Good morning all. I hope this finds you all healthy & happy.

I woke up at 3:00 this morning with a full bladder and haven't been able to go back to sleep since. At 4:00, when my stomach started growling, I decided it best to get up and have my morning "boost".

I set the coffee pot to come on at 5:00 and booted up the computer to check emails and blog posts. I was pleasantly surprised that both Mom & Aunt Jan had posted. I was, however, sorry to hear that Mom as up at 2:00 and unable to go back to sleep. Must be something between the two of us.... how strange.

We got a call yesterday for a showing on the house. We went into over drive getting everything done. 15 minutes later they called back and canceled due to a scheduling conflict. WTF?! We were both bummed. We finished what we needed to get done in the house, why not at that point, and just chilled out for the rest of the evening.

Yesterday was a better day for me and when I had to get my ass in gear I was glad for the momentary reprieve from feeling so sick. Showing the house is such a stressful thing, everything has to be perfect for that window of time... in the mean time, you live in your house... so perfection takes some work to achieve on a moments notice. I just hope that we do sell it soon. I know it wont be tomorrow, but I hope we don't have to go through 20 showings before we sell it.

Today I don't have much planned. I have a few things I need to get finished up around here. Outside of that, who knows what I'll drive at today.

Bonus! Coffee pot just kicked on!!

Mostly I am looking forward to Friday and seeing our little alien again. Hehe.

Well, I sure hope that everyone has a great day today. It's HUMP DAY! So the week is half over... wooo hooo. Be good kids.

Love to all!

And guess what?! I have managed two loads of clothes and dishes! Yay!! I am so proud and happy.

I know how easy I have it, being at home and being able to do what I need... lay down, rest, sit still, whatever it is at the time... and I know that my morning sickness is far from terrible. I think I have said before how well I have it... but miserable is miserable... and when you are miserable, you just want to feel better.

Today I have felt better than I have in a few days. I think I will probably get in the shower in just a bit and take it all the way! I am sure after a shower I will feel even better... or possibly tired... but either way a shower is always a good thing.

Tancy should be on her way home soon. It's nice to have her home fairly early in the day. I know that wont last much longer, so I am enjoying every day that she makes it in ahead of time. Once shift starts for her it is going to be an adjustment for both of us. I know she's looking forward to it. I am looking forward to her doing what she enjoys and being out of classes finally. But I am not looking forward to the night shift. I will manage, don't get me wrong.... but I love sleeping next to her, snuggling up, settling in together. It will just be an adjustment. However, it is what allows us the gift of me being home, both now and once the baby is born... so I can hardly complain. Shift isn't for everyone I guess, and it might be more difficult than I anticipate... or it might be easier... either way it will be our new schedule. And it will allow us a full week together every 5weeks. How many people get that? So we will be able to make trips to Louisiana, Ohio & Georgia. Hopefully we will even be able to plan a trip to see our good friends in Rhode Island and Colorado sometime soon.

I guess I am looking forward to the perks of shift and trying not to think about the nights. They will be what they are and I will get through them. Many have come before us and made it through that just fine. I can remember my Pops working shift. God love him, he was such a bear sometimes! But he did what he had to do for us. We sometimes had Christmas at 4:00 in the morning when he got in from work, or before he left for work. Sometimes we didn't have Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day, but we didn't seem to care. I can appreciate the sacrifices my parents made for us, including shift work. I can imagine it was difficult for them in ways I will soon experience. LOL. And I say that with a sick excitement for all that is to come.

Well, Tancy is on her way home and I think I am going to wrap this up and get in the shower. I hope you are all having a great day.

Love to all!

Have you hugged a Veteran today? I kissed one just this morning!!

Good morning all! I hope this finds everyone doing well this morning. Happy in the fact that it is no longer Monday. Already looking forward to the weekend I am sure.

I don't have too much to report today. Yesterday was spent just trying not to get sick. Which means I don't have any interesting stories or funny happenings.

I didn't get up till about 9:00 and went back to lay down around 2:00. I slept for maybe 20 minutes when the door bell rang and scared the SHIT out of me. So, that ended any chance I had of additional rest. I hate waking up that way, all shaky and disoriented.

