Mini-what??

This weekend we were up in Winter Park for the chili cook off. What beautiful country it is up there. Saturday's weather was gorgeous. Sunday was a bit cooler with some rain showers. On Monday, we stopped off at Black Hawk to do some gambling. The slots were tighter than some cervixes! lol

Tuesday I dropped my car off to the shop. I then went to the rental company, expecting to get a full-size sedan, as I mentioned earlier. Did I? Um, no. What did I get? A freakin' mini-van!

Ugh.

Let me just say that mini-vans are useful vehicles. To those who have a use for them. Moms with multiple kids. People who travel often with multiple people. Etc.

Me? I. can't. stand. them! Why? It's all got to do with mental image.

I am so afraid that I will fall into that group of people who become so fat that the only car that they can get into is a mini-van. I don't want to be that person! And by having a mini-van, it just puts that mental image right in the forefront. I don't want that image to become actuality. It's like seeing what may be one day.

You are probably thinking to yourself, "This bitch is crazy! If she's worried about her size, she should do something about it." And you'd be right.

I am actually starting to research some serious methods for weight loss. As you might recall, Dr. S had told us at the beginning that he would give us a shot at IVF with our own eggs, but if that didn't work, if we wanted to pursue DE, then he recommended that I lose some serious weight. Since our IVF cycle didn't work, I am proceeding with his recommendation.

I've been through many diets before. I tried TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), lost around 45 pounds, then gained it all back and then some. Then, I signed up for a class offered by our local health department that taught the importance of food portions and exercise. Again, I lost almost 40 pounds, got lazy, and gained it all back, plus a few more.

I hate to admit it, but I am starting to really feel my weight. My knees creek and crackle when I go up and down the stairs. If I'm not careful, my knees feel like they are going to go out when I'm using the stairs. I'm having other issues which I'll admit are too personal and embarrassing to share here, but it all has to do with my weight.

While I was typing this post, I actually got a return phone call from the coordinator at a local surgeon's office, providing me with some information on an upcoming seminar on the lap band procedure. I think it really has come to this. I need help. I am so uncomfortable in my body. You've heard me complain before about the size of my breasts, which are exasperated by my weight. Well, not only are my boobs huge, but my stomach is bulging, both above and below my waist. I do have a waist line. It's very big, but it is squished by the blobs of fat above and below it.

I do think I have a nice round ass, but who can tell with all the other stuff? My thighs and calves are thick. I do have pretty ankles, but lately they've been swollen with who knows what.

I'm am so self-conscious about my double chin. I tilt my head to one side and I also have a double cheek.

I don't like being like this. My clothes are to the point of bursting at the seems, literally. I really need to buy new clothes, even if I do start losing weight soon, as it is embarrassing having skirts with seams that are exposed due to the strain.

I had my wellness exam yesterday with my OB. One thing I have to say about him is that he is so nice and not judgemental at all. (Thanks, Kris, for recommending him to me!) I told him about how I'd like to cut off my boobs, but that I'd also like to look into the lap band system. He gave me names of a plastic surgeon and a bariatric surgeon. Of course, we'll deal with the weight before we deal with the breast reduction. My OB listened to me, was nice (I can't think of the right word right now to really describe how he was), and offered sage and sound advice. He wasn't condescending at all, like some people are to fat people.

I don't know if the lap band procedure will be appropriate for me. I definitely don't want to have bariatric surgery, where they actually cut and staple the stomach, as I've read about so many complications to this procedure. The positive thing about the lap band is that if I do get pregnant later, then it can be expanded in order for me to meet the additional nutritional needs required during pregnancy.

So this blog, while it's main focus will continue to be about our journey to parenthood, may slightly veer off course while I take time to care for myself. I hope you stick with me, as I know I'm going to need a lot of support. Losing weight is so hard to do, but I know that if I just keep in mind that I will be extending my life by doing so, but also having a better quality of life, I think I can do it.

Chili cook off

We have a chili cook off coming up soon. We are looking forward to getting out of town and up into the cool mountains. Winter Park is a great place to escape to. You can see wild life, go fishing, or go a bit further and enter the National Forrest.

I'm ready for some down time.

Clarification

I had previously posted that I wasn't cooking in the cook off because of the IVF cycle we're in, and I wasn't planning on it. However, since BIL won on Saturday, he had all the left over ingredients he had purchased to use for Sunday. Once you win, you no longer need to compete in that particular category. So I used his ingredients on Sunday, entered the salsa competition, and lightning struck twice! I have got to ask him where he buys his produce.

