Becoming Briggs

There's an app for that... Of course.

2011-12-27T07:30:00.001-08:00

Just discovered Blogger's iPhone app. It is hard to believe how quickly my tech skills became obsolete when I left my job "on the outside" to stay at home with the Princess.

We had an amazing Christmas. We ate, we gave and received gifts and we spent lots of time together at home, just the three of us. The man had a successful hunt on Christmas Eve, so our freezer will soon be full of delicious meat. I'm so thankful for our many, many blessings this whole year.

Pouring My Heart Out-Potty Training

2011-12-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

I'm linking up with Shell this week. I've always loved her linkup! Part of being a mother is watching your baby grow faster than you could have imagined she would. It makes you so proud when she crawls and bravely takes those first shaky steps. Then there are those developmental milestones that aren't so pleasant. What I'm about to say may shock you, but here goes: I'm not ready for the princess to potty train. She is all over this fun business of bodily functions, stickers and cheering. I'm still trying to figure out why at 17 months this has become the center of my universe.

Don't go all Judgy McJ.on me. I know there are tons of mothers out there waiting not-so-patiently for their little ones to kick diapers to the curb. I know there's a real payoff in not having to change them and carrying so much stuff around all the time would be a thing of the past.

It's just that I've not held on to any "baby" stuff and oddly enough, this is my thing. I'm not ready for her to be out of diapers because then she really won't need me. I'm her mom. I had a celebratory mealashen she self-weaned. I encouraged crawling and walking and I love it when she speaks! I just don't want to deal with public restrooms and potty talk right now. Do they have to grow up so fast?

Princess potty

2011-12-14T10:39:00.001-08:00

Princess potty
Originally uploaded by jmberrygirl

Blogging From IPhone

2011-12-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and gone. The family is safe, happy and wonderful. We still have our aging wiener dog. As the holiday season approaches, I remembered that I missed a blogiversary. Sorry, guys. The old gray writer, she ain't what she used to be. ;)

Hopefully 2012 will be as amazing as 2011 has been. We may laugh and cry, gain weight and get more wrinkles. Probably we'll lose some loved ones and see some new lives begin. As it is written in Psalms 33:11, "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:11 NKJV) Far be it from me to attempt to plan anything. He does a much better job!

Maybe this new phone's technology will allow more frequent blog updates. Maybe the small town library's dial up connection will be more reliable next year. Who knows? I'm looking forward to seeing what is in store for us. Best wishes to you and yours!

Back to Basics

2011-05-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

I cleaned out my closets last week. I've reduced my wardrobe by more than half. I am donating everything that's old, outgrown or not loved. The main reason for paring down was an attempt to organize my home, but it goes a little deeper than that. I'm trying to encourage simple living in my house. I think that where clothes are concerned, less is more. After reading this post a few months ago, I began to reevaluate my reasons for keeping all the things I couldn't wear. I had two closets full of clothing that hadn't moved in over a year. Part of that was due to pregnancy and post-baby weight gain, but mostly, it was due to my inability to tackle the monster that was my STUFF.

It was so liberating to toss this and that until I had freed up enough space to see what I have. I love the way my closet and guest room now seem so much more organized and less cluttered. This trend will hopefully continue throughout the house until the whole place feels serene and neat, rather than hopelessy scattered.

Do you find that when your home or workplace is disorderly, your productivity decreases? This is certainly true for me. I am getting more done in less time, not only because the place feels better, but also because I have less to maintain. Less clothing means less laundry which results in more time spent doing things I enjoy.

Pour Your Heart Out: The Sad Truth

2011-04-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I had a baby. She was kind of a surprise. We had planned to have children at some point, but God decided we'd be having this one sooner than we'd scheduled! I've alluded more than once on this blog to my struggle with the baby blues. Postpartum depression. It's such a sticky subject, and it's proved hard for me to blog about.

My husband's privacy is something I respect very much. Part of my story involves deeply personal aspects of our marriage, which I won't discuss with anybody and certainly can't spill on the Internet for all the world to see. So every time I've started this post, I've deleted it because the content is so hard to discuss. I am scared. I don't want readers to judge me for the way I handled things. I almost don't want to reveal the darkness in my head.

But there are so many other mothers or mothers-to-be out there who might benefit from my story. When I was in the thick of it, I loved hearing that somebody else knew how I felt. I loved knowing that other women had walked this road and come out on the other side of it better people.

So here goes!

Everything went fine with the pregnancy, with labor and delivery, and my mother stayed with me for several days after the baby and I came home. She changed her and rocked her and snuggled. I basically nursed the little crying bundle and handed her off. I was so overwhelmed by the huge responsibility! I began to feel alone even before my mom went home, because I was so scared to be alone with the helpless little creature.

The key thing I want to convey here is that I had amazing support from my family and our church family, too. People visited, brought food and gifts, helped me get naps in the daytime and did everything they could. I still wasn't really happy. I was grateful, but not in a conscious way. I wanted the freedom that I'd had before I became pregnant. I wanted the confidence that was there before my body went and betrayed me.

The physical recovery was quick and about as painless a lady can hope for. It would take months for the feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy to fade from my mind. I didn't take antidepressants because I really wanted to nurse my baby. That was one thing that I felt I could do for her that might make me feel like a better mother, since I clearly wasn't going to be the most happy or fun one.

I began to resent the fact that my husband got to go to work every day and interact with adults while I spent my days trying to keep our daughter happy and quiet. I hated the way he came home tired, because I was certain that my day must have been far more taxing than his! I know he thought I had it pretty good, especially since he would frequently come home to find me and the princess sacked out on the couch in the middle of a nice nap. What he couldn't realize was that those 45 minute naps were the only rest periods I got. He slept through the night wakings and the early morning feedings. He was not made to be a mommy, so he didn't understand my mommy feelings. I was not understanding about that at all!

I felt incapable of caring for my baby girl. I thought she deserved to have somebody who knew what they were doing. I couldn't understand why she pooped outside her diapers or spit up on my favorite outfits and I didn't know why that stuff made me so angry. She was just doing what babies do! I hated being woken up night after night to handle one crisis or another and feeling that if I could just do things the right way, the little monster might sleep. I hated waking up every single day. It was hard to get dressed and go anywhere. I couldn't remember anything, even paying bills by mail became a task for me. Jobs around the house that I had once done without a second thought became huge tasks that I couldn't handle!

I became more and more difficult to live with until finally, I chatted with an experienced mom who reassured me that the sleep-deprivation makes everybody exhausted, cranky and melancholy. She prayed with me and we worked at sorting out the roots of my resentment. I wasn't really mad at my wonderful husband, I just took everything out on him because he was there! He made a great blame catcher!

As the baby grew older, she became more independent and fun. We began to explore parks and the library together. I love showing her new things, listening to fun music and dressing her up in adorable outfits. I feel so much better now. Part of it, I think, is due to the natural course of time. I'm not so stressed now about every little whimper. I know that much of the change is due to my attitude adjustment. I'm trying to focus on positive things these days, and I'm trying hard to clearly express gratitude even for the smallest things. I count my blessings and I pray more often. I have begun to exercise more frequently and eat right, because I'm setting a healthy example for this sweet little girl. I think I've finally gotten my groove back.

I'm linking up with Shell to share my story, just in case there is another mom out there somewhere, hating the way she feels and not wanting to tell anybody. I'll post more on this subject in the future, going into further detail about how journaling and praying made a world of difference at turning this mad mama into a happier gal.

The Great 5K

2011-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

One day, I did a 30-day shred dvd workout. I still felt enormous. My friend Angela runs. She’s looking pretty hot these days. She invited me to run a 5K with her and a couple of our friends from church. I wanted to be smokin’ hot too, so I agreed to run. Neither of us placed, but we didn't finish last. We each won a random door prize! Mine was a fanny pack. Just what every weird runner mom needs. She got a gift card to a really great restaraunt. I'm thinking the folks were trying to tell me to stay out of that yummy place!

It’s been a few weeks. I’m still enormous. (Even though I’m trying to let that go!) She’s still hot. We’re running another one in May with some other cool friends of ours. So far, I don’t love it like I did when I was younger, but I’m getting used to the whole thing. Running with a stroller is killer! It’s a full-body workout, especially on a windy day. So I usually stick Angela with both our kids in her double stroller. Don’t you wish I was your running buddy?

I was amazed at how much my mood has improved since I started spending time outdoors, working up a massive stinky sweat. I feel better. Things aren't as annoying and I'm making better food choices so I'll have the energy to run. I am so glad these ladies included me in their running group!

Letting Go

2011-04-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today I am linking up with SITS to talk about how letting go has improved my happiness meter! Welcome, new visitors! I am so grateful to my twitter friends for their support. I've never linked up with SITS before.

I've had to let go of so much lately. I let go of a job last year. It was not at all the dream job I'd pictured, but the paycheck has been missed. I let go of my perfectionist tendencies long ago, but every now and then that monster creeps in. I'm trying to let go of the urge to do things with my typical "all or nothing" mindset. I'm trying to let go of the image of the seventeen-year-old me and my tendency to compare it to my post-baby body. Mostly, though, I'm letting go of negativity.

That's right. I'm blocking my pessimism in hopes of developing a more optimistic point of view. I started in January with posting a facebook update each day, listing at least one thing for which I feel grateful. Examples include bananas, sweet baby kisses, my wonderful husband, hot tea in a cup and saucer and sweatshirts. By forcing myself to think of things that I appreciate, I have managed to successfully block a few negative thoughts every day. It's become kind of a fun game to think of my "one thing."

There was a second-hand, completely unexpected benefit to this. People started doing what I did. People started to comment about my gratitude, saying the posts made them smile. They told me that these little statements made them review their own situations and pause to be thankful, too. I have loved that! Happiness is contagious. Get out there and share some!

Late Nights and Early Mornings

2011-03-29T03:20:00.001-07:00

I've been awake since 3 this morning. There's a lot on my mind. I want to blog about the St. Patrick's 5K I ran, a wonderful food blog I discovered, the irony of library programs without storybooks being read, the situation in Japan and how it hurts me to think of it, as well as the Bible study lesson that's making me measure my words more carefully these days.

But there's a baby to feed. And a husband to care for. A weenie dog to pet. Floors to mop, dishes to wash, laundry to fold, endless obligations. Be patient. The words are there. It's just going to take time to get them here, so you can see them.

Somedays, Motherhood Isn't Easy

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

I just want you all to know that it's ok to feel like you're not the best mom out there. In case you needed proof, here are just few reasons why I'm probably worse than you:

1. My baby has a toy whale. She's very attatched to it and I lose it on a weekly basis. Yesterday, I accidentally buckled her into the carseat on top of it and she cried all the way home. I assumed she was missing the whale, and I was upset that I couldn't locate it. When we finally got home, I moved the carseat to the living room and emptied the car. I gave up on finding it and unbuckled her, thinking that I'd have to call the restaraunt where we'd had lunch to see if it had been found. She stopped crying as soon as she was out of the seat. Probably wasn't too comfy, sitting on a whale!

2. I also lost her beloved Nuk the same weekend. She spent over five hours without it. Wasn't that bad until she got sleepy, and I handed her over to my husband at that point. Basically, I passed the buck.

3. Sometimes her "bath" is a wet washrag rub-down on the changing table.

4. I don't always wash the paci when she drops it. In fact, I sometimes have to remind myself to wash them at the end of the day.

5. I don't make her wear socks or shoes most of the time.

6. In fact, she runs around in a diaper frequently (at home only) and she loves it.

7. I have substituted gerber puffs for a meal when I couldn't slow down my activities long enough to spoon feed her cereal.

8. Sometimes I forget to check her diaper last thing before bed time and then wonder why she won't be quiet and go to sleep already. I always change it, but sometimes it takes a while to figure out what she wants me to do.

9. Teething made me absolutely insane. I hope it's a long time before the next one comes.

10. Sometimes I wonder why in the world God thought I could handle all this, and then I see somebody in WalMart yelling at their sweet, precious offspring to "Shut up!" and I know why we've got each other. She's teaching me so much about patience and goodness and joy.

An Almost Perfect Weekend

2011-03-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

I spent Friday night with my wonderful hubs and our sweet princess of a daughter. We ate at the local family buger joint, enjoyed some nice fried everything (you know, the southern cuisine: catfish, chicken tenders, french fries, tater tots and homemade potato chips) and pretended not to be on a diet.

Saturday I passed the day with a wonderful friend and her infant son. She and I laughed and talked and just enjoyed some girl time, essential to a happy life. Her baby boy slept all day, and my sweet Sally Jane was delightful. She didn't fuss or whine. She never even got tired of the stroller! I was impressed! Since the little dinosaur tooth finally poked through her gum, she's been a lot more fun. Later that day, I walked several laps at the walking track with another great friend and her toddler boy. He was precious, too. But then, that little guy is always well-behaved.

Today we enjoyed the first of a week of good messages at church. I'm looking forward to our Gospel Meeting, even though it's going to be an extremely busy week. I'm glad that things are so much brighter in my life these days. You may have noticed a change on the blog. It's my attempt to let the sun shine in!

I'm Blogging From Dunkin Donuts

2011-03-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Before

(OBVIOUSLY!)

Before I became a mom, I could spend hours in a coffee shop, writing and thinking and people-watching. Now I have to squeeze my writing into a packed schedule. Like so many other things, when I get a minute to myself I'd usually rather sleep than blog. So there's my ~~explanation~~ excuse for the extended absence.
During the months since I last updated this page, I have read the blogs I follow. I live in an internet hole. I read the blogs from my blackberry and can't comment on many of them because the thing times out before the comment is verified. I apologize for my general lack of participation in links, polls, etc. I've learned so much about priorities lately.

The important thing is that those of you who are writing have helped me to get through this rough adjustment. In the coming days and weeks, I hope to be able to verbalize my struggles here. I want to share with you the joys and hardships associated with nursing my daughter, maintaining a healthy marriage, rearranging a budget, writing in the middle of the night, facing the monster that is postpartum blues and the art of faking it, the writer's block that comes with little sleep and less personal time to reflect and review.

