tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87266012012-02-01T23:03:30.691-05:00This blog is about the ups and downs in the life of an infertile couple as they strive to create their family. Nieces and nephews abound and are dearly loved, but sons and daughters are much harder to come by and strongly desired.Saranoreply@blogger.comBlogger1341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-64174956213551961762012-02-01T23:03:00.003-05:002012-02-01T23:03:30.725-05:00

The Challenge I participated in during January was a great success!  It was hard for me, but I'm so glad I stuck it out. I LOST 9 POUNDS!!! I also learned a lot about how to create healthier foods on my budget, and while I know I will still have some processed foods, overall I will be doing my best to keep to whole foods.  Also, I seem to have managed to kick my Coca-Cola habit.  I will have

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-80365626393470112282012-01-08T14:50:00.002-05:002012-01-08T14:52:14.048-05:00

I joined a healthy eating and getting fit challenge for January.  It's kicking my butt!  But I suppose that is the whole point. The food part is hard because healthy whole foods are expensive.  I can make four meals on one package of hot dogs and four boxes of generic mac-n-cheese for less than $10.  I can't make even one meal using exclusively whole grains/produce/organic on $10.  When my

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-20013762692870537032012-01-07T17:25:00.004-05:002012-01-07T17:28:15.970-05:00

 I haven't been around in a while.  I have had a whole lot of not much going on, with the exception of having carpal tunnel surgery on November 2, 2011. These were taken the same day I had surgery.  I recovered very well, and the scar is already barely showing.  If my hands get cold it will stand out, or if I happen to bang it on something (which still hurts) it will show brighter red than

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-16935935807343026592011-08-22T02:22:00.001-04:002012-01-08T14:54:11.946-05:00

Nerd God, to be exact. :)

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-26541576964982076512011-08-20T23:35:00.000-04:002011-08-20T23:35:48.532-04:00

I decided to try my hand at dying yarn.  This is a process that can either go very well or quite badly, but no matter how you do it, you'll always get something different.  For this batch of sock yarn, I am aiming for the color chartreuse, and using Kool-Aid in my slow cooker.  This is what I did, plus a little bit of extra info for slightly different situations. 1. Start with a slow cooker,

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-71286135042665732812011-07-23T18:22:00.000-04:002011-07-23T18:22:03.503-04:00

 Two of these pictures were taken January 15, 2009.  The other two were taken July 22, 2011.  Amazing the difference two and a half years can make.  

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-77496052594969299472011-06-19T21:46:00.000-04:002011-06-19T21:46:49.631-04:00

After reading this blog post, I got to thinking.  What follows began as a comment on that blog and has become a blog post all its own. I truly believe that some of us feel we have to suffer our grief over a miscarriage in silence, because we have little or nothing by way of mementos.  If we had a child who died after being born, we would have photos and keepsakes.  A child who dies in utero,

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-16928805898425163082011-06-11T13:48:00.002-04:002011-06-11T13:51:55.577-04:00

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity by Andy Andrews My rating: 4 of 5 stars In The Final Summit, we become re-acquainted with David Ponder, who is still an inspiration to many but yet struggles to inspire himself. This time, instead of a purely personal journey, David (along with other Travelers) is charged with finding a solution to the downward spiral

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-89860102427705050512011-04-29T00:41:00.000-04:002011-04-29T00:41:15.613-04:00

Lately I've been on a big sock kick, due to a fun KAL on Ravelry.  I have made almost three pairs of socks in the past two months (the fourth pair is about 2/3 complete).  It's a lot of fun, but I think I need to take a break from socks and work on some other things (this from the girl who recently bought enough yarn to make three new pairs of socks....).  Thankfully this is the last month of

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-25870027682717650842011-03-30T23:06:00.001-04:002011-03-30T23:06:17.379-04:00

The Serpent Bride by Sara DouglassMy rating: 3 of 5 starsI enjoyed the book - I think I would have enjoyed it more had I known in advance that rather than being book one of a trilogy (which the cover states it is) it is actually the 9th book in a series, following a six book arc and two stand-alone novels. Now I am trying to decide whether to continue with this trilogy or go back and start

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-92054361773172162882011-02-10T21:38:00.001-05:002011-02-10T21:39:33.721-05:00

Who would have guessed that you can get a ticket for something that is not even illegal?  I wouldn't have, but I managed it on Friday night. Talking on your cell phone while driving is NOT illegal in Michigan.  Granted, it can be a distraction, but no more so than having a conversation with someone sitting in the car with you.  I do not agree with the degree of distraction that people claim cell

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-69847782028474518112011-02-10T00:55:00.003-05:002011-02-10T00:55:31.328-05:00

The Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckMy rating: 3 of 5 starsSome may question my choice of three stars for this book. After all, it is a classic, and a good book in its own right. However, that doesn't mean that I personally think "it was amazing" (5 stars) or that I "really liked it" (4 stars). I just "liked it" - hence the three stars - based on Goodreads star descriptions.This book is

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-66703739842815684052010-12-09T23:36:00.001-05:002010-12-09T23:36:04.387-05:00