Hubby was sad that he didn't win on Sunday. Apparently he doesn't buy his produce at the same place either. lol

On a different note, I go into the doctor in the morning to see how I'm progressing. I've kind of feeling a few twinges, but who knows. I really hope that the DHEA and Saizen are doing their jobs. I didn't ask the nurse when she called what my E2 levels were, and I didn't even ask the tech how many antral follies there were. In fact, she didn't even measure the follies, just looked to see if there were cysts, which there weren't. Tomorrow I'll definitely have to ask.

The C men sweep the salsa!

Today we had a chili cook off here in town, part of the Wild Wild West Fest, sponsored in part by the PBR (Pro Bull Riders). My men swept the salsa division, with my brother in law taking 1st, my Hubby taking 2nd and my father in law taking 3rd.

Only 1st place in salsa got trophy/prize money.

Here's a picture of the trophies.

We'll be doing this again on Sunday. I'm not cooking, since I'm spending all my money on this IVF cycle. But I'll be there, supporting my Hubby, oh, and eating funnel cakes too!

By the way, Sunday I turn 38!

Vegas trip

As promised, here are the highlights of our trip to Las Vegas last week.

We left by 11:00 Wednesday morning, even though our goal was 10:00. We did get caught up in a traffic jam in Albuquerque that was caused by two different accidents. That set us back an hour and a half, so we only got to Gallop NM Wednesday night. The second day of the road trip took us through some beautiful country in New Mexico and Arizona. I insisted on driving through the Hoover Dam, although Hubby wanted to go through Laughlin. How cool is the Hoover Dam! And I actually drove over the dam. :-)

Surprisingly, Hubby let me actually drive into Vegas, which was probably good, as I let him navigate while I steered. He neglected to download a map to get us to the Tropicana, so we weren't sure which exit to take. When we saw the road sign for Tropicana Avenue, I said we should take that one, which just happened to take us right where we needed to be!

Friday Hubby cooked in the Last Chance Red Chili cook off. They advanced the top 10 from that cook off into the finals on Sunday. Unfortunately, Hubby didn't place in the top 10, so he wasn't cooking on Sunday.

Friday night, we went to The Rio for their around the world buffet. That thing is huge! Needless to say, we rolled out of there. We then did a little gambling there. I had a bad experience while we were there. Hubby and I got separated, and I kept making circles around the area where we were playing and I couldn't find him. I started panicking, getting short of breath. Finally I sat down, gathered myself together as I had started to cry a bit, got up again and finally found him! He looked at me and asked what was wrong and I told him that I couldn't find him. I started crying again and he got up and held me. Finally after about 15 minutes, the tears dried up and I was okay, but that was scary! I have never felt like that before.

We left there and went down to watch the Fremont Experience. That was so cool! I did video tape it with my phone, and if I can upload it, then I'll post it on here.

After we got back to the hotel, Hubby put together the ingredients for our salsa. That's right, I said "our" as I got to compete too! The man who won 1st place didn't come to Vegas, so therefore I got to compete since I took 2nd! We registered Saturday morning, made the final adjustments to the salsa including adding the chopped avocado, and turned in our entries.

We then went and had lunch at their buffet. Hubby decided to gamble afterward but I wanted to hang by the pool. So I went up to our room, grabbed my jacket and a book, and sat in the "adults only" pool. Unfortunately, the weekend was very cool, so I couldn't swim (well I could have if I wanted to turn blue and show off my nipplies but decided against that!). I hung out there for about 90 minutes before I went back in to warm up.

We headed back over to the cook off to learn of the winners. While neither Hubby or I made the finals table, there was a cook from Colorado who did make it to the finals in salsa, and he won! His prize was a $1,000 plus a nice bowl trophy.

Saturday we went to the Les Folies Bergere 10 o'clock show. It was really fun to watch, but I just don't get what all the hype is over watching topless show girls. Most of them were flatter than pancakes, and not that pretty anyway, although it was hard to tell with all the layers of makeup caked on.

Sunday we went to the Xtreme Magic show starring Dirk Arthur. It was quite mesmerizing! lol However, he tried to be a comedian, and it just wasn't working. We got our pictures taken there, and I have to say, they turned out really good!

