Woman Overjoyed By Giant Uterine Parasite

NEW BRIGHTON, MN— "I'm so happy!" Crowley said of the golf ball–sized, nutrient-sapping organism that will eventually require hospitalization in order to be removed.

Day two of not working...

I'm on day two of not working. I start my new job at an elementary school on September 10th. Kent and I are working on a puzzle. Now all we have left is the annoying non-descriptive background peices to place.
Kent did most of it because he just can't walk away from the damn thing.
I already love this weekend because its so gorgeous outside.
HORRAY! for good weather!
Thanks to another burst of hormones I have added yet another pimple to my chin. Geez these hormones drive a girl nuts.
Me and "O" a.k.a. Olivia will probably discover someplace wonderful to walk and I will talk to her, "Who's the best dog in the whole world?" *Olivia looks up at me with her tounge half out smiling-rolls onto her back and wags her tail* It doesn't get much clearer than that folks!
I have a list of things I want to do today/this weekend:

• Go for a walk with Olivia
• Go to Radio Shack for a missing plug-in for my Ipod.
• Shop for new light fixture for my bathroom. I need affordable!
• Maybe pick out some paint colors?
• Pick of car from the mechanic.
• Visit Tanger Outlet Center's Labor Day sale.

There is more but I'm done listing things.

Here are some pictures from our trip to Denver. Top to bottom/right to left: Kent and I at Cubs/Rockies game [Cubs won but also inflicted serious injury to a Rockie who was up to bat when the Cubs pitcher accidentally hit him in the head with a fast ball- cubs got booed :( ], Kent enjoying a Black and Tan at an Irish pub outside the left field entrance to the stadium, Coors Stadium, Kent at aquarium with the sharks, Katy and Kent at the Zoo, Kent at Summit point in Estes park just before the rain.

(above from left to right: "The cousins"- Me, Kent, Shelly, Chis, Jared(?), Lisa and Joel)
Lisa and Joel got married Sept. 22nd, 2006 and had their reception this last month.

I have the utmost respect for all the women before me who have endured this thing called, "Pregnancy."

I'm at about 17 weeks and still puke in the morning. I have a pinched nerve where my leg meets my hip.I'm EXHAUSTED and I have acne like a teenager. I have another friend who is just as pregnant as I but her pregnancy has gone much smoother than mine.

At about week 15 Kent and I went to Colorado for a reception for a cousin of his. We camped some and, thankfully, were able to check into a motel for a few nights. Camping the first night was nightmarish. I don't think I slept more than an hour. It got better the two nights that followed. We camped at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden, CO. There is a gorgeous view of about 10+ mountain from a lookout in that park. Kent and I went for a very nice hike (minus the up-mountain hike portion of the hike) to that Panoramic point.

Kent's mother, Elaine, his Aunt Kay and cousin Shelly and Chris (any of you remember the guy yelling for someone to take him to breakfast during gift opening at my wedding?) stayed in Evergreen. That was a very quaint touristy town.Turned out that Shelly is only a week or two less pregnant than I!!! She is also having a fabulous complaint free pregnancy. She had been trying a very long time and had to endure a lot to conceive.

Kent and I had the best time in Denver where we saw the Cubs play the Rockies, went to the zoo, the aquarium and to the art museum. I LOVED DENVER! I would live there if it wasn't for having to drive a million miles around mountains to get anywhere. I also don't like the idea of driving through Nebraska anytime soon.

Now to tie in the Pregnancy to all this... Kent and I haven't seen a whole lot of each other. Kent wakes up to the sound of my retching in the morning but hasn't experienced all my emotional and physical changes.

Chris (Shelly's husband) is, lets face it, a loud mouthed, loving, hilarious Italian man. He is VERY involved in every stage of the pregnancy as he too waited and worried as they were trying to conceive. You could often Chris and Kent hiding somewhere to smoke what they professed was another one of their precious last cigarettes (that was more Chris than Kent). Shelly laid an ultimatum on Chris but I know better with Kent. You need to know when to strike, choose your battles, and expect nothing. Kent always performs but on his terms (usually). Kent has a prescribtion for Chantix but hasn't gotton it filled yet. Its going to happen when he's ready. I credit Chris for preparing my husband emotionally for the coming of our baby. Thank you so much Chris!

I honestly think Kent didn't know what to think (and sometimes still doesn't) when in comes to becoming a Dad and having a family. I think its been drilled into Kent's head for so long that it's something naughty or wrong to get a woman pregnant that he's adjusting to the idea that its okay now and actually very welcomed by our families. Guys are weird and programmed sometimes (no offense).

Kent was able to laugh and joke with Chris about their upcoming new roles. It was very nice to see. I always feel really good when I see Kent off with a friend (that doesn't make my skin crawl). He is generally a home body and its a relief when he gets out socially.

Lastly, I have quit my job folks... Don't ask. Long story. My last day is next Wednesday. I think we'll be okay but it is worrisome. I'm working on a plan. I might like to take this opportunity to see some family. Mom and I talked about the possibility of meeting my niece Madeline or going to see Grandma (+family) in Ohio. I love going to Ohio.

Oh, one more thing... The new house is coming along. Kent and I are in no rush to make everything perfect all at once. We will paint the baby's room after we find out the sex. I just read a friend's blog wehre she is also pregnant and she's WAY more on the ball then I have been. I have an appointment next week to get blood work done. My doctor calls it the "Big OB" exam. Then we will schedule an ultrasound. Pretty exciting even if there are no guarantees that they will be able to distinguish the sex.

Anyone have votes or suggestions for names?

Here are the current possibilities in order of likelihood that we will actually name our kid this:

Boys (According to me I'm having a boy):

1. Michael "Mikey" Anthony (which is funny because this is a prominent name in my family that I could never spell and let me add that it was at Kent's suggestion).


