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Cream-Based Drinks

Cream-based drinks on special at the virtual bar today: Baileys and Mudslides and … whatever else is milky and sweet because it is the final day to submit a post to the Creme de la Creme and ensure that it’s on the list when it goes up January 1st.

Sure, you could always submit your post on December 16th, and plenty of people do, but I can’t promise those posts will go up in the first round.  They’ll probably be added to the list some time in early January.

So what are you waiting for?

While we all drink and go through our archives and ask the other patrons at the bar what our best post of the year was (and I’m sorry, but everyone has a best post.  Or a best of the worst if you’re going to put yourself down and want to look at it that way), I’d also like to thank you for all the good wishes and book purchases for Life from Scratch.

Even though I’m completely sober (look, I’m pouring drinks with a steady hand), I got very weepy-in-my-beer reading through the comments and seeing the book sale rankings on Amazon.  Thank you.  I really can’t thank you enough.  And I can’t wait to hear what you think.

Deep breath.

It has been almost two months since we met, bitched, cried, comforted, and caught up each other on our cycles and lives. Pull up a seat and I’ll pour you a drink. Let everyone know what is happening in your life. The good, the bad, the ugly. My only request is that if a story catches your eye, you follow it back to the person’s blog and start reading their posts. Give some love, give some support, or laugh with someone until your drink comes out of your nose.

I have a ton of assvice in my back pocket and as a virtual bartender, I will give it to you unless you specifically tell me that this is simply a vent and you do not want to receive anything more than a hug.

So if you have been a lurker for a while (or if this is your first open bar), sit down and tell us about yourself. Remember to provide a link or a way for people to continue reading your story (or if you don’t have a blog–gasp!–you can always leave an email address if you’re looking for advice or support. If not, people can leave messages for that person here in the comments section too). If you’re a regular at the bar, I’ll get out your engraved martini glass while you make yourself comfortable. And anyone new, welcome. I’m glad you found this virtual bar.

For those who have no clue what I’m talking about when I say that the bar is open, click here to catch up and then jump into the conversation back on this current post.

So have an imaginary cocktail and tell us what is up with your life.

35 comments

1 Lynn { 12.15.10 at 7:34 am }

First off, Congrats, Mel, on your book! I can’t wait to get my copy 😀 I’m really very, very happy for you!

Now, let’s see what’s happened in the last couple of months. Well, I’m currently waiting to hear the results from a biopsy I had on Friday to see if complex hyper.plasia is still present (will hopefully hear something today, so please cross your fingers for good news!). If everything is clear, we have to sit down with our RE and find out what our next step will actually entail. However, if hyper.plasia is still present, my RE is going to be referring me to an oncologist.

So, there you go. I’m once more in the land of waiting with no clear view where I’m headed. Eight months of seeing the RE and we’re really no farther along than we were before. I’m beginning to lose hope that anything will ever come of fertility treatment for us.

On that note, I’ll have an Irish coffee, please, with Bailey’s Irish Cream. Got to get warm and try to muster up some Christmas spirit. I have to say it’s low around our house this year. We’ve decided not to even bother putting up a tree.

2 loribeth { 12.15.10 at 8:37 am }

I’ve missed the Lushary! Baileys on ice for me, please, and a toast to our handsome oldest nephew, who is 22 today (eeeekkk…).

Three more workdays & three more sleeps until I’m on vacation & off to see my family. I CAN’T WAIT. Just came through the year-end crunch at work with a new and very stressed out boss — but things have slowed down nicely this week. I paid 5 bucks to our United Way fund so I am wearing my jeans to work all week, I got a good bonus & a small raise, & my boss is taking the team out for lunch today. Life is good right now. : )

3 Rachel { 12.15.10 at 9:15 am }

Ummm….seeing as how it’s like a thousand degrees below zero here in good ole Indiana, I’ll take a hot chocolate spiked with the strongest stuff you’ve got. I have no real reason to complain, just general cold weather malaise, a husband who is practically non-existent and certainly non-helpful, and a neurotic puppy.

Anyone want a puppy? She scratches and barks and pees all over the floor? 🙂

4 a { 12.15.10 at 9:23 am }

I’ll take some Bailey’s! In fact, if I remember, I will have some when I get home tonight. I had my vent regarding our IVF cycle and feel slightly better for having processed it. I’m in a little better mood now – helped out by a most hilarious exercise session with my daughter last night. Lying on the floor, kicking your feet, and laughing is excellent exercise. But I would like to know who taught her the Flashdance running-in-place move – she’s got it down!

