Our summer to-do list.

Right now we have an ongoing to-do list and at the bottom of mine is "have baby."

Of course, I haven't let Margot see her "to-do" list once the baby is actually here! It includes fixing the bathroom ceiling and also adding a deck and French doors to our kitchen.

My job during this period will be feeding our newborn daughter and shopping. Maybe my first purchase should be some new patio furniture!

Hooked up!

So we're pretty sure that when we're on maternity leave that we're going to try to travel. WHy wouldn't we? It's the middle of the summer and we have off for most of it!

Of course, with things up in the air with Margot's father we really don't know how we're going to make arrangements and what time frame we should be looking at.

I think I'm going to start looking for some cheap flights and if we are able to find them...just book'em right up!

Know a good dealer?

I'm not just talking about any dealer...I'm talking about a coin dealer!

One thing that never loses it’s value is silver coins! Even when our stocks are floundering you can always look to silver, gold, and precious metals to maintain their value.

Monex Deposit Company offers silver and other precious metals for delivery or they will make arrangements to have your metals stored privately and securely at a bank or depository.

I didn’t realize this but Monex Deposit Company (MDC) is an industry leader. They sell silver in two forms: coin or ingot. We all know what the coins look like, but the ignots are pure bullion cast in a convenient size and shape. I can only imagine they look like the blocks that are in most cartoons!

The world demand now exceeds the supply demand for silver - which makes it a pretty smart investment.

Watch down.

The other day I went into one of the jewelery stores on the commons with the intent of actually getting a battery for my watch.

You'd think that the place that sold me the watch would be able to replace the watch...WRONG.

Instead, they referred me to another place where I can get a watch battery.

While looking my eye was caught by Audemars Piguet offshore watches. They are absolutely stunning and totally perfect for the outdoorsman!

What should I do?

Before getting pregnant I lost around 100 pounds! Of course, during the various infertility treatments and then getting pregnant I've gained some of that weight back.

After I have the baby I'm really going to focus on losing the weight again. Being this big is reminding me how it was before I lost all of the weight!

Before I used weight loss pills and although I'm going to be nursing - after I stop I'm not beyond trying that again!

I'm blind.

I seriously have issues with reading. Whether it's a book or the computer I'm constantly squinting to see the words!

I think it's high time that I think about either getting a good pair of glasses or looking into magnifiers.

Of course, I'll be just like grandma with her bi-focals. And to think all those years I gave her heartache over them!

I know I should...

look into getting medical id bracelets.

I've had my pacemaker for close to four years now and I keep thinking that there might come a time when I can't tell a medical professional that I have a pacemaker. Then they'd have to rely on the cards in my wallet and perhaps a database that might or might-not have my information in it.

One easy solution would be to have a necklace or bracelet that had my name and pacemaker information.

I love my cloth diapers!

Okay, so I haven't actually used them...but I like the fact that I'm doing my part to save the earth and I think I'm going to love how they look and feel on little Emerson's bum.

Of course, when I went to buy the diapers I had no idea where to begin. It's not like they have cloth diaper franchise stores out there!

Instead, the answer was a local little mom store right on the commons!

So much learning...

As mentioned before, I've learned so much about healthcare and finances over the past few weeks in dealing with the stuff with Margot's dad.

Today I was on the phone for hours dealing with the leasing agent, car lease person, health insurance, social worker, and nursing home.

You never realize how much red tape is out there! Dad isn't eligible for medicare or medicaid because he's not a citizen. However, I found out the other day that there's a medicare part d! I had only heard of part A and B.

Oh another thing..

that I should go ahead and put on our infamous "to-do" list - speaker mount and hook up our new home theatre system that Margot's dad gave us.

Of course, we should probably focus on actually packing our bags for the hospital and putting the carseat in the car.

First things, first - right?

The good thing...

about all of this stuff with Margot's dad is that I'm really getting some experience with dealing with the hospital and medical systems.

The hard part is that you can literally spend all day on the phone with one insurance question and I'm scared to say that just because you get coverage with that one person doesn't actually mean that you'll get coverage when it comes around to getting the bills paid.

