I absolutely hate getting up in the morning and I always find Monday mornings particularly challenging. While I've always been responsible enough to drag myself out of bed, I sure don't do it without a few moans and groans. This morning I felt unusually achy and wasn't pleased to feel pains in my lower chest the minute I rolled over. Yuck, this is uncomfortable. Should I call out? No, no, I can't do that. I have a meeting with my boss today and what will I do home anyway?
After several hours at work my sister, Michelle, finally convinced me to call my mom. Mom went down my list of symptoms, "Can you breathe? Does your jaw hurt? Do you have pains in your left arm?" Diagnosis from Dr. Mom: I should not have ate macaroni with sauce and sausage at 8pm and then went to bed at 9:30. Treatment: Tums. Of course she suggests I see my real Dr. as well.
One year ago today Brian and I moved out of our respective homes and into our first apartment. Even though it seems like we have been living together forever I can remember it like it was yesterday. If I close my eyes I can still see the tears that rolled down my moms cheeks when she saw my empty closet at home. Even though we had been talking about it and planning for it for several months the emptiness of my childhood bedroom finally made it all seem real.
Both our families spent several days after our initial move in day scrubbing, vacuuming, ironing and finding a home for every little thing. They were all so helpful and supportive and I was sad to see everyone go. I remember my parents pulling away several days later. They were the last to leave us and it almost felt like someone ripped my heart out and stepped on it. I wanted this, but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it. After all, I was always an emotional child and I was moving over an hour away.
Needless to say I’ve done it. We’ve done it! Living with Brian has been the most educational and entertaining experience I could ever imagine. Together in our apartment we have experienced continual ceiling leaks and even a fire on our balcony. We celebrated his quarter-life Birthday. We've learned to budget for bills and I've learned that I love to cook. We finally spent our first big holidays together as a couple even though we’ve been dating for almost 4 years. We saved up for our very first vacation together and traveled to Washington, DC. We helped each other through job struggles and changes. We’ve seen each other at our best and look and act our very worst. However, I think the best days of all we've shared are the days I can't even remember. The days that we've spent laughing and talking and doing ordinary things together have meant the most. I'm reminded of the Rascal Flatt's song "This Everyday Love."
When we got the opportunity to renew our lease it was an easy decision. I can’t wait to spend another year in our home learning about each other and growing together. Happy one year in our place.
I wanted to give a shout out today to my favorite snow man. Brian serves as my hero whenever there is a chance of snow accumulation, which lately has been often! Most days when it snows I get a 6 am wake up call from work saying that all our offices are closed and while I am always happy to get a day off, I know that Brian rarely will. I usually spend the days doing laundry and clean-up and worrying that he will get to and from work safely. It sure doesn't feel like the snow days we used to wear our pj's inside out hoping for.
Today, like most snow days Brian crawled out of our bed, suited up in Under Armour and shoveled out both our cars even though I had nowhere to go. He always lets me lay cozy and warm in our bed and never gives me a hard time about staying in. Today after he showered he went back out to move our cars and shovel even more so we could have our spaces cleared out by a front loader. Afterward he salted our steps which if you're not careful you can take a spill on on a normal day. He is a true gentleman and I am so grateful for him. As a small gesture of thanks I made him some tea and a bagel for always taking care of me.
The waiting room at my OBGYN is decorated with warm colors and dated floral patterns drape the random couches that are placed between individual chairs. Today while waiting for my appointment I made myself as comfortable as possible in an individual chair and dug into my bag to pull out reading materials for what I assumed would be a long wait. It wasn't long into my reading before I was distracted by the couple sitting on the couch next to me. Firstly, I was surprised to find them almost cuddling as if they were in their very own living room. Odd for sure, but forgivable. Soon I noticed I had interrupted a conversation between the man whose head rested on his lady friend's chest and a bus driver across the room.
In only a few minutes I found out that buses now have GPS and cameras. Perhaps most interesting though the man shared that he was a chef in the military, lived for some time in Camden, NJ and was arrested and sent to jail for not paying child support and "blah, blah, blah" as he put it. WOW, amazing what intimate details people will share about their lives with people they have just met. When the bus driver was called into her appointment I was so relieved, finally some peace and quiet! I avoided eye contact at all costs completely nervous that I would be engaged next and would then be the show of the waiting room.
