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My Uterine Fibroid Story, Part 5

2012-01-02T21:12:00.000-05:00

Using a MyoSure to complete the hysteroscopy with myomectomy, my doctors were able to remove half of the uterine fibroid without damaging the lining on October 24th.

In an operative hysteroscopy, the cervix is dilated and a hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterine cavity. The hysteroscope has a little camera to transmit images of the uterus to a video monitor. Because there are no external blades, using the MyoSure is safer for the patient, easier for the surgeon, and faster overall. This tissue removal system suctions the fibroid into the wand much like a vacuum, then the rotating blade inside the wand cuts the fibroid into tiny pieces.

My second round on December 19th was also quite successful, leaving just a small crescent moon shaped fibroid in my uterus.

Complications after both operations were minimal, and it was special having both my parents and sister (who were visiting for Christmas anyways) keep me company after the second round.

My doctor is 90% sure that the third operation on January 30th will be the last. The best part? My husband has the day off work.

To be continued in Part 6...

My Uterine Fibroid Story, Part 4

2011-12-10T21:04:00.000-05:00

My husband and I live in the great state of Michigan - far, far away from our families, which can create challenging situations when you're sick.

Unless of course you are blessed with an amazing community like we have been. Since my sweet husband was unable to take the day off of work for my first round of surgery, he dropped me off at the hospital on his way to the office. Then my dear friend Lindsay spent the morning there while I was in surgery and drove me to her house for the afternoon.

Another wonderful friend spent the day after surgery with me and brought over a meal so I wouldn't have to worry about cooking. Others drove me to pick up medications at the pharmacy, and even to book club so I wouldn't miss out. And so many others offered up prayers and sacrifices for a successful surgery.

Truly, truly, we are so blessed.

On the day of surgery, I arrived at the hospital at 7:30am, two hours before my scheduled appointment with plenty of magazines to keep me busy. Highly recommended! While you're unlikely to need that much time for the actual surgery prep, the nurses appreciate not having to rush through it, especially if there are any complications, as there usually are in my case.

As per usual, even the most experienced nurses had a hard time drawing blood. It also didn't help that I was dehydrated since on the day of surgery I could have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. They poked all over my arms unsuccessfully - both for more bloodwork and to get my IV going. Thanks to cuddly blankets and a Bair Hugger, the rolling bed they had me on was soft, warm, and oh so comfortable.

Eventually my nurse was able to get enough blood drawn for the tests, and the anesthesiologist was able to insert the tiniest possible catheter for the IV. Thanks to the prayers of my family and friends, I did not feel any fear or stress. What a peaceful, grace-filled experience. My nurses were amazed at just how calmly I reacted throughout all the poking and prodding. I was surprised too - I'm not normally one to be particularly calm about anything.

They also complimented my surgery outfit, and I had to admit I had thought it out beforehand... Roomy leggings paired with my softest white cotton shirt, a warm sweater in a flattering color, and my Ann Taylor ballet flats. I wasn't allowed to wear any makeup or lotion, or even my contact lenses, so I made sure to blow out my hair nicely.

To be continued in Part 5...

My Uterine Fibroid Story, Part 3

2011-12-01T21:01:00.000-05:00

I expected going through menopause would be tough. I expected the surgery would be tough.

But I just was not prepared for a bowel prep the day before surgery.

For those of you lucky enough not to know what this is, whole bowel irrigation is a day long process that begins with a laxative, liquid diet, and chugging four liters of salty water (otherwise known as an osmotically balanced polyethylene glycol solution).

It means that you spend an entire day on the toilet. And if you're extra special like me, you may also experience the joys of puking into a bucket while on the toilet.

Since I will get to go through this all again - and for anyone getting ready for a colonoscopy, endometriosis surgery, operative hysteroscopy, or any myriad of abdominal procedures - I am going to share my tips on how to survive the day.

If you're Catholic, "put on Christ" and offer it up. Redemptive suffering makes situations like this worth it. Philippians 3:8-11
Eat light, high-fiber foods on the days leading up to your bowel prep. Reduce meat and dairy products as much as possible.
Keep soothing, unscented, alcohol-free baby or moist wipes on hand. A little Preparation H wouldn't hurt either.
Stock up on books, movies, music - any distraction to keep your mind off the situation and pass the time.
Set up the bathroom with scented candles (yes, diarrhea literally stinks) and a portable heater (I was freezing, and my bathroom doesn't tend to be the warmest room in the house).
Should nausea strike, keep a bucket on hand. Also douse a washcloth in an antiseptic menthol solution to hold up against your nose and mouth to prevent - and if you can't avoid it, to help you feel better after - vomiting. If you can get it, I recommend Loción Menticol.
A few hours before you start chugging, put the jug in the fridge. As disgusting as it is to drink salt water, it's worse if it's warm. Follow up each cocktail with a physician-approved liquid to get the taste out of your mouth - water, ginger ale, apple juice, chicken broth all do the trick.
No matter what, don't use the pineapple flavor if your solution comes with options. Stick to the lemon-lime.
Know that it will take a few days to get your digestive system functioning again. I was surprised to find how much time I spent in the bathroom even after surgery. Also? Flatulence is gross, but normal. Ah, the things I've learned through this experience.

