Today I:
Wrote my husband an "I Love You More Than..." love note.
Saw a homeless man and wanted to help him, but he walked on by. Next time I'll have a set of clothes and a paper bag lunch at the ready.
Watched my car almost get hit by an elderly woman driving the largest car I have ever seen in my life. What a wave of relief when the impact did not come.
Sat with a purring cat in my lap for 20 minutes.
Got 20 minutes to myself which I spent reading The Birthdays by Heidi Pitlor. (Remember "Drop Everything And Read" in elementary school?)
Most amazing, I found my first ever four leaf clover which I'll write a whole post about tomorrow.
Sweet Dreams my Blogging Beauties <3
Showing posts with label Mr. BandB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mr. BandB. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
How to Lose 25 Pounds... or more
I have been everything from a size 14 to a size zero. Now, I am about an 8/10. Every time I go to the Dr. her first comment is "lose weight" which I know is true, but annoys me nonetheless.
I eat healthy, whole grain, organic, vegan.
I am active.
I feel good.
Doesn't all of that count for something?
Anyway, I have a new diet and exercise plan:
We run around the park, literally, multiple times at least three times a day.
When we aren't at the park, we are playing inside.
During nap time, I do dishes, take a shower, fold laundry, make the bed, etc. Which means little time for snacks and just about enough time to fit in three square meals a day.
Sometimes I nap, too, when he naps, because getting up at 2:00a.m and 5:00a.m. for puppy potty breaks can catch up with a gal. Did you know sleeping burns more calories than sitting around reading a book or watching t.v.?
Oh, and Mr.B&B is helping, too. Tonight we went out for some together time without the pup. Our adventure included walking, frisbee, and swings.
That's that plan. I'll let you know how it works out. Do you have any predictions?
I eat healthy, whole grain, organic, vegan.
I am active.
I feel good.
Doesn't all of that count for something?
Anyway, I have a new diet and exercise plan:
We run around the park, literally, multiple times at least three times a day.
When we aren't at the park, we are playing inside.
During nap time, I do dishes, take a shower, fold laundry, make the bed, etc. Which means little time for snacks and just about enough time to fit in three square meals a day.
Sometimes I nap, too, when he naps, because getting up at 2:00a.m and 5:00a.m. for puppy potty breaks can catch up with a gal. Did you know sleeping burns more calories than sitting around reading a book or watching t.v.?
Oh, and Mr.B&B is helping, too. Tonight we went out for some together time without the pup. Our adventure included walking, frisbee, and swings.
That's that plan. I'll let you know how it works out. Do you have any predictions?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Some Enchanted Evening
Thanks to the new puppy, the Mr. and I have been spending our evenings outside. We sit in our rocking chairs on the porch with the pup on his blanket between us.
There is talking and reading and Nintendo DS playing.
Last night, after frolicking in the clovers, I spied a stunning sky. Had i only my eyes to rely on, I could have believed I was in a foreign land. It reminded me of the sunsets in "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
"Out of Africa"
Watertown, MA - June 1, 2009
The enchantment and the brilliance of the colors aren't capture-able even in a photo. It literally brought me to me knees and struck me dumb for a few moments.
A stark reminder to slow down and look around. There is always enchantment to be found.
Just look to the horizon.
There is talking and reading and Nintendo DS playing.
Last night, after frolicking in the clovers, I spied a stunning sky. Had i only my eyes to rely on, I could have believed I was in a foreign land. It reminded me of the sunsets in "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
"Out of Africa"Watertown, MA - June 1, 2009
The enchantment and the brilliance of the colors aren't capture-able even in a photo. It literally brought me to me knees and struck me dumb for a few moments.
A stark reminder to slow down and look around. There is always enchantment to be found.
Just look to the horizon.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
One for the Ages
Mr. B&B and I hung out with a variety of different people on different occasions this weekend. In every group, the topic of age and aging came up. I never really think about my age. I just keep blazing my own trail.
Saturday night we joined Mr. B&B's extended family at a dinner celebrating his sister's 21st birthday. Of course, we all spoke vaguely about our 21st birthday parties and joked about how long ago they were. Then people got around to talking about when Melissa was born and how long they have all been married and "Where did the time go?" I wanted to scream, "Instead of moaning about the past, think about how you want to spend the rest of your time on this planet!" Eternal optimist, glass half full girl, I am.
Sunday afternoon and evening, we went to a party in Mr. B&B's hometown. It was actually thrown by two people I went to middle and high school with. Oddly enough, the best man at our wedding worked with the guy I know from school. Mr. B&B knew a lot more people at the party a lot better than I did. Inevitably, I was hanging out with our best man for most of the party. At the end of the night he and I were filled with randomness and got to talking about ex's. I told him I admire how friendly he is with one of his ex's after all of the messiness at the end of their relationship. He replied, "We were just 19 year old kids. It was ten years ago. We've gotten over it." That hit me head on. If he was 19 ten years ago, I was 18 ten years ago. I suddenly felt what the people at Melissa's birthday party must have felt. Yeah, those people I wanted to yell at. So, I yelled at myself.
