Hitting the "Milestones"

Today we hit a huge milestone. We graduated. And by we, I mean TMV graduated. His hard work, and his passion for learning and teaching is incredibly admirable and I am SO INCREDIBLY proud and thankful for his presence in my life. But let's be honest... Really WE graduated. And it was, in a sense, anti-climactic. And I think I know the reason why. Hang in there with me while I walk through it -it's the first time I've put these thoughts down on "paper."

For the longest time, I now recognize that I paced our life according to when and how we hit the "milestones" of adult life. You know what I'm talking about -graduate from undergrad: check. Graduate from masters (TMV): check. Get married: check...house....music therapy....doctoral degree..... first REAL jobs.... start private practice.... children...? For a decade I've been measuring our lives based on society's preconceived expectations of success and I...I have been so GUILDY of letting this rule my perception of Joy, Peace, productivity, and success.

So the thought was that, "if I can JUST MAKE IT to x, then I'll be in good shape!" Or, "once we've done _____ we'll be ______." This sense of self bargaining leads to a dark path of discontent -trust me. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not unfulfilled in my life or marriage. I am extremely content and it's because I've spent the last YEAR working on understanding the innermost workings of my heart and mind. And in the process I think that just maybe I've uncovered a piece of the purpose behind turning away from that comfortable milestone existence, and choosing to live in vulnerability and acceptance.

In the past year, I have been extremely blessed to have an incredible group of women enter my life. Strangely enough, they don't necessarily know each other, but they have all been sharing in the journey of my self discovery. They are clinicians, pastors, moms, and EVERY SING ONE OF THEM is my friend. They hold my heart in their hearts, and have offered me more acceptance and grace than I could have ever asked for. Their gifts of love, time, and support are immeasurable, and have taught me the beauty of planning for the moment. Of accepting the daily life and existence as a gift.

Even more than their gifts of time, love, and friendship, they have shared in my search of/about living a vulnerable, passionate life. I'm not quite sure how to put my thoughts into words at this point, but perhaps I can just say this. Living IN vulnerability is hard. It's transparent, and it leaves me open to being hurt. But the reward is that I am able to enjoy the gifts of those around me, find unlimited beauty in humanity, and can admit to needing to work on the whole "being an empath" part. I am able to have incredible conversations, profound learning experiences, and soul filling relationships. And I can do this because I've given up my "milestones." I am no longer married to any preconceived expectations, process, or outside requirements on my life. Or...at least I'm working on it. I acknowledge the constant need for growth in self awareness, especially in those moments I feel like I'm "missing out." These life accomplishments deserve their own journeys, timelines, joy, and acceptance. They deserve the opportunity to shine, just as we do.

So the reason WHY graduation was so anti-climactic? It's because we didn't NEED to graduate. The accomplishment is no greater or lesser because of who we are, it just is. And that is an incredible, freeing, meaningful experience. "WE MADE IT" should be tattooed across our hearts, but it's not because in its place is, "we are." And that is Awesome.


Keep on,

Abolishing Labels

As part of my rebranding project, I've finally acknowledged that I carry a lot of self-imposed labels. There are a few that weigh heavily on my heart, and perhaps I'll eventually be able to share them with my future self (and you -whoever is reading this...), but that time is not now. Currently, the heaviest label is "impatient." Now, this doesn't bleed into my business -at least in ways that concern clientele, but it effects every aspect of my personal life. Perhaps it is part of being a musician and expecting perfection, or perhaps it is a product of my desire for everyone to know that I am good at ______. Who knows, but it is a problem.

This week, I've been focusing on simply (ha!) being more patient with myself, and have noticed incredible results in my environment. These things are an increase in kind words spoken to others, projects are completed with satisfaction and much less anxiety, and time with family is spent much more enjoyably. When we consider our lives, we acknowledge that things are interrelated, but never do I realize the extent to which a good deed to oneself can blossom into a bouquet of kindness to whomever you may touch.

Perhaps I will take another week to enjoy patience, or maybe not. But until I am ready to move on, I fully plan on enjoying every ounce of graciousness that comes out of being patient with myself.

