Palm Springs and My 6th Grade Crush

Kent and I had a blast in Palm Springs. The weather was amazing, we rested well, played in the sun, hung out at the pool, rode our bikes to the coffee shop etc. We went to LaQuinta, which is a suburb outside of Palm Springs. Our friends have a house in Rancho LaQuinta, this amazingly pristine golf course. When you enter the gates it is like you are in a secret club...one where no leaf is left on the ground or blade of grass too long. It is almost frightening how perfect it is, but in all honesty, it was kind of refreshing. Our neighborhood in Seattle is always getting tagged by some A*hole who calls himself Bleak. He wrote Boner on Kent's work van one evening while we were sleeping. The most out of touch thing I saw in this gated community is a lonely grapefruit that had fallen off of someones tree and rolled into the street. It was crazy how easily I noticed it, but it was the only thing out of place. It was a great trip though and one we hope to repeat yearly as our friends are so gracious and the casita they have fits us perfectly.

The really difficult part of our trip is my sister and dad had to take Stoney to the vet and put him down. We were so sad, it was awful. I couldn't have them try to keep him alive though so that we could say good-bye. It just didn't seem right. He was getting so weak and he went downhill in a matter of days. I know he is in a good place though, that is what I keep reminding myself. I am a total dog lover, but this cat was crazy funny and I miss him terribly.

My TGIF for today is the fact that I am totally excited to be going to see Jon Bon Jovi tomorrow night with my friend Mary Pat and her husband Jon. Jon is a butt rocker to the fullest, he is hilarious as well. During the 6th grade I was obsessed with Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet was my album. The speakers in my basement that were the size of me blared out Living on a Prayer until my ears rang. Kent and Mary Pat are not too excited about the concert, I think they are more excited to see what Jon and I will do. Here is the exact poster that was on my wall for several years above my bed. Oh Jon Bon Jovi...will you remember me?



Have a great week-end everyone!

Germans and Strays

This past week-end Kent and I, along with multiple friends, travelled to Leavenworth to celebrate a friends 40th birthday. I was nervous about going as I have a total snoring problem and I never know what the sleeping situation is. Thank God my husband can tolerate my "heavy breathing". We got out of Seattle late and I kept thinking, shit, is this going to be like the Real World where we are all scrambling for a room? It was a bit, but there was a lovely futon with our name all over it. At least it was in a private room, AKA the mud room, but I'm not going to complain.

Leavenworth is the most bizarre little town. The snow was barely on the ground, so luckily we had no problems with the road.



We all chilled out, wore wigs, had dance party USA and celebrated to our hearts content.



Becs...the birthday girl!


Becs little girl Adia with Kent and I!

That first evening we were there a stray dog was found and suddenly, our party included our new dog Chelsey/Scout. Through some serious investigating we discovered through the microchip that some A**hole dumped their dog in Leavenworth and moved away. When we got a hold of the owner she totally lied and then told us to have the Vet remove her name. So now Chelsey/Scout (couldn't figure out what to name her) is living in Seattle with our friends Trever and Colleen and looking for a home. She was an awesome dog and I know they will find her somewhere to live soon.

My sciatica is totally still acting up. I sat last night having my weekly acupuncture appointment and I just felt bummed about my body. I think it is the fact I am 51 days now without my lady business that is making me just annoyed all together with this body. Tomorrow I am going in for an ultrasound so hopefully the magic wand can figure out what is going on.

Kent and I leave on Thursday for Palm Springs and I couldn't be more excited. We've been going like mad lately and having a really hard time with our cat Stoney, who is really taking a turn for the worse. We are probably going to have to put him to sleep next week and it is just killing me. He has kidney failure and we are doing everything we can, but I think the unfortunate time has come. Stoney has been Kent's buddy for 16 years. It makes me cry to just think about how many homes they have moved around too as a team. One of my favorite cards Kent gave me was one that invited me to move in with him and Stoney and the fact that Kent had a talking with his cat and that Stoney understood he was now #2, I was #1. Sounds freaky, but it was totally sweet. Look at this twosome...love them both!

