Kitchen remodel update

So we went out & finalized the countertop!! Woot woot !!

So this is what we are starting with. 

We went to a granite shop today, to look at granite slabs. We found this slab we liked . 

Better up close picture. 

As luck would have us. They had a installation cancellation, in 2 weeks. Since we aren't waiting on other contractors to finish other work, like cabinets, electricians, or plumbers; we can do the 2 week install date. !! Otherwise there is a 8 week wait. 

They encouraged us to put the granite in& then do the backsplash later, so we can get used to the granite & then decide which color we want to pull into our kitchen. That's fine with us, because that's where we were getting stuck. 

Glimmer of hope

My eyes started to sparkle, when I saw the name on the caller ID.

Dr. G at 8:09PM

Only to be greeted by a new nurse, who was working late, because she has tomorrow off. Dang it !

Majorly disappointed!

Is it bad that I saved my Dr.'s cell phone # in my phone, because he called me that one time after a surgery & didn't block his phone #. Just once I wish I would get enough gut to just call him.

This playing cat & mouse with nurses is driving me batty !!

The best part, is she really couldn't do anything for me, because the entire off is shut down, but she was making her last few phone calls so she could go.

This all started 11 days ago, when I sent a fax requesting a refill on my progesterone. Let's step back to, after my last visit with him, I said he had to be ALL or nothing for me, I was sick of calling the NaPro doctor for prescriptions & blood draws & going to him for all the local stuff. I told him he had to be on his "A" game, told him point blank your office people drop the ball A LOT..

When I needed the refill on the progesterone, my mind wandered A) Should I just e-mail my NaPro doctor & have him do it B) make an appointment w/ the New NaPro doctor C) stick it out with Dr. G .  Soo I opted for C.  I wrote everything out on the fax, because he's never prescribed these to me, Dr. P had done it before. 

So a couple days go by & I check my online pharmacy portal, no prescription yet, weekend comes & goes and I get busy. 8 Days after my fax I get a call from the office.. Famouse for calling outside of hours, she called me during their lunch hour, so, I couldn't call back & talk to them.  Her message stated, they got my fax from the day before ( hhmm  well it was a week ago ), and that the Dr. had approved my refill & they would send it to my mail order pharmacy.  So my refill just reached the pharmacy today. I get an e-mail stating that it's not going to ship for another week ! What!  Why I don't know. So needless to say, I don't have my progesterone for when I need it. So who knows what kinda crazy cycle things my body will do without it. So heading into TTC part of the cycle, I figure probably not wise to TTC without progesterone support for it.

So then comes my dilemna that I need to contact the doctor to get my Femara refilled. So I call  the sweet receptionist in the far away office, to ask her if she knows if the doctor has been ill/out/sick/what the heck took so long to get my refill? She says sorry !! She doesn't know, but they have some new nurses. She must have mentioned something to the doc, cuz here I have a call back in a day. 

So the Dr. Won't fill my Femara, until I have HCG drawn, & oh the sweet girl who called me at 8:09 tonight, can't schedule the blooddraw, because she's the only one working, so i'm going to have to call back tomorrow & try to explain this to someone all over again!  I did get the answer to how many cycles can I take Femara.  3-6 cycles of consecutive Femara.  I assume he figures I have been on Femara since December ( becuase that's when he gave me "approval" to DTD after our loss.)  Since he didn't call & they didn't ask,the reality  is that I've only taken it 2 cycles & none of those cycles, were actively TTC, because of hubs working stupid/dang snow storms.

So if you're on this same wave length as me now, catch my drift, I probably won't be having a 2014 baby. The window this cycle is gone.

So yeah, if it is to happen, I will be officially in my 4-0's  if God Grace's us with another child.

Sewing/Knitting Ministry

I read an article on FB about a Ministry that ladies are taking old wedding dresses and turning them into clothes for little ones in the hospital. The ladies made them with old wedding dresses, because most times, the little ones had already passed/or close to death & would be prepared for baptism in a white gown.

I can say, I've been touched by a similar ministry. When our son Andrew was born at 21 weeks, I was not prepared. I did not even have a hospital bag packed, nor was I prepared at the time to have clothes for our child who was so small, too small for even preemie clothes. Andrew was 11.9 " and weighed right around 1 pound.

