17 weeks...

...and 23 to go. Well, actually 21 because I'll be having the baby earlier. But still, not even half-way there and I'm getting pretty darn big. (insert cringy-face here) I didn't realize how big, either, until this past week. It was gorgeous out on Saturday so we (and my camera) were outside a lot. While out, Neil shot a picture of me, while I did a belly self-portrait of myself. This baby is so active and obviously growing quite well. I am getting even more anxious as the days approach to the big ultrasound in just 9 days now. It couldn't come quick enough!


And while playing outside on this same day, it began to sprinkle. The kids automatically ran for the umbrellas although they weren't even really needed. (What is it with umbrellas, anyway?)


And then last Thursday, Heather and I went baby registering (for her, not me. Although I did try and get her to scan the bar codes twice so maybe she'd get two of some things to give to her favorite preggie friend -- me. She never did do it and I'm not sure why?? :)) So while there, we found the funniest most fitting bib for my child. Isn't it great?!

Got Ketchup?

Ketchup chip fans, unite!

Even though I love Erin very much, I also really really really don't like her. She forced me into an addiction called "I-Love-Ketchup-Chips-And-Can't-Stop-Eating-Them". Right now my tongue is feeling raw from eating an entire bag of those so very vinegary red chips that are impossible to put down. *grrrrr* Can you tell that I am just kinda mad at myself right now because I really did eat an entire bag and now I feel a tiny bit guilty because of it? But not guilty enought to say "Erin, will you send me more . . . please?! I am sorry I said that I don't like you. I really didn't meant it. You know I love you and that you are like the most influential person on me in the entire world, right?!"



You know what drives me nuts about such a perfect invention of chips?! It's nearly impossible to find them here in the States. I just don't get that either. How could you not offer something that is THAT good? Believe me, it's not just me that likes them. I (very givingly) opened up a bag at my Halloween party and shared. I didn't have one person that said they didn't like them. I really think we need to start a petition. Really.

Look what I found online . . . see, I'm so not alone in this!

posted at google answers:

What?!? You don't have any ketchup chips in the USA???

I truly do feel sorry for you... I had no idea that Ketchup Chips were
Canadian and that I have been taking them for granted all my life! I
was amazed at the number of people looking for how to get their hands
on a bag or two of ketchup chips online! It also appears that they are
more of a “Western Canadian” thing than Canadian. Here are the results
of my research:

"Q: I really need to get some ketchup chips, but I can't find any in
my area. How can I get some?

A: The best solution would be to move to Canada, where ketchup chips
are readily available just about everywhere. (Most current residents
of Canada moved there in order to have easier access to ketchup
chips.) The next best thing would be to take a vacation there. If you
can't do that, get some regular potato chips and dip them in ketchup."
Source: http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?page_code=6

Unfortunately, I cannot move to Canada!

Unmotivated Blogger Me.

I am so not blog-motivated. Not at all. Oh my goodness is there a lot going on. So instead of bringing you up or down with hopeful or not-so-hopeful news, I thought I'd post a silly picture of goofy Val.

First of all, I got to see my friend, Corie, this past weekend. Actually, TWO weekends in a row! How lucky I was :c) I have had a sinus infection, so this, below, came at just the right time to make Val's day so sunny and bright.

Guess what lies what beneath this cute card??


Why, of course!

Thank you, Corie! She said it was for doing her blog header. I say it's just because she's that sweet of a friend. I honestly think she knew I wasn't feeling so hot lately.

Cute, eh?! Isn't she the funniest, cutest, cleverest (I think technically it's "most clever") girl around? Well, wait. Maybe she and Erin and Michelle all tie? :c)

And then Memorial Day weekend, we spur-of-the-moment had a cook out with our neighbors and friends, Randy & Vicki, and then our friends, Heather & Lee, and the some of R & V's friends. We had a really great time!! I love surprise gatherings! So (of course) I had my camera out with me and let Vicki play around with it (she, too, loves taking pictures) and she shot this one.


Yes, I am a geek.

She stole my heart.

I really should put this up on Wordless Wednesday because if you know me, you know how this picture speaks volumes! But, I couldn't hold off, so . . . enjoy my ketchup kiddo, Miss Maia.

I love ketchup

My daughter loves ketchup. Hmmmm . . . that's odd. (Uh, not.)

We were eating lunch and I fixed sweet potato fries among other things. Maia went crazy with the fries. Dipping and then re-dipping her fries into the ketchup. When her ketchup was gone, she'd say "mo juice". It's pretty funny. A girl at my own heart.

If you didn't know, I am a huuuuuuuuuge ketchup fan. I eat it on everything. I mean everything. Well, except for a few things. But here's what I like it on, which you may be disgusted by:

eggs - all varieties
bacon
sausage
all the above mixed together with syrup added (hey, at least I'm admitting that I'm not normal!)
meatloaf
baked potatoes
sweet potatoes
certain fish
salisbury steak
french fries, smothered
potato chips
chili mac
grilled cheese
biscuits and gravy
ham & beans, smothered
hamburger, cheeseburgers, tenderloins, grilled chicken sandwiches
pickle spears

I make my homemade bbq sauce from ketchup
I also put it in my chili

And, the list goes on. My husband thinks I'm insane. He says nothing is more gross than seeing me eat it straight out of the packet. My response is, "then don't look!".

I have a collection, above. My friend Kristin had her grandpa make me a shelf by hand specially for my collection. This was our wedding gift. And that's what you see holding all my ketchup in the above pictures. I ran out of room a few years ago. My collection has overflowed and I have found myself passing up bottles now because I just don't have any place for them. Here is my overflow cabinet:

I have a cat named "Heinz", a ceramic minature box, magnets, a t-shirt with Heinz on it and a spoon rest. I even tried re-designing their logo in college as a class project. I have never been to the home of Heinz in Pennsylvania, but itch for the chance to get to go! I wonder if they know how much I love their best invention in the entire world? If not, this should prove it:

In case I run out and need more asap, here is my stash of ketchup that I allow myself to use. All Heinz, of course. It's the only kind I will eat.


My faves in the collection:
One of my first bottles in my collection I got back in 2000 at Marshall Fields in Chicago. Cute, isn't it?

People come back from places all over the world with ketchup just for me!
Natalie got me this one from Kuwait when she was stationed over there.

The one on the right is from Japan, on the left, from Brazil when we were there. I like this one from Brazil because it's a ketchup/mustard mix. Never tried it but I'm sure I'd like it since that's how I like to eat my corn dogs!

Another one from Kuwait.

Good Lord, what is wrong with me???

I don't think I can be helped at this point. Sigh . . .