Because the alternative is unthinkable.

He's here!

2009-07-16T05:36:13Z

Trey Alexander arrived at 3:03pm on 7/15/09 weighing 7lbs 10 oz and measuring 22 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great as are dad, big brothers, proud grandparents and so on.

I didn't make it in time for the delivery because once he decided to come this little guy was in quite a hurry. SIL went from 3cm to 9cm in a couple of hours. She actually progressed so fast she wasn't able to get an epidural because by the time they checked her she was almost ready to push. Fortunately for her, she only had to push for about 10 minutes and he was here. I got to the hospital around 6:45 (my BIL had called just as I was getting on the road to let me know Trey was here so I was in no rush driving over). Everyone had gone off to WalMart to shop for SIL and the baby so when I arrived it was just me, SIL, and Trey for almost an hour and a half. That was really nice. We just chatted and Trey slept in my arms the whole time.

He is so precious. So small and warm and he makes those cute little newborn baby noises. And his hair and skin are so soft. He even smells good. I am totally, completely, 100% head over heels in love. I guess it really is true that your love just grows as each new child comes. Even though they aren't my own, I love my nephews and my niece like crazy. When Joey was born I wondered if I could love him as much as Andy. But I immediately did. Same thing happened with Trey. One glimpse and I was hooked. ♥

Here we go!

2009-07-15T17:39:18Z

SIL is in labor. My wonderful mother has agreed to let me borrow her car so I can head over to the west side of the state (only reason I couldn't go today was my husband needs our car to go to work). Hopefully I'll get there before the baby does!

I'm so excited

2009-07-15T03:25:39Z

So according to her OB, my sister-in-law should be in active labor within 72 hours to deliver my third nephew. I'm really hoping he comes on Thursday or Friday because then I can travel to the west side of the state to be there when he's born. I would love to be there when she delivers him or at least be able to see and hold him within the first few hours of his life. I didn't get the chance to do that with either of my first two nephews or my niece. Andy was born while my husband and I were separated so I didn't meet him until he was 16 months old. Joey came a fairly surprising 10 days before his due date so I missed his birth as well. And Constance was born in Louisiana because that's where her dad is stationed so I didn't get to see her until she was 6 weeks old. So I really want to be there for this one. I hope it works out. I still have to get big brother gifts for Andy and Joey but I have the new baby's gifts all set to go. I swear, my cell phone won't be out of reach at all for the next few days. *crosses fingers and repeats to herself "Not tomorrow... not tomorrow... Thursday or Friday... Thursday or Friday..."*

Well, that's a bummer

2009-06-13T03:18:11Z

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a great series and they earned the right life Lord Stanley tonight fair and square. Their team and their fans deserve to celebrate this all summer long. Well done.

I'm disappointed. I'm not as crushed as I thought I was going to be if they lost. I'm not sure why. It really sucks. But they had two chances to close it out. And they didn't do it. I guess that's it. They didn't deserve to win. So it's easier to accept that they didn't. Not that I'm not going to be pretty bummed out for the next several days, because I will be. But this is still a really good team. They weren't hungry enough to win it in back to back years. And that's frustrating. But honestly, it's also not all that surprising.

I will be interested to see what happens in the off-season. I pray to the hockey gods that I just watched Mikael Samuelsson play his last game as a Red Wing. Ericsson and Helm have clearly earned full time roster spots in Detroit next year. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen are all signed long term. We should have a really good shot again next season. As good as anyone. And that's all you can really ask as a sports fan, I think. To have your team have a chance every year.

If Marian Hossa takes a big money contract come July, then his coming to Detroit was just a stunt and karmically, he deserved what he got. If he really believes Detroit is a superior club and decides to stay here for less money than he could get on the open market to be part of the tradition of excellence this team has, then I will respect that a bit more. We'll see. It'll be interesting.

OMG... freaking out

2009-06-12T23:37:30Z

I've really stayed pretty calm the last couple of days waiting for this game but now, a half hour from puck drop, I'm freaking out. Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I've never watched a hockey game that has meant more to me. I'm going to be elated or I'm going to be devastated. No middle ground.

I have a lot of confidence in this team to win the big game and this is the biggest. But in a one game scenario anything can happen. Hockey can be a game of inches, a game of bounces. I actually had a dream while I took a nap earlier today that the Wings were trailing by a goal, scored to tie it and then scored to take the lead and somehow both goals (??? It was a dream, okay?) were called back on a goaltender interference call on Holmstrom and I was absolutely livid! So am I nervous? Oh you bet.