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonMy rating: 4 of 5 starsIt took me a bit to get into this book, and there were times that I thought of putting it down for a while and finishing it later. Admittedly, part of the reason I kept on with it was that, as a paperback, it was easy to transport (I carried it in my purse). I'm glad I stuck with it - it was a good book. I am looking

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-11889084544837948682010-11-08T16:28:00.000-05:002010-11-08T16:28:46.223-05:00

I have heard many people commenting on the Grocery Game, mostly saying how much they love it.  So I decided to look into it, and discovered quite quickly that it is not for me - at least, not until I have more money to spend.  How's that for a paradox?  Something that is supposed to help you save money on your groceries is something that is (at this time) prohibitively expensive for me.  I'm all

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-45197807409599996272010-10-16T01:22:00.001-04:002010-10-16T01:22:26.320-04:00

Shakespeare's Counselor by Charlaine HarrisMy rating: 4 of 5 starsI liked this book, and the series. I am very disappointed that this is the end of the series, though. Just when it seemed like Lily was really & truly starting to heal emotionally as well as physically - the series is over. Oh well. Not my decision to make, nor my story to write.View all my reviews

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-87267593686532392010-10-08T22:21:00.001-04:002010-10-08T22:21:12.491-04:00

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet EvanovichMy rating: 4 of 5 starsMaybe I'm expecting too much, but these later books in the series are not as good as they used to be. Too much is explained that we should already know (just how often do we need to be told that Lula is a plus-size woman who wears size-small clothes? or that Ranger is mysterious and super-sexy? or that Stephanie can't decide between

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-56219504168516366662010-09-12T01:01:00.001-04:002010-09-12T01:01:46.892-04:00

Plum Lovin' by Janet EvanovichMy rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is a quick read. These "between the numbers" books are a lot of fun (and fluff). I read this one in an afternoon.View all my reviews

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-50488271192503743932010-09-11T00:36:00.001-04:002010-09-11T00:36:01.764-04:00

Dead in the Family by Charlaine HarrisMy rating: 4 of 5 starsI'll admit that I was surprised to find this book at the library. I hadn't been paying enough attention to know that another Sookie Stackhouse novel had been released. Big excitement in my little world.That said, the book needed something else. It either needed to be longer (to fully develop more of the plot points) or have fewer

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-25967032809527881982010-08-27T00:40:00.000-04:002010-08-27T00:40:49.854-04:00

That I am appreciated.  A few days ago my boss volunteered to bring me some books to study so that I can take the exam to be a Licensed Pharmacy Technician.  I definitely told her yes - I would love to have the certification!  I'd also get letters after my name.  She said that I had been a huge help over the weekend when we were short-handed, and I definitely proved (to her at least) that I

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-68864705972175514332010-08-15T19:17:00.001-04:002010-08-15T23:42:52.831-04:00

I wanted to make some coasters out of dishcloth cotton, because the purchased coasters that we already own were not quite up to the job in the current heat.  They'd keep the water off of the surface, but only until it pooled up enough to spill over the edge - something that was happening frequently even with my "thirsty" sandstone coasters.  So, I decided to make some coasters that could be used

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-27388561267546665532010-01-27T22:13:00.001-05:002010-01-29T22:19:37.424-05:00

I could have sworn today was Monday.  Everything was crazy at work.  From someone oversleeping and being two hours late (no, it wasn't me!) to psycho patients blaming us for their doctors' apparent inability to call and refill their prescriptions.  The person being late threw off the day more than anyone would have guessed - we usually don't get that behind when someone calls in and is gone all

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-72182590908184572112010-01-26T15:09:00.000-05:002010-01-26T15:09:26.823-05:00

I participated in NaKniMitMo this month.  NaKniMitMo is (inter)National Knitting Mittens Month.  I have had a wonderful time and learned a new knitting technique - cables!  This was also my first pair of mittens, but I wouldn't exactly call making mittens a technique.  It's just nice to know that I can do it.  The pattern I chose is called "Bella's Mittens" and was inspired by the mittens worn by

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-10507506539899007292009-11-06T00:21:00.001-05:002009-11-06T00:24:05.294-05:00

Slowly but surely, I'm getting Concerto finished.  The rest of the group is finishing up part seven, but I've only just finished part four. I've been having trouble knitting recently - my Carpal Tunnel is acting up and I've honestly not been feeling much like knitting.  I think I may be spreading myself a tad thin, knit-wise, and after this KAL is over (and I finish my Nightsongs), I will wait a

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-86811322916721888772009-09-24T00:29:00.004-04:002009-09-24T00:37:14.675-04:00

I'm working on a KAL for a stole. The name of the stole is Concerto. The designer is working on another, larger, item that will be called Symphony. The joy of the KAL is that everyone participating is getting the pattern one section at a time. The first section had a lot of little daisies all over it:Before even starting, I knit up this test swatch for practice. I also tried my hand at

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-25270838539609122792009-09-23T20:38:00.000-04:002009-09-24T00:47:12.413-04:00

I took my car out to my uncle's house to get it fixed today. He says he'll be done either Friday or Saturday. I'm very much looking forward to having my car back!!On the trip out there, several things made me very nervous. One was that I could not wear my seat belt! It was stuck and would not come out more than a few inches. I held it across my body so I wouldn't get pulled over and ticketed