When I turned 25, my younger and only brother called and said, "You're almost 30." What is this anxiety we attach to numbers? Why do we give them so much power over our lives? Maybe I feel a bit more freedom from them because I have done things unconventionally, on my own time table. Just try and make the most of every day, I say. Some days we have more to give than others, but give it all you got, whatever it is you've got to give.
Sunday evening, I talked to a long time friend of the family, in part to wish him and his wife Sherrie(my matron of honor), a happy 23rd wedding anniversary. I was the flower girl in their wedding and I wore a magnificent black and white dress with a gigantic twirly hoop skirt which I l-o-v-e loved. Joe said, "I've known you all your life, kid. I'm gettin' old." I have no words to say how grateful I am to still have people in my life who have known me since conception and are not blood relations. It's outstanding.
Monday, Keith and Alison brought Alexander to our house and we all munched on food and played on the playground. Keith and Alison are expecting another baby (or babies) in January. I remember when they found out they were pregnant with Alexander. I hope that Brad and I get to be Alexander and his siblings "Joe and Sherrie".
We're born. We grow. The cycle continues. Age after Age after Age.
To life.
Saturday night we joined Mr. B&B's extended family at a dinner celebrating his sister's 21st birthday. Of course, we all spoke vaguely about our 21st birthday parties and joked about how long ago they were. Then people got around to talking about when Melissa was born and how long they have all been married and "Where did the time go?" I wanted to scream, "Instead of moaning about the past, think about how you want to spend the rest of your time on this planet!" Eternal optimist, glass half full girl, I am.
Sunday afternoon and evening, we went to a party in Mr. B&B's hometown. It was actually thrown by two people I went to middle and high school with. Oddly enough, the best man at our wedding worked with the guy I know from school. Mr. B&B knew a lot more people at the party a lot better than I did. Inevitably, I was hanging out with our best man for most of the party. At the end of the night he and I were filled with randomness and got to talking about ex's. I told him I admire how friendly he is with one of his ex's after all of the messiness at the end of their relationship. He replied, "We were just 19 year old kids. It was ten years ago. We've gotten over it." That hit me head on. If he was 19 ten years ago, I was 18 ten years ago. I suddenly felt what the people at Melissa's birthday party must have felt. Yeah, those people I wanted to yell at. So, I yelled at myself.
When I turned 25, my younger and only brother called and said, "You're almost 30." What is this anxiety we attach to numbers? Why do we give them so much power over our lives? Maybe I feel a bit more freedom from them because I have done things unconventionally, on my own time table. Just try and make the most of every day, I say. Some days we have more to give than others, but give it all you got, whatever it is you've got to give.
Sunday evening, I talked to a long time friend of the family, in part to wish him and his wife Sherrie(my matron of honor), a happy 23rd wedding anniversary. I was the flower girl in their wedding and I wore a magnificent black and white dress with a gigantic twirly hoop skirt which I l-o-v-e loved. Joe said, "I've known you all your life, kid. I'm gettin' old." I have no words to say how grateful I am to still have people in my life who have known me since conception and are not blood relations. It's outstanding.
Monday, Keith and Alison brought Alexander to our house and we all munched on food and played on the playground. Keith and Alison are expecting another baby (or babies) in January. I remember when they found out they were pregnant with Alexander. I hope that Brad and I get to be Alexander and his siblings "Joe and Sherrie".
We're born. We grow. The cycle continues. Age after Age after Age.
To life.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Itch
I never thought I'd say this, but my husband is on steroids. It's not what you think.
Last weekend Mr. B&B decided he would volunteer to help clean up the Charles River. He picked up trash and pulled rugs and 6 foot pipes off the banks. During this adventure, he apparently brushed up against a seemingly innocent, foliage free vine and he has been paying for it ever since.
Poison Ivy? Poison Oak? Poison Sumac? Who knows. All we know is his arms and legs are covered in itchy, pink blotches of all shapes and sizes.
So, the doctor put him on steroids until this coming Thursday. We aren't sure it is working. Any home remedy suggestions?
Until this subsides, I am sleeping on the couch with the kitty. No itchies for us.
Poor adventurous, do-gooder Mr. B&B.
Last weekend Mr. B&B decided he would volunteer to help clean up the Charles River. He picked up trash and pulled rugs and 6 foot pipes off the banks. During this adventure, he apparently brushed up against a seemingly innocent, foliage free vine and he has been paying for it ever since.
