Not a lot has happened.
First, finances are somewhat better. I'm not saving $100 a paycheck anymore now that vacation's over, but I'm thinking about after Christmas starting to save again. Our TV is about to go kaput (the sound keeps going in and out - getting REALLY LOUD and then really quiet over and over again without anyone touching the volume controls) and I'd really like to save enough to get a 40" LCD HD TV and a Blue-Ray dvd player (our dvd player is about 10 years old...the viable life for those things is 3 years). But anyway...I've got to get Christmas out of the way first. Gotta get gifts for Conman (which is the bulk of my purchases) and a couple of other people, too. Thank goodness I bought some gifts back in the summer and already have about half of my Christmas shopping done. Why? Well, we need a new Christmas tree this year, and all new outside decorations, too. Yay.
Conman went to his first Cub Scouts meeting on Tuesday and loved it. Now that football is over, he's able to go to meetings. I signed him up for basketball and paid the fee, but I dunno if he'll play or not. He's already told us a couple of times that he doesn't wanna play, which is fine by me (I can't stand basketball anyway); he has "tryouts" this evening at 6, so I suppose we'll see what happens then.
So, on Saturday I decided that I HAD to have a good meal, so the three of us took off to Charleston for a good dinner and to hopefully get a little shopping done. Well, it was a disaster from the word "go". I picked up DH and Conman and we took off, and decided to eat at a place called "Billy's". Thier tag line is "Just Good Food", and I wonder who came up with that tagline. It was just about the most horrible food I've ever had. I ordered turkey & dressing, and it was Stove-Top stuffing and a cooked-frozen-then-reheated turkey breast, so dry you could have used it as kindling. DH's meal was just as bad. Conman's dinner, fish sticks, was good, but man...you can't screw up fish sticks. After we paid our $40 for our came-from-a-box dinner, I realized that I needed to go to Logan to pick up a prescription at Wal-Mart, so we had to literally fly back to Logan from Charleston (with a quick stop at the house to pick up my wayward wallet) in order to get there before the pharmacy closed. We made it with time to spare - I thought the pharmacy closed at 6PM, turns out it closes at 7PM. Disgusted, disappointed and just...blah, we decided to just go home. We dropped Conman off at my parents' house then went to stop for smokes at the smoke shop only to find that they had JUST been robbed...so we went to the local grocery store, rented a couple of movies, bought my smokes and went home.
Sunday was better - we went to Famous Dave's for bar-b-que, then to Michael's to buy two poster frames for Conman's bedroom, then to the book store where I bought Peter Straub's Ghost Story and Stephen King's The Regulators and picked up a nifty Terry Pratchett compillation, then we looked at several other stores for a game for DH, and we finally found something at Wal-Mart; I got one too *grin*. So yeah, Sunday made up for the crappy Saturday.
I guess that's all for now. Just sorta trying to get things done around here and trying to relax at the same time (yeah, nearly impossible, I know). Until next time...
Showing posts with label Wifely Observations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wifely Observations. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Vacation Run-Down
Well, we're back from our anniversary vacation, and I've got the complete recap for ya. Here we go!
October 30
We sat the alarm for 3am. I popped out of bed and hopped in the shower while DH loaded our stuff into the car. By 20 minutes to 4, we were in the car and on the road. We had minimal stops and managed to make it to the beach by about 2:30 or so. We got checked in and up to our room and let me tell you, Sandy Beach hotel was just about the nicest place I have EVER stayed in. The balcony was nice and wide, the room was spacious and just very, very nice. Right after we checked in and got in the room, I made the requisite call to my parents to let them know that we'd made it in, and then called my friend who lives nearby (from here-on-in known as GF) and set up a time for her to come and visit while we were there. She got to our room at about 6:15 PM or so and stayed until about 10PM. By the time she left, I was exhausted so I went to bed.
October 31
Yay! 10th Anniversary day! We got up early and headed out to the Myrtle Beach State Park where DH and I stood on the shore and recommitted to one another. What better place to reaffirm your bond before God than on the seashore? I believe that we'll continue to be blessed as we have been blessed for the past ten years. Of course, after that, I was trying to rinse the sand out of a shell that DH found for me on the beach and I was attacked by a wave...
So, even though my pants were damp, my spirits weren't. We decided to hop back in the car and just drive around the area for a while. We started out looking for a putt-putt golf course to play, and went all the way north to Little River, turned around and went all the way to Pawley's Island in the south. We ended up eating at the Dead Dog Saloon in Murrell's Inlet (which we really, really liked - the Inlet, not the restaurant, but the restaurant was very good). When we left there it was time to go back to the hotel and get dressed for the evening's festivities.
We dressed in our Halloween costumes for our Halloween evening out. DH was dressed as Capt. Jack Sparrow and I was...well....I intended to be a gypsy girl, but everyone thought I was a pirate, too. That's okay, though, because I really wanted to be a pirate anyway. We went out to Barefoot Landing and first did the Ghost Show in the Ghosts and Legends Theater there. It was really neat, but DH and I enjoyed it a lot. It only primed us for what was to come, though, because the Ghost Walk was absolutely spectacular...
Our Storyteller, who is in between DH and I in the picture, was really fantastic. She told the stories in a way that held your attention and gave them a sense of wonder and mystery. At the half-way point of the walking tour at the House of Blues the REAL high-point of the walk happened for me. I went to the restroom, and when I caught up with the rest of the group I found out that DH had volunteered me to tell a ghost story. He didn't think I'd actually do it, and when I agreed, he was just shocked. All this is second hand, because I was so nervous talking to that group of strangers I didn't notice anything. DH said that while I told my story, a local legend from here in WV, that the crowd got quiet and moved in closer to hear me speak (even though I was trying hard to speak up so people could hear). DH said that the Storyteller was very impressed with my story and with my ability to tell it. When the walk was over, DH said that the Storyteller was bragging about my story to the other "pirates" at the Ghosts and Legends Theater. One of the ladies in the walking group with us asked me how she could find out more information about my story, as well. It was exciting for me. Also during the walk I took a picture of just...nothing...hoping to get pictures of something "paranormal" - an orb or something. I never dreamed that I'd actually get anything, but...
Yep! Not one, but FOUR orbs in one photo! Pretty exciting!
After we left Barefoot Landing, we headed over to Broadway at the Beach to check out their annual Halloween Party. Let me tell you, it was an experience. I don't have any pictures from there because I was silly and left my camera in the car, but I'm here to tell you, never have I seen so many (almost) exposed breasts in one place at one time. It was cold out that night, too, and even with all my clothes I had on (a girdle and a long-line bra, plus two layers of dress) and I was still shivering - I can't imagine being dressed in what is essentially a string bikini and being comfortable. I suppose that after you get so drunk, though, temperature doesn't really matter. There were some other really good costumes, too. I'm kicking myself about not bringing my camera now.
November 1
DH and I decided to go down to Charleston Harbor and take a tour of the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned aircraft carrier. It's located at Patriot's Point there in Charleston, and they also have a Coast Guard Cutter (the Ingham) a Destroyer (the Laffey) and a Submarine (the Clamagore). The Yorktown was just amazing; they had really nifty displays for all aspects of the ship's service, and they had airplanes in the hangar deck and on the flight deck that chronicled the ship's history from World War II until it was decommissioned in (I think) the '70's.
We also toured the Submarine and the Destroyer, then we went back "on shore" and bought some nifty stuff in the "Ship Store". We bought Conman a t-shirt and hat at the Yorktown because we thought that since he's got a million Myrtle Beach t-shirts that he might like something different this time. We really liked visiting the ships and my only regret was that Conman wasn't there to see it, too. He would have really, really liked that part of our trip.
We drove back to Myrtle Beach from Charleston but we weren't ready to go back to the hotel quite yet, so we visited Broadway at the Beach again for dinner. We ate at Key West, and the food was good but VERY expensive. We then finally played putt-putt there at Broadway and walked around a little bit before finally heading back to the hotel. On the way in, we couldn't pass up getting fresh, hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts. ;)
November 2
We woke up early, and DH took some pictures of dawn over the sea...
After we packed everything up and got it into the car, we checked out and prepared to leave the beach. Both DH and I were kind of reticent to actually leave...it felt a little bit like even though we had everything packed up and ready to go home that we were leaving something behind. I think it was that little piece of my heart that I was leaving. You know, that little piece that believes it belongs there on a permanent basis. I think we finally left town at around 9AM. We got back home here in WV at about 8PM (after a few stops along the way), and our vacation was officially over.
