A New Kind of Challenge

Along time ago, I'm talking 4 or 5 years ago, I heard about an online project that really sparked my interest.  It sparked my interest so much that actually did part of the challenge, but I failed to carry out the most important aspect...the actual doing of the challenge.  Isn't that about the dumbest thing you've ever heard?!  Talk about lazy!  Anyways, the project or challenge is entitled "101 Things in 1001 Days".  I wish I could find the original list I typed up, but that computer is long gone and I have no clue if I ever posted it on one of my older blogs.  It would be really interesting to see what a 19 year old wanted to accomplish in 1001 days as compared to my 24 year old self now.  I'm sure there were tons of super cheesy goals on there, and to be honest, I probably never accomplished anything I listed.

I got to thinking about this the other day randomly out of the blue so I decided to look it up and see if this challenge even still existed.  And I was rather shocked to find that the website is still around and the challenge is still going strong.  The official title is Day Zero and I have decided that I am going to embark on this challenge once again, only with the main goal being to actually complete my 101 things to do.  Maybe coming up with tasks is something I can do while I am sitting (im)patiently in the hospital awaiting the arrival of Weston.

It may seem silly to many people that I would start such a challenge right around the birth of my son, but what better time to better myself?!  I will be learning and growing right along side Weston, how neat is that?  I think this will enable me to be a much better mother, wife, and daughter as it is most definitely a growing and learning experience (as is having a child).

I will find a way to incorporate this into my blog.  I'm not so hip and down with all of the Internets, so it might just be an additional blog, or it may just be on here.  I know you can have different pages, but I don't own my own domain name, so I don't think that is possible.  But, I must have this out in Internet land so I can be held accountable for these 101 things I need to do in 1001 days!

Its Almost Time

After my vent on Monday, I guess my prayers were answered.  I went to the doctor today and my induction has been moved up.  I now go in Saturday night around 9:30pm for them to put that gel stuff on your cervix to start the induction process.  My doctor will then be in Sunday morning to break my water and start the pitocin (the devil's brew from what I understand).  And then Weston will be here sometime Sunday.

I have a wide array of emotions running through my body right now.  My mood roller coaster has been out of this world today and I'm not too fond of that.  When he first told me I was ecstatic!  I was practically jumping for joy and literally skipping down the hall out of the doctor's office.  I think I was mainly happy because I don't have to go back there until well after Weston is born.  I love the office and the people there, but I'm really tired of going in.  I have been so many times, everyone knows me so well there, its almost comical.  I was giddy with the excitement of knowing I wouldn't have anymore nerve-wracking appointments, and that I was going to meet my son.  As time wore on, I became scared, petrified, nervous, anxious, etc.  My husband and I went to Chick-Fil-A for breakfast (we've started going to breakfast together after every Wednesday appointment) and I actually started crying while we were in there eating!  Isn't that ridiculous?!

I know it may be stupid to a lot of people, but my animals mean the world to me.  They are my babies and always will be.  I am terrified I will neglect them and not want them anymore once Weston gets here.  My Mom says that would never happen, but I'm so afraid it will.  I'm so afraid I won't have enough love for my child and my animals.  I know this probably doesn't cross any normal mom-to-be's mind, but it sure has mine.  I am going to make a concious effort to put aside time each day to spend with my animals.  Of course that won't be hard with the dogs, they are out all the time and are constantly around me.  I am going to do my best to not get so easily annoyed at them, but that is going to be hard considering they are big clumsy oafs who step all over me and bark at the slightest noise.

I think I have calmed down a bit since earlier this morning.  I'm terrified of childbirth, but I know millions of women have done it before me, and millions will do it after me, I'm really just a number.  I'm hoping to go at it all natural, but I also hope I am aware enough to know my limitations.  I will have my very supportive husband there who I'm sure will kick it up a notch and help me out.

Now I'm off to fold laundry because it needs to get done.  There are about 5 million other tasks, so I need to get it in gear!

