It's a...

BOY!!

No matter how much I had myself (and everyone else) convinced that it was going to be a girl, God had other plans for me and Brian. I am finally settling into the idea of having a boy, and we have chosen the name Bradley Derek Vilendrer for our future son!

Here's a long-overdue belly picture- right at 20 weeks, the halfway point of the pregnancy

And here's one of my favorite pics of Brian and I ever- in our matching I heart hot moms/dads t-shirts!

Decaffinated rant

(Warning: what you are about to read is a hormonal rant from a pregnant woman. The attitude and tone of the piece is in no way shape or form reflective of her "normal" self and is likely to be looked back upon as a humorous anecdote. However, at the time it was written, it was considered the utmost unfairness in all of life and has affected the author in ways others cannot imagine. Please love her anyways and don't hold this against her. And please bring her Starbucks. And lots of it... after the baby is born that is.)

I want my coffee, dang it! What is with the irony that a woman who becomes pregnant is suddenly deprived of all her favorite things when this is supposed to be a blessed time in her life? I am Grouchy Mcgroucherson this morning, and all I want is my morning cup of coffee to enjoy with my breakfast! I've been careful to watch my caffeine intake throughout my pregnancy, but just last week another study came out warning mommies to be about the impending dangers of caffeine, and specifically coffee.

Well I am a typical human. I want what I can't have. And now I want coffee more than ever! I can't drink. I can't go to smoky bars to hear live music, even if I didn't drink any alcohol. I can't have cold lunch meat, or soft cheeses, or cookie dough, or cake batter. I'm tired and not sleeping well, and yet I am deprived of my favorite morning pick-me-up! Darn you, researchers! My grandmother smoked and drank, and ate who knows what when she was pregnant and she delivered 7 healthy children. So why now- what is so horrible about a cup of Joe- a container of cappuccino- a jar of java- a little latte- a mug of mochachino??

Goin' to the Clovercroft Chapel and we're...

Gonna get maaaaa-rried!

Yep, that's right- you heard it here first- ( or last, depending on the person!)- Brian and I are gettin' hitched! Brian proposed on a weekend when I was down visiting him in Florida, and we immediately began making plans. Given his deployment schedule, and our baby on the way, we decided to have the wedding before the baby was born, and before he is scheduled to deploy overseas for a few months.

That time frame left us with very few options for dates, so February the 16th it is! The ceremony and reception are taking place at a little wedding chapel in Franklin, TN, and details are falling into place quickly! Needless to say, I'm lucky if I can blog once a week now with all the wedding planning that takes place during my work day, in between all my official responsibilities here, but I did want to share with the cyber-world my exciting news!

PS- Only a few more days till I go back to the doc and we find out some more exciting news!

It's a.....

The question everyone keeps asking (now that they're sufficiently satisfied with my answer that no, I've not been sick) is " is it a girl or a boy?"

Sorry to disappoint, but I don't know that just yet. Good news though- the ultrasound is scheduled for next Friday Jan 25th, so assuming that baby cooperates and shows us his or her goods on the monitor, we'll know the sex! The ultrasound is more than about finding out the sex of the baby though- it's a long diagnostic test where they take all kind of measurements to make sure everything looks normal, and gives us a better idea of when my baby might be making his or her grand entrance to the world, so while you might be praying for it to be a "her," would you also lift up a few prayers that the baby (and mommy) is healthy and that everything looks good? I'm a tad nervous about this biggie exam.

In other weird baby news, I found out yesterday that I have not gained a single pound with this pregnancy, even though I feel like a cow. I keep hovering around the same number despite the fact that there is a definite baby bump showing by now. The doc assured me that this isn't anything to be concerned about and the weight would come (I don't want my child to be malnourished!) and so I celebrated with lunch at McDonald's on my way back to work!

the obligatory question

I get asked this all the time: Oh, you're pregnant? So how have you been feeling?
I suppose it's a valid question and all, but my answer is usually a disappointingly-boring one. Good, I answer, and then feeling the need to elaborate lest I come off as being snippy, I haven't been sick at all. This is not the answer that most people seem to want to hear. They want the blood and guts stories- The I've been sick every single morning, and can't keep any food down story. But nope, not me. It's been business as usual for the most part. Sorry folks, keep moving, nothing to see here. Just a DIVA with an expanding stomach.

I suppose before too long I'll be dealing with perfect strangers wanting to rub my belly. Wonder if I could con them into rubbing my feet, back, and shoulders???

Charlie Wilson's movie review

I had one last Carmike movie pass to use up before the end of 2007 so Mom and I went to see Charlie Wilson's War. I'll admit, the biggest draw for me was the all-star pairing of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts who amazingly, had never worked on a film together before. These two are easily some of my favorite actors so I had to catch their on screen charisma. Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance was an added bonus.

