Hospital Vacation (Hospication)

So, last night I spent the evening with the Cejkas at Clear Lake Medical Center. Jessica was having contractions, so her doctor told her to check in to the penthouse suite on the 4th floor of the hospital. She had her own room, two beds that adjust to any angle imaginable, a flat screen TV, a phone number to order food, and her own set of nurses to bring her ice water. Penthouse indeed. Dusty was pretty much on vacation (his admission, not mine), and was wondering what it might cost to rent the room on a more permanent basis. Free coffee around the corner, wireless internet, and someone else to clean the bathroom? I can sort of see his point. I wonder if there is a pool...

So, Jessica is having twins, for those of you who live under a rock. Twin girls to be exact. And she is waiting for a sign from God to name them, apparently. Her favorite phrase is “well, I am not ready to commit to name tonight, obviously.” Obviously, Jessica. Obviously. I imagine two four year old blonde girls, going by A and B. And mom and dad still trying to decide. By then, at least the names on the top 100 baby names list will have changed. Maybe then they can just go with Madison. Anyway, so Dusty thought it would be interesting to put all the names into a hat (or cup) and draw two out, just to see the gut reaction. Apparently, whatever names were picked would be a sign from the universe. So, he takes of writing down all the name choices on the. smallest. scraps. of. paper. ever. Like, half an inch. And really, I say paper, but I actually mean brown napkin. And in these little pieces go, to the cup that was sort of dry. So, now these scraps are stuck to the side of the inside of this cup (that right there should have been the universe sending you a message). Jessica’s mom and I each pick out a name from the cup. Dusty doesnt like the one I pick out, so I pick out another name from the cup. Jessica doesnt like the name her mom picked out, so Yvonne picks out a second name. Somehow, the point of this exercise has disappeared and now we are just reaching into the inside of an old drink cup to fish out stuck together pieces of napkin. Anyway, what it comes down to is that the babies’ names with either both start with “B” or “K” (or every once in a while “M”). And that there is no real need to pick these names out anytime in the next six months. A and B it is.

So moving on, Jessica is having her contractions measured, and is on magnesium to stop them. This means Jessica is very hot (temperature wise...her day old hair and crooked belly line are also hot, but we are talking degrees here people). And of course, this is abnormal, so the thermostat is being turned up and down on a regular basis. She also have some fancy stuff going on on the belly, to measure the babies heartbeats. Apparently Baby A will be the one spending time at Saturday school, and Baby B will be the one volunteering to do beach clean up. At least we are excited (or, well, I am excited, mom and dad not so much) that these twin girls will be 18 by the time their senior year spring break comes around...Miami Beach, here they come! And they will be able to drive for spring break their sophomore year...man, it just gets better and better. I am sure though, they will take after their mom and be well behaved and never do anything stupid like running away from home with a college boy. Oh. Wait. Crap.

What I didn’t realize was that at some point in the last two weeks, Dusty has gotten his MD. Very exciting, I must say. And he seems to know what he is doing. He is pushing buttons and working out kinks in the IV, and ready contraction printouts. I wonder if he is on the hospital pay roll yet. He should at least get a white doctor’s coat out of this. And he is up and down with Jessica, since she has to pee every ten minutes, and is basically a bowling ball with arms and legs. She does pretty well though, and has learned to measure her intake of fluids, so she knows exactly when she should start moving toward the bathroom (somewhere just below 400 units, although Dusty and I think she can make it to 475, since apparently 500 might be the real limit) We feel she should really try to go as long as possible. it is sort of like a contest with your bladder. I guess it sucks if you lose that race.

So, the real update is that Jessica is doing better, the contractions have slowed from the medicine, and the girls were given some steroids to speed up their growth. Today she will have some fluid removed from her belly to hopefully take some of the pressure off of the babies. And her OB tells her she is in the penthouse for the long haul, hopefully to 34 weeks (another 3.5 weeks). We have already planned a slumber party and I am pretty sure I am about to meet my future husband at this hospital. One of the nurses is going to look into where the rich ones work, and has already told me there are no med students (good news, since those guys have a bunch of student loans and haven’t become brain surgeons yet). It’s gonna be an interesting March!

