7 Days Puke-Free...

...until today.

I was doing so well; I thought I was on the downhill slope of morning sickness, but alas, I got my hopes up. Today I made it to school and through all of second hour, but at the beginning of third hour I excused myself and escaped to the restroom. Let me tell you... there is nothing quite like sitting on the floor of a high school restroom (even if it is the separated but unlocked teacher's stall).

So, I threw up a lot and someone outside the stall said, "Are you okay?" Dang. What does a girl have to do to puke it private?

Tis the Season

My sweet husband has decided that shaving should be abolished between Thanksgiving and New Years'. He has acknowledged that he is more attractive clean-shaven, but like to try to be furry anyway. Last weekend we picked out our Christmas tree and my husband also decided that it was time to pull out the flannel shirt.

What a manly man, huh? Scruffy face, plaid shirt, what more do you need for the holiday season? So our tree is up and decorated, we love every second of it.

We also have realized that having cats is fine and having a dog is fine, but having cats and a dog and a Christmas tree can mean trouble. Our dog doesn't go near the tree, but she does chew up whatever the cats can knock off the tree and bat around the living room. So far we have had two ornament casualties. Who should we blame; the cats or the dog?

Last Chance Opening Speech

If you have never been to Last Chance, it is a store that my family likes to frequent in AZ. It is an experience. If you listen to this manager's speech to the waiting shoppers, you might gain some insight. She explains what the store is and how a customer should behave. It is hilarious.



I feel like a naughty kindergartener being admonished before recess or something. Remember no pushing or grabbing!

Arizona Vacation Part Two

Our morning routine: Get up and meet at Paradise Bakery for some chippers.

Then make the trip north to visit the Phoenix shopping mecca of Last Chance. It is the birthplace of my dear Allie. This is the view of the store 15 minutes before it opens. Notice all of the people crowding to be the first ones in. I took a video of the manager's speech for those of you who don't believe it. I will post it later.

This is Katie modeling some of the finer merchandise the store had to offer. You may be laughing, but that stinking headband cost $165! I have no idea why either.

On the last night of our trip, Katie and I had to run a couple of errands. When we returned, this is what we saw waiting on the street corner. Please notice Junie's favorite toy being lugged along.

The trip was fun and action-packed. The funniest part was throwing up on the morning we left out. I threw up at Katie's house as we were walking out the door for the airport. I made it through the ticket line, security and then the gate. On the way across the tarmac I had to run to the nearest bushes and throw up again. Nanny wished that she had a camera and the poor security guard didn't know what to do with me. But Nanny and I made it safely home. We always love our time in AZ.

Arizona Vacation Part One

I rode shotgun throughout the trip and Nanny was lucky enough to be sandwiched between the two car seats. I laughed every time I turned around.

Junie's birthday was the major event of the trip. It was a pool party.

Junie was ready and anxiously awaiting his guests.

I am glad there were birthday cupcakes instead of a cake. I am not a huge fan of spittle on my dessert.

Leaving on a jet plane...

Nanny and I are taking off later today to visit the AZ family. I am sure there will be lots of pictures taken and blogged.

Also, thank for all of your nice notes. Yes, I am still pukey. I would welcome any advice you might have in the morning sickness department.

Best Covert Photgraphy Award

As you all know, I am a huge fan of undercover photography. It is a skill I am trying to hone. I promise to keep at it and try my best.

I have come across a picture that I cannot compete with... The subject is completely oblivious to the photographer. As a result, the subject is in its natural state and is unbothered by the thought of being photographed. The picture was actually taken by the aunt of the subject, and there was still not reaction. Someday the subject will be featured often on this blog, so let's hope it gets better at posing, huh?

The subject to which I am referring is...my baby! Yes, you read that correctly. Lee and are going to have a baby!

This picture is the baby's first picture. It is less than an inch long. We heard the heartbeat a couple of days ago. Do you see the black blob on the right? That is its brain beginning to form. I am definitely feel a 34 ACT score... We are not due until June 2008.

And yes, I am feeling sick. Feel free to laugh at this story:

Monday morning I got to school and I wasn't feeling so great. Second hour is my prep time and I was sitting at my desk when I thought, "I don't think I am going to make it to the bathroom." So I grabbed the garbage can and held it between my knees and threw up my chocolate protein shake that I had drank for breakfast. I felt much better after that. I chewed a piece of gum and then got ready for 3rd hour.

I was up in front of the students about halfway through 3rd hour when I glanced down at my white shirt. I saw a bunch of chocolate splatters all over. It looked like someone had sneezed chocolate all over me. It was gross. I started laughing to myself , but the students never noticed.

The moral of the story is not to bring an extra shirt to school; the moral of the story is to hold the garbage can closer to my chin.

Baking Day

Saturday, my sister, my mom and I drove up to my cousin's house to learn to art of Danish Christmas Cookie Baking. We arrived at 9:30am. We made 4 different types of treats. This was what the table looked like by 8pm.

These are loving referred to as "Poop logs" by my mother. The official name is Kransekage. For wedding cakes they are made in rings and look like a cone. These are just snack size versions.

These are spritz. They can be made in various shapes. We made rectangles, hearts, diamonds, dogs, and Christmas trees.

I am not sure of the offical name of thes tasty goodies. They are my very favorite. They has some buttery/sugary squish in the middle. After being around cookies for that long on Saturday, I still haven't ingested one. I brought some home so I can eat my favorites after cookies begin to sound good again.

Nanny displaying the strips:

Cousin Karla adding the finishing touches.

Karla and I showing off our "claw hands." After frosting for that long, your hands start to cramp up and stay in that position permanently. Also notice that the icing bags were defective and we had to improvise. What do you think?

We had a fun day and I think I learned a lot.

Undercover Shot

I have been practicing my undercover photography skills. As you can see, I am getting pretty good. This was taken at the grocery store. As I walked into the produce aisle, I noticed a nice-looking kid (like 20 years old) wearing my favorite shoes circa 1995.

Ahhhhhh, I remember Doc Marten's. I got my first pair the summer before 11th grade and I was the only one to have them. I even wore them in my senior pictures, so they are stuck with me for quite some time.

Anyway, I was so busy trying to be covert (AKA pulling the camera out of my purse and holding it level while trying to follow the unsuspecting boy around the fruit). I think I did pretty well. I don't think anyone even noticed.

I didn't realize until I saw the kid again in the dairy section that I knew him. He had graduated from the school where I teach in 2006. Then I felt bad; but not bad enough not to blog it...