Because after all, I am just a human. And that is a wonderful thing to be.

Peace,

The Emergency Fund

Irony is sooo.... awful. Let me explain.

My last post was about a message I re-defined from FPU. Well, this too is a re-defined message from FPU.

TMV travels quite a bit. He's a professional gigging musician, so he essentially lives in his car. And trust me -you'd be able to tell, too. Well, The Space Pod has been such a fantastic car! It's a Subaru and runs like a champ. Until yesterday. When I get a phone call from TMV stating that it was "screaming" at him. Of course my first instinct is to envision the car exploding by the side of the road with him in it. "That only happens in movies," he tells me. Yeah -in movies AND in my imagination. Duh.

Dave spoke quite a lot about Murphy's Law. Of course TMV and I live by Murphy's law (being musicians and all, we feel particularly close to Mr. Murphy...). Most of his references to Murphy referenced cars. That in auto-land, when it rains it pours. Man -did it pour on the poor Space Pod. It poured SO MUCH that it completely depleted our emergency fund.

Now -I will admit that pre-lent stress-monster made an appearance, but it was so temporary that I forgot to even acknowledge her until TMV said, "Babe, thanks so much for being calm for me."

When he said this, I realized that Murphy's Law can be just like any law. It can work against you, but it can also work for you. Choosing to remain calm, or positive, or pro-active (I'm sure you can continue the thought to fulfill your positive choice) means that you receive those positive things in return. Send out good, receive good.

My parents have been saying this for years. I finally believe them.

Because while our emergency fund is completely depleted, my husband is safe and healthy (and not blown up in an imaginary car explosion). And THAT is more than I could ask for.

Thanks Murphy. You're the best.

Peace,

Living Like No One Else

TMV and I just finished taking Financial Peace University, and I can honestly say that it has changed the way we live for the better. Usually when people talk about FPU, they're referring to money. I, however, am not. Well, mostly.

Dave's class teaches us many things, but the message that is swirling in my mind is the desire to "live like no one else, so that later you can live like no one else." Of course he means financially. Save now and pay off debt (or don't even go into it...), so that later you can enjoy the life God has given you and GIVE to others. At this point in time, that message means something different to me.

Right now, I need to live like no one else in the sense that I need to be selfish with my time -taking the time I NEED to work on myself and my relationships. Working on the really hard and real parts of myself that trouble me, so that later I can live the life I have prayed for (should that be in God's plan). Maybe this means being able to have a family of 6, or running my business in an ethical and fair way, or tackling the stress that has been running me down. I'm not sure, honestly.

But the message is clear. Take time now so that later, I can leave a legacy of love and devotion for future generations. Two weeks ago, this thought would have raised my stress level from orange to red but at the suggestion of my sister, I am undertaking a "rebranding" project. I am rebranding myself, focusing on all of the wonderful things I already am and working out the kinks of things I don't want to be, or want to work towards. Mostly this just involves positive thinking, but there are times when a well intended interruption causes distress or my patience falls blessedly short. We're all human, but I am working towards the better version of myself. And I think that this is just one single step towards tackling my stress addiction.

Baby steps. Because after all, didn't God design us to crawl before we can run?

Peace,
B.

Lent: Day 1

I promised myself, not to mention that I also promised God,  that I would give up stress for Lent. As a valuable sacrifice to him -a way to make myself more in his likeness or to become a better servant, but also as a sacrifice to myself -the demolition of a disgusting coping crutch. A crutch that causes heart burn, the inability to sleep at night, paralyzer of communication and motivation. Yes -I want to get rid of the nasty thing. And the desire alone has created a deeper sense of awareness, showing me how truly volatile stress is to my body and mind. For example....

