Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Farewell to Christmas

Another Christmas has come and gone... 1st Christmas that I didn't put up a tree, or have a real "wish list" (which drove my husband and parents batty)... Sadly I could have cared less if it was Christmas or not, didn't care for getting gifts (although still loved giving gifts, just didn't really want any myself), didn't care for any other seasonal traditions - I just wanted the week over with so I could go on with some other part of life. Christmas at my parents was pleasant, no children to speak of other than my 12 year old niece and 21 year old nephew (he's still a kid regardless of age, and expects to be treated no different than my niece)... the only person there who seemed to have more than the slightest spark of Christmas cheer though was my Aunt Jannetta, god love her and her crazy costumes!! She's always been one of my favorites... even with all of her very annoying habits - LOL - she actually was the one to really surprise me this year with a gift... very sweet... 

Willow Tree - Angel of the Heart

I also got two new ponies... from the Trail of Painted Pony collection I got "King of Hearts" from my husband (kinda fitting) and from Horse of a Different Color collection I got "Celestial" from my mom...


Now to look forward to the new year...  I think I'll leave it at that for now!


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Lets talk about the Elephant...

Military life can make one a little crazy and wish for an "Easy Button" instead of always sitting on the "Panic Button", specially around time for PCS Orders to be handed out...

I wish I could say that the military life is easy... I know a lot of people believe that it's roses and rainbows all day everyday  - but honestly military families see more storms and thorns than anything else, and deployments aren't even the half of it. We deal with uncertainty in how long we'll have our spouses in the same city, same state, or same country even due to training missions and job requirements; we wonder how the next assignment will work out, if it'll be high stress or if it'll be odd hours all the while hoping that it'll be a nice & calm 8-5 normal work week because they can't quit or complain really about what they do and when. We wait and wonder, we rush and stress, we get told conflicting information... rarely does anything go as planned, if it can be planned at all! In the civilian world, if you don't like a job or work environment you can always quit (hopefully after finding another job first) or talk to HR/Management about the conditions that make you unhappy - military members don't have that option, they also don't have the option to stay in one location like Civilians do... and of course that means that the spouses/family usually follows but obviously not always as there are always circumstances that don't allow the family to be with the military member.  Sadly enough, all of these things happen without much compensation... yes we get more than a salary - we get housing allowances and dependents get a little thrown their way to help pay for standard living expenses, insurance is taken care of which is great, but still it doesn't even begin to compensate for all the trouble that is Military Life!!! And this is still just the tip of the iceburg... don't get me started on if you aren't near a base and all the hassle that comes with that... nor the frustration of the working spouse... nor special duty assignments... grrr...

Anyways, my little soap box speech is because (as noted in previous posts/blogs) we're in the process of trying to PCS/Transfer to a new location and get away from recruiting. I wish I could say that it's as simple as packing up the house and leaving for the new duty station once we are assigned a new duty station... but it's not that easy unless you are a newly married couple with absolutely no ties to community, family, nor have had time to "build" a life in a house... I've packed up and moved 3 times already, about to be a 4th time with at least 1 or 2 more moves to come in the future - it never has been overly easy. I've had to pack a lifetime up, say goodbye to good friends if not friends and family, leave jobs/careers behind, lose opportunities, change routines/habits, try to find new hobbies/interests, etc... it's a stressful process when things go right. When things go right you have a timeline to plan everything around, you typically know the location you are headed to, you have an idea of what the next few months are going to entail (at least if you've done it at least once before)... however, it seems that our current duty station is HELL on trying to have any timelines, or at least it's seemed like it has been for the last year and a half!! 1st we were offered Ft. Sam Houston (San Antonio, Tx) but that was swiftly jerked away from us due to us not being able to go from non-deployable status to non-deployable nor are we allowed to transfer to the same location just different battalion (retarded I know), next we had Korea given to us as basically the only replacement option but luckily were told that this wasn't true, then we settled on Ft. Lewis (Tacoma, Wa) and now it's being debated as well for unknown reasons if Ft. Lewis will stick or not... 
Honestly though, let's talk about the real reason this all REALLY bothers me... because I can be honest enough with myself to admit that most PCS's haven't brought me to tears with each and every change... The real issue is another topic
that has been featuring rather prominent on my blog the last year and a half - having a baby, being pregnant, waiting on J to decide when these two events might be attempted... I'm getting more and more wary with each change, with each hesitation, with each "bump" in the road - and I fear bring in it up... yes, this is the elephant in my little room!! Don't get me wrong, the idea of leaving Texas again worries me and not having my parents around for the second most important part of my life with my husband (they weren't there for the marriage ceremony either due to the circumstances of it being a rushed JOP thing in North Carolina) saddens me almost as much as leaving from an area that I am only a three or four hour drive from them does... but yes having that monkey on my back, that elephant in the room, that ticking time bomb, that heavy weight on my mind is what really stresses me out when a new change is mentioned... There, it feels good to get that out - too bad it doesn't chance a damned thing, since I haven't said it to the person I need to and I won't because it won't matter... Blah! I'm going to go pack some more stuff away and prepare a little more of the house for the upcoming move - whenever that will be...

