I'm From the Lou and I'm Proud!

This weekend we spent about 20 out of 48 hours at LouFest . . . St. Louis' answer to indie music festivals such as Coachella, Bonaroo, or SXSW.  Of course, it did not reach the magnitude of other, more established music festivals, however, it was awesome!  I am really proud of St. Louis for putting on such an amazing show, with such a great diversity of artists.  I really hope this festival continues annually and only gets bigger and bigger, while maintaining its indie music appeal.

LouFest did a good job with having a variety of foods, including vegetarian and vegan options (as we aren't eating meat unless it is from our CSA.  These were vegan nachos!

There were two stages, and if you positioned yourself well, you were able to view both stages as well as the big screen projection of the concerts!

We LOVED Stephanie's Id (Stephaniesid)!  She was very much the entertainer as well as a great artist.  We ended up buying two of her albums -- I recommend her!

The Carolina Chocolate Drops were another of our favorites!  They played so many unique instruments -- the bones, a jug, a fiddle, the banjo, and a kazoo!

Playing the jug!

They did some great covers -- June and Johnny Cash's "Jackson", Blu Cantrell's "Hit 'em Up Style" -- Amazing!

Built to Spill was another artist we were excited about seeing, and they did not disappoint!

She and Him finished off the festival.  They sounded great, but Zooey was a little lackluster.  Compared to the other groups, they weren't as entertaining, but the music was great!  Although, I must say, the men all around us were oogling over Zooey so much, sometimes I couldn't hear the music.

Other bands at the festival included: Jeff Tweedy (Wilco),  Broken Social Scene (awesome), Airborne Toxic Event, Titus Andronicus, So Many Dynamos, Bottle Rockets, Lucero, Adam Reichmann, Alejandro Escovedo, Corey Chisel, Kim Massey, Fruit Bats, Gentleman Auction House, and Magnolia Summer.

Go StL!!

And they're off . . .

my follicles that is! I went to my RE's office today for my baseline ultrasound and blood work. The office staff seemed especially cheerful and positive this morning, which was a great way to start off a new IVF cycle! The ultrasound tech that I got today is my favorite of the two in my office. They are both really friendly and caring, but this tech is more positive without being unrealistic. She said that everything looked great. She also told me to "think positive thoughts," which I feel like I am this time. AND, on the ultrasound this time she wrote that there were 30 follicles <10mm,>

My nurse called and gave me instructions for the weekend, and I took my initial dose of my liquid gold:

I have to take this bad boy to an all-day music festival this weekend! There won't be any bathrooms to shoot myself with (except for Johnnys, blech). So, I guess I will be grabbin flab to shoot up in the middle of Forest Park -- awesome!

West Side Story = Infertility Therapy?

Maybe it's the fact that I am smack in the middle of this whole IVF ordeal again, and thinking about infertility often now. Or, maybe it's the fact that I try to relate every song I hear to however I am feeling at the moment. Or, maybe it is that I LOVE me some West Side. But, it is probably all three reasons combined that cause me to find three of the songs from my favorite musical apropo for dealing musically with my struggles of infertility.

I have already demonstrated the appropriateness of "Something's Coming". But, how about these:

"You wanna live in this lousy world? Play it cool."

"I wanna get even"

"Get cool!"

"I wanna bust!"

"Bust cool!"

"I wanna go!"

"Go cool."

I've decided not to tell my coworkers about this round of IVF. I feel like I have to constantly "play it cool". But I wanna BUST! So I bust cool.

And then I listened to "Somewhere":

I just think about Chris and me, and how all we have to deal with this crappy lot in life is each other.

"There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air wait for us somewhere. There's a time for us. Someday a time for us. Time together with time to spend, time to love time to care. Someday. Somewhere, we'll find a new way of living. We'll find a way of forgiving. Somewhere. There's a place for us, a time and place for us. Hold my hand and we're halfway there, hold my hand and I'll take you there. Somehow. Someday. Somewhere."

What's a Missouri Summer without a float trip?!

On a whim I decided we needed to embark on a float trip before the Summer got away from us. I am not sure if this is true or not, correct me if I am wrong please, but word on the street is that people in other states don't know about "float trips"? In Missouri float trips include (but are not limited to) the following:

-a large air-inflated raft

-several friends

-lots of beer

-Jell-O shots

-hoosiers (other states call them "rednecks" or "white trash")

-nudity

-Confederate flags (who knew we were part of the South? and who knew people still liked to flaunt their racist pride?)

-water guns

Feel free to add to my list, fellow Missourians.

We were Jell-O shotless, Confederate flagless (thank God!), clothed, and unhoosier-ific, therefore only meeting half of the float trip criteria.

