December "update"

Time really goes fast these days. In less than 4 weeks our little addition will be here! I can’t get over how quickly things have been going. J’s been taking some time off from work (at least attempting to) so that we can get things done around the house. Today he’s putting the final coat of paint on the walls. And, despite what he tells you, I did not get pregnant to trick him into painting a room or cleaning out the basement. The basement needed clearing out before now, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I still have some issues with that, but I will say that at least there’s been progress in that area.

My biggest stress creator is is laundry. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but for me it is. (I let strange things get to me.) Thanks to the generosity of our friends, we have several tubs full of clothing and blankets. I am very grateful for these, since I knew that putting clothes on our baby would be an expense I wasn’t prepared to handle. We’ve been having problems with our washing machine for over a year now, and the day before Thanksgiving we went and ordered a new washer and dryer. We were told it would arrive in 3 weeks. (That would be yesterday.) I called last night to be told that the items weren’t even in the distribution center, and that they probably wouldn’t be around until the middle of January,  maybe even into February. I was also told that when I bought the items I was told this. Um...nope. Wasn’t told this. Was told 3 weeks. Double checked that it was 3 weeks when I ordered it. I knew I had a deadline to get laundry caught up. Ugh. I’ve added this to J’s list of things to take care of. I have to not stress about things. I’m thinking we’ll be taking a trip to the laundromat soon...

Since I’m not sure if I’ll be blogging again before the holidays start (or end), Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! :)

Hello World!

Why hello there! I know, I've been AWOL for what seems like months! Ok. It has been months. I apologize. It's not all my fault, I promise. A large part has to deal with a class action lawsuit that took away my laptop back in March.


So what happened to my laptop, you ask? The suit was brought on by NVIDIA and a faulty graphics card. My HP laptop wasn't acting horribly, but it was starting to act up and met the symptoms that were outlined in the suit. So, I sent it in, being told that in 4 to 6 weeks I would receive a laptop of equal or greater value. HA! I figured I could go a month without my laptop, I can handle not being online all the time. (Or at least have the access to being online.) I didn't need to do anything with my photos, I wouldn't take that many that I would need to worry about the space running out on my memory card. So 4 to 6 weeks came and went, and I started reading some online forums from other people in the suit, only to find out that we were not getting something of "equal or greater value" and that in reality, those words had been taken out of the settlement. Not only that, but the time frame was extended 8 to 10 weeks. Again, I thought I'd be ok, as long as I had my computer by July (which 10 weeks was actually up in June on my birthday) so that I would have it for a scrapbooking retreat. I started calling the hotline they provided, only to be told that they didn't know when it would be shipping out. On my birthday, at 10 weeks I called again and was told to call back in a few weeks because they had no idea when it would ship. So at 12 weeks I called and was told that it would ship July 25. Umm....I'm pretty sure that from March 30th to July 25 is not 8 to 10 weeks. To say I was pissed is an understatement. I couldn't believe it. So finally, after my scrapbooking retreat was over, my laptop arrived at my work. (I had it sent there because I knew I wouldn't be at home to sign for it and why delay receiving it any longer?!) The total time I waited for it? 16 weeks. I received a Compaq Presario CQ56. I can purchase one on ebay for about $250. Yep. Definitely NOT equal to the HP Entertainment laptop that I sent in, one that can handle graphics work, had a dual core processor and could have more than one application open at a time without slowing down. This one is slow-my phone accesses things on the internet faster, and from what I read on the forums, will require at least $200 worth of upgrades to make it even close to what I had. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of money right now (for reasons I will explain shortly) so I'm stuck with a very sub-par computer. I am very sad. But, at least now I can go online and post my rants. The one thing I did learn was that just because you are part of a lawsuit, you don't have to participate. I learned the hard way, and hope that somebody else will learn from my mistake.