I know all the odds. Home teams in the NHL win 80% of Game 7s. In the Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals all-time home teams are 12-2. The Wings are 11-1 at home in this playoffs. The home team is 6-0 in this series. No road team has won a Game 7 for the championship in the NHL, NBA, or MLB in 30 years. It hasn't happened in the NHL in even longer -- 38 years. But none of that changes the fact that tonight two very, very good hockey teams are going to take the ice with the chance to win the Stanley Cup, the hardest trophy to win in professional sports, by winning one. single. game.

Which team is going to want it more? Will the Red Wings' desire to deliver for their fans, their city, this state that so desperately needs something, anything to feel good about be stronger than the Penguins' desire to win their first championship as this group, their first championship in 17 years, and rub it in the faces of the Wings and their fans by winning it on Detroit's home ice the way Detroit did to them just last year?

I want to believe the Wings will not let us down. That they will celebrate their 5th championship in 12 years tonight and that the people of Detroit will party long into the night. That a million people will pack downtown Detroit for a victory parade and be allowed to forget about auto companies and bankruptcies and foreclosures and a 13% unemployment rate at least for a few hours and get to bask in the enjoyment of one thing this state does have going for it -- we have a kick ass hockey team.

In a few hours we'll find out.

Ay yi yi

2009-06-10T02:47:20Z

Osgood is the only reason the Wings were even in that game through the first two periods. The Conn Smythe is his if the Wings take Game 7, no question. The Wings have to want it more than the Penguins. They didn't have their backs against the wall tonight and they played like it. But there can be no excuses if they don't win Game 7 on home ice in front of their fans. The people of Detroit (heck, all of Michigan) need this and this team has an obligation to deliver.

I'm going to bed. It's a long time until Friday.

Just say no to Game 7!

2009-06-09T23:16:34Z

Okay Wings. Finish it. I wanna see Lidstrom and company lifting that big shiny silver thing and skating it around the ice in Mellon Arena tonight.

I usually would have had so much more to say about this series but I've been so sick for the last week that I really haven't been able to organize my thoughts enough to make them into posts. Doesn't mean I haven't been having them though. ;) I'm just tired and cranky and have pretty much used up all the energy I have just to watch the games and study for my finals which are this week. I am really ready to start feeling better soon. But at least I didn't start feeling sick until after Game 2! Being at a Stanley Cup Finals game and watching the Wings take a 2-0 series lead was one of the most exciting experiences of my life.

Oh dear... They're letting Carmen Harlan talk about hockey on Channel 4. *headdesk*

I'm sure this game is going to be a tough one. The last thing the Penguins want is to watch the Wings skate the Stanley Cup around on their home ice for the second year in a row! But if the Wings play their best, they should win. I don't think my nerves would be able to handle a Game 7. Anything can happen in a one game scenario. So for my sanity the Wings need to finish it tonight. They look calm. They look poised. They're fairly healthy. They know what it takes to get it done. Now it's just time to do it.

Well folks, it's a series

2009-06-05T02:49:14Z

No team has lost at home yet. Tied series heading back to the Joe for Game 5. I'd have more to say but I have this cold that is kicking my ass and it was all I could do to stay awake through the game. Good night.

One sided much?

2009-06-02T23:46:52Z

Could the Versus announcers possibly kiss the Penguins' asses any more? Ugh.

excitedanxiousnervouswhee!

2009-05-30T20:44:12Z

The Stanley Cup Finals start again in a few hours. Wow, that year went fast. The Wings and Penguins are both back to take another crack at each other and it should be a hell of a series. The Wings have the chance to be the first team to successfully defend their Stanley Cup Championship since they won back to back in 1997 and 1998. I believe they have a very good shot at doing so. The injury situation is a bit concerning as I always say you need three things to win the Cup: skill, health, and luck. Datsyuk and Draper are still out tonight but Lidstrom and Ericsson are back. That's great news for the defense because when you have dress Derek Meech you know things ae getting pretty desperate. Missing Datsyuk isn't as bad this year as it would have bene last year when he was second on the team in points in the playoffs. Franzen's been tearing it up again and Cleary's having an incredible playoffs and so is Filppula. They're picking up a lot of the slack from some others underachieving offensively. That could really work in the Wings' favor because if the Penguins focus on shutting them down that will leave more room for guys like Zetterberg and Hossa. And vice versa. But I'm sure the Penguins have learned a lot in the last year and they won't be surprised by anything like they were last year.

I am really sick of people comparing this series to the 1984 Finals between the Oilers and Islanders. I understand what they're trying to get at but I really don't think it fits. The Wings ae not as complacent as the Islanders and the Penguins are not as talented as the Oilers. Crosby + Malkin =/= Gretzky + Messier. That said, the Penguins definitely do have a better chance of beating the Wings this year than they did last year and Detroit will be in for one heck of a fight.

