Puzzle Theory

has been lazy, cough-filled weekend ... biggest accomplishment today was major progress on jigsaw puzzle I started yesterday ... ok, though, as has been storming here all day. discovered back to back to back to back to back snake movies on FX. called python, boa and the snake king ... certainly made bess and bo look like house pets. not to worry, mom, they will be outdoor house pets ... must return to puzzle as have just discovered several connected fence post pieces ... realize may sound like petty happening but is actually very important ... when have more time will share puzzle theory ... is intelligent and pertinent.

Bess and Bo

no comment on sinus problems as continue hacking cough and feeling of lethargy ...
have named new snake friends Bo and Bess ... no significance. names just came to self this morning. anthony found snake skins in the backyard ... suppose bo and bess are shedding their old skins. very interesting as mary and hope have been circling snake skins all afternoon jabbing at them with a paw and jumping back. dogs are tiny people who are spoiled rotten and love indoor life so likely not to be greatest hunters. ok, though, as would not like them to find bess or bo and potentially hurt them ... have decided to embrace snake friends (NOT literally) as newest additions to backyard menagerie. will be nice to have around.
cold front rolling through tonight ... is only 78 degrees outside.

Big Disappointment

has NOT been greatest of days ... still not feeling good at all with coughing and other sinus malfunction so will be missing big bachelorette weekend ... disappointed beyond words.
snake friend (yes, self is becoming fond of him/her??) made appearance today. likes to lay across rocks and relax by pond. somewhat endearing if truth be told. must think of good name for him/her and for his other snake friend ...

Wild Kingdom

****HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER****
did not write last night due to continuing sinus infection ... yesterday found malfunctioning sinuses draining down back of throat, causing the inevitable nausea, which led to the inevitable conclusion of nausea. went to bed early in hopes of feeling much better today. alas, was not meant to be. have been in bed majority of day with headache/drainage down back of throat/coughing ... timidly eating saltines and drinking sprite in hopes of preventing repeat of yesterday's stomach-emptying episode. no really delicate way to put that.
anyway still interesting day despite being in bed for much of it ... anthony out of town for night which always sets off some bizarre occurrence. was almost asleep in bed when Hope (our wonderful and brilliant border collie) became very alert at bedroom window. window overlooks koi fish pond (yes, koi have names of Cowboy, Phoebe, George, Carolyn and Donald) which was setting for veritable "animal kingdom" episode. dragged coughing self to window just in time to see black snake emerge from water. (permission to Miss Debbie to stop reading here.) was horrified as snake slithered along and came to rest just outside window ... was like car wreck ... could not look away. realized snake had dislocated portion of filter for fish pond but not the main filter. still fearful for lives of precious fish ... as watched hideous snake move stealthily along pond and surrounding greenery realized snake was attracted to our home as other creatures such as turtles, squirrels, mice, etc. still snakes are scary and not completely welcome guests ... I use the plural form because as I sat watching original snake a second snake emerged from beneath deck. both snakes slithered along to come to rest on one of the rocks around pond to peacefully sunbathe. made 4 frantic calls to anthony in baton rouge, roughly 25 calls to teri to report on every move of snakes and possible scenarios for my fixing filter at pond, 1 call to friend Jennifer who used to live next door, and 5-8 calls to cousin Danielle, who assured me her husband, Craig, could come over to assist me in crisis (craig works about 2 minutes from our home.) (also called mom, who was equally horrified at hideous situation) while talking to Teri, decided self could handle situation and could quietly move around pond to fix filter without snake friends knowing. was in pajamas at time but (no laughter allowed) went to put on black dressy high-heeled black boots that zip up to knee for protection. went outside but could not bring self to go near pond. thankfully, Craig came by to fix filter and actually looked for snakes as not fearful of them. more power to him and my undying gratitude as resident knight in shining armor is in Baton Rouge and self needed help.
continuing to rest ... trying to recuperate so can go to excellent bachelorette party of cousin kelly, which is to be this weekend ...