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-55044601203449293342009-08-23T11:19:00.001-04:002009-08-23T11:21:40.691-04:00

Disguised :: Costumed Big wheel :: child's toyIrritating :: Donkey (from Shrek) Care :: giver Grandpa :: mixed feelings Shooting :: photography Sunglasses :: always worn Stampede :: herd Painstakingly :: carefullyTerrible position :: rock & a hard place

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1393125062118103542009-08-18T18:57:00.003-04:002009-08-18T19:40:23.911-04:00

Literally and figuratively.The literal headache: I've had a headache that ranges anywhere from the moderate to severe range ever since my accident. Ibuprofen helps, but only a little. I'm also frequently dizzy as well as very unsure of where my feet are, which means that I move very slowly in an effort to stay upright. The pain in my neck and back is not what's keeping me from getting about

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-28922179851014250672009-08-10T23:33:00.004-04:002009-08-10T23:43:21.610-04:00

Saturday I was in a car accident. I was at fault, because I didn't see the other driver until the split-second before he hit me. I was turning left into a southbound lane and was hit by a northbound car. It was pouring down rain and the other driver did not have his lights on - though I got a rather close-up view of the headlight in that tiny moment before the collision. Neither of those

Saranoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-51158661642446611272009-07-28T00:07:00.005-04:002009-07-28T00:23:14.364-04:00

I've been working on making a pair of socks this month as part of a Knit-A-Long (KAL) on Ravelry. I'm enjoying it a lot, but my hands are not. I have Carpal Tunnel in my right hand, and it has definitely been flaring lately with all the knitting I've been doing. However, I don't feel like I can stop because I have to finish my entire pair of socks by July 31st to be eligible for the contest

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-18647655209482235362009-06-25T01:07:00.002-04:002009-06-25T01:19:44.445-04:00

My word, it has been hotter than hot here the past few days!! The last two days in a row we had temps in the mid-90s plus high humidity. That makes for some pretty unbearable times when you have no a/c - which is the case for me at home, in the car, and at work, so pretty much all the time.Yesterday I managed to run errands and enjoyed going in to the a/c zones of the store and the library.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-58079871064489311082009-06-17T02:13:00.002-04:002009-06-17T02:24:40.478-04:00

Seeking Sara Summers by Susan Gabriel My review rating: 3 of 5 starsOverall, I found this to be an enjoyable book. There were several distracting instances where apostrophes were misused, and a couple of times where homonyms were mixed up, but they did not do much to detract from the story as a whole and I was able to get past them fairly quickly.Part of what drew me to this story was the

Saranoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-7292999725648701172009-06-10T19:57:00.002-04:002009-06-10T19:58:09.828-04:00

The Lunatic Cafe (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #4) by Laurell K. Hamilton My review rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the fourth book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. It is less intense than the third book, but that is not to say that it is less of a story. Anita is back and doing what she always does - except that the Christmas season is slow for zombie raisings and there haven't been

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-76299509904977823472009-06-09T22:52:00.002-04:002009-06-09T23:00:41.940-04:00

I got a call yesterday from the doctor's office with the results of my ultrasound from May 29th. My ovaries are not overstimulated on 150 mg Clomid, and therefore I am cleared to bump it up to 200 mg Clomid next cycle. I will be on 200 mg Clomid for three months before being referred to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I'm hoping it won't take all of that, but facts are facts and Clomid hasn't

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-72756586971121706592009-06-08T22:48:00.002-04:002009-06-08T22:53:53.138-04:00

This week's task is to share 10 things you love about summer!Visiting with family - it's the only time I get to see some of my extended family members.Sunshine - I'm prone to sunburn but I love the sunshine.Funny streaks in my hair from natural sun-bleaching - they make me laugh.Wearing skirts without tights!Crocs with no socks!Watching children play at the park.More daylight in each day.Late

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-42636001397927997142009-06-06T21:37:00.008-04:002009-06-08T22:45:20.608-04:00

Today was a good day. My youngest brother-in-law, Aaron, got married to his longtime girlfriend, Laura. No confusion intended, but Jon now has two sisters-in-law named Laura. They got married in an historic church - it's small but nice and there are a lot of interesting things there, including an antique piano that I loved (it wasn't used in the ceremony).I have no photos from during the

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-82764449676747300232009-04-27T23:30:00.003-04:002009-04-27T23:33:46.751-04:00

I didn't get very far into the Building a Better Blog project before realizing that it was not what I thought it would be and therefore not the right thing for me and for my blog. I'm not trying to do anything major with my blog, I don't need massive amounts of traffic to my blog. I like to know when I have readers, and comments are always appreciated (but not necessary). Other than that,

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-26503977010531232492009-04-08T22:30:00.005-04:002009-04-08T22:52:14.128-04:00

I am unable to decorate my house for the various holidays as much as I would like to, so I'm going to have to be content with decorating my blog. Today I decided that, rather than going with a generic spring theme, I would choose an Easter theme for my blog. I debated over whether to go with the cute bunnies or to look for a more religious theme, but I liked the bunnies. So bunnies it is. :)

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-7751183960262297332009-04-08T22:21:00.001-04:002009-04-08T22:23:45.439-04:00