As for why I don't have money right now....well, turns out that in about 5 months (ok, 21 weeks) we will be having a baby! It was handy to find out I was pregnant so early into waiting for my laptop too-I knew exactly how many weeks I was without my laptop because it was very close to the same amount as I was! (And no, it was not because I didn't have a computer that we're having a baby!) (Ohh....another thing I don't like about this computer...if I hit a specific button it automatically posts my blog...even if  I'm not done typing!) So...anyway. We're going to have a baby the beginning of January. Things have been going along fairly smoothly for the most part, and thanks to being so blessed with wonderful family and friends, we have a large part of the big items we will need taken care of. I cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity...I was a bit worried how we were going to be able to afford a crib and car seats and strollers and all of the "stuff" that is associated with having a new family member. We're not all the way there with what we need, but we are definitely a lot closer than I ever dreamed we would be. My current dilemma is clothing. As most of you who know me, you know that I am not tiny. I used to be considered "average" until I had to go and gain 60 pounds thanks to life. I lost roughly 25 pounds of them prior to becoming pregnant, but I am still considered obese and therefore have a hard time finding clothes that fit. I am not short at 5'9 and I don't like pants that barely come to my ankle...unless they're capris, and then it's ok. Today's fashion designers don't seem to think that someone of a "large" stature (roughly size 18, although I was down to 16 back in February/March) needs to have pants that have a larger inseam or room in the thigh. AND retailers don't seem to want to carry maternity clothing anyway. It's absolutely nuts! I have been to Motherhood, and I have purchased a pair of jeans and pants for work, but I can't wear jeans to work at all, and wearing the same pants to work everyday is just gross. I have found that even though the tags say they're XL and fit a size 18, they still end up being tight, mainly in the thighs. I don't find that comfortable since I have to sit most of the day anyway. I found that the Avenue started carrying maternity clothes and went in to a store yesterday to check them out. The girl there was not helpful, to say the least. She said that I could only purchase the maternity clothes online which she didn't recommend because I couldn't return them at the store, and I would have to pay to send them back if they didn't fit. She then said that I could just buy pants one size larger than what I normally wear and would be perfectly fine. Um...no? I mean, my belly is just starting to show (and no my dear sweet husband, it's not all just fat!), and pants that were one size bigger are not comfortable. The buttons/zippers are just not comfortable! I had read some reviews online of pants from Walmart and a few people from work suggested I try them, so I purchased some online. The lounge pants fit great, although I found out that they're not maternity pants. Oh well, at least they're comfortable and should last a few more weeks. The other pants I purchased were once again too tight in the thighs and sitting wasn't an option. So, today we went back to the store to return them (wait, what, I can return something I buy online at a store?! There's a novel concept!) After a small problem with the return not working, I finally had my money back and I went back to the clothing section to check out what they did have. I was told that they haven't sold maternity clothes in the store for more than 5 years! So, um....does Walmart not expect their customers to reproduce? Or do they just expect us to purchase clothes one size bigger than what we are now and then every other week come back and buy more? Yeah, I don't have that kind of disposable income. We did go to Kohl's where the pants were the right length, but again too tight in the thighs. (Sensing a pattern anyone?) I was able to buy a cute shirt and a pair of capris that were on sale, so at least I have some clothes to wear. I realize my rant is nothing new to many ladies who have gone through this experience. I just don't understand why fashion designers are not capitalizing on this market...there are many folks in my boat-we're tall and we're overweight, and we need clothes that we can wear to work! (And, I have found a pair of pants from Target that will fit, but I am waiting to see if I can find them online in gray. I don't want to only have black pants for work....that's boring!) 


Well...that's about all for now. Hopefully now that I have a laptop at my fingertips I can keep my blog updated a little more. I will do my best, but as we prepare for our arrival, I can make no guarantees!

Merry Christmas!!

It's hard to believe that it's already Christmas! Where has time gone?

While I haven't been on lately to tell you what's going on in my life (hopefully that will change soon!), please know that I'm hoping you have a fantastic Christmas and a great New Year! :)

Loze-A-Palooza

Just wanted to remind everyone to check out the Lose for Good website today!  In case you forgot: 


For every accepted mention or acknowledgment of “Lose For Good” made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and check-in via foursquare, Weight Watchers will donate $1 – up to $60,000* – to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.

Blogging for a Good Cause

So, I haven’t posted for awhile. Again, it’s not like I don’t want to post. I think about posting. But then I get home from work and the need to type out what I’m thinking is overpowered by the need to do other things. Like play games. Or stare at the tv. Or sleep. Besides, I’m pretty sure like 4 people read this, and most of you know what is going on in my life anyway. HA!
Anyway, a little over a week ago our friends decided to challenge each other by getting the other to try to lose 5 pounds by Thanksgiving. I am up for the challenge (I need to lose at least 10 times that much), so I accepted. To help me (and thanks to Kate for suggesting it), I signed up on FatSecret.com. I’ve been inputting my calories and my “exercise” for the last week. It’s interesting. According to that I expend more calories than I eat. I have noticed that I’m not getting much protein in my diet though. So, I need to start working on that.
Speaking of losing weight, I wanted to let you know about the Lose-A-Palooza sponsored by Weight Watchers. It’s on September 14th. 

What is the Lose-A-Palooza you ask? It’s  “a one-day social media event created to encourage participation in the Lose For Good® campaign to benefit Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. As part of the Lose For Good campaign, Weight Watchers will donate $1, up to a maximum of $60,000, to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger for each approved mention, acknowledgment or action related to “Lose  For Good” made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and  check-in via foursquare.”