I pretty much stayed in bed for the rest of the evening though. I tried getting up once while Tancy was out running an errand, that didn't work out too well, back to bed I went. She played her new video game (traded some old ones) while I watched TV in the back. I can't blame her for not wanting to be in bed all afternoon. Nothing exciting going on there for sure!

She made me some mashed potatoes and we had dinner in bed. Watched some TV and around 9:00 she was snoring. It makes me laugh a bit. She eventually turned over on her back and the snoring stopped. It was after 10:00 before I fell asleep. I was hot, I was wide awake, I actually stopped feeling sick for a bit. I don't know what my problem was, but it sure was frustrating.

This morning I woke to the sound of Scout slurping water from our toilet. I hate that! I don't know why, but that gets under my skin in a ridiculous way. So, not only was I awake, I was irritated already. I really wake up in such a foul mood lately. I let the dogs out, get coffee going... and what does Hemmi do when he's ready to come back in? Jumps up as high as he can on the door and slides down. This infuriates me. Not only because I don't know where he picked that up, or how to stop it, but we just painted the back door to cover 2 years of that up! I could smack him if I could reach him.

Tancy left for work, probably glad to not have to be here! LOL. And I started my blogs, emails, etc. As soon as I wrap this up I'll check on updates from everyone else and then maybe be lucky enough to get some stuff done in the house.

Alright kids. I think that's all I got today. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I feel better today than I did yesterday. I hope you all have a great day today.

Love to all!

Week Nine Baby has begun movement - While still too small for you to feel, your little one is wriggling, shifting, and dancing already! Makes you almost wish for a window to peek in whenever you want! Most joints are formed now - and trust that your little one is practicing bending and flexing. Fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand - This is amazing to see! At only nine weeks, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes, ears and nose! Fingerprints are already evident in the skin Average size this week -- length 0.9 inch (2.3cm), weight 0.07 ounce (2gm) [return to top]

Not too much additional to report from last week. The last few days have been quite a bit worse than the previous weeks with regard to feeling sick. Sunday I stayed on the couch all day, though I did manage to make Apple Bread. Yesterday I managed to brush my teeth and was just happy to accomplish that without throwing up.

Aside from that, boobs still hurt. Digestion is still slow, I am pretty sure that will remain for the duration. I am still tired, more so the worse I feel. When I am not feeling sick I feel pretty good in general. But once the morning sickness kicks in, that's all she wrote!

My face has decided to break out in the last week or so... fun! Hopefully that will pass soon.

We are just a few weeks away from the end of the first trimester and I am hopeful the morning sickness, etc. will begin to lessen soon.

In case you forgot, our ultrasound is Friday. Should look more like a baby and less like a shrimp/alien. LOL.

That's all I got for a pregnancy update this morning.

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all doing very well this morning. Maybe even fully rested from the weekend. Either way, it's the start of a new week and beginnings are always exciting.

I don't have a whole lot to report since I wrote yesterday. I made my apple bread, I tried "cup cakes" but they didn't really turn out well. So, I made a spring board cake with the mix. Tancy made us dinner, boiled shrimp. It was yummy. She's so cute too, making sure they were cooked enough. We didn't do too much, she put down straw in the back yard. I made the apple bread and then vegged on the couch. I was feeling a little tender so I kept it low key.

Fairly early we got our baths and then in bed to watch a bit of TV and then go to sleep. Tancy was kind enough to give me a back rub, my lower back hurts (did even before I was pregnat) so it is a very nice gesture. I had a headache most of the day and finally took some Tylenol. We had a small bowl of ice cream and I settled in to go to sleep. Here's where I hit trouble. Suddenly I felt like I needed to bolt to the bathroom... I could feel the contents of my stomach climbing up my throat. I asked Tancy to get me one of the frozen packs we have for injuries, etc. Its a wonder she heard me because I know I spoke in a whisper. She grabbed that and a rag and brought it to me. I put that on my neck (right under my chin) till it eased some and then moved it down to my chest at the base of my neck. I fell asleep with the ice pack on my neck. Thankfully no puke. I have used this trick before, it works well for me.... I am not sure, medically, how it works... and honestly I don't care. You see, I am one of those people who will fight it as long as I can. I am not one of those people who will force themselves to throw up just to feel better. I can't imagine doing that!

