January 22, 2009

TRBL

FC & Me

Frank Caliendo rocks my world.  From his impressions of George Bush to Bill Clinton as well as Leno and Letterman, the guy is TALENT.  No, I didn’t say he has talent.  He is talent.

Every time I see him I think Charles Barkley.  And I call my husband a knucklehead.

“Awww, man!  Tha’s TRBL.”

January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day

Today is a very historic day.  Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States of America.

I cannot describe the emotions I’m experiencing.  In waves of joy and sadness, but mostly joy, I’m watching him speak and I have goosebumps.

I’ve been glued to the television.  I’ve been immersing myself in all the internet coverage.

I didn’t vote for this man, for complicated reasons, but I’m excited about his presidency.  I’ve got so many thoughts and questions swirling around in my head that it’s difficult to get them all out.

I’ll do my best:

• Watching George W. Bush and Barack Obama walking together to their limousine, I felt sad to see George leaving the presidency (many mixed feelings here, I’ll save those for another post) and happiness for Barack because his moment was yet to come.
• The Presidential Motorcade was impressive and I wish I could have witnessed it in person, in Washington D.C.
• When former President Jimmy Carter made his entrance, I felt sort of old.  He was President when I was born in 1979.  I also recalled my father’s disdain for this man and his policies, and my dad was a Democrat in the 70s and early 80s. But aside from that, seeing the military officers salute him, was so touching.  There’s something about our military, the Marines and the code of conduct that pulls at my heart strings.
• I felt a moment of sadness when the former presidents made their way before the National Mall in succession.  Oh, how I wish Ronald Reagan was alive for this inauguration.
• George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush looked just as I remember them.  I remember my father taking me to see him when he made a visit to Stevens Point during his campaign.  I was sad to see the elder George limping.  But alas, we’re all getting older.
• The round of applause for Bill and Hillary Clinton irked me, because later when George W. Bush and Dick Cheney entered, they were not welcomed with the respect they deserved.  It doesn’t matter if you despise George Bush, he earned the respect.  His job wasn’t easy.
• As George made his way down the hall, I cried a bit as he smiled and gave a young woman in red a high five.  This man did the best he could.  He did what he believed was right.  Yes, he made mistakes.  But every president makes mistakes, past, present and future.
• All Hail the Chief made me cry.  Aretha Franklin made me smile.
• Malia and Sasha are so beautiful, and watching them make their way to their seats sent chills down my spine.  They were so smiley and confident and proud of their father.  The happiness in their eyes, the expressions on their faces — I will never forget that moment for as long as I live.  I can’t get over how much Malia looks like Michelle, the same gorgeous eyes and a brilliant smile.  And Sasha, so precious.  Instantly I remembered photos of JFK with Caroline and John, Jr.
• Michelle Obama makes me smile.  I’m so happy to have a First Lady with young children in the White House.  I believe she understands the struggles of women and mothers and will work hard to bring our best interests to the forefront of her husband’s presidency.
• Watching Barack Obama walk down the long corridor, I had tears in my eyes.  And I’m wishing I would have bought that sketch of him when I was in Milwaukee.  There’s something about his face that makes me feel calm.  I can’t explain it.  I don’t know if it’s his eyes, how understanding they seem to be.
• I became very upset when our new president was introduced as Barack H. Obama.  After all the commotion and all the bloggers who demanded acknowledgment of his full name, why was it so imperative to leave out Hussein?  He is Barack Hussein Obama, and there is no reason to fear his name.  Let us stand up and be proud.  Let’s take away the fear.
• President Obama’s speech gave me goosebumps.  But not nearly as much as watching him sing The Star Spangled Banner, with hand over heart.  That made me cry because it was beautiful and proves he is a patriotic man despite what his opponents falsely claimed.
• But even more memorable is that Barack Obama escorted George Bush to the helicopter.  To me that symbolizes the respect that Obama has for our former President, and was happy to show it.  Michelle, Barack, George and Laura standing on the steps is an image I hope I’ll remember for a long time.
• George and Laura boarding the chopper was bittersweet.  And the hugs between the Bushes and the Obamas, and the Bidens and Obamas watching the chopper depart brought tears to my eyes.

I have so much more I want to say, but it’s just do difficult because the emotions are high.  The euphoria of this day is overwhelming, but I’m also feeling skeptical.  So many people have high expectations for President Obama and I just have to say that he’s human.  He’s not a miracle worker.  His job will be complicated, difficult, stressful and 24/7.  He has a very tough job ahead of him.

