Feathering the Nest...

I have been collecting this vintage embroidered postcards (I think some may be almost 100 years old) from Spain for several years now. Until just recently, they've just been put away because I could not think of an appropriate way to display them. Then, while browsing at Michaels, I found these "specimen boxes" from Martha Stewart that were marked down to just $3 each. I bought 3 at first (one in each color they had: black, brown, and white) thinking that I would do something crafty with them. Then, as I was sitting at home looking at these boxes, it came to me that they would be perfect to use to display these vintage postcards. So, I bought more of the black boxes and pinned in the postcards. Last night I finally got around to putting them up on the wall. I actually have 6 of the cards, but I only bought 5 boxes and only 5 boxes will fit where I put them, so it works out. I chose my least favorite card to leave out. I know they're not evenly spaced, but I used straight pins to hang them and I kept bending them while trying to put them in, what I assumed, were studs in the wall. But at least I finally got them up!

I've put pictures of the individual postcards on my La Dama de Collage Flickr Page if you want to see them a bit better. My favorite is the Murcia one (as I actually served in Murcia). And, yes, as I say "Murcia" in my head, I am pronouncing it "Murthia."

Braxton Hicks, I think...

So, because first two children were early, I never had the pleasure of experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. And now I think I have at least twice. Last Monday, I was having contractions for about an hour and then they just stopped. And then today, I was having contractions for what seemed like almost two hours and then they just stopped. It's so frustrating! I just start to hope that "this is it!" and then it's right back to nothing.

I wanted to take a walk this morning (I was up early anyway), but after putting a load of laundry in the dryer, another load in the washer, and emptying and filling the dishwasher, my back hurt so much I didn't think I could even get out to the stairs that lead to the apartments above us. Maybe tomorrow. And I also need to find a bumpy road and eat some blueberries and pineapple.

Fashion Silhouettes

Take a look at the directions and some closer shots of these pictures at my other blog La Dama de Collage.

So tired...

I've been so tired lately, that I find myself falling asleep when I shouldn't be. A little over a week ago, I was sitting at the front of the classroom reading The Glass Menagerie with my students, and I found myself starting to doze off as they were reading. I've found myself on several occassions recently where I've almost been asleep at my desk. One day I kept nodding off while my students were quietly reading and I was grading papers.

And then there is the silliness that comes with the tiredness. An example was last night. I was lying down on the couch talking to the husband about how ornery Buddy had been earlier. And the next thing I knew, I was talking about having too many ice cream cones and the husband is laughing at me.

And now here I am, trying to write this post, and I'm okay for a few minutes but then I close my eyes. And I'm asleep at the computer.

Still Pregnant

In case you were wondering, I'm still pregnant. :(

Soon, maybe...

So, at the beginning of 3rd period today, I told my class that they needed to be quiet or else I was going to go into labor. Ha, ha, funny joke. A little while later, I had to go to the bathroom, so I snuck out of class while they were watching a movie. And (yes this is gross, you might want to skip it) while in the bathroom, I noticed some pink discharge. I really think that my 3rd period may have made me go into labor! Or at least get a little bit closer.

Stupid District...

So, today I'm mad at the district. I'm tired, I'm sick of being pregnant, I'm sick and tired of needing to go to the bathroom at the same time that I should be teaching. But the district pretty much won't let me leave until I have this baby. Nope, I can't leave even a week before my due date, unless my doctor puts me on bedrest or something. Stupid district.

Anytime now...

Went to my weekly appointment again today, but not much change. I'm 75% effaced and dilated to a 2. I'm measuring 2 cm more this week, but I had also lost some weight. The doctor said it may be that I had a lot of water. I did have to go to the bathroom 4 times at work today, so maybe it was just water weight. Then the doctor "stripped" my "membranes." Okay, that hurt! He told me that usually after having the membranes stripped, most women go into labor in a couple of days. Yahoo! Then, while I was making my appointment for next week, the doctor's MA came out and started faxing my info to the hospital. She told me the doctor had told her that I wouldn't make it to my due date! Happy dance!

And scared dance too. I've started having anxiety attacks about the whole thing. Because I don't like labor. And I do remember what it is like. The most disturbing part for me is when I start shaking and I just can't stop, no matter what. They never show that part on the sitcoms. Or how pushing a child out feels like you're constipated. The only thing sitcoms show are women screaming in pain, and I've never done that. I do get to the point at the end of the pushing where I just don't feel like I can do it anymore. Okay, I'm starting to stress myself out thinking about it.

