naming names

Miscellaneous update:

I have buyers for my first two auctions now, but they've only bid my starting price. That means that I am going to lose money on those transactions if other bids don't come in for them. My third auction was listed yesterday, and was my first of the used clothing auctions. I was very pleased with the nice photos and template I had worked up using a javascript slideshow, but for some reason when I put it on ebay it broke and now I am not pleased with that auction page at all. I don't have the technical knowledge to troubleshoot it, so there's not much I can do, it seems. There are two watchers on that auction but no bids as yet. That's promising, but still making me nervous. I need to get substantially over my reserve to really be making any sort of a profit so far... I know that starting any other type of business it takes time to show a profit but I can only risk so much startup capital before I have to fold up the show. I know this is a dry time of year, so maybe I'll do better as fall approaches but I've got the time and energy NOW and I really would like to be getting somewhere. I know I'm close. However, close is not good enough.

There's no water in the house right now and I've got both kids. I don't think I'm going to be able to shower and therefore we won't be leaving the house. Maybe the tank will refill sometime today... it is scary not knowing. Gabe can go sit in the kiddy pool (thankfully put fresh water in yesterday) but looks like I'll be stinky until water returns or I can go use mom's shower.

My birthday is a week and a half away and I have some birthday presents I want to get myself. I am hoping to get out of the house perhaps on Tuesday to do that shopping and such. It isn't an extravagent list, by any means, but perhaps a little self-indulgent. First, I want to get my hair highlighted. It looks dingy as it is and some highlights would freshen it up and make it look a little blonder. Then I am wanting to shop maternity stores to get 2 or 3 nice looking versatile dresses I can wear to church. I want to start going back to mass again but I have this hang-up that I have to wear a dress, and I really don't have anything right now I am comfortable with. Also I want one really nice dressy casual outfit to wear for the day of my birthday in case we go out or something so I can look and feel my best, because that will really help make the day nice for me. When you're big as a boat swollen you have a hard time feeling confident about how you look. One last thing: I think I will go ahead and buy that Due South season one on dvd I have been thinking about for almost 2 years now. I'm getting to the stage where I'm having to spend more time in bed and also having a hard time falling asleep at night so I will be doing more TV watching than my usual. The Tivo helps but there's just not much on that I'm interested in watching and that show is a little lighter than the crime dramas I've been watching.

I got an email from my old girlfriend that Duran Duran is coming to Kansas City on Saturday the 23rd. That's two days before my birthday. Say what you like about my tastes but I have been a fan since before the 6th grade. Their last album was quite good and I would much enjoy seeing the show. I am disappointed that it falls during my pregnancy, as I try to avoid large crowds and loud noises. Also live shows are draining and I'm easily exhaustible. Furthermore its the kind of thing that always seems to be more fun with a handful of alcoholic beverages in you, which is not currently an option. Still, I think Scott plans to get tickets for that and take me for my birthday. Hopefully it will be a good experience and worth the inflated ticket prices. I remember a few years ago I was very excited to see The Fixx at a local and very small venue for 12.75 a ticket. I was very pleased with that show and could almost reach out and touch Cy Curnin. What fun! At least the show isn't at an outdoor festival or one of those huge tiring things that I would not be able to survive in my current condition. I'll kick myself if I miss it though... they haven't been to town since 1993 and I missed that show!

Last night I was upstairs in bed watching Pay It Forward on Tivo with Gabe and I was feeling my usual belly shishings. I put my hand right over the commotion and I got two very good and solid kicks in the hand! There's just something about that moment... the moment where you clearly and undeniably feel the life inside of you. When things shift from the mere knowledge what's there to the experience of what it really means. I'm convinced its a boy although I have no rational explanation for why. The sonogram is Monday and I will find out for sure. If they say it's a girl I'll have a hard time believing and accepting it. I am eager to know and get a name worked out with Scott, especially since one has formed in my mind, almost as if it chose itself and I had no control over it. But I hate referring to it as "it".

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1b-3a)