I know I've been a terrible blogger. I have been giving motherhood my all, and the truth is, a person should never really throw herself at something full-force. The reason: burnout. I am a stay-at-home-mommy. I am NOT a cliche. So no, there aren't voices in my head telling me to blog or else I will be invisible in my house. There are, however, kind and understanding friends (you know who you are!) who have encouraged me to pick up this part of myself and reclaim that. I may be a terrible writer, but I will be a tenacious terrible one. I want to explore all the new links and prompts and programs I've missed all this time. I want to schedule posts and really work at this. Not for my daughter, though she will no doubt gain experiences in this coffee shop that she wouldn't otherwise get. Not for my husband, though he will probably appreciate me having an audience besides him. Not even for you readers, although I hope you will enjoy it. I am doing this as often as I can for ME.

Join me on this journey. I'm still "Becoming Briggs." I'm learning to be Mama Briggs and Wife Briggs while still being Jennifer Briggs.

My First Christmas As a Mommy

2010-12-26T10:45:00.001-08:00

It SNOWED in Mississippi for my baby's first Christmas! She was excited and we got cute pictures to enjoy for years to come. We recorded her gift-opening debut with pictures and a video. Today is the very last holiday get together, and so far she has loved every minute of this busy time of year.

I have had the best Christmas yet. I was so excited just thinking about how much the two of them would love their gifts, how great the food would taste and how good it would feel to spend time with our extended family. It was all of that, and more. As the lights twinkled on my tree at 3 a.m. on the 25th, I thought about how sad former Christmases had seemed, how empty they were with friends and loved ones having passed away. I realized that the only thoughts I'd given to those who've passed away were happy memories this year. The long-time friend who died the week of Christmas when I was in college, my dear cousin and all the others left me with smiles this time around. The princess has taiught me with her every day changes that life is too short to cry for very long. I know those who've gone on would rather that I remember their happy lives than the sadness of their passing.

So I guess my real gift this year is peace. I've accepted loss and I'm living for today, because today is wonderful!

I Wrote a Really Great Blog Post...

2010-12-08T11:52:00.000-08:00

And accidentally deleted it this morning. I'm serious.
Since I became a mom, I'm such a dumb-dumb. I know I was ditzy before, but the sleep deprivation has set in and stolen more brain cells than a bag of illegal drugs. Not that I have any experience with illegal drugs, but oh! You know what I mean.
I wrote about my appreciation for that wonderful husband who supports our family with his work-worn hands and sweat. I wrote about how thankful I am that at the end of the day, he comes home and gives me a hug and life gets better, no matter how poopy (literally) my day may have been. I am so glad that I have a friend to share this life with, and that he cares (or fakes it really well) about the silly things that run through my mind. I love it that he says he likes to read what I write. It's really something special, this bond we share. This family we're growing is like no other. Our daughter burps and we congratulate her. Probably a good thing we're unique, huh?
In all seriousness, though, I have a friend, more of an aquaintance really, since we aren't close, who is going to bury her young husband's body this week. It breaks my heart to think of her coming home from work and caring for their three young sons all by herself. I am thankful that God has spared me this pain for another day. I pray that I will never take that for granted. I pray that God will give that family peace and comfort, and that they can rest in the knowledge that God is in control. So when I trip over his muddy boots in the kitchen floor for the tenth time, or when I get up at night with the baby while he snores in oblivion, I pray that I will remember to be so glad for the opportunity to take care of both of them.
Go hug your annoying, wonderful, amazing and special spouse today. Hold him or her a little longer, savor the warmth between the two of you. We never know when our last tomorrow will be.

Regroup

2010-12-06T14:41:00.001-08:00

As you may have guessed, I didn't accomplish my NaNoWriMo goals. I did get a good bit of work done on a fresh piece of fiction. I revised _October Fog_ for a few days, giving it some desperately needed attention. Our baking business has kept me very, very busy. I am content with the way things are, even if I haven't finished things yet. I am looking forward to a new year, one full of promise and opportunity. Here's hoping for a peaceful holiday season and a bright 2011!

Stopping in the Middle

2010-11-22T10:14:00.001-08:00

Do any of you fellow writers stop a story in the middle and find yourself incapable of completing it? I'm stuck again. My NaNoWriMo piece is good-interesting, fun and unique. The plot had such promise. And I'm about to drop it, because I jiust don't know what to do with the characters at this point. Tell me I'm not alone!

In other news, my daughter, the princess, is trying to crawl. And she's teething. Would love some Mommy advice on those two subjects!

What I'm Doing These Days...

2010-11-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well, in addition to caring for my little one, and managing our household, and writing like a maniac, I've decided to add yet another thing to my plate!

Introducing Not Your Granny's Goodies Check out our website and let me know what you think!

Plugging Along

2010-11-10T06:17:00.001-08:00

I've got 6,500 or so words written. My baby got the 4 month immunizations Monday, and that added to the fun around here. Hope those of you who are writing are finding this NaNoWriMo to be a successful one!

NaNoWriMo Update

2010-11-03T01:09:00.001-07:00

I've written 2,300 words. Considering that Sally Jane decided not to nap and I was out most of the day, I'm pleased with that number. The plot is shaping up to be similar to _October Fog_, and I think I'm going to combine these two drafts when I'm finished writing this one. Must get back to it!

Happy NaNoWriMo!

2010-11-01T08:19:00.001-07:00

Hope fellow participants have cranked up their writing machines! I'm just about to begin my fresh piece. I decided to leave last year's piece as is and start over with something new.

Writing time is precious, because the baby girl doesn't nap for long stretches. I'll post progress reports as frequently as possible. Wish me luck as I attempt to write 50,000+ words in 30 days!

identity Crisis?

2010-10-28T05:20:00.001-07:00

I think I'm going start introducing myself as a writer. One of the few downsides to staying at home to mother my daughter and manage our home is that few people realize the value of my job. Unless you've done it yourself, it is likely that you won't understand. So, the next time somebody asks, "What do you do?" and they seem unimpressed by my mad diaper changing skills, I'm going to say, "I write short stories, baby rhymes, essays and the occasional poem." Perhaps if I repeat "I'm a writer" often enough, not only will I believe it, but the publishers might get wind of it, too.

I'm now totally changing the subject and I've got no smooth transition. I got a brilliant idea the other day and I think it must be shared. I spend a lot of time thinking about food, preparing food and eating food. Much of the time spent thinking about food is geared toward cooking tasty meals as quickly and cheaply as possible. I've had a mean craving for Chicken Parmesean lately, but couldn't quite get the crust texture to suit me, even using bread crumbs and pan-frying. The weekly Shop-n-Save ad provided the perfect solution: pre-breaded frozen chicken strips! Yep, I realize it's kind of sacreligious, but it's cheap and easy and delicious, so it suited my situation perfectly. If you are lazy and cheap and you appreciate this kind of knowledge, you're welcome. Should you be food-snobbish or have enough time on your hands to do everything the right way, ignore the following recipe and check back later this week!

Lazy Chicken Parm
5-7 pre-breaded, frozen chicken strips
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup Parm cheese (I buy the grated kind.)
1/2 tsp of each spice, or to taste: garlic salt, black pepper, parsely, onion powder, oregano
Shredded Mozzarella for topping

Bake chicken strips according to package directions. Pull out your handy-dandy food processor and run the tomatoes and other ingredients through to desired consistency. I like my tomato sauce chunky, but J hates visible veggies so I make it smooth. Pour tomato sauce over cooked chicken strips in glass baking dish, top with shredded mozzarella and extra parmesean cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes at 350 until cheese has melted.

*Gotta point out the obvious: if you're not into making your own sauce, open a can of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce and use it. I didn't, because the MSG gives us both killer headaches.

Character Development

2010-10-26T09:08:00.001-07:00

I'm not being philosophical. That's a post for another day.

I've had trouble making the _October Fog_ characters believable. She is interesting but lacks depth. She runs, she works, she survived a terrible tragedy, but she's kinda boring. I'm just not sure how to fix that. He's strong and attractive and larger-than-life, but comes across as a stereotypical hero cop. I don't want a stereotype!

My college texts recommend practicing with descriptions and word clouds. I'm going to exercise right here, and I'd love it if you could tell me which one of the following you'd enjoy in a story.

His glasses slid down his nose, making the laugh lines around his eyes all the more visible. He turned a page in the Bible he'd been reading, and drew in a long breath. A yawn escaped his thin lips as a wrinkled hand smoothed across the open book, searching for a particular passage. Beneath the table, his feet were crossed at the ankle in worn corduroy house shoes. His mind was far from this dimly lit kitchen. He did not think of the garden out back and the work he needed to finish tomorrow, or the dishes in the sink that he would wash before he went to be. He sat and read about Heaven. He though of his sweet wife and how he had never once faced dishes or harvest without her until this year. After 52 years of marriage, he'd found himself alone. He drew comfort from the familiar scriptures and finished the day's last cup of coffee.

Soft brown curls frame her tiny face, which features chubby cheeks and sparkly blue eyes. Her mouth is usually set in a toothless grin. She charms everyone she meets. This little wiggly, squirmy bundle of joy can't wait to crawl and walk on chubby little legs. Her favorite activities include laughing, cooing, spending time on her tummy to practice crawling techniques, nursing and snuggling with Mommy, watching Mommy work in the kitchen, taking short daytime naps and occasionally partying all night long to the tunes of Classical Baby.

His blue shirt is stained with years of grease, grit and grime. The name tag has been torn back a little, causing it to hang at a funny angle that disguises his identity. None of his coworkers need help remembering his name, though, because he is well-known among this group. He's the one who always gives a broke man change for the vending machine. His hands are stained and calloused from the daily abuse, but the same hands are quick to offer assistance when there's a flat tire. He is the one who goes the extra mile on the job, cleaning up after himself and fixing problems even when he hasn't been asked. At the end of the day, he climbs into his truck and turns the radio up. He sings along with the country songs and puts the troubles behind him. By the time he reaches the back door of the house he owns, he's ready with smiles and kisses for his wife and daughter.

Back in the Game!

2010-10-25T12:17:00.001-07:00

Do you remember what November means? NaNoWriMo! I'm planning to rework last year's novel. Or maybe write something totally different. I've written a few baby stories since our little addition this summer. I'm finally getting some writing time, now that SJ is sleeping more regularly.

I've also created a few recipes during my unintended blog break. One is Mandarin Orange Muffins, which started out as banana nut bread and morphed into something completely different when I realized I had no bananas. The sleep deprivation of life with a newborn is real and it's really tough! I have been known to put milk in the cabinet and cereal in the fridge. Losing bananas is the least of crazy stuff that's happened here.

I love being a mom. Especially now that she's big enough to coo and laugh and play. Oh, and take naps that last longer than 30 minutes. That part is amazing! I wasn't prepared for the LOVE that I feel now, and I've been totally blown away by the change in my relationship with J since we became parents.

Not really sure if any of you readers are still interested in what I've got to say. If you're still out there, and you're still reading my occasional posts, drop me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Horseface: Mom Edition

2010-08-23T08:21:00.001-07:00

Remember my horseface posts from the past? I'm blogging from my blackberry (always) and can't link to them but check out the topics cloud on the right column and you'll see what I mean.

With our little addition, Baby SJ, J and I have encountered people who fit the description well.

For example, the ones who have gifts for Baby and don't want to bring them. They prefer that the new mom travel to their home, baby in tow, to get the gift and visit. What's up with that?

Then there are those who purposefully visit the home of a new baby, knowing they've been sick or their kids have been sick lately. They refuse to germ-ex and proceed to touch every visible inch of baby's skin. This reminds Mommy of the old high school date rule ("If you can see it, you can touch it...") Which freaks out Daddy.

Everyone has encountered the ones who give (spew?) unsolicited and ridiculous advice. Examples: Breastmilk just doesn't give babies enough nutrition; Only use one brand of diapers to avoid skin allergies; Babies should always be wrapped in a blanket for warmth, regardless of how warm the room may be; Don't put shoes on your baby; Babies should (or should NEVER) sleep on their side, back, or tummmy.

Feel free to add your best, worst or weirdest advice in the comments. Whether it's good advice you've learned or heard, or the most ridiculous, I'm interested!

Happiness Is...

2010-08-12T00:28:00.001-07:00

Listening to loved ones breathe deeply in their sleep.

Strawberry cheesecake ice cream from Coldstone.

Watching a weenie dog run around and around the dining room table to show appreciation and enthusiasm for the same dry dog food he eats every single day.

When a baby falls asleep on your chest with your shirt all bunched up in her fist and you ignore mountains of laundry to let her stay there.

Walking in the summer sun.

Reading Psalms.

Exploring new career options at a leisurely pace.

My life.

About That Weenie Dog...

2010-07-28T06:38:00.001-07:00

Andy has made some major adjustments this summer! He has really impressed me with his patience. Sometimes he has to wait a while for his walks if I'm nursing or changing the baby. He hates strangers and we've had a parade of visitors since we brought Sally Jane home. But he's done amazingly well. He's very protective of me, and this has carried over to my daughter.
Unlike his (horrible) adjustment to married life, my new husband and our new home this time last year, he actually seems happy with his new role in our family. I think that for him, being my baby substitute may have been a bit stressful. Now he's back to being the family dog, and I think he wouldn't want it any other way.
He likes to sniff and lick SJ's toes, stands guard at her crib or pack and play for hours on end, and he cries when she cries.
I mean, when he's in his kennel and she's exercising those lungs (only parents who've experienced a week or two of newborn torture can understand the meaning of that particular phrase) he wails and whines. I can only hope he's co-misserating and not begging me to take her back from wherever she's come!

Back In The Game

2010-07-26T01:15:00.001-07:00

Mommy spent a few days absorbing encouragement from you readers, from fellow moms and from research found online. I'm back in the nursing game! It still hurts, and is probably the strangest thing I've ever done, but it is what J and I believe to be the best for little Sally Jane.

In other Briggs news, nobody warned me that she would outgrow her newborn clothes in just two weeks! Nor was I warned that her growth would make me cry! I am happy, suffering, growing, crying and changing every day! Thanks to the great support of my wonderful husband, who brings me breakfast in bed and let's me 'sleep late' (as in, hang out in bed half the day between feedings) I feel like I can do this.

Today was her first trip to church and her first experience in a restaurant. The former was a sweet experience, the latter was terrifying for me. She slept through the whole thing! Her dad watched her for a while this afternoon and has crashed, exhausted on our bed. I'm off to relive him and spend some time with my princess! Note to self: next time we leave the house, Mommy should get up at the crack of dawn...

