Lesson Plans to Baby Carriages

Well, Yes...I have returned! Happy New Year Everyone!!!! I am so happy to be back to my mission and able to post again! I wanted to wish all my blog buddies and lurking followers a HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I plan to post alot this year as I have a new plan and I am VERY excited about it! Followers please let me know you are checking me out...I love to see who is reading!

Now, I am off to bed as I am getting over a cold and have also hurt my back..gessh..I know. Anyhoo, I will post this weekend with all the details and get up to speed on all my buddies Bloggies!

Love & smooches....

Ok, I am up to my &%$#!! in Boxes right now, Literally! I haven't forgot about YOU all, my Blog Family. Please bear with me through all this moving business and stuff. As soon as I am all done and settled, I plan to Blog my little fingers off. Ok, I am off to break a few more nails and hopefully no more dishes! Let me catch up on some blogs as well....

Love to YOU, my Peeps!

Hello ALL!

I will be back to blogging again. I have been trying to post on folks blogs as I have been able. First, for the last couple weeks I have had nothing but trouble with blogger. It sticks, erases my posts, wouldn't let me post or only off/on let me post comments on my buddies blogs. Gesh! I just logged in again & it looks like I am running smooth, I am afraid to say anything!

Well, I am happy to be back and I am getting ready to go get caught up on everyone!

Mom & I have been crafting like crazy as you can see from OUR ETSY STORE and from the Snap shot link to the left. Life has been hectic but good overall.

Well, Love to my buddies and I will be posting again tomorrow.....toodles mis amigos!

Yes, I said it.

Folks will make excuses, say it is Thyroid, Genetic Metabolism defects, YADA, YADA, YADA. Me, heck no.....MY FAULT, eating too DAMN much. Mucho has happen in the days I have been missing but I have had a breakthrough of sorts in my absence.

I can't speak for others about weight and how they handle it, I can only speak for myself. I am a type A personality, Over achieving, social butterfly, crazy-type personality that always tries to one up themselves in everything they do. CRAZY, yes, but people like myself we are hardwired like this & have no idea how to change. I think back to my College years, I was always an Honors Student, Double Major, Student Government President, Community Volunteer, Debate Champion that hardly stopped. NOW, I don't even exercise. WHAT happened to ME and what happened to the pride I took in my body? I used to monitor my portions and work out daily? What happened to my Flat tummy and a dress size I could be comfy with? NOW, I have excess JUNK in the TRUNK and oh, dare I mention the dress size. Hey, it IS all about attitude BUT I want to make a change and I want to LOSE some of me.

That being said....I have been eating like CRAZY with Friends and Family this Holiday LONG weekends which started for me on Thursday. Starting Monday I am back on the WAGON. I will post how I am faring. I am joining a weight loss challenge at work to make it more plausible that I will stick with it....maybe. We PUBLICLY weigh in together on Monday. I won't HIDE my truth...I am 5'3 and I just weighed in at 195. YES, that is my weight. At my height, I look like I weigh even more.....shorties like myself look even heavier...no where for it to go.

Wish me LUCK everyone!

Now, on to my NEXT happening.....I am actively dating again. I have been doing ALOT of thinking and I want to Date and have some fun again for a bit. I have in the last 2 years turned down dates and I don't know why. Because I can't take a chance of finding love again & that fact confusing my sperm donor plans? What the hell? If I find love WHY would I need a sperm donor anyway, IF my partners sperm count is normal. I counsel others about getting past THEIR Fears and here I am harbouring my own. Well, I am taking some time to NOT think about TTC or Donor sperm and I am focusing on me (rare) and increasing my social network again. The great news is that DONORS will always be here for me if I need them. Right now, I want to get healthier physically and have a little fun. Who knows what may happen next.....

YES, I will still post, YES, I still want a baby(more than ANYTHING) but I know NOTHING will happen that is not in GOD's Plan for me. No matter what I want, God's plan is the only truth that will happen. I could do 10 IVF cycles and if I am not meant to have a viable biological pregnancy it will NOT happen, no matter how I sacrifice, skip on bills, take relationships for granted, etc. Knowing that in my heart makes it easier for me to take a short break. I know I am not leaving the path BUT maybe getting me on another one that will still yield the desired results.

YES, I will still post on my buddies Blogs and cheerlead with ALL my might.

