Bug 1; Melissa 0

These past few days have been less than fun. Let's just say I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

On Sunday afternoon/early evening, I started to feel a little crampy in my stomach. I chocked it up to eating too much all at once at dinner (I've been known to do that), but it didn't end and it actually got worse. I got the bug ...

From then on, I was in bad shape. I will spare you the glamorous details, but that virus was awful and I thought I was going to die. I haven't had a stomach virus for 20 years, at least. I was shocked because I've eaten tuna fish sandwiches from 7-11, fruit that I haven't washed, rare hamburgers and I try everything at least once. My stomach is usually cast iron with no issues, but this time a bug got the best of me and I lost in a big way. I am hoping that I lost some weight also as a two-day bulimic/anorexic, but we will see.

Now, I am a little sheepish to go out to dinner or take a fork to a rich meal, but I will get back on my fat horse very soon.

How about we hand out trophies for winning, for a change

Now that we are parents, TK and I have decided that the trophies that our children get for just showing up and participating are going right in the garbage. They may not even make it to the garbage at home. I may throw them out in the parking lot of the baseball, soccer or football field. A trophy for participation is not real life.

Would your boss have you compete against another colleague for a promotion and give it to the both of you because you "participated?" No, because that is not how things work in the real world. In the real world, there are winners and losers, and if you lose this time, you will try harder for next time.

Children should learn about discipline and disappointment. Coaches become motivators and disciplinarians on the field or court. They teach children that if they show up late to a game or do not participate in a practice, they do not play. It is not fair for the person that shows up 15 minutes early for every practice and a half hour early for each game to sit on the bench while a player who showed up 45 minutes late plays in a game. In the real world, if you are late to work numerous times or do not show up, you can get fired and for good cause.

The little league field should prepare our little athletes for real life. So, coaches that allow all kids to play regardless of their lateness to practices or games are doing children (and parents) a disservice and giving them a false sense of entitlement. I would prefer a coach that benches my child for lateness than a coach that just lets it go. There are teaching moments throughout our lives, and I have had plenty on the field or the court. For instance, fouling out of a basketball game showed me that my actions have repercussions. Striking out meant that I was not focusing. And, letting a ground ball roll through my legs meant that I was not keeping my glove down or using the tactics taught to me in practice. When I lost a game, it felt awful and there were times that I even cried, but those losses lit a fire inside me to want to win and I strived to accomplish that goal. I will not take those feelings from my children.

So, I repeat, there are teachable moments throughout our lives and our children's lives. Make use of them and prepare our children for a responsible, successful and respectful future. And, if you want our children's trophies, you can have them because they mean nothing, unless they actually earn them.

Getting Organized

My little guy is growing and growing, and I don't care what those percentiles mean that I hear at the pediatrician. He is eight and a half months old and in nine month clothing now. So, it seems like he is on par for his age.

Today, I decided to organize Jax's ever-growing clothing collection. I started with the bins in the garage and noticed that I already labeled one of them that contained all of his clothes from newborn to three months and his summer and fall outfits that he had grown out of. His old clothes were so small and cute, and I kind of miss those days, but we are having a ton of fun now so I prefer now to then. There were two other bins in the garage that needed organizing, so I took them out and took every piece of clothing out and made size piles. When my friends give me their kids' hand-me-downs, I take them and pack them away, but I don't really go through them until Jax jumps sizes. Well, this time, I went through every piece and made three bins: 12-18 months, 18-24 months and 24 months +. I had to make sure I wanted all the clothes that were in there and that none of them had stains. None of the clothes had been washed by me and that is fine because when the time comes, I will just do a couple loads of wash and Jax will have a whole new armoire of clothes to wear.

I also like to go to thrift shops and secondhand stores to buy Jax's clothes, even if the clothes can't be worn for a year or more. Baby and toddler clothes are always in pretty good shape in those stores because A. babies grow out of clothes fast, B. moms donate what they don't like or C. moms donate clothes because they cannot take them back to the store without the original tags. My kid grows fast too, so I don't understand spending a lot of money on an outfit that he may wear once or twice.

Jax may be all set for the next year or so with clothes, but his ensemble will probably double in size a few times over by the time he is three. My mom always comes home from a store with something for him, Joey Russo is growing out of his clothes and so is Grady Thompson. So, we're good for another year and a half ... unless there's a sale.

Fighting Like a Girl

When I was a teenager, I wanted my father to teach me how to box because his father boxed and I was fascinated by the artistry of some fighters, but he refused. His argument was that girls would definitely hit me back and it wouldn't feel good. He also convinced me that punches would leave marks on my face and I wouldn't look the same. It made sense because I have a big Italian nose and one dead on punch to my nose would probably break it instantly. OK Dad, I get it. However, he did teach me how to defend myself when put in the position to and I am thankful for that.

Ronda Rousey, UFC Bantamweight Champion

Not every Saturday, but some Saturday nights I watch UFC fights, and when it is on, I watch the Ultimate Fighter Competition with my husband. Some people think it is barbaric, but I think it is entertaining and a legitimate sport. These fighters are trained in mixed martial arts (MMA) which includes fighting while standing up (striking) and while on the ground (grappling). The menu of experience for the fighters includes boxing, judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing and karate. There may be other fighting techniques, but these are the ones I know of.

Now, when I say I like watching MMA, I mean that I like watching fights with submissions, ground and pound and boxing, but there are some fights that bother me because I am still a mother and a female. For instance, I hate when a fighter hammer punches another fighter's face until the fighter flops around like a rag doll. It can be disturbing. I picture this person's mother having to watch her son getting beat until unconscious and it breaks my heart. (Note: a hammer punch is a punch that uses the under part of a person's fist as if they were swinging a hammer.)

This month, UFC 157 included a female fight as the main event for the first time and it introduced Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche to the UFC. I told TK that we were ordering this fight on Pay Per View because I just HAD to watch. The inclusion of a female fight on a UFC card is a huge achievement for female athletes. They are paving the way for other females in yet another male-dominated sport. To end the fight, Rousey won due to an arm bar in the first round. (Note: an arm bar is a submission move that hyper-extends a person's arm to the point that it might break if they do not tap out.) After watching the fight, I wanted to learn about the personality behind the fighter so I watched YouTube videos that a colleague sent me. The emotional back stories and intensive training regimens were impressive and I became a fan. Rousey is even an Olympic judo champion. These girls are no joke!

So, next time you say someone "fights like a girl," think of Ronda Rousey and how she can flip over a 200-pound man and put him in an arm bar without messing up her hair. It's OK to be impressed.

Momtrepreneur-to-be

Yesterday, I took the first step to becoming a momtrepreneur, or whatever you want to call it. I took one step toward having a home office with orders coming in over the phone and through email and meetings via Skype where I can wear a blazer on top and flannel plaid PJ pants on the bottom, without anyone knowing the difference. OK, maybe that's all just a dream, but I did really start an Etsy shop. Yea, it may be something small, but it is something.