He was wrapped in a blanket when he was first delivered, after that our caring nurse Anne, brought him back to us, dressed in a  gown that was sewn by ladies from a local church, and a hand knit hat that fit his head so perfectly.

The gown (pictured below) was white with blue stripes. They were lovingly made by the ladies, for little ones like our Andrew, so that he was treated with dignity, and didn't have to leave wrapped only in a blanket. His little knit hat was mint green, with a pom-pom on top, which fit his head about the size of a kiwi. His outfit was designed so that it was easy for them to slip his body into, so it was like a newborn onesie-gown.

Not everyone is called to this ministry of sewing outfits for little saints, or knitting hats, but you could always make a donation to groups that do, to defray costs of materials. I'm sure they would greatly appreciate the generosity. Moms like me, say thank you to these ladies, for so sewing & praying for the little ones.

FCP

I tried to contact the new FCP in our diocese.

I thought it was a prerequisite that you all were nice, kind, and sweet.

Apparently this one is not.

I get a fair amount of people inquiring about NFP locally & would love to have a kind local person to direct them to.  This new person, will definitely not be it.

That was my biggest struggle getting into Cr.eighton, was making the 1 1/2 hour commute and commitment to go for instruction. To most people who maybe on the fence, that is a turn off. I do have a sweet FCP, but the center she was affiliated with closed & with her own family & fertility issues, is not in the position to open a center, so is on sabbatical.

So I contacted the new person in my diocese, to see if could get a blank chart from her, she informed me that I would have to come to an intro session, and "learn" how to before I could just "chart". Tried to explain, I know how to chart, I just need a chart, she in turn, is going to tell me what I do & don't know.

What I do know, is she won't "sell" me a chart, unless I learn to chart, her way. ( didn't know she had her own Cr.eighton charting method ). Sorry I wont' be sending any referrals your way!

I figured since I've been MIA in the charting, I figured I would do it legitimately for the next cycle, on the legal chart and all that, instead of my hokey-method.  I guess I'll keep with what I've been doing..

March 25 - Pray for our Religious Liberty

St. Thomas More, patron of religious liberty,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas,
pray for us and for the United States of America.

Pray on March 25 for our Religious Liberty

Little happies vol 4

1. Spending time with my husband this weekend.

2. Shopping for tile backsplash . We both like something like this. 

3. The granit countertop we like looks something like this. The place we went only does granite squares. So we are going to a granite slab store later this week. 

4. Also this glass tile combo makes me happy too.?  What's a girl to do? 

5. Last week of hockey( hopefully) cuz our team is not doing so well in playoffs. 

Dagger to the heart



So I found out today, that G, who has been married about 2 years, is pregnant.

She was adamently on BC, because she does not want children.

I get that people change their minds & she is  married, but she obviously does not care about her unborn child. As she has posted so many pictures out drinking in the last 6 months. She is about 17-18 weeks.
 

When we were pregnant. We got a bunch of flack for discussing baby shower logistics. Now for her, it's no questions asked, carte blanche.

I found out from someone else, today, about an hour before the big FB reveal, but my  husband hid it from me for the last 2 months, he was told that long ago. He was trying to protect my feelings. Probably has something with his mood to TTC now ( non -exsistent ).

The best part of the last week, is another S called about helping with a party, but really didn't discuss it too much when I shut her down. The first party she was talking about was a birthday for someone else. She went on about how I'm so organized & come up with the best ideas & themes. (yes I do) but I flat out told her not helping, because none of her familia have apologized for what happened at Christmas & I'm not in a position to do any of them favors. So now I realize what the real party was that they needed help with ( baby shower ) which they already have a date in mind. Hmmm sad, because mine was an afterthought.

I realize I'm super sensitive to the whole thing right now, but none of the family is sensitive to us, nor recognizing our child(ren) in heaven.

Kitchen

This is the post where I show my disgustingness kitchen.

Ok, I realize it could be much worse. We replaced the stove & dishwasher, because they stopped working. The refrigerator is on our list to replace as is the countertops and the knobs. 

My big dilemma is dark or light countertops. Then if we should put in a glass tile black splash? We are going out looking for granite .

We have a new vent fan ready to be installed. 

I need to pick up the knobs & switch those out.  

