A Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Or could it simply be an oncoming train like the one that is parked outside of our house? I don't think I've ever mentioned that we are an official train stopping place. Whether it's Amtrak, Union Pacific or some other line, it seems that many trains find the tracks outside of our home quite cozy and, thus, they stop here regularly - at least one per day - and just idle. This is, at times, rather annoying. Today it isn't really bothering me (of course, it has only been there for a few minutes at this point - if it's still there in a half hour the verdict may change), but it did seem to fit with the post title I chose. I suppose I should get onto business, though.

I'm contemplating if maybe, just maybe, I'm breaking on through to the other side of morning sickness. This is the beginning of week 11 pregnancy-wise and I haven't really felt too bad...even the heartburn issue seems to be at least somewhat under control. I'll keep you posted on whether or not we're truly out of the woods.

I have been a lot hungrier (feeling) the past couple of days which is tricky because what I'm wanting can basically be summed up as "anything with sugar." And, yet, I am a savvy preggie princess (just came up with that one this minute - I'm sure someone else has thought of it before but whatever!) and know that gorging oneself on sugary goods during pregnancy serves to make one blow up like a balloon, causes one's baby to crave nutritional sustenance and puts one at risk for gestational diabetes. My answer to all three of these possibilities - a polite "no thank you."

So, I am doing my very best to steer myself toward "healthier" goodies like dried apples that we got at Costco that have this ascorbic acid stuff on them (since I love sour stuff I wish there was more of it!), popcorn made in the Alton Brown fashion with coconut oil and butter which is just heavenly, apples (I just discovered today that despite my protests to Mark last night about how I really could just do without apples in general that he was right - I do still like Granny Smiths...even without caramel dip), fruit juice and string cheese. So, I'm doing okay, if not perfectly, I guess...

In other news, we are having a Christmas party again this year. The invite list is going to be huge this time around because we're planning more of an Open House style party. Since I'm in charge of parties around here, I decided that this format would be a bit easier on me. I have some great goodies in store for our guests - all of which I am not allergic to because, well, there's no sense taunting me with food that I can't have anymore than I am by just turning on the TV or walking down the street (I hate that KFC is all over the news today - I could soooo go for a crispy strip with or without the transfats! This is actually pretty amazing because the thought of eating chicken as of late has been rather unpleasant...that and lettuce are definitely on my "I'd rather not eat it" list). Back to the party food, most of the items can be made in advance making things even less stressful and time consuming.

As for activities, I'm contemplating giving attendees the opportunity of a lifetime. You'll totally think I'm being Tom Sawyer here (well, maybe not if you know me well enough), but I'm actually contemplating letting them help decorate our Christmas tree. What on earth is so special about this? Well, let's just put it this way - last year I made myself (yes, made myself) let Mark help me with decorating the Christmas tree...and I made myself not move every ornament that he hung afterward (I'll admit...I did move a few). That sounds bad, I know, but I am *psycho* about decorating my Christmas tree. There is a right way and a wrong way to decorate and, naturally my very systematic and neurotic method is the right one. ;) I think it was good of me to take that leap last year...I'll admit that it did make the tree feel more like "our" tree and less like "my" tree...even if most of the ornaments are still mine. Speaking of ornaments, let me just say my mom rocks and bought each of her children at least one ornament every year of our lives so that by the time we moved out we would have enough to decorate a tree - I plan to carry on this tradition with the sweet pea! :)

So anyhow, that's kind of what's been happening in our little abode...just a couple more days until I start my new job. That should provide some interesting blogging material. I hope you are all having a fabulous week!