Shirley Chicken Legs

Gluten Free Chicken, Good Enough For the Average Eater

2011-09-29T16:03:00.000-04:00

I am a firm believer in brining. Do it once and you will be too.

Brine Ratio:

3 T Kosher Salt

to every Quart of Water

1-1 ½# Medium Bone in Chicken Quarters or Chicken Breasts

Combine the above ingredients in a large bowl and add chicken. Cover and put in the refrigerator 2-4 hours. The last time I made it I pulled the chicken from the freezer and put it directly into the brine. I remained on my counter until it was time to cook it, 4 hours later. Note: You can add additional ingredients here Herbs, Spices, Citrus, Sweeteners. I am a purest and keep it simple.

After brining process is completed, remove the chicken from the salt water and pat dry. Set aside.

Coating:

Combine the following in a shallow dish large enough to use during the coating process.

1 T Paprika

1 ½ t Garlic Powder

1 ½ t Season Salt

1 ½ t Pepper

1 c White Rice Flour (Available in the grocer with the Chinese ingredients)

½ c Bisquick (Gluten Free or Regular)

4 Medium Bone in Chicken Quarters or Split Chicken Breasts

¼ c salt (I only use sea salt)

Whisk in a separate bowl:

2 Eggs

2 T water

Canola Oil or Oil of choice for frying

Let us first point out if you are on a diet you can alter this with sprays and oven bake it but I am a firm believer in going all the way. Preheat 3/4” of oil in a sauté pan over Medium High Heat. Preheat oven 400 degrees. If you have a splatter screen grab it and keep it handy. If you do not have one, grab a piece of foil or a lid to fit the pan. Dip chicken one piece at a time in the egg mixture and the coat thoroughly in the flour mixture. Add each piece into the preheated oil allowing a minimum of 1” between the pieces. If this means you have several batches don’t be frustrated just give the poultry its space.

Fry each piece for 5 minutes each side or until golden brown on each side. Remove from the oil and place on a jelly roll pan, lined with aluminum foil and a cooling rack fitted inside. Once all pieces are browned place on the prepared pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until juice is clear when thickest part is cut to bone (165°F). ENJOY!

Please don't take my sunshine away.

2011-09-26T23:06:00.004-04:00

This post has been brewing for some time. Long days and nights snuggelin' to a hottie, gives a gal some reflection. There is so much going on. While to the average onlooker nothing is any different. And here I just continue to cruise along, soaking it all in... Perfection!

Mama and I were talking about perfection. What we strive for in life. Talking to her it all came together. Perfection is when you stop striving for something better. When you have something and realize that you are overflowing with joy and happiness. Knowing that there are certainly things that could happen to make things different but then you would living an A++ life. Better then the best? Is that possible. I can look back on my life and see so many wrongs. Wrong choices. Bad decisions. Memories that way heavy on you heart. This, today, what my life has become, is a wonderful gift.

Recently I have spent my days lovingly changing cloth diapers. And finding solace and folding them straight from the drier. Managing a baby's cries. Tearing up every time we reach the end of the chorus of "You Are My Sunshine". Singing the "ABC's" and gazing in the eyes of a smiling little one as we breeze through. Watching him try to figure out how to laugh. And working on raising a "sensible voter" (to quote a famed impromptu singer) singing the "Star Spangled". This boy has spunk most of the song keeps a big smile on his face. These are the days that provide me with the proof that it can't get much better. If one child brings me this much happiness. Another is sure to blow my top off. Can someone explain to me why I waited for all of this?

It brings me to my point. Oh you didn't think I was going to just mill around with no real plot? How do you know when you have reached happiness? At different times I think this answer would have had a different end point. Those were the times when I was striving. I knew the moment I met this guy. That I knew my family was safe and healthy. That we were able to figure it out. That any struggle that could occur from here on out would be easier. Easier because I now truly understand what it means to be selfless.

When you are about to have a child everyone seems to want to focus on the sleepless nights. The pain of birth. Admittedly I labored at home much longer then the doc would have liked me to. I thought I was much earlier in labor? I thought I was truly going to die, if that is what early labor felt like. How was I going to make it through to the end. He arrived and I hoped for a full nights sleep. Five to six hours have become the norm, I wanted more though. Out of the blue he gave me the gift of a full nights sleep and I was awake consistently checking on him. I realize the next morning that I actually relish our time in the wee hours of the morn. Our time to snuggle and rock back to relaxation. This is happiness. It is my sunshine.

***Check back. I thought I had some pictures of the fried chicken I perfected whilst very pregnant. I will have to hunt them down. It rivals "Original Recipe" and is Gluten Free!

And then there were three...

2011-07-30T23:47:00.002-04:00

I wanted to breeze through and share some news.

It is the blond haired blue eyed variety.

This last Sunday I was shopping for curtains and watermelon and semi gloss paint.

The very next day I was welcoming this little guy into the world.

Daddy and I are please to introduce Henry Alexander Reno.

Henry for Patrick Henry

Alexander for Alexander Hamilton

And Reno after his daddy's pappy,

who played a pivotal role in so many childhood memories.

Let's face it a man with two middle names?

He already sound like he is going places.

Mama and baby are doing wonderfully.

We could not be happier.

Daddy and the four legged family members are happy

to have a semblance of routine return.

No ordinary day.

2011-07-05T19:48:00.002-04:00

I thought of providing a wordy update. To show the progress we, make that he, has made on the baby's room. But alas I thought this may be a little more fun. Here are pics from one of the showers in honor of the baby. Pictures were courtesy of a cool kitten Sue, AKA Jenny G's Mama.

These gals are sisters. Liz (left) is the co-owner of the Three Way Cafe nestled in Nazareth PA.

I must also add she is a trained pastery chef. Jenny (right) is wonderful and unfortunately for her I have claimed her and won't trade her in, sorry gal.

Kiersten (left) was an important part of every memory that I have from my childhood. Though I do not see her often I am able to keep tabs on her as Mrs. Wilhelm (right). She also doubles as one of my mother's dearest friends.

Mrs. Walton (left) has been a neighbor since her kids were toddling about. I even babysat for her. Needless to say she is just marrying her youngest off this summer. Noreen (middle) entertains my mother at rosary guild each Tuesday morning. Don't dare try to get a hold of mama when she is guilding. Mama (right) was so happy to be with so many great people many old and new friends made our day special.

Jenny lent some handy work to the decor with a DIY.

My nieces were happy to take them home to adorn their room.

