My arm is sore....

...from patting myself on the back. Seriously, I'm so impressed with myself.

About a month ago I was vacuuming out our cars when all of a suddenly it started making this weird high pitched noise. I had no idea what was wrong. So, I put it in the closet and hoped a little time out would help it heal. Well, I pulled it out last night to see if it was working (I mean, it had been a month...our poor carpet was in desperate need of a pick-me-up) and the noise was still there. I changed the bag. Still there. I turned it upside down and turned it on and noticed the brush roller wasn't turning. Hmmm....I unscrewed the bottom and popped off the plate and voila! The belt was snapped! After a little online research, I found out these belts were mere pennies. So today I stopped by the vacuum repair shop and picked up a new belt and replaced it. All by myself. And then I vacuumed. And it worked! I know, it's practically nothing, but I'm very proud of myself. Screw you, repair shops! I saved myself $7.50, which is about a Large Mac n Cheese from Noodles, so it was worth it!

I attribute my fix-it skillz to my dad, the original Mr. Fix-it himself. We never hired a mechanic or plumber or electrician or anything growing up. He did it all. While I can't do all those things, I can hold my own. I'm the one now who puts stuff together (I actually love doing it) and I'm the one (mostly) who fixes stuff. My pops would be so proud!

Yikes! Bikes!

Harley Davidson's 105th Anniversary is this weekend, and I swear every single Harley in town is out on the roads. Who celebrates 105th anniversaries anyway? I'm a little glad we'll be out of town this weekend when they're out in full force. They are too loud, and they drive me crazy. I am very well putting my own life at jeopardy by saying that. Milwaukeeans are nuts about their Hogs.

And, just a little plug here, if you do ride, WEAR A HELMET!!! Nothing drives me crazier than seeing cyclists without helmets. It's just like asking to die. If you're not smart enough to wear a helmet, there's probably not much up there worth protecting anyway.

Tonite on my way home from work, a bicyclist, a young punk kid dressed in all black, decided to cross a busy, 6 lane road, in the dark. I didn't see him until maybe 20 feet away, and he was in the lane next to mine. I slammed on my brakes, laid on the horn, all the crap in my car went flying, he stopped, and I swore at him. Too bad he didn't hear me.

Apparently he also had a death wish.

The results are in!!! (MOM & DAD DON'T READ THIS!!!!)

So is it sugar and spice and all things nice, or snips and snails and puppy-dog tails??? What do you think? Is this the friendly wave of our cute little girl, or is our little boy already slamming (root) beers in utero?


Well....I see no weiner parts, so it must be a GIRL!!!!! We are so excited! I would have been excited to hear either boy or girl, but when I heard girl I practically squealed on the table and started clapping. Mostly b/c I was relieved that what little "mother's intuition" I had was correct.

Now come the name debates. Luckily we agree on most names. But the lovely Miss Erica G. has requested that I open the forum to you, the readers, to suggest names. So fire away!

And bring on the PINK! Because, let's be honest, just because it's a she doesn't mean Derrick won't be teaching her all things sports just the same!


PS-My parents don't want to know what it is...so if you know them/talk to them...don't spill the beans!!

A true find

During the purging process these past couple of weeks, I've come across some interesting things. One such little blast from my past included a cheat sheet I had hand written of codes to use in the Nintendo game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game. These were very important to my adolescent life, as I could easily warp to the Technodrome and defeat Shredder in less than an hour.



Stage Select:
↓↓↓↓↓→→→→→→→BA Start

At the title screen, enter the full Stage Select code that is listed above before the screen switches to the demo mode. Now, choose your Turtle. The next screen is the Stage Select. Keep in mind that there are seven scenes, but ten Stage Select numbers so some of the numbers won't correspond.

Ten Man Code:
↑→→↓↓↓←←←←BA Start

Enter the code above on the Title Screen before the demo mode appears. If you succeed, you'll have ten lives when the game begins. The code is easier if you think of it as progressing clockwise on the Control Pad.

Stage Select and Ten Man Code:
BABA↑↓BA←→BA Start

Once again, enter the code on the title screen quickly before the screen switches to demo mode. After choosing your Tutle, the Stage Select screen appears. Choose the stage you want and start the game. You'll have ten Turtle lives when you begin play.

Stages:
2) Bebop-Stockman
3) Winter
4) Skateboard
5) Factory
6) Training Center
7) Technodrome

These codes offered me hours of enjoyment, and if you still have a Nintendo and this gem of a game, you're welcome.