Today's task is to promote yesterday's post. With that in mind, my method of promoting yesterday's post will be to update my blog links where they exist. That includes refreshing my mirror blog on Facebook.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-45549759174575374642009-04-07T21:59:00.000-04:002009-04-08T22:11:57.627-04:00

Reasons I am doing this challenge:1. I want to blog more. I'm hoping that participating in this challenge helps blogging to become a habit for me.2. I want people to want to read my blog. I don't want them to read out of a sense of obligation, but because what they read is truly interesting to them.3. I want to be better at keeping track of my medical information. Nothing specific on a public

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1378494779711901042009-04-06T21:40:00.000-04:002009-04-08T21:53:28.308-04:00

I am participating in a challenge called 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. Day One's task is to create an elevator pitch for my blog. For those of you who do not know what an elevator pitch is (I didn't), here is a definition from Wikipedia:“An elevator pitch is an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-37161008133633224582009-04-03T23:01:00.000-04:002009-04-08T23:14:12.532-04:00

I went to a free concert tonight put on by The Newsboys. It was awesome!The Newsboys were much louder than I expected!It was an amazing concert and I'm glad I got the chance to go.The Newsboys are singing "Shine" in this picture.This explains the haze in the air when we first entered the arena - dress rehearsal fog leftovers.Crazy drummer! It got better/crazier - they rotated this platform

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-12223388414971594962009-03-08T21:58:00.000-04:002009-04-08T21:58:57.502-04:00

God's BusyA United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments.. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan . One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.One day the professor shocked the class when he came in he looked to the ceiling and flatly stated , 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-14176428226583280602009-01-22T15:09:00.000-05:002009-01-24T03:22:11.004-05:00

Buddy found the library basket and decided to play with it. He had a good time. :) He spent a good hour just getting in and out of the basket and intentionally tipping it over. He could climb over the side no problem, but it was much more fun to tip out of it.Hmmm... now that I'm in, how do I get back out?Oh, who cares - being in the basket is fun!I'd better get out of here before she decides

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-4730311715951537592009-01-15T13:53:00.000-05:002009-01-24T12:08:26.952-05:00

I took Buddy to the mall in Midland today. He had a grand time in the playplace, but when he saw me starting to pack up, he ran right over to me and signed "shoes" - I guess he was ready to go, too!Playing in the TV!Who's this handsome fellow?I like toothbrushes big enough to sit on.Beating on the grapes.Hey, I can crawl through the car!! I didn't know how to do this a month ago.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-54085870342068094432009-01-04T00:19:00.003-05:002009-01-24T12:16:33.488-05:00

Who needs resolutions? These are my goals for 2009. They're things that I'm going to work on, not changes I expect to make overnight. Hopefully by the end of the year, I will have accomplished some and made progress on the rest.1. Regular trips to Goodwill. We have so much JUNK in this house that needs to GO. I want to make regular trips to Goodwill to get rid of it. Once a month would be a

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-84785331511350970012008-12-30T00:18:00.000-05:002009-01-04T00:19:22.782-05:00

I did it! I read 50 books during 2008. Here is my 2008 list:1. Days of Infamy (Harry Turtledove)2. The Magician's Nephew (C. S. Lewis)3. Speak (Laurie Halse Anderson)4. End of the Beginning (Harry Turtledove)5. The Friday Night Knitting Club (Kate Jacobs)6. Short & Tall Tales: Moose County Legends (Lilian Jackson Braun)7. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)8.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-73221596385206986112008-12-13T23:37:00.001-05:002008-12-13T23:39:12.585-05:00

This afternoon, Jon and I went to a graduation ceremony for our friend Jodi (the same Jodi I mentioned in my previous post: For crying out loud, I'm KNITTING!!). Anyone who has ever attended a college graduation ceremony knows that they are boring and long, and the entire point of going is to wait for one person's name to be called so that you can cheer for them and their achievement. So, I

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-10157197510658416182008-12-06T23:54:00.002-05:002008-12-14T00:04:32.560-05:00

For anyone who does not know, Point of Grace is a Christian singing group made up of three women (it used to be four, but one recently decided to take some time off to spend with her family). Tonight, Laura and I had the opportunity to go to a concert of theirs, and we had a wonderful time. I love their music, and I am glad I was able to go to the concert.Their special guest was Ronnie Freeman,

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-56187518955182093732008-12-04T23:46:00.001-05:002008-12-13T23:54:45.310-05:00

Despite our having talked about it at length last Christmas, I wasn't sure that we would get our new tree this year. But it went on sale for Black Friday, saving us $10 on the cost of the tree (my discount would have only saved us $3.50), so we got it. I cleaned out the area where it was to go and set it up. I did no shaping, nor do we have many ornaments (I have one that I inherited from my

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-83775751681930433272008-11-20T15:22:00.005-05:002008-11-20T17:53:33.078-05:00

So yes, I knit in public (KIP). It happens. Lots of people do it (though not many around here, it seems). Monday night, we had a rare opportunity to go to a movie with friends. As is usual for me, I took along my smallest current work in progress (WIP). I can knit in the dark by touch if it is a simple stitch and does not require me to follow a pattern, and that is what I do at the movies.