And the food. We left that to Liz, with a few requests.

This being one. Strawberry Spinach Salad!

Lettuce Wraps for the Gluten Free.

Cake balls and Cheesecake balls decorated just for the occasion.

Liz did it all!

I never tire of the silly faces that I make.

I could not make them this funny if I tried. It is a natural talent!

Each person was asked to forgo a card for a book.

We amassed a great collection each having a wonderful inscription from the giver.

Though blurry I had to add this. This a cross stitch done by Mrs. W. It hung in Kiersten's room. Immediately when I opened it I was surprised by the thoughtfulness. I am not sure who was more touched. Me for the honor of the gift or Kiersten and Mrs. W for the fact that I immediately recognized it from seeing in Kiersten's room throughout my childhood.

Mama made a quilt as she is so wonderful at doing. I always asked what it would take for her to make me one (she seems to pop them out for the family all the time). Apparently it takes a baby.

Mama and my sister Bon did so much despite aversions to planning and sis being states away.

This little lady, well she is a keeper.

She may need to go into the witness protection program just to get rid of me.

We received such wonderful gifts from so many wonderfully loving friends and family. We are truly blessed that they all came out to celebrate this wonderful time. They were and are the true gift.

Let me leave you with this. I have been asked what the baby will call me. I have also been given preferences of titles from family members. What do you call you mama or what do your kids call you? Do you have any names that deviate from the norm for family members?

Along for the ride...

2011-06-18T07:34:00.000-04:00

Lately this has been my perspective. My guy and I had a minor struggle (in the infertility world) getting pregnant. Once I got the positive, my life came to a screeching halt. Not in a bad way. I went into sleep mode. And that my friend is the dream of being pregnant for me.

In a world that seems to barely stop to let you take a breath. My little bundle has given me the gift of sleep. And this to date has been the only obvious side effect of pregnancy for this gal. For the first trimester I went to work, woke exactly before my alarm (usually after 10+ hours of sleep) and went to work to do it all over again. Many think this would be terrible, nothing gets done. The Mr. was great though. He let dinner slide, figuring it out. Ignoring the dust bunnies that became like pets and not commenting on the kitchen floor until it was clean. Now that I am in my 34^th week I am back to sleep. We had an out of Towner stop in for a shower. The Mr. secretly shared that I was up well past my bedtime. This is all wonderful.

But recently I have complete strangers asking me about the baby, touching me unannounced and making their way to me just to talk. Needless to say it took me nearly 33 weeks to feel totally uncomfortable. They mean well but in a society that personal space is generally respected. It is crazy how pregnancy makes people feel the need to invade your space. This is my formal apology to all those bellies I have touched and all of those I have made uncomfortable along my way.

I have been meaning to check in. This was brought to you with a little nudge, you know who you are. Let you all know about the progress. But sleep has been a joy. Rumor has it I should take advantage of it.

And counting...

2011-04-16T19:20:00.000-04:00

I think we all feel ordinary at some point. Lately I have been on mental copilot to my little passenger. There is an extraordinary process occurring inside of me. My story of pregnancy started with some worrying, lots of prayers and the support of those we love and who love us back. I thought I would take a minute to update y’all. I wish I had a picture. But we will have to wait for the 200# ice cream celebration for that.

Pregnancy comes with changes. Changes in attitude and judgment. Suddenly something that was perfectly acceptable a year ago seems outlandish. New vantage points create distance. All of those things that you knew were the right path seem obvious with your new reality. No parent is perfect but striving for your truth is as near as you will get. Being the daily driver of this little passenger gives you great pause and changes your personal standards.

Marathon Lamaze gave me enough reflection to write today. Because I felt like there was something to actually write about. The Mr. and I went to class at 8:30 and spent the entire morning and part of the afternoon learning to breath a million different ways. All this breathing made us laugh like we have not laughed in a long time, together, in tandem. We actually have been so plugged into life. Getting the house ready/finished. Keeping up. So many see us, as two very different people. One a goofy extrovert. One a controlled introvert. And depending on who you talk to, we are both all of these things. The reality is that we were brought together by our bad humor, our dorkiness, our ability to laugh when no one else can. When the teacher asked him what I do when I do not feel well (he thought sick, she meant in labor) he answered that “she sleeps”. God has blessed me if I can sleep through labor. This rainy Saturday gave us a chance to connect, to get in sync, and eat some GF pizza on the way home. Please remember to count the little things, they are often what matter most.

Earth Shattering?

2011-01-20T20:15:00.000-05:00

What is a woman to do when her main squeeze is convinced he "needs" one of these?

Picture courtesy of Automotive.com

Well you use this opportunity to play your angle.

After you relax your forehead and wipe the

'you have got to be kidding me' look off of your face.

My angle was in the interest of frugality.

This was my in...

To explain that I think we should cloth diaper.

After all I had been researching the concept for weeks.

His response?

They are not going to be laundered with my drawers!

I explained the savings!

The health benefits!

And the fact that this is further proof,

that I will always take the tougher trail

and yes...I AM weird.

I believe he heard this though...

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa

Think of the money we can save

and buy a LATE MODEL truck.

So the concept we hatched.

Who knew of the plethora of pamper alternatives?

I sure did, after my weeks of searching.

I have officially drank the Koolaid.

I can decipher the lingo.

Disposable wipe alternatives have been discovered.

The start of our stash has begun.

With a highly recommended daddy and daycare friendly find.

If you know me you realize this was not a flippant purchase.

At a cool $24.95 a piece. That is a wad of Benjamins.

Pic courtesy of Wikepedia

All the indicators pointed to these gems to accommodate

those with cloth diaper phobia (ie daycare).

Picture courtesy of Cottonbabies

Truthfully I have read of peeps flippin' out over

Huggies covering there babes heinies.

Y'all go too it with my kin.

Just don't expect my frugal fannie to fiance it.

Ramblings

2011-01-02T18:06:00.000-05:00

To say that it has been a long time is an understatement.

As of late, the goings on in our household seems uneventful. We made it through the holidays without a hitch. Even blessed with a light dusting of snowy goodness. I received odds and ends that I had been eyeing up, like my Kitchenaid mixer cover, and a real dining table. We have been using one of those lovely two seater tables for years now. With the baby coming and the huge debacle each time we invite company over, this was a must. The Mr. saved up a big wade of cash for a new rifle and with the excess he bought me a dining table. I was super psyched.

