Oh The Places I Go...

So, I'm on the road (again), and it's been a comical trip.  I love seeing all these new places.  Let me tell you though... for all of you who think traveling is all glamor and eating fabulous food - LISTEN UP... it is not.  It's an adventure and it's not friendly to your derriere.

I love the little towns, I love the big cities.  I love the quirky business names we pass by on the road.  Today, my favorite was "Critter Fixers" it was a veterinarian.  I died laughing.  I love finding the quirks of each state, city or podunk town.   No matter what, it's fun, it's enlightening and it's fascinating to see how others live their lives.  It's fun to know that "everyday stuff" is different everywhere you go. 

This trip, I've discovered that Subway is the official food for South Carolina and Georgia.  I swear, there is a Subway as frequent in SC & GA as there is a Starbucks in Seattle, WA.  I've found that no matter where you are, the expense of dinner, or lack there of, can and will surprise you.  Holiday Inn is awesome, they've really stepped up their game and their pillow are fantastical.  (Have you figured out yet that it's not all glamor?  I mean really, I just told you Holiday Inn pillows were fantastical.)  Doors to the outside are frightening... just refer to my post from two weeks ago.  (I am in another place tonight where my door is to the outside - I don't like it.)

Overall, I've learned to roll with the punches, embrace life, culture and "now" for what it is - a wonderful trip through life.  I'm blessed to be able to do so much, see so much and experience so much.  In the last year alone, I have been to at least 17 states and COUNTLESS cities and towns.  How cool is that?  How many people do you know that have been to Pharr, TX or Forest, MS?  I HAVE!   Oh, I've also been to Myrtle Beach!  Yep.

Here's a taste of what I've done this week:

 

but wait..here's the real feel

 

And then there was tonight.  Our choice was what you see below, KFC or an extremely sketchy Chinese take-out place (I think we chose wisely)

 

Oh, and there were no tables, it was strictly take out.... so, here's where we ate

  

Isn't that glamorous?

Smiles...

Isn't a smile a wonderful thing?  I got to spend a fun dinner with 3 of my best girl friends recently, and when I got home I was beaming.  I was filled with joy and giddiness from head to toe.  I was super chatty and couldn't seem to slow myself down!  I couldn't figure it out at first, but looking back... it's because the whole time we're together, we laugh and SMILE.

Isn't that how you're supposed to feel when you're with special people?  Isn't that how we should all go around trying to make everyone else feel?  It's amazing what a simple smile can do.

I decided to go through some photos and share a few smiles that make me GIDDY every time I see them, no matter what is going on in life, no matter how far away they are... no matter if I saw them yesterday or one year ago.  These are just a few people who tickle my heart strings (in no particular order).

Enjoy:

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out....

You know how the song goes... eventually you "shake it all about".   Well apparently you, me AND little man in my belly know the "Hokey Pokey".  Let me tell ya folks, I felt the little critter for the first time (unquestionably for the first time) last Thursday night, and there is no doubt he's a mover and a shaker!  SO EXCITING!  It's the funniest feeling, but it's so incredible at the same time.  He's loving every moment in my belly, and I'm loving every moment he's wiggling around. 

Now that he's wiggling about, I figured it was time to give in.  Time to suck it up and give in to all of you darn people (ok, let me rephrase that).... give in to the two of you who read this and the COUNTLESS others who simply request I make a post with belly pics.  UGH... I HATE belly pics.  Again, let me rephrase... I hate MY belly pics.  I love other people showing their belly, but I've ALWAYS hated showing my belly.  And now, of all times, you want me to show it!  EEEK!  That's like the nightmare where you show up to school naked!  I mean really people.. this is like what the people on "Biggest Loser" go through... public humiliation and gawking.  Heavens, I'm sweating just thinking about this.

Anyhow, last night my dearest Kimmy MADE me (yes, there was force involved and I think a little friendly yelling) pose for a belly picture.  Heavens I wanted to scream.  I still want to scream.  I want to scream and cry and run from it, but if I don't post them, she will... HORRID!

Here is my nephew poking at my belly to inspect the babe (baby).  So cute.  (Him, not me)

Here's the darn side view (21 weeks).  I was courteous and chopped off my head because that was NOT so lovely.  Besides, the point of the photo is my belly, not my head.

There you go people... That's the belly.  I'm going to have anxiety in peace now. 

I miss him...

Oh... on the road again....and I MISS THIS MAN!

I miss his rugged face and snuggly arms... Oh I just MISS HIM! 

Can you blame me?  What a babe... corona hat and shades, ready to take on the beach volleyball scene.

LOVE YOU!

Doors to the outside...