We went to the MGM that night and had dinner at their buffet. I am such a sweets person, I was in heaven! They have these tiny single portion desserts that were to die for! Again, I was rolling out of there.

We made our way home on Monday, splitting the drive up into two days again. The bed at the Hampton Inn we stayed at was soooooooo comfy! After four days of the hard box that the Tropicana called a bed, it was delightful. Too bad I couldn't take it home!

We got in late Tuesday night as we had to stop off at Hubby's folks to pick up our puppies. They missed us so much! It's good to be home.

I'm back home

We made it home safely from Las Vegas. However, I'm buried at work, so will post an update when I get home tonight (if I can find my way out of the pile of laundry!).

Monday ramblings

I bought a new stove and it was delivered on Saturday. It's a Ken.more that I bought from Se.ars. While the outside of the stove is the exact same size as my other one or any normal range, the inside is HUGE! It's a 5.8 cu ft convection oven, it has a warming tray below that I can put food or plates in to keep warm. It's a glass top with five burners. Much easier to keep clean than my other stove with the coil burners. And the oven is self-cleaning! One feature that it has is a Sabbath/Jewish Holiday setting. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but since I'm not Jewish, I guess it doesn't matter.

I gave our old stove to Hubby's Aunt & Uncle who live down the street. Their old stove was going out, and since our stove was perfectly functioning (except it didn't clean itself), I gave it to them.

I made Hubby a very yummy dinner last night. Roasted herb chicken with roasted vegetables. Oh, let me tell you, if you have to buy just one cookbook, make it the red checkered Bett.er Hom.es and Gar.dens cookbook. That thing rocks! It has some of the best everyday, normal cooks (i.e. non-gourmet), recipes in there. I have leftovers for lunch today, woohoo!

Tonight we're going over to Hubby's Aunt's to celebrate his cousin's return from the war. I haven't seen Levi (his cousin) yet, but Hubby did when Levi came into his restaurant to eat. Hubby said that he ate and ate and ate! lol I guess you just don't get good Pueblo Mexican food while you're in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Tomorrow night after work I'm going to get my hair done. My roots have grown to the point that they need immediate attention. It wouldn't be so bad if they were just my natural color, however, my natural color is 60% gray, so therefore it needs covering, and pronto! I'm debating whether to cut my hair short again, or let it continue to grow. It's about chin length now all the way around (although it's still layered), where I had the back cut very short so I could easily fluff it up. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Two more days and I think I might use a HPT. Maybe. Or I might just wait some more. I don't expect AF until around the 24th. Maybe I'm just being delusional thinking I even have a chance. However, I did start taking my pre-natals again, as I had stopped them (I actually ran out and just hadn't bought any). We'll see what happens.

October is going to be a busy month for us. We're going to New Mexico the first weekend to see the winner of last year's America's Got Talent (or whatever the name of that show is). It was a ventriloquist. My MIL wants to see him, so that is our Christmas present for the year. Then we'll be in Las Vegas for the ICS world's championship chili cookoff. Hubby will go hunting after we get back (which means I'll be home alone -ugh, I hate when he's gone overnight). Busy, busy month.

Okay, time to quit rambling now. Have a great Monday!

P.S. Desparate Housewives starts up on Sunday! Yes!!!!

Time off approved!

Hubby is the real "chili cook" in our family. I do make some decent green chili and salsa, but red chili still escapes me.

He has qualified in his salsa, and also qualified for the "Last Chance Red Chili" cook off on Friday. If he places in the top 10 (or 20, depending on how many cooks there are), he'll qualify for the World's cook off in red chili on Sunday.

The cook off is October 10-12.

Yes, the championship cook offs have been featured on the Food Network over the years. I'm sure they will be there again this year.

Anytime you want to check out a local ICS cook off, just go the their website, click on the state you live, and it will show you where the cook offs will be and when. As I've mentioned in previous posts, each cook off benefits a charity, so not only will you be tasting some mighty fine chili, but the proceeds support good causes.

Gretchen, if you were in Denver for one more weekend, you'd be able to go to the cook off in Littleton (SW Denver) on October 19. We won't be at that one as it's the start of hunting season (at least for Hubby and family).

International Chili Society presents . . .

Assuming I can get the time off from work, we're going to Vegas, baby!

Chili, Moose and Bear, oh my!

This weekend at Winter Park was fun! We had a two day chili cook off in God's country. Beautiful mountainsides, colorful sunsets, and wildlife!

