Fine China

I heard today that a girl I went to high school with is in the midst of my own personal nightmare. She was married a little over 4 months ago, 2 weeks before D and I were married, actually. Her husband was deployed to Iraq in September and was injured in a random attack a few days ago. Last night he passed away. My heart breaks just thinking about it.

I just love D so much. And I know that some of you may not want to hear all of the gooey things. I’ll spare you (though I mean the gooey love too). I’m sure that you all have a person in your life (I hope!) who you just love beyond reason. It could be a parent, a child, a best friend, a spouse, a partner…whomever. There are days when I am just ASSTOUNDED by the amount of love I feel for this man. I’m overwhelmed with joy and I smile like a crazed cat. And at other times, I’m overwhelmed in a completely different way. It’s at these times that I cry at the thought of loosing him one day. What gets me through these moments, the thoughts of all the bad things out there in the world, is my faith in God and His plan. And knowing that the love D and I have (and I hope you all get to experience with someone some day) will make it possible, I believe for us to walk through this life side by side, whether that be literal or figurative. He has touched me in so many ways. Let others touch you. And try to touch their lives too.

In that vein, I pulled out our wedding china for dinner tonight. Life is too crazy, uncertain, short, hectic…I don’t want to save up all of these things, but more importantly, I don’t want to save up all of the love and passion within for some ambiguous day in the future. The food won’t be amazing, neither will the wine. But the plates, and our love, will be.

When’s the last time you used your china (or wore the dress that makes you feel beautiful, or took pictures because it’s what makes your heart sing)? Do it. Live.

p.s. The new genius feature on iTunes is perfect today. I “genuised” a Coldplay song. The songs that are playing range from a little melancholy to upbeat to reflective. Check it out…Ben Folds “Luckiest” just came on. How appropriate. J

Making the Effort

I'm really going to start making the effort to post every (or every other?) day on here. I'm so blog obsessed that when other people don't update their blogs, I get a little bummed! Sad, I know. Maybe this won't be the case when, in the future, I have a job that's a bit more...demanding? We'll see.

Anyway, just wanted to share my new skillllllllz. :) A few months back I bought an old but never used sewing machine. I had a pile of clothes that needed to be hemmed, seams to be fixed, etc. etc. etc. and I decided that it was crazy to spend so much money taking them to the dry cleaner (if I were still in NC, I'd head over to Shirley, the lady who altered my wedding dress for $20!!). When I first busted it out, I had to teach myself how to thread the needle, align the bobbin and all of the other things that go along with making that silly machine work. Well, I was so proud that I accomplished this feat only to discover that...it didn't work. WHAT?? Booooooo. Turns out that it just needed a little tune-up (thanks to Appliance Fix-It, they rock!) and I'd be back in business. Well, last night I FINALLY sat down to work on a few of the things that needed the sewing touch. And I did it! I will qualify this with a hearty "no stiches look beautiful" but they are all functional! Even my most favorite pair of jeans, that I had ripped the belt-loops off of, are fixed. Maybe they'll last me another few years. Or maybe not, they're almost indecent for public due to holes! Oh well. We can't win them all, huh?

Alright, back to it. I've got a long day ahead with a St. Jude HH followed by Grey's with Kiki! And then I get to head to NC tomorrow to bring my hubby home (and see my bestest too!).

xo

Charm City is Calling...

I miss Baltimore. A ton. I was up there on Friday (for something I'll discuss in a later post, when plans are a little more concrete), and really REALLY didn't want to leave. I appreciate a lot that DC has to offer, but it will never compare in my heart and mind to Bmore. And the following article didn't help to get Charm City off my mind:

http://www.theotherjournal.com/article.php?id=364


Back to work for now...more later.

Alvin, Simon, Theodore!

I've been really reluctant to post this, but I feel like it may be the only way to make it real. Like, stick with it REAL.

I'm running. Well, I've started running (and one of the songs I listened to today was the Chipmunk's theme music, hence today's title). My hubby has always been an avid runner (he's completed 1 marathon, a few 1/2 marathons and countless other shorter races), and we really enjoy working out together. So, I'm starting a running routine. I found these programs (thanks to Kiki!) and I'm beginning really slowly. Like run/walk slowly. I used to run in MS and HS, but that was ages ago...and with a bum knee and messed up feet, I've always been reluctant to get back into it. However, now that I've had an office job for over a year, the lack of time outside is really starting to take a toll, and the gym was expensive and rarely used, I want to get back into it. I'm going to do my darndest to stick with it, so make sure to check in on me sometimes! Anyone else out there running? Maybe we can plan buddy runs when I've had some time to not be too bad? :) We'll see how it goes! So far, I'm LOVING the routine and the gorgeous weather. And in just a few short days, my body is already feeling better.

Hmmm...what else? The hubby is a little over half-way through his rotation at pukey Dukey. Nah, Duke has one of the best surgery programs in the nation, and I've never really be in on the whole Duke/UNC rivalry. I've missed him SO much, but I know that we are so blessed to be able to share our love, even if it's from a distance. One day the military will separate us for much longer time periods, so I'm considering this "heart stretching." Absence sure does make the heart grow stronger!

OH and right before he left, we had to buy this:

Yep, we are the proud parents of a new Honda Fit. We had been planning on getting a new car next year when Dieg started his residency, but the old Tercel (aka Poopy) died. Black smoke on the side of the interstate needing a tow thank goodness we could donate it for a tax rebate - dead. Oh well. Some times life throws things you just don't expect, huh?

Alright, time to make dinner and get some other stuff done (including some work! boo!).

Night!