My Christmas list this year - the version I gave to Joel - was the most "grown-up" than it has ever been. Rather than asking for gift cards for clothes or shoes like normal, the number one item was "Go out for a nice dinner together."
It may sound odd to you, but I mean it. Every day I realize more how time is a valuable thing and I don't spend enough of it with my loved ones. Especially Joel. I'd love the gift of time with all my family and friends, but first and foremost to me is time with Joel.
So, Santa, more than any wrapped package under the tree, bring me an evening where Joel and I can sit down together, enjoy a leisurely face-to-face conversation instead of on the phone and the luxury of wonderful food that I do not have to prepare or clean up.
Two side notes:
Joel also had a grown-up Christmas list for me. First on his was "international travel" and the second was "a baby." He is getting neither. :)
I'm granting my own wish and spending a few extra days with my family. However the list I gave them also included sweaters, accessories and other "things" that weren't on the list for Joel.
Tuesday, December 21
Thursday, December 9
Like It Used to Be
I'm not a morning person. Never have been, probably never will be. My better half (Joel) is, and used to be my wake-up call. Now I'm re-learning how to be self-sufficent since Joel is working third shift and sleeping when I get up.
My usual workday morning:
6:40 a.m. First phone alarm, "light," starts going off, gently signaling I need to wake up. I reach over from where I lay in the middle of the bed towards the night stand and hit snooze, then drift off until it sounds again 10 minutes later. Repeat hitting snooze and drifting off at least twice more.
7:05 a.m. Second phone alarm, "instance," punctuates the air, theoretically indicating I need to get up NOW. Wish Joel were there. Reach over and hit snooze. Repeat.
7:20 a.m. Lay in bed, awake, and determine how long I can stay warm under the covers. Try not to fall back asleep. Depending on the morning, I may get up 10 minutes later, or 30 minutes later. Lately, it's been closer to 30 minutes.
7:50 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.(ish)Do my hair, pick out and put on clothes, apply makeup, pack gym clothes (if needed), make cup of coffee, pack lunch, run back to room for cell phone or some other forgotten item, turn off lights, frantically get in car and hurry to work.
This morning, however, was glorious. It was like it used to be. Joel had to take Deanna to the airport for a quick trip to South Carolina, so he stayed awake when he got home from work.
6:40 a.m. First phone alarm, "light," starts going off, gently signaling I need to wake up. I reach over from where I lay in the middle of the bed towards the night stand and hit snooze, then drift off until it sounds again 10 minutes later. Repeat hitting snooze and drifting off.
7 a.m. Joel comes into the room, gives me a kiss on the cheek and rubs my back, wishing me good morning. I mumble a "good morning" back, half asleep but happy.
7:15 a.m. Joel comes back into the room, turns a bedside lamp on, rubs my back again. Encourages me to get up, which I seriously consider.
7:20 a.m. Throw off the covers and start getting ready. Joel brings me a cup of coffee and I give him a huge hug.
8:20 a.m. Pack my lunch, give Joel another hug and head out the door, mentally singing Christmas carols. Wish every day could be like this again.
My usual workday morning:
6:40 a.m. First phone alarm, "light," starts going off, gently signaling I need to wake up. I reach over from where I lay in the middle of the bed towards the night stand and hit snooze, then drift off until it sounds again 10 minutes later. Repeat hitting snooze and drifting off at least twice more.
7:05 a.m. Second phone alarm, "instance," punctuates the air, theoretically indicating I need to get up NOW. Wish Joel were there. Reach over and hit snooze. Repeat.
7:20 a.m. Lay in bed, awake, and determine how long I can stay warm under the covers. Try not to fall back asleep. Depending on the morning, I may get up 10 minutes later, or 30 minutes later. Lately, it's been closer to 30 minutes.
7:50 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.(ish)Do my hair, pick out and put on clothes, apply makeup, pack gym clothes (if needed), make cup of coffee, pack lunch, run back to room for cell phone or some other forgotten item, turn off lights, frantically get in car and hurry to work.
This morning, however, was glorious. It was like it used to be. Joel had to take Deanna to the airport for a quick trip to South Carolina, so he stayed awake when he got home from work.
6:40 a.m. First phone alarm, "light," starts going off, gently signaling I need to wake up. I reach over from where I lay in the middle of the bed towards the night stand and hit snooze, then drift off until it sounds again 10 minutes later. Repeat hitting snooze and drifting off.
7 a.m. Joel comes into the room, gives me a kiss on the cheek and rubs my back, wishing me good morning. I mumble a "good morning" back, half asleep but happy.
7:15 a.m. Joel comes back into the room, turns a bedside lamp on, rubs my back again. Encourages me to get up, which I seriously consider.
7:20 a.m. Throw off the covers and start getting ready. Joel brings me a cup of coffee and I give him a huge hug.
8:20 a.m. Pack my lunch, give Joel another hug and head out the door, mentally singing Christmas carols. Wish every day could be like this again.
