I’m late! I’m late! For my Barren B*tches Book Tour Date!
But better late than never, right?
For those of you who aren’t familiar, each month, bloggers can sign up to read and review a book, usually related to infertility and/or pregnancy loss. Everyone is welcome to join. You just need to have a blog (not necessarily related to fertility, infertility and/or pregnancy loss). Bloggers/readers submit questions. Each participant selects a few to answer. Sometimes, when we get lucky (like this month), the authors themselves join the discussion.
This month’s read was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, a book which …read more

Ah Anne, I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. Probably because this show is currently the reason I look forward to the ends of my weekends, my Sunday nights.
Today is a memorable day for you, Lady Anne. After a brief marriage and far too many miscarriages and missed chances to provide your husband a male heir, your long, elegant neck was relieved of its head. Accusations of adultery, incest, even witchcraft were the official causes of your demise. But we both know the real reason, don’t we?
Would you have been dethroned so quickly had your womb cooperated? Would …read more

The Kentucky Derby is an event that always gets me emotionally. Even if I know none of the back stories, even if the first time I see a horse is when its bursting from the gates, watching it push through to the finish line and then seeing the joy rushing out from its owners, its jockey, everyone involved with it to that point is simply overwhelming to me. A few tears always sneak out when I don’t expect it.
We were caught up in the celebration of Big Brown when we heard, like everyone watching, that Eight Belles, the horse that …read more

Fertile Dream’s 4th Annual Paths to Parenthood Conference will be taking place at the Orlando Marriott on Sunday, May 4th.
Why am I telling you this? Besides the fact that there seems to be a great lineup of speakers, it is FREE!
Yes, completely free. The conference runs from 8 am to 4:30 pm and your free admission includes breakfast and dinner.
The following information is from www.fertiledreams.org:
If you are trying to start a family, but have questions, reproductive health and adoption experts will be available to answer questions on the latest advances in as well as adoption.
Fertility and adoption experts include:
Alice Domar, …read more

This is the best email you could ever send someone who has recently experienced a miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or simply a rotten test result. This made me laugh, smile, cry, and most importantly, know that this friend meant every single word. It is simple, nonjudgmental, and unconditionally loving – exactly what one grieving needs.
I hope you never have an occasion to help a friend through grief, but if you do, feel free to shamelessly steal this message and use it.
Cocktails
Coffees
Puffs (with lotion)
Pedicure
Delicious foods
Cushy shoulders
Dishes to smash
New shoes
Chocolates
Really loud music
Whatever you need I will make happen.
You’re totally awesome and I love …read more

I’m feeling pretty blue this morning. Really blue, in fact. So I guess Mel’s latest article for BlogHer entitled, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Grief” is pretty timely.
I know it’s not a contest. I know you can’t measure pain, compare it; You can only try to deal with it. But whenever I start feeling bluer than blue, I want to kick myself. Because I hate that feeling. Because it can always feel worse.
When you grieve, how do you ease the pain? When you hurt, what helps the hurt go away?

Right now, I am loving the countdown to the holidays. My tree is up and decorated. Michael and I took the day off work yesterday for a spur of the moment shopping trip to Ikea and Trader Joes (Merry Xmas to US!) I am planning to take a few more days off towards the end of the year and maybe even a quick trip to the beach. Oh yes, and there are a few fertility-type plans in the hopper. So, this is a pretty joyous season so far.
But I know that winter holidays (and all holidays for that matter) can …read more