You're Fired

Well, I just finished watching my Tivo'ed Apprentice episode from last night, and I could hardly believe it when Donald fired ALL FOUR candidates! Typically the show's "big twists" are pretty predictable, but I didn't see that one coming at all.

Wasn't it amusing to see all four piled into a single cab. Hah!

Fatt?

So, I got on the scale this morning, and it did it's usual run through the numbers thing until this popped up:



I was seriously beginning to worry that maybe I'd gained a little bit too much weight. It took a minute before my pregnant brain realized that the message was an indicator that I needed to change the battery.

10" Inches of New Snow - Bummer

There aren't a whole lot of things about being pregnant that get me down. Sure, I weigh more than I've ever weighed in my lifetime, but it's "acceptable" weight gain. And yes, there's the nausea and uncomfortable kicking, but it all seems worthwhile knowing what's causing it. The news of new snow, however, totally bums me out.

Snowshoe Mountain (my favorite mid-Atlantic ski resort) received 10" of new snow over the last couple of days. Fresh snow so early in the season means it's probably going to be a very good season, and I'm going to miss it.



We've talked about taking an early Spring trip in March, after the baby arrives. If it really is a good ski season, there's a good chance the snow will stick around that long. But, of course, we'll have to see how I feel physically and if Bryan will have the opportunity to take off work.

I guess in the meantime, I'll keep hoping for snowfall in Raleigh, so I can enjoy the powdery stuff on my home turf. Even if it means I won't be making fresh tracks...

Fall, Fair, Fun!

Well, it's Monday again, but I can't complain, 'cause Bryan and I had a fun-filled weekend.

Friday night, we decided to head to the movies and see Domino, the new movie that features Keira Knightley as a model turned bounty hunter. It was definitely interesting, and the cinematography is worthy of a mention, but overall it was kind of a disappointing flick. If given the option, I'd probably wait until it showed up on HBO before I watched it again.

Saturday, we headed to Youngsville and Hillridge Farms for the Fall Harvest and Pumpkin Festival. We had a good time checking out the animals, riding on the hayride and picking out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.

Then it was off to the NC State Fair where we ate, looked at some unnaturally large animals, ate, watched a blacksmith at work, ate, rode the ferris wheel, oh and ate some more.





No fried dough for us, though we did manage to enjoy a Fried Snickers Bar.

My New Bed Buddy

Unless you're pregnant, know someone who's pregnant or been pregnant recently, or maybe an avid watcher of The View, you probably have no idea what a Snoogle is. I am now the proud owner of one.

Basically, a Snoogle is a total body pillow that's supposed to be the answer to every pregnant lady's pre-delivery sleepness nights. I'm not quite big enough to be totally uncomfortable yet, but Bryan wasn't going to let me get to that point. He insisted on buying me a Snoogle yesterday. Only Target didn't have them in stock, and stores like Hecht's and Dillard's apparently wouldn't even think of carrying them.

So, we headed out to BabiesRUs, walked all the way around the store until Bryan finally approached a sale associate and asked, "Hey, do you carry Snoogles?" Ironically enough, there they were, right behind him. The sales associate was polite enough ... as I guess you'd have to be, dealing with absent-minded, near-crazy pregnant ladies day in and day out. Bryan triumphantly grabbed the Snoogle and headed towards the check-out counter.

Last night, I put the Snoogle to the test. All in all, I like it. I think my appreciation for this crazy invention will increase in direct proportion to the increase in the size of my belly. My one complaint, it's HOT. Of course, it probably didn't help that it's been ridiculously cold in our bedroom the last couple of nights, so last night I went to bed in full sweats, complete with a long sleeve sweatshirt (by the way, trying to be sexy went RIGHT out the window pretty much the day I found out I was pregnant!) At any rate, Bryan had decided to close the windows, and I was left suffering with the Snoogle. I think once we work out our little differences, we're going to have a great relationship... me and the Snoogle that is - Bryan and I already have a great relationship!

Film VS Digital

Okay, so I know that digital cameras are "the way of the future". And to be honest, I love mine for snapshots 'cause it's so compact and handy, but I'm really starting to feel like there's a major photographic trade-off when it comes to that sort of convenience.

Case in point, I geared up my 35mm camera for Bryan's dad's wedding. Now, 3 days later, the prints have been developed, and I was so thrilled with the quality of the pictures that came back. I liked several of the pictures I took on my digital camera, but the ones I took with my 35mm just seem to be more artistic.

Now, to be fair, this is not a legitimate scientific evaluation. There are far too many variables at stake here. For one, I only had black and white film for my 35mm, and black and white pictures in and of themselves tend to have a more artistic quality about them. Secondly, it's quite possible that I feel more at liberty to be creative when I'm lugging around this huge camera, lens and flash than I do with my itty-bitty Sony.

At any rate, I wanted to share some of the pictures 'cause I think they're swell ...

Bryan & his sister Amy


Bryan's new stepsisters Mackenzie and Olivia


Bryan reviewing his best man's speech


Menu for the reception FEAST


Jodi & Jerry greeting guests

Diamonds are Forever

So, I realized that after all the excitement from (now) 2 weeks ago - I never did mention how fabulous our rings are...

Bryan came home that Friday after our visit from the FedEx man with a dozen roses. He lolly-gagged around with the other mail and miscellaneous things before getting to my rings! Finally he opened up the package and let me see. The set is stunning. Even more beautiful than I imagined it would be.



We had our "engagement" dinner that night at Simpson's Restaurant. The place may not look like much considering it's situated in a strip mall right next to some trendy Tex-Mex place, but it was an awesome recommendation. Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in the area. The steak was to die for. And the restaurant's manager comes around and offers a single rose to all the ladies. How romantic!

Bryan's ring came on the following Tuesday. I don't have an actual picture of it to post 'cause he insists on wearing it (on his right hand). I guess that means he likes it. Since we'd purchased the rings from a dealer in CA pretty much sight unseen (gotta love the Internet) I took the rings that week to have them appraised by a local jeweler. Wouldn't you know it, the solitaire in my ring is actually BETTER quality than was advertised, and Bryan's ring has a greater total carat weight than expected. Needless to say, we're very pleased about how well everything worked out.

Signs of Fall

Just a couple of quick pictures I snapped of the changing leaves in front of our house.

What A Week

Okay, so I won't be winning any awards for my blog any time soon. I definitely have quite a bit of updating to do!

Last weekend, Bryan and I headed out to Zebulon for the Five County RibFest.

Not much can make for a complete Saturday the way a bunch of ribs, an ear of corn literally soaked in a vat of butter and some fudge can.

This weekend, we celebrated with Bryan's dad as he married Ms. Jodi Jackson.

The wedding party: Bryan Tucker, Olivia Jackson, Jodi Jackson Tucker, Jerry Tucker, Mackenzie Jackson, Amy Tucker

Amy's boyfriend Mark, Bryan's sister Amy, Bryan and me

Bryan - Isn't he handsome?

Bryan was best man, which meant he had to deliver a toast at the reception. Unfortunately, the pastor took many of his sentiments and used them in his sermon. Then several family members offered up spur-of-the-moment toasts at the reception taking away pretty much the remainder of Bryan's speech. Regardless, poor Bryan delivered a well-thought and poised speech.