Blogger app? Whaaat?!

I finally dug my head out of my ass and download the Blogger app onto my phone. Hurray!

Meaning I should be able to blog more even if there is a small child playing/vomiting/sleeping on me.

Yay!!

Getting back on track!

It's been way too long since I've taken the time to step back and look at my life and spew random thoughts, feelings, and opinions on here. Way too long. It's amazing (and terrifying) how quickly we can forget how important it is to just assess what's happening instead of reacting immediately. I miss that most when I don't blog, I think.

Enough of that!

I'm glad to be back! :) I'll be working on revamping the look and branding of the blog a bit to go along with the semi-new direction I'm hoping to take it.

For those who haven't figured it out yet from my (not so) subtle posts back in December... We're having BABIES!! Yes, plural. A common "side effect" from our fertility treatments - though I don't know how I feel about calling my future children "side effects". Sure, babies are a side effect of having sex but with the dosage of medication I had to take... "side effects" doesn't have a very positive connotation in this context.

Enough about that for now. I've been keeping log of my thoughts and the conflicting (as per usual) ideas and opinions that keep me awake at night - or during my mid-afternoon nap - so I'm looking forward to putting them all to computer screen and sharing them. Thoughts I never thought I would even consider but now looking at the world through the still wee eyes of these wee human beings that are currently, I can only assume, having a tap dancing contest - the world is a brand new magical and scary place. I'm all the more intrigued...

Haitus

Re: Previous announcement.

I'm going underground with posting on here just in case anything gets linked to Facebook which is the last thing I want right now. But I wanted you guys to know and couldn't keep it secret any longer.

In any case, if you've figured it out already, I ask that you don't post anything on Facebook or link my blog until February at least.

In the mean time I'm still going to be blogging my thoughts but not publishing posts until it's safe to do so. I look forward to being back in early 2013 with tons of new posts and lots to talk about!

A month goes by...

Not gonna lie, I have been purposely avoiding even loading up my blog's page. Not quite sure why... it's just been bugging me - not having anything to report. I guess it's more of a "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything" approach which really goes against the whole point of this blog. I tend to censor my ranty/venty posts and I always start writing drafts and then just delete them when they are a total disaster.

I don't want this blog to turn into a pity-party or a downer for anyone who reads it and I'm really struggling with finding the right balance. Until I figure that part out, the inspiration to write just isn't there...

Crafty Craftyness

A good friend of mine recently started a crafting blog and she's doing SUPER awesome thus far. :) We're looking forward to exchanging some guest-blogs and I'm really looking forward to reading about her adventures and seeing her creations.

Check out Small Town Gal Crafts and show this crafty gal some love. You know you wannnna.

Coming out of the Infertility Closet

There you have it. The cause for this blog-funk I've been stuck in over the last several months. I guess I was always hoping things would work out and I'd never have to bore anyone with my pitty-party posts.

Then, the new year came around and I realized how much I missed blogging and how much self-awareness it gave me. I decided I would just climb out of this whole and get back into the routine that used to bring me such comfort. For that, I need to wipe the slate clean and "come out of the closet" if you will.

I'm not entirely ready to post about it just yet and to go into much detail but I'll say this; it's been nearly three years since we started trying and I've been poked and prodded more than I care to remember over the last six months. We're still in the testing phase to see what's not working and why before we start fixing the broken pieces... if it's at all possible. So we know something's broken, just don't know what yet. But 97% of chances are that it's my biscuit that's busted. That's all we know so far...

So here's to 2012... to getting back to the old habits of positive and constructive posts. :)

Oy.

I've been having issues with blogging these past few weeks. It's kind of hard for me because I'm so used to spilling my guts on here and venting to my trusted readers. Mostly, it's been difficult because being able to read what I write on here gives me an outside-perspective that I really need and without that, I tend to spiral into the abyss that is my brain. Save me!

This Charlie-Brown-Cloud has been looming over my head and consuming my every thought and until I'm ready to admit it to myself and able to deal with it all, I won't be comfortable blogging about it. Believe me, I tried. I just can't bring myself to put words to keyboard and blurt it out into cyberspace.

It's so odd to me, not being able to keep a pulse on my emotions and I totally admit that it's a control thing. Totally. Until I get over my damn self and learn to deal with it, I'll have to try harder at blogging about something else.

Anything else.

I guess I'll know I've fully accepted it once I'm finally able to blog about it.

Thoughts?

Fellow blogger and crocheter, Yarn Devil, has asked me how I added that "Thoughts?" clickity-doo-dad at the bottom of each post.

You can click on the picture to see it bigger. Basically, in the "Design" tab of your Blogger page, click the little "Edit" link that's in the "Blog Posts" box. Then check the little box and customize the dood-dads however you'd like.

Voila! :)

Dearest Blog, I'm sorry to bore you but...

I've neglected to post over the last few days but I have a good excuse. You see, I figured you'd get bored if I posted with great detail every time the CF changed Js' deployment and training plan/schedule. Considering my last post to this regard was on March 1st and the plans changed 4 times until we got a 60% solid answer yesterday, you can clearly understand why I decided to spare you the agony.

