I am Jenn's Un-Talent

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from: Melissa @ Merryland Girl

what is your not-so-special talent (something strange, not artsy)?

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Desperate Madness

I can remember song lyrics. I can actually remember anything when it's set to music.

I know all the words to The Animaniacs song "The Nations Of The World" and absolutely LOVE Schoolhouse Rock's Grammar Rock.

I can honestly say that I have the pronoun song on my iPod (Rufus Xavier Sarsparilla)

When I was a wee lass, my dad often spent Saturdays in his basement workshop doing guy-type workshop things and listening to the record player.

My dad was quite fond of folk music, like Peter, Paul & Mary, The Kingston Trio, John Denver etc.

Fast forward about 20 years, I randomly heard the song "Lemon Tree" by Peter Paul & Mary and knew all the words. I was intrigued, and racked my brain to see if I could retrieve anymore of these historic songs and found "Bottle of Wine" as sung by Judy Collins - yup, knew all the words to that one too...

Several years later, I was watching the end credits to the movie "Thank You For Smoking" and what should I hear? Kingston Trio - Greenback Dollar

I sang along with the chorus.

I still know the words to 1990's New Kids On The Block songs, many 80's standards...you name it. If it was mainstream, I probably know the words. At the very least, I can sing the chorus.

And on a completely unrelated thread, having nothing to do with this week's topic but having everything to do with The Thursday Blog Project, I regret to inform that this will be my last group blog post.

I have had so much fun over the past months, learning so much about Melissa, Shara & Tracey but have decided that it's time to move on.

I hope to blog more independently, so stay tuned!

Happy Independence Day!

Hello Loyal Blog Readers!

This is an advisement that there will be no 7/1/10 Thursday Blog Posting.

We are taking a little break to enjoy our country's freedom!

In light of having no Thursday Blog to read, may I suggest some alternative activities?

1. Go outside, catch fireflies in an old pickle jar (please, remove pickles, clean jar and poke holes in the lid first)

2. Watch some patriotic movies - like Independence Day, or Yankee Doodle Dandy (or Born on the 4th of July, which is pretty depressing, actually.)

3. Write your own damn blog.

4. Light sparklers, and dance in the dark outside (away from where strangers can see you, you don't want to get committed do you?)

5. Declare your own independence from your a-hole boss or personal hygiene! (Warning: declaration of independence from your a-hole boss may cause job loss, declaring independence from personal hygiene may cause spouse loss)

6. Drink before noon.

7. Eat enough potato salad to choke a horse.

Finally, have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Old habits like you, are hard to break...

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from me: Tell me about your worst habit(s)

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Desperate Madness

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Merryland Girl

I must admit that this topic comes pretty easy for me, and for those of you who have seen recent Facebook status updates, you know that I recently quit smoking.

I have smoked, consistently, since I was 15 years old.

I will not lie and say how FANTASTIC I feel not smoking, or how clean everything smells and how much better everything tastes, because at this point - I just want a cigarette.

Granted, it's only been a week and I still catch myself thinking "Ooh! It's almost time for a break, I can go have a smoke."

Or thinking about lighting up when I get in the car after work.

As I am typing this, it feels very counterproductive. I should probably tell you why I chose to quit, rather than drool at my screen while I long to light up.

* My health - a few months ago, I wrote about making changes in how I take care of myself and I realized that it doesn't matter if I am working out, eating right and taking a vitamin if I still smoke a pack a day.

(For the record, I am still not working out...baby steps...)

* My company is offering a non-smoker discount which gives me a $30 credit per pay period to be smoke free during the next plan year. So not only am I saving money not buying cigarettes, I am also getting $60 a month off my insurance.

* I plan on getting pregnant in the next year, and I would have quit then anyways. It's a different story when it's not just affecting my health.

So, I am getting through it.

I am edgy, irritable and pretty much shove anything in my mouth that I can chew violently on.

Yesterday, I bit a huge chunk out of my tongue while angrily chewing gum.

The pros?

I have yet to brutally murder anyone & I have been knitting a lot more.

...So don't be afraid to let them show...your true colors

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from Shara @ Desperate Madness
If you were a color, what color would you be?