Once the baby news settled into the nooks and crannies of our life (as I type we are 10 weeks and 4 days in), I created lists. Lists are my customary reaction to any life changing event. What does the list entail? I will give you a sneak peek.

Redo the only bathroom in this old house. This has turned into a demo. To all new plumbing lines from the basement to the second floor bathroom. Wainscoting off, spackling seeming never ending. Hidden surprises behind every corner. The wall separating our bathroom from the neighbor’s closet was the thickness of a 2 instead of a 4 of a 2x4. This is of course not customary. When it came to the Mr. hanging the new mirror and light fixture? Well, wall board is not sturdy enough so he worked it out with this gal’s guidance. And the lighting fixture, well it seems that one of the past DIYers was clueless. It was all wrong, like fire hazard wrong.

So after many a night and many days too, without water. We still have the original toilet. We have been vanityless for weeks. Remember college when you brushed your teeth in the shower. We are back there again. There is finally a subfloor, not simply original floor boards with missing sections for ease of access. The old toilet in use, with the new one in waiting in the foyer. The new vanity is in place but hooked up to nothing.

Thank goodness the Mr. got sick of my complaining about the debris in the kitchen, stacked up on the former vanity. The garbage men took that last week. What’s left? Laying a new floor, fitting the new toilet, hooking up the new vanity, painting, and refinishing the bathtub. What can I do to help? I am still trying to figure that out. This morning I took a shower and apparently the miss fitted drain for the bathtub (one of the few things replaced in the plumbing line redo) began to leak. Thank goodness for previous owners, it prompts us to replace almost everything. The drain leaked into the neighbor’s foyer. Yes our bathroom is in square footage that would have been there’s if I separated the original home. See kids alcohol impairs judgment, intoxication is the only reason I can see why someone would have separated the home in such a way.

Here we are in January. HAPPY 2011! The baby is due in July. Sounds great, eh. Well baseball season begins in late April, early May. So he, yes he, has roughly FOUR months to complete this and four other projects. I will hopefully stay awake long enough, as we progress to keep you updated. Sleep has never felt so good, not dowbt abowt it.

Et tu, Brute?

2010-12-08T21:45:00.000-05:00

Monday the Mr and I attended our first Ultrasound.

Thanks to our doc we knew what we were looking at.

The diagram on the wall to explained the parts of the blob.

And an ultra magnified picture gave a a visual of the little lad or lassie's development.

We heard the heart beat.

Whle seeing the little ones heart beating.

We are blessed with A baby.

Today I am 7 weeks pregnant.

And as always...prayers welcome!

Early in this process.

We decided to keep the sex a surprise.

So now we have the task of deciding on names.

Which if you know me...

I have already created a laundry list of first and middles.

For now the little one will affectionately be called Brutus.

First because it is a name I would never agree to for our first born.

And second because it is the name for this fella...

Brutus the Ohio State Mascot

Have I mentioned that the Mr. is an OSU fan?

Date after date after date.

2010-11-29T21:21:00.000-05:00

This place has been like a ghost town. I was in crunch time with the semester winding down, ending only okay. But school was not my primary concern.

I wavered about updating you all. I read a lot, all over cyber space. Tonight over a pot of chicken pot pie I came to terms with what I needed to do…

Let me rewind. I have been going through the roller coaster that we call infertility. With each bit of hope I worried, but not in a stressed kind of way. My mind has been positive. I am assuming the best, the brightest, the most hopeful. And know I have surrounded myself with the best. These are the keepers. When people tell me they have tons of true friends, I cannot relate. I am a person who appreciates gourmet friendships. The diamonds in the rough. Those you could not see for a decade and pick up right where you left off. With whom silence is not awkward and the chatter is never better.

Those that I can access in the flesh were the first to know. Honestly, one of my very favorite gal pals (she know who she is) was the first to know… second only to me. That is just how it goes when you need a congratulations hug. Yes I said congratulations hug!

Let me take you back a bit. I took 5 days of Clomid. This prompted my follicles to mature 3 eggs. On November 1st I got the trigger shot and returned home with specific instructions for scheduled relations on November 2nd. This was further complicated by Election Night, a quasi sporting event in this house. I returned to the doc the very next day to confirm that my mucus was not smothering (though my personality may be), that my 3 eggs released and to get a glimpse of the Mr.’s active little guys in the microscope. I was told to return in one week for blood work and then in two weeks for the big pregnancy test. This would be affectionately called 2 weeks wait by anyone who has gone through it. On November 16th I went in for my blood work, convincing the receptionist to allow me to come in a day earlier than previously agreed. Amy, the RN at Family Fertility called me the afternoon following my blood work. She gave me the good news, I am pregnant!!! I have had two subsequent blood tests since that first positive result, spaced 72 hours apart. Each time my levels have quadrupled. Amy has assured me with that my quadrupling numbers are a sign of nothing but pregnancy at this point. After my November 22nd blood work appointment I was instructed to make another appointment in two weeks for a vaginal ultrasound. I have been told that the Dr. Lee will tell us if we should plan for a singleton, twins or triplets and we will be able to hear a heartbeat(s)!? Needless to say the Mr. is coming along on this trip.

I have been tired. I have been pensive. I have learned what a sleeping bra is? I have been worried about letting the news out. But then I occurred to me...telling you all will not cause a miscarriage, nor will it prevent one. But telling you will open you up to my journey. And explain why I have been MIA. It is most likely the 8PM bedtimes that I have taken to since the trigger shot. Only after this long holiday weekend, have I seen the clock strike 10PM. Perhaps it was the dusting that gave me an extra zing in my step?

I know…that is late…you can call me a wild and crazy night owl. We have asked that our family share the news sparingly, explaining that in the chance that there are complications, that they may then have to discuss it. So we are a week away from the first, next big day. As always prayers are welcome.

If you would like to start at the beginning of my journey go here, then here, and here, then here, and here, and finally here and here. This should bring you back to today. If you make it through all of this and think that you may be afflicted with PCOS, please consult your physician. For more information this is a great place for the truth (keep in mind it is generalized truth, we are all different).

FAVORITE things...

2010-11-22T22:20:00.000-05:00

As of late I have been a drowsy dame.

Most things seems to take much forethought.

The Mr commented that my cooking has lost something.

I believe it is a conscious cook that is needed.

We are ready to give some thanks in these parts.

I am needing to prepare.

On the big day we are getting together with the Mr.'s clan.

Post Thanksgiving we are forcing ourselves to enjoy dinner with my parents and Emeril.