5 Jessica { 12.15.10 at 9:45 am }

I’ll take a White Russian!

Let’s see…. Trying to get ready for the holidays almost has me in a state of panic seeing as how I haven’t bought a single gift yet!!!! Monday is going to be full of doc appts. I’m meeting with a surgeon to see if I’m going to need to have my thyroid removed. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I’m always taking those thyroid test results to my RE to see how this will impact future treatments. When I called and spoke to his nurse and told her that I had just found out I had Hashi’s she’s like Aha! and said he has treated other patients with Hashi’s. So should be an interesting appointment. I’ll be sure to fill ya’ll in on whatever I find out.

Happy Holidays!!!

6 Calliope { 12.15.10 at 10:13 am }

“Cream-based drinks on special”?? You can’t honestly say that without expecting me to comment on that, RIGHT??? Ok. Fine. I will refrain. BUT COME ON!!

I would the house special (ahem) and I want to celebrate my Mother’s 60th birthday, her new job, our move to Philly, our finding a place to live, and all the women of TOOTPU. *clink*

7 Sushigirl { 12.15.10 at 10:14 am }

An Amarula for me please… in some ways I feel like I’m marking time til my next FET, but in other ways I’m ludicrously busy. Not bothering with a tree or decorations either, but on the other hand, haven’t got much spare time to tidy the house even to normal standards (although, spookily, do have time to blog. Priorities, right?)

8 Calliope { 12.15.10 at 10:15 am }

@ Jessica- OOOH! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s this year too! I am totally going to be following your journey to see what your RE says. (& to stalk your thyroid levels!)

9 Delenn { 12.15.10 at 10:23 am }

Congrats on the book, Mel! I cannot wait to read it!

I had to comment this time–I LOVE Mudslides!!! Just keep ’em coming (with extra chocolate!)

Financial worries, husband starting to look for a new job (current one was supposed to be temporary pay cut, now seems to be permanent one and we are stretched to our limit), a terrible two and a soon to be teenager…that sums it up here…in ten days I will be 41 years old and I am starting to have times when I really do not know who those youngsters on the pop scene are–I mean, who the hell is Ryan Renolds? and why should I care?! (and yes, I actually do know who he is–just thought he was not all that)

10 Heather { 12.15.10 at 10:50 am }

Prior to commenting, I had to go buy my book so I could REALLY be your BIGGEST GROUPIE! 😉

Also, I’ll be sharing with you my very most favorite winter drink ever…It’s called Viking Coffee.

Probably because after you drink it you feel like a viking. Or maybe it’s because it could knock out a viking after half a cup. Either way, it cures what ails you.
They serve it in Norway at EPCOT. It’s basically coffee liqueur, a lot of Bailey’s, and steaming hot coffee.

So, that’s that. There’s a whole lot I could complain about, but I’m not going to. I’m trying to be the Kinder Gentler Heather. It won’t last, don’t worry. 🙂

11 Eve { 12.15.10 at 10:57 am }

Ditto the sentiments on your new book….your, like, my hero and all.

Hmmm…loving the taste of pepermint this year. I’ll have a Baileys, full-fat cream, a little chocolate and peppermint schnapps. Mmmmm. Two big things going on for me. This is our first Christmas without Will…and his angelversary is approaching right after the first of the year. I am dreading Christmas in some ways…but also wanting to enjoy Abby’s first Christmas. Gah, the bipolarness of it all. In EXTREMELY good and exclusive news (I will not put this on my blog), we have found a family for our two remaining snow babies as I have been told I should not carry another pregnancy. It has been very bittersweet process that is ending with my husband and I being so excited and overjoyed at the chance of pregnancy for this wonderful young couple. They’re hoping to cycle in February!

12 April { 12.15.10 at 10:57 am }

I’ll have a mulled wine. I’m in the mood for something nice and warm today.

I do believe the husband listened to my (not so subtle) hint about wanting your new book for Christmas. If has hasn’t, there will be a trip to B&N on the 26th to pick it up.

As for cycle / testing / etc., the husband had his SA last Friday and we should get the results sometime today or tomorrow. I will be doing the SHG after the new year when we get the new insurance. We know we’re out for the year and I plan on drinking heavily at Christmas dinner for a change.