I do love the stove we picked out. Gas, the entire top is one big grate. 

Today I

When you start a new cycle, are you one of those ladies who checks to see what your estimated due date is, if you conceive that cycle?

I admit on occasion I do check it.

Today I realized, that this is my last cycle to TTC , that would result in a due date before I turn 4-0.

I'm not sure how I feel about  not TTC anymore, or still holding on for hope. I am a bit discouraged, because I contacted my doctors office earlier in the week to get a refill on my progesterone & they haven't called it in yet.

Is that a sign?

I'll be praying, for clarity in what to do.

Nature

Got my first nature box in the mail today( no I'm not getting paid from them)

So in the box, honey macadamia pretzel pops, Santa Fe corn stix, sweet blueberry almonds, southern BBQ sunflower kernels, and roasted sea salt chickpeas. 

Excited to try some new treats. Sad the hubs is on his nut free diet. 

Changes.

My husband went to the dermatologist for some red spots he hasn't been able to get rid of, for most of the winter. He assumed it was from the salt/chemicals he uses.

He finally got sick of me nagging and went to the doctor.

Well the doctor gave him a prescription for a cream, and in my husbands words " gave me  pile of papers you're gonna have to read ".

Diet modifications. They advised him it's not going to get better unless he eliminates a bunch of things in his diet. ( wouldn't listen to his wife ) who told him he shouldn't have some of these things.  So he has to elminate dairy, condiments; mustard, ketchup, mayo, etc. Soy Sauce, Coffee, chocolate, iodized salt. He wouldn't answer me on Soda Pop. Edit: also no nuts, peanut butter, soda, smoked meat, & pickles. I found out when I got home that his face cream he needs is $400 for a months supply. Thanks to 0-care.

I hope with him having to make these modifcations, it will jump start him to eating better. He's not going to like it at first, but once we find some things he does like it will be better.

The last time he was in for a physical, the doctor let him slide, cuz I was pregnant & he said he was emotionally eating & said, well once you have the baby, you'll lose the weight. Well since their is no baby in our forefront. Now is a good time to start the losing.

For me, I could spare to still lose about 15-20 lbs. So I am starting the Light Weigh program next week, with some ladies from my "closed" parish. I have some reservations, since a few of the ladies are the "super fertile" type, but I will put that aside to learn something new. This is the first time they are doing a meeting at night. This group has done a bunch of the small group studies, but always during the day, so since I work, I've never been able to participate.

To help me along, I just bought a new Paleo cook/book a couple of weeks ago,  that I've made a couple of recipes from. Now that our taxes are done, I've had more time to "read" at night instead of watching TV.

Any suggestions how to get an unmotivated husband to do some exercise?

Little Happies Vol 3

Join the Link up &  visit Blessed to Be for more little happies

1.happy to see her for the last 9 days.

But sadly going to miss her. I know keep it happy. She's going to be back in June!!

2.  Got a new SUV last week, after a lotta car drama. That was the happy result. 

3. This little guy thinks his cousins clothes are more interesting than his. 

It's the cool hat where the tail moves when you squeak the pompoms, makes him giggle. So it makes me happy.

4. Selfies!! Had to help him switch the screen so it pointed at him. 

It's a work in progress, but he's my techie boy. Don't leave the phone out. He will find it & play games or take pictures. 

5. Hockey. With winter starting to die down, hubs and I finally got a date night. Went to the last season game. 

They are playoff bound, but not sure how far they will make it. 

Car Problems solved

 

Car problems of the week solved. Picking this one up tomorrow ( well in Blue ) . Did the deal.. mostly by myself ( a little help from my brother). But negotiated all the big stuff on my own.

 

I really like my old SUV, but it's just not meant to be I guess. This is not my forever car, so I am just in a lease & I can look for my longer term car then.

 

Thank you to everyone that commented on my last post. I really appreciate the thoughts & prayers, as I navigated this.

I have two things to do in the morning, Cancel my Satellite radio on my current SUV  and call the insurance company.  Going to pick this up in the afternoon.

Major Bummer.

So the SUV I bought 5 years ago, the car I planned on keeping for 10 years. The SUV I really, really like. Has taken a turn for the worse. Major mechanical failure. Major $$$ to fix, sadly a few months outside of the " warranty " so huge expense to us. Just wish this winter would let up.

