Normally I like to think that I'm pretty cunning when it comes to titles. Today there is none of that. Today is a day of serious thought and diligent prayer. I have a dear, dear friend {who for privacy purposes will remain unnamed} that is going through a tragic time right now. She is expecting her first child, due in July. All things were going fairly well, she and the baby {my love-baby as I call him/her} were healthy. Yesterday that all came crashing down. Apparently, she had some routine blood work done and they told her to go to work and they would phone her with the results. So she went on to work, as if it were any other day. She started her routine, just like every other day. Then the phone call came. The bloodwork came back positive for Down Syndrome. My friend- a single mother, graduating college in May; has struggled before with decisions reguarding this pregnancy. She has often doubted her ability to care for a healthy baby, naturally this is one of her greatest fears. When she goes to the doctor she is going to be given the option of the "easy-way-out" I pray that God touches her heart and lets her know that this is His will, and that in the long run the easy-way-out isn't always so easy. Please keep her and the baby in your thoughts and prayers; and hug your children a little tighter today.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The BIG day!
I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. I always love it when I get it cut and then after about a month or two, I want to grow it back out, a month or two later- I'm ready to chop it all off again. So today is the day. I'm getting a new 'do. Only this time I'm stepping a little out of my comfort zone. Not only am I getting a new cut, but I'm also getting it colored. I haven't haxd this done professionally much in my life, I usually just buy the box and do it myself. But this time I think I'm going to get a color and highlights and lowlights. I'm nervous. Wish me luck.
Hair Now:
I'll post pics of the after later!
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
How well do you know your husband?
I like to think that I know Chance better than anyone else. So naturally when I came across this silly little quiz, I thought I'd prove myself. Added benefit, even though this is "our" blog, he never posts anything. So this will give everyone a peek into his psyche. It might be frightening.
1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Mythbusters, Family Guy, South Park, Law & Order SVU, That 70's Show.
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
French {Tangy Tomato at Outback}
3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Broccoli
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
Miller Lite
5. Where did he go to high school?
Reidland High School
6. What size shoe does he wear?
Depends on the shoe: 10 or 10.5
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Miscellaneous computer parts, tools, guns or golf clubs.
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Sweet onion chicken teriyaki on wheat with a little bit of lettuce, provolone cheese, salt and pepper, a ridiculous amount of tomatoes and sweet onion sauce.
9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
Tomatoes. End of discussion.
10. What is his favorite cereal?
He doesn't eat cereal, or breakfast for that matter.
11. What would he never wear?
Any garment that's tag said Phat Farm, Sean Jean or anything similar to those brands.
12. What is his favorite sports team?
Indianapolis Colts.
13. Who did he vote for?
He didn't.
14. Who is his best friend?
A 4-way tie between Stephen Hunt, Terry Hines, John Holt and Joe Yamada.
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Shop.
16. First vehicle?
1972 Chevy.
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
He doesn't really like cake that much so I would make him Snickerdoodles.
18. Did he play sports in high school?
Soccer for 16 yrs.
19. What could he spend hours doing?
Golfing, playing video games.
20. What is one unique talent he has?
I'm a pretty moody person {shocking I know} and no matter how mad I am at him, the world, or Joe-Schmo he can ALWAYS make me smile. It pisses me off sometimes.
Whew..
Three things are on the agenda for today folks. It might be a long one so sit tight...
1. Nik, our baby, is epileptic. He's been having seizures, and now has to take phenobarbital for the rest of his life. Chance and I are now on some kind of national registry, because we have to adminiter a narcotic- a controlled substance to our dog. Fun.
2. I want this rug, right now.
3. Something I found on the internet, that I found surprisingly poignant.
Open Letter to President Obama
Dear President Obama -
There are plenty of shallow things I care about - like University of Illinois basketball and the sad state of rock & roll - but I can’t really afford to do much of that anymore because you keep screwing up. By the way, you can expect this to be incendiary. I am pissed. And I want you to know it. I am tired of glad-handing and playing grab-ass.
