Wednesday night: a dialogue

Scene: Amanda is asleep and Ben just finished reading, turned off the light and is cuddling with Amanda

Amanda: Is that Ben? I need to know if that's Ben.
Amanda: Really...is that Ben? it's important.
Ben: who else would it be?
Amanda: I really need to make sure it's Ben.
Ben: sigh. It's Ben.

Wednesday: fun sun take 3

We've fallen into a semi-routine, but it sure is a nice one. we went to the sit down restaurant for breakfast, just to try it out. It was better than the buffet, but did take longer with fewer options. I had a chocolate banana omlette. It wasn't very chocolately...really just ok over all.

Beach. Beautiful with a lovely breeze and nice waves.

lunch and nap.

Pool. More jumping pictures. I got water in my ear.

Get ready for dinner...while showering I got more water in my ear and it didn't come out. I think I can hear most things, but they're a little hazy.

French restaurant. the appetizer (a modern salad with fried goat cheese) was delicious. The seafood trio in vanilla air was odd (and small) (again). The vanilla air was about what it sounds like...it was white bubbles that covered everything and gave it a slight smell, but could barely be tasted.

Tuesday: more fun in the shade

My day today was rather similar to yesterday's. I spent the morning on the beach in the shade reading ( although I didn't go in the ocean). Some people got kayaks for a little bit. I thought it would have been fun to kayak to the Eye of Saroun, who was also here on vacation, with his sunglass, but due to the reef they couldn't do that.

(To see the Eye well, you need to enlarge the picture)

But it does mean that they paddled past me so I got to see them. Then three of the five and Katy walked by on the beach. Hmmm. Why didn't they stop? Then three different people and Katy walked the other way on the beach. Hmm...that probably isn't good. It turned out Dusty and Laura's kayak had a leak in the bouanancy part of the boat and it flipped and was just a pain to deal with. So while it is almost a fun story now, everyone was exhausted when they got back to me because they had either paddled a sinking boat or walked the beach a gazzilion times.

lunch was hot. It was then that I realized that I probably should have gone in the ocean, although it was nice to be dry for most of the morning. We all went and took naps (yay a/c) and played Dominion before adventuring out again.

We adventured in the pool.

The Italian restaurant was very good, but I ordered the ravioli and got five raviolis. I'm happy with small portion sizes, but that was a little bit too small. nicely, Ben gave me some of his dinner too.

And this evening Laura sang Karoke and did a pretty good job...definitely better than the guy before her. While we were waiting we played pool and ping pong. It was rather dark and the ping pong ball was the same color as the walls, which made it rather hard to play.

Monday: Happy July 4th

Today was also very pleasant, although it started out a little rough. I thought the buffet in the special place was going to open at 7:30, but it didn't. I don't know what time it opens. I was able to swipe a yogurt and then went to the big breakfast buffet. I got my food and ordered a water. It never came. Sure, I wasn't there for very long, but long enough to really want the water. Needless to say, I was a little grumpy when I got back.

Anyway, the day proceeded at I quickly got into a better mood. The girls played in the ocean and took jumping pictures...You know, the ones where everyone is up in the air at the same time? turns out that I'm really bad at jumping and the four of us were really bad at coordinating. But it was fun. We ate on the beach for their 4th of July cookout.

Then we started a large game of dominion. multiple people had brought their decks and we modified the rules a bit, so it worked out just fine having more people than suggested.

We went to a Japanese hibachi for dinner...it was ok. They were liberal with the soy sauce(on everything) and it was loud. Then we saw a circus act. It was fun sitting next to Katy as she had a running commentary and things that were hard and easy and what she could do. She said the difficulty level was beginner-medium, but at the same time they werent working with a stage set up for circus so it's understandable.

Saturday: we made it!

We made it to the resort! It's dark out so you can't see much, but the place looks very and and the rooms are great! We all congregated inDusty and Laura's room after getting settled in for a nice time of talking and eating ( and drinking). Well, the food wasn't great. We just ordered a bunch of room service and it left quite a bit to be desired. But there were plenty of things to drink and some chocolate in the fridge to tide us over.

