how sweet!

Hi again :) So I hosted 'Noche de Arte' -- mostly because I'm leaving forever, and my house is the most finished it's ever been in my life. It has curtains and art work and area rugs and plants and it's all painted and it even has 'home accessories' artfully placed and everything. The thing I didn't understand until recently is that 95% of the space in your house is not for books and clothes and "stuff," it's best when that space is filled sparingly with furniture and home accessories. That's when it feels calm and tranquil and pleasant to spend time there. So--again--I hosted 'Noche de Arte' because I was so excited about my major acheivement that I wanted to share it with my friends.

I made the most delicious salsa and guacamole and we had yummy margaritas (mine was non-alcoholic) and my girlie friends came over. Noche de Arte started out as an Arts & Crafts get together and it's become a monthly chatfest, mostly about wedding planning and new motherhood. It's a great reality check about balancing everything from marriage to careers to family and where to get the coolest purse like my friend Heather's new one. So--it's deeply rejuvenating.

My friend Helena whom I love dearly and who used to be my running pal, offered awhile back to throw me a baby shower--for which I said 'that's so sweet, but you have SOOO much going on with your new baby and planning your wedding reception--plus I have to move ASAP to settle into my new life in DC---thank you so much, but let's skip it! Alot can happen between now and then. (Like I just want to hold a healthy baby in my hands and make it to August 10th safely--let's see if we can get there). But my friends had other plans...

Normally everyone shows up with all their crafts--so I thought nothing about all the stuff coming through the door. And then after we all had freshly-squeezed margaritas in our hands, Helena put a Tiara on my head and they all said "SURPRISE!" They threw a surprise baby shower for me. HOW SWEET!

I was so suprised. It was the sweetest thing my friends have ever done for me! And it was hilarious. We played "Let's measure Tara's tummy with toilet paper" and "Let's guess which mushed up candy bar is in the diaper" It was super fun. And, I hope not TOO much stress for everyone along with what they've all got on their plates.

In baby news, I am a HUGE heffalump. None of my girlie friends thought so--and they were all like "I was so much bigger by 6 months--no fair" but I have GAINED 20 POUNDS. You're only supposed to gain 25-35 pounds TOTAL. So--at the rate I'm going, I'll be up at least 42 pounds. WHAAAAA. I guess I've relaxed a bit on my good habits. :( Yesterday my doctor prescribed Prilosec (thank God) and there is no surface I am comfortable coming into contact with--chair, bed, whatever. I am just physically uncomfortable all the time.

I just found out--I am NOT diabetic--hurray. They send you for additional tests if you're numbers are above 140 somethings. Mine was 71. But, I am ANEMIC--despite eating my Grape Nuts--which--incidentally, if you stick a magnet close to them, they will stick to it because of all the iron. So--that didn't work. I will be taking additional iron supplements. No wonder I've been so darn tired all the time. And no wonder I had heart palipatations. :(

In other news, DAVE GOT A JOB OFFER! And he's waiting on a SECOND JOB OFFER!! He got the job he really really wanted. And he's also really excited about the second one too. It's going to be a tough decision for him. One had a killer location and it's part of the legal industry, the other is likely to offer a more generous package and he really really liked the people. So--it's a toss up. We have a lot to talk about when he gets back!

We've also had strong showings at our house. My friend Christie is a real estate agent and she says we're doing everything right. (Whew!) She says our numbers are all good--BUT--houses in our area AVERAGE 90 days on the market. #@$%^&*! Double #@$%^&*! So we might rent out 10610 after all. I talked to our banker and I've done some market research, it could actuallly work. More on all that soon.

So--now it looks like our move date is May 11th or thereabouts. Dave's two week's notice, time to schedule the movers, yadda, yadda. So much happening.

More soon! We miss you! Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.