Cravings
My daughter-in-law is pregnant. I’m going to be a grandmother in June and I can’t wait. She’s doing wonderfully—healthy, strong, and glowing. Of course, DIL’s pregnancy immediately took me back to my own, which was no picnic. I was sick for over five months, practically from the moment of Son’s conception. And not just slightly nauseous, I tossed every single thing that went into my stomach. I lost thirty-three pounds the first five months and only gained back twelve, so Son was a negative weight gain for old mom. My weight came after he was born, but that’s another post.
DIL isn’t really craving anything specific, although her eating habits have changed, mostly due to the fact that she’s become hypersensitive to odors. But, I can still wake her up and make her smile with bacon, so all is well. I didn’t really crave anything when I was so sick, but once I got through that rough patch, I craved two things: peach ice cream and Taco Bell soft tacos. Weird because those aren’t things I ate before I got pregnant, but Husband learned that if he really wanted to see a happy mom-to-be, all he had to do was bring home peach ice cream and a bag of soft tacos.
Our discussion about cravings got me to thinking about what I crave now—not food, although that still happens, but also what I’m craving for my life, my career, my mind, my body, and my spirit. My life has changed so much in the last few years, I sometimes have to stop and consider what I want next.
For 2012, I’m craving career success—one book is being published in about a month, but I want more. I want the two books with my agent to be accepted by a publisher, I want the one I’m currently working on to bowl my agent over and then to thrill an editor. I want to actually earn some money with my writing.
I’m craving health—I want this whole heart thing to be resolved, even if it means I’m on medication for the rest of my life. That’s fine. But I want to know that medicated or not, I’m strong, I’m healthy, I can do whatever I want to do. I also crave the ability to stop worrying about the size of my ass or what I weigh. How lovely would it be to simply enjoy myself, appreciate my curves, and not overthink every bite I take?
I’m craving peace in my spirit. Part of the inner disturbance of my menopause is the constant restlessness. I want a peaceful year, where I’m okay with life just where it is…no overwhelming urge to get on plane to anywhere or simply drive away. I’m hoping summer at the lake will help with that one. The new year is bringing so many new adventures, becoming a grandparent, being published, working on my new novels, writing for the ’Verse, and blogging on my own website, and spending our first full summer at the lake with new friends.
So, talk to me Betties. What are you craving for 2012?
Lovely post, Nan, and congratulations on your impending grandmotherhood!
I’m craving good, positive results for all my endeavors. I have faith this will happen.
My biggest craving is to stay home and write. I’m doing my best to write daily, but I crave alone time. Although I have to say that I’m enjoying the students this week. I really do like the high school best.
Thea, I wanted to address what you said yesterday: Cheerfullness is my default setting. I’m a great compartmentalizer. I choose to be happy most of the time, even in a sucky situation. It’s one of my strengths – and I’m great in emergencies because I don’t panic. But the price for that is twofold – I used to suffer from a corresponding depression (which I’m now Medicated for) and Because my default is humor I quickly forget the bad parts of the situation. I’ve got selective memory. So stuff has to really rear it’s ugly head for me to pay attention again.
Sorry I hijacked your post Nan. Congrats on the upcoming grandbaby! Babies are fabulous when you’re ready for them, and even better when you don’t have to take care of them 24/7. They symbolize such hope to me. This brand new life.
Right now I’m craving a resolution and a funeral. My cousin passed away yesterday. And I didn’t know her, but I love people who love her, and she was ours. And I can’t go back for the funeral because it’s on the other side of the country. But I don’t know how to get over a death in the family without a weekend clinging and laughing and praying with the family. I guess what I’m actually craving is family.
On the resolution side, my best friend was sexually assaulted and she’s pressing charges. Which is good in the long run, both for her safety and emotional health. But in the short run it means lots of testifying, which means thinking about it pretty much everyday. She’s been amazingly wise and resilient, but I’m craving a resolution.
I guess I’m craving normal. Thanks Nan, for the the beautiful post. I’m so lucky that Betty posts like yours are part of my normal.
Alastair, My comment is gone. Can you find it? Or is it forever gone into the innerspace that is the internet?
Great post as usual Nan! I hope everyone fills their craving, esp Collegiate!
This past year was very rough for me, so I’m craving a return of my usual upbeat mood and energy. It keeps popping its head up, but then another “tremor” hits and I’m floored again. I wanna get up and stay up!
OMG, Nan!!! My number one craving with my second child was soft tacos from Taco Bell!!! What is up with that?!?
I was so morning sick with my third child, I had bought these dishes right before I got pregnant, a whole set, and I had to give them away when I was done being pregnant! My husband really rolled his eyes at that–those dishes hadn’t been cheap.
Great post, Nan. The thing I craved was shrimp. Cooked any way, not cooked, I just craved them. The thing my stomach could not tolerate was orange juice. I had an allergy when I was a kid and sort of outgrew it, but one sip of orange juice prior to being tested and up it came. That’s how I always knew when I was preggers and saved on buying pregnancy tests. ; ) Had five pregnancies, but only two births.
What I’m craving for in 2012 is a greater understanding of me. I’m trying to see the signs of self-sabotage before I sabotage. Have been doing a lot of reading, making some inroads, but I crave more. I want to be able to put my hand up and say, “Halt and desist.”
No problem, Kate! It’s possible that someone, possibly, mis-spelled “Bodacious”, and our over-zealous spam filter jumped on it.