Wednesday, November 24
Culinary School
Every so often I get on these kicks where I want to take classes to learn other skills.
I'm fascinated by hair and the endless possibilities with cuts and colors. Every so often, I want to go to cosmetology school to learn different tricks and techniques for doing hair. Plus, I'd get discounts on products, find new ideas for my own hair and have the ability to help with others.
After one cosmetology phase I was inspired by countless shows on HGTV - I couldn't get over the amazing transformations that took place by these designers! So I wanted to take some interior design classes. About that time we also bought our house, so I had actual rooms to work with! Decorating still inspires me, especially as I chip away at making our home everything I envision.
However my main obsession right now is food and cooking. I love all things Food Network - their shows, their recipes - and have also started checking out food magazines from the library. So it follows that my latest desire is to go to culinary school. Not that I want to become a chef - I'm content in my current profession. I enjoy cooking when I have time, and would like to be even better. I would love to be able to cook like a true chef for my family and friends. I would love to know how to use the vast array of ingredients available and make amazing and delectable dishes.
We'll see, maybe I'll take a culinary class or two, just for fun. Or maybe I'll just keep watching the Food Network and experimenting with recipes until my next obsession.
I'm fascinated by hair and the endless possibilities with cuts and colors. Every so often, I want to go to cosmetology school to learn different tricks and techniques for doing hair. Plus, I'd get discounts on products, find new ideas for my own hair and have the ability to help with others.
After one cosmetology phase I was inspired by countless shows on HGTV - I couldn't get over the amazing transformations that took place by these designers! So I wanted to take some interior design classes. About that time we also bought our house, so I had actual rooms to work with! Decorating still inspires me, especially as I chip away at making our home everything I envision.
However my main obsession right now is food and cooking. I love all things Food Network - their shows, their recipes - and have also started checking out food magazines from the library. So it follows that my latest desire is to go to culinary school. Not that I want to become a chef - I'm content in my current profession. I enjoy cooking when I have time, and would like to be even better. I would love to be able to cook like a true chef for my family and friends. I would love to know how to use the vast array of ingredients available and make amazing and delectable dishes.
We'll see, maybe I'll take a culinary class or two, just for fun. Or maybe I'll just keep watching the Food Network and experimenting with recipes until my next obsession.
Monday, August 16
Being a Third Shift Wife
About a year ago Joel went from part-time second and third shift work to full time second shift. We were excited about it being full time, and adjusted our schedules a bit for his Sunday to Thursday, 3 pm to 11 pm schedule. I got permission to start a little later and stay a little later at work. Being a night owl, I had no problem waiting up nearly every night to see him after work, and he being a morning person, got up with me in the mornings.
It was sometimes difficult being a second shift wife. It meant there were a lot of evenings to myself and get-togethers with friends I went to solo. We tried to connect at least once during the day by phone, so it wasn't just a 'hi' in the morning and 'good night' in the evening until the weekend came. In the end, we made it work because we had to.
Joel was recently told he would need to move from second shift to third shift: instead of 3 pm to 11 pm, he would be working 9 pm to 5 am. Last night was his first official shift on third, so I'm not quite sure yet what it means to be a third shift wife.
On the plus side, we'll now get to see each other at dinnertime and there may be some social things that we can go to together before he has to work. And most importantly, he still has a job, and for that we are very grateful.
On the other hand, this change means Joel and I will have to do things that don't come naturally. He'll have to stay awake at night and sleep during the day. I'll be on my own in the morning, and even need to get up earlier to try and see him.
I expect this to be a difficult transition, but it is not the first challenge Joel and I have faced together. We made it work through long distance while we were dating and then engaged, a single income while we waiting for his visa, then his part-time work and finally working full time second shift. And now we'll figure something out for third shift.
It was sometimes difficult being a second shift wife. It meant there were a lot of evenings to myself and get-togethers with friends I went to solo. We tried to connect at least once during the day by phone, so it wasn't just a 'hi' in the morning and 'good night' in the evening until the weekend came. In the end, we made it work because we had to.
Joel was recently told he would need to move from second shift to third shift: instead of 3 pm to 11 pm, he would be working 9 pm to 5 am. Last night was his first official shift on third, so I'm not quite sure yet what it means to be a third shift wife.
On the plus side, we'll now get to see each other at dinnertime and there may be some social things that we can go to together before he has to work. And most importantly, he still has a job, and for that we are very grateful.
On the other hand, this change means Joel and I will have to do things that don't come naturally. He'll have to stay awake at night and sleep during the day. I'll be on my own in the morning, and even need to get up earlier to try and see him.
I expect this to be a difficult transition, but it is not the first challenge Joel and I have faced together. We made it work through long distance while we were dating and then engaged, a single income while we waiting for his visa, then his part-time work and finally working full time second shift. And now we'll figure something out for third shift.
Tuesday, August 10
Next Stop...Iceland
It's official: we are going to Iceland for four days late October. Yes, Iceland. The island in the North Atlantic Ocean next to Greenland with a population of about 320,000.
