How the Days and Weeks Pass

Sitting here on the couch with my laptop, going over my "Things that MUST be done before the Baby arrives" list for the umpteenth time, I began to think about how the last couple weeks have totally flown by... and as my mind began to wander, I logged into my Bloglines account and began to scan through the latest RSS feeds from Cute Overload and I Can Has Cheezburger, and I realized in a moment of belly shaking (and belly aching) laughter, I've fallen into a strange daily/weekly routine of sorts over the last couple weeks:

Mondays = Hate 'em more than ever! I need this day to recover from my weekend.
Tuesdays = I've ahhhlmost got my game on, almost.
Wednesday = The best, most productive day of the week for me.
Thursday = I want it to be Friday.
Friday = I want to go home.
Saturday = The day starts slow, so I spend the rest of the day over-doing it in an effort to make up for the slow morning.
Sunday = I pace it much better than Saturday, but still do too much.

A TYPICAL DAY:

5am-ish: Around this time, I've gone to the bathroom for what will be the last time before I must actually wake up for the day.

6am-ish: I'm so physically uncomfortable, I can no longer sleep without waking every 10 minutes or so, and I spend 30-40 minutes like this until I finally give up and get myself out of bed.

6:30am-ish: Once I do finally get out of bed, I spend 20 to 30 minutes getting dressed and made-up for the day, and during this time, I'm absolutely incapable of carrying on a coherent conversation. Instead, all I can manage is quiet, subtle moaning noises and looks of confusion if and whenever my honey-man actually tries to illicit any information from me before I've had something to eat.

7am-ish: Before I can have my breakfast, I will begin the first of what will eventually amount to several trips going up and down the stairs. With that first trip back up the stairs, I am hoping I'll remember all the items I'd forgotten to bring with me my first time down the stairs, so that I won't have to go upstairs again. This first effort is generally futile, considering my still empty stomach, and consequently, what little brain power there is up and running... but because of the low brain power, I bother with the initial return trip upstairs anyhow.

7:30-ish: I'm finished with breakfast, and now, with a full stomach, I'm remembering everything else I wanted from upstairs, and I am now very slllowly moving up and down the stairs, retrieving the rest of the items I'd forgotten to bring downstairs.

8am: I should be at work by this time, but more often than not, I am usually not so. Occasionally, I do shock 'em and arrive even a titch early, but those days are now few and far between.

8:15-8:30am-ish: I arrive at work and most everyone who works with me on a daily basis knows that although I can stand there and listen to stories about how so-n-so's last night was, I'm not truly coherent. Mind you, this is NOT an entirely new development. It's a well known fact that until 9am hits, you can't talk to me and expect me to have my shit together, and I'm like this whether I'm pregnant or not. NOTE OF CLARIFICATION: It's not that I'm cranky or bitchy or irritable in the mornings. That's not it at all. I'm just not all that capable of higher mental functioning in the AM.

9am-ish: I am now awake enough that those who work with me can actually talk to me and I can comprehend and respond intelligently.

10am-ish: I've drank at least 44 ounces of water and have already spent at least 20 minutes of the day going to and from the bathroom. And I'm hungry.

10:30am-ish: I've snacked on something and have finally picked up enough momentum that things are actually starting to get done, work-wise.

Between 11am and 3:45pm-ish: I've gotten a lot of stuff done (although some days are definitely more productive than others), and I have snacked on at least 5 different foods: an apple or a banana (or both), a light string cheese or a yogurt or a hard boiled egg, and either baby carrots with spinach dip or bagel chips with hummus (or both), and a very small handful of some kind of nut. And I have drank at least another 44 ounces of water, and have probably gone to the bathroom at least twice every hour, amounting to at least an hour of my day having been spent in the bathroom.

By 4pm: By this time, I am feeling pretty fried. My back really aches, my legs ache, and I may have a light headache coming on. I want to go home. I can't think anymore without some special moment of time granted in order to think clearly before I answer a question - - it's just about as bad as when I first arrived to work. It's not at all uncommon for someone to ask me a question, and I'll begin to respond like I know exactly what I'm about to say, but instead, I completely blank out, and I have to apologize and ask that the question/subject be repeated for me.

By 5pm: If I have not spent the 5 minutes necessary to properly prep myself to be out the door by this time, I could very well wind up in the office past 6pm, "just trying to tie up some loose ends" before the next business day.

By 6:15pm: If I have not eaten something more by this time, my patience with anything or anyone is NON-EXISTENT. I must have food, whether it be a bowl of cereal or a piece of peanut butter toast, I gotta have something to eat or I will explode with crankiness. SIDE NOTE: I don't really eat meals anymore.

6:30 to 8pm: It could be anything.