It says on my resumé that I have an art degree from Penn State, but I haven't used it since I designed promotional materials for Langistic Networks, and I am starting to piss myself off. I never wanted art to become a weekend hobby. I wanted art to be my talent and then become my career, but that obviously never happened. Well, fast forward 11 years and here I am with a husband, a house, a son, a master's degree, and a 7+ year career in public relations with no art anywhere. I enter my drawings in exhibits, but they were created years ago and I never even received an offer on one of them.

I am not quitting. I am an artist and that's what I've wanted to be since I was four-years-old, so I started an Etsy shop that I opened up by selling bottle cap magnets and photography prints of pictures that I've been taking for years on my DSLR. Eventually, I will add drawings, watercolor studies and maybe even portraits that I can do on a commission basis. It is a start. It may not be a six-figure salary or a home office, but it is something. I will not let my creativity flat line, especially at 32-years-old with a NEED to create. My Pinterest account is exploding. 

So, my Etsy shop is named MAK80 and it can be found at: www.etsy.com/shop/MAK80. Take a look and support a rebounding and rejuvenating artist, I mean, if you want.

Fifty Shades of Annoyance

For my 32nd birthday, my husband bought me the Fifty Shades trilogy. So, I read Fifty Shades of Gray and Fifty Shades Darker and liked them both, but then I got to Fifty Shades Freed and, to be honest, I am still on it. I got through the first few chapters, and that was about it. The little pebbles of annoyance that I saw passed in the first two books grew to the size of a boulder in book three.

 

Not every word was bad, don't get me wrong. During the first two books, I appreciated the highly imaginative descriptions and interactions, even though they were mostly sexual. I also liked that it was reminiscent of Pretty Woman, with a rich businessman falling in love with a quirky female who needs to find her way. The Christian Grey is jealous, has control issues and has sex with Anastasia Steele on a piano, so I saw an obvious Pretty Woman likeness. I mean, she even wears a grey tie for him ... really?

Now, those pebbles that I was talking about, yes, they exist and I will list them for you. First, the whole thing is unrealistic, especially Christian Grey's salary. I calculated that he would make $208 million a year or more, by making $100K an hour with added investments. That seems a little crazy. Second, I disliked how she mentioned his frown or his "straight-lipped smile" every other page. We get it, he makes facial expressions. He is a human being with full musculoskeletal control of his face. Got it. Also, it's annoying that Anastasia personifies her subconscious and has it wearing "Burberry" with its "arms crossed." What? That's just silly. And the final thing that had me saying, "Enough already," was the sex. They have SO much sex. On a bed. In a car. In the torture chamber (that's what I call it). In the bathtub. On the bathroom floor. I mean, it is A LOT. This is an erotic novel, so I understand that there has to be sex and plenty of it, but with all of this sex, someone should have a UTI by now or even a yeast infection. Sorry to go there, but it's true.

So, Fifty Shades Freed is on my nightstand collecting dust because Anastasia Steele and E.L. James are like my husband's snoring: OK in small spurts, but really annoying when it doesn't stop. E.L. you were alright at two books or you could have just killed off Ana in book three. Just saying.

A Lifetime of Travels ... Disney Travels

My family and I have recently discussed the possibility of traveling to Walt Disney World again in 2013 and I am ALL for it, as per usual. And, this time, for the first time, I will be bringing a toddler because Jackson will be a little over a year old when we want to go. I cannot wait to see WDW through his little, innocent, open eyes. Luckily for me, I have done it all, so I will not care if he wants to splash around in a fountain for an hour, go back to the hotel room for a nap or stand in line to meet Mickey. However, if he is anything like me when I was a toddler, he will be frightened of the characters and run in the other direction. But, as an infant, he already stays awake when we have company over so that he doesn't "miss" anything, just like his mama, so we may be doing A LOT.

Like I said, I have an extensive Disney history. I have been to Walt Disney World 13 times and to Disneyland once, and every time was wonderful. There were times I just went with my parents and my brother; with just TK; with my parents, TK and my aunt and uncle; and one time with 13 family members. So, here is my list, in chronological order with the places I stayed also listed (the purple items were added to this post after it was published):

1. 1983 - Orlando Vacation Resort (with parents, brother, Uncle Beaver and Viola)
2. 1986 - Days Lodge in Old Town (with parents and brother)
3. 1989 - Polynesian Resort and Las Palmas (with parents, brother and grandmother)
4. 1991 - Caribbean Beach Resort (with parents and brother)
5. 1993 - All Star Sports Resort (with parents and brother)
6. 1995 - All Star Music Resort (with parents and brother)
7. 1997 - Dixie Landings Resort (now Port Orleans Riverside) (with parents and brother)
8. 2003 - Westgate Vacation Villas (with TK)
9. 2004 - Pop Century Resort (with 13 family members)
10. 2006 - Swan Hotel and Caribbean Beach Resort (with parents, TK, Uncle George and Aunt Rosie)
11. 2007 - Pop Century Resort (with TK, Georgie, Jade, Bob and Cissy) Got engaged!
12. 2009 - Saratoga Springs Resort (with parents, TK, Uncle George and Aunt Rosie)
13. 2011 - Kidani Village Resort (with parents, TK, Uncle George, Aunt Rosie and Georgie)
14. 2013 - Kidani Village Resort (with Jackson, TK, parents, Uncle George, Aunt Rosie, Georgie, Paige and Garrett)
15. 2015 - Kidani Village Resort (with Addison, Jackson, TK, parents, Uncle George, Aunt Rosie, Georgie, Paige and Garrett)
16. 2017 - Polynesian Village Resort (Kuehnles, Gonzalezes, and Wallaces)
17. 2018 - Dolphin Resort (our 10th wedding anniversary)
18. 2019 - Bay Lake Tower (Kuehnles, Gonzalezes, and Wallaces)
19. 2020 - Art of Animation (Kuehnles and Gonzalezes) 

As you can see, I have stayed on-site a number of times and I think that is the best way to go because you get the luxury of the Magical Express, bus, monorail and boat transportation. You also get the benefit of package delivery to your hotel, so you don't have to lug your purchases around the parks all day. But, the main reason I like staying on property is that I can enter the world of Disney and not have to leave and come back. When I am in, I am in until we check out.

Now that my family belongs to the Disney Vacation Club, vacations have gotten more and more exciting because we stay on-site during every visit and we have the ability to try more things. For instance, during our 2011 trip, we were able to embark on the "Backstage Safari" at Animal Kingdom Lodge and get up close to the giraffes, zebras, ostriches, etc. and then enjoy a multi-course dinner with wine pairings. It was expensive, but it was wonderful!

So, next year, I am hoping to do something I've never done before ... bring my son to Walt Disney World as a mother. It will be a whole new world for me. (Get it? "A Whole New World." It is a Disney reference. Anyway ...) I can't wait!

