I believe in the separation of work and home. When I'm in my office, I work. And I work hard. When I'm home, I want to be free to be me and do what I want.
I'd much rather stay late at the office than leave on time and bring work home. That way when I do leave, I can just relax and work out, watch TV, hang out with Joel or friends, check Facebook or play spider solitaire. I can be there 100% in mind and body. I don't have a nagging reminder in the back of my mind to carve out time to finish something for work.
I like what I do, but I also like the feeling that comes when you've worked hard all day and are then free to go play.
Monday, December 7
Wednesday, November 11
Happy Birthday Dad
It's my dad's birthday today. I called to wish him a happy birthday, and I wish I would have recorded the conversation. It was classic Leon humor.
To mark this birthday, he bought a taller toilet for their master bath. Apparently he and my mom were lamenting the fact that they put a taller one in at their old house before they sold it, and now they have the standard height. He's going to install the taller toilet today and surprise my mom. I confessed I'm considering putting a new vaccum on my Christmas list. We had a couple laughs about growing older and buying practical things like toilets and vaccums as gifts.
You probably had to be part of the conversation, but take my word, from there is where it got really funny. We talked about the cards that sing when you open them, and wondered if you could do the same type thing to the toilet seat cover. So when you lift it up, it would sing or say something. Like "happy birthday" or "happy mother's day" or "good morning" or the Rise and Shine song.
Just imagine getting up in the night, or groggily stumbling into the bathroom in the morning - and then you heard a voice when you were about to pee. What would you do? Freak out probably. Well, my mom is rather jumpy, and if you did that to her, she would probably go through the ceiling - or the door cartoon-style. The mental picture of that was hilarious. My dad was hooting - that's what he does when he laughs really hard - and I was literally crying with laughter.
Part of my laughter was there is a chance my dad would do something like that. And I kind of want him to.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Happy birthday, dad.
To mark this birthday, he bought a taller toilet for their master bath. Apparently he and my mom were lamenting the fact that they put a taller one in at their old house before they sold it, and now they have the standard height. He's going to install the taller toilet today and surprise my mom. I confessed I'm considering putting a new vaccum on my Christmas list. We had a couple laughs about growing older and buying practical things like toilets and vaccums as gifts.
You probably had to be part of the conversation, but take my word, from there is where it got really funny. We talked about the cards that sing when you open them, and wondered if you could do the same type thing to the toilet seat cover. So when you lift it up, it would sing or say something. Like "happy birthday" or "happy mother's day" or "good morning" or the Rise and Shine song.
Just imagine getting up in the night, or groggily stumbling into the bathroom in the morning - and then you heard a voice when you were about to pee. What would you do? Freak out probably. Well, my mom is rather jumpy, and if you did that to her, she would probably go through the ceiling - or the door cartoon-style. The mental picture of that was hilarious. My dad was hooting - that's what he does when he laughs really hard - and I was literally crying with laughter.
Part of my laughter was there is a chance my dad would do something like that. And I kind of want him to.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Happy birthday, dad.
Wednesday, September 23
The Budget Committee Meeting
Communication is key in any relationship, but especially so in a marriage. I think Joel and I do a fairly good job of communicating, thanks in part to months of long distance dating where words were our only source of connecting. In the area of finances though, we haven't talked much. Joel is a fantastic money manager while I just get by, so until recently I let him worry about the details of our finaces. He pays all the bills, is responsible for saving, managing investments, etc. We discuss major purchases, but both just try to make reasonable decisions about smaller purchases.
To support my sister and improve my money-management skills, I joined a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course through our church. Using Ramsey's terms, Joel is the "nerd" who saves and likes to budget; I am the "free spirit" who likes to spend and not bother with details. Just two weeks into the course, it has stretched me to start caring about budgets, expenses, savings/emergency funds, etc. It has opened my eyes to the importance of being a team when it comes to fiances and spurred numerous conversations between Joel and I.
Last night we had our first "budget committee meeting" to determine our budget for the next few months. With the budget worksheet in front of us and pencil in hand, we looked at our income vs. expenses. We erased numbers, scribbled in new ones, circled areas and drew arrows to others when things didn't add up. We argued about priorities, voiced fears, and shared a triumphant high-five when the budget was finally done. It was one of the most difficult conversations we've had in our marriage thus far. But oddly enough, I think it is also one of the most beautiful conversations we've had.
To support my sister and improve my money-management skills, I joined a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course through our church. Using Ramsey's terms, Joel is the "nerd" who saves and likes to budget; I am the "free spirit" who likes to spend and not bother with details. Just two weeks into the course, it has stretched me to start caring about budgets, expenses, savings/emergency funds, etc. It has opened my eyes to the importance of being a team when it comes to fiances and spurred numerous conversations between Joel and I.