A Schedule

I don't know if I ever mentioned it on this particular blog, but towards the beginning of the year (as if we're in the middle!), I was obsessed with creating some type of schedule for myself.  I drove myself crazy with trying to come up with a precise, mapped out schedule I could follow every day.  I think this was in part due to bedrest boredom, and partly my way of dealing with mommy anxiety.  Somewhere along the line I just gave up and sort of sank into a depression.  I need a schedule.  Maybe nothing strict, but something to depend on day in and day out.  I would sit at the computer for hours upon hours, waiting for my work to send me work, to paranoid to get up because I figured the second I did, they would send me something they needed ASAP and I would be in trouble.  I'm slowly getting over that though...if its an emergency, they can call my cell, or do it themselves.

So last night, before I went to bed, I made myself a little schedule to follow today.  And so far it has gone wonderfully.  I also find myself not being quite so tired during the day...maybe its the constant nature of doing something and knowing I still have more to do that is keeping me somewhat energized.  Who really knows, all I do know is that I'm irritated with myself for taking so long to get this going.  Right before the birth of my son is probably not the best timing in the world.  And maybe its his impending birth that has caused this sudden scheduling frenzy.  There is so much that needs to be done before he gets here, and I want to make sure I get it all done so I won't be an overly stressed out new Mommy.

I am not dumb enough to think my little schedule will last much past this week, if it even lasts through this week, but I am very pleased to see that creating myself a little schedule made me feel 100 times better than I have in quite awhile.  I encourage anyone and everyone, whether you stay at home or go out to work, to create a schedule for yourself.  You will be surprised at how efficient and how much you actually are able to get accomplished!

A New Level of Frustration

I really wanted to be induced on Wednesday.  Even though I am truly terrified of labor and childbirth, and even though I know absolutely nothing about babies/children, I really wanted to be induced on Wednesday.  I would have been happy with Friday, but no, its Monday.  So I have a whole week to wait until I can be induced.  I am hoping at my appointment on Wednesday I will have progressed and dilated to more than 1 cm and he will move up the induction.  But I'm not holding my breath.

I'm miserable and whiney and I complain too much.  I'm also just ready to meet my son.  I'm also ready to sleep, though I know that won't happen with a newborn baby in the house.  I can't stand my attitude right now.  I was OK for most of the day, but as the day wore on and I became more tired, depression set in, as it so commonly does in the night hours for me, and now I'm just one grumpy momma!  My poor family and animals.  I am completely out of patience with pretty much everyone and everything, so I have warned everyone to not take it personal.

Tomorrow my mission is to eat tons of spicy food!!!  I don't like spicy food, and there isn't any in this house, so I'm not sure how that's going to work, but its a goal nevertheless!  There are also a few more "tricks" I may try, but those are not up for discussion.

I plan on keeping myself super busy tomorrow.  I will have tons of work to do, pictures to take, housework to get done, and animals to take care of.  So hopefully that will keep my mind off the fact that I will remain pregnant for another week.  And now, I am done whining!  I am grateful for my precious son, family, and animals.  God is good and everything will work out!

Our Menu - Week of 2/15/2010

Well, there isn't much going on since I'm supposed to be induced sometime this week, hopefully Wednesday.  I really only planned 2 meals for the week, but with my luck I probably should have planned all 5 :).  For other great menu ideas, head on over to Org Junkie.

Monday: Hamburger mac & tomato with whatever you can find.

Tuesday: Pork chops with fried potatoes and green beans.

I am going to head off to my doctor's appointment shortly, so we will know then if I should have come up with more food.

Blessed

I know I definitely don't tell him enough, but I truly am blessed to have Victor as my husband.  Even though he drives me crazy and can be a little butt time and time again, he always proves he loves me and takes such good care of me.  We have been together for a little over 5 years and married for the last 3, and he never fails to surprise me.  Tonight he brought me home some pink roses, a sweet little card, and some Reese's because they are my favorite candy.  He is so sweet and caring!  We both think Valentine's Day is nothing but a Hallmark Holiday, but for him to go out of his way to do something nice like that meant so much to me.