We found the Minnesotans in the Chicago airport and it was a lot of fun traveling with them. It's been a while since I traveled in a group and while only being with Ben is nice, it's also nice to be in a group...especially of people that you haven't seen for a while.

Sunday: having fun

Today was a wonderful (and relaxing) day. We swam in the ocean (the sand is so soft), swam in the pool, had a nice dinner, and enjoyed being with friends. One of the reasons that it is fun to be with other people on a trip is that you aren´t the only one taking pictures. At one point people were doing crazy jumps into the pool and so if two camera took pictures on burst mode we could usually get a good shot. (This is a public computer and I don´t have the correct cable, so I can´t put any pictures up right now.)

So it´s really Monday morning and I came down to the lobby way to early to make dinner reservations (early but neccessary). Room service leaves something to be desired so I thought I´d pick up breakfast while I was down here. But the breakfast isn´t out yet and I still have 15 minutes. So now do I stay or do I leave? Stay tuned.

Saturday: hurry up and wait

Yesterday we made it to Chicago with ease. We were super glad that we werent going out of chicago though, as we saw three long backups. The worst, on i80 probably went on for half the time we were on it.

Then this morning getting to the airport went amazingly smoothly. We did a stay and park, so we got dropped off exactly in the right spot. We got seats for the first flight (they Weren't assigned online so we were a little nervious) and all the lines went quickly. Now to find a few more of our party and continue on!

Friday: and we're (almost) off

We're about to leave for vacation! Just a few last things to do and then pack up the car with our bags and we're leaving!

Woo-hoo! I'm super excited for the trip.

Thursday: hearing test

Today I took a hearing test in preparation for my new job. (Some workers are around loud noises a lot, so they want to get a baseline. I doubt I will be around loud noises that much, but they probably do it for everyone.) Anyway, I was put in a sound reducing booth and tones were put through headphones and I had to click when I heard a tone.

My biggest complaint? Most of the tones were quieter than swallowing, so I was trying not to swallow. So now I'm not sure if swallowing is really loud and we just don't notice it all the time or if my hearing is really good.

Wednesday: last day and +

Today was my last day of work at the temp job. I walked out the door at 3:50...about 10 minutes earlier than normal. I've been saying that today was going to be my last day for about three weeks now, and I guess I did a really good job of timing it correctly. I wouldn't have minded getting out around noon, but...this way maximizes the pay.

I also got an invite to Google+ yesterday and so decided to join today. It's like Facebook, but if I can get more friends on it I think it'll be cooler. So far I know four people. It isn't quite enough to keep me enraptured, even if one of those people is from Google and therefore probably spending all day writing posts and trying to keep people engaged. I'll admit, I'm a fan of almost all things made by Google and so it would be an easy switch.

wednesday: what I was going to say

I remember what I was going to say on Monday...that the last few weeks have given me a deeper appreciation of what is like to live with chronic pain. I know that I was (am) going through is just acute pain, but it sure was annoying but at least there was an end in sight. But to hurt like that and not have it be for a good reason or have an end...it would be dreadful.

I thought about writing about some of my dark thoughts, but then decided to leave them buried. Everyone has their own dark thoughts...I don't need to add mine to your pile.

Tuesday: doctors appt

I had my 13 week doctors appointment today. I like my OB...she's nice and rather down to Earth.

anyway, I lost some weight again so she nicely told me that I need to eat more. oh, that was another reason I went to the store...to get some Cheerios. The baby's heartbeat was 161 and there so a bunch of static on the doppler which apparently means that it was moving around a lot.

Tuesday:tired and handwriting

I was so tired tonight. I got some groceries because I wanted blueberry pancakes for dinner, but crashed after getting home. probably because yesterday was so productive.

In other news, I had two people tell me yesterday that I have really small hand writing. It's true...I do. But it makes so much sense! first of all, I don't need to move my arm/wrist/fingers as much. secondly, I (expect) that I don't run out of room as often.

Monday: what was I going to say?

Hmm...I had a plan on what I was going to write tonight, but I've completely forgotten what it was.