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-61954755549563985482008-11-12T01:44:00.003-05:002008-11-12T02:05:27.409-05:00

I've had a week now to process the results of the election. I've seen people who are totally elated over the results, people who are completely devastated over the results, and many shades of gray in between.At first, I was very excited about voter turnout. I thought that Obama's win indicated a higher turnout of voters in general, especially young people (18-25 age range) and minorities -

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-55856367060222671812008-10-23T21:32:00.004-04:002008-10-23T21:50:55.631-04:00

This was on my friend Kelly's blog. The ones that are bold and in purple are ones that I know I have read. I don't remember all of them very well, so I am thinking of re-reading some of them soon. According to Kelly (who read it elsewhere), the average American has read 6 of the 100 books on this list. I have read 41 of them. What can I say? I've always been a bookworm. 1 Pride and

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-41239375233923447292008-10-20T00:24:00.005-04:002008-10-20T00:36:07.470-04:00

It's been a hard day. It started out OK, but went downhill from there.First, I realized that my rental movie was not only overdue, but I had not watched it yet and therefore it would either be another day overdue or I'd have to return it without watching it. I told Jon to just return it, but I just looked over there and it's still here. I'm going to pop it in when I get offline.Then, I had to

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-91333397965190788662008-10-19T12:14:00.003-04:002008-10-19T12:21:15.152-04:00

Last night on my way home from work, I had a close call with one of nature's creatures. I don't like to hit any animals with my car, and I especially did not want to hit this one. Luckily, I saw it walking down the middle of my lane just in time and swerved around it.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-64161001236849180952008-10-18T00:32:00.002-04:002008-10-18T00:41:02.662-04:00

Yep, I'm already planning. I have to - we're on a very tight budget and I am sick to death of giving people IOUs at Christmastime (especially since it seems that there are times that we are unable to go back and actually give that person a gift). So I'm already in the planning stage.Most people are getting handmade gifts. I prefer it that way, and the bonus is that (usually) it's cheaper as

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-37523502467007669122008-10-09T17:31:00.004-04:002008-10-09T17:52:46.431-04:00

These cars are driving me up the wall. I so wish that Jon would get hired somewhere so that we can get a new car - maybe even two!The starter went out on his car about two weeks ago. It just won't start. At this point, it's more of an inconvenience than anything else, because he's not working so it's not as if he has to go anywhere. If he really needs a car, all he has to do is take me to

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-24924336404678581012008-10-06T01:03:00.000-04:002008-10-09T01:05:14.542-04:00

Today is the sixth anniversary of us trying to have a baby. We have not been hard-core trying for this entire time, but it is still our 6th anniversary of starting the TTC journey.It's an anniversary I could easily have done without.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-91881508880406089782008-09-22T12:59:00.002-04:002008-10-09T01:02:11.961-04:00

Here is my completed Part Two of MS4:After finishing this and having to stop halfway across a row to take the picture (I did the same thing with part one), I was frustrated enough to purchase a 29" long circular to work this project on. Now I can spread it all out on one needle to take my pictures.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-42544401199013199732008-09-12T12:57:00.001-04:002008-10-09T00:59:33.740-04:00

I'm working on the Mystery Stole (hereafter referred to as MS4) on Ravelry. It is a neat idea where the designer releases a brand-new pattern in stages to everyone who signs up for the group in time. MS4 is worked from the ends towards the middle and has six parts, five that are duplicated (both ends) and one center motif. The two pieces are then grafted together to make one beautiful stole. It

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-28445158165248169932008-07-23T21:17:00.002-04:002008-07-23T21:23:10.425-04:00

What a day, what a day.I had an appointment this morning with my PCP because I have been having some abdominal pain. The doctor seems to think that it is a gallbladder problem, possibly stones. I had to have blood drawn and an ultrasound. The only problem was that for once, I had gotten up in time to eat breakfast, and the ultrasound required that I fast for 8 hours prior to having it done.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-67439288404141615672008-06-20T21:30:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:37:06.398-05:00

Before Green GablesI found this book in the library by chance and thought it looked interesting. Boy was I right. If you liked Anne of Green Gables, you'll love this book.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-4506857206089779792008-06-12T22:14:00.000-04:002008-06-13T01:32:49.396-04:00

So I called my ob/gyn's office yesterday to make an appointment for a pap & pelvic. Not that it's my favorite thing to do, but it does have to be done each year. And I'm overdue - I should have had this done back in April.The soonest they could get me in was JULY 23rd. And, I have to drive 35 miles for the appointment (once upon a time I could get them done here in town). This, to me, seems a bit

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-56190688895745236922008-06-11T22:30:00.000-04:002008-06-13T01:31:39.029-04:00

I'm noticing that I can make a lot of cute logos/names with an S. Which comes in handy since my first name starts with an S. A couple of examples are Sara's Sox, which was my original idea for a business (beaded socks). Then I branched out into sewing and came up with Sara's Stitches as a business name, with Sara's Sox as a subsidiary (sounds way cool that I have a subsidiary, IMO).The one I came

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-22303062342446831642008-06-04T18:58:00.000-04:002008-06-13T01:30:09.989-04:00

