Busy, busy

I cannot believe how busy this week has been. I've been racing from one place to another, letting the house turn into a disaster area. Seriously, there is a pile of laundry that I pulled out of the dryer that has sat in the same spot for a week. A WEEK! What is wrong with me? I need my mommy up here.
It's fall here in Boise, the leaves are changing and it is beautiful. Every fall I have to talk myself into not getting too bummed that the summer is over and try to look forward to things like buying new sweaters and using our fireplace. On a side note, I do find it weird how beautiful dying leaves are as they change color. Where else in nature is something dying a beautiful thing?
On a lighter note (LOL), we've been taking the dogs to the off-the-leash park lately. It's basically a huge bowl-shaped area that was once a BMX track, but is now a giant field where dogs can run around and chase birds, lizards, etc. Here's some pictures of it taken off the city's website (they do NOT do it justice):



Buster and Morty love it and this time of year it's especially beautiful to be in the Boise foothills. I definitely miss the mountains in Utah, and I spend plenty of my vacation time there staring at them, but I've grown to love so many things about Boise. I can't imagine living anywhere else at this point in my life.
What else....oh yeah. We watched a terrifying movie the other night. I love scary things and Levi and I have always bonded over our love (?) of zombies (we watched Shaun of the Dead on our second date and the original Night of the Living Dead on our third date) so when we heard there was a Spanish zombie movie we were all over it. It's called REC and it is SCARY! At one point I had my cat Oliver sitting on my and I jumped so hard he flew off me, but not before brandishing his claws and giving me a good scratch. I love getting spooked, I have no idea why. I set up a table at B&N of scary book recommendations and had a blast doing it. I talked to other booksellers and got their input on what they're favorite scary story is. I especially like older, short horror stories. I have a compilation of Poe-like stories that is just chilling.
What else, what else....I know anyone who really knows me knows that I have a big news, but I just can't bring myself to come out and announce it on the blog yet. I need to wait just a little bit longer....I'm too scared of jinxing myself. Thank you though for all of the prayers, love and support that have come our way over the past year and a half. It's been incredible to witness. Thank you all so much!

Well, I'm off to pick up Heather. We're going to lunch now. Blue Sky Bagels anyone? Another perk of living in Boise ;)

Naughty Bread

I bought a loaf of wheat french bread at Winco the other night and I found a little, er, boobtastic surprise for me at the bottom of the loaf.


Was this an accident? Does the bakery always produce mammory-like loaves of bread? We may never know (mostly because the bread was too dried out & I like the taste of Albertson's french bread better)
I still thought it was good for a laugh.

Seminar update

Levi and I went to the adoption seminar on Tuesday and found out quite a bit of information. First, it's expensive. We knew that going in and I'm actually surprised to see that the whole cost (around $12,000+) includes legal fees. Part of that twelve grand is paying for a home study, which is where a case worker nestles deep into your life and ensures you'd be a great parent. I think this part makes me more nervous than anything. Will they deny us because we have horrible carpet? Would the fact that our savings account is practically non-existent exclude us? Those are some questions I'd ask before we'd even begin the process, and save us the embarrassment.
There are three programs that ANB offers: Domestic infant adoption, waiting child (foster care adoption) and international adoption. I can see why celebrities are about the only people that can afford and are approved for international adoption. The cost is outrageous and the nations are SUPER picky about whether or not the child can go home with you. It's so frustrating to know that some nations would rather a child stay in a shoddy orphanage and then be released at age sixteen with no life skills, presumably to live in slums, than have a loving American couple adopt the child. Often the American couple will be denied because they only have $20,000 in savings, not $25,000. It's totally bizarre. I've always thought that adopting from an orphanage in India would be great, but check this out (taken from the wacap website:
CARA-the Indian government adoption authority-and the local Indian courts have implemented a preference to match the youngest, healthiest children with families living in India. Their next preference is given to couples of Indian origin living abroad who hold at least one current Indian passport or OCI card. Families who do not have evidence of current Indian citizenship are eligible to adopt older children or infants with possible medical concerns.
Isn't that crazy?!
So since international adoption is out, we'd be looking at domestic infant adoption, specifically from Idaho so the cost doesn't increase. On a positive note, due to the economy, there are more infants available for adoption than normal, making it a much quicker and surefire option. We have to be able to show that we can pay $10,000 the moment our home study is approved so that if a child is suddenly available, we'd be able to step up and take it. This is obviously not a possibility for us at the moment, so we'll have to put yet another dream on the back burner because of financial reasons.
It's getting frustrating that everything boils down to how much money we can come up with. I try to stay positive, but there are always reminders of what I'm going through every time I leave the house.
At least we were able to get some great information out of the seminar. It does give us a glimmer of hope that we could save for a few years and hopefully be able to afford the adoption path in the future. For now, I'll be happy with what I have: A fantastic husband, a great house, four cute pets, a car that runs, a great job, an amazing family, ten cute nieces and nephews, a great city to live in, a soft bed, running water and food in the cupboard. All this adds up to a great life and sometimes I just need help remembering that. Having written it down will remind me just how nice of a life I actually have.