Poison Ivy? Poison Oak? Poison Sumac? Who knows. All we know is his arms and legs are covered in itchy, pink blotches of all shapes and sizes.
So, the doctor put him on steroids until this coming Thursday. We aren't sure it is working. Any home remedy suggestions?
Until this subsides, I am sleeping on the couch with the kitty. No itchies for us.
Poor adventurous, do-gooder Mr. B&B.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wedding Anniversary
Yesterday was our 2nd wedding anniversary.
We had breakfast together and talked about what we were doing two years ago.
When Mr. B&B got home, we ate dinner together and talked about our marriage.
Then we made brownies.
While the brownies baked, we watched our wedding video.
We ate brownies.
We called people who were in our wedding.
Then bed where we talked ourselves to sleep.
Simple, but special.
Monday, April 20, 2009
On this day...
two years ago, I was at my parent's house watching my mom whirl around in a cleaning frenzy, answering phone calls from friends and family and florist, firming up final details. Around 4:30, I slid on my green slip dress, tugged my blue shrug over my shoulders, and headed to the church for the rehearsal on the eve of our wedding.
I still can't believe it has been two years.
This morning as Mr. B&B and I stepped out on the porch he sighed and said, "Two years ago today I was playing golf with my dad..." Then he slipped his arm around my waist and we kind of stood there for a minute, quiet, taking in the warming spring day, being in the moment.
Then off to work he went. We do, after all, have bills to pay and not everyone accepts love as payment. <3
***
After two years, I wonder:
Am I living up to his expectations as a person? as a wife?
How have I changed in the past two years? For the good? For the worse?
I think often spouses forget to ask each other these deep down questions, voice these deep down worries. I think maybe our marriages would be better if we did.
One of the things about marriage people forget to tell you?
A good marriage is hard work.
***
Recently I spoke with two dear friends living on opposite sides of the marriage spectrum. "Friend A" is facing struggles. "Friend B" is working to proactively prevent struggles. I love them both dearly. They are both amazing women. They both have husbands who have never been anything but nice to me. Both had beautiful, joyous weddings. Friend A has been married two and a half years. Friend B, near double that. Both friends are the same age.
I talked to A a couple of weeks ago. I asked her how she and her husband were doing. "We're a mess!", she exclaimed. In her words they are "living separate lives under the same roof" in spite of her ongoing efforts to improve the situation which she recognizes she can not do without his cooperation. Eventually, I point blanked asked her, "Do you think you are getting to a point where you will give up on the marriage?" She surprised me with her answer, "I did not get married to see what it was like or try it out for a little while. I got married because I want to spend my life with him and there are ups and downs and I am not giving up on him or on us." She said it with such conviction and I was stunned and proud of her.
Since it seems their biggest struggle is with communication and spending time with each other, I suggested something Friend B had just told me about.
B and her husband recently went to a marriage retreat. I asked if they were having challenges. B said they are doing just fine, but it never hurts to do things that are geared toward strengthening your marriage. They saw the retreat as an opportunity to really connect with each other while learning from some long married marriage masters. After the retreat, B told me about this wonderful, fairly simple, free-if-you-want-it-to-be exercise for improving their marriage.
Materials needed:
eight different colors of construction paper
2 pairs of scissors
receptacle for construction paper strips (ex. butter tub, sock, hat, candy dish...)
imagination
The exercise:
1. Each person picks four pieces of paper. 1 color for spring, 1 for summer, 1 for fall, 1 for winter.
2. Separate from each other, write down activities that you would like to do with your spouse for fun during each season and write on appropriately colored paper. Anything from "a walk around the block holding hands" to "wander around the art museum".
3. Keep the things you have written down secret from your spouse.
4. roll up strips of paper word side in and put in receptacle
5. once a week, pull a strip out of the receptacle and do whatever the strip of paper says is the activity for you to do together that day. If it is her turn this week, it is his turn next week and you keep alternating.
Result: You will spend some amount of time together each week and will probably talk with each other more which makes for a better partnership.
Wow, that was harder to describe than I thought and I am still not sure if I am describing it correctly.
This weekend, Mr. B&B and I decided to pick two different colors of paper.
Me: Pink
Him: Orange
I wrote down ten things I would like to do with him.
He wrote down ten things he would like to do with me.
If we make it 20 weeks, we will fill out more strips and keep going.
I am so excited for the surprise fun that is in store for us!!!!!
*****
It seems the key is communication.
As we, The B&B's, head into our second year of marriage, do you have any advice for us?
P.S. The fun post comes tomorrow with wedding pics galore :-)
I still can't believe it has been two years.
This morning as Mr. B&B and I stepped out on the porch he sighed and said, "Two years ago today I was playing golf with my dad..." Then he slipped his arm around my waist and we kind of stood there for a minute, quiet, taking in the warming spring day, being in the moment.