2. Martin "Marty"


3. Evan

Girls (according to Mom and Kent they want a girl)

1. Annette "Annie"


2. Vivian "Vi Vi"


3. Kara

I didn't post anything on Pop-o's Birthday but I spent the day with him on Saturday. It was great because I really missed my folks. I have been on a vacation in Colorado with my in-laws for a reception (more about that later).

I'd just like to dwell a bit more on my Pop-o.

Boy, is he the best. Popo works hard for his family. He isn't the most outgoing or showy of personalities but Popo can be very funny. The older I get the bigger kick I get out of spending time with him. I tell Momma, "I just like watching him because he's just such a goof-ball!"

Pop-o has always been the handsomest man I ever knew. I have compared his looks to Elvis Presley on occasion. People say he looks more like Raymond from, "Everybody loves Raymond," but he is really much more handsome than that.

Everybody knows that Pop-o is smart and is very successful but he also has a very big heart. He genuinely cares about the people in his life and has turned out to be a very fun Grandpa. Its not always easy to see how much Popo cares because of the aforementioned lack of showy but there are tells in the more subtle variety and he would do anything to ensure that the people he loves are safe from harm.

I have looked up to my father my whole life and know that when he is angry that he means business because most of the time he didn't pay any mind. So when he yells- I jump. Most the time he yelled because of something bad I had done to Mom. Popo was always the model of a protective and loving husband. I also admired my parents loving relationship and would take no less in my own marriage than the love my parents had.

Pop-o travels and enjoys fine things in life because he works hard to get those things. I hope you get to enjoy those things for another 50+ years Popo. Take care and I love you! Happy Birthday.

Happy belated Birthday Cutie.
Love, your pain in the ass sister.

Here it is! Here's the amazing Peanut with a beating heart!
Due date: January 29th, 2008.

Love you Pop-o!

I learned all the pleasures in life from you: Family, Wine, Travel, and hats ;)

Happy Father's day

Its true Folks!

I've got something like the above picture growing inside my uterus.

I've got morning sickness and about every other symptom you can imagine.

Growing an alien inside me.

Wish me luck!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a cpuple Mother's day quotes:

"A loving and careful mother both recognises and even protects her daughter's autonomy and also helps her dance out confidently on to a wider stage."

-Rachel Billington, b.1942, from "The Great Umbilical"

"My mother raised me, and then freed me."

Maya Angelou, b. 1928

"A mother and her daughter are never free of one another - no matter how they disagree.

For they are so entwined in heart and mind that,

gladly or unwillingly, they share each love, each joy, each sorrow and each bitter wrong life-long."

Pam Brown, b.1928

P.s. I can't speak for Mothers and Sons... I'll leave that to someone else ;)

My new House

*Contingent on Inspections and information regaurding the stream in back...

Lepic Kroeger Website
MLS # 20072665


Visit this wonderful walk-out ranch and see why the quiet street and beautiful backyard make this a rare find. Screened Porch over looks large yard, mature trees and little creek. 3 bedrooms 2 baths and non-conforming 4th bedroom in lower level. Newer windows & siding. The garage is deep and the driveway widens for an extra parking space. Plenty of storage space inside. Updates include water heater, water softener, dishwasher & stove.

Type : Ranch
Bedrooms : 3
Bathrooms : 2

I have just finished catching up on all my family's blogs.
Today is St. Patty's day. I'm (I think) 1/8 Irish. My grandmother (Marge Cushing) was full Irish-which makes my father 1/2 Irish which passes down to me as 1/4.... Hmmmm.... Maybe she was 1/2 Irish. I'm confused.
My brother and I went to Ireland together. I was pretty sick during that part of my trip but I did enjoy some of its beauty. For example... Kissing the Blarney stone and Kilkenny castle. We drove around and Chris got pissed drinking Guinness. How many was it Chris?... Eleven?
Yesterday, Which was Lent and it was, therefore, a sin that I had my pints of Guinness with my Jamison Baily's back/shots before the actual St. Patrick's day. I also ate a corned beef Reuben yesterday. I'm such a sinner.... The corned beef on FRIDAY?!?!?! I think the Pope pardoned us last year but I didn't hear anything about yesterday.
Today, I pretty much just feel like sitting at home, cleaning, shopping and surfing the Internet for new homes for Kent and I. Kent had to go to work today and I'm at the end of my "Kent working every night" rope. Well, if you can't change 'em... join em' eh? Nah, I value my sanity too much (what little of it I have left).
Nice reading all your blogs... Keep posting!

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and a little sassy, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine, the men! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

Personality Disorder Test. Fun for the whole Family! Disorder	Rating
Paranoid Disorder:	Moderate
Schizoid Disorder:	Low
Schizotypal Disorder:	High
Antisocial Disorder:	Low
Borderline Disorder:	Low
Histrionic Disorder:	Very High
Narcissistic Disorder:	High
Avoidant Disorder:	Moderate
Dependent Disorder:	Moderate
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:	Low
-- Personality Disorder Test - Take It! -- -- Personality Disorders --

Beautiful farm I'm dreaming about these days (thanks JR) is seen here:

http://www.benndog.com

I think the Coghill-Behrends and I are thinking back to the days when our idea was to run an "Art Farm"...

...Promotion city....
Well, I did it. I accepted the promotion at work. I will soon be considered an administrator and will be working directly under the executive director. My on-call will be increased but I will be 2nd tier so I will receive less of the silly calls and more of the serious scenario calls... yikes.
I have a lot to learn-being so new to the business. I think I have a lot of homework ahead of me. However, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to build on my skills. This will be interesting. Wish me luck. I think I'm going to need it.