I sometimes feel like I don't appreciate him enough, even though I try really hard to be a good, dedicated wife.  He goes to work, lately 6 days a week, and works insane hours to provide for me and his son, while I sit at home and do as much as I can to welcome him home, which isn't much if you ask me.  He works so hard and I really appreciate his effort.  He is truly one of the sweetest and most genuine people I know, and for that I am truly blessed and thankful.

I also feel like I am blessed to have both sides of his family as my own now.  I may not always agree with things people do, but that is part of life.  I have recently decided that I have a much too negative attitude and need to learn to accept people for their differences and appreciate them in my life.  He has a great family, for the most part (hey, don't we all?!), and I really enjoy their company.  They have all been nothing but nice to me (excluding one person) and very accepting of me, and I'm really thankful for that.

I guess I am getting a little "thoughtful" since I will be having my first child in the next few days.  I want to raise my son with a sweet disposition and to always be respectful and caring towards others.  I want him to be grateful for what he has and cherish his family for what they are, not despise them for what they could be.  In order to foster these thoughts and actions, I need to change my ways of thinking and my actions.  I've been trying very hard to do these things lately, I just hope I can be the ideal Mom for my precious baby boy.

Snow!

I have seen more snow in the past 2 months combined than I had my previous 24 years...at least that I know of.  It has been awesome!  I would post pictures if I weren't so lazy and tired.  I actually just sat down for my evening snack of Cheerios so I can take my blood pressure medicine, but I did take pictures, its just a matter of uploading them I suppose.  Anyways, back to the snow...it's basically been blizzard like conditions since 3am!  I woke up at 2:45 to use the restroom and looked outside and there was nothing.  By the time my Mom left for work sometime around 5, she said there had been tons of snow.  We have had well over 7 inches of snow today and that is the most I have ever seen!  The dogs have wanted to do nothing but play in it, but that is kind of hard considering I can't really let them.  It was kind of frustrating though because they would whine and whine to go outside making me think they needed to potty when they just wanted to play.  They barely slept at all today due to their excitement.  I was hoping Victor would get home in time to take them outside to romp around and let me get some good pictures, but no such luck.

I do have to admit though that the snow is a bit frustrating.  I am not used to this weather, therefore I have no clothes for this type of weather.  I have been soaked from head to toe today.  I actually ended up wearing my husbands shoes to take the dogs out because they slip on very easy (he has much bigger feet than I do) and don't have holes in them like my crocs.  And who knew snow was so dang slippery!  I almost bit the dust several times, especially with my dogs practically dragging me out to the front to play.  I did throw some snowballs at them.  Rocky caught one in his mouth and just as quickly spit it out...poor cold puppy teeth.  They were trying to bury their heads in the snow and just being goofy!  But, I'm glad its stopping at midnight.  And to think, I want to live up North?!?!

We took Brianna to the Vet today.  She has been acting strange the last few days, throwing up a lot and being lethargic.  The final straw was when she peed in the office and was laying really close to it.  I knew something was wrong so I made her an appointment thinking the meterologists were wrong about the weather (for once, they weren't!) for today at 5:30.  Since my Mom left work at 2 and made it home a little before 3, I decided to call and make sure they were still going to be open in time for her appointment, and then I went ahead and asked if we could come in early, and lo and behold that's what they wanted!  So we made the journey and ran into some ice and very slushy roads.  The snow was so deep I would sink into it well above my ankles which was very frustrating.  Anyways, we were trying to turn in off the main street and apparently the drive had iced over and there was a bit of a hill so we started going backwards.  I freaked out, but my Mom stayed calm and as soon as all the cars had passed, she backed up and we went in another way.  That was really our only scary moment, but that was scary enough!  Poor Brianna, she has a really bad bladder infection and her allergies are really flaring up right now.  So she got a shot of cortizone with antibiotics, and then 10 days worth of antibiotics.  Apparently her bladder infection was so bad it was causing her to throw up.  I feel horrible, the symptoms literally just started showing up this week and it was already that bad.  Her white blood cell count was at 46,000 and normal is anything below 19,000, but the doctor said that was mainly due to her allergies.  Poor thing has allergies just like her Momma.  I am thinking about keeping her on cortizone pills throughout the year to keep those in check, but I need to research that a little more.

