Paradise found: black beans. One of the more resourceful women here (she's a mom, so she has to be!) found these and sent them with her husband to give to John to give to me. During our "missing groceries" roll call, I had lamented the absence of black beans (and dry beans in general). I think by now most of us are finding what we want and need. Or at least we know to check back next week because the grocery store selection completely changes week-to-week.
Now I just have to decide which recipes to start with for the beans. . .
Too bad I'm having a craving for homemade potato salad (Stiggs, I need to e-mail you for your recipe that you brought to the house once. YUM!!!). They've got cole slaw galore here, but I have yet to see potato salad. Fortunately, the ingredients shouldn't be too difficult to find.
So the second picture here is just about as cute as can be! If you did not know already, John has been practicing to play with the Cork Admirals (www.corkadmirals.com), an American football team out here that plays in full pads (a "kitted" practice means practice in full pads). They have games within their league, and there are even playoffs and a superbowl of sorts. The "season" lasts nine months of the year, so John is pretty excited. I'm sure you will get to hear plenty about it all. But isn't John just SOOOO CUTE in his pads and helmet???!!! And check out the Admiral's website. . . I'm guessing there will be good stuff about "Koog" on there soon. . .
Finally, my last part of this post is TMI if you are not used to going to the doctor several times a month and peeing in a cup. Or if you are uncomfortable with the phrase "peeing in a cup." Or peeing in general. So, fair enough warning, stop reading if you'll be offended.
One of the MANY things that are different between the US and Irish health care systems involves giving a urine sample. As I was read through the copious information about havinging a baby in Ireland and what to do/bring to all of your appointments, I was shocked to read that I need to "make sure to bring a urine sample to all visits with your GP and consultant." What????? Bring it with you? I knew from my first GP visit that I could privide the sample there (some of you heard my grumblings about the "test tube" they give you to pee in) but what was I supposed to bring my sample in to the other visits?? And empty jelly jar?? So I asked my GP today and she gave me two "cups" to use for my next visits. I took a picture of them so you could sympathize. What do you notice? Perhaps the miniscule diameter of the "cup." Could you honestly pee into something like this without a huge mess??? By the end of this pregnancy, I'll be a pro.
But, why, might you ask, do you have to bring your sample instead of just giving it there? Who knows! I would think they would want to make sure it was your urine and you weren't switching it out with a healthier pregnant woman or your dog or something. . .Perhaps there are just no facilities at the doctor's office to provide the sample there. What? You ask: No bathroom at the OB's office? In the land of pregnant women with peanut bladders?
It would not shock me at all.
There are no public bathrooms in most places, including the one store for all maternity wear and baby gear (as my fellow American chica friend learned when she was there with her two little girls, one of whom had to GO right THEN!) Many places in this country suffer from bathroom stinginess. Of course, other places like the mall have more bathrooms than you can count. Just some random potty-rationing factor that I completely do not understand.
So there is my rant about the pee collecting here. John offered to buy me a funnel. Then the doctor would just have to ask why there was motor oil residue in my urine. . .
I've successfully used up some more time until my ultrasound tomorrow, so mission accomplished! Just ten more hours to waste plus sleep and the gym. . . Can you tell I'm excited??
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