That what it feels like I'm doing after all this gross warm humid weather lately. We had such a brief, shining week of Fall, and now it's hot and uncomfortable again. Though this weekend should be cooler, and I can bring out the hoodies again, thank goodness.
What a week! As I've now become quite comfortable spending most of my weeknights at home, I really pushed the envelope with Harpie dinner on Monday night in Brooklyn (theme: Johnny Appleseed) and then a concert last night with Schmeather. We saw The Head and the Heart at The Bowery Ballroom, and they were excellent, but they didn't go on until about 11:15, after two opening bands, and so I got home at about 1:15 am. The opening bands were kind of boring -- actually we only went up to the main room for the second one -- so as much as I love seeing fantastic live music, I think I may have to not go on weeknights anymore. Or now that I'm typing this out, maybe I'll just be really picky about it, since today isn't as hard to survive as I thought it would be.
ANYWAY, I am very much looking forward to a night at home tonight. I have to pick up the veggies after work, and then Hike will be coming over at some point, but before then I can probably get in some couch and DVR time... and it'll be nice to go to sleep before midnight (I hope, at least.)
I need to start re-incorporating the gym or some sort of activity into my life, since after a month of letting myself go/eat whatever, I am feeling the results. My clothes are all tight (which could partially be due to high heat drying, but who knows), my tummy is big (I swear I'm pregnant while having my period, because it feels so firm. Is that possible?), and I am feeling decidedly dumpy and unsexy. (Well, except that Hike and I are sexting right now, so I'm still looking forward to it -- just with the lights out.) Um I guess I also have my extremely light period right now, which could be contributing. Now, is it light because I'm pregnant or because I'm now taking more hormones (a light dose) for my acne? Probably the latter. Oh, and I've also decided that I need to start dressing more like a grown-up, so I've spent a lot of money online shopping recently. I know I won't keep it all, but I can at least perk up my wardrobe a bit. And it doesn't help that I'm totally sick of all my summer clothing options.
There's not much news. The weekends have been full of homework (him); puttering around the house baking, cooking, cleaning, reading (me); visiting the family on Sunday and doing our laundry (me) while he studies more (him); and my weeks have been made up of things like book club, walking home from work (last week, when we had some gloriously cooler days), and catching up on all the new fall television. Last weekend I had time on Saturday to borrow his car and visit Schmillie in Brooklyn for the afternoon, then head to Trader Joe's in Rego Park to stock up on pantry items. I'm cooking more dinners, but I enjoy it. I feel like I'm contributing what I can do to his overwhelming school schedule now. I also have started making homemade granola bars for him to throw in his bag to eat during class, since he gets so hungry and wasn't bringing anything, plus he likes natural, healthy stuff. It feels good to support him in that way, and I'm lucky that he appreciates it. It's how I'm showing love. (Barf, amiright?)
We've had some serious talks about the future recently, so I'm very happy with where we are and what's to come. And we've gotten much better at arguing. The fights do still happen, but usually we can head them off at the pass -- and we're learning how to balance his schoolwork with time together, plus I'm nagging him less to be more organized as he's making a good system for himself. I'm feeling optimistic about this thing. And the one-year anniversary of our first date is coming up on October 13, so it feels like a big milestone. I'm excited!
And that's the story, morning glories. I feel like I'm getting so repetitive, but hey, consistency is the salt of life.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tit Bits
There was a lot of serious future talk with Hike this weekend, which was mostly really nice, but until I have a chance to write it up for you, I'll leave you with these two gems.
-He asked me if I'd be able to be patient with the kids, and he was only half-kidding. YES FINE I'm not that patient normally, but I'd be better with my own kids, I think/hope! :) I said well, that's why I have you anyway, and he said that I'd be spending more time with them. So I mean, it's a positive that he's thinking like this, but not so great that he's worried about my patience level. I'm sure it's because I've been on his back about schoolwork, but he's getting into the swing of being organized and I'm calming down. Really! I am great with children that are not annoying.
-He also asked me if we could make cheese from my (future) breast milk. I said we could sure try!
-He asked me if I'd be able to be patient with the kids, and he was only half-kidding. YES FINE I'm not that patient normally, but I'd be better with my own kids, I think/hope! :) I said well, that's why I have you anyway, and he said that I'd be spending more time with them. So I mean, it's a positive that he's thinking like this, but not so great that he's worried about my patience level. I'm sure it's because I've been on his back about schoolwork, but he's getting into the swing of being organized and I'm calming down. Really! I am great with children that are not annoying.
-He also asked me if we could make cheese from my (future) breast milk. I said we could sure try!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Homebodying
It feels like ages have gone by. Aren't we all excited for Fall? There's a certain crispness to the air, especially in the evenings, and I know my mood is improving. It helps that so far things are now bug-free, and I had a nice Scottish break, and I'm feeling rather caught up in my life (as in, no huge to-do list at the moment.)
