marriage – Page 32

The one where I salvage what’s left of January…

Published on January 13, 2014January 13, 2014 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments

Me–
– since my writer’s retreat plans were changed, I carved out an intense week where during my “business” hours and evenings my focus is solely on work stuff. (I’m both terrified and excited!)

– a facial. this winter is working overtime on my skin! I’m sure being sick hasn’t helped…

– begin a weekly afternoon simply carved out for correspondence and reading, EVERY week. I’m thrilled! BEST goal/resolution of the year!

Us–

– one new year’s resolution I was to have a monthly cocktail evening complete with cards/games, and when it works out, having friends over.

– Gen & I decided to take a bit of a girl’s weekend, mid month, complete with hotel sheets, sleeping in, no responsibilities, trips to the movies, swimming pools. I’m super excited!

– In addition, Gen and I are going to start reading together, monthly. We share several of the same books now, which is an odd and special place to get to with your child.

Heart–

– I’m starting a women’s group through our church. I’m pretty excited. I intended to start in the fall, and was excited to do the book they were focussing on, but I just couldn’t make that particular group work with my schedule. This new groups’ timing is a lot more conducive!

– listening to the calling to do/be more, with my life.

Create–

– one of my goals this year is to take on 12 photo challenges.

– Since January of 2012, I haven’t been the best at taking photos and I miss that passion.

Reading–

– with the theme of my year being NEW, one thing I’m planning on doing is reading more children’s literature. I never read a lot of it. I kind of, as a reader, jumped right into adult books.

– Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

– MWF Seeking BFF

– Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist

Home–
– a few reorganization projects.

– warm pots of soup.

– fresh-baked loaves of bread.

– one paper project (at least)

Health–
– yoga

– making more, and creative time for fitness/working out.

Love–
– a date night

– finding little ways to reach out to Chw when life and work keeps us apart.

“It is a tough road that leads to the heights of greatness.”

Seneca

to explain the sugar shortage…

Published on August 26, 2013 by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

This weekend recap is brought to you by my iPhone, if for no other reason than I honestly just didn’t want to lug my Canon around all weekend… There. I said it. It’s a sad truth. Mostly we just did running around and I feel like such a tourist when I cart it around to places like Trader Joe’s and the Farmer’s Market. When the irony that most of these photos are at home hits, we’ll just chalk that up to “I’m anal, I didn’t want the post to appear all inconsistent.”

We made it to our favorite local {ish} bakery for their AMAZING homemade donuts, (after a super healthy green smoothie breakfast at home), and bought some of their amazing hamburger buns, as well as some graham crackers and marshmallows to do smores with our friends coming to visit us from Boise this week. Chw and I tried to catch up on Breaking Bad, (and failed) we made it to our Farmer’s Market early enough that we were able to spend the rest of the day doing super necessary things like reading this month’s book club book (me) and drawing fashion designs (Gen). At least Chw was super productive, grooming the dogs and grilling us an awesome dinner…

At our farmer’s market we got the most amazing haul of local produce I’ve ever managed. It was incredible… And, Gen unearthed this ridiculous cookie. If your area of the country discovers a sugar shortage, I’d bet it’s to blame. The pups also got some treats! (Sugarless, of course.)

I wasn’t completely lazy. I did laundry and finished up a small project in our bedroom so I could finally get pictures up on here. (tomorrow).

How was your weekend? Any big plans for the week?

____________________________________________

– a morning lounging in bed a little later, reading, no interruptions or guilt.

– the buzz of construction, the hum of jobs and families surviving and lives going on.

– connecting with a friend two thousand miles away over the little things.

– hand in hand, downtown evening strolls with my husband.

– shared ice cream sundae laughs and family conversations.

– screens to keep the bees out and let them do their jobs where they need to be.

– an out door dinner with friends, laughter and ease.

– bursts of blueberry breakfast bites.

– the great accomplished feeling of productivity.

– news of a strong and healthy heart.

– repeat sunshine days, so seemingly un-Michigan.

– the beauty of roasted beets.

– a day spent cooking, snapping photos and reading.

– our family night dinner plates.

– the fun of making things (meals, memories, projects) with my husband.

{702-717}

Endless love…

Published on May 20, 2013May 20, 2013 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay5 Comments

I thought you’d like to know, perhaps, that I’m melting as I type.

It’s true.

Literally melting…

Why, in such a state, would she take time out to blog is likely what you are asking yourself.

Because I love you, that’s why.