I told Js I don't want to know where he's going and when until he's packing his bags with one hand and holding on to his plane ticket with the other.

Putting things in perspective, it's not that much of a huge deal that he's leave... it's where, when and for how long that matters. We really want to go on our honey moon and I really need to go visit my Dad in Ontario this summer. Unless they make up their minds and stick to it soon, I might scream.

Sincerely yours,

Marie

A challenge to get out of this rut.

I've been having a hard time putting words to computer screen lately which is really odd for me. To help me get out of this rut and hopefully get back into the blogging swing of things, I've decided to complete a small challenge.

Pretty much a million Facebook friends of mine have been posting about this (mind you, most my Facebook friends are geeks so this may be totally lame) challenge and I woke up this morning with the silly idea to do it and post it on my blog. Hopefully, it'll also keep me motivated to post during the Holiday season.

So here's what it's all about :

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 05 - A picture of your night.
Day 06 - A picture of your morning
Day 07 - A picture of you over ten years ago.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 - A picture of you in your room.
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love.
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture you're tagged in on facebook, but not actually in
Day 18 - A picture of you had no idea was being taken.
Day 19 - A picture of you drunk.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of the last vacation you were on.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of you on your birthday.
Day 29 - A picture at a time where everything was changing.

Firstly, I don't really know why it's called the 30 day challenge but it only has 29 days to it. If you have a revised list, please feel free to let me know.

Secondly, I'm not sure I'll post an actual picture for all of them but I'll try - this is after all, a blogging exercise for me so I'm going to focus on writing a little sumthin' sumthin'.

There goes nothing...

Go Meesh Go!

Sending positive vibes and thoughts to fellow blogger and friend Meesh who's expecting a wee one any day now. I've had a blast following her belly story over at Life On The Farm - In The City with her weekly updates, her nesting urges and her gorgeous belly shots.

Now hurry on up so I can see pictures of Mini-Meesh!

Whiskey-Ville - Population : Unknown.

Everyone has a wild side they save for the bedroom... and the internet?

I came across a very interesting (and new) blog while browsing a 20sb today : Tales from Whiskey-Ville

Source : Tales from Whiskey-Ville

"Intended as a place for women (and men) to come and talk about sex, sexual encounters, and dating in the modern age. Your parents wouldn't approve. But that's why it's anonymous. Who are we? We're your neighbors, your sisters, your aunts, your coworkers, and those girls you pass each day on the street. Just a couple of ladies...talking about sex."

Right away I was intrigued. Basically it's a collaborative effort to openly and shamelessly talk about what's normally censored in a "OMG! What if my Mom found and read my blog?" way.

I have to admit I read a couple posts and I am not disappointed. It's funny, modern and it's got some truth and honesty to it that you'll only ever find on anonymous websites. The blog is still fairly new but I think it's definitely worth a read.

Go on, give it a try... but please, close the door.

Wedding Day!

Today, I'm getting married to the most wonderful man I know!

We both never could have imagined what we got ourselves into when we decided to go out for drinks after loosing touch for 4 years.

Now, here we are - getting married! Eeek! Have a special thought for us at 3pm EST and I promise to post pics as soon as I have them! :)


Obviously this entry was written days prior and scheduled to be posted today. I am not blogging on my wedding day... ... ... yet.

Wedding and blogging and hoping and praying...

Today, we're leaving for Ontario. We've been planning for this trip for over a year and it's finally happening. We're traveling back home to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends. It's been a fun ride planning and it's almost - but not just quite - over yet!

I'm writing this post weeks in advance because I know it will be a crazy time for me and if I do post anything at all at this point, it'll be incoherent mumbles of madness. Don't mind if I do!

As you already probably guessed, my blogging will have to take the back seat for a couple weeks so that I can get my weddin' on! Most posts that will be published over the next little while - unless otherwise specified or obviously messy and unreasonable - will have been written in advance and scheduled for posting during this little hiatus.

I didn't want anyone to get bored or miss me too much or anything... Don't cry, I'll be back soon and I'm sure I'll have TONS to blog/rant/vent/bitch/cry/ramble about! :)

Update : Unimpressed

So, I freaked out for no reason and everything seems to be back to normal today. I'm slowly getting used to this new layout and starting to like it a lot. Thanks for all the feedback - I was so mad yesterday, I was going to change it back to what it used to be... but I'm willing to give it a shot. :)

SO unimpressed. :(

Dammit! I started fiddling with the new template designer on Blogger and suddenly, I couldn't go back to my old layout anymore. I'm so sad.

Now, it looks like all the followers I had have vanished... and all the blogs I was following aren't showing up on the Dashboard thingy anymore.

If anyone has any idea on how to restore some of this stuff... please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

Hyperbole and a Half - Addiction and a Half

First off, I'd like to apologize to anyone who reads this who isn't already addicted to Hyperbole and a Half because you're about to be - INTERNET FOREVER! Hyperbole and a Half is a totally hilarious, totally fantastic blog that I discovered a while back then kinda lost in the abyss of cyberspace when my lappy went kablamo. I have found it again and it's full of win.