Sign him.

I will be absolutely heartbroken if the Sox don't sign Victor Martinez to a long term deal. I don't want to give up looking at this:


On a related note, when you search for "Victor Martinez" images on google, you are treated to pictures of a body builder that shares the moniker. So instead of getting pics like this:


I have to see pics like this:



YUCK!!!

Exciting!

Levi & I are going to an adoption seminar on Tuesday the 15th. I'm trying not to get my hopes up about anything, but just the prospect of us going down that path is extremely exciting.
The agency is called A New Beginning (here's their website: http://adoptanewbeginning.org/) I think it looks like a great agency and I'm so excited to meet the women.

Wish us luck!!!!!!

Blah blah blah.

Heather, Laurie, Scott and Michelle: I'm tagging you to take this survey! (There's a link at the bottom)

If you could see any band in concert, who would it be?
I've seen a lot of great bands, but I'm very excited to see Gogol Bordello in October. Check them out if you've never heard of them: Letterman performance. So much energy! Here's another great live performance. Way to much fun!

Does your family have a garden?
We've started our zen rock garden. It just needs rocks. It also needs the dogs to stay out of it. I don't think dog poop adds to the calming atmosphere

If you could have 3 wild animals as pets, what would you pick?
Ummm a monkey of some variety, a nice tiger & maybe a bear of some sort.

What style of clothes do you normally wear?
Work clothes. I own very few pairs of jeans or tshirts :(

Do you play any sports on an actual team?
Nope, though I would love to start a kickball league in Boise.

If you were to dye your hair, what color?
Already went that route, NEVER doing it again. Blonde for life baby.

What is your favorite music genre?
My taste is so broad I'd never be able to pinpoint one genre. Maybe that's why I love Gogol Bordello: they infuse ten different genres.

When is the last time you actually went running?
I don't run unless I'm being chased.

Milkshakes or Sundaes?
Both please, but can I make my milkshake a malt?

How many songs are on your music player on your computer?
1560, not counting the podcasts & audiobooks.

How many ringtones do you have?
Right now I use 4: "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones plays when my mom calls, "Tessie" by the Dropkick Murphys plays when Levi calls, a standard ring for everybody else and "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman plays when I get a text message.

Eyeliner or lipstick?
If I could only have one, I'd have to say eyeliner though I enjoy both equally.

Hair with volume or flat, straight, thin hair?
I'll take the volume please.

Have you ever colored your own hair?
No, but I let a lady from work bleach it at her house once. Disastrous results ensued.

What kind of shoes do you have on?
None at the moment. It's my day off today so I'll probably rock the flip flops.

Do you have a doorbell?
I do, but it's rarely used.

Have you ever pet a camel?
I think I have, but I think camels are gross.

What about a cow?
Maybe?

What's the craziest name you've given a pet?
I had a fish named Tooth. I was 4.

What comdiments do you like on your hotdog?
Ketchup and Mustard ("My boy's so smart!" If you don't get that quote, please go rent Miller's Crossing)

What is your favorite gum?
Bubblemint by Orbit. So delicious, and yet minty.

Do you ever use the saying "your mom"?
Of course! It's the perfect comeback!