With all of this excitement, I am absolutely exhausted today!  I have no energy to do anything at all.  I'm hoping I get another burst of energy tomorrow, but I have homework I need to do (and work ahead), so who knows what all will get done around here.

I hope everyone is staying warm!

Various Topics to be Considered

1.) I went to the doctor today and found out I will almost 100% be induced sometime next week.  I am excited and nervous.  I can't believe I'm about to be a Mom.  I also can't believe what I'm about to go through.  I go back on Monday to be checked again since there isn't much progress going on, and to check on my blood pressure.  He really doesn't want to induce unless I'm dilating, but if my blood pressure is to high then he will no matter what.

2.) That being said, THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO AROUND THIS HOUSE!!!!  There are so many rooms that need to be completed, and still some stuff I need to buy before my little man gets here.  I don't know how I (we?) am going to get all of this done in less than a week.  I had a master list, but now I think I need to go through my list again and get even more stuff added and completed, including quite a bit of homework.  Have I mentioned I hate homework!

3.) My husband has been working horrible hours and its really upsetting me.  I miss him so much and I feel so bad for him.  After my appointment we went and ate breakfast together at Braums, which has become our little tradition.  He is now at work.  I almost cried when he left, which I know is pathetic, but I really miss him!

4.) Thankfully I did get a pedicure yesterday so my feet and toes will be in tip-top shape for delivery.  Yes, I am shallow and was very concerned about this.  While I was there, I was told in no uncertain terms that I needed a facial since my face was so broken out.  I did not get one and my feelings are still a little hurt.

5.) I got my Site to Store order from Wal Mart yesterday, now I just have to get everything put up and in order.

6.) I also need to go through all of the baby clothes and get them organized.  I'm feeling overwhelmed by this sine he has an entire crib full of clothes.  Oh well, it must be done.  When, I'm not entirely sure.

7.) In regards to the menu for this week, it is going to have to be altered due to the fact that the hamburger meat was going to go bad yesterday so I froze it.  I was going to make 2 meals with that meat, but it was going to be complicated to figure it out due to the necessary freezing.  I'm irritated by this, so I'm not sure what we will do.  I am not a fan of frozen hambuer meat as a staple in a food, it tastes a bit odd to me.

8.) I am so incredibly tired!  I know this isn't exactly new, but I am whipped.  I've been cooking the majority of our meals and doing the cleanup, and then not getting to bed until well after 11.  Then I toss and turn due to hip pain and having to go to the restroom.  I'm thinking a nap looks good for today!

9.) The pilot light on our hot water heater went out last night.  Victor tired to relight it but couldn't get it, so me being the wonder woman I am, I ended up getting it done.  But it had apparently been off for quite some time so it never warmed up last night.  I didn't get my shower and he had to take a freezing cold shower.  I also had to rinse dishes in cold water, which doesn't work so well.  I was very frustrated as was he.

10.) Finally, I hope our roof gets fixed ASAP.  I've faxed my proposal acceptance to the company, now I'm just waiting to hear back.  Unfortunately, as most of the US is also experiencing, we are in for crappy weather.  I don't know if we are going to get it fixed before that all starts up...probably not.  Such is the life of a homeowner.

Our Menu - Week of 2/8/2010

This is a little late in going up since I have been a complete slacker lately.  Actually, my mind wanders quite a bit and I forget easily.  Anyways, last week didn't go quite as planned.  But we didn't eat out, so that was a plus.  I actually let the pork chops go bad sitting in the Fridge, which irritates me beyond belief.  For other great meal plans, head on over to Org Junkie.

