Blogcoma

I seem to have faded off into a blogcoma. I can't think of one thing to blog about. Not one.

When I finally think of something to blog about, I can't seem to string my words together in a coherent, read-worthy manner. (See, that sentence was extremely awkward).

Perhaps this is a new side effect of settling into the 3rd trimester (can I get a woo-woo!)? Happy times, indeed!! I am the size of a small houseboat but happy as a lark.

Advice Seeking Cowlicker

Friends, tonight I come to you seeking advice.

Serious advice.

I have a cowlick the size of Texas. It has a mind of its own.

You have probably noticed it. You have probably secretly wondered "why doesn't she do something about that horrible hair of hers?".

What, I ask you, what, can I do about this crazy sprig of hair that makes it presence known every day of my life?

Suggestions?

(Yes, I'm serious).

Addendum to Bellybuttonless

I am having one of those bouts of uncontrollable laughter. I am supposed to be getting ready for work. You know brushing my teeth, washing my face, putting my clothes on.

Instead I am laughing hysterically at this gem of a music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5uujMb_hbo

Sent to me by the lovely Jill. She is the mother of 2 sweet boys and somehow I believe she may have watched this video a time or two.

Oh I need to tell you something. I don't got a belly button.

Grace and Gratitude

Today I am consumed with the concept of gratitude.

On my list of personal virtues, I strive to place gratitude and grace at the very top.

I realize that I am blessed to find myself in a most grateful season of life right now. The blessings that surround me have never been made more apparent. My heart swells with thankfulness and my cup runneth over. Daily. Hourly. Minutedly. Secondly.

Some of the things I am thankful for are silly. Some are impossible to articulate. Some are trivial. Some are life-changing. Some are tangible. Some are not.

It's easy to express outward grace and gratitude when things are going your way. When things are easy-peasy. What never ceases to amaze me, is people who exude these entities even in the face of adversity. I am thankful for the people in my life who, by their own spirit and grace, remind me to be grateful. These sweet friends remind me that nothing in this world is to be taken for granted. Nothing.

An old Chinese proverbs reminds me: "When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them".

How often do we focus on the bamboo sprouts in our life and fail to remember the man who planted them? I believe that the man who planted the bamboo sprouts deserves our utmost. I believe that sometimes we allow ourselves to become consumed with our bamboo sprouts and fail to offer up praises of gratitude.

So in remembrance and honor of the Farmer who has blessed, and continues to bless, us each and every day, tonight I am whispering up a prayer of thankfulness.

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Bellybuttonless

Things I learned today:

• My belly button no longer exists.
• If you drive too far into the garage you will, in fact, cause damage to nearby items.
• Lawyers, like cloth diapers, are expensive.
• Bonefish Grill makes for fabulous take-out.
• Limiting caffeine increases hunger and ragefulness.
• Children you once babysat will indeed grow up and go off to college one day. When that day comes, you will feel old.
• Failing to use a level or laser light will result in crooked wall hangings. It's inevitable.
• Husbands do not appreciate monogrammed onesies and personalized monthiversary outfits to the same degree that wives do. No amount of enthusiasm and shrieking will make up for the bewildered look they give when you confess your purchases of the day.
• Attempting to use your bath robe belt as a rope to lift yourself from the bathtub will not prove successful. Repeated attempts will resemble the first.
• God is capable of more than we can imagine or ask for.

The End.

Left Foot, Right Foot

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Hobby Lobby:

10. Storefront located precisely 200 yards from Zaxby's drive-thru. Entirely too convenient to partake in fried pickles and sweet tea on any given venture.
9. Aisles upon aisles of large plastic Valentines Day decor (i.e. enormous dancing winking heart) and jumbo bags of colored plastic Easter Eggs.
8. Closed on Sundays. Just as you find yourself in need of a distraction from a sudden intense Chick-fil-a craving, you pull in the parking lot to realize craftiness must wait until Monday.
7. Cash registers circa 1978.
6. Super cute double pack seasonal to-do list pads. A must-have on each trip regardless of how many now clutter up the junk drawer in the kitchen.
5. Miniature buggies.
4. Weekly 40% off printable coupon. I refuse to go without it.
3. Craftiness implosion. Projects I never needed (or wanted) to complete are inspired by simply perusing the scrap book paper aisle.
2. Festive gift-wrapping accouterments. For example: zebra print tissue and coordinating ribbon.
1. Jazzy instrumental hymns played overhead. I am often forced to add my own lyrics as I browse the wall art.

