Helpless

Watching the devastation down South from Hurricane Katrina is just so heartbreaking. I think we all feel so helpless to their situation. It's just horrible and I can't see the situation getting any better for months. My thoughts are with all that have lost their homes, family and hope.

España Mañana

Tomorrow is the day we finally leave for Spain! YEY! We are too excited.

We've decided not to go to Morocco in hopes that we will make that another trip unto itself in the future. Waaay in the future since the baby is on the way.

I'm feeling great and can't wait to sink my teeth into some tapas, and see the beautiful architecture of Barcelona. We also hope to catch a bullfight, I just hope I can stomach it. I just checked the weather and it promises to be beautiful and sunny everyday, if a little hot (100 degrees in Seville!!).

So the final plan is this:
3 nights in Barcelona
2 nights in Seville
1 night in Ronda
1 night in Nerja
1 night in Granada
3 nights in Madrid

Hopefully those 1 night stays in the smaller towns won't feel too rushed. I wish we had more time but I don't have any vacation days left so it is what it is! And it will be amazing.

Adios!

Hurricane Katrina

I feel so horrible for the residents of New Orleans. Seeing first hand the damage that a hurricane can do (Andrew, 1992) I know what is coming. More than that, this is a Category 5, and New Orleans is 6 feet below sea level. Henry said he heard that if you haven't visited New Orleans yet, you probably never will.

Any news of hurricane's sends chills down my spine. Although we did not get the worst of Hurricane Andrew by any means (we were about 50 miles North of the worst damage) we did see the damage that was done. My friends who did live in the worst hit areas thought they were going to die. Windows of their homes blown out, doors pulled off, roofs ripped wide open, everyone hiding in the bathroom holding the door closed. My friend and I had driven down to the Homestead/South Miami area 2 days after the storm. It was utter, complete devastation. Miles of housing developments were completely flattened. Thousands of trees were all laying down like they had been run over by a freight train. Entire sides of apartment buildings were ripped off like you pulled the lid off a can of tuna fish to reveal the occupants and devastation inside. Never did we think that a storm could do this much damage. And we didn't have a storm surge in most areas. We didn't have a Category 5.

It breaks my heart that this beautiful city is about to witness the ultimate hell and there is absolutely nothing they can do but run to save only their own lives and the shirts on their back.

Dream

Had a crazy dream last night. I dreamt I was living in Miami Lakes, FL again, but we lived in a house on the beach. Or maybe it was a large lake. Anyhoo, as we were sitting out back in the evening, we suddenly saw a heard of wild black walruses running, or flopping rather, towards our house. Now the sea cows were big, and mean. And they were coming rather fast. They in turn caused a heard of flamingoes, which were supposed to be there, to become angry and then all the animals just went nuts and starting charging and terrorizing people's home. Before we knew it, a wild pack of grizzly bears joined in. The town was overrun by wild animals. Somehow the next day we drove to the store quickly to get some food, but I was left behind. I finally managed to run back home and as I got to the house I saw a bunch of black panthers creeping around the house trying to figure out how to get in. The town was in chaos and homes were ruined, people killed, and many people were fleeing in terror.

It sounds scary but I found it really fascinating and was really annoyed when I woke up to use the bathroom.

I wonder if I dreamt this because of the hurricane hitting my family in Miami last night. Hurricane=animals?

"Tell me about it, Stud."

Now I know that when your pregnant your hormones and emotions are supposed to have many highs and lows. But tonight while watching the ending of Grease I started crying! What the hell! Now I know I am normally prone to crying during sad movies but this is ridiculous. I just became overwhelmed with emotion for this musical masterpiece that I have loved since a child that tears started rolling out! Crazy stuff!

Sssshhhhh!

Don't tell David but I just ate Wendy's for lunch! Anyone who knows me knows I try to steer clear of all fast food. I probably only eat it once or twice a year and that's ususally when I'm either at an airport or on a road trip on I-95. But today I just had to have it. And DAMN was it good. I got a Jr bacon cheeseburger, small fries and small Coke to wash it all down. I am just raveonous today. I did run 4 miles so it's ok, right? A little splurge every now and then won't kill me.

Doug

I bought 2 books yesterday to help with the home designing (thanks Kelly). The Doug Wilson book is something I never thought I'd get.

When Trading Spaces first came out I, like most people, was addicted. We would watch 6 hr TS marathons and loved it. But now when I'm flipping channels on the TV I will occasionally stop to see what they're doing and it's ALL CRAP! Was it crap in the beginning too? I can't even watch a whole episode I get so bored and frustrated with the lame designers. Back in the day with the original 'cast' I thought Doug was terrible. He never seemed to take into account what the family wanted or needed, only what HE wanted to do. And so often it was disasterous. HE was the designer that made that woman cry in the infamous wainscoating episode. And what was his obsession with brown??