Coming up! Day of surgery on Part 4...

My Uterine Fibroid Story, Part 2

2011-11-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

Continued from Part 1...

Depending on size and location, the best way to remove fibroids (also called myomas, ergo their removal is called a myomectomy) is either via laparotomy (similar in operation to a c-section), laparoscopy (also similar to a c-section, but with even smaller incisions), or operative hysteroscopy, which is the least invasive option if the goal is to preserve fertility.

Other options include uterine artery embolization to cut off the blood supply to fibroids, endometrial ablation to destroy the uterine lining, magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (destroys uterine fibroids with an ultrasound beam while the patient lies in an MRI machine) and hysterectomy (entirely removing the uterus, gah).

After consultation with both my primary OB/GYN and a fertility specialist - both highly trained surgeons - we agreed that the next step would be a sonohysterography, also called a sonohysterogram, to inspect my uterus more closely and determine next steps.

At that appointment we decided that I should be treated with Leuprolide (Lupron Depot). Lupron is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist which triggers hormone receptors in the brain (the pituitary gland) to decrease the size of the fibroid by reducing the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), effectively cutting off the estrogen and progesterone supply. (Yes, I know that's a run-on sentence. Sorry.)

The goal was to reduce the number of operations needed, and of course make the fibroid a little easier to remove.

Lupron, however, is an extremely expensive drug, and convincing my insurance company to help with the cost - which would in the end, reduce surgery costs (d-uh!) - has been a such a frustration. Lupron also induces menopause symptoms which means I have spent the last couple of months with hot flashes, headaches, emotional lability (read: moodiness) and my favorite menopause symptom, forgetfulness.

After months of waiting, bloodwork, MRIs, ultrasounds, more waiting, and more testing, it was finally time for my first operative hysteroscopy with myomectomy and ultrasound guided MyoSure. What a mouthful.

To be continued in Part 3...

My Uterine Fibroid Story, Part 1

2011-09-25T07:37:00.011-04:00

It all began last spring when my NFP charts started showing unusual symptoms - lower back pain throughout my cycle, changes in the quantity/quality of my cervical mucus, longer and more painful periods, breakthrough bleeding throughout, and strange bladder pressure, among other things.

We were hoping to be blessed with a pregnancy, but with these unusual symptoms we were unsure if it would even be possible. After a few months of no change in symptoms (and no pregnancy) I visited Dr. Fleming for my annual gyno exam. This exam is never fun, but it is absolutely worth it. He agreed based on my symptoms that something was up, and asked me to come in for an ultrasound on Day 7 of my next cycle to get a better look at my uterus.

As it turned out, a 5.5cm benign fibroid had popped up in my uterus, blocking the entrance and therefore making it almost impossible for a newly conceived baby to implant.

I've decided to chronicle my experience for a couple of reasons. First, I don't want to forget all the medical knowledge I've gained talking to my doctors and conducting research on my own. I also hope that - much like the online resources I came across in my research - my story will be helpful to others going through a similar situation, whether a myomectomy, bowel prep, or any number of fertility struggles.

To be continued in Part 2...

4th of July Flag Cake

2011-07-07T11:34:00.000-04:00

For this year's 4th of July Chili Cook-Off, I wanted to make a special dessert.

First I found a recipe for a simple white cake to serve as my base on AllRecipes.com.

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract (I used imitation)
4 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix flour sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, milk, and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
In another large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cake batter, then quickly fold in remaining 2/3 until no streaks remain.
Pour cake batter into greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake will come out clean when it's done.

I wanted a light, fresh topping for the cake. So while the cake cooled, I set my hand mixer to medium speed and whipped up some cream to serve as a type of frosting. I set both the whipped cream and cake in the fridge to cool completely. Then it was time to decorate!

I thought this would be hard. But truly, if I can do it, anyone can. Again, All Recipes came to my rescue with instructions for decorating a flag cake. It's pretty straightforward.

Make a rectangle outline with blueberries on the top left-hand corner of the cake, then fill in the blueberries.
Place strawberry halves in straight lines across the cake, starting with the bottom since the bottom stripe of the flag is red.
Fill in the remaining stripes with strawberries (I liked the look of these pointing in the opposite direction).
Enjoy!

3rd Annual 4th of July Chili Cook-Off

2011-07-07T07:55:00.006-04:00

This is fast becoming one of our favorite annual traditions. Good friends, delicious chili, and a fun competition all make for a great afternoon.

