Post Turkey Day Update

Today's update is that there's no update. Disappointing, I know.  Though I've felt the telltale PMS-like cramping, nothin' is happening down there.  Back when we weren't trying to conceive, this would have been fantastic! Not so much now. So, we'll get started when my body is good and damn ready.

Thanksgiving was a smashing success.  I gotta say, HB and I knocked it outta the park with the vittles. The food didn't really work with my get-healthy regimen, but I said screw it! It's the holidays!! Here's the menu:

Sage and Butter Rubbed Turkey with Cider Gravy

Sourdough Stuffing with Apples and Golden Raisins

Mashed Potatoes with Ranch Dressing (sounds weird but is yummy)

Candied Yams

Kale with Smoked Paprika

Bourbon Creamed Corn

Chipotle Cranberry Sauce

Sweet Potato Pie

I did the pie and the cranberry sauce the night before.  Homemade cranberry sauce is so easy, I don't understand why anyone would want that crap outta the can. Guess some like it in slices? I hadn't made a pie crust in a loooooong time and was determined to do it from scratch this time.  Found a great recipe on Epicurious for the food processor.  Totally easy except I became somewhat of a tard trying to roll it out.  I let HB complete that task and get it into the pie pan, then I made the edges all pretty.  HB actually videotaped me making the pie.  We are doofuses that way.

I prepped like crazy the night before as well. Chopped everything that needed to be chopped. Toasted the bread for the stuffing.  Made everything move much more smoothly the next day. Very important in a tiny ass, one-butt kitchen. The gravy (which HB rocked) required applejack brandy.  HB decided to make other stuff boozy and put it in the turkey brine, the candied yams, the corn (instead of bourbon) and the pie.  De-lish. I busted hump non-stop all day and jumped into the showow just as my mom, brother and sis-in-law arrived.  I was ready, hair combed, make up on and sporting the apron with my name on it (my parents gave the aprons to me and HB for Xmas years ago) in 20 minutes flat.  Impressive, huh?

Sidenote: Maybe I should make this a combo babymaking/food blog.  How does The Infertile Gourmet sound?  This is catchy, no?

Though we had a great Thanksgiving, we were so missing my Dad and Goose (my granny).  Last Thanksgiving we had Goose.  This year, neither. My Dad would've been so proud to see me doing something so grown up like cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  We had candles lit in front of photos of them in their honor.  HB made the incredibly sweet gesture of printing some photos from a previous holiday dinner that had Pop and Goose in them. 

Some days I will laugh my ass off thinking of some nutty thing Pop said or did. Other days are tougher. Last week, I was on Caltrain headed to the city to see friends.  A song came on my iPod that made me think of him and I started crying on the friggin' train. I'll often think of some dirty old lady thing Goose would say and crack a smile.  She was one of the funniest people I've ever known and I truly enjoyed her company.  :::sigh:::: It just doesn't seem to get easier. Btw, I did break out Goose's china for the occasion which was so incredibly special to me.  I will cherish it forever.

I went to acupuncture on Monday and Saturday.  Since Beth was out of town, I saw the gal filling in for her.  Very nice.  She didn't know how to use the credit card machine though and the receptionist was out, so she told me to pay when I came back on Saturday.  On Saturday, she forgot to charge me for Monday's visit. When I mentioned this to her, she seemed confused, so I let it go. I will be sure to call the live receptionist on Monday to take care of this. Besides the threat of bad karma, it just doesn't seem wise to piss off someone that stabs needles in you twice a week.

I went off the deep end and went to yoga 3 days in a row, Friday-Sunday.  Friday's class was, uh, challenging.  There were a few poses that were not happening for me.  One was a handstand against the wall.  This was much easier when I was 7. A couple other poses made me feel like I was auditioning for friggin' Cirque du Soleil!!  The pre/post natal class on Saturday was great at my favorite spot, (www.peacebankyoga.com).  Though I was feeling pretty good at the start, not particularly sore or anything, on my first downward facing dog, I realized my shoulders were tired.  I thought, "Shit, this is going to be a loooooong class".  It went more quickly than I expected, probably because the clock wasn't in view. There were a couple poses where my arms were shaking so much, I almost ended up doing inadvertent head stands. Later, while driving, my arms felt like overcooked spaghetti. I've decided I can't do more than 2 classes back to back.  It appears I momentarily forgot I'm OLD!

The work schedule is tricky this week, so I'll be going to the 5:15 Hatha class on Friday. This is described on the website as a gentler practice.  I'm not sure that's what I'm after.  I like being challenged.  However, the Wednesday class I'm available to attend is called POWER Yoga. Somehow, this does NOT seem like something I'm quite ready for.  I'll be busy Saturday, so I'll miss my pre/post natal class. I'm pretty happy if I get 2 classes in each week. 

So, that's the latest and greatest.  I really don't think AF is going to arrive by the Wednesday deadline and I'm cool with that. It is what it is. I know you guys are TOTALLY excited and ready to move on to the stabbing/shots, weight gain and raging hormones! I sincerely hope to provide you with all those gory details SOON!