Let me refocus.

I committed myself. Finally, many might say.

But the commitment was to dessert.

Tempted for CHEESECAKE at the commitment hearing.

We have not crossed paths in what seems like forever.

I pulled out the recipe and something just did not seem right.

So set out to research. One of my favorite things.

I came across tons of dairy dessert tidbits.

I will share the following:

Always cook in a water bath (prevents cracking).

Use 1 egg for every package of cream cheese (I opted for the 1/3 fat variety). This was not noted anywhere but was merely an observation.

Cream cheese must be at room temperature.

Eggs must be straight from the chiller.

Whip the cream cheese until light and airy.

CRACK EGGS INTO A BOWL FIRST TO AVOID SHELL.

Now to pull it all together

How did I do it, to be exact?

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

5 packages of cream cheese. Whipped until light and airy

1/4 cup sugar (or to your liking). Mix until incorporated.

5 whole eggs, added one at a time. Mix only until incorporated.

I pour this over my Almond crust***. I then add chocolate pieces. In this case chopped up dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses because I had them on hand. With you finger swirl the addition around (chocolate or nuts or whatever your poison is). If you lick it off, we will keep it on the low down. Cover the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil upturning the edges to keep water out. Place the springform pan on a cookie sheet with a 1/4" of water. Bake at 500 degrees F for 10 minutes. Then turn the oven temperature down to 200 degrees F. Bake for 1 1/4 hours or until the center internal temperature is 150 degrees F. This last tidbit is foolproof and my favorite part. Most recipes note to allow it to be jigglie. Well how jigglie. I get nervous. If you try out this gem. I hope you enjoy. Once internal temperature is reached cool to room temperature and put it in the chiller.

***Almond Crust:

1 cup almonds ground

1/4 c flour

1/3 c brown sugar

1/2 cold butter

I combined with a pastry cutter but a plain old fork would do.

Blend until fully combine and press into the bottom of a 10" springform pan.

Words to live by...

2010-11-21T18:47:00.000-05:00

It feels like it has been forever.

I came across this the other day and thought I needed to share...

Life.

Isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,

it's about learning to

dance in the rain.

I could not have said it better myself.

My Cuban

2010-11-11T20:17:00.000-05:00

This semester is over.

All the assignments have been submitted.

Our next round of baby testing is a waiting game until Wednesday.

This one is the real deal.

I will update you all as is appropriate.

Without further ado.

After Veteran's Day off.

Doing a little of this. And a bit of that.

I am back!

With a recipe for this little gem...

2 Slices of your favorite Udi's Bread (or your favorite glutenous variety)

1 Thin Slice Pork Roast (mine was from just the other night)

1 Thick Slice Your Favorite Deli Meat

2 t Yellow Mustard

1/4 Kosher Dill Pickle (cut into thin slices)

1.5T Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)

1.5T Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)

1T Butter

Butter one side of each slice of bread. Put a slice of bread, butter side down on your Panini maker or favorite skillet. Squirt 1t of yellow mustard on slice of bread in skillet. Layer with the pickle slices. Sprinkle with 1T cheddar cheese. Top with sliced pork roast. Top with ½ T each of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Top with ham slice. Top with remaining 1T mozzarella cheese and top remaining slice butter side up.

Close Panini maker or push down the sandwich with either a heavy skillet or push down with a spatula.

Slice lengthwise and serve. I would mention that my husband is the GF in our household. I have searched far and wide for a good tasting bread, with equally good texture. When we discovered Udi’s I converted too. We are a totally GF bread household now!!!

What a long strange trip is has been, thus far...

2010-11-10T17:48:00.000-05:00

Sabotta Imagery

What a crazy trip we are on.

My final starts in 20 minutes (online).

I am in my comfy gear in preparation.

I hope I can stay awake.

Bedtime has been clocking in pre-prime time TV.

'Parenthood' was a no go in real time.

These hormones are a ragin'.

Tests today gave me a go.

No turbo supplements needed.

Thank goodness.

With my moodiness.

One of us was going down.

But this is how I feel lately.

Full of crazy.

Happy Veteran's Day Eve All!

Hurry to wait. Waitin' to hurry.

2010-11-06T11:09:00.001-04:00

News in these parts has been slow and steady. Updates have been further complicated by a business ethics paper and 2 assignments due this past Wednesday.

What amazes me is the love and support that I have received. My family and friends are amazing. I share with you all to document my journey and to hopefully give one woman a connection. It is also so wonderful when you all reach out with your stories and words of encouragement. Thank you.

How amazing this journey of infertility has been for me. Yes I said amazing. My husband is/has been more then I could ask for. He would love children. He is open to adoption but has his preferences in conceiving our own. What I love about him is that I know his preferences, by knowing him. But he would never vocalize it to me. He realizes the struggle that this has caused me. He sees my intentional choice to not be stressed. And he wants no additional stress in my life. And he lets me talk about it over and over if that is what I need.

Let me back track. I went to the Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) on this past October 29th. The doc did the standard blood draw and then a vaginal ultra sound. I had 2 follicles in my right ovary (16 and 14) and one in the left ovary (16). She was quite proud of me. I in turn was glowing with pride in my ovaries. She asked me to come back on Monday, as it was still too early for the “trigger” shot (Noreval). So I returned on November 1st. We assumed positions. Blood work then the ultrasound. She said: “Oh wonderful you have one measuring 19 in your left ovary. Without looking in my chart she asked if I wanted the trigger. I then asked what had happened to the ones in the right. So we checked it out. They now measured 21 and 17. She sat. We need to have the talk about multiples. She noted that it would have to be the perfect storm to have all three eggs fertilize. But if all three eggs release, our chances increase that even one could be fertilized. Since the Mr. and I have talked this one into the ground. I said give me the shot. We both saw the affect all of the hormones have had on me over the past month. We were ready for it considering this is why I stopped the birth control to begin with. But we also are cognizant that I will most likely have to undergo this process each time we hope to conceive and this could be the result everytime.

So she shot me up. I was to try the next night (November 2nd). Election night. Election night is like a sporting event in this house, so we had to keep our mind on the prize come the end of the night. I was to return on Wednesday morning (November 3rd). I returned. We switched things up. This time we went right for a sample to see if his guys were still active. Then she did an ultra sound. All three eggs dropped. She again told me stories of a perfect storm. About how in her 25 years that she has only ever had 3 sets of triplets. About how amazingly I have responded to Clomid. I got dressed and waited for her to check the sample. She returned and asked if I wanted to see them. There were what appeared to be hundreds and hundreds of his little guys swimming around. I noted that we should sell his little guys. And asked for a picture of them for my desk at work. She laughed and said that would have to be her next investment. My bad sense of humor is not going anywhere soon. So it is a great thing that I found a doc that has one.

