Sunday, January 28, 2007

What am I??

I never really got into politics and never really understood what the differences between a liberal and conservative were. How sad since I work for the government. Then lately I think I may have stirred up some crap with my friends by posting a Global Warming blog on my MySpace. I truly did not have the intension on upsetting any one. But I got a lot of negative feedback from my little picture of an ice mountain that says "global warming is a big problem". And since then I have noticed politics beginning to dominate conversations..and honestly I cant talk politics with people..oye! But it got me thinking maybe I need to do some research on this political thing and start voting and understanding where they are coming from and why I caused so much upset.

Since our world is so into labels, I must be viewed as a Liberal because I think that change is good, Environmental issues are important and I support the small business owners. But I still believe that war can be beneficial and I am religious. So where does that leave me..I did find a blog where a girl was talking about the difference between the two labels and she made a great statement.

"The problem, in my opinion, begins when you pidgeonhole somebody into one of the two groups. Define somebody by a single word, and you set up a roadblock to actually understanding them." --Esoterica

That to me is a wonderful way of saying that we should not label each other but respect one another and each others opinions. Why cant a liberal learn something from a conservative and vise versa..do we need to put up insulting things about one point of view or the other..no that truly will not solve anything. Talking and listening to one another is the best solution. Perhaps it will not change anyones opinions but it would be a building block in understanding the person and why they feel the way they do.

I suppose if I have to be labeled then I am hands down more on the liberal side of things, but that does not mean that I am going to shut out all the conservative points of views out there or vote strictly Democrat. I think that a person should be judged strictly on what they are going to do to better the world..I will look for the person who supports recycling, helps stop animal cruelty, supports laws and regulations that help against domestic violence and child abuse, better the economy so there are more job opportunities, support educational programs, supports a healthier America, and so on.....

Bottom line, lets not insult one another for our points of view..but listen and learn.


Another good article:


The difference between liberal and conservative
Brent Flynn
Practically Rational

My brother, a self-professed Dittohead (Rush Limbaugh fan), forwarded me an email on Veteran's Day titled "Difference Between Liberal and Conservative." I read what turned out to be a joke in which a liberal and a conservative are put in the same hypothetical situation and certain assumptions are made about how they will react. Here's the situation:

You're walking down the street with your wife and children. A dangerous looking man with a knife comes running and screaming obscenities at you. In your hand is a .357 Magnum. What do you do?

In the joke, the liberals response is to understand why this man turned to violence. The pacifist liberal then wonders if the man might be content to stab only him, while his family makes an escape. Finally, the pathetic liberal decides to consult a friend to come up with a solution. In the meantime, the liberal is exterminated along with his bleeding heart family.

The conservatives answer is simply to shoot the man, take his family to a baseball game, eat some hot dogs with apple pie, sing the national anthem, go to church and praise the Lord for one more day of freedom.

I found the joke mildly amusing. I did have a few problems with its premise (not least of which was the part where the liberal dies).

For starters, it is a simplistic breakdown of a wide spectrum of ideas into only two categories. Conservatives are given a monopoly on common sense, bravery and patriotism while liberals are portrayed as a bunch of pansies.

What is even more disturbing is that there is a whole genre of conservative literature being disseminated via email with the sole intent of casting so-called "liberals" in the worst possible light.

One email contains the alleged first-hand account of an interview on National Public Radio between a female host and U.S. Army General Reinwald. The General is describing a Boy Scout Troop the base is sponsoring, and mentions that the boys will be learning how to shoot a rifle. The interviewer questions whether the kids are being equipped to "...become violent killers." The General responds, "Well, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?"

The zinger the general lays on the liberal reporter really puts her in her place…except the interview never happened. The fabricated story is an elaborate set-up for the big pay-off where the General makes his politically incorrect (Republicans love anything that's not PC) remarks.

Another email claims that the government has been paying the Clinton's mortgage on their New York home. Allegedly, a housing unit was built at the Clinton's' house for Secret Service agents to use. The Clinton's, we are told, are charging them rent and the rate they are charging is the same amount as their mortgage payment (about $10,000). In short, we taxpayers are paying for the Secret Service addition, AND the Clinton's' mortgage!

Is your blood boiling yet? Well cool down. Ex-presidents are reimbursed for any area of their house used by the Secret Service. The Clinton's were eligible to receive more than $1,000 a month, but they did not accept the reimbursement.