Yesterday, I found myself looking at a comprehensive health analysis done by a doc that specializes in restorative health. For years, I've felt awful pretty much every day. Some days it's been emotional, and some days it's been physical. Not surprisingly, the analysis told me I was in pretty bad shape. The surprising news is that I have dairy and gluten allergies, and difficulties processing meat protein leading to the suggestion that I become a vegetarian who occasionally eats chicken. It may not come as a surprise to you to know that I immediately declared that I was dying, being completely overwhelmed by the largesse and gravity of the lifestyle changes that lay before me. Instantaneously, I had a headache and the nasty desire to pick a fight.

You see, the women in my family don't shy away from confrontation...even when there isn't any. Mountains out of mole hills, the lot of us.

But -adversely, these things like headaches and unreasonable aggression aren't side effects of genetics (at least, I don't believe so in my circumstance). They're side effects of stress.

So after a pep talk from the Mommah (read: a failed attempt at being a drama queen), some crying, and some poorly managed coping on my behalf, I had a plan, groceries that won't make me puff up or feel bad, and a new perspective (in which I am Lizzy in P&P and real life is Mr. Darcy...). But -that's a story for a different day.

So on Lent: Day 1, I promise to myself to take action in STOPPING stress.

-xo-

Time-Out!

My head is swimming. It's almost 11pm, and after a full (yet VERY) rewarding day, I'm finding that I'm much to wound up to go to bed. So I'm calling a "time-out" for myself. No -I'm not going to sit in my "time-out chair", but I think I need to hit the freeze button for just a moment. All of the thoughts running through my brain include, but are not limited to: music therapy treatment panning, music therapy documentation, business marketing for my music therapy practice, lessons materials for my adaptive music lessons, theology (because my incredible young adult group meets over beer and inevitably dinner...), homeschooling, and because my thought path from homeschooling always leads to...children. Now that those thoughts are out, perhaps they'll leave me in peace for a bit?

One friend at "pints and prayers" brought up the question, "if you work at church all day, does Sunday represent work or church?" After a few beats of silence, those who worked at and in church responded thoughtfully, but my brain was churning. For me, this is an question of intentionality. From my perspective, when I seem to live every second of my work day in intentionality, how do I walk away from it (especially at 11:00 at night)? And -as a musician, do I find the intentionality of making music for music's sake helpful?

Obviously the answers to these questions aren't easy, or I'd probably be telling you what my answers happen to be.

At this moment in time, in my place in the universe, this boils down to one simple, yet oh-so-hard-to-implement phrase: you are only human, and that's ok.

Maybe giving ourselves permission to be human is what we need to hear. Or to understand that it's alright to live our lives with the permission to "come as you are"? As a phrase I've used and heard frequently as of late, it's taking hold in my heart. I feel like I say to families all the time that we're all people, and just because your person struggles with "x" doesn't mean that they're (fill in the blank with something frustrating).

So...why not me (or us) too? I'm struggling with "x", and that means that I'm human (read probably tired, overworked, under paid {heh -business owner joke}, and way over stressed with probably a hint of anxiety thrown in...).

And those things -they're ok because I come as I am to the space that I need.

So here's a time-out for me. To breathe in and back out, and to just be human. Perhaps next, I'll consider looking at some peaceful scenery. But -not there yet. Just focusing on the in and out of peace.

Pax,

Ultimate Sacrifice

Lent is almost upon us, and every year I panic. "What if my sacrifice isn't good enough for God?" Honestly, God appreciates all sacrifices if they're made with a true heart but that hasn't stopped me from fretting. And...I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who does.

For the first time ever, I'm prepared for my lenten sacrifice. I'm prepared because it's the hardest sacrifice I've ever considered, and I think I'm going to need time to think about it. Of course, there's been butter, coffee, sugar, and TV. But I think about God's sacrifice for us, how I'm feeling in my every day life, and how that effects his plans for me, and I think that I need to sacrifice something that will change me, so that I can be accepting of my journey. Perhaps more content in my every day life?

My sacrifice?

Stress.

Are you laughing yet? Don't worry -I have some action steps in mind that will allow me to be successful, but that's why I've already decided. Planning ahead, and all that. Conquering stress in my life (especially right now) isn't going to be easy, but I'm determined to do it for God, TMV, family, AND MYSELF. Which is why I'm trying to return to center, and am back writing at Priester's Peace. :)

xo.

