Winter = Hibernation

I must confess: I'm not a big fan of Winter. I'm not a snow sports kind of person anyway so I could care less if it snows or gets cold. Which is why I live in the south. But after Christmas and New Years I've noticed that hubby and I tend to hibernate. It's almost like a post holiday depression that lasts until Spring. I'm sure we're not the only ones who get that way. Which is why I'm making it my mission to make plans with friends and family so we don't get stuck into the watching TV and movies all weekend rut. Its hard, when it's cold and dreary outside to want to do stuff outside the home. And I'm thankful for friends and family who have January and February birthdays, so we do get out of the house. It's quite the effort, because sitting around is soooo easy! Am I right? 

Not hibernating this year,

Wendy

New Years Eve!

I must confess: I used to love New Years Eve, but December 31st, 1995 it all changed.  While living in Connecticut, a friend and I went to one of those inclusive New Years Eve parties at a hotel. Dinner, dancing, room, breakfast, etc for NYE.  It was going to be so much FUN! We ran into people we worked with and were having a blast. But sometime before midnight, after dinner, while the party was rolling along, a man at a table next to us had a heart attack and died. Right there, in the ballroom, in front of hundreds of people. It was awful. He couldn't have been more than his late 40's. It was truly tragic, his wife was a co-worker. Needless to say, it put a damper on the rest of the night. The hotel tried to do their best for the man and his wife to respect their privacy, but getting the party going again was a lost cause. I didn't sleep well that night, watching the life leave that man. So awful. What I learned from that experience was this, I was never to make another New Years resolution.  If I wanted to change something about myself, I was going to do it, and not wait for the new year and claim to make a change under the guise of a New Years resolution.  It has been the only resolution I made that actually stuck. We never know when our time is up. I'm guessing the man at the party was expecting to have a wonderful time with his wife with out the kids and ring in a new year and go home the next day, he didn't get that chance. If you want to change something about yourself, just do it, don't call it a New Years resolution, call it a New You resolution.

Happy New Year everyone!

Wendy

Tis the Season to be.... crazy!

I must confess: I really love Christmas, but its such a crazy time of year! I always feel like it's over before I get a chance to enjoy it. This year my shopping was done before Thanksgiving. All 80 holiday cards went out earlier this week. Note to self, pare down list for next year.

Please enjoy this years Christmas card!

Wrapping isn't finished, and baking isn't done either. Hopefully this week?! We don't even put up a tree since we aren't home for Christmas. Each year we alternate which set of parents we spend Christmas with (and Easter and Thanksgiving). This year it's a beach Christmas in Florida with my in-laws. Then, when we return, a trip to SC to see my parents. No wonder people take 2 weeks vacation, you need it to recover from all the traveling!

Hoping you have a wonderful Christmas season and Happy Hanukkah too!

Happy Holidays,

Wendy

I love my pets!

I must confess: my patience is wearing thin for my animals. I love my pets, don't get me wrong, but lately, I'm telling you, I'm being tested!

It all started a couple of months ago when our youngest dog, Max got an ear infection. A trip to the vet, rounds of medicine we fight him to take and a follow up to the vet.

Then one day about a week later our youngest cat, Sherman decided to pee in the den on the carpet, in front of me. A trip to the vet, to find out he's diabetic. While being treated and taking him to the vet once a week until we find the right dosage of insulin, he is still peeing all over the house. Great, now the carpets need to be torn out and the flooring replaced. Success, we found the right dosage! No more peeing in the house! My new wood floors will be ok! Wrong, the first day of the floors being ripped up, he pees right on the concrete, 3 times. Back to the vet. Oh yeah, they tell me, being diabetic can cause urinary tract infections. Lets give him more medicine he'll fight me to take and throw up later. Great! 

Diabetic Sherman

Ear Infection Max

The new floors go in and things are calming down. No more peeing. YAY! 

Two weeks later, my oldest dog, Lola is chewing herself raw! WTH! Off to the vet we go.