13 It is what it is { 12.15.10 at 11:02 am }

I’ll take a mudslide light (you know, Weight Watchers and all).

I can’t help but be so proud of you. I love how this virtual world connects us in a way that we can feel pride for someone we’ve never met irl.

As for me, gosh, a lot has happened in the last two months. We both created and completed our birth mother letter/profile and delivered it to our adoption agency along with their in depth questionnaire. It is a lovely booklet of who we are (but I can’t help but feel the “pick me, pick me” aspect of this process). This means that as of today we can officially be presented to birth mothers. Our home study is also now underway.

I lived through my first holiday on WW and am now down almost 30 pounds since June. Ugh, losing weight is not nearly as fun as gaining it!

14 Kristin { 12.15.10 at 11:05 am }

I want an After Dinner Mint. After the almost disaster/still potential disaster with our kitty cat, I need a drink.

15 Kir { 12.15.10 at 11:20 am }

I love coming here, because in IRL I don’t drink anymore, but here…PAAARRTTYY!!! 🙂
I will have a Mistletoe Martini(don’t worry, I’ll come back there and show you how to make it..grab the Melon Liquer..yes the stuff that is GREEN as an alien..LOL)

now let’s see. I’ve been having a good holiday season. I have good days/bad days with the fibro, but all in all , I am good.
My sons are taxing my sanity..they are really ego centric right now and it’s testing their father and I to our limits..not listening, laughing at us when told to stop, not getting up or dressed in the am, you name it, they are fighting against it. It’s frustrating, it’s disappointing (I was suppossed to be WELL EQUIPPED to be a parent after my yrs of IF) and it does take the wind out of a sail quite a bit.
Yet, it’s the holidays, and our children are cute, healthy, HERE…singing, dancing, running around…being little boys. I could complain (And oh yes I will) but right now, my family is happy and healthy.

I have a lot of friends on my mind, some TTC, some PG, some dealing with Cancer, some just dealing with “Stuff” that no one should have to deal with and so my mind and heart pray and try to just be “there”

otherwise, I am dressed in Red, Green, Silver and humming carols. It’s the most wonderful time of the year..after all. 😉

(congratulations on the book…I truly cannot wait for my box of 9 to show up!) 🙂

16 Lacie { 12.15.10 at 11:34 am }

Thanks for the spiked hot chocolate! Mmmm…

I am preparing for my FOURTH FET (within the span of 8 months). I have adopted embryos, who I affectionately call my “Snowbabies” or “Snowflakes.” The transfer is set for January 5th, and DAMNED this LUPRON for making me so FAT!!!

I am ready to flush 2010 right down the toilet in favor of LIFE and new beginnings and very special blessing for 2011!

17 nh { 12.15.10 at 11:50 am }

I can’t stand Baileys – ugh. But I’ll have a Brandy – and see if that’ll shift my cold!
Still excited about our potential little boy; roll on the New Year, 2011 might be the one where everything gets better.

18 Melody { 12.15.10 at 12:05 pm }

I’ll have an Irish Coffee– in the mood for something warm. S is almost 2 now, and just after Christmas she’ll be having her 4th, and what I’m hoping will be her FINAL, surgery to sort out birth defects. So far we’ve taken care of double inguinal hernias, several heart defects, an errant “gill” (brachial ductal cyst on her neck), and this will take care of the finn (extra thumb). The recoveries seem to get increasingly painful as she gets older, so I’m a bit stressed out about it. But looking forward to having it all over with, and having a ball with her this Christmas season.

19 Tara (TIMO) { 12.15.10 at 12:24 pm }

I don’t like Bailey’s but hot chocolate spiked with something minty would be delish. I asked Santa for Borders/B&N gift cards so I hope I’m reading your book on the 26th. I just submitted my post for the Creme de la Creme. Nothing like waiting until the last minute when the chosen post was as obvious as the nose on my face.

Currently, we’re trying to get ready for the holidays and recuperating from MIL’s visit. Still dealing with sleep issues and now with molar teething. Our house is a wreck. We’re totally not babyproof and the boys are walking and getting into everything. When they’re asked “what does Mama say?” they both shake their heads no. It’s cute but a bit disturbing that I say it that often. We’re hoping that my Nana makes it through the holidays. As much as I don’t want 2011 to start with a funeral, I’m not ready to end 2010 with one either.