Okay, I guess that's all I have to say. Time to drop the puck.

Oh. My. God.

2009-05-15T01:47:29Z

THANK YOU, DAN CLEARY!!!! WHOOOOOOO!

Oh boy.

2009-05-14T23:03:06Z

Here we go. Game 7. *eek*

Go Wings!

MOTHERFUCKER!!!!!!!

2009-05-06T05:18:58Z

Motherfucking son of a bitch!!! Brad Watson, what the fuck was that?!?!?!? You are a fucking disgrace to the league! That is an embarrassment to the game of hockey! I am so disgusted I could puke. That's bullshit. Get the fuck off the ice. You don't deserve to ref in the playoffs.

Username Change

2009-03-22T18:45:56Z

Hi everyone. *waves* I know I haven't posted in like forever, but I just wanted to let you guys know I changed my username (both here and on LJ). I hated qafanfic almost as soon as I picked it and I finally decided to go ahead and change it. So now I'm altsunthinkable.

I just finished an insanely busy winter quarter at school and now I have two glorious weeks off before spring quarter begins. I have no idea how I'll ever catch up on everything that I missed but I'll do by best. I've also set the goal for myself to have rough drafts of all remaining chapters of both of my QAF WIPs done before break is over. I've actually scheduled time each day of my break to write. Is scheduling your time off so you get everything done an sign that you're way too busy? I'm thinking yes.

Anyway, I haven't died. I've just been getting educated. *g*

Season's Greetings

2008-12-24T17:37:16Z

Wishing everyone on my friends list a wonderful holiday filled with food, family, friends, and all the other things that make the season bright.

World AIDS Day

2008-12-01T17:17:46Z

She's home!

2008-11-25T19:55:25Z

Tessa's home from the vet's. She's currently curled up in "her" corner of the couch having a little puppy dream. Thank you so much to those of you who sent good thoughts her way, and mine as well. I'm fairly sure yesterday was actually tougher on me than it was on her. :)

Okay, now I can nap

2008-11-24T17:59:19Z

I just talked to the vet tech who assisted in Tessa's surgery and everything went great. She's still pretty groggy but I can call back later in the afternoon to check on her again and if all continues to go well she should be able to come home tomorrow.

*heaves huge sigh of relief* Now I need some sleep. I didn't get very much last night.

altsunthinkable @ 2008-11-24T09:50:00

2008-11-24T14:50:39Z

I just got home from dropping Tessa, my 10 year old puppy, off at the vet to have surgery to remove her bladder stones. She didn't show any symptoms at all that anything was wrong until we were up north over the weekend. I'm trying not to worry too much but it's really hard. I haven't had to leave her at the vet for anything since she was spayed when she was 6 months old. When I got home my other girl, Annie, was looking around for Tessa and wondering why I came home without her. :(

We'll be curled up here on the couch together waiting anxiously for 12:00 when I can call for an update.

I have a niece!

2008-11-11T06:25:03Z

My first niece has finally arrived, six days late (and 30 hours after her poor mom was induced). She was born last Thursday but I just got pictures today. So now this proud auntie needs to share.

Constance Mae, 11/6/08, 7lbs 6 oz, 20 1/4 inches.

I'm so in love. It's going to be tough with her in Louisiana. My nephews live just a couple of hours away and I see them every month or two. I don't know when I'll get to see Constance for the first time. Maybe Christmas. Regardless, she's definitely getting spoiled. *heads off to Amazon*

Plz see icon, kthnx

2008-11-04T18:51:04Z

I just got home from voting! (And registering to take 16 credit hours next term, eek).

Please, if you are a US citizen, whatever candidate you support, exercise your right to get out and VOTE!

I'm going to go nuts being stuck in class tonight and unable to watch the results coming in.

Took the test this morning

2008-08-26T00:34:08Z

It was negative. Quite relieved and just slightly disappointed. I know it's best that we wait to start a family. I would never try to get pregnant with our financial circumstances being what they are. But I have to admit, if it happened I'd be happy. Worried about how we were going to manage it, but happy. But our current plan is good. Two more years to finish up our degrees and find decent jobs with health benefits, then start our family. I know the time will fly by. The last two years certainly have.

I still haven't started yet. Hopefully I will now that the stress of not knowing is off. I'm now more than five days late and it's getting old. :P

Thanks so much to everyone who commented on my previous post. You ladies rock. *hugs*

Well shit...

2008-08-24T04:26:56Z

I think I might be pregnant. Which wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing in the world, but certainly is not the plan at the moment.