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Time 2 PCS


It's that time... Time to start gearing up to PCS to a new duty station which we know is Ft. Lewis in Washington now, time to start prepping the house to pack and sell, time to start weeding through all the things that need to be thrown away or given away, time to finish any unfinished projects around the house (walk-way, pier, painting, etc)... this is going to be a very busy next few months for me at least!



I'm starting lists, and I so am not a list person... but it seems like it's the only way I'm going to be able to keep straight with everything between work and home! I'm just glad that I'll have help here in Texas and in Washington...

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Definitely time for Chocolate, Wine and a good Cry..

... comfort food... nice bubble bath... spa day... something!! OMG something!! I've been doing so well the last few months, or at least I think I have - and even this week I've handled a lot of stuff better than I thought possible - Enough is seriously enough though!!

Week started ok, J was willing to talk about my appt I had scheduled for Monday, even if we didn't discuss too in-depth (other than a few questions he wanted answers for) and he seemed a little disappointed to realize that he wouldn't be able to go with me. 
Monday went to appt... I was fine dealing with the waiting room full of infants, toddlers and varying stages of pregnancy... I was fine dealing with the nurse who got a little stressed out with my lack of normal period and asking what was wrong with me (she was new)... I was even fine when the nurses tried to brush off my desire to discuss infertility again with my doc, even though that was what I called to schedule. I struggled a little once in the room while waiting patiently for the doc to show up because I could hear the sounds of a woman in the next room over being VERY excited to hear the heartbeat of her infant, I struggled but ultimately smiled to hear that beautiful sound myself through the walls... my eyes might have slightly teared up, but it was still a beautiful sound! I came back to work slightly saddened by the news that the only options open to me currently are Clomid/Femera or IUI trigger shots, both of which my husband has expressed displeasure with using, unless I want to put off TTC for a few months to see if a few other types of hormone therapy that are meant to help with regulation as well as stopping any chance of pregnancy might work. Rest of the day passed very slowly and painfully as I was given multiple reminders that I don't have a living child... 
Tuesday was better... although again I had reminders battering at my walls, trying to tear down my strength... and reluctantly I finally succumbed to a very fitful sleep after receiving no response from my husband for physical comfort or intimacies... 
Wednesday passed much the same as Tuesday, although keeping despair at bay was a little more difficult without a good nights sleep - I went home to an empty house, waiting patiently on a husband that works seemingly later and later each week. I passed the time watching TV, settling in for a few shows that were supposed to be feel good kinds but ended up breaking my heart a little to see when each one showed a newborn infant coming into the world and mommy/daddy having this look of awe or indescribable love/devotion maybe... off to bed to cry a little into my pillows and again sleep very poorly...
Now for Today... Today all I've wanted to do was not think of children, but it wasn't in the cards!! I've been shocked, not once, not twice, but 3 times today with people around me and that I work with being pregnant... I seriously am struggling with this, I think most of it is due to not knowing where we'll be in a few months, where my husband will be... I don't think I can handle another year of waiting, I don't know that I can handle even another few months... I mean I will, if it's required but the truth is that with each new hit, another crack forms in what strength I am relying on to carry me through this indeterminate wait...

Just a few more days, I can do this for a few more days... I can, I must... 