And because I’m bored. Apparently in sweltering heat, when feet continue to swell to Flintstone status- there isn’t a lot one can do. I’ve cleaned up my dvr. I’ve read. I’ve watched a few things on On Demand. I’m bored. We’ve had conversations. I’ve watched VH1’s Top 100 songs of the 90’s. If it’s done in my home, with minimal movement, while sitting- it’s been done.

In case you’re wondering, our air conditioner is broken. Last week, when we initially suspected it was going out, I would whine about the 75 degrees that our living room was reaching. Still, I’d take 75. It’s 86 outside, 90 in our living area and 107 in our bedrooms. With humidity.

That last beat is key. It’s humid, ya’ll…

And for a girl (with family) who is acclimated to dry, desert heat- well, I’m melting.

Told you!

I had exciting things to talk about too… But with my brain turning to a pile of goo, time is slipping.

I’ll bullet point it just for you.

– went to see Star Trek on Friday because my husband is a major treky an he deserved a little fun. I, on the other hand, tolerate Star Trek at best. (though I’ll admit, I enjoyed the first installment in this new J.J. Abrams minded series) It was ok. I couldn’t sit through it again. I did learn something… All this time, and all the movies and series that I’ve sat through with Chw- I NEVER understand why it was called Star Trek. I get it now. I’m so proud.

– no joke, this lady asked me if the seat next to me was saved. It wasn’t, so I told her as much. She proceeded to announce that she was saving 4 seats. As her people began to show up, they each made it quite clear that not only do they have NO movie etiquette, but they talked- in a normal voice. It was ridiculous. And the one lady would laugh this guffaw of a laugh. Eventually some guy, a few rows back, would mock her laugh. Her husband got embarrassed and left after shouting “he is making fun of you!” it was all a bit awful.

– on date night, Chw took me to see Gatsby. After waiting an entire week, I was enraptured in the incredibleness that is Gatsby. So beautiful. It didn’t make me hate it, because it’s my favorite book, though I was warned repetitively that it would. It was simply stunning and I’m dying to see it again and again, and again.

– At date night, C ordered a sandwich for dinner. I had said, prior to the waitress appearing, that I was ordering a brownie and ice water. When I did, he was quite surprised. Glad I can still surprise him. I totally didn’t regret it, and I’d eaten so healthy the rest of the weekend.

– At the farmer’s market today we found thick cut, local bacon. While this likely sounds pretty silly- we’re thrilled. Paper thin bacon, called “thick cut” is not even close to our bacon scene and it’s been quite a downer.

– When we lived here before, we had a pool. I miss my pool.

– My dog likes to bark a lot you guys… She’s driving me crazy.

That’s all I’ve got. Next point (though I’m sure I’ve forgotten something.) would be the gloop of goo…

Until it cools down 30 degrees…

Sincerely yours, (affectionately)

P.s. in church today, it was announced that the top romance movie of all time is Casablanca (I disagree.) and the top love song is Endless Love. (maybe.) Thoughts?

DMV, a music video and sugar- oh my…

Published on May 6, 2013 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay3 Comments

Happy Monday morning!

I don’t know what it was like for you, but last week sped by in our little tuck of the world. While I thought I had a wee bit of time, my husband’s birthday, (which is today, by the way) literally jumped in my lap and announced it’s presence. Wasn’t it just Easter?

Hmmm.

Anyway, we had such a busy weekend, I thought I’d just show you some snapshots of our three-day, with only a FEW explanations… like this one:

Who in the world deemed that birthdays would be the deadline by which to renew your car registration? (since we moved we also had to get new driver’s licenses so we we figured LOTS of coffee would aid in the THREE HOUR time at the DMV…)

Cute little ice cream place. I may have mentioned Gen and I had a bad experience there in March but what’s one bad experience when you get ice cream like this?

{Funny story… Chw does not read. He’ll listen to Audio books but he hates to read real books. YET- could not put this little children’s book down. Seriously.}

And this is ice cream place, bad experience, take 2. Their table ripped my {FAVORITE} shirt, our waiter was a total tool and everything from our very small order to our check was completely messed up. Note to self: Find new special occasion ice cream spot.

Not a great photo but it’s our favorite theater. When I did entertainment work through Allied, back in the day- I felt like I lived here. It really is the best theater though, and for Chw’s birthday we did their “dinner and a movie” special. (See, they have a full chef staff and a gourmet kitchen in there.) We had a delicious dinner, complete with coconut cream pie for dessert… Cuz you know, we needed MORE sugar.