Return to Center

Hi! It's been a while. And you know what? It shouldn't have been.

After a very eye opening, grace-filled coffee chat with a friend, I realize that I haven't been truly present in this space -MY space -in a very long time, and that MY space (free of judgement, time constraints, and full of laughter) is what my life needs (in addition to meditation, more yoga, less caffeine and noise...but that's for a different day). More clearly defined as an authentic space for myself. It's nice when you join me (whoever you may be, however you may be), but I'm here for myself. That's why I started Blogging all those years ago -because I needed it, and thankfully I can reflect on the person I was when I started Priester's Peace, and appreciate the journey I've taken from then to now. I desire to authentically live and remember my life PEACEFULLY, and my personality requires that (right now) to be done extrinsically.

And even more honestly, maybe I hope that you'll read this and give yourself permission to live an authentic life, too.

So, with a closing message that's as much for me as it is for you: chin up, and take a deep breath.

xo.

Oh -Hello, There!

Oh....

Oh my!

Oh my, my sweet blog!  I'm so sorry I've neglected you for so very long.

I hope it softens the ache to know that I've missed you too.  And...

And well...

I've been cheating on you, my sweet blog.  Yes -I know you're upset.  But since I never talk to you about food, I've decided to start a food blog.  But -don't be upset.  We'll still be together.  But if you miss me, you can find me at The Zen Cookie.

I have standards, though.  I'm not going to talk about my life.  I'll still keep all of my best stories for you, I promise.



xo

Mother's Day....

{Mom & Dad <3}

...ain't got nothin' on my momma!  Because today is her birthday, and I think it's only right to share with you how amazing my mother is, especially on her birthday.

Here are some things you know about my mother:
1 -awesome.  No.  Doubt.  Doesn't even need an explanation.
2 -fun.  This lady knows how to throw a party AND make a night at home the best time you've ever had.
3 -her joy is contagious.  You could be having a terrible day and a phone call to her will make everything different.  How does she do that?  Must be the Mom Magic they give you in Top Secret Mom Training.
4 -creative.  She may not be musical, but I SWEAR that my best ideas came from mommy brainstorming sessions.  She is the most creative person I know.

{Me, Sister, & Mom wedding weekend, 2011}

Here are some things you didn't know about my mother:
1 -she sacrificed her education for ours, and wouldn't change it for anything.  She's recently graduated from college and has plans to change the world.  We're exceptionally proud.
2 -can offer unbiased advice on those really hard life questions.  Even if you're embarrassed or afraid to ask them.
3 -laughs hysterically at my (VERY) inappropriate life commentary.
4 -drags me to zumba 4x a week, where I pretend to not want to go.  ;)
5 -would rather mow the grass than take the afternoon off.
6 -passes no judgement when you're being excessively selfish, inexplicably angry, or just plain ol' hurt, and loves you all the same for all your indiscretions.



So here's to you, Mom, on this perfect day of your birth.  The world is a much better place with you in it.  I love you so much!

So friends, when you read this post, send a thought of love out to your moms for all of their Mom Magic, and leave mine a happy birthday wish!  :)

Game Planner

I am a lot of things (like, for example, a fraidy cat and only somewhat impulsive and obsessive...and....well, we'll just leave it at that, shall we?), but organized and put together are two adjectives I would no longer use to describe myself.  That ended when we moved to Bloomington and my life exploded.  It did.  Ask anyone and they'll tell you that Bloomington made me weird.  Anyway, that's not the reason for this post.  *ahem*

I see all of these extraordinary women in my life (and on Pintrest) who have their "lives together" and are "uber organized" (btw -if we're EVER going to be friends, don't use the word "uber" ok?  It's a tool word.  Just saying) and I think in my whiny adult mind, "why can't I be like this person with their amazingly organized life?"  Or, more often than not, it's, "why can't I have an amazing creatively decorated house and have amazing ideas like this person (on pintrest)?"  Whine whine whine!  Well pintrest (and some of my closest friends and family) has (not intentionally) pushed me to my organizational limit.