Other contributor's to the Thursday Blog Project are:
Merryland Girl
Froggie Knits Like Crazy

I think that if I have learned anything from doing the Thursday Blog Project, it's that I can never choose just one thing - whether it's a quirk, a favorite time, anything.
This post is going to be no exception!
When I was little, I LOVED royal blue, that bright shiny blue that you often see on old muscle cars, or on kid's bikes.
Anything in that color, I was always drawn to.
As I have gotten older, I found that I prefer combinations of colors - like, lime green and chocolate brown, or Tiffany box blue & matte black.
Those two are my favorites at the moment.

"...na na why don't you get a job?"

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from Tracey @ Froggie Knits Like Crazy

"one of my favorite parts about my life is . . ."

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Merryland Girl

Desperate Madness

One of my favorite parts about my life is...

My work ethic, and how much it has changed.

Until a few years ago, I made up every possible excuse to miss work or even to quit a job.

I was very much "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", I had flat tires, car troubles, illness, illness in my family - all of these made up.

I was chronically late to work, and after awhile, no one believes your excuses any more.

I have lost more than one job in my working years from absenteeism, or tardiness.

The thing is that I have always been good at my job - no matter what I was doing. I just couldn't get there on time.

I had made up excuses to leave work early, come in late - I've made excuses that I won't even repeat because they are AWFUL.

It wasn't until I spent 5 months out of work that I had an epiphany: If I hadn't bullshitted my way through so many jobs, I would probably still be employed right now.

I took a long, hard look at myself and wondered "Is this how I want to live my life? Jumping from job to job, temp agency to temp agency until I have burned all my bridges?"

I received a job offer in July 2009 to work at an online payroll company in Schaumburg, IL. The pay was several dollars lower than what I was used to making, and the drive was further. However, after being unemployed and having no unemployment benefits for almost 6 months, I decided to give it a shot.

I went to a group interview determined to dazzle my potential employers and made a promise to myself that if I got this job, I would use this opportunity to pull my reputation out of the dumps.

Well, I dazzled them alright!

And after 8 months on a temporary position, I was hired permanently.

There was a substantial pay raise and a benefits package that is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

It wasn't hard to change my ways, and being on time wasn't as hard as it used to be. I love my work and my co-workers, so unless I am truly sick - I never miss a day. There were a few times when I tried to go to work, got there and got sent home for looking like death.

When I have called in sick, no one assumes that I am lying - when I come back, they are genuinely concerned about my wellbeing. There is a lot to be said for being trustworthy.

At my mid-year review, my supervisor was going over my performance and said that my attendance was outstanding.

I made her repeat herself and wanted to cry, because in my entire life no other employer had ever said that before.

Virtual Friendships

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from Melissa @ Merryland Girl

What is the longest relationship you've had with someone whom you've never met in person? (Talk about how you met, what your friendship has been like, etc.) Do you think you'll ever get to meet them?

addendum to the topic....if you don't have such a relationship (or have already talked about it in a different blog), please write about the strangest way you have ever met someone and what your friendship with them is like (different from the unexpected friendship question from our first topic ever).

Other contributors to The Thursday Blog Project are:

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Desperate Madness

Wow. Can it be? A blog topic in which I have nothing to contribute?

I have never maintained more than an acquaintance-level friendship with someone I've never met in real life before doing this blog project.

I have to say that my virtual friendships happen in reverse - case in point - Melissa: I met her through a mutual friend and thanks to Facebook, we've remained in touch even though she is now in MD.

The same goes for my friends, Laura & Angeli, we met as co-workers at Washington Mutual - Laura moved to NV and Angeli moved to the city and we all still stayed in touch via the internet and would visit whenever they came to town.

I can say that I look forward to finally meeting Tracey & Shara! Tracey has graciously invited me to join her at her Thursday Knit Night and if I can ever get my act together I would love to join her!

And as for Shara - I can't believe we live in the same town and haven't met yet!

Soon!

With a rebel yell, she cried mo', mo', mo'

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from me!

"Tell me about a time when you were rebellious - whether it be from your parents, a boss or even "The Man"."

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Desperate Madness

Merryland Girl

So, this evening while contemplating this blog and chatting with Tracey (Froggie Knits Like Crazy) it dawned on me that I wasn't very rebellious as a teen or now.

I did the usual crazy teen stuff.

I suppose I will give you a glimpse into my "wild side".

Not very many folks outside my immediate social circle know this, but now the whole internets will know: I used to smoke pot.

It all started in high school, when I succumbed to peer pressure.

I spent many nights, high as a kite and hiding from my mom.

I have to admit that I really enjoyed it, I felt more level headed, albeit, a little paranoid.

