Hello Again...

Perhaps i've been gone too long.
have I been missed? does anyone still follow this blog?

Some things have changed since my last post. I'm now happily married to Spit Fire.(who woulda' thunk!?) I have a son who is two. and I am a fitness center manager.

So lets pick up where we left off!
I've tried some new things I'll be sharing those with you soon.
Dating has turned into Date nights and family walks with my Hubby.
I am super focused on fitness and healthy eating, so I will be sharing some tips, tricks, and inspiration with you.

And my cooking skills have improved immensely! (I know! We never would had seen that coming in a million years!)

Cheers to comebacks!

sunshine quote
#comeback
#trynewthings
#housewifediaries

Cleaning up Smoke damaged homes.

We had a little kitchen smoke accident the other night.
My hubby left a full pan of hamburger frying on the stove as we left for a 2 hour Roller Derby Practice. (He thought he had turned it off, but really did not...)

If you've ever seen me cook, you're probably saying this right now: "It was HIM, and NOT YOU who set the house on fire!?!" - I know! Right!?

We came home to our house billowing smoke out of the front door as we opened it.
We proceeded to run through the house and open all windows  after he had picked up the pan and taken it outside. I found and grabbed my cat, Paris, and took her outside with me. Smoke was pouring out all the windows of our house. It smelled horrible. 

Luckily it was not a huge fire. But there was nothing left of the pan by the time we found it.

Once the house was secure enough, We set off to the local store for basic quick fix cleaning supplies:
Febreez and air fresheners.

Then sprayed down our house, and started a load of washing clothes to wear the next day.

Today I've been searching cleaning tips for smoke damaged homes.
I found this great link which I want to share, because, you never know when it might happen to you.

Home Guides: How do I Remove Fire Smoke Smell From Apartment?

Basic how to:
- air out the house with a fan pushing air into the house to help drive out smoke.
- wash clothing, curtains, linens, anything you can put in the washer.
- wash down floors, walls, fixtures, all surfaces.
- some things you may prefer to just replace. but most can be saved with some TLC and lots of Vacuuming, washing, steam cleaning.

And don't freak out too much. It could have been a lot worse. If you were not in the house, and no one was hurt, then you are doing pretty good. These things happen.

King Ranch Chicken

We all know how bad I am at cooking.

Well, I gave it another try last night.
I found this recipe for King Ranch Chicken on Pinterest.

and then I  gave Hubby a big plate full. and he ate it quietly.
...then he got up and went back for seconds!
...and then went back for Thirds!
 I Did it! I made something edible AND yummy! Yay Me!

Here is my masterpiece
not burnt, not too spicy, not too soupy; just right.

Change is Good. Moving On.

So, We've done it all.
I've found the man of my dreams. Married him. And now trying for Babies!
But as if that was not enough change for us, we've added one more thing -
We're Moving!

It's time to sell my single girl's house in the hub of town, and buy a place fit for a family in a small quiet part of town.
We've been online house hunting, and have made our wish list of items for our next home.
Now we get to do the fun part of Listing our house and Looking at new ones! We have visits lined up already with our top picks. Lets hope all works out well!

My first...

About two weeks ago, I had a miscarriage. (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Link)
I want to talk about it here, because I found there is not a lot of knowledge around the subject openly available, from my experience. I found it hard to ask others about it openly. People tend to bury this kind of event deep inside and do not wish to revisit the hurt it brings. I found the few threads of online opinions and story sharing on this subject did in deed help me through the process.

It is a sad, hard, and scary thing to go through.  and in general, people just dont talk about it because it's heart breaking.  - There is nothing I or anyone can do to fix this. It is no one's fault. It's mother nature's way of saying, this one was not perfect for you, try again.

My Husband and I discovered our pregnancy early on. and had kept it to ourselves for a bit. We were going on 6-7 weeks. I had grown more excited with each passing day.

I started eating right.
Taking the vitamins: Prenatal, Folic Acid, and Omega. - All a MUST for pregnant mothers
and I even stopped doing zumba and roller derby.
Then I did the following - I made my "Firsts List":

What do people do when they find out their life is changing forever?
Well, I go shopping. Who knows what I'll need for this new adventure, Right?!

My first purchase after finding out I was preggers:
Coach Jenny Sneakers

Because, I want to be styling when I have to trade my heels in for full time flats, of course.