These pictures made me laugh out loud today. I can't believe Chris could tolerate that bitch on his face like that. The former is testament to the insanity that was our household. I remember Mike and Chris saying their friends came over just to "watch the show". I miss those days... As children our differences made a hysterical fusion.

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion 83% Stability 73% Orderliness 53% Accommodation 30% Interdependence 63% Intellectual 23% Mystical 30% Artistic 90% Religious 16% Hedonism 50% Materialism 90% Narcissism 36% Adventurousness 83% Work ethic 83% Self absorbed 43% Conflict seeking 16% Need to dominate 50% Romantic 63% Avoidant 23% Anti-authority 76% Wealth 63% Dependency 70% Change averse 23% Cautiousness 16% Individuality 63% Sexuality 63% Peter pan complex 56% Physical security 90% Physical Fitness 37% Histrionic 63% Paranoia 23% Vanity 56% Hypersensitivity 63% Female cliche 76%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Personality snapshot: social, outgoing, worry free, optimistic, upbeat, tough, likes large parties, makes friends easily, rarely irritated, open, enjoys leadership, trusting, dominant, thrill seeker, strong, does not like to be alone, assertive, mind over heart, confident, controlling, feels desirable, likes the spotlight, loves food, social chameleon, hard working, concerned about others

What can I say, I'm into tests right now.

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Brains > Will

I think my parent's are having an anniversary soon. Keep up the good work guys! Love ya!

Gracie was running to the light with the sound of "Her girl, Here girl" coming from god when the kennel rudely stuck an IV in her and revived her.
Gracie came back to life and said, "DAMN IT!"
Live in peace ole girl. They'll let you die someday.

This is our adorable Madeleine...
I made her the kitty blanket she's lying on.
Thank you Chris and Trish for the pics... I'll take some of the booties if you don't mind, too!

I had another Katy dream adaptation of Florence the other night.
There is a very yummy and regional soup that you can only find this time of year in Florence called Ribolitta. In English is means "Reheated" because the more you use it as leftovers the better it tastes.
I went to this little Tavola calda after class in the winter and had this soup with a side of roasted chicken for lunch with my friends. That's been a hard experience to replicate. It took a long time to find this recipe. However, since the surgance of Rachel Ray its in her cookbooks. You can also find Pasta Carbonara which is "bacon and eggs" pasta- a Roman delicacy. I think that the word Carbonara comes from the family name Carbonari and is a secret society today. Or it could have something to do with the cooking process involving coal. I like the former idea better. Rachel Ray calls it, "Coal Miner's pasta". She's probably right.

Here are the recipes:

Ribollita
-means “reheated” in Italian- soup that tastes better with each reheating. Also, a native Tuscan staple food in the winter time.
Ingredients:
1. 2 onions
2. 6 Carrots
3. 4 ribs of celery
4. Fresh Parsley to taste
5. Cubed bread (day old, stale is fine)
6. Curly chard (handful or two- chopped)
7. 4-5 cloves of garlic
8. 5 large tomatoes
9. A heel of parmigiana (grate the actual cheese part for sprinkling on top)
10. Vegetable stock or meat stock
11. 1 lb of white Tuscan beans (Great Northern work fine)
*You can also put in any leftover pasta, green beans, peas, pancetta, and potatoes)

directions: Prepare a lb of white beans (Well washed). Cover w/ water in a stock pot and bring them to a boil. Take them off the heat and let them sit in the water for a couple of hours. Add more water to cover, add seasonings, and simmer until barely done. They should be watched because they ten to become mushy soon after they are done.
Clean and cut into medium dice: Onion, carrot, celery, curly cabbage or chard, garlic, and tomatoes. Mince a bunch of parsley. Saute the onion and carrots in olive oil.
After a few minutes, add the celery, then the chard and the garlic, adding more oil as needed.
Cook 10 min.s then add tomatoes, a heel of parmigiano and the beans. Add enough stock (vegetable, chix, or beef) to cover. Bring to boil, then simmer 1 hr to blend flavors. Add the cubes of bread. Allow to rest for several hours. Add parsley, reheat, and serve w/grated parmigiano on top and olive oil to pass around the table. Finally, add leftovers.
(Makes 15 servings depending on stock)

Pasta Carbonara:

makes 4 generous servings

1 lb spaghetti
salt
a drizzle, plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (I like 1st cold pressed *KO)
1/3 lb pancetta, chopped (Italian meat (Bacon) available at deli counter or specialty meats and cheeses section of grocer)
4 or 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped (*KO says do the work and chop it your self - do not buy pre-chopped garlic)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, w few pinches, crushed in palm of hand.
1/2 c white wine or chicken stock
2 lg egg yolks or 1/2 pt container of pasteurized egg product
1/4 c boiling water
1/4 cp grated Parmigiano Reggiano chz (2 handfuls) plus extra or passing at table (again- do the work and grate it yourself from an authentic Italian cheese *KO)
a handful of fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
coarse salt (a must have in every serious food lovers kitchen), to taste
several grinds of black pepper (again no shaker of pepper- you should have a grinder with good peppercorns)

Warning: do not drain pasta until you complete step 3!

1. Place a large pot of water on the stove and when it comes to a rolling boil, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente (to the tooth), about 7 to 8 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Saute pancetta in a drizzle of oil until it browns, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 2 tbls olive oil, garlic and crushes pepper flakes and saute, 2 minutes. Add wine or stock to pan and reduce liquid by half, about 1 min.

