Where to start . . . August was a really long month, but fairly productive. I finished up my NR nomination for Ponca City. I made a trip up to Ponca to present the nomination to their HP Commission. I also ran up to Newkirk to visit a property I will be writing a nomination for in the spring. I made good progress on the Norman Survey. I am dropping off forms/photos to SHPO tomorrow and will email the new draft with maps to everybody on Friday. I have two proposals to put together next week for other possible projects.

In Real Estate, it was the month of unproductiveness. Deals fell apart left and right. One of my buyers did sign a contract for a custom build. So long term, but nothing right now. What fun.

In kid news, Nathaniel “graduated” from MDO and will start to one day per week preschool at St. Andrew’s next week. We have open house there tomorrow night. He is obsessed with legos. When I asked him last week what kept happening to his legos (he loses them), he told me they go to Jesus. Ava had to have glasses. We picked them up yesterday. She hasn’t been great about wearing them so far. I really have to make her wear them. Actually, we think the frames are a little big for her face. So, I have to call the doctor back tomorrow.

As for me, the due date that will not be is fast approaching. Dh and I will be taking a mini-staycation that weekend-Tuesday. It is much needed (dh has been working 70-80 hrs/week recently). Had hoped to be expecting by then, but alas, no.

Baseline ultrasound for cycle #3 of clomid scheduled for tomorrow. I followed the rules last month. I am returning to my rule breaker status for the coming month.

I am angry and losing hope. People are so insensitive.

Moving on to more positive things . . . we’re working on the plans for the new house. We’ve been working on them for some time. The designer cannot seem to draw what we have in mind (at the size we have in mind). I had hoped to have the plans done this month, but it does not seem likely.

Well, I’ve learned my lesson. Nothing is worth what I’ve gone through with these people.

After looking at houses with them five nights in one week, we made an offer on two separate houses, finally reaching an agreement on one on Thursday evening. In order to make this happen (as I was ordered to do by my client), I ended up cutting my commission $500. But we did get everything worked out and I deliver the earnest money, and then he calls me and tells me that they’ve changed their mind. So, I got them out of it. And then on Friday, he tells me that they’ve decided to stop looking and maybe just rent. That if they decide to look, they’ll give me a call.

Today, I found out that they’ve requested a different Realtor. This is after I’ve shown him more than 60 houses and written four offers (and worked several other verbal offers). And after he signed a contract with ME! Of course, I want to know why they want to get rid of me. Maybe it’s because I wouldn’t show them a house in remote Logan County at 9:30 pm! Or because I wouldn’t show on a Sunday morning (although I arranged for an associate to look with them). Or maybe because I did not accompany them to a house where the listing Realtor had to conduct the showing (when they decided to go at the last minute and I already had plans)? But probably it was because I could not convince a seller to drop the price on his brand new house by $10,000.

I just wish I could tell him off. I should have stood up to him long ago — but I wanted to be accommodating. I didn’t want to tick them off. Another painful lesson . . .

And sil and bil . . . well, I am stressed. Praying that we can sell their house fast so they can buy the HUD house we have under contract.

I am planning a vacation September thru at least November. I will have my current projects finished and any new projects will be started after the holidays. My current closings should be completed or well underway and hopefully my listing will all be sold. I plan to take on no or minimal real estate work, so I can focus on kids, exercise, eating right, and you know, the other thing, getting pregnant.

Today is CD 17, I think. It’s been a weird month. I was supposed to use opks. But, I didn’t have any and just didn’t make it to the store (again, I was sick on CD 10 when I was supposed to start them). Usually, there is no doubt when I am ovulating, but this month, I’m not so sure. My “middle of the month” pain has been spread out. I would swear I’ve had it today, but it’s cd 17, way too late for ovulating. I just don’t know. And I’ve been really sick at my stomach today. Could be the hormones or the antibiotics I’m on, or a bug. Who knows.

I go in Monday for CD 23 bloodwork. One month almost down . . .

In July, the whole Gaston clan headed to San Antonio and Sea World for five days. We rented a four bedroom, 2 bathroom house with a community pool across the street. The accommodations were great and the kids were great. It was hot, of course, and Sea World with little guys is a bit challenging. But overally, we had a good time and people are already talking about what we’re going to do next year.

Thanny enjoyed the whales and dolphins, but seems to really be talking about them now. He came home with a penguin toy and Ava came home with what we think is a seal.

Parties are so much work! I never realized all the work that was involved and it does not seem to be getting easier. We had more people, more food, more everything. I love to throw a party, but with someone else’s money! Anyway, it was a lot of fun and he had a great time.

Love you Thanny!

But we’ve had some fun. Sometime soon I must post about vacation, but for now I wanted to share photos from today.

I needed a snack this afternoon. What better than a $1 cone from McD’s? The kids have had ice cream before, but they’ve never really eaten it. Today, they enjoyed it!

This morning was the hysteroscopy — where a scope with a camera is inserted into your uterus to look around for things that should not be there.

That sounds so easy.

Three lovely shots and a few minutes of uncomfortableness later, the verdict was that all was well.

I was extremely groggy. I did not think I was going to be able to drive home. But after a few minutes, I was alright and managed to get home and then go show a few houses. Glad it is over.