The first person we told: my Roller Derby coach, Black Eye Candy. Why, because I had to justify why I could no longer practice or play and game season was just starting! eek. It's every Derby Girls worst fear: telling her Derby team her season is over - indefinitely.  

The First thing I had to give up: Wine & Beer.
I had a hard time with this because I do in fact drink a lot... like a lot. I'm a wino and I know it. haha. yeah. It's probs for the best.

The first baby Item I purchased: my friend knits, and I asked her to make some roller skate booties. We used these as our official prop when doing the big reveal to family and friends. Look how cute!

 

 

 

And then it happened.

A tummy ache turned into heavy bleeding, and the pain grew. Followed by a trip to the emergency room at the hospital.

 

I will praise the hospital on this one. They are usually painfully slow with any hospital visit. But when dealing with a pregnant mother, and a (possible) miscarriage, they really scramble, and show support, and try and give you hope.

 

But the one line I remember most from my first visit was this: "At this point, we cannot stop it. We just have to wait it out now". the length of my physical miscarriage lasted about a week. But we still are going through the emotional sturggle a few weeks after the event. Im not sure how long the emotional part will linger. Some days really suck and some days are better. Thats all I can say about that for now.

 

and after  "There is nothing I or anyone can do to fix this. it is no one's fault. It NOT your fault. It's mother nature's way of saying, this one was not perfect for you, try again."

 

Problem one we found: They did blood tests which showed my hCG hormone levels were very low for a healthy pregnancy. If your levels are very low, and do not increase drasticly over 48 hours, this is most likely a non-viable egg, and the pregnancy is very unlikely to succeed. - There is nothing I or anyone can do to fix this. It's not your fault. it is no one's fault. It's mother nature's way of saying, this one was not perfect for you, try again.

 

Problem 2: My blood type is Negative, and my Husband's is Positive. info on this at blood groups and pregnancy & Rh-Negative and Rh-Positive Conditions in Pregnancy
For this, they gave me a shot of something to counteract any of my body instincts to fight off my husbands blood type if we get pregnant again.

 

Problem 3 came with: a portable ultra-sound which showed no sings of a gestational sac. So they scheduled me for a Dedicated Ultrasound which involved a radiologist specialist. This too found no positive signs. But also, no life threatening signs of the sac in a bad place, which was good.

 

Over 4 days I saw 4-5 doctors, many many nurses, did 3 blood tests and 2 ultrasounds before confirming a loss. They were very thorough and wanted to make sure the pregnancy was not Eptopic and life threatening to the mother.

This was then followed with the blood type shot, a couple sick days off work to heal mentally, emotionally (I almost bought a puppy to try and fix my hurt. My mom talked me out of it. puppies wont fix it. but they sure do make you smile.); and blood work once a week until all hCG hormone levels decreased completely.

 

What's Next?

We were told, we can try again, once we are ready, and our doctor suggested to us- after a month or when we feel emotionally stable again. "Most sources do say to wait at least 2-3 cycles before trying again" quote from here. more info on When to Try Again.

 

Some facts  from Pub Med Health:

Most miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that make it impossible for the baby to develop. Usually, these problems are not related to the mother or father's genes.

Around half of all fertilized eggs die and are lost (aborted) spontaneously, usually before the woman knows she is pregnant. Among women who know they are pregnant, the miscarriage rate is about 15-20%. Most miscarriages occur during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. The rate of miscarriage drops after the baby's heart beat is detected.

 I was told by my doctors that 50-60% of women today have a miscarriage durring their first pregnancy.  And One more time - There is nothing I or anyone can do to fix this. Its not my fault,  it is no one's fault. It's mother nature's way of saying, this one was not perfect for you, try again.


Sources listed in this blog come from web pages I personally checked, found helpful, and read for myself. They are guidlines to work from. Always check your sources and ask your own Doctor for "What works for YOU".

If nothing else, I hope this helps someone else out there who might have questions or need a friend to talk to about this kind of thing. It's hard. That is true.  You are allowed to hurt. and cosider buying a new puppy. and to cry. but remember, when you feel down,   There is nothing I or anyone can do to fix this. Its not your fault, it is no one's fault. It's mother nature's way of saying, this one was not perfect for you, try again.

 



I Wish to be Organized.