I think it's really all about covering your ass and making sure you get badge numbers, names, and phone numbers!

Of course, we'll see if that even works...

Surrender?

Just the other day our friend T came over. She's a local police officer. I was shocked how geared up she was!

I'm sure she probably has the best gear when it comes to protecting herself.

One thing I kept looking at was her Blackhawk holsters!

LAPoliceGear.com has some great police gear and they also have some pretty reasonable prices. If you're looking to get geared up ... check'em out!

This post sponsored by: LAPoliceGear.com

So little time.

So I was actually planning on doing some subbing Tuesday and Wednesday. I know it would have totally busted my balls...but...I figured the money would be a nice little treat before the baby comes.

Then this thing with Margot's dad came up and I know she's totally stressed. There's so many little details that need to be tended to including working on getting him out of his office lease, lexus lease, and then working with his health insurance.

It seems like all of this takes tons of time and there's so much information that noone knows.

Plus, tomorrow I'm going to watch F because L's grandmother is very sick and she went to South Carolina to see her. So other L is at home and planning on make the trip in the next few days and needs to run some errands.

It's nice to have the flexibility to help friends when needed.

Russians know love!

When I met Margot over 10 years ago and she took me home to meet her family I was shocked to see that her Chinese father was dating a Russian woman! Supposedly, he had done a breast job on her (she was an exotic dancer) and the rest is history!

They are still together and for better or for worse.

At first we questioned if she was one of the mail order brides you about about from Russia! But she actually moved to the states prior to meeting Manny!

LoversPlanet offers profiles of Russian women that you can look at, write, and even meet! It's Russian dating at it's best and it's a great idea for people that are on the search for a foreign bride.

It's a win - win situation!

When we get our new bathroom...

I think we should keep it simple yet stylish. I like the pedastool sink that we have now. However, I just took a look at some of the Danze faucets and they are really cool.

One option would be just to do a half bath upstairs. That way it wouldn't eat too much into our bedroom space and we would have the satisifaction of a bathroom upstairs!

A new bathroom?

I really don't think it would be too hard to add a bathroom upstairs. Of course, it would cut into our big bedroom but I'm willing to make that sacrifice for a toilet and the possiblity of walk in tubs!

I can't imagine actually being able to go to the bathroom upstairs without going down a flight of stairs.

Of course, as it is now...I wait til my first potty break at night then I make my home on the couch.

Hooked up!

I'm totally shocked that it's been awhile since our home theatre system pooped out. Maybe it means that we're watching less television and DVDs? Or maybe it's just decided to behave!

At some point we're going to remodel and have a new family room. We've already talked about getting a sweet television and no home theatre is complete without home theater sconces!

So much to do...so little time.

I can just feel the days going by before I pop this kid out! I think we're close to around 70 days. I've felt the major need for nesting and making home improvements.

I also realize the fact that if we don't do something soon to our bathroom I'm afraid the whole ceiling is going to cave in.

Of course, I figure with Margot taking off 8 weeks when the baby's born maybe she can tackle that and we won't have to worry about getting an additional shower inside the shower!

So expensive!

Just the other day we looking at our finances and couldn't believe how much we spend on health, life, car, and home insurance! At some point we're going to look into getting more life insurance for Margot because the last time we got a quote it was way too expensive and we're guessing it was because State Farm has jacked up their prices.

More than likely we would look into getting a auto insurance quote too. It'd be great to go through a one-stop-shop so that we could combine payment and receive multiple discounts.

You should see...

what my bedding situation looks like. I'm on the couch these days and I have five pillows around me.

Last night we were watching television and Margot was on my "bed" then all of a sudden Graem crawled up beside her and went to bed! This was at 5pm or so and actually ended up sleeping through the night.

I figure I'll probably be spending the rest of my pregnancy on the couch. Of course, last night I was lying on the couch and couldn't help but think that it would be gross if my water broke on it.

Maybe in the next few weeks I'll put down some chucks pads or something!