Nevertheless, these emails are passed around to the delight of Ditto heads everywhere who apparently never bothered to check the facts. Now I'm not a big fan of the Clinton's or a blind follower of every "liberal" cause out there, but the zeal with which Republican's go after those on the left has gotten way out of hand and in some cases is based on flat-out lies.

There are many more of these emails floating around in cyberspace on a variety of subjects, but when I pointed out these two examples of conservative smear campaigns and reminded my brother that he had sent me the one about the Clinton's' Secret Service reimbursement, he didn't respond. So I called him a couple of days later and asked him why he hadn't replied. He said, "You sounded like you were trying to start a fight." (emphasis mine)

Oh that's right. I'm trying to start the fight. He was just sharing a funny email that he thought I might enjoy. No reason for me to get so upset.

Then again, it was just a joke. Maybe I shouldn't be so touchy…but who am I fooling? I'm just an unpatriotic, overly-sensitive liberal.


Saturday, January 27, 2007

Tara's 30th birthday party

What a fun night. Went to Tara's birthday party. A lot of people were there..people whom I love to hang out with. It was funny though cuz Tara was away from the table and they started to sing happy birthday to her..we had to stop them. She missed her shot...Im sure she is not too disappointed. Its always kinda embarrassing to be the center of attention..when the entire restaurant is staring at you. Well just wanted to say that it was fun and cant wait for the next gathering..

Love to all my friends.

Spa Party Cont..

me and ginger
Well had the party. Like I thought not many people showed up. Well ok only my mom, and Ginger and her girls. Thank God for Ginger and my mom. Ginger has been there for me in so many situations. Half the people who told me they would come did not show..I wonder how they would feel if I did that to them. Honestly, I'm beginning to think that I want to do that to them just so they can see how it feels. Its rude. I go to all the parties that I am invited to, the only ones I really did not make was the ones that were held during my first trimester when I was barfing my guts out with morning sickness or the ones that were held that entailed family gatherings on the same day. Anywho, it was still fun and Ginger and the girls are always welcome. My mom came too and the girls love her. Ginger also brought her sister Marla who I have not seen in years, so that was nice. I somehow managed to get 40 dollars worth of product for free, which ROCKS!!! I love free stuff. Thank you mom and Ginger cuz they both ordered me over 100 dollars worth of product and thats why I got the 40 free. Speaking of party. Tonight is Tara's 30th birthdays party. Were going to go to the Hacienda part of it. I wish I could go out with them afterwards, but they are going to a bar in town that is super duper smoky and being as super duper prego that I am I don't think its a good idea to be around that much smoke. I will soon be able to join the rest of the crew again..that is if I can find a babysitter. WOW what I am going to have to start doing just to get a night out on the town. It will be more than worth it I am sure.

Wes' head..

SPA PARTY

Having a spa party today. Hopefully someone shows up. I invited a ton of people but only a few responded. So hopefully the few will be here. If not, well I will just have to enjoy the party myself. Which is fine. I do know that my mom will be here so it can be a mother daughter bonding moment. Not much else has been happening. I went to the baby doctor yesterday. Everything is good. The baby has a good heart beat. Going back in two weeks. I guess my blood pressure is running kinda high so I may have to go on bed rest the last few weeks of my term. That kinda stresses me out. How ironic is that. Oh well what do you do.

laters

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Vegetarian is the New Prius

President Herbert Hoover promised "a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage." With warnings about global warming reaching feverish levels, many are having second thoughts about all those cars. It seems they should instead be worrying about the chickens.

Last month, the United Nations published a report on livestock and the environment with a stunning conclusion: "The livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." It turns out that raising animals for food is a primary cause of land degradation, air pollution, water shortage, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and not least of all, global warming.

That's right, global warming. You've probably heard the story: emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are changing our climate, and scientists warn of more extreme weather, coastal flooding, spreading disease, and mass extinctions. It seems that when you step outside and wonder what happened to winter, you might want to think about what you had for dinner last night. The U.N. report says almost a fifth of global warming emissions come from livestock (i.e., those chickens Hoover was talking about, plus pigs, cattle, and others)--that's more emissions than from all of the world's transportation combined.

