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On Peter’s and my first actual date he farted really loudly as we were getting out of my car. He thought I would not hear it with the picking up of my purse, getting up and out of my car, shutting the car door. Only he anticipated that I would shut the door more quickly than I did so in that little pause he farted, thinking the sound would be muffled by the slamming of the car door. But it wasn’t. And I heard it. And I subsequently called him on it. But I was already in love- it had already happened and no matter what he did I wasn’t falling out of love.
I’ve been thinking a lot about last Christmas (who isn’t- have you gone out recently? Christmas is EVERYWHERE and it was just halloween) and that reminds me of the holidays in New York last year and my favorite holiday memory… Ice Skating in Bryant Park. I teased Peter relentlessly about my experience at ice skating when he had never been on ice before. Then I was the only one to fall on the ice- and I did it right; as I was falling I was so concentrated on trying to stay up, I forgot momentarily about how much my nose had been running and when I hit the ice, snot flung from my nose, all over my face, jacket, ice and the professional ice skate coach/rescue person. It took a whole sleeve to wipe what was on my face off and I left the snot on the ice to add traction to what was obviously a ‘slippy’ spot.
Peter was also there to rescue me and witnessed the whole thing, he probably had my own personal snot on him…and he still loves me.
We just got married and we are happy and he had to leave me to go off on the ship for a month. He’ll return for a month then leave again for 6 months and I hate that. But someday, we’ll have the opportunity to spend all the time we want together.
You can’t help what happens sometimes, sometimes things don’t go as you planned, but you just trust what you think you are sure of and it all turns out perfectly.
I do not know what I did to deserve this, but I am so happy and I hope that everyone feels like this.
We are going on vacation tomorrow and we are sooo excited! Peter and I packed most of our stuff last night- we will be in a king size room on the second floor of a giant, oceanfront mega-mansion on the 4×4 beaches of the Outer Banks. The place has a pool, hot tub, three stories of decks, 2 outdoor showers, a pool table, a bathroom for each and every one of the hundreds of bedrooms and did i mention it’s oceanfront???
Ok, so this takes much planning and list-making. I have assembled a booklet of my packing lists and Krisann’s packing lists so that we may eliminate any duplicate packing. I came up with the idea of leaving Peter with his own bathroom (the one attached to our bedroom) and sharing Krisann’s bathroom since we share everything when we’re together anyway. We need to get ready together every morning, she has all the eyebrow preening supplies and I have all the nail care supplies. We have had dozens of google chat conversations, sent text messages, discussed this at length over the phone for the last month and it is now the moment we have been preparing for…we are finally packing.
I know what I am bringing and she knows what she is bringing. We know each other’s belongings so well that we ask the other to bring specific things, for instance: she asked me to bring a bunch of sunhats. I thought of the one that I own that matches my bathing suit and was about to type that I only had one when I realized she was right! I have another 5-6 in the closet in a box that I completely forgot about. If it wasn’t for her I would have forgotten the others and would have been stuck with only one hat all week.
She leaves with the family tonight and since we live so close, Peter and I will leave tomorrow morning some time.
Weather outlook, according to NOAA’s National Weather Service is good until Wednesday when there is a 30-40% chance of thunderstorms. Atticus will be at the kennel all week and the cats will jsut hang out by themselves. Shaun will be returning to the country while we are on vacation so he will be there for them.
A friend of Peter’s will be trading us his 4×4 pickup for my jeep next week so we can get to the house. I am looking forward to taking a week off and just relaxing.
Do you know how lucky I am? Let me list the ways for your time-wasting reading pleasure:
Peter looked up my chinese numerology and calculated with his genius brain that my numbers are super lucky! I’m not certain how it works, I just know that it involves adding numbers which correspond to the letters in your name. Don’t ask me- ask him.
I get to volunteer somewhere I love to volunteer and the owners of Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge L-O-V-E Love me! They give me babies, let me help feed new babies, teach me all about species of animals that I would otherwise never have personal access to. They comfort me when I lose babies and reassure me that it isn’t me despite my feelings of complete failure (more to come on that subject.)
