Double bubble, boil n no trouble; Pumpkin Soup

So not to waste the contents of the carved pumpkin I decided to make soup.

I didn't have the ingredients for recipes I found online so decided to use what I had.

So what did I have?

You guessed it

The flesh from inside a medium to small sizes pumpkin which I scooped out with a spoon.

A large red onion

Clove of garlic

A carrot

A small handful of split green lentils and cannelloni beans, about a dessert spoonful. You could also use other pulses, oat barley etc or soup mix

One stalk of celery

Sea salt (pinch)

Ground rainbow pepper (pinch)

Turmeric (yes you guessed it a pinch)

Mild curry powder (pinch)

Butter (a small knob)

How did I go about it?

Roughly chopped the red onion and put it in the pot with the butter, while this is lightly frying in the pot I chopped the garlic and added it, along with the salt and pepper.

I add the shredded pumpkin (it's fibrous so when I was scooping it out it naturally shredded) and covered in water.

I chopped the carrot and celery and threw in as it boiled along with the lentils and beans.

I let this boil for 15 minutes with the lid on then turned down to simmer for about an hour until the lentils and beans were soft. 

I then added the turmeric and curry powder, stirred and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to infuse before taking it off the heat to blitz with a hand blender.

And there it is boiling and bubbling back on the cooling hob to let it cool down naturally.

Enjoy.....

So here was the result of so many years of trying

A bouncing baby boy

10 fingers 10 toes etc

Now over a year after his birth he is walking/running, chatting away and loves to dance.

Best gift I could ever get! So blessed to have gotten through all those years of depression of thinking this would never happen.

24 Weeks already!

I cannot believe how time is flying along with our little miracle.

6 months in!

Our lil man is bustling around inside me keeping himself busy and playing away.

Next appointment is 3 days after Christmas for the dreaded Glucose Tolerance Test but there will be a scan in the middle of it so we are looking forward to seeing him again! Yay!

Well its time to change the tune.. Good News (for a change)

Well it has been one tough secret to keep and perhaps I didn't keep it as close as I should have but the excitement was too much.

On Friday the 13th of July we got our first ever BFP!

We had an early scan at 7 weeks as our nerves (well my nerves) were driving me crazy as this has never happened before after eight years of trying.

Baby was perfect size for 7 weeks and we could see the heart beat, it was such a relief!

 

Then the sickness started. Straight after this scan. Typical!

 

Last Friday we had our first maternity meeting and had bloods taken etc... and our second scan, a day short of 11 weeks.

Baby was lying down just waving at us and again we saw a heartbeat.



Knowing when to get over yourself

So last week was a horrible week for me, a complete low filled with self pity and crying sessions I have got up out of my wallowing misery and dusted myself off.
There are only 5 days left for this cycle (if not less going by the way my body is feeling today), I have to keep aiming for the positive sides of trying to conceive a baby and keep saying:
"Onwards and Upwards baby"

Not only am I trying to conceive at the moment but I am trying to stop Molly from conceiving, she has gone into her second heat just as we were about to get her neutered... AGAIN!

I have started hiding status updates that all about kids etc... cut out the things that influence my negativity.
I need to concentrate on other things, get on with my life, my mam is really down at the moment, I think it is only now that its hitting her that her sister is gone, I am hoping to get home soon to spend some time with her.
I need to get focused for the new semester of college in September.

ONWARDS & UPWARDS!

Inside I am breaking decibel levels..

that even a dog could not tolerate.
I just want to scream but I have to hold my composure.

Looks like our treatment if it goes ahead at all will be delayed again by another few months.

So waiting now to find out if funding is there or not.

I hate my life right now

Social Media "share" status' and pics are getting to me

You know the ones, share if you are a Mom etc...
Here's an example

or

Well my facebook homepage is constantly showing me these pictures, sayings etc...  constantly reminding me of how I am failing in achieving a status of motherhood.

"My children are the reason I wake up each morning, The Reason I Want To Breath ... And The Reason My hair is falling out, My house is a mess & I'm Crazy!" (Anon, 2012).
Today I am seriously not able for these status', and of course I know if we do ever get this elusive pregnancy with hopefully a baby at the end I will be just as bad but for now... for now I cant take it.

I would love to start posting pics of how hard it is to try and conceive with everyone shoving their pregnancies or babies in my face on there everyday but I dunno how my husband would feel about it, how I may segregate myself from family and friends.

Lets see over the next few days if I can muster the courage to even post the picture from yesterday's blog, that might be a start?

Wish I had the BALLS to wear this...

It would stop those questions I get regularly;
"So do you have kids yourself?"

I don't think I would though cause I guess I am a whimp that way LOL

picture courtesy of:
http://www.cafepress.co.uk/mf/29224865/no-kids-yet-ttc_tshirt

I thought this one was funny too but I dont think my husband would appreciate it, its a lot of pressure having it said out like that lol...

A Year today we lost our beloved Becky

She was the Best dog ever.
She had such a character, so loving, so gentle with children just an all round great dog.

