Thrifty But Glam

Just remembered that I completely forgot to update about my HSG results! Well the procedure was as undignified and as painful as expected but the recovery was much better than anticipated.  The wonderful news is that I am apparently not blocked!  Initially I was saddened that we didn't have the reason for our infertility but now I am just glad that whatever is wrong will be simple to repair compared to a blockage. Chris has to make an appointment in the New Year to be re-tested and then I guess we will be having another appointment with our specialist. Well it has occurred to me over the last week or so that I seem to be in a really good emotional place right now  I think that since our HSG I am feeling slightly more relaxed about it all. I don't need to rush around like a mad woman trying to fight the NHS to do more as it is slowly being done and I don't feel the need to fall pregnant this very second. I think it is because I have managed to keep mysel...

The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.  The bare bones of the plot is that after the population of America severely begins to decline (blamed factors are women choosing not to procreate, biological toxins from environmental chemicals and radiation fallout from a nuclear disaster) the government is assassinated and a new order takes over.  The new power wants to focus on re-populating the country and they feel that the best way to do this is to take away all power from women and relegate those that can to procreation.  Those in power are issued Handmaiden's a woman that is used solely to conceive, this concept is taken from Genesis 30:1; When Rachel saw that  she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I shall die!" Then she said, "Here is my servant  Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth  on my behalf,  that even I may have children ...

I haven't got bored of blogging it has just been an absolute nightmare for finding the time this month!  I was originally going to do a really long post at the end of the month featuring all of my crafty bits but I have now realised that if I do this it will take forever.  So with this in mind I thought I would upload the photo's that I have so far with a brief explanation of each. Kitsch Apron This beautiful apron almost didn't make it into the Christmas pile as I was so in love with it that I wanted to keep it all for myself!  The apron is made of a cute Ed Hardy style skull and roses fabric and the red ruched ribbon gives it the much needed feminine touch!  I will get round to posting a tutorial on this apron as I am sure other people would like to make it! Cakes and Bakes These were the first mince pies of the season!  The first Saturday of December was spent making scrummy mince pies and blue berry cupcakes - delish! That is it for no...

Well the month has plodded on and we had our first appointment with the fertility specialist today.  I would love to say that I came away full of hope and smiles but that just isn't me. I know I shouldn't grumble as it's NHS but I'm going to.  We were advised to allow 2 hours for our appointment and so we wasted a small fortune at the hospital car park making sure our ticket was valid for three only to be back in the car 30 minutes later :(  The actual appointment lasted about 15 minutes with the rest of the time walking to different departments to drop in paperwork. The specialist was polite but blunt and straight to the point.  Usually this is something that I can appreciate but not when it comes to our infertility.  The plan of action is a HSG for me and another analysis for him. Trying to focus on the fact that things are moving along and I am being tested but from things said at the appointment I have this sinking feeling that I am going to be fobbed ...

Well this has to be a lightening fast update as dinner is on the go and we are supposed to be rushing out to see a fire-work display with family this evening. The distraction technique of costume making worked and once Saturday 29th October rolled around it was time to make my grand enterance in London as Alice.  Admittedly I originally thought I looked awesome, although I wasn't happy with my boots I was ecstatic with my dress and apron and from all of the lovely comments and requests from photo's with 'Alice' I truly thought I rocked.  Unfortunately when I saw a photo I realised that this wasn't quite so.  Being on the short side with gorgeous curves that I am usually proud of meant that the Victorian style dress made me look rather dumpy!  That said I am still proud of my creation, have a nosey for yourself! The day was very enjoyable and I managed to get some new handbags at the same time! Sadly my Nan suffered a stroke two weeks ago so much of ...

Well after the unexpected early arrival of that evil Monthly Monster I have realised that my first two week wait with my new cavalier attitude has passed! Usually I will symptom spot like a woman possessed from about 3DPO but this month I have really taken a seat back and tried to cram in as many hobbies as possible, oddly it definitely helped to distract me.  Also instead of dissolving into a dark funk, or worse suffering a full snot and tears melt-down I just accepted it and went straight back to mentally planning my list of jobs today!  For me this is huge, I know I started this blog in an effort to try a new approach to trying to conceive, but I didn't actually think that it was going to work so well, or even so quickly! Admittedly I am a little worried about my ever shortening luteal phase but I haven't felt the need to jump onto the internet and scour home remedies to lengthen it (can't promise I won't though!) and I am actually feeling fairly positive that this...

Hello, my name is Danielle and I am a trying to conceive addict.  For the past twenty months all of my actions have revolved around trying to get that big fat positive, it is the first thing I think of when I wake, the last thing I fantasise about at night and more often then not the main thing that I dream about! You name it and I have done it; the bedding schedule (varied each month), the medicine cabinet of supplements, legs in the air after bedding, hips elevated during bedding, the fertility diet, the yucky man made fertile mucus imitator, morning body basal temperature checks, ovulation predictor tests, abstaining before fertile period, exercising, not exercising, being a pessimist, visualising conception (no not the physical part!), crystal healing, wiccan spells, meditating, praying, monitoring my cycles, not monitoring my cycles, certain positions, no alcohol....phew the list is endless and very exhausting! After a devastating miscarriage, a battle with my...