And this year's chili cook off was all the more special because of the presence of our 3 1/2 month old ahijado.

As per usual we had an extraordinary panel of judges...

... who dutifully tested samples of every kind of chili.

My handsome husband demonstrated the prizes...

... and our favorite seminarian announced the winners!

In third place, with their brand new baby boy, Dan and Lindsay Piedra.

And in second place...

And in first place, at their chili cook-off debut, no less...

This competition is fierce. Looking forward to next year already!

My Husband Is An Immigration Attorney!

2011-05-13T13:00:00.001-04:00

What great news today - my handsome husband was not only sworn in to the State Bar of Michigan, but he was also offered a job at an immigration law firm.

The only annoying part? I wasn't allowed to bring a camera into the courtroom to capture our JOY.

Oh, and it's Friday, the sun is shining, and tomorrow I'm hosting a baby shower for my dear, beautiful friend Lindsay.

Pinch me. What joy - I must be dreaming!

DIvine Mercy

2011-05-02T11:45:00.001-04:00

I find it very interesting that Osama bin Laden died on Divine Mercy Sunday.

May God have mercy on us all.

Royal Wedding Fashion: Hats!

2011-04-29T11:06:00.002-04:00

Yes, we all agree Kate's dress was gorgeous, reminiscent of styles worn by Grace Kelly and Ivanka Trump - both inspirations for my own wedding day. But now let's talk about iconic British wedding fashion... hats!

Why don't we wear more hats in America?

Princess Beatrice has been known to wear unique hats. I actually liked the butterfly hat she wore to her cousin Peter's wedding in 2008. (Peter is the Queen's eldest grandson, and 11th in line to the throne.)

But the hat she chose to wear for the Royal Wedding today? For a wedding to air around the world? Made her look like a Who from Whoville.

I just don't get it.

Not much of a difference between HRH Princess Beatrice and this Who from Whoville.

On the other hand, her sister Princess Eugenie looked stunning. I adored the ribbon details on her gorgeous blue ensemble, loved the feather hat, and the stunning gold pumps. Undoubtedly hers is a classy statement outfit.

Representing Spanish royalty, the Queen of Spain Sofia, her son Principe Felipe, and his wife Princesa Letizia did not disappoint. Letizia was also a commoner who married into royalty so is one of the few to understand what Kate (now the Duchess of Cambridge!) experienced that morning.

Princesa Letizia's rose dress, with matching hat and pumps looked perfectly regal and spring-like. So gorgeous. Her mother-in-law, the Reina Sofia also stunned in a lovely purple suit and matching hat.

Seriously, I need to start wearing more hats.

Another one who must have understood a bit of what Kate experienced is Prince Daniel, a former personal trainer who married his client, Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria almost a year ago. Victoria looked radiant in a gorgeous peach ensemble.

Love the wide brim on Princess Victoria's hat.

And of course Prince Albert of Monaco's bride-to-be Charlene Wittstock did not disappoint. The former Olympic swimmer looked gorgeous in her gray dress, white hat, and nude pumps.

Carole Middleton also stunned in her light blue dress and matching hat. The empire waist of the coat I beautifully flattered her figure. Given the pressure of a day like this in the spotlight, it's no wonder she changed her dress at the last minute!

Good call, Mrs. Middleton. This dress was perfect for you.

Pippa Middleton didn't wear a hat, but her maid of honor dress was so stunning, I can't help but gush over it.

Admittedly I'm not sure I understand why she wore white - shouldn't the bride be the only one wearing white at a wedding? - but her dress was absolutely stunning. And it did complement the bride's dress, without taking anything away from it.

Love the button detail down the back.
Wouldn't this make a beautiful wedding dress too?

Kate's Royal Wedding Dress

2011-04-29T08:58:00.000-04:00

There's just something so decidedly un-regal about the strapless wedding dresses that have become so popular among brides of my generation. Needless to say, I quickly fell in love with Kate's Alexander McQueen lace v-neck, ivory silk gown.

I adore lace, and I adore drop veils like this one.
Kate looked gorgeous.

It reminded me much of Julie Andrews' wedding gown in The Sound of Music: high collar, long sleeves, v neck, long train, full skirt cinched at the natural waist. Gorgeous, and so regal.

The service was beautiful, too. Kate's brother James read a passage from Romans 12.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercy of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do no be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do no lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty bu associate with the lovely; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil with evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Then the sermon quoted both Chaucer and St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast day - he called it a festival - is today. St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

P.S. Dear Victoria Beckham, I usually love your style, but why? Why did you wear black to the Royal Wedding? I know black is fashion's go-to color - mine is brown - but you have so many gorgeous colorful dresses in your collection that would have been perfect for a spring wedding. And I know you could have made them work perfectly for your maternity style, too.