It was in my rebellious teen years when I was into whatever trouble I could get into. Granted, nowadays, I hardly regard smoking marijuana and skipping a few days of school as being that bad but at the time, it sure was.

Like most self-destructive phases, I grew out of it. It did resurface several years later, when I started a job that required me to be up very early, and I was having a hard time going to sleep at night. After awhile, it just phased itself out.

So there you go. The extent of my rebellion was that I used to smoke pot.

"We can work it out, we gonna work it out baby"

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from...Shara @ Desperate Madness:

What is your favorite thing to do when you are down and out/having a bad day?

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Merryland Girl

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

This may seem odd, but...I rarely get down.

I get into "Funks" as my mom describes them. "Funks" are intermittent periods of time in which I am feeling not like myself - it's usually emotional, as I have my own patented remedy relief from all common physical illnesses (I take baths, for the sole purpose of napping in the bathwater - don't mock me, I swear it works. And for the record, I have obviously never drowned, although the thought has crossed my mind.)

During these "Funks", I may or may not have a "Pity Party" for myself. I have also been known in my younger days to be a "Wendy Whiner".

"Funks" are a close relation to "Having a bug up one's ass" - I get those a lot.

During said "Funks" I don't really do anything different than I usually would. I go to work, watch TV, knit, what have you. I don't really do anything specific in regards to "Funk Removal", it just dissipates. Sometimes it's an hour, sometimes its a few days.

Charmingly Random brand "Funks" are short-lived. I think I have some kind of ADD that allows me to recover from things faster than other people.

I just can't stay down, and approach my "Funks" as hurdles to jump over to get back to feeling like me again.

Maybe that's what it is - I just don't like feeling bad.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to feel bad. In my case, I work through the "Funk" by identifying what caused it. Once I have figured out the WHY of the "Funk", it's not too long after that the "Funk" has gone.

To any readers in a "Funk", I'd like to offer this:

Jurassic 5 feat. Dave Matthews - Work It Out

PS - After I added the Dave song, I realized that usually I listen to a little bit of Dave during a "Funk". Dave always makes me happy.

Only my mother calls me Jennifer!

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.
-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from...Tracey @ Froggie Knits Like Crazy
Just one word: Nicknames

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:
Merryland Girl
Desperate Madness

In my 31 years, I have had a lot of nicknames.

For reasons unknown, my mom used to call me Punifer Baa Baa - to this day, she doesn't know why. And because I am a Jennifer, I have had all the nicknames that go along with that Jenn, Jenny, etc.

In 8th grade, I decided that I wanted to be called Jenna. That only ever stuck with my best friend's family.

During my brief stint in cosmetology school, I was called Shep - my last name was Schaeppi (pronounced Sheppy) - but that was a nickname only for beauty school.

As an adult, I decided that I wanted to be called Jenn - making it very clear that I was Jenn with 2 N's.

My family still calls me Jenny, and that's OK because I am used to it.

One thing I cannot stand is being called Jennifer by anyone other than my mom. All my life, she is the only one that can call me Jennifer without me being totally annoyed. I don't know what it is, maybe its the tone of her voice, but she is the only one I can tolerate.

Since I work in a call center, and introduce myself all day long to callers, I have a list of what people "think" my name is:

My favorite is a woman from West Virginia who said "What did you say your name was? Shenza?" - really? Is Shenza such a common name? I get called John, Joan, Jane, Jan. Sometimes, I get called Debra (?)

I actually get people who argue with me, when I say "Thank you for calling, my name is Jenn, how can I assist you?" and they say "You're name is Jennifer?" and I say "No, my name is Jenn." and they go on and on "But Jennifer is your given name!?" Why does there have to be any discussion? You are calling about your payroll, what difference does it make? I see that you're name is Dan, you introduced yourself as Dan, I am just going to call you Danny, or Daniel because after all, it *IS* your given name!

Sigh

And if nothing can be done, we'll make the best of what's around

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.

-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from...Melissa @ Merryland Girl:

what is your theme song? (if possible, share lyrics or a link to a website where people can play the song.)

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Desperate Madness

My theme song? That's easy: The Best Of What's Around - Dave Matthews Band

Dave's (yes, in my mind we are on a first name basis) lyrics always have a way of luring me in with familiarity.

There are so many of his songs that speak to me, and The Best of What's Around really appeals to the uber-optimist in me.

I am, in fact, dangerously optimistic. I have yet to determine if this is really such a bad thing, as historically speaking, things *do* work out for the best for me.

