Random Updates

1. X comes into town tonight - WOOT, so excited and I have SO SO much to do... gah, laundry coming out of my ears
2. That gel nail polish has held up thus far - I've washed dishes with gloves (no dishwasher or man servant)- to help it out, as a whole I support it - no signs of wear and tear after one week.
3. IUD hurts - for the love - I'm trying to figure out if it really hurts because I was cramping post insertion before my cramps started, if it's bad period (which we all know happens from time to time) or if this really is going to suck like this...even worse, I found out no tampons.  It's one of the greatest insults to not have that option.
4.I hope that's the last of the IUD updates...
5. As Victoria has said, since when did it become the end of March?  Seriously?
6. Jane Eyre, The Bell Jar and Fahrenheit 451 lost out in Out of Print Clothing's Book Madness.  I feel literary-ily heart broken.  Why people?  WHY?

Don't Have Much to Say

I don't have much to say - I have a lot on my brain at the moment.... but while I'm silent, I'll let this lady sing - and she can most definitely.

On a Happier Note

I got my nails done yesterday.  Now you may assume that I'm a high maintenance girl and that I would normally have my nails done.  I don't.  I normally think that it is a waste of time and energy.  I think that regular nail polish is a lost cause on me - I do not have a dishwasher and I handle charts, papers and type a lot... Gel nails?  Well I have healthy nails and I'm cheap.

However, I heard of gel nail polish from a co worker, which is the happy medium.  I get a manicure and nail polish that will last longer than a day for the price of a regular manicure.  I will let you know how it goes.

Avert Your Eyes if You Are Sensitive

I had an IUD put in this week.  JS wanted an update on the whole process, so I will do that.  I will say that I chose to get one because while I might be OCD in many other places of my life, my ability to remember a simple little pill, especially not when that little pill made me certifiably cray-cray.  So I had the options of do nothing, which really isn't an option, get Depo-Provera injections or an IUD. 

So I wanted Depo - it seemed simple, a shot every 3 months.  Yes it had it's risks of bone loss and extended infertility post stopping.  I could handle those, I couldn't handle the apparently 30-50lbs weight gain that came with the shot.  I was flabbergasted when I was told that by my GP.  Given my propensity for weight gain I knew I would be looking at the 50lbs end of things.  Good Lord - no thank-you.  So I opted for the IUD.  Now there are two options - there is the "cheap" option of the non-hormone copper IUD.  This option just disrupts implantation in the cervix.  Because there is no hormone it does not relax the uterine wall (reducing cramping) and it also does not decrease lining creation.  The scarier thing is it does prevent ectopic pregnancy. 

So I opted for the Escalade priced option.  Now yes it is expensive but after a year it works out to be cheaper than the pill and it lasts for 5 years - if I need it in there that long. The hormone is localized, so there is no systemic issues related to the pill or Depo.  It reduces cramps and periods and some women have their periods stop altogether.  So now to the hard part - implantation.  I will say I had a wonderful gyne - he was incredibly thoughtful, gentle and funny.  If you want to know who it is, I am happy to pass on his name.

So I will say, since no one warns you - one the box is HUGE, so don't be shocked when you pick it up from the pharmacy - it's all applicator, two take at least 2 NSAIDS (Advil, Ibuprofen) and 1 Tylenol and three do it after your period has just finished.  Lastly if you have had children this process apparently is even easier.  I did not follow any of these instructions - and I was prepped by Dr Nice Gyne that I would likely faint, as the body, rightfully so, is not so jazzed about getting opened like that and having the whole deal go down.

The speculum is fine - whatever if you've had a pap you know what that feels like - getting your cervix opened - both openings, yes apparently it has two openings, now that is what will make your knees sweat and the room turn a shade of foggy gray.  But then it's over.  It's really intense pain for 2 minutes max and then it's done.  You go home pop more pills, eat some ice cream and relax.  Yes there is some spotting for a few days, but since it's also the end of my cycle and I spot for the first 3-5 days before I cannot tell you if it's all from the IUD.

Scared you?  Horrified?  Sorry I'll be back to fluffy stories shortly.  Ask me any questions if you have them

March Madness!

Well the whole world seems to be going sideways in it's various ways - I'm trying to get off sugar, and yet I haven't managed to get it out of me 100% and you know what? I'm okay with it.  I'm not going to call it cheating - I'm going to call it being practical.  Why? Because I look at enough labels for everything else - I am not sitting down to anything sweet, no fruit, no chocolate, no additives - that I add.  So when I do add something like soy milk to a latte or a half pump of sweeter I think it is part of doing this to the best of my sanity.