Blue Rabbit Palace

am actually afraid to get in car now ... radio operates of its own accord and is very scary. will be riding along listening to music (yes, lately 'N Sync) at normal volume, hit one tiny bump and am being blown out of vehicle by possessed radio. must remedy situation ...
had wonderful lunch with Teri and the girls and a friend of ours and her two kids at Blue Rabbit Palace something or other in Mobile ... is large kid-friendly place with food and LOTS of games, play areas, and a train I was most distressed to discover I was too old (tall) to ride. looked like great fun, though. spent much of time climbing with Abby in the infant area and playing mini-skeeball. also attempted to get dolphin toy with robotic "claw" device for one of the kids. total rip-off if anyone wants my opinion. "claw" requires TWO tokens per one try and is (of course) made so won't pick up desired object AT ALL. very impatient with claw and ashamed at how many tokens self put in machine on behalf of kids ... more ashamed that self picked up NOTHING during numerous tries ...

Drive-Through Oil Change

(update on nasal malfunction: improving but have suggestion from Kelly on some new medicine to try ... will report more tomorrow)
have been out most of the day running errands in jungle temps ... love living by the water but one trade-off is incredibly warm and HUMID weather. sometimes just want to go out naked ... know would be wildly inappropriate and could possibly land in jail so will refrain. cannot be in Kelly's wedding if find self in the slammer.
new establishment going up on highway 49 ... will be (according to sign) a 5-minute oil change garage. know absolutely nothing about oil changing (shock) but seems the sort of thing that should take more than 5 minutes. afraid may lead to new competition among oil-changing businesses with one becoming a 4 minute oil change place, then 3 minutes until finally the inevitable happens. we simply drive-through to have our oil changed without ever stopping the vehicle ... scary thought. or perhaps genius thought. perhaps will learn from internet and open own drive-through business. nah, even scarier thought.

Risky Business

has been major nasal malfunction day ... completely unable to breathe through nose due to severe congestion. spent day at home doing nothing except watching 'N Sync concerts on DVD and breathing entirely through mouth, which is annoying at best. am better now, though, as one side of nose has inexplicably cleared. sick day has cost me intense exercise time so will have to make it up tomorrow or will bust out of bridemaid's dress at wedding. mortifying thought.
as was home all day was able to keep abreast of major news stories. seems weather people are predicting big excitement for upcoming hurricane season ... feel hurricane season is major event for them. love to watch weather people reporting on hurricanes DURING the storm from OUTSIDE an interior wall of a sturdy building. hee hawed last year as stephanie somebody reported in gale-force winds with her producers holding her legs to keep her from blowing away ... wonder if weather people feel we are impressed by their reporting with all electrical equipment while standing in pounding rain?? cannot possibly be safe idea and wonder if their mothers know what they're doing?? guess so since engage in risky behavior on national tv ...

Don't Cry Out Loud

am still recovering from tonight's edition of "Extreme Home Makeover"... is wonderful show but headache-inducing as always throw self onto carpet and cry hysterically at show's conclusion. actually am usually tearful throughout show but end is worst. crying is well beyond the kleenex variety and over into paper towel land ...
currently watching the History Channel (guess who has the remote) ... network a bit frightening as is difficult to tell what is actual footage and what is re-enactment of historic event. have become better as was informed by wonderfully patient husband of the invention date of videocamera so was disappointed to learn that recent program on Civil War was not actual footage. of course am kidding ... history not usually something of interest to me to be truthful. believe if history repeats itself will simply wait for it the next go around.

Joy Joy

is joyous day!! spoke again with dr's office and am all clear to be in the wedding. simply re-scheduled IVF cycle until July ... very grateful as can't imagine self being anywhere but at the wedding. now must whip self into shape so as to be able to exhale in bridesmaid dress. is a smidge tight but will work out diligently until June 25 (the wedding date.) have already done jogging (in place inside the house as jungle temps have returned with a vengeance), weight-lifting, and 150 sit-ups. will now go take relaxing bath to soothe muscles, then do more working out. actually have chance to firm up as won't be doing ANY weight-inducing shots until after the wedding. did receive most special honor today ... am (according to IVF doctor who has been in the "business" for awhile) "the queen of all ovarian cyst growers." am so proud but will be humble as realize not everyone is that talented. will not gloat ...

Turmoil and IVF

ok, must apologize for neglect of this page. have returned now ...
newest update: Anthony and I are back in the world of IVF. had baseline ultrasound and bloodwork yesterday. all is good for IVF with one gigantic hitch ... moving forward with current cycle brings with it a 99% chance of being unable to be in Kelly's wedding. has to do with retrieval and transfer dates, neither of which can really be changed to suit the patient's schedule. is large and VERY difficult decision to say the least ...
for those who don't know must explain about Kelly ... is first cousin but in actuality is much more like sister. is difficult to explain how important she is to me. was born only 36 hours before me so grew up with her. is hard to find baby pictures where we are not with each other and absolutely cannot fathom not being in her wedding. am waiting for some sign from God because KNOW there is a bigger plan. just wish knew what it was.