Needed: Breastfeeding Advice and Encouragement

2010-07-20T05:43:00.003-07:00

Email me: jmberrygirl@yahoo.com or hit up Jennifer Briggs on facebook or jmberrygirl on twitter.

Baby SJ is doing great, latching on well, getting plenty to eat. But Mommy is not loving this anymore. Pain has NEVER appealed to me and I need to be reminded how great this is for both of us. It's very frustrating to do all the feedings while her dad sleeps peacefully thru the night every night. I feel smelly, exhausted and sore. Tell me I'm not alone!

Needed: Breastfeeding Advice and Encouragement

2010-07-20T05:43:00.001-07:00

Lord, Let Me Never Forget

2010-07-13T08:44:00.001-07:00

I became a mother a week ago. I pray that I will always remember the wonder, the excitement, the joy and the feeling of completion that came wheN her tiny wriggling body was placed in my arms. My body did something amazing that day. My body has continued to amaze me every day since. I never knew I could get so much done on two hours of sleep. Although I wasn't exactly the picture of health before pregnancy, I gave birth to a chubby girl with a rosy complexion who nurses like a champ! And nursing-well that is something else! Not only has it caused me to bond with my tiny daughter and shown my husband a determination he didn't know his wife possessed, it has added a new dimension to my relationship with my own mother. The first time I fed my girl is etched in my memory with as much permanence as my first bicycle, first day of high school and the first time I drove a car. Sandwiched between her dad and a super lactation consultant, I sang to my smelly newborn for the five minutes it took her too latch on. I had imagined it, planned it, read about it and watched four videos on the why and how of nursing, but nothing prepared me for the. extreme delight that was the perfect ending to a rough day.

Among other unforgettable moments from the day of her birth, I treasure the expression on my grandmother's face when she met her tenth great grandchild; I remember feeling like super woman when my dad told me my eyes were bright and that I sure looked good considering what I'd been through; I will never forget my mom saying I had been very brave or telling J that I hoped he was pleased with her because there would be no more babies. That was during a particularly painful part. I don't feel that way now.

Mostly, I just never want to forget the way J held my hand, coaching me through all that pain and never leaving my side. He kept telling me what a great job I was doing. I've never felt so close to him as I did that evening, and I can't help but feel excited about all the close moments still to come. Similar to the way I felt on our wedding day, this understanding that we're in this life together and we can handle everything with God's help. Good times, ya know?

So I began writing this during a midnight nursing session and I'm finishing it at nearly lunchtime. But I can't think of a better reason to lay aside my own stuff!

she's here!

2010-07-08T21:18:00.001-07:00

Sally Jane has arrived!
7 lbs 4 oz
19 1/2 in.

Her dad said no pictures. Believe me, she's the most beautiful baby girl ever!

Choices

2010-07-01T23:42:00.001-07:00

One thing I've never been very good at doing is making a decision and letting it go. I'm a worrier. I lose sleep over big things, such as our recent washer and dryer purchase. Small stuff frequently causes me to sweat, too. For example, forgetting to put a fork in J's lunch box. It's inconvenient fir him, sure, but hardly worth an ulcer on my part. The gnawing guilt can drive me nuts.

My career path (aka winding trail) has also been the source of much lip chewing, hair twisting and nail biting. I want to write! Anyone who knows me at all can see that my best days are those spent with a pen in my hand, scribbling out fiction or humor or random things like what you see here. Unfortunately, my husband and I have made our home in an area where writers are not in great demand. Editing jobs are few and far between. Lately I've become convinced that my degree may have been a waste of time.
The lay off that rocked my world three months ago was further proof that I need extra training in order to be successful, at least as long as we are not moving anytime soon. I began to explore options with friends, former coworkers, and of course my wonderfully supportive J. After the last experience with office life and ladder-climbing politics, I'm fairly certain that such a position is not a permanent solution for me. My skills and personality make me a great gal friday, but my brain needs a challenge and my heart needs to write.

The most obvious and expedient option is to get a teaching certification and attempt to gain employment in the educational system. The schedule, pay scale and requirements of such a position would fit nicely into our family's plan for the future.

The only roadblocks are those nagging little voices in my head, telling me that no matter how great it might be now, I had a bad experience two years ago in the classroom and I'm scared to go back. I fear that I do not have the leadership skills necessary to manage students. I worry that pressure from administration to maintain or improve test scores will be overwhelming for me. Mostly I'm afraid it could be yet another venture I start with high hopes and then abandon in defeat. Such are the thoughts on my mind as I soak my throbbing, swollen feet in the middle of the night.

Baked Chicken

2010-07-01T02:42:00.000-07:00

Warning: This is NOT a recipe!

I'm about to share thoughts related to labor and delivery. In the very likely event that you are not interested in reading them, please accept my apologies. It's kind of all I can think about at 4:00 in the morning with only five days until my due date.

Anybody who's ever used an oven knows that two things are very important: temperature and cook time. When those key elements are ignored or altered, the results can be quite yucky. But with careful attention to instructions, it's rather simple to achieve desired results.

I don't want the doctor to induce labor anytime in the next week or so for the same reason that I wouldn't pull a chicken out of my oven with ten minutes left on the timer. Baby just isn't ready to be here yet, and I want her to have all the time she needs to grow and develop before she emerges. The heat, the swelling hands and feet, the achy back and sleepless nights are a small thing compared to how great it's going to feel when I can hold that squirming little body and see her tiny face!

Yes, motherhood brings changes. I'm a hopeless cheeseball who finds connections between raw chicken and unborn children.

Stil No Baby.

2010-06-30T08:23:00.001-07:00

She's doing just fine. Really likes her little safe spot in my womb and is reluctant to leave it.

Meanwhile, I'm plotting my next big adventure. I'm considering different career options for the future, since I will be returning to work when Baby is big enough. Doctor, lawyer, and indian chief are all pretty much out. :) But just about anything else you can think of is considered fair game. I'm open to suggestion!

Stil No Baby.

2010-06-30T08:22:00.001-07:00

Summer Vacation

2010-05-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

I'm tired. These sleepless nights and long days are beginning to take their toll. I have made a decision about my pathetic blogging habits that I hope you will understand. I'm taking a break and it's not going to be a short one. I'm currently drained of any creative thoughts and spout information related to nursing, labor & delivery, diapers, wipes and bibs. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just that I didn't intend for this to be totally a family blog, and family is what's on my mind. So I'm just going to step away from the keyboard and soak up family time, for as long as it takes, and then I'll be back here blogging. I'm still writing on my own; it's just that some of my (hormone-crazed) emotional pieces are a bit too personal to share at this point.

Everything is going great with the Nubbin' and me. J gave me a wonderful card and a huge strawberry cupcake for Mother's Day, and both were very sweet. I hope I'm able to update you as we progress, but if not, I'll definetly post the big day and let you know her weight, stats and measurements. Enjoy your summer! Eat lots of ice cream! (I know I will...)

Friday, Friday!

2010-05-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hope you enjoy your weekend! I'm looking forward to some fun time with friends, a fun festival in our little town, and some lazy time with that man of mine!

So the truth is...

2010-05-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

Having a swimming pool is NOT a lot of fun. I'm serious. It's a lot of work and a lot of expense and I'm about thirty seconds from having a dump truck bring dirt to fill in the hole!

All that stuff they tell you about the third trimester is true. But then, on the other hand, all those people who say it's just peachy are probably lying or remembering through a rose-colored lens.

I know it's logical to buy baby items that are gender-neutral so I can use it in a few years when we have another child. But when I see all the cute pink stuff, something shuts off the logical side of my brain and goes slightly nuts.

I'm another year older, and no, I don't feel any different. Except I'm fatter than last year. And I've got this... hitch-hiker... who won't move on. And there's feet in my ribs. And I'm generally far more crabby than I was this time last year. (Or any other time in recent history. Just ask J!) Oh, and I usually have heartburn, a headache or both.

I'm happier than I've ever been in my life!

Dropping In...

2010-04-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

We've chosen a name! And I'm so sorry that I can't share it with you! It's a beautiful, traditional family name. I can reveal the baby's bloggy name, however, so here goes:

Sally Jane Briggs

I've been very busy with planting, weeding, raking and other yard work. We opted not to have a vegetable garden this year, since I'll be out of commission about the time the plants produce. So I've done a bunch of pretty flowers and tried to restore some beauty to our lackluster yard.

I've also spent way too many hours trying to get the pool water clear and the pool walls clean.I hope this stage of my life is almost over so that we can enjoy the cool, refreshing paradise in our backyard and avoid thoughts of how long it took or how much it costs! I always thought having a pool would be so much fun, but this has mostly been a real drag.

Hopefully my R&R time away from blogland is nearing its end, but I doubt seriously if I'll be back on a regular schedule any time soon. I'm now visiting my OB twice monthly, everything is lined up for a July due date, and I am loving the peace and solitude of my own four walls (and the improving acreage surrounding them!) I miss reading your blogs everyday, love your comments and hope you're all enjoying the beginning of summer!

Next Time You See A Pregnant Lady...

2010-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Tell her she's cute. Especially if she's visibly exhausted and disgusted with her appearance. You will earn bonus points like ya wouldn't believe!

Thanks so much for your outpouring of support last week. I'm still working to establish a routine, and we haven't got "the internets" at home, so I'm not blogging (or reading) as much as I'd like. Miss that!

Not Me Monday!

2010-04-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

I am NOT enjoying a HUGE salad following a yucky visit with my OB. I did NOT have the sugar test and actually kind of like the drink. Pretty sure they just chilled some hummingbird feeder and gave it to me and the other two blossoming ladies in the room!

I did NOT have a busy weekend which kind of ended abruptly with a weak spell in the middle of church services yesterday.

I did NOT have to cancel (again) on some friends of ours last night.I was so looking forward to seeing them and missed the whole thing!

I am NOT super excited to be in the first week of the third trimester! Countdown is on! =)

Unemployment

2010-03-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

So this is how it feels.
First, there's the surprise. There may have been rumors, hints or overheard bits of conversation. It's possible that a kindly supervisor gave a heads-up in the weeks preceding The News. Heart pounding, face flushing, concentrating hard on not crying because it isn't professional and trying to ask sensible questions quickly accompany the announcement.
Then comes the seemingly endless decision-making process. Insurance, retirement, savings. Planning for the future. Planning for the birth of our first child. Trying to cover all bases without coming up short. Working and re-working a budget that was already tight. Realizing that the measures taken to prevent deficits will plug the hole and breathing a huge sigh of relief.
Outside the logical thoughts are those emotional doubts. Why me? Questions that every person in every welfare line, homeless shelter and unemployment office must have asked at some point. Where did I go wrong? Pride is bruised, all but crushed by this sudden change in self-awareness. To find oneself unable to provide income leads to an inability to recognize the talents and qualifications required for employment. To say that self-esteem takes a dive would be an understatement. Realization sinks in; what was once an equal partnership between spouses will now be one-sided.
Next is the rollercoaster between optimism and despair. One minute, there is certainty that all will be well, that things aren't as bad as they seem and could be much, much worse. This train of thought is usually followed by a fear-induced suposition that things will never return to normal, that this is the worst possible outcome to a bad situation and that obviously, some great wrong has been committed and the layoff is punishment. This, of course, is inaccurate and illogical. Budget cuts are not uncommon anywhere and there are several people, many, many people in the same position.
The entire process is complicated by people who are not able or willing to help with the paperwork even when it's their job to do so, people who (intentionally or by mistake) pass along information that is incorrect and people who seem to be delighted by the turn of events. The insulting airing of personal, private information for so many people to see and hear becomes the norm. The hardest part is knowing that there is pressure to fake it. To pretend that everything is absolutely fine, even when it isn't. Knowing that although the outcome will be very similar to what was wanted, the process isn't what it should have been. Being stripped of choices leaves a worker feeling powerless. Discovering inconsistencies between written facts and those discussed leads to hot anger that will not soon dissipate.

I'm away this week, picking up pieces and taking some time to evaluate and restock. And I'm still baby shopping. I'll be fine. I'm just not ready to assume my blogging schedule (or any schedule) as usual. Enjoy the rest of the week and I'll post when things are a bit more sunny at Briggs Central.

Monday, Monday...

2010-03-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend, we did a bit of shopping for the Little Nubbin'. We got stuff for the nursery, a few little onsies and a grocery shopping cart cover. I had so much fun picking the sweet, soft fabrics and imagining how great it will be when she finally gets here.

Question #2: Before I Become a Mom...

2010-03-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Alisha at Musings of a Manic Mama asks: What do you vow now that you will NEVER say or do to/about your child?

You know what they say about never saying never. Like the student aid in the high school office who said she'd never be a secretary. Turns out that those skills are pretty marketable, much more so than a vague English degree. Or like the teenager who said she'd never spend her weekends babysitting as an adult. Turns out money's good, even when you work for it, and if the kids are fun, it's not really work after all. So I'm going to use extreme caution here and say that I'm not going to be a control freak when it comes to my daughter's hair.

I don't mean that she'll be allowed to shave her head or dye her hair purple. What I'm saying is that if she doesn't want me to braid her hair, we'll do something else. If she wants a ponytail every.single.day. she'll get it. The creative control, I think, should be hers, since it's her head after all! This is a deeply-rooted issue from my childhood. My mother couldn't stand to see what she called "stringy-headed little girls." These would be those lucky kids who didn't have to have their hair "done" before leaving the house. Mom always wanted me to have a bow, a ribbon, a pony tail or headband or something in my hair. The main purpose, I was told, was to keep it out of my eyes. But I have these weird elf ears and they were really noticably strange-looking when I was younger and all I wanted to do was cover them up with my hair. So, my child will have some control over her hair styles. And yes, I've prayed more than once that the elf-ear gene dies with me. Her father has adorable, perfectly formed ears. I checked before we got married.

Question #1: Hopes and Fears

2010-03-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth at Confessions From a Working Mom asked: What's the thing you're MOST looking forward to about motherhood? Conversely, what scares you the MOST?

Wow. I'm most looking forward to meeting my baby. I can't wait to hold her, feel the weight of her in my arms and see what she looks like. I suppose the next "big" thing I'm looking forward to would be watching her learn, especially as she learns to speak. I am sure all moms anxiously await the day that "Mama" comes from the baby's lips, but I guess those are my top two: want to see her, want to hear her speak. I really had to think about this a lot, because it's kind of like asking somebody who's never flown what they most look forward to about their first flight. I don't know! I've never done it! Honestly, sometimes I read an article about a mom of a four-year-old who still needs a binky and I think that this can't possibly be my life! I look forward to seeing how all the theory I've absorbed from reading actually applies to childhood/child training. I think it's going to be so great watching my husband turn into a dad. I think I'll be really good with the games, the interactions, the fun stuff. I know he will.

