Favorite Things Friday: Skype

In keeping with my vacation from blogging this week, I asked my sister to do a guest post for this week’s Favorite Things Friday. She’s under the impression that her blog has approximately three readers (our mom, me and perhaps another friend) but I’m so glad that she keeps it up because her posts regularly make me laugh, sometimes make me cry, and always give me insight into the life and mind of my little sister. Sarah blogs at Sorry Sarah which she describes as “a glimpse into the life of a military wife / junior high teacher / wannabe mother.” Here’s her guest post.



The other night Mike and I met up with one of his dad's old military friends for dinner.

Side Note: Said Military Friend first showed up at our door unexpectedly the evening before thanks to my in-laws who gave him our address but did not happen to tell us that he was in town or that he would be stopping by to see us. It just so happened, though, that he showed up at the door about 5 minutes after Mike had left for his evening soccer game, and I, convinced that it was my stalker, hid in the hallway and did not answer the door. Comedy of errors anyone? But, really, that is quite another story for another day.

Throughout the course of our dinner, Military Friend spent a great majority of time talking about his military career, particularly his deployments. Mike having just returned from his 2nd deployment to Iraq in February, and currently gearing up for a deployment to Afghanistan this May, is no stranger to deployments. However, our dinner conversation with Military Friend was quite an eye opener.

We realized just how very lucky we are. I mean, spending 7 months away from your spouse could never by any stretch of the imagination be considered easy, but it's certainly a heck of a lot easier than it used to be back in the old days. I attribute this to one very important thing:

Communication.

This is why for my guest spot on Smiling Mama, I am featuring Skype for my Favorite Things Friday. Skype allows you to make FREE long distance voice and video calls. All you need is a computer with internet connection, a microphone, and a webcam.

Mike and I tried out a couple different messenger services for webcamming during his last deployment such as msn and yahoo, but both of these proved to be sub par as far as video quality goes. Skype, on the other hand, has excellent picture quality and rarely has a delay.

Thanks to Skype, the world seemed a whole lot smaller during what was sometimes a long and dreary 7 month separation from my husband.

Of course, you don't have to have a husband in Iraq to enjoy the benefits of Skype. My in-laws use Skype regularly to webcam with their grandchildren who live across the country from them, and one of my co-workers has a friend living in China who he Skypes with every now and then to keep in touch.

Twenty years ago, military members on deployment had only snail mail letters and short wave radio phone calls to rely on for communication. Today we have email and real time webcamming at our disposal. At this rate, you really have to wonder what kind of high-tech communication tool will be available to us in another 20 years. That's something to ponder.

For now, though, as far as communication goes, it really doesn't get any better than Skype.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Positive proof

This is the third of three not previously published posts that I wrote about being pregnant before I was ready to spill the beans publicly. I'll be back from my little break next week!

*My deepest apologies to the artist but I have no idea where this cartoon came from! It is just too perfect to not include here.


So back in February when my hematologist gave me the okay to get pregnant she also told me that she wanted to be my second phone call when I found out. Conveniently, I already had an appointment scheduled for about a week after my positive pee test. I called the office a few days before the appointment to let them know that I was pregnant because I suspected they'd want to add that to my blood work. You know, they wouldn't necessarily take me at my word, they would need an actual positive blood test to add to the records, right? The nurse called me back to let me know that, indeed, the doctor would add it to my work up.

When the appointment came, however, they apparently had forgotten to add it. After waiting about 35 minutes for them to figure the result wasn't coming back because it wasn't tested for, they had me pee into a cup instead of making me get another blood draw that afternoon. By the time I met with the doctor the actual pee test results weren't back. Apparently that fact came to light later that evening when I was complaining to Abel about how long I had to wait for what ended up being a 3 minute visit with the doctor.

Abel: They didn't confirm it?

Smiling Mama: Well, I'm sure the results came back later in the afternoon.

Abel: But, they didn't call to tell you? I mean. What if you aren't pregnant?

Smiling Mama: Dude. Two positive pee tests, 4 weeks late, exhausted, nauseous all the time: I'm pregnant. We don't need the doctor to confirm it.

Abel: Well, if you're sure.

Smiling Mama: I'm sure.



Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Must Nap

This is the second of three not previously published posts that I wrote about being pregnant before I was ready to spill the beans publicly. I'll be back from my little break next week!


I totally took a nap at work al la George Castanza the other day. It was great. Well, not exactly great, but it was good.

As I have mentioned, I have this huge office. Also, I have a door that locks. That is key to a successful nap at work. I had woken up exhausted that morning and since I have been napping pretty much every weekend day and when I am home with Lucas, I knew this full day of work was going to kill me. I grabbed my yoga mat and a beach towel on my way out the door.

After eating a quick lunch at my desk, I closed and locked my door, rolled out the mat placed the towel on top and laid down. The first five minutes dragged by and I almost got up. But then suddenly it was 35 minutes later. It wasn't overly comfortable but I wasn't completely uncomfortable, either. At minimum I will need a little travel pillow for future office naps. My dream is to bring an air mattress into the office but that might just be a little much, don't you agree?


Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Say something like that again and this kid will be an orphan at birth

This is the first of three not previously published posts that I wrote about being pregnant before I was ready to spill the beans publicly. I'll be back from my little break next week!


The pee test came up positive on Wednesday, May 13. I had already been feeling nauseous but hadn't mentioned it because one two three four previous pee tests had been negative. I knew I was pregnant just couldn't get that damn stick to agree with me. After the first second positive test I was, of course, certain and therefore felt free to start complaining verbalizing my obvious symptoms. The first time I mentioned how nauseous I was to Abel, he replied, "Already? Don't you think this is all in your head because the test was positive?"

I stammered a bit about how doesn't he watch TV or movies and notice that pretty much every character figures out she's pregnant because she's suddenly puking all the time and it starts right away and. and. and.

Next time I'll say: see above, my dear. See above.


Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Favorite Things Friday: So You Think You Can Dance

For today's Favorite Things Friday, I bring you my favorite summertime show for the past few years: So You Think You Can Dance. This show is awesome! If you're already a fan then I'd love to know who your current favorite is. If you haven't ever watched it, then I'm only sorry I haven't told you about it earlier.

Like American Idol, the show holds auditions across the country, takes a certain number of dancers to Las Vegas then chooses 20 to take to LA. The dancers are paired into couples and each week draw a dance style from the hat. The perform, the judges critique and America votes. From the bottom 3 girls and bottom 3 guys the judges then send 1 girl and 1 guy home.

Unlike American Idol, the host is just awesome. Not only is Cat Deeley beautiful (I can't wait to see her dress each Wednesday and Thursday evening) but it is clear that she genuinely cares for each of the dancers. The judges, too, clearly care a great deal about their craft and give thoughtful critiques. Well, everyone but Mary Murphy who kind of drives me crazy but I guess there's always a spot for a crazy female judge, right?

Next Wednesday the remaining 12 dancers will perform. The judges have said, and I agree, that this is probably the strongest season yet in terms of talent. These men and women are simply amazing. If you tune in, you won't be disappointed.


Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

I'll be back

My sister has been giving me a hard time lately for being a little light in my posting around here. Personally, I don't think I've been that bad though will admit to posting a little less than usual. I blame most of it on the pregnancy. Before I shared the news with all of you, all I had to say was that I was nauseous and exhausted--over and over and over again. Which, of course, I couldn't say, nor, I'm sure, did you really want to hear. And now, well, I'm slightly less nauseous and still quite exhausted which, again, I'm sure you don't really want to hear about. Plus, when you're fighting such overwhelming symptoms and still have a part-time job and full-energy 3 year old, who would have the inclination to even type it out? Not me.

Lucky for you (and my sister) I did, indeed, type out a few particularly memorable early pregnancy incidents which have been languishing in draft status for more than a month now. I'm going to take a little blogging vacation next week and so have those all cued up for your enjoyment, dear readers.

After my little break, I'll be in my second trimester (pending, of course, Baby Center sending me an e-mail telling me that I'm there, anyway. Who can remember such details with baby #2?!) and hopefully feeling great. At which time, I'll be back!


Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Lucas's Big Boy Room

I'm having a lot of fun thinking of decor ideas for Lucas's new big boy room. We've already started emptying the guest room and I can not wait to redecorate it. When we moved in, we went crazy with color. Can you blame us? We'd each lived in sterile dorm rooms and apartments for years and years and were ready to put color on our walls. I still love our orange living room and yellow dining room but have come to despise our bright blue guest room.

We kept our apartment for an extra week after we closed on the house so we could paint with the house empty. We got a ton done but when we got to the guestroom we realized--as we were painting--that the previous owners had painted over wallpaper! We didn't have time to strip it so went ahead and painted thinking we'd strip it eventually. Well, now is the time!

As soon as the three pallets of stone in our front yard (that's a post for another day!) are built into a wall in our back yard, Abel's top priority is to strip and paint the guestroom. I want to have it ready for Lucas with enough time left for me to redecorate the nursery. (Currently the nursery is Ohio State Buckeye themed. Abel has been warned that the next nursery will be much more girly/babyish even if it is a boy!!)

In the meantime, I'm having a lot of fun dreaming about Lucas's big boy room. I want it to be something he enjoys now but will continue to like well into--and dare I dream, beyond?--elementary school. I have a color scheme of navy blue, light blue and green in mind with neutral cream or very light tan walls.

Here are some things I'm loving today....






Circo Boy Color Block Quilt and striped sheets from Target

Awesome license plate display by Lindsay's friend and guest blogger Nicole over at The Pleated Poppy (I've already started collecting old license plates but if you have any you want to send my way, just comment or drop me an e-mail! I'd be happy to pay for shipping.)

Canvas map of the US via Pottery Barn Kids; at $99 this would be a big splurge but I've looked everywhere for something similar that I like as much as this and nothing compares.

What do you think? Does this look like a room a boy (and his mama!) could live with for the next 5-7 years?

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!