If you've been reading my blogs for a while, you know that Winter Park is quite lax in their attitude towards bears, while other mountain communities are very strict. We had a nicely distant experience with a black bear at the condos we stayed in. Despite the posting of the proper way to dispose of garbage, some construction workers through a pizza box in a small trash dumpster, and was raided by a 2-3 year old black bear right behind our condo. Hubby hollered at me to look out the window, and sure enough, there he was, just munching on discarded pizza! Quite crazy. We tried to get pictures with our cell phones, but they suck when it comes to getting a far away picture. Although I did get a video of the bear standing up at the dumpster, when you watch it, the bear is tiny.

Unfortunately, we personally did not see any live moose, but did hear about how traffic was at a standstill just outside of town due to all the cars stopping to watch the many moose off the side of the road. On the way home, we strained to see a moose, but alas, we didn't.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Hubby won three awards for his entries into the various contests. Since he won on Saturday with his salsa, I went ahead and entered it on Sunday, but only took second place with it. I think it was because it wasn't quite as fresh as Saturday's and the avocados had gotten a bit mushy. That's okay, I still won $75 and have a nice bowl as my prize.

My vegetarian chili went over very well! I learned that it's actually considered vegan, since I used absolutely no animal products whatsoever in the chili. I could not enjoy it because it was too hot for me! The jalapenos that I found at the farmer's market were just too hot and I put one too many spoonfuls in, and the bite factor just went over the top. The people seemed to like it though as we had the longest line of people at our tent late Saturday afternoon seeking a sample of it before the train left. I couldn't keep the chili in my pot! Each time I'd run out, I'd pull another bag of it out to warm up, and the people could barely wait until it was warmed through before they wanted their samples. It was a nice change from having leftover chili that I have to throw away.

Friday morning before we left, I used my last HPT to test. It was negative. Monday morning I sent Hubby to Saf.eway to get me an EP.T digital test before we left, and it too was negative. I have one left and will test Friday, if AF hasn't showed up. If she hasn't and it's negative, then I may need to call Dr. Slick and see if I need something to get AF started, or if I should just wait it out. I had two periods in July, but have not had one yet in August, and I'm running out of days. Not that I'm complaining, but this is not usual for me. Hopefully there will be a miraculous reason for this.

If you live near Superior, Colorado and want to taste some mighty fine chili, we have another cook off coming up on September 13. Did I mention that each cook off supports a local charity? The Winter Park cook off proceeds went to the Ski Program for the Disabled, and we netted them close to $2,000! So not only will you get to sample some very tasty chili and salsa, you will be supporting a good cause.

No to CCRM

We cancelled our appointment with CCRM. We decided that if we were going to be spending lots of money on something that doesn't have a guarantee, that we would rather spend it on something that our chances are better, than something even remote. I know many will say that we still should have just gone in and listened to them, but then what? Know that we may have a chance but can't afford it? We have several reasons for our decision. Maybe in another post I'll get to them, but for now, I just wanted to post an update for those of you who were looking for one.

Oh, and by the way, Hubby won 1st place in his salsa and 1st place in the "Guac Off" (guacamole) contest that Winter Park had on Saturday. He is now officially qualified for the world championship cook off in Las Vegas in October. We're going to Vegas, baby! He also took 3rd place in his traditional red chili on Sunday. Will post more later on our fun in Winter Park.

Any vegetarians out there?

I'm making a vegetarian chili this weekend for the cook off in Winter Park. There always seems to be a large contingent of people who request vegetarian chili, so that's what I'm cooking. I'm wondering what additional vegetables I should add that would make it tastier.

This is what I have so far:

chili beans, drained
pinto beans, drained
kidney beans, drained
white onions, chopped
carrots, chopped
celery, chopped
green bell peppers, chopped
red bell peppers, chopped
diced tomatoes
jalapenos
spicy V8 juice
Head garlic, chopped
Assorted spices

Is there something else that you as a vegan would put into your chili, other than a meat substitute? Let me know as I'm going to head to the grocery store tomorrow night and get the ingredients.

Thanks!!

MIA

I'm about to embark on a series of trips over the next 10 days. I'll be gone tomorrow for work in Colorado Springs. Then I head up to Denver on Friday for my aunt's life partner's funeral and my cousin's wedding. Saturday I'll meet up with some of the ColoBloggers for a brunch, then visit with my aunt before heading back to town.