Krisann is so talented with her awesome photoshopping skills and her mastery of text arranging. And the patience of a satellite. The girls got mad skillz, what can I say? And since we’re so close I get to take total advantage! She has created an awesome flyer for a Charity Bike Run to benefit the Refuge. She made a super hilarious picture of a raccoon on a motorcycle, she sends me messages that make me choke on drinks or food I am consuming. She totally gets every thought in my head…Nobody could have a better sister…I am so lucky she is mine. ALL MINE!!!!!!!!!!
I have a view of an awesome Jeep that was made possible by my love, Peter. I sit at my desk and right out the window is my Jeepy baby. I love you Jeepy!
I am getting a few thousand dollars in October from a pension which will allow me to pay off the remaining student loans I have and should allow for some leftovers to save for a wedding.
I’m going to turn 30 in 8 days and I’m totally okay with it. Maybe that is what I’m so damned happy about- I am looking forward to my future instead of wishing I were reliving great times from my past. I feel like there is a lot of good stuff in store for me and I am excited for it.
I feel pretty. (song kicks in- you can sing the rest to yourself)
I’m using the neti pot every morning and it has cured my allergy symptoms. Thank goodness too because I was having to take 3 ibuprofen at a time all day to deaden the swollen glands in my throat plus an allergy pill! I know it may not work for everyone but it works for lucky me!
I am going on a weeklong vacation beginning Saturday then I will return to work for one week and I will be let go from this job…again! I can continue to collect unemployment until I find something new.
I was lucky enough to discover http://blisslist.typepad.com/ If you like awesome music- music you won’t hear on your regular annoyingly repetitive radio stations- music that hasn’t been processed, packaged and marketed directly to you by some record company stooge- then check this site out. She has amazing ears, that girl.
My license is about to expire so I went to the DMV yesterday and got to go take a new picture so they can send me a new license in the mail and I had a Good hair day for this. My hair is having a lot of akward days (thanks Joseph via Krisann for that! Care to join the Akward Hair Club with me?) recently- specifically my bangs- so I was slightly worried about what state my hair would appear to be in the photo but (though I have yet to see it) I believe it was good based on the look of my hair in the rearview before and directly after I was inside the DMV.
I have an awesome bikini that I couldn’t find locally in my size but was able to find one a few months back while I was in Charleston! And, it was on sale for like, $10 bucks a piece!
I get to marry a man who, of his own accord, tore up the old stones and concrete and laid down a new pathway to the refuge backyard! I had nothing to do with getting him to do this and, in fact, he actually suggested it to them. Wow, I know- Evelyn was tempted to make him her *new* favorite, but I cannot be so easily replaced. I now know he is vying for my spot in her affections.
I’m also lucky to have found Peter. I don’t know how I did it but somehow I managed to get the best man out there. The ‘pick of the litter’, if you will, The brightest star in the sky, the best cook in the kitchen, the #1 best of the best, sorry all you other ladies cause I got him now you have to settle for google-only-knows-what. (I am absolutely choking on corn here, are you? sorry- I’ll stop for now but beware, I may make this a regular post)
Peter did not make chief. I’ve boohooed, he was pissed. We’re over it.
I’ve managed to work through my anger toward the Navy by focusing on Peter’s ability to be able to make the Family Vacation next month.
Some background for those who may not be familiar with MY family’s summer vacations:
Years and years ago, the Family began vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Traditionally we rented a huge beach house in Duck and my Dad’s side of the family went which included the grandparents, my aunts, uncles, cousins and my grandparents neighbors and their daughters. Over the years, we tried to go almost every year and I have hundreds of photos and memories of those trips. I also know stories about me and my sister that my family recall and regularly recount. One summer we were scared to death about Beavers in the Closet of our bedroom, one year we had matching robes and wouldn’t allow our feet to touch the sand so we had to be carried out and set on our matching beach chairs with matching umbrellas, one year my cousins Nikki and Jamie cranked up the house stereo and played their tape of “I wanna Sex You Up” and Grampa got all grumpy and annoyed that the tweens wanted to sex someone up. Krisann spent one vacation watching after her new pet fish that she placed in her sand bucket after catching it with her bare hands. Sounds amazing, huh? Turns out it was dead the whole time but when she moved the bucket and the fish’s body moved in the water she thought it was alive and swimming! Some MacGuyver family member (I don’t remember who, maybe someone else knows?) built a “Fart Machine” using only 2 rubber bands, a wire coat hanger and a washer. We got years of enjoyment out of those- they often broke due to their chronic overuse. We were addicted. One year the neighbor took the Fart Machine and was going to try using it. Just as he began to put it in place he farted for real!! We found a crooked-running dog one year we named Asparagus Crash Frou Frou. He all had nicknames that year that I can’t remember.