Last night we had our first "budget committee meeting" to determine our budget for the next few months. With the budget worksheet in front of us and pencil in hand, we looked at our income vs. expenses. We erased numbers, scribbled in new ones, circled areas and drew arrows to others when things didn't add up. We argued about priorities, voiced fears, and shared a triumphant high-five when the budget was finally done. It was one of the most difficult conversations we've had in our marriage thus far. But oddly enough, I think it is also one of the most beautiful conversations we've had.
Tuesday, September 22
Thankful
It isn't time for Thanksgiving - American (November 26) or Canadian (October 12) - but I am feeling thankful today.
Thankful for
...God's grace and love, which never cease to amaze me
...my family, as disfunctional as we are
...my wonderful husband, who loves me - good, bad and strange habits included
...awesome friends - each unique and fabulous, who inspire me
...a good job, one that allows us to not only pay bills, but help others and have fun
...our beautiful home, and all the good memories I already have there and all the ones to come
I am blessed.
Thankful for
...God's grace and love, which never cease to amaze me
...my family, as disfunctional as we are
...my wonderful husband, who loves me - good, bad and strange habits included
...awesome friends - each unique and fabulous, who inspire me
...a good job, one that allows us to not only pay bills, but help others and have fun
...our beautiful home, and all the good memories I already have there and all the ones to come
I am blessed.
Thursday, August 27
Snapshots of Life
I realized earlier this week that next week is already September. Wow. It seems like it should still be the beginning of August. How did I lose three weeks of time without really noticing? So I'm going to try and be more deliberate about pausing to appreciate the snapshots of life.
My favorite snapshot was first thing this morning. I had rolled out of bed and walked into the bathroom, and was brought to a stop by the beautiful scene out our window.
The sky was a bright, midnight blue. Not quite black and not quite blue, like it is right before or after a huge storm. Against this dark backdrop was a cluster of trees. What caught my eye was one brightly illuminated tree. The sunlight was hitting the top of the tallest tree like a spotlight with lasor-beam focus, giving an intensity to the green leaves like I've never seen. It was beautiful.
It lasted only a few seconds, then the sunlight went behind the clouds. The tall treetop when back to it's normal shade of green, like all the other trees.
I was glad I had caught that moment in time, that moment of beauty.
My favorite snapshot was first thing this morning. I had rolled out of bed and walked into the bathroom, and was brought to a stop by the beautiful scene out our window.
The sky was a bright, midnight blue. Not quite black and not quite blue, like it is right before or after a huge storm. Against this dark backdrop was a cluster of trees. What caught my eye was one brightly illuminated tree. The sunlight was hitting the top of the tallest tree like a spotlight with lasor-beam focus, giving an intensity to the green leaves like I've never seen. It was beautiful.
It lasted only a few seconds, then the sunlight went behind the clouds. The tall treetop when back to it's normal shade of green, like all the other trees.
I was glad I had caught that moment in time, that moment of beauty.
Monday, August 17
Left, Right or Middle?
Are you a left, right or middle?
Not in your political views...where in the bed you sleep.
The side of the bed doesn't matter much to me. But it matters to Joel. He prefers the left* side, which means I get the right* side of the bed.
But on nights when Joel works third shift, I've started sleeping in the middle. Or I sleep with my head on the right side, and my body diagonal so my feet are on the left side.
I'm sure it looks hilarious, especially when I sleep diagonal. But I figure that if it's just me in our big king bed, I might as well take advantage of the space!
*Note: Sides are based on if you're standing at the foot of the bed looking at the headboard.
Not in your political views...where in the bed you sleep.
The side of the bed doesn't matter much to me. But it matters to Joel. He prefers the left* side, which means I get the right* side of the bed.
But on nights when Joel works third shift, I've started sleeping in the middle. Or I sleep with my head on the right side, and my body diagonal so my feet are on the left side.
I'm sure it looks hilarious, especially when I sleep diagonal. But I figure that if it's just me in our big king bed, I might as well take advantage of the space!
*Note: Sides are based on if you're standing at the foot of the bed looking at the headboard.
Monday, August 10
It's Never Simple
Progress on the house continues, although the changes aren't as obvious as they were in the beginning.
Upstairs it's been mostly detail work, like replacing doorknobs. I still need to hang curtains, put pictures and art on the wall as well as tables. Everything now looks nice, but void of these decor things, it lacks the "lived in" touch.
