Day 25: Some iPod thing...

Can you tell I'm getting a little sick of the Blog Challenge? 5 days left.

My iPod is dead, so no update about what kind of embarrassing music is on it. I'm having a bit of a rough night in IF land. And I'll just leave it at that.

Day 24: Something you've learned

What I've learned:
1. Marriage is hard even when it's great. You have to work at it all the time.

2. Having a baby is much harder that you would think it is.

3. Infertility sucks.

4. I have the best husband humanly possible.

5. I am quite possibly the happiest I have ever been- even on my worst day.

Day 23: Favorite Vacation

Hands down- my trip to Europe. I went on a cruise that sailed out of Barcelona, through France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. It ended in Venice. A-MA-ZING. The only bad part about it was that it was when I first met JC and being away from him was slow torture. I spent $300 in the internet cafe on the ship.

Here is a photo collage of my trip...a little small- sorry!

Day 22: Your favorite city

I'm not quite sure I have a favorite city...but if I have to pick- I think Barcelona is it. I've been twice now and it's just one of my favorite places. Near the beach, lots of cool architecture and culture...and so fun.

Day 21: A Picture of You

This is me. Ok- so this was a little over a year ago at my wedding- I was laying in an old claw foot tub. But I promise that I look the same now :) Plus I love my wedding flowers the most.

Day 20: Nicknames

Kathy.

That's all I got. Kathy is my nickname, I guess. My real name is Kathleen- and now that I'm older, I like it much better than Kathy- but no one ever calls me that.

So Kathy it is.

Day 19: Something you miss

This is my Dad. It's a picture of my favorite picture of him taken on his 50th birthday (hence the Over the Hill sign in the background...). I miss him every day- even more now that I'm older.

Day 18: Something you regret

I do have a few regrets.

1. I used to smoke. Gross, right? I wish I never started.

2. I completely stopped going to the gym when I met JC. It was like I couldn't waste time at the gym when I could be spending time with him. I shouldn't have stopped. It's impossible to start again.

3. Whenever you experience a profound loss- like with my father- I think it's impossible not to have regret about your relationship or your experience with that person. So of course- I always wonder if my father really knew if I loved him or understood me or knew how important he was to me. Never having these questions answered was hard for me to deal with soon after his death.

Day 17: Something you are looking forward to

The most obvious- IVF. I'm ready to get started. I'm sure that it will bring ups and downs. But I'm ready to start. I'm ready to try. Relentless Optimism. I learned that from a friend. (Hi PB!)

Day 16: My Dream House

Now that I'm an old married lady- my dream house has changed significantly. Unless my dream house comes with a maid and an unlimited furniture budget- then I'll try to be realistic.

My dream house has:

• A porch that goes the entire length of the house. And there are rocking chairs on it. Like the kind that are outside of a Cracker Barrel.
• Giant closets. JC and I would each have our own separate walk-in closet.
• A three car garage.
• A wood stove. We have one in our current house and it's pretty much the *only* thing I like about it.
• At least an acre (or more if you ask him...) of land around it. This is a JC requirement.
• A fully finished basement.
• A laundry room on the same floor as the bedroom.
• A zip code that isn't in the DC Metro area.

A girl can hope, right??

Day 15: Bible Verse

"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I even have it on a magnet. (Thank you to my good friend KT!)

Glass Half Full, kids. Glass Half Full.

Day 14: A Picture You Love

A favorite from my wedding.

Day 13: Goals

My Current Goals:

1. Get pregnant. Duh.

2. Get JC through college as quickly as humanly possible.

3. Drop at least one dress size.

4. Move out of the DC Metro area.

5. Save as much money as I can.

Day 12: What You Believe

Difficult territory for me these days.

I grew up Catholic and when I lost my father, my faith was really made stronger. I became not only a person of great faith, but more religious- went to mass more, prayed more- I guess more outwardly religious.

Somewhere along the way that part got a bit lost and even more recently I have really started to question not the basic beliefs of the Church, but the Church as an Institution. I don't understand how people can believe that God would create something bad. Gay people, for example. Or IVF.
How would I ever be able to take my kids to a Church that believes they aren't natural?