8pm-ish: Snack time and more water... and if I'm going to take a warm bath, this is about the time it will happen for me, and I will spend at least 45 minutes to an hour in the tub. If I take a bath, the rest of my time before bed will pass by with greater mental focus.

9pm-ish: If I have not granted myself some time to decompress, either by taking a bath or spending at least 30 minutes to an hour of downtime reading or dinking on the Internet, my body will be nearing full-protest mode. However, this hour may very well be the time when I finally lounge with my laptop to cruise my favorite frivolous websites or to catch up with world news. It's no coincidence that this is also about the time of night when I tend to get a bit giddy... uncontrollable fits of laughter regularly happen between 9 and 10:30pm. As does a small before-bed snack and more water.

Only over the last week had I consistently tried to go to bed before 10pm. It worked quite well one night, but the last 3 nights in a row have been hard - - not much sleep. It's now 10:30pm though, and for a few weeks now, I've been trying to get myself settled in bed no later than 11pm... so I gotta mosey up that way if I'm gunna make it. G'nighty night!

Even MORE Trivial Stuff About Me

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. -My Gpa Billy, Francisco, Haldan and Keith

2. Where was your first kiss? -In Billings, MT, behind Shannon Jeppson's house, on the 3rd upper garden terrace.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? -Yes; it's a naughty story and most wouldn't believe it.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? -Yes.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? -Yuppers.

6. What's the first thing you notice about the preferred sex? -Smile and hands.

7. What do you order at the Coffee Bean? -I don't, I prefer Starbucks, but rarely indulge in the purchase of any4 dollar drink, unless I've got a stash of gift certificate cards from work. Usually, I'm a "water's fine for me, thanks" kind of girl.

8. What is your biggest mistake? -Geesh, I don't think I could name just one mistake as the all time biggest one.

9. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? -Oh yes, a glutton for self-punishment, I am.

10. Say something totally random about yourself. -I used to collect Pez dispensers.

11. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? -Not exactly celebrity status, but more than a couple times (when my hair was shorter and more curly), I've been told I look like "Tia," the snotty niece in the movie Uncle Buck.

12. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows? -I absolutely love Pixar films and other similar productions!

13. Did you have braces? -No, but I went through 3 different retainers and headgear to avoid them.

14. Are you comfortable with your height? -Juhsst fine with it, although I find it funny that I'm the shortest in my father's fam, yet the tallest woman on my mum's side, after my mum, who was 5'8" - All her sisters, plus one sis-in-law and my Grams, they're all shrimps = 5'2" or less.

15. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you? -No comment.

16. When do you know it's love? -If anyone can ever find anyone who can answer this question, let me know.

17. Do you speak any other languages? -Speak? Um not really, but kinda understand, yes - - Spanish, German and I'm working on my French for my honey-man and his angel boy-O.

18. Have you ever been to a tanning salon? -Yes and if I could fall asleep in one without the fear of frying (and if I ever stayed longer than 10 minutes), tanning could double as naptime (although I have managed to conk out in less than 10 minutes of tan time). [SIDENOTE: In college, I was famous for going outside to study in the grass and for falling asleep in the sun, for a mid-study break = nasty sunburns on the back of my legs!] I haven't gone tanning in a couple years - - used to twice a week, 10 minutes at a time, prescribed by my doctor, for A, B and D vitamins 'activation' -?

19. What magazines do you read? -Smart Money and Time

20. Have you ever ridden in a limo? -Yes, a few times; highly overrated each time.

21. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? -My mother, in 1987.

22. Do you watch MTV? -Used to live and breathe MTV, but haven't watched it with any kind of regularity in years (oh, I feel old).

23. What's something that really annoys you? -When people don't return their shopping carts to the designated stow-it-here spot.

24. What's something you really like? -CAMPING!

25. Do you like Michael Jackson? -When he was black and a man, yes I did. Now, not so much.

26. Can you dance? Depends - I love dancing, but that doesn't mean I do it well.

27. What's the latest you have ever stayed up? -46 hours straight.

28. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? -No, not that I remember...

29. What's your favorite jelly bean flavor? -Pear made by Jelly Belly.

30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out? -Of course.

55 More Trivial Things About Me

Adding to my first list of 55 trivial things about me, here's another 55... *UPDATES* for #s 35 & 38!