I fear many, many things about this whole situation. Obviously, I'm afraid I'll do something while pregnant that will harm the baby, but I think that's a given. Most people do kind of fear that. I'm scared to think of giving birth. I'm scared to think how long it will be to get any sort of normal routine established with a newborn. I am very afraid that I'll somehow be the worst mother in the history of time and she'll be forever scarred by something I've said or done. I'm afraid that if she has physical limitations or developmental delays that I won't be strong enough to be the advocate and caregiver she deserves.

Most importantly, I'm afraid that I'll neglect to teach her things she needs to know. I want to always be approachable and available with honest answers. I pray that I will never, ever be guilty of just being too busy to read her a story or have a serious conversation. I want her to know Jesus. I want her to study the Bible. I want her to love being a student of the word and I want her to accept its truths. The most important part of my job as a mother is preparing her to meet her Maker and the most terrifying thought to me is that I will, in some way, not get the point across to her. I want to be remembered as a fun mom, a caring and loving mom, but most of all as a Christian mom. I pray that she will see God's love in my relationship with her father and with her. If the faith isn't there, then I have failed. And that is what I fear the most.

Thanks so much, Elizabeth, for the question! I could blame the emotional response on hormones, but this is just one of those "how I really feel" answers.

Bright, Bright SUNSHINEY Day! (And some fun for you!)

2010-03-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

Much too nice to be stuck inside an office, chained to a desk and telephone. I want to go to the park and swing. Pretty sure I'd look a little bonkers, but it wouldn't be the first time!

We're busy bees this week at Briggs Central. Lots of social engagements, but tonight is just me and my dear J and NCIS! YAY! I'm making cajun shrimp pasta for supper. I'm thinking about actually washing some dishes and folding some laundry, but of course that's going to be subject to my mood since Tuesdays are my light cleaning day.

I'm thinking about doing something a little different on the blog over the next few weeks or so. I've seen a few other writers ask their readers to ask qusetions in the comment section, which are then answered in a post or series of posts. I've also recently seen a blogger/writer ask for 5 words in the comments to use in a flash fiction piece. Check out Natalie's version. I couldn't decide which was more fun, so I'm doing both. Please comment with either a burning question about me or one word to be used in a (very) short story. Thanks!

Not Me Monday!

2010-03-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

I am NOT looking forward to warmer weather, longer days and more sunshine!

The above picture would NOT be the prettiest one of my flowers in a yard that hasn't been tended in years.

I do NOT have grand plans for landscaping.

I was NOT disappointed that it rained yesterday and is now very, very chilly out.

I am NOT meeting the world's most adorable husband for lunch in a little while!

I did NOT dream of tiny fingers and toes twice last week. I can NOT wait to see my sweet babe this summer! (Hurry up, July!)

I've NOT been working on October Fog with renewed energy these days!

I did NOT change key elements of the plot to make it less gloomy and (I think) more believable.

Happy Monday!

5 Question Friday!

2010-03-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

1. Have you ever had a celeb sighting?
Can't say that I have. We don't cotton to no fancy folks 'round these parts. I have met a few small-town mayors, congressmen, senators and other elected officials as part of my former job (A fun one. At a community college. The pay was peanuts.)
2. What temperature do you keep your house?
I'm comfy at 70-75 degrees. My husband likes it cold! (60s) We keep it around 68 during winter, and usually 68-73 in summer. I sleep much, much better in a cool room, but I have always enjoyed opening windows and letting the house "air" when the weather is fitting.
3. Do you notice dust at other peoples homes?
Not really. I sure notice it in my own! Pregnancy has made me a little more picky about that kind of thing. For some reason, I now wish that the house be clean at all times. Never felt this way before. Early nesting, perhaps?
4. What's the worst job you ever had?
This is really a long story that I don't have the energy to tell right now, but one of my worst work experiences would be the time when I worked for a deli-bakery in high school. Usually, my scheduled hours were evenings and weekends, so I did a lot of serving up and not so much food preparation. But the bakery sold these rotisserie chickens. And they had to be hung, shishkabob style, on metal skewers to go into the cooker. Whole, dead, clamy chicken bodies. I didn't even eat chicken on the bone and was required to touch those cold, pimply hens with my hands and poke that skewer through their tissue. It was the sound that got me. The flesh made this sickening rip when the sharp metal poked through and I had to excuse myself. I offered to clean the cooker (a greasy, messy, hated chore) for the next two weeks if somebody else would please, just please take care of those dead chickens so I wouldn't have to see or touch them again! The offer was quickly accepted and I kept that job until November's marathon of turkey and dressing prep, which is when we learned that I am allergic to sage. Please note: people who have a sage allergy should avoid places that use too much of it for three weeks straight unless they want to spend the night in the emergency room getting an IV drip instead of eating a wonderful meal and spending time with family. Further important note: Alergic reactions are not covered by worker's comp when you're part time and you hate touching dead chickens.
5. What is your most sentimental possession?
My grandma gave me a cookbook with hand-written recipes for several of her best dishes. She also passed along my great-grandmother's dough roller. If the house was on fire, those items would be the ones I braved flames to save.

Why All Pregnant Wives Need A Husband Like Mine

2010-03-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

1. When I whine about being huge, fat, supersize, large, whale-like, etc., he smiles, kisses my forehead and says, "I love you."

2. He takes cravings very seriously. As in, get this woman what she wants right now even if it means driving an hour out of the way in the middle of the night. (Not that I'd ask for that, but I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he would go.)

3. He asks the sweetest questions. For example, "How's my wittle baby gurl?" as he rubs my massive tummy.

4. He calls the bump by the name we're considering.

5. He knows (because his mother, God bless her, taught him so well) that chocolate solves a world of issues and is the best remedy for those crying-for-no-reason episodes.

6. The look of gratitude on his face when he comes home from a horrible work day and realizes that somebody cleaned the house and cooked food.

7. His constant reassurance that I'm not alone, that he loves me, that I'm still cute, that everything will be alright.

8. The man is genuinely interested in what I write. And keeps me focused by asking specific questions about the scenes he's most recently heard. I try to return his favor, but when he talks about bearings and shafts and extruders, I know my eyes glaze over. He never seems to lose interest in the creative side of my profession. And I'm working to learn more about motors and pulleys and grease because this thing is a two-way street.

9. Stability. I'm a willow and I bend. Sometimes, I can be just plain wishy-washy in my desire to avoid offending others. My husband is an oak, and no strong winds sway him. When I need a rock, a safe stronghold to remind me where my faith is, what our goals are and where this life will lead us, he's always there with the same answers.

10. Did I mention that he's extremely attractive, handsome, cute, adorable and fun?

We're Going Through Changes

2010-03-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it seems like the only thing constant is that nothing will stay the same. I don't want to go into all the hairy details at this time, but the Briggs bunch will see even more changes over the next few weeks and months as we attempt to move forward and be productive.

I know I've been saying it for a while, but it will be so nice when things finally settle down a little. There's been so much change for us in such a short period of time. Three years ago, we were thinking that we might possibly get married someday. One year ago, we were planning the ceremony. One year from now we will be parents of an eight-month old daughter. I had a five year plan that has crashed and burned. I never thought I'd be thinking of saving for my child's tuition before I paid off my student loan. I never would have imagined that I'd be making so many "adult" decisions at my age. I am overwhelmed. All the developments are wonderful, but they're also very scary.

Blogging may be a bit sporadic in the future. Apologies in advance.

Another Monday!

2010-03-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

I did NOT sneak away to my parents' house this weekend to get a little special treatment. I am NOT completely spoiled and I have NOT become extremely needy over the past few weeks.

I did NOT eat good food, laugh 'til my tummy hurt and drive home a bit later than expected.

My dog did NOT torture the cats at my mother's house. He did NOT find that to be more enjoyable than anything else we did this weekend. Oh, and he (really) did not have a single accident in her house. Which may or may NOT have been a first for him! Yay, potty trained doggies! ;)

My dad did NOT catch a 'possum in a live trap Saturday night, after two failed attempts that resulted in kitties being caged. I was NOT highly amused. I did NOT think the nasty rodent had kind of a cute heart-shaped face. (Don't worry. The critter walked. But he's been moved to an area with no chicken population for the safety of all animals involved. Country people, you know what I'm talking about!)

I did NOT go into panic mode upon coming home to find that puppies from next door had ripped our garbage and strewn it everywhere, that my one load of dirty laundry had multiplied to a family of four in my absense and that there were no clean spoons in the house. It's very important to note that while I was away, my husband had two meals and a few snacks at home. He must have showered at least nine times in three days, judging by the number of dirty towels and clothes I found. And some of those are camo turkey hunting ones that have special laundry instructions. Grrr.

I did NOT insist upon restoring order before I went to bed last night. Totally NOT my nature at all. I do NOT get upset about messes! NOT ME!

Letters of Intent

2010-03-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

To The Dog Who Forgot He Was Housebroken:
I love you. You're cute and furry and you crack me up multiple times a day. But I don't need any practice scooping poop and will get plenty of it in a few months. Cut me some slack, wouldja? It ain't easy being beautiful, hard-working, keeping a house clean and cleaning up after you!
Always adoring you but sick of the smell,
Mom

To The Naysayers:
Back off. You can try to rain on my parade. You can tell me how bad things are, you can repeat again and again that I'm incompetent and destined to fail. But the truth is, I have qualifications. I have an excellent support system and I will succeed in the next stage of my life. I will develop and grow, something you have long since stopped doing as you're stuck on the way things have always been done. Some people look at daunting situations as the end of the world, and in a way, the stuff in my life can be that way. It's the end of life as I know it. But I will come out of this with a beautiful baby girl, a larger behind and a smile on my face. What will you get?
Seriously Aggravated,
Shut Up

5 Question Friday!

2010-03-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

Linking up with Mama M to answer life's most compelling questions today.
1. How much time do you spend on the computer a day?
At work, Monday through Friday, I spend a good 6-8 hours on the computer. Weekends rarely find me in front of the screen for anything besides my own writing, which is pleasurable and usually fun. I almost never blog on the weekends. I feel like my time away from the office is mine, to be spent with J and Andy and people we love.
2. Will you pay for your children's college or raise them to pay for their own way?
I would love to say I'll be able to foot the whole bill. But I doubt it. I payed lots of stuff myself with part-time jobs, scholarships, grants and a loan. My parents were great for buying my car and keeping it maintained. When I ran short, they were there to help. Those last three semesters were especially tough, but I'd do it the same way again. I will encourage my children attend the local community college, which has a tuition guarantee program for area graduates, and I will help them as much as I can. But I think that doing so much of it myself really helped me grow in ways I wouldn't have otherwise and I don't want to deprive them of that experience. They won't starve and they won't have to worry about gas money as long as Mama can help it!
3. Have you ever been in a car accident?
Um, yes. Nothing serious, thankfully, but Rhonda and I have seen some pretty scary ditches and trailer hitches in our time!
4. What is your favorite book?
There are so many! If I had to choose, probably Proverbs in the Bible. Next up would be any captivating suspense novel I've not discovered yet.
5. Do you make your bed everyday?
No, not everyday, but the day sure goes better when I take the time to do it. Neither of us is picky about the bed being made but those sheets get changed every Saturday to keep the peace in our house!

Thoughts

2010-03-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

I should have planned those meals a little better this week. Life is crazy at my house. Wonder if I can talk J into eating breakfast for supper again? (Second time since Monday?)

My child is destined to be a great soccer player. Don't ask me how I know.

My head aches. It aches much. My shoulders and neck are also in pain. This is the worst. Possible. Time. For. Pain.

I really want a baby kitten, but my husband and weenie dog said I couldn't have one. So I guess I won't be getting something cute and furry anytime soon. I can't wait to get home and have some veg time with that weenie dog this afternoon. I see a good snuggle and some Mary Higgins Clark in our future.

I'm stepping up my reading/re-reading of favorite novels with surprise endings. I'm working up a massively delicious surprise for October Fog. After that brief moment of insanity yesterday, I discovered at least one workable solution for one of my biggest conflicts. The plot is complex, but I read it aloud to J, my resident sounding board, as I was writing and he followed it well so maybe it's not too confusing.

I'll be back later with humor, wit and sarcasm. I'm off to rest my eyes for a moment and think of the days when I carelessly popped an Excedrin at the slightest hint of pain. Oh, for the pre-pregnancy joys! On the other hand, I can eat all the chocolate I want. That will definetly help me to feel better!

Wednesday Writing

2010-03-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely OB check-up yesterday. The doctor was a bit behind. Durning my 2-hour wait, I read a Deaver novel I missed in 2008 called The Bodies Left Behind. It was a great page-turner, plenty of suspense and so creepy I couldn't sleep last night. Good job, Mr. Deaver. Perhaps next time we can leave out the total paranoia? Thanks.

Got me thinking about my own book, and the way I've half given up hope of finishing a few of the more challenging scenes. I want suspense. I want thrills. I don't really have the ability to be so scary/freaky/disturbing that I keep people up at night. I think.

Basically, I'm trying to do the revisions before I have written the whole thing. This goes against every "rule" I have found. I've been tempted, oh so many times, to just scrap the draft and start over, but when I think of the hours I've put into it I know I can't do that. So I pull out the pen and mark it up a bit more, or I type a few more lines into the three scenes that are still developing, or I rearrange the outline just a little. And ultimately decide that maybe it was better before and I go back to the original plan. Confused? Me, too!

Then there's the conversation in my head when a truly horrific line pops into my head. I ask myself if I really thought that up all on my own. I confess that yes, I did. Does this make me some demented old bat in a 23 year old body? Have I read so many murder mysteries and seen so many dramatic replays of life's most tragic events that such things now creep from my brain to the keyboard, waiting to be devoured by more readers like myself? How can these vile musings come from one so sunny and bright? Do I have any business procreating when my thoughts are filled with death or violence?

So then I switch scenes and really work hard on the romance side of the story. But I don't want to be too graphic there, either, because in my blog and submission pieces, I like to keep it G-rated. Not that the novel I'm working on is directed to children or even a young adult audience, but I'm just the type of person, reader, and writer who prefers that bedroom stuff be left largely to the imagination.

