Not sure if I know 1199 people

I was going through my bookmarked websites, and clicked on our wedding webpage from The Knot to decide if I should keep it bookmarked or not. Out of curiosity, I scrolled to the bottom of the page to see how many people have viewed our page. 1199?!?!?! Can that really be true?? Who has been visiting the site? Do we actually know that many people? Doubtful! We've been married for 10 months, but do people still visit the wedding webpage? Now I really don't know if I should keep it bookmarked or not...

A reason to sufficiently discipline your child

My latest symptom of pregnancy revolves around seriously poor blood circulation throughout my body.  Not only have I gotten cold sweats, seen spots, and desperately needed to sit down before I (1) threw up or (2) passed out, I also have woken up with no feeling on one entire side of my body.  Or the left foot can be like ice, the right foot on fire.  The hands are a different story - the temperature range can differ even on one hand, with the pointer, middle, and pinky fingers at one temp and the ring finger totally opposite.

So as I think about why all of this is happening to my body, I fondly remember the baby girl I'm nurturing.  Then it occurs to me that this same little girl will attempt to defy me in a few years, whether it's over broccoli or boys.  And the circulation problems will come to mind, as I say, "yes, you absolutely have to eat your broccoli," or "no, you can't date HIM - on second thought, you can't DATE."  Sure, she'll have the sweetest "give me what I want" smile, but I will have my ammunition aimed and ready:  the pains of pregnancy that will likely last a lifetime, at least in memory.  Lose feeling in just your big toe, girly, after your husband remarks that you have lost all color in your face and you were seconds from unconsciousness.  Then we can talk about broccoli.  (Dates are generally always a no until age 35.)

Notes on what I'm reading

My life in Kentucky is usually equipped with an audiobook to keep me entertained during laundry, driving, or other mundane chores.  I started listening to The Pirate Queen by Susan Ronald this weekend, mainly because I like the time period and it wouldn't be something scary to keep me awake at night.  I had my doubts, however, about listening to non-fiction, which could turn out to be rather boring.  Should have gone with my instincts - The Pirate Queen is a SNOOOOOOOZE.  I listened for about 3.5 hrs before I gave up.  Now I'm listening to a Dean Koontz book, but am still not impressed.  This book, Strangers, seems very similar to another of his books, False Memory, the only other Koontz I've read.  Maybe all of his books are similar, and that's what people like about them.  I have awhile to go yet, so it might get better if there are twists to the story.  For entertainment value, it's already way better than The Pirate Queen, so things are looking up.

Never eat at a C

Every restaurant here has a rating, given to the establishment by the Health Department. It's a handy guide, placed on an 8.5X11 sheet of paper visible from the parking lot. Going back to Virginia, I miss knowing what the Health Department would rate some of my favorite spots. I believe the ratings are based similarly to a grading scale: 100-93 is an A, 92-85 is a B, etc. Typically, you see mostly As, at least where I want to eat, anyway. Occasionally, I'll find a B, and make the decision about whether I REALLY want to stay there or not.

I've only eaten at a C once. My mom and I stopped into Chic-fil-a on a Saturday morning for a quick breakfast, and they had gotten a C. You could tell all of the employees were a little down. They had written an explanation of why they received the C and posted it next to the rating so people could understand why such a delicious eatery had such a poor rating. Apparently they had a leaky sink or something in the kitchen and the problem had been fixed immediately. They have since regained their A status.

But what about other restaurants that are satisfied with their Cs? I have never seen a D, and hope that the Health Dept would just shut them down if things got that bad. One C-rated restaurant seemed perfectly content with their status, and incorporated the letter into fan support for UofL: the GO CARDS! message in their windows took advanage of the C they already had. Saved on red ink I guess. I don't know the name of this restaurant, but I will NEVER eat there. Guaranteed.

Photo from www.terrymeiners.com. Notice also that there are people eating directly behind the sign, like they didn't notice!

Dying to dine

I desperately want to go to dinner HERE.  How fun!  I've been meaning to ride a train somewhere, and I'm always looking for food these days, so it's the perfect combo.

If I went for lunch, I would get:

My Old Kentucky Prime Rib Sandwich (Slow-roasted, thinly sliced prime rib of beef, stacked on a hoagie roll, topped with sauteed onions.  Accompanied with au'jus and a baked potato.)

If I went for dinner, I would get:

Roast Loin of Pork (Seasoned Pork Loin roasted to perfection served with a bourbon mango glaze.  White rice and our over roasted vegetables accompany this generous portion of boneless pork loin.)

No dessert in either case.

Note:  These are not my first choices, but are my only choices because every other entree is made with cheese.  In a perfect world (where I could/would eat cheese), I would get the lunch Kentucky Hot Brown or the dinner Parmesan Crusted Tilapia.  And of course dessert would be the Derby Pie.  YUM.

Are you holding out on me?

