Cash

For those of your who aren't familiar with Cash, let me explain.. A couple of months ago Ben and I were looking through the baby books the hospital gave us. The book has week by week pictures of what the fetus/baby looks like and compared the sizes of it to fruits and veggies. I think it was the same week the book said it was about Lima-bean size, Ben decided it looked more like a cashew. (I'll have you know, the book only compared the size to veggies and fruits, not the actual appearance. However that week it did resemble a cashew, but today it does not look like a plum, it's just about the same size.) Cashew stuck and was quickly nick named Cash. Ben now insists on calling our child Cash through out it's life. I asked him one day what would happen if this baby was a girl, Cash isn't a very girl like name. He simply said "looks like she's stuck with a pretty bad nickname."

I had my first real doctors appointment Friday, April 23rd. Ben graduated Raven school early, so he had Friday off and could join me for the appointment. Most of my books had informed me that we would get to hear the heart beat, so having him there for that meant a lot.

The nurse took out the Doppler to find the heartbeat. The Doppler reminded me of a toy I had when I was a kid. It looked like a radio with a toy microphone. Sounded like one too. A lot of scratchiness and high pitched screams. She spent a few minutes trying to find the heartbeat, but wasn't able to. The nurse stayed very calm and confident so being nervous about it never crossed my mind...until telling this story to others and them gasping when I told them she couldn't find the heartbeat at first. We never did get a chance to hear the heartbeat that day, but instead we saw it. The nurse pulled out the ultrasound machine. We figured out why she wasn't able to pick up a heartbeat with the Doppler. The baby wouldn't stop moving. It was moving from one side of the uterus to the other, very fast. In the words of Benjamin "he was dartin' around like a little trout" I love my Mainer!

We even got a picture of the baby. We weren't expecting this for at least another month or so. So it was very exciting. Having Ben by my side was the best. I hope we can continue to do these visits together.

The little white spots are the baby's hands. (Ben says by the size of the hands it's definitely a boy and he's going to be the future MVP for the Red Sox.) To the right of the hands, is baby's head. It's not a very clear pic as it is really soon to have an ultrasound done. The nurse also said that the one done in radiology will be much clearer.


However My Mom and Dad saw past the blur and say it looks like me. Thanks for the laughs Mom and Dad. I wish I could be home to share this all with you. I miss you guys every day.

Raven Rock

This past Sunday, we drove to Lillington for a hike. We packed the dogs in the back of the truck and snacks in a backpack. The Park was called Raven Rock. It was a great hike. On our way home we stopped at a small farm stand, to buy fresh strawberries. We ended up with a little more than strawberries but none of it lasted long enough for a photo shoot. They had fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, something I literally dream about every night. I sliced them up for dinner that night with salt and vinegar. Yum. It brought me to a summer night at home.

The 500. Part 1

I've taken to exploring these days. Without much else to do during my day, I figure why not? Right behind our house are trails. Trails wide enough for trucks! However I've done all my exploring on foot. (I've recently heard walking is supposed to be good for you anyway..) The trails go every which way. The first one Ben and I took led us to our mailbox. Good thing that one is there. In case our driveway is blocked off, we can still get our mail. Phew. The second trail we took was a bit more exciting. Not very far from our house, but still a pretty sweet find. Maybe 7 minutes into our walk we started hearing peepers. Peepers, from what I know, don't venture very far from water. Within a couple of minute of being serenaded by the little toads, we reached a clearing. There was a good sized pond in front of us. It appeared to be man made. There was a large drain on the right side of the pond that water was constantly spilling into. We couldn't figure out how the pond was ever filled or continued to stay full with a drain in it. After talking to my Mother (My Mom is my go to. I swear that woman knows more that most human beings. She always has a logical answer for me.) We figured that when building the pond they must have hit an underground spring. That would explain the jumping fish. JUMPING FISH I say. You all know me.. I take that stuff pretty seriously. I love me some fishing. =) This also explains why Charlie was coming home soaked. I wasn't aware we were surrounded by water, I just assumed he had learned to use the shower, it would have been about time.

Turns Out Fayetteville Has More To Offer Me Than Just A Few Sonic's

I moved South to a town full of unfamiliarity's. Little family and even fewer friends. A place I never thought I would get to enjoy like I do Maine. 4 of us crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment, living out of plastic totes was short lived. After about a month of online searching and phone calls, we visited 736 McCloskey Road..

That was obviously the last home we visited. Not only did this gem have a huge kitchen and the porch of my dreams, it sits on 500 untouched acres. No typo there kids, five hundred is what I intentionally typed. There is not a Sonic on this property any where. I cant even see one from the roof. But, a drive down our long bumpy dirt drive way, a left and right.. brings you into Sonic land..

This home was very easy to settle into. With plenty of space for all the dishes, cups, pots, pans and excessive kitchen utensils that multiplied by two upon moving in with Kim. Also leaving enough space for Benjamin's sanity. Living with 3 women doesn't usually leave a man with much extra room for that. I think he is doing okay though. Hmm. He has been working late a lot and visiting other states since the move. Coincidence? Couldn't be.

We are completely moved in now. We even bought a grill for the porch. Well more for us than the porch, but it looks good on there. Right next to the rocking chairs!