And it's usually about that time that I switch paths completely and write a cute 10-sentence story about a fuzzy worm or a funny weenie dog. Or I blog about my relentless scizophrenia of the pen. Thank you for following my crazy journey!

Meal Planning When You're Too Sick to Eat

2010-03-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

Since I've been meal planning for a whopping seven months now, I consider myself quite the expert. NOT. But I have picked up a few things that really make life in the kitchen easier. These are the tricks that have saved us from eating pizza six nights a week while the head chef suffered from morning sickness and migraines. I really wish somebody had told me some of this information in October of last year!

(Crazy Mac)
First up, always have a go-to meal that can be prepared in a very short time. I've got several filed under "Quick and Easy" in a wonderful cookbook my Grandma gave me a while back. The key ingredients for all of them are: ground meat, pasta or rice, cheese and some vegetable combination. This way, all the basic needs are met and there's not a lot of thinking involved. Of course, you will need to have those ingredients on hand, which leads me to the next point.

Keep your pantry, fridge and freezer stocked! This not only saves time, it saves money! I don't have some fancy pants chart with all our necessities. I just kind of keep a mental inventory and check it before I do our weekly shopping. Basically, I try to keep plenty pasta, rice, cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup, canned rotel tomatoes, canned or frozen cream-style corn, canned potatoes, canned green beans and canned english or butter peas on hand. I also play with spices, so I may make cajun chicken and rice one night a week and have cheesy chicken and rice later with the same basic set up, just different seasonings. Speaking of meat, I try to keep at least one meal's meat thawed and freeze the rest. This requires more thought than anything else in the post. It's a daily thing. I usually try to thaw a pound or two the night before I need it, but do what works for you.

I've mentioned before that my meal plans for the week include a rough idea of how many nights we'll eat at home and which meat we've got on hand. This week, we'll be eating in 3 of 6 nights, so the meal choices are: taco pie, burgers, and crazy mac. We eat chicken sometimes, but I don't have any right now and haven't caught a good sale lately. All those meals involve ground beef/deer/turkey/whatever. I see no need to specify which night we'll be eating which meal; we usually decide that a few minutes before I start cooking. As long as that meat is thawed and ready to go, it doesn't matter!

To sum it all up, what you need are a few tasty meals that can be prepared at the drop of a hat and a well-stocked pantry. It never hurts to have a back-up meal in the freezer for those *really* awful days when you can't stand the sight of food but other people are depending on you to provide their nourishment! The last couple of crock pot dinners I've done were doubled, with the leftovers frozen in massive zippy bags to use later. Helpful tip: Label the bag before you fill it and stick it in the freezer. Believe it or not, it can be hard to distinguish pinto beans from roast and gravy after a few days in the freezer. Laying the bags flat makes the frozen shape easy to stack. The good thing about having a complete meal frozen is that if, for some reason your regularly scheduled meal falls through, you've got this one and all you need to do is put that frozen zippy bag in a bowl of hot water until it's thawed enough to heat on the stove. I usually get home a good hour before my starving husband, so that works well in our house!

To avoid having far too much information in one post, I plan to address the wonder of crock pots in the future. Feel free to click the links and use my crazy mac recipe as your stand-by if you enjoy that kind of thing! I started cooking more of our meals at home to save money and to please my husband, but the more time I spend in the kitchen, the more I like it. Love that feeling when I plan something and it actually works! What do you do to make sure there's a hot & delicious meal on the table at the end of the workday?

More About ME!

2010-03-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

I am: pregnant
I think: I'm getting bigger by the minute
I know: that gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, healthy and good
I have: eaten two meals and five snacks a day for a long, long time
I wish: for a little peace and quiet
I hate: busybodies, know-it-alls and horsefaces-- not the people, but the actions
I miss: my family and friends who aren't local
I fear: growing old alone
I hear: hammers pounding and birds singing
I smell: dust, dirt and donuts
I crave: anything. Everything. Pasta with a creamy sauce, chili cheese hot dogs (which I normally dispise and can't stand to smell or see), honey/mustard potato chips.
I search: for answers, the meaning of life and my lost hair clip
I wonder: if I'll ever see my pre-preg weight/shape again
I regret: not eating two donuts when I had the chance
I love: my husband and our weenie dog, humanity, poetry, hot herbal tea
I ache: for what might have been
I am not: bitter or sad or skinny
I believe: that eating whatever you want is over-rated and leads to heartburn
I dance: in private--Got no rhythm
I sing: in the car, in the shower, and probably too loudly in church
I cry: over stupid things
I fight: with my dog
I lose: those fights quite frequently. No will power.
I win: smiles and chuckles more than battles
I never: sleep more than 3 hours straight
I always: wake up before the alarm
I confuse: many, many things
I listen: to music, to talk radio, to silence
I am scared: of the dark
I need: a hug, some chocolate and a few hundred bucks
I am happy about: sunshine, Spring, flowers, clean linens, empty sink
I can usually be found: scribbling

Last Weekend, We Visited Twin Gables

2010-03-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

It's a charming Bed & Breakfast in Vernon, Alabama. We'd originally planned our little outing for Valentine's weekend, but due to complications in a certain husband's work schedule, we weren't able to go then.

The owners/innkeepers were amazing! Southern hospitality at its best!

We enjoyed the lovely antique decor.

There was just a hint of spring in the air that weekend, and little bunnies, eggs, flowers and splashes of color added to the illusion.

Love this! Perfect place for a writer to sit, soak up the sun, and contemplate matters greater than oneself. Or perfect place to escape when a writer's husband is soaking up the Outdoor channel in the suite!

I also loved the way elements of past and present are blended in the home's architecture, pluming, and layout. Old houses have so much more character than newer ones!

We enjoyed a lovely weekend of barbeque, relaxation, good conversation, and a break from our normal routine. Perhaps the most amazing part of the whole thing was that breakfast at the end--sausage, biscuits, a potato bake that was absolutely divine, strawberries with brown sugar, an appricot cake, coffee and orange juice and scrambled eggs galore!

If you're in the Vernon, AL area or plan to visit, I highly recommend staying at Twin Gables!

5 Question Friday!

2010-03-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

1. What's your guilty pleasure?
My once-a-week trip to either Dunkin Donuts or some greasy fast-food joint for a little fattening delight. And no, the guilt is not the long-lasting, bug you forever kind.
2. What is your favorite TV series?
NCIS! I like the new LA spinoff, but the show just isn't the same without Gibbs!
3. Can you speak any foreign languages?
Not really. I learned a few Spanish words during my 12-hour requirement for the {worthless} degree, but couldn't actually carry on a conversation.
4. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Too many and yet, not enough. I'm looking for a comfy pair that atually looks good for the office, but haven't had any luck finding them yet.
5. What's your favorite kind of M&M's...peanut, almond, straight up regular, etc.?
Straight up regular, I suppose. Peanut ones are good but I need Coca-cola with them and I have to be in the mood for them!

10 Years From Now

2010-03-04T06:36:00.000-08:00

I tagged myself when The Crayon Wrangler did her ten-year post! Couldn't resist a little wishful dreamin'!
I almost wish I had known I'd be married, pregnant, working and this happy ten years ago! I was just about to turn 14, enjoying the eighth grade and looking forward to high school. I can't remember why I thought HS would be so great, but I did.

Ten years from now, my unborn daughter will be nine years old. I bet she'll have strawberry blond hair, chocolate brown eyes and a smart mouth. Hopefully, she'll have a younger sibling or two and they will all be smart as whips, top of the class!

My husband and I will still discuss hitting the hamper with dirty boxers, taking out the trash on Wednesdays and getting out of bed before 6:00 a.m. We'll also still be madly in love and our house remodel will (finally) be completed.

I hope I've had something published by then, perhaps one of the children's stories I'm working on or a collection of short stories. I'd like to say I see myself as a full-time SAHM, but I'm playing that part by ear. Guess it sort of depends on how many of those pieces I get published!

My Husband, My Hero

2010-03-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

J is pretty amazing. He's always doing these super-sweet things for me. Sometimes I get mad for no reason at all and since he's usually the closest person to the tornado, he catches the worst of the winds. Truth is, I know he's going to be great at diffusing our daughter's tantrums because he will have had plenty practice. On her MOM.

Last night, we both worked too late to do some other stuff we'd scheduled. I made bacon cheeseburgers (yes, by myself. I touched dead meat and everything. That's what you do when you fall in love...) We just had some veg time on the couch with the dog, watching DVR'd episodes of NCIS. It was so nice!

I had a different post planned today, but sometimes life gets in the way of our plans. I am a very uptight person about my plans, usually, but since I met J, I've learned to deal with changes. He doesn't schedule like I do. In fact, most of the time, he doesn't really schedule at all. He doesn't have to--he's got me. But his concept of time is completely different from mine. I'm learning that it's ok for him to sleep five minutes later than the alarm. It's ok if his truck leaves the driveway three minutes later than usual. It's even ok if he forgets something important at home--because his recovery tactics are second-to-none. Nobody told me that learning to live without a schedule (or with a loose one) would make my marriage stronger. But it has, and for that I'm so thankful.

Monday Things...

2010-03-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

First up, I'm linking with MckMama to confess this week.

I'm NOT seriously considering moving the pool table to my living room. If I were, it certainly would NOT have anything to do with the fact that we'd spend more time in the same room with more entertainment for the husband...

We did NOT sneak away for a wonderful night out of town this weekend. I will NOT post pictures and details later this week...

I am NOT super excited about a small garden project I'll be attempting later this spring.

I did NOT have to buy toilet paper and dog food yesterday because we were so close to being completely out of both that it couldn't wait another day. I mean, my husband's an eagle scout and we're like, uber prepared for any situation. I'd never neglect household necessities to travel out of town with my honeybun.

I did NOT freak out big time over leaving my dog at home overnight this weekend. It did NOT drive my husband nuts and he did NOT remind me (more than a few times) that the dog can't tell time.

I was NOT so glad to see the dog when we made it home, since I'm NOT one of those pyscho people who worries about the animal when I'm not there.

This week's meal plan/cleaning schedule:
Breakfast choices include oatmeal, cornflakes and strawberries, cinnamon rolls, grilled cheese and omlets.
Lunch will be supper leftovers or peanut butter/jelly sandwiches.
Supper choices include Cajun shrimp pasta, Roast with potatoes and carrots (crock pot), Sloppy Joes with french fries and pancakes and sausage. Alternate or emegency quick meals: frozen pizza, cheesesticks, microwave brocolli/rice combo, grilled cheese.
Snacks to choose from: cheddar cheese and crackers, assorted fruit, nutty buddy bars (Husband's), Reese's, Strawberry fruit-n-grain bars.
Cleaning:
Monday-2 loads laundry, dishes, clear clutter
Tuesday-sweep & mop living room, kitchen and hall bath
Wednesday-2 loads laundry, sweep & mop bedroom and hallways
Thursday-clear clutter, 2 loads laundry, clean bed linens
Friday-final load of laundry, iron weekend clothes, dishes & bathroom scrub down
Saturday-Out of town!

In case all of the above information was completely boring, I feel that it's necessary. I'm documenting my week for several reasons:
a) I lost my household planning book on Thursday and it hasn't resurfaced.
b)The meal items and snack specifications help me keep track of how much I spent, so that I can compare it to coming weeks.
c) The cleaning system seems to fail me about 1 out of every 5 times. I'm looking for ways to improve it. I don't do the same thing every day, and I don't assign the same activities each day every week. I also hate laundry and sometimes get bogged down by the massive workload! (Oh, and my washer is about as tempermental as my car. Which only makes the bad stuff worse.)
d) As some of you commented before, it's my blog and I'll blog about my nosehairs if I so please.

But I'm so glad you choose to read it!

To Rhonda, My Once Faithful Car:

2010-02-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

I have loved you for a long time. We've driven together for almost seven years. Are you getting some kind of seven-year itch for a new companion? Are you jealous that my husband's truck sometimes steals our spot in the carport? Is this pay-back for skipping that one (or four) routine oil changes? I've given you so much! A weenie dog bumper sticker, four student parking decals, fuel treatment (many times), and until that hole in the front grill situation, I've always fixed you when I damaged your beautiful exterior.
Remember when we first met? How I made a list of my car requirements and my dad got me everything on that list with you, except for the sunroof, which I'm pretty sure was NOT an accident? I LOVED my car. And we've been through so much together! The power company truck, the bridge rail, the rainy wet gravel patch that (almost) landed us in the ditch. I never would have been able to hold down two jobs and attend college full-time if not for you. I love the way your soft leather seats mold perfectly to fit my bottom like memory foam. I love your gray carpet that hides even the nastiest of stains. I love you even without the CD player. Not sure why you decided to take music out of my life, but I love you just the same. We can listen to the free radio all you want. I loved you when your air went out in the middle of the summer and my dad was two hours away. I felt a little guilty when I realized that if I'd given you that cooling stuff it never would have happened. As soon as I knew the problem, I fixed it!
So tell me, why did you let a pulley lock up and break a belt that was only a few months old? Why did you get hot and make the rubber melt all over the track the belt runs on, leaving me to buy a new belt and deal with that strange squeaking noise every.time.I.crank.you?
I gotta warn ya, the Mr. is not happy with these shenanigans. Consider this your fair warning: go psycho on me again and we'll be car shopping in this rotten economy. I know you wouldn't do that to me after so many years of devotion, right?
Desperate not to buy right now,
Your (faithful) owner

Five Question Friday!

2010-02-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

Questions for Friday, 2/26/10: (Special thanks to: Lily,Thorney London, Maryanne, Renee, and moi! Do you wanna be linked in a future 5QF? C'mon over here, to my community, and offer up your question suggestions!)

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?
Depends on the situation. With a small group of friends, I enjoy karaoke and singing/playing guitar hero. However, if there's a big crowd, forget it. Not happening. It's not so much that I'm *shy.* I'd just hate to put the other contestants to shame!

