Inspired

Maybe it's Lectie's & Dave's venture into blogging to record Lectie's re-entrance into the world of athletic competition, or maybe it's the result of spending some quality time with crafty, new mommy Meghan, but the blog bug has bitten again.

I know the worst blogs are the ones that are updated infrequently, without any real aim or focus. The best blogs are maintained on a daily (even hourly basis), and produce content that is intriguing, useful or distracting. I can't say that I live/work/play in 1 niche that's supremely satisfying or interesting. I dabble. I go through phases ... with pretty much everything: music, clothes, cooking, tv, movies, books, etc. So that makes me a poor blogger even with good intentions.

I guess when I feel like I have something to say, maybe I'll share it. And the best thing is that no one reads this blog anyway. :)

Brian brought home flowers the other day. I was pretty impressed!

Call Me Slacker

This photo does not serve a purpose.

I know, I know ... I've been so bad about keeping up with the blog. But I have a few excuses. And they're good ones.

First ... I started a new job. A job where I'm actually busy all day long. Professional productivity - welcome to my life :) You've been missed. Also, I work for the semi-important and very corporate proverbial "Man" who prefers that I keep my iPhone tucked neatly away in my purse. And I keep my internet browsing to a ... well ... no browsing at all. But you know what's wonderful? I don't even have the time to THINK about perusing blogs or Facebook. Isn't that lovely?! I think it is.

So you see, my friends ... when I get home at night, all I wanna do is take off my very-important-business-lady slacks, snuggle with Husband, and watch the Discovery channel. And maybe read some blogs (if I feel like staring at a computer screen some more). AND we've also joined the local Y. And we go every other evening. I on the treadmill. Brian in the pool. And then we come together for some lifting. I love to lift. I wish lifting burned as many calories and had the same heart-healthy effects as aerobic exercise. I also wish lifting didn't make me look like this:

Woof.

That's right. You'd forgotten about this photo, hadn't you? Well I haven't. I actually think I should include this photo in my resume and add the following:

EXPERIENCE

BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY - VARSITY WEIGHT ROOM                                  2003-2007

Student-Athlete/Beast 

- Responsible for growing and sustaining Trapezius, Deltoids, Latissimus Dorsi, Flexor carpi ulnaris, Pectorals, Biceps and Triceps  

- Assigned to elite squat team by program leadership

- Proficient in tire flips, lunges, pull-ups and grunting

- Recognized for excellence in Lat Pull-down exercise

Anyway ... I feel like I have quite a few things to say but nothing is very important. Here are the highlights:

1. I like my job. It's very different, but so far so good. I have my very own cubicle and phone extension. And I've already started decorating.

Not me.

2. My boyfriend Sidney Crosby is on fire. Must be the Creep 'Stache™:

3. I'm already sick of winter. This is not a surprise to anyone.

 5. Brian wants to join the Masters Team. Swimming back in my life in 3 ... 2 ...

 

6. In one month I get to go to Disney World and spend a short week with some of my most favorite people. Words cannot explain my excitement.

It's almost as exciting as holding Tink in your hands.

7. Brian uses a loofah (is this emasculating?) And he needed a new one because the old one was unraveling. The only thing they had at our little grocery store was this:

 

We call him Ricky.

Hump Day!

A New Leaf

More on this later.

It's been a few days since my last blog post, and it has certainly been an interesting and fun week. Thanksgiving was lovely, even though I spent most of the day at work. I came home to find Lisa still in the sack, sick as a dog. Special K was busting her butt to get everything prepared for dinner, and Dads was watching football. Shocking.

Anywho, I was working most of the day because my current/former job is/was based on a 10-week contract without the luxury of PTO. I say is/was because today is my last day, and while I've met some great people, made some new friends, and had an all-around awesome experience, it's time to move on. Starting tomorrow I'll be ditching all-things-creative, start-up and small business, and moving in with the big boys. I'll be working as a Recruiter (yipes!) for a government contractor located A LOT closer to our home.

