not sure how to post this.....

I have posted about fertility problems earlier and I indicated that I wanted to share information, struggles, support systems for couples etc that are experiencing fertility problems. I just wanted to report that we are in the heart of it all. We will be trying an IUI soon. This is good though. It's nice to have options and to start trying something that will hopefully allow us to have our own children. Science is amazing. I wish my science teacher from 11th grade could hear me say that. Again, I don't want to get into too much detail but I still feel this is something to be talked about, shared with others. Our doctor told us that 1 in every 6 couples will experience some kind of fertility problems. 1 in ever 6! Why don't we hear about it until we are that 1 in 6?
Anyway, I just wanted to post an update. If anyone has questions or wants to talk about everything we are going through let me know. Believe me, I have searched out many people asking them questions.

Spa day at Spargo

I was able to spend a wonderful morning and afternoon at the Spargo Salon in Pewaukee, WI this past Saturday. It was a much needed relaxation day after a very hard last couple months at work which included 30 hours of overtime in two weeks. I arrived at Spargo at 8:30 and was escorted down to the locker rooms to change into my most comfortable robe and slippers. As I waited for my facial one of my girlfriends arrived with the muffins, mimosas and gossip magazines. We toasted to a wonderful day and I was called off to my first treatment. My facial was so fantastic. Between the different masks they applied to my face they treated me with a hand message and a foot message. When I was done I went back into the waiting room and sipped some of my mimosa. Next was my 1 hour message. Heaven. Pure heaven. How else do I describe it. Once we were all done, we showered in wonderful Aveda products got dressed and we darted off to Jose's Blue Sombrero for lunch. We had a great time stuffing our faces and sipping on margaritas.
What a wonderful day!

It has been too long, I'm sorry

My job took over my life the last 3 months. I planned a large event (Women's Conference) that ate up all my free time. But it is now over and it was successful. I could brag about it and go into detail but I don't want to think about it right now.
So I will get back to writing, complaining, informing and just blogging.
Happy Spring!

Oh and I have a girl's spa day this Saturday at Spargo and will report back after my day of relaxation!

It's cold out

Has anyone else noticed how cold it is outside? Oh, sure, it's warmed up from -20, wind chill -35 to -1, wind chill -2. That's a heat wave. UGH! I can't stand this weather. Anyone else?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

It's my mom's birthday. Shout out to mom.

Infertility Blog

Infertility Blog
More support: From the Nest
And another: Fertility Treatment and Information

Fertility Issues

I use to think that it was easy to get pregnant. But I was wrong. I have discovered that there are a lot of couples who have or are having fertility problems. So why don't we hear about it more publicly? Is it such a private issue that people don't walk to talk about it? If so, why? Why are fertility problems any different that cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, menopause or any other disease?
Yes, we are trying to have children, no we aren't going to go into details. But I will say this, it was almost a relief to find out that so many other couples are struggling to have children. It would be nice to talk these people and find out what they have done to be successful. I also think a support system would be helpful as we and others struggle though the roadblocks set before us. I will address these and other fertility issues in the future. Please, feel free to share.

I survived

My sister was in a jam this past weekend so I helped her by babysitting her two boys, 3 and 2, for a couple hours on Sunday. Honestly, I was scared. Hint number 1 to all, McDonald's will win the hearts of all kids. I walked in with a bag of chicken McNuggets, french fries and some pies and they were all smiles. Helpful hint number 2, make sure you know how to operate a DVD player and understand kids don't always want to watch the entire movie, they like the games or features on the DVD instead. Hint number 3, the computer is a babysitter itself. Disney, Sesame Street and even Barney have great websites that will keep children (and adults) entertained for hours. These websites offer educational games, coloring sheets, songs, stories and much more. The most exciting thing for me was that I made it the entire day without having to change a diaper.

We don't have that other couple to hang out with.

My husband has his friends and I have my friends. We have gone out with each other's friends and their significant others. But we don't really have that other couple that we hang out with. You know, call to do dinner, go for drinks, and watch the game with. We don't have children so that knocks out a lot people. We are both involved in sports and active in church. Not many of our friends share these similarities. Is it because we met later in life and our individual friends have come from different times in our lives? Anyone else in the same boat? Or are we just weird. (Stating the obvious!)

So my husband started school.....