Thanks for hanging in there and reading this long, crazy post! I will keep you posted and maybe I will start a Sunday night weigh-in update.:)

Hello Everyone!

I have been swamped! Unlike traditional classroom teachers, I DO NOT have the summer off and have been so busy at work. Such is the deal with a County Wide Teacher Trainer...all year long. Needed to assist with county High School Graduations and so much more. UGH! Sorry I have been MISSING! My goal is to update all that has happened on my end on Wednesday of this week. I need to leave for a LOVELY (insert evil laugh) Work Conference in the a.m. & I return on Wednesday. My mind has so many thoughts in it right now...some reasonable and some not so much.

Sad to see in my absence a few of my Bloggy Buddies have left our Village. (Sniff, Sniff) I am HAPPY to see they will still be checking in and posting sometimes...I LOVE that!

Well, life IS crazy on my end and I promise to post later in the week to catch up. Reading up on everyone's blog over the next couple of days...:)

Last night I had a date people. How was it you may ask....my response it was interesting. I have always joked to my friends I won't date Teachers because more than 1 of us in the equation make for a jacked-up Mathematical Formula. Anyhoo, I went out with a fellow Teacher...a man that has been teaching AP English for 11 years in the Public school...guess what? We had a good time BUT yes, we also got caught up at one point talking about students, etc. Come on Teachers....are students, curriculum planning, behavioral modifications and the like stitched to our Jumpers permanently or what. The good News we had a laugh about it and really had a nice time with no stress, good food and nice chatting. Well.....you may be thinking, What was the down side......OK, here it comes. NO za za Zoo. For my fellow Sex and the C*ty Girls you may really understand the reference here. Well chemistry is something I believe in and for all Mr. Teacher Man has accomplished in his life....he didn't set any sparks off in mine.

Am I crazy or what? My sparks request really isn't about looks it is about the ZING that can happen when you connect with someone on different levels. Teacherman asked me out again and I think I will go, hey if nothing else I just made another interesting friend. I wonder if HE felt any ZA ZA ZOO.

I'll keep you posted. Hey, Is it too much to ask that a Tall Spanish Papi - Type Hunk of Burning Love finds me STAT?? I am available for some good times if he comes my way...LOL!

Now on the TTC front....still on AF. Not PG for folks that thought "maybe" just a CRAZY cycle / late Miscarriage.

Hugs Everyone!!!

And then there was 2.....Again. Please send your Love, Prayers and Healing Vibes over to my Buddies B & K they saddly lost little Snuffy today. This is the second time back to back they have been through this devastating loss... I am just so sorry.

FIRST......Biggest SHOUT OUT - CONGRATS to my Girlies........B&K and CHERYL for their recent B-F-P's......YAHOOOOOO! I couldn't be happier for you all. You are all blessed and will continue to be in my prayers.

Next, I had my Dr's Appt. Filled with the Grab & Stab otherwise known as a PAP SMEAR followed by Urine PG test(just in case--Dr. Makes you) Other fun exams, some basic blood work and TALKING, TALKING about me and my Body. Anyhoo, at this point Mr. Dr Man says that I am really, really a type A personality (Huh, ya think?) He siad I had so many charts and was talking in depth about so many cycle issues/concerns, etc he thought I should have went to Medical school...yeah right. I told him I read CONSTANTLY and I do....I just love it. Anyway, at this point NO signs of any problem...he said look you have had 2 tries.....TWO and sometimes this is they way it goes. He also reminded me for this Brief 2 day BFP if I had not been watching I would NEVER have even thought I was PG. I agree he is right. He feels more than comfy with me trying at home as long as I feel OK with it. He does prefer Dr. IUI...of course but he KNOWS it is MY choice. I think I will do 1 or 2 more cycles at home in my environment, like I prefer but if nothing then I will go straight to Medical help. He did pinpoint thought that I may be doing the Insems just a little later than he thinks is ideal. He says I seem to show a LH SURGE (+OPK) very, very close to Ovulation....so I may need to do it sooner versus later after the +OPK.

Hey, I want a baby and if I need to jump through some hoops......I have my Jumping shoes on!

