Neil is a sexy beast

The concert was great! Sure, we only knew about half to 2/3 of the songs, but it was a good show! I'm pretty sure were were among the youngest people there. I should have kept a tally of how many walkers and canes we saw. No joke. He did play "Forever in Blue Jeans" as well as "Sweet Caroline", complete with an encore of the chorus right after the song was over. We had pretty decent seats, too. And I'll tell you what, for a 67-year-old dude, he's pretty smokin'. Sure he's got white-boy moves (step touch, step touch), and he loves to pose for minutes at a time, and his ears are GIGANTIC, but if I were a single lady in my 6o's, I'd take a piece of Neil in a hot minute.


I think my favorite part of the whole show was when he played "America" during the encore. He had a video of immigrants and pictures of the Statue of Liberty and it was just an all-around American pride extravaganza. I loved it. Is it weird that while he was singing and I was watching that I was just overcome with a huge sense of gratitude to live in the United States? We really are blessed to live in this country. You'd be proud, though. I didn't cry. Not once. :)

All in all, my love for Neil Diamond grew last night. Thanks for giving hospitals free tickets, Neil!

Only one

I swear, I'm the only person left who has NOT seen Twilight yet. People who haven't even read the books have seen it and I haven't. I was supposed to go Friday night with some friends but then I had to work. I was SO bummed. I've heard mixed reviews-so I'm really interested to see how I like it.

Meanwhile, I've been hearing a lot of Muse on the radio, and loving it. But it got me thinking why an older song like "Supermassive Blackhole" is now suddenly all over the airwaves. Then I hear it's from the Twilight soundtrack. Aha. Stephanie Meyer is all about Muse--I think she's secretly hoping to meet them one day by how much she talks about them. Well, her obsession and gushing about them is a little much, but I too love Muse, so whatever gets them more airplay is fine by me.

In other music news, I won tickets at work to see Neil Diamond tonight. Yeah, I dig him. So does Derrick. I think it'll be a pretty decent concert, too. I just hope he plays "Forever in Blue Jeans". Not only my favorite Neil song, it's a way of life.



In non-music related news, I got the most blessed of calls this morning at 5:30 am--that I don't have to go into work. Ecstatic, I get up and pee and hop back into my toasty bed for another 4 or so hours. Not so much. 6:30 am I get a call again. "Whoops--we messed up. You need to come in." I was so ticked. I laid in bed a little bit longer before getting up and getting ready. I go to leave and what's this? White stuff everywhere?? Yes. Snow. Great. As if I wasn't grumpy enough already. It takes me an hour to get to work. I am not a happy nurse. I think I complained enough because they worked it out so that I could leave at 2. Happy again!

In baby news-I'm now 33 weeks. Only 7 left to go. If I think about how soon that is, I start to panic a little. My belly is definitely starting to get out there. She has hiccups a lot, which is fun to feel. She also digs into my ribs, which is not so fun to feel. I'm super excited to fly to Texas on Wednesday for Thanksgiving (it's in the 70's!) and see my family--but not super excited to sit on a crappy Northwest flight for 5 hours. I can't even get comfortable on my own sofa or LoveSac, let alone on a piece of poo plane seat. Wish me luck.

Guess that's enough randomness for one post, eh?

Christmas songs gone wrong, Part 2

I've already expressed my dislike for some Christmas songs previously, but I thought I'd add another. I was listening to the radio the other day, which has been cranking Christams music since Halloween, when "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" came on. I've heard this song thousands of times, but this time one specific line stuck out to me.

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

Scary ghost stories?? At Christmas? Are we confusing this with Halloween? The only thing I could come up with to make any sense of this is a reference to Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I ran this by Derrick and this is what he thought as well. I wouldn't classify A Christmas Carol as a ghost story, although now that I think about it, there are 3 different ghosts. 5 if you count the Marley brothers. Anyway, I still think it's weird that there is even mention of a ghost story in a Christmas song.

What's the one Christmas song I could never listen to enough? The one I listen to practically year round? The original song by one of my favorite 80's artists, only to be made over by one of my favorite bands ever?

You guessed it: Last Christmas. First by the dead sexy George Michael and Wham!, then by Jimmy Eat World. There's so much to love about the Wham! video. How the guys' hair is longer than most of the girls'. The awesome 80's ski retreat, complete with snowball fight.





There wasn't technically a video of Jimmy's version. Most had a picture of an album cover, but I chose this one for it's Jack Daniels and cheery gingerbread man. Very colorful and happy, don't you think?

I literally put this on repeat and get ready in the morning. Derrick just shakes his head and asks, "Again???" Yes. Again and again and again. It's my own Crystal Christmas Meth.

Showered

Saturday night my good friend Linda hosted a baby shower for me. The theme was "A Star is Born", and everything was SO adorable. So many of my friends were there, and many of them helped Linda by bringing delicious food. It was so surreal to be there knowing it was for me. I have been to countless baby showers, and I knew one day I would have one, but now that it was here, it was so weird.

But more than feeling weird, I was really just overcome with such a sense of gratitude, and how blessed I am to have so many wonderful, generous friends. We knew moving to Milwaukee was the right decision 4 years ago, but we had no idea what was in store for us. I have to say that we have survived the past 4 years--the past 4 winters--mostly because of the great friends we have made here.