All in all, we had a fantastic time, and I wouldn't change a thing about what we did or saw.
October 30
We sat the alarm for 3am. I popped out of bed and hopped in the shower while DH loaded our stuff into the car. By 20 minutes to 4, we were in the car and on the road. We had minimal stops and managed to make it to the beach by about 2:30 or so. We got checked in and up to our room and let me tell you, Sandy Beach hotel was just about the nicest place I have EVER stayed in. The balcony was nice and wide, the room was spacious and just very, very nice. Right after we checked in and got in the room, I made the requisite call to my parents to let them know that we'd made it in, and then called my friend who lives nearby (from here-on-in known as GF) and set up a time for her to come and visit while we were there. She got to our room at about 6:15 PM or so and stayed until about 10PM. By the time she left, I was exhausted so I went to bed.
October 31
Yay! 10th Anniversary day! We got up early and headed out to the Myrtle Beach State Park where DH and I stood on the shore and recommitted to one another. What better place to reaffirm your bond before God than on the seashore? I believe that we'll continue to be blessed as we have been blessed for the past ten years. Of course, after that, I was trying to rinse the sand out of a shell that DH found for me on the beach and I was attacked by a wave...
So, even though my pants were damp, my spirits weren't. We decided to hop back in the car and just drive around the area for a while. We started out looking for a putt-putt golf course to play, and went all the way north to Little River, turned around and went all the way to Pawley's Island in the south. We ended up eating at the Dead Dog Saloon in Murrell's Inlet (which we really, really liked - the Inlet, not the restaurant, but the restaurant was very good). When we left there it was time to go back to the hotel and get dressed for the evening's festivities.We dressed in our Halloween costumes for our Halloween evening out. DH was dressed as Capt. Jack Sparrow and I was...well....I intended to be a gypsy girl, but everyone thought I was a pirate, too. That's okay, though, because I really wanted to be a pirate anyway. We went out to Barefoot Landing and first did the Ghost Show in the Ghosts and Legends Theater there. It was really neat, but DH and I enjoyed it a lot. It only primed us for what was to come, though, because the Ghost Walk was absolutely spectacular...
Our Storyteller, who is in between DH and I in the picture, was really fantastic. She told the stories in a way that held your attention and gave them a sense of wonder and mystery. At the half-way point of the walking tour at the House of Blues the REAL high-point of the walk happened for me. I went to the restroom, and when I caught up with the rest of the group I found out that DH had volunteered me to tell a ghost story. He didn't think I'd actually do it, and when I agreed, he was just shocked. All this is second hand, because I was so nervous talking to that group of strangers I didn't notice anything. DH said that while I told my story, a local legend from here in WV, that the crowd got quiet and moved in closer to hear me speak (even though I was trying hard to speak up so people could hear). DH said that the Storyteller was very impressed with my story and with my ability to tell it. When the walk was over, DH said that the Storyteller was bragging about my story to the other "pirates" at the Ghosts and Legends Theater. One of the ladies in the walking group with us asked me how she could find out more information about my story, as well. It was exciting for me. Also during the walk I took a picture of just...nothing...hoping to get pictures of something "paranormal" - an orb or something. I never dreamed that I'd actually get anything, but...
Yep! Not one, but FOUR orbs in one photo! Pretty exciting!After we left Barefoot Landing, we headed over to Broadway at the Beach to check out their annual Halloween Party. Let me tell you, it was an experience. I don't have any pictures from there because I was silly and left my camera in the car, but I'm here to tell you, never have I seen so many (almost) exposed breasts in one place at one time. It was cold out that night, too, and even with all my clothes I had on (a girdle and a long-line bra, plus two layers of dress) and I was still shivering - I can't imagine being dressed in what is essentially a string bikini and being comfortable. I suppose that after you get so drunk, though, temperature doesn't really matter. There were some other really good costumes, too. I'm kicking myself about not bringing my camera now.
November 1
DH and I decided to go down to Charleston Harbor and take a tour of the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned aircraft carrier. It's located at Patriot's Point there in Charleston, and they also have a Coast Guard Cutter (the Ingham) a Destroyer (the Laffey) and a Submarine (the Clamagore). The Yorktown was just amazing; they had really nifty displays for all aspects of the ship's service, and they had airplanes in the hangar deck and on the flight deck that chronicled the ship's history from World War II until it was decommissioned in (I think) the '70's.
We also toured the Submarine and the Destroyer, then we went back "on shore" and bought some nifty stuff in the "Ship Store". We bought Conman a t-shirt and hat at the Yorktown because we thought that since he's got a million Myrtle Beach t-shirts that he might like something different this time. We really liked visiting the ships and my only regret was that Conman wasn't there to see it, too. He would have really, really liked that part of our trip.We drove back to Myrtle Beach from Charleston but we weren't ready to go back to the hotel quite yet, so we visited Broadway at the Beach again for dinner. We ate at Key West, and the food was good but VERY expensive. We then finally played putt-putt there at Broadway and walked around a little bit before finally heading back to the hotel. On the way in, we couldn't pass up getting fresh, hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts. ;)
November 2
We woke up early, and DH took some pictures of dawn over the sea...
After we packed everything up and got it into the car, we checked out and prepared to leave the beach. Both DH and I were kind of reticent to actually leave...it felt a little bit like even though we had everything packed up and ready to go home that we were leaving something behind. I think it was that little piece of my heart that I was leaving. You know, that little piece that believes it belongs there on a permanent basis. I think we finally left town at around 9AM. We got back home here in WV at about 8PM (after a few stops along the way), and our vacation was officially over.All in all, we had a fantastic time, and I wouldn't change a thing about what we did or saw.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
(Re)Location, (Re)Location, (Re)Location
Today we began in earnest. We made the decision about a week ago. But today was the day.
Yep, we want to be outta Dodge in about 6 months. I applied for three jobs Down South in the past week, and DH applied for one BIG job Down South today. I also got in contact with a real estate agent Down South today, too. DH plans on applying for more jobs, and I will be getting in touch with the Down South JobBank tomorrow via telephone to find out how we apply for jobs and work with them on relocating from afar.
This is the culmination of a dream that's about 15 years old. I'm not good with the sun, my skin's too sensitive for salt water and sand, but you know what? I don't give a damn. I NEED to be near the sea. DH really wants this, too, and we will be working diligently to make it happen.
For once, I want to do something on my own that I want to do - I don't want to make the move at someone else's urging (like we did when we moved to North Carolina 10 years ago) - that only ended up with us coming back home 2 years later. It wasn't the right time, and we were never truly "at home" when we were down there. Now, with this move Down South, it's all us - WE have decided that this is what is right, WE have decided it's time, and actually, it's at the behest of everyone else that has any influence on our lives. Our friends will be sad to see us go - one has already told me as much - but at least she agrees that the time is right, and that this is the right thing to do. Heck, my BFF, when I told her I was going, said, "Hey, I might go with ya!"
If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is.
So....therefore, wish us luck. We'd like to get everything done and get moved within 3 - 6 or 8 months. That includes new jobs, a new home, Conman enrolled in a new school, daycare secured, all the stuff that goes around with just daily life. It's a big proposition, especially with a young child, but I'm more ready for this than for anything I've ever been in my life.
Yep, we want to be outta Dodge in about 6 months. I applied for three jobs Down South in the past week, and DH applied for one BIG job Down South today. I also got in contact with a real estate agent Down South today, too. DH plans on applying for more jobs, and I will be getting in touch with the Down South JobBank tomorrow via telephone to find out how we apply for jobs and work with them on relocating from afar.
This is the culmination of a dream that's about 15 years old. I'm not good with the sun, my skin's too sensitive for salt water and sand, but you know what? I don't give a damn. I NEED to be near the sea. DH really wants this, too, and we will be working diligently to make it happen.
For once, I want to do something on my own that I want to do - I don't want to make the move at someone else's urging (like we did when we moved to North Carolina 10 years ago) - that only ended up with us coming back home 2 years later. It wasn't the right time, and we were never truly "at home" when we were down there. Now, with this move Down South, it's all us - WE have decided that this is what is right, WE have decided it's time, and actually, it's at the behest of everyone else that has any influence on our lives. Our friends will be sad to see us go - one has already told me as much - but at least she agrees that the time is right, and that this is the right thing to do. Heck, my BFF, when I told her I was going, said, "Hey, I might go with ya!"
If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is.