For a decade now, the image of Leonardo DiCaprio cruising in his hybrid Toyota Prius has defined the gold standard for environmentalism. These gas-sipping vehicles became a veritable symbol of the consumers' power to strike a blow against global warming. Just think: a car that could cut your vehicle emissions in half - in a country responsible for 25% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. Federal fuel economy standards languished in Congress, and average vehicle mileage dropped to its lowest level in decades, but the Prius showed people that another way is possible. Toyota could not import the cars fast enough to meet demand.

Last year researchers at the University of Chicago took the Prius down a peg when they turned their attention to another gas guzzling consumer purchase. They noted that feeding animals for meat, dairy, and egg production requires growing some ten times as much crops as we'd need if we just ate pasta primavera, faux chicken nuggets, and other plant foods. On top of that, we have to transport the animals to slaughterhouses, slaughter them, refrigerate their carcasses, and distribute their flesh all across the country. Producing a calorie of meat protein means burning more than ten times as much fossil fuels--and spewing more than ten times as much heat-trapping carbon dioxide--as does a calorie of plant protein. The researchers found that, when it's all added up, the average American does more to reduce global warming emissions by going vegetarian than by switching to a Prius.

According to the UN report, it gets even worse when we include the vast quantities of land needed to give us our steak and pork chops. Animal agriculture takes up an incredible 70% of all agricultural land, and 30% of the total land surface of the planet. As a result, farmed animals are probably the biggest cause of slashing and burning the world's forests. Today, 70% of former Amazon rainforest is used for pastureland, and feed crops cover much of the remainder. These forests serve as "sinks," absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, and burning these forests releases all the stored carbon dioxide, quantities that exceed by far the fossil fuel emission of animal agriculture.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the real kicker comes when looking at gases besides carbon dioxide--gases like methane and nitrous oxide, enormously effective greenhouse gases with 23 and 296 times the warming power of carbon dioxide, respectively. If carbon dioxide is responsible for about one-half of human-related greenhouse gas warming since the industrial revolution, methane and nitrous oxide are responsible for another one-third. These super-strong gases come primarily from farmed animals' digestive processes, and from their manure. In fact, while animal agriculture accounts for 9% of our carbon dioxide emissions, it emits 37% of our methane, and a whopping 65% of our nitrous oxide.

It's a little hard to take in when thinking of a small chick hatching from her fragile egg. How can an animal, so seemingly insignificant against the vastness of the earth, give off so much greenhouse gas as to change the global climate? The answer is in their sheer numbers. The United States alone slaughters more than 10 billion land animals every year, all to sustain a meat-ravenous culture that can barely conceive of a time not long ago when "a chicken in every pot" was considered a luxury. Land animals raised for food make up a staggering 20% of the entire land animal biomass of the earth. We are eating our planet to death.

What we're seeing is just the beginning, too. Meat consumption has increased five-fold in the past fifty years, and is expected to double again in the next fifty.

It sounds like a lot of bad news, but in fact it's quite the opposite. It means we have a powerful new weapon to use in addressing the most serious environmental crisis ever to face humanity. The Prius was an important step forward, but how often are people in the market for a new car? Now that we know a greener diet is even more effective than a greener car, we can make a difference at every single meal, simply by leaving the animals off of our plates. Who would have thought: what's good for our health is also good for the health of the planet!

Going veg provides more bang for your buck than driving a Prius. Plus, that bang comes a lot faster. The Prius cuts emissions of carbon dioxide, which spreads its warming effect slowly over a century. A big chunk of the problem with farmed animals, on the other hand, is methane, a gas which cycles out of the atmosphere in just a decade. That means less meat consumption quickly translates into a cooler planet.

Not just a cooler planet, also a cleaner one. Animal agriculture accounts for most of the water consumed in this country, emits two-thirds of the world's acid-rain-causing ammonia, and it the world's largest source of water pollution--killing entire river and marine ecosystems, destroying coral reefs, and of course, making people sick. Try to imagine the prodigious volumes of manure churned out by modern American farms: 5 million tons a day, more than a hundred times that of the human population, and far more than our land can possibly absorb. The acres and acres of cesspools stretching over much of our countryside, polluting the air and contaminating our water, make the Exxon Valdez oil spill look minor in comparison. All of which we can fix surprisingly easily, just by putting down our chicken wings and reaching for a veggie burger.