Downstairs is still a construction zone. The fairly simple bathroom project ended up being a bigger project than anticipated. We started off adding a chair rail and painting, and getting a new light fixture. But the darker red wall color combined with the new vanity light fixture, made the shower area a little dark. The simple solution was to add a ceiling fan with a light. Except the light/fan combinations are bigger than just fans, so Joel had to cut a big hole in the ceiling dry wall to move it over, add a new anchor to hold it to the floor joists, and replace the dry wall. It's just never as simple as you expect!
My task this week is to unpack the boxes of books onto our bare bookshelves, and start unpacking the boxes of photo albums and picture frames.
Upstairs it's been mostly detail work, like replacing doorknobs. I still need to hang curtains, put pictures and art on the wall as well as tables. Everything now looks nice, but void of these decor things, it lacks the "lived in" touch.
Downstairs is still a construction zone. The fairly simple bathroom project ended up being a bigger project than anticipated. We started off adding a chair rail and painting, and getting a new light fixture. But the darker red wall color combined with the new vanity light fixture, made the shower area a little dark. The simple solution was to add a ceiling fan with a light. Except the light/fan combinations are bigger than just fans, so Joel had to cut a big hole in the ceiling dry wall to move it over, add a new anchor to hold it to the floor joists, and replace the dry wall. It's just never as simple as you expect!
My task this week is to unpack the boxes of books onto our bare bookshelves, and start unpacking the boxes of photo albums and picture frames.
Monday, June 22
One Room (Almost) Done
"Moving in" boxes and furniture took us one day. The real work of moving in - the cleaning, unpacking, organzing - is taking a lot longer. Initially I had visions of having at least two or three rooms done by now. But I quickly realized that there are more steps involved in the moving in process, and that things move at a slower pace when you work full time.
So I've changed my view of the house to a work in progress. Ignore the chaos of boxes, paint supplies, tools, furniture, ladders, and cleaning supplies scattered around. Just focus on the one room. And after a couple day's work on the kitchen, I'm proud to announce that its mostly done!
All the insides of the cupboards are wiped out and the wooden doors freshed up with Old English. All the boxes unloaded, all the dishes washed and put away. I can't tell you the total number of cupboards I cleaned, the boxes I unpacked, or the number of loads I ran through the dishwasher or washed by hand, but there were a lot of them. At one point I thought about counting, but decided it was better off not knowing.
The final step is washing the floors and windows, and painting the doors, then it's really done.
So I've changed my view of the house to a work in progress. Ignore the chaos of boxes, paint supplies, tools, furniture, ladders, and cleaning supplies scattered around. Just focus on the one room. And after a couple day's work on the kitchen, I'm proud to announce that its mostly done!
All the insides of the cupboards are wiped out and the wooden doors freshed up with Old English. All the boxes unloaded, all the dishes washed and put away. I can't tell you the total number of cupboards I cleaned, the boxes I unpacked, or the number of loads I ran through the dishwasher or washed by hand, but there were a lot of them. At one point I thought about counting, but decided it was better off not knowing.
The final step is washing the floors and windows, and painting the doors, then it's really done.
Monday, June 8
Weekend 2 Update
This past weekend we made good progress thanks to the extra help from my mom and dad, who came and helped Friday night and all day Saturday. My "to-do" list is always longer than what we have time for, but we were able to complete the top priorities:
-Wipe all wood trim in office and master with Old English wood polish.
-Replace the door handles on the front door, door from the garage to the kitchen, and the door from the kitchen to the deck.
-Rekey all locks.
-Replace light fixtures in master bedroom, eating area, and basement.
-Replace electrical outlets and faceplates in master bedroom.
-Spackle gashes and gouges in guest room; sand down and repaint walls.
-Prime laundry room.
We also did a few things I hadn't planned on - like fixing the door from the master to the deck and giving the front door a fresh coat of paint before putting the new hardware on it. My dad, "Mr. Fix It," also investigated the problem with the icemaker/water dispenser on the fridge.
The other major thing we did this weekend was moving our big items to the house. Joel and I made two trips with the moving truck; one to the storage unit and one to the other house. Besides some select clothes, bathroom and kitchen items, everything is at the house.
The office and the master are done, with the exception of the doors. Those still need to be repainted. Our goal is to finish off the guest room and laundry room yet today or tomorrow. After that, we'll move into the more public areas of the main floor: hallway, living room and kitchen. The hallway and living room will just get touch-ups. The kitchen is transforming to a whole new color (green sprout).
We are making progress, I remind myself when the amount of "to dos" outweigh the "completed" items. Slowly but surely.