I am turning over a new leaf!

I'm starting a-fresh!

I'm a revolutionized, streamlined, and organized woman!

I'm.... concerned....

I feel like I've said this before...yes?

Hmm.....

Yes, now that you mention it... this does sound oddly familiar....

Oh, RIGHT!  It's familiar because I've said it a gazillion times.  *slaps forehead*  Silly me....

There was a point of time in my life when I could decide upon something and stick to it but that time has WAY passed.  The train has left the station.  The groupon has expired.  Now I'm into the, "I can't successfully accomplish anything unless it's decided upon impulsively and can be finished within the time constraints of my attention span" phase.  Currently, my attention span is between two and three hours.  So if I'm going to get anything done it has to be planned and completely executed WITHIN that time frame.  Normally I would freak out about this new and undesired phase.  But for the thought of it, I just can't seem to stop laughing hysterically about it....

Or is that crying hysterically about it?

You do realize that there's a fine line between the two, right?  I mean, you can start laughing and before you know it, you're crying and everyone in the grocery store is looking at you like you're crazy.  NOT that that is anything that I've ever done....  Or even felt like doing or...or anything like that.  OR you're crying and before you know it your husband's done something completely humiliating and you're laughing at him even though it's really only funny to you.

Regardless of your personal situation, it always feels good to be determined to do something.  Right now, in the wee hours of the morning (before I've had a chance to sleep off my determination), I've decided to give those ladies on Pintrest a run for their money and get myself organized.

That'll show 'em.  *nods*


Happy Day, friends!
*hugs*

Big Fat Fraidy Cat

Ok, people.  I have a terrible secret that I have to tell you.  It should be alright, though, since it's ABSOLUTELY the ONLY bad thing about me and my personality.  *cough*  *giggle*  But seriously -are you ready for this earth shattering secret?

I am afraid terrified PETRIFIED of the dark.

I'm 110% serious on this.  It's ok if you want to laugh.  I would understand, because it's completely unreasonable.  I realize this.  So, if you don't mind if I continue while you're laughing....

I'm writing this post out of shame, ultimately.  Since I am reaching my "late 20's" and haven't mastered my childhood fear (thank MOSES I stopped being afraid of the Big Bad Wolf at age nine or else I'd have to write about that too...) I feel that I might as well share it with the world in the hopes that someone other than me finds this funny instead of embarrassing.

I'm at my bonus sister's house, visiting, creating trouble, and spamming her facebook, when I realize it's 11pm and I should probably go home (side note: I've been crashing all my friend's houses because I'm in VA and my husband is in IN and have no one to give me the constant attention my high maintenance self requires.  This, however, is not something I would consider to be a personality flaw or anything, just in case you were wondering).  I'm not big on picking up on social cues from my besties and do better if they just tell me to do something.  So since it seemed late, I just decided that I should leave.  I abruptly gave them hugs and apologized for overstaying my welcome (to which they laughed  and told me I was silly).

I charge up the stairs to go to my car and literally almost fall off their front steps.  When I arrived, it DEFINITELY wasn't this dark outside, I hear myself thinking.  Was it?  Did I walk across that yard IN THE DARK and NOT notice?  Impossible.  I'm much too sensible and...sensible to walk across the yard in the dark.  Psh -only crazy people walk around outside in the dark.

So I stand for a few seconds *cough* with my back to the door *cough* and finally come to a reasonable conclusion.  I am not ashamed to ask for help...right?  Right!  So help I shall seek.  I mean, come ON people!  It's the mountains of Virginia where the stars are ALWAYS sparkling and we have all sorts of varieties of hunt-in-the-dark animals.  When I say it's dark, I mean it.

So I did what any reasonable fraidy cat would do!  Call for help -DUH!!!

*In loud whiney voice*  Uhmmm -can someone come up here and stand in the door so I can walk to my car?  Please?"

