Well, I guess that answers how long I could keep up. Three whole days before I forgot/got too busy. Oh well, I will not feel bad as I spent a lot of time last night making an awesome dinner I found on pinterest. So here we go with a double. (I'm sure it will not be the first in this month)
#4 - What would you do if you won the lottery (aside from pay off bills and donate?)
- I personally would first do our IUI with injects and IVF (if needed) in order to have a child...and then do it again until we had three kids...our life goal is two kids but if we had tons of money I think we'd want three.
- I'd buy a big house on the lake here in our little town of Lake in the Hills. But even with the lake I'd put in an infinity pool for fitness swimming & a hot tub. And make sure it had a HUGE deck for entertaining.
- I'd also buy a property down at Lake in the Ozarks in Missouri big enough for my family & Jeff's family to use for vacations (Six bedrooms would be needed but we could buy a three bedroom and convert a basement like my BFFs parents did.) And of course we'd need a boat & jet ski's LOL (if you're gonna dream, go big!)
- But first to enjoy the "we're retired!" feeling we'd take a long month vacation. First up? Vegas baby! We'd spend one week there, then drive to southern Cali for a week, and finally two weeks in Hawaii!
#5 - Fifteen facts about yourself
Are you ready for Kati fact overload? 1) I was born on Dec. 18th, 2) my dad was out of town on business & missed my birth. 3) we moved three times before my 2nd birthday due to my Dad's job in sales. 4) My first memory is the day we moved into our first house in Chicagoland (my 2nd Birthday). 5) I have an older brother named Dan. 6) He has three boys - Ryan (12), Connor (11), and Jack (9). 7) I loved gymnastics as a kid, but 8) a bone growth injury in the heal caused me to quit. 9) It also caused me to be in five casts in two years and on crutches 13 times! 10) My doc recommended swimming for PT afterward and I ended up being on the swim team in High School. 11) My three best friends worked with me as Lifeguards at the beach. 12) My BFF Barb introduced me to my husband by telling me "I met the man you are going to marry. 13) When I first met him, I thought Jeff looked "too old" for me. 14) He's 6 years older than me, but my soul mate. 15) I threw my first party ever (yes people, in college I just went to parties...never threw them) for his 40th birthday.
Ice bar in Vegas 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Blog Challenge; Day three: What's in my Make-up bag?
I will say it...I have boring make up. This can be taken one of two ways...I am beautiful on my own and don't need much to look pretty (LOL, I'd love to go with this one but I think Jeff is the only one who might really think this way), or option B...that I'm a cheap and simple. Well, I've often referred to myself as a T Shirt and Jeans girl. A laid back chick. And I guess my make up confirms it.
I use covergirl foundation, powder, and blush. I use Maybelline lipstick & mascara. My eye makeup is all over the board...the nicest is from Estee Lauder (christmas gift from mom). But everyday the eye makeup is the only thing that changes, everything else - including lipstick stays the same.
I sometimes wonder, is it because I don't like change? Or because I know what works - and if it isn't broke, don't fix it?
I know there are many girls who wear less make up than me...but to be honest it appears the other way around. There are many gals made up like they are planning to be in a play. A friend of mine in Iowa that I worked with once said it best...He said he felt if we went to bed together, he'd wake up with the same girl in the morning. But some girls, he felt if he saw them without their makeup he wouldn't recognize them. I keep it fairly natural.
I use covergirl foundation, powder, and blush. I use Maybelline lipstick & mascara. My eye makeup is all over the board...the nicest is from Estee Lauder (christmas gift from mom). But everyday the eye makeup is the only thing that changes, everything else - including lipstick stays the same.
I sometimes wonder, is it because I don't like change? Or because I know what works - and if it isn't broke, don't fix it?
I know there are many girls who wear less make up than me...but to be honest it appears the other way around. There are many gals made up like they are planning to be in a play. A friend of mine in Iowa that I worked with once said it best...He said he felt if we went to bed together, he'd wake up with the same girl in the morning. But some girls, he felt if he saw them without their makeup he wouldn't recognize them. I keep it fairly natural.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Blog Challenge- Day Two: What's in your Handbag
My mother in law refers to my purse as "the magical purse". Because I have a smaller purse than most everyone I know, and yet I'm always pulling anything anyone needs out of it. I HATE large purses, and fear that it's a side effect of becoming a mother. Don't get me wrong, I'll take that side effect! But hope that I can keep my medium size bag, instead of on of those gigantic suckers. Besides, that's what a diaper bag is for! So...what's inside this "magical bag"?