So, I'm on the road (again) and while I love it and think it's very fun and rewarding to see new places, changing hotels each night is not my favorite.  I will give big kudos to Holiday Inn... they have really stepped up their game and I LOVE their pillows.  Weird... I know, please don't comment.  You'll never understand until you stay in random places over and over again.

One of my traveling rules is this: I don't stay at places where the door of my room connects to the "outside".  Technical, I know.   Think about it - you're a female, you're alone, you're staying in a strange town.... all you really want is a good night sleep and to wake up in one piece.  When I stay in a hotel, I have no problem accomplishing my good night of sleep (unless of course I'm cursed with bad neighbors) because on the other side of my door is a hallway, NOT the outside, NOT the rest of the world. 

Tonight, I am in a motel, albeit pretty nice, it is nonetheless a motel, and on the other side of my door is the "outside".  I plan on sleeping with the TV on tonight and baracading my door with the chairs and desk inside my room.  I will also nuzzle myself in bed on the farthest side from the door.  I mean really, those few inches of effort could seriously detur any invader.

I'm not a freak about this stuff usually, but this is one of my rules and my poor new sales person in training had NO CLUE that where we were staying had "outside doors".  Poor thing... I think she'll now live by the same rule, and I'm pretty sure she won't be sleeping well tonight either. 

It's time to go to sleep and I'm totally avoiding it... can you tell?  It's almost 11pm and I'm up writing about it.   Heavens bless us all.   The poor child in my belly is going to grow up with some serious issues, and when he does, please remind me of posts like this.

Now go snuggle into your bed, get a good night's sleep and say a quick prayer for me while you're at it.  Heck, give yourself an extra 15 minutes of sleep in the morning in honor of me and my sleepless night.

K... I'm really going now... signing off... eeek!  Good night.

It's a ....

Ladies and Gentlemen... drum roll please..... we are having little, cute, rambunctious, lovable... BOY!  On Tuesday Josh and I went in for the ultrasound/sonogram (I don't know the proper term) and we found out that we're having a little man in June! 

Josh couldn't be happier, I think he's on cloud 9.  I am very excited as well, but I think there's something about a guy having a boy as his first child that's not quite as scary as having a girl.  Bless his heart, he was convinced we were having a girl, but let me assure you all... IT IS A BOY!

Now that we know, a bit of reality has struck and suddenly it's like "um, we're having a baby and maybe we should start getting things ready!".  Either way, we're stoked and we'll be getting on the ball here really quickly.  Lots to do!  Lots to do!

Love you all.  Can't wait for you to meet the little critter!!

My Fat Peeps getting Skinny

The Biggest Loser on NBC has to be the best show... sigh... I love it!  I love it because it's reality TV making a POSITIVE impact on people's lives, not this other smutty crap that's strewn everywhere and designed to make some, if not all, of the cast fall apart.

Tuesday was the Season 9 Premier.  I loved every moment.  Not quite as heart wrenching as season 8 (oh Abby, you are a wonderous fantastic woman), but still great.  And yes,  I call them "my fat peeps".  It's an endearing term because I truly love them, and I am a part of their journey, I cry every show... the funny thing is, they're losing weight and I'm gaining (give me a break, I'm pregnant).   I couldn't believe how they had the cast "weigh in" this season.  It made me squeal in discomfort!  They actually had them weigh in in front of their home town!  WHAT!  Yes, shirts off, belly fat, stretch marks and all... bless their souls, that takes more guts than I can even think of mustering up.  Can you even imagine!?  I mean really... as if going to the beach isn't bad enough.  What if you had to weigh in!  I guess it was great motivation to NEVER show up in front of your hometown looking that way again.  Bless their hearts, first a hometown weigh in (sheer humiliation) and then.... "The Ranch".

They show up expecting to get to meet their fabulous trainers... but WHAMMO - challenge #1 smacks them in the face FIRST THING.  They had to ride 26.2 miles on a bike.  Imagine being 400-500lbs, and sitting on a bicycle seat!  YOWZA!  Not to mention the 26.2 miles.  But.. they DID IT!  Next.. they finally met the trainers.  Ahhhh...

Watching Jillian and Bob makes my heart pitter-patter. I would pay big money to have Jillian train me - I'm sure I'd cry, but man she's a kick booty gal and I LOVE IT.  It's that tough love and "put on your big girl panties" attitude that far too many people are lacking.  The reality of it all is that these people are saving their own lives and it's a great thing. 

One of my favorite episodes is coming up.  It's when they show the medical side of how each candidate.  They show images that are unreal and really make you thankful that no one has posted a photo of your entire body composition on prime time television!  Holy smokes, I can't wait. 

Till later... ta ta... and lay off the bon bons!