A Perfect Day

Sean and I went back to the beach last weekend with Uncle Butch. While the men worked on siding and bathroom walls, Jet and I went down to the water to play.

We wore ourselves out!

Uterus- A+!!!

I had my HSG today and wonderful news- everything looks great! According to the radiologist, there is no scar tissue from my surgery, and both my tubes are open! (It feels so good to type that. I just let out a huge sigh.)

I was nervous about the procedure, but not nearly as crazy-nervous as I was about the surgery. I felt like I might cry as I laid down on the table, but I held it together. And it wasn't really that bad. As soon as they inserted the dye, it was actually pretty cool to watch and it distracted me from the cramping. After about 10 minutes, we were done!

I called Sean as I left the hospital parking lot, and told him the good news. He is never really that chatty over the phone, so I didn't expect a huge gushing of emotion. He seemed cool as a cucumber about it, but when he got home he gave me a hug that lasted 15 minutes and I knew he was relieved! He never really says what he's thinking when he's emotional- he just hugs! I got about three more bear hugs after that first monster hug! I know he's really excited.

I haven't gotten my "A-OK" to start trying again from Dr. Levin, but we're going to start anyway! I think the radiologist's report will say exactly what she told me in person, and I'm sure Dr. Levin will say to start! I'm leaving this slight detail out for Sean because he's such a rule follower that if he knew I was supposed to wait for Dr. Levin to give her blessing, he would say "wait". At this point in time, Sean knows everything looks good- and he's turned that into "A-OK" on his own... so I'm rolling with it. No need to be nit-picky. :)

Now, I feel crampy, but relieved. I feel really at peace about everything. I know it may still take several months to get pregnant and I'm prepared to be patient and trust that His timing is going to be perfect. I just feel really good about trying this time. (So good, in fact, that I just took my prenatal vitamins for the first time in over a month. I HATE swallowing big pills so I just kept putting it off. But now it feels like it could really happen so I better start taking them!)

When we began trying nearly a year ago, it didn't feel right. I felt like something was off. Woman's intuition? I'm glad I took the advice some of you gave me to see the doctor about my concerns. I'm amazed at how the little things that seem like trivial decisions that we make everyday lead us to where we need to be. It's so nice to know that He is in control, and I can just relax and trust in Him.

And so now, as far as I can see, my baby-making equipment is ready to go! I think Sean's feeling the pressure now, because he said, "Now we just have to hope I've got good swimmers." :)

Fat and Lazy- One, JoDee- Zero

What a beautiful day! The sun was shining and I was starting to feel much less fat and grumpy as I left school (the ol' pants were a little hard to button this morning and it was such a bummer). Maybe I will do all the laundry tonight! Or, maybe I will go for a jog and then do some crunches. Or, plant some flowers in my newly landscaped front yard. Then I will make a really healthy dinner. And in the meantime I will drink four cups of water! I'll do it all! Hell, it's beautiful outside and I have lots of time!

Enter the neighborhood. OK. Maybe it's a little too much to do in one evening. I'll just work out. And make dinner. The yard is fine- flowers can definitely wait.

Turn down our street. Maybe I'll wake up early tomorrow morning and work out instead. Yes, I'll just make a healthy dinner tonight. And do some laundry so tomorrow I can wear some pants that don't make me miserable all day long.

Pull up the driveway. Definitely make dinner. Laundry will just be a bonus if I have time. No need to stress out about it.

Open the door. Walk to the fridge. Now here I sit at the computer with huge bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips. Gotta love my will power.


Our front yard was a huge project this weekend... here's a picture.

We didn't make any real changes to the look or the layout, but we had some serious damage control to take care of. One day I was looking at the landscaping and thought it needed some trimming. Then I saw it. A vine. Well... that vine was about 3 miles long and attached to everything. I was tearing out vines all Friday night. I am covered in scratches. Sean had to tear out the front row of hedges on both sides of the house because they were all vine. I think I may have been able to save two larger bushes that were covered, but time will tell. We then proceeded to plant new shrubs and fertilize and mulch everything. Including ourselves. I had mulch in my shoes, hair, and bra. Yes. How I got mulch down my shirt is beyond me.

We worked Friday night, Saturday evening until dark, and then Sean worked again Sunday morning. I woke up and cleaned our house and went to the grocery store. Don't worry, I didn't send him out there on his own while I slept in! We had our families over for dinner for Mother's Day so I had to prepare. We were SO busy this weekend- between the yard work, the retriever club picnic (more on that later I'm sure), and a Mother's Day party at Sean's aunt's house, and then having everyone over that night... I am just exhausted.

