Back to the basics....

So, if you go back to our initial post, it explains the reasoning for our Blog. We had taken a break from trying to conceive (ttc)after a couple of unsuccessful attempts. Tomorrow starts a new road on this adventure. It is our first appointment with the OB/GYN who does specialize in artificial insemination. We are going in for the routine (and yes, dreaded) annual visit, but will also have some time for a consultation on where to go from here -- should we try again on our own, should we take fertility meds (yikes), or will the doc assist? We are both really anxious -- will she be gay friendly as advertised, will she just be friendly or lack all "bedside" manner? I detest going to any doctor, and my blood pressure reflects that. I know that D will be there to calm my nerves (although hers are probably just as crazy now). Although we will not disclose when we try again next until after we find out the result, we will keep everyone posted as much as we can!
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eb

One of the random things that I ponder.....

Often, I ask some useless things and love useless knowledge. So, I thought that I'd share. Not long ago, we were watching a movie and I asked D why the American flag patch on soldiers' uniforms always looked back wards. Here is the answer:

'The flag patch on the left shoulder of Army uniforms has the stars (the canton) on the left. On the right shoulder the flag patch has the stars on the right and appears reversed to an observer. Pentagon procedure is that the flag should always look as if it is going forward. Indeed, the words from an old hymn say, “Forward into battle.” The stars are always closest to the pole, and the flag should appear to be flowing back from the standard or flagpole. If the canton on the right shoulder had the stars on the left, it would symbolize that the soldier carrying that flag was retreating.'

See, you learned something new today!
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eb

'Where were you when the world stop turning..."

Sept 11, 2001. I remember leaving for work and hearing breaking news on the radio about something going on in NYC. I call D, who had just gotten off of her night shift and she sees on the news that a plane hit the World Trade Center. I remember thinking, just like the rest of us, wow, that is serious. Then another plane. Then another, then one collapse, then another plane, then another collapse. That day was filled with mixed emotions of shear terror, confusion, frustration, sadness. I cannot imagine being a direct victim of the attacks. What I do know, is that even seeing videos or pictures today, it still brings me to tears. Images and thoughts of that day remind me of why we entered into the two conflicts our country participates in. It reminds me that we need to continue to support those fighting for us. Of course, I do feel it is time to return home and take care of our country, but I also feel that as long as we are there, we should support of troops fully.



I am thankful for my bro -- serving in our US Navy. I am thankful for D's cousins --one serving in the Marine Reserves, and two in the Air National Guard (one of whom just returned safely from the front lines).

I hope that we all, despite natural events occurring today, remember that day and those who were lost.
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eb

Tina was right to leave Ike

Ike is approaching, but where will he go? He seems pretty indecisive these days. Hour by hour we watch. Will he come close to Austin? Yesterday, yes, today, not so much. So, we are torn. I am sort of excited to have a big storm here. Of course, we don't want to face days without power or any damage....but we could use a good soaking to get us out of this drought. And, if he moves closer to Austin, that is further from New Orleans. I don't want my family having to deal with all of this again. Gustav update -- all the family has power and has cleaned up and is all back to "normal". However, let us not forget (as everyone seems to have forgotten) that many parts of S La are still recovering from the storm. I don't wish a storm upon Corpus or Houston, but I'd like it to spare La.

So...as it goes, "they come in three"....the parents get Gustav, the bro gets Hannah, and we may get Ike. And D will be in her very first storm.

Track Ike here.
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eb

Gustavian weekend....

So, the only one who Labored on this 2008 Labor day weekend was Gustav. He worked hard to get to La, but, thankfully, with less of a punch than originally predicted. Prior to Gustav hitting, my brother and his family, who were visiting La. for the debut of the Mad-Man, evacuated to Nashville with other family and flew back to Norfolk Sunday. Most of Sunday, we waited to find out if we would be hosting Mom and extended family for a few days. Landfall was in Cocodrie, La., west of both Mom and Dad. Mom stayed put with family next door and came through unscathed, with the exception of no power. Dad remained in New Orleans, kicked up the generator, and worked during the storm. Carroll made pancakes for FoxNews. Pepper remained drugged in the shower room (she probably had it the best). D and I watched every newscast you can imagine and repeatedly tried calling Dad and worried for a few hours until we learned he was safe.

Today......I cannot get through to anyone!!! It is very frustrating not knowing what's going on, but I am sure everyone is safe.

So, now, we begin tracking Hanna to see if she wants to visit the brother and family in Virginia. Hopefully Gustav didn't call Hanna to ask her to visit them there!

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eb

Me and My boys, and a commentary to go along with it....

Oivey Ivey!'s Commentary:

Erin: Boys! Smile, dangit, smile!
Dogs: He's touching me! Stop touching me! Mooooooommmmm, tell him not to
touch me!

Or

Dogs on the outside: You better not move, middle child. We'll bust you.
Bust you hard!
Middle dog: Mommma, waaaaaah. They're picking on me! I'm scared! Tell
them to leave me along!"
Erin: Boys! Leave your brother alone. Or NO ONE is getting a spaghetti
dinner tonight!
All dogs: Awww, MOM!

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eb

Gustav

Track the storm here.

Sadly, everywhere I turn, my family can at some point during the season be in the direct path of a hurricane....