Monday, December 03, 2012

So proud of my Sgt 1st Class husband...

... but not so proud of my how much I "celebrated" with my friend Patron!! Yikes!! Thank goodness that's not a normal thing for me

So yes, my husband got his promotion over the weekend at ATC... I got to pin his rank on him and honestly I was just so very, very proud of him and this accomplishment. He's had a lot to deal with the past year alone, nevermind all that he's done for the past 12 years of his military career... so yes, VERY PROUD!!

Pinning on Rank... Stomp on E6, Punch on E7...  HAHA

Capt. Szymanski told me to give him a handshake, kiss and hug... 
hehe.. little awkward when J's at Attention!!!
Capt. Szymanski congratulating J...

  ... It was nice to be able to be included in the pinning ceremony!! I just can't say enough about how proud I am of him...

We had the military ball this weekend too... Yup, I had to be all kinda dressed up and girly! I think I shocked a few people... Yes people I do wear makeup occasionally and can wear heels...

Doesn't he look just amazing in his dress uniform... Yum!! 

We did have a few pretty major catastrophic to avert over the weekend.. 1) very little sleep all weekend starting with a 3AM wake up call on Friday so we could be in San Antonio to get my ID renewed, get a new Army Polo for him and his rank changed on his uniform. 2) me having too much to drink on the river walk. 3) forgetting his garment bag at home that contained his pants and accessories.  All averted and all ended well... 

All kinda sexy on the drive home...



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Ft. Sam please...

Do you see these two Green dots...???
One is over South Korea...
The other is over Texas...
Do you see how far apart these two dots are??
I don't like how far apart they are!!
Why you might ask... well there is a very real possibility that my husband might get sent there for his next duty station, while I stay in Texas - FOR A YEAR! No good can come of this possibility, unless you are one of those that are in the "Absence make the heart grow fonder" category... and while yes, that is true, and yes I'm a military spouse that should be "OK" with this, NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR THIS CRAP!!!

Of course he could get the duty station that I'm totally ok with which is Ft. Sam Houston... TOTALLY WONDERFULLY OK WITH THIS ONE!! J can stay with a buddy during the week until the house sells and we get a new place to live, I can continue to work where I'm at until I get a new job (if I choose to do so), and he'd only be a 2 hour drive if I wanted/needed him for anything... Perfect see!?

So yeah.. we got told that J'll be getting orders soon - we were offered choices (Ft. Lewis, WA - Ft. Jackson, SC - Ft. McGuire, NJ - Ft. Sam Houston, TX - Korea), we debated most of the choices already so we each kinda knew what the other was thinking, however, what we didn't plan on was them offering him a position at the Research Facility - Totally awesome and Total Win-Win!! and we also didn't think about the fact that his last two duty stations have been Non-Deployable duty stations... meaning if he doesn't get approval for another Non-Deployable tour, then he gets sent to Korea without me...

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Thankful... oh so thankful...



With it being November, I started posting once a day on Facebook the things I'm grateful/thankful for... it's kinda nice to remember things that are positive in my life rather than negative since so many things have been on the downhill slide in the last year or so what with deaths in the family, J's investigation (and promotion loss), all the problems with the house, Mimic getting bit by a snake, my miscarriage...

However, Oct seemed to really be a turning month in some respects because J came to me wanting to try to get preg finally - he determined that he would no longer let the military guide how he would lead his personal life!! I loved hearing that... 


Then this month after he's finally decided not to let the military rule his personal life, the military finally has finally released him from this investigation. Not that we've received the paperwork that declares this, it's just word of mouth currently but word of mouth is a step forward!! J's commander called Friday and said that the investigation came back Substantiated-Non Recruiter Error. Meaning that yes someone got in the Army that wasn't qualified to join, but no it was not his fault. This is such a relief for him and me too honestly.. however, my first reaction to it was what is this going to do to his wanting to try for a child??
I shouldn't have doubted him... I know that usually once he's made his mind up about something that it's rare for him to change it back and he didn't about trying either... he's currently content to let me decide if trying and possibly moving by myself is going to be too much...

