Pumpkin Patch

Ever since I was little, going to the pumpkin patch at Halloween-time was a HUGE thing. It was a choice between Dad, Mom and I and it HAD to be a group agreement on "the chosen one". Of course, as years passed, I started taking over the carving part and we started purchasing more than one pumpkin. I believe one year, we had about 4 different ones, which I carved every single one.

I remember sitting at the kitchen table. My Dad and I would talk for about an hour on facial features and if we wanted a happy, mean, or sad face. Then I discovered Pumpkin Masters carving pattern books. We get the new one every year, and it never gets old. When I met Jake, he didn't really know how to carve a pumpkin, so I showed him and tried to make it enjoyable. I showed him the gooey parts on the inside is the coolest sight to see and how to scoop the inside. I put on Halloween movies and we would line the kitchen table with newspaper. The best part was showing the finished product to my Mom and Dad.

Going to the pumpkin patch is something Jake and I both look forward too all year. Of course, Mom has to come along too...

VICTORY!!! I found one!

Jake with our pickin's...

Me visiting the sunflower field

Mom's four-wheelin' it...

Jake's pick of the pumpkin litter

Comfy??

The other day while resting from work on our recliner and playing on Jake's laptop, I had a strange feeling on my legs and when I looked...this is what I found:

Chloe fast asleep on my legs. (Please excuse the feet)

Doesn't she look so comfy?

Halloween Decor

As promised, here are pictures of what Jake and I have going for Halloween/Fall.

Our mantle (please excuse my reflection)

F-A-L-L ceramic pumpkins from Target, garland from Michaels

Wooden candy corn & ceramic piled pumpkins given to us by my parents

The glass hurricanes are from our wedding

Close-up of Mr. Candy Corn :)

F-A-L-L pumpkins (You can have tea lights inside)

Ceramic piled pumpkins (also tea-light-able)

Then we have the entertainment center

Artificial light-up pumpkin from Target

Yankee Candle Co. Harvest scent

Drip-stained ceramic pumpkins from Long's Drugs

These ghosts were originally a gift to my mother and we've loved them for years.

They've always been my favorite Halloween decoration so my mom decided to give them to us. I love them!

You know you live in Richmond...

You know you live in Richmond when...

When the biggest problem people complain about in your neighborhood is the Chevron plant.

When you're waiting in the drive thru and a crackhead walks up to your car and asks you to buy her a cheeseburger

When everyone who lives in a house facing a street has iron bars on their windows.

When anyone who lives in the Iron Triangle tells people like it's the coolest neighborhood ever.

When you look around and you realize you're the only white person in a 5 mile radius.

When the shiniest, newest thing in town are the rims on a ghetto car.

When you go to Taco Bell, and the drive thru has bullet-proof plexi glass windows.

When you know the policemen by first name because you see them so much (not there for you though)

Oh yeah...it's a great city. :/

Sleep is alluding me

I'm not sure I spelled "alluding" correctly.

But it's true, I'm having trouble sleeping tonight. So, I'm watching George Carlin's comedy hour. So sad he's gone...

I'm trying to be positive about this cycle...and I'm growing anxious to finish the cycle of Progesterone. I think I'm getting my hopes up again.

Hmmm...I wish I was sleepy...

Oh well...have a good night everyone! :)

Round #2

I've officially begun my 2nd round of medication. I'm hopeful, yet anxious to see if this dosage works.

I'm not really sure if I've shared too much information in this blog, so please let me know if I have. I'd like to keep everyone updated on how we're doing...but I'm sure there are those reading this blog not really wanting the oh-so gorey details.

I've lost a total of 7.2 pounds on Weight Watchers so far. I've been trying to become more active without irritating my Sciatica. I've found I enjoy (yes, this is documented...Laurel did actually say ENJOY) cleaning my house. I like seeing the step-by-step outcome of putting laundry away, or cleaning the bathtub, or doing the dishes. I've also gotten into decorating the house for the holidays. Last year we didn't decorate at all, so I'm trying to take it slow. I will post pictures of what Jake and I have going a little later.

I've noticed I'm more excited about this year's holiday season than I have been in recent years. I guess it's because this is a big transitional year for Jake and I. Who knows...this could be the year we become parents (crossing fingers)... I bought Yankee Candle's Harvest scented candle and burn it every evening when I get home from work. I delight in Jake being able to come home to a Fall smelling house with dinner ready. I feel like a good person and wife taking care of him. Of course, I get my share too when I have to go to class on Tuesday nights and my WW meetings on Thursday nights. We also cook together Sundays, so it's a good balance for us.

I am enjoying the cooler weather we're having today. Here, it's really breezy and colder. It's definitely wear-a-sweater weather. It's the kind of weather where you come home, have a hot cup of tea, snuggle with a good movie and warm blanket in front of a fire. I love it!!

I'm hoping to be able to go to the pumpkin patch this weekend. I think Jake and I should take a couple of pictures too.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

In the midst of all the emotional chaos Jake and I have been through, I hit the wall the other day. I knew I needed to do something to get my mind off of baby-making, or lack thereof. So, Jake suggested I do something I've never done before....get a massage. So I booked an appointment for this past Saturday at noon. I slept in, woke up slowly and watched part of a movie. I had breakfast, took a nice long shower, got dressed and drove to the local spa in town. I was met with a warm "neck cozy" that smelled like slightly spiced oatmeal. I was also given a cup of tea and I got to choose the flavor. I chose Chamomile and Mint since I had a soar throat last week.

I was introduced to Annie, my massage therapist (I don't think they like to be called masseuse anymore, for some reason). We sat and talked for a bit so I could finish my tea and she asked me why I had decided to do this, and I told her my reasons (or rather, list of reasons) She took me into a room that was dimly lit with candles and a small lamp. She told me what was going to happen since I was "new" to the experience and there I went...

Oh.My.GOD!!! How could I have missed this????? It was the best thing ever! I left feeling so refreshed and relaxed...I walked to Starbucks, had myself a Pumpkin Spice Latte and visited Jake at the office for a bit. I went home and laid on the couch watching the rest of my movie until Jake got home.

It was the first time in a long time where I didn't feel tense, or stressed. I admit, I would sometimes think about why I wasn't getting pregnant yet, but then I had to tell myself to relax and concentrate on nothing. "Listen to the music Laurel...Enjoy the massage Laurel...don't worry about anything right now Laurel." It was nice to forget about medications and blood tests and doctor's appointments, and frustration and crying and wondering "when?"...it was just so nice to be in the moment and forget about life. Of course, I was sore yesterday (especially in my shoulders and upper back), but I'm in love! I'm hoping to talk Jake into a couple's massage next month...I know he'll enjoy it, especially with his shoulder.