So....therefore, wish us luck. We'd like to get everything done and get moved within 3 - 6 or 8 months. That includes new jobs, a new home, Conman enrolled in a new school, daycare secured, all the stuff that goes around with just daily life. It's a big proposition, especially with a young child, but I'm more ready for this than for anything I've ever been in my life.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Been Busy...Argh...
So, yeah, I've been away. I know I haven't posted in a week or so, but I've been running around like you wouldn't believe.
The first thing that happened was I got my new tattoo (see last post). Here's the evidence:
Yeah, I like her. A lot. I'm exceptionally proud of the tattoo, and very pleased with the way she turned out. She's on my left shoulder, and is about 8" tall by 5" wide. That photograph was taken in the shop the day the work was done, so it looks a little red and inflamed; now, four days later, it's started to calm some and the red looks more gray now. What has it done for me? Made me want more (as usual). It's DH's turn now. Not to mention all my friends that have decided that they have to have new ink now, too.
Conman is back from vacation (yay!). He went to the beach with my parents, and from his frenetic description of all the things they did, it sounds like he had fantastic time. I missed him terribly, but I'm glad he got to go. We wouldn't have been able to go on vacation twice this year (once with him and once for our anniversary) so I'm glad mom and dad took him. He's my little bronze man...so tanned and his hair is so blond. So cute.
DH and I have finally got our vacation in late October / early November planned. It's our 10-year anniversary, so we decided we needed to take off and get away for a little while. We're going to the beach, one of my favorite spots in the entire world; DH just goes wherever I say. He doesn't care where we go, really, as long as he and I can spend some private time together. That's all that really matters, anyway.
So, I've had some other things on my mind, too, but I'm not quite ready to discuss it here (or with anyone, for that matter). More information to come as I get my mind set on what I really want to do.
That's the update, then. Posting again soon...stay tuned!
The first thing that happened was I got my new tattoo (see last post). Here's the evidence:
Yeah, I like her. A lot. I'm exceptionally proud of the tattoo, and very pleased with the way she turned out. She's on my left shoulder, and is about 8" tall by 5" wide. That photograph was taken in the shop the day the work was done, so it looks a little red and inflamed; now, four days later, it's started to calm some and the red looks more gray now. What has it done for me? Made me want more (as usual). It's DH's turn now. Not to mention all my friends that have decided that they have to have new ink now, too.Conman is back from vacation (yay!). He went to the beach with my parents, and from his frenetic description of all the things they did, it sounds like he had fantastic time. I missed him terribly, but I'm glad he got to go. We wouldn't have been able to go on vacation twice this year (once with him and once for our anniversary) so I'm glad mom and dad took him. He's my little bronze man...so tanned and his hair is so blond. So cute.
DH and I have finally got our vacation in late October / early November planned. It's our 10-year anniversary, so we decided we needed to take off and get away for a little while. We're going to the beach, one of my favorite spots in the entire world; DH just goes wherever I say. He doesn't care where we go, really, as long as he and I can spend some private time together. That's all that really matters, anyway.
So, I've had some other things on my mind, too, but I'm not quite ready to discuss it here (or with anyone, for that matter). More information to come as I get my mind set on what I really want to do.
That's the update, then. Posting again soon...stay tuned!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Moms and Dads and Father's Day
I went out for dinner with mom, dad and Conman for Father's Day yesterday at the only nice restaurant in the immediate area - the "Park Restaurant". They had a very nice buffet; the food was good, the atmosphere quiet and the view is beautiful. And the best part? The company was pleasant.
Yes, you read that right. I said, "The company was pleasant". Kinda hard to believe, eh?
I was late getting there yesterday, and instead of barking, why are you late!?!? mom said, Wow, you look fantastic today! We started talking about vacations (they leave a week from yesterday, and are taking Conman with 'em, DH and I aren't going on vacation until late October) and instead of saying, you can't afford to do that she was interested in the deals I got, where our hotel is located, and what we'll do while we're down there so late in the year. It's like some strange dream where my mom is "normal". I'm not quite comfortable with her yet - there's so much that's gone on that I can't just accept the way she's acting as the status quo yet; I'm still looking for the next snide remark or the next blowup. It may take a month or two for this to become the norm for me yet.
When I got home I thawed out some ground beef and made my homemade spaghetti sauce and a Drumstick Pie for DH for Father's Day. He wasn't home - he had to work yesterday (blah) but when he got home, dinner was just about ready, and he showered and had a good dinner with one of his favorite desserts. Conman had a couple of little presents for him, and I made a couple of Conman & DH-centric scrapbook pages, and all in all, I think he had a good Father's Day (though meager).
Last night I did my very first Karazhan run. We made it to Moroes with surprisingly minimal wipes. I had fun, but it was very, very frustrating for me. I couldn't use voice chat because of my internet connection, and about 90% of the time I had no idea what was going on. Couple that with a party member that couldn't keep his target under control, and it was...difficult...to say the least. All in all, I had a good time and would probably go again, but I would hope that (1) any group I go with would have an extreme level of patience with me and (2) those who go are a little more prepared.
That's all I got for right now. Hope all you guys had a happy Father's Day!
Yes, you read that right. I said, "The company was pleasant". Kinda hard to believe, eh?
I was late getting there yesterday, and instead of barking, why are you late!?!? mom said, Wow, you look fantastic today! We started talking about vacations (they leave a week from yesterday, and are taking Conman with 'em, DH and I aren't going on vacation until late October) and instead of saying, you can't afford to do that she was interested in the deals I got, where our hotel is located, and what we'll do while we're down there so late in the year. It's like some strange dream where my mom is "normal". I'm not quite comfortable with her yet - there's so much that's gone on that I can't just accept the way she's acting as the status quo yet; I'm still looking for the next snide remark or the next blowup. It may take a month or two for this to become the norm for me yet.
When I got home I thawed out some ground beef and made my homemade spaghetti sauce and a Drumstick Pie for DH for Father's Day. He wasn't home - he had to work yesterday (blah) but when he got home, dinner was just about ready, and he showered and had a good dinner with one of his favorite desserts. Conman had a couple of little presents for him, and I made a couple of Conman & DH-centric scrapbook pages, and all in all, I think he had a good Father's Day (though meager).
Last night I did my very first Karazhan run. We made it to Moroes with surprisingly minimal wipes. I had fun, but it was very, very frustrating for me. I couldn't use voice chat because of my internet connection, and about 90% of the time I had no idea what was going on. Couple that with a party member that couldn't keep his target under control, and it was...difficult...to say the least. All in all, I had a good time and would probably go again, but I would hope that (1) any group I go with would have an extreme level of patience with me and (2) those who go are a little more prepared.
That's all I got for right now. Hope all you guys had a happy Father's Day!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Updates and...Stuff
So, I took Mom the letter on Monday. I put it in with some of Conman's clothes, handed it to her and then left. She didn't call or say anything to me about it, but then again, I asked her not to say anything, to let her actions speak louder than her words. She's been considerably nicer to me since then. We'll see if it lasts.
On a completely unrelated note...
This year is my tenth anniversary year. I totally want to go on vacation, and I don't mean to Myrtle Beach...again. Although, I'd really like to go to the ocean. I've been looking at Ocean City, Maryland, and it looks pretty neat - boardwalk, wide beaches, and lots going on - just the sort of thing that DH and I look for when we head to the sea. From what I've seen, it looks like there are quite a few attractions and dining options, too. Oh, and did I forget the best part? The wild ponies at Assateague Island are right close by!
I'm gonna give DH a good talk about it this evening when he gets home. I hope he says we can make the reservations and plan on trying to go. I think that'd be a lot of fun for our anniversary and birthday!
On a completely unrelated note...
This year is my tenth anniversary year. I totally want to go on vacation, and I don't mean to Myrtle Beach...again. Although, I'd really like to go to the ocean. I've been looking at Ocean City, Maryland, and it looks pretty neat - boardwalk, wide beaches, and lots going on - just the sort of thing that DH and I look for when we head to the sea. From what I've seen, it looks like there are quite a few attractions and dining options, too. Oh, and did I forget the best part? The wild ponies at Assateague Island are right close by!
I'm gonna give DH a good talk about it this evening when he gets home. I hope he says we can make the reservations and plan on trying to go. I think that'd be a lot of fun for our anniversary and birthday!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Back to Normal
...If that's what you call it.
Anyway, in fairly short order, life's gone back to the regular routine: Eat-sleep-internet crawl / chat - work - WoW. Exciting, eh?