Doing so has never been easier. Recent years have seen an explosion of environmentally-friendly vegetarian foods. Even chains like Ruby Tuesday, Johnny Rockets, and Burger King offer delicious veggie burgers and supermarket refrigerators are lined with heart-healthy creamy soymilk and tasty veggie deli slices. Vegetarian foods have become staples at environmental gatherings, and garnered celebrity advocates like Bill Maher, Alec Baldwin, Paul McCartney, and of course Leonardo DiCaprio. Just as the Prius showed us that we each have in our hands the power to make a difference against a problem that endangers the future of humanity, going vegetarian gives us a new way to dramatically reduce our dangerous emissions that is even more effective, easier to do, more accessible to everyone and certainly goes better with french fries.

Ever-rising temperatures, melting ice caps, spreading tropical diseases, stronger hurricanes... So, what are you do doing for dinner tonight? Check out www.VegCooking.com for great ideas, free recipes, meal plans, and more! Check out the environmental section of www.GoVeg.com for a lot more information about the harmful effect of meat-eating on the environment.

Kathy Freston is a self-help author and personal growth and spirituality counselor. She is the author of Expect a Miracle: Seven Spiritual Steps to Finding the Right Relationship. Her CDs offering guided meditation have been featured in W, Self, and Mode. Kathy and her husband, Tom Freston, divide their time between New York and Los Angeles.

© 2007 The Huffington Post

Monday, January 22, 2007

Today

Not much happened today. Wes sent me a cool link called Let Them Sing It For You..seriously try it out. Just click on that saying to the right of the page and it will take you there.

I was in a bad mood this morning from the time I awoke, so I really want to thank my husband for listening to me complain about work all morning. Thank God for significant others. Once I got there it was not so bad. Just had a slew of lists on my desk to work on, but heck thats a daily thing.

Tomorrow is our second class of The Bradley Method to birth. Will fill you in on that later. Then Friday is another doctor appointment.

Well not much else to talk about...

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Cant get over it!!

Well I started feeling better with the head cold, but now I have an upset tummy. No FUN!! I was going to go with my friend tonight to a Body Shop (which is a company that sells lotion, and all sorts of other things and I am thinking about selling it after the baby is born) meeting, but may have to decide to go with her to the next one. I will see how I am feeling by noon. I hate it when I get sick to my stomach, I tend to always get a cold sore too..bummer..this time is no different. At least there is some good news. The baby is moving around like crazy lately, or at least I can feel it more. It seems to like to move around at night a lot. Its feels so strange. My feet are starting to swell, had to stop at payless and get me some big slip on shoes. They are not the prettiest shoes but they are so comfy and easy to put on. Not to mention they were only $8.00 dollars. I was going to buy some nice shoes then realized that my feet will probably shrink once the little one comes and then I would be stuck with expensive shoes that are too big...so I will wait. Wes and I went to the mall in Mishawaka yesterday evening..its a zoo there..people will run you over and not even think twice about it. But I bought a maternity swimming suit and two shirts at the MOTHERHOOD store. She was explaining to me that I will need to come back and get the nursing bras about three weeks before the baby comes. When I do I think I am going to open a MC credit card account to get them with along with the breast pump. The card they offer will put 2% of all your purchases for 9 months into a college fund for your baby. Then after 9 months its 1% at most stores and 2% at selected stores. I'm thinking thats a pretty good deal. For dinner we ate at Garfield's there at the mall. They actually offered Boca Burgers as an alternative to any of their regular hamburgers. BOCA is a veggi burger. So that was pretty cool. You also can draw on the table there too, they have a large piece of paper laid down and crayons on the table. Our server was DAN and he was a terrible server..terrible. It took him five minutes to bring us our water..he only had two other tables. AND the table behind us came in about 10 min. after us and they got their drinks and food first..hummmmmmm!!! We of course tipped him, me being a waitress I just cant bear not leaving one, even if the service is bad. We also visited HOT TOPIC..and they have baby clothing. OMG!! I am so excited..I will have a little punk baby. Didn't get anything yet, because most of the stuff there is gender specific. Once we left there and got home I went to Fitness USA and went swimming. They are open until 8pm on Sat. so thats nice. It was kinda late so not many people were in the pool so I could actually swim. My new suit is so cute!! I wish I could find one like that when I am not pregnant. Well not much else going on at this time.

