Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

12.29.2008

I have a confession to make...

So, after a rough first round, we've jumped back on the wagon. The Labita's are HAVING A BABY.

I am 3 months pregnant tomorrow and have had two great appointments. I am nervous as heck but feeling really optimistic.

Here's the quick rundown if you want the deets.

  • + Test: 11/5/08
  • Beta #'s: 11DPO-63, 15DPO-456 (way more than doubled... that's good!)
  • 12/4 @ 8w2d: 1st appt and ultrasound. We have a heartbeat of 150!
  • 12/29 @ 11w6d: 2nd appt. Hearbeat of 160.
  • Big Ultrasound is scheduled for 2/2, I will be 16w6d!

That's the low down so far. I've been REALLY REALLY nauseous, it's becoming a little less frequent. But, all looks great and we are SO EXCITED. It's been a tough secret to keep the last 2 months...

12.23.2008

... - .. - .. ..... - ... - - ...... - - . -

Attention texters.

You are not the fastest communicators in the world. You've been beat. And for the last 150+ years at that. Interesting...

I'm having an affair.

There is a new love in my life... Don't worry. Jimmy knows about him. And he seems to be okay with it. Oh fine, let's face it. Jimmy's cheating too.


Let me introduce you to my new lover.


Oh, he is magnificent. He doesn't have a name yet. I'm working on it. He's everything I could have hoped for in a man. Let's hope he doesn't dissapoint me. I know I can be needy...

12.12.2008

Wanna be a winner?

Check out these giveaways... just leave a comment. TAMN is awesome.

Clickity here for fun stuff!

Big and Chunky.

This is the best thing ever. Thanks Traci.

12.02.2008

I've had a revelation.

I had to use the restroom at Target last night. Whilst in the stall, I had a revelation.

Feet are ugly. And some people should NEVER wear flip flops.

The girl in the stall next to me had the ugliest feet I've ever seen. Granted, I'm not the best person on keeping my toes perfectly painted, etc. But I also know when to not wear open-toed shoes. If your feet look like they've been nawed on by some wild animal, hide them. Hide them far far away.

And to top off her ugly feet, the girl was on her cell phone, in the stall... while she peed. That's just weird... and gross.

So, I've officially decided I hate feet. Traci, I've joined the club.

Are you crazy?

I heard on the radio today that 1 in 5 people have some type of personality disorder. Ranging from OCD to social disorders to CRAZINESS. So, in my office of 30+ people, I've nailed down at least 4 crazies. I have two runner ups. So, so far, the theory is holding true.

This reminds me of the stat they always threw around in college: 1 in 4 people on this campus have an STD. Ew.

I love random stats. Especially when it leads to cubicle gatherings discussing which of our coworkers are crazy. Love it!

11.22.2008

Oh, Glory Be!

Washington State beat Washington. Praise the Lord.



I know we both suck. I'm not denying it. But we don't suck as bad as the Husky pups. That makes me happy.

I'm proud of Cougar nation for sticking through this rough patch and making it known that even though we are in a rough patch, we are awesome fans and we stand by our boys.

Congrats Cougs for an awesome game and an awesome win.

I am and will always be a faithful Coug.

Thanks boys for making us proud!

11.20.2008

The CUTEST!

This little girl is so stinking cute. Try to keep count. Tell me your guess as to how many there are...

11.13.2008

Go ahead, be mean...

11.04.2008

Live Election Updates

10.31.2008

Pumpkin results

The results were delivered by the ever annoying LT... accompanied by the laugh-talk of course. Her awkward presentation revealed the following:

Scariest: Happy Hoo-hoo-la-ween... ok...
Most Creative: McPumpkin
Most Goofy: Pumpkin Gobbler (goofy wasn't really what we were going for, but we won so, WOO.)

Forced enjoyment... or something.

In an office where morale is relatively low as our job future is uncertain at best, the powers that be like to host holiday related events, otherwise known as "forced enjoyment." With limitations of course, it can only last for 45 minutes. Seriously. Today's festivities were an office wide pumpkin carving contest. Thank you to the special events committee for planning our event! It was fun, even with the forced limitations...


Here are all the entries:

Here is ours:

We don't know who won yet, but here are my very educated guesses:

Most Creative: Happy Hoo-Hoo-La-Ween (the painted owl mascarade mask)

Most Goofy: The McPumpkin

Scariest most bestest pumpkin EVER: The Pumkin Gobbler YEA!!!