I immediately called the Mr. with the good news about his super little guys. I also told him that I was worried that he my have given his ADD to his little guys. I am hoping that they know why they are there and what they are to be doing. His response, "I don't know."

I was instructed to assume this worked. To be sure that I take my prenatal vitamins. No relaxing glass of wine, no extreme amounts of caffeine. Nothing extreme. So now I wait. It is Saturday the 6th I return on November 10th for a progesterone test. I then return the following week for a blood pregnancy test.

If you are unaware of the trigger shot I will explain. The trigger shot is a dose of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is normally produced by the body after implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine lining. This medication is delivered by injection in the belly, timed in conjunction with the maturity of the ovarian follicles containing eggs. When the hCG shot is delivered, those follicles release their eggs and a woman may become pregnant. If a home pregnancy test were to be taken during this time, it would be a positive. Though this positive would possibly be false. What you have to look into, is the affects that it has on a gal. In my case, I have symptoms of pregnancy. My breasts are oddly tender. I am bloated almost swollen feeling. I am tired, really tired. This tiredness is a nice change from what felt like a week’s worth of insomnia.

So I sit hear waiting. I am eager for an early break in the process but have come to terms with the possibility of more sleepless nights, hot flashes and nightmares. Just rollin’ with the punches we are. Prayers welcome.

***If you are afflicted with PCOS or think you may be check out this site for much more information. Consult a trained professional if you are concerned. The above is simply my story which I share only to help others and as a quasi diary for myself. This blog simply my life from my brain, a release, a moment in time. If you need to laugh check this out.

***To start at the beginning of my story go here.

Need versus want

2010-10-29T07:00:00.002-04:00

My mentality for years is need not want. When I have a few extra buckaroos I will spend my own stash on thrift store finds.

For my 33rd B-day I received funds from family. I thanked all who took the time to pen a card and lended a most gracious and thankful gift to my stash.

I threw a line of thanks to my mother in law. She struck a cord. But not a bad one. When given external funds. My tendency is to think. I need measuring spoons. Oh how great it would be to have better measuring cups. The reality is that she wanted me to say, oh I will use this for the necklace in the local jewelers case that I have been eyeing up. I so try to please but in this area I lack. I feel so badly for the giver when they feel this way.

Mama SCL and Papa SCL gave me money for my birthday. I used my friends and family discount from work at the Bon-ton. I scored two pair of Aerosoles, 2 pair of dress socks and a necklace. When I called mama she was so pleased that I reported back. Her comment was that "I knew you would find something useful and good to spend the money on".

My point you ask? When you grow up as I did in a fully nourishing household with great parents. With disfuntionality in your immediate family. You. Evaluate things differently? You are given the gift of money and you truly want to make that money different from your other money. But more you want that money to go toward something meaningful, because it is special. I see that Mama gets this about me. I am still adjusting with my in law. It is a tough journey for me. The Mr and I emerged from different patriarchal family. He quiet, kinda. That is what people say at least. I think it is more reserved with explosions of talk at random times. I outspoken. I like to talk things though. He is a wanter. I a needer.

Any advice?

I am one to accept but not good when expectations are set upon me. I am me, she is she, they are they. I think we can all get along. What do you say?

Imagine

2010-10-27T07:43:00.000-04:00

For me it was always...

Imagine what was behind that door. When Bert (not his real name but Mary Poppins ranks up there for me) was in the house last year to clean the chimney, he thought it was for burning garbage. Apparently back in the day such a thing was common place in a home?

You see in the back of our cooking Williamsburgish fireplace there is a door? Since we could never get it open with the old stove in the way. When we parted ways with the old and created a sanctuary for the new. We swung that door right open. This was my full access pass, to our oven!!!

The installation guys called it my pizza oven. Forewarning that with my insert I could not safely allow me to bake. Good guys they are. And upon installation of the new stove, access has been once again limited.

Oh I wish that I had oodles of money. Or that the Mr would take up a couple more jobs. I would then, revert back to a simpler time. Convert the said oven just to make a loaf of bread or a pizza. But alas if I had all the money in the world my first order of business would be giving our nice double sharing neighbors a bribe to move. Oh then the true demo/conversion would begin. And I would feed my crews with pizza and butter bread...

Happy Wednesday!

Did I say hot flashes?

2010-10-25T19:46:00.004-04:00

Hot flashes, check.
Mood swings, check.
Acne, check.
Did I say hot flashes?

Well I went to the doctor on Thursday of last week. She is cool as they come. I went in the second day of my "gift" (initiated by Provera) and underwent a shall we say "internal" ultrasound, as well as a blood work. At that time I had 23 eggs nestled in follicles, 11 on the left and 12 on the right, per said doc. I probed and probed her with what if and what about. She answered me, and on her way out asked how many kids I would like? I said 5 but the Mr would prefer a pair. She said Not all at once, (insert laugh). I was instructed to wait for a call, we have to check the cyst.

Some background: PCOS is caused by hormonal imbalances. (Not a mental imbalance though, for those who have always been wandering what my issues were a result of). Excessively high androgen hormone levels disrupt egg maturation in the ovaries. This results in cysts forming on the ovary's surface and ovulation does not occur.

So I was to wait for the next 3 hours, for a call to find out if the small cyst lurking over the follicles was anything to worry about.

The call came. My hormone levels are fine. The cyst, insignificant. I was instructed to fill my Clomid Rx provided at the appointment earlier. Start the five day cycle of 100 mg, the next day, Friday the 22nd. Oh and I would be contacted by a mail order pharmacy to order a trigger shot. A what shot. What is that? What is that for? It is the HCG hormone the same hormone that is traced in a home pregnancy test. On my follow up appointment which needed to be scheduled for three days after my Clomid cycle ends, I will bring the shot. The doc may need to inject me with it at that time.

Rush to wait. Rush to wait.

So I left work that day and got my prescription filled. I have never been on maintenance medication so have never needed prescription coverage. Rite Aid has their own plan. I got the Clomid (generic) for $12. The mail order trigger shot was $76 and some change (still way cheaper then the unnecessary prescription coverage). That day I also got the crazy bug hanging around these parts. So I clarified with the pharmacist that I could take my concoction for what was ailing me without any contraindication. I came home early that Friday and dosed up on my home remedy and took my first Clomid dose. Then hit the hay at 5pm. I woke officially the next morning, my 33rd birthday around 2pm after a small break from sleep to feed the pups in the morning.