You keep perpetuating the madness of previous administrations.
1. You’ve hired a bunch of the same people that were the architects of this economic and social disaster in the first place.
2. You’ve canned campaign promises left and right just like your predecessors - such as with the lobbyists you have hired that you said you wouldn’t hire.
3. You’ve blathered on about hope and change - and I guess I hope you change your ways - but you have managed to destroy my hope that you had it in you to change things for the better instead of the underwhelming fortitude to wallow in pursuit of the status quo. Are you a shill for corporations, sir, just like all the others?
You keep bungling opportunities in crisis for real change.
1. You could have pushed single payer health care with private delivery in any stimulus package, but you didn’t. Why not?
2. You could have initiated steps for recovering some funds and dramatically altered (for the better) the state of our planet by generating a comprehensive carbon tax, but you didn’t. Why not?
3. You could have developed a small speculation tax so Wall Street could bail out itself, instead of breaking the backs of us taxpayers with little to show for it, but you didn’t. Why not?
Are you a coward, sir?While I am sure you thought it was pretty awesome to go to Chicago over the long holiday weekend and play basketball with your buddies, I thought it was pretty not awesome that my dad lost his job over the same weekend because you and your cronies in Treasury and at that god-forsaken Federal Reserve have no backbone when it comes to forcing the banks (you know, the guys who contributed tons of cash to your campaign) to move capital around a bit so we plebeian can keep our 9 to 5.
I recognize you inherited a mess. I also recognize you do not understand or embrace the concept of boldness. I don’t care that this is the biggest piece of legislation in history - that means nothing to me, or my father, or millions of others out there who are struggling, stressing, and dying. I know there is no easy solution. I also know you have demonstrated very little acumen for finding any portion of one. I want to hear about accountability, Mr. Obama. I don’t want to hear excuses. Simply put, you work for the American people. You work for me. And you stink at your job. You don’t have a hundred days or whatever the mainstream press is using as a deadline for judgment. I can tell you now that you are screwing up royally.And it is not just with the economy.I don’t want you to use the state of the economy as an excuse for keeping us in perpetual war and occupation status in Afghanistan and the rest of the world. That’s been done, and that isn’t change, Mr. Obama. That’s a repeat of World War II and continuation of Bush policy. So are those infiltrations into Pakistan. You are a smart guy. You know Pakistan is a sovereign nation. I know you’d like to solve their issues for the sake of “national security” but I think we have a few problems of our own here at home that you are bungling and that need your full attention. Plus, they don’t like it when you kill human beings inside their sovereign borders. Are you a war-monger er, just like so many of the others? A moment for pettiness - stop using “look” and “listen” to begin so many of your damn sentences. Most of us who are paying attention are looking and listening. It’s not like you are going to get more people to look and listen simply demanding it. I know your staffer is getting bored with this letter, so I will close and keep it simple by summing up what I have said, and will do so by making a few demands of my own.
Brief digression - I won’t expect any real response on paper, because that would take too much time from a lowly staffer’s normal duties of chasing down your brand of smokes and looking for that errant black sock lost in the laundry. I also won’t expect any real results in the coming years of your presidency: I may be a fool (for the simple fact that I am not in Washington already harassing the crap out of you and your cronies), but I am not gullible, Mr. Obama.
1. Have David Plouffe (you know, the guy you have sending annoying peppy emails every other day) send an email laying out which campaign promises you have broken, which ones you really intend to keep, and which ones you envision being difficult to keep. In other words, cut the crap.
2. In every speech you make, and in every stand you take, include single payer health care as the highest priority. Make it happen. If you are going to break our backs in a thousand other ways, at least make sure we have health care as a right, rather than a privilege.
3. Begin global discussions on a universal carbon tax. Use that noggin of yours and recognize cap and trade won’t solve anything. Unilaterally start a carbon tax against the worst polluters here in the good old US of A.
