Yay! Our first farm share "box" (it's really a bunch of bags) arrived this week. JD picked up our box from his sister's house on Friday. (She lives near the farm and does the pickups for us).
Here's what we got:
-Baby lettuce mix
-Lettuce heads
-Radishes
-Bok Choi
-Swiss Chard
-Spearmint
-Shitake Mushrooms
On Friday, JD cooked some of the Swiss chard in olive oil, just enough to wilt it and served it with some salmon fillet. We had that with brown rice and stewed tomatoes.
Tonight, I chopped the remaining Swiss chard and some of the mushrooms up and stir-fried those in a bit of olive oil. To that, I added diced tomatoes, a jar of tomato sauce and a bunch of meatballs. We had that over whole wheat spaghetti and it was fabulous! Next time, I may add some minced garlic and diced onions to that initial stir fry.
I'm headed to the grocery store tomorrow (well, later today) for this week's shopping, so I think I'm going to get some extra fixings for lettuce wraps like they have at Cheesecake Factory. The lettuce heads we have will be perfect for that and we've got some leftover chicken that I can shred and stir up with some teriyaki sauce and chopped nuts.
As Rachael Ray would say, "Yum-O!"
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Farm Share - Week 1
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Is Eight Really Enough?
I got tagged by Becoming Whole the other day, and this meme looks interesting so here goes.
To do list (i.e. “the rules”):
1. Mention the person who tagged me
2. Complete the list of 8’s.
3. Tag 8 bloggers & tell them I tagged them.
Eight things I am looking forward to:
1. Watching BFF's dog this weekend
2. TOOTPU gathering in June
3. Being pregnant (eventually)
4. Good produce from farm-share box
5. Weekend at beach in June
6. Pedicures with BFF tonight
7. Going to the drive-in this summer
8. Making my own yogurt
Eight things I did yesterday:
1. Wore my pedometer all day
2. Edited an amendment
3. Double-checked financial figures
4. Commented on blogs
5. Saved recipes to a new cookbook program
6. Directed JD to pick up our first farm-share box
7. Signed contracts
8. Drove BFF to pick up her car at the shop
Eight things I wish I could do:
1. Play the piano
2. Speak German
3. Cook without a recipe
4. Keep my house clean
5. Get pregnant
6. Lose weight
7. Get paid to read whatever I want
8. Sleep at work
Eight shows I watch:
1. 24
2. House
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. Grey's Anatomy
5. Intervention
6. Deadliest Catch
7. Sell This House
8. Still Standing
Eight favorite fruits:
1. Bananas
2. Blueberries
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Pears
6. Grapes
7. Cantaloupe
8. Peaches
Eight places I’d like to travel:
1. Ireland
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Vancouver
5. Sweden
6. Denmark
7. Russia
8. Greece
Eight places I’ve lived:
1. New Jersey
2. DC Metro MD - house #1
3. DC Metro MD - house #2
4. Boston Metro MA
5. DC Metro MD - apartment
6. Washington, DC - apartment #1
7. Washington, DC - apartment #2
8. DC Metro VA - condo
It seems like this meme has made the rounds, so participate if you like, but don't feel obligated to do so.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I Feel the Earth Move, But I'm Standing Still
Still dizzy and nauseated; still holding out against the forces of darkness (that would be part of my brain) who want me to google "4dpiui pregnancy symptoms".
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Are You? Are You? Are You?
John Dear has resorted to asking me if I feel pregnant about every 10 minutes. He intersperses those questions with "Are you pregnant yet? Are you? Are you?" I might have to kill him.
Why is it that he doesn't understand basic biology? I am blaming it on the school system in Virginia (where he grew up and where we live now). I don't think anyone from the great state of Maryland would make these same mistakes.
For those not in the know, there's a big rivalry around the DC area as to which state is better: Maryland or Virginia. Guess where I come down?
Dizzy and nauseated (unless I'm eating), so mah nishtanah halilah hazeh mikol halailot? (why is this night different from other nights?). Going to have an acupuncture session before my yoga class tonight. Been eating well and ate a bunch of pineapple this weekend as I read somewhere that pineapple core aids implantation. Plus, I love pineapple.
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Monday, May 25, 2009
Hurry Up and Wait
DIUI - Part II went as smoothly as Part I. I was in a different exam room this time (kitted out with a lovely new mobile, much thanks to Chez Perky), but otherwise, everything else was the same.