I just know you could've rocked one of your S/S 11 dresses even while pregnant.

Royal Wedding Eve

2011-04-28T21:31:00.001-04:00

I wonder what Kate Middleton is going through right now.

The night before my wedding, I enjoyed a beautiful rehearsal dinner with many of my dearest family and friends. It's hard to put into words what I felt that night - nerves, excitement, peace all rolled into one.

Originally I intended to leave the party a little early so I could get a good night's rest before the big day. That didn't happen. But eventually we did make our way out the door and to our apartment. My last night as a single woman.

I went over my packing list for the 100th time to make sure I wasn't leaving anything behind - I was in another country, after all - and chatted with my sister and my girlfriends while washing my face and getting into pajamas.

My last night sleeping alone in a bed. My last night sharing a room with my sister. I crawled into my mother's bed, wept a few tears of nostalgia and emotion, and hugged her tight. My mother realistically assuaged all my little fears about marriage and life with my husband.

Then I crawled into my own bed, next to my little sister's. And prayed as I drifted off to sleep, completely at peace.

The next morning, I woke up, had some breakfast, and washed my face while everyone else scurried about with last-minute plans and preparations - the seating chart, the favors, the transportation. But I was in another, blissful world. After breakfast I took a nap.

I woke up just in time to walk over to my Mamama's where mom and I would meet the hairdresser and makeup artist. And we were off to the races!

Kate Middleton is likely asleep right now... at least I hope so. And I hope and pray that she's experiencing tonight the peace I experienced on the eve of my wedding last year. I hope and pray that all the details are ironed out smoothly tomorrow - that she doesn't have to worry about a thing but marrying the man she loves.

And admittedly, along with much of the world, I'll be watching the Royal Wedding broadcast. Starting at about 5:30am EST... I'm just not one of those crazies getting up at 4am. But since we cut our cable several months ago, I'll be watching on YouTube and following along on the digital wedding programme.

Are you going to watch the Royal Wedding live? Or later on Tivo? Or not at all?

April Savings Bring May Loan Payments

2011-04-26T17:56:00.001-04:00

Yes, yes, we all know April showers bring May flowers - and we're certainly getting a lot of those showers here in Michigan. But this year, on our bi-weekly pay schedule, the month of April brings three paydays.

(!!)

Since our monthly budget is based off two paydays, this Friday April 29th, we can put our entire paychecks into savings.

I get so excited about managing our family's monthly finances - balancing our budget, making sure we pay all our bills on time, crafting a plan to be completely debt-free by 2014. Sounds incredibly dorky, I know, but Dave Ramsey got me hooked on family financial management, which as it turns out, is really just good stewardship.

And did you know that managing the family budget was traditionally a female role? The husband worked all day to bring home money for the family - and it was the wife who figured out how to save and spend it according to the family's needs. I love managing our family's finances - it's like managing a small business.

In our family, now that we've built up an emergency savings fund and funds for this year's expected expenses, we save a significant portion of our monthly income to pay off our student loan debt as quickly as possible, per Dave Ramsey's snowball plan.

We're living as frugally as we can and hoping to be debt-free within three years. And that's such an exciting thought. Can you imagine everything you could do if you didn't have to make loan payments every month? Now that's financial freedom!

April is a good month. This month a whole paycheck will go right into paying off student loans. What a blessing!!

First Anniversary Weekend in Cleveland

2011-04-11T22:18:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I've been married to the most handsome man on earth for over a year. Everyone said this first year would fly by... and as it turns out, they were right!

We celebrated this most joyous of occasions by visiting the Intercontinental Cleveland for a honeymoon hideaway. (And yes, you can continue "honeymooning" after the first honeymoon. I'm a big proponent of this.)

To kick off our anniversary weekend in style, we celebrated with a tapas style dinner in our gorgeous hotel room.

Jimmy John's Italian bread, Trader Joe's cheddar cheese, shrimpies, olives, antipasto, red wine, year old wedding cake. Yum!

When we fed each other cake on our actual wedding day, I wasn't very impressed. For whatever reason I found it dry and overall unappealing, whereas my husband actually enjoyed it. Fast forward a year later, and I can't stop eating the deliciously moist one-year old wedding cake, and my husband can't swallow more than a few bites.

Who knew year-old wedding cake would taste so good?

Melted sugar and fondant? Surprisingly tasty.

The lovely folks at the Intercontinental Cleveland also left us some tasty chocolates.

On Saturday we chose to venture out of our hotel room and explore a little bit of downtown Cleveland. I snapped a quick picture of my budding attorney in front of the Cleveland courthouse.

I know he loves me... because he humors me when I beg for more pictures.

Next we popped into The Arcade, the first indoor shopping mall. I love shopping and Carlos Fernando enjoys Victorian-era architecture, so we didn't mind paying the exorbitant parking costs nearby.

