15th & Madison: April 2011

Saturday, April 30, 2011

24th Birthday in Vegas!

If you're reading this, my ship has arrived and I'm enjoying some sun and sand in Mexico. While I'm away, I thought I would provide you guys with some of my favorite travels from my past. My 24th birthday in Vegas was epic! This was my second trip and I've been again since. Nothing tops this trip. My bestest guy friend Brian and I went and we just might resurrect this for our 27th birthdays (we're both March babies).

@ Orlando International at the crack of dawn for our flight

Layover in Los Angeles! My first time there!

@ LAX Bar w/best Bloody Mary EVER ~ Chuckin' deuces on the flight to Vegas

STUFFED from the amazing buffet at Planet Hollywood

Some of my goods :)

Walking around the always beautiful Bellagio Conservatory

Our first night of hard core partying was done @ Lavo at The Palazzo. Celebrity hotspot and all around awesome club.

Hit some slots on the way back into our hotel and won :)

Took a day to wind down and enjoy "Old Vegas" & The Palms

Fountains @ Bellagio

Birthday dinner @ TAO. Food was incredible. Another celebrity hot spot.

Crackin' back some 5 hour energy. We're gonna need it! ~ Entrance to TAO

I wanted to spend my birthday @ the Palms, so here I am with a bunny dealer @ The Playboy Club

My main man Hef ~ Me on the infamous balcony of Ghostbar

Have you guys been to Vegas? What were your favorite things to see and do?

Friday, April 29, 2011

Best Cruise Ever Playlist

For your listening pleasure...some of the amazing music I'm currently listening to while drifting out to sea <3 Be back soon everyone!!!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Adios Amigos!!!

Anchors Away!!!

I'm on my way shortly to Tampa to disembark on our journey to Cozumel!!! See you guys when I get back on Monday!!!!! I can't wait to share all of the pictures I take, so be prepared for ocean overload when I return.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Saying Goodbye

So, this visit home has been one of reminiscence. I've spent a lot of time with "Romeo" (who you can read about here) and his family. Most of you know his sister is who is coming on the cruise with me. None the less, it's been a partly emotional one and it's all starting to catch up to me. Here's one of the reasons why.

(Sorry for the back shot. All my pics are back in NC and I had to rip this off one of the girls FB pages)

Yep, a house. This house holds so many memories. I never lived here, but it's just the same. I wish I could give you all a slideshow of my brain to show you all that it holds here. I grew here. I learned here. I loved here. The sad back story, is it is now changing hands due to the divorce of Romeo's parents. Something nobody thought would ever happen. We all envisioned children running around, exciting sleepovers to grandma and grandpa's house, and amazing days on the lake with kids, sisters, brothers, and in-laws. It's now just a shadowy dream that has come to pass. I'm a super sentimental person (as you can see) and for some reason, there are two houses that hold a special place in my heart. This one, and the one in Ocala that J&K built (read here). A part of me will always look back fondly on the memories made.

Christmas 2004

Women of Faith 2005

The Triplets 21st Surprise Party

Lots and lots of drinking and beer pong :)

And yep, a cigar or two on the boat dock late, late at night

I survived Hurricane Charlie in this house. We all convened in the downstairs living room and entertained ourselves by watching the wind, rain, and trees sway while we were without power and water. We foolishly stood by the sliding glass doors as a MASSIVE oak tree came crashing down on the back patio and lightning ripped through the air. The clean up was intense and really frustrating. Days and days we spent clearing branches and bagging leaves. We were without power and such for A WHOLE WEEK and couldn't leave our street because a tree and power lines covered our only exit. We learned to live and make the most of it in the midst of a hot and humid Florida summer. Memories.

It's amazing how attached you can become to something that wasn't even yours. I know the trips must feel an immense amount of sadness too since I know they agree that some of the best years of their lives were spent here. Sad that this house was built with such different intentions and now, it goes on to serve a new purpose. With another family.

I also spent a little bit of time with Romeo's dad whom I haven't seen in YEARS. If you read our back story, you know some things transpired that caused a major rift within the family and I. Nothing that directly involved them, but something that was enough for them to be disappointed in me. None the less, it's been about 3 years since I spent time with his dad. He's been going through a lot with his divorce and it was really nice to connect with him again. I love him dearly and always have. He is a very insightful, wise man who has worked hard his entire life to have what he has. I can't wait for him to begin his next chapter in life and live it for himself and himself solely.