I did find out the counts for both samples. Our clinic prefers that frozen samples have a post-wash count of at least 3 M. Here's our counts:
Round II - 17 M
The doctors and nurses in both rounds (since we had weekend procedures, we didn't get our regular nurse and RE) were impressed with the counts and hopeful that this cycle would be the only one we needed. Round I had 40% motility. I didn't see the motility number for Round II, but am hoping that it was similar.
Now that we've gone through all the stress and rushing around to get everything ready for this weekend, now we just have to wait. Beta scheduled for June 8th.
Given the fact that my symptoms for ovulation and PMS are the same as early pregnancy symptoms, I'm going to try not to do any self-diagnosing. I'd also like to not drive myself crazy with the tests. We'll see how that goes.
___________________________
On the Fringe -- Al Tzitzit
We Are What We Repeatedly Do
Healthy Indulgences
MoJo Working
Here in HP
I Returned a Comment To:
Another Jennifer Speaks
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sleepless
So, everything went well for dIUI - part I. I wore all my lucky jewelry (earrings from JD for our 1st anniversary, necklace from parents, bracelet from LorzaRN, fuzzy socks from KateDaphne). JD held my hand and put his other hand on my forehead; he was so supportive.
The procedure was really quick. Walk in, make sure all the numbers match, sign the form, lie back, you're done. They had me stay laying down for 5 minutes. Afterwards, we walked across the hall to my acupuncture appointment and I just tried to relax and visualize my body as a peaceful and comforting location, one where sperm could meet egg and settle down a while.
I had some cramping for most of the day. Nothing painful, just uncomfortable. I pretty much just rested all day while JD took care of me.
We both had trouble sleeping last night. I was able to sleep for a few hours but once I woke up, couldn't get back to sleep. When I gave it up as a bad job, JD went in to sleep for a few hours. I'll go out soon, taking The Boy for his walk and getting us some breakfast.
The second IUI is later this morning. I'm glad that I have Monday off since, if I go by yesterday, I won't be getting any tasks other than reading done today.
_________________________________
Doubling up on comments, since I was unable to leave comments yesterday --
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ongoing (also, ICLW May Day 2)
Time to tell you interwebs of all the BIG MAJOR THINGS going on at Chez Jendeis.
1. Donor #1 is available!! We got the call last Thursday that they were releasing two types of vials (ICI - unwashed and our clinic's preferred; IUI - washed and acceptable) for our donor. I told John Dear that if my Caps had to lose Game 7 (last Wednesday) in order for Donor #1 to be available, that I was OK with that outcome.
2. Since time is/was a factor and the vials HAD to be ordered on Friday (in order for them to get to our clinic within the allotted time frame), John Dear and I woke up at sparrow's fart on Friday (thanks to Sam for this fabulous description) to get the ID Consent Form signed, notarized and hand-delivered to the bank.
3. Since I'm the patient, JD was not allowed to order the vials. That means that I had to call on my cell phone from my sister's doctoral graduation. Yeah, I ordered 5 vials of sperm (2 to clinic; 3 for storage) while standing on a DC street with a couple hundred people crowded around trying to get into an air-conditioned auditorium. Thank G-D the people at my bank are so professional - they know how to talk to you so that you don't say anything you wouldn't want others to hear.
4. Yay for Elle! She's now Dr. Elle! My sistah the doctah! Unfortunately, they didn't give her a wicked cool blue phone box, just a doctoral hood and a diploma.
5. I've been doing the Is-the-test-line-darker-than-the-control-line? squint for the past 5 days to see whether or not I've ovulated. Got the dark line today and just called my nurse. I don't think I sounded crazier than I usually do. I'm pretty sure all my calls to her are at the same level of "Dayum, that girl be kuh-rrrrrr-aaaaa-zeee!"
6. I've been having a healthy breakfast every day the last two weeks. This good-for-me meal usually consists of tea with milk and less-than-a-teaspoon of sugar (down from one heaping teaspoon) and Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts.
7. Was planning on going to the farmer's market tomorrow to try and pick up some good milk and yogurt from happy cows. I'd also like to get some berries, some asparagus and some more of the delicious spring onions I got last time.
8. Not sure if I'll be able to make it to the farmer's market though -- it depends on when my nurse schedules the IUIs. We're doing two - should be one Saturday and one Sunday. No trip to the beach for moi this Memorial Day Weekend, but hopefully, there will be a better payoff.