Then off to work he went. We do, after all, have bills to pay and not everyone accepts love as payment. <3
***
After two years, I wonder:
Am I living up to his expectations as a person? as a wife?
How have I changed in the past two years? For the good? For the worse?
I think often spouses forget to ask each other these deep down questions, voice these deep down worries. I think maybe our marriages would be better if we did.
One of the things about marriage people forget to tell you?
A good marriage is hard work.
***
Recently I spoke with two dear friends living on opposite sides of the marriage spectrum. "Friend A" is facing struggles. "Friend B" is working to proactively prevent struggles. I love them both dearly. They are both amazing women. They both have husbands who have never been anything but nice to me. Both had beautiful, joyous weddings. Friend A has been married two and a half years. Friend B, near double that. Both friends are the same age.
I talked to A a couple of weeks ago. I asked her how she and her husband were doing. "We're a mess!", she exclaimed. In her words they are "living separate lives under the same roof" in spite of her ongoing efforts to improve the situation which she recognizes she can not do without his cooperation. Eventually, I point blanked asked her, "Do you think you are getting to a point where you will give up on the marriage?" She surprised me with her answer, "I did not get married to see what it was like or try it out for a little while. I got married because I want to spend my life with him and there are ups and downs and I am not giving up on him or on us." She said it with such conviction and I was stunned and proud of her.
Since it seems their biggest struggle is with communication and spending time with each other, I suggested something Friend B had just told me about.
B and her husband recently went to a marriage retreat. I asked if they were having challenges. B said they are doing just fine, but it never hurts to do things that are geared toward strengthening your marriage. They saw the retreat as an opportunity to really connect with each other while learning from some long married marriage masters. After the retreat, B told me about this wonderful, fairly simple, free-if-you-want-it-to-be exercise for improving their marriage.
Materials needed:
eight different colors of construction paper
2 pairs of scissors
receptacle for construction paper strips (ex. butter tub, sock, hat, candy dish...)
imagination
The exercise:
1. Each person picks four pieces of paper. 1 color for spring, 1 for summer, 1 for fall, 1 for winter.
2. Separate from each other, write down activities that you would like to do with your spouse for fun during each season and write on appropriately colored paper. Anything from "a walk around the block holding hands" to "wander around the art museum".
3. Keep the things you have written down secret from your spouse.
4. roll up strips of paper word side in and put in receptacle
5. once a week, pull a strip out of the receptacle and do whatever the strip of paper says is the activity for you to do together that day. If it is her turn this week, it is his turn next week and you keep alternating.
Result: You will spend some amount of time together each week and will probably talk with each other more which makes for a better partnership.
Wow, that was harder to describe than I thought and I am still not sure if I am describing it correctly.
This weekend, Mr. B&B and I decided to pick two different colors of paper.
Me: Pink
Him: Orange
I wrote down ten things I would like to do with him.
He wrote down ten things he would like to do with me.
If we make it 20 weeks, we will fill out more strips and keep going.
I am so excited for the surprise fun that is in store for us!!!!!
*****
It seems the key is communication.
As we, The B&B's, head into our second year of marriage, do you have any advice for us?
P.S. The fun post comes tomorrow with wedding pics galore :-)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Singing in the Rain
Last night Mr. B&B and I walked to the asian fusion restaurant two blocks away from our house for dinner. It was raining. I brought my Oilily umbrella.
As we chitter chattered under the umbrella, we passed an 8 or 10 year old boy sitting on his front stoop. He started singing, "under my umbrella, ella, ella eh eh eh..."
I joined in. Impromptu and too fun. He made my day.
As we chitter chattered under the umbrella, we passed an 8 or 10 year old boy sitting on his front stoop. He started singing, "under my umbrella, ella, ella eh eh eh..."
I joined in. Impromptu and too fun. He made my day.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It's Spring!
Rain has been abundant! As Mr. B&B said last night, "April showers..." and I replied "Bring May flowers!"
When I was little I used to think rain brought boats... You know... the Mayflower...? I was a little confused, but I have lived in Massachusetts all my life and we often went to Plymouth to see the Mayflower so my thought process wasn't completely daft. And rain and the ocean and...
So, anyway, speaking of May flowers, the beginning of them are making their debut in our front garden.
The birds outside my window have been serenading me all day, too.
It is truly Spring. A new beginning.
When I was little I used to think rain brought boats... You know... the Mayflower...? I was a little confused, but I have lived in Massachusetts all my life and we often went to Plymouth to see the Mayflower so my thought process wasn't completely daft. And rain and the ocean and...
So, anyway, speaking of May flowers, the beginning of them are making their debut in our front garden.
The birds outside my window have been serenading me all day, too.