I don't say it enough how thankful I am that I am married to him and have been able to make our marriage work... I know he's a pain in my ass, I know that I hate a lot of his bad habits and how he reacts to things, but I also know that he generally doesn't want me unhappy... he might not know how to make me happy all of the time, but he does try... I should remember and be thankful for that more often!!


Needless to say, we'll continue trying for a baby - I am not sure yet if I want to push things to the next level of active trying if we aren't preg before he leaves, or if I'll just wait till we are settled at our next duty station. I'm really hoping everything goes smoothly... I hope that all the paperwork comes back quickly, that his promotion status gets reinstated without an issue, that his re-enlistment allows a choice of somewhere that we both would be happy going to (if not then maybe a bonus?),
I hope that the house sells quickly so I'm not alone here for long, and that wherever we end up next we continue to be happy with our relationship...

Friday, October 19, 2012

Collect your thoughts and... Let's try?!

I've been trying to journal this for several days, but all that happens is I look at a blank screen for several minutes while my mind is feverishly trying to coherently try to explain every thought chasing it's way through the grey matter contained inside my skull... 

Yep, that's about how it goes... one thought, leads to another, which leads to another, and that one leads to - you guessed it, ANOTHER... and round and round we go on this little merri-go-round in my head... the one thing that brings this all to a complete and utter stand-still... My Husband saying "Let's Try"...
Mind you, I've been hoping those words would come for the last year or more since my miscarriage but seriously was beginning to have my doubts they'd actually come out?? I was nearly brought to tears, but was beyond speechless and hopelessly lost in those words... It has taken several more days of the track workout for my thoughts since then to even begin to make sense out of this! How do I go from having pretty much settled into a long wait to having that wait cut so short it was unreal? I still want to cry knowing that he's finally ready, FINALLY... and yet, I don't feel like it's really here! I'm terrified out of my mind that this is some cruel joke he's playing on me... I know he's not, but I seriously wake up in a cold sweat at night thinking it is... My problem is that I just didn't know where to begin? And that's where the merri-go-round started - should we just every other day it and hope for the best... should I go on hormone therapy... which one? Estrogen, LH, HCG, Progestrone, etc... should I give it a month of hoping for the best and next cycle jump in feet first with Clomid/Femera... should I temp, use OPKs... 
We've talked again since his statement on Sunday night and discussed the options... but I still feel oh-so-lost. I guess that's the downside of trying to know everything is that in the end you know nothing until it's been experienced... Oh well... I'm happy that we are officially trying to start our family!!

I guess I should take up a new Manta:
Thoughts float in and out of your mind like feathers in the wind. Let them come. Let them go. Surrender worry like feathers. Release fear like feathers. Stop chasing thoughts and you will feel as light and free as a feather.

Friday, October 12, 2012

More of the same...

So yet again I find myself searching and researching stuff online for Babies... however, today's topic is more on child care - needs for the 1st year or two, ways to punish for misdeeds, what is needed the week or two before birth and first few days home from the hospital after birth, ways for them to earn money, and ways of keeping from spending tons on trips... honestly it's kinda cool looking up how others have handled certain aspects of all of these different times of a child's life!!



** Baby Shower gifts:
1. Children's books instead of cards...
2. Since I want to try cloth diapers, each guest bring one cloth diaper if they buy disposables..?
3. Speaking of disposables, i
f your last name falls in A-F bring newborn, G-L bring size 1, M-R bring size 2 and S-Z bring size 3.
4. Same as disposables with baby clothing... otherwise way too many to wear!


** Week or two before delivery - OMG some of these things I just can't imagine ever thinking about, and here are my 4 favorites:
1. Home Cleaning Service or have a house cleaning party if you have really nice friends/family! (Make sure the fridge is cleaned too)
2. Have plenty pads (yuck), hand soap and toilet paper in stock..
3. Put a water-proof liner on the bed - for Breatfeeding and possible leaks.. really cool idea is to have two sets of sheets and liners on the bed in layers (liner, sheet, liner, sheet) so it makes for quick changes if needed... this would work for crib too
4. Daddy suitcase/survival kit along with one for Mommy... ooo and signs for the hospital door to inform visitors of situations where room needs to remain clear of guests!!http://dearbabyblog.com/post/4718750068/a-candid-list-of-things-to-do-in-the-last-weeks-of