Austin Antics

This weekend I went to Austin with Susie (coworker and fellow trouble maker). We were there for a teacher conference, which is about as much fun as it sounds. Well, normally at least. This time, though, Susie and I lucked out and were given a booth right next door to the three cheesiest, most cowboy-esque, greasy combover salesmen you have ever met. These guys were ridiculous. There was Mark, the guy who had reserved the booth and who was there first. He was interesting, but probably the most serious of the three. Then there was Coon. Now, Coon, his first name was Greg, but that disappeared real quick. Coon was new to the business, but was there to watch. And watch he did. He say back and watched the other two work the room. And by working the room, I mean, holding a cardboard sign with the words "Kid's getting married in May, must sell Plaque" and trying to sell a plaque to teachers to put up at their school. This sign was held by Waggy. Yup, the owner of the company, goes by Waggy. THis man was ridiculous. He held nothing back in trying to make a sale, and had Susie and I ROLLING most of the two days. We told them we thought that Waggy was the dad and the other two were his sons. Possibly his gay sons getting married in May, but nonetheless, his sons. The boys would go and get us sodas, and stood in line umpteen times at the Little Caesars booth to get "lunch" (samples of pizza cut into the smallest slices ever). They totally tried to get us to commit to buying stuff from them (they sold printed materials and any sort of promotional stuff you might ever want...pens, patches, shirts, lanyards...). No matter how hard I tried, they really thought I was their key to getting the entire NASA contract. Ha! As I would hold that kind of power. Whatever, it got us promised a ride of someone's yacht and some golf games. Oh, and I am personal tour of the Hemphill NASA Columbia museum, since Waggy knows the sheriff and every other important person in his home town.

Anyway, so Susie and I spent Thursday night exploring 6th street in Austin. Mainly, we explored the inside of the Chuggin Monkey, owned by none other than Brad Womack. That's right, the bachelor. In all his glory. Apparently we missed his twin by three hours. After the bartender told us who Brad picks this season and sold us each a shirt (and a few very cheap drinks), we were on our way to find dinner. An hour later, we were still looking. Susie picked up some souvenirs for our coworkers in the form of pamphlets and handouts on the street (I know, you can all get excited). We followed some guy who was on his way to a tattoo contest to take pictures (seriously? Am I the only one who thinks a tattoo contest is the worst idea EVER???). He tried to sell us on eating at a food truck, but our slightly inebriated state did not allow us to want to eat standing up. We eventually found a Mexican restaurant without a wait, and ordered us up some tacos. I am pretty sure the waitress thought we were nuts, and I dont know if either of us can tell you the name of the place, but we enjoyed it. The walk back to our hotel was uneventful, possibly because we both had one goal, and it involved the inside of a quiet hotel room and several hours of uninterrupted sleep. And, in typical 30 something style, we were both home, in bed, and sobering up by about 10pm. Just as the college kids started their trek out. Perfect.

I apologize to all of you who received texts or phone calls from me on Thursday night. I am alive and yes, Friday morning did suck. Not as young as I used to be...

This week it is on to Denver for a training. I love Colorado, and have some great friends up there I can't wait to see!

Yard Work and Baby Shopping

Late nights have returned at work. Well, sort of. I mean, in theory I should be working late nights. Instead, I just bring it home with me and work from home. Or, in some cases, I ignore the work I should be doing, and instead, plan trips, baby shower, or online shop. Pretty sure those things are just as important. Right? Right. Anyway, so, as I say in the office, Spring sucks, and it has arrived. Only this time, it has arrived without a functioning website. So, I am doing my normal website-ed work by hand. It is just lovely. I really do love what I do, but at some point, it sure would be nice to get through a season of 300 kids without a major technical malfunction. This must be possible. I will keep believing it might happen one day.

Anyway, not to drag people down, just wanted to put that out on the table. And in response to this, I am making a promise to myself, my sanity, and my waist line, to do something active everyday. I would like to say I would go to the gym everyday (remember the days of that commitment, man was I good), but I just know I am setting myself up for failure on that one. Just, instead, something active will happen each day. This way, i get to be more creative with my day, and the idea of the gym doesn't sit over my head. Every. Single. Minute. So, today, I did yard work. ANd not wimpy planting pansies and daises yard work. Like, rip out every single plant that died because it froze last week yard work. And, to top it all off, I attacked my bamboo. Now, for those of you (well, all two of you that read this) who don't know about my bamboo, I hate it. I have three separate places in my yard where some idiot (possibly the hot guy who owned the house before me) planted large patches of bamboo. Now, I have nothing against bamboo, in fact, it is a lovely plant. Just not in my yard. That crap does not die. It just grows, and grows, and grows. And if you cut it back, it grows more. I thought spraying water on it as the freeze rolled in would help. No, I think it just made is stronger. And to top it all off, the red ants like to live at the base of the bamboo, right where I like to stand (albeit in flip flops because, lets not pretend I wear real shoes out there), and they wait to bite me until there are like 10 of them on my foot, and then all bite down at once. Luckily I have a hot tub to run too and throw my feet into to kill the ants. I am sure if someone filmed this action, they could make millions. Anyway, yes, yard work today kicked my butt. Or rather, my arms. Which are having a hard time lifting anything, including the remote control to the TV (I know, I know, this mean I must be REALLY sore!). Tomorrow should be all kinds of fun.