On Tuesday my husband had his first MBA class at Concordia University. And now tonight, he is studying. I don't mind having my alone time but if I want to watch TV I have to wear headphones so he has silence. Hmph. I guess I should understand, I was probably the same way when I was in graduate school.
Now I feel like I need to do something, be more involved. I am running and training for a couple half marathons. But I still have more time on my hands. I guess I'm going to pick up some books this weekend. Please recommend some books.
Thanks!

Happy New Year!

I stated my new year by doing the Polar Bear Plunge. I still don't understand why anyone would do this but I guess it's to say "I did it."

Only in Milwaukee, Wisconsin can Bradford Beach attract more people on January 1st to jump in a freezing lake than watch some great volleyball on a hot August day. This was my second year jumping in the cold lake. My brother decided to join me this year. We were lucky to have warm temperatures of 40 degrees. There is a strategy to the jump: Don't wear a lot of clothes. Cold wet clothes on your body makes it worse. Before you jump in have your warm and dry clothes ready to put on. Bring a blanket and lay out your layers so you can get to them right away. Also, bring a lot of towels. Ladies, wear a bikini with ties if you can. Once you get your clothes on you can untie your suit and pull it right off, that way you don't have your cold wet suit against your body. Something new I learned this year from my fellow running buddies, bring big thermal bags full of hot water.... when you get out of the cold water you stand in the bag and it warms your body right away. Here are some pictures from my crazy morning.

Getting ready to go in

New Look

For the new year, a new look. My new year resolution is to blog more. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays and have a great new year!

Culture Clash

I recently read this article Culture Clash: Beach Volleyball in Qatar on MSNBC.com. We really take things for granted here in the United States. But let me just say, how awesome that these women from Iraq are competing in sports.

Happy Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for?

I'm thankful for:
Family
Friends
Health
My Cat
Running
A Job
The Beach
Freedom
Our Troops
Education
Sushi
Brett Favre
Red Wine
My Jeep
All Animals (God did make them before man)
Jesus coming to earth to live as a man and die on the cross to save us from our sins

Praise You in the Storm

This is my comfort song right now.

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

by Casting Crowns

I can't believe I haven't had anything to say

No excuse, but I've been busy. Very busy. I did get a mini promotion at work and that has taken up a lot of my time. Yes, this is a good thing but I'm trying to get adjusted to my new responsibilities.
There have been some issues that I would have liked to blog about - oh lets say the past election and such - but I decided that I am going to keep my thoughts to myself on those issues. Unfortunately a political discussion usually ends up in tempers flaring and people getting hurt. My friends and I usually do not discuss politics but I will admit I have learned a lot from my friends and our discussions that we have had. We are aware of our beliefs and political stances and we have gotten good at stating how we feel and why and leaving it at that. I think on a message board people use it as a place to slam others. I am not going to change the minds of any of you out there so I am going to keep my thoughts to myself. I think it's tasteless how some people criticize others for how they vote and what they believe. It is my right to believe what I want and vote how I want. Just as it is your right to believe what you want and vote how you want. We don't have to agree but we don't have to be rude and critical of each others beliefs.

Now........how about those Packers......UGH.

I have no thoughts

I'm sorry. I have nothing to write about at this time. Hmmmm......... that is odd for me.

Nancy's Run, Rock N Stroll

I am so proud of my friend Val.
Val and I went to college together and we had the opportunity to run as teammates. We rocked. She rocked. We were National Champions together at the Indoor National Track Meet way back in 1995. She was so fast. She was crazy fun. I should say still is fast and crazy fun!
Val and I have kept in touch since college. I found out that Val's mom Nancy became sick. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She fought hard and long. She was able to see Val get married. Nancy lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2005. Since that day Val said she was going to organize a run in honor of her mom.
Val is now a member of the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance and has organized Nancy's Run, Rock "N" Stroll for this weekend. The 5k run/1 mile walk will take place in Whitnall Park. If you would like to register please go to active.com. Proceeds for the race will go to the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
I love you Val and I'm so proud of you for doing this for your mom. She is looking down from heaven and will be cheering everyone on in the race this Saturday.

"Ben Stein's Last Column"

I might be late to this. That's typical for me. But a good friend of mine sent this to me. Wow, I could not agree with Mr. Stein more. Maybe this is why I don't go to many movies, don't know many actors/actresses or read People Magazine. Anyway, if you haven't seen it here it is.

Ben Stein's Last Column - Monday Night at Morton's