10.28.2008

Regardless of your party preference...

This cracked me up.





The end.

Days like this...

It's times like this that remind me I am one smart cookie. Seriously, there are some people in this world that are so freaking stupid. How do they survive? And why are they allowed to procreate?

The register girl at Subway, I hand her a gift card, she looks at me and asks if it's a point card... really, don't you work here? Don't you know the difference? The sandwich boy at Subway, the line is held up by the challenged girl at the register so he just keeps on taking orders even though she is 15 people deep. The customers aren't even near the counter and he just keeps taking orders. At one point, they lose track of whose turkey sandwich they are working on and have to ask the crowd. Seriously? I'm obviously smarter than they are.

The tool at the bar on Saturday night. I ask him where the girls bathroom is. He shakes his head like he has no idea so I walk away. Him and his friend start laughing. I turn around and the bathroom is down the hall the opposite direction. They think they are hilarious for tricking me into walking the wrong way. I smack his chest as I walk by and tell him he's a tool. I realize now I could have gotten knocked out by the drunk guy for slapping him in the chest at a bar, but I was a little intoxicated and he pissed me off. I'm obviously smarter than him.

The imbeciles I work with who think the world will end if the ACT database isn't restored in 0.5 seconds. Really, the world does not end if the ACT database is down, we are fine. All we do is play on the internet all day anyway, so we don't give a crap if the server crashes. Given that we may or may not have jobs next month makes us not want to get our work done. But please, PLEASE, run down the hall and tell me the server is back up and I can get back online. Oh, and you too, oh and one more. Cuz I needed 8 people to tell me I can get back into the database. (this didn't happen to me directly as I don't use this particular database, but I'm venting like I know the intern wanted to.) I'm totally smarter than these people (and have way better things to do than obsess over the server. :)

The idiot behind the front desk at our hotel this weekend. I walk into the hotel and stop at the front desk. The girl just stares at me. I'm waiting for a greeting or some indication that she wants me to say something. She just stares. I say, "Uh, Labita?" She types in my name. Asks me to write down my car make/model. Asks if I want one key or two. No Hi how are you, no welcome to Shilo Inn, NOTHING. Does she know she works in the hospitality industry? What does that word mean? And not only was it her. In the two entire days we were at that hotel, in and out multiple times a day, we were only greeted once, as we were checking out. Again, I'm WAY smarter than these people.

I love feeling smart. It makes me happy.

What makes you happy?

10.20.2008

My Birthday Present.

This was waiting for me at the top of the stairs when I got home from work today. My birthday isn't until Friday, but Jimmy isn't good at keeping surprises or secrets. I LOVE IT!

These made me laugh.

























10.10.2008

Want a Free Purse?

I never win anything EVER, but I wanted to give this a shot.

You should too.

Handbag Planet is giving away 24 bags in 24 hours on October 15th. In two easy steps, you can enter to win. Clickity here if you're interested!

It's hard to decide which on you want... they are all really stinkin' cute!

10.09.2008

Economics 101

I totally ripped this off from another blog, but it was so insightful (and funny) that I couldn't resist.

If your bummed about Wall Street and the feds spending a bumload of cash on ugly
houses or whatever (details weird me out), never fear!

Guys, the same thing totally happened to Britney.

It's like a modern-day pride cycle, and those ALWAYS work out well. Remember how Brit was awesome and hot with a rockin' bod and cute boys loved her, then all of a sudden she was a fat druggie hag clawing at camras and her cutie kids had to go with creepy thugged-out K-Fed while she was in germy downer rehab? Remember how all the quote-un-quote experts said her carreer was over, they said she'd totally crashed and burned and there was no hope and the years of riotis living had caught up with her, end of story??

YOU GUYS! IT'S JUST LIKE THE ECONOMIES!

All the so-called experts are flipping out, shrieking "It's gonna be worse than the Great Depression!" (which honestly, would it be that bad?? Black and white is cool, everyone was super skinny back then AND raggy = vintage = HOT so I say, bring it! My forlorn slash hungry pout is one of my cutest). Anyways, everyone saying the economies are toast is just like when everyone said fatty Brit was here to stay. Guess what, America!? Haters were wrong! Did you SEE all those VMAs and how she's hot again??? Have you LOOKED at the top 10 on itunes lately?? Just like Britney, the econ's gonna come back hotter than EVER. So ok, maybe we as a nation have to go through our own custody probs, psychyatric evals, bad slash crazy hairdos, etc., but then the USA will have its own economic version of BRITNEY IS FREAKING BACK!

