Your breath is not fresh

I hate to feel rushed. Especially out in public. I stopped at Walgreen's this afternoon to get a few items. While waiting in line the guy behind me must have decided to smell my shampoo or something, because I swear he was less than two inches from me. I get so aggravated by that. What happened to respecting people's personal space?

After the cashier rang me up and gave me my change, he practically pushed me out the door. It takes women (and probably some men) at least a few seconds to put the money back in our wallets and the wallets back in our purses. Please don't rush me. I wasn't in his way, he just had no boundaries and was pleased to be all up in mine.



I could possibly look past this had he been an elderly or older man or woman. I like old people and as long as they aren't breathing on me or pinching my cheeks (or other body parts) I am perfectly fine with sharing some personal space. But, he was not. He was in his thirties (I assume) and clearly should have known better. He probably should have also been aware of my recent hormonal medications and instinctively stayed back at least 3 feet.

Shessh. Some people. You don't have to put lots of distance between you and the next person, but if I can guess what tooth paste you use because you are breathing down my neck....back it up. Because the next hormonal lady may not be quite as nice.

Temporary CheeseHead.....

When I married my sweet husband, I also married into the extended Bears family. It was in our vows, "Do you promise to honor the Chicago Bears through thick and thin?" I do. Those vows have been tested the past couple of seasons....and we have certainly seen the thick and the thin. But...I honor my husband. AND my BEARS! Lauren BICE is officially a Bears fan! You won't catch me in any other NFL gear, although I do watch the Titans play (and cheer them on regularly..just don't tell my husband).

As a Bear's fan I naturally despise the Green Bay Packers. It just comes with the territory.

But, as a human being I naturally despise the Pittsburgh Steelers. Arggh. Yakk. Blehhh. I can't stand the Steelers. Aside from Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, the rest of the team makes me sick. And Ben Roethlis(cheese)berger....the most sickening of them all.

Since our beloved Bears couldn't pull it together long enough to land themselves in the Superbowl this year I am stuck with a dilemma. As a Bears fan I am getting ready to break a cardinal rule and actually root for the Green Bay Packers. It sours my mouth just to say those words, but in a game of two hated teams, one must win.

Let's just hope it's the Packers! This hurts to say, but....Let's go Pack! For this day only....you can call me a Cheese head. Yuck.

Apparently it's NOT the size of the needle

I always enjoy learning new things about myself. As long as this activity does not include learning things I don't like about myself. No one enjoys that.

Last night, as a married couple, Brandon and I both learned new things about our selves. We learned that Brandon does have the stomach (and steady hand) to give me a shot in the belly each day. Not that I doubted him.

We also learned, I may NOT have the ability to give MYSELF a shot each day. I did not have the courage to do it myself last night, but will possibly give it a go tonight.

The needles are tiny, like this..........


But that does not seem to comfort me in any way!

So...Lupron injection #1....complete. Tonight, I will try really hard to give myself the shot. And if not, at least I have trusty Nurse B there to help if I get in a tricky situation.

And nurses always have cute bandaids, right? (I wish).



UPDATE:
Last night (2/1/11), with the supportive coaching of my sweet husband, I gave myself the Lupron shot. It was not nearly as bad as I had expected, maybe even a little easier than receiving the shot from someone else. Yay!

Mother Nature, the tease

This past weekend we had beautiful 60+ degree weather both Saturday and Sunday. Brandon and I both desperately searched for outside activities to keep us in the sun.....and off the couch. It was absolutely gorgeous!

The weather reminded me so much of our late March/early April weather. That weather that lures gardeners into the greenhouses and looking at plants, even though we know better. We know it's too early to put flowers in our gardens, but the weather is so tempting....and resisting is practically futile. Every year I make myself wait "at least one more week" before buying plants....it's the same thing every year.

Thankfully I didn't have to talk myself out of any plants on Sunday! Buying flowers in January would have been nuts, even for me!

And just as quickly as the beautiful weather rolled in, it rolled right out! We were thankful for the two days of bliss and the reminder of the what's to come. It was a tease, yes, but I enjoy the tease....usually!

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Let me just tell you right now, if that silly Groundhog sees his shadow I may be booking the next flight to PA to have a little chat with "Phil". Let's hope there is no shadow tomorrow (and NOT 6 more weeks of Winter), for Phil's sake.

Don't feed the animals

This is not my sad face. Do not mistake it for my sad face.

This is my "hungry face". I am hungry.

I always feel weird saying things like "I am hungry" or "I'm starving". Working at a food bank I deal with people who are actually in need of food and at risk of going hungry each day. I usually have a slight sense of guilt that surfaces anytime I exclaim how hungry I am. In reality (obviously) I am not at serious risk for hunger.

Now that that has been explained.....
I am sooooo hungry. (What?? I have no conscience...don't act surprised)

I started my IVF medications last Monday. One week down....wahoo! Next Monday I have a doctor's appointment where I assume they will teach me how to poke holes in my body daily, i.e. give myself shots. But, until then, I am stuck with taking birth control (ironic...I know) and Metformin.

I have been advised that while on Metformin I should eat a low to no carb diet. Riiii-ght. No carbs. PSSShh...please. I love carbs. I live on carbs. Or at least I did. This adjustment to a low carb diet (let's not kid ourselves, there is no way I am going no carb) has been rocky.

I feel hungry all the time. Even right after I eat. Nothing (that is low carb) sounds appealing to me and all of this is accompanied by a daily mix of nausea.

Of course....I can eat carbs, but the side effects aren't pretty....and I won't go into details here.

Each day seems a little better than the day before and I hope this trend continues. Until then, if you see me out in public looking completely depressed....Don't fear- it's not depression, I am simply eyeballing that delicious looking sandwich you are eating. Don't get too close with your food or feed me....I bite.

Oozing with natural talent

Saturday night I joined a friend at a place called "Painting with a Twist". Basically this is a instructor lead painting session. It's a three hour class where they provide all the art supplies and instruction you need to create a masterpiece.

You can bring your own wine (or beverages) and snacks. So not only did I have fun with a friend, but we drank wine and ate great snacks, AND we created some amazing pictures!

Am I a natural artist? This picture was taken with my phone, so any blurriness or lack of skill level is simply the phone picture quality and has NOTHING to do with my painting! You be the judge......



It's Neyland Stadium! And just for your comparison....



Yep, I think we can all agree I am a natural!!! My painting just looks so much better when you step back about 8 feet, but I assume that's normal!

The class was so much fun. They have hundreds of different types of pictures to paint, you just have to check the calendar to see what they are painting each week. Here is the link (for Knoxville)....in case you are interested!

http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/knoxville/

No one has asked me for my autograph......yet...but I expect to be signing them soon!

A little guy time

This week will start the beginning of the drug regimen that will lead up to our IVF procedure. It starts out pretty innocently, and although I am hoping for the best.... I am expecting (preparing) for the worst.




In preparing for the she-beast I may become in the next few weeks, I am offering my husband as much extra curricular guy time he needs. So....calling all of my male readers....(crickets chirping), Brandon could probably use some "outside of the house time" in the coming days. If you live in Knoxville and want to give my poor husband a change of scenery (and sanity), feel free to call.

I am hoping that being some what self-aware of the she-beast that sleeps within might help with my possible (but not limited to) mood swings, hot flashes, irrational judgement, sensitivity and psychosis! Okay...I made a couple of those symptoms/side effects up...I will let you choose which ones!

Wish him luck!