About six months, maybe even a year before I started trying to conceive, I stopped buying clothing in preparation. Yeah, I totally thought it would be easy since my mom got pregnant the first month with my sister and me and my sister got pregnant the first or second month all four times. So when four months went by with nothing, I decided that each time I got my period I would buy some article of clothing. The first month it was jeans, the next a really great suit.
When I got my period this month, I decided to plan a quick ski trip instead. It will be our first vacation in a while and I’m really looking forward to the fresh air and distraction. Then yesterday, while out shopping, I happen to come across the cutest pink handbag. I wanted it, but it was 
expensive. Too much. The holidays are over, my birthday isn’t for three more months, I don’t believe in expensive gifts for Valentine’s Day, and I’d already committed my "I’m not pregnant" funds for the month to the ski trip. I couldn’t come up with any excuse for spending so much money, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about the handbag. Finally, I remembered my fantabulous review! Yeah, sure, my bonus won’t hit for another six weeks, I have no idea how much it will be, and I’ve earmarked most of it for the just-in-case adoption fund, but I’m sure there is enough leftover for my newest bag! (Well jeez, you didn’t think I’d wait, did you? What if they sold out?)
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There is this new fad in my town where, when people have special events like birthdays or a new baby, they rent this giant, 8 foot wooden character (rugrats, old ladies, storks, you get the idea) to put on their front lawn to announce it. Not only are these things disgustingly cheesy, but I can’t go out for a walk without being faced with the fact that Max Alexander, 8lbs a bunch of inches arrived at my neighbor’s house last week.
So tell me: Do you indulge in anything when you get your period? And do your neighbors place enormous wooden storks on their lawns or is it just mine?
I indulge in a Bahamarita, (the best magarita I’ve ever tasted) at a local restaurant. I also order the pan-seared talapia with sweet potatoes. Mmmm . . .
The wooden storks, etc, I remember when I was growing up in Texas. I don’t think I have seen one here in Nevada yet!
My mother worked at the largest hospital in Houston for, I dunno, 15 or so years, in the post-delivery section where they would help load those storks into the car. She thought they were ‘just delightful’ and I’d cringe to see one. Even as a teenager it just seemed so…tacky?
I’m so glad they’re not here. Whew. I don’t think the farmers would know how to cope.
My very trusty period routine involved a bottle of cabernet sauvignon (only South Australia will do), the more expensive the better if an especially ‘hopeful’ cycle, a large bar of chocolate, a comfy pair of Ugg boots, pajamas and the entire couch to myself. To cry, to pout, to scream, whatever I wanted, depending on how I was feeling.
When Nip/Tuck started, it was an especially good distraction and SATC was also taped for period viewing. I don’t even want to add up how much more money we’d have had I not had those routines, but for sanity’s sake, it was brilliant. Especially for the insulin resistant chick who was supposed to be losing weight, rather than indulging.
Any chance of a peek at the handbag??? I know I’m a serious handbag addict.
Hope all is well.
LOL. No giant storks. Just George Bush signs….which is SOOOOO much worse! I am going to get a massage and I’m going to get a manicure. I hadn’t done my nail during the two week wait, since I’m completely paranoid. So now they look like crap. That bag does look cute! I love pink.
I just wanted to say hello and say how adorable your sweet kitties are (one of the infertile prerequisites). I have four….I like cats a little
How about a giant negative pee stick with words like It definelty will not be a girl or a boy!! I agree those things are tacky..I live in the city where one would not have room for anything like that…for once my small yard comes in handy.
Oooooooh I love the handbag!! Thanks for posting the pic!
I am DROOLING over that handbag…yes, I’d do whatever I could to find the money for that one.
Periods, especially ones which came with a BFN, were a call for pampering- massages, facials, pedicures, highlights- whatever made me feel well-groomed and pretty usually did the trick to soften those PMS blues.
The giant stork signs and cartoon characters were big in Jersey; here in MA I’ve seen a few here and there but not like back home.
I love retail therapy. Usually when I get my period I head over to Barnes and Noble and buy a book. Or two. Depending on how bad the cramps are!
Second choice for me is definitely a new bag!
Ben&Jerry are my therapists.
No one puts anything in their lawns here either. Our homeowners assn. is crazy strict about signage (although someone on my street still has christmas lights up…)
Love the bag. I know you weren’t particularly down, but when I have a REALLY bad day…it is my excuse to eat a BIG MAC! I mean…i know they are horrible…but I love them. And so…before TTC..I maybe had 1-2 per year. Since TTC..it is about one every other month. Not good for the already expanding waistline that comes with ART.
Oh…and I think any signs saying there is a new baby in the house is an invitation for crazy people to want to come in and take your baby!! I would never call attention to it.