I know the busy weekend, much of it spend outdoors, is to blame for my kick-ass farmer's tan and overall tired moodiness, but I guess I'll use it as my excuse to not do anything but fart around on the computer for the second straight night as well. Who am I kidding? I'll use this as an excuse to not work out for at least four days, maybe seven.

A Little About Work

Looking at the picture below, I think you'll learn two things about me. One- I am a total slob. Two- I am completely overwhelmed at work right now. (Maybe three. What weirdo would take a picture of this and post it for the world to see?)

In case you couldn't tell, this is my desk. I operate in a constant state of chaos. The teachers out there who have neatly organized desks and classrooms... to you I say, "How?" Honestly, there are LOTS of teachers who keep their act together nicely, I'm just not one of them. My desk (which looks like this a lot, as embarrassing as that is to say) often freaks out my teammates. They feel frazzled just walking in my room. I think I drive them crazy because I'm always saying things like, "Ooooh, yeah. That's right. That is today." "Why are you all in the planning room? Do we have a meeting?" "I forgot to tell you this earlier, but..."

That's right, I'm the TEAM LEADER. This is scary. (I wonder if my principal reads my blog... hmmm.)

I don't mind this way of working/living/being. But I think I probably make everyone around me nervous- all you type A's out there are just cringing, aren't you? My special ed co-teacher has a look of sheer terror when I ask her to put something on my desk. She hates to even walk near it!

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I was not really looking forward to it, because we were supposed to dress up every day. When you read that just now, I am sure you thought dress up: v. to wear something fancy, nicer than everyday wear, church clothes, but then you would be mistaken. Dress up in "elementary school-teacher" terms means, to wear something goofy, embarrassing, and uncomfortable.

The PTA sent us on a "cruise" for the week. On Monday, we wore cruise attire. That means I wore a huge straw hat, big sunglasses, and a scarf. I looked like a celebrity (in my mind). On Tuesday, I dressed like a tourist. (Not really. I had a kid say, "that's the best you could do?") On Wednesday, I dressed like a sailor. My creativity amazed me on this one- I actually had people compliment me on my cuteness. Thursday was pajama day. It was BY FAR the best day of the week. Friday was our luncheon- and we had to wear formal attire. Yes. Not only did we wear formal dresses, we wore them on a Friday.

I got pretty peeved when I first learned of the dressing-up. I remember saying quite loudly to my husband, "Why is 'Teacher Appreciation Week' turning into 'Make the Teachers Dress Like Losers so Their Students Act Like Wild Animals Week'?" But of course, I had a great time in spite of myself!

I have to post a few pictures of this... seeing as I am wearing the dress I wore in Amanda's wedding, and my partner Beth is wearing the dress I wore in Barbara's wedding (and looks much better in it that I did). They always say you'll wear them again... and we did!

My beautiful team. Seriously, we're hot.

This is my mother-in-law! Isn't she beautiful!?! She and I taught together for five years (when I say "taught together"- think adjoining rooms). This year we helped our principal open the new school and we're not on the same team anymore... tear. She is the sweetest person I know. So kind and so selfless. I loved working so closely with her! I would do it again in a second. Or less.

I work at a pretty amazing school. The neighborhood is on the higher end of the socio-economic status and our PTA put on an amazing week for us. I got breakfast, some candy, lots of scented lotions, a five minute chair massage, and enough gift cards to Dunn Bros. Coffee to support my addiction for the rest of the year.

Now if I can just survive until the end of the year, that would be great.

Man's Best Friend

I love my dog. He absolutely makes me smile everyday. As Sean says, "Everyone is a dog person. They just may not know it yet."

Jet's a pro at making the best out of a bad situation. When I snapped this photo, Jet had gotten bored while we were both working on the beach house, so he took a nap. I thought it was a pretty good idea. I was bored yesterday, so I took a nap, and it was a great idea.

I don't know who enjoys this more, Sean or Jet. Or me. I love watching them play. After this last photo, I had to join in! You're never too old to roll around on the floor with your dog. Or your husband. :)

We went to the beach house this past weekend and Jet was my sweet little buddy the whole time. We went down to the beach and played (I should have gotten some video of that!) and it was so fun! Watching my dog run on the beach holding the biggest stick he could find was hilarious! He was just overflowing with joy- absolute joy. I would like to let anyone who is depressed or terminally ill spend the day with my dog at the beach. I swear that much laughter and happiness could cure someone!

I took this video while we were sitting on the deck. I just giggled as I watched his cute little ears flapping in the wind! (I would mute this. The combination of wind and loud music from the beach is pretty bad.)

Our sweet friends, Ryan and Michelle, just lost their adorable chocolate lab, Eli. He was only four and a half, and it was strange and unpredictable. He died suddenly Saturday morning, and has left a big hole over at the Grant house. Please say a little prayer for them. It's so hard to lose such a loved pet.