So let's see...I want to thank Cheryl for getting groceries for us last week. The last few weeks were really rough and coming home to groceries, a clean kitchen, and flowers was awesome.

Today I got really dizzy. So much that I was even dizzy while sitting down so I went to the bathroom so I could put I head in between my knees. Oof. After 10 minutes I got up and was doing ok though.

I was going to take some of my medicine this morning only to find out that I had grabbed an empty packet. I ended up ok, but it was a little scary. Maybe good for me, but I would rather have had my medicine.

When I got home tonight I actually had some energy. It was crazy. I made my muffins (the batter was already made), two emails were sent out, I cleaned some of the kitchen, and started another load of wash. I know that doesn't necessary sound difficult, but I'm pretty sure it's more than I've done the last several weekends.

Monday: stairs

I don't like going up and down stairs with people. It turns out that I'm really slow, especially at climbing stairs. My feet just don't seem to go as fast as other peoples'.

Today I was going up some stairs with someone and he was seriously all the way up when I was on the middle landing. It's kind of depressing. But there's nothing that I can do about it.

Sunday: easy day

Today was a pretty laid back day. We went to church, I took a nap, and we had pizza and watched a movie. I had been hoping to get a few more chores done, but I guess that didn't happen. Oh well.

Sunday: sick

I am really, really sick of being sick. I'm in my twelfth week! I thought I was supposed to be all better by now.

Ben still has high hopes I'll be better by vacation; I'm not so sure.

Friday: forgotten things

Tonight we went to Subs 'n more for dinner. (It's kind of like Quiznos...but better.) It is on my favorite restaurants in Holland list, but I often forget about it...I don't think that I've been there since college. It was as good as I remember it being though.

Then we went to the Peanut Store and I got some pick-a-mix candy. It included Carmel cremes. Yum. I like those candies a lot too, but they aren't very main stream and so I forget about them.

Thursday: things I realize

As I sit here on my sheet-less bed, I start thinking about all the other places I could go to sleep so that I don't have to make the bed when Ben comes to bed after I've fallen asleep.

Couch in the basement. couch upstairs. Tell Ben not to make the bed. the other bed.

what? The other bed? Ben and I have both managed to be sick this past week with a cough. A loud, obnoxious cough, and so we've been sleeping in different places. This is the first time in our married lives that we've done this, but it's been necessary. Usually Ben ends up on the couch because he's nice like that. and then tonight I realized that we have a second bed. Oops.

Wednesday: blue shirt day

Today was apparently the day to wear your blue shirt. About three quarters of the people were wearing one.

I was wearing one too, even though I didn't get the memo. and I'm pretty sure there was an actual memo since a lot of the people were wearing the same blue shirt.

Did you wear a blue shirt?

Tuesday: what I'm sure you've been wondering...

Why hasn't Amanda written for so long?

well, to be fair, I did write on Sunday but somehow the post got deleted and by the time I noticed it I didn't care...

This weekend I had a business meeting up in Cadillac. There was no Internet, which is why I didn't post. We got a lot of important business taken care of.




Sunday I got home and had a terribly sore throat. We went out for Fathers day with Ben's family, which was fun. Yay for fathers-in-law!!

Monday's achievement was that I managed to cut my bagel pretty well in half using a plastic knife. I've been having a problem getting my bagels cut well, so it was exciting.

Saturday: two toilets

I need two toilets right next to each other. One to throw up into and one to pee in while I throw up. My bladder control is rapidly disappearing when I throw up.

Edit: my OB told me to cross my legs. this seems like a much easier solution than installing another toilet.

Thursday: 200 days left

Today there are 200 days left. Thats still a long time.

I feel like I popped a little bit today. My jeans suddenly weren't as comfortable...I guess only the future will tell if I'm imagining it or not.

I also made my first mess at the toilet. I made it to the toilet, but was trying to tell myself that I didn't need to throw up and so didn't have the lid open. I tried to clean it up but Ben lovingly finished as I just couldn't do it.

Thursday: work

Here I am in the clean room.

and later today I heard the following conversation. I thought it was funny.