The moodiness and hot flashes were my birthday gift from Clomid. It has not helped that since the start of treatment, the weather has been unseasonably warm (hitting the 70's today). Ladies, I get the whole menopause discomfort, it is real! So I will take my last dose tomorrow and return to the doc on Friday.

What have I learned? Well I have learned that if you go on the Internet that you will learn crazy terms and acronyms that make no sense in medical or even government arenas. I have learned that everyone else on these sites has some other glaringly obvious illness, story, circumstance and we are all individuals. And I have learned that despite what I have read. It all means nothing until you have actually experienced it for yourself. So I will update you as updates occur.

I really am not trying to dwell on this, really. But this blog is about the here, the now. The me. The us. The we. Thanks for all of your kind words. No stress here though, really. I take out my moodiness on an undeserving Mr. (poor guy). After two plus years of being off of birth control and the like I am recalling the troubles that it caused me (hormones and this gal do not mix). At this point I am prepared for whatever does or does not come from all of this. I have let the Mr know that I will only undergo this current regimen for 6 months. Then we will move onto our adoption options. I am not willing to bare this moodiness. Have I mentioned that he does disaster restoration. The joke has always been that he will never tell me how to clean up a murder scene;) Do I need to explain my moodiness?

***If you are afflicted with PCOS or think you may be check out this site for much more information. Consult a trained professional if you are concerned. The above is simply my story which I share only to help others and as a quasi diary for myself. This blog simply my life from my brain, a release, a moment in time. If you need to laugh check this out.

***To start at the beginning of my story go here.

Long lost.

2010-10-24T20:16:00.002-04:00

This past weekend we attended a wedding for some dear friends. While at the wedding though we met up with a man who left our wedding, a dear friend. Our wedding photog. We referred him to our friends and he worked his magic for them. The only thing better than having talent is to have the passion to execute it and he is on fire.

Seeing him reminded me of the greatest day of my life. A comfortable picnic. One I departed from with a new name. A larger family. And a fuller person. It is one thing to give yourself to someone else. But truly another to put that into action each day. To realize that you are a better person because of them.

I wanted to share some simple details from that day. That my frugality inspired. I had found inspiration from a website that I cannot recall at this moment. but now I have a lifetime of reminders of my special day. I searched and searched for the best fabric to hang behind us as we got married. Let me start and the beginning of the color choosing process.

We were engaged at Christmas AKA the Mr’s birthday. Shortly after I found some adorable blue and white gingham check at the Walmart, for around 80 cents a yard. The joke was that I would be making my sister a dress from this fine fabric. Now I was not the gal who had every detail planned out since she was 4. I was the one who never counted on the act at all. This would all have to be an organic process. I shuffled home on that cold January night with nothing but a fabric. Fabric that no one else in the world would have thought of as wedding inspiration. Well accept for the crew from Hee Haw maybe. We did not even have a date yet. When we sat down to get this basic detail squared away, the Mr had many a limitation. He does not understand why anyone would get married during football season. He coaches baseball all summer. I wanted to avoid the winter. Our date would be Memorial Day weekend, which was easy on the vacation fund at work, given the long weekend. Now since I had the fabric, it seemed obvious. Red, White and Blue. We loved one another and we love this country, perfect. Knowing that we wanted to get married at a picnic, we needed simple details to jazz it up a bit. So I searched and found some red and white fabric on the Ikea website. So I took the journey down the pike. Alas I arrived and they were all out. So I walked the isles and settled on a duvet cover a la Ikea.

It was the perfect backdrop for our big day. As it cycles though my laundry and back onto the bed. As I fluff my down comforter nestled inside. I am reminded of the biggest day of my life to date.

What about my fabric find you ask? Well mama cut it into runners for me. In my world it was perfection.

*** All photos included in this post are by our photog extraordinaire. The best darn photog I know.

Let’s catch up shall we?

2010-10-20T22:58:00.000-04:00

The Mr was verging on being a sister but has settled back down to being a son. First, sorry for the hiatus. School has kept me busy, trying to stay afloat. The dogs, as always, are silly. And I have been very introspective, to the point of voices inside of my own head. Okay maybe I took that a bit far.

We had a wedding the other weekend. This prompted the Mr to get the long awaited haircut. Last recalled haircut. The terrible clipper one I gave him in the Spring. He was so unimpressed that he boycotted shears for more than an entire season. Enter wedding. He took the plunge and I found my hubby under his cousin “It” do. I also decided that he would look divine with a beard but I most likely won’t win this fight. We win some we lose some.

This evening I found myself logged on to my class. While listening to my Mr screaming every expletive that he could find the breath to utter, watching the Phillies. The man has passion.

I laughed to myself. And I am the one with problems?

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the Reproductive Endocrinologist. After the path of Provera nightmares, lightheaded ditsiness, confusion, and all around fun. A gift came. One that pleases you normal types monthly. Mine is only prompted by pharmaceuticals. A friend commented that I am in the rushing to wait game. She hit the nail right on the head.

Tomorrow I get to go into the doc for an ultrasound of my ovaries and blood work. I am approaching the crossroads and uncertain of the path I will be provided. How funny. You are angry that you are unable to conceive without assistance. Then you are terrified of the reality you are about to be face. So many women put no thought into parenting. But when you are forced to be intentional it prompts emotion. When you have the time to consider every decision. The Mr is so awesome in that he has left much of the core decisions to me. He has voiced his desires for children. His thoughts of the purpose of marriage. And the reality of a family. This is nothing new, but good for my ears to soak in.

We have talked about what we are willing and unwilling to endure.

Now it is all up to me. I feel change coming. Not knowing where it will take us. I am excited and terrified.

Change is good. Even when you feel like an island of two.

Blah Blah and a super duper recipe if you can stay engaged.

2010-10-11T21:57:00.002-04:00

Okay so have you ever thought that something was wrong. Only to avoid facing the reality. Then having it confirmed when it slaps you in the face. Well ya'll that is me.