He’s not Jesus Christ, but with the Lord’s help and guidance, I believe he will do the best job he knows how to do.  He’ll learn the rest as the days and months of the next four years unfold.

————————–

And I must say Happy Anniversary to my husand, lest he thinks I’ve forgotten.  On January 20, 1998 we began dating which means we’ve been together for eleven years.  We started dating when Clinton was President.  Three terms later, we’re still in love.  I heart you, Doug.  Happy Anniversary!

January 18, 2009

Home Sweet Home

We’re back from our getaway weekend in Milwaukee.  Actually, we got home at one o’clock this afternoon, but I am so drained that I didn’t feel like doing anything but sleep.  Of course, I couldn’t do that until I returned the rental car, retrieved my child from Grandpa’s house (which took much bribing on my part) and unpacked all the bags and suitcases.

I’ve head a headache ever since I got home; the kind that hurts so terribly behind my eyes and at the bridge of my nose.  While I was driving home from my parents’ house, Dawson was chattering from the backseat about all the fun he had with his Poppa, and I kept thinking about swallowing two Excedrin and crawling into bed.  I think my exhaustion hit harder than I expected.  It was a long, 2 1/2 hour drive home, but the trip was worth it.  I’ve got a recap post planned and I’ll post it as soon as I finish some other important tasks.

I stopped at K-Mart today (before I went to get the Doodlebug — shopping is easier without him begging for toys) and picked up my prescription for Clomid which I’ll start taking tomorrow.  I’m pretty optimistic about this cycle, but I must say that even if it doesn’t work, I won’t be taking it next month.  I’m hoping this is the “boost” that does whatever it’s supposed to do.

Also at K-Mart, I got a new ceramic-barrell curling iron.  I’ve been wanting to curl my hair for awhile, probably because I can’t remember the last time I did something with my locks other than straighten them with a flat iron.  When I went to use my old metal-barrelled Revlon a few weeks ago, I noticed the curls went flat instantly.  My hairdresser told me that the metal ones cause static and the curl won’t set, and they are bad for the ends of my hair.  We’ll see how this new one works.

I also bought three new books, one of which is Marley & Me (I refuse to see the movie until I can read the book, although I said that about The DaVinci Code and I still haven’t finished that book — and I did see the movie when it was on HBO a while back).  Can’t wait to read that book, but I’m still trying to get through Gone With the Wind.  Even though I’ve read Margaret Mitchell’s masterpiece at least twelve times, I love reading it every few years.

Dawson got three new CARS cars and a children’s bible.  I knew I’d have to persuade him to come home, so I told him I had a surprise for him at home (even though I had bought the stuff before I picked him up, and had it in the car!).

My little guy didn’t want to leave his grandparent’s house.  This is the first time he’s spent the night there in a very long time.  Usually he starts to cry when it gets dark, and wants to go home.  But, since we were out of town, he had to get over his fear.  Grandpa took him tobogganing and sledding, they rented movies and had dinner at Pizza Hut.  No wonder he didn’t want to leave!  He was spoiled rotten!

So.  That’s what’s up so far.  More to come.  I just need to go to bed.  Sleep sounds so good right now.  I didn’t get much sleep last night at the hotel.  There was an argument between boyfriend and girlfriend on our floor and it was so loud that we actually had to call the front desk to complain.  They told us they received other complaints as well, and the cops were on the way.  Not sure what happened, but I saw two Milwaukee cops dragging a guy down the hallway when I was peeking out of the peep hole in our hotel room.  This was at 2 a.m., so needless to say I’m a little sleep deprived.  My bed is calling my name….

January 16, 2009

Hope

Okay.  Turns out I’m not pregnant this month, and I’m okay with that.  I got my period yesterday, and I didn’t even cry.

See that chart?  That chart shows ovulation.  Really and truly, my ovaries released an egg on the 20th day of my cycle.  And after that egg was released, the corpus luteum produced the hormone progesterone which caused the spike in temperatures indicating ovulation.

I realize that this is turning into a fertility blog with all the conception blogging I’m doing, but I’m just so excited to see progress after 18 long months of insanity.  I’m elated because all my hard work is paying off.  All the exercising, eating right, and following doctor’s orders is worth it.  Taking the metformin, every day, twice a day, and dealing with all the physical and emotional side effects has resulted in ovulation.

I’ve been charting for months.  But this month’s chart is clear as a bell.  I know. I’ve blogged this already. It’s just that I’m so happy.  So excited.  I’m ready for this next cycle because things are different.  The outlook is one of hope.

I needed that hope, if only a glimmer, so desperately.

Perhaps my dream will come true after all.