And as far as Romeo & I, you know my feelings if you read my Britney/Justin Syndrome post I linked above. We'll always have a special relationship. Somehow, God blessed me with someone who understands me better than I understand myself. The same thing for him. No matter who comes along, we'll always have this divine understanding of one another. We've pissed each other off to no end. Gone years without speaking. Hurt each other more than you can imagine, yet somehow...we still love each other to pieces. It's the most bizarre and amazing thing ever. It truly boggles my mind. I enjoy nothing more than hanging out, watching TV, cruising with the windows down and the music up, and just reminiscing on old memories. We have a feeling when we're 65 and single (don't ask) we'll end up back together. We'll board our boat and sail away into infinity. Sounds like a plan.

So, do any of you guys have houses that hold special memories? People from your past you still love with all of your heart?

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

National Infertility Awareness Week

National Infertility Awareness Week is going on NOW and is something so close to my heart. I have chosen to participate in Resolve's "Bust A Myth" blogging campaign. Here are a few myths I want to address...

~Myth One~

"You're young. You have plenty of time."

Yeah, tell that to the couple in their 40's who have been trying for 12 years. Somewhere, someone told them the same thing. Just because I'm 26, doesn't mean diddly squat. For me, I'm starting over again. I have no clue when I'll be getting married again and on top of that, no clue when I'll be given the chance at becoming a mom again. A women's fertility begins to decline at 30, we all know this. I'm 4 years away. So, please...do me a favor and spare me the "you're so young" comments. Young has nothing to do with my infertility. My miscarriage would have happened at 19 just as it did at 25 and will happen again if I don't take additional precautions thanks to my PCOS.

~Myth Two~
"If I just ignore it, my issues will go away or work themselves out."

My heart hurts to know friends and acquaintances who feel this way. We'd all love to believe in divine intervention. That somehow, God will step in and make you a Fertile Myrtle. I do believe in miracles, but it is IMPERATIVE that a woman take charge of her reproductive health. So many reproductive issues are hidden under excessive weight, absence of periods, and other bodily issues. There is also absolutely ZERO REASON to force yourself to endure multiple miscarriages and unanswered questions. NONE.

~Myth Three~

"Infertility only occurs in unhealthy, overweight people."

Ummm completely false. I was diagnosed at 19 with infertility and I was about as healthy and vivacious as they come. There are some reproductive diseases that can cause unhealthy weight gain, but the two do not always go hand in hand.

~Myth Four~

"Reproductive Endocrinologists are all the same."

I went to multiple OB's and got the same answer. No diagnosis. No time to listen. Just stay on birth control and we'll talk to you later. I couldn't get anyone to hear me. Until I met my phenomenal RE. He changed my life and I will forever be grateful to him for all he has done to make me aware. Had I not known, I would have been even more taken back when I lost baby J last year. PLEASE for the love of Pete, if you find yourself having fertility issues...stop wasting time at your OB/GYN's office and find an RE. A good one. You will not regret it.

~Myth Five~

"Insurance covers fertility treatments."

So stinkin' false. You are one lucky feller if your company does. It can happen, but it's extremely rare. A lot of companies up North and some banking institutions do. The military will cover your meds, but no IVF/IUI/etc. The military does offer a lower cost IVF clinic in TX & DC which shaves about $3,000 off the cost. The hardest part about having to endure all of the IVF/IUI process, is you aren't guaranteed a baby. You can do everything right, spend TONS of money and walk away broke, empty handed, and heart broken. It really sucks. If you're looking for the list of awesome companies to work for who help with fertility and adoption assistance...check here.

The bottom line is being an infertile SUCKS. Sure, apparently I can get pregnant which is a feat all in it's own...but what people fail to realize is that if I never get to bring a baby home...what does it matter? It hurts to see people around you pregnant. Family. Friends. Co-workers. The baby showers, the tummy envy, the questions. It stinks. Sure, most of us have faith we'll have our "someday babies" but we don't need everyone else telling us so. We already have the t-shirt, the tattoo, and the bumper sticker for that one. Thanks.

If I had one wish, it would be for people to be more aware and more sensitive to those around them struggling to conceive. This is not something we asked for and not something we'd wish on our worst enemy. Yeah, even the woman with the uterus of steel. We deserve to be parents just like everyone else, sometimes...even more so. Please keep that in mind this week and in the future. And never, EVER forget to cherish your children if you do have them. Someone, somewhere is wishing they were in your shoes.

Need more info?
What is Infertility?
National Infertility Awareness Week

Monday, April 25, 2011

Bloggie Clean-Up

Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you all know I'm doing a little spring cleaning in Blogger. I had no idea I was following over 360 blogs and the sad thing is, I hardly see any of them because my feed is so bogged down. So, I'm going through and removing a bunch. If for some reason, I remove yours and you would like me to re-follow...let me know. I'm trying to keep the ones who I recognize from my blog, Twitter, etc. but accidents can happen :) Don't take offense. I'm deleting many who haven't blogged in over a month, a lot of mommy blogs (just not my life anymore), and just other etc.'s.