Now, the CRAZY part....when will I try again. I wish like in 5 days or so but NO....to soon to get the VIALS ordered and shipped, etc. So this cycle is out. NOW, here is the crappy dilemma. My Next Cycle would be the the VERY beginning of May or so which sounds GREAT to me. However, that is my VACATION to Myrtle Beach....first I said well, guess I will need to wait till the next cycle, then I thought....I could also travel with MAN-IN-A-CAN......a.k.a MY BABIES BIOLOGICAL DADDY strapped in the car.

Ladies, it is official, I think I have LOST it.....AM I crazy to EVEN think about taking the DEWAR with me or what? Hey, I figure alot of Folks get Knocked-up while on Vacation...why not give it a shot with a frozen Popsicle. LOL!

Sound Off chicadees and give me YOUR thoughts.
Hey and ARADIA and TRACY (a.k.a SASSY T)....I am praying for you Babes....come on BFP's.

Ok, this morning I tested and of course, BFN = Big Fat Negative. Now for me I know this was too early to test but YES, I did it anyway. TMI ALERT AHEAD!!!!!!!

10 DPO is going like this:

• CRAMPING IN UTERUS AREA OFF/ON - strange for me cause I don't usually get cramps, just general achiness
• I have been checking my CM everyday...last night I noticed CREAMY/WATERY with tinges of Brownish Pink. To me this means AF(period) is coming and STINKIN Early, too.
• Today - Watery/CREAMY with Brownish Pink again now just mostly clear. I keep thinking AF is here and when I go into the Bathroom...nada!
• Indigestion..still here - If I REALLY wanted to I could BURP the Alphabet...my GOD CHILDREN would be SO PROUD!
• Needless to say I am CLUELESS - looks like AF may be coming unless it is Implantation spotting which I am also CLUELESS about.

So my Buddies the verdict is that I have NO Idea what the verdict is. I know I have never been later than 28 Days for a period in my life since I was aware of counting them and 28 Days for me is Wednesday...so time WILL reveal all. My temps are currently still up. No dropping yet.

Hugs to all my CYCLE Buddies and My blog Buddies...LOVE Ya, Chickees!

Well Peeps....the countdown has officially begun. To be honest today could be either 1 DPO or 2 DPO but I am uncertain due to a Fever in the a.m. yesterday upon waking. So I am officially going with today being 1 DPO.

If I can keep my sanity in the next 10 days or so I will call it a success. Now to get a BFP at the conclusion....I call that a MIRACLE.

Hey, this is a Weekend of Miracles religiously speaking so, why not have Hope and Faith for myself as well? Sure beats the alternative!

Tomorrow I am of course going to sunrise Mass and then...a Shop fest with the Madre. Additionally, I have been planning my Boss's Baby Shower and I have more stuff to line up for her Surprise throw down next week. In my life can I even count the amount of Bridal and BABY showers I have hosted or thrown? Do I have enough fingers...LOL?

P.S. I am feeling much better not 100% but on the right road.:)

Night, Night everyone!

Teacherlady says... 1 DPO symptoms - NONE - just trying to get my stomach under control from this bug. Also, FRIED RICE no matter how much you LOVE it, is simply DISGUSTING when you puke it up for two days! P.P.S No Fried Rice for me for at least 5 years! Ugh!

First, THANK YOU, to all my well wishers for this cycle. I appreciate the support 150%! I know we all live busy & hectic lives and I appreciate you dropping by my corner of the world to wish me well.

Now, on to details...

1st AI (Artificial Insem) occurred at 6:00 a.m. today 3/18/08. (12 Hours past Surge). I think I may have been a little too rough but I got it accomplished. All seemed to be going according to plan and I laid in bed for 2 hours...and honestly thought about calling out today. (I planned to go in late already). Right as I was getting Up, I started to feel like FRIED CRAP.....yes, FRIED CRAP. That ladies & gentleman is pretty stinking bad. I went to work and about mid day was having stomach cramps(mild) and TMI alert....bathroom blow-outs GALORE! Then a mild fever.....WHY? WHY can't anything goes as planned in my life?
Anyway, I have a mild Stomach FLU...gross. I haven't had one in years!!!

Well, I am still proceeding as scheduled with AI #2 at 12:00 a.m. 3/19/08. (30 Hours past surge). I am going to try to be a little more gentle and less beating up on my cervix.

On a side note, my CM this Cycle has been INCREDIBLE! I have NEVER seen that quality of CM before in my life. Hopefully it is a good sign.