1. Your name spelled backwards. - nnylejenna
2. Where were your parents born? - Ovid, Idaho (mum), Pittsburgh, PA (father) and Orange, CA (step-mum)
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? - "I Like the Way" by Bodyrockers ~ goooood song!
4. What's your favorite restaurant? - hmmm... for right now? I've got a crush on The Bangkok Orchid, but I really and truly love Hires in Salt Lake City, UT.
5. Last time you swam in a pool? - early February
6. Have you ever been in a school play? - Yes, I was a house mouse (age 9), a news reporter (age 13), and a bratty, gum chewing teen (age 15).
7. How many kids do you want? - Originally three, but my honey-man has one already, his angel boy-O ~ hopefully we'll have at least one, if not two.
8. Type of music you dislike most? - Ggangstah rap
9. Are you registered to vote? - you betcha, although I haven't yet been happy with any of my voting options!
10. Do you have cable? - Not to insult nor to judge anyone out there, but this one's a big, fat NO THANK YOU; I think cable/digital is a waste of money and more importantly, MY TIME! The basic channels do me just fine if I ever feel the need to veg out, but honestly, there's a ton of stuff I'd rather do than watch TV. For sure, I could watch TLC or The History Channel or the Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel round the clock, 24/7, but that doesn't mean I should.
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped? - Yes, plus I own a 1971 bright, almost dayglow, orange Honda Trail 90 - bore the core to 105. Top speed is only 45mph, but it's street legal. I bought 3 different bikes to make this one. I call 'em "Whippit."
12. Ever prank call anybody? - Of course, when I was like, 8? and 9 and 10 and 11 and when I was 12 and, um, 13 and... ?
13. Ever get a parking ticket? - Never (total sarcasm applied heavily)
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? - OH YES! me! me! yes! ME! (wavings my arms wildly, jumping up and down).
15. Furthest place you ever traveled? - Honolulu, Oahu
16. Do you have a garden? - Not at this time (*sniff, sniff*)
17. What's your favorite comic strip? - What? um, geesh, I dunno! I've always liked Calvin & Hobbes - ?
18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? - Yes
19. Bath or Shower, morning or night? - Depends; I do it all; I like to mix it up, crazy girl that I am (again, apply heavy sarcasm).
20. Best movie you've seen in the past month? - Um, I really did like Brokeback Mountain. We both cried.
21. Favorite pizza topping? - Pineapple without the Canadian Bacon or ham, please. Just pineapple.
22. Chips or popcorn? - If ya got any Salt & Vinegar chips, oh yes... or Act II's Kettle Corn? oh oh oh yes!
23. What color lipstick do you usually wear? - I hate lipstick - I use Clinique's Almost Lipstick in either "Black Honey" or "Almost Blush"
24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? - What the hell does this mean?
25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? - Heck no.
26. Orange Juice or apple? - I'd have to pass on either one - I'd rather have something else.
27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine? - With my honey-man at Pei Wei's.
28. Favorite type chocolate bar? - Something with cookie or waffer crisp = 1) Twix and 2) Kit Kat ~ also like York Peppermint Patties, Caremello, and 100 Grand.
29. When was the last time you voted at the polls? - November 2004
30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? - September 2005
31. Have you ever won a trophy? - Long gone, thrown in the trash; meant nothing to me.
32. Are you a good cook?- I like to think so.
33. Do you know how to pump your own gas? - What kind of question is this?
34. Ever order an item from an infomercial? - No.
35. Sprite or 7-up? - Neither; I usually don't do soda (or beer) unless I'm up for some tummy torture. [*UPDATE* I can't voluntarily burp, despite all the coaching offered by my many male cousins, and I don't often burp involuntarily.] I'll happily suffer for a Dr. Pepper though - mind you, I don't ever buy soda for home consumption = it's no good for anyone.
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? - Why yes... "Welcome to Hardee's. How may I help you?"
37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? - Low Ogesterol
38. Ever throw up in public?- Unfortunately, yes - - age 6, in a McDonald's entrance, after consuming a Happy Meal ...that could be a story in itself. [*UPDATE* How could I forget!?! Also at age 24, the first time I ever got drunk. I had had FIVE Long Island Ice Teas, completely unaware as to how much hard liquor I was consuming. One moment I was fine, talking annimatedly, and the next? - WITHOUT WARNING - No dizziness, no salivation, no queasiness to speak of - I threw up right on the bar! I then threw up in the parking lot, in my uncle's front yard, in my boyfriend's front yard (had left the uncle's home, realizing he shouldn't witness my state at the time) and in my boyfriend's bathroom, twice! NOT A PROUD MOMENT!]
39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love? - True love, all the way.
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? - Absolutely.
41. Ever call a 1-900 number? - No.
42. Can ex's be friends? - Yes - this topic should be a whole 'nuthah post.
43. Who was the last person you visited in a hospital? - Not sure, really. Jasey, post back surgery?
44. Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby? - Yes, I had a veritable shag carpet on my head!
45. What message is on your answering machine? - "Hi, we're either away from the phone or screening our calls, so please leave a message. Thanks."
46. What's your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character? - Gilda Radner's lil' Girl Scout
47. What was the name of your first pet? - Thumbelina, along with Simon, Solomon, and Sampson (goldfish).
48. What is in your purse? - My cell phone, a sterling clasp (essentially my wallet), my business cards case, a USB flash drive, a ballpoint pen, lip gloss and chapstick.
49. Favorite thing to do before bedtime? - no comment.
50. Favorite Girl Scout cookie? - Carmel Delights, with Shortbread running a close 2nd.
51. Favorite grade school teacher: Mrs. Kristoff from 1st grade at Uintah Elementary, 1981
52. Favorite grade school playground equipment: Monkey bars
53. Favorite grade school subject: Social Studies
54. Most hated grade school subject: Mathematics
55. What is one thing you are grateful for today? - My life