I always suspected that I needed to make some dietary changes. I was a gal on birth control as far back as I can remember. All to assist in regulation. While BC caused side effects for many others. I went pretty much unaffected for over a decade. I never had acne, or the weight gain. Nor any unexplained moodiness, well until the last year or so (this would be why we parted ways). I was able to take in more then my body needed. Enjoy the fruits of my kitchen to its fullest. When BC slowly went wrong for me. I went off it, I had turned into a person I did not know. Every Sunday an was a terrible person. The Mr would expect it. Finally he told me I needed to stop. So October 2008 I went off BC. Christmas of the same year he asked me to marry him. He must be CRAZY! At the ripe age of 31 I assumed my weight gain was as a result of age. Though it was the same time I stopped BC. It finally all clicked a couple of weeks ago when I got the true diagnosis...PCOS. I know that many of you have never heard of such a thing and I thank you for your interest. Your investigation. Your well wishes.

So now I have been attempting to lose some of the 20 plus pounds that have embraced me over the last 2 years. I have also heard that this is much harder with PCOS on my back then without.

To assist in combating my weight I have actually started to watch what I eat. For a self proclaimed foodie coupled with a grazing mentality complicated by a lover of comfort food and a need for visions of cheese melting over anything, this has been difficult. I have taken to loosely follow Weight Watchers and also try to loosely follow a diabetic diet. The later in preparation of gestational diabetes, which has been explained as a great probability. As well I make every attempt to increase my physical activity. This is all super difficult, I won't lie. In a house of a meat and potatoes guy. Who also has a gluten allergy. Whose only source of grain, is the not whole. A man who could eat a vat of lard and probably not gain a pound. I end up making a his and hers versions of every meal. Last evening we enjoyed broiled cod, rice and appetizer sized version of cilantro lime shrimp. As I predicted the Mr liked all but the shrimp. I loved it all.

I am not even bringing this up to bore you. I had you fooled didn't I. But this evening I was checking some of the missed posts on some of my favs and caught this. I commend this lady. Wow. I am not about to go raw and vegan. I can't uproot myself from all the things I enjoy. From my foodiness.

Bottom line you hear about the gal who has PCOS and find she has a thyroid problem or is insulin resistant. Though these diagnoses may not fix anything. They certainly give you a reality. A diagnosis that can be medicated on a basic level. With medication you are reminded everyday that you must watch what you eat and your activity level. I really have moments where I forget. I forget to watch anything but that Reese's find its way to my pallet.

So when saw this I had to talk about what I am doing. Less extreme but trying. Her reality is that she does not see the sheer adorable qualities she has. And though the charts say she is obese, I guess I just think "yeah you could loose a couple of pounds, but I love you how you are". The moral...we all have to find what works for us. For me I am overweight as per the BMI charts. But I can also recall times when I was too skinny.

My point is let's be realistic. Lets set a bar and reach it but not try to be the most likely unhealthy, unobtainable weight we were in high school.

Here is a recipe I have found and loved. The picky Mr enjoyed it too. This little lady introduced me to a site I have grown to adore.

Light Chicken Saltimbocca from the skinnytaste.com

3 (8 oz) chicken cutlet halves (24 oz total) , fat removed

3 (1.5 oz) slices paper thin prosciutto, cut in half

6 sage leaves

1/4 cup flour

olive oil spray

1 tbsp butter

salt and fresh pepper

3/4 cup fat free chicken broth

1/4 cup white wine

Cut each breast into two cutlets to make a total of 6. Pound each one to about 1/4".

Season chicken with pepper. Lay a sage leaf on top, then a 1/2 slice of prosciutto, fold over and lightly pound ends of chicken to seal.

Place flour in a shallow bowl and lightly dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess.

Heat a nonstick frying pan. When hot, spray olive oil. Sauté chicken 1 minute on each side. You may have to do this in a few batches.

Remove chicken from pan and deglaze the pan with wine, scraping up any brown bits. Add chicken broth, butter and return chicken to the sauce. Finish cooking on low, 5 minutes. Serve this over a bed of wilted greens and top with sauce.

My variations were as follow. A side of GF spaghetti for the Mr. A large portion of broccoli (I used frozen), and he freaks at the sight of large green leaves, so I sprinkled dried basil instead. You can also use all chicken broth instead of the wine.

Here I am all the way to the right in my glory.

No this wasn't his pierogi casserole with a side of spare ribs but it was Divine and I got a nod to make it again. Win, win. What kind of journey, trial and error do you find yourself in standing at the stove?

Family, the path has been set...

2010-10-08T17:00:00.002-04:00

Updates are here.
Everything has not set in yet.
I am still processing the reality that I have been waiting for.
I and my PCOS are the problem.

Let me back track...
On our way out of town to go meet up the my sister and some Buckeyes, we dropped off the Mr's sample. Now if you are married to some one with ADD you may get it. If not you are confused by some of what I about to say. I met the Reproductive Endocrinologist. After my first consult I called Mr immediately. He was glad to hear that I walked away with some answers. He also was happy that I know him well enough to request a home sample. So he said that he would produce a sample the morning of our departure to Columbus OH. He felt that he would have the time then. It was but days away so I was happy he sensed the weight this all laid on my heart. You see most mornings he is up and out of the house in roughly 30 minutes, he has not one minute unaccounted for. Well this morning I woke at with the roosters. The dogs did their business and ate. I packed. I packed the car with my suitcase and any extraneous goodies I felt we needed. And then I waited for the Mr. He got up a bit later then he wanted but we were on track. I had made an appointment to drop off his sample after all. You see it has to arrive within 30 minutes of production and it must be anticipated at the office. But then he packed. And I speedily took his bag to the car. Then he entered the kitchen exclaiming he was ready to roll. I redirected him that he was to produce a sample and that the specimen cup was in the bathroom. I had explained all of this to him upon him rising. Also explaining that he should wait until we were read to leave to produce. Well he then quietly returned to his cup. Upon his return we were in fact ready to leave. Freda in her crate, check. Laceylou on guard duty, check. Specimen cup in my cleavage, check. This last step was a bit odd but the doc was insistent on this fact repeating it several times. The sample must be maintained at body temperature. I arrived to the reception area to an annoyed receptionist. After all we were nearly 35 minutes late for the drop off appointment. I hoped and prayed, while she made copies that they would take it. After all I do not need this stress in my life. I already deal with any deadline. Time sensitive does not factor into his brain. Well I waited and they called his name. They took it. Now to wait. It was literally 10 days until we got the results. I was worried the entire time. Then the phone call came. I had a nurse talking gibberish. Morphology? Motility? I got the volume and concentration concept. So we sat and she explained. He is fine. Totally normal. So I text him the following. Your sperm is fine. He was happy and exclaimed that he was not retarded. I retorted that his sperm may not be but that does not mean that he is not. Now I am taking my scheduled does of Provera to initiate my menses as I would have done in spite of the entire process. Upon reaching my menses, I get to rush in for a rush visit. Further information is to follow.