Will only be here for about 24 hours before I head off to the Western Slope for a work trip, ending on Wednesday. I'll be in town for a day before we go up to Winter Park for a chili cook off! Back the next Monday.

I'll be busy in my two week wait. Yes! That's right! I finally after almost 10 months have a two week wait!!!!! I wonder when I'll POAS? Or start poking my boobs? Or start analyzing and obsessing over every twinge in my abdomen?

Summer Fest in Cripple Creek

This is one of the sand sculptures in Cripple Creek last weekend during the chili cook off. You can't really tell, but it is a bunch of bottles of hot sauces. The tent that was over this protecting it blew away Saturday due to a wind gust. The rain didn't bother it.

We're back

You know how they say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Well, that's not true of Cripple Creek.

Hubby took 2nd place with his Salsa on Saturday. His brother took 3rd place on Sunday. Neither one placed in the green or red chili. They did actually give out nice prizes along with the cash and ribbons marking the occasion.

Hubby made a killing on the slots. By Saturday night, he had given me $1,000 for safe keeping/spend on what I want/mortgage payment. Woohoo! But then on Sunday, we spent $250 of it on a wood statue that had been carved by Thomas Barlow, culinary artist. I know, a culinary artist carving wood? Well, he normally does do ice sculptures, but he did agree to come to Cripple Creek for the wood carving competition. The statue he carved was a six foot tall marine, complete with sword, rifle, and an eagle by his side. No one else had bid on it. I couldn't believe it! We bought it because Hubby's cousin is currently serving over in Afghanistan, his dad was in the service during Viet Nam, and his grandpa was in World War II. We're going to place it in our back yard after we seal it to protect it from the elements.

On the way back today, we stopped at the baby doc's so I could get my Depot-Lupron shot. The nurse took me back, gave me the shot, we talked for a few minutes, then I left. On the way out I stopped to use the restroom as we were going to go do some shopping. We were about a mile or so away from their office when I get a phone call from the nurse, asking me if I could come back as she forgot to test to see if I were pregnant! Can you believe that crap? Ummm hello? Kinda late now, don't ya think? So I go back, barely squeeze out maybe 1/8 teaspoon of pee, then she tests it. Negative, which I didn't have any doubt it would be. But I'm thinking if it were positive, she had just sentenced my baby to birth defects (you can't give Depot-Lupron to pregnant women as it can cause severe birth defects). Stuff would have hit the fan.

It was a good weekend. Unfortunately I do have to go back to work tomorrow. Hubby said I should take the week off so we can go back up to the mountains where it is cool. It's supposed to be around 100 degrees here all week. Yuck.

Snowmass: Tears & Cheers

What a way to travel! The flight to Denver was a bit bumpy, but very short, and what a smooth landing! The ride to Aspen on a twin propeller plane was adventurous, a little bumpy when flying through a cloud, but not bad at all. My flight out of Colorado Springs left at 9:50 am and I was in Aspen at 12:02 pm.

I had just grabbed a breakfast burrito that my SIL had made that morning and was munching on it when my cell phone rang. It was Battle Axe from the REs. She asked me where I was and I told her I was in Snowmass already. She said what a way to travel (as my appointment had been at 7:30 Friday morning). So I'm all cheerful and ask how my numbers look. She said my estrogen numbers looked really good, they matched my ultrasound perfectly. I'm like great! then she said that my progesterone was too high. I've not had any experience with that before, so I asked her what that meant. She said that the lupron wasn't working, it let one of my follicles become dominant and it was holding back the other follicles. Therefore I was cancelled.

At this, I started to cry right away. She kept trying to tell me though that it was good news the way I was responding, it was just that they were going to have to change up my suppressant, by either having me take multiple doses of the lupron each day or use a different medication. I wanted to throw the phone, but I try to discipline myself so that I don't destroy my things when I'm angry or upset. I told her that I guessed I'd just call her when I start my next period. She said yes. I squeezed out thanks and good bye and hung up.

Hubby was there beside me, hugging me, asking what happened. I told him and he said it would be all right. We have to be patient. We'll find the right combination of medications. I guess I have to believe him, right?

After having a good little cry, explaining to my BIL what all of this meant, and then finishing my breakfast burrito, I finally decided that I was in God's beautiful country, and I was going to enjoy myself!