She has fleas, what?!?! Are you freaking kidding me? Crap. Back home with more medicine for another animal that I will fight with. Then I spend the next 9 hours washing everything that will fit in the washing machine in hot water. The medicine starts working, she isn't chewing as much. I'm getting a break. Sort of. Then I catch her peeing on the rug in the living room on my new wood floors. Crap, back to the vet. Oh yeah, didn't we tell you that a side effect of the steroids is peeing, A LOT. Great, that rug goes in the trash.

And now diabetic cat, Sherman has a skin infection. Back to the vet, more medicine that he throws up all over the place. 

 Fleas Lola

Seriously how much can one girl take? In all since August we have spent $1566.75 on medicines, vet exams, etc. Do you know how many shoes that could buy? At $50 a pair, 31. Thirty one pairs of shoes! But these are my babies. My children. What else can I do but maybe get a job to pay for it all?

Still an animal lover,

Wendy

Madonna Review

I must confess: the Madonna concert was good. It was weird, but good.

The rumors of her late arrival were all true. Knowing that she had been showing up late, we didn't arrive in our seats until 9:45pm, and we still waiting for 45 minutes to go on. It was a let down between the opening act of Paul Oakenfold who we saw for 15 minutes and waiting another 30 minutes for her to finally take the stage. The crowd lost its mo-jo. I read that in Miami two days later she didn't show up until 11:23pm. People were pissed, left and asked for refunds. Can't say that I blame them.

The concert itself was different. I felt like at times she was trying too hard and other times she was trying to shock and awe a group of people who probably don't shock and awe very easily. But that's Madonna and she is still the queen, as we were reminded by Nicki Minaj during the concert, who made a pre-recorded video appearance. A little dig at Lady Gaga? Jealous much Madonna?

She played for a solid two hours and no encore. She even chastised a guy in the pit for having his arms crossed while she performed. 'I'm working my ass off up here' she said to the guy. I was thinking: for the amount of money he paid to see you work your ass off, he should be able to do what ever the hell he wants!

All in all, I can say 'been there done that' but I won't be attending another Madonna concert any time soon. 

Below from left to right, my cousin, Kristine, myself and my sister-in-law, Amy.  The company was AMAZING!!!!

 

Wendy

Giving Thanks

I must confess: I hope I'm as thankful as I should be. I have nothing to complain about. I have everything I could ever ask for in life. I really do. The material things don't matter. They can all be replaced, for the most part. I have an amazing husband, family and friends. What more can anyone ask for? Nothing. This month on facebook many people are posting their daily thanks as their status. Here are mine, all at once!

Things I am thankful for:

1. my husband, Eric- love of my life, my best friend, and puts up with my crazy.

2. my parents- I am so lucky to have them; as role models for marriage and I am thankful they are still here on earth and that I can call them and say 'I don't know what to do, help me'

3. my brother- who when all is said and done, he is the deepest link to my childhood and past

4. my in-laws- who love and treat me as if I was one of their own and another good role model for marriage

5. my sister-in-law, a sister and a friend

6. my aunts & uncles- my other parents and those who gave me a thick skin

7. my cousins- with whom I am very close and that have my back no matter what- they are more like siblings to me than cousins.

8. being an Aunt- nothing give me greater joy than being called Aunt Wendy. Even if they are the children of my friends or cousins. I LOVE being Aunt Wendy. To me, it's next best thing to be a mom.

9. my high school friends- way too many to name: who got me through elementary, Jr and Sr high, with tons of support, love and laughs. I can look back on those years as a good, fun experience.

10. my college friends- who also loved, supported me and I had WICKED good times with, that I can also look back and think of those years as fun and a major growing up time for me.

11. the rest of my friends- that I've met along the way on this journey called life- from the friends who are still in college and the ones looking at retirement. I find that having friends of all age groups gives me different perspectives on life. Especially when you need them most.

12. a house- I have a roof over my head for which I am very thankful

13. electricity, cable, internet, indoor plumbing, heating & air- the little conveniences that we take for granted every day. As the people in Northeast affected by Hurricane Sandy can attest.

14. a car- so glad I don't have to rely on anyone else or public transportation to get around. It equals freedom, this is the teenager in me!

