Wordless Wednesday

What Can You Give?

Through college, early post college, and even during our 'trying to live responsibly during law school' years I've found it challenging to find time and/or money to give to worthy causes. We've done our best to make church tithing a priority through it all, but beyond that it can be hard to find two spare nickels to give!

There are two things I've found that absolutely anyone can do, or at least try.

1. Donations of goods. I used to make runs to Goodwill on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes it would be just one bag of clothes, other times it would be four or five. Usually this would happen after a cleaning-spree when I'd decided that I didn't need half of the 'stuff' in our home.

More recently, Tina and I have begun a tradition of a twice-annual clothes swap and donation party. We've had two so far, and our third is scheduled for October 9th. The format is friendly and usually involves food, drinks, and a fun mix of friends. (consider this an invite)

By having our clothes swaps in April and October, we catch everyone during the time they are switching their summer and winter wardrobes out - a perfect time to get rid of things you didn't wear! The donation part comes after the party; once all of the clothes have been picked over, they are sorted and taken to Goodwill by one of the hostesses! It is a great motivator to clean out your closet, get some new-to-you (and free) clothes and accessories, and then have everything carried off to a donation center for you.

2. Give Blood. I'm O negative, also called a 'Universal Donor' meaning anyone with any blood type can be given my blood, so I've long felt a responsibility to donate as often as possible. During college, it was a way for me to give while on a shoestring budget! It takes almost no time, and once you are on a schedule it becomes a routine part of your life.

I'm not currently giving blood because of the pregnancy thing, but I plan to start back up again as soon as it is safe for me to do so.

I really encourage you to consider adding blood donation to your 'giving' plans. It is something that is of great need at all times, not just following major disasters.


What can you give?

All Clear

Frank and I just got home from my first follow up appointment and we got a really great all clear! We heard BW's heartbeat for the second time. Dr. Elliot let us listen for a little longer than was 'medically necessary,' which was nice.

So, back to life as normal - at least as normal as normal is around here.

Progress Report: 13 weeks, 3 days pregnant. 1 less appendix than 8 days ago.

Surprise!

I was planning to announce some exciting news in my next post, but my body had another surprise in store that has taken up the last 3 days of my life. Now, before anyone's imagination starts running away with itself, let me sum up what is happening.

1. Frank and I are expecting the arrival of our first child sometime around the end of March 2011. We're very excited, and of course a little nervous as we're about to become first time parents.

2. I had my appendix removed on Tuesday evening. WHAT?! Yep, went to the ER on Monday night with sever abdominal pain and vomiting, but was sent home after about 5 hours. Luckily I had an appointment the next morning with my obgyn and she immediately jumped into action thinking it was appendicitis due to my symptoms and continued pain.

She was right on, and after an MRI to confirm, I was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for surgery. Since I'm 12 weeks pregnant they suggested that I have a spinal instead of using general anesthesia, meaning I was awake during the entire procedure. It was interesting to say the least, and for those of you who are curious - the spinal didn't hurt in the least!

They did an old school appendectomy, not the laproscopic kind that the usually use these days. That decision was made due to my being pregnant - by having just one incision in my right side, they could more easily avoid 'uterine manipulation' during the procedure. Fine by me, my tummy already has plenty of scars so what is one more?

Anyway, after two nights in the hospital (three if you count 11pm-4am Monday to Tuesday) I'm back at home resting and recovering.

So, to summarize: I'm pregnant, but no longer have an appendix and everything is fine.

Happy Thursday!

Feels Like Home

Frank and I are in Pennsylvania for a wedding this weekend, and it feels like home. Now, I'm from South Carolina and I've also lived in North Carolina and Virginia, so having a small town in Pennsylvania feel like home is a little strange. But it does.

That is because I am currently sitting in the Historic Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem, PA.

Is it making sense yet? Bethlehem, PA is an old town that was founded by Moravians a long time ago. In the mid-1700s a young girl named Elizabeth lived here, but left when she was 17 and walked to a new Moravian settlement in North Carolina. Salem, North Carolina.

I am in the home town of the founder of my college. I am once again walking the brick walkways that were once walked by Elizabeth Oesterlein, and it feels great.

There are Moravian stars everywhere, especially throughout this hotel. They are on the doors of the elevators, the floors, and the walls. I was almost moved to tears when we first walked into this beautiful place.

I am impatiently waiting for the shops along Main Street to open so that I can shop for Moravian stars, smell the familiar scent of beeswax candles, and close my eyes to be transported back to my college. There is a cemetery here that is identical to the one that runs along side Salem - it might actually bring me to tears. I woke up to that sight every day of my senior year, and I walked the paths through it on those days when I attended class.

It never crossed my mind to make this pilgrimage, but now that I am here I can't believe I never thought of it before. To all of my Salem sisters, it is a long drive from just about everywhere but it is worth it. I've been here for less than 24 hours and I'm already trying to figure out how I can get back here to soak it up some more.

And to Sister Oesterlein, thank you. Thank you for being such a bold and daring teenager. Thank you for walking away from this comfortable, established place and literally walking to North Carolina to found the place that would become my home 229 years later.

Home, for now

We're back in the weekly routine at home after a successful trip to Charleston, SC for my friend Adair's wedding. Not even the threat of hurricane force winds and rain could keep us away - though it did alter our travel plans a bit. Worked out, though, we got to spend the night with T & Lisa in NC and the hounds got to hang with Guinness, the largest lab they've ever seen.

Here are some pictures of the weekend. We hit the Charleston Riverdogs game on Saturday evening with Hillary, Abigail and Jason. Then the rest are from the wedding itself (which was at the SC Aquarium, sweet!)



Adair and her husband, Dave, dancing at their reception.


Yes, Abigail and Shannon are wearing life preservers. Yes, all three of them look uncomfortable. Blame it on the "Shark Attack."


Frank and me at the reception.

Wordless Wednesday