4. Tax the crap out of corporations that have no state loyalty. Again, you are a smart guy. You know what I mean here.
5. Implement a small speculation tax immediately, so these corporations can pay for their own buffoonery.
6. Apologize to the American people for being such a tool for these same corporations. Prime-time. On National TV. Then stop being a tool for these same corporations.
7. Stop the war-mongering. Now. Bring our daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives home.
8. If you choke on any of 1 -7, resign.
Sincerely,
Gregory Vickrey
Plebeian
Angry Citizen
Illinois Fan
1. Nik, our baby, is epileptic. He's been having seizures, and now has to take phenobarbital for the rest of his life. Chance and I are now on some kind of national registry, because we have to adminiter a narcotic- a controlled substance to our dog. Fun.
2. I want this rug, right now.
3. Something I found on the internet, that I found surprisingly poignant.
Open Letter to President Obama
Dear President Obama -
There are plenty of shallow things I care about - like University of Illinois basketball and the sad state of rock & roll - but I can’t really afford to do much of that anymore because you keep screwing up. By the way, you can expect this to be incendiary. I am pissed. And I want you to know it. I am tired of glad-handing and playing grab-ass.
You keep perpetuating the madness of previous administrations.
1. You’ve hired a bunch of the same people that were the architects of this economic and social disaster in the first place.
2. You’ve canned campaign promises left and right just like your predecessors - such as with the lobbyists you have hired that you said you wouldn’t hire.
3. You’ve blathered on about hope and change - and I guess I hope you change your ways - but you have managed to destroy my hope that you had it in you to change things for the better instead of the underwhelming fortitude to wallow in pursuit of the status quo. Are you a shill for corporations, sir, just like all the others?
You keep bungling opportunities in crisis for real change.
1. You could have pushed single payer health care with private delivery in any stimulus package, but you didn’t. Why not?
2. You could have initiated steps for recovering some funds and dramatically altered (for the better) the state of our planet by generating a comprehensive carbon tax, but you didn’t. Why not?
3. You could have developed a small speculation tax so Wall Street could bail out itself, instead of breaking the backs of us taxpayers with little to show for it, but you didn’t. Why not?
Are you a coward, sir?While I am sure you thought it was pretty awesome to go to Chicago over the long holiday weekend and play basketball with your buddies, I thought it was pretty not awesome that my dad lost his job over the same weekend because you and your cronies in Treasury and at that god-forsaken Federal Reserve have no backbone when it comes to forcing the banks (you know, the guys who contributed tons of cash to your campaign) to move capital around a bit so we plebeian can keep our 9 to 5.
I recognize you inherited a mess. I also recognize you do not understand or embrace the concept of boldness. I don’t care that this is the biggest piece of legislation in history - that means nothing to me, or my father, or millions of others out there who are struggling, stressing, and dying. I know there is no easy solution. I also know you have demonstrated very little acumen for finding any portion of one. I want to hear about accountability, Mr. Obama. I don’t want to hear excuses. Simply put, you work for the American people. You work for me. And you stink at your job. You don’t have a hundred days or whatever the mainstream press is using as a deadline for judgment. I can tell you now that you are screwing up royally.And it is not just with the economy.I don’t want you to use the state of the economy as an excuse for keeping us in perpetual war and occupation status in Afghanistan and the rest of the world. That’s been done, and that isn’t change, Mr. Obama. That’s a repeat of World War II and continuation of Bush policy. So are those infiltrations into Pakistan. You are a smart guy. You know Pakistan is a sovereign nation. I know you’d like to solve their issues for the sake of “national security” but I think we have a few problems of our own here at home that you are bungling and that need your full attention. Plus, they don’t like it when you kill human beings inside their sovereign borders. Are you a war-monger er, just like so many of the others? A moment for pettiness - stop using “look” and “listen” to begin so many of your damn sentences. Most of us who are paying attention are looking and listening. It’s not like you are going to get more people to look and listen simply demanding it. I know your staffer is getting bored with this letter, so I will close and keep it simple by summing up what I have said, and will do so by making a few demands of my own.