Monday: BBQ baked chicken with cabbage and potato salad.

Tuesday: Hamburgers / sausages with french fries and a salad.

Wednesday: Shake n' Bake pork chops with broccoli and mashed potatoes.

Thursday: Skillet Meatloaves with green beans and fried potatoes.

Friday: Grilled cheese / pb&j with a salad.

Doesn't all of that sound oh so yummy?!  I will tell you I was really disappointed in the BBQ sauce.  I used a recipe from Food Network (I'd link to it but I can't seem to find it right now) and it was WAY too sweet.  I think it was the apple cider vinegar that sent it over the edge considering there was 3 tablespoons of molasses and brown sugar.  I am going to tweak this recipe because I like the idea of making my own sauces.

Now I think I need to work on recipes for my lunch!  I am not a fan of leftovers at all, so I need to get creative with my lunches...any suggestions?  I don't like anything that is too taxing, so fancy is probably out.  That should be a goal of mine in the next few weeks... you know while I'm trying to have a baby.

When it rains, it pours

And this should be taken in THE most literal sense possible because my roof is leaking again.  Only this time I am home alone with a sick kitty and naughty dogs and I lost my cool for a few minutes.  I'm all better of course, but I'm very frazzled and exhausted.

I'm mainly worried about my cat.  She has been throwing up so much lately and I'm not sure why.  I want to give her a very good bath and brush her out really well to see if that helps.  She is a long haired cat, but it doesn't look like hairballs (TMI?  Sorry!).  We really don't have the money to take her to the Vet for extensive testing.  I love her dearly and just want her better.  She also has very bad allergies so her eyes look horrible.  We found some medicine so we are giving that to her and they are starting to clear up.  She's such a precious baby, the sweetest cat you'll ever meet, and I hate seeing her like this.  Anyways, this is a big stressor in my life right now.  My husband keeps yelling at me to take her to the Vet even though he doesn't want me to.  He's a very confusing man to live with FYI.

Speaking of my husband, his work life is about to suck major.  Why you ask?  He works for a Toyota dealership.  Enough said, right?  Well, pretty much all Toyota dealerships in the US are extending their hours and his is no different.  We found out on Thursday night that they will be extending weekday hours from 7 pm to 9 pm, Saturday hours from 5 pm to 7 pm, and they will now be open on Sundays.  These extra hours are supposed to be only for the recalls, but I highly doubt they will turn away any other work they get during those hours.  My husband already works from 7 am until whenever he is able to leave, usually 5:30 to 6ish, with no lunch really.  This also affects his ability to take a week off when Weston is born.  The whole situation is pretty messed up right now, the correct parts haven't been sent to any dealerships for the most part, and up until early last week, they didn't even know how they were going to repair/replace the pedals.  I'm not going into that because I don't work for Toyota and I only know things based on my husbands job, but don't worry people, I drive a recalled car too.  I would highly recommend that anyone with a recalled car go to Don Davis Toyota and ask for my husband :).  I feel so safe and secure in my car because he works on it all the time.  He is one of the most honest, hard working people you will find in the car business.  He's not out to make a buck off people's ignorance unlike some people.  I'm not sure when I'll take my car in to get fixed, I rarely drive it so nothing will probably happen until we go to turn it in, but because we are about to have a baby, I should probably get on that.  On the plus side, it's completely free to the public so WOOHOO!  Anyways, I still stand behind Toyota, I have loved both that I have had.  I would urge the rest of the world to do the same since there are fixes for the problem now and there are many hard working techs (they don't like the name mechanic anymore), including my husband, who truly want to make things right.