She passed from a quick agressive leukemia.
I am so glad I got some last shots of her that morning before she left us.
Hard to believe from the pictures she was only 9

She lost so much weight so fast.
Sleep tight my sweet angel.

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth
It is called Rainbow Bridge because of its colors
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of
meadows , hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes... to this place
There is always food and water and warm spring weather
The old and frail animals are young again. Those who
Are maimed are made whole. They play together all day.
There is only one thing missing, they are not with
their special person who loved them on earth.
Each day they run and play until the day comes
When one suddenly stops playing and looks up !
The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring!
And this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet
You take him or her in your arms and embrace
Your face is kissed again and again and you look once
more into the eyes of your trusting friend.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together,
Never again to be separated.

So its summer (pfffts to oneself) so time is going fast

So I need to focus more on getting ready for fertility treatment later in the year (if all goes well).

I have been told on my last 21 day blood that my progesterone levels were a little low, not enough to be worried about that it can be managed.
Now too much information perhaps but: my cycles have been all over the place since I was told this where I could have a very short cycle or a bit longer than what had been the norm.
Someone suggested that they have been shorter because of this low progesterone level.
I have managed to bag myself 3 gel packs from someone giving them away on a forum that I am considering using in the next 3 cycles of the summer.

What I might do then is ask my local gp to do the 21 day bloods again when I use them to see if they actually help the levels. That way I will know when the treatment comes round that the gels will be enough or if I will need the injections.

I am now trawling sites for the cheapest ovulation testing strips/tests and a new digital basal thermometer.

Wish me luck!

The Summer Break so Far...

Well the dogs have been on great walks, Molly has taken a figari to the halti but cant see why, she is just so stubborn, need to change up the walking regime.
Once I turn a certain direction in our estate and they know we are heading towards the river... The pulling and high pitched They sound like little dogs yapping, if you know what I mean. Not insulting the smallies.
Molly has made friends now with 3 more dogs, which I am delighted for because because of no fault of her own or my own she has spent much of her first year of life in Quarantine due to the parvo and going into heat a bit early.
I have been doing my best to get out  but have had a great few days of feeling sorry for myself and throwing myself onto the couch or staying up late and staying in bed late in the mornings. This needs to change.
I am down to 200lbs now for which I am delighted. The stop smoking campaign is up and down but in the right direction. The nicotine gum's are not really suiting me but I will keep plugging away.
Loads more to do before the end of the summer.

So the exams are over and changes I am investing in

Today I went to the doctor and told him I am still smoking and being honest was back up to nearly 20 a day during my study period and during my exams.
So I asked about tablets that I have heard about that put you off smoking.
He advised not to go down this road because they are in effect anti-depressants and would not really recommend them.
So we agreed on a particular branded nicotine replacement chewing gum.
So today I have had 6 smokes and 3 gum's.

If you read this please send positive vibes that the urge for smoking decreases because having tried cold turkey before it just does not work for me, I eat all around me, turn into a lightning bitch and get really figity.

So tomorrow's plan is to clean out the fridge and the hot press.

It's that time again

First exam of Semester 4 starts tomorrow,
Business Maths and Stats...
Oh Boy my 2 worst subjects are Thursday and Saturday.

I have 2 saturday exams. Disaster.

Wish me luck!

Oh and here are some pics of the girls to keep you going...

Kerri chowing down on some cool watermelon on a warm day

Molly doing what she does... misbehaving

Technically "It's not my fault"

So after my husband went up to bed tonight, I ran upstairs to get something and left the two dogs downstairs with the sitting room door closed so Molly moonshine couldnt steal anything from in there.
I came down and put them out to bed because it was late.
On my way back into the house I saw my husbands expensive running shoes inside the back door.
My heart sank.

Yes true to form Molly had gotten her paws (jaws really) onto them and took them out to her guilty spot where she chews things and chewed the tops off of the heels.
This is NOT the first time she has done this and we have had arguments over who was at fault, the dog, me for "not training her properly" or my husband for leaving them somewhere she could get them.
When I go upstairs she normally waits on the stairs for me. Obviously the shoes were too tempting.
Now my husband is in bed, blissfully unaware that his new running shoes are in bits down here and he has a marathon in 2 weeks time!
I dont have the money to buy him new ones, as stated above they are expensive.
How am I going to get myself and Molly out of this one?
If I never post again its because I have been killed (I joke of course but I know the storm will brew fairly fast in the morning)
My husband gets up at 6am to go running before his swim...
I am so Dead!
Wish me luck!

My only defence is he normally leaves them in the sitting room so she doesnt get them as she has done this before... his defence will be he should be able to leave them anywhere without the dog wrecking them...

Tiredies

What a long weekend.

My aunt passed away on Wednesday night, she had been ill for a long time and had so many close calls but always pulled through.

I think her immediate family, my mam included thought this might be the case again. Thanks to diligent children my mam and her female siblings made it to her home while the EMT's were still working on her to be there with her as she passed.