20 Lori Lavender Luz { 12.15.10 at 12:45 pm }

Ditto what Calli said about the name of this post. It’s full of awesomesauce! Hehe.

Kahlua & cream for me.

It’s my birthday. And my present is Life from Scratch on a Kindle. And I reposted my personal favorite post.

21 Kristi { 12.15.10 at 1:06 pm }

Your book should arrive any day now and I can’t wait to read it.

I will celebrate with a class of Champaign as I am 14 weeks pregnant this week. After 3 IVF’s and 1 miscarriage I am 180 days from being a mom. We are counting down the days till the anatomy scan.

Thoughts and prayers to those have a hard holiday season. I have been there and understand.

22 Michelle { 12.15.10 at 2:10 pm }

I’ll definitely have a Baileys on ice and toast to you new special book and for guiding us along our journeys.

Today I’d like to drink a lot. I”m still in my jammies until I head to our RE to find out our genetics on our last loss (#5). I’m of mixed emotion, not really sure what I feel like hearing at this point. Normal or not. Boy or Girl. And of course, the “well, looks like your body *ucked up again talk”. The thing is, I’m pretty sure that this is ‘it’ for now. So I will be having that talk with my fantastic RE and may have to have a few shots before heading into the office.

After today, I hope to close this chapter for a while. Focus on moving forward with adoption and coming to peace with my deranged body that seems to dislike pregnancy so much. I better get in all of this Baileys while I can. Might not look good when the social worker shows up for our home study! 😉

Ahhhhh. Al-co-hooooooooooooooooool is sooooo delish. Thanks for that.

23 lis { 12.15.10 at 2:29 pm }

mel, im surprised-do you drink creamy beverages? i know of your aversions and that seems like one that could fit in! although maybe you make an exception here and there.

ill have a pina colada, light on the pina, please. blended. ill wait.
🙂

what is on my mind? hmm. a lot as of late. i have been wanting to snatch up those closest to me (virtually) just crawl up inside of my computer and keep the world out. i toyed with the idea of going private this past week. i dont know what is making me feel this way. i wish i did. i haven’t wanted to comment much, though i have been reading. i have been avoiding the twitter, even the tv to some extent. i just need some quiet time, i guess.

today is cd1 for ivf #4. that and all of the emotions it evokes may account for some of my reclusion.
anyway, congratulations on publishing your first fiction book! that must be overwhelmingly exciting. i wish you lots and lots sold!
xoxo
lis

24 Misfits { 12.15.10 at 3:06 pm }

I’d like some spiked eggnog. Not that I like the word nog at all, but something about having a drink that tastes like melted ice cream sounds wonderful right about now. Seriously, “noggin” sends chills down my spine.

I am downloading your book on the kindle that santa’s bringing me. I plan to devour it as a reward for putting up with my annoying and very pregnant SIL’s complaints during Christmas. It’s been a rough week with work and I hope you don’t mind me sticking around awhile. I was pregnant and losing the fifth during this time last year and thought I was good. Yet, another coworker announced a happy pregnancy today and a little liquid courage and some sympathetic company sounds like just what I need.

25 Carrie { 12.15.10 at 3:23 pm }

Congrats to Mel again! Looking forward to reading your new book very, very soon 🙂
I would love a spiked hot cocoa.
As for me, we are just coming off a disaster of a IVF cycle, with nothing for us to transfer. I am so lucky that my clinic is going to help us fund our next cycle and we are gearing up for IVF (#6!!!!) in early 2011. I am still in shock over all of this and feel so lucky to be getting some financial help.
thinking of all of you lovely ladies.

26 Mali { 12.15.10 at 5:10 pm }

I’ll have a glass of Christmas bubbles … oh go on then, champagne would be lovely. It’s summer here of course, and champagne goes nicely! I’m not big into Baileys, but Sushigirl mentioned Amarula, and I’ve had amarula-spiked hot chocolate and it is divine.

I can’t wait for our summer holiday. Some time to think about the future, some time not to think about work and annoying men, and best of all, some time to read. I have your book saved up, and I’m getting Lisa’s from Life without Baby too. I love reading authors I feel I know … even just a tiny bit.

Best wishes to all.

27 Chickenpig { 12.15.10 at 5:53 pm }

I’ll have one of those Viking coffees, they sound awesome.

I went to N’s first PPT in his new school and I HATED about half the people there, the director, psychologist, special ed teacher…only the counselor and the speech pathologist seemed to get my son at all. ARG!