Anyways not the point of the blog - the point is to highlight the other March Madness show downs aside from the obvious one:

The Fug Girls, the brilliant, sharp tongued fashion bloggers are hosting a showdown of the fuglies, vote for your favorite and if you dare get into the heated discussions around intentional fugging and oh honey no's

Out of Print Clothing has developed the AMAZING, FREAKING AMAZING, I tell you, idea of a classic lit show down.  I will tell you I have a vested interest in this, this is the land on which blood will be spilled for me - I will not let my books go down without a fight. 

Virgin Radio in my hometown is having a cereal show down - this apparently is also hotly contested based on the dialogue on the radio.  I am basing my vote on what I miss the most - today's battle - Life vs. Raisin Brain.  Heck I'm all for more fibre in the diet, but there are decent GF versions of this of Life, nope - and I miss it.  I miss figuring out just how much milk you could add and get enough liquid and still have crunch...

So check it out peeps!

Ugh

Ms J and I have a regular date night - I like date night/games night/hockey night.  We eat, we bitch, we do something - games, movies, yelling at one of the brothers... But some nights when we opt for the movie choice, it makes me think too much.  Don't get me wrong.  I do like to think, but I find that if I get excited about reading, writing and learning I start to hate my job.  Correction I start to hate my job more than I do already. 

Ms J and I were going to see the King's Speech, then opted for the Adjustment Bureau and then as we were in line it sold out, so what then? Well a nice artsy looking couple suggested Incendies (Subtitle -"Scorced").  Apparently it has been years since I took French because the oh so obvious real English subtitle did not jump out at me.  Even if it did, that in the end wasn't what the movie was about, it was the amazing collection of layers.  It has made me want to track down the play it is based on.  It  has made me want to write, to reconsider how as a writer you can choose to layer a story.  A story is not like building a structure, there are no laws of gravity to determine in which order it is built.

But I will stop there and say see it. Please do yourself a favor, yes it's a foreign film - a large portion is French for you Canadians it's really actually accessible.  For everyone else the dialogue is sparse, laid bare and to the point.  You will not be reading a manifesto of subtitles in tiny font.

If it helps you decide it just cleaned up at the Genies and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Thanks Ladies Who Have Come Before

And to all those blazing the way today, thank you for every obstacle big or small you remove on the path to equality.

I Know You Are All Busy Looking for a Dress for Me...

But I think you need to see this brilliance at Public - featured by Etsy

I didn't need this today - but I am so so tempted to print off a few copies... PS female hive mind - what do you think of this?

Slowly But Surely

I am being productive.  I will confess I go through fits and spurts of productivity.  Today is one of those days - I mailed of my deposit to graduate school, sent my old roommate her mail, went for a run and applied for graduation.  I am a little or a whole lot cheesed that the program I was in completely changed so I don't get credit for it - but to be honest, I don't really care.  See if I cared I would have taken the remaining classes and got the credit for it.  In the end I get more or less the same degree - it's a post baccalaureate - and to be honest I'm over it - though I wish I had been over it sooner, damn late fee was expensive.... I also got my stuff together for my taxes - woot me and I have a to do list for tomorrow.

This folks is what running does for me - it gets my brain working properly.

But one brain though it is good, is not as good as multiple brains.   I need a dress of X's graduation.  I know it would help if you knew what I looked like - think average/petite, pearish shape with boobs.  I had been considering a convertible dress since I could rehash it for multiple events while I'm with X.  I haven't decided if I am going to do the whole convocation this second time around for me...

So ladies - an "affordable," classy dress that can be dressed up or down - where would you shop? And I don't want to look like a bridesmaid.  But since I do love vintage I was considering this option, it's classy, timeless and it will keep me running my ass off until May. Color then becomes an issue. I will tell you I do have similar dresses, I guess that is my taste.

Migraine...

I would like the world to know I had intended to do something with this weekend, like blog for the upcoming week for my running/gluten free food blog - but alas, I'm starting to see double of things from my lovely migraine.  Right now the concoction of pills and baked potato chips (minimize the nausea) aren't doing much other than putting a dent in the pain...  So on that note, something a little more cheery - and no this is not how I feel about X - well yes and no *wink*. . .

So Apparently I Still Have the Grumpies

I have this thing I like to call OCD, it may or may not be that, but I don't like a messy chaotic space. Stacks of things are fine, dishes in the dishrack are fine, shoes by the door (lined up) are fine, etc. BUT a paper explosion on my work desk and so many boxes in my living room that I cannot use the kitchen table or put things away makes me anxious. It makes me want to scream. I am trying to be so so chill with my new roommate's slow speed, but I'm slowly feeling the effects at my failed fake it til I feel it mantra. It's okay, mess is okay, the mess will be gone... So when all that fails, I go look at pretty things, expensive pretty things on gaunt models. It reminds me there are nice things, and that food is one of those nice things. So behold the new Anthropologie wedding dress collection...and for the record NO I am not planning, intending or discussing such an event, it is not even a twinkle in this lady's eye.