It is truly Spring. A new beginning.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Moments
Mr. B&B has been sick with congestion, coughing, fever, headache since last Thursday. So sick that he actually didn't go to work on Friday when he was on his business trip in New Mexico.
So, he flew home to me sick and it has been tissues, cold compresses, tea, and basically waiting on him hand and foot ever since. Yesterday I brought him to the Dr. who gave him meds (Praise be!)and to grocery store to pick out his own tea and juice and nasal spray.
After much tea making and errand doing and chore completing, I collapsed on the couch last evening. With a deep sigh, I closed my eyes just for a minute reveling in the act of doing nothing.
And thus spoke a nasally voice from the other end of the couch,
"You are beautiful...with your hair spilling out all around you."
And I gave thanks for the small moments and the little gestures.
So, he flew home to me sick and it has been tissues, cold compresses, tea, and basically waiting on him hand and foot ever since. Yesterday I brought him to the Dr. who gave him meds (Praise be!)and to grocery store to pick out his own tea and juice and nasal spray.
After much tea making and errand doing and chore completing, I collapsed on the couch last evening. With a deep sigh, I closed my eyes just for a minute reveling in the act of doing nothing.
And thus spoke a nasally voice from the other end of the couch,
"You are beautiful...with your hair spilling out all around you."
And I gave thanks for the small moments and the little gestures.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Great Dog Debate
After hurt feelings and much talk, Mr. B&B is willing to consider a puppy, maybe.
I told him it is awfully hard when he is away either working during the day (sometimes long into the night) or on business travel for anything from 3 days to a week. A puppy would be a great companion.
I told him I will be home over the summer and into next spring writing my thesis. Good time to train a puppy.
I told him I never lived without dogs until he came into my life and though I intend to be with him forever, I don't intend to live without a dog forever.
I told him that though he may not know anything about dogs (he has never lived with one), I do and I can teach him and we can work together.
I told him that on Saturday night when he said that "dogs are annoying", being a woman and being me my mind went to many places including the place when it began to think "If he thinks a dog is annoying because it wants to know the rules, it wants to eat, it wants a place to sleep, and it asks for a little attention every now and then... How is he ever going to be a father?"
I told him that as much as I love our cat and the time she does choose to spend with me, she is not the same as a dog.
I asked him to be open-minded and, at some point, give it a chance.
He said, "O.K. We'll see."
Progress.
I told him it is awfully hard when he is away either working during the day (sometimes long into the night) or on business travel for anything from 3 days to a week. A puppy would be a great companion.
I told him I will be home over the summer and into next spring writing my thesis. Good time to train a puppy.
I told him I never lived without dogs until he came into my life and though I intend to be with him forever, I don't intend to live without a dog forever.
I told him that though he may not know anything about dogs (he has never lived with one), I do and I can teach him and we can work together.
I told him that on Saturday night when he said that "dogs are annoying", being a woman and being me my mind went to many places including the place when it began to think "If he thinks a dog is annoying because it wants to know the rules, it wants to eat, it wants a place to sleep, and it asks for a little attention every now and then... How is he ever going to be a father?"
I told him that as much as I love our cat and the time she does choose to spend with me, she is not the same as a dog.
I asked him to be open-minded and, at some point, give it a chance.
He said, "O.K. We'll see."
Progress.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Signs Husband Is Home
1. Sports on the T.V.
2. Dirty Dishes on the Counter
3. Luggage left in the middle of the floor
4. Big hugs and soft kisses
5. Words that are music to your soul - "I love you", "I missed you", "Thank you for x,y,z"
6. Dancing around the silent house to the rhythm of your hearts
After Mr. B&B being away for 17 days over the past four weeks, I am so glad to have him home!
2. Dirty Dishes on the Counter
3. Luggage left in the middle of the floor
4. Big hugs and soft kisses
5. Words that are music to your soul - "I love you", "I missed you", "Thank you for x,y,z"
6. Dancing around the silent house to the rhythm of your hearts
After Mr. B&B being away for 17 days over the past four weeks, I am so glad to have him home!
Secret to Surprise
Not long ago I mentioned a secret I was bursting to share. It is more exciting to some than others, but...
Mr. B&B and I are going to San Francisco in May! This is very exciting because many of my blog friends live in San Francisco. I have also wanted to go to California for a very long time and it will soon be a wish fulfilled.
There are other secrets to be revealed in the near future concerning career path, potential publishing of materials, and even perhaps new members of the family.
San Francisco is a good start though!
Mr. B&B and I are going to San Francisco in May! This is very exciting because many of my blog friends live in San Francisco. I have also wanted to go to California for a very long time and it will soon be a wish fulfilled.
There are other secrets to be revealed in the near future concerning career path, potential publishing of materials, and even perhaps new members of the family.
