Bloggin' Mamas Get Together

Jen and Calliope wore me out! Those are two FUN mamas, let me tell you! Besides that though, both are such wonderfully genuine people. I can't believe I'm so lucky to have met such good people to hang out with through the internet. Cali is so thankful and gracious, as is her Mom. Her cat is beautiful and the dog is THE SWEETEST! I seriously wanted to take him home.

Jen and Elizabeth aren't so bad either. ;)

BUT - due to the worn-outness, I must bid you adieu until tomorrow.

No, not THOSE kind of ladies. Sheesh

Hub and I have both been fans of the group The Barenaked Ladies for well over 11 years. They were our group. Their music has been tied to so many wonderful moments in both of our lives. We loved the sound, the smart lyrics, the juxtaposition of silly and deeply serious - all of it. We know every word of every song they've ever put out (even the ones NOT on the albums) up to the last few albums where we just know some.

When we heard that Steven Page was leaving the group, we were both saddened. He has a beautiful and very powerful voice and was pretty much the main singer. He's the lead on most of my very favorite BNL songs. So when we got (a lucky) chance to see them at Universal's Mardi Gras minus Steve, we were a little apprehensive.

I'm happy to say that we both loved it!! Do they lack some of the depth and power they had with Steve? Sure. He brought a lot of gravitas to the group. But other members of the band are good singers and have fun songs. They're also all fabulous musicians. They did a good job covering some of the old songs while showing us the sound for their new ones. I actually really really like the new sound! Funnily enough, this change has reinvigorated my interest in their new material!

Hub and I had so much fun. We met up with lots of friends, partied afterwards and just basically had a very mini vacation that was so sorely needed. Ahhh. When did life get so good again?

Doin' My Part

Holy crap. There are so many things wrong with this. (the "peaches" post)

And thanks so much for your happy wishes after my exciting news!

Sometimes fate really CAN be kind!

No I'm not pregnant with a super viable fetus. Come on. She's not THAT kind.

However, I have had the best 24 hours I've had in oh, probably years. I'll just put it in bullet form for your enjoyment.

• I actually did ovulate at some point! Lord knows when because of my crazy sick-time temps, but my temps are consistently up now, and I have all the signs of luteal phase!
• My sister might get married HERE!
• HUB GOT HIS RAISE!!!! I can't even TELL you how excited I am to not parse out my granola bars one per day so that I can make them last a whole month.
• I got a job offer and a possible raise offer!!!
  

Too bad it's not right around ovulation because we'd be going at it like bunnies. With this luck, how could we go wrong?

Now I know how very lucky we are in this economic climate. I am in no way trying to rub it in. And we certainly aren't out of the woods. My job and Hub's job will most likely start to feel the true effects of this recession following this summer season due to the nature of what we do. And know that the reason I am so very excited is that we have been just eking by for so long now that it's such a relief not to have to literally cinch our belts anymore. Be prepared to hear lots more about us finally finishing the repairs and updates on our house.

Hey! Maybe I can get that new car soon, and it can have LESS than 80,000 miles on it!! WOO HOOO!
XO
FCiF

To the Ether

Hey - I really really want a baby. Have I said that recently? I don't know. I just know that I would really like a baby please.

Thanks.

Know Thyself

So we took the Myers-Briggs personality test at work recently. I had done it years before, but had long since forgotten what we "found." I always find it a lot of fun finding out who I am and WHY. I ended up being an INFJ. That's MB speak for Introverted, Intuition, Feeling and Judging. Nooo, it doesn't mean I'm judgmental. In the book it says that I have introverted intuition with extroverted feeling. Basically I think and stew and think and stew to myself, but show the world my compassion. I also rely a lot on my intuition and tend to "ping" around in my thoughts connecting various circumstances and ideas to come up with big ideas. The judging part just means that I like it when all of my ducks are in a row, regardless of how sloppy or forgetful I am. I may be sloppy and forgetful, but it drives me crazy that that's so. Interesting huh?

I think everyone would benefit from doing these tests. It also helps to see what others are so you understand them better and don't just think they're being different to bug you. Here is how MB says you guys may view me:

-Private or even mysterious
-intense and individualistic

It also says that when I'm under great stress I may become obsessed with data I would normally consider irrelevant. Or I may overindulge in sensing (the opposite of my N or intuition) activities like watching TV reruns (Me? watch Friends over and over? NEVER!) or buying lots of thing that normally would have little meaning to me. (Me? Take great pleasure in shopping when stressed? NEVER!)

Fun stuff. Anyone else out there an INFJ with me?

Snacks of my Heart

My newest snack love? True North nut snacks. They seem to be a good company with heart that makes delicious, healthy snacks. I find them most reliably at Target, but have seen them elsewhere as well. My favorite is the pecan almond peanut clusters. MMMmmmm MMM! It's just sweet enough with brown rice syrup and just salty enough for all my cravings. The nuts are perfectly crunchy and complement each other beautifully.

Thank you hippy-type companies, for making food I can not only eat, but RELISH.