15. my right to vote- so many women fought and paid the price for my right to vote. I exercise it as much as possible and not just for a presidential election. We need to teach our younger girls how important it is to exercise this right for the women who fought so hard to get it. And for people still trying to get it in foreign countries.

16. my animals- who make me crazy sometimes, but I love how much fun they are.

17. my angels in heaven- I believe they are with me when I need it most. They keep me safe and when necessary give me patience when I need it most.

18. healthcare- I am very grateful for our medical, dental and vision plans. So many are with out, I'm so glad to have them.

19. books, music, movies and TV- a wonderful way to escape reality and on occasion, learn something new.

20. living in the South- the cost of living is much cheaper down here, the climate is better, longer summers=shorter winters, little to no snow and only a few hours to the best beaches in the country. All of this is my opinion, some people love the snow, I do not.

21. Snellville, GA- this little city I live in, with the worst possible name, isn't so bad. I literally have everything I could ever need in a 5 mile radius: doctors/hospitals, restaurants, shopping and activities. Seriously, I can not complain about that! And the big city of Atlanta, with everything it has to offer, is not that far away.

22. satellite radio- hundreds of choices and no commercials!

23. playing games with my family, apples to apples, pass the pigs, mexican train dominoes, etc. we always have a good time and laugh really hard!

24. thick skin- figuratively of course. I developed very young from uncles who teased me (and my cousins) from everything from growing boobs to boyfriends. All that teasing taught me to get a thick skin, quick.

25. God/time on this earth- I'm not here for a long time, but I'm here for a good time!

26. Quiet time- of which I have a lot of, and not that many people have it, I do and I'm thankful.

27. Choices- all kinds of choices, where to live, what to drive, where to work, where to shop, where to eat out, what Doctors I can see, etc, etc, etc. Very thankful for to have choices.

28. which leads me to: living in the USA. I love this country and wouldn't want to call any other place home and I'm proud to be an American, even if the rest of the world thinks were obnoxious or stupid or whatever. I know better.

29. Travel- so glad to have the experiences that come from traveling!

30. Food- I love food, enough said!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wendy

Infertility (you knew this was coming, right?!)

I must confess: I'm infertile. Hubby and I are passed the point of feeling sorry for ourselves and have moved on with our childless life. We are happy and still in love with each other. We enjoy all the children in our lives: our nephews, our friends children and our cousins children. Adding a child would have been fantastic, but it wasn't meant to be for us. We are OK with that, we have each other.

Our journey starting in April 2008 when I went off the pill. When we didn't get pregnant by April 2009, we sought out additional assistance. Long story short, dozens of tests, dozens of people praying for us, 1 miscarriage, 1surgery, 5 artificial insemination's, 1 IVF and thousands of shots and pills later, (not to mention thousands of dollars) we ended up with nothing by May of 2011. It was at that point we decided that if God wanted us to have children He'll bring us to it. Adoption, at that point, was out because we spent everything we had on fertility treatments.

We have adjusted to our childless lifestyle, not that we know anything else! We are used to being together just the two of us. If we want to drop everything and go out to eat, we do, if we decide we want to run errands or go to the movies after wards, we do. No worrying about naps, babysitters, bed times, etc. It's a sort of freedom, that most parents do not have, so we enjoy it.

If we hear you are pregnant, we ARE happy for you, we really are. It's not your fault that it wasn't meant to be for us, so stop feeling sorry for us! Let us enjoy your pregnancy and child, too. Is that too much to ask?

Yesterday, hubby was given a baby shower invitation from a guy at work he barely knows. The guy is fairly new to the company of over 500 people and hubby has had very limited interaction with him. My very even keeled husband was kind enough to take the invitation, but informed new guy that we would not be attending the shower. New guy insisted on knowing why. This frustrated my hubby as he explained to him that they were 'not friends, the wives don't know each other and our families are not friends'. New guy said to hubby 'you don't know how hard it's been for us to get pregnant' to which my hubby responded 'actually I do know, I know first hand, I'm sorry, we won't be able to make it' – new guy responded with 'you can still get us a gift, we're registered at XYZ'. Hubby came home so mad, and for anyone who knows him, he's the even keeled one, I'm the hysterical one. It made me realize that the pain of not being able to have kids of our own is still a wound that will probably never completely heal, and I'm not the only one who feels it. People always feel for the woman, but seem to forget about the man. Except me, I haven't forgotten about my man. He has the same pain as I do, we talked about it at length while going through the process and continued long after our journey was over.