Well, my dears have a good night and Hopefully none of YOU get this stinking STOMACH Flu.

To my Fellow TTC buddies gearing up to AI again.....welcome back and I wish you all the LUCK in the world!

Ladies,
Isn't it amazing what happens when you get an AMAZING delivery??? My Man-in-a-Can came today!!! Cora, you ARE right I blog for myself, so even if I feel that my posts get boring sometime what the Heck does it really matter???

Well....my SWIMMERS came today and with it has come RENEWED strength. I am adjusting the count down tomorrow because I know I will probably be doing the AI's on Mon or Tues. I will post alot during these next days. For my Blog buddies going through Adoption.....check out my journey as I choose this option to motherhood. (Or at least Attempt Motherhood).

Last Night I was thinking.....to be honest I am on the Fence. On the fence about closing this blog OR completely revamping it. I started it simply to Blog about my journey's in a way I never had before. I don't know if I have ever shared this but I have 3 other Blogs.....they are centered around education & teaching and two of them are 5+ years old with exchanges from my Peeps in Japan in Hong Kong.

Maybe I will end this Blog and start a Fresh one...sticking to TTC and hopefully BFP. Or just close it all together I haven't decided. The reality is in many ways I am a BORING person with a ton of serious responsibilities and I know my Blog is NOT the most exciting. I admit it ladies.

• I don't use alot of crazy language - in fact in REAL life I only sometimes say...SOB or Damn and I have NEVER, NEVER in my life EVER said the F-Word. Can you believe it? My Close friends think that is a riot....they say it enough for ALL of us. LOL!
• I moved my parents into my home and help with a permanently Ill mom. (Doing OK at the moment). Tons of Dr. Appt's and responsibilities on my end.
• I have a great real life circle of peeps and a supportive circle I am so very, very thankful for.
• I am a community Volunteer for 3 large organizations and I truly live a rather normal/boring life.
• I mean look.....I haven't had an LOADED drink in YEARS I drink lots of Fruity Bev's now....but they are all VIRGIN. I guess....my Sorority College years made me stay away from the drink now. LOL.

Just thoughts my Blog Buddies.....if I still have folks reading this much anymore. I guess I am at the crossroads.....even with my upcoming AI, I wonder......do I keep this open or what??

ALL RIGHT YOU LUCKY MAMU GALS......DETAILS, DETAILS! Some of us aren't lucky enough to be able to attend! I bet F-U-N was had by ALL! Oh, How I wished I could have made it Chica's! I HOPE someone had a DRINK for me. Preferably a fruity beverage or two!

Anyway, you ladies build your strength back up and post until your fingers hurt. HELLO, I am living through you right now. My life is FILLED currently with Teaching, Teaching, Curriculum, Counseling Sessions(Giving them) and getting ready for the SWIMMERS to arrive.

P.S.

Kelli - you asked about the cough syrup ---- you take it a few days leading up to ovulation and it can help your cervical mucous thin out making it a smoother journey for the "swimmers."

Hugs everyone!

Hello ALL,

Thanks a ton for all the well wishes for my next cycle. I had picked my donor and when I went to make the purchase...WHAM! I changed my mind at the last minute to a different donor. Why? Who the Hell knows....just a gut feeling. So much for over analyzing Donor qualities. Well, I am just happy to be back in the game. I am currently pulling for my TWW Blog Buddies.....hey and TAMMY - I hope this is YOUR time! If my cycle follows normal patterns for me I should be be doing the AI's on 3/17 & 3/18. Guess only time will tell. In the meantime I have 1 three day meeting in Orlando that I HAVE to stay at. It will be good but I honestly don't feel like another Meeting..certainly when this overnight adventure is only 15 minutes from my house!!! Oh, well such is life. I was looking at my calendar and if I get a BFP this cycle I will give birth right before Christmas. Oh, Joy. LOL! Funny enough whenever I get PG I will not be telling anyone at my job until about 14 weeks or longer if I am not showing too much. WHY? Because that is just how I am and I am not into "hovering." To be honest in my opinion women have been having babies everyday with and without help for centuries. I know some of our staff will immediately treat me like a fragile egg....like I can't still make big decisions with the Big Boys because I am "with child." No matter how far we come....ladies STILL have to come against this mentality in the workplace....Like because I am PG I would burst into tears at the drop of a hat. BESIDES, I am a smart lady...even if I wanted to, I would go into my office and shut the door for a melt down.
We really have to put up with alot, Ladies!!!