And now, for something completely different.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
ICLW May - Day 1
Stuck in a closing and some transition meetings. Will update on all of the BIG MAJOR THINGS* going on in life when I get a chance.
Bloorb
Kitchen Stewardship
Mission: Impossible
The Unfair Struggle
I'm a Smart One
I Returned a Comment To:
Fertilized
*No, not a BFP. Just lots of stuff I haven't updated on yet.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Library Math
1: Number of books to return to library
1: Number of books on hold to be picked up at library
1: Number of books that I had determined that I would leave library with, since
5: Number of books (checked out and/or purchased) that are on my Immediate To Be Read pile
4: Number of books that I left with
I heart my library. A little too much.
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." -- G.K. Chesterton
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Two Years
It's been two years since we started trying. Two interminably long years. I never thought it would take this long. Don't know why I never thought it would take a long time, I mean, we knew there were issues in that area, but we both thought maybe it'll take as long as four months and away we go.
It's been two years and we're just getting our first real chance to have a baby. I'd love to believe that this is gonna work this cycle, but I've been reading blogs for too long. Maybe I'm kidding myself. It's like I'm two different people: one who's a total believer and one who's an incredible cynic. I want to be the believer, but only if it works. That cynical enough for you?
Been nauseated all day; for me, that means that ovulation is about a week off. Right on schedule. Bought the Answer OPKs and will start using those on Sunday.
I want this so desperately. Please G-D, let this work.
Oh, and G-D? The CAPS are playing tonight in Game 7 and they could sure use your help, so, um, anything you can do there would be appreciated.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Farmer's Market
On Saturday, I went with Elle (my sister) and BFF to a local Farmer's Market. It was my first farmer's market visit EVER and it was great!! I bought the most delicious looking and most wonderful smelling spring onions, a bag of freshly picked lettuce and a pound of ground beef from grass-fed happy cows.
Over the past six months or so, I've really gotten into the whole idea of "real food"; that is, natural, homegrown food without chemicals. My SIL and her husband really introduced me to the idea -- they are way, way into it, going so far as to raise chickens, ducks, geese and a turkey or two in their backyard.
My next step is to try to get my hands on some "raw milk," i.e., milk straight from the cow, not pasteurized. In my state, the only way to get raw milk is to be a part of a cow-share program. I've never tasted raw milk before though, so I would like to go to a farm and get a taste before I commit.
Once I have a supply of raw milk, I could start making yogurt to eat every morning for breakfast with berries and nuts. Yum!
__________________
Interested in learning more about real food? I've found these books and blogs to be interesting and helpful:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck
Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Cheeseslave
Food Renegade
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Preferences
From Treppenwitz and MOChassid:
My choices in bold. If I say "it depends", it just proves I'm a good lawyer.
Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate
Nestle's or Hershey's
Scotch or Bourbon
Road Bike or Mountain Bike (neither, recumbent bike)
American League or National League (National Hockey League)
Hitting Pitchers or Designated Hitters (Donald Brashear is my DH. Free Donald!)
Ketchup or Mustard (it depends)
Ice Cream or Sorbet
Downhill or X-Country
Mac or Windows
Horns or Synthesizers
White Wine or Red Wine
Aisle or Window
Non-Stop or Stopover
Root Beer Float or Ice Cream Soda (neither, shakes)
Creamy or Chunky
Smoking or Non-Smoking
Plane or Train (it depends)
Sailboat or Motorboat (no boats)
White Gold or Yellow Gold
Rocks or Neat
Dog or Cat
Candy bar-style or Flip-phone
Steam-room or Sauna
Tea or Coffee
Sugar or Splenda
Fiction or Non-Fiction (it depends)
Burned to a Crisp or Bloody as Hell
Martin & Lewis or Amos & Andy
Flats or Heels
Pants or Skirts
Army or Navy
Dark Meat or White Meat
Sauce or Dry Rub
Automatic or Stick Shift
Bar Soap or Body Wash
Set Menu or À La Carte
Dressed Salad or Dressing On The Side
Cut To The Chase or Shaggy Dog Story
Long Hair or Short Hair
Driver or Passenger
Coder or WYSIWYG
Crossword or Sudoku (it depends)
Chess or Go
Boxers or Briefs
Now or Later
Indoors or Al Fresco
Coke or Pepsi
Betty or Wilma
Ginger or Maryanne (neither, The Professor)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Aaargh
So, it turns out that our guy doesn't have any samples available; all are in quarantine. The bank isn't allowed to give us an approximation of when they will come out of quarantine. We're now on a wait list for both IUI and ICI samples, whatever comes in first is what we would go with.