Love all the little details on the banisters and light post.

As it turned out we were both impressed with the architecture. This five-story arcade with a 300-foot glass skylight connects two nine-story buildings and is a great example of 19th century American architecture. It wasn't exactly surprising that a local couple had chosen this spot for their wedding pictures.

Proof that I'm not the only one who takes pictures in this family!

We were surprised, however, to see that all the shops and almost all of the restaurants were closed. As it turns out, The Arcade had previously housed a series of offices and shops, but the offices were closed and replaced with hotel rooms. The stores and restaurants cater mostly to weekday shoppers and store owners. Strange place for a Hyatt, no?

Even though the place was completely empty, it seems that during the weekday, The Arcade is actually a great place for local shopping.

After a few minutes of walking around, and consuming less than stellar Greek food purchased from an Indian vendor at the food court, we paid our $10 parking fee and headed out to Our Lady of the Rosary in Cleveland's Little Italy for Mass.

There he is! The most handsome man on earth.

We were pleasantly surprised to find Confession available at the church before Mass - and since the underwhelming Arcade had left us plenty of time to spare we'd arrived quite early, we had time to spare. How beautiful to begin our second year of marriage in a state of grace. ...obviously it didn't last long. ;-)

It was a beautiful church, and right across the street was a family-owned restaurant famed for it's pizza. Anthony's of Little Italy didn't disappoint. Anthony himself seated us, and his wife helped us pick a Sangiovese to go with our antipasto and pizza dinner.


Charming Italian decorations throughout the restaurant made us feel right at home. No, we're not Italian - but we like to pretend!

We enjoyed a beautiful anniversary dinner, and our server was even kind enough to snap a quick picture right before our delicious pizza arrived.

On Sunday, I woke up with a sore throat. Not my favorite way to begin our second year of marriage, but thankfully there was a CVS nearby with all the cough drops and throat sprays a girl could want. We cuddled up with hot tea and our kindles until it was time to go to the Ritz Carlton for high tea.

I don't think it's possible to underestimate how excited I was for high tea. The beautiful china, the delicate sandwiches, the faux British accent that starts sneaking its way into my very being. It's all very Jane Austen, and I love it.

I nearly squealed when I saw the teacups.

The decor was beautiful. We were seated in a highly coveted spot by the wood burning fireplace, and I couldn't help but envision myself living in a grand Victorian estate where I could cozy up by the fireplace and enjoy high tea with friends daily.

So warm by the fireplace!

The chandeliers too were spectacular. They reminded me of the chandeliers in my grandmother's home in Lima, and all too quickly I started dreaming of our future estate, complete with marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers in every room.

Okay, fine. We'll only need to get chandeliers for the parlor and dining room. Deal?

Then they brought out my tea - the Ritz Carlton blend is a honey leaf tea called Blue Sapphire from Taylor's of Harrogate. Oh, but it was delightful. Without a doubt the most delicious tea I've ever had.

Naturally I inquired about purchasing some and discovered that (of course!) it is much, much too expensive for our budget. But we wrote down the name so that on some special occasion we could order some and have a little high tea right at home.

What a lovely tea!

The tea sandwiches were all I'd hoped for and more. I adore a good cucumber sandwich, and the others weren't too shabby, either. After we'd had our fill of cute little sandwiches, they brought out the dessert tiers.

Truly the most delicious scone I've had in my life.

The scones were wonderful, the devonshire cream exactly as I'd imagined it, and the candied pears were phenomenal. The other sweets I found just a little too sweet, but overall a fun assortment, and a great way to celebrate our anniversary.

Loved the little pots of honey and jam.

We are so blessed. Even without chandeliers, marble fireplaces, and daily high tea, we've built a beautiful nido de amor in our 800 square foot apartment. We've been given so much this year, and we've learned so much about love. A perfect start to the rest of our lives.

Amorcito, I love you.

Kate's Princess Evolution

2011-04-06T19:08:00.000-04:00

Just a few months ago, in the first interview after their royal engagement, Kate Middleton was obviously nervous and uncomfortable with the media attention. The interviewer made the situation even more awkward by proclaiming - twice - how comfortable they both look. Um, seriously?!

I can't blame her. She is getting ready to marry the love of her life, who just happens to be the future king of the most famous royal family in the world. Suddenly the press is asking her all sorts of personal questions and criticizing her efforts. And unlike her future hubby Wills, Kate has not had years of training to manage the press.

When I saw this full video, I couldn't help but feel the unfairness of it all. She was just not ready - how intimidating to go from a private, romantic engagement to a 17-minute international interview where you're asked if it's intimidating to take on this new role!