Anyway, other than my sore arms, everything is going well out here in Texas. My pregnant friend list is standing steady at 12, and as someone births, someone somewhere else conceives. I should probably just break down and join the Babies R Us frequent buyer club. I figure this just means when I have a baby, I will be set with all the hand me downs (or people can just regift me all the things I am gifting them). Although, i should admit that after my trip to our local BRU this weekend, I have serious doubts about why anyone would ever want a child. Or maybe my real concern is what idiot would actually take their child into BRU with them. Why not just leave them at home with Dad? Or grandma? Or the freakin' TV? I mean, anything has to be better than the screaming that was occurring in the store when they couldnt have the toys, clothes, or snacks they saw on the shelves. I volunteer my services to watch your kids when you need to go into this store, just so others do not have to suffer like I did today.

Anyway, tomorrow is Baby Shower #2 for the Cejka twins. Two weeks and we have the baby shower for Baby McGrew. Then we move on to the planning of the Kamas babyshower. Man, I need a drink...good thing I'm not pregnant. Peace out!

2011, time to explore!

New Year, 7000 new years resolutions. Which ones are still going strong? A couple actually. Inevitably, I have been eating better, and really, it was about time. Last year was a hard year, and with that came a lot of stress eating. A lot. So, back to the gym my butt goes, and back to the spinach and chicken also. It has been good, I have a lot more energy, and my legs actually have that crazy muscle back in them. Also, I swore off working late hours at work. This will only hold true for another month or so, but at least while I feasibly can, I am only working 8 hours a day, and then going home. AND, not checking my work email at home. Yup, makes for a much happier and more rested Deb. And then, as far as my exploration goes, I am planning some pretty fun 2011 trips. I finally have dates for my trip to Chile to visit Emma (in May) for a GREAT slumber party. She has promised me no skiing, so I am excited to go and explore the country with her. We have never really travelled together, or really even spent an extended amount of time together without the rest of the family, so i am excited.

Before Chile, in February, Caitlin, Kiyomi and I are heading out to Vegas for a girls' weekend. Really, this will probably be my (big?) 30th birthday trip. Originally, this was supposed to be a big cruise to Hawaii, but it seems EVERYBODY got pregnant, so I had to re-plan. That's ok, I can come back and play Aunt Debs on my birthday. I hope those babies are ready to hang out with their 30 year OLD aunt! I am excited to be in Vegas with C and K, they are my speed and I know we will have a good time. Pretty much, that is when the eating healthy will go bottoms up...I mean, how can you not with a restaurant that has an entire Chocolate menu? Exactly.

Also, I am planning a HUGE trip to Europe in August and September. I am heading over to England to visit the family, and then to Cara to visit her, Xabi, and baby Xabira (who will have a non celebrity couple name when he/she is born) in Switzerland, and then to Leilani and her family in Germany. I am so excited to meet the new Swiss baby, and then I am also excited to see Germany, to which I have never been before. Plus, Leilani and I can get into a lot of trouble together, and we always just crack up, so all aspects of this trip will be so much fun!

Next week I head out to Los Angeles for a work trip to JPL (here's hoping they offer me a job on the spot making several hundred thousand a year). I am also going to get to see the first baby (of 11) of 2011 from my friends. Molly Sue was born last week, so I am so excited to get to be able to visit her while i am so close to home. And then from LA, I fly to the Bay Area to visit ALL the bay area people: Lacey, Travis, Caitlin, Mike, and then Kiyomi and Doug up in Sacramento. Can't wait to see everyone, and you know that I will NOT want to leave the bay area. It really is still just like home. And with that many people to see and visit with, i will never have enough time. I am hoping to make it back to campus for a little visit to the past. Maybe I'll even take a General Campus Tour and heckle from the back. I am hoping for nice weather, because walking around that campus is always a nice play to think and reflect.

So, all in all, 2011 is going to be FULL of traveling and exploring, and that makes me smile! I love my home, and I have some awesome friends out here in Texas, but there is nothing like the people who have known me for almost my whole life, who have seen me struggle and change and grow, so I can't wait to visit them all this year and the places they call home!

I'm baaack...

So I have kind of been slacking on this blog. I guess it might be because I have gotten a little comfortable with work and life. I have been thinking a lot about the lack of exploration in my life recently. I figure if I start writing again, maybe it will inspire me to get back out on the road and explore. I mean, Texas is a big state, and I have yet to see most of it.

This is the week between NCAS events. I am learning to love NCAS, mostly because the students roll in, stay for three days, and then send me emails for weeks after it telling me how amazing I am. Why can't more of you people send me emails telling me how amazing I am???