We knew that certain things would trigger the emotions, but I thought it would be more me, than him. I was wrong. He experiences the same run of emotions I do, just different things trigger it. Do we want to be invited to your baby shower, of course, but ask your self these questions:

Do we really know you? Are we related? Are we friends? If the answer to any of these is YES, then by all means send us an invitation!

A BIT OF ADVICE!!!

If you have questions about our infertility, please ask us! Don't whisper behind our backs, we know you're doing it.

Please don't feel sorry for us, we don't.

Please don't say a prayer that it will happen for us, it probably won't.

Please don't say 'relax, it will happen', it hasn't.

For the complete list of things not to say check out this site, it is right on target!!!

http://laugheduntilwecried.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/top-eleven-things-%E2%80%93-not-to-say-to-someone-experiencing-infertility/

Living life to its fullest!

Wendy

Vacation!!

I must confess: I love the beach! I mean who doesn't really? Oh right, my husband. I love the beach, he sits in the shade. But we both love the pool. We just spent a week at my in-laws in Panama City Beach, FL. Now before you get that crunched up 'eww gross' look on your face, I have to ask, when was the last time you were in PCB? Because in the last 5 years, it has changed A LOT! They now have a shopping center across from the pier called Pier Park. With a Margaritaville, Dicks Last Resort, a Tootsies Orchid Lounge and tons of shops and restaurants, a movie theater and lots for the kids to do. Its just not the same as it was 10 years ago. It's better, lots of new resorts with tons of amenities. Ok enough about that. 

 At the beach, sans husband of course!

 

With that being said, Eric and I have different ideas of vacationing, which can make for difficulties when traveling. He just wants to sit around (in the shade) and do nothing, and swim every now and then, while I want to go out (in the sun) and see and do stuff. But somehow after being together for 10 years we've found a way to make it work. The key to marriage is compromise! We go out and do stuff then sit around and do nothing. We've somehow made it work where both of us are happy. I love nothing more than spending lots of time with my hubby. We never seem to get bored with each other. We got back yesterday from our week long vacay in PCB, now the post vacation sadness has set in. You know what I'm talking about, that dreaded feeling of having to go back to work and household chores. Retirement must feel like a permanent vacation. Looking forward to those days! 

Where ever you go this year, enjoy it before heading back into the dreaded 'real world'.

Happy Summer!

Wendy

Happy Mother's Day!

I must confess: I don't like working full-time. I know that sounds immature, but seriously, with all the things that I have to do at home: cooking, cleaning, laundry, bill paying, taking care of our house, two dogs and two cats, and a husband. I don't have time to spend 40+ hours at a job. I don't know how working mothers survive doing it all. I applaud them for trying to do everything, because I'm barely keeping up with anything. Throw a kid in the mix and something is going to give, I'm thinking it would be the cooking, but that's me. I really think that if you are lucky enough to be a stay at home mom, do it! Just my opinion.

Now don't get me wrong, I know that staying home isn't an option for a lot of people in this economy and that it's a necessity for many, many families. So just give a working mom a break when she has to leave work because she has a sick kid or a baseball game or ballet class. She's working her butt off, just to keep things going forward.

Me, I think I'll look for something part-time! ;-)

Happy Mothers Day!

Wendy

Best day of the week? Why Saturday of course!

I must confess: I think Saturday is the best day of the week. Not just because it's the first day off after a work week, but because of the possibilities! The possibility of accomplishing things that need to be done, the possibility of creating new memories with friends and family, the possibility to explore new places and learn new things. It just makes me happy! Now what could be better than that?

Have a great Saturday! 

Wendy