Obsession

So my friend Lauren got me hooked on a book series. 24 hours ago I was fine. Today, I'm an addict. Hi my name is Carmelle and I'm addicted to the Twilight series.

Yesterday morning Lauren sends me this e-mail telling me the story of how her addiction to Twilight began. It reads:

"So when I was at Casey's house a week or two ago, she starts telling me about the series, and insists I borrow the first book from her. So last Wed, at work, I get bored with my book, and decide to start the other one, the Twilight one, that has been sitting there for about a week. And let me tell you, it has been downhill from there. I read the first book in 3 days. (These are like 500-600 page books, not small). And then I text Casey to see if I can borrow the next one, but she is visiting her sister in Sachse that day, and I can't wait around, so I went and bought the second book on Saturday. Finished it Sunday. Bought the 3rd book Sunday night. I have been DREADING work, just b/c I can't read all day like I have been doing. The book is just sitting there, waiting for me, and it is literally painful. At the regional meeting, I snuck so many bathroom breaks just so I could go sit in the bathroom and read. I have dreams every night about the characters. I have lost my appetite almost completely. I guess I should make it clear that I actually am loving the books, more so the characters than anything, but I have never been so engulfed in a book/series. Like, I have read books that I couldn't put down, but not books that I obsess over. It is way, way unhealthy. But I can't stop. I am pretty sure I can have the series finished by the end of this week, so it's good because I will be on the road to recovery once I finish them. But I am also dreading finishing them, I don't want it to be over."

And let me tell you that I read 300 pages last night. As in, bought the book on the way home from work (Wal-Mart- $6) and started reading around 6:30. I didn't stop reading until 11 nor did I eat. The book is amazing. Lauren is absolutely right. It's addictive. It's about a girl who falls in love with a vampire. Technically they can't be together but they are making an effort to be. Then on top of that, there's all sorts of other things going on, sub-plots if you will, that makes there have no real "stopping point" at all in the book. That's probably why people can't stop reading it. It's non-stop action.

Also it's a hit in the real world. I didn't know this because well, I have a lot going on. But I went to my library's website first (yes, I'm a nerd) to check it out. Not only is it checked out but there are 43 requests waiting for it. Then I went to Half-Price books at lunch yesterday. They said that they get the book in and can't keep it on their shelves. Geez. On top of that it's supposed to be a kid's book. BS. This book is definitely not written for children. That's like the Harry Potter book. Really? That book is not a children's book! The movie might be for kids but no child is reading an 800 page book.

So I am on the first book right now and I have every intention of finishing this series as quickly as possible (the movie for the 1st book comes out next week!). If I'm not blogging, I'm reading. You can judge all you want but try reading the 1st book and see if you can stop reading it.....Like Lauren said, I need to get on the road to recovery soon because the baby needs nutrients from food :)

9 weeks

I am, and have been, completely nauseous all day long. As soon as the medicine wears off, there it is again, always hiding in the background. I would much rather just throw up then be nauseous all day. The worst is waking up and finding out that you have nothing in your stomach but something has got to come up. Yuck.

Then, the whole "some things taste good but some things taste terrible" dilemma. Like yesterday, my family went out to eat at Gloria's. I always get the chicken flautas because they are so yummy. Well, I got them, took a bite, and almost threw up. For whatever reason, it tasted terrible. Everyone else had a bite and said they were fine but to me they tasted terrible. I didn't eat anymore than that 1 bite. What a waste.

This week Baby Martinez begins to look more like a baby. The eyes are developed but concealed and the nose, lips and ears are becoming more defined. The neck is stronger and holds the head up higher. The baby is growing nipples and hair follicles. The pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and anus are all in place, ready to poop and pee a dozen times a day when born. Also if there was an ultrasound this week I might be able to see lightning-quick kicks and arm movements.

Baby Martinez right about now

9 Weeks Pregnant

Baby M is the size of a quarter right now

Chili Cook Off- Texas Style

In honor of one of my favorite times of the year, chili cook off time, I am posting this joke that I have always found humorous and very true. Some people just don't understand Texans and their chili........

Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Tester Named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast:

"Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon, when the call came.

I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting. So I accepted."

Here are the scorecards from the event:

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CHILI # 1 MIKE'S MANIAC MOBSTER MONSTER CHILI

JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.

JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

FRANK: Holy sh**, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

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CHILI # 2 ARTHUR'S AFTERBURNER CHILI

JUDGE ONE: Smokey, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.

JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

FRANK: Keep this out of the reach of children I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

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CHILI # 3 FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI

JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.

JUDGE TWO: A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.

FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh**-faced from all the beer.

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CHILI # 4 BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC

JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.

FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burnout taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. woman is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?_______________________________________________________
CHILI # 5 LINDA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very Impressive.

JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

FRANK: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage, Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off?It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.

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CHILI # 6 VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.

JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.

FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,sulfuric flames. I sh** myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my a** with a snow cone!___________________________________________________
CHILI # 7 SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI

JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge Number 3, He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like sh** to match my damn shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing; it's too painful. Screw it. I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

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CHILI # 8 LESTER'S LAST OF THE RED-HOT LOVER'S CHILI

JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all,not too bold but spicy enough to declare it's existence.

JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot chili?

8 weeks......

This week on "In the Martinez womb" we will find out what's going on with Mom & Baby Martinez.

First, I am definitely feeling bloated. It feels like I ate way too much food and I am waiting to digest everything......but all the time and I never digest. I have officially busted through all my pants. At work, all pants are unbuttoned just so I can breath. I am just barely showing. But I think it might just be me that sees it because I'm always looking at my belly. Oh, and my boobs hurt so incredibly bad. But they are growing, even now. I didn't think they could get any bigger but I guess we'll see at the end of this pregnancy. The nausea is terrible but thank God for medicine. I really don't understand how women before our time lived with that 24/7 nausea but I'm glad I don't have to!!

This week the baby will either grow testes or ovaries (but we can't see them for quite a little while)! Elbows and fingers will start to develop. The leg buds will begin to have tiny notches for toes. The face will begin to have ears, eyes and a tip of a nose. Teeth will develop under gums. The intestines at this point will form in the umbilical cord. The heart has separated into 4 distinct chambers and is really ticking now- at a rate of 150 beats per minute. And spontaneous movement begins this week, although I won't feel it for a few more months.

Here's an idea of what Baby Martinez looks like right now

8 Weeks Pregnant

And Baby Martinez is the size of a dime right now......tiny!

Good Times...

Yesterday my friend Lauren and her husband, Daniel, and me and Vincent went to Canton, TX for some good ol' fashioned flea market shopping. It was so much fun and boy, did we have an interesting time.

When we first got there we were at a booth talking to these ladies about the stuff that they make and then we asked them where we could go to rent a cart to carry all the stuff we were going to buy. The lady just told us to borrow her cart. She didn't know us nor did she ask for our names. She just went behind her booth and grabbed her cart and gave it to us. Holy crap. It was awesome. But for anyone who's been to Canton before would know how difficult it would be to find the same booth again when we didn't get the row number. Oh my gosh. Poor Vincent left us in the car after we went shopping while he went ahead and searched row by row looking for the lady again. Thank goodness we finally found her because I would've felt so guilty keeping that cart.

Then, after getting the free cart Daniel and Lauren found a booth for Sham Wow and they bought some shams. Well after the guy gives Daniel the shams, he hands Daniel a DVD, telling him it’s information on our government and then says "Welcome to the New World Order". What the crap?? Where do these people come from that they hand out DVD's on new world orders??? Yikes!

And there were SO many people with rented motorized wheelchairs. I mean, healthy looking people on wheelchairs. Lazy people to sum it up—tons of lazy people. It was incredible. Seriously, get some exercise people......geez.

But it was an awesome time and we found some great stuff and had some yummy food! The weather was perfect and I didn't get that tired like I thought I would. No nap and I functioned fine…..go figure :)

For anyone that hasn't gone to First Monday Trade Days, go! But go early and be prepared to stay awhile............

Lauren and I with our $5 window frames that we found.....I think I'm going do something with it for the baby's room......

Lauren found a lady selling rings made out of typewriter keys so I got one as well....sweet rings!!!

Lauren and Daniel with their amazing buy that includes lantern shaped candle holders that hang from it....I'm so jealous :)

And if you look closely, you'll see 2 motorized wheelchairs holding a bench that they bought between the 2 of them.......wow, that's just sad!