-Wipe all wood trim in office and master with Old English wood polish.
-Replace the door handles on the front door, door from the garage to the kitchen, and the door from the kitchen to the deck.
-Rekey all locks.
-Replace light fixtures in master bedroom, eating area, and basement.
-Replace electrical outlets and faceplates in master bedroom.
-Spackle gashes and gouges in guest room; sand down and repaint walls.
-Prime laundry room.
We also did a few things I hadn't planned on - like fixing the door from the master to the deck and giving the front door a fresh coat of paint before putting the new hardware on it. My dad, "Mr. Fix It," also investigated the problem with the icemaker/water dispenser on the fridge.
The other major thing we did this weekend was moving our big items to the house. Joel and I made two trips with the moving truck; one to the storage unit and one to the other house. Besides some select clothes, bathroom and kitchen items, everything is at the house.
The office and the master are done, with the exception of the doors. Those still need to be repainted. Our goal is to finish off the guest room and laundry room yet today or tomorrow. After that, we'll move into the more public areas of the main floor: hallway, living room and kitchen. The hallway and living room will just get touch-ups. The kitchen is transforming to a whole new color (green sprout).
We are making progress, I remind myself when the amount of "to dos" outweigh the "completed" items. Slowly but surely.
Wednesday, June 3
Picking Paint
To help the house fit our style and personality, we're repainting some of the rooms. The fun part of repainting is looking at the seemingly endless rainbow of paint colors to choose from. It's like a super-sized box of crayola crayons: tupelo tree, front porch gray, waterscape...there are shades of colors I never even imagined.
Joel and I are earth tone people, so we're all about greens, blues and browns. Since most of the common areas upstairs are already shades of brown and beige, we're going to do blues and greens in the other rooms. But while I know what general color I want in each room, I'm finding picking specific paint colors to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Will this shade be too dark? Too light? Too much of a yellow undertone? I've found the Sherwin Williams room visualizer to be an incredibly helpful tool. But even with that, I knew I would need to test the paint chip in the actual room. How does the color look with that exact room's natural light? Artificial light? Morning sunlight? Evening sunset? I want the paint color to be perfect.
Armed with a handful of paint chips, I spent at least a half hour in the office and then the kitchen, deliberating the fate of the room's color. I started in the office. I held up the post-it size swatches to each wall in the natural light. Then turned on the artifical light and tested on each wall again. Narrowed it from six to four. Turned the light off. Turned the light on. Narrowed it down from four to two. Recircled the room. Changed my mind and swapped one color for one I had discarded. Turned the light off. Turned the light on. Recircled the room. Narrowed it down to one. Recircled the room. Changed my mind. Turned the light off. Turned the light on. Circled a final time. Went to the kitchen and went through the same process. Then came back to the office and recircled with my final selection: tidewater. It's a light blue with gray undertones.
The best I could do with the kitchen was narrow it down to two colors: great green or ryegrass. Tonight I'll have to make the final decision.
Joel and I are earth tone people, so we're all about greens, blues and browns. Since most of the common areas upstairs are already shades of brown and beige, we're going to do blues and greens in the other rooms. But while I know what general color I want in each room, I'm finding picking specific paint colors to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Will this shade be too dark? Too light? Too much of a yellow undertone? I've found the Sherwin Williams room visualizer to be an incredibly helpful tool. But even with that, I knew I would need to test the paint chip in the actual room. How does the color look with that exact room's natural light? Artificial light? Morning sunlight? Evening sunset? I want the paint color to be perfect.
Armed with a handful of paint chips, I spent at least a half hour in the office and then the kitchen, deliberating the fate of the room's color. I started in the office. I held up the post-it size swatches to each wall in the natural light. Then turned on the artifical light and tested on each wall again. Narrowed it from six to four. Turned the light off. Turned the light on. Narrowed it down from four to two. Recircled the room. Changed my mind and swapped one color for one I had discarded. Turned the light off. Turned the light on. Recircled the room. Narrowed it down to one. Recircled the room. Changed my mind. Turned the light off. Turned the light on. Circled a final time. Went to the kitchen and went through the same process. Then came back to the office and recircled with my final selection: tidewater. It's a light blue with gray undertones.
The best I could do with the kitchen was narrow it down to two colors: great green or ryegrass. Tonight I'll have to make the final decision.
Monday, June 1
Weekend 1 Update
We spent the first of what I think will be many weekends working on our house. With just a week before moving in the big furniture, we're focusing on the office and the master bedroom since those needed the most work.
