Decade

When I think back to what January 1, 2000 held for me, it’s totally mind boggling.  The last 10 years have been a whirlwind of change.

In 2000 I was a sophomore in high school, not really caring about y2k while I sipped my sparkling grape juice with friends.  I developed black and white pictures of our night together with my own film and darkroom supplies.

In 2002 I graduated and moved to Boston and in 2004 I was there when the won the first world series in 86 years.  Also in 2004 my childhood dog died while I was visiting New York City for the first time.

In 2005 I met a cute guy while we coached together at the pool.  I also turned 21 that summer.

In 2006 we moved in together and got engaged.  I also graduated from college that year, got a grown up job with a 401k, and got a second dog.

In 2007 we bought a house.

In 2008 we got married.

In 2009, not a whole lot happened!   I started a book blog and Joe decided to go back to school.

2010 is the beginning of the first decade I’ll be an ‘adult’ the entire time.  I think I’m finally starting to feel settled and excited about the life I’ve made it.  Scary to think about, huh?  10 years ago I was still in high school.  I can’t imagine what the next 10 years will bring!

Adoptionversary

When Joe and I met, he had always mentioned he wanted a second dog.  I’d always wanted a dog that was “mine.”  I had a bit of a childhood fantasy about a dog following me around, loving me just a teensy bit more than anyone else, and giving me the biggest kisses.  We joke that we called up the rescue and told them “We need the calmest dog you have!” to jive with our overly stimulated and hyperactive female dog.  She of course, did not belong to me and did not love me best.

The true story is that I fell in love with a Weimaraner on a rescue website whose personality I just adored.  His foster mom said he’d sat on the couch with her four year old and let the little boy pick  mud out of his paws while he hung out with a “thanks for noticing me” look on his face.  I wish I’d saved his profile so that I could look back on it now.

The dog we picked up was so scared and I felt so awful that he’d been passed around.  We counted at least three owners before he came to us.  I couldn’t imagine why anyone would give him up since he is the sweetest most loving dog.  On the drive home, he smooshed his head in between the passenger seat and the door so he could put his head on my shoulder, I knew we’d be friends for life.  Bella treated him like a “thing” that had interrupted her happy home for a few days, but they made friends shortly thereafter.

That’s him (on the right) the day we brought him home.  He looks so vulnerable.

Now, I don’t even see the same dog.  He is a total mama’s boy and protects me whenever I’m home alone.  He loves rawhides and snuggles.

And when he’s napping, like his mama, he’s totally useless.

Sir Beauregard, I can’t believe you’ve been mine for three whole years.  I’m so glad you chose me.

Need Book Recommendations?

I just did a big 2009 roundup post over on my book blawg.  I also did a 2009 ABC Challenge.  I enjoyed most of the books a lot.  There were some duds, too (but you don’t have to read those, of course).

Happy reading!

About a Boy

We took the dogs for a walk at one of our favorite places yesterday.

It’s along the floodwall and we sniff out rabbits.

Well, I don’t.

I heard my phone buzz and saw a text message from my mom.

“At the hospital.  Baby is coming today.”

I got a similar text the day before, so I was skeptical.  So, I texted back and learned my cousin was having regular contractions and they were keeping her at the hospital.

A few days before, I had dropped off Joe’s present to my mom’s (I have to be a super sleuth since he likes to shake, rattle, and partially UNWRAP his presents if he finds any) and my very pregnant cousin was gestating [miserably] on the couch.  The baby was moving around a lot so she let me put my hand on her belly to try to feel the baby.  I’ve wanted to feel a baby from the inside since the beginning of time, but I seem to give babies stage fright.  Well, this guy was like a worm in Tremors 2.  I am pretty sure I felt his whole leg slide across the front of her belly and could even see him moving from the outside.  He was showing off his mad skateboarding skills like his Uncle Owen.

We went home, had lunch, cleaned a bit, and then I headed to Labor and Delivery.  It was strange walking into that hospital for something happy.  It is the same place where my brother and I were born, but it is also the place for the failed lung surgery to save my grandfather from his cancer, and the place I had to visit one Christmas when my dad was there with diverticulitis.  I really don’t like hospitals, and I generally don’t like the awkwardness of seeing someone you love in a strange state of pain and helplessness.

I had to meet the Tremor babe, though.  So, here is the mover and shaker himself.  Born 12/27 at 8:28pm.  6 pounds 10 ounces, 19 inches long.

Cooper Jason

No word yet how he’s handling the confines of the swaddle.

I paid $4.95 for shipping

…and all I got was a lousy bag of air.

Are you serious Amazon?

Finally

One YEAR after I get my camera I figure out how to use it.  Those ISO settings are a tricky beast.  If I ever get a DSLR (Santa – are you listening?!) I promise promise promise to read the manual.

I totally stole the idea for a favorite ornaments post, but I am dying to show off a few.

First up, the mouse.  The story goes that when I was 4, I told my grandparents they should let me have it off of their tree because “it has the cutest little face, just like mine.”  I’ve loved it ever since.

Next is Frosty.  When my parents got divorced, my mom, brother, and I left the only house I’d known along with all of the holiday decorations.  The first year we were gone we had nothing, so we spent the month of December 1995 on an art binge and we made stockings, painted ornaments, and started our own traditions.  Frosty was my best work and reminds me that you can always start over.

