Once I…

…was up on the table I felt a little….odd.  First, I had no desire to dance with the boy that pulled me up there and two, it is soooo not in my personality to be up on a table dancing in public.  By the time I could think straight there was no getting down.  A sea of people were below me and they were not going to make room for me to descend upon them.  So I did the only thing I could do; I continued to dance.

That is when Tim said he noticed me for the first time.  He says he looked across the room and saw ‘this little girl with overalls and a striped tank top’ and thought to himself that he had to meet her.  To hear him tell it, he made his way across the dancefloor and pushed his way onto the table.  To hear me tell it, he appeared next to me, he may or may not have said something and I thought, “oh, I remember him”.

The next couple of weeks probably 10 million things happened as I began my college classes, listened to my roommate cry for her boyfriend at home (who was always smoking pot and worked at a flea market so I could never figure out why she had such a thing for him) and broke up with my own.  I remember calling him on the phone just knowing he had cheated on me.  I just woke up and I knew.  I was devastated.  To this day I don’t know if he was also or not.  He sounded upset when we hung up the phone but I have never been one for keeping in touch after a break-up.  During all this time Tim and I were hanging out, eating meals at the dining hall together and taking a tour of a fruit cannery (I would later find out he considered this our first date).  The whole time I was fairly clueless thinking we were just friends and nursing my broken heart.  Then it happened.

Tim and I had gone to some of his friends’ house for dinner and we were pulling into the parking lot of the dorm.  He starting rambling on and on about how as an RA he wasn’t supposed to get involved with the students, how we would have to be discreet and I had to be serious about him or he wasn’t going to risk his job for a relationship with me.  I.had.not.a.clue. 

Me: Huh?  RA’s can’t be friends with the students?  I thought part of your job was to have friendships so that you’re there to help when something goes wrong.

Him: Yes, but you can only go so far and you’re a girl and I’m a guy RA.  My residents are the boys.  A lot of girls want to date an RA because they’re attracted to the ‘leader’ or the older guy. 

Me:  OK.

At this point a look of frustration and a deep sigh came from Tim.  He knew I was getting it as I sat there, confused but starting to recognize that he might be saying he wanted to be more than my friend and RA.  It was right at that moment that he grabbed my face and kissed me for the first time.  It would my the first of our 3 first kisses.

When I was…

…18 I left my parents in Alaska and moved back to California to go to college.  My sister Jennifer was a senior at the same college so there was a bit of a comfort zone going in.  I remember getting on the plane with my then-boyfriend and flying together to Anchorage.  My heart was so torn as I was excited to be taking off to college and independence but so sad to be leaving him; for being 18 I loved him as much as I could have.  Little did I know that within 48 hours I would lay my eyes on my husband for the first time.

When my plane landed my sister picked me up and we made the 2 hour drive to the college town I would spend the next 4 years in.  It was out in the middle of nowhere but it was beautiful.  The stereotypical college town: everybody on bikes or walking, tree-lined streets, old houses turned into apartments, brick buildings and a huge creek/river running all through the town and campus.  I loved it.  Jennifer spent the next 24 hours taking me to buy a bike, showing me how to navigate ‘arena registration’ and purchase my books for the first time.  Again, the comfort zone. 

The next morning she drove me to the same dorm she had stayed in 3 years previous.  I walked in the old brick, square building and stood in line by the mailboxes.  Students and parents swarmed all around me.  Some already knew each other and some looked scared as could be.  I was glad at that moment that I was a military kid; I knew I would make friends and was comfortable with change.  When it was my turn I walked up to the table and began a conversation with one of the Resident Advisors in the dorm.  He was attractive even though he was super skinny, had receding hairline and had a little gap between his two front teeth.  It would be later that I would notice his strong, capable hands, beautiful tiger eyes and wicked sense of humor (his butt was pretty good too). 

“Here you go, you’re in room 352 and your mailbox is right around the corner there.  Your RA is Addie.  Let her know if you need anything.”

That was it.  That was the first encounter and I don’t think either of us thought a thing about it at the time.  Tim doesn’t even remember it.  But then I do have the ‘tape recorder’ memory according to him…

The next couple of days were a flurry of activity: unpacking, figuring out what needed to be purchased, navigating town on a bike and meeting new people…lots and lots of new people.  One afternoon one of those new people came and knocked on my door.  My roommate was so busy pining away for the boyfriend she left at home that she had already gone back home for a visit!  New Friend told me about how all the R.A.’s were taking the residents to a place called The Grad for dancing that night.  She wanted to know if I wanted to get ready together and go.  I told her and ‘yes’ and off we went in a huge sea of 18-year olds. 