Sure, I have struggles. I suffer from the blahs, and get down and out (feel free to insert any other cliches here)

I truly think that the thing that gets me through is my perpetual belief that "everything's gonna be alright".

Most importantly, this song reminds me of my best friend, Christy, especially this verse:

See you and me Have a better time than most can dream Have it better than the best So we can pull on through Whatever tears at us Whatever holds us down And if nothing can be done We'll make the best of what's around

It's really a nod to our early 20's, when we would get ourselves into some crazy shenanigans, but it didn't matter 

the trouble we got into, we had each other.

Also, I find Dave Matthews to be incredibly attractive, in a completely non-sexual way.

I often have very odd dreams of him and I performing good deeds and having a good time.

Like I said. Odd.

And, without further ado, here is a link for your listening pleasure.

And here are the complete lyrics (which may or may not be the same as what you hear in the version I posted

the link to, Dave has a penchant for improvising when lyrics slip his mind)

The Waiting Game

Admittedly, I have been pretty checked out lately.

Since deciding that NOW is a good time to start trying for a baby, I find that I am COMPLETELY obsessed with all things regarding conception.

I am on Ravelry 24/7, as a member of a group called Knitters Trying To Conceive.

I know so much about cervical mucus and the exact timeline between ovulation to implantation.

Remember how I said I didn't want to be like that? Guess what. I totally am.

I have watched documentary after documentary on conception and am truly amazed that pregnancy could ever occur on its own.

As of right now, I am playing "The Waiting Game". This is the 2 week wait between ovulation and when the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) are high enough to take a home pregnancy test.

I am terrified.

Afraid of how I will feel if I am not pregnant, will I be sad? Relieved?

What if I am pregnant? That all it took was some proper planning and bam! Knocked up on the first real try?

I have spent the last 10 years wishing that I was pregnant, I am kind of scared of actually being pregnant.

I am (and will continue to) blame this post on my hormones. If it isn't because I am pregnant, it's because I am PMS'ing.

Good day!

It brought a tear to my eye..

I have often posted about how full of fail my first marriage was, but there is one thing. ONE. That truly, truly upset me.

My ex was neither religious or spiritual, was not raised with anything more than a belief in God and at 25 years old, didn't even know the true meaning of Easter.
At the time, this wasn't a huge issue because I wasn't a frequent church goer myself.

Several years ago, my nephew Jordan was being confirmed. My sister and her family attended a small church in Spring Grove, IL and we were invited to attend the confirmation ceremony.
Now, I have no objections what so ever to attending church, I just don't.
My ex-husband hated church, I was able to get him to agree to come with me. After all, it's just for an hour.
He went out "fishing with his dad" early that Sunday morning, with strict instruction to be home by 1pm so he could get showered and change clothes.
I called at 12:30pm to remind him to be on time, no answer on his cell phone.
At 1pm, I got dressed and ready to go, thinking that even if he showed up at 1:30pm, he'd still have plenty of time to get ready.
1:30pm passed, so did 2pm. I called and left him a voicemail message that said he had better hurry home and get changed, and meet me at the church and I headed out on my own.
He never showed up to the ceremony, I went out with my family to have dinner afterwards, and left him a voicemail through my gritted teeth about how he had better meet us at the restaurant.
He didn't.
I arrived back home around 6pm, he was not at home.
I called him, no answer.
7pm, 8pm no phone call.
At 9pm, he finally sauntered in. Oblivious of my fury.
I was in tears, asking how could he just blow this off?
His response? "You know I don't like church."
I screamed "It's not about you! It doesn't matter if you like church or not, it's about being there for our nephew during a very important event in his life! It's about honoring your commitments!"
He just shrugged his shoulders at me.
I still have no idea where he was all that day, or why he wouldn't answer his phone.

This long story came to mind yesterday, as my husband Kosta and I sat in St. Patrick's Catholic Church watching my dear friends' baby being christened.
I thought about how important the day was, and how glad I was to have my husband at my side with me.
My eyes welled up with tears that I had to blink back.
When we got to the car after the christening, I thanked him for coming with me and he looked surprised, as though there was never any question of whether or not he would go.

Beauty School drop out...no graduation day for you...

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.

-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from...Me!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a grown up, did you choose the profession you wanted as a child? If you didn't, what drew you to the profession you have?

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Merryland Girl

Desperate Madness

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be JUST LIKE my older sister, Stacey.

