Coherency and conciseness are for losers

What? Oh, hi there! Gosh, I guess it's been a while, eh? Just because I don't call or write doesn't mean I don't think about you, it mostly just means I'm lazy and/or don't have anything to say. Well, that's not true, I have plenty to say, I just happen to have the ability to (sometimes) figure out whether it is something anybody really wants to hear/read. Like I said, sometimes. I probably wouldn't have much of a blog if my filter worked perfectly.

I know I've been slacking on the belly pictures and the sad thing is that they aren't even sitting on my computer waiting for the inspiration to post them. They are pictures yet to happen. It's even worse because my next belly shot needs to be used for my Father's Day gift for SGT T. That could explain the procrastination: there is an actual need for the picture.

Baby T, or Chili if you will, is doing well. Monday I reached 27 weeks which is the last week of the second trimester. The only reason I know that is because I googled it, I'm still completely lost as to the whole weeks/months time issue with pregnancy. I can do weeks but don't ask me to talk to you in terms of months, it's just not going to happen and I will leave you feeling confused and disheartened, which is not a way I like to feel but a way I feel frequently.

I did the gestational diabetes screening test on Monday which wasn't nearly as bad as I read. The "soda" drink was, to me (an avid sugary drink drinker), fine and tasty and didn't make me sick or anything like it does for some people. I attribute that to years of soda tolerance build up - I'm a pro. Results: negative on the diabetes issue; positive on iron deficiency anemia. Lucky me, I get to take the iron pills. Do you know what extra iron does to you, especially "you" as an already digestionally challenged pregnant chick? Pretty much seals your fate as a miserable, bloated, plugged up grump. We'll see, today was the first day. I was told to try a certain herbal supplement instead of regular iron pills, but as they are more than twice the cost of the iron pills, I'll wait and see how this goes.

I've been feeling pretty great, overall. I sometimes get sharp pains in my belly, not really sure what they are from. Maybe just tweaks in the muscles from my lame attempts at exercise. Chili is moving around lots which is pretty special and exciting. On an aside: I'm pretty sure you should just get used to calling her Chili because as far as the blog is concerned, that's what we're naming her. Just like SGT T is SGT T, and not John or Steve. Privacy for privacy's sake, even though SGT T could probably care less if I used his real name. Chili, however, can't tell me which she would prefer so Chili it is, poor girl. Anyway, feeling pretty good, but I'm pretty sure I'm in denial about how far my body can be pushed. I think I've been over doing it lately and it leaves me feeling kinda crappy and not great, so I'm in negotiations with my body, trying to find a compromise we can both live with.

And that's about it. Like I said, not much worth writing, but now you know. Oh, I am experiencing some emotional moments randomly. For instance, Monday at the lab to get blood drawn I heard a baby crying somewhere (not just crying, it was that "oh god I'm dying and you are just sitting there letting me" scream/cry) and I nearly lost it and bawled right there. Luckily my "cold hearted bitch" mode isn't completely dead and I was able to drag it into the on position with just some leaky eyes for a moment. Close call. Today, however, SGT T and I had an excellent IM conversation where we made decisions regarding Chili that were really special and incredible decisions to be making and, being at home in the privacy of my bedroom without a waiting room full of spectators, I let the tears fall freely. There were lots of them, I was a big mushy cry baby. But it was awesome, nonetheless.

I hope to update soon with pictures and stuff. Maybe I'll make something in the kitchen and post pictures. It's been a while since I've done that, eh? It's been about 3 days since I've had any cake, so it's probably about time.

Top 10 things you don't do to a pregnant woman

1. Steal her food.

There's no need to continue with the list, that is all that is on it.

Yesterday I met a friend for lunch at my favorite Chinese restaurant in town and I can't tell you how much I was looking forward to the leftovers for lunch today. OK, I'll try: I was looking forward to them A LOT. Needless to say, this living at the folks' house with my 20 year old brother has thrown a, how do you say, damper on my leftover plans. Due to the sensitive nature of my dear reader's ears, I will not repeat the profanities that flew out of my mouth (and at the top of my voice) when I opened my container to find about three noodles and an eggroll left in what was once an overstuffed box of Orange Tempeh, Lo Mein and rice just waiting to be savored by these watering tastebuds.

