He WALKED! (and other important thoughts)

I am pleased to say that Stephen walked yesterday in his college commencement ceremony. He will not have his final grades for a few more weeks. However, he had a good grade going into the final and the last project. Therefore, I am optimistic about this being final! I am so proud of him. He really has hung in there despite the negatives of being in college for so long. I welcome him to the "real" world and wish him best of luck on his new world of knowing how to properly select wines and how to purchase life insurance.

On Wednesday, the embryo selection was made and the two healthy ones will be put back on what looks to be Sunday afternoon or late morning. I am a little scared, but I know that if it is meant to be this time... it will be.

Can I admit how sore the egg removal has made me. OUCH!

More later.

Dreams... What Do They Really Mean?

A couple of nights ago, I had a really odd dream. I've already apologized to all those in my dream, so I don't want any of you to think I really want to hurt anyone. I'm just very confused by the dream itself...
--Dream--
I was at a kitchen that was not a kitchen I think I've ever been in. But it felt familiar. Seated around the table were my mom, my husband, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and myself. I had been looking up the hours for the local animal hospital. But, I couldn't find it in the phone book. When I closed the book, I was feeling frustrated and stated I couldn't find it. When I said that, my father-in-law stated, "Why don't you try the phone book?" In the dream, I totally lost it and threw the phone book at my father-in-law (I didn't hit him with it... I hope that counts for something) and yelled, "What do you think I've been looking in for the past 10 minutes. You think it is there? YOU FIND IT!"

My mother-in-law, who was calmly sitting there, stands up and grasps my arm. She pulls me off to the side (I remember in the dream, she was really strong... although I doubt I put up any resistance) and says, "It is not acceptable to me that you act like a five year old. Therefore, if you act like a five year old, I will have to treat you like a five year old." She then sent me into the living room and told me I couldn't move until I apologized to my father-in-law. Then, in the background of MY DREAM, I heard an announcer. "Does this situation seem familiar to you? Does this seem to happen to you a lot? Don't be like Kristin! Think before you open your mouth! This has been a public service announcement."

--END OF DREAM---

So, what does this dream mean? I know I have been out of sorts and kinda grouchy lately. But I would not throw anything at someone like that. AND, A public service announcement??? In my own mind, am I saying that I'm acting like a five year old? Is that what I am trying to say? Or was it something else???

What does the dream guide say:

Kitchen: To see a kitchen in your dream, signifies your need for warmth and spiritual nourishment. It may also be symbolic of the nurturing mother. Alternatively the kitchen, represents a transformation.

Family: To see your own family in your dream, represents security, warmth and love. Alternatively, it could mean that you are becoming overly dependent on them, especially if the family members are in your recurring dreams .Consider also the significance of a particular family member or the relationship you have with them.


Anger:

To dream that you are holding or expressing anger, symbolizes frustrations and disappointments in your Self. You tend to repress your negative emotions or project your anger onto others. You need to look within yourself.

Being angry in your dream may have been carried over from your waking life. Dreams can function as a safe outlet where you can express your strong and/or negative emotions. You have some suppressed anger and aggression that you have not consciously acknowledged.


Can you add to this????? I'm lost?

I Feel So....

I wish I knew how to finish the sentence in the topic. I don't exactly know how I feel right now. I know I'm cold. But, I'm often cold. J says I don't dress warmly enough. But, I'm wearing a hooded sweatshirt, wool socks, long pants, and pj bottoms. How much more warmly do I need to get? But, I don't think the sentence finishes with the word "cold".

I also don't think the answer is "sore". We put the first coat of woodwork paint on the FIL's room today. The floor looks beautiful. But, three hours of painting was maybe a little much for me with the shoulder pain and muscle pain I've had. Even saying that, I don't think the sentence ends with "sore", either.

I know I'm also highly frustrated. That might be the right word. I also feel very angry... but I cannot put my finger on the what is making me feel this way.

All I want to do for the rest of my day is sit down here and wish today to be over already!

How sad is that? VERY! I cannot be like everyone else and actually enjoy time to myself... WHY!!!!!!???????!!!!!!! I need to be doing something. But, cannot think of anything I want to do. Ahhhh... now I know!