I believe waiting rooms are for reading books and magazines you would otherwise never pick up. If you're lucky enough a waiting room may even provide you with episode after episode of courtroom shows where you can feel relieved that you don't have to face Judge Judy. And please if you would like to chat, keep it to a whisper.
My sister and I always talk about our "Saturday" clothes. These clothes are the casual outfits that are acceptable enough to wear out of the house but too casual for work or going out at night. My "Saturday" clothes consist of a few Rowan sweatshirts that I just can not seem to part with, comfy jeans, the much debated UGG boot and the occasional top that doesn't belong in the sweatshirt category. "Saturday" clothes ironically can be worn on either Saturday or Sunday. This past Sunday I took a much needed visit to my favorite place to shop for grown up clothes, LOFT, in my "Saturday"clothes. I looked a mess as I usually do when I shop (I don't really live near anyone I am worried about bumping into in the mall and impressing). I always wonder if the people there wonder what I could possibly be buying in there by the looks of my shopping attire.
Currently my wardrobe is in that awkward stage caught between college and adulthood and it's extremely costly to update. Piece by piece I am really trying to make my wardrobe look like that of a woman and not that of a teenager. I wound up buying a great shirt and dress jeans for one-hundred dollars. This is totally not like me, I am a pretty frugal and I felt guilty as soon as I walked out of the store. Today I decided to try out the dress jeans which I wasn't sure how I felt about. I was so unsure I left the tags on and thought I would let the critics (the other ladies at work) decide. Turns out, they're a keeper. I am growing up, or at least my wardrobe is... one shopping trip in my "Saturday" clothes at a time!
Both of these items can be found at LOFT and might I just say I think they are fabulous!
Brian and I took a trip this morning to one of my favorite places, The Amish Farmers Market. It's a good thing this place is only open Thursday through Saturday because if not I know I would find a reason to be there everyday. Although we've been there often we've never had breakfast so we thought we'd give that a shot. Brian and I fell into our usual breakfast roles, eggs for him and french toast, something sweet for me. After our delicious and of course blessed breakfast complete with the perfect cup of cocoa I found some joy in all the fresh products they have to offer. In today's cart: apples, banana bread and flank steak stuffed with mozzarella and fresh spinach. Yum!
I was just about to leave for work yesterday when I made the last minute decision to reach for my bank books to balance during lunch. I think I am the only 20 something that keeps paper records of all my banking activity. After looking in their usual hiding spot I began to panic when they weren't there. Drops of sweat began to form on every inch of my body - it's amazing how hot you can get when you're freaking out. I threw open the apartment door in hope of some chilly relief. No luck. WHERE ARE THEY!? This place is not that big. I immediately called Brian thinking he must have touched them, it could not have possibly been my fault. When he provided me no answers I was no longer interested in talking to him. It would have been fine except this is the 2nd time this week I've lost something important! Tuesday it was the blue-tooth which I later found beaten up by sleet and run over by a Dodge Ram. As it usually goes, I had to talk myself out of pure hysteria. I swear in my mind I had my identity stolen and my bank accounts wiped clean before I found the bank books hiding behind a drawer. Silly bank books. I spent most of yesterday reminiscing with my mom and sister about all the things I've misplaced in my life. These are just the important things we can remember...
Black glasses - I suspect they got thrown in the garbage at Kristina's Bakery. Sadly they were never found and they were probably my favorite pair ever.
Red glasses - Left on the piano in Mr. Cantaffa's classroom for lord knows how long.
Purple sunglasses - Dropped them in the parking lot of an ex's house, they were ran over.
Glasses left in the parking lot of Quail Creek Shopping Plaza - Mom had to drive me back there!
Prescription sunglasses - Lost in Amanda's car at college, purchased new ones (several hundred dollars) and they resurfaced several months later. Can you see a pattern with the glasses?
Blue-tooth - Previously mentioned, broken in 3 pieces. Can't believe I was even able to hold onto something that small for so many years.
