Out Of the Mouth of a UFC Announcer

Again with the latest UFC offering. This time, Ethan is here to watch the bloody pulps with cauliflower ears and vaseline smeared on their faces pummel each other. I asked Ethan the question I continue to plague Seth with: if you were an ultimate fighter, what would your name? He ignored me as much as his brother does, except that Ethan said, "I'd never be an ultimate fighter so it doesn't matter." It's not about reality, Ethan, it's about using one's imagination to place oneself in a situation one doesn't otherwise find oneself in.

Although I'm not technically watching the fights, I can't help but overhear some of the amazing words of wisdom that flow from the mouths of the announcers. This latest one was simply poetic: "It's very difficult to win a fight by running away." Why yes, yes it is.

My life is now complete (for now)

Everyone needs at least one thwarted dream. For awhile, mine was to see the Firth of Forth, mainly because it was fun to say. In 2002, that dream was realized when I traveled to England and saw the Firth of Forth on a jaunt up to jolly old Scotland. Having a dream fulfilled is a beautiful experience. I remember when I first laid eyes on the Firth from the entrance to Edinburgh castle. . . . That's me with the Firth in the background; a bus tour led me to the actual Firth.

Since then, my unrequited dream has become to visit Ireland. We were planning a trip this spring, but when we found out I was pregnant, we decided to save Seth's two weeks of vacation for when the child arrives (that, and airfares overseas are outrageous! We used to fly to Europe for less than $400 r/t--now I can't find anything under $600!).

Underneath these personally attainable dreams has been one long-running one. I've always wanted to be thrown a true surprise party. One where I never even saw it coming. Of course, one can't really throw a true surprise party for one's self, so I've been at the mercy of those who love me to do it for me. I'm not sure why I've been so hung up on a surprise party, but there you have it.

Somehow, my dear in-laws found out about this desire--did I tell them? Probably. Did I blog it? I don't remember. At any rate, this past Friday, Ruth pulled off the mother of all surprise parties at what was allegedly a dinner get-together while they were down in Cincinnati visiting other relatives. I didn't even realize the party was for me when the kids jumped out and yelled surprise when I walked in (my birthday isn't until next week). Only when I saw the banner did I realize that it wasn't a simple dinner but was instead a party for moi. It was great--food, fun,fellowship. They're the best in-laws and in-laws of in-laws a girl could have.

Thanks to Ruth and Frost, et al., my life is now complete. Until I figure out another dream to hold onto, that is. Thanks guys!

My Thoughts Exactly

Dave Barry on the Economic Stimulus Payment:

This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.
(Source: Miami Herald)

Ask and You Shall Receive

Last night we saw a commercial on tv for a steak-and-potatoes-with-brown-gravy meal at a restaurant. Of course, that made me hungry for said meal. Sadly, we were out of the necessary ingredients. So, on his way home from work today (he got called in to fix something someone else messed up), my loving husband stopped at the store. And this evening, Seth made steak and potatoes with brown gravy for supper. This was his first ever attempt at brown gravy, and it was delicious. Yum!

Pregnancy Update

We were out of trashbags recently, so I picked up a new box at the store. I didn't bother to actually examine what I was getting, otherwise I wouldn't have picked up the scented kind. However, I did. And know I now that the smell of scented trashbags makes me hurl. I thought this type of thing was supposed to end with the first trimester.

So as not to leave you with the lovely thought of me hanging over a toilet bowl puking my guts out, I'm posting a few pictures of the first flowers of spring. I managed to remember to spray the tulips with Deer-Out before they blossomed (sadly, the crocuses didn't fair as well), so they actually blossomed this year.

I also found some cute little Johnny Jump Ups which sprouted from seeds I had leftover from last year and just threw into the flower bed to see what would happen. Now I know.


My lettuce has also begun poking its head up through the soil in my EarthBox.

Spring has thankfully and finally sprung.

DVRs

We got a DVR to go with our DirecTV sometime last fall. I don't remember why we got it--I believe it came with the NFL package that Seth purchased in September so he could watch all the Steelers games during football season (plus some of the Lions, the Broncos, and the Colts--well, the Colts was mainly me).

At any rate, I enjoy the DVR--setting it to record all my favorite shows weeks in advance, and rewinding when I missed something on live tv. For example, I watched Jason Castro's version of Over the Rainbow on American Idol at least five times.

I've recently begun transfering the benefits of DVR to radio. When I miss something on the radio, I actually think, "Oh, I'll just rewind and catch it again." And then I realize I can't do that. I was listening to Rascal Flatts's Broken Road on the way out of the parking lot when some friends stopped me, and I had to turn the radio down while I talked to them. So I missed the entire song. Can someone please invent DVR for radio so I never need to miss Rascal again?

Baby's First Picture

The first sonogram was at seven weeks. (Our scanner still isn't scanning, so I apologize for the lack of clarity.) Seth was bitterly disappointed that our baby looked more like a blob than a baby. He kept asking the ultrasound technician to explain what we were looking at. So, he's looking forward to our next ultrasound in about two months, when we'll find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

Knitting

I believe I may have learned to knit while I was in middle school. It obviously didn't stick with me -- or I didn't stick with it. Most likely the latter. Knitting can get tedious. I don't do tedious. When I was learning to decorate cakes and was getting stressed about the details involved, Seth continually reminded me to chill out and enjoy the process . . . something I'm still working on doing.

At any rate, I hear knitting is the in thing among the It crowd, so I thought I'd take it up again. Only I'm involved in a different type of knitting this time. And it's really not so much me doing the knitting as it is God knitting together this new human being inside of me.

Yes, I'm pregnant and expecting our first baby to arrive sometime around the end of October. We're very excited. We had our first trimester check-up today and heard our baby's heartbeat.

To answer your questions:

• I've been feeling fine. No real morning sickness to speak of, for which I've been thankful. A bit of nausea in the afternoon and evenings, but that's mostly gone now. Mainly tired. And experiencing this weird gagging thing when I brush my teeth (thanks, Ruth, for the Close-up tip!).
• October 28 is the due date.
  
• We'll find out whether we're having the boy Seth believes with all his might that we're having in two months.
• Names are up in the air for now, but my preference for a girl is Anastasia (old, old family name going back several generations)--Seth, however, is uninterested in perpetuating family names in any shape or form. And for a boy we both like Kieran.
  

We're thankful to the Lord for this gift that He's given us and trust that He'll continue to provide strength and wisdom as we start on our journey as parents.