Maybe, just maybe I should have specified my helper.  Because instead of my BS's husband coming to help me, I made my bonus sister climb the stairs from the basement quickly (probably because I sounded so panicked...seriously IT IS DARK HERE!) with her due date TODAY to WATCH me hop and jump to the car.

I want you to close your eyes for a minute (after you finish reading the next paragraph, of course!  You can't read with your eyes closed!  Silly reader...), because I want you to have a mental picture of what a fool I am.  Are you ready?  Oh good.  Here we go.

Imagine walking on the sand as a kid.  Remember that funny walk-hop you would do because the sand was hot?  And then add the sound effect "hoo-hee-hee-hoo-hee-hoo-hoo...etc" because the sand is burning your feet (if you know my grandmother you know EXACTLY what this sound is like.  If not, just improvise, ok?)?  Are you with me?  Are you doing this out loud wherever you happen to be reading?  hahaha...busted!  :)

That was me....

The only sad part about this is (if you exclude the fact that I made my friend climb the stairs AND I'm a fraidy cat), is that it's NOT the beach, and it's not hot.

*sigh*

But before you completely pass judgement on me, I have to tell you that I would SWEAR on my favorite big-bitty sports bra that I heard someone say from the darkness, "fraidy cat" as I climbed into my car.

Now who's afraid of the dark?!? HUH?  HUH????


Maybe some day when I grow up I'll be able to be in the dark.  But for now, I am who I am!  :)


Happy Friday, all!

*hugs*

Motivation

Hey, everyone!  I realize that I've been a bad poster lately, taking an unannounced hiatus from blogging.  I'm looking for my motivation, so when I find it, I'll be back to tell you lots of funnies and share some exciting discoveries with you.  :)

Happy Monday!

Dinner and A Show

Hey, friends!  Sorry I’ve been gone all weekend (and most of last week!).  We were busy entertaining, crafting, and carrying on with some friends.  :)  

Very rarely to the husband and I have visitors.  This past weekend, we had visitors ALL weekend, and it was the most amazing time!  Suze and her husband R have been friends since college, and it feels nice to have friends visit with no pressure.  They’re probably the easiest people to be around, and we really enjoy just being with them.  Suze writes a fashion blog, so vintage shopping was definitely part of our amazing (and too short) weekend!  You can read her here.  

Anyway....  Because we never get to play host, we like to pull out all the stops.  Suze & R came in on Friday night, and we made fried chicken, french fries, and fried pickles because who doesn’t love a good southern dinner on a cold night?  So with the husband manning the oil, we’re drinking wine, laughing and catching up.  Our kitchen has terrible ventilation, and because of that we’ve dismantled all the smoke alarms around the kitchen.  So when the smoke started...we really didn’t notice.

Then, the smoke started to get really bad, and we kind of all casually looked over towards the stove as my calm-as-a-cucumber husband started yelling profanities at growing oil fire.  

Did you know that oil can bubble over?  Yeah -we didn’t either.

So the first logical attempt at putting out the fire was to blow on it.  The husband, doing his best tuba player impression put a good dent into the flames for about...two seconds.  After those two flame free seconds, a huge splash of oil jumped out of the pot and landed on the stove.  I'm sure you can imagine not only the size of his eyeballs, but the amount of fire that we were all staring at.

In a flurry of activity, I was instructed to get the baking soda (it sounded a little like, fu-gruhh-bauhhh---baking soda!), and the day was saved.  

The fried pickles were a little over fried, but the chicken tasted great and the homemade ranch was a perfect side kick.    

I hope y'all had a great weekend, too!  Crafting pictures to come.  :)

My St. Valentine

Happy (late) Valentines Day, friends!  I hope each and every one of you had an amazing day full of those you love, and maybe some well thought-out gifts.  ;)  I spent my day at work, while the husband worked at being a professor.  I can't explain how lucky I feel, even though I am terrible to him poke fun at him all the time, to have such a saint for a husband.

