The Good, the bad, and the UGLY!

I have to start with the ugly news first. Last week, Corey and I decided that we needed to invest in new brakes for my car (the Honda Accord) since we will be using it until we move and we want it to be safe since I am driving it and we will use it with Parker - so $420 invested, but we figured it was money well spent and we would get more when we sell it in September.

About 4:30 AM on Friday morning, Corey totaled my car. 3 flat tires, front & back bumper damage, leaking radiator, collapsed driver's side back door, etc. A very large armadillo or maybe an opossum (he swears it was the size of "a medium sized-dog" but he's pretty sure it was an armadillo) "scampered" out in front of him - his words. Corey's animal-loving instinct kicked in and he swerved to miss this evidently rabid, suicidal rodent. He ended up spinning 360 degrees off the road into a field. This was by our neighborhood on a two lane road with no street lights. He actually had to walk home about 2 miles in the dark to get his uniform and change so he could go get checked out at the base. We only had liability, so the car is just gone!! No insurance money. I don't have pictures yet and I can't bear to remind myself that it is gone. Corey was on his way to the airport to visit his parents when he encountered the R.O.U.S. For those of you who don't know what this is, I've inserted a little reminder from a classic movie, The Princess Bride (1987):

Buttercup: Westley, what about the R.O.U.S's?
Westley: Rodents Of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.
Corey discovered that they do exist! Here's to looking at the bright side:
New front and rear brakes last Saturday = (-) $417
2009 Registration paid last Sunday = (-)$54
Cost to rent/buy for 4 months = (-) $3000
Potential Sale of car = (-) $4000_____________
Sighting the legendary R.O.U.S = PRICELESS

We do need to get another car to use for the next few months; we need to sell Corey's car [Nissan 350 Z convertible], too at some point. It stinks that it was my car that was damaged because Corey's has more insurance coverage. We need a car that we can use with a car seat, and in addition, it is pretty hard for me to get in and out of Corey's car right now because of the seats. It's a great, fun car, but not when you are huge like me!

The BAD news: Corey got bounced around quite a bit during his heroic attempt to save the ROUS/armadillo. He went to sick call (first time since we've been married, so I know he was in pain) and he has no broken bones. But he is very sore. Hopefully after a few days of rest, he will feel better. Aside from losing a car, Corey also missed his visit to his family! He talked to the airline, and he may find some time to go out to SLC, but timing is a problem since I will be 30 weeks on Tuesday and I don't want him leaving too close to my due date. I am hoping he can find time to go in the next month or so.

The GOOD news: this week I flew to Pittsburgh for a visit and to travel to the Volpe Prize competition. I got in on Wednesday and my Mom and I drove to Columbus, OH on Thursday. We stayed at the Westin hotel, and it was great! We somehow got a "preferred guest" room and they brought me a little gift basket for my "baby" that had Fugi water, fruit & chocolates.

Three generations - this is me and Mom at the final dinner. I didn't win, but I didn't expect to win, so it was very enjoyable. However, after hearing about Corey's accident and my car 2 hours before this dinner, I was hoping that I might win anyway since the prize was $3500! I also got to see my friend Terry who practices in Columbus and teaches part-time in the OSU Dept of Periodontics (he is an eligible bachelor and a great periodontist - ladies, let me know if you want me to put you in contact with him!)

Me and my Dad at 29.5 weeks. The good thing is that only I am getting bigger :) The bad news is that I am getting pretty big - I need to start to taper on my weight gain, but that shouldn't be hard since Corey and I have to start saving money for our rental car!

We have such great friends in San Antonio! My friend Anna hosted a baby shower at her house (with the help of a few other great ladies) last weekend. I was also given a joint shower with my co-resident Holly at work. We got a lot of great, practical gifts and GIFT CARDS! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We did get a few little outfits and blankets, but I think it is going to work out and we should be able to get some of the bigger things we need from Babies R Us. We will still have to purchase quite a bit on our own but we are so fortunate to have such wonderful, generous friends.

We played a game at my shower in which the goal was to guess which candy bar had been melted in a diaper. Sadly, I won. This was somewhat embarrassing because this means I could identify the most candy bars. Even though the only ones I've eaten since getting pregnant have been Butterfingers. Ummmm - yummy!

I don't look pregnant in this picture, but unfortunately, I do have a double-chin. Just focus on all of the wonderful presents around me - did I mention how lucky we are?

In other news, Corey and I are both done with exams! We both have to write manuscripts for journal articles, but we have a lot LESS academic stress. Now we are just focusing on selling our house, finding a car to use for the next few months, getting ready to move/going overseas, and preparing for Parker's arrival :)

Our house is now on the market! There are some great pics we will have to get from the realtor to keep and show Parker later. Hopefully we get a good offer!