So, I had a baby ...

I fell asleep watching the home run derby. Before TK fell asleep, his last words were, "Feel free to wake me up at 2:30 when your water breaks. Good night!" It was 2:22 a.m. and I woke up and felt funny, so I figured it was time to visit the bathroom to empty the bladder. I wasn't even able to walk past TK's side of the bed before my water broke. It was like I spilled a Dixie cup full of warm water on my pants. Whoa! So, I yelled to TK that my water had broke and then I ran to the bathroom and told him to bring me the phone. I guess he planned it this way because he made me eat spicy General Tso's Chicken for dinner and then take three laps around our backyard, and we live on almost an acre of property.

So, as I sat on the toilet I made a call to the overnight service and they connected me with the doctor on call, who was not my doctor ... and a male. It is not that I am sexist or anything, I just didn't (past tense) know why a man would choose to be an OB/GYN. Seemed very odd to me. Anyway, I asked him if I should rush on in and he said to get to the hospital as soon as I could get myself together, but not to rush. An hour later (3:30 a.m.), we got to the hospital and I wanted to head to admitting. The security guard asked me if I was sure and TK told him that I was a trooper and that I was fine. So, after all the paperwork, I headed up to the maternity floor and waited in the lobby for them to call me in. My parents arrived and sat with us until they called my name. I went into the freezing delivery room that would be my new home for the next 14 hours and changed into my new outfit. The nurses asked me almost a million questions about tattoos and piercings, family history and contractions, and then they gave me a sonogram to see if I really broke my water ... and I did.

Then TK and my mom came in to stay with me and the doctor decided to induce me with Pitocin because I wasn't having contractions on my own and I was only two centimeters dilated. The IV didn't work in one wrist, so the nurse switched it to the other arm, and I was all set, until the contractions started. 

HOLY CRAP! Contractions are no joke. It feels like the worst period cramp that you have ever had because your stomach tightens and you have to remind yourself to breathe through the pain. TK thought he could talk to me during this time, but I politely reminded him that it was not a good idea and he would need to shush while I have a contraction. Instead, he watched my contractions on the machine to see how crazy they got every time. The nurse then asked if I wanted an epidural because there were six other preggos that came in with me, so if I did, I would have to get it right then and first. I said, "Most definitely!" And, they ushered TK and my mom out and invited the anesthesiologist in. I didn't really feel the needle go in because the contractions kind of distracted me, but as soon as the meds made their way in, my hips got tingly and my back felt like someone poured warm oil down it. It was sensational and I REALLY don't know why a woman would turn it down. Eventually my stomach and legs went numb, but my feet and ankles did not. Then, the waiting game began ...

Around 4:30 p.m. while under four blankets and with half of my body regaining feeling, I was finally 10 centimeters dilated and I was going to start pushing. That took everything, and an hour and a half. It was the hardest thing I had ever done, but then came the stitches and they were the worst part of it all. When he came out, I asked and waited for the cry, and it came. Phew!

He was out, after 16 hours, and now he is in the world. Jackson (Jax) Thomas, at 8 pounds 3 ounces and 21 inches long, is the best thing I have ever created, and I feel extremely lucky to now have him in my life. What a heartwarming feeling it is to be this little special person's mom and to share him with his father, his grandparents and his family and friends. I am amazed that I was able to make this perfect little guy and that he will eventually call me Mommy.

Almost There

Feet are up and ice cream is in the freezer. We have three weeks left until my due date and are excited, but it is pretty nerve-wracking too.

For instance, I have a few thoughts.

• When will my water will break and where, or even if? 
• Is it a gush of water or is it just a little trickle? 
• What does a contraction feel like? 
• Is it like that feeling you get when you eat Taco Bell and it wants to explode out of your body? 
• Is the baby going to be big and will his head make my privates look like a bomb went off?
• Will TK faint at the first sight of blood and amniotic fluid?
• Will I poop on the table during labor? 

Ugh, do you see how crazy a pregnant woman's mind goes? This baby needs to get out ... sooner than later.

Some Kind of Trip

I had two weeks off and I have been taking a lot of trips. Trips to the bathroom. Trips to and from the car because I can't carry everything I bought at once. Trips to get more clothing to fill the washing machine. However, these are not the trips I wanted to take while I had this time off and now the window has shut on the idea.

All week I have been deleting emails from Travelocity, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Sherman's Travel and Fodor's because I don't want to see what I will miss out on while I am growing and having my child. I don't want to see the countless bars of Key West or the castles of Scotland or even the new attractions slated for Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, because I can't visit ANY of them. Not now and not for a while.

This week, I wanted to discover a new place or lay on a beach relaxing in the sun or drink a non-alcoholic fruit concoction ... but now I will just have to wait, for longer than I probably realize, to start checking more things off of My Life List. Well, I know I can look forward to #26 and that is a wonderful and amazing thing, and I have loved every minute of it so far. I guess I am just coming to the realization that I will be sacrificing yet another thing, while I plan for my husband's trip to Toronto (another place I've never been). I will be home thinking of whether my little boy will have curly blonde or brown hair and whether he will have my brown eyes or TK's blue eyes, all from the comfort of my own home. Ah, to be a mother.

What a SMASH!

Chocolate Malt

A new burger place has come to Long Island! Smashburger is in Hicksville and the burgers, sides and shakes are delicious. My brother-in-law recommended we grab a bite there after a day of bowling, mini golf and the batting cage (I read a book during the batting cage visit because now is not the time to be taking swings).

My BBQ, Bacon and Cheddar

I had the BBQ, Bacon and Cheddar burger that came topped with fried onions and BBQ sauce. I added ketchup too, because that is what I do. The burger was just so flavorful that I think I would be happy with just their Classic Burger with Cheese. I also added the Haystack Onions and a Chocolate Malted Shake. The onions came with a horseradish dipping sauce, like you would get with a Bloomin' Onion. These onions were light and crispy, and for $1.99, they were a definite after a recommendation from my sister-in-law. The shake was also a great choice because it was sweet and creamy with a small dollop of whipped cream as an edible garnish. 

Steven's Classic with Cheese

Even TK was pleased with his meal and he got the Sweet Potato Smashfries and an order of Fried Pickles. He even referred to it as the "best burger" he has had in a while. So now we are both counting the days until we can revisit this heavenly establishment. Anyone want to go for a ride?

Had to go to Moe's

I have been hearing so much about this place Moe's Southwest Grill because of my fondness for burritos. Today, I drove the 25 miles (much to TK's dismay) to give it a try and I was quite pleased.

I ordered the Homewrecker, which is the largest of the burrito options, so it was the obvious choice. I got it with chicken, rice, cheese, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and salsa. All the ingredients were fresh and the burrito was made right in front of me, which I liked. Every meal comes with chips on the side and they are not cheap with them, as you can see by the picture. Of course, I had to listen to Jackie at work and get the side of queso, which was great advice (Thank you Jackie). I took half of the little cup home to share with TK because I knew he would be a fan of it as well. I couldn't even eat everything, so I am eating the other half of the burrito for dinner tonight too.