Conman's tee-ball is just about over, and on June 6 so is school. That'll present a whole new set of challenges for us (child care, etc).
On a more personal, less overview-ish note, DH asked me an odd question on Sunday. He said, "Are you happy?" to which I answered yes, but then he asked, "No. I mean, are you really happy? With me? With us?" to which I answered that of course, I'm happy. I don't know what comes over him sometimes. It makes me look over the past couple of days and wonder what I've done to merit such a question. It makes me wonder if he's doing something that he shouldn't be (although when he'd find the time to get up to hijinx I dunno). It just makes a girl wonder.
I love my husband; always will. Yes, it's true I get lonely and melancholy from time to time, but that's only because it sometimes seems like we're just two people that happen to live in the same household, especially when schedules get crazy. He's gone 12 hours a day, comes home, spends about 3 hours awake before he goes to bed and starts the whole process over again. Me? Well, I have work on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (usually) and then whenever I'm needed otherwise. The other days I sit here all day by myself waiting on him to come home, entertaining myself and occasionally doing the odd bit of housework. I look forward to DH getting home, and when he does get here, he's usually so tired that we just kinda sit and stare at each other. It's disheartening, and sometimes a bit of a let-down. No wonder I'm a bit downhearted. Perhaps it is my fault he asks questions like that.
Anyway, that's all I got for now. Signing off...
Anyway, in fairly short order, life's gone back to the regular routine: Eat-sleep-internet crawl / chat - work - WoW. Exciting, eh?
Conman's tee-ball is just about over, and on June 6 so is school. That'll present a whole new set of challenges for us (child care, etc).
On a more personal, less overview-ish note, DH asked me an odd question on Sunday. He said, "Are you happy?" to which I answered yes, but then he asked, "No. I mean, are you really happy? With me? With us?" to which I answered that of course, I'm happy. I don't know what comes over him sometimes. It makes me look over the past couple of days and wonder what I've done to merit such a question. It makes me wonder if he's doing something that he shouldn't be (although when he'd find the time to get up to hijinx I dunno). It just makes a girl wonder.
I love my husband; always will. Yes, it's true I get lonely and melancholy from time to time, but that's only because it sometimes seems like we're just two people that happen to live in the same household, especially when schedules get crazy. He's gone 12 hours a day, comes home, spends about 3 hours awake before he goes to bed and starts the whole process over again. Me? Well, I have work on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (usually) and then whenever I'm needed otherwise. The other days I sit here all day by myself waiting on him to come home, entertaining myself and occasionally doing the odd bit of housework. I look forward to DH getting home, and when he does get here, he's usually so tired that we just kinda sit and stare at each other. It's disheartening, and sometimes a bit of a let-down. No wonder I'm a bit downhearted. Perhaps it is my fault he asks questions like that.
Anyway, that's all I got for now. Signing off...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
'Cause I've Been Blog-Lazy
I need to post here. I like posting here. I'm sure you guys find some modicum of entertainment in what I write, 'cause like, you guys read it and stuff.
Going back to work has been a big adjustment. Fiddling between getting to work on time, doing my job and trying not to think about what might or might not be going on at home while I'm gone is a tough thing. On days when DH is home, I wonder what he's doing, if he's missing me, and what I'll do when I get home. When he's not home, I don't think about him at all if I can help it. I know that sounds cold, but if I think about him, I start worrying about him, wondering things like, is this the very second that my sweet husband is being injured at work? I know. I'm a fatalist at heart, I suppose.
Much the same goes for Conman. I try not to think about him, because of those same sorts of thoughts. Yeah, I know. I'm weird. But y'all already knew that. Or at least you should know it, anyway.
And now we're 1 month from the ELC. Oh, yeah, have I mentioned tee-ball has started? And mom and dad are going out of town for 16 days starting on April 29? *sigh* I've got too much to do and not enough time to do it.
(Oh, and note to all you readers - as I mentioned, it's 1 month until ELC. Expect A LOT of "zomg, ELC, oh halp!" posts. All I can say is be glad you don't live with me.)
Last year the tee-ball and ELC was easier to manage. The league Conman played with didn't practice - their games were their practices - this year, they have practice and games. And now, with the job going, I have even more to manage. I have to arrange to get Conman to the practices and games when my hours at work (even though it's only three days of work) are as late as 7PM. On top of that, on my off-days, I have to finish up cleaning on the house and getting things ready for everyone.
Aaaaand speaking of cleaning the house - here's what's left to do.
#1 - Clean guest bathroom from ceiling to floor;
#2 - Put finishing touches on the kitchen cleaning and freaking keep it that way;
#3 - Remove massive amount of...stuff...from the computer room;
#4 - Vacuum entire house. A lot;
#5 - Finish up with outside stuff (i.e., get some garbage cans, weedeater everything, get new patio furniture, replace patio lights...);
#6 - Finalize Conman birthday plans; and
#7 - Tie up any loose ends and things that happen to "pop up" as we progress.
So, as you can see, I've almost got more I can handle. Thank goodness for the support of friends and family. I don't think I could survive without it.
Going back to work has been a big adjustment. Fiddling between getting to work on time, doing my job and trying not to think about what might or might not be going on at home while I'm gone is a tough thing. On days when DH is home, I wonder what he's doing, if he's missing me, and what I'll do when I get home. When he's not home, I don't think about him at all if I can help it. I know that sounds cold, but if I think about him, I start worrying about him, wondering things like, is this the very second that my sweet husband is being injured at work? I know. I'm a fatalist at heart, I suppose.
Much the same goes for Conman. I try not to think about him, because of those same sorts of thoughts. Yeah, I know. I'm weird. But y'all already knew that. Or at least you should know it, anyway.
And now we're 1 month from the ELC. Oh, yeah, have I mentioned tee-ball has started? And mom and dad are going out of town for 16 days starting on April 29? *sigh* I've got too much to do and not enough time to do it.
(Oh, and note to all you readers - as I mentioned, it's 1 month until ELC. Expect A LOT of "zomg, ELC, oh halp!" posts. All I can say is be glad you don't live with me.)
Last year the tee-ball and ELC was easier to manage. The league Conman played with didn't practice - their games were their practices - this year, they have practice and games. And now, with the job going, I have even more to manage. I have to arrange to get Conman to the practices and games when my hours at work (even though it's only three days of work) are as late as 7PM. On top of that, on my off-days, I have to finish up cleaning on the house and getting things ready for everyone.
Aaaaand speaking of cleaning the house - here's what's left to do.
#1 - Clean guest bathroom from ceiling to floor;
#2 - Put finishing touches on the kitchen cleaning and freaking keep it that way;
#3 - Remove massive amount of...stuff...from the computer room;
#4 - Vacuum entire house. A lot;
#5 - Finish up with outside stuff (i.e., get some garbage cans, weedeater everything, get new patio furniture, replace patio lights...);
#6 - Finalize Conman birthday plans; and
#7 - Tie up any loose ends and things that happen to "pop up" as we progress.
So, as you can see, I've almost got more I can handle. Thank goodness for the support of friends and family. I don't think I could survive without it.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
So, I'm Stealing This...
...from Miss Person-Whose-Blog-I-Read. I'm sure she'll understand, and won't mind.
Today, Miss Person(et. al.) wrote on her blog about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. She went through the whole list of needs and commented on them, putting in there how they fit into her own life. Because there's not an original thought in my head, I decided it would be a good idea to do the same, see how I size myself up against that list.
Physiological
Breathing - In, out, yeah. Got that.
Food - Too much, in fact.
Water - Well, coffee, soda pop and iced tea...but I reckon that contains "water", so yeah.
Sex - I'm happily married. VERY happily married.
Sleep - I get very little, and most of what I get is chemically induced, so I'd have to say a big fat "NO" on that one.
Homeostasis - Same thing, day in, day out. I'd say I've pretty much got this one licked.
Safety
Security of Body - My DH is home every night, watching over me and the Conman. I don't have anything at all to worry about on the safety issue.
Security of Employment - I just got a new job, so my job security is entirely my own domain. My performance in the next few weeks will determine whether or not I keep my job.
Security of Resources - Hmmm. Nope, I can't say I really have that. Our paychecks are small, and while my parents haven't let me down in the past, there's nothing to say that they won't in the future. In other words, so far the well's not dried up, but it might dry up tomorrow, it might dry up next week, or a month from now.