Hmmm what else is pouring in my mind?  Ah yes, nesting!  Or at least that's what I'm calling it.  Or more my thoughts of nesting.  I say thoughts because I've been so exhausted and felt like such crap that its been hard for me to do much of anything lately.  On Saturday I did manage to get pretty much everything that doesn't belong to Weston out of his room.  Of course that just created more of a mess in other rooms, which made me feel like I actually accomplished nothing.  That's very depressing.  I made a huge list of stuff I wanted to get done this weekend and I was only able to cross off 7 things!  And I was so worn out Saturday I went to bed before 10pm.  I'm going to try to work on things throughout today and hope I can get more things crossed off, though I'm not hopeful.

It just ocurred to me

First, just incase all my fans (or my inflated ego, whichever) were worried, no I am no in the hospital giving birth to my son.  As far as I know, he's still hanging in there just fine and making his Momma (im)patiently wait.

Second, I tried a green smoothie a few weeks ago and never really told anyone about it.  They are great!  I have my whole family drinking them once a day, unless we miss because I'm tired/lazy.  I make them, so they are on my schedule.  Anyways, I've read several blogs where green smoothies are staples and I have to say, I can see why.  You get veggies without doing anything to them, and they taste like fruit!  I use about a cup of spinach, a cup of water, 6 oz of strawberries, and a banana to make our smoothies.  Based on all of the recipes I have found, we are missing one ingredient, ground flax seed.  I'm not sure what extra benefits that has, but I will be getting that probably this weekend and adding 2 tablespoons of that as well.  It is really good and tastes just like strawberries and bananas, you don't taste the spinach at all.  I really enjoy them and am trying to work 2 into my day, but just haven't yet.  The basic recipe makes about 4 cups of smoothie, so Victor and I have 2 cups a piece, or if my Mom is drinking some then we have a little less than 1.5 cups a piece.  I was really shocked that I liked them because I am so picky.  I blend the spinach and water first to avoid a super thick smoothie as I can't stand thick drinks (they make me gag), then I add the frozen strawberries, and then finally the banana.  It takes about 5 minutes and then we all get the wonderful benefits of spinach.  I really can't say enough about the green smoothies.  You should try them, your body will thank you!

Bad Idea. Good Idea.

After complaining in my blog yesterday about all of the things wrong with my house, I found myself extremely depressed and upset.  And it only got worse as the day drug on.  The worst part was that what started as a simple blog trying to document what needed to be done to my house, it turned extremely negative and crossed over into other areas of my life.  I know, that sounds so silly, but once I get into a funk, my WHOLE existience turns negative and I begin to seriously wallow in my misery.  So basically I started disliking my life, and that is NEVER a good thing. 

In reality, my life does not suck, as I was thinking yesterday.  However, there are areas where it definitely needs improvement, and that is my sole responsibility and something that I think I am looking forward to now that I finally have my head somewhat wrapped around my feelings and emotions.  There are always going to be areas that need improvement, but it would most definitely behoove me to not focus on the negative aspects of those areas, and instead figure out what I need to do to actually improve those areas.  It may take an hour, it may take a year, but the important part was the journey.  Don't you love how I'm getting all philisophical?!

I read a lot of blogs.  Seriously, what else is there for me to do when I'm at home on bedrest and have been so for 2 months?!  Anyways, the blogs I read are of very inspiring people who make me want to be a better person.  I want to get rid of our TVs and other non-important electronics and lead a simple life of reading and continual learning, but I really don't see my husband going for that.  So maybe that isn't exactly for me.  But, instead of sitting on the computer all day long and all night long, I need to engage with my husband and have actual meaninful conversations and do actual meaningful things.  We are about to have a son and I do not want him spending all of his time playing video games and watching TV.  I want him to learn great and wonderful things so he can contribute great and wonderful things to our society and improve it for my grandkids.  I also want to go to Church.  Of course that would entail finding a religion I am 100% behind, finding a Church I love, and actually getting my husband to go.  I technically have a religion, but I don't know if I am 100% behind it anymore.  I probably am, I just find the service boring.  I really feel that Church is something that is missing in my life, even though I will probably regret that thought when I can't sleep in on Sundays anymore :).