Friday, January 19, 2007

WHY??

My question is Why does your Drivers License Picture have to look so bad. Is it the camera or the blue background..or the combination of both. Just got my new Drivers License..and I look horrid in the picture. My hair looks like its black and its blond and I look like I weigh about 250 pounds and even being pregnant I don't weigh that much. Its amusingly funny that it looks that bad. Oh well I only have to have it for the next two years..I can live with that. At least it now says Julie Hoogenboom. Its becoming more real...

Monday, January 15, 2007

My Space

OK I am really beginning to hate myspace. It takes too long to load up your page, or post comments. I am about to get rid of it. I guess the only good thing it has going for it is its easy to keep up on my friends lives. So I suppose I will keep it around, but would much rather they all had their own blogs like this. Nothing to special going on at the moment. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a very special day. Thank you Mr. King for inspiring so many people, of all races to be better people.

Just hanging out at home, its snowing outside. About time winter starts to show its teeth. We have been waiting. At least its practically over.

Kinda moody today..

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Messages From Our Party

Our Wedding Celebration went wonderful. It was a blast. We got pizza and breadsticks from Little Caesar's and soda, beer and Wine. Everyone we invited showed up for at least a short time. We love all you for that and thank you for coming!!--Had to send a shout out to all my friends. We did have a minor mishap of finding red wine stains on our carpet, but what is a party without some stains?? Kids were running around screaming and the adults were sitting on the couch screaming at the game that was on..hahaha. Not sure who was louder. We had Everyone sign us a message on the computer, instead of a sign in book. I will post their messages below:

Party Blog: Say something nice!!

Leave name and message please. Thanks

Wes and Julie Hoogenboom


First Post!1! Posting on teh blogg is fun. An impending party will surely ensue...

-Wes(hostmaster)

Congratulations on the baby, I hope he/she is a gaming legend like myself. Parties are teh leetzors, 1337 ftw.

-Scott <(-.-<)(>-.-)>

Congratulations on the marriage the baby and big barrel of beer, LOve both of you.

-Darin

Congrats on everything! You will be great parents and I wish you a life of love and happiness with your new family! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

-Tara

This is so exciting!! I couldn't be more happy for both of you! And I'm so glad that Chris and I could be here for the party! Congrats on the marriage, love every minute of it! Love you!

-Sara and Chris Smith


Congratulations on your new beginnings to paradise.

love mom :0)

Congrats on your new marriage!

Mike

wes i hope you and crand

el make it to the place that you'll be challenged and have as much fun as you alweays have. Good luck to you and Julie and you'll be in our prayers alweays! Love Troy and Jim


congratulations - Hope you have a spectacular life!

Grandpa and Grandma Hoogenboom

Yo Wes and Julie! Glad to be at your reception... glad you got married... and wish you best throughout your lives. Dad Hoogenboom

Glad you two decided to make it official! Thanks for inviting hanna and i to your party. Can't wait to be Uncle Ant..........just need to find that "Aunt Uncle"...rock n roll

-Ant

Julie and Wes: It is nice being a great grandmother so more power to you. Don't stop at one. Keep up the good work. We're in this together so have at least 13 like your great grandmother, Enid Baker Gabhart. Your loving Grandmother, Amy June Gardner!@#$% Who's birthday is the longest day of the year, June 21.

hi!sillies!nowthatyouhavestartedyourjourneyofficiallytogether may god bless and keep you(allthree)always. love you guys.shalom.

hey you two, have fun with each other, and always try to "one-up" each other in the giving dept. it makes things so much better. john & cheryl huss

I am so glad to know the both of you and best wishes to you. Congratulations to your new marriage and the new addition on the way. We love you both so much. love, Darcey and Anthony Rodriguez

julie and wes .... im so glad that two of the most beautiful souls i know, are married and having a baby. god bless you and so much love to you both. love kristina


Wes, jULIE WAZ UP YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST. GOOD TIMES, GOOD TIMES, ARE HERE. LET US SIP DOWN THE BEER. ONCE WE DO SO, LET US HAVE ARE BELLYS FULL OF SUDS AND HOPS. HUG AND LOVE, CHERISH THE ONES THAT ARE CLOSE, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW YOU GUYS ARE SO SO SOSO SO SO TIGHT. LOVE YOU GUYS. ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ

Julie and Wes...we are so happy for you guys! Marriage is great but parenthood is the best! You will be amazed at the conversation you will start having on a regular basis. Enjoy the time you have left before your family expands. Congrats!