Based on a true story about the Texas congressman, Charlie Wilson's War chronicles the US involvement in Afghanistan in the late 80's as part of the Cold War. I was shocked by how many millions of dollars went into a war we supposedly never fought, and was saddened by the end result, the repercussions for which we are still paying. Granted it's Hollywood's spin on the facts, with an obvious parallel on our modern involvement in Afghanistan, but it's like I was asking Brian tonight, sure, I know I can't base my political opinions by what I see in movies, but when the media gives such a slanted or lacking view on a particular topic, then where is Joe-Schmo American supposed to get their information?

From a purely entertainment standpoint, Charlie Wilson's War was educational although the plot details could be a tad hard to follow at times for a person not understanding the politics of the day. Hanks and Roberts performances as larger-than-life Texans were delightful, and Hoffman was perfect comic relief as the rough-around-the-edges CIA operative. Despite being a political commentary, the movie had a hearty helping of laughable moments thrown in making a film bout the Cold War somehow fall into the category of comedy. I think it's worth the laughs and to see he actors' performances in this one. Bradley & Bradley give Charlie Wilson's War two thumbs up!

A UK win: music city bowl to my ears

New Year's Eve was the perfect day for a little football. The University of Kentucky Wildcats took on the Florida State Seminoles in the Music City Bowl. We carried on our tradition from last year by grabbing a bite to eat before the game at Big River Grill, and Ellen and her new fiancee Jason came in for the game. Laura, George, and George's brother-in-law and sister were all in the same section as we were- thank goodness for FSU suspensions that hit just in time for Florida State to give up a bunch of their tickets and allowed Kentucky fans to snatch them up after the game had been previously sold out.

It was a sloppy game on both ends and very slow moving (almost 4 hours long!). Despite all the predictions that UK would win, it came down to the last possession with the final score of 35-28, UK, so we never really could relax and relish in our victory.

As of this posting, the SEC is 5-2 in bowl games, with Georgia well on their way to beating Hawaii making it a likely 6-2.

Baby on Board

Baby it's cold outside... Baby Mine... Hit me Baby one more time... Baby got back... Baby Love...

I'd like to welcome you all to 2008 by inviting you to join me in my next phase of life. The time has come to go public with the big news that Brian and I are having a baby! I am 16 weeks along as of yesterday, and little Baby Bradley's EDA is June 16th, 2008. No, we don't know the sex of the baby yet, but you can be darn sure I'm going to find out the minute I'm able so I can (hopefully) start stocking up on plenty of pink!

I have never been one of those girls to gush over babies, and I hated babysitting as a teen, so I can promise you, this DIVAlicious blog where you turn to for current events, and funny anecdotes will not transform into all-baby-all-the-time. I will remain to be respectful of my male audience and not share TMI, but I can promise this DIVA's spin on pregnancy and all the humor that goes along with it over the next 6 months. All I can say is that God must have a funny sense of humor, so I plan on laughing right along with Him!

Christmas come and gone

Another Christmas come and gone, and once again, no snow! In the magical land of Narnia it is their curse that it's always winter but never Christmas. Well in Tennessee it's always Christmas but never winter. We were greeted with sunny skies and near-60-degree weather yesterday upon returning home from Indiana. Oh well, so much for the white Christmas I was dreaming of!

The holidays were bittersweet this year because my Papa is in such bad health and we all know it was his last Christmas with us. I'm so glad that we were able to let him come home to his house and stay a few days before taking him back to the nursing home. Papa wasn't all that interested in all the Christmas goings-on, but as always I enjoyed having the house full of family. By Christmas morning it was just Mom, Dad, Laura, George, Julius, and Papa, so we let Papa sleep while we opened presents. George and Laura accused each other of not liking each other's presents, Dad loved his Shrek Donkey slippers and had fun shooting his catapult across the room. And Mom was excited to finally open the box from me and Laura- a red irobot Roomba vacuum cleaner!

We tried out the Roomba today, sitting it in the center of the living room floor and watched gleefully as it spun and made its way around the room. Oscar hated it and barked and followed the Roomba around, while the other 2 dogs could not have cared less! Laura came downstairs to see Mom and I watching the Roomba do its thing, when she remarked, I thought the whole point of that thing was to do other stuff while it vacuumed! Okay, so point taken. It was still fun to watch. The jury's still out on whether or not it's an effective cleaner, but we'll let you know.

Anticipating Christmas

Glory hallelujah, it's the last day of work before Christmas break! This DIVA will be off work through New Year's, returning to work reluctantly on January the 2nd. And speaking of DIVAS, I am so excited that DIVA convention 2007 is about to commence! Ari & I pick up Conley from the airport tonight and are celebrating our Christmas tomorrow with a swanky brunch at J. Christopher's. (Isn't it just so grown-up to say you're having brunch with your friends?) I absolutely cannot wait to see Conley- it's been since June since we've seen her.