This man drives to PA to teach (now) every week so that we can have a better future.  Sure -it's difficult, and sometimes sucks (especially on such a "romantic" day as February 14th -who decides these things, anyway?  I think I want March 7th to be romantic, now what?) but I know that this guy is the best thing that's happened to me (besides being born, of course), and I appreciate the gift ever day (even though, like I said, he is often the subject of my stories.  Just so you know -he laughs).

As I was falling asleep on the sofa last night, awaiting the return of Mr. Galliant himself, I was running through all of the sacrifices we've made together, and the even longer list of sacrifices he's made just for me.  I fell asleep before I reached the end of the list.  When he woke me up, he gave me a small box that had the most beautiful leaf earrings.  He said to me, "one of a kind earrings for my one of a kind wife."  *Swoon*

Happy St. Valentines day to you and yours!

xo-

Mac and Cheese Marvelous

So in my last post, I mentioned that my photography class started.  I'm WAY excited to get someone who knows their stuff looking at my photos.  Maybe one day I'll have someone pay me for them, but for now, I want to improve for my own well being!

So one of my favorite bloggers, Ashley Sisk, is hosting a tutorial that falls directly into my first photo project for my class.  Of course, you know me, it's of FOOD!  Woohoo.  I love me some food, especially down home comfort food.

So here it is -my first try at my first assignment!

Who doesn't love mac and cheese?  I hope you do!

Hope over to Ramblings and Photos to see everyone else's photos.  They're all really great!

Happy photo-day!  :)

Cookin' Up Some Cool....

Due to an amazing virus I picked up, courtesy of Karma, the blog has been kinda quiet!  Sorry, friends!  Unfortunately, I don't have anything exciting to report BESIDES two things.

First -my photography class just started.  :)  HOORAYY!!!

Second -I have an amazing weekend of crafting, blogging, style, and fun planned with a girlfriend from college who is coming in with her husband for just this occasion.  Maybe it'll become a tradition?  I don't know!  But if you want to pay her a visit, she runs Suze Wears Clothes.  It's a great style blog, and a place where I steal outfit ideas because I'm fashionably inept.  :)

Some of the things on my list this weekend areeeee:
Reversible Bag!! -for a friend's (belated) birthday...
An amazing blog planner -because we all know I'm the MOST disorganized person in the entire world (something that happened AFTER I got married....Hmm.... *evil grin*)
And this amazing infinity scarf, because this lady LOVES herself some lace.  :)

I do hereby solemnly promise to take some photos (because I can use them in my class!!!) because sometimes I like something that I've made, and then can't remember how I made it.  :)


Happy Tuesday!

Sleepy Saturdays

I'm not sure about you, but where I live, today is a rainy, cold, icky day.  I would like to report that I'm feeling better, and that the poor weather is an excuse for a lazy day, but honestly, I'm not.  But in through the rain and ick, I'm thankful to have another day to just be sick.  It gets messy when you've got to worry about work!

And the weather -it makes the sleeping for healing stretch out a little bit longer (no complaints here!).  Naps in between cleaning and sewing projects, naps in between organizing and folding laundry...you get the picture. And the best, of course, are the naps with my favorite napping buddy!  One who never complains, steals the covers, OR gets too hot.  Everyone needs one of those.


That's right!  The Daphnie Cat!

So I hope that whatever you're doing today involves just a little bit of naps with your favorite napping buddy.  :)

Happy Saturday!

Karma

Warning: long post that reads really quickly.  Now go, enjoy yourself.

I should really know better, by now.  I have terrible karma, honestly, and I should have KNOWN that my posts about the husband complaining and being sick would come back to bite me.  I'm sick as a dog, and deserve every bit of it.  But, because you know me so very well, there's a story go go along with it.  Are you ready?

Timeline:
Sunday: begin random eye pain.

Monday: call eye dr and get appointment for Tuesday.