This morning Tancy got up and I was so exhausted I managed to go back to sleep after I heard our bedroom door shut. However, I opened my eyes and realized she wasn't there and I hadn't told her bye and got up. She was on the couch and told me to go back to bed. She tucked me back in and kissed me bye. I went back out like a light. I do't know if it was the Tylenol (I havent taken any medicine in more than a month) or being that close to being sick or what...  but I slept till 9:00. I think I might have been asleep by 9:00 last night... so that is alot of sleep!

At this point, I am still waking up. My head is sore from the headache and probably sleeping so late. I have already had my boost for breakfast. No coffee, just don't think I want it this morning. I need to get a few things done in the house today... and really hoping to get those things done. Tancy told me this morning she feels like we will show the house this week, I almost said the same thing to her this weekend.... so gotta get on that!

I don't have anything else to report. Casie just sent these pics of Marlie alread driving by email, thought I would share them.

I bet she's seen Mommy and Daddy honking the horn at someone in their way!!

She's got the G lean down!

Still can't see over the steering wheel! Be patient Marlie, you'll be driving for real before you know it!

Love to all!

Good day all! It is noon... so no longer morning... oh well. I still hope this finds everyone going well on this Sunday. Rested and relaxed even if you are lucky.

Earlier in the week I had found a dresser at the consignment store near the house. I liked it and wanted to take Tancy by to see what she thought of it for the babies room. So, Friday on our way out to get groceries, we went by to take a look. She wasn't crazy about the one I had in mind, but she did like another one I had spied... it was part of a set. While we were waiting to see if the seller would break the set up we stumbled on another dresser, by itself at the perfect price. So we bought it. $45.00 for a sturdy dresser isn't bad at all I think! We went into Gastonia for dog food, gnaw-gnaws and then groceries and by to take our fish guy a water sample. By the time we got home, I was beat!

We unloaded and Tancy made us dinner. Steak. Yum. I wanted corn, but I didn't want it warmed, no butter, nothing, just dump the corn in a bowl. Weird, I know... oh well. We ate dinner and relaxed a bit before bedtime. It was nice. We were asleep fairly early I guess, by 10:00.

We slept in Saturday morning until 9:30! Neither of us could believe it. I was going to make breakfast, but really just felt crappy right off the bat. I had a boost instead. Tancy made herself a bagel sandwich and was very pleased with herself! LOL. We called Mandy to come help us get the dresser. We needed to go get it and still unsure about my lifting restrictions. Better safe than sorry I suppose. Anyway, sometime after noon Mandy, Steve, Lauren and Dazey (the puppy) arrived and we headed out for the consignment shop. We got the dresser without issue and then off for a late lunch together. It was a good time, lots of laughs... those are such good times.

From there it was back home to unload the dresser. Steve helped Tancy with that while us girls sat on the couch feeling incredibly full. The dresser is in the back bedroom for now and fits pretty well. It can be used by family coming in for Thanksgiving even. Tancy then waxed mine and Lauren's eye brows (we were both in bad need). I jumped in the tub... we had plans with one of the guys Tancy works with and his wife. The same couple that came and ate at the house a week or so ago. I was still feeling sickly, but I know I need to get out of the house some. I try to ration activities, so I don't over do it... but I still need activity.

We got out of here right at our expected time... but we needed gas and washed the car... so we ended up being later than we had anticipated (oh and we missed their apartments because the sign wasn't lit!). No worries though.  We had a great evening with them. I was surprised that I had made a full day... that hasn't happened for a good little while!

We stopped for a "scooby snack" on our way home and then we were on our way. It was right at midnight before we settled in for sleep. A long, full day. And at the end of the day, I managed to not feel sick for a few hours in a row!

This morning we slept in till 9:30 again! This is rare for us, honestly. I mean, I can go back to bed after she leaves and sleep that long... but typically on the weekends we are up around 7:00 or so. Anyway, I made coffee and breakfast this morning! Impressed, aren't you?! Onions and Fried potatoes, scrambled eggs on flour tortillas. Yummy. Tancy helped me get it all done. We ate and then she put everything away for me. Now I am sitting here feeling yucky... who knows why. I have started to give up on trying to figure it out. I had for a while and did reasonably well... but the last two days, I have done it all right, eat first thing, have protein, don't eat too much... and I have still been sick. SO! I will do my best to have protein in the morning, eat before I feel hungry and drink alot of water... and if I still start feeling sick, I will just have to deal with it. I don't know what else to do... aside from the fact that lemon water is still my friend!