San Francisco is a good start though!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Work From Home
With all the crazy snow, Mr. B&B will be working from home today. Side by side in the office we will toil together which will either be motivating or completely distracting. It will be nice to have him home, but I do have a routine and it bugs me a bit to have it messed with. Selfish, I know and I can't believe I'm feeling it.
Mondays and Fridays are my "Work from Home" days. Fridays are the days when I get the big house chores done like laundry and sweeping and dusting in addition to the normal light housework. When those things are done, it is homework time. Mondays are the normal light housework like bed-making and dishes before sitting down to homework with near zero distractions all day. This particular Monday I have one paper that needs to be completed and two papers that need editing before I can turn them in tomorrow and Wednesday. That makes today an intense homework day. I just hope Mr. B&B is more of a motivator than a distraction.
Wait a minute... I think Mr. BandB feels the same way about me. He just asked me where I will be working today. "Why?" I asked. "Because if you are working in the office, I will find another place to work." Too funny...
Mondays and Fridays are my "Work from Home" days. Fridays are the days when I get the big house chores done like laundry and sweeping and dusting in addition to the normal light housework. When those things are done, it is homework time. Mondays are the normal light housework like bed-making and dishes before sitting down to homework with near zero distractions all day. This particular Monday I have one paper that needs to be completed and two papers that need editing before I can turn them in tomorrow and Wednesday. That makes today an intense homework day. I just hope Mr. B&B is more of a motivator than a distraction.
Wait a minute... I think Mr. BandB feels the same way about me. He just asked me where I will be working today. "Why?" I asked. "Because if you are working in the office, I will find another place to work." Too funny...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
March
In like a lion...
Yes, it is snowing here today. 8-12 inches expected by the time it stops tomorrow night. Really, it has been known to snow in April so none of this should come as a surprise AND I am grateful for "normal" weather because really we should not have sundress weather in late February/early March in Massachusetts, BUT I think I am a little weather weary. The weariness sets in around this time every year. Soft and feathery snow, while lovely, is less welcome when my heart has had a taste of Spring and is more than longing for strings of lustrous, languid, steamy, sunshiney days.
Speaking of sunshine, my sunshine has returned from his week long business trip to New Mexico. Iris the MeowMeow and I could not be happier! I think he is pretty thrilled to be home, too. Last night he came home to a choice of two meals for dinner. Option One: Turkey meatloaf with roasted sweet potato rounds and broccoli. Option Two: Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage cooked in a broth of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers over whole wheat rotini. He went with the sausage. He also came home to a clean house and an exceedingly happy, doting wife. Gotta keep him coming home :-)
Happy March! Let us hope it goes out like a lamb...
Yes, it is snowing here today. 8-12 inches expected by the time it stops tomorrow night. Really, it has been known to snow in April so none of this should come as a surprise AND I am grateful for "normal" weather because really we should not have sundress weather in late February/early March in Massachusetts, BUT I think I am a little weather weary. The weariness sets in around this time every year. Soft and feathery snow, while lovely, is less welcome when my heart has had a taste of Spring and is more than longing for strings of lustrous, languid, steamy, sunshiney days.
Speaking of sunshine, my sunshine has returned from his week long business trip to New Mexico. Iris the MeowMeow and I could not be happier! I think he is pretty thrilled to be home, too. Last night he came home to a choice of two meals for dinner. Option One: Turkey meatloaf with roasted sweet potato rounds and broccoli. Option Two: Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage cooked in a broth of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers over whole wheat rotini. He went with the sausage. He also came home to a clean house and an exceedingly happy, doting wife. Gotta keep him coming home :-)
Happy March! Let us hope it goes out like a lamb...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Cat Bath
Almost four years ago, my husband and I adopted a cat named Iris from The Buddy Dog Humane Society. She has been a welcome addition to our home. She is generally quiet and easily pleased. Sleeping, petting, and sometimes being held are at the top of her list of favorites. Tooth brushing and nail clipping are low on her list.
There is one apparent oddity. She follows me into the bathroom no matter what I am doing in there. No matter where she is or what she is doing, no matter how deeply asleep she is, the second my hand touches the bathroom doorknob you here her kerplunk off the bed or the couch and pitter patter straight to the bathroom. She never follows Mr. B&B. Sometimes if she isn't sure which one of us is in there, she'll peek in and if it is Mr. B&B she just passes right on by. This is endlessly hilarious to Mr.B&B.
We have decided that she just knows the "girl code" as Mr. B&B calls it. What is the "Girl Code", you ask? "Friends must go to the bathroom in pairs or packs if they are in the same place at the same time."
Do you have pets? If so, any apparent oddities to share?