I felt like was having contractions a while ago, but I haven't felt anymore in a while. As long as I don't go into labor at work tomorrow, all will be good.

Old Camera and New Camera

I just thought I would do my part to stimulate the economy, so I bought a new camera yesterday. This is the old camera (picture taken with the new camera) that is about 5 years old. It's a Sony Cybershot with 3.1 megapixels and 2X optical zoom.

Here's the new camera (picture taken by old camera). It's another Sony Cybershot, but it has 8.1 megapixels and 5X optical zoom. I went to Circuit City yesterday to take a look at the Canon SD1100 Elph that I was seriously considering buying and this Cybershot was right next to it. The Cybershot is slightly bigger, but after comparing the two, I liked the Cybershot better. I liked that the LCD screen was bigger than the Elph's, I liked the picture the Cybershot took better, and there were a couple of other things that I liked about it that I can't remember now. So, I went home and did a little research on the Cybershot and the reviews on it were as positive as the Elph's, if not more so. So, even though I could have got the Elph for about $30 less, I decided to get the Cybershot. I should have gone back to Circuit City, but I didn't want to drive out there, so I went to Evilmart, which is much closer and, actually, I waited less time to get help at Evilmart than I did at Circuit City earlier in the day. They had one of the "red" cameras left (I think it looks more like a dark pink color; another advantage over the pale pink Elph). So, here that's my new camera! I'm super psyched!

My Boys

reading a book
Originally uploaded by Pretty Girl Collage

Seth was reading to the boys the other night and I thought it was a great picture moment.

No Baby Yet

Nope, I haven't had the baby yet. When I went in to see my doctor on Monday, he said I was 70% effaced and between a 1 and a 2. So not much changed last week. Of course, that can also change overnight, so I'm just patiently waiting. Well, not patiently, but I am waiting. It helps that I'm still working. Yep, I'm working right up until this baby is born. Yes, I know, I'm crazy. But I'd be even crazier if I were at home all day in my messy apartment with my psycho children. At least being at school takes my mind off the baby thing for a while. I hope that he doesn't decide to come during the school day. That would be embarrassing!

I'm at school right now doing Attendance School. It's kind of a punishment for students who have too many absences or tardies...and they have to pay for each absence and/or tardy they make up! I get paid my regular hourly wage to do it, so it isn't so bad. I can get work done or I can just surf the net. I've been playing on the computer for a while now, so I probably should get back to grading poorly done student projects. Yipee!

A Couple O' Things

First, the website for the movie Twilight finally has some content on it. Some very nice content! I must say that I am loving the poster for the movie.

Second, I finally reserved my copy of Breaking Dawn yesterday. I called over to Barnes and Noble and reserved two copies (one for my classroom and one that is all for meeee!). When the guy taking my call asked me the title of the book I wanted, and after I told him, he said, "I should have known." I laughed.

Third, (okay, now I'm officially going over the number of "things" that I implied with my post title) I am going to buy The Host today. Maybe I'll read it while I'm in labor.

Fourth, I bought the coolest little kitchen gadget from QVC. It's called the Microgrill. It's a little gadget that you can put in your microwave and, well, grill things. It came Tuesday and since then we've used it to cook the following things: steaks, chicken breasts, hot dogs, salmon burgers, Colossimos Red Wine sausages with green pepper and onions, and (believe it or not!) refrigerator cinnamon rolls. I like it because I can just put it on top of my microwave, so it doesn't take up a lot of space, it's fast, and it is so super easy to clean. I could even put it in the dishwasher if I so desired.

I think it's a great little thing for our family. I don't think it's the best if you're having company over and you're going to grill steaks for everyone, but it is perfect for just a few people.

I don't know if I can wait!

I don't know if I can wait until December! And yes, my baby's middle name is going to be Edward because of Twilight. I can't help it; I'm totally hooked!

A May Baby

So, I went to my doctor today and I'm 60% effaced and dilated to a 1. He told me that I will definately be having a May baby. Personally, I'd like to make it through this week and then I am totally ready to have this baby. I just need to get everything ready at work for me to leave my students for the rest of the year. Yipee!