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.