Next time, I would love to try their pork or add some bacon to my chicken burrito because that sounded delicious. Now, I just have one question ... when is Moe's coming to Suffolk County?

A Pretty Place on Long Island

Today I took a drive up north to Stony Brook Village and the area is so quiet and pretty. The Shopping District includes small and big name shops, but they are all grouped together in a lovely way. My first stop was the Writing Place, where they sell stationary, gifts and Vera Bradley items. Then I took a walk to browse in the shops near the post office, which included Welcome Home of Stony Brook, Fair Trade Winds and the Stony Brook Gift Shop. All of the shops sold very cute, unique items.

When I left the area, people were parked on the street next to a grassy area with huge trees and a huge pond (Mill Pond), complete with geese and ducks. The shops sell duck food, so I figured this was a place where families can and do visit on a sunny day like this one. Also, close to the harbor there was an unusual statue of Hercules. I didn't get out of the car to go see what his significance was, but I thought it was interesting.

Stony Brook Village is a very nice place to take a stroll on a nice spring day, maybe a little less fun alone, but it was peaceful and interesting.

YAY VACAY and YAY FRO YO!

I am now off for two weeks and lovin' it. Since I am not really going anywhere, I have decided to just do some local things that I have never done or tried before. Today, I did a little shopping and made sure to stop by a new frozen yogurt place named Swirls and Twirls. I love ice cream so the collection of low-fat or nonfat flavors is an even better option. They have so many flavors to choose from and they have them organized so that you can combine flavors to create a new concoction. For instance, combining their Southern Red Velvet and their Icky Sticky Peanut Butter creates the Southern Delight. And, this is before toppings ...

I chose Creamy Cookie Blitz and Icky Sticky Peanut Butter and then topped it with crushed up Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Crunchies, Chopped Peanuts and Whipped Cream. It was great, even though the whole low-fat or nonfat idea went right out the window with my toppings. Oops!

It's a ...

BOY!

TK and I went for the sonogram and the technician (Jackie) saw a penis, which proves it! However, she did also say that he was shy, which he doesn't get from either of us. TK quickly jumped up with his hands in the air in excitement. Of course, I started to cry ... a little. The technician also showed us all of his working parts, including his feet, legs, hands, spine and she said his head is a normal size. All good news.

We planned a "Baby Gender Reveal Dinner" with my parents, his brother, his brother's wife, my brother and my brother's wife at a family-style Italian restaurant. We ordered a cake from a local bakery and the cake was dyed blue to reveal the gender. TK had a little fit because I wanted the cake to be light green with white and yellow question marks all over it, but he didn't think that it matched the blue inside and he wanted some fondant booties on the cake too. (So high maintenance!) I explained to him that the cake is more for function, not for fashion. So, we decided on a white cake with blue and pink question marks on it and the saying, "He or She? Open to See." At the end of the dinner, the waitress brought out the cake and TK put a slice in it, then I did and then he slid the slice out that we cut and it revealed the blue inside. Everyone was very excited, and 4 out of 6 of them were right. Michael and Steven thought the baby would be a girl.

So, now we know that we are waiting for a little guy to arrive, and I am kind of relieved. I am not the girliest of girls and I like to play rough, so for our first child to be a boy, is good news. I think I will have a little ruffly girl eventually, but right now, there is a boy on his way.

The Strangeness Has Begun

It wasn't strange that I got pregnant. It wasn't even strange that I saw two lines on the test because I always knew I would get pregnant some day. The oddest thing right now at five months along is that I can feel him or her moving.

Being the foodie that I am, I'm used to gas pains, bubbles and cramps, but now I have a little bit more going on in my belly and it's not the result of a big meal. Every night and sometimes during the day, I feel a little flutter here and there and I know there's a little guy or girl in there. Sometimes it surprises me and sometimes I just sit and wait for something to happen. It is really pretty cool and also it reassures me that the baby is OK and growing. Thank you God.

Now, this whole big belly thing, well, this is something I'll have to get used to, along with the interesting comments.

Insulted by the Name Calling

"If you voted for Obama in 2008 to prove you're not a racist, you'll have to vote for someone else in 2012 to prove you're not an idiot." 

So, let me get this straight, you (the more educated and worldly person) want me to vote for one of these three guys: One who hides his money in off-shore accounts so he can try to fool us into thinking he isn't rich. Another who is "very religious" but has two divorces under his belt and a record of adultery while asking his ex-wives to allow it, and the third who has a 20-year-old daughter but wants to ban contraception and feminine care, even if she is raped, she will just have to deal. 

Interesting ... I wonder what an idiot like me is to do.

The Menu has Changed

Food is a very big deal in my life, and lately it's been a lot more important and a lot less available.

As a pregnant woman, there is an extensive list of food I cannot eat ... sadly. The items on this list could harm me or my baby, so I have to cut things out like alcohol and caffeine. The only alcohol I've put in my mouth in the past four months is in Scope mouthwash. My kind friends let me smell their beer or wine while we are out, and that will be satisfaction enough for me for the next 6 months.

A ham sandwich is also out. I can't eat any cold cuts unless I heat them up and kill any possible bacteria that can carry listeria. What fun is that? So, in this case, a sandwich is not a hero.

Sushi or any raw fish is not allowed in my belly either. Usually, my sushi of choice is a spicy tuna roll of some sort, but tuna is the biggest culprit for mercury intake. Sushi will have to wait, but hibachi is allowed, so Japanese food isn't completely banned.

However, Greek food is useless to me if I can't incorporate any feta cheese. Soft and unpasteurized cheeses are out of question, including the blue cheese dressing that accompanies buffalo wings. I don't love stinky cheese, so I'm not bothered by this, but Greek and Turkish foods are out.

Most recently, I've found out that French fries, hash browns and potato chips all have acrylamide in them, which is a cancer-causing agent, so those have been added to the list.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've been eating like a champ lately because pizza, pasta and salad are all on my crave list, especially balsamic or zesty dressings. Also, the doctor has said that I need to eat five small meals a day, and my family and friends don't let me skip a meal, which I kind of like.

So, the plan is that when this baby pops out, I'm getting a Super Club hero from TJ's Hero Shop in Patchogue and picking up a six-pack of Franzikaner Heferweisen for lunch, and then going to Sumou to get sushi and wine for dinner. I may get tipsy real quick, but it will be delicious. Who wants to join me?

New Clothes

Last week I told you I was preggo and this week I'm going to share with you one of the benefits: NEW CLOTHES.

So by new clothes, I'm not talking "catwalk, top-of-the-line, can barely breathe in them" clothes, I'm talking "eat whatever the heck you want, expands to allow for more food, breathable" clothes. These little, err big, wonders of fashion were made so that a preggo didn't have to care if her body was expanding in all areas, she could still walk without a wedgie and she could sit without creating an enormous muffin top. Ah, comfort.