** Home from the Hospital:
1. Soothies Gel Breast Pads, Breast Pads and Maternity Bras- Think Breastfeeding...
2. Swaddle Baby Wrap
3. another SD card for your camera4. frozen meals and snackshttp://keepupwithusjones.blogspot.com/2012/07/10-things-for-your-first-week-home-with.html
** Baby Care:
1. Make a diaper bag packing list (http://66.147.242.155/~checkli2/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/checklistmommy-diaper-bag-pack-lists3.pdf)...
2. Sleeping through the night assistance (http://delightfulmomstuff.blogspot.com/2012/02/newborn-sleeping-through-night.html)
Then I was also thinking about chores and money too... specially after hearing the argument/convo my DH had with his mom about when he was little...
1. Make a board for chores- each "chore" will be a label on a magnet with a $$ amount attached to said item (once the child selects the chore, if there are siblings no other child can do that chore until the next time it comes up on the board or 1st child gives up that chore).
2. Make a Ransom Box - this will be for every time a child leaves out a toy or bookbag or whatever after a warning to pick it up. Item will be placed in a Ransom Box, child must choose a "To-Do" penalty out of an envelop in order to get back the item (http://madsmemories.blogspot.com/2009/08/moms-ransom-rubbage.html)
3. Differentiate between a "Experience Day" and a "Gift Day" - Experience days would be such days were you go to zoos or parks (water or theme), Gift days would obviously be for gits... and speaking of gifts (http://secretsofasupermommy.blogspot.com/2010/03/birthdayfun-things-to-do-on-real.html)




Sunday, October 07, 2012

Online Retail Therapy.. Baby Themed!

.. not exactly the greatest thing in my husband's opinion since it focuses on infants/children almost constantly, but it's very therapeutic for me to research different options for future needs when I do finally get to have a child of my own to take home and care for!! If I can't focus on trying to have a child right now, why can't I focus on my wants for the child when I can try?
I've noticed I lean toward very simple and easy when it comes to decor, things that can easily be done in the course of a day or two if needed... things like stick-on wall murals, mosaic frames, etc... but I still like unique and somewhat traditional - so rocking horses and teddy bears, twinkle stars, and song birds instead of newer cartoon figures and the like.
I've also picked up on a few ideas about how to make certain looks without the need to have a sewing machine or spending a lot of money - I'm trying to use pinterest as much as possible to capture these ideas, but I think I might have to note a few here as well, such as using stick on velcro pieces to secure the crib lining to the bars of the crib or speaking of crib lining, using lace fabric and creating my own liner...

Saturday, October 06, 2012

What to do, what to do...??

I truly don't know what to do or think... this stupid investigation is royally stressing me out!! My poor husband is stuck on what he should do - on one hand he feels that he needs to try and do something to push this to conclusion, on the other he worries what trying to push will end up doing to his career... sadly every time he makes the decision to push for a conclusion someone else in his command reminds him of the possibilities of ruining his career if he does. Most recently, the opinion of how long it'll take to get things in order between the investigation and the decision on his promotion status is approximately 11 months... hence where my question of what to do comes in... should I try to talk the husband into no longer waiting on trying to get preg or continue to wait until we have an oops while here?? 11 months is a long time, specially since we've been "waiting" for over a year already and I've personally been "waiting" for much, much longer!!!

In the meanwhile... I've been doing lots and lots of research on things I want or what to do (or not want to do in some cases), traditions I would like to start, etc once I am able to have my little one.
  • I want to co-sleep (side-car) instead of allowing baby to sleep with us in our bed... and I've found the crib I would like to have, although I'm pretty sure I'll have to get bed risers for the crib in order for it to work as a side-car/co-sleeper crib.
 
  • ... and I'm going to use a breathable crib liner and wedges instead of crib bumpers.
 
  • No TV's in bedrooms, or at least not accessible to the kid when I don't want them to have access. Hopefully I'll be able to work this out that I can have a play room for them to have video games and watch movies in as well as keep toys in.
  • Christmas and Birthday gifts - 1 gift of clothing or accessory (jewelry, shoes, etc), 1 gift of something to aid with learning (books, etc), 1 toy gift and once they are old enough to play with electronics 1 electronic gift or accessory... Maybe if I stick with this I won't spoil my children?!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Lets see what a vent will do...