Friday morning Joel rented a steamer for 24 hours to remove wallpaper. He started around 9:30 a.m. and worked until about noon, managing to take off almost all the wallpaper in the office. I came after work around 6:30 p.m. and removed the rest of in the office (goodbye country landscape) as well as the border (good riddance big flowers) in the master bedroom. I was determined to not leave until all the wallpaper was gone, so Joel came back around 10:30 p.m. after work and together we removed the downstairs bathroom wallpaper (farewell black and white aztec design).
Saturday Joel rolled out of bed by 7:30 a.m. to get the steamer back before 8:10 a.m. He picked up a bunch of paint supplies and was over to the house around 10 a.m. I met up with him about the same time, after making a stop for some supplies myself - and some much needed coffee. I washed the walls while Joel spackled, filling in holes upstairs and down. We called it quits shortly after noon in order to hang out with friends.
Sunday was the marathon day. I worked solo for most of it, since Joel had to work from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. I washed the rest of the walls and then put a skim coat of spackle on the gouges and patches where the drywall showed through. By the time I was done, the office looked like the face of a teenager with acne cream. The master bedroom had less spots; instead it had a long white racing stripe of spackle to fix where the border had been. When Joel arrived around 6 p.m., the spackle was dry so we sanded it down. By the time we were done, we were covered in a layer of white powder. Joel's dark brown hair looked gray. After a quick wipe-down, the walls were ready. I went to work with blue painters tape along the window, doorways and trim in the office. Joel primed the office walls while I started taping the master closet. We called it quits around 11 p.m. when he was done priming.
We worked hard, but it felt good. With every step it feels more and more like "ours" and less like the former owners.
Friday morning Joel rented a steamer for 24 hours to remove wallpaper. He started around 9:30 a.m. and worked until about noon, managing to take off almost all the wallpaper in the office. I came after work around 6:30 p.m. and removed the rest of in the office (goodbye country landscape) as well as the border (good riddance big flowers) in the master bedroom. I was determined to not leave until all the wallpaper was gone, so Joel came back around 10:30 p.m. after work and together we removed the downstairs bathroom wallpaper (farewell black and white aztec design).
Saturday Joel rolled out of bed by 7:30 a.m. to get the steamer back before 8:10 a.m. He picked up a bunch of paint supplies and was over to the house around 10 a.m. I met up with him about the same time, after making a stop for some supplies myself - and some much needed coffee. I washed the walls while Joel spackled, filling in holes upstairs and down. We called it quits shortly after noon in order to hang out with friends.
Sunday was the marathon day. I worked solo for most of it, since Joel had to work from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. I washed the rest of the walls and then put a skim coat of spackle on the gouges and patches where the drywall showed through. By the time I was done, the office looked like the face of a teenager with acne cream. The master bedroom had less spots; instead it had a long white racing stripe of spackle to fix where the border had been. When Joel arrived around 6 p.m., the spackle was dry so we sanded it down. By the time we were done, we were covered in a layer of white powder. Joel's dark brown hair looked gray. After a quick wipe-down, the walls were ready. I went to work with blue painters tape along the window, doorways and trim in the office. Joel primed the office walls while I started taping the master closet. We called it quits around 11 p.m. when he was done priming.
We worked hard, but it felt good. With every step it feels more and more like "ours" and less like the former owners.
Thursday, May 28
Today's the Day
Today's the day our house really becomes ours. After work we're going to get the keys from the former owners, and claim it for ourselves by unloading the first of many boxes.
Our house. It feels strange and yet exciting to say that!
Joel and I are as giddy as kids on Christmas morning.
Our house. It feels strange and yet exciting to say that!
Joel and I are as giddy as kids on Christmas morning.
Friday, May 22
Ready for the Holiday Weekend
Fridays are every office worker's favorite day, no matter how much you like what you do. And the Friday of a holiday weekend is even better. Our office is like most; half of the people took the day off to enjoy an even longer weekend. The other half of us here in the office are a little more relaxed and unmotivated than usual. There's more chatter and laughter as people discuss their weekend plans.
Mid-afternoon I expect people will start slipping out, some headed for a cottage or camping, others home to clean or cook for BBQs and family get-togethers. We don't have any big weekend plans - just a housewarming BBQ at a friend's tomorrow night. Other than that, we're just going to relax and enjoy some time off.
Hope you all enjoy your holiday weekend as well!
Mid-afternoon I expect people will start slipping out, some headed for a cottage or camping, others home to clean or cook for BBQs and family get-togethers. We don't have any big weekend plans - just a housewarming BBQ at a friend's tomorrow night. Other than that, we're just going to relax and enjoy some time off.
Hope you all enjoy your holiday weekend as well!