We walked the mile or so it was to the place and inside there was loud music, picnic tables and big screens the videos played on.    Having no interest in meeting any boys I stuck with the girls I had met and danced in a group.  I noticed lots of people dancing on top of the picnic tables and when George Michael’s ‘I Want Your Sex’ (a song I loved but at the time was way too niave to really understand) came on the next thing I knew someone had pulled me on top of a table to dance.

So I made…

…a decision.  I have been toying with the idea of documenting Tim and I’s love story on the blog.  We wrote it down years and years ago when we first got married so we wouldn’t forget it but so much has happened since then and when I print this blog out into a book, I think I’d like it to be a part of it.  So what better time than February to do this?  Call it indulgent, call it sappy….it doesn’t matter to me. 

In the meantime, we are on our 3rd snow day in a row, 5th day home.  The first several days were wonderful.  We took full advantage of the snow with sledding, baking cookies, building snowmen, snowball fights and all that a good snow gives you.  I relaxed.  I let the laundry sit, I let the ironing wait, I didn’t worry about sending in recaps until I had to address them.  I drove down icy roads with a friend to gather some necessities, ordered pizza when the sledding made us all too tired to cook and spent longer than normal on a Sunday night with friends.  It has been a glorious break and as is evidenced by the photos below, I wasn’t the only one having fun.  None of the photos are photographically stunning or even in focus.  I had a fleeting thought of really getting good shots and paying more attention but then I decided no, that would put pressure on me and I didn’t want to turn our snow days into a learning experience.

10 + 1…

…things I am loving right now.  The first one doesn’t have a picture so I’ll just tell you about it.  I love that my husband, at 44, almost 45 years of age still dreams on a regular basis that he is a pirate.  Those mornings when I wake up and he tells me he had a pirate dream are like Christmas to me.  I am so amused and weirded out and excited all at the same time.

I am also loving that I painted that chalkboard in our kitchen.  I use it everyday.  every.single.day.  I highly recommend it.

See that last line on the board?  Lunchbox bags?  I’m loving this new system in our house.  I had read that people do it and I never did until a couple of weeks ago and boy, it makes lunchbox packing so much quicker.  Every Sunday Kati-cat packs up all the chips, pretzels, cookies…you know, side items for the lunchbox…into bags that we can just throw into the lunches all week long.  I am hoping to eventually turn these into reusable containers…just need to find some that don’t take up so much room in the lunch box.

I also found these magnets the other day when I was cleaning out.   I’m shocked I still had them as I’m one to get rid of things on a monthly basis…but they were such a happy find.  They were a toy the boys had when they were much younger.  I put them all over the side of the fridge, by the toaster, and we’re having fun making up new faces while we wait for things to toast.  Such a fun addition to our home.

With all of the people I hear about who say they have no cooking skills, I’m loving that my children have cooking skills.  I love that they help us prepare meals and will grow up to be able to feed themselves good food.

Perhaps boring but I am also loving that I am consistently making my own bread crumbs.  I hate throwing away stale bread (seems like such a waste) and I love saving money on not having to buy bread crumbs.  I just keep them in the freezer and they’re ready when I need them.

We haven’t found good pizza since we moved.  Well, unless we go all the way to Nashville which ain’t happenin’ too often.  So right now I’m loving our homemade pizza.  I think we’ve finally perfected it.

Loving that I have taken advantage of the cheap plates at Target each season (we like them for breakfast and lunch).  I now have an entire year’s worth for every occassion we like to celebrate.  I pulled out my Valentine’s dishes last weekend.  While this is only 1 of the 3 styles I have they make me so happy (darn Mosaic Maker wasn’t working so I can only show you 1.

I love walking upon this and seeing what buddies these 2 are.

I love that this boy takes such good care of the chickens and never complains about it.

And finally I love that my girl is such a generous person.  She loans her brothers money to get things they want when they only need a few more dollars and buys ice cream for her friends when the ice cream truck comes around.

Have to do it…

…I have to give an update on our girls….well, our girls and boy.  Not sure if I mentioned it before but we seem to have a rooster.  Have you ever heard a young cock (I had to say it) try to cock-a-doodle-doo for the first time?  It’s quite hysterical and sounds something like a cross between a cat coughing up a hairball, a sputtering engine and an old man who has smoked for 90 years laughing.  We’ll probably have to remedy that situation at some point but for now, he is fine and we’re hoping in Spring he’ll fertilize a couple of eggs we can hatch with the hens (not the manmade incubator in the garage).  Then we’ll give him away to a man in Kentucky who said he’d like him.  (OK, I honestly never thought I would write something like that: I’ll give my rooster away to a man in Kentucky.  Who am I?) 