We got some things back later, including this cup.  It’s a plastic drinking glass that says “Happy Holidays” and in first grade I melted it to it’s current perfect shape and strung it up with green dental floss.  I don’t know why, but I love that silly thing.

This is Joe’s favorite.  The smallest bell broke a few years ago, but there are still 4 that ring nicely.  I’d love to find him another if anyone has seen any like it.  You know, they don’t make them like they used to.

Two for one here, folks. A camping lantern that really lights up and a cowboy named Joey.  They frequently travel together.

It’s against my religion not to have one of these.  I’m just sad it’s not in the shape of a rose.

Self portrait + Hawaiian Santa bought on our honeymoon say Mele Kalikimaka.

I’d like to think he was watching me intently survey the tree but we all know it was because Joe was in the kitchen making iced sugar cookies.  Speaking of, I’m off to get some sprinkles!

Hip Hip Horray

…for Christmas Vacation.

We just might have a White Christmas.

“Surprised, Eddie?  I wouldn’t be more surprised if I woke up with my head sewn to the carpet.”

Fin

For the last few weeks I have been bombarded by friends and family and strangers that are done holiday shopping while I haven’t even started or thought of a list.  I have not been in the Christmas spirit at all, and have tried not to feel burdened by all the tasks this year.

So, we marked December 12 (yesterday) on our calendars and after our swim meet, Operation Christmas was in full swing.  I was sort of in the “fake it ’til I make it” mode but by the end of the night was feeling some cheer.  We hit five stores in five hours and have 90% of our shopping DONE.  I still have to buy for Joe and my niece, but am feeling good about our progress.  My legs have not felt this sore since the last time I did Jillian’s 30 Day shred (about a billion years ago).

I took this just before we got started.

My find of the night was a $20 artificial tree.  We’d been toying with the idea of getting one since we travel every other year and it’s a bit easier to deal with.  I talked Joe into one rationalized it because we can always keep it and get a real one another year, right?  We were missing a piece to the tree and my MacGyver husband fixed it in a matter of minutes.  One thing I was not planning on was that artificial trees SHED just like real trees.  I was arranging the branches while Joe fixed the pole (that sounds wrong) and those needles made a mess!

The finished product.

On today’s agenda is some house cleaning, grocery shopping (for all important cookie ingredients), and present wrapping.

As an aside, I have always wanted to buy Joe a pink shirt but have never verbalized it because he hates pink.  Most of the time I’m ok with it since I love it enough for the both of us.  At Kohl’s yesterday he just blurted out “I think I want a pink shirt” just as we rounded the corner and found one on clearance for $10.  It was a sign — and right next to it, a gorgeous silver tie to match.  I can’t wait to see him in it.

Four

I had this whole post ready about how I love buying myself flowers and it makes Sunday grocery trips one of the most lovely parts of my week.  I don’t do it often, but when I do, it’s such a mood changer.

This past weekend, my favorite redhed Henry was coming over, so I thought I’d spruce up the table a bit for his arrival.  His giggle and thigh chub are top notch.

I got some flowers in my wedding colors, which totally brought me back.

I have been admiring them since the weekend and smelling them everyday and remembering Henry shrieking at my dogs playing rope.  The kid went absolutely nuts.  I tried to take a video, but of course, as soon as I hit record, he stopped the cuteness instantly.  How do they KNOW?!

However…tonight I came home to a new set of flowers in my favorite vase.  There was a card too (but sorry – that’s proprietary information).

I’ve only ever been given a dozen roses three times in my life — once from my mom when I graduated from High School, once my first married Valentine’s Day, and for my birthday this past May.

Er, make that four.

I shouldn’t keep score, but just know that a dozen roses are a rarity ’round these parts.

2009 is going to be tough to beat.

William Glen

On this day 80 years ago, my grandfather was born.

On this day 10 years ago, he celebrated his last birthday here on earth.

I was on a street corner in Paris when I learned of his death in March 2000.  The trip had been planned for more than six months, before he even got sick, and I had said my goodbyes three days and one long plane flight earlier knowing they’d be my last moments with him.  He did not have 10 days left.  The brain cancer that originated in his lungs from years of smoking left him blind and barely there.

His last request was me to bring him back genuine Parisian beret, which I still have.  I got irrationally pissed at a college boyfriend for trying to wear it one day (much like now I get angry at anyone that smokes around me).  No one had worn it — ever.  No one should wear it.  It’s his.

Grandpa’s birthday always falls around Thanksgiving, which reminds me to be thankful for the nearly 16 years we had together.  Also, my wedding anniversary is just before the calendar marker of our last day together, which is somewhat by design.  For a long time I hated St Patrick’s Day because of what it forced me to leave behind.  Now I have a husband to celebrate with and the day reminds me of the new man I admire in my life rather than being angry about the role model I lost.  My uncle has said more than once grandpa would appreciate Joe’s sense of humor.  I hate the adage that girls marry their fathers — I’d much prefer the saying was grandfathers.

I gave his plant some extra water this evening.  Since I took pictures in August, it’s now touching the floor.

Today, I’m thankful (in many ways) for growth.  The last 10 years have been hard, but so blessed.