Why my husband should put me on wife swap

This past week-end was a fun one. We started with Friday night going to see Kathy Griffin at the Paramount with my sister. First of all, I'm a cusser and it just comes out. But I can not hold 10 seconds to that woman's mouth. When she came out people were literally freaking out; jumping out of their seats and screaming. I had no idea her following was so extreme. Her pop culture stories and celebrity sightings are quite funny. We laughed and laughed. Then Saturday morning came.

Several weeks ago I signed up for a 3 hour yoga fertility workshop that had a single or couples option. I asked (told) Kent that he was doing it with me and that it would be good for both of us. I'm a basket case at times with work and the unknown that is called life. As we were getting ready to leave Kent started questioning my choice. Of course I was pissed and told him to not come. He kept asking me if he was going to be the only guy. I explained I couldn't say yes or no, but that I would go by myself. I'm such a guilt trip of a wife at times! Bad Lisa, Bad Lisa! I did think stretching would be helpful for him as well, but holy shit, who knew what I signed us up for.

First of all it was in the University District and in an old church that was totally in disrepair (AKA gross). Fine, I'll get all Buddha like and kumbayaish, but really, it grossed me out and it smelt like feet. When we walked in I knew I was f*cked, Kent was going to kill me. It was 3 other ladies and us. We sat in a circle and we shared things...like our names and where we were in our cycle! WTF! I would NEVER have brought him with me, I mean seriously. If you are going to have open conversations and talk about if you are on your period with strangers, you might want to separate the girls from the boys, the vaginas from the penises. Sheesh! I introduced myself as Lisa, the woman who brought her poor husband who was going to kill afterwards. Since Kent's period just isn't a problem, he became a floater, he could choose his poses at free will. Kent kept looking at the clock, and me, and I knew what he was thinking. There were a few poses that we did together and Kent made it aware of his feelings as his elbows were grinding into my back.

I totally laugh now when I think about this. Kent talking about how he doesn't have a period, our laughing too often (the silent type though, the one where your body just shakes). It was a bonding experience and I love him more and more everyday as we are figuring out what is going to be best for us and this fertility adventure. My business is so frickin' late, but I'm not pregnant. I started progesterone to hopefully help it get moving.

On Saturday night Kent was able to get revenge back on me as we went to a 100th celebration of his DKE fraternity. We did get all dressed up and looked great.

I know 2 other ladies so they were my posse.

Deidre and Tara to my rescue!
There was some dancing, some drinking and an after party.


The major party foul for me though was my desire to eat at 2am and the only option was Taco Bell. I don't think I have "ran for the border" since 1997. Now I know why. I was so damn sick the next day and I know it was from whatever I consumed at 2am and not the wine. Baby Jesus please help me to remember this bad, bad choice so that I never make it again.

Best looking guy in the drive thru!

What did I sign up for?

Today was my first day of bootcamp, something I haven't participated in for over a year. I've been plagued with health problems for awhile..broken sesimoid bone in my foot, tendinitis in my right elbow and a weight gain of 30 pounds that has given me a second ass (like super high on my hips, like a nice tire). Today's camp was a very physical one that involved running, sprinting hills and climbing stairs. I was one of the last to finish, but surprisingly, I didn't care. In the past I would have finished at the middle to beginning of the pack. That was the past though. That was 30 pounds ago, 1 1/2 years ago and a lot less stress. The point is I did it. This is my 3rd work out this week and it is only Wednesday. Woot Woot!

Shy Flower

I'm in the middle of many things today, but I'm starting to get a little nervous as I have a meeting to go to tonight and I just found out I will not know anyone. Oh, how that inner shy flower of mine comes out in times of uncertainty. I do relatively well in situations when I know a few people, but when I'm the lone person in a room full of strangers, I tend to creep into my shell. Then when I am finally comfortable and my crazy self comes out, people are left scratching their heads and questioning if I have multiple personalities.