I love organizing and having a neat and clean space. but sometimes it is hard. I will probably never be that house wife with the zing and flair for de-cluttered bliss. So, to compensate for my lack of organized savvy, I often pin organizational inspirations to my pinterest board "Organized"; and today I found an amazing example of how I'd love my home to be organized.

raquelenglish.com has ,what looks to me as, mastered organizing her home. And she shares her wisdom with us here:

Ship Shape: My Revamped Pantry - Amazing pantry storage and labels for everything

"Ship Shape: Organized Ties And Caps" -ties, caps and medicine storage

My little White Monster

Look who I caught this morning picking through his food, eating the meaty bits and spitting out the veggie bits on the floor!

my little moster is such a brat sometimes.

*Side note: People always ask me what kind of dog he is. I simply reply "He's a Pomeranian with a bad hair cut" lol. Sad but true. He has a little bit of a skin problem, and his hair matts badly; so we have to keep cutting the knots out constantly and trim him so his skin can breath. Poor boy. But he's still very cute, and my perfect little man. :)

Spa Style

My parents have bough SpitFire and I a HotTub as a wedding gift.
It's been 4 weeks now that we've picked out the perfect tub and placed our order.
The anticipation builds with each day.
Where is it!? check the delivery status.
Where is it?! look out at the newly built back deck paitiently awating it's new decor to arrive.
Where is it!? feeling the cold chill of autumn air and dreaming of nights we will spend in the spa.

It's like christmas. And every day it does not arrive is so sad.
With each day we add to the decor. A Cocktail Drink holder, a towel warmer, a music station, an addition to the deck for a bar area.
So here we are. Impatiently awaiting the arrival of that navy blue marble interior and brown wicker trim tub.

Life Update: I have the Flu, Ick!

Life seems to fly by when you take on a new challenge.

I spend most of my free time now studying the WFTDA Rule Book to be the best Co Captain I can for my Derby Team.

Our individual derby names are being handed out this week. Some of the girls on my team have received confirmation of their names, I'm still waiting eagerly to hear about mine! It's either going to be Linsanity Lohan, or Princess Pain. I hope I hear soon!

My second note if great interest : I'm Going on Vacation to Punta Cana Dominican Republic in T minus 8 Days!!!! EeeeeK! it's an all inclusive 7 day resort and spa trip. So, I'f I'm M.I.A, you'll know why. :)

I bought some new books to read by the water. And Big D. bought me a new Water proof Digital Camera! How sweet is he!?! I can't wait to go snorkeling!!! I hope I catch a Turtle with my new Camera!

And I've been working real hard on my fitness for this trip! I've lost 9 pounds since Jan 3rd. and definately toning up from derby practice.

MSN Article of the Day

Infidelity or something like it.

This article is fascinating! A cheating Wives club; the lonely-hearts club, and how it's all helped one woman make her marriage stronger.

I'm a romantic, and I like this ladies take on things.

You Must Read this article!

Spice up your love life

some of the girls at work often complain about less than romantic love relationships. They share their dreams of having a man who's romantic and spontaneous. Someone who sends flowers for no reason; or throws on a chick flick and opens a bottle of wine for a quiet night in.

Today I'm giving back to my fabulous man. Because he does all of these things, and I never have to complain. the only thing he doesn't do is put his dirty socks in the laundry. haha.

So I went out and picked up his favorite beer, and a bottle of red wine. I found us matching -his-and-hers- sandals that's imprint "She loves Me" & "He loves Me" into the sand as we walk on the beach - for our next trip down-south at the end of January! OMG Excited!

I got home early from work, and cleaned the house. Then wrapped his gifts, and put them around the house.

When he came home I took him on a "Treasure Hunt" around our house to 4 main spots. It was delightful, and he loved it.

Sometimes all a person needs is to be reminded that they are special.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

Like they said in Rent, How do you measure a year?

I raided Big D.'s iphone and found some great pictures of us from the last year. Here's my story:

We started 2010 off with a bang, got engaged and threw a great Engagment Party
I cried over a knock-off dress. All was made right when I found THE ONE.

Celebrated a friends Bachelorette

And celebrated 2 more Bachelorettes

Big D. Got a Bike

We watched the rain clear to a double rainbow over the fields of our Summer Hideaway

Big D was there to pick up my pieces when I fell apart

I met Randy Fenoli!

Graduated for the Second Time with a new Diploma.

I met a girl who changed the way I think and introduced us to new and wonderful tradtitions.