Person 1: I'm only part-time

Person 2: Starting now, you can work every other hour. So you must go home at 2 but have to be back here at 3

wednesday: urg

Today could have gone better. I suppose it could have gone worse too. So instead I'll share one of Flurry's new favorite sitting places. I think she likes it because the pillow and blind are green, and so it matches her eyes. (Or it is far enough away from us that she won't get kicked or petted but close enough to spy on us)

Wednesday: a lime

Apparently (haha, that has the word parent in it) I have a child the size of a lime inside me. Whenever I look at pictures of the human body with the skin removed it always looks so full. How can a lime (and whatever else has grown) fit inside me and I can barely tell? I guess we're all fuller of hot air than I expected.

Tuesday: clean room

Today's excitement is that I got to go into one of the clean rooms for the first time. It turned out not to be all the exciting, but still cool. And I was a little afraid of over-heating (it's happened in the past with similar attire) but I didn't. Phew.

Monday: Amanda

There's another Amanda in the place where I'm working right now. This is one of the first times that I've had to deal with someone else having my same first name and I do not like it. There was another Amanda in high school, but I don't recall having any classes together.

What is interesting is how much of a conversation you suddenly recall over-hearing once your name gets said, even if you weren't intentionally listening and wouldn't have remembered the conversation at all if your name wasn't part of it.

Sunday: family gatherings

Today I went to a family gathering on Ben's side to meet distant relatives. I went by myself because Ben wasn't able to go, so I feel as though I should get extra bonus points for that. However, I only talked to one of the relatives for about one minute, so that probably removes most of the bonus points I just gave myself.

the food was good though!

Friday: Ben and job

Ben's home! Yay!

I also accepted a job today at Shape Corp as a quality engineer. I'll be starting July 11 after I finish my current contract and go on vacation.

Thursday: a story

This is an old story...it happened the week we moved back to Michigan. Ben and I were getting groceries and were in the produce section of Meijer. there was an older man that looked exactly like...guess
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...a garden gnome. Obviously he wasn't wearing the traditional garden gnome hat, but the beard and the body type were perfect.

Wednesday: bran muffins

Today after work I made some bran muffins. yum. And then I decided to have some for dinner. and they were as good as I remember them being. I was also smart and for once didn't bake all the muffins at once, but froze some batter so that I can have fresh muffins within the coming weeks.

Tuesday: maybe a record

I haven't thrown up at all today. I know there's still 1.5 hours left to go of today and I'm only feeling ok, but I'm hopeful. It would be the first time in about three weeks..Ok, I now need to stop thinking about throwing up.

Tuesday: happy birthday again

Dad came over tonight to celebrate his birthday (again!!). We went out for Mexican and then I beat him at Dominion. I guess that wasn't very nice of me on his birthday. Well, I gave him some ice cream to make up for it. Hmm, he was the one that brought the ice cream over here a few weeks ago. Well, I had a lot of fun on his birthday!!

Monday: vitamins

My OB said I could take Flintstone vitamins instead of prenatal vitamins. I immediately latched onto that idea because I love Flintstone vitamins. they taste so good and remind me of my childhood. And so I keep taking them instead of the swallow prenatal ones...and I haven't had to taste them a second time (yet) which is also a huge bonus!

Monday: the house tour continues

Today I wanted to show you an architectural gem in our bathroom.

That's right! There is a heating/cooling vent that blows onto your head exactly where you stand to take a shower. The guess is that the house started out with only a tub. We could put a better vent on it to direct the air...or we could just leave it for the next people to deal with.

Sunday: happy birthday

Today was a pretty nice day. We went to church and then I took a nice nap in the afternoon. This evening we celebrated Dad's birthday with the family...it was low key but still nice. I was going to bring the camera because it's been a while since I've posted a picture, but I forgot it at home.

Friday: donut day

Today is national donut day. And donuts currently sound disgusting. how sad is that???????????????????????????

friday: work

Today was my first day back at work. It's just for a short contract job, but it's nice to get out of the house. At one point there was a plant meeting and they were talking about how they needed to work really hard this next week to get some batteries started...so that they can make more...so they can put more batteries in more cars...so that they can lower emissions...so that they can SAVE THE EARTH!!!!