There are these full-panel pants that are regular pants from hip to ankle, but a whole separate ball game up top. These gems are stretchy from your pelvis, up past your stomach, past your ribcage, to just right below your bra line. And, in the winter, that's like 15 extra inches of warmth my friends. I'm seriously contemplating wearing them after I give birth so I don't have to button another pair of pants again, but that may just be the laziness talking. Now, I'm not quite the fattest I can be yet, so I'm just wearing these pants now because: A. I have them, and B. My real clothes make me feel like a sausage.

The only real problem I am facing is that I'm not feeling all that sexy in anything I wear or don't wear, which I know comes with the territory. However, I'm pretty sure I should care, but I really kind of don't. I'd rather daydream about having a Victoria's Secret body after I pop out a kid, like they do on TV.

New Beginnings

Right after Halloween, I went to go see the Conan O'Brien show with my brother. We drove into the city together and went to a bar to kill time before the show started. I had a Hoegaarden and a sip of his Captain Lawrence Smoked Porter that disgustingly tasted like liquid sausage. That was the last sip of beer I had.

The next day I got to work and realized that it was time to take a pregnancy test because I was late and I had never been late in my life. So during lunch, I ran out to CVS and got myself a pack of three tests because you can never be too sure. That night when I returned home, my husband was waiting for me to take the test. I took one and it had one line and another faint line next to it. Pregnant. I took another test. Two lines again. Pregnant. We were amazed.

When we told my parents, it was great. We brought bagels over and I wrapped a book with "Grandma" in the title for my mother that I had purchased last year for just this moment, if it ever came. I gave her the book and she said thank you but wondered what it meant. I said, "I'm pregnant," through a few tears and then they started to cry. My dad jumped up out of his seat with tears in his eyes to hug me and my mother rushed over to hug Tom. Neither of them wanted to let go, it seemed. It was a priceless reaction.

A few days later, we went over to Tom's parents' house to tell them our news. It was a little less emotional of a reaction, but it was characteristic. Tom's mother was excited and his father's quote was, "Glad to see you still have lead in your pencil." He has a crude way of saying things that gets the point across and makes us laugh at the same time. Hysterical.

So, today I am 14 weeks pregnant. I have the sonograms to prove it and I have heard my baby's heartbeat. It is so strange to have a person growing inside you that is now the size of a lemon. I know the size because I am updated every week on the fruit or vegetable that my baby resembles. Just weeks ago he or she was the size of an olive and now, today - a lemon. But tomorrow, as I start my 15th week, the fruit will change and be something slightly bigger than a lemon.

No sickness, just a little nausea a few weeks ago, and no belly yet as I begin my second trimester. I can just feel a little protrusion in my lower abdomen and most of my pants don't fit anymore. We celebrated Christmas Eve and I had two of the seven fishes. We had a New Year's Eve party and I enjoyed sparkling grape juice. No cold cut sandwiches. No caffeinated beverages and definitely no alcohol, but it will all be worth it when I have a healthy baby in my arms ... and that day will make its way here in about 7 months. Oh man, what have I gotten myself into ...

Let Me in Your Brain, Just for a Minute

Sometimes I wish I was a mind reader so that I didn't have to guess what people thought. To wonder what is going on in a person's mind is one of life's great mysteries, but if everything was just laid out for you, what fun would life be?

However, wouldn't it be so much easier if we just knew what a person thought, like when you are fighting with your husband  or wife, or when your friend stops talking to you for no reason, or when someone says they are happy for you but their face says otherwise? It would be so efficient to just jump into their brain and hear their thoughts to know if you should be mad or just patient because they are not good at communicating.

Wouldn't life be much simpler? But, I guess life is complicated and there is not too much we can do about it. Here's to hoping ...

Happy Holidays!

People make such a big deal about saying "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas." How would you like it if people went around saying "Happy Hanukkah" all of December and you celebrated Christmas? It would be like they were ignoring your faith, right? Exactly.

I understand that Christmas is more prominent, but that doesn't make it right to ignore the fact that you are guessing a person's religion when you greet them. In a way, it is like presuming someone is fat instead of pregnant because there is a greater chance that they have put on pounds by eating too much and living a sedentary lifestyle, than by insemination. Maybe that's pushing it, but you get my drift.

This year, Christmas falls within the eight days of Hanukkah, so there is one day when they are both being celebrated at the same time and to say "Happy Holidays" would cover them both. So, why ignore and disrespect an entire religion when all you have to do is change your festive greeting? You can even say "Season's Greetings" if that makes you feel better. It is the "Season of Giving," so give in.

My (Always-Growing) Life List

Over the years, I have created a list of things that I have wanted to do, see or experience. This list will never stop growing as long as I continue living because there are always going to be things I want to know about. The items with red information, I have already accomplished.

