See the ticker above?

That ticker means tomorrow is Jake and my first post-break IUI.

I'm a little nervous about having the flu and doing the IUI, because I'm sick with the flu. I know as long as I do what I'm supposed to do, I'll be fine.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope the two weeks before I take the test goes by smoothly and as it should.

Here's hoping for my...

Flu: 5, Laurel: 0

That's right, I have the flu.

It all started last weekend while Jake and I were in Tahoe. I could feel a little congestion, but didn't think much of it. Wednesday rolls around and all of a sudden, I start coughing. I'm coughing and coughing.

It hasn't stopped since. I'm miserable. To make things worse, I got Jake sick. So while my 103 fever is behind me, his is beginning.

I hate being sick. Yuck.

Lake Tahoe!

For our anniversary (which was pretty rocky, but we won't go into that), I was treated to a romantic weekend in Tahoe over Memorial Day weekend. Jake and I left on Friday night and checked into Secrets Inn, which I recommend to EVERYONE!!! It was so close to downtown South Lake, but tucked away so you aren't in the middle of the busy-ness of the main drag. While there we decided to just relax and enjoy each other.

Jake with "Jake" from Blues Brothers

Me being goofy (Wow...I'm white)

At Sam's Place Bar & Grill

Snow on the mountains (very pretty)

On our last night in Tahoe, we decided to go to dinner at a place called Beacon. It's the only beachfront restaurant in Tahoe. We got there at sunset and it was so pretty!

Of course, no trip would be complete without traffic. It took us 7 and a half hours to get home. Of course, we did stop at Jake's grandparents' cabin off of Hwy 50 for an hour or so to say hi. It took us 2 and a half hours to get from Davis to Fairfield. Craziness.

Greetings from le traffic jam!

Sad day for California

I know there are some who read this blog who are happy with the decision of the CA Supreme Court to uphold Prop 8. Then there are others, like me, who are disappointed and honestly, quite furious at the state right now.

California has always been made fun of as a "progressive" state with nothing but hippies and liberals. Today's decision is a huge step back for California, in my opinion. Writing this post, I'm almost in tears because I cannot imagine a place I call home telling me I can't marry the person I love. I'm going to try not to write this out of emotion, but if I do, please forgive.

I have always said EVERYONE has the right to be happy, no matter who or what makes them so. Just because it's different than what we're used too, or what we believe, doesn't make it wrong. Love is never wrong. In times like these with so much violence and a war going on, I would think this would send a huge message of tolerance, saying to the world "Hey, we accept ALL people and they are ALL equal". Just because someone is gay doesn't mean they're some sort of subhuman alien a la boogeyman who's going to eat children alive. They're just PEOPLE, like you and I, who were just told by a government they PAY TAXES too that they can't get married because they're different than what convention calls for.

I know there are some who will probably quote the Bible when I say this: but I don't believe gay people are an abomination. I've been raised to believe that God doesn't make mistakes and He has a grand plan for all of us. He designed us for exactly who we are supposed to be. If this is true, then wouldn't God have made gay people the way they are? I believe God loves all people, no matter who they are. If someone who has raped or murdered can be accepted by God, why should gay people be any different? I don't believe God made a mistake in creating someone who is gay. It's just one more trait to make someone unique and somewhat different than the rest of us. A few decades ago, it was thought an abomination for interracial couples to marry and have children. If that's true, then one family member in particular would be considered an abomination, but he's not. He's a bright, beautiful human being that I love dearly. Just because he's different, doesn't mean he's destined for a firey pit headed up by the Devil.

There are some things people know about me, and others that some don't. But when I've needed support, my family and those whom I love have always been there for me. They have shown me that compassion goes a lot farther than prejudice and hate. Life is too short to tell anyone that just because they exist in a different spectrum than you do means you're right and they're wrong. This may make me a hippie, but there's too much hate passed around. We need to spread the love.

Also, to Katie and Lori: Jake and I will always be here for you no matter what. We're so proud of you and hope to spend more time with you in the near future.

Weekly video 5/22/09

This video is very meaningful to me as it was introduced to me a few years back when things weren't the greatest in my life. Ever since then, I listen to it when I need a little lift. Seeing as I've been a little down lately, I thought I'd share the song. Since Leona Lewis is one of my favorite artists, her version of this song is just beautiful.

Enjoy!

"Get out of my dreams...."

The other night I had a dream. I dreamt I was holding a baby girl, my baby girl. The only thing I could remember was that her foot got stuck under a blanket she was wrapped up in and I had to remove it. While I was holding her, my alarm went off in real life and I had to wake up.

I find dreams like this tough to wake up from/deal with, but hopeful at the same time. Even writing this now I have tears coming because I know it's something I want so badly. It's hard to explain to some people who are so driven with their careers that all I've ever wanted was to be a mother. For some reason, some people can't wrap their heads around that notion. I could never decide what I wanted as a career, but I was/am always sure motherhood is for me.

I try every day to have faith that everything will work out, but I'm just not feeling the faith this cycle. Last cycle seemed like such a waste, and its tough to think about the good sides of pregnancy and all that when people who know you tell you you don't have what it takes.

I'm sorry this post is such a downer. I needed to whine a little.

Super Sausage Gravy w/ Buttermilk Biscuits

I have recently begun to fully appreciate the classic comfort-food breakfast known as sausage and country gravy.

My first attempt at making this recipe was a tiny bit of a failure because I put way too much sausage in it, and let the gravy cook too long so it got REALLY thick. I've made the appropriate modifications below. Also, please keep in mind the buttermilk biscuits are from Pillsbury (I know, I know...shame on me, but I was pressed for time).

Original recipe compliments of allrecipes.com & Bob Evans



Super Sausage Gravy

1/2 lb Bob Evans (I used Farmer Johns) sausage roll
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, unsifted
2 cups milk
salt and black pepper to taste
8 prepared biscuits

Crumble and cook sausage in large skillet over medium to medium-high heat until browned to preference. Stir in flour until completely dissolved. Stir in milk. Cook gravy in skillet until bubbly. The longer you let it "bubble", the thicker the gravy will be. Pour gravy over biscuits and enjoy.
NOTE: The gravy is a little bland, so use the salt and pepper to taste as you desire.