The work seems fine. Not too difficult but still interesting. I got to wear a reflective vest and hard hat for a little bit so I felt cool. And I'll get to go into a clean room so that will be...hot. you have to wear so many covering garments going into a clean room.

Friday: throwing up - TMI

WARNING: this one really is gross. You may want to skip it.

I started taking my new medicine yesterday and it is good. but I need to try and ration it so that it will last the whole month, which ends up being about a half pill per day. The effects last for about eight hours.

so it wore off after work today and I had a headache. I don't know if it from the medicine or general life. But I went to throw up and whatever I had had was really bitter. So my throat closed off and a little bit came out my nose. Gross. and I was trying to get my hair back in a pony tail and things were just not going well.

Wednesday: a good day

Today was probably one of the best days I've had in a while. I got a lot of chores done, had an interview for a short term job, and made a good dinner. Oh, and I watched So you think you can dance since Dusty let me know it was on

Tuesday: unanimous

Unanimous.

I don't like reading this word. It looks like un-animous, as though people are not of the same mind. Silly...uh, I don't remember the word...word starter thingies.

Tuesday: in reveiew

So this week wasn't much better than last week. Some days I kept most food down, some days I kept no food down. And seriously...throwing up is hard work. I'm always exhausted after the bigger ones.

But in better news, I had I first real OB appt today. And I got an ultrasound!! I wasn't sure I was going to get one. The head is on the right, the legs on the left, and the bright spot is part of the umbilical cord. The length measured around 9w0d and the heartbeat was 180...high but normal. And the legs were kicking all around!

Monday: Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! Today we drove back. The car doesn't have air conditioning, so it was rather hot. :( But some friends that are going to Papua New Guinea as Wycliffe Bible Translators came over this evening, so it was nice to see them before they take off.

Sunday: all by ourselves

Ben's parents left with Scarlet this afternoon and Ben and I decided to stay here another night. I'm pretty sure that we did almost the exact same things that we would have done at home, but it was nice not to have to drive this afternoon.

I expect one of these days my posts will become more interesting again.

Saturday: still up north

Ben came up last night...while it's been nice to be up here, it's really nice to have Ben up here too. Nothing special happened again...I had a donut for breakfast, watched Scarlet enjoy the motorcycles, ate, napped, watched TV, read, and played Dominion. I know; it's a rough life.

Thursday: up north

Today I slept in really late...guess I was tired. Then I ended up coming up north a day early with Ben's parents and Scarlet. So in the end it was a rather uneventful day, but still nice.

Tuesday: curry

Tonight my plans for dinner got changed at the last minute, so I thought I'd take out a frozen curry and eat half of it. Then Ben could have the the half tomorrow for lunch. It was delicious, so I had seconds. There was still enough for a lunch. It was still delicious, so I ended up finishing off the container.

Luckily there was another container in the fridge so Ben will still get some curry in his lunch tomorrow.

Monday: recycling

This morning I wanted to get the kitchen all clean. We don't have a good place to put the recycling, so it just sits on the counter until I bring it out to the garage. So while cleaning I took out all the recycling...it ended up being two trips because I brought some pop cans out too.

Then I found a can lid I missed. Trip three.

Then I found four pieces of paper I missed. Trip four.

Then I went into the bathroom and realized I had recycling there too. I decided that since it was still in the bathroom I could leave it there for another day.

Sunday: I guess I was tired

So after Dominion we got home around 6:30. Ben and I were reading in bed, but I decided to take a nap because I was so tired. Three and a half hours later (10:15) I finally woke up. I continued reading and whatnot, waiting for Ben to come to bed. He came to bed a little later than normal, but it worked well. So I was asleep again around 1am. I woke up briefly when Ben got up for work and got some raspberries, but was feeling tired so I thought I'd just close my eyes. When they finally opened again at 10:45 I was rather surprised. I guess I needed a lot of extra sleep.