First of course is the wallet for obvious reasons. Next, is a little 3inch x2 inch book that my friend got me. It's awesome because you open it and it's a note pad on one side and an accordion file on the other - in the files I have coupons, stamps, a few pictures, and I still carry my two must haves from my wedding planning - a post-it with the cost breakdown and a contact list of all the vendors. I can't tell you how often in the past two and a half years since we got married that someones been planning a wedding and asked "who'd you use for alterations and what'd it cost?" or something similar. I whip out my book and tell them. I know I should let it go and put it in a scrap book but just have not gotten around to it. I also have a calendar, pen, and checkbook in there.
The next important thing is my camera and extra batteries. I am a former photo junkie! I don't take as many the past few years but I've gotten many a shots when someone said "I wish I'd brought my camera!" And I pull mine out. But with my new smart phone black berry, I have a feeling my camera will see much less use.
The rest I consider basic purse stuff...gum, lip gloss, tide stain stick, band aids, comb, Advil, a safety pin, sunglasses. OK, alright....maybe not everyone carries a USB jump drive - but I think they should. And sadly, because of my stupid retail job (thanks bad economy) I also have my Target name tag and a band for my tennis elbow. And all of this fits into my black leather Liz Claiborne purse that looks similar to the pic below (only black).
First of course is the wallet for obvious reasons. Next, is a little 3inch x2 inch book that my friend got me. It's awesome because you open it and it's a note pad on one side and an accordion file on the other - in the files I have coupons, stamps, a few pictures, and I still carry my two must haves from my wedding planning - a post-it with the cost breakdown and a contact list of all the vendors. I can't tell you how often in the past two and a half years since we got married that someones been planning a wedding and asked "who'd you use for alterations and what'd it cost?" or something similar. I whip out my book and tell them. I know I should let it go and put it in a scrap book but just have not gotten around to it. I also have a calendar, pen, and checkbook in there.
The next important thing is my camera and extra batteries. I am a former photo junkie! I don't take as many the past few years but I've gotten many a shots when someone said "I wish I'd brought my camera!" And I pull mine out. But with my new smart phone black berry, I have a feeling my camera will see much less use.
The rest I consider basic purse stuff...gum, lip gloss, tide stain stick, band aids, comb, Advil, a safety pin, sunglasses. OK, alright....maybe not everyone carries a USB jump drive - but I think they should. And sadly, because of my stupid retail job (thanks bad economy) I also have my Target name tag and a band for my tennis elbow. And all of this fits into my black leather Liz Claiborne purse that looks similar to the pic below (only black).
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Blog Challenge; Day One - Blog title
Today's topic? Why my blog is named what it is. The story behind my blog name is in this post. My first actual blog, twenty months ago. So I will not re-hash that.
But, looking back at that post did get me to thinking about how I had no idea how appropriate the title was at the time. When I came up with it, we had been trying for 12 cycles in 10 months. At that point, it seemed like I had "struggled" already. Don't get me wrong. In some ways, the first year was the hardest! Because it's when I learned about charting, over analyzed everything, cried with almost every negative test, and felt like I was a total failure because I didn't know "what was wrong".
But in another way, I had no idea the real struggle lay ahead of me. Getting the MFI Dx, and then learning I had low P4s & slight LPD was hard - on both Jeff and I. Then getting our hopes up with improved numbers with vitamins for Jeff. Then finally excepting medical ART intervention - but thinking, "well, it will work the first time because our Dx is really not that bad!" And finally having to accept having to break for over eight months due to finances. And now, that it's coming to an end in two weeks and we'll be able to cycle again. I feel like I'm back to where I was April 2011! But I try to remember that hope is a good thing (so says my favorite movie Shawshank Redemption). And the juice will be worth the squeeze damn it!
But, looking back at that post did get me to thinking about how I had no idea how appropriate the title was at the time. When I came up with it, we had been trying for 12 cycles in 10 months. At that point, it seemed like I had "struggled" already. Don't get me wrong. In some ways, the first year was the hardest! Because it's when I learned about charting, over analyzed everything, cried with almost every negative test, and felt like I was a total failure because I didn't know "what was wrong".