I think I'm late. Yeah... that's nice and definite, huh? I just don't remember exactly when I got my last period. I'm pretty regular and I've been kind of figuring I'd start "soon" for about a week and I still haven't. I don't keep strict track of my cycles all of the time but in April, May, and June I did jot down the days I started and today I found that piece of paper and looked at the calendar and... yeah... pretty sure I'm about 3 days late. And that's from when my real flow should have started. I always spot for a few days before that and I haven't even started doing that yet. Plus, I've been incredibly irritable and moody. Actually, that was the first thing I noticed. I started crying last weekend when my husband and I got into an argument while we were visiting his parents. It's been years since I've cried when we argued just because my husband was "being mean to me" (as I sobbed out last Saturday). Like, since high school. I figured then "god, I'm really PMSing" but, like I said, it's been a week and no period. Yesterday we had another fight and I was so furious I almost threw a glass at the wall. And I really shouldn't have been that angry. I think I'm peeing more than usual but then I'm not sure because I wonder if I'm just noticing how often I go because I'm wondering if I'm pregnant. I haven't had any nausea so that kind of makes me think maybe I'm not because I have been pregnant before (8 years ago) and I had terrible morning sickness then. But I did have heartburn the other night which is extremely rare for me. I just don't know what to think!

I know I should just go buy a pregnancy test and find out and I think I'm going to but I'm so torn about it because no matter what the results are, I'm going to be both happy and upset.

See... I'd be really happy if I was pregnant because I've been feeling emotionally ready to have a child for a few years now. I'm almost 28 and this is about the time I always figured I'd probably start a family (it's the age my mom was when she had me, her first and only child). But my husband and I are no where near financially ready to start a family. We're both students, I'm currently unemployed, my husband works at Toys R Us stocking shelves for minimum wage, we have no health insurance, we share an apartment with my mother, and my grandfather fills in the gaps for us month to month because he wants me to be able to focus solely on finishing my degree. In two years, we'll have our degrees and (hopefully) good jobs. But that's two years from now. If I am pregnant now, we'd be happy about the child but stressed beyond belief about the money.

And if I'm not pregnant, I'll be a bit relieved because things will be able to continue to go as planned. But I know I'll also be disappointed. And I'll feel guilty for being disappointed. Ugh.

I've spent the last three or four days growing increasingly more preoccupied each time I go to the bathroom and see I haven't started yet. It's gotten to the point where I didn't think about much else all day today. I haven't told anyone of my suspicions. My husband would just get stressed out and my mother would think I'm just fretting over nothing and my best friend would say I'm just hoping I am because she knows how much I want a child. I was really thinking that was probably the case myself until I found that paper today and realized it looks like I really am late. Since then I've thought of little else and have been driving myself crazy. I know I just need to suck it up and go buy a test and whatever the results are will probably be for the best.

*deep sigh*

YEEEHOOO!!!!

2008-06-05T03:38:45Z

Hockey Hangover

2008-06-03T09:24:45Z

I'm going to have a hockey hangover tomorrow, I can tell. Or actually it'll technically be later on today whenever I wake up, assuming that at some point I'm going to go to bed. It's 5 in the morning and I'm still up. Granted, I'm usually up until around 3am anyway because that's just my natural tendency to be a night person, but man... that was some shit.

34.3 fucking seconds from winning the Cup and they let them tie it with the fucking goalie pulled. Not one, not two, but three fucking overtimes later and they lose when the Pens finally score on a fucking power play. AUGH!!! I knew it was coming too. The longer the Wings dominated play without scoring the winner, the more I dreaded it because that's just when the other team goes down and scores.

I can't blame the refs for the call. You have to be in control of your stick. A high stick is a gotta call, every time. And drawing blood is 4 minutes, automatic. Nothing to be done about it. But fuck.... just fuck.

Ozzie didn't look good tonight. He was fighting the puck all night long. He's been so fucking solid back there all playoffs long. Don't get the jitters on me now, Chris!

I was happy to see Babcock shake up the lines. Pavel and Hank were getting nothing going together and the revamped lines were on fire through the first two overtimes. The fourth line of Maltby - Helm - Hudler was really good too. Hopefully the guys can carry the good stuff over into the next game and pull out win #16 in the Penguins' barn without the pressure of knowing the whole city is just waiting to explode around them if they win.

God, that was so nerve-wracking! Five hours of anxiety and frustration and hope and elation and excitement and irritation and fear and dread and... why do I do this to myself again? Jesus GFS Christ.

At least the Gus-in-my-head is happy since I'm pretty sure he's a Penguins fan (being raised in Canada but born in Pittsburgh).

So it goes back to the glorious Pitts for a Game 6.

Also on the plus side is that being a little down usually puts me in the mood to write. So maybe I'll make some progress on a fic ~~tomorrow~~ later on today.