There is one apparent oddity. She follows me into the bathroom no matter what I am doing in there. No matter where she is or what she is doing, no matter how deeply asleep she is, the second my hand touches the bathroom doorknob you here her kerplunk off the bed or the couch and pitter patter straight to the bathroom. She never follows Mr. B&B. Sometimes if she isn't sure which one of us is in there, she'll peek in and if it is Mr. B&B she just passes right on by. This is endlessly hilarious to Mr.B&B.
We have decided that she just knows the "girl code" as Mr. B&B calls it. What is the "Girl Code", you ask? "Friends must go to the bathroom in pairs or packs if they are in the same place at the same time."
Do you have pets? If so, any apparent oddities to share?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Alone
I miss Mr. B&B
Last week he was in Colorado for 3 days.
This week he has been in New Mexico since Sunday and will not return until Saturday.
When he is away, I have nightmares.
Last week I dreamed of a couple coming into our house to steal things while I was sleeping. In my dream, I woke up, asked what they were doing, and told them all they had to do was ask for those things on Freecycle and I would be happy to give them to them.
Last night I dreamed I was in the supermarket and a guy fell to the floor. I thought he was having a heart attack and cried out. A guy at the end of the aisle came presumably to help, but it turned out he had a gun with a silencer and had just shot the guy I thought was having a heart attack. He tried to attack me and as I was struggling with him, I woke up.
I like to think I do o.k. when I am alone. I am a 27 year old grown-up. But my dreams betray me.
How do you feel about being alone for any period of time?
Last week he was in Colorado for 3 days.
This week he has been in New Mexico since Sunday and will not return until Saturday.
When he is away, I have nightmares.
Last week I dreamed of a couple coming into our house to steal things while I was sleeping. In my dream, I woke up, asked what they were doing, and told them all they had to do was ask for those things on Freecycle and I would be happy to give them to them.
Last night I dreamed I was in the supermarket and a guy fell to the floor. I thought he was having a heart attack and cried out. A guy at the end of the aisle came presumably to help, but it turned out he had a gun with a silencer and had just shot the guy I thought was having a heart attack. He tried to attack me and as I was struggling with him, I woke up.
I like to think I do o.k. when I am alone. I am a 27 year old grown-up. But my dreams betray me.
How do you feel about being alone for any period of time?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Groceries: A Mr. B&B Anecdote
Glued to my computer working on my paper this weekend, I decided groceries would just have to wait until Monday. We would not go hungry.
Much to my surprise, Mr. B&B popped his head in our office late Sunday morning. "Just wanted to let you know, I will take care of the groceries today." he casually remarked. "You will? Are you sure? I was planning on doing them tomorrow..." Then I paused, looked at him, and said, "Thank you.", motioned for him to come closer, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Mr. B&B is very helpful around the house ALWAYS. He washes laundry, sweeps floors, cleans bathrooms, hangs pictures, and removes snow and ice. He dusts, builds things, weather seals doors, grouts window frames and tubs. There are not many things Mr. B&B won't do. I am a lucky and very thankful woman. Though I am capable of doing the things Mr. B&B does, it is nice not to have to, not to be the sole proprietor of our "home sweet home".
On the other hand, I do not take advantage. I recognize that he works hard every day not only for self-fulfillment, but to keep our little family afloat. When he comes home and the dishes are done, laundry clean and dry and put away, floors swept, bed made, everything dusted, and dinner on the table, he is far more relaxed and just as appreciative of what I do at home all day as I am of what he does at work all day.
Having been together eight years and lived together for quite a few of them, some household tasks have naturally divided. Groceries have traditionally been done jointly or by me. So, when he made his "casual remark" on Sunday, I was floored. He recognized how hard I was working and this was his way of showing me support. My heart was full. I got up and, holding his hand, floated on air to the kitchen where together we made a grocery list. Moments later, Mr. B&B was en route to Trader Joe's.
Typing away in the middle of a thought I was not about to lose, my phone rang and I ignored it. When my thought was typed and saved, I picked up my phone. Mr. B&B, no doubt in the midst of a grocery store crisis, was the mystery caller. "Ring, Ring, ring, ring..." and I am through to his voice mail. Must not have been that important. Five minutes later, he called me back. Before I could say hello, "I decided to save all of my questions until I got to the last aisle so I didn't bother you over and over." He then proceeded with a barrage of questions which I answered deftly and expertly. One never fully understands how complex a seemingly simple task can be until one attempts it one's self.
Mr. B&B returned unscathed with bags full of yummy. With gusto, the receipt for "only $53!" (well done) was unfurled. While we put away the groceries together, he regaled me with supermarket stories and I listened intently as if he were describing a foreign land and the people who live there. "I'm glad you had a good time. Thank you SO MUCH for taking care of the groceries for me! It means more than you know."
The little things go a long way.
