fantasy vs. reality

I love the concept of school and studying. I love picturing myself snuggled into the corner of our black leather couch, a red fleece wrapped around me, as I sip hot cocoa and study my school. Or even better, being at the library/Starbucks/Barnes & Noble, tucked away in a corner studying like a diligent student (I would probably even buy some hot, studious glasses just to heighten the experience).

This morning I was forced to admit to myself that in reality, my school/studying just isn't as fun as I always dreamt it would be.

~I was perched precariously on the edge of my folding chair, while Lexi climbed up and down, alternating between biting my hair and hanging onto it for dear life so as to stay in an upright position.
~My toes were frozen because we have no warm fuzzy blankets up here in the office.
~Reading reports from the computer is the fastest way to bring on a behind-the-eyes headache.
~and I have no hot cocoa because it's fattening.

Ya. Lets just say I prefer the mental picture I have of studying over the reality of it ANY day.

death to school

:::outburst:::I'm tired of reading medical reports, and of learning how to spell words that take 3 minutes to write out.

What is equally annoying, is when I correctly fill in an answer, only to have the asterix direct me to the fine print that reads:

*Depending on the resource you consult, you will find HIDA expanded to either hydroxyiminodiacetic acid or hepatoiminodiacetic acid (sometimes with a hyphen as in hepato-iminodiacetic acid or hydroxy-iminiodiacetic acid).

Gah. Why do all these abbreviations/rules have so many exceptions? :::outburst:::

citrus ripoffs

As I opened the fruit drawer the other day, with a stomach growling due to its empty state (the stomach's empty state, that is, not the fruit drawer's), I was disappointed to see how small the oranges were. But I wanted to eat something healthy, so I leaned down and dug around to find the largest orange available. I am not ashamed of doing so, and think that being 6 months pregnant should give me the right to eat as many large oranges as I please (of course, I won't mention that I do the same with chocolate chip cookies. I don't look for the largest, per se, but I do look for one that has lots of chocolate chips...I mean, come on--who *really* wants a cookie that only has one or two chocolate chips in it?). I finally pulled out a medium-sized orange, and, feeling pleased with myself for finding it, I sat down and began the peeling process.

That orange's skin was literally half an inch thick. And by the time it was all peeled, it ended up being about the size of a Ping Pong ball.

So I ate my 4 orange slices. It barely seemed worth the time it took to peel the thing. They just don't grow 'em the way they used to when I was a child.

On Monday I did an intense lower body workout (we won't discuss how long it'd been since I last did a weighted workout, because then I'd be forced to start making excuses that contain vague hints about nausea, moving, chasing a 16mth old around, etc. etc. and I'd prefer not to bore anyone). While I did feel energetic after my self-inflicted torture, I felt sore for the rest of the day.

Upon awaking Tuesday morning, I realized that my entire lower body was aching and sore--even to the touch. That discovery was made before I even attempted to get out of bed and down the two flights of stairs to the kitchen.

I seriously considered having David carry me, but that would've gotten ridiculous, and I doubt he'd have had the time. Sliding down on my own sounded like a great idea until I realized my rear was entirely too sore, and duh--you can't slide down stairs on your belly when you're 6 months pregnant.

So I became more of a woman, and walked down the stairs like a normal person. Well, like a normal 98yr old person anyway.

It is now Thursday evening, and I can only now walk/squat/sit, etc. without any pain. I'm due for another lower body workout tomorrow...but I'm thinking that maybe the whole 'No pain, no gain' motto just isn't for me. The pain I've felt over the last four days was NOT enjoyable, and not something I feel like having again. I'm thinking that the 'No pain, no pain' thing sounds MUCH better...and way more endurable.

purely factual

~ My SIL (Sarah Klick) became engaged over the holidays, and has recently asked me to be a bridesmaid! I told her that anytime after the baby is born is fine with me. Fortunately, they are planning a fall wedding, so I don't need to worry about being the freak sideshow by waddling down the aisle fully pregnant (talk about nightmarish).

~ David officially retired from the Police Dept. last month, and is now exploring many interesting job opportunities. Of course, with his many (sweet) skills (you know, like, bow-hunting skills, computer hacking skills...), he has had a lot of interviews, and several job offers. It's always nice to have so many options...especially when it comes to deciding what you're going to do every day for eight hours.

~ I had my first experience making jewelry on Monday. We made quite a few sets of earrings for my SIL's wedding, and I got to create/design the bride's pair...I loved it! I've always been intrigued by intricate work like that, and secretly believe it to be my higher calling in life. Let's see, medical transcription vs. jewelry designer. Ya, jewelry/creativity would definitely win out every time. Too bad it doesn't pay so well, and I have no experience to speak of. Doesn't it always work out like that?

~ We are still settling into our new(ish) home...and I'm loving getting funky/contemporary black and red items for our den.

~ I'm 6 months along now, but haven't taken the picture yet. As soon as I figure out how to use our recently aquired digital camera, I promise to do so. I'm sure that batteries/charging it would be a step in the right direction.

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO





I want you all to be the first to know that I'm pregnant. 6 months along, actually. Here's a picture we took when I was a little over 3 months along (I hate how pregnancy thickens a girl up):








This one was taken about a month ago when I was 5 months along:

The part I hate about pregnancy is how I just look like I'm gaining weight...but not enough to wear maternity clothes...so I just look fat. Not cool.
Yes, we already know the sex of this unborn child--we had a sonogram about a month and a half ago. I was very relieved to discover that it was human, and that it was indeed mine. Alexis Joy is going to be a sister...and she's going to have a sister here soon.
No we have not discussed names at any length, other than nixing Gretchen (Great-grandma Klick's suggestion), and Joy Alexis (David's joking suggestion). Although my grandmother on my father's side did name her last two sons 'John Thomas', and 'Thomas John', we decided to not follow her example (give her a break, she gave birth to 14 children, ok?).
Just to get it out of the way, so I won't be irritated by the questions, we ARE happy it's a girl. I was about 2 years older than my sister, and we are very close now. I am excited that Alexis will have a younger sister who's close in age. And yes, we are aware that the Klicks (my in-laws) only have grand-daughters. No, I do not wish to stand around discussing how this happened (sex. ever heard of it?).