Love, Greg, Stacy, and Kevin

Julie...on a personal note...I'm so happy I have you as a friend. You are an amazing person and will make a great mother! Thanks to you, this state is bearable for me! LOL I wish you all the best with everything in the future. WOW! That was a totally corny line that sounds like I'm signing your high school yearbook! Love ya, Stacy

Wes and Julie, as you guys prepare to live the rest of your lives tohether and bring a new life into this world, it makes me think about...Giant Evil Robots Of The Future, because someday that little baby of yours will pilot transforming mechanized humanoid vehicles against the Evil Robot Horde...

And that's what Love is all about.


What a wonderful time and a wonderful day. I am so happy that Wes and I got married and have so much support from friends and family. We are looking forward to the next 100 years together.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Party Time..

In a few short hours my peeps are going to be joining us at our house for a nice little gathering. We are having a pizza party to celebrate our Wedding. Its not going to be much but friends and family having fun and eating pizza...which will be great!!! Its a count down now. Will write more about it later.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Good Day

Went to the doctor today. Heard the heartbeat of the child. It was great. Everything went well.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Feelin Better

I am starting to feel better, at least the cold is working its way out. I tend to be less patient these days. And very tired, its getting harder to sleep. I think its funny when people ask me if I am pregnant..uhhhhh no I'm just really fat right in the belly area. Hahahaha!! OK I know sometimes you really cant tell, but then if you couldn't tell wouldn't you think it more polite to keep your mouth shut. I don't mind when they ask, when is your due date?, thats ok. Just the are you pregnant question is starting to bug me a little bit.

My dog is so happy to see me today. When I was sick she got to spend the entire day with me, now that I have returned to work she is home alone until we get home. When I walk in the door she just runs around in circles shes so happy. I think its pretty adorable. I love her.

I have been having pretty vivid dreams lately. Last night I dreamed that Sasha (our dog) got her butt kicked by another dog. And I punched the people who were suppose to be watching her. OK, I have never punched anyone in my life, so where that came from I do not know!

I waited on a little old lady at work today. She was born in 1913. How amazing is that. She was very sweet and when I told her that I would like to be a lawyer one day, she told me she would pray for me. How sweet is that!!! We all could use a few extra prayers I think.

Wes has been so good to me, he always is but especially since I have been sick. I just want to give my husband some mega brownie points on here. I love you baby doll.

Peace everyone.

Monday, January 8, 2007

Getting Better

pregnancy

Well, I am starting to feel much better. Either the cold medication is really working or my cold has run its course and is in the home stretch!! Which ever it is, I'm glad that its on its way to being over. Not that I am super glad to be going back to work, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. And trust me we need the bacon. We like to spend. I'm sure that will come to a fast halt when the baby arrives..we wont be able to afford it any longer.

I feel like my belly is getting larger as I sit here and type. Its pretty exciting to know that I am so close to the finish line. SEE ABOVE ILLUSTRATION. I have to admit this pregnancy has gone by so fast. I've had friends who have been pregnant and they say it felt like forever before the baby came. I feel like it just began and now its almost over!!! I am not getting tired of all the questions about how I feel, I love them. I enjoy every kick that the baby throws at me..they don't even keep me awake. Once the morning sickness ended (sometime back in Sept or Oct) its been smooth sailing for the most part. I have had a few minor irritations and not to mention the joint ligament pain (a super sharp pain in your side that feels like your being stabbed with a knife) and shortness of breath..but its all worth it. One thing I have enjoyed is not having to go to the Chiropractor as much. My bones are popping themselves back into place. Its lovely.

Starting Tuesday January 16, 2007 we start our prenatal classes. We are going to learn the Bradley Method of child birth, which is more inner breathing and peace that will keep me focused during labor. I am not going to get an epidural!! Brave I know, but I have talked to many women who have chosen not to get one and they all seemed to make it through OK.