Much to my surprise, Mr. B&B popped his head in our office late Sunday morning. "Just wanted to let you know, I will take care of the groceries today." he casually remarked. "You will? Are you sure? I was planning on doing them tomorrow..." Then I paused, looked at him, and said, "Thank you.", motioned for him to come closer, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Mr. B&B is very helpful around the house ALWAYS. He washes laundry, sweeps floors, cleans bathrooms, hangs pictures, and removes snow and ice. He dusts, builds things, weather seals doors, grouts window frames and tubs. There are not many things Mr. B&B won't do. I am a lucky and very thankful woman. Though I am capable of doing the things Mr. B&B does, it is nice not to have to, not to be the sole proprietor of our "home sweet home".
On the other hand, I do not take advantage. I recognize that he works hard every day not only for self-fulfillment, but to keep our little family afloat. When he comes home and the dishes are done, laundry clean and dry and put away, floors swept, bed made, everything dusted, and dinner on the table, he is far more relaxed and just as appreciative of what I do at home all day as I am of what he does at work all day.
Having been together eight years and lived together for quite a few of them, some household tasks have naturally divided. Groceries have traditionally been done jointly or by me. So, when he made his "casual remark" on Sunday, I was floored. He recognized how hard I was working and this was his way of showing me support. My heart was full. I got up and, holding his hand, floated on air to the kitchen where together we made a grocery list. Moments later, Mr. B&B was en route to Trader Joe's.
Typing away in the middle of a thought I was not about to lose, my phone rang and I ignored it. When my thought was typed and saved, I picked up my phone. Mr. B&B, no doubt in the midst of a grocery store crisis, was the mystery caller. "Ring, Ring, ring, ring..." and I am through to his voice mail. Must not have been that important. Five minutes later, he called me back. Before I could say hello, "I decided to save all of my questions until I got to the last aisle so I didn't bother you over and over." He then proceeded with a barrage of questions which I answered deftly and expertly. One never fully understands how complex a seemingly simple task can be until one attempts it one's self.
Mr. B&B returned unscathed with bags full of yummy. With gusto, the receipt for "only $53!" (well done) was unfurled. While we put away the groceries together, he regaled me with supermarket stories and I listened intently as if he were describing a foreign land and the people who live there. "I'm glad you had a good time. Thank you SO MUCH for taking care of the groceries for me! It means more than you know."
The little things go a long way.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Longing for the Shore
Maybe what I am really longing for is summer. It was super sunny today which took the edge off the chill. I am not fooled. I know snow is on the way again this week.
Summer is a little more than five months away, but the shore is less than an hour from me. I count myself lucky. Mr. B&B and I are going to Cape Cod for Valentine's Weekend which I am so looking forward to!
In the name of longing for the shore, a poem I wrote in December:
Adrift
He wears the wind and the waves.
Sacrificing boat shoes to sunken ships is easy.
Released, weightless flesh turns spongy and swims in pools of infinite possibility.
The confines and contradictions of the land slumber in his hull.
That ship has sailed. What remains lay netted in seaweed sweaters.
Summer is a little more than five months away, but the shore is less than an hour from me. I count myself lucky. Mr. B&B and I are going to Cape Cod for Valentine's Weekend which I am so looking forward to!
In the name of longing for the shore, a poem I wrote in December:
Adrift
He wears the wind and the waves.
Sacrificing boat shoes to sunken ships is easy.
Released, weightless flesh turns spongy and swims in pools of infinite possibility.
The confines and contradictions of the land slumber in his hull.
That ship has sailed. What remains lay netted in seaweed sweaters.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Home Unhealthy = Unhealthy Home
As I said yesterday, I have a cold. Mr. B&B has one, too, and stayed home today.
Evidence Mr. B&B stayed home sick.
#1 Coat, shoes, and hat
#2 Approximately 6 foot 1 inch lump in bed with feline protector
Our home is feeling a bit under the weather, too.
#1 (2 & 3?) Messy counters, dishes in sink, pre-compost container in need of emptying
#2(?) Dry Laundry on Laundry Drying Rack
I am not crazy enough to post pictures of my unshowered, noseblowing, coughing self.
Instead, I'll show you where I've been spending my time.
Hoping you are all well and stay well! I'm on the mend. Evidence? No fever today!
Evidence Mr. B&B stayed home sick.
#1 Coat, shoes, and hat
#2 Approximately 6 foot 1 inch lump in bed with feline protector
Our home is feeling a bit under the weather, too.
#1 (2 & 3?) Messy counters, dishes in sink, pre-compost container in need of emptying
#2(?) Dry Laundry on Laundry Drying Rack
I am not crazy enough to post pictures of my unshowered, noseblowing, coughing self.
Instead, I'll show you where I've been spending my time.
Hoping you are all well and stay well! I'm on the mend. Evidence? No fever today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