Our economy now:


Our economy soon:

Stole from here.

It's almost Over!



I sent in my early ballot today.

Woohoo. Now I just have to wait until 11/4 when they are all counted up!

10.08.2008

Praise Jesus

Like this...

YES!

Clickity here for an AWESOME clip from the soup. It's Amazing and kinda makes me want to get up a dance. Kinda.

10.06.2008

Oh Yea!

I got a new hair cut... FINALLY.

Whatcha think?

10.03.2008

4 weeks.

It's been 4 weeks today. I'm a little upset, but I'm ok. I made this the other day and wanted to share...

10.02.2008

Holy Scrap!

I'm impatient. Really, really impatient. And I get bored super, SUPER easily.

I've tried to scrapbook for a few years not, but it is an expensive and time consuming habit. Your efforts are rewarded at a VERY slow pace, and it costs you a pretty penny.

I came across this site:

www.scrapblog.com

You scrapbook online using all kinds of pre-fabricated backgrounds, stickers, etc. and then can save the files and print them yourselves or the website will print your book for you. The services are FREE, the only cost is any printing done through the company.

So, if you're like me and you're cheap and impatient, check it out and finally put those pics you've had on your computer for YEARS into a memory book!

My new "headline" is my first attempt at scrapping online.

You like?

9.26.2008

It's been 3 weeks.

I was once a member of the Pregnancy Club,
my membership card consisting of two pink lines on a stick.
I was eager to pay my dues, just like all the other members.
Morning sickness, stretch marks, cravings -- I welcomed them all.

But they never came. And before I knew it,
my membership was revoked.No real reason --
at least none I could discern -- other than bad timing, perhaps.
Or, at least, that's what everyone's been telling me.
That and "God's plan."

Miscarriage is a terrible word.
As if one has dropped something, or carried something incorrectly.
Similar to "mistake" or "misunderstanding."
How I longed for it to be either of those things when I learned my baby was gone. Surely, it was a mistake, I prayed.
If they would just look again, they would learn it was all a simple misunderstanding.
But the ultrasound screen showed otherwise.

1 out of every 5 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, say the books.
That statistic terrified me when I was pregnant.
So many lost babies, I thought. How can I keep mine from being one of them?
But now that mine is one of them, that 1 out of 5 seems awfully small.
Or, at least, it did.

Until soft-speaking female voices started whispering to me in my grief,
"It happened to me, too."
Their eyes told me the stories of the pain that we shared,
the pain that only a woman who has carried a child - and lost it - could know.
For some, it was fresh pain. For others, it was dulled by healthy babies since born.

A sisterhood of sadness.
It's a silent group,
this new club of which I have recently become a reluctant member.
Our membership cards are the scars we will always carry on our hearts.
Our dues are paid in blood and tears.
It is a painful initiation, and one never ceases membership.
Because one never forgets.

I am joining, not because I want to, but because I wasn't given the choice.
But at least I know I'm not alone.
At least I know there are hundreds of thousands of women with me,
however silent and invisible, quietly holding my hand.

-Author-unknown


**Thanks to the ladies of The Nest Pregnancy Loss boards and the TTC boards. You have all been a great help in this process.

9.23.2008

Ode to the things I love.

1) My husband.

Given all our ups and downs of the last few months he has proven to be so incredible. On our two year wedding anniversary, I love him more than ever! See pics below :)


2) My Mommy.

Like I've said numerous times, I have the best Mom in the world. I have a great family all around, but Mom easily takes the cake.



3) My dogs.

I love my pups more than life. They are so stinking cute and make me smile each day.



4) Microsoft Excel.

A lot of you know of my sickening love for excel. It truly makes my heart happy. For the OCD child inside of me, excel makes me melt. You can organize things and sort things and make things add up with nifty formulas. Oh, how I love thee...




5) Gossip Girl.

This show is my new guitly pleasure. I LOVE IT! I tried to get an episode on here for your viewing pleasure but the CW won't let me... boo.




I love a lot of other things too, but these are the coolest!