So a quick trip rundown for you. The beginning part in London was a little stressful, with nine people in one apartment and lots of luggage to be buried under, but once we escaped to the Scottish hills I felt so relaxed and at one with nature. I loved the view out of our lodge, too! The best part of the whole wedding was the Scottish dancing, though, called Céilidh (prounounced kay-lee). There were set steps that the band would teach us and then call out, and our new friend (aka the groom's friend from home) Kevin asked me to dance the first dance so he taught me the steps, too -- it was so fun and twirly! Like that scene in Titanic when they're dancing in steerage. Plus it was the first time a boy has ever asked me to dance! (Obviously it wasn't anything scandalous, don't worry.) Kevin and I danced like four of them together, and in between those I danced with Jude (the girl groomsman) for one, a girl named Haley, and with a 10-year-old Scottish boy , and with one of the best men John (he was so drunk I just pushed him around the twirls. I'm glad he didn't puke on me.) And though I drank all day, I didn't feel particularly drunk OR hungover the next day because of all the exercise. :) It was thrilling.
On the flight home, I started coughing, and felt pretty under the weather that first weekend back, but I felt better by Tuesday, I just haven't been able to shake the cough (even now). I finally called the doctor today to make an appointment for tomorrow, since just when I thought it was getting better yesterday, it's gotten a bit worse. Might as well make sure I don't have the Contagion, especially since people at work are refusing to sit next to me now. And this past Monday night I had a sudden and sharp pain in my right ankle, and it's a bit swollen. I think a summer of mostly wearing flip flops has caught up to me! I wore sneakers to work today and kept them on, and it's already feeling a ton better. I just feel like I'm falling apart in general, but hey, when do I not?
I haven't smoked since the Saturday after I returned from the UK. I knew I wouldn't be able to re-quit before then, since we'd be drinking and smoking a ton there, but now that I'm home and having trouble breathing anyway, it hasn't been so bad. That means it's been 11 days -- almost two weeks! I'm sucking on the nicotine lozenges plus Cepacol throat lozenges, sometimes both at once (one in each cheek), and it's not been as hard as expected. I'm sure hard times will come, but for now, I don't think about it too much. Shoot, except now I am. MOVING ON.
Hike started his MBA classes while I was gone, and he's got two on Monday evenings, two on Wednesday evenings, and one from 9 - 1 on Saturdays. It's a lot, and he has a lot of reading and homework to do, but I think he's getting it down. In the beginning I was worried about his organizational level, especially since I am The Queen of being organized and also Very Bossy, so we were bickering a bit, but it seems like he's getting into the swing of things and I'm trying to step back a little, too. (He likes my help and advice, but obviously I need to be nice about it.) It is still stressful, but hopefully we can figure out a workable lifestyle for the next few years. I think we're close now, actually.
I've also started casually looking at one-bedroom apartment listings in Astoria. After traveling and having my own bathroom for a blessed four days in Scotland, I just sort of came home and craved more space for myself. I knew I wanted to move sometime this winter anyway, but now I'm considering moving out sooner and then Hike would join me when he's ready and able and when we're ready to be engaged. At first I was hesitant to proceed this way since I don't want him to feel like he's moving in to MY home, but on the other hand, it'd be good for me to live alone for awhile, plus he'll be there a ton anyway (he's already at my place a lot as it is), and I doubt he'd be as sensitive about moving into my place than if the situation were reversed. He likes this plan because it means we're progressing but it gives him a little flexibility to figure out his timing, too. So now the question is, when?
I went to one open house on Monday, but the kitchen was just on a wall in the LR and I need it in a separate room so that I don't stink up the main room with garlic/cooking smells plus make all that noise of washing dishes, etc. I am going to another one tomorrow night, and Hike may come with me so we can start feeling things out together (though he likes my taste, as he's said), but if I like it, I'm still in a tight spot. My roommate's Dad isn't doing very well health-wise, and she was planning on going to visit him in Florida for a few weeks at the beginning of October. After over five years together, I'd feel like a dick if I surprised her by announcing my intention to move out in 15 days while she was already planning to travel. So that's a consideration -- but I still think it's OK to look at places. I'm just half scared I'll like one, you know? But also THRILLED about the concept.
OH, and just to vent for a minute -- I'm looking mainly on Craigslist, since how else do we find apartments nowadays? Sometimes I'll go to a realtor's site from their Craigslist posting and find other options, but I still hate the whole broker's fee situation. Anyway, there are so many posts for Astoria that don't say WHERE the place is in the neighborhood, or they'll say an avenue but not the street. This makes a HUGE difference, so obviously I'm not going to respond to them since I feel like they're trying to pull some bullshit, but what if they're stupid and I'm missing a good apartment? Ugh, I guess when I'm looking more seriously I can investigate those further, but come on. We want to be somewhere between 30th and 36th Aves, and Crescent and 37th Streets, so work with us, Craigslisters.
And finally, I just bought my first Christmas present today. I guess it could be a one-year anniversary present for Hike, but it doesn't seem very romantic. HOT TIP -- you can buy Always Sunny in Philadelphia seasons 1-5 PLUS the Christmas Special on Amazon for like $48. Buy it for someone special in your life. You're welcome.