I Found my inner strength when I joined Roller Derby I Lost some friends, made some new ones.

This year Big D and I hope to start a little family of our own. After the wedding of course. I hope you all stick around to share our joy over the next year. This will be epic.

Another Day, Another Glass of Wine

Today was my first real day of being unemployed. Because my current job doesn't count as real work; and I'm actively job searching as we speak. Well... almost.

My goal is, apply to one job app per day, and hope something pans out.
Other than that, Big D. and I have 2 fresh batches of wine bottled last night! One Riesling and one Sweet Pear flavored wine. I now fully understand why the unemployed and homeless drink. If you got the moola, make it good to the last drop!

So I clean, and drink wine all day. it's quite the wonderful house-wife life.

And tomorrow, I'm going in for a lipo consultation! I have issues around the mid-riff; and soon they will all disappear! But I will tell you more about that under a "Try New Things" blog post later.

House-Wife Diaries Meets Call Center

(image by google search)

This is How I Feel!

Like one Confused Baby!

I'm basically running a call center out of my house. Calling people who don't want to talk to me. not getting paid enough to deal with this shizznit. and hopelessly lost in a world where real work is hard to come by.

How did we end up here?

So, Today I vowed to be the best stay at home wifey there ever could be!

I work cheap labour hours for the Sunny side - Sunlife; and make home life a glamorous thing for my hubby-to-be. He such a lucky man. The house has never been cleaner!

And then God sends you a rainbow

House-wife Diaries: Changes

Life is confusing.

I've packed up my Rolodex and thrown in the towel. I'm not giving up, I'm just moving on.
I'm searching for something new.

I'm also taking submissions for a new maid of honor. please apply below. :P
long story short - Unreliable; if you'd rather drink and smoke your time and money away, rather than help me plan my wedding, please f*** off.

Isn't it funny how everything seems to fall apart all at once.

*********************************************************************************

E.C. Graduation October 2010

I've finished this chapter in my life, and now, you get to see some of the highlights!

Big D gave me a Venus Flytrap instead of a bouquet! I'm better than roses, I don't just attract bugs/people/jobs/opportunities to be awesome; but I eat them too, cuz I'm proactive and advanced intellectually! ...yeah, that made no sense...

Big D. and Myself after the grad ceremony

My Rents sent me an Edible Flower Arrangement made of Fruit! So Fun!

My Proud Parents and God Parents, Came from Little Old PEI to see me Graduate

Check Up Time

We took the Little White and Orange Monsters to the vet for their check ups.

Princess Paris is doing fabulously! She's a Beautiful 4 pounds, and healthy!

Little Mr Toby weights 4 pounds 3 ounces! But is not so healthy. He's had a cough which we were eager to have checked out. The poor baby has a Trachea irritation something. And is on meds for the next week or so, to try and find out whats causing the inflamation of his throat.

I'm calling him my little Asthma Boy now. We have to stop using smelly and irritant products like cologne and cleaners with heavy chemicals. If you know about asthma or know what I should be doing please fill me in, as I'm a little stunned on how to improve my house to make him better. Big D and I are "perfect" per-se, and have no real experience with these things.
Toby is a little mellowed-out on the doggy drugs we are giving him right now... not much change, he just sleeps more :P

Little Gremlin Charlie did not have to go to the vet, as he's currently up to date; lucky boy.
But other than that, we are all Healthy!

House-Wife Diaries: Creepy Garden Lady

Big D. is best known on our street as Mr. Martha Stewart by all of our neighbors. He's always working in the yard, fixing up the house, building things from scratch. And everyone loves him. They all stop and chat to him while he works away in the yard.

The best pick-up line to date:
2 old ladies out for their walk say to Big D. "What you gonna do with all those muscles when you're done?"

Some of them talk a bit too much it seems.

One old lady has been trading garden secrets with him for a while now. She really enjoys his company. So much, she confides how she hates her husband and is so unhappy. Big D. thinks she is alluding to the fact she would like to kill him, from what he has been told. The other day she called Big D. over to come look at something in her back yard. He avoided her request and hurried off to work.

This woman does have the loveliest garden on the block. I think she fertilizes it with human ground flesh.

Garden of... failure?

Here's what's left of my gadening attempt from this summer. It's over gown with grass and weed at one end, with not much life. I kind of gave up....

BUT; The tomato plant is huge! and full of life! my one success of the summer! hooray!