Sigh. I nearly cried.

You either get it or you don't

This took place on the way home from dinner, driving past Taco del Mar, whose sign reads "Mission Style Burritos":

me: What are mission style burritos, are those like what you would get from San Francisco or something? (referring to the yummy yummy burritos you can get in the mission district)

mom and dad: I don't really know.

brother: Those are when the burrito is on top.

Why did Billy Ray bother changing his hair?

Today is the day. The spouses and family go to say goodbye in a little over an hour, at the farewell ceremony thing. I'm a little uncomfortable about the public forum for our final goodbye, but I suppose it's what we've got so I'll take it. I'm not really sure what will happen, but I sure hope there is food served because it runs from 11:30 to 2:30 and them is prime eatin' hours!

Achy heart aside, I am very excited that I will be leaving here in 8 days! Mom arrives on Thursday to help me pack and clean and travel with the cats, and we'll be home next Tuesday and I couldn't be happier. I'm having a hard time deciding where my first meal will be; right now it is a gastrointestinal battle between China Delight and Andale's and Papa's (it's been too long since I've had some decent taco pizza!) The impossible situations in which I find myself! Life is such a challenge.

Bye, babe, I love you!

(Wedding photo, 2/10/07)

On my mind

Oh, hey. Hi! It's been a while, hasn't it? But guess what? LOST is back next week and I'm so excited! I'm watching the recap right now, and it I forgot how much I like this show; it's been so long since it's been on!

In other news, I don't have anything to say, and I thought about posting more pictures, but that's kind of half-assed, isn't it? However, I am entering the "use all the food in the cupboards since they can't put it in storage" phase of getting ready to move and will be doing some baking over the next week. Tonight I made chocolate chip cookies, but didn't take any pictures. I'll try to remember tomorrow, but no biggie.

I attempted to make that potato soup I made a while back that SGT T and I loved so much, but apparently I suck and couldn't replicate the awesomeness of last time. SGT T even said to me: "I didn't like it". Meh, whatever; I can easily find a way to twist it around so that the reason it didn't turn out is his fault instead of mine, so no big deal. The cookies though, I'm a great cookie maker if I do say so myself, were fantastic.

I guess that's all for now. The other kitchen adventures I'm planning include peanut butter fudge, coffee cake, and possibly toffee. I can't wait!

Dip it

Something I've come to realize, and welcome with open arms, about myself is that I'm a condiments kinda gal. A favorite restaurant, favorite meal, more often than not is chosen because of the dipping sauce or salad dressing or hot sauce offered. Some examples: ranging from the ridiculously obvious (I like french fries so I can have ketchup and ranch) to the fattening but irresistible (Texas eggrolls from Roadhouse so I can have some of that yummy spicy jelly) to the addictive (burritos from Andale's so I can drown in their hot sauce). Basically, the more crap I can dip, dunk, or drown my meal in, the better.

Tonight I made fried chicken just so I could have mashed potatoes and gravy. After the whole frying process I was pretty disgusted with the bird but man oh boy the gravy and potatoes were fantastic! Instead of using the frozen broccoli that is in the freezer, I was lucky enough to have some fresh zucchini and squash in the fridge that I had bought for some pasta which I ended up making differently. Usually I saute these guys up in some butter and garlic and throw them in some pasta, and I've also made rosemary zucchini before where you wrap up the zucchini in foil with some oil and rosemary (duh) and throw it in the oven for a bit, but I was kind of at a loss tonight as to how to prepare them. And just then, as I stood paralyzed with indecision in the middle of the kitchen, Freckles called and saved the day.

I told her that if her help panned out that I would give her a special mention here, and so, Freckles, consider yourself specially mentioned.

Even though I overcooked it and they turned out soggy, and even though I told her that I would blame her if that happened and not give her any special mention, I'm still doing so. That is just the kind of friend I am. So, other than the extreme sogginess, the whole "slice the squash throw it in a pan with some butter and cover with breadcrumbs and Parmesan" idea was tasty and successful and I thank her by pointing out, once again, that I'm giving her special mention here. On my blog. Which means she are totally going to be famous because I'm like the most popular blogger out there. No, really, I am. I just like to keep it real by writing really boring stories about making dinner and how small my bladder is. You know how it is.