And then it was out of the dining room and into the theater to see Iron Man 3. {Which was awesome, btw}

This was Gen’s first Dinner and a Movie experience. Honestly, she was just enamored by the free unlimited popcorn and the recliners…

It was a late night but our little rockstar managed to wake up in time to go help do make up for a community theater production and then come home to shoot a music video on our deck. I tried to discretely document the divas at work, but you can barely see one of them through the door…

The stars :)

What Chw does while loud music videos are filmed on our deck…

What I did when said video shooting moved to various locations in our house. (notice who woke up… for about 12 seconds.)

Birthday cake at Chw’s favorite local restaurant- J Alexanders.

Happy 39th birthday, husband! You are amazing and I love you so incredibly much!

You are my rock and I am so grateful to journey through life beside you…

Come Tuesday morning though, we will need a sugar detox. <3

A few thoughts with which to greet the weekend…

Published on May 3, 2013 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments

01.} I do believe that Spring has finally made an entrance, all late and Diva style, here in Michigan. Then I hear, from my daughter who currently resides in Wisconsin, that she’s getting snow, and my spirit sinks. I literally felt overcome with panic as I began thinking of ways to conserve sunshine and hoard our stash of synthetic Vitamin D.

02.} S0 far, thankfully, our forecast is golden. {It’s here that I have to face reality that it was also Golden on Tuesday- and promising sunshine, while reality had us in downpour & thunder city. Boo.}

03.} Last weekend I made this totally awesome chicken slowcooker recipe. It’s such a great recipe and really makes the BEST Chicken tacos. And nachos. And quesadillas. And green chili enchiladas. Basically, what I’m getting at is- pretty much super sick of this chicken for now. Yep, that is exactly what I am saying. Great recipe- spread out. (and shared with like 3 other families.)

04.} I’ve been thinking a lot about dreams vs. goals, and what is reasonable for each side, what is required for success and what is flat out foolish. While Pinterest, Facebook and well meaning loved ones are all full of cliches and wives tales, I suspect the truth is somewhere muddled in the middle of here and there. Thoughts?

05.} My beautiful sheep dog Emma needs a job. Back at our other house she liked to take pillows off of the patio furniture and pile them in the corner of the yard, and then guard them. She took her job seriously. Upon our move, and the loss of our yard, she’s becoming less affectionate and pretty irritable. I’m guessing this is just the way she handles unemployment.

06.} I read, on CNN today, that the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in five years. While that’s awesome and I’m super happy about this, Emma isn’t feeling as grateful. How’s an Australian Shepard/Border Collie supposed to find work? We have been putting a few gluten free treats in her giant rubber mouth toy. While it does keep her focused and busy for a couple of hours, and make her a tiny bit sweeter in the evenings- I’m concerned about the message. Unemployed? Eat snacks. Struggling with your worth and possibly your self esteem? Eat snacks. See where I’m going with this? She needs a better job. So far, dishes and folding laundry don’t seem to interest her. Such a shame…

07.} My husband is about to turn 39, which I personally think is awesome. He’s less in favor of this development. He’s a rockstar, a rockstar who has only gotten better with age. I love that man of mine!

08.} I have been absolutely obsessed with watching Indie film trailers recently. You should definitely watch this one, and this one. Amazing right?

09.} We have to head to the Re-store, in search of a light fixture and faucet. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us please, that they have the most amazing options for hardly any cost. Is it wrong to cross our fingers for such a superficial miracle?

10.} Watching a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie with Genny this week, as she was sick and laying around all restful, we had the funniest conversation. The female lead of the film was suspicious of a guy she liked. To preface it, they’d gone on a date. My sweet, naive 14 year old pipes up and says “man, she’s going to think he’s cheating on her and break up with him.”

M- Well they have only gone on one date honey, so if he was seeing someone else, that’s ok. And it’s way to premature to “break up”. That’s crazy.

She stares at me, jaw as dropped as humanly possible, those big blue eyes saucer like and in shock.

M- Gen?

G- What are you even talking about? It’s CHEATING?!?!

M- It’s only cheating if they are in a relationship.

Emphatically she grunts, pointing at the tv.

M- going on one date does not mean you are in a relationship.

G- What do you mean? Why? Since When? Are you sure?

It went on like this for awhile. I talked about dating, relationships, etc. She processed and reprocessed for the better part of the evening. How she missed this, I’m not sure. Before her sister left home, I remember countless conversations where Amanda would go out with a guy and Gen would call him her “boyfriend” and we would set the record straight.

Geesh, Denial much?

Happy weekend! Do something lovely and amazing, drink in some beautiful and sunshine- and for goodness sakes, go eat a few bites of delectable sugar in honor of my husband’s birthday… Cupcakes all around!