Not much else is going on, just getting myself ready to reenter the real world again tomorrow. Lovely,

Peace

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Still Sick

I am still sick today. No fun at all. If I am still feeling like this tomorrow then I am going to call the doctor. Have you ever seen the guy on American Funniest Home Videos who runs the Spaghetti through is nose and nasal cavity to his mouth? OK not sure how he does this without getting sick. I was snorting very little salt water up my nose for some relief, but then I was also gargaling with stronger salt water to help my sore throat. Well the strong stuff went up my nasal cavity and that hurt!!! I'm still tasting salt in the back of my throat. Its probably one of the reasons that I still feel like crap!!! If I decided to have another child at some point I think I am going to try and plan it where I will not be pregnant over the cold/flu season. I feel bad giving the child so much medication. But I know its better to do that then me be super sick. Right now I am making myself some noodle soup..hopefully the comfort of that will make me feel a little better. The weather here is not helping any. It's been super warm out. Too warm for this time of year, in the mid-40's. Then today we had some frost but now its raining. I'm not wishing for snow, but a good strong frost would be great!! I think it would help kill off all the viruses that are going around. Enough of my ranting about being ill..I will get over it..I have to stay positive:)

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Ode to better days

OK here I am , five months prego. Almost two months have gone by since this picture was taken. So far I really enjoy being pregnant. When the baby kicks it makes me laugh. There is not a better feeling then life inside you. Its so amazing. It feels like little butterfly's most of the time, then all of a sudden it will kick me super hard. Just letting me know its in there.

I have been feeling miserable since Wednesday. My allergies have kicked in full force causing me to feel stuffy and light headed. Not to mention all the sneezing and the sore nose from blowing it all the time. The only medication that you can take is Sudafed Decongestant and frankly it's not cutting it. A friend told me to mix some salt in luke warm water and snort it up my nose. I thought why not!! Amazingly enough it has been working. But if you try this at home, know it does hurt. It feels like your swimming in the ocean and got a good wave right up in the nose. OK below is a picture of me at 6 months. I will be adding more as I go. Next week will be the mark of 7 months. I don't feel like I have been getting any bigger but my belly button is showing different signs of that. Lets just say that what was once inside is now outside.

Recommended books to read: Jenny McCarthy's book "Belly Laughs" It is so funny and reassuring about all the changes that you are going through. She also addresses the fact that you just may poop on the table during delivery. I have always heard of this but no one has actually owned up to it!! I suppose I wont either if it does happen. How gross!!

OK Ode to better days when I do not have a cold. I will forever appreciate being well from now on. Before I was pregnant it was great to get a day off work and drink some thera-flu and be over it in a few days. Now that I am pregnant and cant take the normal remedies to cure myself..it is hanging on a bit longer than I would like.

goodbye for now my good friends

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Jan 1 2007


Well the first day of Jan was pretty much spent sleeping and running errands. I went out to my friends house the night before with my husband. It was fun, but being 27 weeks pregnant I am not use to staying up so late. I did remember to give the dog a heart worm pill..good deal on that!! A little about who I am:

I am 29 years old and pregnant with my first child. I live in Indiana. My husband and I have been married almost a month now, but we have been together for about 9 years total. We love each other very much, we are best friends first! We met in High School when he was 16 and I was 17 (yes I am a year older than him). We bought our first house together last year and moved in the first week of January. So we are celebrating our first year here. We have a little American Eskimo dog. She is pure white and the cutest thing you will ever see. We have had her for four years now. We got her in Florida from a breeder. She was three years old when I got her and it was the best purchase that I have ever made. She can be a bit naughty sometimes to others. She wont bite but likes to nip at your ankles or you pant leg. She is overly protective of my purse and hates it when people wake me up when I am sleeping. She is the cute little dog above. I went to college and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice, but work for the Social Security Office. I also went to a trade school and got a Paralegal Certificate. I am hoping to one day be able to use my degree and Certificate together.
Why am I starting this post: Mostly I am tired of MySpace..its a bit overrated and I want family and friends to be able to keep up with the progress of the baby. I figure this will be an excellent way to share pictures of my new child and well my last Trimester with everyone too.

My New Years Resolutions:
1. Be more patient with others
2. Go to church
3. Read more
4. Enjoy being a mother in the spring
5. Be healthy

Things I'm looking forward to this year:
1. Having a baby
2. Being a wife
3. Having three months off work (to take care of the baby)
4. Another year with my dog
5. Getting a raise at work.......

To all Have a Great Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!