Ghost

has been fabulous Mother's Day ... am blessed with most wonderful mother anyone could ever dream of. don't necessarily deserve her but thank God everyday for the fact that she's mine. never known anyone with such capacity to love and am most grateful for her example ...
back to bizarre world I live in ... am currently dealing with ghost in car radio. was riding home Friday night from dinner in Bay St. Louis (mom in car with me; dad and anthony in his car) when suddenly radio took on life of its own and volume began to go up though we weren't touching it. went to volume level 32 (who knew radio could get so loud) before could get it to go off. very scary and not sure what caused it.
IVF update: period has started (hooray) so will be calling IVF nurse Sabrina tomorrow for appointment to schedule cycle day 3 ultrasound and bloodwork. here we go again ...

Cinco de Mayo

have had wonderful evening celebrating cinco de mayo at favorite mexican restaurant with lots of family ... know is holiday celebrating independence of mexico but why?? of whom did they become independent?? discussed this at dinner and nobody knew. still is great fun to celebrate anything!! of course, as self is preparing for re-entry into the world of IVF only celebrated with consumption of water not Corona.
feel over-exercised yesterday as am unable to fully turn neck to the left. no idea why but is a smidge painful. still forced self to do lots of sit-ups today on way to fabulous rock-hard body. not too rock-hard, though, as have NO desire to look like those Miss Universe contestants who are bodybuilders. frightening.
and now an update on Mr. Rambo: sweetest bird have ever had ... Mr. Roxy and Mr. Rambo wonderful companions who sit side by side all day. still feel Mr. Rambo is turning into a woman but no problem with that. will only concern self when she needs a tiny bird bra.

Horror in Hallmark

actually exercised today, not just in the virtual world. sit-ups, free weights ... on way to Broadway dancer body.
hideous experience in Hallmark shop today. have apparently waited til last second to buy Mother's Day cards and experienced HUGE volume of people in card shop. can handle that except HUGE volume of people included some young child who read every single card OUT LOUD to her mother so they could choose an appropriate one for the child's grandmother. seemed every little section I moved toward she followed. must be what stars feel like as paparazzi lurk about trying to get pictures of them ...
am listening to favorite boy band as I write (N Sync) ... am not ashamed as excellent music with peppy rhythm. however, am ashamed as to how many of their dance routines I know as have worn out tape with Madison Square Concert on it. still, dancing is good exercise and many N Sync routines are rather elaborate. perhaps will strive to be dancer for N Sync instead of Broadway dancer. perhaps not as Justin Timberlake has gone solo. their loss, though.

Return of the iPod

have had joyous day today!! don't think I mentioned previously that Anthony got me an iPod to use on my numerous trips to Mobile for IVF stuff. tragedy occurred (use word loosely as don't count this occurrence in same category as tsunamis and the like) a couple of weeks ago when iPod basically crashed. had to send to apple repair people (free of charge) and have missed it terribly. have felt hollow inside without fabulous pink slimline music library. joy restored to life today as iPod was delivered good as new!! self feels whole again.
making absolutely zero progress toward rock-hard body as seen in "Chicago." sad but true. feel will begin tomorrow. or as Mary Jo Shively said on the ever-relevant "Designing Women," will engage in virtual exercise, thereby imagining self working out and developing toned body. actually am engaging in it now ... self has just completed 500 sit-ups. amazing.

No Place Like Home

am back home in Gulfport after wonderfully fun road trip ... left Columbus Saturday for Birmingham, where visited Kate (cousin) and her husband, Jim and other cousin (Emily) and saw the musical "Chicago." am wildly motivated to work on sculpting own body after viewing INCREDIBLY in-shape dancers. will begin strict regimen another day of course as am enjoying time at home with Anthony, Mary and Hope.
had eventful trip back today. teri, kinsey and abby were with me, and abby took a nap that totaled 30 minutes so she was tired. teri and I felt the sun was in her eyes so came up with idea to roll up section of newspaper in back window to block sun. not that easy as traveling 65 miles per hour ... accidentally (and only temporarily) rolled teri's fingers in window which was very exciting but no injuries. otherwise beautiful day for driving ...