BUT, to get me through the work day, and the rest of you out there, workin hard for the money, take a few minutes of your day and go HERE to listen to my favorite Christmas song that I had not gotten to hear until this morning, so now I share it with all of you!

And if the inevitable boredom or otherwise work apathy that plagues many of us before a holiday weekend sets in, click HERE to learn new vocabulary and fight world hunger! It's totally addictive and for a great cause.

Finally, even though today may feel like the longest work day ever, today is actually is the second shortest day of the year, with tomorrow being the Winter Solstice and the official start of Winter!!

Dad Gum It's Christmas

Everyone's favorite work eat-o-rama is going strong this week. Co-workers are bringing food in the a.m and p.m for all of us to enjoy so we can rationalize not making phone calls by eating the latest tasty treats put out on the table instead. I brought a hashbrown casserole last week and it was very well received, however, nothing could prepare me for the praise and accolades I got today for the famous Oreo Truffles! Here's what some of my co-workers have said:

"Those are outstanding"

"Let me just say that the Oreo truffles WIN!!! That is the best thang that has been on the table. Don't everybody get your feelins hurt but let me put it this way...my insides shivered when I ate that truffle. sheeeeewwwwieeee!! That is DadGum GOOOOD!!"

"As Adam so perfectly said, the Oreo truffles are causing teams Adam and Steve to have spiritual experiences on this side of the room. Praise Ye the Lord, Halleluiah!"

"Does anyone know a sure fire crash diet that I could try so that I can eat on Christmas Day without busting out of my fat jeans?"

Needless to say, my co-workers were appreciative, but now I feel like Monica on Friends where she makes the Christmas candy for her neighbors and they are all clammoring for more from the "Candy Lady."

the Friday review in real life

Friday night Tadd and I spent a delightful evening full of laughter and new inside jokes (such as, "what's new?" "monia." and defining HIPPA crits). We stuffed ourselves at PF Chang's for dinner, saw the Steve Carrell movie Dan in Real Life, got ice cream at Cold Stone (I just tried their Germanchocolatecake and it was to die for), and rounded out the evening by doing some Christmas shopping at Target! There is no one out there who makes fighting the crowds at the Cool Springs Target more fun, I'd wager.

Tadd & I both enjoyed Dan in Real Life- it was more of a romantic comedy than what I was expecting, but I like that Steve Carrell can play an everyman/serious role unlike Will Ferrell who needs to quit doing things like Stranger Than Fiction and just stick with Anchorman-esque roles. Dan (in the movie, not in real life) is a widower with 3 daughters whose day job is an advice columnist, but meanwhile, his personal life is all a mess. He tries to be a great dad while finding love again unexpectedly. With all the great holiday moves that are getting ready to release, I wouldn't put Dan in Real Life up there as a must-see in the theater, but it would be a great rental choice. I give it a hearty 2 thumbs up.

"The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ"

It's been a while for a concert review on here (I blame Starwood's demise that put a drudge on the usual hopping summer concert fare in Nashville). But last night I made my way to the famous Ryman auditorium (notice there's no 'h' in Ryman, Amy!) with some gal pals to experience Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb concert. This is a show he's done the past 10 years, and titled after the album with the same name, that's quite simply, the Christmas story told in music.

Christian music artist Andrew Peterson gathers his best industry pals, singer-songwriters, and talented musicians, and puts them all on one stage together to perform the entire album of Behold the Lamb continuously without stopping between songs. The musicians and singers transitioned seamlessly from instrument to instrument between songs with a performing ensemble as few as 3 or as many as 19. I felt so sorry for the live sound engineers as I could not imagine the work it must take for such a large and diverse group of instruments and singers to produce a cohesive sound, but somehow it worked- even with 4 percussionists (who ever heard of such a thing?!), 5 string players, guitars, mandolin, keyboards, and singers abounding.

Peterson's story in song starts with the old testament and the Israelites, and moves through the birth, life, and Resurrection of Christ to show how the whole Bible is about Jesus, not just the new testament. The humorous little ditty Matthew's Begats takes you through the genealogy most of us skip through at the beginning of Matthew's gospel. And Labor of Love, a song about the actual birth of Christ, performed by husband and wife duo Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn painted a realistic picture of the birth of Jesus in a beautiful way that only a husband and wife can do. With the entire cast on stage for the reprise and finale, they concluded the concert with an a capella O Come All ye Faithful, had the audience join in, and then casually left the stage, leaving the crowd to finish the carol in perfect harmony, like only a Nashville audience can do! It was a breathtaking way to end the evening.