Happy Anniversary!








Can't believe we've been married for two years today...

9.18.2008

I'm awesome!

I could survive for 1 minute, 3 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

9.09.2008

My baby.

What Makes A Mother

I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today,
I asked, "What makes a Mother?"
And I know I heard him say:
A Mother has a baby,
This we know is true
But, God, can you be a mother
When your baby's not with you?

Yes, you can, he replied
With confidence in his voice,
I give many women babies,
When they leave it is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime,
And others for the day,
And some I send to feel your womb,
But there's no need to stay.

I just don't understand this God,
I want my baby here.
He took a breath, and cleared his throat,
And then I saw a tear.
I wish I could show you,
What your child is doing Here...

If you could see your child smile
With other children and say,
"We go to earth to learn our lessons
of love and life and fear,
but My mommy loved me so much
I got to come straight here!"
I feel so lucky to have a Mom
who had so much love for me,
I learned my lessons very quickly,
My Mommy set me free.
I miss my Mommy oh so much
But I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep,
On her pillow is where I lay.
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,
And whisper in her ear,
"Mommy, Please don't be sad today,
I'm your baby and I am here"

So you see my dear sweet one,
Your children are okay.
Your babies are here in My home,
And this is where they'll stay.
They'll wait for you with Me,
Until your lessons there are through,
And on the day that you come home,
they'll be at the gates waiting for you
So now you see What makes a Mother,
It's the feeling in your heart,
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start.

Author Unknown

We can't be friends.

My coworkers are being awesome. But I think GP and I are over. Capital O-V-E-R.

I was talking to a group of people around my desk, most of them offering sympathy which is much appreciated. I understand that these conversations are awkward. I've dealt with them before.

After the typical, How are you, I'm okay, Good, conversation, GP comes in and says, "Well, in better news, my husband and I are going to start trying next month." My coworker and I look at her and say, what else, "Good for you."

I may be overreacting but I just don't see this as the appropriate time for this comment. I just LOST MY BABY. This is my first day back at work. The last thing that I want to think about is you having a happy, healthy baby...

**Back story, GP is 10 years older than me. She talks down to me like I'm her little sister. She thinks she knows what is best for me and thinks it's her place to tell me so. A few months back, GP found out her niece was pregnant. She was telling me that her niece (who is my age) is not ready for a baby. She found her niece was spotting and going to the doctor and had the nerve to say that she hoped her niece loses the baby because her and her husband just aren't ready for that type of committment.) After this conversation, I didn't talk to her for a few weeks. I thought that this was the cruelest thing I'd ever heard anyone say. For her to wish that on her niece was beyond my comprehension, and this was before I knew I was pregnant.

So, today, my other coworker walks away and GP goes on to whisper to me, "Maybe this was God's way of telling you that you weren't ready for a baby. You know, you're young and you guys have a lot of things to sort out before you start a family."

I CANNOT BELIEVE THOSE WORDS CAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

SO as of today, GP and I are no longer friends. I'm sure she won't know why. She's oblivious to the hurtfulness of her words. I can't deal with it anymore. She has a cruel heart, and is possible the most selfish person I've ever met. She's a nice girl, but a person who can have those thoughts and say those things is not someone I want to associate with. It could be the emotions talking right now, but I don't think so.

I hate this.

We found out on Tuesday, 9/2 that our sweet baby is gone. I went in for my 12 week appointment and was so excited to see it to hear it to have any connection with my baby. There was no hearbeat. There was no movement. My baby was gone. They said I probably lost it around 10 weeks but had yet to naturally miscarry. I opted to have a D&C. It's basically a surgery to get the baby out as opposed to waiting to naturally miscarry which could take weeks. I couldn't stand to wait that long knowing my baby was gone inside me.

**Stop reading now if you can't handle the flood of emotions that are about to come. This is my blog and for now is going to act as my therapeutic journal. So excuse the breakdown**

Why me? Why? Haven't I gone through enough in life? How much more do I have to take before someone steps in and says ENOUGH! This poor girl has been through MORE THAN ENOUGH in 23 years. Give her a break. Why couldn't I have a happy healthy baby? Haven't I paid my dues? I feel like I've been through more in my life than anyone should have to. I know people go through worse, but really. I've struggled for so long, can I PLEASE catch a break??? Is it too much to ask? I can't help but feel sorry for myself right now.