Security of Morality - Well, I've managed to stay married, happily, for nearly ten years, and I've learned painful lessons about honesty and doing what's right. I'd like to think I'm a moral person, but it's always a work in progress.
Security of the Family - My family is my proudest achievement. I love my DH with my whole heart; my son is an extension of that. I feel 100% secure in their love for me, as well. I think I've got this one pretty much on the money, too.
Security of Health - Well, this one's questionable. I haven't been to a doctor of any sort in about 2 years. I'm sure I probably have arthritis in a lot of my major joints, I'm sure my diabetes isn't completely under control, I probably need someone to administer a real, live diet program form me, and I'm sure I could probably benefit from some sort of counseling. Therefore, I'd have to put a big, fat NO on this one.
Security of Property - This is another "iffy" one. We own our things, but not really our property (meaning our house and our land). Can I pay for my house and land? No. Does that bother me? Hell yes.
Love & Belonging
Friendship - This one's a bit odd for me to answer. It really depends on your definition of "friend". Is a friend someone you physically spend time with? Is a friend someone you confess your darkest secrets to? Is a friend someone that you talk to often, and that you help and they help you back? I dunno what they are. I can say that I have many "acquaintances", not so many friends. I have one or two friends, and that's about it. It almost seems like the number dwindles every day, too.
Family - No problems here. I love my family (DH and Conman) more than anything in the world. I can't imagine my life without them.
Romantic - See above - Happily married. To a fantastically romantic man (in his own way).
Sexual Intimacy - See above - Happily, HAPPILY married. I love him dearly, and have the most intimate relationship I could ever imagine. There isn't anything we don't share, and we thoroughly enjoy one another.
Esteem
Self-esteem - I can't say that my self-esteem is very high. I can't stand my body, and I don't think myself very pretty. DH tells me I'm beautiful all the time, but he has to say that...he's married to me. *grin*
Confidence - I'm confident in my abilities. I am a more-than-competent writer, and a very competent employee, regardless of what job I'm doing. I'd say my confidence is pretty high.
Achievement - I'm not satisfied with my level of achievement. I would like to have been published by now, but I haven't been. I'd like to be a lot more than what I am, but money and opportunity keeps me from that right now. Hopefully in the future.
Respect of Others - I have a healthy respect for other people. I know that they do jobs of their own, and that they have areas of expertise that I don't have. I also respect their opinions and their views (as long as they don't try to "preach" them at me with an aim of conversion).
Respect by Others - I would like to think that I have others' respect, but I dunno. I would like to hear it more often if i do, but oh well. Can't have everything, I suppose.
Self-Actualization
I'm not even gonna go there. I know I'm alive, I know I'm a parent and a wife, I know that I am an employee, and I know that I'm a writer. That's enough for me.
Today, Miss Person(et. al.) wrote on her blog about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. She went through the whole list of needs and commented on them, putting in there how they fit into her own life. Because there's not an original thought in my head, I decided it would be a good idea to do the same, see how I size myself up against that list.
Physiological
Breathing - In, out, yeah. Got that.
Food - Too much, in fact.
Water - Well, coffee, soda pop and iced tea...but I reckon that contains "water", so yeah.
Sex - I'm happily married. VERY happily married.
Sleep - I get very little, and most of what I get is chemically induced, so I'd have to say a big fat "NO" on that one.
Homeostasis - Same thing, day in, day out. I'd say I've pretty much got this one licked.
Safety
Security of Body - My DH is home every night, watching over me and the Conman. I don't have anything at all to worry about on the safety issue.
Security of Employment - I just got a new job, so my job security is entirely my own domain. My performance in the next few weeks will determine whether or not I keep my job.
Security of Resources - Hmmm. Nope, I can't say I really have that. Our paychecks are small, and while my parents haven't let me down in the past, there's nothing to say that they won't in the future. In other words, so far the well's not dried up, but it might dry up tomorrow, it might dry up next week, or a month from now.
Security of Morality - Well, I've managed to stay married, happily, for nearly ten years, and I've learned painful lessons about honesty and doing what's right. I'd like to think I'm a moral person, but it's always a work in progress.
Security of the Family - My family is my proudest achievement. I love my DH with my whole heart; my son is an extension of that. I feel 100% secure in their love for me, as well. I think I've got this one pretty much on the money, too.
Security of Health - Well, this one's questionable. I haven't been to a doctor of any sort in about 2 years. I'm sure I probably have arthritis in a lot of my major joints, I'm sure my diabetes isn't completely under control, I probably need someone to administer a real, live diet program form me, and I'm sure I could probably benefit from some sort of counseling. Therefore, I'd have to put a big, fat NO on this one.
Security of Property - This is another "iffy" one. We own our things, but not really our property (meaning our house and our land). Can I pay for my house and land? No. Does that bother me? Hell yes.
Love & Belonging
Friendship - This one's a bit odd for me to answer. It really depends on your definition of "friend". Is a friend someone you physically spend time with? Is a friend someone you confess your darkest secrets to? Is a friend someone that you talk to often, and that you help and they help you back? I dunno what they are. I can say that I have many "acquaintances", not so many friends. I have one or two friends, and that's about it. It almost seems like the number dwindles every day, too.
Family - No problems here. I love my family (DH and Conman) more than anything in the world. I can't imagine my life without them.
Romantic - See above - Happily married. To a fantastically romantic man (in his own way).
Sexual Intimacy - See above - Happily, HAPPILY married. I love him dearly, and have the most intimate relationship I could ever imagine. There isn't anything we don't share, and we thoroughly enjoy one another.
Esteem
Self-esteem - I can't say that my self-esteem is very high. I can't stand my body, and I don't think myself very pretty. DH tells me I'm beautiful all the time, but he has to say that...he's married to me. *grin*
Confidence - I'm confident in my abilities. I am a more-than-competent writer, and a very competent employee, regardless of what job I'm doing. I'd say my confidence is pretty high.
Achievement - I'm not satisfied with my level of achievement. I would like to have been published by now, but I haven't been. I'd like to be a lot more than what I am, but money and opportunity keeps me from that right now. Hopefully in the future.
Respect of Others - I have a healthy respect for other people. I know that they do jobs of their own, and that they have areas of expertise that I don't have. I also respect their opinions and their views (as long as they don't try to "preach" them at me with an aim of conversion).
Respect by Others - I would like to think that I have others' respect, but I dunno. I would like to hear it more often if i do, but oh well. Can't have everything, I suppose.
Self-Actualization
I'm not even gonna go there. I know I'm alive, I know I'm a parent and a wife, I know that I am an employee, and I know that I'm a writer. That's enough for me.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
It's Moments Like These...
...that I am truly thankful for best friends.
They make ya think. All but force you to. Why? Because they have nothing to gain or lose from some of the decisions that you make; their motives are the purest of all - you and your family's best interests. What would be the best thing for you to be successful and happy and healthy and satisfied. What would be the best thing to make you suffer less - be it stress, pain, trials, things like that.
I had a best friend moment this afternoon. One of those up there that makes me think about the path that I'm on. I'm satisfied for the most part with my life - I like my family more than I can express; I like my physical location, but there are several snags associated with it that takes away from my happiness and overall satisfaction.
My mother and I have never had a good relationship. I can generally tolerate her presence, but on the whole, she make my life (and the life of my family) completely unbearable. I "deal" daily with her pointing out my shortfalls, my disappointments, my failures. Never has she pointed out my accomplishments. And it's just not in one corner of my life, it's in every. single. aspect. of my daily life. I don't keep a clean enough house. I don't feed my child "healthy, well-balanced meals". I don't do enough to further the well-being of my family. There's nothing I do that meets her standards. The worst part? She owns my home, and lives about five minutes away. I can't get away from her even if I want to.
My best friend and I talk about her often - it's one of the ways that I've developed to deal with the way she makes me feel. It's recently (just this morning...again) been pointed out to me that if I don't get out from under her, it's going to eventually kill me. That's not an exaggeration, that's the honest truth, from someone outside looking in, from someone who has nothing to gain from telling me this, from someone who has nothing but the best interests of me and my family at heart.
Now I'm thinking about what I ought to do. My best friend is right about all of this. It's going to kill me eventually - either that or put me in a mental institution, or turn me into some sort of destructive addict. For the sake of my family, I NEED to get away. Where do I go, though? What would I do? When you make $700 every two weeks, how do you even begin to make a change that would be a positive step for your family without putting them in jeopardy in the meantime? I'm confused. I'm scared. I'm ready for a change. I'm ready to be my own person.