Wow. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes. Unless, of course, I was just borrowing her shoes and not forced to live in her royal limelight ;-)

In any case, the palace took note and subsequently limited her exposure to the press while preparing Kate for her new roles and responsibilities. I'm imagining a princess coaching not unlike Anne Hathaway's in Princess Diaries.

The only difference is that Kate did not need to be taught how to dress like a princess!

Fast forward to February 2011, and the polished future princess is getting rave reviews for her interactions with the media and the British people. Suddenly Kate is graceful, charming, confident. I can't help but cheer her on. I knew you had it in you, Princess Kate!

She's still not giving any formal speeches - that's Prince William's role. You can see him coaching her through royal protocol - helping her learn how to move through a crowd, making a connection with individuals while still efficiently reaching the broader audience as well. Kate's a quick learner, and she's catching on fast.

Meanwhile stateside, I'm cheering her on.

The countdown to the royal wedding continues. I know I'm not going to be getting much done at the office on the morning of April 29th!

Royal Wedding Invitations

2011-02-20T22:00:00.001-05:00

It's official - wedding invitations have been sent out for Prince William and Kate Middleton's April 29th nuptials.

Can you imagine being Kate Middleton right now? Your college boyfriend turned out to be the future King of England, eight years later he proposes, and suddenly you have an armed escort to the grocery store for life.

Oh, and you're wearing his mother's engagement ring - a beautiful, but sad symbol of a failed marriage and a tragic death.

The most important and romantic day of your life is a state affair. The press is desperate to find out the designer of your wedding dress, the menu for the reception, the form of wedding transportation. The very same press that called you "Waitie Katie" when you didn't get married at 23.

Still I count myself among Kate's adoring public, waiting with baited breath to see what she will wear for the rehearsal dinner, and wedding day. Maybe it's because I once dreamed of being in her designer shoes, dreamed of marrying my prince in a fairy-tale come true.

I didn't marry royalty - but I did get to marry the most handsome man on earth. Not a bad trade-off!

One thing's for sure... I now regret cutting our cable. Here's to hoping they live-stream the wedding online! And yes, assuming I can find a way to watch it, I will be up at 5am to swoon over her arrival at Westminster Abbey.

I can't wait to see Prince William's face light up when he first catches a glimpse of his beautiful bride walking down the aisle.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

2011-02-20T20:55:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you have leftover chocolate from a Valentine's fondue celebration?

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

First of all, the chocolate filling was simple - a bag of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, mixed with a little milk. This delicious combination is perfect for chocolate fondue. And when cooled, it makes the perfect chocolate filling for delicious milano-esque cookies.

As for the cookies, I wanted a recipe for a basic sugar cookie - not too sweet, and not too soft. I came across these Easy Sandwich Cookies on AllRecipes.com. But lacking a full cup of butter, I combined one stick of butter with half a cup of canola oil. This just means I had to add in a quarter cup additional flour. In any case, delicious!!

Easy Sandwich Cookies
Yields ~60 cookies or ~30 sandwiches
1 cup softened butter or 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus 1/4 cup if using oil in place of butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Perfect opportunity to use my KitchenAid! Then beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Tip: It helps if the egg is already at room temperature. If you're just taking it out of the fridge, let it sit in a bowl of warm water while you cream the butter and sugar.

In a separate bowl, mix in the flour, baking soda, and cream of tarter. Then blend into the butter mixture.

Separate the cookie dough into thirds, and roll the first dough ball between two sheets of wax paper. Using champagne glasses or cookie cutters (your pick!) cut out relatively similar cookie circles and place each cookie onto a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Yes, I'm a huge fan of wax paper in baking - no need for additional grease or mess, and they come off the cookie sheet perfectly.

In my increasingly slow oven, these cookies took about 12 minutes to bake. But the original instructions on AllRecipes.com calls for 7-8 minutes. In any case, keep them in there until they are beginning to look a teensy bit browned.

Cool completely - or in my case, overnight - then drop teaspoonfuls of the chocolate filling between each cookie. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top. This $6 pampered chef sugar shaker rocks my boat.

Serve with a tall glass of milk.

Spinach Egg Drop Soup

2011-02-13T20:44:00.000-05:00

I'm not the kind of cook who buys ingredients to match a particular recipe. Instead I find recipes that work with the ingredients I have, or I substitute to get similar textures and flavors. So for our latest Friday date night, I made one of my favorite cold-weather soups.

It takes all of ten minutes, and either the original or substituted ingredients can always be found in my kitchen. Enjoy!

Easy Spinach Egg Drop Soup

Ingredients:
32 ounces chicken stock (one carton)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 onion, or a few green onions, diced
bunch of spinach (fresh or frozen will do)

Bring the chicken broth to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, then toss in the beaten eggs to cook, and stir with a fork until the egg looks almost like lacy strands. Add in soy sauce and onions. Place the fresh or defrosted spinach in a bowl, and ladle the soup over it.