So my hopes for a vacation in transition time ( the time between snow plowing & grass cutting ) probably won't happen now.

So I've got to find a car tonight. By myself, cuz my husband is snow plowing, and I have been borrowing cars all week.

Morning commute

About a month ago, I showed you this stretch of my commute that I white knuckle, while driving.

I don't have a super good picture. But there were 3 cars in the ditch, caught up in the icy mess we have. 

Old trusty

This was my ride today, I love her. She is always there for me in a pinch. She's the vehicle we purchased right after we got married( although she was pre-loved) . She is about 18 years young. She loves us, as much as we love her.  She doesn't like the potholes soo much. 

My much bigger and much more expensive SUV , decided to take an unauthorized break yesterday. So I had to rely on my trusty girl to get me to work today.

Since she has a bigger purpose, than transporting me around. She is going out tonight to work, plowing what I hope is the last snowfall of the season.

 The real me knows that spring does not really mean snow stops. There are two more storms in the week forecast. 

Oh yeah we are going to break the record for most snowfall in a season. We are 9 inches away from the record set in 1880. I'm sure we'll exceed it soon! 

Little Happies Vol 2

Last week I promised pictures of my Happies this week.

So here we go.

1. Little Ginger trying to feed the dog, her pouch of babyfood. She's crawling everywhere, she's pulling herself up on the furniture, but not intersted in walking on her own yet.. She is interested in seeing what her 2 older cousins are up to. We have to constantly remind them to not leave any "little" things out.. so no legos this week. She's found their cars interesting. Besides her fire red hair, she dislikes clothes.. she is content in a diaper or onesie only. she will take her socks off & hide them, if you dare put them on her.

2. Little boys..  E & B..  relaxing before bed.. ( this was the first night their mommy was gone) the little one, twirls his hair when he's tired ( or hair on anyone around him ). They were chillaxing in grandpa's big recliner.

3. My nephew E .. Day 3 of mommy being gone. I took them sledding on the "big" mountain in the driveway.

4. My nephew B .. who loves -- to shovel. To bad it's taller than him. The snow is even with the deck.. 2 steps down to the lawn, are completely gone.  He's going to make a good husband some day.. He loves to vacuum too !!

5. Last week, I mentioned about our family history.. well this picture was interesting.. It's of my grandmothers -uncle, who was a farmer in Kalamazoo, MI.

 

Bonus happy !!

6. Little B  .. Will eat all his dinner if it's Pizza , or as he calls it Pizza-Pizza. He had 2 slices.!! Had to clean him up after his Pizza dinner.

I wish you a Happy Week !

Little Happies Vol. 1

Linking up with Stephanie at Blessed to Be.. for my first little happies.

1. I bought a new book for myself this weekend, I skimmed it very quickly. I have my eye on a few recipes in it already. 1) Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes  (need pumpkin to make them )  2) Grilled Butternut Squash & Pineapple. YUMM I made it last night, without using the butter or ghee. 3) Ghee - I will expand on it a little more later, but kinda excited to make my own.

2. Nature box .. Found an awesome deal on it, not sure who's going to be the recipient of it yet.

3. Getting to see my little niece at the end of the week, she's coming here vs. us flying there.

4. Someone in my family is working on geneology & traced my dad's family back to 1700's in massachusetts.  Aparently the family was in charge of some flag & there are many places out that way with our family name on it ( libraries, schools, etc )  

5.  The village is watching my nephews this coming week. You ask what's a village.. Well I was supposed to be busy with work, so my youngest sister & my niece are flying in  to help, the boys will stay with my mom, but can run her out really easily.. so I'll have to be reinforcement in the evenings. You know help with baths, brushing teeth & getting them to bed, things that can tire anyone out.    Will post pictures for next week happies !

Brrr

Another day that starts out like this.

7 in 7 Day 6

I read this article today, about a boy who found $ 20 .

It warmed my heart. That this boy, thought more of someone else than himself.

When I've been given unexpected money this past year, I've made sure to donate to some organization, several times it's been to a local pregnancy center, then to a homeless shelter in our community. I often wish I could work full time for a non-profit. Hmm well I still have a little over half my work career to make a career change.

If you were given(found) some money that you weren't expecting, what would you do with it?