How often do you sit around on your butt?
On my day off? Frequently. On the days I work? Rarely.

Do you think you have great hair?
No, I am ever tempted to shave it off.

Ever cut your hair yourself?
Just my bangs. I was five and I found my mom's scissors. I'll never forget my mom's face!

Current thing that is making you happy?
We rearranged the office where this computer is and I really like it. Exciting 'eh??

What color are the blankets on your bed?
Red and white.

Do you like watermelons more or cherries?
Mmmm Watermelon!

Last time someone recorded you on a video camera?
Never, that I know of.

Last time someone took a picture of you?
Heather took a picture after I got my hair done. How can the hairstylists make your hair look so much better?

Can you say your abc's backwards?
I actually can!

What color is your shirt?
I'm wearing my "This Girl Loves the Red Sox" tshirt. We bought a Yankees one for my mom.

Do you know anyone shorter than you?
Children and Little People

Taller than you?
Everyone else.

Where are your ancestors from?
Everywhere.

What do you order at taco bell?
Their little cinnamon crispy thingies. So good!

Has a dog ever licked your mouth?
Ewwww! If my dogs did that I'd throw up. Yuck.

Do you know what crop dusting is?
Levi does it frequently: It's when a person walking in front of you farts & you unknowingly walk into it.

What can you cook the best?
Ha! Cereal?

Have you ever gave or been given a hickey?
Never!! Even when I was 15 I knew that hickeys were white trash.

Tell us a memory from riding the school bus:
The smell of the seats. I don't know why I remember that.

Do you have allergies to anything?
Just your basic ragweed allergies. Fall & spring kill me.

Would you adopt a child?
Of course!!! Anyone interesting in donating to the cause??

Last lie you told?
Hmmm, I think I told a customer that I liked a book they were buying. I'd actually never read it.

Do you know how to dance salsa?
We took dance lessons (thanks Heather!) and learned the basic Salsa. It's a great dance!

Are you obsessed with anything?
I obsessed with lots of things. Currently it's Victor Martinez and Albertson's chocolate chip cookie

Do you like it when it rains?
Yes! Who doesn't love the rain?

What was the last thing you bought?
French bread and Mountain Dew. Dee-lish.

Are you going to do another survey now?
Nope, I'm good for the next month.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THIS SURVEY!

MySpace Surveys

Bad Behavior

I want to take a minute and talk about some bad behavior that I find reprehensible.
First, who are all these parents pulling their students out of school because our President was addressing them. Excuse me? He's the PRESIDENT. Kids are always stoked about things like that. I remember when George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton addressed students when I was in elementary school and we thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I would have DIED of embarrassment if my mom marched into my school and demanded I be pulled from class, just because she didn't vote for Clinton. What kind of an example are these people setting for their kids? I am just appalled by this behavior. There is no excuse for it. Grow up and deal with the fact that a man you didn't vote for is in office. There is nobody who detested George W. Bush more than me, but I would never have pulled my kid from school if was giving an address to the students, I'd tell them how excited I was that they got to hear from the President of the United States. In fact, I'd never let my kid know that I didn't like him. It's not anything they need to be concerned with. Kids already have a lot on their plate and we don't need to add to that stress by forcing our politics on them. Let them figure out who they want to vote for, when the time comes. Sheesh people, grow up.
Second, LaGarrette Blount is an embarrassment to college football. So BSU kicked your butt last year and this year, so you ran for negative five yards, so a BSU player celebrated in front of you: this is no excuse for sucker punching a BSU player and attacking the fans in the stands. What a great example for the kids. Hopefully Oregon does the right thing and suspends him indefinitely.

Now here's something that will cheer me up (all Sportscenter commercials cheer me up)

I'm so BORING!

