5 reasons I am feeling extra pregnant lately

5.  While waiting for my turn at the trash compactor, a little boy with his mom tugged at her shirt, pointed at me, and stage-whispered "is there a baby in that lady's stomach?"
4.  Mr. Clean tactfully suggested we get some flats for me. Though I hate to admit it, my feet agreed with him that it was time. 
3.  A lady at a gas station blessed my belly.  At least...I think that was what she was doing...the only thing she said in English was "little happy mamma."
2.  Twice in the recent past a random stove burner has been ignited - unintentionally - by my belly as I was wiping down the stovetop.  I need to get used to my new dimensions before I flambe my hand (or a washcloth).
1.  Despite my detestation for bananas and anything related to them, I experienced a serious craving for banana pudding the other day.  It was gross.  The thought of eating it kept popping into my head and I would think "mmmmm," and then I would think "ugh!" and dry heave.   

Pregnancy is weird.  I'm just happy to be along for the ride. 

Happy Rosh Hashanah

This week when I looked at the grocery ad, there were 3 pages of sale items devoted to Rosh Hashanah.  If you aren't sure what Rosh Hashanah is, it is the Jewish New Year (I looked it up).  This year it will fall on September 28th - 30th.

Some of the cool items I have never eaten or used featured in the ad are:

• Gefilte fish (bottled fish packed in gelatin made with fish broth)
• Matzo  
• Bissli  (a fried wheat snack)
• Tam tams  (matzo crackers)
• Herring bottled in cream
• Frozen blintzes
• Bottled duck sauce

Familiar items included

• Apples
• Honey
• Fruit Juices 

I guess serving apples and honey together are supposed to symbolize a sweet new year.

I am going to look for a good Rosh Hashanah recipe so that we can have our own celebration this year.

new connotations for rain and other adjustments

People keep telling Mr. Clean and I that we are in the middle of a drought.  The following is why I don't quite understand their usage of the word drought:

This is the streamlet in the back of our apartment that generally runs about 3 inches deep and a couple of inches wide.  Right now it is probably about 6 feet across and several feet deep (and it's still coming down). It's been raining like this on and off for a few days now. 

In contrast was last week, when the landscaping crew actually busted out some sprinklers.  It was sort of funny - they had hoses pulled all over kingdom come trying to figure out how to water everything (obviously they don't have to resort to using them very often).

So, my conclusions are as follows:

1.  Drought has a different connotation in Virginia than it does in Utah. Compared to my Utah background, drought out here seems to be rather shorter and moister than the drought I am used to.   
2.  Rain has a different connotation in Virginia than it does in Utah.  My perspective on this has changed very rapidly.  If you can walk in it for a couple of seconds without feeling like you've just showered in your clothes, it is no longer a true rain to me!  Also, as a side note, if thunder doesn't rattle my ribcage and leave a ringing in my ears, it is no longer impressive.
3.  Sprinkler has a different connotation in Virginia than it does in Utah.  Out here it is spoken with an inflection akin to a cuss word.


Tomato, Tomahto.