We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.

Today was BEAUTIFUL. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better day. I really love Florida. It’s funny to think that there are people who grew up here in Jacksonville that are DYING to get away from it, the way I was with Fairfield. 

It has been a long week. Nothing exciting, really. I thought I was pregnant, but I’m not. If you don’t feel like reading about trying to conceive, don’t read the next paragraph.

I’ve been monitoring my cycle since January, which was when I stopped my birth control. From January until March we decided simply that we weren’t going to prevent a pregnancy. In March I bought some ovulation test strips and that is when we decided that we were trying to get pregnant. I assumed my cycle was 28 days long, because that is the norm. But I eventually discovered that I am more of a 32 cycle day person. The ovulation tests never showed a positive LH surge. (When you ovulate you have a surge of luteinizing hormone) So I wasn’t sure if I just never ovulated or if the tests weren’t accurate. Regardless, we had sex regularly during the time I would most likely be ovulating. (approximately 14 days before I was supposed to start my period) So I was supposed to start LAST Saturday. Between then and yesterday I had taken about 7 pregnancy tests. All of them were negative, of course. But I still hadn’t started so I thought I might be knocked up. By Friday I had decided that if I didn’t start by Monday that I would call my gyno and schedule an appointment. He told me previously that if I missed my period to come in and they would do a test (hopefully blood) and then if it was positive they would refer me to an obstetrician because they don’t have one at the VA clinic. Well of course I woke up Saturday at 8 am with cramps. I hadn’t started so I took another test and of course it was negative and I started my period like 5 minutes later. I was pretty upset at first, and pretty much all of Saturday but I think I’m okay now. Tana asked what we were going to do, if I was going to continue to take the ovulation tests, had I thought about basal body temperature monitoring … and we’ve come to the conclusion that we’re going to focus on relaxing. Stress can really mess with your body, even if you don’t notice it. So we’re going to have sex regularly (Not just when I’m supposed to be ovulating because that can start to feel like a chore.) and just relax. I’ve marked a few dates on my calender. The day I should start my period 28 days from now (average cycle) 32 days from now (my previously regular cycle) and 39 days from now (how long this past cycle was) and then I’ve marked 14 days before those dates for possible ovulation days. Sperm can last for 3-5 days, but an egg has about a 24 hour life span. So I’ve marked the dates to keep track, but other than that it’s just regular nookie and relaxation. Maybe some yoga, too. 

This weekend was very productive. Robby mowed the lawn. I’m going to pull some weeds tomorrow. I started and finished painting the front bathroom. I even decorated it. This was pretty difficult because I wanted to find towels and rugs that matched the paint. I SHOULD have picked out the towels and stuff FIRST and then had the paint matched to that, but what can I say? I’m difficult. Tana is hoping to come visit for a week later in May (hopefully around the time of Olivia’s birthday party!) so I think that really kicked my butt into gear to get the bathroom together. Here are some pictures of the completed bathroom and kitchen. Some before photos, too. 

Bathroom BEFORE:

Kitchen BEFORE:

Kitchen AFTER:

(the cabinets on the right aren’t painted blue, it’s just a shadow)

I do feel the need to address our giant microwave. When we were in Georgia we did the majority of our shopping for home essentials. There was a microwave installed above the stove in our apartment then. When we moved to Florida we didn’t have one. However, Robby’s mom was remodeling her kitchen and offered us hers, but it was the over the range one. These are much larger than your normal countertop microwaves. But seeing as how microwaves are ridiculously expensive (Did you know microwaves are like $60!?) we graciously accepted. I looked into buying a new one when we moved this time, especially since we have less counter space, but I still can’t bring myself to spend the money when we have one that works just fine. Even if it is ridiculously huge. If you notice any great home appliance sales, let me know. Please.

Robby and I got our tax returns this week and I payed off both of my credit cards! The total balance between them was about $800, which isn’t a lot, but I couldn’t seem to pay them off, even though I was doubling up on the payments. I never used them, but the interest rates were kicking my ass. I am so happy to have that debt cleared. We’re building up our savings by having some of my paycheck going into a separate account so we never really miss the money. The only debts we have left are my car (Around $7,000) and Robby’s major credit card (around $4,000) once I get the rest of my bonus we’re going to pay off most of Robby’s card and then we’ll pretty much only have my car to pay off. By March of next year we hope to be completely debt free and to buy a house! 

We decided to use the rest of our returns frivolously. Robby needed some shirts for work and new shoes, I needed (read wanted) new make-up. So I have another make-up rave! Tana has gone on and on about DiorShow mascara and how it makes her eyelashes look amazing. I was in the market for new mascara so I bought some. Or so I thought I did. They had the tester on display with boxes of the mascara on a shelf behind it. I grabbed one and didn’t take a second look. What I actually bought was the DiorShow Iconic mascara. When I got home and opened it I was a little upset because I bought the wrong one, but I used it and it is ah-mazing. Seriously, I’ll post pictures of my eyelashes. The reviews seem high and low, but personally, I have short, light eyelashes that stick straight out. This mascara separated, lengthened and curled my lashes. They looked fake! (In a good way!) I also bought the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo. I was a long time user of the Clinique brow powder, but they stopped making it. I have blonde eyebrows and I look like a freak without filling them it. I used the samples for a long time, so I knew I’d love it, but they ran out and I was forced to buy the brow powder. My favorite part is that they come with two shades, I use the lighter one for everyday use and the darker one if I am going out and want more dramatic eyes.

Ok here are some pictures. Don’t mind my bloodshot eyes, I had just washed my makeup off.

No makeup:

Eyebrows done, one eye with mascara:

(note: I only put mascara on my top lashes)

Both eyes done:

(don’t mind my left eyelashes, they can be a little wonky)

In pictures my eyebrows don’t look that crazy, but in person I swear they are invisible.

Maya is going to schedule her date to be induced on Monday, I think she is going to try for the following Monday, the 27th, so hopefully I can get it off and drive down there on Sunday. I really hope I can make it. I haven’t seen her in a long time, I can’t wait to see how big Hailee and Sadie have gotten!

Okay, it’s late. I think I might have some other things to blog about. Maybe I’ll do it later. I’m contemplating a Twitter account. No Candice, I couldn’t even make it past the user name part! Any ideas?? 

Have laughs:

And postsecret:

I feel that God, religion, faith… whatever you want to call it, is different for everyone. Just because I view God one way, doesn’t make it anymore right or wrong than anyone else’s God. It’s about having someone to trust that everything will be okay, and having someone to thank when everything IS okay.

April 20, 2009. Tags: debt, decorating, Florida, God, Jacksonville, makeup, painting, pregnancy, sephora, taxes. Uncategorized. 9 comments.