To answer every ones question. Visitors are welcome anytime.

I'm Backkk!

maybe for good this time...

Meet Charlie (Insert British Accent Here)

After a few weeks of considering and a couple more looking, I got a dog.

Yes, the above picture is the dog my new Pup and not a picture of a random horse. He is my 111 pound Labrador.

One Wednesday night Claire and I decided to take the drive to Skowhegan to meet Stryker.

I know, I'm a horrible person, I changed his name. But in the short time I was there visiting I called him Stryper, Skyler, Skyper, Brownie (You may not all get the Brownie reference, My Foolish Father will) and it at least 6 times. The name change had to happen. He is not named after the "neighbor Charlie" as Scout would most likely assume. I'd looked at so many other dogs in the past weeks. One who's was name Charlie. He was a yellow lab and $300. Out of my price range! I said that day, no matter the dog, the name Charlie stuck. You have to admit, he looks like a Charlie. So he's not wearing crocs.. But the bandana, that's something a Charlie would wear.

Jesse promised me, if I came home without the dog that night and slept on the idea of having such a huge responsibility in my life, he would take me back up there. I held him to that. Just two days later, we took the ride back up to Skowvegas. We learned a little more about Skyper Charlie that night. Like, that his favorite food was Chinese, (maybe this is why I own a horse/giant dog.) that he can't jump into vehicles (just imagine lifting a dog at 111 pounds into your truck) and that dogs who eat Chinese and ride in vehicles they cant jump into, don't mix. It was a long, smelly ride home. I haven't ever laughed as much as I did that night. Jesse didn't find as much humor in this as me. Maybe it was because it was his vehicle and not mine or maybe it was because he had just finished a double beef sandwich from Arby's. We were both happy when we finally reached his driveway. Not solely based on the fact that we couldn't wait to breath fresh air, but Charlie became my dog that night.

In just two short weeks Charlie has learned so much. He is learning to eat dog food, much to his dismay. He is learning that he will never ever have Chinese or any human food again. He finally learned how to fetch just last night. I was really concerned that I had the only lab in the world that wasn't neurotic about a game of fetch. He has learned he doesn't need to jump on people who come to say hi to him, he cant just sit still and enjoy it. He has learned how to run and play with other dogs (many other dogs). He was a little socially awkward at first.

I still have so much to teach him. I will eventually try to get him to walk calmly on a leash, he does so well running along side me without one I haven't tried the leash much. Not to mention I'm a little afraid of what a untrained 111 pound dog would do to my hand on a leash.

Charlie has been a great addition to my life. I love the responsibility and I'm outside and being more active than ever. Charlie will not be the only fit one when I'm done with him!

I will update my blog in two months with a picture of him at 75 pounds!

Catching Up.. Sort Of

I cant keep up with this blogging thing. You see, I am not nearly as bad at as my sister, Robin and she has a computer.

A lot has changed for me in the last couple of months, one of the more obvious things being my lack of internet access. As much as I would have loved to keep you all updated in my ever so exciting life, it wasn't really doable.

My garden looks more like a hay field than an actual garden at all. Even though I have completely abandon the poor patch, it still feeds me. I got a great big bowl of potatoes, plenty of cherry tomatoes, beans, squash and peppers on the way! My corn looks as though it was grown by a barbie doll. I could toss the ears back, like UTZ salt and vinegar chips. I'm sure it will make a great fall decor in Skipper's plastic house though. The corn was really small if you didnt gather. The glads are gorgeous, planting 3 rows was probably more than enough. I have given many away as pretty bouquets and also a ton to the farm stand.

The chicks are growing up so fast, they seem to be doing well at DiMauro Farm High. I can still identify each one of them. It takes me a little longer now as they have changed so much. I am very proud to say I raised some great chickens. My second round didn't turn out as well. Not a single one hatched. I'm sure there are a ton of reasons why they didn't make it, one of them being the same neglect I showed the garden.

As for me, I am jussstt swell. Dealing with the many changes in my life fairly well (but it really depends on the day). I have a new roommate, as my last sort of jumped ship. :) Tia, my baby sister, moved in about two months ago now. VERY shortly after Casey left. Casey, freshly 21, realized he hadn't accomplished as much in life as he'd like to before "settling down". No hard feelings Case. This isn't a bash Casey blog. You'll have to come to me in private for that web address. Hehe. Casey, being a such big part of my life was hard to let go of. He was everything to me, my best friend and some one I shared my hopes, dreams and thought my future with. I apologize for the sappiness, I promise I'll finish with a laugh. We also shared bills. Adjusting to just one income has been almost as hard as adjusting to not having him around. This whole thing has completely thrown me off balance. I have no doubts that I'll come back on top, but the recovery process doesn't seem to be going super great. Some one once said, don't cry over a little missing silverware or was it spilled milk? I don't know. There was no spilled beverage in this case.. I do have a assome support system. My Parents, Sisters, friends have all been there for me, put up with my crying and always giving tons great of advice. Thank you, without all of I would truly be a train wreck. Well, more of a train wreck.

So, there it is.. I hope you all understand the reason behind my blog not being top priority, I have been oober busy trying to piece my heart back together. Do you guys all feel bad for me yet? I'll do my best to get you all a picture of my garden before I get Tim Bartlett to come hay it.