Realize that I share this all not for me but for others. I was searching and searching for information. And no one fit my MO. I am a woman with PCOS. Nothing off the charts. I do not have a thyroid condition. Nor do I have insulin resistance. I am me a woman with, what has been described as a lifelong affliction of PCOS, plain and simple. I hope my story as it evolves helps others along their path of to a family.

If you would like to back track to the beginning go here.

Side effects of being me

2010-10-06T20:56:00.000-04:00

It is my time.

To not sleep.

Fearing my dreams as I awaken, in a cold sweat.

Feeling tired with no reprieve.

Being lightheaded and unfocused.

Fearful the evaluation.

One of my grasp.

What I have gained.

What about my unfocus?

Focusing on the fixins.

My comfort zone.

Where I get my mojo.

My piece. My solace.

Some enjoy food as an art.

Or means of nourishment.

Others enjoy the process.

I love all of it.

Temptation got the better of me.

All the piping hot goodness of a cup o joe.

Strong enough to take the paint off the car.

Just the way I like it.

Needs to an end.

Just to catch this little Gem.

Only to mute the stress of a scene.

Contemplating everything.

While resolving nothing.

Something feels amiss.

Reasons unreachable.

Unreachable now...

PSA

2010-10-02T21:07:00.000-04:00

During my special time with this special lady, we caught up on all sorts of important details. One important detail being that we have both come to the conclusion that money talks, sometimes. You see we are both fine feathered friends. She happens to be of the straight variety, while I was blessed with the swirls. It should be said. My mama jokingly told me in my early teens, that if you have more than 2 swirls in your hair, it is a sign of mental retardation. I have enough swirls and twirls to spare.

Back to the hair. We have both been having hair problems. She styles, while I am more natural. She is a processor, while I am low maintenance. My hair stylist at the Hair Cuttery (can you say $20 including the $5 tip!) thinks I am a bit nutty. I fear processing. After many a bad hair cut, it took me a while to warm up to her. I won't give into a dye job for my slowly multiplying white hairs. I have grown to love my stylist just the same though. She does as I wish and is totally cool about the fact that I know my hair better than she.

Well the summer was a scorcher and my tresses held up. But I found myself reverting to my historical stand by. Up in a loose bun. I think it looks cute. But I also feel that it is damaging. I like the down look.

While in Columbus with the sister and the mister. The gals decided that we would take the plunge to high priced hair products and report back. We both settled on Bumble and Bumble. She because she had used it before and lovedthem. I because I randomly spoke with another curly cue in AZ years ago. Yes I randomly inquire with any girl with a curl that I see who has what I am looking for. She note that Bumble and Bumble was her saviour, she loved them (and so did her locks).

So here is my story. I snagged Sunday for the weekly cleanse. After all I may try to keep it real and go as natural as possible. But if no product was used...give me a hair pick and I could have been the sixth member of the Jackson 5.

Now for the daily use. I went for Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Shampoo which is noted to be for frequent bathers? I guess that would be me. There are curly girls that do not scrub their tresses daily or who do the no poo thing. Not I. I am a daily washer.

Then Thickening Conditioner noted to be a featherweight concoction. It is a moisturizer and detangler in one. Jackpot!

And a single styler? Now I have been a gal who has needed several stylers, daily, for years. So to impress me with one magic creme? Good luck. I settled on the Styling Creme. Pesto, chango. Sis had noted it was effective. When I read it is recommended for curlies or straights I was eager to try it. Well here is the result via my Sony Ericsson W810i.

Fabo, if I do say so myself. This is after a long walk to the cheese shop and scrubbing the kitchen floor.

Laughs, Linebackers and Line Dancing...

2010-09-30T20:32:00.000-04:00

The Mr and I left Friday morning.

Leaving Freda in her crate and Lacey in charge.

Mama SCL came by in the afternoon.

And stayed until late in the evening Sunday.

She volunteered to be the dog sitter?!

She was happy to be back with papa and minus Freda in bed with her.

She likes to be under the covers.

I explained that when we are home.

We have the Mr (thank goodness he is skinny) + Me + Lacey + Freda!

All in our queen size bed .

She only had to share with Freda

(Lacey apparently took to the floor).

What an awesome mama!

To think that this would be great idea.

I think/hope she had a nice time.

She caught up on her HGTV watching.

Washed some windows.

Did some of my laundry.

And took great care of the pups.

And enjoyed a meal and a local cafe owned by my friend's sister.

That morning we woke, we packed, we produced.

We dropped off samples

(within the 30 minute requirement, though not in time for the appointment)

We drove and drove.

Stopping to relieve ourselves and for a good meal at Cracker Barrel.

One of our favs.

He does not like it as much as he had.

Prior to the celiac diagnosis.

Their hash brown casserole has wheat.

But he accommodates me.

That to me is love.

He seems to prefer being home when it comes to meal time.

Growing sick of burgers and steaks and ribs.

We landed in Columbus, OH around 6pm.

My big sis arrive shortly after.

She arrived in style, tinted windows and all.

He is super fond of the little lady.

She gets me to the bone and knows him like a glove.

She and I talked nonstop.

We then ate at Damon's.

Then set off to Nyoh's Buckeye Bar and Grill.

I was mesmerized by the line dancers.

Who I am convinced could have done the two step to rap music.

All the while me and the sista' were talking nonstop.

I do not remember being beaten so badly but pictures do not lie right?

The gals stays up 'till the wee hours while the Mr. slept.

After all he did drive Miss Daisy all day.

I read mags the entire way.

Only breaking when feeling like a nap was in order.

The next morn we woke to grab some kinda burnt coffee.

And Applebee's grub.

Then some goodbyes and a game.

The Mr's papa is an OSU alum.

He get tickets to a game a year.

Since he could not get time off.

So we were more then happy to warm his seats for him.

Even if you go to a game.

And walk away with a loss.

The Ohio State Band is something to enjoy.

Given they were playing a Michigan team that day.

They assumed their position with this song.

OSU 73 vs Eastern Michigan 20

Nothing like a whirlwind weekend.

With two of my most favorite peeps.

We are like three peas in a pod.