Tuesday: Scene: eye doc's office.
Me: So, it feels like pink eye, but when I press it like this, it really hurts.
Assistant: How hard are you pressing?  (she think's I'm hurting myself...weirdo!)
Me: I'm just touching it.
Assistant: Ok, because it looks like you're pressing.  Put your chin here....
*Annoying puff of air*
Me: Oh!  That hurts.
Assistant: Yeah, we hear that a lot.
20 minutes later....
Dr.: (after shining light in my eyes for five minutes straight) So it looks like you've got allergies.
Me: I came in here, and you're telling me I have allergies?
Dr.:  Well, yeah.  And a virus.  You've definitely got some sort of eye virus.
Me: what is an eye virus, exactly?
Dr.: Well, it's not bacterial.
Me: right, but is it like, going to eat my eye, or what?  Is this normal?
Dr.: *thinking*  No, I'd say it's not normal, but you'll be fine.  Just go get these antibiotic eye drops filled, and you'll be fine.
Me: antibiotic eye drops?
Dr.: yep.  They'll get you fixed right up.
Me: for an eye virus?
Dr.: Yep!  Now we rate ourselves as being the standard for eye care here in Bloomington, so if you have any other concerns, you come back and see us.  Have a good day.
*pushes me out the door*

I get an antibiotic eye drop for an eye virus?  Anyone catch that?  Weird...?  But it gets better.

So I fill my $60 eye drops prescription and head home.  I decide that it's time for a nap, because after you've had your eyes poked at for 40 minutes you'll want a nap too.  It was an amazing nap.  I slept really well, and was feeling great (in my napping state), until I woke up.

That's when I knew.  Karma had finally caught up with me.  I had every symptom in the book, if you look under miserable.  Headache, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, stuffy face, ear aches, verdigo (because I get that, don't hate!), swollen neck, and sore body.  ALL OF THEM -in under two hours.

THAT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN!  At least to normal people, who don't make fun of their husbands.

So I suck it up, and go work my evening shift.  I have the next day off, so I can make it six hours of miserable before crawling back to my bed.

Fast forward: Wednesday morning.
Me: Murphy, I need to go to the dr.
Hus: Well, call them and I'll take you
Answering service at doc's:  If this is a medical emergency, call 911.  If it is a Wednesday, we are not open.  Please leave a message.
OF COURSE THEY'RE CLOSED!!!!!
Me: they're closed
Hus: bummer.  Can you wait until tomorrow?
Me: NO!!!!!  I'm DYING OF THE BLACK PLAGUE.  (not really, but I HATE being sick.  It means I can't taste my popsicles!)
Hus: so prompt care it is, then?
Me: yes.
Fast forward again, TWO HOURS
Dr.: So what is your primary concern today (after reading the excessive list of symptoms I gave to the nurse -seriously, I wasn't kidding about having ALL OF IT)?
Me: Throat, ears, sinuses, and lungs.
Dr.: ok.  Let's hear you breathe.  *breathing*  Yeah -no pneumonia, so that's good.  You've just got a string of viruses.
Me: plural viruses?
Dr.: yeah.  We're seeing a lot of that.  I'll give you some scripts for things that should help you out.
Me: Ok, but my ears really hurt.  Are you sure I don't have an ear infection?
Dr.: *sighs* Yes, I'm positive.  You're just swollen and have lots of fluid.  But I'm worried about the vertigo.  Is that normal for you?
Me: Yes, especially when I have fluid.
Dr.: Well don't drive.  *she leaves the room*

I look at my husband.  I don't know what to say.  This woman was of ZERO help, and I can still be found under miserable under the dictionary.

This is why it's not good to make fun of people.  If it weren't so easy and fun, I'd stop.  But since I obviously don't care about consequences and karmic punishment, you'll see me here again soon, writing something funny about my poor, very innocent saintly husband.

So until then -I'm off to take some of the completely pointless drugs the doctor gave me.


Happy Thursday, everyone!

My Sweet Husband...

...just called from his first day as, "Professor Priester" just to say this:  Oh my God, babe.  It's...it's...it's....
Me: It's happening...?
Prof P: Yeah.  I mean...it's...I'm ....I'm here...I have a job.  I do.  I..I...I...*garble garble excited garble*  HOLY CRAP!


I hope everyone's Monday is as good as his.
*Hugs*