I should also say, ALL my friends are pregnant. I mean, seriously people, something is in the water. ANd not even in the water in Texas, EVERYWHERE. I am about to be an aunt x4 (and those are just the ones I know about). It's gonna be an interesting year. It kind of reminds me of the year EVERYONE got married. I guess that was about 4 years ago, so it is high time there was some baby producing!

Next week I drive to Huntsville, AL with Katherine. We are stopping in Biloxi, MS for the half way point. I am pretty sure I am going to be playing some Blackjack that night. Maybe I can bet my work per diem and double it. That would be nice!

After we get back, it is hard core back to the gym. The gym has sort of been on the back burner the last few weeks, and I think that burner is getting a little tired. It is finally cooling down, so maybe it is time for some more kayaking without sweating. I mean, I dont mind sweating from exerting energy, but from just letting the humidity hit my skin, that is not ok. I am looking forward to making it back to California for the holidays, and also to Vegas in a few weeks for some serious R&R!!

I am cold.

I have been in Texas for more than 2 years. Who would have thought? I thought 6 months tops. But, turns out, I kind of like it. And I miss it when I am not there. Like right now, I am in Fort Collins, CO on work travel (for job #2, so cough, cough, I am sick if job #1 asks). And while I love Colorado and all the outdoor opportunities, I feel like I am missing all the chaos of my home life. HAS started this week, MAS starts next week, and I am feeling somewhat guilty for not being there.

Ok, not that guilty.

Sunday I flew in and was diverted to Colorado Springs due to some severe weather in Denver and the plane I was on not having enough fuel to circle (good thing, cuz I am not the best passenger when there is a lot of circling). Finally made it in to Denver 2 hours later and drove up to Boulder to meet up with Joe. As usual, it was like we were never apart. I think I was pushing his buttons about 10 minutes in to our hang out time, and he almost dropped me off in the middle of Boulder after I made light of the unusually high amount of gray hairs on his head. I offered a hair cut, but he declined rather quickly. Perhaps it is the memory of the last haircut. That started with gin and tonic, so it didn't go as well as it could have. For him. For me, it was great.

We had dinner and some pretty amazing ice cream, and then I headed off to Fort Collins for the comfort of my hotel room. I passed out when I arrived here, and am now contemplating some hiking or other Colorado must do activity outdoors. It is 55 degrees. I have one sweatshirt. No long sleeves. I might be shopping before I hike around. Work starts later on today and all day tomorrow, and then I am catching the late flight back to Houston. Hopefully my cats haven't brought too many lizards into the house.

In other news, I have 2 new roommates who like to cook and clean. I am spending a lot more time on the couch these days, and the house is spotless. I hung some pictures in an attempt to make the commitment to living in the house, even though I have owned it for more than a year. I got a TV table (boys put it together), and it sort of appears I actually might live in Texas for a while.

I am working on some new cheap vacation deals, and currently have a 12 night cruise around the Mediterranean planned in November. A trip to Ohio in August, and trip to California for a week in October, and a possible England trip to visit the fam in August or the new year, depending on the bank account. Pretty excited about new plans and seeing some people haven't seen in a while. People should also come and visit me. i have a hot tub that doesn't get used nearly enough. I'll introduce you to an astronaut if you come...

=)

Some random thoughts for the evening...

It is late, but I feel the need to at least say that I am still alive and enjoying the warmup that is Houston right now. Friday it was 84. Tonight it will drop to 34. Yea, I live in the weirdest climate ever. We went in the hot tub this weekend, one night it was too hot, the other too cold.

Today was rent day, that is my favorite day of the month now that I am renting rooms out instead of paying rent. Makes it all worthwhile.

Tony and Molly are still going strong, although I have confirmed something I have always sort of theorized...I think my cat Tony might be gay. It is ok, we are very open to all kinds in this house. i just hope he does not face too much discrimination in his furry life. The first clue was his undying love for shoes. And also his severe appreciation of 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. But what really made me realize that my cat is gay is his new found love for the stray kitten. I have named this stray Duncan. Originally i thought Tony was just being a typical man with his new girlfriend, but then we checked, and turns out, his new girlfriend is male. So, yes, Tony has a boyfriend. I have yet to meet the in-laws but imagine it will be quite the meeting. I do not feed Duncan since he has fleas, but he likes to come around just the same.

In other news, I infiltrated NASA this weekend with Joe, we took tours of Mission Control and the Space Vehicle Mockup trainers. Yea, we were pretty cool.

There is 170 foot tall cross in Houston now. I live in the bible belt.

I am very intrigued by this new president of ours. I think he is a lot of talk currently, and hope he knows what he is doing, since I am pretty Democrat, and would like to stay that way.

I will be in California twice in April. Get your tickets now for some Deb hang out time.

Have a good week!

=)