My trip to the ER

Yesterday at work my belly wasn't feeling so hot. I had this weird cramp on my lower left side that radiated up to underneath my ribcage. It hurt to walk, to sit, to stand, to do anything. So I walked everywhere verrrry slowly. By the middle of the day it had migrated to my lower abdomen, and felt like I was being constantly stabbed in the stomach. I kind of started to freak out and my co-workers insisted I call my doctor and see what she said. Well, it was close to closing hours for them so they told me to go to the ER to get evaluated. Great. Now I'm totally freaked out and bawling my eyes out on the drive home. I'd felt the baby move almost the whole day so I was comforted a little by that, but I still had no idea what was wrong. Some people suggested round ligament pain, but I didn't think it was that since it was so strong, and not on the sides. I thought it might be a UTI, since all I seem to do these days is pee, and sometimes I feel like I have to go SO BAD but I barely go at all.

So, Derrick comes home and picks me up and we get to the ER at 5:30pm. They slap a bracelet on me and stick us in a room. And we wait. I pee in a cup. They steal some blood and leave me with a capped IV. Everything comes back normal. They do an ultrasound, with the World's Meanest Radiology Tech, who tells me "NO, I will not tell you what sex your baby is, and NO we don't print out pictures here." I didn't even ask you for a picture, lady, so back off. Ultrasound comes back normal (which is a huge relief). They tell me it's round ligament pain. Are you kidding me???? I mean, I have had some ligament pains thus far but they were never this bad. These were debilitating. I couldn't even walk!

Very frustrating to go through all of that to have it be something so simple. So I'm supposed to be on bed rest for 2 days. When I woke up this morning it was like nothing had ever happened. No pain, nothing. WEIRD. But at least it was all good news about the baby.

Now when the bill comes, that's another story....

Do's and Don'ts

I feel like it should be spelled "don't's", with two apostrophes.

Should you be having a baby in the near future, in a hospital, like all sane women should, please let me bestow upon you some etiquettes to mind during your hospital stay. Since I work in the industry, I feel I am qualified to offer these pieces of advice common sense.

#1) Do not dress your baby in your own clothes, despite how cute your onesie/layette is. Your baby will puke on it. Or poop on it. You will have to change the outfit. Please tell me what is appealing about going home with a brand new baby AND a full load of baby laundry. Nothing. Also, why risk losing it? Trust me, things get lost in the nursery. Don't worry, your baby will survive in the standard issue white t-shirts the few days in the hospital. DO bring a super cute outfit to take baby home in. The only exception to the clothes-from-home rule: cute hats are allowed to replaced the pink and blue flimsy striped ones.

#2) Do not change your baby's diaper if it is not wet and/or dirty. I cannot tell you how many times I've noticed a balled up diaper on the bedside and asked whether they changed a wet or dirty diaper and they tell me it was neither. They just changed it. Yeah, like I'm so sure you'll be throwing away perfectly good diapers at home when you're shelling out the cash for them. This drives me crazy.

#3) Do not walk around your room/the hall barefoot. This is gross. This needs no further explanation.

#4) If your husband is in the room with you, and you can see the ice/water machine from your room, do not ask me to get you water. Tell your husband to get off his lazy butt and get it himself. When I ask if you need anything else, I'm referring to drugs/pads/things your husband cannot get you.

#4a) Do not ask me to get water/juice/soda for the 15 visitors you have crammed in your room. This is not a cocktail party. I personally draw the line at grandparents. Or really cute kids if they ask nice enough.

#5) Do not pull the emergency cord in the bathroom when all you need is panties. Use your normal call light. It pisses all the nurses off, and we will talk about you in the breakroom.

#6) Do send your baby to the nursery at night. You need sleep. And this may well be the last time you get any. Take advantage of the nurses who are keeping track of when your kid needs to eat, and don't worry about a thing.

#7) Do be flexible when the nurse needs to do her checks. Let your guests step outside for the 3 minutes it takes for the nurse to press on your tummy and check out your crotch.

That's all I can think of for now. If you have any to add, I'd love to hear them!

Put him on the DL

I got canceled from work tonite (which was rather annoying since they forgot to call me when they were supposed to and wound up calling me while I was 2 blocks form work. Arg.) so I was able to go to Derrick's softball game. Of course, I took my new camera. (Who needs a name, I think...any suggestions?)

Derrick at bat

The prettiest blue eyes this side of the Mississippi, Miss Samantha

Yes, Derrick hath injured himself. Pulled a hammy. Tsk, tsk. He can now barely walk and hobbles around.

Carter's bubble machine taking a much needed rest.

Belly Shots

Perhaps you've been curious as to the size of my midsection as of late. I've gotten a few requests, so I guess I should oblige. It's really not that interesting. I thought I'd be a lot bigger at 4 1/2 months. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure, before it sneaks up and makes up for lost time and then some.