I never feel like ANYTHING is going on in my world (anything worth reporting about, that is.) Even my big news from this weekend turned out to be nothing at all. I guess dull news is good news, right?
When we met with the in vitro fertilization doctor, he found a polyp on my uterus that may have been causing problems. We decided that even though we can't do IVF we'd still get the polyp removed in hopes that it will increase our fertility chances. I was truly nervous for this surgery because I've never been "totally under" when having any medical procedure done. This time I had to go fully under anesthesia and have the breathing tube thingy down my throat. I wasn't looking forward to either of those things and I certainly wasn't looking forward to having my procedure done. I was envisioning all sorts of post-op cramping, grogginess and other general unpleasantries.
I could not have been more wrong. The nurses were wonderful and even gave me a sedative through my i.v. to calm my nerves before they wheeled me into the surgery room. The only thing I remember is the anesthesiologist asking me if I'd rather picture myself on the beach or in the mountains. I was thinking of Redfish Lake and tried to explain that I like both when I was knocked out completely. I think I got as far as, "Actually, I like zzzzzzzzzzzz." Next thing I know, I'm waking up to a smiling nurse who gave me liquid pain killers for the cramps, which is a genius invention (the liquid painkiller, not the cramps.) Levi was waiting patiently for me and even boasted that while I was in surgery he got to have a great big hospital breakfast for $5.00. He even suggested we go back there one morning and pretend we know someone in the hospital so we can get a good deal on french toast. That husband of mine.
I had some slight grogginess and minor cramps, but nothing some ibuprofen couldn't handle. I slept most of Friday and felt fantastic when I woke up on Saturday. Seriously, I still can't believe I had surgery and feel this good. I know it wasn't that big of a deal, but I'm proud of my body for healing the way it did. You go body!
Levi's sisters Sevy and Avery brought me beautiful flowers on Saturday and I had a nice day of hanging out and relaxing. I'm very glad I got the time off work, I feel like that helped me heal more than anything.
Today we went over to Heather's and had some of her delicious baked ziti. If you haven't tried Heather's baked ziti, my friend, you haven't lived. She must slip heroin or some other addictive drug in it because pasta shouldn't taste like candy, but hers does. Well done Heather!
Well, I'm off to bed now. I go back to work tomorrow and I'm sure there will be lots and lots for me to do. At least I don't have to start school tomorrow like my niece Eliza and nephew Wilson do. I still can't believe Eliza will be a 5th grader and little Wils will be in 1st grade! Good luck guys!!

26 years.

I love you dad. I may have lost you 26 years ago, but that doesn't mean you're not in my thoughts and heart every single day. We all miss you and love you.

Beautiful, fun music.

I love this video by Rufus Wainwright for "April Fools." He spends his day trying to save 5 famous opera heroines: Cho Cho San from "Madame Butterfly", Mimi from "La Boheme", Tosca from "Tosca", Carmen from "Carmen" and Gilda from "Rigoletto". My mom loves all these operas and I thought she would definitely enjoy this. Here you go Mom :)

Rufus Wainwright - New Music - More Music Videos

As Seen on TV: The Snuggie.

That's right. I bought a Snuggie. Hold your applause and allow me to explain why I have done this. I have been watching the Snuggie commercial for quite some time now (literally, I can't turn the channel when it comes on. I have to watch it. I have to watch the creepy old man with the red Snuggie. He creeps me out, yet makes me laugh, which actually sums up the Snuggie.) and I've decided that all the people in the infomercial have been having way to much fun with their sleeved blanket: I wanted in on that action. Also, I am testing out a new idea of blogging about all those crappy made for t.v. products. I've already taken many suggestions including the Slap Chop and the Bumpit.
Anyway, just buying the darn thing was embarrassing enough. While I was thrilled they had the coveted zebra "designer" print at Target, I was not thrilled with having to let people see what I was buying. I grabbed it and made a run for the registers. I nonchalantly gave it to the cashier and watched as he eyed the product and started chuckling to himself. I immediately started telling him it was a joke and can I have a gift receipt and all that when he stops me and says, "That's what every person who buys one of these says." Wow! There are more people wanting to test the Snuggie waters. I'm not alone! While I was excited that their may be a whole Snuggie subculture, I still wasn't ready to let the Target customers see my purchase and I dashed to my car.
Levi came home last night and took one look at the box I had placed on our dining room table, cheered, and ripped open the box. He was giggling so hard and that made me laugh hard and by the time he put it on I almost wet myself. It's the creepiest looking thing I've ever seen!! No man should EVER be seen in one of those. He insisted that it was extremely comfortable, so I made him hand it over so I could give it a go. Here are my findings: 1. My cats love it. 2. It makes you look about 180 pounds heavier. 3. It's amazing.
You heard me. It's amazing. I can literally sit and type and still be totally covered by this wonderful fleece. I am 100% self-aware at how ridiculous the idea of a Snuggie is. Are we that spoiled as a society that our blankets need sleeves and blah blah blah. You know what? Yes. Our blankets need sleeves and they need to be "designer" animal prints. They need to come with a bonus booklight and they need to have amazing infomercials. If there is proof that America is the greatest country in the world, look no further than the Snuggie.



