Winter Essentials

Being a northerner in the world of blogging I find to be somewhat unique.  The majority of my fellow bloggers are actually southerners, many of which I see are still enjoying temps in the 80’s and still wearing shorts and tanks.  Unfortunately, here in Illinois that is not the case.  We had our first frost this past weekend and sweater weather is undoubtedly here to stay.  If you’re not aware, last winter we had record-breaking snow fall and temps.  According to NOAA, 2013-2014 winter was among the coldest on record in the Midwest.  Rockford Illinois (about 60 miles north of where I live) was the 3^rd coldest city on record last winter!  Chicago had its 3^rd snowiest winter ever recorded with over 80 inches of snow last year, their snowiest was 89 inches in the winter of ’78-’79, and the heaviest snowstorm of last winter was 11.7 inches of recorded snowfall on Jan 4-5^th.  Do you see where I’m going with this?  What it boils down to is that it’s cold and snowy here and it sucks!

I thought I’d compile a list of the essentials that every northerner should have to survive these brutal winters, this winter is predicted to be worse than last!

Good winter boots

I’m in the market for a new pair and I’m loving these.

Cabin Socks

I found these at Dick’s a few years ago, you’ve gotta keep your toes warm when its below 0 out!

Globs of lotions and lip balm

 

Winter=dry.  Your lips will be chapped, your face will be wind/cold burnt, and your skin will be scaly!  These are my tried and true favorites!

Moisturizing Shampoo/Conditioner

Your hair will be full of static every single day.  Using moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will have combat that.  Adding hairspray which is full of alcohol that makes hair even drier, is not the answer, moisture is.

Humidifier

 Can’t stress MOISTURE enough.  This will help with your skin too!  This Crane humidifier is a little pricier, but it works so good, well worth the money.

  

Hats, Gloves, & Scarves

  All necessities.  I always try to buy texting gloves because once winter hit’s you almost never go without your gloves on.  Scarves are a must as are hats and hoods to keep in the heat!  I'm loving all 3 of these perfect winter accessories from Target!

Fabulous & Warm Coats

I 100% believe that coats should cover your ass.  When it's cold, and it gets COLD, I want as much coverage as possible.  I think a classic wool/wool blend coat and a puffer are both necessities! And a hood is a must!  I recently purchased the coat on the left & I'm loving it!

If you live in the South or somewhere warm where it doesn't snow, can I come to visit?  

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Blogland!  Linking up with Amanda this week!  I am sooo happy this week is over.   I was ready for it to be over as soon as it started since we kicked off Monday with a funeral, what a way to start a week.  I am still completely heartbroken by the loss of my co-worker, I just can't get him out of my head.  He was one of my favorites and I will really miss him!  I am ready for this weekend! We have a wedding for some good friends of ours and we are ready let loose and celebrate!

On a more positive note, as the week progressed, things got better.  You might've seen Monday's post, where I was feeling pretty down, but by Tuesday after a doctor's appointment, I started feeling better.  Things are moving quickly this cycle, my transfer is only 18 days away!  I continue with Lupron, start Vivelle (estrogen) patches on Friday along with Doxycycline and pre-natal which I've been taking.  My next ultrasound is the 3rd with transfer set for the 11th.  They also did blood work to check my thyroid and all checks out normal for that!

And I can't believe how close we are to the holidays!  I ordered a Christmas wreath from a co-worker this week that I'm planning to hang on m door at the new house even though we won't be living there!

Favorite Pin:

Favorite Recipe:

I made this super easy beef broccoli & it went over well.  I omitted the sauce because I don't know what "oyster sauce" is but I hate the sound of it so I bought an Asian spice blend at the grocery store and made my own.  

House Update:

Joe has been busting his ass to get the siding on going out there each and every night after work and working until it gets dark which doesn't give him much time these days as winter is approaching fast.  I got the propane all lined up to be trenched & installed (exciting, I know!) in the next couple of weeks so as soon as that is done we will have heat!  Hooray!  I'm hoping for electricity by the end of the month as well!

One full side completely done! Lots more to go!

Love how these bump outs are looking!

 Favorite Funnies:

Struggling with Uncertainty

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I'm not sure what it is about this cycle, but I still just can't get myself into the mindset that I want to be in.  Did I make the right decision to try again so quickly?  I'm not sure.  I have always really hated uncertainty.  I hate not knowing, hell, I hate surprises, so this is tough for me.  Infertility is filled with uncertainty, and I think I've gotten better about accepting that, but not fully. 

When I got home Saturday night I opened up a drawer in the bathroom and saw that I had a pregnancy test still in the box.  It was the second one from a package of two and unfortunately, last cycle, I only needed to use one to tell me that it was negative.  I found myself feeling nervous and really uneasy thinking about that unused test.  Will I test again this cycle?  Well, with an unopened HPT at my disposal, probably.  The other option is to wait for beta as I always had before.  The thought of either option completely scares me.  Why am I putting myself through this?  Why am I risking possibly another failed cycle?  When I think about POAS or waiting for beta, I feel as though I don't want to pick either of those options because I don't want to go through another heartbreak.  I don't want to get the news, have to leave work, have to tell everyone it failed again, and spend the day in bed crying.  It's such a vicious cycle and I want out of.  

I know that this sounds really unlike me, but I can't deny my feelings.  I'm kind of at a loss for words at this point too.  I know I'm probably thinking too far into the future.  Why am I getting upset over something that hasn't even happened yet?  Why am I already planning on what we will do after this cycle fails?  I've touched on this a bit before and, unfortunately, it still seems to be ringing true, and that's that eventually, the negative becomes the expected.  It's the uncertainty of what will happen, and it's the knowing of what's happened in the past that combine into a deadly concoction of negativity and doubt.  What's the antidote for such poisonous thoughts?  I'm not sure.  I thought that it was to train my brain to think differently, but so far that isn't working.  With loads of pregnancy announcements the last few days, (no offense to anyone who's gotten their blessing, I'm overjoyed for you all!!) and a one year anniversary of being treated by my RE and of my lap surgery, plus hormone overload, I think I might just be a little extra sensitive these days.  

So far the injections and the entire cycle has gone OK, all feelings considered.  I've been really focused on the house since we've had a lot going on there.  This last week at work a co-worker that I was close to passed away unexpectedly and we've been trying to wrap our heads around his untimely death.  Being preoccupied is helping, I just wish the circumstances were better.  The days til the next transfer are moving along quickly.  We're already more than halfway through October and I wish life would just slow down a bit.  On Tuesday I have a baseline ultrasound to check my lining already.  I can't believe it's already time for that.  I started up at Curves again last week hoping that some endorphins will help lift my spirits.  Whether I'm mentally ready or not, this next cycle is blowing by and transfer day will be here before we know it.  Here's to hoping for 11/11 to be my lucky day!

here's my bit of humor for today....