I think the green onions add a nice vibrancy to the soup, but in a pinch white, yellow, or red onions will do.

Serve with crusty (homemade?) bread.
This recipe yields 3-4 servings, depending on how hungry you are. And how much bread you eat.

Yum.

Our First Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T20:29:00.001-05:00

Yes, yes. I know Valentine's Day isn't actually until tomorrow, but... who says you can't begin the celebration over the weekend?

We've been celebrating since Friday, really, but today's brunch really topped it all. I stopped by Trader Joe's yesterday to pick up some semi-sweet chocolate chips, my favorite champagne, delicious bread and cheddar cheese, and fresh strawberries. TJ doesn't carry marshmallows, so I had to make a run to my local Meijer for those. And there I found... pink AND white marshmallows!

I'm such a sucker for romantic holidays... sigh.

In any case, today being World Marriage Day, we had even more of a reason to celebrate. We got a special blessing at this morning's Mass, and then had a delightful excuse to break out our gorgeous wedding china.

Chocolate fondue, champagne, grilled cheese. Delicious!

Pre-Valentine's Day Brunch 2011

Still can't believe I got to marry this guy!

I can't believe just a year ago I was wrapped up in wedding programs, hotel reservations, Lima tour plans, rehearsal dinner arrangements, marriage paperwork, and, oh, preparing my heart and soul to marry the most handsome man on earth.

The videographer and guy holding the boom in the background is totally normal, right?
We do now have an amazing wedding video, even if the paparazzi treatment was a little awkward.

It feels like just yesterday we were on our honeymoon, enjoying delicious seafood and basking in the warmth of the Caribbean sun.

The most amazing part is that - even though I didn't think it was possible - I love Carlos Francisco today so much more than I did last year on Valentine's Day.

"So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us."
1 John, 4:16-19, Revised Standard Version

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

2011-02-10T10:30:00.000-05:00

I got my Christmas present in the mail yesterday.

Yes, I know it's February. But it's not my husband's fault. The wonderful gift he so thoughtfully ordered for me was only available for pre-order at Christmastime, and couldn't actually be shipped until recently.

Besides... who am I to complain about getting Christmas presents throughout the year? ;-)

I've read bits and pieces of this book on Ree Drummond's blog, The Pioneer Woman, and am so thrilled to have the full text now.

... is it weird that I can't wait to get home tonight and read it cover to cover??

Jewelry Giveaway!

2011-02-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

Now who in their right mind would ignore an opportunity to win $100 to Studio Jewel?

I mean just look at these earrings...

and this necklace!

Stunning. Lisa's creations are simply stunning.

Now, hurry! Don't miss today's giveaway on All Things Chic!

Snow Day!

2011-02-02T18:21:00.000-05:00

Who says snow days are just for kids? The sun was still shining at 5pm, so we suited up in our warmest winter gear and headed to our backyard for some winter fun.

The snow was so deep, just going for a walk was quite a workout.

I adore my big pink coat, so toasty warm.

I've got a lot of snowball fights ahead of me to make up for all those years living in sunny Florida.
Thank goodness my husband's as much a child as I am.

Snow Day 2011
We love it here!

Today is not only Groundhog Day, and not only Snowmaggedon, but it is also my dear cousin Nina's 17th birthday!!

Because she lives far, far away in Madrid, I didn't get to see her today... so here's a little birthday collage made just for my sweet Nina.

Querida Nina, aquí te extrañamos mucho y te queremos más.
Te deseamos un año lleno de amor, paz, y alegría... y ojalá varias oportunidades para vernos!
Un besito, Cita y Carlos Francisco

All Things Chic Launch Party!

2011-01-31T10:14:00.000-05:00

I posted last week on the new must-read fashion and beauty blog last week, All Things Chic.

But wait, it gets better! We're getting the site launch party started this week with a $100 giveaway to Zappos.com. It's easy - all you have to do is leave a comment on All Things Chic saying what you would do with $100 at Zappos.

And that's easy, too. I'd go with these gorgeous Cole Haan pumps. They're adorable AND comfortable, thanks to Nike Air cushioning technology and a relatively low (2.5") heel. What more could a girl want?

Now, go! You don't want to miss out on this giveaway!!

New York, New York

2011-01-29T15:44:00.001-05:00

This week I traveled to one of my favorite cities, New York. It was a great opportunity to sync with my international team and collaborate in person, instead of via video conference.

Then in the evening, I got to enjoy delicious Peruvian food at one of my favorite Peruvian restaurants, Pio Pio. I also got to celebrate my best friend's birthday with a delicious Japanese Hibachi meal, and had drinks with an old family friend across the street from my old apartment near Wall Street.

That little encounter with 10 Hanover Square sent me on a walk down memory lane, and I came across this e-mail I wrote during the summer of 2006...