Brief digression - I won’t expect any real response on paper, because that would take too much time from a lowly staffer’s normal duties of chasing down your brand of smokes and looking for that errant black sock lost in the laundry. I also won’t expect any real results in the coming years of your presidency: I may be a fool (for the simple fact that I am not in Washington already harassing the crap out of you and your cronies), but I am not gullible, Mr. Obama.
1. Have David Plouffe (you know, the guy you have sending annoying peppy emails every other day) send an email laying out which campaign promises you have broken, which ones you really intend to keep, and which ones you envision being difficult to keep. In other words, cut the crap.
2. In every speech you make, and in every stand you take, include single payer health care as the highest priority. Make it happen. If you are going to break our backs in a thousand other ways, at least make sure we have health care as a right, rather than a privilege.
3. Begin global discussions on a universal carbon tax. Use that noggin of yours and recognize cap and trade won’t solve anything. Unilaterally start a carbon tax against the worst polluters here in the good old US of A.
4. Tax the crap out of corporations that have no state loyalty. Again, you are a smart guy. You know what I mean here.
5. Implement a small speculation tax immediately, so these corporations can pay for their own buffoonery.
6. Apologize to the American people for being such a tool for these same corporations. Prime-time. On National TV. Then stop being a tool for these same corporations.
7. Stop the war-mongering. Now. Bring our daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives home.
8. If you choke on any of 1 -7, resign.
Sincerely,
Gregory Vickrey
Plebeian
Angry Citizen
Illinois Fan
Sunday, February 15, 2009
My sweet sweet valentine.
"As we grow older together, As we continue to change with age, There is one thing that will never change. . . I will always keep falling in love with you."
That's the note that was attached to the tulips that Chance had delivered to me yesterday!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Never a dull moment.
To say the least we had a very interesting day yesterday. I should have known I just needed to go back to bed when it began. As always I started my day off with a sit down at the good ole' computer. So I sat there minding my own business, quietly stalking everyone on my google reader. When the silence is abruptly punctured with a series of very loud thumps, followed immediately by the sound of a little girl screaming "Nik" {I later found that little girl to be my husband, Chance.} Of course I shot out of my chair and rushed over to my dog lying at the bottom of a very steep flight of stairs. He was unable to stand up and didn't have any control over his own body. Then all of the muscles in his body tightened and he completely locked up, he was splayed out across the floor, Chance and I completely paralyzed in our fear. He began to drool all over the place and stumbled in a feeble attempt to walk. We immediately called the Dr. Everett {We might as well have him on speed dial.} He told us that Nik had a seizure and that there was no need to bring him in, unless he had another one. That was just the beginning. A few hours later in the middle of the wind storm we were having yesterday, the shingles on my brand new roof began flying off. Luckily the contractor was coming today anyway to take a look at what had been completed, since he hadn't been here since the groundbreaking. But that's a blog for another day. In Chance's walk through of things we still want done, things we want fixed and things that should have never happended {the workers left soda cans and candy wrappers all over the place} Chance discovered that one of our doorways in 32" across at the top and 34" across at the bottom. How do you not notice that when your putting up a 2/4 that it's completely diagonal???
In happier news, we now have electricity. And I have a new shiny garage door opener for my car!
In happier news, we now have electricity. And I have a new shiny garage door opener for my car!
Monday, February 9, 2009
My hearts desire...