She was a beautician, and got her license by taking vocational in the College of Lake County's annex (now called the Lake County High School Technology Campus)

When I was a junior in high school, I begged my guidance counselor to get me into the program and she did, a semester late. I very quickly realized that this was not a good fit for me.

In my senior year, we had to start performing services on clients - these were usually elderly ladies from the area that could get their "Roux Fanci-Full Rinse" in 'White Minx'. We also did eyebrow waxing, facials and more manicures on more girl scout troops than I care to recall.

It was shortly after I had to start working on real people and not on the mannequin heads, like hers.

For the record, the mannequins we got in cosmetology school were labeled as "Manikins" and had the potential to cause nightmares.

I have one that I absconded from my sister, Stacey, and named her "Kyle"

I referenced her in this blog post.

I used to hide from the clients, move my name to the bottom of the list for the next client.

This was also when I learned that I can't paint fingernails to save my life, especially on wiggly little girls.

The clincher for not finishing cosmetology came when I had to wax eyebrows on a woman who wouldn't stop talking or close her eyes. Was she crazy? She was paying $2 for a 16 year old girl to drip hot wax on her face. Hold still and shut up before you lose an eye!

I finally resigned when I had an epiphany: I don't much care for touching strangers.

Especially strangers with questionable hygiene.

I did meet a lot of great gals (and a couple of cool guys, too!) and had a lot of fun, but in the end - it just wasn't the right occupation for me.

I spent many years waitressing, as some of us do, not so much because I loved people but because it was fast money.

When I finally broke into the office world, I found that I am a really good customer service representative.

And since 2001, I have worked in various call centers doing inbound customer service.

Sure, there are days when I want to pull out my hair but I really like the fact that once a call is over, there is little chance that I will ever talk to that person again.

Another reason inbound call centers are my niche? I cannot multitask, nor am I capable of looking busy when I am not.

In a call center environment, I take calls when they come. When they don't come, I check email and updates.

I am not required to do much else than devote my full attention to the client on the phone, once the client has been handled, they could care less where my full attention goes. I can give you a hint though...ahem...facebook...

Pick a book, any book

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.

-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from Shara @ Desperate Madness : This week - What is your absolute favorite book?

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Merryland Girl

Froggie Knits Like Crazy

Here's the thing - I can't pick just one!

I go through a lot of book phases, but always end up with what my mom refers to as "fluff".

I used to read like crazy, and go through books like water from a tap: I read Babysitter's Club books, Harlequin Romances & I especially loved Danielle Steel & VC Andrews books.

One year for Christmas, my mom bought me the entire Pearl series in hardback. I must have read them over and over again.

And then, something happened. I stopped reading books.

I don't remember how or why, but I just stopped. I do know that whenever I pick up an actual book now, I fall asleep reading it. Reading makes me feel anxious because I feel like my time could be put to better use. Doing what? I have no idea.

When I read, I get completely enveloped. I lose track of time and place, and have a difficult time snapping back into the world around me which makes reading at work during down time too difficult.

Thankfully, there are audio books. These I totally love. They make my long daily commute tolerable and when I am at home, I can knit while listening and I feel like I am multi-tasking.

My mom got me hooked on audio books, especially books by Patricia Cornwell, Rita Mae Brown & Janet Evanovich.

I do love a good mystery!

(My mom has also influenced the tv shows I watch, I never thought that would happen!)

I just finished "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich, and it was great. When I listen to books from the Stephanie Plum series, I always laugh out loud.

Recently, I have listened to the Twilight series & The Time Traveler's Wife.

I listened to most of the Harry Potter series on audio, and read a couple of them.

Regrettably, I am just not so much of a bookworm anymore. Maybe I will finally read Sundays at Tiffany's, since it has been sitting on the back seat of my car for almost a year...

Where do I fit in?

While waiting to start my 1st round of Clomid (technically, it's my second, but I have decided to wipe the slate clean and no longer acknowledge that I had a failed attempt at conception 7 years ago) and I find myself wondering: Where do I fit in?

All over the interwebs, there are an infinite number of websites, forums, blogs, etc. that seem to be home to those of us who don't just miss a period and find that we're pregnant out of the blue.