Recap:
  • Investigation initiated for a supposed recruiting impropriety on my Husband and a fellow Recruiter.
  • After beginning questions and comments, a civilian secretary becomes involved but not her immediate supervisor.
  • Shortly after investigation is initiated, the fellow Recruiter is released from the investigation and is allowed to PCS to a new duty station.
  • Investigation stalls, has key players come and go, is sent up and down the chain multiple times to "fix" or make corrections to the investigation.
  • Husband loses opportunity to put in his Officer Packet.
  • Remaining individuals involved in investigation are questioned a 2nd time and asked again for statements.
  • Stalls again, is up and down the chain again a few more times.
  • Husband is given a promotable status, E6 to E7.
  • Judgement rendered nearly a year after original investigation launched (60-90 day is regulation standard for all investigations to be finalized), and a rebuttal statement is set in.
  • 60 days after - still no word on a final verdict, and now my husband stands the chance of losing his promotion status. 

I am livid over this whole process, mainly because it is taking so long for something to happen - but also because it affects my husband career so much. I've tried multiple times in the past year to discuss the feelings I have over this, but it usually seems to upset my husband so I drop it. However, after an extremely frustrating day of wondering and worrying over this whole ordeal, I finally fully vented my frustrations to my husband and expressed how taxing this is to me. Now I know that it's his career, I know that I shouldn't get involved, I know that it's the military so there are any number of little pitfalls that would cause major damage should I actually ever get a chance to "go off" on the personnel that might actually be able to assist in finally getting this problem resolved - knowing all of that I usually keep my mouth shut when in contact with any of his peers or superiors... but it doesn't keep my mouth shut when it's just me and my husband unless it starts to upset him and then I back off.  So the fact that I didn't back off last night is a little surprising, but I think he finally might understand just a hint of my frustrations over this. I expressed how him being kept in this limbo state is difficult on me just by seeing how difficult it is on him, nevermind that it constantly runs through my head on a loop that delays the baby train. To be fair, this investigation would probably not bother me as bad if I wasn't as baby crazy as I am... it would still bother me because it affects my husband so much, but I doubt the frustration levels for me would still be as high. It also affects my work... I love the company I work for, but I know I'm leaving here eventually and therefore it's not as important to me - which sucks since I'm usually so good at being on top of everything. This endless limbo loop has me very distracted personally, so therefore it distracts me professionally - it's hard to keep professional and personal separated... None-the-less, I do try and succeed on most days. Anyway, after my vent - Hubby typed out a list of questions both from me and him... we'll see if this list actually gets brought up today! I'm debating on negating my rule about leaving his career to him if he doesn't get some answers today... because to be honest - this has me so wound up and twisted that I'm going to come unglued before too much longer and it won't be pretty when I do!!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Yeah... Let me explain Lemons!!!

Today my heart is breaking...
... and I don't know how to unburden these feelings??

My husband found out today that his promotion status was removed, in other words part of his career in the military just had a huge stumbling block... Why? Because he was acting station commander when an investigation was initiated on another recruiter!! Why does this upset me so much?? Because it means that I've just got shoved backward in my progress toward motherhood... oh and of course I'm upset cause my husband is upset about his losing his promotion status, can't forget that is the most important part of why I need to be upset!! Whatever...