3. Beat together egg yolks or egg product, and while whisking vigorously stir in a ladle of the boiling pasta water.

Drain pasta, and add pasta to pan with pancetta and garlic and remove from heat. Add egg mixture, cheese, parsley, salt, black pepper and toss 2 minutes until sauce is absorbed and thickly coating the pasta. Adjust seasonings and serve immediately with extra cheese

As embarrassing as this is for me to post... In light of the Gini essays on G-ma and G-pa O: here is a very early Katy artwork (circa 1990)... Mikey wrote an essay on Grandpa O and I drew them... I think Grandma O would have been happy that I drew her thin (although I wasn't trying to at the time).

(this is the same quiz from last year... thought I would repost and cross reference my 2005-2006 with my 2006-07 answers.)
The New Year's quiz
1. what did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
2005: Plan wedding
2006: Married and Honeymoon!
2. did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
2005:I kept most of them at one time or another. I didn't go to Europe with Kent, however.
2006:I accomplished a few more (I keep a list on the fridge and a few more are checked off).

3. did anyone close to you give birth?
2005:My Cousin Chu had his second baby this year.
2006: My friends Genevieve and Rich had Joshua and Chris and Trish had Madeline
4. did anyone close to you die?
2005:My grandpa Charles Anthony Wuennemann died around St. Patty's day
2006: No, thank goodness
5. what countries did you visit?
2005: Mexico and America
2006: Mexico and America
6. what would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
2005: more money and a single job that makes me happy.
2006: More time with Kent (travel)
7. what date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2005: Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies left in the storm.
2006: September 2nd: My wedding!
8. what was your biggest achievement of the year?
2005: Being a good girlfriend to Kent and trying to be a good friend.
2006: Getting "one job to rule them all!"
9. what was your biggest failure?
2005: Not going to Europe.
2006: Getting into Guitar Lessons and having to bow out after a month because I didn't have time to practice.
10. did you suffer illness or injury?
2005: It was decided that I suffer of depression
2006: A sprained ankle, sprained wrist, and a bout with a digestive virus
11. what was the best thing you bought?
2005: I bought a bike off my friend, Melissa's, Dad.
2006: I got a lot of gifts this year so I didn't buy anything too major. Maybe my Honeymoon...
12. whose behavior merited celebration?
2005: My girlfriend Genevieve and her husband Dr. Rich got knocked up!
2006: Everyone who went to my wedding! Thanks for coming- everyone was a joy to be with!
13. whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
2005: I plea the right to stay silent!
2006: Oh my, this really is an incriminating question. You know who you are...
14. where did most of your money go?
2005: Bills.
2006: Wedding stuff or bills.
15. what did you get really, really, really excited about?
2005: Planning my wedding, the prospect of moving and going to school, seeing my parents.
2006: Getting Married and going on my honeymoon. Quitting the school job and working at Reach.
16. what song(s) will always remind you of 2005?
2005: ?
2006: "Fly me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra
17. compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder?:
2005: Happy- horray for medication!
2006: Happier (not due to meds :)
ii. thinner or fatter?:
2005: maybe a little fatter
2006: a little thinner
iii. richer or poorer?:
2005: Approximately the same.
2006: richer (a little)
18. what do you wish you’d done more of?
2005: Traveling
2006: Camping
19. what do you wish you’d done less of?
2005: sleeping. I slept most of 2005 away.
2006: watching TV
20. how did you spend christmas?
2005: With my honey, Kent, warm and cozy.
2006: with Mom and Dad (lots of food and fun!)
22. did you fall in love in 2005?
2005:I am always falling in love again with Kent.
2006: ditto
23. what was your favorite TV program?
2005: Project Runway
2006: Lost
24. do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
2005: No
2006: Sort of...in retrospect
25. what was the best book you read?
2005: Harry Potter #6 was pretty good.
2006: another Douglas Adams book. They are pretty funny
your greatest musical discovery?
2005: That I hate R. Kelly's multi par song "In the closet"
2006: Shakira SHAKIRA!!!
(I don’t know what happened to 27 and 28)
29. what did you want and get?
2005: I wanted a nice place to have a wedding and I got it... wedding still on the way!
2006: a happy and joyous family filled wedding!
30. what did you want and not get?
2005: I generally want too much so I won't bore you with the list.
2006: (shhhhh.... a wedding band)
31. what was your favorite film of this year?
2005: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
2006: maybe "Running with Scissors"
32. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
2005: I turned 28. I can't remember. Must not have been too exciting. Unless it was the one where I got the New England travel guide from Andy and JR- In which case I had a nice breakfast at my friends' Melissa and Sarah's house.
2006: Low key again. I think it was a nice european lunch with my friends and dinner with Kent.
33. what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
2005: Traveling to Europe with Kent.
2006: Ditto
34. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
2005: Kinda sloppy. Sometimes i dressed up but mostly I just wore what I've been wearing for the last four-ten years. I don't buy new clothes very often.
2006: Improved... more assecories and a little more razzle dazzle.
35. what kept you sane?
2005: Looking forward to moving, going to grad school, my friends, and Kent.
2006: Knitting
36. which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
2005: Definitly Colin Firth.
2006: Maybe Johnny Depp
37. what political issue stirred you the most?
2005: Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies that were left in the storm.
2006: Gay Marriage... want my friends to be able to get legally married in name.
38. who did you miss?
2005: My parents in Mexico and Kara in Australia.
2006: My brothers and their kids... after getting a taste of my family I want more of that too!
39. who was the best new person you met?
2005: i think my best new people are the new associates that worked in the same classroom with me, Jessica Gordon and Brian Rath.
2006: Friends from work at Reach.
40. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
2005: There is no such thing as constructive criticism. To construct is to build up and to cricize is to break down and pick apart.
2006: Stay cool- don't lost yourself to stress.
41. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
2005: The lyrics to "I'm telling you now" by Keb Mo'
2006: Lryics to "my hips don't lie" - FUN FUN FUN (Chicago's bachelorette party, the wedding, and out with my friends! Also a lot of workouts to my ipod)

Honorable Father in law dressed in his new overalls from Katy.