I could not get over the amount of people who attended either part of the funeral, people I have not seen since I was a child, neighbours from our own road and village came to pay their respects and to pass on their condolences to my mother even though they had never met my aunt, out of respect for my mother.

I was humbled by this.

Her funeral was sad and joyful at the same time, it is hard to explain. Her priest lived next door to her for the last twelve years and knew her and her character very well. He knew she was the joker, the woman who may have had nothing but gave all she could in time and knew when to tell a good or dirty joke, the latter usually getting the best reaction without causing any upset.

She loved hearing new jokes also.

Telling these jokes or stories, she would get so caught up in what the punch line was that she would burst into laughter before even getting to it. Crossing her legs at the knee's and bending over a bit, like the laughter was taking control over her body.

Whenever I think of the internet abbreviation PMSL I always think of her.

Because either she would be PHerSelfLaughing or I would be the one PMSL at the joke.

She was one in a million and will be greatly missed by her husband, sons, daughters in law, grandchildren, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews greatly and missed as part of the local community of her town, her home village, nurses and doctors who treated her and anyone who met her in her lifetime.

My heart breaks for my mother, this is the first adult sibling to be lost in her family and she was the youngest sister at the age of 55. I felt bad leaving my mother to come home today as did my sister who had a flying visit for the service on Saturday. However with technology being as great as it is, like being able to blog my experiences, I keep in touch with family through facebook and twitter, it shortens the distance and the lenght of time between visits to family.

Breeda you were a fantastic, charasmatic, loving lady.

Your hugs were as warm and as welcome as Granny's. You are with Granny and Grandad now and your baby sister Peggy lost at the age of 2 to heart problems. Peggy was with you and around you for the last few months in your months of blindness which I hope elayed those fears of being alone and in the dark.

Sleep tight sweet Breeda until we all meet again.

Love You.

XXX

Oh Good God, Birthday's

So I turn 35 today.
No kids, grey, fat, wrinkly and not great looking to boot.
Wow this is going to be one great birthday.

Thankfully I have a husband who loves me for which I am so grateful for.

I guess I had better give myself that preverbial kick in the butt I have been threatening myself with...
I have the whole week off college for Easter break and have only done one hour's study this week. With exams 4 weeks away I really need to get a riggle on with catching up with everyone.

So so proud of my husband, he ran his first 5k race yesterday, it took him 46 minutes but he didnt stop for a break, his running companion complimented him on the fact he kept the same pace the whole way through. So happy for him, to think this time last year it took him nearly 2 hours to walk 5k and ended up with feet covered in blisters. I can't keep up with him for a short run!
Love him so much!

As promised, pics from today

A Sunny Day in Ireland in March no less!

Walking the Doggies

Ok so now I reckon all my restrictions for walking Molly are over, the parvo, her heat.
It was a fabulous day the other day so I cut the grass, the following day I played with the dogs outside in the garden for a littl while, then decided right its time to go out for a walk before it gets dark.
So I suited n booted the girls up with their halti's and leads, put doggy poop bags in my pocket and a tennis ball.
Off we trotted down to the river, the girls may as well have not had the halti's on, they knew they were going to the river and were pulling like mad.
There was one other person in the field when we got there with their dog. She went off to the other side of the field so I let the girls off loose and started throwing the ball in the river, of course Kerri was straight into the water after the ball, Molly of course was hesitant but enjoyed running around the mucky bank. Dashing in and out of the water.
Once I saw the field was empty I took them away from the river to retrieve on dry land.
The reason I guess is because if you have 2 dogs who have not been out for a while, one of which is still not totally used to meeting other dogs after being in quarantine for both above mentioned reasons, it is hard to control.
However, we came on leaps and bounds with recall and retrieval with Molly, making a huge fuss of her when she returned with the tennis ball.
We were out for about an hour and a half.
Today we didnt get out of the house/garden.
The plan is while my husband is gone out training in the morning that I will take the girls out again, hopefully it will go without issue so that I might bring my camera and get a few shots of them playing!

Tattoo's and Tattoo Design

So my sister turns 40 this year and she asked me to design a tattoo for her foot.
She like me is a tattoo virgin.
I am a severe needlephobe so I dont think I will ever build the courage to get one but who knows you can never say never right?

Her Requirements:
An Oriental Flower
3 Butterflies to represent each of her chidren.

I am not a big fan of the most common oriental flower for tattoo's; The Lotus Flower.

So I started to think about it and recalled an association with the Month of May (Her birth month) of when we were chidren. Our grandmother had a Cherry Blossom Tree and I only ever recalled it flowering a few times and it was always around her birthday (my sisters).
I thought that has to be it.
So I started there, my own Cherry Blossom has already started to bloom so I worked from that.

I then decided all three of her children are very different to eachother in personality so I needed three different styles of butterfly. So I got sketching.
This is what I came up with...

and the painted version

Ever tried SlideRocket.com ?

sliderocket.com