But I can be thankful that my husband is amazing. He's been so good this last week. Letting me cry whenever I want, wherever I want and just letting me be. If anything, this experience has made him realize that he really does want a family. He's just as upset as I am and that means a lot to me.

I know that people go through worse, and I can only pray that my next pregnancy will be a healthy one and I will eventually have that beautiful happy, health baby. But until then, I can't help but wonder. I know someday I will be an awesome mom, but for now it all seems so impossible. So horribly crushing and all encompassing. I'm okay, really I am, but I feel so defeated.

But, my Dad got to meet his grandbaby early. Maybe they can put in a good word for me and ask the Big Man to cut me a break.

7.23.2008

Bogus Office-isms

Our office is ridiculous. Seriously.

We are frequently lectured on how to do the most mundane and ridiculous tasks as if they are foreign to everyone and we need step by step instructions including stick figure drawings.

Here are a few examples, just from the past week:

1) Computer 101:


Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:28 PM
To: AOT Staff
Subject: Important Information - About Your Computers
REMINDER: Computers are to be shut down every night. Please do not just log off. This is especially important in our attempts to conserve energy in every way possible. It does make a difference.
Thank you.
Executive Assistant
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:32 PM
To: AOT Staff
Subject: RE: Important Information - About Your Computers
Something else I learned at GCOT in the Sustainable Tourism session is that the computer monitor uses about 70% of the power consumed by a computer – so please turn off your monitors at night too!!!!
Thanks,
**Captain Obvious
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:40 PM
To: AOT Staff
Subject: FW: Important Information - About Your Computers
Just an FYI – just because the monitor goes dark when you turn off the computer, that does not mean it is not still drawing power. If you look in the lower right hand corner of your monitor right now, you’ll see a green button. You have to push that off when you turn off the computer to cut off the monitor’s power.
**Captain Obvious

--So, let's discuss... you are telling me that the little green button on the bottom right of my monitor will let me turn it off and on... REALLY??? OMG! I never knew. Wow... what else am i missing in this world.

2) How to schedule/unschedule a meeting:

Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 1:51 PM
To: AOT Staff
Subject: Conference room Scheduling

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Conference Room Scheduling:


  • If you schedule the conference room, be sure your name in somewhere in that appointment as the scheduler (or the name of the person you are reserving it for).
  • If you have only a few attendees showing up for a meeting, their names should be in the body of the appointment.
  • If you have a large group, you may just put a comment such as expecting approximately 15 people.
  • The “Subject” line should be at least similar to what your guests say they are showing up for. Otherwise, the person up front will be unnecessarily confused.
  • If you use the conference room for a meeting, it must be on the calendar. If you have a sudden meeting and notice the room is open, please don’t just take it. It will continue to look open on the calendar and one or more colleague could be arranging a meeting…expecting it to be open. This has happened on more than one occasion. It is important that any time you use the conference room to put it on the calendar.
  • When a meeting changes, please be sure to update the calendar. Common oversights are that meetings are called off and it remains on the conference schedule; date changes and appointment is added at the new time and not removed from the old time so it is actually on twice.
  • Please note when you attend a meeting in the conference room if someone is scheduled right behind you. It is important to vacate promptly for the next meeting. Waiting around until they hover at the door is not a good process. They are probably watching the door waiting for you to leave.

As an organization it is important for us to look as if we are really expecting our visitors, and without good scheduling information, this is very difficult for anyone who is at the front desk. Every department is extremely busy and we only have one Conference Room to share. Diligence in keeping the Conference Room schedule accurate and informative is a vital contribution to our team effort.

Thanks…
Executive Assistant

--Huh, good to know. Didn't realize that the apocalypse could happen because I forgot to remove a meeting from the conference room schedule. Are you going into cardiac arrest? Oh, I'm so sorry, I totally forgot that we moved that meeting to tomorrow. Please, I'm sorry, please, don't give yourself a heart attack, it'll be ok, I promise!

-- On a side note, I really like the ... after the "Thanks." Makes it seems like she really isn't saying thanks. Or that the thanks is contingent on your cooperation. The all empowering DOT DOT DOT.

And finally.