So a quick trip rundown for you. The beginning part in London was a little stressful, with nine people in one apartment and lots of luggage to be buried under, but once we escaped to the Scottish hills I felt so relaxed and at one with nature. I loved the view out of our lodge, too! The best part of the whole wedding was the Scottish dancing, though, called Céilidh (prounounced kay-lee). There were set steps that the band would teach us and then call out, and our new friend (aka the groom's friend from home) Kevin asked me to dance the first dance so he taught me the steps, too -- it was so fun and twirly! Like that scene in Titanic when they're dancing in steerage. Plus it was the first time a boy has ever asked me to dance! (Obviously it wasn't anything scandalous, don't worry.) Kevin and I danced like four of them together, and in between those I danced with Jude (the girl groomsman) for one, a girl named Haley, and with a 10-year-old Scottish boy , and with one of the best men John (he was so drunk I just pushed him around the twirls. I'm glad he didn't puke on me.) And though I drank all day, I didn't feel particularly drunk OR hungover the next day because of all the exercise. :) It was thrilling.
On the flight home, I started coughing, and felt pretty under the weather that first weekend back, but I felt better by Tuesday, I just haven't been able to shake the cough (even now). I finally called the doctor today to make an appointment for tomorrow, since just when I thought it was getting better yesterday, it's gotten a bit worse. Might as well make sure I don't have the Contagion, especially since people at work are refusing to sit next to me now. And this past Monday night I had a sudden and sharp pain in my right ankle, and it's a bit swollen. I think a summer of mostly wearing flip flops has caught up to me! I wore sneakers to work today and kept them on, and it's already feeling a ton better. I just feel like I'm falling apart in general, but hey, when do I not?
I haven't smoked since the Saturday after I returned from the UK. I knew I wouldn't be able to re-quit before then, since we'd be drinking and smoking a ton there, but now that I'm home and having trouble breathing anyway, it hasn't been so bad. That means it's been 11 days -- almost two weeks! I'm sucking on the nicotine lozenges plus Cepacol throat lozenges, sometimes both at once (one in each cheek), and it's not been as hard as expected. I'm sure hard times will come, but for now, I don't think about it too much. Shoot, except now I am. MOVING ON.
Hike started his MBA classes while I was gone, and he's got two on Monday evenings, two on Wednesday evenings, and one from 9 - 1 on Saturdays. It's a lot, and he has a lot of reading and homework to do, but I think he's getting it down. In the beginning I was worried about his organizational level, especially since I am The Queen of being organized and also Very Bossy, so we were bickering a bit, but it seems like he's getting into the swing of things and I'm trying to step back a little, too. (He likes my help and advice, but obviously I need to be nice about it.) It is still stressful, but hopefully we can figure out a workable lifestyle for the next few years. I think we're close now, actually.
I've also started casually looking at one-bedroom apartment listings in Astoria. After traveling and having my own bathroom for a blessed four days in Scotland, I just sort of came home and craved more space for myself. I knew I wanted to move sometime this winter anyway, but now I'm considering moving out sooner and then Hike would join me when he's ready and able and when we're ready to be engaged. At first I was hesitant to proceed this way since I don't want him to feel like he's moving in to MY home, but on the other hand, it'd be good for me to live alone for awhile, plus he'll be there a ton anyway (he's already at my place a lot as it is), and I doubt he'd be as sensitive about moving into my place than if the situation were reversed. He likes this plan because it means we're progressing but it gives him a little flexibility to figure out his timing, too. So now the question is, when?
I went to one open house on Monday, but the kitchen was just on a wall in the LR and I need it in a separate room so that I don't stink up the main room with garlic/cooking smells plus make all that noise of washing dishes, etc. I am going to another one tomorrow night, and Hike may come with me so we can start feeling things out together (though he likes my taste, as he's said), but if I like it, I'm still in a tight spot. My roommate's Dad isn't doing very well health-wise, and she was planning on going to visit him in Florida for a few weeks at the beginning of October. After over five years together, I'd feel like a dick if I surprised her by announcing my intention to move out in 15 days while she was already planning to travel. So that's a consideration -- but I still think it's OK to look at places. I'm just half scared I'll like one, you know? But also THRILLED about the concept.
OH, and just to vent for a minute -- I'm looking mainly on Craigslist, since how else do we find apartments nowadays? Sometimes I'll go to a realtor's site from their Craigslist posting and find other options, but I still hate the whole broker's fee situation. Anyway, there are so many posts for Astoria that don't say WHERE the place is in the neighborhood, or they'll say an avenue but not the street. This makes a HUGE difference, so obviously I'm not going to respond to them since I feel like they're trying to pull some bullshit, but what if they're stupid and I'm missing a good apartment? Ugh, I guess when I'm looking more seriously I can investigate those further, but come on. We want to be somewhere between 30th and 36th Aves, and Crescent and 37th Streets, so work with us, Craigslisters.
And finally, I just bought my first Christmas present today. I guess it could be a one-year anniversary present for Hike, but it doesn't seem very romantic. HOT TIP -- you can buy Always Sunny in Philadelphia seasons 1-5 PLUS the Christmas Special on Amazon for like $48. Buy it for someone special in your life. You're welcome.
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