*Disclaimer: I may begin to ramble, I tend to get highly emotional when I discuss this topic.*
I have wanted to be a mommy since I knew what being a mommy was. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. When I was in kindergarten and the teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I quickly responded with "I want to be a mommy." {However, I've always felt that conceiving would be difficult for me.} The sight, smell, and feel of an infant are absolutely intoxicating for me. I love to hold their little feet in my hands, to caress their soft wisps of hair, to feel their soft breathing next to my chest. {Tears well up in my eyes just thinking about it. I'm such a sap.} Sometimes when I don't have anything else to do online, I look at photos of nurseries, and baby bedding, or baby clothing. I've had baby fever since the moment Chance and I walked back up that aisle after saying our "I Do's", maybe a little before that if I'm being completely honest here. It comes in spurts, sometimes the longing subsides, other times my mind dances with thoughts of nurseries, bath times and bed times. Many people say that I'm too young, or that Chance and I haven't been married long enough. Those people are the same people that said I was too young to get married and wagered in their minds whether we'd even make it to 6 months. I've always known I would marry young, and I hoped I would shortly there after become a mommy. 18 months have come and gone with not so much as a glimmer of hope. Let me make it clear, Chance and I are not actively "trying" to conceive. I'm aware that, that would be foolish. I know that God will bless us when we are "ready" in his eyes. That being said, Chance and I have done nothing to prevent pregnancy for over 2 years now. According to my doctor this is when we get serious with fertility treatments, if I want to ever have a baby. I'm not sure that I'm on board with all the medicines, ultra sounds and bloodwork again just yet. {Chance and I VERY briefly tried to conceive in early 2008, but I was exhausted with work, and the 5 ultrasounds a month and taking 6 medicines was just too much for my body.} The doctors say that I have Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome {PCOS}- not sure that I entirely buy into that. I've begun to feel as though that's the new blanket diagnosis when the doctors don't really have and answer for why a twenty something, perfectly heathy woman can't conceive. Chance is a strong believer in, "It will happen when it's supposed to happen." and "This isn't going to happen on our timeline." I know with all of my heart that both of those things are true. Though it doesn't make the yearning andy less. He ofcourse would be thrilled with a new baby, he's very opinionated on the topic of baby names. We've agreed on Olivia Kaye and Elliot James. But he doesn't have the strong desire that I do and he doesn't really understand my fear that I won't be able to naturally be a mother. I'm not sure that he could understand completely. He's supportive and is always willing to hold me when I cry. {Which I usually do at least 2 times a week.} I pray for deliverance from the desire to be a mother, but feel no relief. I pray for a blessing of our own. I'm not really sure why I feel compelled to share such personal information, in such an unprivate arena. I don't really talk about it to very many people. But lately I've felt like I was going to explode. Chance is getting less patient with me on the subject. And my friends say all the right things but are in different places in their lives and just don't wholy understand. I feel very alone for the first time in my life, and I am surrounded by more people than ever. I work with a wonderful group of women, some who have children others who don't. I have a wonderful husband and family. Yet still I feel completely isolated. I'm beginnig to doubt that I'm meant to be a mother, but then again I can't believe that my God would give me such a strong desire if He didn't intend for me to become a mommy. So I suppose that for now I will be praying until I'm blue in the face- or round in the belly.