So what DO I believe?

Just a few...

1. I think that most people are good and deserve a chance.
2. I think you get what you give. Good and Bad.
3. I believe that when you die- you get to be with the people you have lost.
4. I agree with my friend Lissasue that essentially God has made things good and man is the one who wrecks it.
5. I think that sometimes science overrides faith.

Day 11: Favorite TV Shows

Our TV is on a lot. I hardly ever watch it. JC is a big TV watcher. Most of it is TV that I could do without. We actually just switched from Comcast to Dish TV in an effort to save a few dollars. JC was going through the channels to see what I wanted and there was nothing in there that I HAD to have. I mean at the end of the day- I'll take the money in savings over the TV any day.

I have had a few that I really enjoyed over time...

*Warning* I am about to admit how lame I am. No judgement here.

1. Dawson's Creek- I loved Pacey Whitter. Loved.
2. Lost- JC and I blew through like every season on Netflix during the blizzard last year and then I got SUPER pissed at how they ended it.
3. Weeds- I loved it until Season 5. And then I didn't love it anymore.
4. Dexter- I hope it stays on forever.
5. The Supernatural- JC got me into this and now I'm in it for Jensen Ackles. Yum.

Day 10: Something You're Afraid of

Can't I skip this day of the challenge?!? I hate admitting this kind of crap.

Mine are typical, I guess. After the death of my father- I clearly have a fear of losing those close to me. But especially now that I'm married- I have such a different perspective about what my Mom went through when she lost her husband of 25 years. JC and I are one year deep and I can't even sleep when he's away on business.

And clearly- this whole IF thing has brought up the what happens if it doesn't work fear. I have nothing else to write about this because in Glass Half Full Girl of 2011 mode- this isn't something to fear. It will work.

I have other irrational fears that are more amusing- at least for others. (or so says my husband...)

1. Fear of all my teeth falling out.
So you think this would lead me to brushing my teeth like every 5 seconds- but I don't. I do floss like 3-4 times a day, though. Put your judgement away.

2. Revolving doors.
Terrified that the door will smack me on the back of my heels. Hate them.

3. My cat running away
I think this is legit- he ran away once and his paws will never ever touch the outdoors again. Inside Kitty Only.

After discussing this with JC last night...he thought of another.
4. Having the alarm clock set on any number ending in 0 or 5.
It's true. This gives me serious anxiety for some reason. JC and I have ended up with separate alarm clocks for this very reason. Again- put your judgement away.

But just to out him as well- JC's irrational fears are:
1. Extreme constipation
2. Not being totally prepared for a Zombie apocalypse.

Day 9: A Picture of Your Friends

Here they are. My friends. Well some of them. I have lots of different groups of friends. My College Friends (pictured above), High School Friends, Work Friends, JC's Friends (who I have slowly adopted away from him) Oddly- none of them really mix. I don't keep them away from each other on purpose- it just kind of shakes out like that, I guess.

I've been especially lucky to meet really good people at work. Some of them have become some of my best friends. You can check out one of these people here: Up To The Moon and Back.

Day 8: A Place You've Traveled To

Two of my favorites...

Barbados.
SO beautiful, but just stupidly expensive.

All the dumb American tourists that were with only wanted to know about Rhianna.

Super embarrassing.

Curacao.

Such a nice Dutch Island. Minus the yucky Natalie Holloway stigma of the neighboring lovely Dutch island (which I also loved, PS)

Day 7: My Favorite Movies

My Favorite Movies

In no particular order...

1. The Departed
2. Avatar
3. Grease 2 (No, not Grease...Grease 2. Trust me- it was WAY better than the first)
4. The Usual Suspects
5. Goonies (Goonies Never Say Die- Mikey is the eternal optimist)
6. Bed of Roses
7. The Notebook (Ok, so I really like the book better, but I just like the story)

So what does this random mix say about me? Hmmmm...

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Here he is. My sweet nephew James. I love being an Aunt. It is the best. I'm getting a niece in April and can't wait to meet her too.