Just To Touch Base...

I haven't blogged in a while. To answer the questions -- no, I have not given up on it. Should I add a "yet" to that answer? Probably. Because I probably one day will. But not quite yet.

I have nothing really to post about. But here are some updates and thoughts:

*I saw In the Valley of Elah today. Very good. Very sad. Very insightful. Tommy Lee Jones stepped out of his box - he played an excellent role. In moments, I felt the movie was predictable, but I never felt that was a negative.

*We also saw The Brave One last weekend with some friends, while out in East Hampton. Horrible. Absolutely horrible.

*East Hampton -- very pretty, very peaceful. Very expensive.

*I am approaching 18 weeks of pregnancy. I made a turn about 10 days ago from throwing up every day (numerous times) to only throwing up maybe 3 times total in the past 10 days. This still isn't fun, but it's a start.

*I've read some interesting - almost noteworthy books - recently. Now, I can't remember their names. I am drawing a blank. I am currently reading "Loving Frank" -- historical fiction about the relationship between Frank Lloyd Wright and his married mistress, Mamah Cheney. Just started, but so far it is decent. I've got three others ready to read once I finish this one.

*I read a very good book and I can't remember the title to save my life -- and I am too lazy to go downstairs to find it. Where The Crow Flies? Maybe that is it. It is about a murder that happens in a small military town in Canada during the Cold War, and the numerous families it impacts. Portions of the book on the Cold War were a little tedious -- but necessary to make many of the other events make sense and make them believable.

*Was in Philadelphia for work most of this week. We coordinated a conference for the general counsel of each of the 32 teams. It was nice to meet many them in person - as I speak to many of them on the phone almost daily and do lots of work for them. Interesting to put faces to names, and see if "in person" personalities match up with email/phone personalties. Some don't. Some do. It was also exhausting. I got home last night at 6:45 and fell asleep by 7:00. And slept soundly through the night, first by myself, then for a while Derek was next to me, then when I fully woke up this morning Deuce had replaced him.

*Some days I hate my job, some days it is bearable, other days I thoroughly enjoy it. I have no more insight than that. I am trying to figure out if I can make the enjoyable days occur more frequently.

*Ah, I also read a book (memoir -- am I spelling that right or do I have the o/i reversed?) "First They Killed My Father," about a Cambodian family. It was excellent. Some have said the market has become too saturated with stories regarding the impact of war on family and on children. I disagree. This was an excellent book and excellent story.

*I am trying to pick a place to vacation next summer. Somewhere domestic. The following year I'd like to either go to South Africa or Vietnam. Derek says now he doesn't want to do either, but that will change by 2009. But for 2008 - I am thinking a house on a beach somewhere - probably east coast, although I wouldn't rule out San Diego. We haven't been back to SD since we moved back here in 2005. But I would also like to go somewhere new. Who knows.

*I'm tired of Grey's Anatomy. I felt like I just keep watching the same story. I think I would enjoy going back to CSI more, if I have to watch television on Thursday nights. Which apparently I do.

*At my last doctor appt. (16 weeks), I had gained 8 1/2 lbs total during my pregnancy. Most of that came b/t 12-16 weeks. I still don't look obviously pregnant, just obviously chubby (and I was about 10 lbs. heavier than I have been in 10 years right before I got pregnant). Derek thinks I look beautiful, and he likes to point out that my hips and thighs are starting to "show pregnancy" as well as my stomach. I ALMOST want to kill him - at least with a vicious glance - when he says this, but then I remember how excited he is and how worried he was when I had only gained 1 lb the first doctor appt.

*I read "A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy." I was not as enchanted with the book as every other woman I know. This worries me, but I don't know why.

*We've got weddings to go to for the next two weekends. One here in the city, one in south Jersey. Both should be interesting, as the brides to be both used to be certified crazy, if not still are.

*Butter and Deuce got baths this week. They smell soooooo good. And they went to the dog park today to play, so are so content. I am going to go downstairs and join them......waiting for Derek to bring home some Thai food.