Friday's contest didn't result in our winning any prizes in the Chili Verde, Red Chili or Salsa categories. On Saturday though, Hubby won 3rd place in Chili Verde! Originally he had been announced as the 2nd place winner, but there was a "technical error" on the judges part (they don't know how to count up to 18), and he was bumped down to third place. But that's okay, he was still very happy to get a trophy that said "Snowmass Chili Festival, 3rd Place Chili Verde." It seems like when he has won or placed in past competitions, either they just give money (which is nice) and no actual prize (like a plate or plaque), or the prizes they hand out do not indicate what it was that he won.

It snowed last night and on the way home today over Vail and Loveland passes, although not enough today to slow down our driving. When we picked up our doggies, they were so happy to see us! We were glad to see them too as we missed them.

It's good to be home. Tomorrow I get to go clear my calendar at work of all my RE appointments for the month. I really hate doing that. Grrrr.

Snowmass or Bust!

Dilemma solved!

I've solved how we're going to handle the cook off this weekend. I'm flying there! lol

Hubby didn't really want me driving the mountain pass, plus we'd still have two cars up there. So, I went online and found a flight from Colorado Springs to Aspen, and my SIL will pick me up. Snowmass is only about 20 minutes from the Aspen airport, if that. Then Hubby and I will drive back together on Sunday.

I'll go to my doctor appointment Friday at 7:30, then drive to the airport. Plane leaves at 9:50, stops in Denver, then gets into Aspen at 12:01. I'll be able to help Hubby with the cook off, and I won't have any check in luggage, just my carry on. Only downer is I'll have to check my car at the airport, but if I can talk someone into driving me there, then I won't even have to do that!

Speaking of which, how are the airports with dealing with meds? I'm wondering if I should send most everything with Hubby, and just keep my Follistim pen with me, as that's the only thing I'll need Friday morning. Anyone know?

How do you like your chili?

The chili cook off season is almost upon us. I'm taking this season off from competing, but will be traveling with Hubby to all the cook offs. They will be a nice break from the TTC.

One question we often get at the competitions from the crowds is "Is your chili hot?" Umm, yes? There is supposed to be a spicy element when you make green and red chili. The more appropriate question would be "On a scale of one to ten with ten being call the fire department, how hot is your chili?" Of course, my ranking of seven could be your ranking of three, if you're wimpy.

We also make salsa for these competitions. It takes a lot of money, time and effort to put together a good salsa. One suggestion if I may, if you are standing at a booth to taste the salsa (which is usually in a serving bowl with chips in another basket), take one chip, dip it once, then back away from the booth! Don't shove it in your mouth to have it dribble back into the bowl. And for Pete's sake, don't double dip! Some people truly forget their manners (this of course assumes they have manners to begin with).

If you're out and about this summer and want to check out a chili cook off, please click on the International Chili Society's website to find out dates and locations. These cook offs are all over the United States, and some even down in Mexico. You'll not only have lots of fun, but you'll sample some pretty amazing chili and salsa too!

New calendar

Gosh, two posts in one day. I'm on a roll! lol

Okay, talked with Nurse Betty. She is going to have me do blood work tomorrow here in town to get my baseline hormone levels.

• I'll start BCPs Saturday night through May 27. Updated: Scratch this - no BCPs, natural cycle
• I'll go in on Friday May 30 for b/w & u/s.
• Start stims on June 1.
• June 3 b/w & u/s
• June 5 u/s only
• June 7 b/w & u/s

Updated:

• June 9 b/w & u/s
• June 10 b/w & u/s
• June 11 b/w & u/s
• June 12 possible egg retrieval
• June 13 bed rest day
• June 15 possible Day 3 embryo transfer
• June 17 possible Day 5 embryo transfer
• Followed by 4 1/2 days bed rest

Now those of you who are keeping tabs on me can see the conflict in dates. The chili cook off is the same weekend. When I talked to Nurse Betty about it, she said don't cancel it just yet, because it is possible that depending on how I'm responding on Thursday's appointment, Dr. Opie may say I don't have to come in for Saturday's. Or, it could be like last time and get cancelled. So we're supposed to play it by ear.

I made the reservations already for our hotel this morning. The lady did offer cancellation insurance. When I talk with Hubby today at lunch, I'll see if he thinks it would be worth taking out. If we don't cancel prior to 14 days, we lose the $99 a night for three nights. Ouch.

Decisions decisions.

Update: Now the bed rest is conflicting with our second chili cook off of the month. lol I seriously think we should just TAB from chili cooking for the summer.