3) So we can STALK YOU:

In our staff meeting this week, we were told that it is ESSENTIAL that our staff keep their personal calendars up to date. Because if we don't and someone needs to find us and doesn't know where we are, it causes a ridiculous amount of stress for all involved. I mean, what if someone calls a director and needs something and none of us minions are at our desks to get it done. Then they look at our calendars and can't find us. Then they have to do it themselves and that just ISN'T AN OPTION. I mean when's the last time they had to print and staple COPIES. UH, that is so not in their job description.

So we were told that we need to update meetings and indicate whether they are in office or out of office. And if they are out of office we need to check the box that says out of office so it shows up purple on our calendars indicating that we aren't in the building. You know, the drop down menu, under the all day event box. Check that one. No not that one, the other one. Oh, never mind, if you have questions I'll come to your desk and show you.

Oh, and if your meeting is out of the office, please indicate where it is so that if we can't get ahold of you and need something, we can find you. Like get in our car and drive to whereever you are and demand that you come back to the office to order office supplies for me.

--Sorry that one was a bit exaggerated, but the general gist of it was seriously explained to us at a staff meeting. I feel like a toddler. Sad thing is, there were some Oohs and Aahs and "I didn't know we could do that with our computers" from the 50+ crowd we work with. Sometimes I'm so thankful that I grew up with basic technology.

K- think I'm done for now. Did I miss anything?

7.15.2008

Oh, LT... poor you.

LT's quote of the day...

While reading her horoscope, "This has nothing to do with what we're talking about, but it says, 'tonight, reverse gears.'" Starts the laugh-then talks... "That's funny..." continues laughing at her self and her "joke" for a good three minutes straight.

Meghan tries to contain her laughter behind the newspaper, Traci stuffs her face some more to pretend she is eating and not laughing, and I just avert eye contact and try not to choke on my food.

What the hell was she laughing at??? I don't get it.



Oh, and on another note, people today have been so ridiculously stupid that I think I'm officially in the top 1% of the world as far as intelligence. Seriously, 99% of the world is stupider than me. It's official.

7.11.2008

Need a new dress?

I stumbled across this today. Just think, if our nation would think outside the box a bit, maybe our teenage pregnancy rates would decrease and the STD statistics would stop growing...

Like these nurses in China:


The two nurses, from a hospital in Xiamen city, showed off their condom outfits at a public health promotion.
More than 5,000 condoms and two weeks' work went into making the two dresses, reports People's Daily.
"They're a visual shock, and good to remind people of the importance of safe sex," said a hospital spokesman.
The two nurses handed out booklets and condoms to onlookers at the event, held to mark World Aids Day.
The hospital used another 10,000 condoms to make a banner, reading "Combating AIDS, Implementing Commitments", for the event.

To read the actual story, click here.

7.09.2008

LT at her best.

Traci and I are standing by the microwave in the kitchenette. I have a fork in my hand and am watching the microwave and Traci is holding her hamburger helper to be heated up as soon as the microwave is free. LT walks in... laughtalk followed by, "Are you guys waiting for the microwave?" No LT, we're not waiting for the microwave. I frequently just stand here staring at food spinning in a radioactive circle holding a fork... it's what I enjoy most in life.

Traci and I just looked at each other and tried not to laugh... and not to talk, because then it would have been a laughtalk... and that's not ok.

6.27.2008

Oh, Politics

This is going to be the LONGEST 4 months. The politcal ads are starting and they are driving me crazy already! Really, I need a banner ad on my MYSPACE page bashing a candidate? Already? Already? Oh dear lord, help us.

I love talking politics and I love learning about peoples views and opinions, but really, please don't talk unless you educate yourselves on what your politician of choice's views and opinions really are. I hate the ignorance that I hear come out of people's mouths. It's annoying. It's frustrating that some people who are so intelligent in other areas of their lives are so prone to being sucked in by propoganda and begin to spread it around without doing their research onto whether any of it is backed by truth.

So please, educate yourselves. And if you don't want to educate yourself, then please don't talk to me. I don't want to hear it.

On that note:

And I can claim support as to one person over another as I have done my research and I truly believe that this country needs to change their ways and this is the best man for the job. If you'd like to "discuss" my views versus yours, feel free, but please... make sure you are "educated" on the facts, whichever way you choose to vote.