Me? Mis-spell something? I hardly think that’s likely.
Honestly, right now I crave sleep … long, long hours dozing and dreaming while cuddled against Sweet Babou and cocooned in a duvet, with bonus points for listing rain on the roof … they way I used to crave the Old Spice Guy or bacon.
My cravings with the twins were Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and steak. These weren’t out of the ordinary from my normal eating habits, but I felt more at peace if I had one or the other everyday.
Right now, I crave balance. I know I’m going back to work in August, and I want my life not to spin out of control crazy once I add in the daily stresses of being a teacher to 100 teenagers (plus my robot kids, plus my real kids). However, I see the disaster area my house is, the lack of time I have in my day working around the girls’ schedule, and I wonder how I’m going to do it.
Your cravings are inspirational Dragonfly! You’re blessed with a lovely life and I love it for you. And I can’t wait for your grand baby to come, she/he is going to fill your life with even more joy! It will also give you more Bettyverse material! Yay!
I craved spicy food with Stella, mostly hot pickled peppers like jalapenos.
Now I crave time with grand baby. And she’ll be here 3 days! We’re taking her to meet Micky Mouse for her 5th birthday!
Thanks for the post Nan. Always enjoyable.
FGBV’s to all in need.
Betties, interesting how many of us are craving peace, normalcy, a quieter spirit. Do I sense a trend here in the ‘Verse? Seems as though we each had a rather tumultuous 2011, both good and bad. Perhaps we’re all ready for a year of just living and enjoying? Love hearing from you, both your current cravings and the ones you had when you were pregnant–keep talking to me…and each other…
What a cool post, Nan! Congratulations on the grandmother to be! How much fun.
I’m craving a challenge. I’ve been doing the same job for several years so it is time for something new.
I’m craving a relationship. I’ve been single for a long time and just don’t seem to meet nice men. I know they are hiding somewhere, but I’d really like one to enter my orbit.
Hugs to you, Collegiate, and continued strength to your friend.
When I was pregnant I craved Boston Market mashed potatoes and BLT’s. With Five, I chewed ice the whole time. As soon as I had him, that stopped. Pregnancy is weird.
This year I am craving success for my children, which will result in peace at home. It’s going to be a tough slog. For moi, personally, I like Mary Stella’s idea of positive outcomes in all my endeavors (writing, health, marriage, and family.)
ooh I’m craving an agent and a book deal and some serious weight loss/healthy-getting and if i can order that with a side of brownies it’d be perfection.
My major cravings were ORANGE everything–juice, popsicles, sherbet—with an urgency and force that frightened many
Megan: my mom craved chopped ice with both me and my brother! That was her only craving, and she had to chew it, which was part of the craving. That’s the only time she’d ever chewed on ice.
Like other Betties, I crave a peaceful balance in my life right now. And enough: money, work, fun, writing for myself, tidiness, energy, sanity, etc. And what Mary Stella said about success in all endeavors — just writing a novel would be a success, I don’t even have to get it published! And what Blonde Betty said; I have so much love to give someone, someone of my own, and I have such a touch craving that hasn’t come close to being satisfied for years and years and years. It doesn’t show, but I think it makes me a tad crazy, y’know?
Nan: congrats on impending grandmotherhood! Yay for new babies to hug and to hold.
Strawberries with the girl child and peanut butter with the boy child. And absolutely, positively no spaghetti sauce. Ever! Pregnancy is definitely weird.
I’m not really sure what I’m craving. My life is pretty good right now, but. . . I have a undefined yearning going on. I’ll let you know if I figure it out.
I always find pregnancy cravings fascinating…never been pregnant myself. Yet.
For 2012 I am craving:
Change- big huge change…new house, new job, new man (or no man)new life
Kisses- my current bf isn’t really a kisser, we’ve been together for over 4 years, I am a kisser…sigh. Hopefully my big huge change will lead to some kissing opportunities.
Great post, Nan. I just read Jenny Crusie’s blog about meditating and now I’m thinking about craving. I think I’m fighting myself!
Oh Dragonfly Betty, the topics you launch and the questions you ask! I never had cravings with any of my prenancies (six times, three witchlings). I just ate. A. Lot. Of basically anything that wasn’t nailed down.
Smells were horrid though, like your daughter-in-law, I was even MORE hypersensitive than usual (and that’s saying something).
And I have no idea what I crave for 2012. Is it possible to NOT crave? I know what would be grand, but it’s not a craving, I don’t think.
FGBVs to everyBetty who can use some right now, and to friends/family/loved ones of Betties too. Sharing the Betty love and spreading those ever-healing FGBVs around feels like the thing to do. We can always use a bit of a boost.
During my pregnancy I had to have a hot dog every morning at 10am at work. There was only one day they didn’t have them, and I managed, but Oh, I needed those hot dogs on the other days. I went off vegetable soup, couldn’t even stand the smell of it in the house (and still can’t 5 years later); it was so bad I felt ill in the veg aisle at the supermarket when I walked past that section! I also went off chocolate for most of my pregnancy. It didn’t take!
What I crave now is a year without funerals. That would be good.
Here….. toss this *g* in there when you all read my comment, wouldja?
Thanks.
Great post, Nan. Craving for 2012: to add discipline into my life. I don’t do what I want to do and do what I don’t want to do, a lot. A perverse procrastination? Apathy? Too much on the plate? I want to type The End this year on one work in progress.