I think I've been feeling this kid move lately. It's hard to tell though, b/c sometimes I think it's just gas. But then I don't feel really gassy, so I think it must be the baby. It feels like he/she is pushing on my stomach to get out. Weird.

I still have to pee a lot. Usually during the night. How convenient.

I'm also really tired. Like, ridiculously tired. Exhausted. I've fallen asleep well before 10 almost every night this past week. It hits hardest around 2 in the afternoon and all I want to do is take a nap. This is especially frustrating when I'm at work. Although, I do take little cat naps in empty rooms if I get the chance...

Otherwise, I'm feeling pretty good. We find out next Friday what we're having already! I feel like this pregnancy has flown by! I can't believe we're already almost halfway there. Nuts.

The apartment purging is practically complete, and it's a good feeling. I have a super top secret project I'm working on that I want to finish so I can focus on learning how to use my new camera! And I'm still dying to read Breaking Dawn-not that I have a copy yet. Too many things to do, not enough time.

Latest Obsessions

Lately I've been craving Rice Krispie Treats. I never make them b/c mine always seem to come out ROCK HARD. It's so depressing. So I've resorted to getting them at Noodles, whose are always nice and soft and delicious. Well, I finally decided enough was enough and that it was time I mastered the RKT. So I researched online the best way to make them. And now I'm unstoppable.


Here's the secret: melt the butter first until almost all melted. Then add the mallows. Melt sloooowly until almost melted. It should still be chunky when you add the Rice Krispies. Add less cereal for gooeyer (I have no idea how to spell that) treats.

I haven't failed yet!

My other obsession is the cereal Oh's. They are tasty little buggers. I can't get enough of 'em.

I guess I'm pretty much obsessed with food lately.

The Languages of Love

It's funny to me the things that turn us on. Two situations:

1) A couple weeks ago Derrick and I were at PF Changs for a late dinner. We were happily eating our lettuce wraps when "Watching the Wheels" by John Lennon came on the Muzak. All of a sudden Derrick starts to sing along with it. I look at him in awe. This, the man who knows no lyrics to ANY song, is singing a John Lennon song, of all songs. I asked him how he knows it, and he says "everybody knows this song!" I begged to differ. I still do. How many of YOU know it?? I told him, "I think I love you a little bit more right now. " And I did.

2) Our hometown heroes, the Milwaukee Brewers, have had a pretty decent season so far. We've got all star Corey Hart, we picked up CC Sabathia, we're doing alright. I've paid more attention to them than in years past, watched more games, listened to more updates on them. I'm no pro by any means, but I sort of know what's going on with them for the most part. I was telling Derrick the other day some stats I had heard and some other stuff about the Brewers and how they were doing and he just looked at me and said, "You're hot."

Hey, whatever floats our boat!

5 Years!!!

Yesterday was our 5 year anniversary! 5 years have gone by sooo fast. And sooo smoothly! Seriously, it's been so fun to be married to Derrick. I wouldn't have it any other way!

I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. I had off, which in and of itself is enough to look forward to, but it was also our weekend to go to the state fair!! Let's backtrack though...

Friday was supposed to be my good friend Lindsey's bachelorette party, but she was admitted to the hospital so it was called off. I had backup plans though--tickets to see Carolina Liar, my latest obsession. (Lindsey's ok by the way...her bridal shower was today.) So Friday, after a little birthday cake for my favorite 3 year old girl and some opening ceremony action (HOORAY FOR OLYMPICS!!!) we hit up the concert. It was at the Rave, and there was hardly anyone there. Maybe 100 people or so. We waited in the smoky hall until it started, and they opened with "California Bound." The acoustics in the hall are horrible. It was way too loud for how many people there were. I could feel my whole body vibrating. You could hardly hear the lead singer. And all I could thing of was my poor child shaking in my tummy. I had read how prolonged high volumes could damage an unborn baby and that's all I could think of. We stayed for 2 more songs, including "I'm not over" and then left 20 minutes into the show. I was pretty bummed to leave, but I wasn't loving the sound, and I was really too nervous about how loud it was. It was the first time I have felt really "motherly." As we left I started to get a little teary (which has happened a lot more lately) about leaving, and I think it was sinking in that I can't really do all the things that I want to anymore, and this kid isn't even here yet! Still, I felt good about leaving. They were good, and would be in a decent venue, and I'm satisfied knowing that.

So we got home, and Derrick gave me my anniversary present early. Which, by the way, was unexpected. We never exchange gifts for our anniversary, but instead go on a trip or buy something we can use together. Well, he did an AMAZING job and surprised me with the best gift ever!!!