What does one do in Iceland? A variety of things, but here is what we are thinking:
1. Hike. Take advantage of the natural beauty and see waterfalls and hopefully the foothills of a volcano (probably not the one that erupted earlier this year).
2. Enjoy the thermal springs. We sampled these in New Zealand and while they smell bad (due to the sulfur), it felt wonderful. The natural hot water should feel perfect in the fall.
3. See the spectacular Northern Lights.
4. Tour Reykjavik, the capital.
5. Visit Great Geysir, the oldest known geyser in the world.
What does one do in Iceland? A variety of things, but here is what we are thinking:
1. Hike. Take advantage of the natural beauty and see waterfalls and hopefully the foothills of a volcano (probably not the one that erupted earlier this year).
2. Enjoy the thermal springs. We sampled these in New Zealand and while they smell bad (due to the sulfur), it felt wonderful. The natural hot water should feel perfect in the fall.
3. See the spectacular Northern Lights.
4. Tour Reykjavik, the capital.
5. Visit Great Geysir, the oldest known geyser in the world.
Sunday, August 8
Determined to Lose
Weight is something all women struggle with, wether they admit or not. At some point or another we have all tried to lose, maintain or in some cases - gain weight. And it's always an uphill battle.
After gaining the freshman 15 in college, I joined Weight Watchers and successfully lost the extra weight I'd put on as well as some additional weight I'd always wanted to lose. Most importantly, I learned how to eat smart: correct portion control, what a real healthy diet was, to drink lots of water, that I can say 'yes' to some things and adjust to allow for that choice, etc. In addition to working out regularly, eating smart has just become part of how I live, so I've maintained about the same weight for the past eight or nine years.
Sometimes I'm a few pounds heavier, sometimes I'm a few pounds lighter. As long as my clothes still fit, I don't worry about it too much. About the only time I weigh myself using a scale is at my annual physical.
Last week I had the annual physical with my new doctor and found I was on the high end of the range I've maintained, which was a bit disheartening. While I would like to think that their scale is off, I'm going to put extra effort into making smart food choices and spend a little more time at the gym the next few weeks. I'm determined to lose those extra few pounds that crept on!
After gaining the freshman 15 in college, I joined Weight Watchers and successfully lost the extra weight I'd put on as well as some additional weight I'd always wanted to lose. Most importantly, I learned how to eat smart: correct portion control, what a real healthy diet was, to drink lots of water, that I can say 'yes' to some things and adjust to allow for that choice, etc. In addition to working out regularly, eating smart has just become part of how I live, so I've maintained about the same weight for the past eight or nine years.
Sometimes I'm a few pounds heavier, sometimes I'm a few pounds lighter. As long as my clothes still fit, I don't worry about it too much. About the only time I weigh myself using a scale is at my annual physical.
Last week I had the annual physical with my new doctor and found I was on the high end of the range I've maintained, which was a bit disheartening. While I would like to think that their scale is off, I'm going to put extra effort into making smart food choices and spend a little more time at the gym the next few weeks. I'm determined to lose those extra few pounds that crept on!
Sunday, June 27
Rediscovering Joy
At church this morning with some friends, the sermon was on joy. Real joy - the kind that bubbles up from your soul like natural hot springs - not the general happiness that's so dependent on our feelings and circumstances. We looked at Paul, who was always joyful, yet his life was filled with troubles.
As the pastor spoke, I thought of the hours I spent yesterday in our front garden. After weeks of neglect and lots of rain, some of my flowers were barely visible amongst all the weeds. Armed with a trowel, gloves and a folded sheet for my knees, I did battle and reclaimed the area for my plants. To prevent the weeds from coming back, we covered the area with mulch.
It was hot and dirty work, but it was totally gratifying to rid the beds of weeds and put the focus back on the colorful blooms.
The past few months have been a season of work, which has made me weary - the kind of weariness that goes all the way to the depths of your soul. There has been little creative thought, let alone joy. And I'm tired of that. I miss the unstoppable, unexplainable joy bubbling in my soul.
So I'm going to work on reclaiming the garden of my soul from the weeds that have taken over and put the focus on what really matters.
As the pastor spoke, I thought of the hours I spent yesterday in our front garden. After weeks of neglect and lots of rain, some of my flowers were barely visible amongst all the weeds. Armed with a trowel, gloves and a folded sheet for my knees, I did battle and reclaimed the area for my plants. To prevent the weeds from coming back, we covered the area with mulch.
It was hot and dirty work, but it was totally gratifying to rid the beds of weeds and put the focus back on the colorful blooms.
The past few months have been a season of work, which has made me weary - the kind of weariness that goes all the way to the depths of your soul. There has been little creative thought, let alone joy. And I'm tired of that. I miss the unstoppable, unexplainable joy bubbling in my soul.
So I'm going to work on reclaiming the garden of my soul from the weeds that have taken over and put the focus on what really matters.
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