Then lets see.. my husband's family is nothing but drama this week...
  • His little sister is just about the most annoying spoiled brat ever!! Seriously my blood pressure is through the roof just listening to this shit!! This child has been a thorn in my ass since I met her and only gotten worse throughout the years - anything from stealing, running away, assault on a police officer, sleeping around at 13 (and trying to get preg) to pitting me and DH against each other cause I actually told her "no" occasionally when she was at our house, of course her mommy was there too and I had no right to tell her what she could or couldn't do... WHATEVER - if someone had disciplined that brat when she was little she probably wouldn't be nearly as... be nice Stephenie!! Anyways, latest thing is that she quit her job and went to Hawaii to hook up with a married military guy... Really?? REALLY?? Cause her current loser of a boyfriend went back to jail maybe...?? She also wants DH to pull his "magic" strings and get her into the military... she does the cutesy thing and bats her eyelashes while pouting and just expects everyone to do whatever she wants them too!! She has serious issues!!!!
  • The oldest brother (DH is the oldest period out of 4 on his mom's side, at least 2 other siblings on daddy dearest) is having baby number 2... I keep telling myself that I'm not upset by this, but I am - deeply, deeply upset... They've been married/together for all of 2 seconds or at least it seems that way, officially I think they've been married 3 years and were dating maybe a year before that?? I shouldn't be upset, I should be happy for them... I just feel that they've stolen my thunder really... I'm still childless after 9 years of marriage and 2 years on/off dating, 3 clinical miscarriages... MIL is so excited and always wanting to talk about "peanut", the 2 yr old little girl, and now they are at the hospital about to welcome the new little boy!! DH is excited acting kinda about his new nephew, was really excited by his niece... me, I just wanna hide somewhere!! Actually, I think I'll do just that before I start crying and have to explain my "jealousy"... Night Bloggerville!

Life's Lemons...


It's a widely known saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"... but damn there is only so much lemonade one can make... of course if you could find a way to capitalize on all that lemonade, it'd be one thing - but seriously how do you capitalize on Life's Lemons??
  
There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere.
Jane Austen - Mansfield Park 
What's all this got to do with me?? Well... lets just say that over the course of the last year or so I've had a lot of lemons thrown my way, and it seems that there is an over abundance staring me in the face - so I'm trying to remember to add a little humor to the situation I'm currently trying to make my what through... so with that in mind, here are a few comical endings to the well known saying...