I FEEL SOOO BORED! :)

Book Fair?

Today was the beginning of the MacArthur Book Fair at MacArthur Middle. J and I have agreed to help the librarian, as she needs some volunteers (and we have no life). Let me just tell you about some insight I gained today....

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY (In no particular order):

1. Kids cannot find the prices on books: No matter how plainly printed on the label, a student will be unable to locate the price. Is it because they cannot believe what they see or is it that they are hoping for a discount? I figure it is like the "Dictionary Game" teachers can play. "Ms. Wenzel... the word isn't in the dictionary!!!" "Well, John... I'll bet you a Twinkie at lunch I can find it in 30 seconds or less!" I always win that game! Just as it takes me only mere seconds to find the price of a book. Is this a lost art?

2. Parents should have to come pay for their children's books. Why, you may ask? I saw at least 3 kids today use all their lunch money... on pencils. Teenagers are no more responsible than a kindergartener when it comes to the concept of no book fair items or lunch. DUH!!!

3. Handing your child $25/$50 to buy books is not a substitute for love. I quote, "My mom was soooo busy this weekend. I tried to talk with her about the book fair and she just shoved $50 at me. I'm gonna use some of it here (at the book fair) and treat you to pizza at lunch." I assure you, Mom and Dad, the kid did not buy anything worthy of your money. She bought a crudload of pencils, a poster, a couple of iffy books and treated 5 of her closest friends to lunch.

4. When did parents get so dumb??? More than one child had their parent's credit cards and a note stating they could use it to buy books. I think I need to say nothing more in regards to that one.

5. If you let a kid wear a jacket... shoplifting will occur. Once again... nothing more needs to be said.

6. Your pants can double as a shopping cart: I knew my pants were big and all. But, I never realized the hidden potential in shoving Scholastic books down my pants. I could have had the world's largest supply of overpriced kids books!

7. No matter how many times kids count their money, they rarely can tell you how much money they are going to need at checkout. Nuff said!

8. No matter how many times a person counts money... interest does not occur during that time. No matter the wish... the money does not multiply, gain interest, or appear by chance. It seems that many middle schoolers still believe this to be a sound practice... no matter how many times this does not happen to them.

9. Being short on money... it used to be something you could be ashamed of! No biggy! Just look confused... everything works out in the end.

10. When in doubt, rip off the tag!!! No one will ever notice! NOT!!!!!

Hope you learned from my experience. Can't wait for day two!!!

Thanksgiving... A Day Where Nothing Has Calories?

You know that you are very serious about dieting and losing weight when the first thing you do Thanksgiving morning is sit down and plot what you can and cannot eat today and how much exercise you will need to burn off what you shouldn't eat today. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays NOT because of the wonderful food... but because of the family. We are spending the day with KT and Rob, my Sister & Brother In Law, Jane and Bill, and Stephen's grandmother Betty Jane and Stephen's second cousin Bruce. They are all coming here! Most of the food was premade yesterday... so in that regard, we are almost ready to go. But, the food is still on my mind. The Good Morning America guest this morning stated that Thanksgiving is the one day where nothing has calories. Oh, yeah??? Well, yesterday, my mashed potatoes had 230 calories for a 2/3 cup, 6 oz. of turkey ham was 218 calories, 6 oz. of Turkey was 280 calories, Pumpkin Cheesecake was 168 calories for an 1/8 of the pie, Pumpkin Pie was also 168. Peanut Butter Pie was a huge 250 for an 1/8th of the pie. This means, if I eat two servings of potatoes (which I am want to do), a serving of turkey ham, a serving and a half of turkey, and a half slice of both the pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin pie, I might be able to eat something again tomorrow for dinner! No... just kidding. With the hour of Wii Fit I did this morning, and the fact I lowered my goal for the week to losing just one pound, with some balance, I can eat again tomorrow! I just need to avoid the pre-dinner munchie items - like chips and dip - and any soda other than Coke Zero. Change that. Just stick to water today. Sigh! What a joyous Thanksgiving this is... just me and my food scale!