So now I am sitting here with butterflies in my belly and thinking of ways to get out of going to my meeting tonight. I just called Kent to ask if I could quit my lady group, like he is my dad or something, and his response was what I expected. These things are uncomfortable, but overtime, they will improve. I haven't really given this a chance yet and it is time that I step out of my box. I'm just a sensitive bunny anymore and retreating to my home with my DVR sounds so much more appealing than coming up with some interesting tid bit to share amongst strangers. I don't dare say what I do for a living, as I then find myself sharing tips on skin care and cosmetic procedures. Is it going to kill me to go tonight, no, so this shy flower will just have to make her way to Belltown tonight armed with my contribution of two bottles of wine and a plethera of life tidbits and witty phrases.

On a totally different subject I am improving significantly with my shyness around medical providers. My business has had so many ultrasounds and exams lately that I literally plop on the table, throw my feet in the car shammy wipe covered feet holders and chill out. The good news is no cysts on the ovaries, bad news is we are upping my clomid to try and produce a follicle on the 12th day. Kent and I are going to Las Vegas to see U2, WOO HOO, but the timing is terrible with my ovulation. So the goal is to somehow get me to ovulate on the 12th day, get my shot and then have insemination the next day, two hours before I leave for Vegas. Now I am not terribly religious, but I did secretly pray that somehow we would be pregnant before the U2 show so that our baby could rock out to my boys. Well that didn't happen, BUT, maybe our future baby will essentially be happening in my belly WHILE we are at the show. Some say seeing a U2 show is a religious experience, almost like seeing God. I'm not going to jump on that band wagon, but if Bono and the boys gets things moving along, I'll take it.
(Kent is going to kill me for this post).

Club soda with lemon

Last night I went to my first official lady club general meeting. I was nervous, like sweaty palms nervous as I headed into the pre-happy hour meet and greet. I walked out onto the balcony of the bar, spotted a few ladies in my group and sat down. Liquor was all around me, but I ordered a club soda with lemon. It didn't ruin my night, it helped me stay on course with my day.

After the meeting I dashed home and Kent and I went for about a 30 minute walk. My feet were really bothering me and I was so hot and bloated. It could be the clomid, not sure. At least I went though as I didn't get home until almost 9pm.

Then the emotions run wild as Kent and I watch the biggest loser premiere episode. I don't plan on recapping the shows on my blog, there are so many other places to view this information. All I can say is I love Dan. They brought him back from last years season and he was awesome. Not only did he win the first challenge, but he then picked the biggest contestant to be his partner. Last year Dan was the largest contestant ever in the shows history, this year Dan's title has been erased by a woman. The other killer for me was Abby, the woman who two years ago lost her husband and two kids in a car wreck. I was sobbing, like sobbing because I just can't imagine this. I hope she and Dan just kick some butt.

It was awesome to be watching the show last night and to not be eating ice cream while it was playing and to know that I too can put myself on the top of my list. I may not be able to just stop everything and go away for 5 months, but I can at least do my best.

Today was my last day of Clomid, so now I will just work really hard at my health and have an ultrasound next Tuesday to see if it helped knock those eggs around.

Just a spoonful of sugar...

This delightful tune is playing over in my head today and I am doing my best to stay positive and proactive. I'm also back on my Metformin and that crap makes me so nauseated.

I love the three comments (holy crap..3!) that I received yesterday and it only reconfirms that I am really not alone in this game of life. For years I have wanted to belong to a group...I'm just a white chick from Montana, nothing terribly special. I'm slowly realizing though that it takes an openness and honesty in this world today to realize how similar many of us are and the life obstacles we each face. Thank you to those of you around me and to those of you who put your words out there for the world to see. We really are not as alone as it may appear.

Also, thank you to my husband Kent who has been a serious trooper these past weeks and lets me speak what is on my mind.