Dear friends,

I unexpectedly have the day off, so I am taking the opportunity to regale you with an update of my life in Manhattan. Those of you not from Dartmouth: Welcome to Mass-Blitz-Land! This is a hallowed place in which Dartmouth students on an off-term send greetings and lively stories to the poor souls in their address book. (Les pido disculpas a los que hablan castellano. Me lo era demasiado traducir todo y los quería incluir en este e-mail. ¡Pero ahora tienen la oportunidad de practicar el ingles!)

This summer has thus far been amazing. I love my job and I get to live in a lovely apartment with a dear friend. What could be better? I work for the Higher Education Group of Oxford University Press. And I live in a really nice studio apartment about a two-minute walk from Wall Street with the fabulous Elisa Donnelly.

OUP is a big company, but my department is actually really small, so I get an opportunity to work in any area that interests me: marketing, editorial, advertising, etc. It's a lot of fun! Right now, I'm creating this year's sociology catalog. I also spend much of my day in communication with professors, authors, and sales reps throughout the country. I basically get to read books (or blurbs of unwritten books), talk to people about them, and write about them. It's amazing, I love my job!

I walk by three major New York sites almost every day. And I didn't notice them until someone else pointed them out: The New York Stock Exchange, Madison Square Garden, and The Empire State Building. It's ridiculous! I emerge from the subway inferno at Madison Square Garden every day, but until recently, had only noticed the Bank of America next door.

So I've been living in Manhattan for about a month now, rapidly drowning myself in debt. My minimum wage intern budget doesn't allow for much in this town. For goodness' sakes, I saw a pair of cheap looking sandals on sale for $344.99! Still, I'm having a fabulous time! It helps that I'm getting so much free stuff. OUP has showered me with books, movie tickets, school supplies, and dinner on a yacht. (Have I mentioned yet how much I love my job?)

You also just have to keep your eyes and ears open for free stuff. On Saturday, I happened onto the South Street Seaport at Pier 17, where the WNBA was launching their "Be Fit Tour." I quickly discovered that if I came back on Sunday, I could compete to win game tickets. I came ready to play knockout, and won two tickets to the WNBA 10th Anniversary All-Star Game!

Plus, there are plenty of things to do around here for free, or at least very cheaply. For example, you can take a ferry to Governor's Island or Staten Island (both are free). Each affords fabulous views of the city skyline and the Statue of Liberty, nice picnic grounds, a little historical fun, and an escape from noisy city life. Many museums (including the Met, thank goodness) only charge a suggested donation. On my budget, I suggest $5. It also doesn't cost a penny to walk through Little Italy. (Until of course, you buy a cannoli.)

Fun trivia about NYC: When the Brooklyn Bridge was first built, many people doubted anyone would survive the crossing. There was a simple solution. P.T. Barnum walked twenty-one elephants safely across the bridge.

I had my doubts about this city before, but now I'm ready to sing along with Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, and other New York enthusiasts.

All Things Chic

2011-01-24T22:52:00.001-05:00

Because I've been terrible about updating this blog, I realized today I don't have a Chic Critique button on here. Bad blogger. Oh, what's that? You have no idea what Chic Critique is? Well, it's "your girlfriends' guide to beauty and fashion". Or at least, it's where I pretend to be chic and fashion-y once a week.

I love to pore through Vogue magazine and imagine myself dressed in Salvatore Ferragamo. But I would never in a million years spend the kind of money it takes to dress that beautifully. So instead I admire Victoria Beckham's attire, wistfully window shop at Fendi, and then drive over to Marshall's. Or Ann Taylor when they're having a sale.

Sometimes I dress well. And sometimes I don't. But I never wear sweatpants beyond the confines of my home. (pinky promise) I have a hard time justifying jewelry purchases, but feel naked without earrings. I often forget to re-apply lipstick, but I never leave the house without mascara. I sometimes forget to wash off my make-up, but I always do penance the next day with a thorough exfoliation and cleansing. I only ever shop sales, but saving up for facials and Clinique foundation is a financial priority in my family's budget.

I'm a beauty and fashion contradiction.

Why am I telling you all this? Because Chic Critique is joining forces with bStylish to launch a brand new fashion and beauty blog this week. (Drum roll, please.) All Things Chic - style for real life. And that's the new button you see on my side bar.

Every week, I get to window shop all the hottest fashions and styling products all the while imagining myself to have the grace of Audrey Hepburn to pull it all off. So fun! It's like playing dress up on the web.

Come join me, won't you? I'll tell you all about the hairspray that actually works, the pencil skirt that is to die for, and the most beautiful and comfortable pumps you've ever worn. Just don't expect me to look like Miss Hepburn if you run into me at the grocery store. All I can guarantee is that I'll be wearing mascara and earrings.