They make ya think. All but force you to. Why? Because they have nothing to gain or lose from some of the decisions that you make; their motives are the purest of all - you and your family's best interests. What would be the best thing for you to be successful and happy and healthy and satisfied. What would be the best thing to make you suffer less - be it stress, pain, trials, things like that.
I had a best friend moment this afternoon. One of those up there that makes me think about the path that I'm on. I'm satisfied for the most part with my life - I like my family more than I can express; I like my physical location, but there are several snags associated with it that takes away from my happiness and overall satisfaction.
My mother and I have never had a good relationship. I can generally tolerate her presence, but on the whole, she make my life (and the life of my family) completely unbearable. I "deal" daily with her pointing out my shortfalls, my disappointments, my failures. Never has she pointed out my accomplishments. And it's just not in one corner of my life, it's in every. single. aspect. of my daily life. I don't keep a clean enough house. I don't feed my child "healthy, well-balanced meals". I don't do enough to further the well-being of my family. There's nothing I do that meets her standards. The worst part? She owns my home, and lives about five minutes away. I can't get away from her even if I want to.
My best friend and I talk about her often - it's one of the ways that I've developed to deal with the way she makes me feel. It's recently (just this morning...again) been pointed out to me that if I don't get out from under her, it's going to eventually kill me. That's not an exaggeration, that's the honest truth, from someone outside looking in, from someone who has nothing to gain from telling me this, from someone who has nothing but the best interests of me and my family at heart.
Now I'm thinking about what I ought to do. My best friend is right about all of this. It's going to kill me eventually - either that or put me in a mental institution, or turn me into some sort of destructive addict. For the sake of my family, I NEED to get away. Where do I go, though? What would I do? When you make $700 every two weeks, how do you even begin to make a change that would be a positive step for your family without putting them in jeopardy in the meantime? I'm confused. I'm scared. I'm ready for a change. I'm ready to be my own person.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Weekend in Review
So, over the weekend, DH, Conman and I did a "Dinner and a Movie" package at a local hotel. It was Conman's spring break week, and we decided that we needed to do something, no matter how small, to sort of "get away" with him. Y'know, make him feel like he'd actually had a spring break.
We left here at about 11am on Saturday and got there close to noon. We checked into the hotel (four hours early) and got our vouchers for the dinner and the movie. We went to Olive Garden (from here in known as "the OG") and tucked into one of our favorite meals. For a change, the boy ate nearly everything on his plate. My food was good, but there was a considerable absence of gravy on my pasta. I didn't complain, but I did clean my plate. We left and went back to the hotel where DH took a nap (he wasn't feeling 100%) and Conman and I donned our bathing suits and headed to the pool.
The pool was nice - the water was warm, not too crowded - but there was so much chlorine in the water that it was cloudy. After only an hour or so, my skin was itching and I was having trouble breathing in the pool's enclosure. The boy didn't want to leave, but I pulled him outta the pool, dried off, and we headed back to the room. After a few minutes snacking on over-priced vending machine sodas and candy bars, we headed out to do some shopping before hitting the movies. We didn't buy anything, but still - shopping's fun. At about 6:30 or so we hit the movies and watched Horton Hears a Who, which for a cartoon, was really, REALLY good (even though I'm not a backer of Dr. Seuss as a whole). After the movie we hit Maggie Moo's for enormous quantities of "mix-in" ice cream, and then off to Wal-Mart for some sodas (75c for a CAN of soda is just not in my financial picture). By that time, it was 10:30pm, WAY past the boy's bedtime, and he was flagging. We let him sit up and watch tv as long as he could hold his eyes open, but in a half an hour he was snoring. DH and I finished up watching The Matrix: Reloaded and then turned off the boob tube and went to sleep (or tried to).
The next morning, we woke up whenever we damn well felt like it - which translates to about 8am. Conman and I went down to have some complimentary breakfast (and I the most horrible coffee on the planet) and then, when we came back, DH decided he wanted a sausage biscuit. I hit Panera Bread Company for some good coffee, and brought him back a breakfast panini with sausage on it. Got myself some sort of cinnamon bagel thing (which rocked) to share with the boy. As we ate, we planned our day and watched Stewart Little (which the boy LOVED). With all that settled, we packed up and moved out - to Michael's craft store. We got Conman some supplies he needed for school, picked him up a mini-canvas to paint on, and bought me some stuff to make us a new "name plaque" to hang outside. Then, off to the house we went.
I enjoyed our trip. It's nice to shake up the norm a little bit every now and then.
We left here at about 11am on Saturday and got there close to noon. We checked into the hotel (four hours early) and got our vouchers for the dinner and the movie. We went to Olive Garden (from here in known as "the OG") and tucked into one of our favorite meals. For a change, the boy ate nearly everything on his plate. My food was good, but there was a considerable absence of gravy on my pasta. I didn't complain, but I did clean my plate. We left and went back to the hotel where DH took a nap (he wasn't feeling 100%) and Conman and I donned our bathing suits and headed to the pool.
The pool was nice - the water was warm, not too crowded - but there was so much chlorine in the water that it was cloudy. After only an hour or so, my skin was itching and I was having trouble breathing in the pool's enclosure. The boy didn't want to leave, but I pulled him outta the pool, dried off, and we headed back to the room. After a few minutes snacking on over-priced vending machine sodas and candy bars, we headed out to do some shopping before hitting the movies. We didn't buy anything, but still - shopping's fun. At about 6:30 or so we hit the movies and watched Horton Hears a Who, which for a cartoon, was really, REALLY good (even though I'm not a backer of Dr. Seuss as a whole). After the movie we hit Maggie Moo's for enormous quantities of "mix-in" ice cream, and then off to Wal-Mart for some sodas (75c for a CAN of soda is just not in my financial picture). By that time, it was 10:30pm, WAY past the boy's bedtime, and he was flagging. We let him sit up and watch tv as long as he could hold his eyes open, but in a half an hour he was snoring. DH and I finished up watching The Matrix: Reloaded and then turned off the boob tube and went to sleep (or tried to).
The next morning, we woke up whenever we damn well felt like it - which translates to about 8am. Conman and I went down to have some complimentary breakfast (and I the most horrible coffee on the planet) and then, when we came back, DH decided he wanted a sausage biscuit. I hit Panera Bread Company for some good coffee, and brought him back a breakfast panini with sausage on it. Got myself some sort of cinnamon bagel thing (which rocked) to share with the boy. As we ate, we planned our day and watched Stewart Little (which the boy LOVED). With all that settled, we packed up and moved out - to Michael's craft store. We got Conman some supplies he needed for school, picked him up a mini-canvas to paint on, and bought me some stuff to make us a new "name plaque" to hang outside. Then, off to the house we went.
I enjoyed our trip. It's nice to shake up the norm a little bit every now and then.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Saga of The Ring
Aside from the obvious Tolkien reference, I have a story to tell.
Back before Christmas, I lost my wedding band. I know how I lost it, but that's a story I'd rather not relate here (as it's a bit embarrassing), but suffice it to say it was gone. Note I said was - but we'll get to that in a minute.
Anyway, the ring was gone. We tore the house apart; went through the dining room, moved the couch in the computer room, went through every conceivable nook and cranny in my warren of a house looking for my most prized possession, the one piece of jewelry that I rarely take off, the very symbol of my union with DH. We didn't find it, even after several days of searching.
So, a couple of weeks before Christmas, DH and I decide that we're never going to find it, it's been consumed by the "house monster" and that I might as well just accept my heartbreak and go buy a new one. That was my Christmas gift for 2007 - a shiny, new wedding band, engraved this time (we couldn't afford it when we got married - they charged $5 per letter, and that was just WAY out of our budget then), and slightly wider, but still, close enough for the average observer. The point was, though, *I* knew the difference. It wasn't the one blessed by our reverend, it wasn't the one he put on my hand and then kissed me to seal the deal. It just wasn't the one.
I got my new ring and wore it with pride, but with a broken heart. I had given up on finding my ring, the ring, and hoped that maybe, someday, if we ever sell this house and have to move everything out, it might get shaken loose and then I'd have it. Maybe.
Then today came. Conman came in with his newest Lego creation, and was showing me how awesome it was, and how it could jump the wrinkle in the rug that covers the television cord that crosses the floor. I was in my normal mode, answering, "Yeah!" and "That's cool!" without really looking, paying attention but not. All of a sudden, I hear:
"Oh my gosh! Mommy! Mommy! Look! It's your ring!!"