It was a very special Christmas. Mom kept saying, "Ohhhhhhh! I don't want today to end!"
Christmas is her favorite thing in the whole world second to any grandbabies that come her way...
I had the pleasure of giving some very special gifts as well as receiving a few.

For giving:
I got my honorable father-in-law overalls and a denim hat to match... I will post a pic. His father was Kent's favorite person growing up. He had a farm and kept squirrels (sort of like pets) in the bibs of his overalls and would feed them little things from time to time (as Kent tells the story). He would also get up in the middle of a meal because he thought he heard a rabbit or a raccoon getting into things and shoot his shotgun out at the yard.
Anyway, Duane was delighted by his overalls and hat. He put them on right away. I got down on my hands and knees and I folded up the cuffs to mark where they should be hemmed. I took them to my mom to hem and back to CR on the way home. When we drove up into the Olson's driveway Duane popped out of no where for his overall almost as if he had been waiting for them all morning long.
I got our nephew AJ (you may remember him as the usher at my wedding) a PSP game-thingy. He was confused by our generosity and we had to convince him that he could take it home with him.

For Getting:
Aunt Gini put together a very special collection of Obert memories. The complaint letters made me laugh out loud and a few of the stories choked up tears in my throat. All x-mas morning Dad, Mom and I read excerpts out loud and laughed and shared.
Excellent gift Gini. Good job putting that disclaimer in the front too! Way to stay one step ahead of the game! If someone has a different recollection they can write it in! It would be cool to see all the different versions of the same story.

I'm addicted to www.postsecret.blogspot.com

It started out as an art project where people mailed creative postcards with very personal secrets divulged on them. Now they are scanned into this blog and changed every Sunday.

I haven't mailed a secret in yet...

Here is our beautiful sleeping X-mas pup.

isn't she cuuuuuute?

I've spent so much of this last month in a hibernation mode. I don't know if I'm subconsciously self medicating or if I'm just plain lazy but every night I've been coming home, cooking something for Kent, settling into my knitting and my television.
Tonight I did just that once again. However, instead of just watching television I decided to rent movies. I rented "Click"- that one produced by Adam Sandler.
It hit a resonate chord with me somehow. It made me realize that sometimes we live our lives in auto-pilot and before we know it a month goes by, then a year, then five years...
The guy in the movie is so anxious to make life better for himself and his family he fast forwards through the struggle to find that he lived his whole life with only one goal in mind and missed out on love, family, and himself.
I'm 29... I'll be thirty in April.
Its not old but I find that I keep looking to the next, "what's next..." Family? Marriage? Babies? A promotion? A move?
I have parents 45 min.s away. for the first time in about 6 years. My brothers haven't lives close to their parents since about 1990. That would be 16 years.
In that 16 years we have probably spent about 4 months of it as a family. Five of us: Mother, Father, two brothers and a sister.
Every one's life is different and it is what it is. Shit, Kent lives 25 min.s from his mother and father and see them only on holidays. When its all said and done, I wouldn't have it any other way. My brother, Chris, lives a very happy life in Seattle and has a beautiful wife and daughter and lots of family to bother him on a regular basis. My brother Mike also is happily married with a hilarious and joyful son in sunny weather and has a successful career. We are all strong, capable, and complete individuals.
Mom and Pop-o have traveled the world over and have seen many wonderful things.
Pop-o wants us to take a summer vacations in the Rocky Mountains. All of us with each our consecutive families. I guess uploading all those slides to his computer has made him a little nostalgic too...
I told him that I didn't know. That Kent and I were thinking of a trip to Europe. Pop-o said, "I understand, You guys have your dreams" and I smiled.
I think Kent and I may not worry about that for now. There will always be Europe (well, maybe not Venice but Venice smells funny anyway). If everyone is willing then so am I. Who am I to argue with good timing?

Well, I'm working late tonight to prepare myself for having tomorrow off. I will be taking my Popo to the airport and (maybe) having breakfast with him... Our new furniture will be coming soon so Kent and I have to pack up our old Futon in their truck to store at Mom and Pop-o's until we buy a house.
Ahhhhh, the old Futon...
The site of many firsts. ah-hem.
Its the end of an era, folks!
We are now in the realm of grown-up comfortable furniture. A very big step...
Gone are the days of using a case of beer or a dog as a footstool... Today, Couches Recline!

I'm so looking forward to this.

My loving husband got up and made my favorite breakfast for me: Eggs Benedict. Mmmmmm. Home-made hollendaise sauce is really the best. And to make it extra naughty be melted a slice of cheese under the ham. Oh boy.... Hellooooo heart attack. I sometimes wish I my tastes were less rich but I've always been this way. I try to eat healthy for the majority of my life but when my husband makes me eggs benny am I going to refuse? Hardly.
I had a really lovely weekend. I saw the movie Running with Scissors with my friends. It was one of those movies that sucks you in so much you have a skewed sense of reality when you walk out.
Today, I went to the Chek Slovak village in Cedar Rapids and saw a Christmas fair at the farmers market there. I ate smoked bratwurst with saurkraut and drank spiced cider with Rich, Joshua and Genevieve. We went to Kid'r'us after and looked at toys. I'm shopping for something very special I'm looking into for Madeline but it has to be just right so I'm going to take my time picking it out. I knitted a lot because I'm working on a project for the baby I wasn't supposed to know about (as I've been calling it). It was a full- all for me and none for work- weekend. I love those. Oh yeah, and I got to do one of my favorite things- I went on a dog walk out behind my apartment building (in the wetlands) with my friend JR and his daughter Hannah. There's actually more, too! I sang Karaoke at the American Legion with friends. The songs I sang were:
-Bon Jovi: Livin' on a prayer
-Fever
-One way or another by Blondie

I had a good weekend. I'm going to finish it off by watching an all new episode of The Simpsons.