To top that off I bought From Scratch for my Kindle straight away, but the battery is dead and I seemed to have misplaced the necessary cable to recharge, so I can’t read it yet! I’m totally pissed!

Kudos to Eve for making the tough decision to put the remaining embryos up for adoption. I have 4 still on ice and I can’t bring myself to move in any direction at all. 🙁 It’s not an easy thing. How about another one of those coffees please?

28 TasIVFer { 12.15.10 at 6:58 pm }

It’s summer here in Tasmania, so I’d actually prefer a gin and tonic with some fresh lime if you don’t mind.

This time last year I was 14 weeks pregnant and was complaining of bleeding and trying to convince someone that something was wrong and I wasn’t just being a paranoid 1st-time-mum. My son was born in the early hours of the 18th.

Right now I’m 5 weeks 1 day pregnant from an egg donor cycle after 5 years and 14 IVF/ICSI cycles of my own and the loss of my only pregnancy last year. So I’m terrified. Completely scared out of my mind. And waiting for Life from Scratch to arrive to distract me!

29 HereWeGoAJen { 12.15.10 at 8:57 pm }

Nothing to drink, it doesn’t sound good. And this is simply babyish whining, but I am sick again and I am so sick of being sick. This is my third illness in two months, so I’ve basically been sick for two months, minus a week and a few days maybe. I am usually the healthiest person in the family and this year I have been the sickest. And I never get any sick days. (WHINE WHINE WHINE. But I feel better now.) And I honestly think I am sick because I work too hard, but if I don’t do it, no one will, so there is really no way to fix the underlying cause, other than to wait out the germ season.

30 Bea { 12.15.10 at 11:36 pm }

Oh gosh. You’re offering me alcohol now? I seem to be punchy enough just on hormones. Maybe wait til I chill out a bit…

Bea

31 Rosie { 12.16.10 at 12:22 am }

I love Frangelico..should go well with cream…yummy!
That buzz will complement the lupron fog, and whatever the steroids and estrogen are doing to me…It’s nice to have some girlfriends to hang with tonight because my honey is 3.5 hours away in a hotel awaiting the morning and our egg donor’s retrieval.. so he can do his biological part in creating some embryos!

32 Mic @ IF Crossroads { 12.16.10 at 7:27 am }

I’m freezing my booty up here in Virginia and days like today make me miss my home in Alabama, so I believe that I’ll just have a nice glass of red wine to warm the soul. I’m busy enjoying life as a mother after battling the infertility monster. …. feeling a little lonely in the parenting after IF virtual world. It seems as though many of my parenting after IF blogging friends are bidding adieu to their blogs these days. Outside of that, I’m just trying to enjoy each and every day … and trying to make time to read Life after Scratch, which is waiting for me on my Kindle 🙂
xo,
Mic

33 Michelle { 12.16.10 at 11:12 pm }

Is is alright if I come back for another drink???

The lab lost ‘my baby’!!! Can you believe it?!!! By the time they found it, no DNA would grow, so I have no answers for my last loss. Just a bitter taste in my mouth. I was looking for closure, and instead I got more bad lemons thrown my way! Grrrrr. Now we won’t know if it was chromosomal or my stupid immune system. Not good when you thought that you were ‘done’ biologicall trying.

Bottoms Up!!! I might finish the bottle tonight!!!

34 Shana { 12.17.10 at 11:08 am }

I’m late to the party I’m afraid. Well, I’m still sick with the flu after more than a week and a half so I’ll have to skip the cream for a few more days at least. I’ll take something strong to disinfect my throat and entire body. My boss recommended scotch. oh dear.

35 myinfertilitywoes { 12.19.10 at 7:45 am }

I’d like to have a Nuts and Berries please – Chambord, Frangelico and … Skim Milk (Weight Watchers in full effect, so no cream)!

Past 2 months have been hard: needed to seek out counseling with someone who specializes in infertility, who has been amazing. Had a fibroid removed this summer after docs thought it caused our 2 miscarriages after IUI. We miraculously got pregnant in Oct on our own and then miscarried at Thanksgiving. So, it’s been rough but I feel like I’m on the mend. And we’re going to the Turks and Caicos next week!! Woohoo!!

Oh, and I’ve lost 3 lbs on the new Weight Watchers system after plateauing for awhile. Yay!

Sending everyone a lot of (((hugs))) this holiday season…

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