The difference a month makes

Let's Ask America

A little back history….

I have been known to apply for a game show or two.  While living in Auburn, Deal or No Deal was the new game show on TV.  I applied.  I remember getting a call back while eating at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Acopulco’s.  Well, one phone interview turned into two then three.  Before I knew it, they had asked that my supporters that I wanted to be on the show come to Auburn to do a video interview with the show producers.  My mom, Maw.Maw., Gabe, and Scott all came to my apartment for the video interview and to play a round of the game.  I thought we had it in the bag, but I never heard back from the show.

Fast forward a few years….

Since being married, I was able to get my family an audition for Family Feud which fell through, and I recently went to the open casting call in Birmingham for Big Brother.  The Price is Right had a special episode earlier this summer for expectant women only.  I was put on a waiting list for tickets, and they notified me less than 24 hours before the show that I had a ticket.  Things just never seemed to work out.

A few months ago, a strange number showed up on my cell phone, and I answered.  They asked to speak with Casey Barrett.  Apparently, a new game show had gotten my application and my video interview tape from when I auditioned to be on Deal or No Deal 7 years ago.  They asked me to fill out a new application with my current information if I was interested.  I was interested!!  I had several phone and skype interviews with assistant producers and producers.   I knew it was getting serious when I had a hour long interview with the producer.  I came home from work a few weeks ago and had a box on my front porch.  When I opened the box, I read a letter that said I had been chosen to be on Let’s Ask America.  They sent me all kinds of Let’s Ask America gear like a shirt, bumper sticker, cups, etc.  They called the night I received the letter and set up a tape date for last Tuesday (8/21).  I was scheduled to start taping the show at 3:00 on Tuesday.  I played against 3 other people.  The game is similar to Family Feud.  Random people were surveyed, and we won money if we matched the correct answer.  After each round, the person with the least amount of money would be eliminated until only one person remained.  The grand total you could win was $50,000.  I made it to the third round, but I ended up losing to the only other girl on the show.  The final question was WHICH PERSON DID 100 ARTIST SAY THEY WOULD MOST LIKE TO HAVE AS A NUDE MODEL.  The possible answers were WILLIE NELSON, CARNIE WILSON, CATHY BATES, OR KEITH RICHARS.  I guessed Keith Richards.  The correct answer was Cathy Bates.  The other contestant didn’t get it right either (she guessed Willie), but I had the lowest score and was eliminated.  I was so disappointed.  I had big plans for my winnings.  Oh well, it was SO MUCH FUN!!  It was something I have ALWAYS wanted to do, but I think I’m hanging up my game show/reality TV dreams for a while.  Let’s Ask America is scheduled to premiere on September 17.  They didn’t know when my show would be on TV.  Only certain TV markets get the network that Let’s Ask America will be shown on, so I don’t think we will be able to watch.

You can read more about the show here:  http://www.letsaskamerica.tv/

26-27 weeks??

My due date is 11-22-12 (Thanksgiving Day) which makes me 26 weeks and 4 days today.  However, I always thought I was four days ahead of the due date given by the doctor (after all, I was there when I conceived and knew she was mistaken on her day of conception).  I thought my due date should be 11-18-12 which would make me 27 weeks and 1 day today.  Well, at my doctor's appointment on Friday, the doctor said I'm measuring 6 days ahead of the 11-22-12 due date which would make me 27 weeks and 3 days today and due on 11-16-12.  All of the dates are really close, but it makes it hard to take my weekly pictures and know how many weeks pregnant I am.

Size of baby:  Head of lettuce.  The doctor estimated that she weighed 2 lbs 1 oz on Friday.

Weight:  At my 26 weeks appointment on Friday (8/17), I had gained 1 lb in the last month.  I am now only 2 lbs below my starting weight.

Best moment of the week:  Before seeing the doctor on Friday, Scott and I got to see baby girl in 4D.  She's pretty cute!!

Movement:  All the time unless I actually want her to move (ex. during ultrasound, wanting somebody to feel her).  She is especially active before I go to sleep (10:00-11:00 pm) and before I get up in the mornings (6:00 am).

Symptoms:  Heartburn, Getting full quick but eating often

Food cravings/aversions:  Cravings-salt, meat; Aversions-still not eating a lot of sweets, potatoes

Belly button in or out: Looks normal

What I miss:  Drinking unlimited amounts of Diet Pepsi

What I am looking forward to:  My church and Gadsden baby showers in September

Nursery:  It's my favorite room in the house, and I love going in there to sit and rock.  It is coming together great, but I do need to go get a crib mattress.

Exercise:  I stay very busy at work and on the weekends.  I figure all that walking has to count as exercise.  Right??

Locust Fork Baby Shower

My SIL wanted to help host a baby shower for Scott and I.  Since she is a teacher and off in the summers, she came up with her family from Miami.  The shower was sweet and perfect.  She had planned the theme and ordered invites before knowing if Baby Partain was a boy or girl.  The yellow/black with touches of pink was adorable.

Mom and Rick in the Gadsden Times

www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20120801/NEWS/120809999

There are a few typos in the article, but I think it's very cool!! My dad didn't pass away from brain cancer....it was lung cancer.  I called mom immediately after reading it thinking they had kept something from me.  Nope, it was just a typo.  I told her dad wouldn't mind, but if they made a typo and said that Gabe and I went to "that other school" he would be MAD.  I learned things about Rick that I didn't know.  Their backyard is absolutely beautiful, and I'm proud that it was recognized.