Today I am planning to peel apples and get them ready for apple bread. I think I can stay parked on the couch and get them peeled. The rest is pretty simple. I think I can managed. I had wanted to do bacon wrapped green beans today, but I think that is just too ambitious. So, that will have to wait for another day. We have two more steaks that I want to put on to marinate. We probably wont cook them today, but we can marinate them for a few days if need be.

Tancy's going to work in the yard today... I am going to do nothing. LOL. Unless, of course, I start feeling better... then I have a list on stand by of things I would like to get done.

I hope you all have a great day today, soak it up and enjoy the last day of relaxation before you have to go back to work. I hope it was a great weekend for everyone.

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all healthy, wealthy & wise. We are now so close to the weekend you can smell it!

I don't have much to report here. I managed to get some laundry done & the dishes. I also managed to still get a bath after all of that. LOL! I was pretty proud. I didn't do much at all yesterday outside of that.

We went to Mandy's for dinner. Lauren made chicken spaghetti. Sandy went with us. We had a good time. It's nice when dinner is already cooked, I don't have to smell it while it is cooking. Strange, I know!

We left Mandy's at about 8:15 and headed on home. I wasn't feeling well. Tancy and Sandy stood outside for a bit before Sandy left to go home. I put on my pajamas and got in bed, Tancy came in and did the same. I watched a little TV, Tancy was asleep pretty quickly. It just took me a little while to get comfortable enough to sleep. My tummy was way too full and I really didn't eat that much. I guess I can chalk that up to slower digestion.

This morning I had a pudding cup and I am sipping on my coffee, I already feel full. Ugh. I don't have much on my agenda for today. I guess I need to finish the laundry, unload the dishwasher and probably make a grocery list.

I plan to take it easy this weekend... just chill. I need that. Nothing strenuous, nothing difficult... just rest. That's the plan stan!

Well, we will probably watch the Ohio State game on Saturday. We were thinking it was the Michigan game this weekend, turns out it isn't! Oh well. That game is two weeks away.

The girls should be leaving for the beach in just a few hors. I hope they have good weather and a good time.

Ok kids. I don't have much this morning. So I am going to wrap this up. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all healthy, wealthy & wise. It's nearly the end of the work week which has to be good for most everyone!

I blogged yesterday, but is all about the election, so I really need to catch everyone up on the everyday stuff. So, lets see what all I have to talk about... not much really. LOL. Tuesday I got up and got the dishes done. Woo! But it was about all I could manage. I talked to Mandy & we decided to head to Hickory to look at the stuff we registered for and see if there was anything I left off. I had already decided there were some things that needed to be taken off. It wasn't long after we got to Babies R Us I started feeling terrible. My stomach had already decided I no longer needed its contents before Mandy ever even got to the house. It was hot in there and the bathroom smelled terrible (I let them know it needed attention, if you are going to cater to pregnant women, the bathroom is an important part of the store!). We did what we needed to do and then we were in search of some lemonaide (a friend told me it helps... and it does). We found a Chick-Fil-A in the mall and from there we walked to Motherhood. I don't find much in there that I want/need or like. It's so expensive... and plus size maternity is a specialty inside a specialty, so that should tell ya something. Since I currently have no need, I am not worried about it. I'll either buy bigger T-shirts or Wal-Mart maternity or find some hand-me-downs. But I am not going to pay $30 per shirt that I am only going to wear for a few months. That just isn't for me. Anyway, we went from there to Target, but they had bubkis (sp ?)... not a super Target, so that was a bust. We headed back toward the house & decided to meet Tancy at the new Chinese Buffet by the house. Yummy. My batteries were drained, I was hungry, but yucky feeling at the same time... always a good combination. After dinner we came back to the house to watch some of the pre-election coverage shows.

Once Mandy left to go home I got a bath and got in bed. I was pretty well toast. This has also become my routine, someone's at the house, they leave, I get a bath and go to bed. I've done this as early as 5:00 in the evening. Hey, when you've got no more, you've just got no more. We then watched the rest of the coverage till nearly 1:00 in the morning.

