The things you learn from Google.

For those of you that have ever had a migraine headache, you can throw up your hands and give me props now. I had one of my worst EVER yesterday! It left me feeling dead even a day later. Lets not forget the fact that all I can take for the throbbing and wretching mass of tissue that is my brain, is TYLENOL! TYLENOL! Who even invented that stuff, and does it really even do anything? I totally feel hungover, even though I don't know what that feels like. I am stumbling through a haze today, clumsy, and fairly incoherent. My eyes are still sensitive to light, which led me wanting to wear my sunglasses in the office this morning. I am puzzled by this phenonmenon. I googled "recovering from a migraine" and found out that I a not crazy, and that most people indeed have migraine hangovers. There is even a technical term for it called "postdrome." So if people expect you to show up at work the day after a migraine all chipper and back to yourself, just remind them that you are probably going to be hung over for at least a day, if not two. Who knew?

ESPN has heart

My friend shared this on his blog, and it touched me. I felt compelled to share it as well. Enjoy.

Lost and losing it

I am all for freedom of speech. I am so thankful that our country allows each individual the right to say and think what they truly want to, with the exception of a couple restrictions by the freedom of information act or whatever. I am glad that people feel so passionately about the election this year. I am hopeful that whomever ends up being president will really try to do the best for the country that they possibly can.

But let me be frank. I am sick of people trying to persuade me one way or the other. I know how I am voting, and I really detest the way that everyone, on both sides, but from my experience, certain parties are worse than others in this regard. Clearly we are at odds with how we weigh the issues and how we choose to vote. However, I fully acknowledge everyone's desire to see the best choice made for this country. I do not doubt that everyone is voting for the candidate that they think is best. We don't have to agree, but lets at least respect each other's right to choose where they feel God is leading them. I have no doubt that many Christians feel very strongly that McCain is the right choice for president, and I can see their arguments and their points are valid. Let's stop bickering. But at the same time, I know that the other Christians that I know who will vote for Obama, are just as passionate about the reasons which lead them in the another direction. I have yet to endorse a specific candidate, but I'm sick of people trying to persuade me one way or the other. I do not want to tell someone else who to choose. I feel as though people don't have enough faith in each other to let them make their own decision without judgement. If I wanted to be told who to vote for, I would ask, and so far I haven't asked anyone. And I am not looking forward to the haughty attitude that either side will have once the final numbers come back and a president is chosen. If I didn't feel so strongly about my right to vote, I would really consider walking away from the polls this year. But since I value my right to vote, despite the electoral college really making the difference, I vote for women everywhere in the US and for people in other countries who have no choice about their leader. But I'm sickened. Truly sad and disappointed in all that I see in the political realm. I'm eager to see the election over with.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

So today is my birthday. It has been fairly uneventful. I figured that the best part of the day would be my nap. What nap!? Of all the days for Maggie to not want to take a nap, it had to be today. But anyway, I appreciate all of the love and well wishes from everyone. One of my best friends is bringing carry out Olive Garden to my house so we can watch Grey's and enjoy good food. Jeremy, the dear, is stopping at Sonic to get me a shake and a cup of their amazing ice, as that is my biggest craving this pregnancy, ice. Its the little things that make birthdays awesome. I also got an amazing new CD by Kasey Chambers, and a new book by one of my favorite authors, the author of the book Wicked. I am excited for another year, though I've never been closer to 30 than I am today, but I guess the same will be true tomorrow. Life is good!