My Snuggie & I have a devilish good time together. Voldemort has me cold-calling new Snuggie customers. (You have to click the picture to see the most amazing red-eye job ever.)


Who knew what I was missing with a normal sleeveless blanket!


Need I say more??


AFTERTHOUGHTS.....

I MUST have one of these when I have a kid.


If a Snuggie is good enough for Spock and his 'rents, it's good enough for me.

Spacebags: My investigative report

It seems every time I turn on the telly I see infomercials for all kinds of miracle products: The Ped Egg, the Snuggie (which now come in designer patterns: Zebra, and Cheetah and Leopard, oh my!) the Touch N Brush, and, of course, my favorite, The Shamwow (I'm being sarcastic about the Shamwow. Check my previous post to see how I feel about that creepy guy) All of these products look great in their own way, but none has piqued my interest so much as The Spacebags. Even the name sounds eventful.
Recently my friend Melissa gave me 4 garbage bags full of baby clothes. I cannot bear the thought of not keeping these things while we go through the baby making process but we certainly don't have room for these bags of goodies. Then I saw the commerical: The Spacebag will surely save me.
The commercial claimed that ordering on the spacebag website would get me the best deal, however when I went to order I found that the $19.99 deal charged $8.95 shipping for an order that will take (get ready for this) 3 to 4 weeks to arrive at my house!. If I was so inclined I could pay an additional $9.95 to have them rush delivered. Those cheaters!
So I did the next best thing. I went to my local Bed Bath and Beyond (who apparently only stock As-Seen-On-TV items nowadays) and found the "Value Pack." This includes 2 extra large bags, 3 large, 3 medium and 2 travel bags. Sounds great!
I drove quickly home, popped in a good movie (for this occasion I went with Happy Go Lucky, which is one of the most delightful movies ever) and started folding the clothes into nice neat piles like I see on the infomercial.
Here are my findings:

Here is the first pile before being placed into the large spacebag


Here is that same pile in the Spacebag before I brought out the vacuum


And here is the finished result:


You'll notice the finished bag is roughly the same dimensions as when the air was still in it, it's just much more wrinkly now. This is most disappointing to me. I knew it wouldn't be as wonderful as the commercial proclaimed so I should just get over it. It really did compress the clothes, but the bag is now all lumpy and dense and, let's be honest, not much smaller that when I started. I will admit that it was fun seeing the vacuum suck all the remaining air out of the bags so for entertainment purposes this product has succeeded. I just hope the bags are shrunken enough to fit in our ever-crowded shed.

I think I'm going to start purchasing and reporting on various As-Seen-On-Tv items. Next up: The Snuggie. Hopefully I won't fall in love with it and get caught with it on at work like Tina Fey did in an episode of 30 Rock

We have a casualty!

One of our beloved gnomes has bitten the dust. Poor little fellow. It's not his fault Levi hit him with a the end of a shovel. Hopefully some Gorilla Glue will be the technology to save our little friend.

(One of these things is not like the other....)


(Here's a close-up of the deceased.)

For sale!

I'm going through a fall cleaning phase (spring cleaning is overrated apparently.) and I'm selling some cute clothes. Let me know if anyone is interested in any of these. They're all under $5.00 plus shipping. Not a bad deal at all!!!

New Trailer :)

This makes me even more excited to see this, if that's even possible!

Back from Redfish.