Yesterday I got up, feeling incredibly sick to my stomach (in more ways than one) and blogged about the election coverage. I intended to also do my daily blog, but time caught me and I couldn't. I got ready and headed out for the dentists office. I left in plenty of time, but I had the wrong directions and went the wrong way on the road they are on, so I was about 5 minutes late. No worries, I don't think they had anyone else that early. They were all incredibly nice. The girl that cleaned my teeth said that for the amount of time it's been since my last cleaning (I told them 5 years, but now that I think about it, it is probably more like 8) everything actually looked pretty good. The doc came in an took a look, said I probably have a couple of small cavities in one of my back teeth, but that can wait till after we have the baby. I can only brush with a soft bristle tooth brush now, damn receeding gums, and wash show the proper technique! LOL. That tickles me for some reason. I go back in a month for another cleaning, again, since it has been so long. They were all incredibly nice, know our circumstances, asked about Tancy, asked about the baby & when we are due... and I already know WAY too much about them on a personal level. I have that affect on people. I don't usually mind. They were really very nice girls with their own "differences" from the perceived majority here locally.

I managed to tear myself away from them, though they assured me I wasn't keeping them, I was feeling sicky and it really was time to go. I needed some food and I wanted to pick up a soft bristle tooth brush with a tongue scraper on the back of it. I managed the food first and then to the dollar store (I knew I couldn't manage Wal-Mart). In the Dollar Store my stomach suddenly began its silent revolt, I was in trouble. I got what I needed and headed home. Our roofing guy was here and I stopped to be polite and speak. But I really needed to get inside. I finally saw my out and headed in the house, directly to the bathroom I went. Well, it could be worse. I heard him knock, but I couldn't answer.

He just wanted to let me know the gate was closed so I could let the dogs out. Thanks! I managed to do what I needed to do, dogs out, dogs back in.... and parked it on the couch. I really wanted a nap, but that's impossible when there's  someone walking around on the roof, removing shingles, re-felting and putting shingles down. Sounds like they are coming down on your head. So I just sank into the couch and waited to feel better or for Tancy to get home. Neither would happen soon enough.

I did a little research on morning sickness. Sounds silly I know... Up till recently I thought morning sickness was actually throwing up. Turns out it is the nausea and extreme fatigue as well. Mine hasn't been severe, but its been enough, at times, that all I can do is become a glob of queeziness on the couch or lay down in the bedroom with the fan on high and try to sleep. I just hate it when you get to the point where you really aren't doing anything but waiting to feel better. I have big hopes, each day, of things I want to get done... but that rarely happens. I will be soooo happy when the nesting kicks in and I can get some things done again. I feel quite worthless most days lately. I have recently started with even the texture of food in my mouth makes me gag. FUN!

Anyway, when Tancy got home she made some Rice-A-Roni... it sounded good at the time... but about half way through my bowl the texture really started getting to me. I ate an apple instead. You almost never go wrong with fresh fruit. It wasn't too long before we were in bed. That's another crappy thing, even once the nausea passes, you are left with a tired body from fighting it. Tancy talked to Sandy on  the phone for a bit & I suddenly felt like a chocolate milk shake sounded like the best thing in the world. It wasn't long before she was off the phone and we were headed to cookout for one. I love her! She really is so good to me.

Of course I only had half, and then a couple of her fries... and suddenly I was so full and miserable all I could do was lay there and fuss about being so full. I thnk it was about 6:30 or 7:00 when we got back? Not sure to be honest. It wasn't long before I was on my way to sleep, humming myself there, waking myself up, humming again till I drifted off and waking myself again. It's quite funny when you think about it... but my humming is a really good indication of how tired I am at that point. I woke several times in the night with an overly full bladder.... thats a new and fun feeling in the middle of the night.

At 4:30 this morning the next door neighbors dog, which is right at our bedroom window basically, started barking and howling. It was so bad I went outside and hollared at him, for all the good it did! I was pissed off and could have marched over and banged on the door to tell them about their damn dog. But why?

I managed to go back to sleep & tried to just stay asleep once Tancy got up... but to no avail. As soon as Scout and Hemmi hit the back yard they were barking at the neighbor's dog. Again under the bedroom window. Fuuuuuuuu! Whatever, I am up.

Go the coffee made, Tancy took care of the pups for me. She's so great about helping and being understanding. She says my attitude hasn't been bad. She'd tell me! LOL. I try really really hard to just keep my mouth shut in the mornings. I resemble the crab ass 16 year old of my early years, growling as a response to an answer asked before I was ready to even be looked at. I hate being that way, but I seem to have no control presently... so I just keep it shut! LOL.