Ahhhhhhh... Too bad we have to get off our duffs and work every Monday morning. Ah, it's not so bad. I like my job, too.

Who else had a nice weekend?

Here is the house. Keep it on the DL. Kent takes a lot of convincing on this sort of matter... He wants to buy a crap house, pay it off in five years (Wa?) and then upgrade. I tell him- as first time buyers we should get something we can grow and settle into... Its a buyers market, blah... Everything my friends tell me (don't tell him I said that either). He never reads this thing anyway...
Also I'm working on the top ten ways to approach the subject of baby with your husband. In today's age everyone is on birth control. You really have to screw it up in order to get pregnant. Gone are the days of "Opps, sorry!" You see, that would be so much easier! If I get pregnant its because I tried. Also with BC being so low in hormones, ect... The chances of my doctor telling me I have to get off it are nil... So, Mom and I started a list:
1. "Honey, are we going to talk about having a baby or do you just want to be surprised?"
2. "Do you want to be 90 when your kid's in college?"
Please... Post away with your add ons.. I have a feeling this subject has potential to be pretty funny.

Well, I can check the Haunted Corn Maize off my list.
I went with the Barron girls, Genevieve and Rich and Sara's sister, Carrie.
Genevieve and Rich brought Joshua to the corn maize which added an extra element of silliness. Baby's first haunted corn maize. He was so cute in his jumper with a hood that looked like cat ears. He was fairly amused until he got hungry. The witch asked if he was going to be the baby to brew in her cauldron. He he.
The chainsaw guy dressed as "jason" was funny... he ran after us with his chainsaw and turned around and cooed at the baby.
There was a part with a bunch of scarecrows. Carrie was joking around that she was going to grab all their crotches to see if any of them were actual people and while she just started to do so- a real guy jumped out before she could get to his crotch.
We did put jamison and vodka in our hot choclates and got a little loopy... Gen was the DD. All in all fun was had by all. We were going to make our way over to the Haunted Barn but the line was over an hour long... Rich was waiting in the car with Josh for that one so we decided it wasn't worth the wait and strain on Rich in the car.
I got home in time to dutifully make dinner for my returning from work husband (pasta with marinara).
We can't wait for our new furniture. We're really moving up in the world! Secretly we also have our eyes on a house on Grant Wood St. (Or not so secretly now). I will try to post a pic of it later.
No more bachelor pad!

"Wanna see my monkey?"

I just scanned this one in from Xcaret. Very fun day trip from Cancun. It was very hot and there was an underground river to snorkel through. However, people mostly just bobbed around in there and it was really too dark for snorkeling anyway. But put fins on Kent and just try to keep up! He's an ex-state swimmer and prides himself on being a fish in water. I'm a fine slower swimmer.I just felt bad for the people Kent and I plowed past in there who were just trying to relax! Oh well, it still felt good getting in that cold water on 100+ degree day.

Ahhhhhhhh....
To be off of on-call duty. That's all I'm going to say about that. Other than... I'm not a doctor and I sure as hell don't make money or have had the schooling of one... but being on call for a week at a time is hard.
I didn't realize how much it sucks life from one's soul until I found myself cuddled with my PS2 games just waiting for the next problem to find its way through the dreaded cell phone. Okay, now I'm done.
Kent was getting a little frustrated that I was so useless. To make up for it I've emptied the refrigerator and scrubbed it clean and like new, did the dishes and I'm going to make him steak for dinner.
Its hard for me to say anything about my life that isn't related to work right now...

So I will think of things I do want to do... this fall:

• Drink mulled wine
• walk through the Haunted Maize (corn maze set up like a haunted house)
• drink something hot and spiked out of flask while going through maize
• walk through haunted barn- get my wits scared out of me
• make baked stuff
• go to Kalona and Amana Colonies while the leaves are still bright!
• Rent a pontoon boat and look at foliage from it while eating a tuna fish sub from Hungry Hobo
• Sit in new furniture Kent and I ordered due sometime in November
• go for a bike ride
• Why does fall always make me want to drink Guinness chase it with Jamison Bailys and eat burgers?

New list to come for winter!

More honeymoon pics for mom.

In the spirit of the Patrick/grandpa phenomonon I post this love photo.

..Another lovely night in Cancun.

Here is me at Xcaret.... hooooooooo... hummmmmmmmm...

Kent and I built a very impressive sand castle on our Honeymoon. We didn't see anyone else building sandcastles but the other people walking on the beach enjoyed looking at it.
I'm always appreciative of Kent when I watch him build things. He is very determined and he can stay focused for hours when he's making something. It reminds me of myself when I'm painting or drawing. His mouth goes agape and his brows furrow.
Very handsome.

"Okay Uncle Bernie and Aunt Teri! I'm ready to fish!"

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it might be interesting what my family's results would be....

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Yankee

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Kent and I have returned from our honeymoon (last night at about midnight). We had a fabulous time. Here are some of the pictures to illustrate:
Everyday usally started the same. That is wake at 7:30 am, reserve spot on beach with an umbrella, eat a big breakfast, get swimsuit on and lounge on beach until done. I loved that ocean. I had never seen anything remotely as clear and blue and full of aquatic life! We snorkeled in it, bounce around in it and generally enjoyed the veiw and sounds of it. Don't get me wrong- I'm sure there is better ocean beaches and aquatic life out there- I just haven't seen it.