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?
I've basically abandoned coffee because of the caffeine during this pregnancy, so I'm drinking a lot of Chai or herbal tea. Before the nubbin', I LOVED white chocolate mochas, caramel machiattos, and the occasional mocha frappe. J likes the blended frozen mochas. And he's not picky. The ones from the gas station are just as good as the ones from a gourmet coffee shop.
3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?
After years of hating the common name I was given, I've got to admit I'd keep it. It's easy to blame faux pas on "some other Jennifer" or to simply give every new person I meet a different form of the name to call me--Jenny, Jenn, J, etc. Professionally, I try to keep it simple. The name on my resume is Jennifer M. Briggs. At work, I go by Jennifer. But when I was growing up, I only heard "Jennifer" when I was in trouble.
Other names I imagined picking up over the years: Elizabeth, Sally and Jo. No, there is not any connection or meaning, other than I read books about them and liked them. None of those names are in the running for the nubbin', either. We're looking for something easy to spell, traditional, pretty and classy. But not, heaven forbid, the most popular girl name of the decade! (Sorry. Emma is out.)

4. Were you ever bullied?
Yes. I was tiny growing up. I've been called all the horrible nicknames--"shrimp" being the most offensive to this very day. I'm not that small anymore, but it was kind of awkward wearing clothes from the junior section in my first real job. Now I just get everything hemmed and try not to complain. Besides being tiny, I had no athletic abilities (at all) and I enjoyed reading books and going to school. I was like the bully's dream! Besides that, my cousins were older and male and we fought like cats and dogs until high school. Then we formed this cool little clique and had great times together. Funny how that works out, huh?

5. How often do you eat fast food?
It depends on how you define "fast food." J and I try to bring our lunches from home four days a week and eat out on Friday. We usually make time for a sit-down meal during that hour, but not always. We grab supper on the run on Wednesdays and eat out sometimes on the weekends. So, 2-3 times a week, I guess. I usually pick a salad over a burger, especially the past few months. Because I'm making mostly healthy choices on food, when I crave tater tots or ding dongs, I just eat them. It's not like it's an everyday thing!

I'm So Thankful!

2010-02-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

I'm linking with Katie to show my gratitude this week. Since things that I'm thankful for also give me joy, I'll be linking to Good, True and Beautiful! First, I'm thankful for the sunshine! Sadly, I'd almost forgotten what it looked like, with all these gray winter days. I'm also thankful for good friends who help J and me navigate this sea of life. Especially the ones who share hot soup on a cold day when you're sick. Nothing like that kind of Christian kindness! I'm thankful for the new followers--three of you this week--and the joy it gives me to see that somebody is interested in what I have to say! I'm totally in LOVE with the DVD from our sonogram. It gives me such joy to see that little babe swimming around in there, twisting and bending this way and that, propping her hand behind her head the same way that I do, and trying like crazy to get her tiny thumb into her tiny mouth. It also makes me smile when my husband asks questions like, "What's a binky?" or says things like,"I don't know about ruffle pants. You'll have to teach me." I'm thankful for J's loyalty. Even on those days when I feel terrible and tell him that I think I'm turning into a beached whale and his response is to imitate the sound of a whale stuck in sand and unable to make it back to sea. Not exactly the comfort that I was hoping for, but I couldn't help but smile. (Wwweeeeeaaaaa!) What are you thankful for?

Indentity Crisis

2010-02-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

Well, it finally happened. People warned me about that question. Not, "So was this baby planned?" or "Are you pregnant?" but "How's it feel to go from being you to just being somebody's mom?" And, true to my reaction to the other two questions and despite the warnings, I was speechless. What do you say?

I know that my life will be forever changed by this. For the record, this was a "surprise," but hardly a calamity. I love this little (not quite a full pound) human baby inside me. I haven't even met her yet, but I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that my life is no longer about me. It's not even just my husband and myself anymore. We're becoming a family of three, and while it's very exciting, it's also overwhelming to contemplate how things will be in a year, or ten, or twenty.

I want my little girl to have a full life, and part of that means changing my habits to suit her needs. But I'll still love blogging, riding bikes, running, cooking, writing, scrapbooking and all the other stuff that makes me who I am. I always thought of my mother as "Mama." But I knew that she was also "Mary." That she has friends and sisters and cousins and brothers and they were all there before I was. I'd think it strange if she'd ceased to function in any capacity besides "mother." I don't think it's healthy for women to be defined by "someone's wife" or "someone's mother." Yes, I am both. I'm J's wife and I'm {Insert Cute Baby Name Here}'s mother. But I'm still ME! I'm still professional, witty and easy to get along with. I don't think my personality will change to the point that I'm unrecognizable just because I'll be packing a diaper bag and driving with a carseat in the back.

I know that the pregnancy has changed my outlook, and it's changed the content of this blog. I hope none of my readers are turned off by the switch from engagement to house-buying to marriage and newlywed life to babydom. A few ideas I'm researching for further posts include the following:

Staying at Home vs. Working--When there doesn't seem to be an option
Compromising what I want or need to do what is best for all of us
Feeding Formula or Nursing?
Re-assesing career goals due to family changes
Meal planning for days when you're too sick to eat
Writing a resume
Applying for volunteer work

Go ahead and comment! Let me know what you'd like to see here! This is a journey. I'm learning to be a wife, mother and friend as well as a writer. If there's nobody reading, there is no reason to write!

Not Me! Monday

2010-02-22T07:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, folks! You'll never believe what I've NOT done lately...

I am NOT sick with the most horrible cold I've ever had. I did NOT tell my husband and mother that this was worse than any flu, chicken pox, scarlet fever or stomach bug I've ever had in my entire life. They did not (each, separately) interpret the statement as complete dramatization on my part and continue their lives as if I wasn't dying right before their very eyes. (Or, in my mother's case, ears!)

I am NOT annoyed that my doctor is helpless, due largely to the fact that I've refused the medication she offered because, well, it made me sicker last time and I don't want to risk harm to the baby.

I am NOT doubting the longevity of my faithful Impala, Rhonda, after she ~~showed out~~ broke a belt yesterday and scared me to death. I was NOT glad my husband was there to ~~do his man thing~~ apply his excellent mechanical skills. I did NOT smack her dashboard and say, "Rhonda, how could you?" when I thought no one was looking!

Fianlly, I did NOT wake up sad that the weekend had ended, because even though I was sick and my car ~~went psycho~~ had trouble, it wasn't a bad time, really.

An Award!

2010-02-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Jen at Should Be Cleaning recently (although not so very recently; I've been a little busy) presented me with the sunshine award. The rules require me to pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers. I am lazy and sometimes enjoy breaking rules, but I've worked up some additions to my "Good Reads" section on the right-hand column of the page. I'm giving this award to everybody on that list, and I think you should check them all out!

My First Letter of Intent--to the Worst Headcold Ever

2010-02-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Headcold,
You've visited me many times over the years and I've always just taken your arrival as the opportunity to spend a day in bed or on the couch. I sip hot soup or coffee and take the wonderful over-the-counter pills to make me forget how miserable your muscle aches, head aches, congestion, and the burning sensation between my chin and my hair make me. Since I'm now eating for two and one of the two can't have those medications, this week has been misery personified. You. Must. Leave. Now. I am not wasting a perfectly good sick day on your sorry arrival, or your extended visit. I will not be a weenie and cry about the absolute torture I feel when the phone rings, someone says my name or-heaven forbid!-I'm asked to think about something and give a sensible, logical answer. As if the normal intellectual setbacks coupled with pregnancy's forgetfulness and lack of focus weren't bad enough, you've clogged my head with mucus that greatly diminishes my ability to think! I realize the hot tea, vitamins, cold cloths, endless tissues and attempts at deep, soothing breaths are doing nothing to rid my body from your overbearing presence. I'm asking nicely, on the floor on bended knee, will you please move on and leave me alone? Pretty please with sprinkles, marshmellows and cherries on top? I'll even consider throwing on some whipped cream.
Desperate for your speedy departure,
Sick and Pregnant

5 Question Friday!

2010-02-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

1. Have you ever hit an animal with your vehicle?
What a sad thing to think about on Friday! Yes, unfortunately, one night after I got off work from my grocery store job in high school, I hit two little puppies on my way home. They weren't near a house at all, and I felt terrible, not only for taking their lives bu talso because I was not able to contact the owners and apologize. My parents said somebody had probably dumped the poor things and they didn't know how to avoid cars. :( I was meeting another vehicle and couldn't swerve to miss them.
2. When you see a string on your clothes do you pull it off or cut if off?
I cut it. And try very hard to avoid making a hole.
3. Did you have your own room or share a room when you were young?
I always had my own room. Being the girl in a two-child, one-boy, one-girl house, there really wasn't much of an issue. It made the adjustment to roomates a very difficult process. Had it not been for living with roomates a couple of years, I would have had a HUGE adjustment to married life. Lucky for J, by the time marriage roled around, I was ok with people moving my stuff, eating my food and leaving messes for me to clean up. And since he never, ever uses the washing machine when I need it, that hasn't been an issue for me.
My husband shared a room with his older brother for several years and did not enjoy it. As a result, he would prefer that our own children (in the future) not share a room. I see both sides of the fence there. There are benefits but there are definetly cons. Pretty sure sharing the same play areas, food and home will teach valuable life skills. We'll most likely let the sleep separately.

4. Would you rather wear the same thing for the rest of your life or eat the same thing for the rest of your life?
Neither. Variety is the spice of life, man.
5. What was your favorite TV show as a child?
Woody Woodpecker and Garfield. I also seriously loved (read: was pratically addicted to) Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

A Big Thank You!

2010-02-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

This morning, a soldier held the door for me as I entered Dunkin Donuts. His right arm was in a sling, and he used his left to help me out. I had my hands full--purse, laptop, makeup bag. I said, "Thanks!" and smiled my appreciation, but what I should have said was, "Thanks for the job you do. Thank you for whatever happened to your right arm. Thank you for fighting for this country so that my husband can come home at night. Thank you for providing the kind of safety I want my daughter to grow up knowing. Thank you for the snide remarks you've endured, the ~~days weeks~~ months you have missed your family and the inevitable separation still to come. Thank you, thank you, thank you." I can't say it enough. Can't stop thinking about it, even hours after the fact.

A friend who was once a student in my parents' Sunday School class lost his life during the war on terror. Other friends have ventured to parts unknown (at least to me) and returned physically intact, but with mental and emotional scars that will take lots of time and therapy to heal. All I can say is thank you. Thanks for the sacrifices. I don't like war. I am a peacemaker. But I'm really glad there are those willing to put themselves in harm's way to keep us out of it. I'm glad they have the support of wives, parents, siblings and children to help them adjust and readjust to post-combat life. I'm praying they'll come home safe, sound and in one piece. Who's with me?

A Crazy Recipe

2010-02-17T05:40:00.000-08:00

The other night, I had barely half an hour to get supper fixed for my husband, because we sometimes schedule things in a crazy way and don't get to eat together. I hate for him to work 11 or more hours and have to come home and find food, so I whipped this up right quick! We call it Crazy Mac, because it's Mac and Cheese with a twist.

First, brown a pound of ground beef (or deer or turkey or whatever). Prepare the cheap box of mac-n-cheese according to the directions on the box, but don't mix in the cheese sauce.
In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 2 tablespoons heavy cream and the cheese sauce. If you're not opposed to velveeta, melt a few chunks and throw that in, too.

In that pan of meat, add a can of rotel and stir. Pour the cooked noodles over that, and mix those in. Then add your cheese sauce and combine well. This will be all bubbly and cheesey and smell really, really good.

Finally, top with shredded cheese and turn off the stove eye. (That part's important if you're fixin' to dash off to parts unknown and your husband isn't due home for hours.) Cover and allow to sit, letting all that good gooey stuff melt and mingle.

In case you care enough to copy/paste/print, the ingredients list:
1 lb ground beef
1 can rotel
1 box cheap mac-n-cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbs heavy cream
1 tbs melted butter
Velveeta chunks (optional)

Post Valentine's Musings...

2010-02-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

The best-laid plans are often thwarted. Like hubby's scheme for a weekend get-away that went awry with a single decree from his boss. Working Saturday? Enter Plan B. Which was still a wonderful surprise for the wifey. We had BBQ and bowling, not a weekend at a charming Bed and Breakfast. He also surprised me with a sweet (very large) card and some chocolates. No complaints!

Andy, my ever-humble weenie dog, is having a hard time understanding why Westminster neglected to call him for the third year in a row. He's watched every minute of the televised competitions and keeps waiting to hear them call his name. We're fairly certain that the judges are worried the other dogs will no longer want to participate if they start allowing fine dogs like him!

The cold weather may or may not be contributing to the above delusions.

I know my brain seems to be frozen and cannot manage to produce a single creative thought. Perhaps it will thaw tomorrow.

5 Question Friday!

2010-02-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

This blog carnival was created by Mama M. To see other answers to these same questions, please click on the box above!

1. What is the one thing your love does for you that you can't live without?

Truly? He does so much. I don't mow. Don't weed-eat. Rarely rake leaves. He does that stuff, but I guess I'd go on living if he didn't. We just wouldn't get compliments on how nice the place looks. I am pretty sure he folds clothes more often than I do, so I'd probably live out of baskets if not for his preference. But I could live. Did it for almost three years before we got married. I wouldn't want to live without his sense of humor. He always keeps my spirits up! I could probably live if I took out my own trash, kept up with oil changes, checked my own tires, and all that, but I'd be miserable without his jokes.
2. When did you know your love was "the one"?
The first time he drove my dad's truck and I noticed how much they have in common, I knew I didn't want to let him go!
3. Does your love have a special ringtone on your cell?
Yeah. But it's not romantic or anything, just a different tone than the others.
4. What are you attracted to most in your special someone?
His laugh/smile. The chocolate brown eyes and sweet puppy dog look. (You know the one. That "please don't be mad at me, I'm just a man and I don't know any better" look.) I love the way he looks in his work uniform, both in the morning--Mr. Ready to fix all problems and the evening--tired after a long day and kind of dirty/sweaty/cute. His shoulders/chest are so strong and masculine! I remember thinking as a child how strong and tough my dad was, and now my little girl will get to feel the same way about her amazing dad!
5. Did you know when/where he/she was going to pop the big question?
No. He completely blew me away. I knew he would eventually get around to it, but on the day he'd chosen, I was clueless. Which is exactly how I wanted it!

The Weenie Dog and the Wedding

2010-02-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah, he was there, alright. Call me crazy, but I was determined that if he couldn't walk down the aisle with me (not that we'd EVER give each other away) or stand up by me (since he's short and has trouble with crowds), he'd at least be there for the pictures and the send-off. Here we are outside the church, because my mother couldn't stand the thought of letting an *animal* inside...