My mouth hit the floor. He slipped it on his hand, on the finger that I wear my rings on - the "Wedding finger" - and rushes to my side. I pull off my engagement ring and the replacement and he, like his father ten years ago, slips the ring onto my finger. I almost cried.
I hugged him and hugged him and showered his face with kisses. I picked up every quarter I could find on my desk (because somehow, kisses didn't seem reward enough) and handed them to him. I hugged him some more, kissed him some more, and professed my undying love for him. He then asked, "What are you going to do with the other one, Mom?", to which I answered, "Well, I'm going to wear them both together. And when you get married some day, I'll give you one of them to give to your wife. How's that?" He said, "I think that would be really neat, Mom. Thanks!"
So there you have the saga of the ring. Miracles do happen...even little ones.
Back before Christmas, I lost my wedding band. I know how I lost it, but that's a story I'd rather not relate here (as it's a bit embarrassing), but suffice it to say it was gone. Note I said was - but we'll get to that in a minute.
Anyway, the ring was gone. We tore the house apart; went through the dining room, moved the couch in the computer room, went through every conceivable nook and cranny in my warren of a house looking for my most prized possession, the one piece of jewelry that I rarely take off, the very symbol of my union with DH. We didn't find it, even after several days of searching.
So, a couple of weeks before Christmas, DH and I decide that we're never going to find it, it's been consumed by the "house monster" and that I might as well just accept my heartbreak and go buy a new one. That was my Christmas gift for 2007 - a shiny, new wedding band, engraved this time (we couldn't afford it when we got married - they charged $5 per letter, and that was just WAY out of our budget then), and slightly wider, but still, close enough for the average observer. The point was, though, *I* knew the difference. It wasn't the one blessed by our reverend, it wasn't the one he put on my hand and then kissed me to seal the deal. It just wasn't the one.
I got my new ring and wore it with pride, but with a broken heart. I had given up on finding my ring, the ring, and hoped that maybe, someday, if we ever sell this house and have to move everything out, it might get shaken loose and then I'd have it. Maybe.
Then today came. Conman came in with his newest Lego creation, and was showing me how awesome it was, and how it could jump the wrinkle in the rug that covers the television cord that crosses the floor. I was in my normal mode, answering, "Yeah!" and "That's cool!" without really looking, paying attention but not. All of a sudden, I hear:
"Oh my gosh! Mommy! Mommy! Look! It's your ring!!"
My mouth hit the floor. He slipped it on his hand, on the finger that I wear my rings on - the "Wedding finger" - and rushes to my side. I pull off my engagement ring and the replacement and he, like his father ten years ago, slips the ring onto my finger. I almost cried.
I hugged him and hugged him and showered his face with kisses. I picked up every quarter I could find on my desk (because somehow, kisses didn't seem reward enough) and handed them to him. I hugged him some more, kissed him some more, and professed my undying love for him. He then asked, "What are you going to do with the other one, Mom?", to which I answered, "Well, I'm going to wear them both together. And when you get married some day, I'll give you one of them to give to your wife. How's that?" He said, "I think that would be really neat, Mom. Thanks!"
So there you have the saga of the ring. Miracles do happen...even little ones.
Friday, February 29, 2008
To-Do List
First, before I break bad into the meat of this post, I would like to say that I am disappointed that "quarterlife" has been canceled on NBC. They're moving it to an NBC cable affiliate, so at least it's not going away entirely, and I'll still be able to watch it. Article about it here.
Okay. On to the rest of the stuff.
I am writing a "to-do list" so that maybe I can get started and actually get something done. I have so much to do that I end up not doing anything at all and just getting more and more behind and frustrated. So, to that end, we're doing a to-do list.
Okay. On to the rest of the stuff.
I am writing a "to-do list" so that maybe I can get started and actually get something done. I have so much to do that I end up not doing anything at all and just getting more and more behind and frustrated. So, to that end, we're doing a to-do list.
- Email the high school principle;
- Create speech for the middle-school speaking engagement;
- Create speech for the high-school speaking engagement;
- Buy the thick poster board for the kindergarten volunteer project;
- Create story and "big book" for the kindergarten volunteer project;
- Finish work on the ELC event t-shirt;
- Do some laundry;
- Do some dishes;
- Start on massive cleaning overhaul of my house (in preparation for the ELC);
- Prepare for Conman's birthday party (including buying stuff for cake decorating, party decorations and invitations); and
- Begin thinking about what I'm going to get Conman for his birthday.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Decorating the Walls
As you know from reading...well...anything on this blog, I'm a mommy. What you might not know is that I'm a tattooed mommy.
I have an aunt who has not always been kind to me. When I got my first tattoo, this aunt said to me, "Well, honey, I don't see any problem with it. I mean, when you look like you do, might as well decorate the walls, if you've got to live in a house like that!" I have since gotten five more tattoos. I worried about the religious significance of them and spoke to a man I consider one of my ministers. He told me that as long as I put no more emphasis on them than decoration, I'm fine - I don't treat them as objects of worship or anything like that; they're there as tokens of my past, a way to sort of wear my heart on my sleeve, literally. That's all, nothing more. Spiritually, I'm just fine with my tattoos. People wonder why I would "do something like that" to myself, and here's why. To me, tattoos are art. Art you can wear and carry with you. Art that someone took time to create and make permanent on your body. That is why I like tattoos - they're a unique expression of my personality and an expression of an artist's talent.
Now, I've got (technically) six tattoos. I have an infinity symbol on my stomach, a communicator from Star Trek: The Next Generation on the other side of my stomach (which was originally a Superman shield, done badly, with the colors reversed), a "tramp stamp" that is a tribal design that looks like a heart in the center, at the top of my back below my collar I have "The pen is mightier than the sword" in one of Tolkien's Elven languages, and I have a female angel on my right outer thigh that's about 4" wide by about 6" tall. I'd love to have another couple - I'd like to have one on my left outer thigh that commemorates the birth of my son, and I'd like to have a full-back piece one of these days, then I think I'm done...maybe.
People do look at me strange. People wonder if I'm some sort of freak or drug user or something like that. I discount people like this off-hand. They don't take the time or care to ask me about my life or about my tattoos. Then there are the people who think I'm "evil" because I wear them. I discount these people, too. They've made the same shallow, snap judgment about me that the first group made. They either aren't interested enough or don't care to find out the real story. The next group of the people are the ones that are genuinely interested in what my tattoos are, and ask questions. These people I like, because anyone who knows me knows that I love talking ink. I'll tell you where the best place to get tattoos are, I'll tell you what to look for in a shop, I'll tell you about placement and choosing a design that you'll be happy with - I've done a lot of research into the subject over the years, and I'm always ready to share my knowledge with anyone.
But anyway...don't assume that stuff about people who wear tattoos. Don't assume they were following some flippant, fleeting trend and "made a mistake" and got a tattoo. Don't think the worst about someone because they wear ink proudly. If you're curious, ask. Chances are, they're like me, eager to talk about them and tell you their story.
I have an aunt who has not always been kind to me. When I got my first tattoo, this aunt said to me, "Well, honey, I don't see any problem with it. I mean, when you look like you do, might as well decorate the walls, if you've got to live in a house like that!" I have since gotten five more tattoos. I worried about the religious significance of them and spoke to a man I consider one of my ministers. He told me that as long as I put no more emphasis on them than decoration, I'm fine - I don't treat them as objects of worship or anything like that; they're there as tokens of my past, a way to sort of wear my heart on my sleeve, literally. That's all, nothing more. Spiritually, I'm just fine with my tattoos. People wonder why I would "do something like that" to myself, and here's why. To me, tattoos are art. Art you can wear and carry with you. Art that someone took time to create and make permanent on your body. That is why I like tattoos - they're a unique expression of my personality and an expression of an artist's talent.
Now, I've got (technically) six tattoos. I have an infinity symbol on my stomach, a communicator from Star Trek: The Next Generation on the other side of my stomach (which was originally a Superman shield, done badly, with the colors reversed), a "tramp stamp" that is a tribal design that looks like a heart in the center, at the top of my back below my collar I have "The pen is mightier than the sword" in one of Tolkien's Elven languages, and I have a female angel on my right outer thigh that's about 4" wide by about 6" tall. I'd love to have another couple - I'd like to have one on my left outer thigh that commemorates the birth of my son, and I'd like to have a full-back piece one of these days, then I think I'm done...maybe.