It'll definitely be a trade-off, but I'm looking forward to having those things that a small business can never guarantee (you know ... like a paycheck, job security, bonuses, etc.) I say that with a smile because I've had great experiences since entering the working world even though I never saw myself having three different jobs within 6 months. But this is the way life works, and so much has changed that I can't feel sad or despondent about any of it. I'm grateful for the experience, for the people and friends, and for the changes I've gone through.

I can definitely say that I have more confidence in myself and my own abilities. I'm a lot less worried about starting this third job than I was starting my second. I feel like life is a whole new ballgame now, and it's time to own up to my responsibilities, take ownership and know that I'm smarter than I give myself credit for.

ANYWAY ... rant over. There are so many things to be excited about and grateful for, and seeing my husband for the first time in almost a week is one of them.

This guy has been living in a barn with friends for nearly a week ...

Please note: this was at a White Trash party where I was pasty
and wearing excessive eyeliner. Brian's duds and
accessories are from his own private collection.

Shocking, isn't it? I am not kidding. Living in a renovated barn. In the woods. It's Deer Camp, and it happens every year. As soon as he's cleared the turkey from his plate, Brian heads to Camp and I become a hunting widow.

 He's currently drinking excessively, playing cards and sleeping next to these gentlemen:

 Doing these sorts of things ...

 Beer pong ...

 Scary shenanigans involving firearms and too much alcohol ... and antlers ...

 Good friends ... good times ...

 

Thank Jesus there are two counties separating us when these things happen.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving!



















Here are some things I'm thankful for this year:

My hubs, who is probably the cutest, hardest working and most loyal person I know. I am so grateful for his dedication to our little family.

Good friends. Hard to come by, easy to love. They all mean so much.

My parents. The ones who steer the ship no matter what happens. Love you both always.

Family. Where would we be without them? Our wedding this summer was a huge testimony to their support and love that never fails.

Farm animals. Obviously.

Look Ma, Clean Gutters!

Thoughts on Harry Potter will follow after a second viewing. Lisa is coming home today for Thanksgiving, and I'm gonna try and get her to go with me :)

Anywho, it was unseasonably warm 2 nights ago, and Brian decided the gutters could use a pre-winter cleaning. Woof. But I figured this is a husband's job, and hey! What are husbands for? Well cleaning the gutters, to be sure! So he brought out the big extension ladder, climbed up and told me he was going to clean from the roof. WHAAA?

"Yes," my beloved said. "From the roof." Apparently this is how he cleans the gutters at my in-laws' house. I had never heard of this technique before, and since I'm adverse to putting my loved ones in danger IN ANY WAY, PUT THAT SEAT BELT ON RIGHT NOW, I was a bit ... hesitant.

But up he went, as I steadied the ladder with all my might. He started climbing all over the roof, looking for a good (safe) place to start. Panicked, I circled the perimeter of the house, thinking of a contingency plan should his body come hurling to the ground.

I'll keep my phone in my pocket. Yes. Right here.
Then I'll call 911, obviously.
Then I'll try and remain calm and I won't move him because there could be a spinal injury.
And then I'll say 10 Hail Marys.
And then I'll stay very calm until the paramedics come.
Maybe I'll have to perform some sort of CPR. That's okay. I was a certified lifeguard. I got this.
 

Hi Sweetheart. Be safe. Can I throw you a helmet? Or elbow pads? Or rock climbing gear?

Then he peers over the side of the house, and tells me that the roof is too steep and he can't reach the gutters without toppling over. You know what I did?

Guess what I did?

I happen to love heights. It's true. A month before our wedding, I cleaned out my parents' gutters (with the help of Special K) like a CHAMP. So I suggested I climb up, clean as far as my arms and hands can reach while remaining on the ladder, climb down, scoot the ladder over a few feet, then repeat the process. Brilliant.

So I did it. And Brian steadied the ladder, and I scrambled up the ladder, mucked out the gutters and scrambled back down again until it was finished. It was actually a beautiful evening and a nice way to bond. Is this considered marital bonding? I think it should be.

So it was a nice team effort and I was proud of my domesticated, brave self. Except that climbing up and down a ladder at a steep incline, over and over when you are severely out of shape can only result in one thing.

It's Coming