Not long enough

When you are pregnant a second time, it just completely flies by. Currently my count down puts me with 9 weeks left. I'm starting to feel that burst of nesting energy that makes me want to clean and clean and sort and organize and arrange. Then of course, by the time I get halfway into a project, the tiredness gets to me and I need a nap. However, I've much to do before Baby 2 arrives, and if Baby 2 is anything like Maggie, then I really only have 7 1/2 weeks. So lets recap what is left to do for the baby:

1. Finish packing up all remnants of our studio/office, thus turning it into an infant's room.
2. Buy a curtain rod and hang curtains in the room.
3. Stain/paint both the changing table and crib (though Jeremy will really be doing this project.)
4. Buy a crib mattress.
5. Get all the newborn stuff out of the garage.
6. Wash all the bedding for the new baby's crib.
7. Make the crib sheets using the pattern I found on the internet.
8. Put it all together. . .am I forgetting anything?

Help! I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. And these tasks clearly do not include all of the daily/weekly basics that must get done, such as laundry, dinner, work, etc. Plus I decided to make my daughter's Halloween costume this year. . .why do I take on more that I can really handle. At least the costume will be easy. I don't know why I am feeling so crafty lately, but I have begun creating a line of sock monsters, which I may end up selling on the internet, though I haven't completely decided that yet. I plan on making alot of them while I am on maternity leave if I do get into it, and hopefully sell some so that the pinch on our bank accounts for an unpaid maternity leave will be slightly less painful. But who knows if I will have time for all that mess while I am nursing a little one and chasing a bigger one. We'll just see. One thing at a time right? So say a prayer for my racing mind. I've got to go check on dinner!

The end of things

So, I've lately had to come to terms with the fact that all of the classic TV shows have to end sometime. How many seasons did 7th Heaven last before they made their final farewell? 11 Seasons. Not the most well-written or acted show, but one that had a special place in my heart. Was I sad to see it end? Yes, I was. Even sadder that they tried to resurrect it after they did the series finale.

But far worse than that, I've come to the realization that one of my most favorite shows of all time is nearing an end. This show has been on so long that I can hardly remember that there was a time it wasn't on. Its sort of part of my routine. Its part of my life, as sad and disturbing as that may be. My Thursday nights will not be complete without ER. 14 seasons of ER. This show has been on since my freshman year of high school. Thats 14 years of my life spending most Thursday nights at 9 in front of the TV. And before TiVo or DVR, I dreaded going out on a Thursday, for fear of what I might miss. This year it ends. This season its over. I say a sad goodbye to Thursdays spent with my mom enthralled by the exciting plots. I say goodbye to Thursdays that I spent volunteering at the youth center, while my mom taped the show for me. I say goodbye to my current Thursdays of Grey's Anatomy followed by ER. My night of medical shows will soon be a part of history.

So I take a moment to salute my favorite doctors over the years. Doctor Green, who sadly succumbed to cancer. Dr. Susan Lewis, who left to be with her young child. Dr. Doug Ross, the hottie whose haircut influenced millions of guys throughout his stint on the show. Dr. Lockhart, who started out as Abby, the nurse, the alcoholic, and the one I will miss the most. Lastly Dr. Pratt, who died on the show last week. I am not looking forward to the final farewell, but since it is unavoidable, I will watch the rest of the season, and let go of a part of my youth. Goodbye ER. You will be missed.

A moment of reflection

I have to admit that the upcoming election has pushed me through a range of emotions. I have been discouraged by the prospects for our country. I have been hopeful that some sort of change in leadership will be positive for our country. I have been angry at the bashing that passes back and forth from party to party. I have debated in my own mind, and heard others share for whom and why they are voting. As I did my devotions tonight, I felt like God has shown a light on my choice for America's next president. Without saying who I am voting for, I feel compelled to share my reasoning for my choice. I refuse to try and persuade anyone to vote one way or another. Each person should choose as they feel led. However, as I read 1 Timothy tonight, a passage struck me, and it is the reason I am finally making a choice to vote for one person over another.

Here it is:

1 Timothy 2:1-3

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone --- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior. . ."

I feel like God is showing me that a choice for peace, is a choice for Christ. What would Jesus want us to consider when selecting a candidate. I think that in our tumultuous times, choosing peace is what Christ would do above all. So that is the vote I will make. It will be a vote for peace.