But in another way, I had no idea the real struggle lay ahead of me. Getting the MFI Dx, and then learning I had low P4s & slight LPD was hard - on both Jeff and I. Then getting our hopes up with improved numbers with vitamins for Jeff. Then finally excepting medical ART intervention - but thinking, "well, it will work the first time because our Dx is really not that bad!" And finally having to accept having to break for over eight months due to finances. And now, that it's coming to an end in two weeks and we'll be able to cycle again. I feel like I'm back to where I was April 2011! But I try to remember that hope is a good thing (so says my favorite movie Shawshank Redemption). And the juice will be worth the squeeze damn it!
Thirty Day Blog Challenge
So sbrowns at Happily Home Spun inspired me to do the "Thirty Day Blog Challenge" which can be found here. We'll see how good I am at keeping up with this once a day. Below is the list of the daily topics. I will be starting with "Day One" today in my next post. As I might have more to discuss than just the topic, I might actually be *gasp* blogging twice a day or longer posts. Feel free to ignore me while I embark on this blog-venture.
Day 2 - What's in your handbag?
Day 3 - What's in your makeup bag?
Day 4 - If you won the lottery what would you blow your money on (after charity and bills, of course) list 10 material possessions you would buy for yourself.
Day 5 - 15 facts about yourself.
Day 6- A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 7 - Where do you like to shop?
Day 8 - Describe your dream vacation.
Day 9 - List 5 things you want to do before you die.
Day 10 - What is your favorite book?
Day 11 - If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be?
Day 12 - List 5 pet peeves.
Day 13 - List 5 guilty pleasures.
Day 14 - Put your iPad on shuffle. List the first 10 songs that play.
Day 15 - Show your favorite outfit or fashion pieces.
Day 16 - How did you and your partner decide when you were ready to start trying to conceive?
Day 17 - Discuss the most ridiculous thing you ever heard about conception. Where did you hear it? Did it work for someone else? Did you try it?
Day 18 - Besides Mothers Day, what is the hardest holiday for you as an infertile?
Day 19 - Write a letter (one that you never have to send) to a fertile in your life. Did they hurt you? Support you? Tell them how you feel, all the things you can’t bring yourself to say in person.
Day 20 - Discuss how you found your way into the ALI community, and what being part of it has meant to you – good and bad.
Day 21 - If you had gotten pregnant that first month you started trying, how would you have been a different parent? What changes have you made to your parenting style (either current or future) in the time you spent trying to conceive?
Day 22 - What was the first baby or pregnancy-related purchase you ever made? Was it before or after you started trying to conceive? Or was it after you were already pregnant? Why did you choose that particular item to buy first? If you haven’t purchased anything yet, why not?
Day 23 - Talk about how you chose your RE.
Day 24 - If a very observant stranger were to walk into your house, what clues could lead them to believe that you have struggled with infertility?
Day 25 - Have you ever bonded with someone IRL over infertility?
Day 26 - Were you the product of infertility? Was anyone you know the product of infertility? How do you know? Or do you just suspect based on circumstances like age differences between siblings, time between marriage and conception, etc.
Day 27 - Talk about a time when you made someone in your life understand more about infertility.
Day 28 - What do you use the “nursery” for right now? If you already had a baby, what did you use it for before pregnancy?
Day 29 - If you had known that you would have trouble conceiving, what would you have done differently in life? If you already knew, did that knowledge affect your other life choices?
Day 30 -Tell us about a friendship you lost or a relationship that changed for the worse because of infertility.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
My own Doppleganger
So DH and I are sitting here watching repeats of How I Met Your Mother, and it's the episode where Lily says she and Marshal can't start TTC until they see the final doppelganger of their group - Barney's. At the end of the episode, Ted is telling Robin how much they've all changed in the five years since they met her and said, "Look we've all been searching for the five doppelgangers, right? But eventually, over time, we all become our own doppelgangers, you know, these completely different people who just happen to look like us. " And I have to say I am totally my own Doppelganger!
I met Jeff six months before Dec. 2006, but just in passing as my BFF said "that's the guy I said you're going to marry." I thought he looked a little "old". LOL. Then in mid Dec. she invited him out for my 29th birthday. We had our first dance & first kiss that night. And I thought he liked me...but he didn't ask for my number and weeks went by so I forgot about him again. And just six months from then - the last weekend in June '07 we will meet again; and that time we'd never be apart again! In between our first kiss and first actual date - I dated two other guys briefly, (*now referred to as drunk kid and poet boy) as well as had nine first dates in June from a dating website. Man, am I glad I saw what was wrong with those eleven guys!! They were not my true love...my Jeff. My other half.