1. See the dome of the Sistine Chapel                
2. Dogsled in the area of the Iditarod (will not compete)
3. Swim with dolphins and sting rays (Discovery Cove, 2006)                      
4. Go inside a pyramid
5. Climb a waterfall (Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 2001)
6. See the Grand Canyon and walk on the Skywalk (Las Vegas Trip, 2007)
7. Make Crème Brulee (30 B4 30, 2010)
8. Eat at Tavern on the Green (Sept. 2, 2005)
9. Take a carriage ride around Central Park (Sept. 2, 2005)
10. Ride in a helicopter
11. Ride in a hot air balloon
12. Go whale watching
13. Go white water rafting (Smoky Mountain Outdoors, Sept. 1, 2015)
14. Country line dance after learning the steps (Wildhorse Saloon, June 29, 2010)
15. See the inside of the Oval Office
16. Walk on the Great Wall of China
17. Hike up and down a mountain
18. Ride in a gondola in Italy
19. Visit the Louvre Museum and see the Mona Lisa up close
20. See the Northern Lights, a.k.a. Aurora Borealis (October – March)
21. Pet a penguin (Sea World, 2004)        
22. Attend a real Hawaiian luau (Honeymoon, Sept. 16, 2008)        
23. Learn Italian
24. Learn to tap dance
25. Get married (2008)
26. Have a child (2012 and 2015)          
27. Write a book and have it published
28. Go on an African safari             
29. Experience La Tomatina in Spain (last Wednesday in August)   
30. Drive cross country in an RV
31. Eat at The Lady and Sons in Savannah, GA
32. Visit Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard and take a bike ride
33. Take a train north on the west coast (American Orient Express)
34. See Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
35. See the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota     
36. Take a baking class
37. Throw a penny in the Trevi Fountain in Rome
38. See the sea turtles in the Cayman Islands
39. Visit Australia
40. Drink a cocktail out of a real pineapple (Disney, Aug. 18, 2009)
41. Stay overnight in a castle
42. Go wine tasting in Napa Valley, CA
43. Drive on the Pacific Coast Highway
44. See a Cirque du Soleil show (O, January 2011)
45. Watch the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West
46. Eat lobster in Maine (July 28, 2013)
47. Swim in a cavern
48. Swim under a waterfall (Honeymoon, Sept. 18, 2008)
49. Go zip lining (Honeymoon, Sept. 17, 2008)
50. Ride a segway (Disney, 2006)
51. Visit Scotland
52. Enter my artwork in a juried exhibition (May 2011 and February 2012)
53. Visit the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, Vermont
54. Attend a Tickertape Parade (Giants, February 2008)
55. Swim with manatees
56. Take a picture with a parrot on my shoulder
57. Visit Yellowstone National Park and see geysers
58. Play a round of golf (Spring Lake, July 8, 2009, 9 holes)
59. Take a shower in a stall with shower heads shooting in all directions
60. Go to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17, 2010)
61. Ride in a zorb (Pigeon Forge, TN, July 2, 2010 and Sept. 2, 2015)
62. Go to an auction at Christie’s or Sotheby’s
63. Take a pottery/ceramics class. (SJC, Sept. 24, 2011)
64. Visit Philip Island to see the Penguin Parade
65. See the Conan O'Brien Show (Nov. 1, 2011)
66. Visit the Galapagos Islands and meet animals in their natural habitat
67. Eat Beignets (Walt Disney World, 2015)
68. Soak in hot springs
69. Take a spa vacation
70. Go to Freeport, Maine for the holidays
71. Take a foodie tour
72. Have a sandwich named after me
73. Move to a whole new place (Nov. 7, 2017)
74. Ride the Royal Gorge Cloudscraper in Colorado
75. Become a Disney Passholder (Aug. 25, 2018)
76. Get my Ed.D. or Ph.D.
77. Release baby turtles into the ocean
78. Go on a shopping spree
79. Try acupuncture
80. Leave a 100% tip for a server
81. Attend a film premiere
82. Attend a gay pride event
83. Be an extra in a movie, show, or commercial (Frontrunner Casting, Disney Holiday Special, Nov. 13, 2021)
84. Stay at an all-inclusive resort
85. See a coral reef
86. Make fresh pasta
87. Hug a Redwood Tree
88. Drive a boat
89. Climb a lighthouse

I love the help in The Help

There are movies that entertain and there are movies that make you question who you are and what your place is in this world. The Help is both.

The Help is a movie based on the fictional book of the same name by Katheryn Stockett. It is about the housemaids who raise the children, cook and clean the houses of young white wives and mothers of the 1960s. The way these maids were treated and how black people in general were treated fifty years ago really was deplorable and watching it hurt my heart. I spent most of the movie tearing up or crying. I was truly sad at some points, but I know that is how it really was back then and that really pissed me off.

There are many times in your life where you ask yourself if you are going to let something ethically wrong happen because you are too afraid to act and do what is right. I try to live my life in a way that I don't allow such things to happen in my presence and I try to make people understand why intolerance and racism is wrong, but I can't do it all the time and that is a failure that I have to deal with. After watching this movie, you will ask yourself whether or not you are a good person and what side you would be on, and hopefully you will choose the right, morally sound side because that's the side you should be on.

Next, onto the book.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #5)

Today I learned that you shouldn't leave blue painter's tape on too long because if you do, it may rip up the paint underneath it. This paint may also be ceiling paint that the previous owner did not leave behind for you to touch up the ceiling with.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #4)

Today I learned that you should learn how to use a steam cleaner correctly. If you do not, you might create puddles all over your floor or soak your pajamas. Also, learn how to use the attachments so that you do not have to lift up the whole device to clean your couch and hurt your back.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #3)

Today I found out that you should blow dry your hair with the door closed or away from the door if your smoke detector is right outside of the bathroom. If you don't, the smoke alarm will go off because of the hot air coming out of your dryer and scare you and your dog in the early morning.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #2)

Something else that I found out as a homeowner is to learn how to load the dishwasher correctly. If you don't, you may put the knives in with the blade facing up and stab yourself in the wrist while trying to put the spoons or forks in.

Happy 31st Birthday to Me!

Today I turn 31. 31. I don't even like the sound of it. It is both an odd and a prime number. However, I was told at a bar recently that I look 23 and the person "would have never guessed I was even close to 30." Ah, the wonder of face cream and good genes.

I don't mind aging because it shows that I survived yet another year on this earth without a bus hitting me or suffering from bad sushi. But, I do mind people saying that my clock is ticking, I am not getting any younger, etc. I think my life is just getting started. I am not over any sort of hill yet. This may be a year of BIG changes though; with the whole new house and all. Ya never know. I guess you will have to stay tuned to see what kind of excitement, madness or stupidity ensue.

What I Have Learned So Far...(Item #1)

Now that I am a homeowner and living in my house, there are have been "learning experiences" or mistakes that made me flip out or get hurt and taught me not to do them again. From now on, I will share my newly acquired knowledge with you so that you can learn from my many mistakes.

First thing I learned is that you should not label paint cans by sight. You should actually paint little squares on the wall to see which paint is correct for that room. If not, you will have to stay up until 3:15 a.m. painting an entire room a new shade of tan. 

My New Tattoo

On June 29, 2003 the person who I bonded with most died. It has been eight years since that day and it still feels like it happened yesterday. Before her death, I would sit in my car and cry because I was afraid of what would happen when that day came. I even found myself having those feelings after her death and reminding myself that she is already gone. Now, I get upset sometimes when I think about my parents or TK dying before me. I am more afraid of other people dying than I am of dying myself.

So, in honor of my grandmother, her death and who she was to me, I got a tattoo. I am sure she would hate the idea if she was alive, but she isn't so she can't argue with me about it. This tattoo is my second (after my Hidden Mickey two years ago) and I got it on July 3. It is a tribal elephant that I found online. It is the symbol for an African tribe that I had customized. The trunk was down, but I needed it up because down is bad luck and up is good luck. The elephant was my grandmother's favorite animal and it is a symbol of royalty and grace. She had elephants on everything; nightgowns, blankets, coffee mugs...you name it, she had it. My mother even made me a little pillow out of a piece of her favorite elephant blanket.

When I had finally printed out the symbol and decided what I wanted, I asked Danielle at Michael Angelo Ink, to draw in my grandmother's initials (Gloria Dolores Sirico = G.D.S.) and she did a great job. It is on my lower back hip, just below my pant line, and it is in all black. It took about 45 minutes from start to finish, but it seemed pretty fast. It hurt more than my first one, which I thought was odd because there is more chunk on my hip than on my ribcage, but I love it and I love that I can honor her every day of my life with this symbolic artwork.

I have said that I would get this tattoo since I got my other one, and I finally did it. I guess it just goes to show that I do what I say I am going to do and sometimes you have to go through some pain to prove your love. I guess I am one for bold statements and am committed, or should be committed. Either one.