People do look at me strange. People wonder if I'm some sort of freak or drug user or something like that. I discount people like this off-hand. They don't take the time or care to ask me about my life or about my tattoos. Then there are the people who think I'm "evil" because I wear them. I discount these people, too. They've made the same shallow, snap judgment about me that the first group made. They either aren't interested enough or don't care to find out the real story. The next group of the people are the ones that are genuinely interested in what my tattoos are, and ask questions. These people I like, because anyone who knows me knows that I love talking ink. I'll tell you where the best place to get tattoos are, I'll tell you what to look for in a shop, I'll tell you about placement and choosing a design that you'll be happy with - I've done a lot of research into the subject over the years, and I'm always ready to share my knowledge with anyone.
But anyway...don't assume that stuff about people who wear tattoos. Don't assume they were following some flippant, fleeting trend and "made a mistake" and got a tattoo. Don't think the worst about someone because they wear ink proudly. If you're curious, ask. Chances are, they're like me, eager to talk about them and tell you their story.
Friday, February 8, 2008
A Change of Heart
I was all ready to type up another ranting post about something that has had me really bothered for quite a while - something to do with government and "luxury taxes" and, well, just generally complaining. It's funny the way God works, though. You never know when He's going to throw us a curve ball; thank goodness I was vigilant enough to catch it this time.
I watch Live! With Regis and Kelly just about every day. I didn't have any idea that today was their 20th annual wedding special. I like watching the weddings that Regis and Kelly put on. This year it's different, though. Not only am I enjoying it, but the couple this year has truly touched my heart.
Kacy Hardenbrook and Jordan Edsall from Garrett, Indiana is the couple being wed this year. Their story is different from any I have seen on Regis and Kelly in the past. See, not long ago, Kacy and the couple's two daughters were burned in a house explosion. Because of that, they were unable to have the wedding they had been saving for; that didn't stop them, though. They continued to face the challenges ahead of them with joyous hearts and hope for the future.
Not too long ago, I decided to make a change in my own thinking. I have to admit, I haven't been doing very good with it. I decided that I would stop focusing on the negative thoughts and negative things, and begin to be truly thankful for what I have, focus on the positive thoughts and positive things, and give earnest and heartfelt thanks to God for what I have. My last post is evidence that this hasn't quite sunk in yet, as it's basically one big complaint. Up until just a little while ago, it still hadn't sunk in, because I had planned to post yet another extended complaint.
After watching Kacy and Jordan get married though, and seeing all their hope, all their joy and all their happiness in the face of such great adversity, I can't, in good conscious, dwell on these things. I think I'll borrow a little bit of that broadcasted strength and put those complaints out of my mind. They have no place there, no home, and when I finally evict them for good, I'll be a better person for it. With God's help, the positive will take over and between my work and His blessing, anything is possible. Just look at Kacy and Jordan and their beautiful little girls.
I watch Live! With Regis and Kelly just about every day. I didn't have any idea that today was their 20th annual wedding special. I like watching the weddings that Regis and Kelly put on. This year it's different, though. Not only am I enjoying it, but the couple this year has truly touched my heart.
Kacy Hardenbrook and Jordan Edsall from Garrett, Indiana is the couple being wed this year. Their story is different from any I have seen on Regis and Kelly in the past. See, not long ago, Kacy and the couple's two daughters were burned in a house explosion. Because of that, they were unable to have the wedding they had been saving for; that didn't stop them, though. They continued to face the challenges ahead of them with joyous hearts and hope for the future.
Not too long ago, I decided to make a change in my own thinking. I have to admit, I haven't been doing very good with it. I decided that I would stop focusing on the negative thoughts and negative things, and begin to be truly thankful for what I have, focus on the positive thoughts and positive things, and give earnest and heartfelt thanks to God for what I have. My last post is evidence that this hasn't quite sunk in yet, as it's basically one big complaint. Up until just a little while ago, it still hadn't sunk in, because I had planned to post yet another extended complaint.
After watching Kacy and Jordan get married though, and seeing all their hope, all their joy and all their happiness in the face of such great adversity, I can't, in good conscious, dwell on these things. I think I'll borrow a little bit of that broadcasted strength and put those complaints out of my mind. They have no place there, no home, and when I finally evict them for good, I'll be a better person for it. With God's help, the positive will take over and between my work and His blessing, anything is possible. Just look at Kacy and Jordan and their beautiful little girls.
Monday, February 4, 2008
My Triumphant Return - Three Observations
First, I give you a Wifely Observation:
Okay, this may be TMI, but I'm gonna admit something here. It seems that whenever I'm in bed with DH and I'm trying to go to sleep, there's a certain position that encourages certain...bodily emissions...from me. You see, as long as I'm laying on my right side, I'm peachy-keen. But as soon as I turn over and lay on my left side and allow my dear DH to snuggle up against me and hold me as we sleep, my body instantly needs to...well... *sigh* Okay. I have to fart.
That's not the most romantic thing on the planet, I realize. In fact, it's just about the most un-romantic thing I can think of. What can I do, though? DH makes me fart.
Now, a Motherly Observation:
Conman's got his first, gen-yoo-ine loose tooth. I'm finding this incredibly exciting as a mommy. I can't wait until he looses it - not because I want him to feel pain, but because I can't wait to just arbitrarily give him money for something like loosing a tooth (fairy-tale reinforcement, anyone?). He's going from being a "little boy" to being "all grown up" right before my eyes, and I want to savor every second of it - even his slightly uncomfortable ones.
And lastly, an Entertainment Observation:
The Super Bowl commercials were just out of sight. They were hilarious from start to finish, with my favorite being the "E-Trade Baby". There were a couple other really good ones, too - "Justin Timberlake / Pepsi" commercial comes to mind - but those two are the only ones I really remember. All I really do remember is laughing through just about every commercial break during the game. That's what the Super Bowl is all about, ain't it? The commercials?
And on a related note, there's a commercial that's been running for a new drug that just has me in stitches every. single. time. I see it. The drug's name is "AcipHex", which on the surface isn't that funny. It's used to treat acid reflux. The funny part is the way it's pronounced. Are you ready for this? It's pronounced "ass effects". Now, I've gotta say, somebody really dropped the ball on this one, or missed out on a great naming opportunity - I've not quite decided which one yet. If it were a drug to treat, oh, I dunno, diarrhea or constipation, I could understand the name. I could even stretch that and say it could treat flatulence with a name like that. But if it treats acid reflux, somebody's got their orifices mixed up, methinks.
Okay, this may be TMI, but I'm gonna admit something here. It seems that whenever I'm in bed with DH and I'm trying to go to sleep, there's a certain position that encourages certain...bodily emissions...from me. You see, as long as I'm laying on my right side, I'm peachy-keen. But as soon as I turn over and lay on my left side and allow my dear DH to snuggle up against me and hold me as we sleep, my body instantly needs to...well... *sigh* Okay. I have to fart.
That's not the most romantic thing on the planet, I realize. In fact, it's just about the most un-romantic thing I can think of. What can I do, though? DH makes me fart.
Now, a Motherly Observation:
Conman's got his first, gen-yoo-ine loose tooth. I'm finding this incredibly exciting as a mommy. I can't wait until he looses it - not because I want him to feel pain, but because I can't wait to just arbitrarily give him money for something like loosing a tooth (fairy-tale reinforcement, anyone?). He's going from being a "little boy" to being "all grown up" right before my eyes, and I want to savor every second of it - even his slightly uncomfortable ones.
And lastly, an Entertainment Observation:
The Super Bowl commercials were just out of sight. They were hilarious from start to finish, with my favorite being the "E-Trade Baby". There were a couple other really good ones, too - "Justin Timberlake / Pepsi" commercial comes to mind - but those two are the only ones I really remember. All I really do remember is laughing through just about every commercial break during the game. That's what the Super Bowl is all about, ain't it? The commercials?
And on a related note, there's a commercial that's been running for a new drug that just has me in stitches every. single. time. I see it. The drug's name is "AcipHex", which on the surface isn't that funny. It's used to treat acid reflux. The funny part is the way it's pronounced. Are you ready for this? It's pronounced "ass effects". Now, I've gotta say, somebody really dropped the ball on this one, or missed out on a great naming opportunity - I've not quite decided which one yet. If it were a drug to treat, oh, I dunno, diarrhea or constipation, I could understand the name. I could even stretch that and say it could treat flatulence with a name like that. But if it treats acid reflux, somebody's got their orifices mixed up, methinks.
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