But while browsing the books at B&N yesterday HIS book was the one I liked the most. Great ideas, beautiful color selections, choices for small spaces like ours. So I guess he was just a little nuts on the show and deep down he is a good designer. And best of all he lists ALL the places where you can purchase the stuff shown AND paint colors used. Pretty unusual for a design book.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to us!

Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary. Two years ago I was running around, having breakfast with Eugene and then off to get my hair done. I had finally let all the stress and worries fade away and realized that whatever happens happens and it will be a wonderful day. And it was. The most wonderful day ever. Perfect weather. Perfect party. Perfect friends and family surrounding us. And a perfect marriage to a wonderful husband. I couldn't ask for more.

Monday

Monday's suck. Have I said that before? I'm sure I have. I have no desire to do any work today. All I wanna do is take a nap and eat. Hmm, I must be pregnant.

Yesterday we met up with Henry and went shopping around for home stuff. Bed, Bath & Beyond, Container Store, ABC Carpet & Home. Got a few little things here and there. Henry got a chair and some hangers. We also went to B&N to see if we could get any home decorating ideas. I didn't see anything I liked but David bought a couple of books.

Then we finally made our way over to Henry's brand spanking new apartment. I still can't believe I actually stepped foot into Henry Yee's apartment. I've known the man at least 10 years and never have we been over. But this place is different. It is his. And it's awesome. The view out both the living room and bedroom windows is phenomenal. The place is really great. Nice floors. Good sized kithen and bathroom. Closets galore. Perfect. I can think of no negatives. What a great find.

Congrats Henry. It's been a long time coming but you held out for something amazing and you finally found it.

YOU DID IT!

So I messed up...

Every minute of free time David and I have lately has been devoted to our new apartment. Buying things here and there at Bed, Bath & Beyond, looking online for ideas, watching HGTV, painting, shopping, you name it. David has some big idea for the bathroom, but he won't tell me what it is. In return I got to do the bedroom. Woohoo!

So we did it yesterday. And it sucks. I had decided (after buying, then returning, then buying again) on a chartreuse bedding set from Macy's. I do love the set. But what wall colors go with chartreuse? So on Friday it came to me, we will paint the walls a dark gray. We even took pictures of the bed all set up and then did the walls in photoshop, and I thought it looked really cool. But I thought wrong.


the bedding set


(not our bedroom, but an example of the wall color)

We spent 3 1/2 hours and $100 yesterday prepping and painting the room and now I don't like it. And I don't think he does either. On top of this we also got a gallon too much paint, another $50 wasted. So now I have to rethink the whole thing. And return the bedding set. Again.

I feel like such an ass. I should've known it would be too dark. The room just feels so cold and uninviting. The opposite of what I was going for. I'm so tired of thinking about this room. Now we will have to prime (probably multiple times) and paint again. Another day wasted.

So the search continues.

Ottoman troubles

Our new living room. Notice the green walls we painted last wknd.
And the couch I can't wait to replace!


So we got the new leather ottoman last week and it looks great. We LOVE it. So what's the problem? The cats. I noticed on Sunday that there were 3 different claw marks/scratches already on the top. I don't know what to do to keep the cats off of it. I am only able to trim one of the cats claws (the other won't tolerate it). Right now we have a blanket covering the top that we've had on since Sunday. But then what was the point in getting a nice piece if we have to cover it up? Any suggestions? I'm not sure if any of you have cats or not.

Spain!

Looks like I'm almost done with our plans for Spain. The itinerary looks like this:

3 nights Barcelona
fly to Seville, stay 2 nights
train to Ronda, stay 1 night
train/ferry to Tangier, Morocco, stay 1 night
ferry/train to Granada, stay 2 nights
train to Madrid, stay 2 nights

I've booked everything except Granada and Madrid which I'll do tonight.

NOW I'm really excited. I just hope I feel as good as I have been and everything goes smoothly.

New couch!

Well, eventually.

Yesterday we went down to Room & Board and ordered a new couch. We chose the "Dean" couch in a chocolate brown (the color in the pic is grey). The only problem is they don't normally stock it in brown so we have to wait 14-16 WEEKS! for delivery. Long time yes, but worth it. I hope!

(Note-Special thanks to Henry who, with the help of the gift card he gave me for my birthday, has made this possible!)

Afterwards we went for coffee/dessert with Eugene. As we walked to Ceci Cela we passed Claire Danes. I mentioned how Rachel just saw her recently too. Then Eugene told me how he was walking down his apartment stairs recently and who was going up but Claire Danes!

Lazy Saturday

Bear amid paint samples


Magellan lounging on the couch


This marks our first weekend in the new apartment where we have nothing to do but what we want. And it feels damn good. The cats are really settled in now and comfortable. And so are we. I LOVE this apartment.