6.13.2008

Father's Day

In honor of Father's Day:

My favorite memories:

  • Mom telling me no, you ALWAYS telling me yes.
  • The many MANY times you embarassed me in public. Following me around Target pretending to be "mentally challenged" while dragging your feet and slapping your hand against your chest screaming my name at the top of your lungs with a pretend lisp. Just because you thought it was funny.
  • The time I surprised you one weekend when Anna and I ventured the 7 hour drive from Pullman to Twin Falls. I was talking to you on the phone on Saturday morning asking what's for breakfast and then I walked through the front door and you dropped the phone and hugged me and picked me up and swung me around.
  • The time you chased me around the Western Days Street Dance when I was in High School and tried to get me to dance with you. You were a goofy dancer and I was a teenager, so I wouldn't dance with you. the people around us thought you were harrassing me.
  • How you were always there to listen to me and how you always took my friends under your wing.
  • Our two AM discussions over a giant bowl of cereal.
  • How you'd leave me leftovers in the microwave for when I got home from work after you went to bed.
  • How you always called me "Baby Girl" even when I was all grown up.

It's been four years since you left. I miss you each and every day, but it's gotten easier. I sure do miss you and I love you just as much as ever. You've missed a few things. I got married. I own a home. I moved to Arizona. I'm all grown up Dad. I know that you know this because I know that you watch out for me. I take comfort in talking to you in the car sometimes when I'm alone. I know that you are finally happy and that you want nothing more than for me to be happy, and I am. I'm keeping an eye on Chelsea and she is turning into an amazing young woman! She's getting her license, can you believe it??? Anyway, I love you daddy.

Happy Father's Day!

Still your baby girl--

Elysia

6.11.2008

Do you have to be THAT guy?

Never ceases to amaze me that "THAT" guy manages to emerge no matter where you are or what you are doing. There is always the same THAT guy in our weekly meetings with our advertising agency and he always manages to say inappropriate things attempting to get a laugh.
A little history on THAT guy.

  • He used to be a DJ but happened to have a friend that owns a prominent local ad agency, so he is now the Creative Director. Doesn't matter that he has no background in design...

  • He is a "writer" and supposedly spends a lot of his time on the clock as "creative director" supplementing his freelance writing career. A recent article focused on the life of Scottsdale Cougars. He was his own experiment. No one had the heart to break it to him that he is the male version of a cougar, but not really as good looking as he thinks he is and too loud for his own good... otherwise known as a jackass. Oh, and not to mention that he looks as old as he is which defeats goes against everything "cougar."

  • He thinks he's god's gift to women and is known in the Phoenix advertising world as quick a "busy" man. Apparently, he's popular with the ladies... read: the interns looking to advance in the ad world. Dirty old man.

  • He thinks he's hilarious and manages to make awful inappropriate jokes at any given time. Not that I'm opposed to inappropriate jokes, but there is a place and time for everything. He's sitting in a government office, where the environment is usually formal and hello, you are talking to your "client" and what does he do... cracks a joke about skipping out on a meeting because he needs a colonoscopy. What? Why? Ew.

Wow... meetings with THAT guy are entertaining if nothing else. Slightly obnoxious and usually thoroughly annoying, but I suppose I manage to find entertainment somewhere.

Maybe I should work on a follow-up to his Cougar story and document a night in the life of a jackass in Scottsdale. Now THAT would be entertaining.

Arrest me NOW.

I just read an article in the newspaper that absolutely APPALLED me. Apparently, two high schools in South Carolina had the local police ARREST people at their graduation ceremonies who cheered "too loud" for their family member or friend. The schools had asked the students and their family/friends to hold their cheers until all names had been read. When people cheered after individual names were announced, they were escorted out of the ceremony and ARRESTED and face a fine of up to $1,000. In some case, the students' diplomas were HELD until they completed an 8-hour community service class to make up for their family/friends distruptive behavior at their graduation. For the full story, click here.

Are you freaking kidding me?!? What kind of dictatorship regime are we living in?

It was bad enough at my high school graduation when they wouldn't let us bounce the giant beach ball...

How to entertain myself???

My husband is out of town training for his job this whole week. The last two nights, I have searched unsuccessfully to find something entertaining on TV and have tried to read a few books, but manage to get bored quite quickly. Last night I gave in and managed to entertain myself for two whole hours.

How you ask? Only by playing the best game EVER.

Wii MarioKart is the best game ever... seriously. I won gold medals all night long... made me feel like a superstar. So, not only is the Wii paving the way in video games by getting people off their butts and standing up and moving around while they enjoy this virtual world, but it also helps build self esteem by giving me false hope that I may be better than my husband at some video game out there some day.

