Well, well, well...

It has been a long time friends!  Sorry, I took some time off but I'M BACK!

Not infertile just reproductively challenged

So I have been thinking a lot about how to write about this.  It's a very touchy subject for me and in fact I went back and forth on whether to ever say anything but I think it is something that needs to be mentioned.  For a while my husband and I were trying to get pregnant.  We were both in our late twenties (when we started trying) and we just said lets try and see what happens.  When asked about babies, I always told people that we had no interest in that right now.
I'll spare the details but we found ourselves having some problems after a year of trying.

Last spring, right before Daniel deployed, I started having some tests done.  It took actually almost FOUR months before we had any real answers.  At first the doctors thought I was suffering from Premature Ovarian Failure.  This is basically early menopause, where the ovaries stop working all together.  Luckily, they decided on a few more tests.  Almost a week ago I was told I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as well as Endometriosis.  PCOS  is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 5%-10% of all females. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that involves multiple organ systems within the body, and is believed to be fundamentally caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin  There is no "cure" for PCOS but it is something that can be maintained.  At first I was very upset thinking that this would mean that I would not be able to have kids, I felt awful.  The worst part for me was thinking that I was letting my husband down, he has always expressed a desire for kids and I was failing him.  The doctor explained that it is still possible to get pregnant and carry to term but that I would have to be very careful.  This gave me hope.
The other thing with PCOS is the long term effects it can have on the body.  There are many complications that come with this as I have now found I may have as well.
Being a women of a certain age means "baby-time" and it seems that everyone wants to ask about it.  When we were trying and having failed attempts it was hard to be asked about it.  It's interesting how many people feel it's their place to ask.  I was very embarrassed and not sure that I wanted to share but I feel that PCOS is something that people should be aware of.
All in all, this is not a BAD prognosis just that it will be a challenge but really worth it in the end.

It's not fall yet, but...

The past few weeks have just been miserable out!  I use to LOVE the summer but I am tired of feeling like I am melting.  While I am looking forward to cooler temps the shopaholic in me has been looking forward to new clothes.  I am down a few sizes and I have tried (I said TRIED) to refrain from buying anything new this summer.  I luckily have some things that use to fit that once again are the right size.  But this early fall I have several things I am going to need NEW clothes for... I have a couple showers, weddings, shows and well, daily living.  Oh and OF COURSE my cutie pie of a husband will be returning from his deployment in late fall and I want to feel confident and happy for his return.  Plus,we only live once, right?  So why not do it in new threads and look fabulous?!  These are a few looks that I am trying to get / recreate. 

I love this dress,  like the jacket but it's not a must have for me.

 

OK, so this Lilly dress is a MUST.  I think pretty perfect for a beach wedding.

Another Lilly dress that is a MUST.

Tory Burch pants that would be great for everyday.

Ok, these Tory Burch boots are my dream come true.  They are A-MAZ-ING!

Another great outfit for a wedding.  I'm thinking this is pretty much a MUST.

Love the color combo.  Navy and yellow ALWAYS equal perfection.

I wasn't sure about this at first but the more I see it the more it becomes a FAV!

Ummm, pumpkin picking?  Football game?  Or just about anywhere?!  YES!  YES!  YES!!!!!

Great for early fall for here in the South.  Too cute for words.

Ok, another great everyday outfit.

For a little touch of fansy-ness.

What girl doesn't already have this?  So easy and looks sooooooo good on.

The joys of deployment

We are past our 2 month mark and on our way to HALF WAY!!!  I have been keeping busy, as so many suggested, but it's still very strange.  I have a brother that has deployed but it was never REAL to me.  I knew he was gone and I would occasionally talk to him while he was gone.  But this, is so different.  My entire life has shifted because my partner isn't here.  I've had some friends try to relate by saying that they understand because their husband would be gone for a week on a business trip.  SO NOT THE SAME.  But how do you say that politely?  So, most of the time I just smile.  Your husband is in Cleveland and he will be home in a few days.  I have been pretty good about avoiding certain segments of the news but some you just can't miss and it scares me.
It's funny how I literally drop EVERYTHING  when I see a strange number come up on the caller ID.  I plan my day around a 5 minute conversation that may or may not take place.  I told him that all of this craziness we go through is worth it because HE is worth it.  Yes, I knew what I was getting into when I married a man in the military.  I actually really resisted marrying someone in the military because I knew it would be difficult, but I fell in love.

In two days it will be our 2 year anniversary.  Time just flies.  There are times that I think that this may be too hard or that I am not this strong but usually when that happens I get those 5 minutes and I know he is worth it and so much more.  I married my other half and sometimes that other half just has to be gone for a bit but I know he will come home to me.  Sadly, I must quote Steel Magnolias ... I'd rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.

New/Old Friend

A couple months ago I started talking on Facebook (of course!) with an old friend from high school.  Both of us have moved around a bit but found our ways back to this area.  We had been friends on FB for several years but never really talked too much on it.  Randomly we started message each other, then we started to text and then tonight we decided to get together.
I must say it was so much fun!  It was almost as if no time had gone by.  We literally sat for hours talking, eating and, of course, drinking - now that we are both legal.  We have both been on very unique journeys the past several years but we found we are in similar places in life right now.  It was good to have my old friend but with a new twist.  We are no longer talking about homework and track meets but relationships and dealing with finding who we want to be as an adult.  We laughed about getting botox in the near-ish future and whether kids were ever going to happen.  It was so good to be around someone that reminds me of the positive outlook I once had on EVERYTHING.  Sadly, things happen in life that can jade you a bit.  It took me back and helped to give me the taste of excitement that I thought I had lost.
It truly is amazing how a good friendship can pick up right where it had left off more than a decade before.  It can also give you the well needed kick in the right direction.  Thanks Catherine for being such a great person - then and now. :)

Late summer shopping

I have been going crazy this summer for nautical themed attire and here are a few of my FAVS!  I go mostly for the preppy look.  Being raised in the South just makes you fall in love with the style but it can/should be worn all over!

Chipping away at my list

The past few months I have become very into crossing items from my 101 in 1001 list.  This has been a great motivation to get up and go while my husband has been deployed.  Some I am still in the midst of completing but others I can proudly say are DONE!!
6. Wine tasting

I went yesterday with a friend to the Williamsburg Winery.  Sadly, I forgot my camera and my phone at home so no original pics!  We had a great time and we got a few bottles of our favs.
9.  Ice skating
I actually accomplished this a few months ago but I felt the need to mention it.

16. No eating processed foods for 30 days!
Not has hard as it seems!  I love fresh fruit and veggies!
74. Organize closets
This took such a long time but I do believe it is done.

Working on...
1. Watch all of AFI's top 100 movies
I have done several but not finished yet. The list
http://www.afi.com/100years/movies.aspx
4. Give up soda for 6 months
3 down and 3 more to go!!
27. Train the dogs
With 3 dogs it can get crazy so this is a big one for me.  We are making steps in the right direction but not completely there yet.

Max is about a year and a half.  He is a min pin mix

Crixus is about 3 years old.  He is a husky.

Oliver is 5 years old.  He is a shnorkie.  He is trained.

62.  Grow my hair down to my waist
Almost there.  I have a few more inches.
70.  Organize the house as well as finances
I have always been kinda messy so this is a hard one for me.  I am the type of person to throw stuff on the floor and it will be there for like a week.  So I am trying to clean up daily and put everything in a proper place.
101.  Go to all of the Smythsonian Museums in D.C.
I have several down but not all.  This is going to take a little more time.