Tomorrow has me completing two independent contracting jobs. One of them is in Wheaton, MD and the other is here in Laurel. Hopefully, after my doctor's appointment tomorrow, we can just get both of these jobs out of the way and I can spend my day away from the mobs of people attempting to shop their brains out.

Let me see... 460 calories for potatoes. 560 for Turkey. 218 for the Turkey Ham. Maybe I can afford the whole slice of pie at 168? Throw in 8 cheese cubes at 130 calories. 1536 calories. Maybe I should try again... Prestuffed blogger out!

And... You Say That WHY?

You know... sometimes I just really hate being a student again. I mean, it isn't like I am an undergrad again with the bonds of friendship you make during that time and the stupidity you can get away with in the name of being young and naive. And, this experience isn't like my Masters degree, either. With my Masters, I felt like I was accomplishing something and learning something new every single lesson. I was able to apply what I was learning to the whole world and it just "MADE sense"! I will admit I have gone back and read that epic that was my Masters Thesis and laugh out loud at the stupidity of all 750 pages. But, dang... I was learning something.

Law School, however, is very different. I feel like an alien on an alien planet. I can't seem to get the hang of the Legal Essay writing. And, that really is something. For the last twenty some years, I have heard "write in complete sentences!" and "Don't write in run-on sentences and sentence fragments." Every rule of grammar was examined and a rationale was found in my mind for each that I could share with my students. I might as well forget ever learning it because Legal Essay writing has NOTHING to do with writing skills. It is your ability to write a formatted essay with almost total disregard for the English language and rules of speaking and grammar. No matter how much I try, I end up being verbose. This should surprise no one since my writing in real life tends to boarder on the verbose, too. But, I hate formulaic writing. It is a format in which no one wins and everyone loses.

J., Ten, and I went to Panera this morning for breakfast. It was great to see Ten and spend time with her. Hopefully I will see her again tomorrow! My Thursday just isn't complete without seeing Ten!!!!!

Well... time for lunch. J. is off to the Big Mac to work with the Eagle's Nest Crew. Sometimes I wish she wouldn't leave me alone here. But, independence starts somewhere... right?????

Lonely blogger out!!

11/16: What's Up and Happy Anv. Three Wise Guys!

First, I want to give a shout out to the Three Wise Guys from the Washington Post. They bring happiness to my husband's Sunday mornings by answering Washington readers questions. It is their anniversary this week and they had a really funny, multi-paged article this week. Stephen's joy is barely containable as he reads allowed to J. and I. Our Sunday mornings are always brightened by our three men of wit! Happy Anniversary, Three Wise Guys! Many more to come, I hope!!!!

I know it has been awhile since I posted. It has been a really non-eventful time around here running around trying to get the every day stuff complete. I have a "new" job... but it is one of those things I'm not allowed to say much about at this point. Hopefully it will make it possible for me to pay credit card payments (not that I wasn't before!). I just want the balance to go down... not up! Health insurance has also been the "object" of all my immediate attention. My Aetna policy is ending at the end of December. There had been a promise of a conversion plan from the Self-Funding people I send money to. Aetna claims there isn't. So, have been scrambling to find new insurance QUICKLY. They (being Aetna) have turned me down for a new policy because of migraines, allergies, and bilateral hearing loss. Not to mention I am still 10 pounds outside their weight limit. Hey... I'm losing weight quickly... give me until February and I'd be there!!! Sigh!!!

Well... I have very little else to share. We are going to my SIL home today for a somber event (Duncan, the family paraket's, funeral). Duncan was a beloved bird whom we all adored. His loss was taken hard by all Wenzels and we are just hoping that we can remember the good times with Duncan and not focus on the "Ill Duncan" that he was towards the end. I feel, and Stephen agrees, we need to make sure we have cheese at this celebration of Duncan. He, being Duncan, was a cheese fiend! Duncan could be looking like the most miserable bird in the world and you give cheese..... INSTANT ACTIVE bird!!! I hope, if there is a parakeet final resting location, Duncan can have all the cheese a bird could ever want. Without all the mess of an all cheese diet, too!!!

Blogger out!!!