I'm going to keep practicing so that when he comes home, I can lead a full frontal assault on his mariokart skills and completely kick his booty. He'll have no idea.

On a side note, I'm interested in checking out Wii fit, but somehow think doing yoga poses on a balance board led by a virtual teacher could be dangerous for the embarassingly uncoordinated person that I am.

6.05.2008

A new ADD medication???

What is this interesting purple can you ask???

This is DRANK.
Tagline: Slow Your Roll.

.

According to drink creators, "From design to production, every aspect of this calming drink was inspired by today’s popular hip hop artists who embrace the much sought-after hip hop lifestyle that encourages people to capture a stress-free state of mind.

Drank is a carbonated, grape-flavored beverage spiked with melatonin, valerian root and rose hips. Apparently it is "very, very popular in Houston," and it's sold throughout the south in liquor and convenience stores. .

So, if Houston loves it... it's gotta be good.

I know of a few obnoxiously "hyper" people who could use some DRANK to slow their roll... do you?

5.30.2008

The most AMAZING woman I know.

I totally should have done this like three weeks ago for Mother's Day, but... I suck... so I'm doing it now!

It's one thing to have an awesome mom... it's another thing entirely to have a mom who is your best friend. A lot of people think it's weird that I talk to my mom everyday, but I don't. Why wouldn't I want to talk to her everyday. She is truly an incredible mother and an amazing person in general. She is so thoughtful, so caring, and has put up with me for 23 (almost 24) whole years!

Here are a few reasons why I love you Mom:

1) You lead by example. You have literally "been there, done that" and are an amazing role model. You guide your children with a gentle hand, but don't press me even when you know I'm doing something wrong. I appreciate all the advice and have learned over the last few years that you really do know what you're talking about and I shouldn't question it. :)

2) You are the strongest person I know. Having gone through everything you've been through you are still an amazing, gentle, caring person. You have always taught me that just because we may have obstacles in life, they are not excuses. As you know, this has made me a better person.

3) You are sarcastic and witty, and you passed it on to me. I love that over the last couple years I have learned that my sense of humor comes from you. You're a funny lady!

4) You don't let your children be losers or moochers. I love that you taught me independence and that when I was ready to use it, you let me. Even though I'm sure it was the hardest thing you ever had to do, you let me go and I appreciate it.

5) I see you in me more and more everyday. Knowing that I am shaping up to be like you is an honor.

I love you Mommy! I can only hope that when the time comes I can be half the mother that you have been for me.

5.23.2008

Rain, Rain, DON'T GO AWAY

Rain in Phoenix is like a present. It's like when you pull out your winter coat and discover that $20 bill in your pocket. It's like unwrapping something totally unexpected. It's AMAZING.


I lived in Washington for four years and the rain there is not like the rain in Arizona. In Phoenix, with over 300 days a year of sunshine, rain is a gift, it is something you only see a FEW times a year, so you learn to appreciate it and love it.

Rain in the desert is amazing all in itself. Living somewhere that has "dry heat" you don't feel humidity very often, so when that storm begins to build, the air becomes electric, you can feel it and you can smell it. It's amazing.

On Monday, it was 110 degrees, sunny and HOT HOT HOT. Yesterday, the clouds rolled in and it rained all day and was 55 degrees at 5:00 pm.

So in honor of the upcoming Monsoon season and the rain this week here are some pictures of rain in the desert and our truly awe-inspiring thunderstorms...


5.13.2008

We're Fighting

I am officially fighting with...



AUTOMATIC DOORS!

At first I thought it was just a coincidence. When I'd try to get in the grocery store, the doors wouldn't open and I looked like an idiot pushing my cart back and forth under the sensor trying to get them to open until someone from inside would walk out and I could slide in. This happened a few times. Or someone hits the handicap buttom and the door stays open for AN HOUR... until I try to walk through and then it slams closed on me. But on Friday night, at Safeway, I decided this wasn't a coincidence. It has now happened multiple times at multiple places so it must be an automatic door conspiracy. Against me. They hate me for some reason. They are all out to get me or to at least make me look like a moron in public.
Poor me.
Feel bad for me and my fight with automatic doors.
It's sad.
And embarrasing.