Now, why would I do such a thing as get everyone else addicted to it, you may ask?! Well today's post just essploded with awesome and well... for anyone who's met our dog, Nova - it's perfect. It's a description of Nova down to the very last retarded detail.

I won't give it all away because you should really check out the blog but I'll leave you with this little tid-bit :

A lingering fear of mine was confirmed last night:  My dog might be slightly retarded.
I've wondered about her intelligence ever since I adopted her and subsequently discovered that she was unable to figure out how stairs worked.

Honest Scrap Award! :)

YAY! I got an award!! Meesh at Life On The Farm – In The City decided that I was worthy of the Honest Scrap award. Thanks chickie!

The Honest Scrap Award Rules say that I must:

1. Brag about the award. Done!
2. Include the name of the blogger who gave you the award and link back to that blogger. Of course!
3. Choose a selection of blogs that you find brilliant in honest content. It won’t be easy to pick and choose but I’ll do it!
4. Show their names and links and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with this award. Will do!
5. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Oy!………then pass it on with the instructions!

Here are my ten honest things about myself:

1. I’m OCD about the most random things – paper clips, Christmas cards, facing products and mostly all the little details so one seems to notice. I’m totally cool with the obvious stuff though.
2. If you ask me, Disney is THE happiest place on earth hands down – mainly because it’s so perfect, it suits all my OCD quirks and things don’t make me twitch as much. That AND it’s Ariel’s home, obvies.
3. I think I’m cool when I use words like “obvies”.
4. I’m a giant suck for dimples, large hands and shoulders. *swoon*
5. The only tattoo I have, I designed myself. The same rule applies for all future tattoos.
6. I can’t deal with controlling people – it normally ends one of two ways. I either freak out leading to a tsunami of tears and anxiety… or heads can roll.
7. I only agreed to date Js because I thought he was going to move away and I’d never see him again. That was a total fail… but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
8. It worries me sometimes how much I love my cat.
9. I have every skin condition I’ve ever heard of, except for acne.
10. I’m quickly running out of things to say because I feel like nothing I say is new… It’s all been said before. I guess this proves I’m honest and straight forward about everything.

I am passing this award onto other bloggers who make me smile, laugh, think and kill time. It’s hard to pick and some of my choices have already received the award so in no particular order :

http://basicinstilettos.blogspot.com/

Basic in Stilettos is Ashley’s blog who recently joined the CF and is now blogging about the trials and tribulations of a hot little chickie going through Basic Military Qualification. Ashley is a strong and independent woman that I admire deeply. I wish her all the best and look forward to reading her posts – normally with a little squeal and a dance. She doesn’t have the opportunity to post very regularly with her intense training but when she does, it’s worth it.

http://esphixiet.blogspot.com/

Whitney is a good friend I met under strange circumstances – some say strange, some say crazy. Whitney is funny and awesome and I’m always surprised at how alike we are. She’s a fellow military spouse and she has got a lot of wisdom to share. Wanna talk about sucky postings and those damn satellite phones, Whitney’s your gal.

http://pop-geek.blogspot.com/

Nick is a wonderful human being, hilarious, queer and cute to boot! Nick blogs his musing about pop-culture and archives his endless ramblings about Lost or other random TV shows and movies.

Just one more…

http://ifmyeyeswerecameras.blogspot.com/

Lori started a new blog recently to share with the world her beautiful photos. Check them out!

There are a TON more I could award this to… but I have to leave some for the others! Hehe!

200 posts! Woot!

I can't believe I'm at 200 blog posts already! Oh my!

I have severe commitment issues and I think this blog has thought me a thing or two about life so it's quite exciting (for me, anyways!) to reach this little milestone.

These last 200 posts have given me an opportunity to speak my mind, share stories, ideas and accomplishments and allowed me to see things with a bit more distance. Thanks for putting up with my nonsense! :)

Bloggers Ripple Effect

I likes it.

This morning, I’m catching up on the blogosphere thanks to my wonderful RSS feeds on Google Reader. I have ranted and raved about the wonders of Google Reader before and don’t intend to stop any time soon.

I see that Nick has posted a great blog entry and when I go to re-read it, I get a little notification saying : 1 person using Google Reader likes this. Click to see who out of pure curiosity because I’ve never noticed this happy-doo-dad of a feature before and much to my surprise, Chantal D ‘s name comes up.

My surprise wasn’t so much that Chantal liked it, but that the only thing (as far as I know) linking Chantal to Nick is... little moi. *squee* I have helped Chantal discover Nick’s blog therefore providing her with post upon post of entertainment and I’ve helped my friend Nick share his Blog with the world. Everybody wins!

Now, I don’t mean to take the credit if it’s not mine to have so please speak up if you two have this secret bond I’m unaware of.

As much as the interweb sucks sometimes when we think about identity theft, security issues or crime – I think it’s wonderful when it helps to bring people together.