Remember when life gives you lemonade...
... accept them graciously.
... add tequila.
... alter their DNA and make super lemons!!!
... and for some reason you can’t make lemonade, find a recipe for a lemon cake. The secret is to turn bitter into sweet and darkness into light.
... ask for a refund.
... ask for salt and tequila!
... ask for seconds.
... ask for something else, unless you like lemons.
... ask for the receipt so you can exchange them for oranges.
... ask it for a cup of tea.
... ask the guy next to you why life gave him $50,000,000.
... ask what life is suggesting.
... ask 'Where do you get all these lemons from?' Actually, don’t ask. You really don’t want to know…
... ask why it can't give you money instead?
... ask why not limes?
... ask why you didn’t get apples.
... ask why you didn’t get some water and sugar also.
... ask why you got lemons and not vodka.
... ask yourself how exactly an anthropomorphic personification of something immaterial like life can give you a fruit.
... be glad, it could have given you nothing.
... be grateful, you could end up like me and get nothing.
... be sure to send a hand written thank you note for the lemons, as email thank you notes can appear to be less sincere.
... blame Adam and Eve for eating all the good fruit.
... collect them, one day life will stop and you will have the only lemons in the world.
... convince everyone that having lemons is the best thing possible.
... demand a refund and to Consumers Protection.
... do something with them, don't just let them sit there, that's wasteful.
... do what we all do with unwanted gifts: Thank the giver, then regift it to someone else.
... don’t make lemonade, squirt them on lobsters.
... don't make lemonade, no one is going to buy it because we are in a recession.
... dress up like life and hand them on to someone else.
... drop them, then you will have lemon drops.
... eat all lemons without peeling them, because all the vitamins are in the skin!
... eat them as fast as possible and get huge bragging rights.
... enjoy the Vitamin C!
... enjoy your lemon juice or lemonade.
... fake a british accent and say, “Please, sir! May I have some more?”
... feel inadequate that lemon trees are naturally superior to you.
... find a kid with a paper cut
... find a new life that is willing to supply also vodka.
... find a new life!
... find someone who life has given fish and chips and enjoy.
... find someone who life has given ice cream.
... find someone who wants them and trade.
... find someone whose life has given the gin and have a party.
... genetically modify them and use your Super Lemons to reign the world!
... get a knife, cut them in half, then squirt them in some carbonated water and VOILA! you got Lemon Water!
... gift wrap them and give them to somebody as a gift.
... give them back and ask for limes!
... give them right back.
... give them to me, I love free stuff!
... go get yourself some salmon and some sushi rice. It's lunchtime ;-)
... go shopping for some lobster.
... grab a marker and draw funny faces on them and make yourself a little puppet show.
... grab life by the throat and demand something better.
... grab them and eat them before it decides to take them back.
... great, lemons contain Vitamin C!
... grow a lemon tree. When that tree gives you more lemons, make a lemon orchard. When that orchard gives you more lemons, sell them and become rich. Then next time you see life, you can say, “Thanks for the lemons!” Life hates people who are grateful for its lemons.
... grow an orchard and start a lemon business making millions.
... hide the lemons and, when life turns its back, claim you never got your lemons. Repeat until satisfied. Open a business, sell lemons, and make money.
... hope that you are not allergic to them.
... ignore them if you don't like lemons.
... invite your friends and ask them to bring salt and tequila.
... it is lemons for dinner.
... it is probably because it gave all the oranges away to other people.
... it's ok to re-gift them.
... just shut up and eat your lemons, they are good for you.
... just smile and say 'Mille Grazie'.
... keep them, because, hey: Free Lemons!
... keep them, they were for free.
... learn to juggle. Or, even better, get an air cannon and have some real fun.
... life is giving you a free meal.
... look it hard in the eye and say "I didn't order this!'
... mail them to God and ask for apples.
... make a lemon pie and send me a piece.
... make a movie about it. Or a youtube video ;-)
... make a sour face.
... make lemon curd.
... make lemon earrings.
... make Lemon ice cream or sorbet. Yummy!
... make lemon meringue pie, yummy!
... make lemonade and find someone else who life handed vodka to, and have a party
... make lemonade and find someone who's life gave them rum. Then have a party together.
... make lemonade, sell it, then re-invest your earnings to buy more lemons for lemonade.
... make lemonade. Then, find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party! Don't forget to invite me ;-)
... make lemongrenades.
... make limoncello.
... make orange juice, then let everybody wonder how the heck you did it.
... make some lemonade, sell it and thank life for giving you money.
... open a lemon farm.
... paint them dark green and throw them in crowded areas.
... paint them orange and give them to someone else.
... plant a lemon tree.
... plant the seeds and grow more lemon trees.
... pretend they're oranges and hope nobody notices.
... put them in the refrigerator.
... put them in your fruit bowl.
... put them somewhere safe and continue your life.
... question the existence of an entity called life.
... question the metaphysical concept of how 'life' itself can physically give you lemons.
... refuse them.
... run away, you're not supposed to take things from strangers.
... say thank you and when he leaves, put them in the cupboard with the rest of the crappy gifts.
... say, 'I like lemons. Please, can I have more?'
... sell them and ask for more.
... sell them in the market place.
... send life an invoice for the disposal of the aforementioned hazardous citrus biologicals, citing the need to buy the correct Personal Protective Equipment and the associated costs of adhering to local legislation. Then ask life if it would like a glass of lemonade.
... squeeze them and sell the lemon juice to double your money.
... squirt the juice in his eye
... start a lemon orchard and then use all of your lemon money to buy a lime orchard, beginning your citrus monopoly.
... start running. Why? Because 'life' has apparently obtained corporeal form. That is not good.
... suck out all of the vitamin C and yell “EAT THAT, LIFE!
... sue life because of psychological cruelty.
... take a permanent marker, write “pass it on” on each one, and mail them to complete strangers.
... tell everybody how you got a free lemon - how awesome is that!
... throw them at life and see if life will make the same mistake again.
... throw them back and ask for ... .
... throw them back and see if life makes that mistake again.
... throw them back and yell “I WANTED CHOCOLATE!”
... throw them right back and add some lemons of your own.
... trade them for a fruit that tastes better.
... trade them for something else.
... twist some of the peel into a martini.
... unscramble, rescramble and make melons.
... use the juice to bleach your freckles.
... use them to flavor you alcoholic beverage.
... use zinc and copper to make a battery – free electricity!
... when no one is looking, throw them through life’s window and run away.
... wipe out every lemon farm, and sell the last 2 lemons for profit.
... write a hub about it.
... you have lemons.
... you probably deserved it.
... you really need to start rethinking you career.
... you're in trouble.
... you've got potential for a lemon quote.
... be grateful and share with others.
... don't complain, say thank you for the free lemons.