These are the things I think of as I run about skipping and frolicking on my Wednesdays off.

My new routine: see private patients from 8-12. Eat yummy lunch. Take 2 hour nap. Watch approximately 3 minutes of Oprah. Turn off TV. Drink caffeinated drink (D day as of tomorrow friends). Check mail. Fake a reason to go to Target. Cook dinner (a once a week phenomenon when you work 10 hour days the other 4 days of the week). Watch trashy TV. Cuddle with husband. Prepare for next 10 hour day. (sigh).

Totally worth it to have a play day smack dab in the middle of the week! I can't wait until Mini Coop comes along. Oh the mischief we will create...

Speaking of the little fella, last night his tiny foot attempted to push right through my belly. As I sat in the pedicure chair trying to reduce the size of my swollen feet and cankles (yes, glorious new side effect of sitting criss-cross applesauce all day I suppose), there it was. You could almost make out each little toe. It was amazing (and a tad bit freaky). I put my hand there and 2 seconds later he kicked it out there again.

I read him the Foot Book by Dr. Seuss when we got home to commemorate the moment.

And just in case you find yourself in need of a walk down memory lane...

Left foot. Left foot.

Right foot. Right.

Feet in the morning.

Feet at night.

Left foot. Left foot.

Left foot. Right.

Wet foot. Dry foot.

Low foot. High foot.

Front feet. Back feet.

Red feet. Black feet.

Left foot. Right foot.

Feet. Feet Feet.

How many many feet you meet!

Corn

25 weeks!

I celebrated by taking a 2 mile walk in the park with Gidge and JB. Woo. The feeling of circulation pulsing through my legs was almost unrecognizable. It. was. wonderful. The best part? The SUN WAS OUT! Glorious sunshine!

We checked in with Sermonator this afternoon. All is fab! He warned Mini Coop that he better slow down a little bit. Mini Coop promptly kicked the Doppler probe as if to remind us that he's the boss. I left the office bearing one 50 mL bottle of glucose test juice. Test is scheduled for the first week in February. Nurse Maggie assured me that if I puke up the first bottle of glucose, no worries, she can send me another and we can just reschedule. How bad can it be, really!??

In other news, Chris flies for the first time this week since that unforgettable Monday back in December. He is set to fly out at 10:30 tomorrow morning. We have both been a mess about it. We finally looked at each other tonight and admitted that we were, well, frazzled. We know that everything will go smoothly, but can't help but remember what happened the last time he pulled out the red Samsonite and headed for the blue skies. Mr. Glock has helped Chris file a formal "apology" letter to the lovely people at TSA. A formality, but necessary nonetheless. It takes 30-45 days to determine whether or not they accept the apology and whether or not Chris is listed on the "Do Not Fly" list.

Since we do not have 30-45 days, Mr. Glock recommended Plan B. Basically, if Chris is granted a boarding pass and is allowed to board the plane, all is good. If not, well, look for me in Tahiti under a tiki hut with a lovely little umbrella drink and dark tinted glasses.

Thank heavens for our faith,

"Teach us to escape the worries of the world, and to live and rest in You."~Harriet Crosby

This Weeks News:

Food Cravings: Fried pickles,Mrs. Edward's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Pie, and Quaker Chewy Dips Bars

Emotional Basketcase Moments: watching this sweet video and being overwhelmed with God's greatness

Hormonal Rage Currently Directed At: Home Owners Association Lady and her tacky, tacky Christmas decorations she felt compelled to vomit all over the entrance to our neighborhood and leave up until January 15.

Also, I had a bout of rage directed at my most favorite sushi place, Utage Sushi Bar in Athens. When I rolled over at 7:30 am Sunday morning and told Chris that I wanted sushi for breakfast, he humored me and planned a date day to Athens to partake in the only sushi goodness I love (fried Utage Special roll with yum yum sauce). I was even going to take it for the team and have mine sans tuna. We bounced all the way to Athens after church, laughing and chatting about how much fun we were going to have, scored a top notch parking place on Clayton Street, and bebopped up to the doors of Utage.

Locked. No rhyme, no reason. I promptly laid down in the middle of Clayton Street and refused to move (until Chris tempted me with lunch at Depalmas). We drove back home, sushi-less, and sad. Take two, next Saturday.

Currently Grateful For: my husband who supports my "need" for select sushi that is approximately 60 miles away, unexpected holidays and snow days off from work, sweet little kicks and jabs that remind me of the bouncing baby boy growing like crazy inside of me, and marathon shopping days with mom in the rain.