Jenn and Tim made the perfect float-mates:

It was the perfect get away. Jenn and I had just finished the first couple days of school for the year, and were preparing to start in head-on the next day, so this was much needed relaxation. While we didn't bring nearly enough beer, we had an amazing time. We hit Cracker Barrel on the way home (another very "country" experience to top off the tradition). Chris and I recently decided to not be vegetarians completely, but to ONLY eat meat from our CSA (farm share). So, I was excited to see they had an "entree" on their menu where you could order 4 "veggie" side dishes. My "veggies" included: mac & cheese, potatoes, okra, and slaw . . . with a biscuit of course! It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

We drove the hour and a half back home and dove in, head on to the first full work week of the school year!

itap

Last night Chris and I decided to go on a date to the new International Tap House (itap) in Soulard. It lived up to any expectations he or I may have had. They have over 500 beers, with a large selection of draught beers! The atmosphere was really nice to, with exposed brick, comfy black leather couches, exposed wooden beamed ceiling, and a nice patio that we would have enjoyed had it not been 102 degrees yesterday!

Look at that draught list, holy cow!! And it changes (seasonally?).

I got a sampler of 5 4oz beers. They included: St. Bernadus Tripel, Maredsous 8 (a double), Racer 5 (IPA), Left Hand Fade to Black (stout), and Old Rasputin (Imperial Stout). I enjoyed them all, but especially liked Racer 5. I guess I like my hoppy IPAs (they smell and taste like grapefruit to me).

I don't remember what Chris tried, but I'm pretty sure he liked all of his selections.

I have a habit of putting my pinky up when I drink -- not to be polite (of course), just a strange habit. I over-dramaticized the lifted pinky for the photo! See my sticker? I did my civic duty! The main issue on the ballot that I was voting against won out -- boo!

Chris and I got a bit tipsy, and discussed worldly things -- serious subjects. Politics and culture. It was kind of a Debbie downer of a conversation, but when you're tipsy, it doesn't feel quite that way.

I've been drinking more than I usually do, but I think it's my typical "gotta get in as much drinking as possible before my IVF cycle starts" mentality. I also need to start working out ASAP!! I've decided not to quit working out when I start my meds. They tell you you can't work out, but really they mean you can't get your heart rate over 140. So, I think it would be okay if I just went to the Y and walked the treadmill at a reasonable pace for an hour, don't you?

Something's Comin'

I got my meds via FedEx today! It looked something like a repeat of this:

Which resulted in me singing this:

Cooking Spree

Okay, so I'm having a hard time writing the Thailand post. I can't figure out how I want to organize it, and am overwhelmed by which photos I want to use to summarize such an amazing trip!

So . . . you'll have to be patient with me for the recap.

In the mean time, I have been cooking and baking up a storm. I guess I really missed it while we were gone. Thai food is delicious, but of course, I missed my kitchen. I guess we were tided over by the awesome cooking class we took in Chiang Mai. But, that, of course, will be revealed in the Thailand post -- someday.

Here are some things I have been working on since I got home:

Peach and Cherry Cobbler! Had to use up the peaches -- they ripened a bit too much after only 1 day! Plus, the tons of cherries from Costco!

Blueberry oatmeal muffins from this month's Cooking Light.

Wheat and Honey rolls with sesame, poppy seeds, and oats.

Spinach and green onion quiche -- it is delicious! Another recipe from this month's Cooking Light.

I also made a really good Summer squash and corn soup that was super easy and delicious!

Despite all the amazing cooking creations, Chris and I passed Cherokee Street the other day and just had to stop at La Vallesana. Chris had not tried their tortas, and we decided now was the time!

La Vallesana is on Cherokee Street in Saint Louis, which is where you will find all of the authentic Mexican restaurants and stores.

Yum! He loved it. Believe it or not, this is just half of a torta -- we split ONE! I also had the most delicious Agua Fresca -- it was essentially juiced fresh pineapple blended with water -- and it was the best pineapple drink I have ever had. It was like the liquid version of this mini pineapple I had in Thailand (which was the best pineapple EVER).

Chris and I really have to buckle down on our health right now, because we are headed into our next round of In Vitro. I got my schedule in the mail from my Reproductive Endocrinologist's office yesterday. It confirms that I start Lupron on August 18th and then go in for a check and possible start stims on August 27th. I am nervous and excited. I have a good feeling about this cycle, but I don't want to, because I don't want to get my hopes up. At the same time, I don't want to suppress any good thoughts, because positive thinking can do a lot for the body. Argggh, what a mind f$#%.