Now, I’m not working on losing my weight through Weight Watchers. I can’t afford to do that. Not that I don’t like Weight Watchers, I do! I really like the recipes in their magazines, and amazingly enough a lot of them don’t include gluten! (Yay!) I do however, want to help support Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger, so I am joining the Lose-A-Palooza to spread the word. Plus, some of you might be interested in following the Weight Watchers program. It’s a win-win situation for everyone! For more information, be sure to check out the Lose for Good web page. They are even offering a free month of membership to Weight Watchers. And, if you sign up, be sure to mention Lose for Good in your blog, on Twitter, and Facebook too. The more support they get, the better!
Well, I’m off to update my other blog. I’ve read several books within the last couple of weeks and I want to get them reviewed before I forget what they were about.
Until next time, have a good one!

Who do you think you are?

That's the tv show that I've been watching on Fridays on NBC. It's quite interesting. Yes, the actors are dramatic and sometimes over the top when they find out a fact about their family, but that's ok. I've seen 3 episodes now, tracing Lisa Kudrow's family, Brooke Sheild's family, and last night's traced Sarah Jessica Parker's family. I think my favorite of the three is Lisa Kudrow's episode; she was able to trace back to her great grandmother's demise in the Holocaust, and she was able to find a living relative that she didn't know was still living. Joe finds the show over dramatic, but I'm ok with it.

I've always had a relationship with genealogy. My mom and grandparents had traced our family trees back. Some of the tales being mentioned on Sarah Jessica Parker's episode made me wonder if we were long lost relatives. I remember hearing of having family involved in the Salem witch trials. Hopefully I'll be able to find the information as we get our house ready to move. I also wonder if there's relation to Brooke Sheild's family. I don't know that our family had ties to Louis IV, but there are ties to Princess Di, Eleanor Roosevelt and Nancy Reagan. I've read somewhere that Louisa May Alcott was in there too, and it would be really cool if it was true. After all, my name came from Amy in Little Women.

Recently I've been trying to trace back my dad's side. His maternal grandmother's family has stumped us. We know she was Gertrude Garrett and that she was one of 14 children from Joseph and Lucy (Vance) Garrett, but that's about the end of the line. Family legend has that Gertrude was full blood Cherokee, but I haven't found that yet. I've been checking out things at the library when I get a chance. I love that they allow free access to Ancestry.com, even if it is only for an hour or two a day. The last time I was able to find the marriage certificate for Gertrude Garrette and Asia Miller, my great grandparents. I found it interesting the spelling was different. I also found the marriage certificate for her parents, Joseph and L.E. Vance. There are always walls that you'll hit when doing genealogy, and when you're not able to go to the states where the licenses and records are, it is difficult. But, at the same time, it is fun. I do worry a bit about the Vance line though. When I was checking out Joe's line a few years ago, he also has Vance ties. I am hoping that they don't cross! :)

Well, that is all for now. I think I'm going to do a bit of research from home tonight. Here's hoping I find something!

Jury Duty and things

So this morning didn't start out so swell. I made it out the door only to realize that my keys weren't in my hand. Nope. They were on the table, behind the locked door. Total frustration! (Especially since I needed to be at the courthouse for jury duty 45 minutes from then!) So, I called Joe who wasn't quite at work yet-although he was almost there, and he turned around and let me in. (Thank you, honey!)

I made it to jury duty and was only 20 minutes late. They hadn't done anything yet, other than herd the jurors into the room. After about an hour, they took 15 people to a trial, the left about 40 of us left. So, we sat there listening to the news talk about Tiger Woods' return to golf today. I was thankful I had my book with me. Eventually they came back in and took another 25 people. (I wasn't one of them.) I did have some time to observe though. One wife came with her husband (I'm pretty sure she couldn't drive), and they let him go and sit with her in the court. Another observation was dress. The paper they had given us said to dress in business casual. I wore a work outfit, since we pretty much wear business casual anyway. (Although we don't wear jeans.) I was floored by the amount of people in jeans and t-shirts! Since when is a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt business casual? Did I miss something?? Now, a nice white cotton shirt and jeans isn't bad, and I'll allow that. But a t-shirt that can more appropriately be considered an undershirt? I don't think so. I also liked the Cavs t-shirt and jeans dressed up with a jean jacket.
Good times. Hey, something has to amuse me while I'm sitting around! I did have to wonder what the cases/trials were. The first group of people were the ones that were sitting around reading religious materials or carrying their Bibles, and the second group was mostly minority females. The bailiff pointed out that if anyone was a primary care provider for an elderly parent or had issues with childcare to bring it up, because they would be dismissed. I'm glad I'm not there, but yet, I want to know what the case was!

Well, that's all for now. I had some other observations, but I can't allow all of my excitement to be shared right now! ;)