Or maybe they're senseless already and that's why I'm so frustrated!I work in the deli department. A large portion of my job is slicing up various meats and cheeses for customers. For reasons that I may never understand, 95% of customers are EXTREMELY thick-headed when I ask for clarification on how thick or thin they want their slices to be!There is no such designation as shaved - nor do I have

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-20172950499080602862008-05-04T18:26:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:37:06.519-05:00

From BooklistInfertility and infidelity pack a potent--and potentially fatal--one-two punch to Elinor and Ted Mackey's once-idyllic marriage in Winston's perceptive and poignant exploration of marital commitment and liberation. Intelligent and successful, the Mackeys appear to have everything going for them except the ability to become parents and the agility to withstand the devastating

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-52287963403314400302008-05-03T20:25:00.000-04:002008-06-13T01:26:52.695-04:00

Yet again I am going to attempt to be a good blogger. I do well for a while, then forget to blog for days, weeks, or months at a time. I actually have at least two blogs somewhere in cyberspace that have been abandoned for over a year.So we'll see how it goes. I enjoy blogging - it blows my mind that I'm not better at keeping on top of it.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-40542430333325463892007-07-06T07:17:00.000-04:002007-07-06T07:25:59.255-04:00

Lucky me I found a new lead for my sewing projects. A cousin of my mum's has two kids who are in show skating. She is going to hook me up so that I can go to skating events and sell practice outfits (skirts mostly, but some dresses) and through that possibly get some orders for actual competition costumes! The practice outfits alone usually run close to $50 - and show/competition costumes can

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-21544928001935154532007-06-22T20:53:00.001-04:002007-06-22T21:11:50.860-04:00

I'm a little behind with this update, but here it is in all its gory glory.I met my new doctor, Dr. Fuller, on June 1, 2007.I like my new doctor. She is an ob/gyn - this is the first time I've ever had a female doctor. It's a little strange, but in a good way if that makes any sense.She wants me to take a couple of months and try to lose some more weight. No big shock there - if you're as

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-38353731281653333492007-05-21T19:58:00.000-04:002007-05-21T20:15:28.558-04:00

I went to the doc today because it was that time of year - time for my pap & physical. Woo-flippin-hoo. And, today's visit just reminded me how much I like my doctor.I have been spotting since Easter. Before that, my last AF was in January. Doc said two things were wrong with that: #1 I should have called for something to bring on AF after 2 months of not having it, so that I go no longer

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-82271988996596098542007-04-29T11:26:00.000-04:002007-04-29T11:29:29.108-04:00

In my first week on Weight Watchers, I lost six pounds!! I am so excited!!I'm sure that a large portion of it has to do with the fact that I am drinking a LOT less soda now. That doesn't make it any less exciting!It also means that I may already have to do an alteration on a skirt I'm making for myself! I was just waiting to have time to install the zipper, and since I have lost over an inch

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-59099752151352322422007-04-25T04:32:00.000-04:002007-04-25T04:47:49.331-04:00

Today was a good day. I got up, made breakfast (eggs & bagels - yum!) and watched television while the dishwasher was running. I also found and took my photo for my 365 blog. When DH got up, he got dressed and I took him into town so he could go to a meeting, then came back home and posted an ad online for my sewing business. Within hours, I had an order!! One of my good friends wants me to

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-46661474350840028372007-04-12T17:08:00.001-04:002008-12-10T06:37:06.853-05:00

Every time it snows enough for the roads to need plowing, somehow the plow manages to open the back side of our mailbox. Today it was in rare form though - it opened the front and the back, and popped the flag about halfway up. How this is possible, I'll never know. But here's the proof.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-5640315435246928342007-04-08T19:17:00.000-04:002007-04-08T19:23:03.868-04:00

In addition to the beaded socks, I'm also selling handmade clothing. It started with some cute froggy pajama pants that I made for myself (I posted a photo and people started saying, "I want some; will you make me a pair?"), and is going to expand from there. I recently purchased a TON of cute patterns on eBay for kids' clothing, which includes popular items like pillowcase dresses, peasant

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-67978640719300599702007-02-07T14:09:00.000-05:002007-02-07T14:16:42.581-05:00

I have a new fundraiser! Thanks to a good friend of mine on FROGs, I am now selling beaded socks for girls. I am making them in all sizes from infant to adult. The sock pictured is an example:This particular pair of socks would cost $5.25, because the beads on it glow-in-the-dark. Regular price for non-glowing beads is $5 per pair. Shipping is $2 per pair, 50 cents each additional pair in the

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-63909338152119262832006-11-05T20:17:00.001-05:002008-10-09T17:48:11.102-04:00

I just wanted to make a list of all that I am doing to save and/or raise funds towards adopting. As time goes on, I will re-post this list with any additions or deletions, and an update of how much closer we are to our goal ($20,000).~ Donating Plasma: I make $20 per donation, up to $200 per month. Karma perk: it is helpful to those who have been injured or in need, much the same as donating

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-65814512412702096202006-10-22T20:19:00.001-04:002006-10-22T20:19:47.738-04:00

I got some good news at work - I'm doing just fine.Here's why this is such a big deal: I've been working in this position since the middle of July (so about 4 months now).  It was all new to me - I had never dealt with accounting in any way, and especially not in relation to retail.  It was a lot to adjust to.  I was pretty slow as I got used to it, because I wanted to make sure I was doing it