So, we just picked a backup donor, someone who has all samples available. He doesn't look like JD the way that #1 did, but we're willing to go with him.
So, the plan now is to wait until we need to order the vials (about 10 days or so) and then see who's available. If we can go with #1, great. If not (and that seems more than likely), we'll go forward with #2 for this cycle.
Can't anything be simple? Sheesh.
P.S. Also, my nurse is on medical leave (hope she just has a cold and is not really sick) and will not be returning any calls, which means that JD can't talk to her and ask (as suggested by my mother) whether our doctor could get the quarantine-exit date from the bank. (I'm thinking no, cause it's a donor-privacy thing, but my mother said, don't be ruled by assumptions, leave no stone unturned).
Freaking Out
Head is spinning, heart is racing. Coffee this morning was soooo not a good idea. Today is CD 2, meaning we are officially ON.
JD is calling the bank today to get some questions answered about logistics. For example, when should we order the vials to get them there on time, do we have to US Mail or can we Fedex the consent forms, and can we get put on the waiting list for ICI samples.
Today, our guy came up as a "Call for availability" for IUI samples (still listed as a no for ICI samples) and his Donor category (whether he's ID Consent or not) is blanked out. Oh G-D, oh G-D, oh G-D. Dang, dang, dang.
Being ever the helpful partner that he is and seeking to calm me (NOT!), JD asked what we should do, if our guy has died and that's why his category is blanked out. WHAT?!?!? I, being the gracious person that I am, did not hang up on him.
Not particularly liking my body now as based on estimation, the inseminations will be on Memorial Day weekend, which means no beach trip for me. Man, that stinks!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Vent On and Off
Oh, I'm so ready for my tea today. This Friday has been dragging on and on.
Nothing really going on here. Lemme just vent for a second: John Dear doesn't open mail. Any mail at all. Because his mother never let any of them open the mail, so now he just brings it in (if he even bothers to do that) and dumps it somewhere or everywhere. Come the f-ck on! WTF do you do all day? You can't even open the g. fricken. d. mail!? Why do I have to do everything?
Vent over. I found a big envelope from the Giant Fertility Clinic, which was mailed before our nurse got the news that we were going forward with donor sperm as opposed to IVF. It had a whole lotta stuff that we needed to get done before we cycled; luckily, most of the stuff only applies to IVF and I don't need to worry about it. The things that we do need are: to get consents signed (no problem), GYN checkup (done and faxed over already) and renew blood tests. So, tomorrow morning, instead of going to my first ever farmer's market, I've got to spend a couple hours with the unwashed-and-presumably-incubating-swine-flu masses at our local lab. At least I have a large amount of books from the library to go through while I sit waiting for the vampires.
After I get back from the Faux-Cullens' (the lab for you non-Twilight-ers out there), we'll probably be going directly to the CAPS game - Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs. Let's hope we play better overall in this round against the ever-annoying Penguins.
I think we're going out for dinner on Saturday night with a friend of JD's and his fiancee (I think I spoke about them once before as Hogan and The Cake Taker). Hogan can be a lot of fun; The Cake Taker is tolerable, when I practice patience.
Vent on again. On Sunday, it's one of JD's nephews' birthdays. SIL thought up a great idea for the activity and that was to draft all these 5-year olds into manual labor. Don't want to specify as to what, but suffice it to say that what they will be painting doesn't require great technique and allows the kids to get as dirty as they want to be. MIL told me to wear ratty clothes. Um, hi, I am not 5 and, as such, will not be participating in the activity. No need to lay out the dress code for me, but thanks.
In the same conversation that she told me about the dress code, MIL also told me that she thought up a great gift that I should get SIL for Mother's Day. (Screeching tires). What, what, what?!! I won't be getting anything for SIL for Mother's Day because, as I'm sure you're aware, she is not MY mother and I'm not about to celebrate her simply for the fact that she does have kids. Hopefully, I get through Sunday without killing any of my in-laws. Vent off again.