Tuesday, May 19
Lost Sense of Security
This morning when I walked out to my car to go to work, I noticed that my door was unlocked. It struck me as odd, since I rarely forget to lock it. The next thing that struck me as odd was the fact my door wasn't shut. I knew I didn't leave it ajar. With a creepy feeling, I opened the door to find the travel screwdriver normally in the center console on my seat, and my glove compartment open. The CD cases normally organzied in my center console were askew, and one was laying on the passenger seat.
I started feeling ill. Part of me hoped Joel had gotten something from my car earlier that morning, and just forgotten to tell me. But I knew that wasn't the case. Someone else had been in my car and rifled through things. I started looking around - stereo? There. CDs? All there. Random things like shoes, cleats, softball glove, etc, that were left out in my car? Still there. Gas gauge? Still in the same spot it was yesterday. I even got out and looked at my tires - all there, and all inflated. The only noticable thing missing was most the change I usually had in the center console. All that remained were a few pennies and a dime.
Apparently money is what they were after, because anything else of value is thankfully still there. But it's very unsettling to know that hours earlier, some stranger was in my car while we slept. Especially since my car was parked in the driveway, a few feet away from the house and our bedroom window.
Maybe the person really needed the money. But they took my sense of security when they stole a little more than a dollar's worth of change.
I started feeling ill. Part of me hoped Joel had gotten something from my car earlier that morning, and just forgotten to tell me. But I knew that wasn't the case. Someone else had been in my car and rifled through things. I started looking around - stereo? There. CDs? All there. Random things like shoes, cleats, softball glove, etc, that were left out in my car? Still there. Gas gauge? Still in the same spot it was yesterday. I even got out and looked at my tires - all there, and all inflated. The only noticable thing missing was most the change I usually had in the center console. All that remained were a few pennies and a dime.
Apparently money is what they were after, because anything else of value is thankfully still there. But it's very unsettling to know that hours earlier, some stranger was in my car while we slept. Especially since my car was parked in the driveway, a few feet away from the house and our bedroom window.
Maybe the person really needed the money. But they took my sense of security when they stole a little more than a dollar's worth of change.
Sunday, May 3
Europe Overview
Here's an overview of all the places we visited in Europe the past two and a half weeks:
Prague, Czech Republic
Munich, Germany
Bavaria, Germany
Interlaken, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
Paris/Versailles, France
Normandy, France
Bruges, Belgium
Goes, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Prague, Czech Republic
Munich, Germany
Bavaria, Germany
Interlaken, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
Paris/Versailles, France
Normandy, France
Bruges, Belgium
Goes, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Friday, April 10
Spring Fever
The sun is shining and with temperatures around 50 degrees, it feels like spring here in Michigan. Finally. It's giving me spring fever. I don't want to be cooped up inside in my office, I want to be outside. I want to be breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the return of green grass and colorful budding flowers. I thought I might be the only one, but a couple of my friends shared they too have spring fever.
Here's to spring fever!
Here's to spring fever!
Wednesday, April 8
Solar Power
I ate my bowl of cereal this morning standing in the middle of the kitchen, with my body towards the big picture window. The window faces east and the sunshine was gloriously bright as it came up over the horizon. I had to squint my eyes to eat, but the light and warmth on my face and body was worth it.
And once I was done with my cereal, I closed my eyes and just stood in the sunlight for a minute. Standing there in my polka-dot pajamas, eyes closed, soaking in the light, I couldn't help but smile.
I was picturing my neighbor looking out his window into our kitchen, and seeing what a strange, solar-powered person I am.
And once I was done with my cereal, I closed my eyes and just stood in the sunlight for a minute. Standing there in my polka-dot pajamas, eyes closed, soaking in the light, I couldn't help but smile.
I was picturing my neighbor looking out his window into our kitchen, and seeing what a strange, solar-powered person I am.
Thursday, March 19
The Week of Green
Since green is my favorite color - and is one of the best colors on me - I own a lot of green clothing. I joked I could probably wear green for a whole month. After studying my closet for the number of green items, I determined I couldn't do a month of different green items. But I could easily do a week.
And this has been my week of green. On Monday when I showed up in a green blouse with my black suit, a couple people asked me what I would wear the next day, St. Patrick's Day. This is typically when most people intentionally wear green. Not me, I said. I'd be wearing green all week!
And this has been my week of green. On Monday when I showed up in a green blouse with my black suit, a couple people asked me what I would wear the next day, St. Patrick's Day. This is typically when most people intentionally wear green. Not me, I said. I'd be wearing green all week!