Back to where we left off, we originally set the date for the wedding on Dec. 12, 2009. But my wonderful then-fiance managed to finish his degree a full semester earlier than we'd expected. And we found the house we wanted to buy that spring. So we decided to get married in August, instead. August 1, actually. Just happened to fall 10 days before my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. They celebrated early!

The day went off without any real issues, except that it rained, I was tired and cranky, my husband very nearly left our wedding rings at his parents' house and we didn't have a certificate at the ceremony. Other than those *small* things, no issues. Looking back, it was nothing short of perfect--except the rain. We basically enjoyed the service and reception as much as possible while counting down the minutes until we could take our trip to the Great Smokies! (Which was heavenly, by the way.)

And we lived happily ever after for about two months, which is when the morning sickness started...
Go ahead and laugh. It's how I cope! ;)

I'm linking with Mama M!

As well as Katie!

Another Big Announcement....

2010-02-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday we went to the doctor's office for our sonogram/ultrasound/whatever you call it where they take photos of your baby's privates for you to flash around to the world until the little darlin' finally makes an appearance. And, the sonogram says....

It's a Girl!!!

My husband's requested that I not share the photos online (remember that privacy thing we discussed?), but you couldn't make anything out without a degree in interpreting blur, anyhow. He's still recovering from the shock, having convinced himself this tiny being was male. Our tests all turned up normal--baby's weight is good, head shape, good, growth/development, good. Oh, and I'm not as huge as I'd suspected. I don't own scales. Weight's just a number to me. All the same, I had guessed myself to be 4 or 5 lbs. heavier than real life. I'm still feeling so excited!

The Big Question

2010-02-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

A long, long time ago (ok, about 2 years ago), there was a young man who loved his young girlfriend very much. She wanted an engagement ring so bad, but he wanted to be certain that everything was in order before he gave it to her. Being the thoughtful planner that he was, he purchased the ring one weekend following yet another of her hint-dropping trips to the mall's jewlry store. He (of course) never mentioned this fact to her, and took her on several more trips to "make sure he had an idea of what she liked" over the next two months.

July 4 rolled around. She hastily threw overnight items into a bag, packed up her weenie dog and all his supplies and picked up her boyfriend with his goodies on her way to her parents' house to celebrate the Fourth. He had a huge birthday bag for her mother, who's special day he'd missed the month before. Inside the bag (she looked, of course) was the Clinique make-up bag he'd described. She wondered why he did not give it to her mother as soon as he'd seen her, but they were busy with the days activities and she didn't ask. He went off alone with her father and she helped her mother get ready for the barbeque.

Several hours later, he came outside and stopped her near a swing at the house where she grew up. "Don't move," he said. He disappeared into the house and returned with her mother's birthday gift. He insisted that she open it, that it was for her, and she refused to tamper with her mother's present. After some confusion and some further convincing, she opened the bag, and opened the Clinique make-up bag. Inside was a small black box which held the most amazing diamond solitaire. He got down on one knee and looked up at her on the swing, asking, "Will you marry--" and she interrupted (as is her custom) with "YES!" and there was lots of hugging, kissing, and sharing of the news with family.

They tentatively set a date: December 12, 2009. Relatives and friends all smiled when they announced the far-off date, knowing they wouldn't wait that long... but the rest is another story for another day!

Tuesday, Tuesday!

2010-02-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is BabyDay. Not L&D, but gender determination day. And I am So. Very. Excited! Wanna guess/vote? Who thinks this little darling is a girl? Who thinks this super-active, fast-growing little charmer will be just like his dad?

I'll update you THURSDAY on the status. We're also doing the routine blood tests to check for a few unwanted disorders, so if you could just pray for a healthy baby, that's what we need most of all. For the record, boy/girl doesn't matter much to me, but Daddy wants a boy some kind of bad!

Moving on, I had company over for supper last night. We have a Bible study for "young adults" every other Monday and now that Jacob and I are all grown up and married, we're trying to host occaisionally. I served taco soup. Pretty sure everybody everywhere already has this recipe, but I'm sharing it because we enjoyed it and I think other people might, too. (Oh, and it's super easy for those of you who work outside the home!)

You will need:
A crockpot. A big one.
1 can Rotel, any flavor
1 can whole-kernel corn, drained(I've substituted hominy in the past and love it, but Hubby does not)
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can tomato soup
1 cup water (Sometimes you need 1 1/4. Do what looks right. It's soup.)
1 packet Taco seasoning
1 lb. ground beef
Optional: 1 medium onion, diced. (Not in my house...)

Brown ground beef (or whatever ground meat you choose), drain and rinse with hot water. This rinse thing is important, because sometimes there'll be a thick layer of grease on top of your soup if you skip it! You've just completed the hardest part of the recipe. Now, open all those cans, drain the veggies and dump them in the crockpot. Add the rinsed beef and water. Finally, stir in the taco seasoning until well disolved. Simmer on low for an hour. Remember to program it to "keep warm" if you plan on doing this in the morning and heading out for oh, nine hours or so of work before you come back to it. (Don't hate. It's how I get things done, ok?)

Enjoy! I served it with corn chips (thanks, Angela!) shredded cheese and sour cream.

My Friend, Marie

2010-02-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

She lived to be 82 years old and had been married for 62 years. Mother of three sons, grandmother to many, faithful church member and dedicated to making life better for others, she asked for memorial donations to American Cancer Research and a local children's home. She died this weekend, and I'm going to miss her. Her husband is a good friend of my dad's. Last time I saw them, I was wearing a white dress and had my hair all twisted up with a veil. She looked me in the eyes and didn't have to tell me the words. Marriage is what you make it. Make it good. She will be missed. If this Nubbin' is a girl, her middle name will be Marie. Not only because it's my own name, but also because of this special, determined, strong example. I'm hoping to beat that record. J and I are aiming for 63 years!

Another Not Me! Monday!

2010-02-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

I feel like I just finished last week's Not Me! Don't worry, there's plenty of stuff I did NOT do in the week that has flown by!

First up, I'm NOT the kind of person who would wait a full six months after the wedding to semi-finalize a wedding photo order. Nope, NOT ME!

If I did happen to get a bit behind on that photo order, I would NOT whine to my husband that I'm really not the kind of girl who gets pregnant before her wedding pictures come in! I wouldn't cry when I said it, either. Surely, NOT this girl!

I wouldn't feel a desperate need to finally finish that order so my sweet, wonderful photographer could get on with her life. (Ok, I would and I do. She must be sick of hearing my excuses at this point.)

I did NOT read an Elmo book to a three-year-old 4 times this weekend. Yes, the same book. With those *adorable* musical buttons on the side.

I did NOT have a conversation with said three-year-old about heaven, with her telling me how much she absolutely doesn't want to go there. Because those conversations are for parents, not babysitters and I certainly would NOT have asked her why, only to hear her say, "'Cuz I'm not gonna DIE, that's why."

I am NOT craving fried fish. At all. Cap'n D's is NOT healthy mommy food. And so I will NOT be getting some at some point in the near future.

Oh, and finally, I did NOT spend the weekend in a mad cleaning spree only to be out-clean-freaked by my husband, who finished it last night after the big game. I am NOT feeling somewhat sorry for the sweet guy, and very glad at the same time that I'll be able to sit still for a little while before our guests show up!

Five Question Friday!

2010-02-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

1. What are you most afraid of?

Many, many things scare me. The dark, fire, animals larger than me who seem predatory, dying, losing my husband (to death, I mean. I've never really had a reason to fear him up and leaving. He knows he's got it made with me =), flying, climbing huge flights of stairs (the larger I get, the worse that gets!) and giving birth. I'm sure there are others, but I think that's probably enough for now!

2. Do you use a flat iron or curling iron?

Um. I try very, very hard to look presentable with as little actual effort as possible. Most of the time, I wash it, brush it and let it air-dry. It's naturally straight. On those days that something "extra" is required (a date, my wedding, an important work event, church) I curl it with hot rollers. These are rare and special. I HATE spending too much time on my appearance.

3. Hands-free or phone to the ear?

Phone to ear only when necessary. I rarely call people "just to talk." If you get one of those calls, you are VERY special. I get enough phone time at work, thankyaverymuch. While we're on the subject, I absolutely cannot stand it when people use those hands-free devices in the restroom. The fact that your hands are free doesn't mean your time is! I have so often heard people having serious chats amid the flushing of neighboring toilets and it. Burns. Me. Up. Take that 30 seconds for yourself!

4. Do you have a matching bedroom set?

Yes. My in-laws bought it for my very spoiled husband before we married and it's WONDERFUL. He has excellent taste. And he came by it honest, as my Gma would say!
5. Do you believe in the paranormal?

Well, sort of. I am a Christian. I believe that God hears my prayers and he's always with me. That gives me great peace about that laundry list of fears, as well as any other "beings" that may or may not occupy this earth. I've never encountered an angel, demon or ghost. Honestly, I have absolutely no desire to learn first-hand of their existance/role with humanity. I'm content with the knowledge that God is in control!

Doing it ALL...

2010-02-04T12:09:00.001-08:00

Flew out the window. The schedule has taken a nose dive this week. I'm pencilling in a bubble bath, foot massage and some chocolate. STAT.

Here's hoping the camera and computer will get along better next week. I miss picutures. Also, perhaps I'll be slightly more motivated to finish my housework. Anybody else bailing on responsibility?

Joy

2010-02-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

This morning, I sipped piping hot Tazo tea on my way to work. Just for the joy of it.

As the steamy, aromatic warmth made its way down my throat, I didn't notice how cold and wet it was outside. I forgot about the pain in my back and the (constant) need to head to a ladies' room and the headache that won't go away. I just focused instead on the soothing spicy blend in my cup. I think it warmed my heart, ya'll. I found myself being nice when others were nasty. I even remembered to breathe deep and count to ten before responding with sarcasm. I sent a love note (text) to my honeybunnysnugglebuddy.

I'm thankful for tea on Thursday morning. I'm thinking of making this a regular part of my daily commute!

Copy Cat: One Word Answers

2010-02-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

Your Cell Phone? Old

Your Hair? Straw

Your Mother? Funny

Your Father? Brilliant

Your Favorite Food? Pasta

Your Dream Last Night? Forgotten

Your Favorite Drink? Water

Your Dream/Goal? Writing

What Room Are You In? Office

Your Hobby? Writing

Your Fear? Failure

Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? Kindergarten!

Where Were You Last Night? Home

Something That You Aren't? Shy

Muffins? Please!

Wish List Item? Crib?

Where Did You Grow Up? Mississippi

Last Thing You Did? Yawn

What Are You Wearing? Clothes!

Your TV? Obnoxious

Your Pets? Weird

Friends? Wonderful!

Your Life? Busy

Your Mood? Annoyed

Missing Someone? Parents

Vehicle? Rhonda!

Something You Aren't Wearing? Jacket

Your Favorite Store? Online

Your Favorite Color? Red

When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Lunch

Last Time You Cried? Yesterday

Your Best Friend? J

One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Work

Facebook? Nevermore

Favorite Place To Eat? Anywhere!

Having Read Over 20 Birth Stories In One Day...

2010-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

I've decided not to stress over the natural issues. If I can do it without the epidural, good. If it's too uncomfortable or my doctor advises me to take it, I'll take it. Read somewhere that you can do it on a bed of nails or a cloud, but either way the end result is the same. Nice way to look at it, I think.

Can it be July yet? I really, really want to know if the baby's eyes will be blue or brown...

If I Could Do It Again...

2010-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

You know, I'd do it the same...

Probably not, but thanks Corey Smith, for the sentiment. At least, not always the same.
Today's question asks: If you could do-over a part of your life, what would it be?

I could write a book, but I'll start with a *brief* list.

1. Back in Junior High, I should have entered a writing contest. I was intimidated by the other contestants and didn't. I might've won, but now I'll never know. And it still bugs me.
2. I shouldn't have been so aggravated at my husband on his way out the door, eight minutes late this morning. Sleeping late (or lying there, pretending to be asleep) isn't really that big of a deal. Why do I let stuff like that drive me nuts? It didn't make ME late!
3. I should have taken a sleeping pill the night before my wedding and skipped on the girlfriend time. Wouldn't have been nearly as edgy and irritable on my big day.
4. I should have eaten the whole rack of ribs at Corky's on our honeymoon. We split one and I still want more... six months later.
5. Finally, I REALLY should have been more happy when I graduated from college. My parents were thrilled, my (then fiance) husband was thrilled and I was bummed, having not a clue where my life would go.

I guess we all have regrets, but I think that the experiences we'd like to change make us better people. Sure, there's a date I wouldn't have gone on if I'd known then what I know now. There are guys I wouldn't have spoken with, there are girls I'd not have chosen to befriend. There are events that should have been skipped and others I should have attended. But without the crud, you don't know how to appreciate what you've got. In other words, without the frogs, I wouldn't have recognized the prince!

Click here to read more!

My Friend & My Calendar

2010-02-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine who actually reads this blog is having a complicated knee surgery today. I'm thinking of her (and praying) because she's really special to me. Her life is a Christian example for me to follow, and her advice is always welcome! Nothing like hearing someone say they enjoyed a particular post!

This is a sample of the upcoming events at Briggs Central:
Monday--Supper: Brown (Pinto) Beans and Cornbread; 2 loads laundry; 2 scrapbook pages.
Tuesday--Supper: Lasagne w/deer meat and garlic bread/green beans; 1 load laundry; dishes; clean floors (NCIS!) clear clutter.
Wednesday--Supper out; Bible Class
Thursday--May or may not be date night. If not, Supper: Homemade pizza; Bathroom scrub-down.
Friday--If date night wasn't yesterday, Date night; Laundry; dusting; clear clutter.
Saturday--finish it all up! =)

J is still working on painting the kitchen, fixing bars/shelves in the master closets and figuring out what to do about the master bath. Progress is a slow animal in the winter. Wish we could all just hibernate like fat bears...

Not Me!

2010-02-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

IF somebody in my house waited three days to do dishes, it certainly would NOT have been me! I did NOT avoid phone calls for several hours on Saturday afternoon because I needed to get some scrapbooking done. I do NOT enjoy focusing on the creative stuff while avoid the drudgery. Yeah, that would be laundry. Since that did NOT happen, there's no way I spent Sunday evening finishing laundry. I am NOT fighting off yet another headache. I am NOT looking forward to beans and cornbread for supper tonight! Join MckMama to see what everyone else is NOT doing!