But yes, I think I might still recognize myself even with all the changes if Kati v.2006 were to run into Kati v.2011. The job, the everyday life, the loves....they may all be different now in some ways. But deep down my doppelganger and I still have a lot in common aside from looks. I still take baths as often as possible. I still like to laugh in a relationship more than anything. I still think the three greatest foods ever invented are cheese, bacon, and peanut butter. And I still believe I was put on this earth to be a mom. I hope that five years from now I can look back at this time in my life, but with a four year old in my lap - and laugh at how again I am my own doppelganger. And at all the ways I've changed....and yet still stayed the same.
Five years ago, I looked almost exactly the same... but Dec. 2006 I was working in television in Milwaukee. I had been single for about nine months after the end of a rebound relationship to get over another guy. I was convinced I would never find love. In fact I had told my friend if I hadn't met "the man of my dreams" by the time I was 35, I would you ART and donor sperm to have a kid! And had even started researching the costs online because I thought I'd have to save up over the next few years (was happy to learn it was more affordable then I thought). How funny life turns out, as I am getting ready for round three of ART with my husband of two and a half years.
I met Jeff six months before Dec. 2006, but just in passing as my BFF said "that's the guy I said you're going to marry." I thought he looked a little "old". LOL. Then in mid Dec. she invited him out for my 29th birthday. We had our first dance & first kiss that night. And I thought he liked me...but he didn't ask for my number and weeks went by so I forgot about him again. And just six months from then - the last weekend in June '07 we will meet again; and that time we'd never be apart again! In between our first kiss and first actual date - I dated two other guys briefly, (*now referred to as drunk kid and poet boy) as well as had nine first dates in June from a dating website. Man, am I glad I saw what was wrong with those eleven guys!! They were not my true love...my Jeff. My other half.
But yes, I think I might still recognize myself even with all the changes if Kati v.2006 were to run into Kati v.2011. The job, the everyday life, the loves....they may all be different now in some ways. But deep down my doppelganger and I still have a lot in common aside from looks. I still take baths as often as possible. I still like to laugh in a relationship more than anything. I still think the three greatest foods ever invented are cheese, bacon, and peanut butter. And I still believe I was put on this earth to be a mom. I hope that five years from now I can look back at this time in my life, but with a four year old in my lap - and laugh at how again I am my own doppelganger. And at all the ways I've changed....and yet still stayed the same.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Happy Birthday to me...
Well, it's my Birthday! I am now 34, *sigh*. I am one of "those" people who love my birthday. When I was younger I would start a countdown from about a month away. As I've gotten older, I only point out to people when it's about a week away. But yeah, I love being told happy birthday. I love using the excuse "But it's my birthday" for things like getting out of work, or dishes, or for eating too much.
Last night was my In Laws annual Christmas party, and she made me feel special by having a small cake (filled with strawberries - YUM) and everyone sang to me and I blew out a candle - anyone wanna take a huge guess on what my wish was?
Well I don't know why the coincidence had to be, but today I saw a few posts on IF vets board that women were mentioning when they were turning 35...the mythical age where fertility starts to really go downhill. As if my egg reserve knows the date or something! Ha. But still...now I've spent part of MY DAY thinking how this is the last "good" year I have left. WTH? I know there are plenty of women using treatments to have a child after 35. And my AFC is fine. Why should a number make a difference? But it does. Stupid statistics crapping on my day.
But let's talk about why my day has been awesome. Jeff took me to Reese's for breakfast as requested. I had the "Eggs Bennedict Katie"...which DH swears they invented for me because it's regular bacon instead of Canadian bacon and the owner knows us well. (The other variations were not named after people, but locations.) Then we stopped for Eggnog Lattes on the way home. I've been able to lay around all day because I was able to get someone to work for me at the last possible moment last night before I left work. And tonight one of my BFFs arrives in town from Georgia for the holidays. She wants to get together for "mocktails" since she's KU. And quite frankly I had sooooo much to drink last night I am happy to make mine a "mock" as well. AND my college roommate who has been stationed in Germany the last three years is moving back to USA for her new assignment, and is in Chicagoland this week visiting her in laws. I get to have dinner with her tomorrow and meet her two children -ages two and a half (Guillian) and 14 months (Sean). I have not seen her since May 2008 so I'm super excited.