Friday, February 13
6-word memoir
Recently a friend and colleague of mine gave our team a memoir assignment: we had to write our own six-word memoir, and share it at the next meeting.
The idea is from Not Quite What I Was Planning, a New York Times bestseller. The idea for the book came out of an Ernest Hemingway legend. In the legend, Hemingway was challenged to write a novel in six words, and he wrote, "For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn." Some say he considered this his finest work.
The rules are, you can't use six unconnected words - it must be a phrase or sentence. And it should reflect your own life experiences, goals, dreams and realities as described from your personal perspective.
It's challenging, but also quite fun.
I came up with a couple options this week and they vary a bit, depending on the day and my mood. I have my two favorites I'm going to share, but which two do you like the most? Which is the most accurate?
Young writer enjoying love; world travel.
Solar-powered, high-heeled, middle child.
Writing life’s story; wanted: happy endings.
Thankful for yesterday, hopeful for tomorrow.
Waiting for tomorrow; should’ve done today.
Green-eyed innocent becoming jaded realist.
Now it's your turn. If you had to write your own six-word memoir, what would it be?
The idea is from Not Quite What I Was Planning, a New York Times bestseller. The idea for the book came out of an Ernest Hemingway legend. In the legend, Hemingway was challenged to write a novel in six words, and he wrote, "For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn." Some say he considered this his finest work.
The rules are, you can't use six unconnected words - it must be a phrase or sentence. And it should reflect your own life experiences, goals, dreams and realities as described from your personal perspective.
It's challenging, but also quite fun.
I came up with a couple options this week and they vary a bit, depending on the day and my mood. I have my two favorites I'm going to share, but which two do you like the most? Which is the most accurate?
Young writer enjoying love; world travel.
Solar-powered, high-heeled, middle child.
Writing life’s story; wanted: happy endings.
Thankful for yesterday, hopeful for tomorrow.
Waiting for tomorrow; should’ve done today.
Green-eyed innocent becoming jaded realist.
Now it's your turn. If you had to write your own six-word memoir, what would it be?
Thursday, February 12
Happy Early Valentine's Day
Even though Valentine's day is a hallmark holiday, Joel and I still get each other a little something to say "I Love You."
When I got home from work Tuesday night, there was a bouquet of a dozen red roses waiting for me. Next to it was a note wishing me a happy early V-day, written on the back of Subway napkin.
That's Joel. Simple, yet thoughtful.
Monday, February 9
Cleaning Spree
I clean the bathroom every week. I wipe down the kitchen counters and stovetop after preparing something. I dust and vacuum on a fairly regular basis.
But every so often, I go on cleaning sprees. Usually it's because we're having people over, and I want everything to be immaculate. Or I notice something, like dust starting to collect on the base boards.
This time I think it's just anticipation of spring. It started last weekend, when I was inspired to give the entire inside a good deep clean. I decided to work my way methodically through the house, cleaning top to bottom, room by room: 1. kitchen, 2. bathroom, 3. living room & entryway 4. our room 5. stairs/office.
Once I had a plan of attack, I armed myself with the vacuum in one hand and a bucket full of cleaning supplies in the other. I took the vacuum around the ceiling corners and edges in the kitchen and living room, then vacuumed the floors in both rooms . I wiped down the kitchen walls/baseboard/doors, and the bathroom walls/baseboards. Then I washed the bathroom floor in addition to it's normal weekly cleaning.
This past weekend I took everything out of the fridge and washed the walls, shelves and drawers. I wiped down the walls and baseboards in the living room and entryway. Then I washed the living room and kitchen floors and rewashed the bathroom floor while I had the mop out. In between mopping and wiping walls and baseboards, I did three loads of laundry.
Next weekend it's our room and the upstairs!
But every so often, I go on cleaning sprees. Usually it's because we're having people over, and I want everything to be immaculate. Or I notice something, like dust starting to collect on the base boards.
This time I think it's just anticipation of spring. It started last weekend, when I was inspired to give the entire inside a good deep clean. I decided to work my way methodically through the house, cleaning top to bottom, room by room: 1. kitchen, 2. bathroom, 3. living room & entryway 4. our room 5. stairs/office.
Once I had a plan of attack, I armed myself with the vacuum in one hand and a bucket full of cleaning supplies in the other. I took the vacuum around the ceiling corners and edges in the kitchen and living room, then vacuumed the floors in both rooms . I wiped down the kitchen walls/baseboard/doors, and the bathroom walls/baseboards. Then I washed the bathroom floor in addition to it's normal weekly cleaning.