55 Trivial Things about Me

Stolen from Cherry who stole it from Jomama...

1. Nervous habits? - general scratching
2. Are you double jointed? - nope
3. Can you roll your tongue? - you bet
4. Can you raise one eyebrow at a time? - not voluntarily without much pain
5. Can you blow spit bubbles? - ever since my days in diapers
6. Can you cross your eyes? - of course
7. Tattoos? - no, can't think of anything I like well enough to have it permanently etched on my body for life
8. Piercings? - one in my right ear, three in my left
9. Do you make your bed daily? - hell no, unless you count pulling the covers up and over the pillows as "making my bed" -?

ON MY PERSON
10. Which shoe goes on first? - the right, w/o thinking about it
11. Speaking of shoes, have you ever thrown one at anyone? - huh?
12. On the average, how much money do you carry? - ZERO; I typically don't carry cash
13. What jewelry do you wear 24/7? - my earrings and 3 rings; one on my middle lefthand finger, and two on my ring and middle righthand fingers
14. Favorite piece of clothing? ~ I love my pajamas and have many pairs

FOOD
15. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? - both
16. Have you ever eaten Spam? - I sure hope not
17. Do you use extra salt on your food? - I usually complain about foods tasting too salty
18. How many cereals are in your cabinet? - organic Cream of Wheat
19. What's your favorite beverage - Horchata, but rarely do I ever indulge
20. What's your favorite fast food restaurant? - Hires (not really fast food)
21. Do you cook? - yes, whenever I find time ~ I made Amish Friendship CAKE twice over the past week

PERSONAL GROOMING
22. How often do you brush your teeth? - morning n' night and sometimes at work
23. Hair drying method? - air dry
24. Have you ever colored/highlighted your hair? - yes, an old boyfriend once picked out the color and I hadn't even seen the name of the color until we were home and it was being applied: "Chocolate Covered Cherry" = I totally freaked!

MANNERS
25. Do you swear? - yes, although most of my friends think it sounds unnatural for me
26. Do you ever spit? - not on purpose = that would be gross

FAVORITES
27. Animal? kitty cats!!!
28. Food? - cheese
29. Month? - May
30. Day? - Friday = a good mood-day always, regardless of whatever crap may be going on
31. Cartoon? - um, dunno...Scooby Doo when I was a kid
32. Shoe brand? - don't have one
33. Subject in school? - M.P.A. - yet I wouldn't call it a favorite
34. Color? - anything blue
35. Sport? - does figure skating count?
36. TV shows? - IF I catch it, Law & Order SVU
37. Thing to do in the spring? - plant flowers and play outside
38. Thing to do in the summer? - go swimming or hide out in any space w/ AC
39. Thing to do in the autumn? - go camping (love the cool nights)
40. Thing to do in the winter? - CUDDLE!

IN AND AROUND
41. In the CD player? - Jessie Harris & the Ferdinandos
42. Person you talk most on the phone with? - mah sweet honey-man
43. Reading? - "Inside Bureaucracy"
44. Do you regularly check yourself out in store windows/mirrors? - probably not enough!
45. What color is your bedroom? - see right here
46. Do you use an alarm clock? - absolutely
47. Window seat or aisle? - an aisle seat for quick get away

SLEEPY SLUMBERING
48. What's your sleeping position? - on my back n' legs in the shape of a number 4
49. Even in hot weather do you use a blanket? - bedsheets at least
50. Do you snore? - if exhausted, yes and loud enough that I'll wake myself up
51. Do you sleepwalk? - not that I know of
52. Do you talk in your sleep? - ask me anything! most likely, I won't remember any of it
53. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? - do Otis and Owen count?
54. How about with the light on? - no, unless you count the glow of the alarm clock
55. Do you fall asleep with the TV or radio on? - I used to fall asleep to music, but I rarely do this anymore --I don't make it past the first song, I conk out so fast!