What's on the agenda? Painting the living room, getting little things from Bed Bath & Beyond, fixing up the kitchen and cleaning. No way I'm venturing out into the 96 degree heat.

The ottoman arrived yesterday and it's gorgeous. Little by little we will acquire pieces that will make this apartment everything we want it to be.

Anniversary Dinner

Our 2nd year anniversary is approaching-August 23rd. I need to make reservations for a special dinner. Anyone have any suggestions? Something fancy and expensive of course.

And what's with these prenatal vitamins the doctor gave me? I get in to work, have my oatmeal, then my vitamin, and 15 minutes later I am STARVING. Not hungry, S T A R V I N G like I'm going to knock people down if they don't get out of my way as I make my way downstairs for a peanut butter on whole wheat toast sandwich.

Looks like all systems go for the trip to Spain. Even though David is complaining that it is too expensive (it is, but we're worth it!) I have put my foot down and we are going. And I know he'll thank me for it once we're there. It happens everytime.

The Dr did advise against flying, something about radiation, but I will ignore this advice (which I didn't see in ANY of my books or websites) and go on with the plans. Oh, but I don't really have any plans yet. Still need to book hotels n' such. Gotta get moving on that this wknd.

Really pregnant

I went to my first Dr. app't today. And I'm really pregnant. I must admit I had slight doubt that it was true until I saw the Dr. But he did a sonogram and there definitely is a baby in there! While only the size of an M&M, it already has a heartbeat. It was so exciting for David & I to see the baby on the screen. We even got a picture!

Turns out I'm only 6 weeks pregnant, not 8 like I and the Dr had originally thought. So I will have to wait even longer to see my belly begin to grow.

Due date is April 3.

Goodbye Peter Jennings

The news of Peter Jennings' death this morning really saddened me. Almost to tears. He was the voice I grew up listening to- my Mom cooking dinner, my Dad in front of the TV watching the nightly news. He was such a familiar voice to me night after night. Dashing, debonair, almost James Bond-like in my mind. A real class act. It was so sad when he left the air and now even more so that he has left us all for good.

Cousin wknd

Spent a wonderful weekend with the Trini/England cousins in Nissequoge. Tricia & Lisa flew over Friday morning and joined us, Matthew, Rene and Simon at a beach house David's Mom rented for the week. The house was small (2 bdrm) but we managed to have a great time. Any time spent with the cousins is the best time spent. Even though Tricia & Lisa were only here for a very short time (Fri morning until Sunday night) we enjoyed their company to the fullest. The house overlooked a beautiful marsh with private beach access only 3 houses away. Had a great time at the beach swimming, at home grilling, and playing board/card games in the evening.

We had to say goodbye to everyone tonight. It was so sad. I love them all so very much and wish we lived closer. But no matter how far away we are we always feel so close.

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Happy Four OH! to you Big Ben. You don't look a day over 39!

Pregnant

So I guess I need to elaborate on this pregnant thing.

Last week I started feeling a little dizzy, plus I was late. I put two and two together, plus the feeling that something was just 'different' and bought a home pregnancy test. Friday morning I woke up and took the test. Immediatley 2 lines showed up-positive. I thought I must have done something wrong. So I did the second test. Same result. Immediately I felt a rush of emotions-mainly fear.

I woke up David, threw the tests onto the bed and said "Look at those!". He asked what they were and then said "You're pregnant??!!"

So we're both very happy and a little surprised. I mean, we weren't really going to start trying until after the Spain trip. But no biggie. It's all good. Just no Spanish wine tastings for me.

So far I feel fine. Little bouts of dizziness or tiredness, but they come and go rather quickly. I estimate I am about 6 weeks now, going on my 7th. It's all very bizarre. This thing, this human, growing inside of me. I bought some books already, Pregnany for Dummies and Great Expectations-Your All-In-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth. Both have been great in educating me on what's going on now and what's to come.

We've told pretty much everybody. I know some people like to wait a few months, but I'm too excited to hold it in. I'm not that private of a person. If something goes wrong, I'll tell people. No big deal to me.

Looks like the due date is around March 21. So we're looking at a Pisces, possibly an Aries baby.

It's really strange and exciting. I feel like I'm walking around with this secret inside me that no one knows about. And it makes me smile.

Birthday weekend

My birthday weekend was wonderful. Dinner at Hearth was great with all my friends and the Trini cousins.

Saturday we went to Splish Splash on Long Island. I didn't realize how big it is. Great place. Nicely laid out. I wish there were a little more sun as we were freezing between rides but we all had a great time. Next time we'll have to get there a little earlier though as we didn't get to do all the rides we wanted to.

We stayed over Saturday night and then played some Laser Tag on Sunday with the cousins, then over to Target for some great n' cheap furniture and plants. I love that store. Afterwards we had a barbeque at the house with friends of the family.

Oh, and did I mention that David gave me the most wonderful gift? I'm pregnant.