I can't seem to find somewhere that is a group of women with just a toe in the water of trying to conceive, everywhere I look, it's the woe-filled tales of women who have cannon-balled into trying to conceive and have been a slave to their cervical mucus & how many days past ovulation they are.
I don't want to be like that.
Well, maybe not yet.
I found a pretty good group on Ravelry, but there isn't even an "introduction" thread, it's all about the cycles and ovulation and waiting.
I will get there, but I did find it a little overwhelming since I am reading about everyone else and as of now have very little to contribute.
Sometimes, I have to google the abbreviations they use.

I suppose I will find a place, just feeling a bit out of it right now.

Starting down a new path

The time is now!

On Saturday, I had my annual female exam and discussed with my doctor that Kosta and I have really been thinking a lot about starting a family.
We know that it won't be instant, and that it will probably take some time.
My doctor prescribed me 4 rounds of the fertility medicine Clomid and told me that we can start the 1st round whenever we'd like.

On the car ride home from the doctor, my mind was racing.
In my purse was the prescription, we are one step closer.
I was instructed to start the meds on the 5th day of my cycle, and I didn't know it at that moment but Saturday just so happened to be day 1.

I was excited but terrified.
What if Kosta said no, that we couldn't start trying? What if he wasn't ready?

I got home and crawled back into bed with him (my appointment was early Saturday morning) and told him how the appointment went.
I then told him that Dr. Wong had given me the prescription, and asked if he thought we should start trying.
He was quiet for a moment, then said "I think we should."
Those were the most wonderful words I have ever heard.
Later that day, my cycle started which got me thinking even more.
Day 5 (the start date for the Clomid) will be Wednesday, April 21.
I was on the internet for several hours, researching and finding information about ovulation, etc.
I tracked my usual cycle length and it advised that I can take a pregnancy test as early as May 14.
This floored me.
I know it's unlikely, but in less than 1 month I could be pregnant.

I continue to be both excited and terrified.

Waiting for spring to 'spring'!

I have a few friends who knit and blog and we've decided to embark on a blog project that has nothing to do with knitting. We're going to take turns coming up with a topic every Thursday and we each have to blog about it by the end of that day and post links to each other's blogs so that people can see our different perspectives on the same topic.

-Thanks to Merryland Girl for this explanation of the Thursday Blog Project.

This week's topic comes from Tracey @ Froggie Knits Like Crazy: Write about your favorite season or time of year.

Other contributors to the Thursday Blog Project are:

Merryland Girl

Desperate Madness

Growing up, summer was where it was at! No school, no parental supervision during the day, sleeping in until noon, staying up all night.

Well, that changed when I became an adult and learned that June, July & August were just 3 months out of the year. Usually spent sitting behind a desk in a stuffy office.

Most folk complained about not having a window, or being able to see outside. I loved not having a window. I was never distracted by my longing to get up from my cubicle, grab my purse and make a hasty exit - never to return.

Driving to work in full 'business casual' dress, only to walk into the office looking rumpled and sweaty.

I became a stripper in the car on the way home and would manage to shed cardigans, pantyhose & shoes. Hair was pulled back into a sloppy pony to keep it from sticking to my forehead and face.

After several years of missing out on lounging poolside during the week, I said phooey on summer.

Oh, summer. You used to be my favorite! Now you are all hot and sweaty.

Now that I have reached the wizened age of 31, I have decided that Late Spring is my favorite season.

I realize that 'Late Spring' isn't really a season in itself, but I figure that it's my blog, and I can decide not only which season I like, but which part of the season I like. So there.

Moving on.

Late Spring is (by my definition) when it's warm enough outside to want to sit on a park bench in the sun, but not warm enough to get all sweaty (are you seeing a trend? I am not a fan of 'sweaty'. As a matter of fact, I am renaming the season of summer to "Sweaty Time")

In Late Spring, lilacs are in bloom and sweeten the air everywhere, and little black ants nibble away at the green cloaked buds of peonies.

In Late Spring, you will start to see the fruits of your labors from when you planted your garden during crappy, early spring (which gets no special capitalization). Bright green stalks shoot up from your dirt, letting you know that your brown thumb is getting a bit greener.

In Late Spring, you can sit outside and watch the stars at night with the delicate 'blink-blink-blink' of fireflies, instead of being swarmed by mosquitoes.

You know what else goes on in Late Spring? Weddings. Lot's of them. Including my own!

Everyone loves a Late Spring wedding! A vibrant selection of in-season flowers, wedding parties (and guests) that aren't all sweaty (<--there it is again...) and wilted looking, wedding cakes that stay pristine instead of melting.

So, the bottom line is this - there is very little "sweaty" in Late Spring. This pleases me.