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eb

Unique name of the day

Manlove.

For real.

And yes, he is a lover of the men.

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eb

Idiot alert!

As gas prices soar (okay, I've seen a drop lately), we are all impacted....yes ALL of us, including P Diddy, er Puffy, er Sean...whatever. Poor thing is flying commercial now.............. Is he for real? Is it that bad to fly commercial? I highly doubt that Mr Ditty or Diddy or Diddly Squat is crammed between two sweaty fat guys munching on $5 peanuts and an $8 soda.

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eb

Let the games begin!

Memories of a Mountain Top

Saturday was a busy one for us. We went from this:

To this:
All done pretty quickly and with only very minor injuries and little blood. Then, we assembled a bench -- of course, instructions state it takes 20 minutes for 2 people. For us, that translates into about and hour and a half or so. We settled in for the night with Sweeney Todd and had only a few projects today. Off to watch some TV before the start of a new week. Happy Monday Eve to all!

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eb

A Vet-acious & Tropic Kinda Day

I took a couple of well-earned (I think) days off...D is off today too. We started the day by taking Junior to the vet for his shots and heartworm test. Poor little guy.....he's drugged on pain meds now. Here's my baby at the vet:

After that, we took George to see Tropic Thunder -- George enjoyed the show and was surprised with Tom Cruise's performance. Robert Downey Jr was great....

We're off to dinner with friends tonight...just relaxing now and hoping some more rain comes through.
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eb

Georgie Michael caught in a jungle

We had a busy weekend. We made a couple of visits to Michael's for some framing items. George played in the jungle while we shopped.
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eb

Good News Friday

I got a raise.

Mom got a full time job (so proud of her!!)

And, one month from tomorrow, we have our first doc visit to get this baby business started.

Oh yes, and it's Friday!

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eb

Oh! The places George will go.....

From time to time, you will get to live the life of a stuffed monkey. George will accompany us on our outings. Here, you see Georgie on Wednesday sitting on 183 in Austin, where it bottlenecks at 5:40 every day:

Today, George took a ride with me to a meeting. Here we are killing time because we arrived a few minutes early:


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eb

Back stage pass to the 'lympics

I'd like to give a "shout out" to the Chinese during these Olympic games. China has instructed it's restaurants to ban serving dog until September. And a big thank you to the Chinese for basically calling the little girl with the most beautiful voice ugly.

I think I will hug my dogs tonight and tell an ugly kid he's cute today. You, too, should do the same.
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eb

Name of the Day

Well kids its been a while, but I am back with another Unique name.

Today our name is:

TEKEYLA

Oh yes, that's right, like Tequila. Either Mom and Dad are huge fans of Jose, or its just really effed up!

Now go, spread the joy!

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dm

Shredded Cheese-Heads

For those of us who are hard core football fans, the time is approaching for the games to begin. If you don't know who Brett Favre is, then just stop reading now. See, Brett, one of the most successful and talented quarterbacks in football, decided earlier this year to retire. Why not? He's set almost every record and, well, he's older now (pushing 39) and it just seems right. Why not go out on top? Like many before him -- Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson -- he too had decided to come out of retirement. Sure, come out of retirement.....but why should the guy who has been your back-up for years, the one who now deserves that spot, have to ride the pine again? So, Brett doesn't get his way and leaves Green Bay. So be it. They are better off without the old man. Brett is now a Jet. And all of the so called "cheese-heads" will follow him to New York. Oh, and he gets $12 million for this season. $12,000,000 a year (which really is not a year but a few months) to throw a ball. I love football. LOVE IT. But no one is worth that kind of money. How about those of us who work to ensure people have the medication they need, that they have a roof over their heads...take out a few zeros there. Brett needs to realize that what he had was a good thing .... a good career and the opportunity to retire healthy, wealthy, and happy with his family. So, basically, my rant is that Brett is a big Baby. There. GO SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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eb

It's all a bunch of Crocs™.....

I came across this article bashing my favorite shoes... It's an interesting read, and really, he has some great points about the ugly lil shoes. I joked about them for years. Until that one day that I purchased my first pair......and now, I have two and wear them all of the time. I even have the flip flops.
Editor's note here: As comfy as these are, beware when walking. Yes, they are shoes, and you walk in them all of the time. However, you may fall down a flight of stairs (oh, yes I have seen the bloody knee), or even get your toe ripped off on an escalator (those kids didn't need a pinky toe anyway). But, all you need to do it take careful steps.......Because those steps will be wonderful....

Long Live the Crocs™!

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eb

Feast fit for a Cajun Princess

My leading lady helped me to flash back to good family food. She mastered three of my favorite dishes. First....the pickled shrimp, a Grandma A classic. Secondly, the shrimp po-boy. Then, Grandma P's trademark....the custard pie. The shrimp were perfect; but, I didn't remember them being so rich (possibly the cup of olive oil)so couln't eat as many as I had planned. The po-boy was great because she knew the one little thing that makes it authintic for me -- the hot sauce. And the pie was the best. No one has yet mastered the custard pie. It only took a West Coast Mexican-American to do it!

The culmination of the weekend was a very unexpected present -- a bracelet. I love it and will wear it always! =)

So a big THANK YOU to D for a great weekend! I love you!

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eb