Apparently hormonal, I teared up at the end of the shower, and then while I was driving home thinking about my great friends, I started crying again. What a wreck! But I can't say THANK YOU enough to everyone for coming and making it such a fun night! It really meant a lot to me to have everyone there!

Here's some pictures Linda took:

Adorable paper onesies Linda made:


Paper stars hung from the ceiling, and everyone wrote advice on them for me. Thanks to Linda and Jessica for cutting them all out!


Isn't this cake amazing?? Jodee and her crafty self made this not only awesome-looking, but awesome-tasting cake! And the best part is that it's based off my nursery theme and colors!

We played fun games--match celebrity babies and their parents, and a really cute one where there was a list of attributes (eyes, skin, driving ability), and people had to guess if I wanted the baby to take after me or Derrick.

It's all beginning to become more real, seeing a bathtub, and diapers, and toys in the baby's room.

8 more weeks!!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to my husband, who loves to use women's restrooms! (Don't worry, it was empty, in a basement at Yale. He really had to go.)

I could list a million reasons why I love him, but I'll spare you all the gushy details and just list a few.

• He makes me laugh. All the time.
  
• He poses for ridiculous pictures for me. Picture no grown man should pose for.
  
• He works hard for our family.
  
• He rubs my back whenever I ask him to.
  
• He takes out the garbage so I don't have to.
  
• He kills all the bugs in our apartment.
• He eats whatever I make for him.
  

I'm pretty sure I have the best husband around. I'm sure others will debate. Perhaps I have the best husband for ME. Yes, that's it. :)

Love you babe! Happy birthday!!!

A-OK

So after some tests and monitoring, everything is OK with this child of mine. (I knew it would be...but I did get a little concerned contracting every 6 minutes....) So, she gets to cook a little bit more, which is fine with me. I don't want a raw baby.

Today consisted of doing pretty much nothing but watching TV. Rough life, eh?

2 months and counting....

I probably say this every time I post about it, but I seriously cannot believe how fast time is flying by. I mean, really? 2 months? And typical to Karen fashion, I feel like I'm procrastinating on everything. Have I finished sewing the bumpers and ruffle? No. Have I finished lining the drawers in the dresser? No. It's not like she will wait for me to get things ready for her. I need to get crackin'! With Thanksgiving and then Christmas and New Years, the time will literally just disappear.

I'm definitely starting to feel more pregnant these days. Sleeping is not so fun. I feel like I waddle everywhere. And lately, I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. In fact, I left work early this morning because I was having so many, and I have an appointment this afternoon to see if everything's ok. She moves a lot. A lot. Sometimes she kicks so much it makes me feel sick to my stomach. And sometimes it tickles. But she can kick as much as she wants if it means she's normal and growing!

And here's a hot belly shot, sexy pants included. You know you want a piece of this.

Happy Veteran's Day!

To my mom, my dad, my dad in law, to old roommates, to spouses of friends, to everyone! Thanks for your service! And at the risk of being overly sappy, I give you this story. It's no surprise that I was totally sobbing by the end.

Picture taken by me, 2007

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.
Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago.' His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand,wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check. Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.' Do you understand and appreciate what they are doing? Hopefully we will never forget!
GOD BLESS AMERICA! IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !

Civic Duty

Wouldn't it be awesome if you showed up to the polls to vote and just spit out your name to the little old lady sitting there and she handed you a ballot. No ID, nothing, just your word that your name is really your name. She reads your address to you and you say "Yup! That's it!" You take your long blue ballot and head to an empty booth where you fill in the arrow next to the candidate of your choice. You look over, some people are doing it together. You know, like a group project. Well, my friends, move to Milwaukee and that's just what you would find!

You need to show your License to write a check, to fly in an airplane, but not to vote? Oh, because I showed it when I registered that counts? What about my husband, who still rocks a California license? Interesting, I say.

Either way, we got up early and stood in line before the polls opened to try and beat the crowds. We were maybe 2 of 10 or so white folks in line. There was just one Republican choice (McCain/Palin) on the entire ballot. ONE. Wonder who's going to win our district....

Halloween

So we managed to scrape up some respectable costumes and head to a Halloween Party. We did a little bobbing for apples where Derrick got 2nd place. All those days of practicing paid off.



Derrick was Ty Detmer and I was a magic 8 ball. Surprisingly enough, Derrick has never been Ty for Halloween before. Shocking, I know.

Friday afternoon I realized we had not carved a pumpkin NOR had our traditional dinner in a pumpkin. I called Derrick at work, frantic, and asked him where we had gone wrong this year. I was really bummed out! He came home from work early and we carved our pumpkin. No dinner in a pumpkin this year, though. Next year, next year...



So, overall, not a bad Halloween. Except for.....

when I got in the car and turned on the radio, what do I hear?? Christmas music! Oct. 31st!!! Isn't that a titch early?? Usually it doesn't start until Nov. 1st around here. But Halloween??? That a little ridiculous. But did I turn it off? No. I only allow myself to listen to it on my way to work, to help me get in a good mood. If I keep listening, I get way too burnt out on it by the time Christmas is actually here, and who wants to be grumpy at Christmas music?? Nobody.

I worked this weekend, and everyone brought in their kids' candy, and my diet the past 2 days has consisted solely on tootsie rolls, skittles, milk duds, and milky way midnights. On an unrelated note, I had the biggest tummyache all weekend. I don't know why...