We're back from Redfish Lake, and what a great time we had! Levi, mom and I spent 3 days doing a lot of nothing (and by nothing I mean sitting on a gorgeous beach, soaking in the sun and reading our favorite books, watching fun movies in our cabin and playing rounds of Speed and Gin with the groovy playing cards we remembered to pack--literally, they were called "Groovy Cards", I'm not just being clever.) We ate yummy food and had lots of great conversations. It could not have been more perfect. Thank you mom and Levi, it was an amazing, and much needed, vacation.
On the down side, while we were up there we found out that we will not be able to have IVF done in September, or anytime in the future, like we planned. Basically I was initially told that our insurance covered a large portion of the procedure and it turns out they only cover a fraction of the cost. I knew it was too good to be true and I'm just kicking myself for getting my hopes up. I've been very focused and realistic during this whole infertility process and this was the only time I really let myself get excited, I even told my boss when I'd be taking off work and we had it all worked out. We honestly thought this was going to be it: we'd have a baby, possibly two, by the next time we went to Redfish Lake next year and now that dream is totally dashed (barring the possibility of winning the lottery or finding a bag of $10,000 on our front porch.)
I'm really at a loss and I'm not even going to pretend that I'm okay with this. I'm hurt and sad and I don't even know where to begin next. We already owe so much money for all the procedures, tests, medication, etc. that we've had so far, and it's only going to continue. I was so ready to quit Clomid and have this procedure done; I'm so over hot flashes, pills, phlebotomists, ovulation kits, pregnancy tests, late periods and crying. I hope this will all be over soon.
I'm sorry to be such a downer. I honestly don't have it in me to talk about how determined we are to keep trying, I'm just too tired to think about that right now. I think it will take a little bit of time to let this sink in and to fully accept that it may be a long, long time before we have any kids, if at all. I'm also sorry if anyone is sick of hearing me talk about my fertility issues, I just don't exactly know how to deal with them, and sometimes it feels good just to let it all out.
Hopefully I'll have some better news, or at least be more cheerful, with my next post. Sorry for the buzzkill post :(

$9.99 and I LOVE it.

Levi & I made our customary trip to Ikea whilst in Utah and we found these gems. For $9.99 you get four sheets of stickers to arrange how you see fit on doors, walls, cupboards, etc. They had all different styles, including silver cherry blossom branches, but in the end we went with the black flowers.
We chose to put them on my closet doors and I LOVE them. What a difference $9.99 makes! (Also, having a husband that puts them up without complaint is a good thing.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!
My gorgeous and amazing mother is 63 today!! Mom, I love you so much and I hope this is the best birthday yet! Life without you is DULL and we are so blessed to have you in our lives!!
Love you!!!
Carly and Levi

Reunion!

We had such a blast at the Allen family reunion. I reunited with cousins I hadn't seen in years and my Grandpa and Grandma couldn't have been cuter. What a great reunion! We also got to hang out with my brother and sisters' families and even got to enjoy some food at the Brick Oven (what I would give to have one in Boise....) Sadly, I didn't take any pictures at the restaurant, but here are some cute ones from the trip:

Click on the pic to see the whole thing. Heather figured this to be about 2/3 of everybody, just on my mom's side of the family!

I didn't realize Grandma wasn't smiling in this, but they still look amazing!

Carlie Paige & Eliza. Funny girls!

Laurie & Ryan. He's so big now!

Scott & Stephanie

The Quinn family and Levi

Levi and my mom.

Could my mom get any prettier!? At Bridal Veil Falls.

Kate & Levi enjoying some Brookside!

Rachel, Syd and me, eating some delicious Brookside. Yum!

Levi's list of Things that Must Go.

Levi is reading me his list and I'm typing for him. Here's his list:
People who can't execute a proper turn, it shouldn't take longer than ten seconds to turn down a street. People who do 50 MPH or less on the freeway on-ramps. Celebrities that go to rehab for "exhaustion". I work 60 hours per week, let's talk about exhaustion. Cleaning up puppy pee on carpet...he couldn't just pee on the hardwood or tile?? Puppy teeth biting my surgically (read: expensive) repaired ankle. Close minded people and the way they judge others. Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and all those other hypocrites. Country music, minus Johnny Cash of course.