Tuesday, February 21, 2006

General Gathering Update

For those of you new to the boxing circles, I thought I'd go ahead and post a list of events in and around New York State that you can definitely make it to. You just missed Desperately Seeking Sun (http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=106) and its evening counterpart, Desperately Seeking Suds (http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=117), but you can still join us the rest of this year for some more serious boxing fun.

An event/gathering is basically a potluck lunch/dinner where peoplemeet other boxers, exchange other stamps and find the boxes set up specially for the gathering. There's always a stamp that you can only get by going to the event, plus other people's personal boxes and travellers from around the country that you'll finally get to see. You can find these events and more at Atlas Quest(http://www.atlasquest.com), so if you plan on travelling, check out the general events page at http://www.atlasquest.com/events/:

Rocks, Docks and Locks Gathering in Kingston, ON: This one is beingheld by our neighbors to the north, Norasta and the Jigss clan. A lotof us are going AND it's on a BOAT for Memorial Day weekend!http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=78

3rd Somewhat Annual Finger Lakes Gathering: Despite the name, these aregetting to be a pretty regular occurence at the beginning of the summerthat we all enjoy! :-) Usually held right in/around the Ithaca area,which is only about 3 hours or sohttp://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=73

OOSA Cookout: This event in Columbus, OH is actually only 6 hours fromMedina, NY, so Buffalonians can shave off an hour and be there, whileRochesterians would need to tack on an hour. Either way, it's withinreach for a summer trip! http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=136

4th Annual Western New York Gathering in the Southern Tier region: Ourown area gathering at summer's end. We're hoping to make this one acamping trip in Allegheny State Park for those interested, so if youcan stay longer, there'll be evening activities the Friday before andthat Saturday night. http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=102

Wonders of the World in Albany, NY: Right in the middle of NYS, Tamsynand friends are planning this themed event in October. More details asthey get fleshed out! http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=119

That's it for now...more bulletins as warranted!

The Sprite & the Highlander

Bun packin'!

Well, it's official. After 5 years of trying, we're finally pregnant (apparently, sleeping with one's mother helps!). My boobs hurt, my abdomen feels like I'm going to start my period every five seconds, but I'm honestly and truly pregnant (plus Celtic Quinn & Sweet Heart made a Little Terror cootie with a baby carving just for us, so now we're having a boxer, too!). I took a blood test back on the 16th of February (2 weeks after my insemination on the 2nd) and it has me very clearly over the HCG levels needed.

Of course, the minute I finally let loose the news at Desperately Seeking Suds (of which I had NONE of, of course!), I start a little spotting and some cramping (sharper than the original stuff I was feeling). Plus the doctor says the HCG levels in my last blood workup didn't have the numbers doubling the way they're supposed to, so now they want me to take another test tomorrow. Apparently being pregnant does not necessarily mean STAYING pregnant.

Worried? Yep.

But, like my mom said, "If it's meant to be, it's meant to be." And Kevin keeps reminding me he loves me, no matter what. So I figure I got THAT goin' fer me (watch, now the kid'll turn out to be Bill Murray!)

Kinda weird finally thinking about having a baby, though. Suddenly NOTHING in the house looked like it was suitable to me and EVERYTHING seemed expensive to Kevin ("you know how much these things cost to RAISE???"). I want to do a good job, I want to make sure the kid is happy, healthy, can read well, doesn't get picked on about the interracial thing, smart, good at...everything, especially the stuff that pays well, loves everything, but only gets attached to the things that treat him/her well...so much to demand and so little time...

Plus, you feel like you should be MUCH less demanding of God when he finally grants your fondest wish, but still...oh, human greed and need is a rough taskmaster!

Wish us luck, 'cause we SURE don't need more misfortune! ;-)