we would be doing IUI in coming months. Whew... thank goodness I didn't spill the beans that we'd already done it! I don't need half of my f.b friends wondering when I'm going to announce a pgcy!

My friend then started a new conversation between just us and we continued our discussion there. Lesson learned: pay more attn!! to who email is being sent. It wasn't a big deal to me, but it could have been if I'd been less careful in what I said anyway.

General Housekeeping

• T!de Stain Booster has become my new best cleaning weapon. Love.the.stuff.
• The house has officially been on the market for 7 days. We've had 2 showings.
• Since the house is on the market, I instituted the "leave your shoes at the door" rule. My rugs have never stayed clean this long. I may keep this rule.
• I clean a lot. I either have the cleanest house in the neighborhood, or we are the dirtiest people I know. I'm going to claim the former.
• I have managed to maintain 7 pounds lost of the 9 from the diet I was on. New "game" will begin next Wednesday.
• Just in case you had forgotten, I'll be testing in 17 days.