I have wanted to be a mommy since I knew what being a mommy was. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. When I was in kindergarten and the teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I quickly responded with "I want to be a mommy." {However, I've always felt that conceiving would be difficult for me.} The sight, smell, and feel of an infant are absolutely intoxicating for me. I love to hold their little feet in my hands, to caress their soft wisps of hair, to feel their soft breathing next to my chest. {Tears well up in my eyes just thinking about it. I'm such a sap.} Sometimes when I don't have anything else to do online, I look at photos of nurseries, and baby bedding, or baby clothing. I've had baby fever since the moment Chance and I walked back up that aisle after saying our "I Do's", maybe a little before that if I'm being completely honest here. It comes in spurts, sometimes the longing subsides, other times my mind dances with thoughts of nurseries, bath times and bed times. Many people say that I'm too young, or that Chance and I haven't been married long enough. Those people are the same people that said I was too young to get married and wagered in their minds whether we'd even make it to 6 months. I've always known I would marry young, and I hoped I would shortly there after become a mommy. 18 months have come and gone with not so much as a glimmer of hope. Let me make it clear, Chance and I are not actively "trying" to conceive. I'm aware that, that would be foolish. I know that God will bless us when we are "ready" in his eyes. That being said, Chance and I have done nothing to prevent pregnancy for over 2 years now. According to my doctor this is when we get serious with fertility treatments, if I want to ever have a baby. I'm not sure that I'm on board with all the medicines, ultra sounds and bloodwork again just yet. {Chance and I VERY briefly tried to conceive in early 2008, but I was exhausted with work, and the 5 ultrasounds a month and taking 6 medicines was just too much for my body.} The doctors say that I have Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome {PCOS}- not sure that I entirely buy into that. I've begun to feel as though that's the new blanket diagnosis when the doctors don't really have and answer for why a twenty something, perfectly heathy woman can't conceive. Chance is a strong believer in, "It will happen when it's supposed to happen." and "This isn't going to happen on our timeline." I know with all of my heart that both of those things are true. Though it doesn't make the yearning andy less. He ofcourse would be thrilled with a new baby, he's very opinionated on the topic of baby names. We've agreed on Olivia Kaye and Elliot James. But he doesn't have the strong desire that I do and he doesn't really understand my fear that I won't be able to naturally be a mother. I'm not sure that he could understand completely. He's supportive and is always willing to hold me when I cry. {Which I usually do at least 2 times a week.} I pray for deliverance from the desire to be a mother, but feel no relief. I pray for a blessing of our own. I'm not really sure why I feel compelled to share such personal information, in such an unprivate arena. I don't really talk about it to very many people. But lately I've felt like I was going to explode. Chance is getting less patient with me on the subject. And my friends say all the right things but are in different places in their lives and just don't wholy understand. I feel very alone for the first time in my life, and I am surrounded by more people than ever. I work with a wonderful group of women, some who have children others who don't. I have a wonderful husband and family. Yet still I feel completely isolated. I'm beginnig to doubt that I'm meant to be a mother, but then again I can't believe that my God would give me such a strong desire if He didn't intend for me to become a mommy. So I suppose that for now I will be praying until I'm blue in the face- or round in the belly.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Ooooh, How exciting!!
I just love logging into my Facebook account and being welcomed by a message from our dear friends saying that they will be playing in Murray, KY. I just love it!! In case your wondering, they are Bordertown and they are fabulous! Stephen Hunt {the lead singer. our best man} is a more atrractive cross between Keith Urban and John Mayer. I couldn't love the sound of his voice more. He sang our first dance on the day we were married. The band is made up of an extraordinary group of men, they are all so sweet, and talented. So in case you haven't figured it out yet, I get to see them tonight, at the Big Apple in Murray, KY 9-12!! I'm giddy with excitement!!Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Aahh, back to reality...
Photo by Donnie Holt. This is Kenmar Rd. about 1/2 and mile from our house.
Last Monday night {1-26-09} I got off work at around 7. It had already started. Ice and snow were coming down. By the time we woke up Tuesday morning it looked like this. We took Nik to the doctor, got him re-bandaged. And by the time we got him home at 11:30, we had no power. We were on our way to Nashville by 2 pm. Reidland's water tower was running out of water, and there was a pesky rumor going around that we would be loosing running water. Chance couldn't handle that.We stayed in Nashville 2 nights. It was a nice retreat. We had dinner, went shopping, it was nice to just be alone. No in-laws! When we got home we were greeted with mass power outages {some places still don't have power and the next county over hasn't had running water for a week.} Western KY has been blessed, so many out of town workers have come, the National Guard is going door to door to make sure everyone is ok. We lost all of our trees, but everyone is healthy. That's all that really matters. I really suprised myself. I handled it with more grace that I thought I could. I did better than Chance, but he'd deny that. Thankfully we were lucky enough to get a generator on Friday and actually got power on Sunday night {and cable today.} I was soo pleased to be able to come home and get on the internet. I had 207 items in my google reader. That took a while! Thank you to all of you who had us in your thoughts and prayers this past week, we needed it!
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