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-81940782652561868302006-10-20T16:46:00.002-04:002008-10-09T17:49:09.273-04:00

Or maybe job & money. Anyway... I'd like to find a new job. I don't hate my job, I don't even really dislike it all that much. I'm just frustrated. It doesn't seem fair to me that upper management gets more weekends off than on, and dept managers get every weekend off, and most floor people get one or two weekends a month off, but I'm expected to work every weekend??? And if I do want one

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-10166021953434111032006-10-11T14:37:00.001-04:002006-10-11T14:37:13.492-04:00

I'm cleared to donate!  Woo-Hoo!!  This is exciting.  It will add $200 per month to our adoption fund, making the goal of saving enough to adopt that much easier to attain!  The local center pays $25 per donation, and you can donate up to twice per week.  $50 per week x four weeks per month = $200 more per month towards our savings!  I am so excited! I went in to find out what I would need to do

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-905059616159817602006-10-11T02:13:00.001-04:002006-10-11T02:13:25.613-04:00

Just a quickie post - I found some pricing information on adopting from China today. The one agency that I'm looking at that deals almost exclusively with China lists the cost as approximately $15,000.  Naturally, that does not include travel or other incidentals - just the adoption process itself.  But it is $3,500 cheaper than Russia, so it might be more of an option for us at this time. A

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-16165195237254028972006-10-10T18:11:00.001-04:002008-10-09T17:49:56.709-04:00

J and I discussed money tonight - specifically, money to fund the adoption. For me, it did not go well. I had been hoping that with some responsible choices and me finding ways to make a bit more money on the side, we'd be able to swing it sometime next year - late, but next year - maybe around J's birthday. Now J is saying that he doesn't think we'll be able to do it before he gets another

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-51097698304894089202006-10-07T07:58:00.000-04:002006-10-07T08:06:29.398-04:00

I asked our store manager last night if she is aware of anything that our company offers to help offset the costs of adoption. She said that she doesn't know, but that there is someone who would - unfortunately that person is not going to be in until Monday morning.She also said that if there isn't a company program, she would be willing to write to corporate and ask for the help for me as a

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-15985836261895972232006-10-06T19:20:00.002-04:002008-10-09T17:50:57.177-04:00

I got an email today about adopting from Russia. I am all for it - especially with the possibility that the entire process can take as little as 7-9 months from start to finish! I haven't discussed it with J yet because he wasn't home when I got the emails, but here is the breakdown of how much some of it will cost: THE SERVICE FEE INFORMATIONThe service fee to adopt a child from Russia is

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-82250825585090480972006-10-04T21:22:00.001-04:002008-10-09T17:52:14.950-04:00

So about adoption. The more I think about it, the more I'm feeling as if that is the way to go for us at this point in our lives. I am not giving up on the possibility of a biological child, but I am giving up on the stress and strain of trying so hard to make it happen. I have an awesome clinic with great doctors & nurses, and I still want to complete the testing to find out what exactly is

Saranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-55887423262454263072006-10-04T18:07:00.000-04:002006-10-04T18:08:51.609-04:00

This has been an emotional day, and will likely be the beginning of a very emotional journey. I have decided something very important. I can no longer sit around and simply wait. I have done a lot of soul-searching, a lot of praying, and a lot of crying. I have reached out to friends and family to help me by praying, by simply being there, or both. Now it is time for me to take action. I can

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-24082969580540829192006-09-21T21:05:00.000-04:002006-09-21T21:12:04.278-04:00

I can barely believe it myself, but I slept ALL DAY LONG today. I came home, putzed around online a little, and was in bed and asleep by 9. I think it was actually closer to 8:30. Jon came home around 8pm, and hearing him come in is what woke me up. I looked at the clock and was stunned. Did I really sleep for close to 12 hours?? OMG.I know I woke up around 2pm and went to the bathroom - I

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1156248319726597562006-08-22T08:03:00.000-04:002006-08-22T08:05:19.736-04:00

I had a reason to come on and put in an entry, but for the life of me I can't think of it at the moment. I'm creating an entry anyway in the hopes that it will come back to me.... nope, it's gone. Oh, well. Can't have been that important then.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1155863672000911862006-08-17T21:11:00.000-04:002006-08-17T21:14:32.010-04:00

It's been awhile since I posted anything, but I feel this is important.Common Threads ProjectThis is something I'm going to do, and I hope others will do it as well. I hope that it spreads so that those of us who do what we can to avoid crying at the sight of a pregnant belly will be able to find each other in our times of need.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1152763187785603272006-07-12T23:59:00.000-04:002006-07-12T23:59:47.796-04:00

My appt went really well. I got to talk to the doctor, who is super-nice and talks a lot, and fast! He gave me a lot of information and went through it all, then gave me a chance to ask questions and went back over what I had asked about. He set out a plan for getting everything checked out, and I go back in a couple of months (beginning of Sept).I had blood tests done to confirm/deny the PCOS

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1151036402868463922006-06-23T00:02:00.000-04:002006-06-23T00:20:02.916-04:00