This past weekend I took everything out of the fridge and washed the walls, shelves and drawers. I wiped down the walls and baseboards in the living room and entryway. Then I washed the living room and kitchen floors and rewashed the bathroom floor while I had the mop out. In between mopping and wiping walls and baseboards, I did three loads of laundry.
Next weekend it's our room and the upstairs!
Tuesday, January 27
Two Scoops
The other morning, as I poured myself a bowl of raisin bran, I got a lot of raisins. It reminded me of a morning back in high school when our raisin bran had seemed especially heavy on the raisins, light on the bran. I had noticed it all week, and finally commented on it.
"Wow, they don't lie when they say they put in two scoops of raisins! But I think they should start using smaller scoops, because this is almost too many raisins for me."
My mom came over, peered into my cereal bowl, and had to agree. There were a lot of raisins.
My older sister, also at the table, sat especially quiet with a guilty look on her face . She then fessed up. Every time she had a bowl of raisin bran, she would carefully pick out all the raisins.
And put them BACK into the box with the rest of the cereal.
We all started laughing. It wasn't the cereal company's two scoops - it was my sister!
"Wow, they don't lie when they say they put in two scoops of raisins! But I think they should start using smaller scoops, because this is almost too many raisins for me."
My mom came over, peered into my cereal bowl, and had to agree. There were a lot of raisins.
My older sister, also at the table, sat especially quiet with a guilty look on her face . She then fessed up. Every time she had a bowl of raisin bran, she would carefully pick out all the raisins.
And put them BACK into the box with the rest of the cereal.
We all started laughing. It wasn't the cereal company's two scoops - it was my sister!
Monday, January 12
Moving Day Morning
I was feeling sad and sentimental about leaving the first place Joel and I called home. Until this morning. Moving day morning.
As I was getting ready for work, our smoke detector randomly started going off. It took me a good five minutes to figure out how to make it stop, all the while enduring the ear-piercingly loud beeping.
After the annoyance faded, I found it somewhat amusing that we've never had our smoke detector go psycho in the nearly four years we lived there. Until this morning. Moving day morning.
Maybe it was our apartment saying goodbye and wishing us well.
Or maybe it was just a good reminder why we're moving on.
As I was getting ready for work, our smoke detector randomly started going off. It took me a good five minutes to figure out how to make it stop, all the while enduring the ear-piercingly loud beeping.
After the annoyance faded, I found it somewhat amusing that we've never had our smoke detector go psycho in the nearly four years we lived there. Until this morning. Moving day morning.
Maybe it was our apartment saying goodbye and wishing us well.
Or maybe it was just a good reminder why we're moving on.
Friday, January 2
Farewell Apartment 104
Joel and I have lived in apartment 104 for the past three and half years. And in ten days we'll be moving out. For good. We're going to live in a friend's house for the next six months while they're out of the country. After that, we'll (hopefully) be moving into the house that will be our home for a good long time.
While both of us have grown tired of apartment living, saying farewell to apartment 104 is a little bittersweet for me. Because it wasn't just a ground level, one-bedroom apartment. It was our first place as a married couple, where Joel and I started the journey of learning what it means to be man and wife.
It's where we had a lot of firsts: our first argument as a married couple. Our first Christmas, complete with a smuggled-in real tree. Our first Easter, where I cooked my first ham and filled the apartment with smoke.
We did a lot of celebrating - sometimes just the two of us, sometimes having friends and family over for birthdays, holidays, or just because. And when it was necessary, we grieved. Grieved for death, broken hearts, lost jobs, and life's frustrations.
I'm not going to miss the stained carpet, the crappy dishwasher, or the insensitive neighbor who played the guitar in the middle of the night. But for all it's flaws and shortcomings, it was a good home to us.
So thanks, apartment 104. And farewell.
While both of us have grown tired of apartment living, saying farewell to apartment 104 is a little bittersweet for me. Because it wasn't just a ground level, one-bedroom apartment. It was our first place as a married couple, where Joel and I started the journey of learning what it means to be man and wife.
It's where we had a lot of firsts: our first argument as a married couple. Our first Christmas, complete with a smuggled-in real tree. Our first Easter, where I cooked my first ham and filled the apartment with smoke.
We did a lot of celebrating - sometimes just the two of us, sometimes having friends and family over for birthdays, holidays, or just because. And when it was necessary, we grieved. Grieved for death, broken hearts, lost jobs, and life's frustrations.
I'm not going to miss the stained carpet, the crappy dishwasher, or the insensitive neighbor who played the guitar in the middle of the night. But for all it's flaws and shortcomings, it was a good home to us.
So thanks, apartment 104. And farewell.
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