Just Melancholy

I just read in a magazine the other day that they now have a diet pill for the chubby family dog. I couldn’t believe that pets are becoming so pampered that they have the same medications as us! It seems like a waste of money since unlike people, owners can control the amount of food that the dog eats.

However, I guess some dogs do overeat and the diet pill may help dogs feel fuller and eat less. I have to admit that occasionally my husband and I give a gourmet dog treat to our dog on the same day without realizing it. I guess that is why she has filled out since her slender puppy days.

If you’ve read the previous post on egg donation, you understand how the process works and what the purpose of it is. Well, I decided to become an egg donor to help infertile couples conceive.

Although initially the monetary compensation gave me incentive to learn more about egg donation, I didn’t decide to fill out the application until my second niece was born just this month. Seeing how happy everyone was from her arrival, I tried to imagine the heartache someone who had always wanted to be a mother, such as my sister, or even a grandmother, such as my mom, would feel if they couldn’t have their own baby.

After filling out a long application, I’m waiting to be screened and chosen by a couple. I’ll let you know more about the details of the process as I learn about them.

My parents take an annual vacation in October to an exotic location like Mexico or Brazil. This year my husband and I decided to do the same. We booked a vacation in Switzerland. I’ve always wanted to see Europe, and Switzerland seemed like the perfect, central location.

We planned a few of our activities, but left ourselves free time at night to relax or explore, according to what we felt. Surprisingly, my favorite part of the vacation was hiking the Swiss Alps. I thought it would be too difficult, but it was a very exhilirating experience. Some of the hikes were quite easy. Best of all, the air was clean and fresh, and the views unsurpassed. There was such beautiful scenery!

Overall, our vacation turned out to be just what we needed–a mix of the outdoors, comfy hotels, delectable new food, and an exploration of a new culture. We picked the best adventurous vacation, maybe we’ll have to go back next year.

My brother was married in Summer 2006, and after I was looking at the pictures from the wedding, I realized I was chubby. It was a horrifying realization - it was tough for me to accept that I had put on 20 pounds since my own wedding the year before.

I decided to do something about it. I wanted to learn better eating habits, so I started counting calories and paying attention to what I ate. Last summer I managed to lose about 15 pounds, and I kept it off until around February or March, right after I got back from a cruise to Mexico. By then I realized I had put five pounds back on. I decided to try again, and I’ve been diligently working on my diet. I’ve lost another 10 pounds, which puts me right back at the weight I was when I got married.

It’s such a feeling of satisfaction, knowing I’ve lost 20 pounds over the past year, and I’m looking (and feeling!) better than ever. My other brother was just married, and I’m much happier with how I look in his wedding pictures. No more chubby me!

After a few years of marriage and of trying to get pregnant, my husband and I turned to infertility specialists to determine what the problem was. Unfortunately, I was given the devastating diagnosis of endometriosis. I learned that I was part of the 30% who was infertile as a cause of this condition. We discussed our options with our infertility specialist and decided to try IVF treatment.

However, after two attempts I was unable to maintain a pregnancy to birth. Finally, we chose to use a surrogate. We researched surrogate agencies that would screen surrogates similar to the screening requirements for egg donors. We chose a surrogacy agency that fit us and was well established. We were able to choose a surrogate that matched our values and views on pregnancy. My eggs were combined with my husband’s sperm and we were now have our child growing in this charitable woman’s womb. In just a few months, we were be parents!

Received my very first place setting of my wedding china and I am so excited! It is absolutely gorgeous and wonderfully exquisite. The small geometric pattern is subtle yet contemporary, complementary of my own personal taste and style. Check it out for yourself! Good thing we all are now well-versed in china replacement services, in case my pattern is ever discontinued!

I write this as I am currently ordering a bug hat for my husband.  Read on….

My husband constantly and mercilessly makes fun of me every time I wear my camouflage bug hat.  I admit, it’s not the most attractive head piece I could wear, but I certainly think it is the most functional.  “It provides mosquito protection, among other things,” I contend each and every time the teasing begins.
Well, karma made a visit and put him in his place. The other day, I dragged his butt off the couch and made him help me weed out the gardens in our massive back yard.  On our way outside, I strapped on the hat and his usual mockery began.

During our weeding, we must have disturbed a small colony of yellow jackets, because all of sudden there were about ten of them swarming us.  I had on long pants, long sleeves, gloves, and my trusty bug hat.  My husband was not so lucky.  In fact, he ended up getting stung four times on the neck.  Who’s laughing now??

If you happen to live in Colorado (like a few of our Just Melancholy contributors do), you have to check out Haunted Denver.  The site has listings and reviews of the hottest Denver haunted mazes, haunted houses, and other Halloween attractions.  So grab your sweetheart, kids, or a group of girlfriends, and go have a good scare!

My sister and brother-in-law recently adopted a gorgeous little baby girl into their family. After years of experiencing miscarriages, their happy day of arrival had finally come!

As we were discussing the difficult years prior to this day, my sister began to talk about the adoption process. I had no idea that adoption could be so extensive. Particularly for infants, the adoption waiting lists can be so long that some couples give up hope. She commented that although the adoption process was extensive, she was grateful she had taken the time to find the right adoption agency, who made the process easier to understand and were so kind.

If anyone in your family is looking to adopt, I would recommend you talk to an adoption specialist and check out this great website.

The fall happens to be my absolute favorite season; the changing leaves, the cooler weather, the smell of pumpkin and spice, my birthday and wedding anniversary (both of which happen to be during this great season) – I love it all.

Well, perhaps “all” is not quite accurate.  The fall marks the beginning of the holiday season, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all following one right after the other.  I absolutely adore the holidays; however, I loathe the inevitable weight gain I experience each year.  I just can’t seem to resist all the delicious treats that find their way into my home.  While I don’t experience massive weight gain, I think I speak for most women when I say that even those five extra pounds can be a downer.

However, this year I have pledged that things will be different; I am going to break out my dusty gym pass, exercise regularly, take a weight loss supplement, and implement healthier eating habits.  This in no way means I am going to restrict my favorite holiday desserts but I am going to be conscious about how and what I partake of. 

If anyone has effective, interesting, or fun ways to tackle holiday weight gain, we would love to hear from you!  Whether it is a favorite exercise, outdoor activity, or specific eating habit, now is the time to start your healthy regiment to ensure you do not gain additional weight during the upcoming holidays.