Well, it's official. I have Carpal Tunnel in my right hand. I don't have it in my left, which is great. The neurologist said that the symptoms I've been feeling in my left hand are related to the left having to work harder to compensate for weakness in the right.Since the activity that is causing/adding to my problem is knitting - I'm super bummed. Knitting is how I unwind. It's soothing, the

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1149781264943812662006-06-08T11:40:00.000-04:002006-06-08T11:41:04.956-04:00

I went to the doctor today about my hand. He did a few preliminary tests, and said that he thinks that I may be developing carpal tunnel. Doggone it. I don't have enough going on medically, I had to go and develop carpal tunnel, too?They're setting me up an appointment to get nerve testing done. Until then (and until I get the results) I've got a prescription for Naprosyn (?) and a brace. What

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1149307850141113132006-06-03T00:05:00.000-04:002006-06-03T00:10:50.143-04:00

Name: Frustration in PinksMade for: Kyla W.Main colors: "Bikini" and Hot Pinksecondary colors (top edge) soft pink & yellowThis blanket is called "Frustration in Pinks" because I started and ripped it out and started over and ripped it out at least three times. Then, I got to where I only had seven rows to go and ran out of not one but BOTH of my colors! I wasn't about to start over yet AGAIN,

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1149307427719121062006-06-03T00:03:00.000-04:002006-06-03T00:03:47.726-04:00

I sure hope not!!!But there's a chance, and I hope I'm wrong. My right hand has been bothering me a lot lately. It goes painfully numb and very cold at the slightest provocation. You know how sometimes if you lean on your hand it will go to sleep? Lately my hand has gone numb if I just THINK about leaning on it. Any time I use the computer for more than a few minutes - it's gone. It happens a lot

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1148690821239539332006-05-26T20:45:00.000-04:002006-05-26T20:47:01.250-04:00

I work at Wal-Mart, and I know that not everyone who shops there is going to be polite or nice. But they can at least treat me like a human being!!We have a fence made of cinder blocks and timber railings to block off our outside area for the garden center. We pull out enough rails and blocks to allow for one car to get through into the area at a time, but not two. We do that on purpose, so

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1147725774555284682006-05-15T16:42:00.000-04:002006-05-15T16:42:54.583-04:00

This is so cute; I just had to share. Yesterday when I was at work, someone came in to buy a Power Wheels Hummer for her son. It was what he had picked for his birthday present (he was turning three).His mom looked at the top of the box where the price was and read to her son, "Mom's cost: $170. Koby's cost: 2 binkies." Then she looked at him and said, "Can you afford it?" He said yes, so they

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1147207774377873362006-05-09T16:49:00.000-04:002006-05-09T16:49:34.390-04:00

That is the name of the show I was in this past weekend. It was a lot of fun. I truly enjoy being in shows, and I had kinda forgotten that. I'm so glad I got cast in this one, since I was getting frustrated with local community theatre and was thinking of not doing it anymore. There was a lot of "Please come out for my show!" and "You had a great audition!" followed by not being cast in the show.

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1146938033623953232006-05-06T13:52:00.000-04:002006-05-06T13:53:53.636-04:00

I got my results for some of my bloodwork yesterday. Unfortunately not all of it, but what I got was good info for me. I wish I had always gotten this much information from doctors. My total cholesterol is a little high, and my LDL is also high. My triglycerides, HDL, and VLDL are all within normal ranges, as is my glucose fasting. That's all good, as far as I'm concerned. They recommend a repeat

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1146075895884726602006-04-26T14:03:00.000-04:002006-04-26T14:24:55.940-04:00

My weekend was fun, but super hectic. I don't think I want to do one like that again for quite a long while.The good part was, my friends were here to visit. It was nice to have a girls' weekend, and really nice just to see my friends. We were even able to spend time with my sister for awhile. We went to see Sue the T-Rex, which is a travelling exhibit sponsored by the Field Museum in Chicago

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1146067551696881472006-04-26T12:05:00.000-04:002006-04-26T12:05:51.706-04:00

Well, I was right. My doctor told me to stop drinking so much pop. What surprised me was something else he said. He said I might not have PCOS! I was so shocked to hear that. But I was telling him that my diagnosis was made by u/s, and he started shaking his head. He said that doctors NEVER make diagnosis of PCOS by u/s anymore! And, since the only thing I've been treated for since getting the

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1141837984377000122006-03-08T12:01:00.000-05:002006-03-08T12:13:04.406-05:00

So I know it's been a while since I posted here. Things get busy and I often just forget that I even have a blog that someone might want to read.February was a rough month for me. It probably will be my worst month for a long time, too. On about Feb 16th, Dakota (had she been born) would have been 2 years old. And I am constantly seeing children who are about that same age - it's as if there

Saranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726601.post-1131421922511338102005-11-07T22:47:00.000-05:002005-11-07T22:52:02.526-05:00

Oct 21 I took a HPT, and it was BFN. Two weeks later on Nov 4 I took another one and again, BFN. I am on CD 52, and was on BCP last cycle. I have to call my doctor and hope he's got an available morning appointment on Nov 18th. I'm going out of town that afternoon and will possibly meet someone for lunch, so I'd like to get in that morning. That morning is important because it's the day after

Saranoreply@blogger.com0