We stayed in one of the biggest resorts I saw in cancun with what seemed to me the biggest and best beach any resort was offering. The resort was all inclusive so we never had to buy a meal. We got reservations for the Brazillian and the Japanese restaurants which had a dress code and a menu so it had the illusion of going out to eat and not stuffing your face at a buffet. Buffets are hard for those of us with a problem with protion control and who eat fast. I made sure to always eat a big plate of salad before diving into anything serious. On the otherhand, Kent did not worry and oinked his way through our vacation with multiple plates full of food. Men... They have it so easy. It was his vacation and normally I'm worrying about him not eating enough so I didn't say anything.
I still think I probably gained up to 10 pounds. I haven't weighed myself yet and don't want to. I have Jenny on Wednesday and will really have to face the reality of 24 hr. of free drinks and food.

Kent and I did find time fore activites and excersize too! We went snorkeling without fins (as they were always, "out" of them due to so many kiddos running around). So that meant more muscle power to swim around the ocean. Also we spent a day at X-caret which if anyone one visits Cancun I would highly recommend. While weighing our choices for a day trip Kent and I liked the idea of someplace that had "underground tunnels" both for swimming and walking as the sun was very hot. I had talked to vacationers coming off buses from some of the Mayan ruins that said they had been to, "Hell and back" as it was so damn hot and long of a day.
X-caret was perfect as its part Zoo, part beach, part historical and part theatrical show! I took pictures on a disposable that I will post later. It was recommended to us by my parents and another couple I know, Sarah and JohnDavid that also went to Cancun for their honeymoon.
We shopped at "La Isla", at the flea market (we mostly just got barked at there), and at a few malls. Kent bought an obsidian skull, a shirt and a hat. I bought a mask that has a Mayan face (mask) which is split into young, old and skull. I think its fascinating that the same themes such as this one carry throughout ages and regions. I also got some gifts for co-workers who helped out my caseload while I was away, a gift for Madeline, a hand embroidered shirt ( I wanted the Frida Kahlo big white dress: mostly because I thought it would be fun to wear when I get pregnant but settled on the cheaper one that was just as beautiful), and I bought a Cubano. Some other knick knacks too but I can't remember.

Lastly I want to say thanks to all of you who helped us out so generously at the wedding. I was so amazed at the love everyone put into our weekend. It really made Kent and I feel so good and relieved to have that kind of love and support. Every couple should be blessed with the kind of family I was so proud of at my wedding. I was really proud and happy to have all of you there! Sorry to those of you who couldn't make it- We love and missed you and thought of you. You were in our hearts.

Smoking and Health Resolution

Alright, I felt bad about the whopper and the chinese food. I went for a run tonight and exfoliated my skin. I'm on the road to recovery... Its amazing the difference you feel when you stop working out. I will drag my ass out of bed tomorrow and continue to steer clear of sleeping-my-life-away-junk-food-eating-Telly-watching-no-good-lifestyle.
I will also try to monitor drastically a very natsy habit that I have been forming at my new job of turning occasional smoking during nights out with the girls into joining co-worker-smokers outside every hour for a break of smoking and talking and then carry that over to non-working hours adding up to a whole day of smoking like I'm a chimmney. I will not smoke unless I'm drinking. Smoking is a very nasty habit that I have been lucky enough to turn off and on at my discretion my whole life. I do enjoy smoking now and then but prefer not to, escpecially do not find smoking in the company of non-smokers necessary.
Kent, on the other hand, does smoke... around smokers or non. He needs it or is hell to live with. I hope when he finally does quit we are able to stay together. Usually, when he tries to quit - he's such a bear to live with I almost feel relief when he gives up. That's the horrible truth of that. When we have a baby I'm sure we're really going to have to nail this topic down. I do not want my babies first thoughts to be, "when can I get my hands on some of those ciggerettes like mom and dad?". I think when kids are around smokers they definitly want it earlier.
Well, that just turned into a smoking topic. I hope you enjoy. I know many of my friends and family struggle with smoking. Some of us truely enjoy it and some of us need it so much we don't even remember enjoying it.

This is what the chapel will look like as you are driving up to it. Its in the middle of nowhere. I'm getting pretty excited. I just need to remember to breath (or something). I have been talking to a lot of people either at work, or my clients and their parents, or friends and they all want to know... "Are you nervous?" "Are you excited?"

I feel the same thing I felt before going to Italy for a year. I feel nothing. I'm going through the motions and just, "Doing it"... I'm tired a lot lately. That should change now that I'm done with work until after Cancun. I was running around so much. I feel emotional a bit more. I feel confident.

I need to get back into a workout routine. I have been out of it for about a week now. I've also been off my diet. I guess you could say I hit a brick wall with everything.

So today I ate a Whopper *gasp*. Yesterday I had Chinese (opps).

I'll get back on the wagon. I'm usually a very motivated person but when I convince myself that I'm tired then its all bets off. Now I just need to convince myself that I'm not tired anymore.

Well, folks. I choose my wedding date because September has the most clear days of all the months in Iowa.
The weather for my grand event? Cold... Rainy... shit.
So to all you lovely people whom I hold so dear that live in sunny weather. Don't let me catch you complaining of crappy Iowa weather. I will be full aware how crappy it will be and very disappointed that it wasn't a gorgeous day. Crap. Crap. Crap.
More Argh.
On a lighter note:
I got my hair dyed today and I don't have roots showing anymore. Hooray for no dark roots.