And finally, my gifts. Jeff had heard my constant complaining the last few months about my crappy phone and got me a smart phone that he let me pick out Friday night so that it'd be perfect. I picked the Blackberry Curve 9350 because of two factors - the full keyboard and battery life. After only being able to call and text....this thing is so cool! I spent my breaks at work yesterday bumping & looking at facebook. And last night at the party I played around with the camera on it. I think this will also be my new camera as it appears to take photos just as well (even though my camera is 8megapixels and the phone is only 5).
My parents got me a Victoria's Secret gift card because I had complained to my mother how I desperately need new bras but just have not spent money on clothes for myself in well... four years almost - since I left my career with the great salary. I just feel like we never have the money for it now, and don't want to be selfish. But I will have so much fun on Tuesday getting two new ones and maybe a few pairs of panties.
And my brother got me a beautiful sterling silver necklace at the length I asked for to help cover my thyroid scar. After a year and a half, it's not fading as fast as I'd like. And sadly - the necklace turns out to be about a half inch too short. Maybe I can find some way to extend it? Or buy some kick ass charm to cover it? Because I am really tired of it staring back at me from any picture of us. I'm sure it's not as noticeable to others but, yeah...it can be hidden.
So my birthday time is just what I wanted. Filled with friends & family. So what if I'm now 34? So far, the age has been good to me! Here's to hoping the rest of the year is just as good!
Last night was my In Laws annual Christmas party, and she made me feel special by having a small cake (filled with strawberries - YUM) and everyone sang to me and I blew out a candle - anyone wanna take a huge guess on what my wish was?
Well I don't know why the coincidence had to be, but today I saw a few posts on IF vets board that women were mentioning when they were turning 35...the mythical age where fertility starts to really go downhill. As if my egg reserve knows the date or something! Ha. But still...now I've spent part of MY DAY thinking how this is the last "good" year I have left. WTH? I know there are plenty of women using treatments to have a child after 35. And my AFC is fine. Why should a number make a difference? But it does. Stupid statistics crapping on my day.
But let's talk about why my day has been awesome. Jeff took me to Reese's for breakfast as requested. I had the "Eggs Bennedict Katie"...which DH swears they invented for me because it's regular bacon instead of Canadian bacon and the owner knows us well. (The other variations were not named after people, but locations.) Then we stopped for Eggnog Lattes on the way home. I've been able to lay around all day because I was able to get someone to work for me at the last possible moment last night before I left work. And tonight one of my BFFs arrives in town from Georgia for the holidays. She wants to get together for "mocktails" since she's KU. And quite frankly I had sooooo much to drink last night I am happy to make mine a "mock" as well. AND my college roommate who has been stationed in Germany the last three years is moving back to USA for her new assignment, and is in Chicagoland this week visiting her in laws. I get to have dinner with her tomorrow and meet her two children -ages two and a half (Guillian) and 14 months (Sean). I have not seen her since May 2008 so I'm super excited.
And finally, my gifts. Jeff had heard my constant complaining the last few months about my crappy phone and got me a smart phone that he let me pick out Friday night so that it'd be perfect. I picked the Blackberry Curve 9350 because of two factors - the full keyboard and battery life. After only being able to call and text....this thing is so cool! I spent my breaks at work yesterday bumping & looking at facebook. And last night at the party I played around with the camera on it. I think this will also be my new camera as it appears to take photos just as well (even though my camera is 8megapixels and the phone is only 5).
My parents got me a Victoria's Secret gift card because I had complained to my mother how I desperately need new bras but just have not spent money on clothes for myself in well... four years almost - since I left my career with the great salary. I just feel like we never have the money for it now, and don't want to be selfish. But I will have so much fun on Tuesday getting two new ones and maybe a few pairs of panties.
And my brother got me a beautiful sterling silver necklace at the length I asked for to help cover my thyroid scar. After a year and a half, it's not fading as fast as I'd like. And sadly - the necklace turns out to be about a half inch too short. Maybe I can find some way to extend it? Or buy some kick ass charm to cover it? Because I am really tired of it staring back at me from any picture of us. I'm sure it's not as noticeable to others but, yeah...it can be hidden.
So my birthday time is just what I wanted. Filled with friends & family. So what if I'm now 34? So far, the age has been good to me! Here's to hoping the rest of the year is just as good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)