I feel like there are so many aspects of my life that need changes.  Maybe not huge changes, but changes nevertheless.  And right now it does seem daunting because I have no idea where to start at.  What will make the biggest impact?  What is the best for my family?  What will benefit my son the most?  What will bring me the most joy?  These are all questions I need to answer to feel complete about my decision(s).  So the first thing I'm doing is going to Half Price Books tomorrow morning and I'm going to buy books!  Lots of books!  Parenting books and organizing books and learning books and just BOOKS!  Can you tell I'm excited?!  I'm hoping that, as well as work, will pull me away from this stupid computer!  I sit at it day in and day out and I find myself depressed at the end of the day.  So I've had enough.  That's my first step, I'm backing away from the computer, at least a little bit.  I'm taking baby steps folks.  I'm also going to work on a daily schedule for myself, besides the one I have for cleaning, that will make me feel more productive and will help me in many other facets (reading! remember!) of my life.

I think the post from the other day was bad and good at the same time.  I know what I need to do to my house at the very least.  Plus, it opened my mind up and allowed me to realize that my life isn't as imperfect as I thought, but there are things I need to change.  And I can personally make those changes a reality, and that is great!  I only wish it wouldn't have dampened my spirits so much and allowed my bad mood to affect my husband, Mom, and animals.  I truly wish I could take that back, but I need to learn to learn...that is to learn from my mistakes because I am one of those that believes everything happens for a reason.  Basically, I needed to get depressed to see the error of my thinking and to change my thinking to something more productive.  Amen!

What's Bothering Me

Also known as projects around the house that NEED to get done sometime this century.  Ideally yesterday, but these things cost money and that's something we don't tend to have a whole lot of around here these days.  One more reason to never buy a fixer upper of a house that turns out to be way more of a fixer upper than you were lead to believe.

House Project List (and I'm sure I'll leave out 9 million things on accident)

• I still need blinds for 12 windows in this house.  3 of them are very large and very oddly shaped, so who knows how that is going to go.
• Install house numbers because the idiot head who previously owned the house ripped them down.
• Our driveway needs repair...it floods badly.  I think I am going to fix this by using gravel since it will be cheaper than having it completely redone.
• There are strange patio bricks laid in all sorts of wrong ways that look horrible on the remaining part of the driveway in the back that doesn't flood...they need to be removed.
• Our driveway is VERY tiny and needs to be widened.
• We need grass in the front yard.  We removed all of the ground cover so we are working on grass, its slowly coming around.
• There is a pile of mulch from last March when we had a huge dead tree uprooted, it needs to be spread over the entire front yard to help in the grass growing department.
• We need our dishwasher installed as we've been using our portable one from the old house and that will soon end due to the whole renting the house out thing.  This one is probably most important right now.
• Because this house was built in the 60s and never updated, the gas cooktop we took out did not require electricty to get it going (gas wouldn't even do that HA!), so we have a cord running to the plug and it is horribly ghetto.  We need to get that fixed somehow.
• Our master shower leaks sometimes if you don't angle the shower head just right.
• We need new flooring throughout this entire house.  The carpet is super cheap and a lot of stains started magically showing up once we moved in.  We've also contributed to the stains, don't get me wrong.
• We need tons of fencing.  The people who previously owned this house were nothing but stupid, no offense.  They used metal fencing and put it about 3 inches off the property line.  Our backyard/driveway is weird as well, so we need to extend fencing so we can fully use our property.
• We have 2 stroage buildings, both are full of the previous owners crap that they so kindly did not take with them.  We need to get those cleaned out somehow.
• Our roof is a disaster.  That is probably going to get fixed soon.  I was lied to and told it was completely replaced and it wasn't, naturally.  We have leaks and I want them gone!
• Our official backyard has no grass.  We can't let the dogs out there because of all the mud.  I don't really want a lot of grass to take care of, but I'm not sure what else to put back there.
• There is a fireplace in the livingroom that is completely randomly placed and makes using the room very complicated.  We want it knocked out.
• The bathtub in the guest bathroom does not have a stopper and it is missing a little cover so you can't take a bath in there.
• There is no light in our master closet.
• Idiot head took out the rods in the 2 closets in the nursery and the hall closet.
• We need oven racks as they saw it necessary to take those as well.  We have been using a Pampered Chef cookie sheet.  The ovens are small so you can't just go buy one that easy.
• When they were "remodeling," they closed up the dryer vent to the outside...we have fuzz all over our laundry room.  I don't know how to really fix this issue.
• We need a ceiling fan hung in our bedroom.
• We need new countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms because when they painted the house, the idiots didn't cover anything...I'm assuming they were going to do more but he's an idiot.
• We also need a new backsplash in the kitchen for the same reason.