Last night I had a very peculiar dream:
I dreamt that I was with my friends (Melissa and Sara) and their children. We flew off to a remote location where there was sand and blue water. We were jumping off what looked like a theatre stage into the water. We were enjoying ourselves until I started to bump into strange coils of snake skin. I started to feel fear.
I got out of the water and looked down into the water. I saw huge snakes swimming up and smacking the surface of the water and then dipping down and coiling and gliding through the water. I looked over to see little Mae jump into the water and then disappear with her momma Melissa. I woke up with a start at that point.
What the HELL?!?!?!?
In the words of Samuel L. Jackson: "I've had it with these Mother F...in' snakes on this Mother F....in' PLANE!
Except in my case in my mother F....in' dreams...
For those of you wondering about my wedding: things seem to be fine. I have some anxiety about everything. I got things done at work for the most part. I will be happy when Wednesday comes and I can focus on the wedding and myself fully. And! I can't wait for that honeymoon in Cancun.
Can't wait to see you all!

Well, My big brother (who sometimes felt like a little brother to me :>) is now a Papa. Madeline Sophia Obert is the luckiest little girl in the world to have a daddy who will dote on you the same way he doted and was fasinated in his little baby sister, Katy. I talked to him today and he was that same cute little guy who used to hug me and play with me back in Beaver Dam. I knitted Maddie some booties to keep the newest pair of Obert feet warm.

Momma Trish seems happy and healthy. She said that Maddie is relentlessly hungry (marathon eater). The Italians would be very impressed with her (also another family trait).

I'm shouting out all my love over this country of ours that seems much to big these days. I will do my best to visit my new niece before she gets too big. I hope you can hear me!

My upstairs neighbor who just moved in plays electric guitar without his headphones and with his amp.
He is an awful guitar player. All he plays is "House of the Rising Sun (Son?)" Over and over and over morning (We're talking 6 am), noon and night.
He is playing it right now.
He is very irritating. I will go take a double dose of my anti-depressant now.
P.s. it is a gorgeous day in Iowa today and there are so many wildflowers in the prairie around my apartment you would think you were plopped in the middle of a cartoon.

I hurt my foot and am very grumpy.
Many days of exercise and fun are slowly escaping down the drain because of it.
I went to occupational health and waited...
I got into a room and waited so long I fell asleep and took an undisturbed nap, woke up and then waited some more...
They sent me to get X-rays and I waited....
I was sent back to occupational health and was told that there is a chip on my ankle bone but it looks old so I have to come back in a week and wait some more.

I was slightly rude and actually wandered/limped out into the hallway and hollered, "Did anyone forget about me in here?!?!"

So I'm on mobility restrictions and have to wear a brace.

Argh... This annoys me.

You know what else gets my goat? When people don't sign off "love" on letters. It totally ruins the card or letter for me. It's just my thing.
I made Kent start signing cards to family members with "Love". He does it all the time now and everytime he does it- I smile because it takes so little effort to show that affection for someone who doesn't like displays of that sort of thing.

So remember, "LOVE- so and so" Afterall, the Beatles said it, "All you need is love."

OK, People... I have a gianormous mysterious white dress hanging in my living room. How am I supposed to keep myself from wearing this for Kent in the next month. It's so fun to wear. I feel like that Friends episode where Phoebe and Rachel lounge around the apartment eating bon-bon in full wedding dress attire.
At least I get to look pretty for no reason tomorrow. I have my "bridal sitting". Apparently, its very important to document the way I look right now at 29 before I lose my looks. Bah! Listen... I'm only gonna get better folks! It will be fun.
I had my practice hair-do day yesterday. I woke up with a hangover from the product in my hair this morning. I actually took a shower before my workout with hope that my headache would go away. Or maybe it was all that eyeliner.... Or maybe it was the gin?... I mean, WHO KNEW!?!?!?

Today I a brand new black Member's Only jacket for sale in the juniors department at Von Maur. I couldn't believe my eyes. I showed it to my friend, Sara and she didn't know what it was. I'm still reeling from it. It was at least $50, to boot. Is fashion getting so tired that they have to start recycling patterns for Members Only jackets?

Anyway, My life is just rolling and rolling. Last weekend was my bridal shower. I just read in a Wedding magazine mother's shouldn't throw showers and I made my momma throw me mine. They said it looks like the mom is soliciting for gifts. So if there is anyone out there who thinks that... Its all my fault. I thought mother's were supposed to do it because my friend's mother did hers. My bad.

Its funny the things you'll read in these wedding magazines... They are like the bible- you can find what ever point you want to make as long as you look long enough and interpret it just so.

Next weekend is my Bachelorette Party. I'm pretty siked about it. We are going to Chicago and attending a show at The Baton Lounge which has Drag Queen Shows. It should be a great weekend.

Next week I practice hairstyles with my hair stylist, I pick up my wedding dress and then on Thursday I have my "bridal sitting" with our photographer. That means that day I get all made up like on my wedding day- that should be interesting.

I've been exercising and dieting. So far I've lost 15 well needed lb.s. I'm just about where I was before I got too fat to fit into my clothes. Now I can start looking better than I did just three or so years ago. My momma and I always think its funny how no matter how thin you are/were you are never satisfied and want to look different and when you look worse than you did when you were miserable before you wish you looked like you did then... Does that make any sense?

Anyway, I've got a lot to get together. I admit I've been neglecting my to-do lists in lieu of outdoor activities and making myself look prettier. I should look at those soon.

I got an e-mail from a cousin asking if it was too late to suggest songs and the answer is "absolutely Not!" please feel free to write me song requests!

Well, I thought I'd just update ya'll a bit.

I'll try to continue posting during this last month... Eck!

Here are some pictures from the last time our family spent Christmas together whole... I just found these pictures and thought they were neato.

I finally got the pictures from Gia's reception back.
Here are the Italy girls (that's me on the right).
Note to readers: I'm working on that little tire around the middle so don't expect to see too much of it at the wedding :)!