A new camera!!!!! A Nikon D40. He did all the research and decided that this was the one to get. I'm so impressed. And, of course, I love it! We set it up that night so we could take it to the fair the next day. What a stud!!

The fair was, as usual, awesome. Flavored milk, roasted corn, turkey leg, cream puff. All the best fair foods. We played bingo, and I won Loser's Bingo with the worst possible card, scoring myself 20 bucks. Nice.


Oh, and just one of the many reasons why I love Derrick: he poses for crazy pictures, like this:

What other grown man do you know that would do that for his wife? The people behind me were cracking up. Ha.

We left and hit the pool for a little bit until it started to rain. Then we were off to dinner at Capital Grille, which was delicious. I highly recommend the Spinach Salad with warm bacon dressing. Soooo good!!! Sufficiently stuffed, we headed home and watched Michael Phelps snag his first gold medal.

Great day overall. Great 5 years. I'm sure 5 more great ones to come!

I'm a murderer.

I killed a squirrel on my drive into work this morning. He was so little, too. I thought he would make it across...I didn't even swerve. I feel awful. Poor little guy.

Pass me my walker, please.

Derrick got us tickets to the Warped Tour on Friday, so we went with the O'Neill's and checked out the scene. We were easily twice as old as most of the kids there. They all needed a little Care Bear Stare....what a bunch of angry emo kids. A little unnerving that they are the face of our future generations. Anyway, we caught Gym Class Heroes, who are by far the most schizo band ever. They played pop songs, rap songs, hip hop songs, rock songs, and heavy metal songs. Very bizarre. They are entertainers, though, and did put on a decent show. It was by far more entertaining to people watch, though. I wish I had my camera with me to document some of the interesting things we saw.

Tonite we happened to flip to the Teen Choice Awards. I felt like a freaking geezer-I had no idea who anyone was. Very sad.

Did anyone catch Letterman Friday night? Richard Simmons was a guest. I love Richard Simmons. I really do. He is always so happy, and he follows my philosophy of eat less, exercise more. He's even lobbying in Washington to get PE back in schools. What's not to love about him?? Anyway, Letterman was SO RUDE to him! He was being such a meanie. It was making me really mad, and I think Richard was getting kind of miffed, too. Just b/c he's a flaming fitness freak with big hair doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings! I felt really bad for him, and now I like Letterman just a little less. That's okay though, I've always liked Leno better.



And I love you too!

Buyer Beware

My car has been rattling around for awhile now, the door handle has been busted for months, and I finally decided to do something about it. Kohl's is partnered with a local mechanic, Scotty's of Brookfield, giving employees a special rate. So we decided to have them look at it and see what we needed to have done.

They picked it up from Kohl's and took it back to their shop where they looked it over and called back with an estimate. A super high estimate. So we decided to go elsewhere. When I called to tell them this, Carol, the crusty crab who manages it asked me for my credit card number. Uh...for what?? She said they charge a diagnostic fee of 90 dollars, and that she told me this when I made the appointment. Really, if you know me, I would have said a big hell to the no on that one. Especially since I got 3 free quotes from other garages in the area. Well, she and I got into it over the phone, she insisting she told me, and me insisting she did NOT. I told her I would not pay, and she said she would not take my car back to Kohl's. I said fine, I'd go pick it up myself, and she said she would not release it to me. I finally relinquished to this spawn of Satan and spit my number to her. I then told her I have never dealt with such a shady business before and that I would tell everyone I knew to never take their car to them. At the end she said "Thanks very much" and I said "you're NOT welcome" and hung up on her. And then I burst into tears.

Well, I told Derrick what happened and he was pretty pissed too, so he wrote a letter to HR.


Just wanted to make you aware of the terrible service and unethical treatment I received from Scotty's Firestone in the last 2 days. I took advantage of the Kohl's Perks website to see if Scotty's could get me a better deal on my car than other mechanics I had previously received estimates from. All other mechanics gave me free estimates of what my car would cost to get repaired.

Without letting me know, Scotty's charged me $89/hr for the ESTIMATE plus tax equalling $93.54. They are the only service that charged me, plus on the Perks website it states Scotty's will charge us Kohl's employees a discounted $69 hr/rate. The lady at Scotty's claimed this rate was only for service performed. That was my point exactly and this should have been free, since no service was performed. She then said I would be charged $89/hr since it was not labor.

Whatever the explanation, it was NEVER communicated that I would be charged, nor did I think I would not get a discount for being a Kohl's employee. Please be advised that Kohl's needs to communicate to them in my behalf and other employees in the future. I really feel that I should not be charged at all. Truly, Scotty's is not a PERK.

They emailed him back saying they were discontinuing their service with them. So take that Scotty's!!! You suck!!