I agree with Chelle, My schedule lately has been INSANE!!!!! I am fairing fairly well, somehow. I love productive NETWORKING. I am of course out of town but this is the last extended Conference for quite awhile. 2 overnight events in March that are MANDATORY but after that...weehaw! I am glancing through Donors, etc and attempting to get my ducks in a row. I am hoping and praying that my March AI attempt works. If not, life will go on but geesh I am ready!
I wanted to take a moment to send LOVE and HAPPY *sticky* Vibes to Michelle and Nick.........the just found out their IVF cycle has yielded a BFP!!!! I am over the moon for those two. They have been through so much and Michelle is young and very healthy and it has just been so frustrating I am sure for them. Well, they have crossed the finish line and I am thrilled for you!!! Now, be safe, be careful during your move abroad and keep in touch. I can't handle not hearing from you...I WILL go into withdrawl lady!
I wanted to take a moment to talk about Pregnancy and Obesity. I have a friend that has had problems getting pregnant....she has even had 3 IVF cycles and has Miscarried every BFP she received. Her Dr. keeps saying...lose weight, lose weight. She had to go to 5 Dr's before she found one that would do her IVF...they said no due to weight. Anyway, I just feel so bad for my friend...in my heart I don't think weight is the ONLY obstacle. I mean I have 2 other friends over 300lbs that have each had kids..unmedicated with NO problem..period. Each person is individual and each person has unique situations. WHY, does the medical field often try and treat ALL women the same! It is a crying shame.
Well....have a great Sunday everyone! To my TTC ladies...keep on keeping on!

Hello my Friends,

Needless to say things have been hectic and busy right now. God does in fact work in mysterious ways. I am at the hotel now finally able to decompress and read blogs and update mine. I have been on 4 YES 4 Work Conferences since December. This is NOT usual for me but I was chosen at our school system to be one of a team of educators representing our County to several Conferences for up to 4 months. I LOVE meeting and speaking with new people, school systems and hearing other ways of touching our youth, However, I would NOT and could not do all this traveling with a child or if my Mom was feeling worse. Soon, I will be finished and back to staying in my own neck of the woods. I love adventure but with age and increased responsibility, I admit, traveling doesn't hold quite the appeal it used to. Amazing how that happens, isn't it?

I am sad because in the midst of all of it..I will miss my Blog buddy C, and her family.....I sure wanted to hug Ethan. Alas, after MUCH attempting time wise I just can't. Next time I hope it works out.....come back to Florida please!

The Incredible news is that due to some unexpected positive "gifts" I am back to charting/tempting and will be finally updating my tickers. Better news is that I am spotting now, about ready to start my period. After that I am tempting the cycle, calling the Sperm Bank, ordering the goods and Getting BACK on the AI Horse in March for certain. I am sooooooo Happy. I know I don't share that everyday and every minute but if you get to know me, that is just how I am. Sometimes when I want something the MOST, I speak about it the least as that tactic somehow helps my sanity. I am praying for MARCH to yield my BFP but I will take it day by day. I thought about saying, hell with it and doing it this cycle but, I had stopped charting and tempting for awhile and now I need at least 1 cycle to observe the body vibes.

Looks like I need to buy some new OPK's and fire up the HPT's for March.

Well, I am tired and need to say goodnight....I'll try to post more now that my Laptop is fixed again and I am back to being Mobile in my Hotel room! Thank God!

My schedule puts me back home tomorrow.....home for 3 days, gone for 6, back for 2 and gone for about 4-5 more and then I am D_O_N_E!!!!!!!!!

The Teacher lady says........Hells Yeah!!!

Since I simply don't have the correct words I will keep this short. Our dear, dear Blog Sister Tracey had devastating news today. Simply put, my Heart HURTS for her and her family right now. During times of such sadness and sorrow I find myself unable to formulate the why's and how's? Lord, please give us all the strength to support Tracey and our other Blog Circle that has lost their angels this month. Losing 2 babies myself I can go back to the days I received the news and it still hurts just as bad. PLEASE Pray for Tracey tonight and pray for all us to have the strength and the will to continue TTC.