I'm never sure how many people read my blog.  Laura once told me how to track the number of readers and how they access my blog, but really that is way over my head.  Shelby, of course, is my most dedicated reader, along with the occasional relative will mention the fact that I have a blog every now and then.  Shelby should probably have a blog, as he has many, many stories that keep everyone entertained over Mexican once or twice a week.  However, I know for certain that he doesn't have a blog.

But do you??  As you can see, I have a few blogs posted on this page, ones I like to read regularly.  Approximately half of these blogs are written by people I don't know - weird or not, that's the way it is.  Now I'm looking for other blogs, written by people I know, so that I can follow what's going on with you or whatever you write about.  If you have been reading my blog and you have your own blog that I don't know about, well...  shame on you!  Share it with me already!!  I won't even post it on my Favorite Blogs list unless you want me to.  Pretty please?

It's harder than you think

I started a new Bible study last night: Beth Moore's Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman. I was a week behind, so I spent a lot of time catching up on the homework. The study looks like it will be exciting and interesting. I've been through Esther in at least 2 other Bible studies, but never this in-depth. I hope I can keep up with the at-home portion... If I work on it too late, I fall asleep! This will be the first time I go through Esther with a little girl on the way. I want to teach her about being a woman, and how it might be tough at times. Looking forward to a new perspective on Esther this time around.

Of course I know what a Klingon sword is... don't you?

While wandering around the internet and friends' facebook profiles today, I came across an article about a man in CO who robbed two 7-Elevens with a Klingon sword.  Most people could picture the robbery if it had occurred with a gun.  Fewer people could imagine what really happened, as I doubt everyone knows what a Klingon sword is.

But I do.

Thanks to my dad, I know more than the average woman (and general person, probably) about Klingons and other character species from Star Trek.  I think my uncle (dad's brother) actually taped every single episode of Star Trek EVER (not just the Original Series with Captain Kirk, but also the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager... you get the idea).

I like that I grew up as a Trekkie by association.  I can name at least five different species (Klingon, Ferengi, Romulan, Changeling, Vulcan) that regularly occurred on the show, and identify which character is what species.  I can quote the introduction from the Next Generation in my sleep, backwards and forwards.  I had a crush on Wesley Crusher.  My favorite Star Trek movie is probably the most well-liked among the general population - Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.  But how many regular folks have a favorite Star Trek movie?  I will tell you that the later movies aren't so good.  Nemesis?  Not again, thanks.

I <3 the Library & their cards

I'm now a proud cardholder at the Louisville Free Public Library!  Since my move, this might be the most excited I've been about 1) reading, 2) going downtown, and 3) putting yet another card in my wallet.  In general, I do actually love to read, but I usually don't like to go downtown and my wallet is too full already.  But a library card makes all the difference, putting a new pep in my step and giving me a great joy.  Yes, I said JOY.  I'm really thrilled to have a library card.

I remember my first library card, which I was issued at an early age, before I knew how to write.  The day I learned to sign my name was also the day I signed my library card.  It was my most prized possession, along with my bright red wallet where I kept my library card at all times.  But in an irresponsible act of youth, I lost my bright red wallet, I think on my 14th birthday.  I believe I lost it during my birthday party, in the parking lot of the movie theater where my friends and I had gone to see a movie, but I'll never know for sure.  I had envisioned putting my first drivers license in that wallet, so I was crushed when it was gone the year before I would get behind the wheel.  Along with the wallet, I lost my library card and the image of my first signature.  I replaced the card, but not with the same enthusiasm, as my signature was no longer cute and full of memories, but just my name.  

With my new Louisville library card, I regained some of the energy my first card produced.  My Louisville card is my first card with my NEW name, a signature that means a lot to me as a most happily married woman.  I signed my name last night on the back of my card with confidence and excitement.  I will check out books for our daughter on this card - until she gets her own card, of course.  She can sign it on the day she learns to sign her name.

Movies I Want To See

Mainly, I want to keep track of all the movies out right now that I'd like to see.  I've already seen Bride Wars, so we can leave that one off the list.  

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Last Chance Harvey (might be rentable)
3. Marley & Me
4. New In Town
5. Paul Blart: Mall Cop
6. Revolutionary Road
7. Slumdog Millionaire

I definitely don't want to see:

1. The Unborn (I can't even bring myself to watch the trailer.  Sorry!)
2. Bedtime Stories

I don't really want to see, but will go because I love my husband:

1. Gran Torino
2. Hotel For Dogs (haha, just kidding)

Movies not out yet that I'll want to see:

1. Monsters vs. Aliens
2. He's Just Not That Into You

Sugar and Spice

In all the excitement over the past couple weeks, I didn't post anything on the results of our ultrasound. So I'm happy to announce that we're having a girl!

Last night, she and I did a little shopping together - updating the registry online. Watch out, Dad!