My only disappointment was that this part of the concert flew by way too fast! I would have preferred an abbreviated "writers-in-the-round" first half, and additional songs inserted into the second half. I have several friends who attend this show every year, and now I know why! If this tour stops by your neck of the woods, make it a priority to attend. It's an interesting spin on hearing the Christmas story, and you'll be introduced to an all-star cast of Christian musicians.

I was born in the afternoon,

... just not yesterday afternoon!

A coworker emailed me just now needing some classic Motown song titles. So I shot off a few, and then stared at the word "Motown," thinking to myself, I wonder how they came upon that name to classify the music originating in Detroit. Then it occurred to me. Detroit is the Motor City, or Motor Town, MoTown for short! Don't laugh- maybe some of you out there have never put two and two together before either. I just figured I'd enlighten the rest of you. Or else give you a cheap laugh at my expense. Whichever category you fall under, may you have a pleasant Hump Day.

Christmas in Dixie

Ask me just how much I love walking out to my car on this sunny day in mid-December with short sleeves on??!! With this crazy warm front going on, we have the potential in Nashville today to break a record high with the predicted high of 75 degrees. As Carrie Bradshaw would say, me likey!

A Ham Shame

Raise your hand if you can tell me why this is funny: An upscale food store in Greenwich Village this week got caught in a food snafu when they advertised hams for sale with a sign that declared them "Delicious for Hanukkah"

2 Blogs about ham in a month... what are the odds of that??

Pink is the new red

Like the Charlie Brown kids sing, Christmastime is here. I celebrated by getting all festive in my cubicle yesterday, much to the delight to all my coworkers. The gauntlet has been thrown. I dare them to find cuter Christmas decorations and be more festive than me (of course you will understand that this is the office alternative to the traditional trying-to-
outdo- the- Jones' with ones neighborhood Christmas lights).

I am loving that pink Christmas decorations are in abundance now- a few years ago when I was on the hunt for such things as a pink stocking, they were nowhere to be found, so Momma B sewed this little creation for me, c omplete with my name in sparkles like I requested! Now you can go to Target and buy a fushia stocking already assembled. Oh well- once again, I was ahead of my time in the fashion world.


Finally, here's my favorite pink decoration- my very own sparkley pink Christmas tree! Don't be jealous.

Corigliano is for the birds

My stint with American composer John Corigliano's Dylan Thomas Trilogy is finally over. And not a moment too soon. I am now free as a bird from atonal, "quasi 5/4" time signatures (and I quote from the piece), and random hissing and bird calls, and have never been so excited to move onto some straightforward Handel as I am now! We birds of a feather flocked together as members of the Nashville Symphony Chorus, committing to 9 nights in a row of rehearsing, performing, then recording Corigliano's work, and in between singing we would all discuss how much we hated the music. Recall back to the Phillip Glass piece we premiered last year... that music was a stretch, yet by the end of the final concert I was sad to see it go. Not so with Corigliano. I have at most grown to appreciate the work, but if I never sing it again it will be too soon. According to the Tennessean, At least one person liked it.

We finished recording early last night, and as they say, the early bird gets the worm, and she also gets to go home and decorate her pink Christmas tree!

Bowl Bound

Yes, well, it's about time I bring up the elephant in the room... no, not that one... the other one. The fact that my beloved Kentucky Wildcats could not finish strong after having a terrific start to their season. (The one time we were top ten ranked, I wasn't even in the country to gloat and enjoy it while it lasted!) Well, we ended our season with a disappointing loss to UT... all 5 hours and 4 overtimes of it, and got rewarded with the same bowl game we went to last year.

Granted, I'm happy Kentucky gets to represent the SEC in the Music City Bowl, but I wish we had been awarded a more prestigious bowl. Tickets sold out for the game last night so I suppose I'll be watching the Cats whoop up on Florida State (that's right Rhonda & George!) on tv instead of the nose bleed section of LP field.

In the very least, UK has now proven that they are no longer one of the ugly stepsisters in the football powerhouse SEC conference. We are now able to compete within our conference, and yes, we even beat LSU who is now going on to play for the BCS national title, much to Missouri's chagrin. So there's always next year. Now it's onto a lackluster start to a Kentucky basketball season! let the games, um, continue!!!

the miracle balloon

My birthday balloon at my desk has finally begun to deflate. Unless you and I work together, you would have no idea, but I have had a balloon looming over my desk for the past month. I have never seen such a thing- but the Happy Birthday mylar balloon that was left at my desk over a month ago on November 2nd remained floating, the ribbon remained taut, for a solid month! The irony of course, is that I typically don't look forward to birthdays, and then I was given the birthday balloon that would not die, as a daily reminder! But miraculously, a month to the day later, the birthday balloon is finally dropping, and will soon go to the happy place where all balloons go to die. How did the balloon know that it is now December, and no longer warranting a birthday celebration? I'm baffled.