This weekend some of the girls are headed to the beach to camp. We were suppose to be going, but I have felt so bad the past 2 weeks that I just don't think I can manage it. The packing, loading, driving, unloading, setting up... I just don't have that much in me for one day. I know Tancy would do the work, but the whole process is exhausting. Not to mention, when I feel bad and can't get relief, I can turn into a collosal bitch. I really don't want to subject anyone to that. I would hate to make a full weekend miserable for everyone and I feel very capable of that right now. Not to mention we are trying to tighten those purse strings. You start registering for stuff and looking at the prices of what you will need and the sheer volume of what you will need... we need to start making serious moves in putting money aside for things.

I know Tancy was disappointed. Heather extended the invitation and Tancy enjoys hanging with Heather. I am disappointed too, but I just don't think I can manage it right now. The second trimester is a month away & I am hoping to feel more social then. That would be great! I miss feeling up to hanging out with everyone. Right now, us with another couple works out pretty good, but add too many people in and I tire so easily. I don't think that makes any sense, but its how it works out.

I talked to Sonia yesterday, she said, so the first trimester is just being sick. I told her that my thoughts on it was that the first trimester is spent figuring out how not to get sick. If that means the house is cold, then it is. If it means only eating skittles, thats what you do. If it means social isolation for a bit, that's just what you have to do. I cannot say I have been miserable or had a tough time thus far... what I can say is that I have had shitty moments. And when I feel good, I want to take on the world... and just as I start something really productive, it hits again in one way or another. Its like being attacked by your own senses on a regular basis! LOL.

Anyway, this morning I need to actually get about 2 loads of laundry done and the dishes need to be unloaded from the dishwasher (and a few to be loaded). If I can manage that, I will be happy. Lauren is suppose to cook dinner for us tonight. She's a pretty good kid. I think Sandy might come over and go with us... not really sure.

Since we aren't going camping, Tancy will get to watch the Ohio State/Michigan game. She never wants to miss that game! I am not cooking, I will don my OSU pajamas and park it on the couch. We can get chicken or something.... or maybe she will want to cook, ya just never know.

There are some pretty big birthdays coming up this month. Jenn, Sonia and Lauren are all in the next week! Wow, at least our kid isn't due in November!!! There's already so much going on in November.

Alright kids, I think that catches us up! I hope you all have a great day today & a wonderful weekend (if its starting today).

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you all doing very well, with a renewed belief in our country and the knowledge that great things are coming.

I am sure not all of you voted Democrat... some of you even believe that Democrats are evil, ready to take your guns,  your money (in taxes) and allow your women do as they will with their bodies. There's not much I can say to change your minds, nor would I try... we are all entitled to our beliefs, whatever they may be.

I have to tell you that I watched this election right up to the very end. I watched the numbers and percentages flip and flop. I was on the end of my seat when Obama was up and biting my nails when he was down. I watched the states be colored blue or red. I watched that definitative number climb up to and well over 270 in electoral votes.

I listened intently to McCains concession speech. I think he did a great job, though I have to say I think it was pretty nasty on the part of the crowd to boo and hiss at the news... we should be more unified as a country (and yes, I would have been disappointed in Democrats if they had booed and hissed). However I think he spoke very well and his speech was moving and inspiring... encouraging us to become one country, to support the President Elect and that he respected Obama and fully backs him, a true and worthy adversary.

I not only listened to what Obama said, I felt it. I am ready to see this country heal, economically especially. I have believed for some time now, that things would begin to change after this election, no matter the victor... just knowing that we will soon be rid of this life sucking growth (Bush) we didn't notice until it had grown too large to do anything about. After listening to Obama's acceptance speech, I truly believe that great things are about to happen... I believe him to be the man to make that happen (obviously), but it is more than a belief now... its a knowledge that he wants our country to be better.

It is good to feel patriotic again. I haven't for some time, with our current President ensuring I don't have the same inalienable rights as others, with our current President running us financially in the ground like a spoiled kid who never knew financial restraint, with our current President padding his pockets with the money he took from ours at the gas pumps. I feel like he only ever had his best interest and agendas at heart... he didn't (and doesn't) care about our great nation... or the fact that it is presently in shambles.