Melissa = Homeowner (YAY!)

We closed on our house at the end of last week and now we are "homeowners." It took us three years to get into the position to buy a home, but we got here and are very happy with our purchase. And, honestly, to be able to buy a house on Long Island is a pretty big feat in itself.

The house is a good size for us. It has three bedrooms, one bathroom, a large kitchen, a garage and a 3/4 of an acre of property. There's always the option to expand, up or out...ya know, if we ever have those kids that people have been asking me about for the past three years.

Since we got the keys, we have been working on getting it where we want it. It may not seem like a lot, but we have rooms to paint, a back-splash to install, a fence to put up and TVs to hang. It may seem like only a few things but it is already exhausting and expensive, and I have only been moving things in and painting so far. However, I am fully aware that this is a long and arduous process that will afford me both pleasure and pain.

There was a point a few years ago that I thought it would never happen, just because I was being a pessimist. But, it was time to get out of that apartment and be a big girl and a big boy. So, we did. However, I am not becoming a stuffy, serious adult just because I own a house now. I am still going to be a silly, obnoxious, pain in the butt; I'll just be one that infects an entire house with her ridiculousness. Be prepared, oh and maybe take a pop by. Mi casa es su casa, but clean up after yourself.

I can't stop laughing!

I recently found a website using StumbleUpon that has been cracking me up. It is called WhenParentsText and people send in the random conversations they have with their parents via text message. Some parents know how to text message and some are just winging it, and it is funny.

My parents just purchased a text message plan on their phones and barely use it, unlike me, who sent and received 4,116 texts last month. (In my defense, it was a busy month.) It used to cost them 25 cents to send or receive a text message, so every time I sent them a message they would yell at me for spending their money.

Now, my mother just texts her friend from work and my father barely uses it at all. They are not familiar with the tool. So, when I read the text messages that are posted on WhenParentsText I hear my mother's and father's voices, and then I laugh hysterically. I think this is exactly how it will be when they start to text me. I cannot wait for the day that they send me something ridiculous so I can submit it to be published.

Some of the funniest texts on WhenParentsText include: 

ME: I have to say mom, that wasn’t your best outfit yesterday. 
MOM: Yeah well at least I’m married and have 4 kids…and a JOB. Don’t take your jealousy out on me. 

Mom: Owls 
Me: Huh? 
Mom: I didn’t text that. Just got out of the shower. My phone is haunted :-( 

Mom: Your check just got here in the mail. What should I do with it? 
Me: What check? 
Mom: Just kidding. Dad told me to write that if I wanted a response. We miss you! 

Me: Miss you 
Dad: HI HONEY NICE TO SEE YOUR VOICE

I am telling you, it is hysterical. So hysterical that I have had to wipe tears from my face a few times from laughing so hard. And, there are so many Harry Potter references that I am afraid that my mother is texting other people's children...

So, give WhenParentsText a visit and let me know if you are overcome with laughter. 

Live to eat, but cook only when necessary

After 30 long years of my life, I have noticed that I am not much of a cook, and unfortunately so has my husband. I read a recipe and follow directions like a champ, but the whole "throw something together" gene was not inherited by me from my father. He has this uncanny ability to find random things in the refrigerator and combine them for a semi-gourmet meal. He can cook his beloved Arroz con Pollo almost blindfolded and I can only boil water and toss a salad. As a half Italian, half Puerto Rican, it is embarrassing.

Now, don't get me wrong, I can make cupcakes from scratch, whip together a frosting without a recipe and bake a souffle, but the entree portion of the meal is just not up to par. The only thing I make without a recipe is garlic chicken cutlets, and I already made them for my parents and they were less than impressed.

And what does "salt and pepper to taste" mean? Why doesn't the recipe just say 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper? Measurements are easier to read and follow. And, I have tried the Cooking for Dummies books and there aren't any pictures. What good is a cookbook without any pictures?

To be honest, I have made a recipe from Giada's cookbook and that came out great, but I haven't really mastered anything at all. My kids are in trouble...

So, I ask: Is there any advice that you received when you started to cook that you could offer up to us young and culinary-challenged? Please comment.

Living with my parents; two weeks in

After 17 days of living with my parents, we are completely content. On Thursdays and a Wednesday, I cook for everyone and on Friday, we get takeout or go to a restaurant. So far, I made crock pot BBQ ribs, mac and cheese with Dorito crumbles and garlic chicken cutlets. My mother says I need to cook, not to give her a break, but so that I can learn how to cook for my family, when I get one. I agree. I love to eat other people's cooking, but my own, I just muscle through.

One serious bonus of living with my parents is that I see Mister Softee a lot more and I seriously love his products and the dependability of his service. The only problem is that he shows up when I get home from work and before I eat dinner. It ruins my whole meal plan. But, it is delicious and worth the $2.50 I pay for a vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles. What's better than good ice cream that is delivered to you? I can't think of anything either.

TK has his own set of interests while living here. He compares it to living in a hotel. There are fresh, clean towels every day, dinner on the table every night and breakfast every Saturday and Sunday morning. He is completely satisfied, especially since I prepare lunch for him to take to work every day. He is living the life. I am just afraid he will get used to it...

We had my uncle and aunt visit this weekend and it was great to hang out all day, have our dog here and not have to worry about packing up to go home after a long day. When we got tired, we just put on our pajamas and went to bed. I grew up in a house with my parents, my brother, my maternal grandparents, my mom's five brothers and my mother's sister. I enjoy a full house and when I go home I always feel like I am missing something. At least, for now, I won't feel that way. Right now, I am gaining a lot.

Words can't explain, but I will try anyway

I am at work today; the same place where Jessica left in an ambulance on Friday. She was hemorrhaging from what we now know was a placental abruption. She was frightened and in pain.

I received notice from her husband Jon hours later, while walking into my in-laws' house, notifying me that they had lost both baby girls and that Jessica was being transferred to Stony Brook Medical Center. I just covered my mouth and stood in the driveway staring at my phone and sobbing. My heart sank because I felt so awful for them and knew what they had gone through just to get to this point, this awful point.

Through all 35 weeks of her pregnancy, Jessica confided in me with text messages immediately after visiting the doctor or conversations after having a sonogram. It was like I battled through it all with her and these babies became a part of my life as well. Maybe it is a selfish way of thinking, but since Jessica considered me her "work husband" I felt like I was on Team Decatur for the past eight months. I wanted to make sure she had a support system while she was in the office and away from her family and friends. Pregnancy is rough, not to mention a high risk pregnancy with other health complications factoring in. And, oh boy did they factor in. The whole journey was rough for her. Some days were easier than others, but it was a struggle that I saw firsthand for eight hours a day.

So Friday, when I saw her upset, bleeding and worried, I knew something was definitely wrong, but I kept saying, "It will be OK." I hate that I kept telling her that now because it wasn't OK and it wasn't going to be OK, but what else could I say to a distressed pregnant woman who I just called an ambulance for? I had to say something to calm her nerves, but I knew I wasn't convincing anyone.

