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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)