I have hope that Obama will right the ship... it will be a long haul, we are pretty jacked up right now... taking on water... and no wind in our sails. But I believe he will make it happen.

There are big changes coming! Financial stability for both our country and us individually. I also believe there will be moves made toward true equality in our country, though Obama has said he doesn't believe in gay marriage... he does believe that everyone should be equal. I know there are alot of people who are afraid of the tazes to come... and I don't mean to sound harsh... but the 1% makes more than the 99% of the United States. Those who make more than (is it $200,000 or $250,000 a year) will see tax changes. Those below that line will either see no tax changes or pay less taxes. Now I can't speak for everyone, but my house and many people I know need those breaks... we will not be affected by any tax changes. I wish we would just move to a flat tax. No loop holes, no write offs, everyone pays a certain percentage (say 10%) of their income in taxes... the government would still make more in taxes and it would be a fair break down of who pays what.

I digress.  I have to tell you that it was inspirational to see Obama with his family, to see how they support him, believe in him, love him. It was also great to see him bring out Biden and his family... and the mutual respect they all have for each other. And when he brought out so many of the people who played a big part in this election, you can see how they all believe in what they are doing.

I've ranted enough about the election.

I need to go get ready, I have an appointment to get my teeth cleaned this morning! Yay. After that, I am coming home and going to bed! It was after 12:30 when we went to bed and 5:30 when we got up. Yuck.

I hope you all have great day.

Love to all!

Good morning all. I hope this finds you either just coming in from the polls or planning your trip to the polls. It is so important to vote... not just this election, but always.

I will be so glad when this election is over. Of course I am pulling for Obama, but I will just be glad to know what path forward we are looking at and to stop hearing the smear campaigns. Politicians are nasty people... the things that they will say, on TV and radio, about each other... wow! We voted early, so we are good to go!

Sorry I missed yesterday, our cable, phone & internet was out all day. So I guess I need to fill you all in on everything since Saturday morning.

I didn't feel too well... Tancy and I ended up in a bit of a disagreement about the house work and how it would get done. I wanted us to do it together, so we could rest together. She wanted me to sit down & she would do it when she got ready. I can't ever complain about her willingness to help me out, with anything... we just have to find a way to communicate about the how's, when's and why's. LOL. I am unable to sleep if there's alot of noise in the house...I have always been sensitive to sounds, but it seems worse now, so if she's working in the house, I can't sleep. It's just this silly circle we end up in and its all irrelevant. I would have been better off to just chill out and know her thought process (because I do know her thought process). I didn't get any rest with us going round about it... so either way I wouldn't have, but neither of us would have had the stress of the disagreement and hurt feelings. Something I work on.

We did get everything done. I sat for a bit and then got a shower & shortly after started cooking. They were a bit later than expected getting here, that happens when you don't know exactly where you are going. But we had a great visit. They were funny, alot like us, giving each other shit... but nothin' but love for each other. We laughed and cut up and talked, it was an easy visit... no uncomfortable luls in conversation. I don't think our house is what they are looking for, but that's alright. It was good to see into Tancy's world a bit and I think his wife enjoyed having someone else to talk with and being outside of their apartment. Dinner was good, dessert was delicious (I had two to choose from!!). They stayed a while, but not too late either. I was thankful for that as I was really tired from the events of the day. They left, we went to bed!

Oh, I forgot, our neighbor David, has a landscaping business. And I think I told ya'll that our riding mower crapped out. Anyway, we asked him to cut the grass for us. He's also going to get us some hay to put down in the back yard. We will miss them as neighbors. They are good people.

Sunday we slept in, Tancy even brought me coffee in bed.... she was probably trying to head off the bitchiness she had encountered the morning before. I do love that woman, she's so good to me. I can't imagine living my life with anyone else. Not only do I know without a shadow of a doubt that she loves me, she's always got my back and she will always do what she can when she knows I need her. She will tell me about myself in a heart beat... but never in a mean way... and whether we agree or not we always respect each other. She's my match.