But I digress.  I have another post all ready to go with lots of pictures of things I love right now but I just feel compelled to show off our babies.  They’re all growed up.  We’ve got about 4 inches of snow outside so a post on them makes me think of Spring and makes me feel like warmth is on it’s way.  Plus, my beautiful sister Jennifer has chickens and I know she’d like to see updated pictures (she is our expert we call when we have questions).  So here goes.  Our boy, isn’t he beautiful?  The picture actually doesn’t do him justice.

Here he is walking around with one of his girls.  She is the only golden one in the bunch.  For a long time we thought for sure she was going to turn white but she hasn’t.  She’s still beautiful and of course I love her best because I feel like she’s outcasted for being different (not really but it’s a pain that goes back to middle school so I go with it).

And finally perhaps the strangest thing I ever did see.  My son is a Chicken Whisperer.  That is what I call him now.  First of all, they run to him like dogs run to their masters.  Secondly, he can flip those little suckers over and rub their bellies (again like dogs) and I swear they become hypnotized.  It’s bizarre.

Highly recommend…

…the notes in a jar thing.

I mentioned it in my plans for the new year and we are really loving it.  It brings a mellow to the dinner table and its always interesting to see what people wrote down.  Sometimes it’s a surprise and sometimes it is completely expected.  We had to do a reminder after the first week that it’s not all for complaints; that you have to put in happy things too.  Now it’s a nice mix of both.  Most importantly, I think the kids feel really heard…there is something about talking about things outside of the moment that is productive and definitely something to be praised and recognized for something good you did (knowing that good thing lasted longer than the moment).

Also highly recommended from the new year plans?  The allowance disbursement going towards lunches, movies, etc.  The kids are so much more aware of how much things cost and are eager to budget.  So far it has saved the family close to $40 a week.  Money we’re putting aside for a summer vacation. 

Other updates on new year goals:

• family walks: these will be great.  We have been stuck in executing other than some snowy walks the first week.  Dad (Tim) was pretty sick so we have been waiting for him to heal up completely.
• family outings: 3 are on the books.  So far rollerskating, dinner at the kitchen table at Bucca and a trip to some place I can’t remember the name of right now but it’s supposed to be a beautiful place to walk and explore.
• interrupting is decreasing
• boys are getting there with us girls and our dislike of noise, poking and ‘boy’ jokes
• name calling almost non-existant
• baby – no progress here.  Still ain’t happening.  Forget about it.  But I do have 4 friends with babies on the way.  THAT is the kind of baby I’m having…ones I can love on and adore but not have to buy car seats for.

This is what…

…happens when you get Taylor Swift’s CD and you love her and you write down all the words to a song so you can memorize it and sing along (I remember doing this when I was a child by the way):

And this is what happens when you have big brothers, who despite what they want everyone to believe, love you and decide to make it more fun for you while you practice.  One becomes your drummer:

And the other your guitarist:

And this is what happens when the dog comes in to see what all the commotion is about and decides he could care less and is just happy your mother hasn’t mopped the floor in a couple of days:

3 days of…

…light, steady snow this week.  3 in a row that is.  Pretty good by Tennessee standards (it’s actually sticking since it’s only 17 outside) and the schools finally closed for actual snow days (as opposed to the dozens of other times they closed for the threat of a snow day).  The kids certainly aren’t complaining and as you can see, they’re having no fun at all.

We’ve been on walks, played lots of video games, had snow ball fights, re-arranged bedrooms, gone on one quick errand run, made cookies and are thinking about the possibility of s’mores in the fireplace tonight.  Definitely cozy winter days as of late. 

While the snow is beautiful and watching it slowly drift to the ground is rather soothing I must say there is a part of me that longs for the warm Spring days I know are coming in a few months.  The days that are a big longer, filled with productivity and the sounds of birds in my yards.  When I stepped out to check on the chickens this morning this is what I saw straight away:

It’s one of our crepe myrtle trees that is the most vibrant fuschia ever for months each year.  I’ve never seen a tree bloom so long in my life.  It has the most gorgeous trunk that appears to peel and reveal all kinds of different colors.  As I looked at it against the backdrop of white I wondered what was going on inside.  It appeared to be dead and completely devoid of life yet I know that inside there is a process taking place that is necessary for those vibrant blooms to burst forth when the next season arrives.  I wish I could see it.  I wish I could unzip the trunk and look at what was going on.  It reminded me that I often wish I could unzip the air to see what was happening in the spiritual realm that I’m unaware of.  Then that reminded me that I am not so different from my tree. 