Today I am back at work and not able to focus on any tasks because all I keep thinking about is my boss/friend who is in the Critical Care Unit at Stony Brook Medical Center. I just feel so bad for her and her family and what they are going through. She is in and out of surgeries and Jon is right by her side. I can't even begin to know how she is feeling or pretend to know what to say.

Now, I just wait for updates and try to do whatever it is I can for her and her family. I have been updating our mutual friends and colleagues all weekend and will continue to do so, in order for her to not have to talk about it or explain it to anyone. I just feel so helpless because there is nothing I can do or say to make it any better, but anything that I feel pales in comparison to any emotion that she and her family are feeling. I just hope her condition improves and she can return home to see her little boy that misses his mommy right about now.

My heart breaks...but their hearts are broken.

We are moved in!

It took an entire week and we still have a few items left in our apartment, but we are all moved into my parents' house. I didn't realize how much stuff we accumulated over 5 years. We filled the POD and there are boxes all over my parents' house. We have clothes in every closet of the house and instead of looking through every closet to find outfits for work, I have decided to wear my mother's clothes. All of her clothes are in one closet, so it is just easier.

While we were trying to move our bed to the upstairs bedroom, the box spring wouldn't fit up the steps. So, my parents were willing to get a saw and chop off the post of the bannister. I actually had to talk them out of it. I appreciate the thought, but there was no need for them to ruin their bannister for a one month stay. It eventually fit upstairs anyway.

So far, so good. TK is ecstatic that he had pancakes for breakfast, pizza for lunch and macaroni for dinner today. It doesn't take much to please us.

Is it weird that I'm excited?

As we make moves to buy a house, our next move is to abandon the apartment we've been living in for 5 years and take all of our stuff to my parents' house for about a month and a half. A large amount of our stuff is currently sitting in a 16-foot POD on my parents' driveway. TK and I are going to stay with my parents' while we take the necessary steps to buy a house and save some money in the process.

But, is it weird that I am excited to move in with my parents again? I have fun with them and TK is preparing for movie nights and take out Fridays. It seems like he is more excited than I am, and they aren't even his parents.

My mother decided that, when we move in, I have to cook one dinner a week. TK is convinced that it has to be something that I have never cooked before, so I have decided that they are all in for a world of hurt and nausea. We will see how this goes. I may have to blog about this entire experience because it is not every day that a 30-year-old woman and her 35-year-old husband move in with her parents and cohabitate for a month or more. Stay tuned for the madness that might ensue. I am just hoping to not get kicked out for suggesting too many pajama nights watching "Country Strong" or "Green Lantern." Who am I kidding? On a regular Saturday afternoon, I might find my dad watching "Mean Girls" or "First Daughter" on Showtime. We might be the breath of fresh air that their household needs...or not. Like I said, we'll see.

Trying to Buy My Piece of This Earth

After a long time preparing, TK and I are finally ready to buy a house. A few weeks ago, we went to look at three houses and we found one that we liked. I know what you are thinking, "Only three?" We know that people usually look at dozens of houses before they finally choose one that they like, but that wasn't the case with us. We are the kind of people that go to a car dealership and leave with a car, well TK is at least. The first house we looked at was "the one" so we wasted no time before putting in an offer and showing it to our family.

This house is only a few blocks away from where we are now and everything in it is brand new. It is a flipped property that the seller took great time and devotion to renovate. It has a great kitchen, which I really like and a huge yard, which TK really loves. Currently, we are knee-deep in the home-buying process, but nothing is set in stone yet and we are trying not to get our hopes up, but it is hard not to.

This is a pretty big deal for us and I am pretty nervous about it because I want it to happen and I don't have the best luck. The last big thing we bought was our car and that was last year and less than a tenth of the price. Anything can still happen to make the deal fall through and I am just hoping that nothing does.

One small bonus of buying a house is that I get to finally use the gifts that all my family and friends bought us for my bridal shower and our engagement. All I keep thinking about is my Kitchenaid Artisan Stand Mixer that is still in its box and how I would like to be able to conquer any of Ina Garten's recipes because they all require a stand mixer. However, I will have to replace all of the spices in my spice rack because they have all since expired.

So now I watch HGTV and actually scan Lowe's circulars with my fingers crossed and butterflies in my stomach. And, I am not sure if I should be praying to God or St. Joseph, the supposed patron saint of house-hunting...but, I may do both.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Social Nerdiness in San Fran

After 5 years of service to my employer, I finally was able to go to a fully-funded out-of-state conference. From Tuesday to Friday I was in San Francisco for the CASE Social Media & Community Conference and had a great time. Well, despite my flight from NY to Chicago that was so turbulent that the flight attendants couldn't serve hot beverages for fear of burning the passengers.

I wasn't able to really see any sites, but I was able to take a visit to the Yerba Buena Gardens, where they have an Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the SF MOMA store to buy a couple postcards and a paintbrush/pencil that I thought was genius. Unfortunately, the museum is closed on Wednesdays so I couldn't see any art. Also, SCVNGR had a trek set up for the conference that included some of these sites. I finished in tenth place for the trek challenges and received 10% off a SCVNGR license for my institution, which may come in useful if I can convince someone to actually use it.

The conference was really informative and fun. I met a lot of people from all over the country, Australia, France and Canada. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, which was very refreshing. I know too well how people in my industry can be very snobby, but that wasn't the case here (Get it, CASE? Anyway.). A lot of the people that I met I am now connected to on Twitter, which helps us keep in touch and exchange useful information, which I fully intend to do.

Every day included an interesting session on a different aspect of social media, as it related to higher education. I have a notepad full of notes from every session because I didn't want to forget anything that I learned, and I managed to steal about nine Westin pens.

On the second day of the conference, we were all broken up into 10 groups of about 10-12 people. Some attendees bailed on this activity, but I am glad that I did not. We each got a topic that we had to create a social media campaign around. My group (#6), whose theme was a spaceship launch, ended up having the best campaign and won the People's Choice Award that all of the attendees and judges voted on. I was really proud because we had some really great ideas, we worked well together and a video that was included in the campaign was of me pretending to be Dr. Melissa Kuehnle, professor of mechanical engineering (I know it's a stretch). So, I got to take home a Starbucks gift card for our big win. You can see our fake university and social media campaign by visiting any of these sites: Facebook, Twitter and web. I was on my laptop, Facebook, Twitter and iPhone the entire conference, as was everyone else. I was surrounded by my people: the social nerds.

After three days in San Francisco learning, interacting and creating, I was exhausted but I was so glad that my flight home on Virgin America was very pleasant, and I was able to watch Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. No better way to finish off my nerdy week!

Thank you to everyone that planned, taught and attended the conference. It was a great experience that I hope to repeat next year.