This doesn't even take into account the tons of things we have already done ourselves or hired someone to do.  I think our goal now is to get the house in decent condition so when the market changes we can get out of here!  We change our minds on this a lot, but I think the final straw came when the leak started Thursday night during the rain.  My husband has never been so pissed in his life.  Most of the above needs to be done before we can sell this house period, or at least sell it and expect to make any money out of it.  We got a good deal for the neighborhood, but I don't think we got such a great deal on the house overall.  Oh well, at least we will have something to keep us busy around here at all times :).

A Day in the Life of

It may not be interesting, but it sure is hard.  OK, maybe it isn't hard either, but when your 8 months pregnant and have been on bedrest going on 2 months now, lifting your head out of bed is a huge challenge, let alone taking care of 2 sweet but completely crazy dogs, 4 mostly wonderful cats, and the daily tasks that need to be done in ones house.  I think I may be feeling sorry for myself, but I just wrote out a chore chart and no wonder...I'm going to be doing pretty much everything around here and it seems like my husband just isn't appreciative of what I do.  Ah men, can't live with them, can sometimes live without them.

In a typical day over the course of this bedrest thing, I get out of bed sometime before 9.  I get dressed in cleaning clothes as I like to call them and turn the computer on and text my husband good morning.  I then take the dogs out to use the facilities, which is a huge task because Rocky needs to number 2 before he can eat, but sometimes he doesn't feel like doing that until I bring him back inside, pour food in his bowl, and sit down.  Anyways, I feed the dogs, water the cats, and make my smoothie for breakfast.  Then I sit down and check my email and email my Mom to let her know that I'm alive.  As you can tell, I'm not a big phone person, even to those I love.  Anywhere from 10-20 minutes later I take the dogs back out to use the facilities and I either start working on actual work, or obsessively check for emails from work to see what they need me to do.  That pretty much goes on throughout the entire day as that is how I roll.  I will take the dogs out a million more times because they can never make up their minds as to what they need to do out there.  I will also try to wash at least a load of dishes and clothes, though sometimes that just doesn't happen.  If I'm feeling extra spunky I may try to organize a particular spot in our house, though sometimes that doesn't happen either.  Occasionally I will attempt to take a nap, but only sleep for about 20 minutes.  This usually happens sometime around 2pm.  I also try not to move around a lot during the day for 2 reasons.  First, bedrest, duh!  Second, if the dogs are sleeping, well you just let those lay because Lord knows what they will want once they are awoken.  As of late, I also am making dinner so that starts happening sometime around the end of the afternoon, depending on when the rest of the family is going to be home.

You also have to throw in doctors appointments every Wednesday, possibly other days as well.  And the constant worry about my son and if he is OK and if I will be a good Mom.  Now add in a roof leak and trying to get that repaired when we don't have the money and now I'm extra stressed out.  I know I don't do a lot, but boy what I do have to do just doesn't seem easy, ever.

I wonder what life is going to be like with a newborn?  My husband is taking the week off right after he is born and my Mom is taking the next week to 2 weeks off, and then I'm on my own.  I don't know how I will manage since I've never been around children before.  I'm sure I'll figure it out, but the thought of it makes my eye twitch sometimes.