Anyway! LOL. After coffee we got up and got ready to head out to register for baby stuff. We were both excited about that. It seems early, but I am taking the tips that our experienced Mommies have given us, Register Early! Ok ladies, done! We registered for almost everything at Babies R Us, there were a few things we didn't find there, and we registered for those at Target. I think I probably need to go online and clean up the Target registry... my sweet honey wasn't checking anything off the list like we needed to do, so I am not sure what we scanned and what we didn't. This is the first time, in either of our lives, that we have registered for anything... its weird... its not only like making a Christmas list, its like handing that out to everyone you know! Not only that, but it isn't a list of ideas at this point... it's a list exactly what you want. So, I will say it again, our registry is what we liked at Babies R Us and Target. If you find these or similar items at a thrift store, your neighbor has one and doesn't use it... whatever... get it! I would really rather see someone pay $20 for an item that we registered for (pre-loved) than pay $40 for it brand new. If there's something we registered for that you can make, terrific!!! And hey, if there's something you have from your kids that (or that was ours as kids) that you want us to have we LOVE that kind of thing. I know you know what I am trying to say.

The registering was grueling, I didn't eat enough before we left. Another lesson learned. After registering we went to Jenn & Tabs for dinner. They fixed steaks on the grill, mashed potatoes and fresh salad for us. We were their first dinner guests. We were as tickled at that as they were I think. We had a great visit, great food and an all around good time. We haven't spent nearly enough time with Jenn and Tab lately, we all get caught up in our own orbits, so it was really nice to reconnect with them. Especially when you can do that in their new home. We left there around 8:00 I guess. I was so full! We came home, took care of the pups and went directly to bed... Not before realizing that our TV was out and so was our phone... and later realizing the internet was out too. Charter seemed unconcerned about it and gave us an appointment for WEDNESDAY!! We read a bit and then off to sleep.

Yesterday morning we woke to find it all out still. After Tancy left for work I went back to bed. I got up around 8:00 and felt like microwaved dog shit! This continued for the rest of the day. No TV, No Internet, no way to distract myself from the way I felt either... I turned on the radio... I tried to play games on the computer (boy was that a mistake). So I basically wallered on the couch all day long. It was a nasty looking day outside, but it wouldn't have mattered if it was a beautiful day outside, I didn't feel like doing anything.

Charter finally came by (I had called them when I got up and told them it was still out. This operator seemed to think, like me, that it was ridiculous to expect us to be without a home phone until Wednesday and rescheduled our call for Monday.) and saw that someone had pushed over the green box at the end of the cul-de-sac... David! LOL. So another guy would have to come out with the proper equipment to fix it, but it would be the same day. Yay! At 2:30 everything was back up and running. I was glad for it too, now at least I had a distraction!

Tancy was home around 3:00 or so... she talked to her Mom on the phone... she'd been trying to call us since Sunday. I think she was starting to worry a bit. Then Tancy went to Food Lion for me to get some Ramen Noodles, that was the only thing that sounded good to me & we didn't have any. She even came home and cooked them for me. What a sweet, wonderful woman. I started feeling better after the noodles and some gatorade. Then I was just tired from feeling like shit!

It wasn't long till it was time for a bath. I couldn't wait. I just layed in the tub like I had nothing better to do. We were laying in bed watching TV by 6:30. We watched the latest Dexter, Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab (until we got to the part we had already seen), Jon Stewart (finally the one with the Obama interview) and The Colbert Report. I think I was just about asleep whn Tancy turned the TV off. Didn't take long after that.

This morning I am doing pretty good. I have had my coffee, now I need to get a bite to eat before the yuck sets in for the day. I would like to get some laundry done... and I really need to take our comforter to the laundry mat to wash it, its too big for our washer. I also need to see if I can bear the smell of the trash and take it out. If not, Tancy will just have to do it when she gets in. The dishes also need to be done. What a pain! LOL.

Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment to get my teeth cleaned. Yay. Tancy's next, just gotta work out her schedule. Also, I just sent in the necessary information to our lawyer for the legal name change. It's a bit different than I originally planned on. Our parents wont get to sign the paperwork, can't be family and must be legal residents of NC. I am a little bummed about that, it was the one way to involve them in it... since we wont have a "wedding". But, I can't lose sight of the fact that they will all be here at Thanksgiving when we exchange our rings. That is something at least.

Oh, Mom, if you are reading this, I need to get a certified copy of my birth certificate to give to the lawyer for the process.

I think that's about all. I need to get a snack.

I hope everyone has a great day. Don't forget to vote!

Love to all!