Spiritually, it’s been a season of dormancy in my life.  A season where I appeared to be doing nothing, appeared to be dying and losing my blooms.  But on the inside there has been a necessary process taking place.  There has been healing and searching and crying out.  But I am starting to feel the prickle of blooms bursting forth.  Blooms that won’t replace the old ones but new ones that will join them bringing forth new color and new fragrance.  It was my little moment this morning where I felt as though the Lord was reminding me that He doesn’t waste an ounce of time when it comes to us; that even though sometimes we feel like we’re in a barren season He will bring forth a harvest if we are willing.

Got bit…

…and I’m so glad.  No, it wasn’t by a bat that flew into the house or a vampire in the woods nearby.  It was by the creative bug!  I’m so glad it bit me.  I’ve been missing it.  It’s ah-mazing what having a couple of weeks in slow mode, a clean, organized house and cold, cold days will do for the creative juices.

I had seen some ‘yarn wreaths’ floating around blogs and etsy shops and I just loved them.  I thought they were a great modern, sleek take on the traditional dusty, floral wreaths.  Here it is about 15 minutes in:

Yes, 15 minutes in.  This process requires a little patience but it was methodical and somewhat soothing to do.  This was the point where it was covered in yarn and it was yummy just by itself so it kind of froze me for 24 hours because I had NO IDEA what I wanted to add to it.  I just knew that I wanted to hang it on the mirror in my dining room.

I was afraid to put too much on it, I definitely wanted to keep it simple.  I’m so happy with how it turned out; I just wish I could have gotten a better picture.  It’s hanging on a mirror so it’s kind of tricky.

I know, I know the detail is a little blurry so here is another picture (I just love the little bit of blue.  It matches my dining room table perfectly).

Whilst I stewed on what to do with the wreath I decided to paint a chalkboard in my kitchen.  After a quick trip to see Gretchen and discuss my options I (we) settled on the pantry door.  Bad idea.  It looked really bad.  I erased the picture off my camera as it was a memory I didn’t want to hold onto.  It did however force me to paint back over the pantry door therefore leading to a complete house door and trim paintover which I knew I needed to do 6 months ago and never did.  So I guess something good came out of it (thank goodness it’s freezing…think 13 degrees…outside and no one in their right mind would go anywhere therefore making it easier to stay in and get this project done).  Anyway, I ended up painting the side of a kitchen cupboard that is right across from the pantry and next to the fridge.  Perfect because I want to use it to make shopping lists through the week.  Even more perfect because the kids got home from school and 1/2 an hour later I walked by it and there was a little scribbling on it.

Knowing that is the first thing on his mind to write down on a brand new chalkboard is definitely better than a shopping list.

As a family…

…we sat down last night during/after dinner to decide what our family goals for 2010 would be.  If I’m honest, 2009 kind of stunk.  There were hard decisions made, surgeries, friends lost and mourned, too much work and to say the economy didn’t affect our family would be a huge lie.  When I think about it, this is the most excited for a new year I can ever remember being.  I’m looking forward to the fresh start, positive moments and cleaning out the clutter (metaphorically speaking). 

I’ve never been one for resolutions (nor has Tim) so we’ve never passed that onto our children.  But this year we decided to set some concrete goals as a family.  It’s partial bucket list for 2010 and partial goals/lessons.  Everyone got a chance to talk and contribute and here is the final list:

• go bowling (again)
• go rock climbing (again)
• reinstate family movie nights
• no name calling (kids can be so mean!)
• a baby (uhhhh…..this was followed up by a discussioin about the probabilities of this happening being zero to none)
• more game nights
• monthly family outing (a picnic, an adventure, scoping out a new ice cream parlor, etc.)
• weekly walks, as a family, with the dogs
• a new allowance structure (the kids will be getting a tad more allowance and covering their own hot lunch/game rental/movie rental expenses with it…we figured it’s time they learn to budget for what they want)
• comment jar (to be gone through once a week at the dinner table)
• all 3 boys will work on respecting that mom and K are girls
• less interrupting
• summer vacation

I think most things we all agreed one, definitely the summer vacation one was all agreed upon.  I also got comments like don’t stop making the new macaroni and cheese recipe, please make more cookies this year and please don’t stop driving us to school (the bus comes EARLY as we are the second stop on it’s route).  It was interesting to see what the kids thought was important.  I was surprised at how much my teenager still wanted family events to occur.  Surprised and happy, happy, happy. 

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