More Birthing Thoughts

2010-01-29T13:58:00.000-08:00

I've asked my husband to be certain of two things when we are headed to the hospital. My toenails must be painted and I should be wearing lipstick.

He's promised not to take pictures of my face (or other anotomy) in any unflattering poses.

No one is allowed to visit until my face has been wiped down and I've had a moment with him and the baby. I know the parents and family will be so anxious to see us, but this is our time. We should have it, together. And I'd like a small mirror to check my face before introducing that little one.

As you can see, my priorities are in perfect order.

The ~~shrinking~~ non-existant waistline is certainly wearing on my self-image.

Andy Goes to the VET!

2010-01-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. The little dog must sum up all eight pounds of his courage and pretend to be brave while poked, prodded and drugged. Vaccines, exams and (of course) treats. Lucky for him, his human mommy is VERY understanding about "white coat syndrome" and always tries to make it better.

1. He gets a healthy dose of Benadryl 30 minutes before the appointment. Almost three years ago, Andy had a bad reaction to his vaccines, but since they bundle them, we've got no idea which ones caused it.

2. He gets to wear a fancypants halter with his blue leash. And mark whatever territory he chooses outside the clinic.

3. We visited a new vet this time. Our last one was amazing, but I didn't feel like driving into town on a Saturday to see her and there was NO WAY I'd get off work in time to come home, pick him up and make it there before they closed. Enter new vet. Who has an office right beside his house and who's basically on call 24-7. Who also has a special love for weenie dogs.

4. Doc passed the test. Andy liked him. He was gentle and soothing, let Andy stay in my lap and shiver while he checked out his heartbeat (good!), teeth (great!), skin (not so good), eyes and ears (both wonderful!). Andy didn't even whimper when the blood was drawn from his tiny canine wrist. The injection was smooth and quick, gone before he knew what was happening. Labwork revealed that the scare we'd had with heartworms is now gone. Forever. We got a great Rx for his itchy skin (allergies!) and headed home for an hour of cuddle time and some good sandwich meat. (For him.)

Can this be considered a trial run for the pediatrician's office? I did what I could to make it better. I followed the recommendations, but only after I'd researched those vaccines myself. You better believe I studied up on the Rx's side effects before he got it, too. I know there aren't that many parallels between infants and weenie dogs, but the weight is similar and the needs are, too. I keep him safe, warm, dry and happy. I provide a clean environment and make sure he can't get anything he doesn't need in his mouth. I feed him a (basically) balanced diet. I'll be ok with the Nubbin', right?

Excuse my ~~momentary insanity~~ insecurity...

Five Question Friday!

2010-01-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

Join Mama M!

1. Would you ever vacation alone?
There is no way that I could ever vacation alone. I barely make trips to the grocery store by myself, so there's no way! However, sometimes I think it would be pleasant to spend a night or two in a fancypants hotel all by my lonesome, with no spending limit on room service or anything...
2. Do you go the speed limit?
Yes. I'm very careful to always obey the rules. For the other drivers' sake. And because we Briggs folks just don't have very great luck when it comes to the officers who regulate that kind of thing...
3. Why did you start blogging/following blogs?
I read a few blogs by people I knew in real life. Then, one of them introduced me to PW and I thought I'd like to share a few random and hilarious bits of my life with interested persons, too. I'll never be that good. But writing little posts, poems, stories, etc. keeps me sharp. It's very nice to know that I've written something that somebody is reading!
4. Where do you shop for yourself?
Hahaha. I don't, really. I have a closet full of clothes and I purchased very few of them. I have friends who outgrow and pass down, or I pick stuff up on sale when I need it. Maternity shopping has been mostly at the Doodlebug in town, or in Belk. I love Ann Taylor Loft for professional wear and I like Old Navy for pretty much everything else.
5. What was the song that you danced your first dance with your spouse to at your wedding...or...what song would you like your first dance to be to?
We didn't dance. :( Our wedding song was "I'll Still Be Loving You" by Restless Heart. I love the words... endless commitment and devotion. The line "When today is just a memory for me, I know... I'll still be loving you..." makes me tear up. August is a memory. We've got much bigger fish to fry at this point, with the baby coming. But even when this baby is grown and gone out into the real world to marry and raise a family, I'll be able to look into his/her dad's eyes and say, "I still love you."

Grab My Button!

2010-01-26T05:39:00.000-08:00

<a href="http://becomingbriggs.blogspot.com/"

title="Becoming Briggs">

<img src="http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn287/lifeafterbc/Elizabeth/BecomingBriggsButton.jpg"

/></a>

Thanks to Elizabeth, I've now got a supercute button for you all to add to your sidebars... if you wish! She's been so kind to crown me queen and present me with this button of my very own!

Queen for a Week!

2010-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Elizabeth from Confessions of a Working Mom!

If you are visiting from her blog, thanks for celebrating my reign! You are welcome here! Enjoy!

Sometimes Good Enough is Enough!

2010-01-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

Remember my word for the year? Serenity. In an effort to promote peace and tranquility in my home and my life, I've been learning to rearrange priorities.

For one, the cleaning schedule really has helped. Rather than feel buried in disarray and chores on the weekends, I'm tackling one or two small jobs a day and maintaining a (relatively) clean home. This doesn't mean I've got everything where it should be. In fact, if you walked into my kitchen at this very moment, you'd see dirty dishes in the sink. But as long as I'm working 5 days a week and attending social funcitons and living what I consider to be my best life, this is how it's going to be. My husband is happier at home. He doesn't get a huge "help me" list, because my own list is shrinking. I don't care if the clean clothes spend a few days on the couch or guest bed before they make it to the drawers. He certainly doesn't. Having clean clothes matters to him. He's even helped me fold them. Twice.

Meal planning is not exactly the hit that I thought it would be, but I can see some improvement in that area, too. Rather than stick to some regimented "Beans on Monday" plan, we sit down on Sunday afternoon and choose six dinners that we'll eat the following week. We have leftovers for lunch, or we have sandwiches. The grocery trips are more organized and I'm finding that there's not so much duplication. I list what I need for those six meals plus a small amount of (usually frozen) breakfast items and sandwich fixings. I'm not randomly buying ground beef (we've actually stopped buying it. Deer season. No need.), chicken breasts, roasts, steaks, etc. and hoping for the best. Seriously. That was before serentity came to my kitchen. Still haven't changed my views on once-a-month cooking (it's insane!), but the freezer and crockpot are becoming more friendly.

The household planner has helped in some ways. We have a reminder for important events, as well as a guide for meal ideas and a place to store recipes on the fly. (I print them off blogs and then never remember where they went. Problem solved! Check the notebook!) It's also been good to record exactly which day is for vacuuming and which is shower scrub.

The past couple of weeks have worked something like this:
Mon.-Laundry-wash towels/sheets, dry them, wash Sunday clothes and hang to dry. (I HATE Mondays. So they're low-key as much as possible. By doing ONLY laundry on that day, I'm able to watch tv with my husband and have fun instead of finishing a bad day with tons of housework.) Supper: Heat and Eat meal from freezer, cooked in one pan and served on Dixie's finest paperware.
Tues.-Fold and put away towels and sheets & Sunday clothes. Wash/dry one load. Spray and wipe down shower, tub, toilet, sink. Fold "extra" laundry. (This would be those ~~ten or so~~ few loads that were cleaned over the weekend but escaped the folding process to land on the guest bed. 30-minute meal for supper. This week it was bacon-deerburgers. Served with (what else?) potato chips for the hubs and some fresh veggies for me.
Wed.- Laundry-one load. Eat out for supper with J's parents before Bible Class.
Thurs.- Supper with neighbors at their house. Pick up dessert after work. Laundry--one load wash/dry. One load folded. Vacuum floors.
Fri.- Kitchen deep clean, rid fridge of trash, sanitize microwave, sweep & mop well, shine sink, put away clean dishes and wash any dirty ones. No laundry. Homemade pizza or dinner out.
Sat.- Laundry--all remaining loads (one or two unless something awful happened) washed and (hopefully) folded. Change bedding, dust as needed, organize room of the week. (More on that later. Basically, it takes a little more than seven days to destroy a perfectly organized room. So, once a week I clean out the pantry or move things in the bathroom cabinets to the appropriate spaces or check to make sure the sock drawer is as it should be.)
God rested on Sunday. I do, too.

Obviously, there are tasks that are so mundane that they don't make the list. Sweeping is done regularly, usually at whatever point I notice dirt in the floor. Clearing the house of clutter is a never-ending battle, but I'm finding creative solutions--such as hooks for keys and shelves for nasty boots, belts, walkie-talkie clips, cell phone chargers, etc. that really help. I try to keep the living room and bathroom presentable at all times. Basically, having a schedule that's flexible enough for us to stick with works for me!

Andy's Issues with 2010

2010-01-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

My ever-faithful weenie dog cannot stand change. Lately, he's been confused with random holidays which lead to more attention (New Year's Eve/Day/MLK) and lonely hours where he's got the house to himself and can nap undisturbed. Trouble is, he never knows if it'll be a snuggle on the couch day or a lonesome day counting the hours until we get home. In addition to the constant people vs. no people, there have been strangers in the house. They mess with the electricity and make lots of noise, then leave. (My amazing father-in-law fixed the wiring issue in the nursery.) There's also this cleaning-everything-out stuff. His mom is on a cleaning spree to rival all others. She's obviously trying to empty the room with green paint. She's also blocked entry into the room and doesn't Andy to visit her when she's there. (Side note--the books say to do this. Teach the dog that baby's room is off limits. Considering that he never went in there before, I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal. I was wrong. He barks at the closed door.) Finally, her lap is shrinking and she doesn't like to be jumped on anymore.

Oh, the changes this year will hold for my sweet boy!

5QF

2010-01-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

Joining Mama M this week!
1. Worst trouble you ever got into as a teenager?
Really wasn't much of a trouble making teen. I guess the night my parents (read: my father) freaked out the most, I had gone out to eat with friends and expected to be home around 10:00 p.m. at the latest. There was a random series of events involving a trip to WalMart, a flat tire and a dead cell phone battery. Basically, I didn't get home until after 2:00 a.m. and my dear, sweet dad was sick with worry. Sitting at the kitchen table reading the Bible and praying that I wasn't dead in a road ditch somewhere. My mother was peacefully dozing and completely oblivious until the next day!
2. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Morning! (Although, I prefer that my morning begin at 6 or later, not so big a fan of the 4-5:50 start of day routine.) I'm kind of like Cinderella, but my cut-off usually hits before midnight. My husband is a night-owl. It's a constant struggle.
3. Are you a one-handed or a two-handed Texter?

One. Just learned to do it that way and always have.
4. Democrat, Republican, or Independent..or maybe even Green Party (whatever that is).

Registered Independent (18 was a confusing time. I didn't want to choose between two people I love dearly who were on opposite sides of the fence.) I vote by the candidate, and my views are very conservative.
5. Are you a pet person?
Yes! The more the merrier! I'd have horses and chickens now if I could afford to feed them and sell my husband on the idea. I've always grown up around animals and I can't imagine not having some around. My husband, however, had two brief childhood experiences with expensive puppies and both ended badly. He's allergic to dogs and is not a big fan of any animal. I'm working on him. Andy helps!

Scenery

2010-01-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

This is the veiw from the pack porch of our honeymoon cabin. I wish I was back there right now. I

need a recharge on my batteries and a break from the madness that is every day life!

Expert Advice

2010-01-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

My grandmother, a constant source of advice and information, recently shared with me her opinion of childbirth. Having endured the process nine times, once with a breech birth and once with no medication whatsoever, I trust her thoughts on the matter more than most anybody I know.

This is a summary: Take all the drugs they offer and ask for more should you feel anything. If a C-section is offered, take that chance. Trust me. Knocked out is better than awake.

When I told her that I was thinking of going "all natural," she chuckled and said, "Let me know how that works out for ya!"

Got Some Ideas Brewin'

2010-01-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

I've taken an unofficial break from writing, and (obviously) blogging lately. I'm so caught up in just covering bases that the details have temporarily fallen by the wayside. Wow, was that an elaborate excuse or what?

So, here's the carefully organized collection of updates:

Writing--Still working on my NaNoWriMo piece, with a goal of 5,000 words (new or revised) by January 31. There are about 50,000 words in my head, but getting those things out has been a difficult process. Also, a children's story in the works. Hubs has illustration ideas. We're thinking of making homemade story books for our Nubbin'.

House Reno--Attempting to organize, declutter, clean and sort this week. Basically, that covers everything from the office-turned-nursery to the kitchen and beyond. I can see real progress here, and that really encourages me! The office area had for months been a dumping ground for off-season items and extra decorative pieces.

Health/Pregnancy--I don't want to jinx it by saying "so long, morning sickness!" but it seems that the problem has at least greatly improved, if not solved itself. I've learned when to eat. I also learned the times when I probably shouldn't attempt to swallow food. Or smell it or see it or even think about it for more than a few seconds...

Work--Moving still in progress, adjustment still in progress, progress still in progress...

Just two more days until the weekend! =) We're having some wonderful friends over Friday night for supper. Always great to have something to look forward to, right?

5 Question Friday!

2010-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

Carnival created by Mama M.

1. What's your "comfort food"?

Right now, soups and bisques and anything steamy and liquid-y and good! It changes with the season, though. I always make a garden-fresh pasta salad at the beginning of summer, with tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, pasta and a thick, fattening dressing. It's just not summer until I've had that!

2. Do you send Thank You Notess (handwritten or email)?
I do handwritten thank you notes. I try to be timely and get them out within a week or two, but some of the wedding gifts weren't answered until after the honeymoon, even though the last shower was a good three weeks before the ceremony. It was a busy time for me, and our friends were VERY generous.

3. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Either The Andy Giffith Show, I Love Lucy, or Happy Days.
4. What is your favorite online recipe site?

PW. No doubt. Tasty Kitchen. Same/same.
5. If you had to choose: "Friends" or "Seinfeld"?

Friends!! I don't mind Seinfield, but I seriously LOVE Friends even as a re-run. Got several seasons on DVD.

This has been a crazy week in my life and at my job. I shared the Nubbin' news earlier this week, and all went well. Thanks for the advice from everybody about when and how!