As time passed the vacations dwindles until we stopped for a few years consecutively. Two years ago, some of us went again. We hauled our crap to a huge house in Corolla and spent the week sitting at the pool getting drunk. My birthday fell during that vacation, it was one of the last days we were there, and the very day I was going to be treated to a special dinner.
As I grew up, we went less frequently until we stopped going altogether. Two years ago though, half the family rented a beach house and we went again. It was in Corolla, had a pool, hot tub and was giant. We went through 30 cases of beer alone that week. That doesn’t count the alcohol. None of us could count that high after all the brain cells we killed. We also happened to go the week of my birthday that year and on that day I got completely trashed, something I had managed to avoid the entire preceeding week and my sister and cousin Molly forced me out of bed, made me puke it all up, dressed me and made me up while I pouted on the floor and limply attempted to fight them off.
I specifically remember fighting with Molly while she applied that makeup to my face until I realized I couldn’t move any part of my body while she curled my eyelashes for fear of causing her to poke my own eye out. It was a possibility that she would have done that just to spite me then blame it on me anyway. She has a nickname for a reason. The three of us also had HOT HOT DANCE PARTY on the third floor balcony one night. That was the best week I’ve had in a long time and this upcoming vacation with them will be just as awesome, I have no doubt.
Virginia Beach
Recent Sunset. Thought I’d share… I know you’re all jealous & stuff so don’t even deny it.
16 days left ’til Peter is back. Dad & Wendy are having a great time, I took them to the refuge last night and they were hands on with the wildlife. Dad took pictures which I will put up once I get them. Wendy has one on her facebook already so check it if you can.
We got home and played dice, Dad kicked our butts but Wendy got him with her awesome trash talk. At one point, she told him to go get a big bottle cause he Sucks! Simon was attracted to the rolling dice and hung out on the table with us, trying to play while we rolled around him. If you have met Simon, you know how skittish and jumpy he is…at one point, Dad lurched forward and tried to scare him. Simon was completely surprised and flipped over, off the table. It was insane! I have never seen that fat ass cat move that fast, then he disappeared for a half hour, to clean his pants.
Wendy had prepared a tasty dip which was baked and enjoyed. Dad was her sous-chef.
I brought leftovers for lunch again today, I can’t wait to eat it: grilled chicken, fruit salad and crescent roll. My refrigerator is the most full it has been since Peter left, not to mention it is all high quality & great tasting foods. I should be set until Peter gets back home!
I am back working full time at the insurance company as a temporary receptionist. My hours and lunch break are exactly the same every day of the week, so I now have a schedule to follow which keeps me organized and happy. Krisann says I am of the Vata constitution (ayurveda) and do best when I stick to a schedule.
I spent last week in Charleston with my sister and mom. I am always happy with family. Had a major development there & will post more info later on that.
I spent an hour this morning at the office organizing the office supply closets which is endlessly pleasing to me. I dont know what it is about organizing things but I just love it, it makes me feel peaceful.
The tomato plants are over a foot tall and look very healthy. The hibiscus, digitalis and dipladenia are blooming daily. One of the orchids is thriving and most of my other plants are doing fantastically well.
Peter has been emailling more often and he let me know there is about two months left to the deployment so I started a countdown. I made a countdown calendar at work and as of today, 59 days remain!!! I also bought him a really cute present for when he gets home: a monster towel. It’s meant for kids (although it is super-sized) and has a hood with big eyes and fangs. I think he’ll enjoy it- I know how much he misses long hot showers when he is on that boat. I can’t wait until he gets it, he loves that stuff.
Plus, it’s summer! Its sunny and warm and who doesn’t love that??
The second week of our break was spent in lovely New York City! Peter’s family was so very welcoming to me, all of them; I am very thankful. We visited downtown with his parents and little brother & his little brother’s girlfriend. They took me to Rockefeller Center to see the tree. It was gigantic- and looked so much more beautiful than it does on television. I can’t imagine how many lights are on it! (1)
Peter & I ventured into the city later that week ourselves, we went to Top of the Rock (2, 3, 4 & 5), MoMA and just wandered the streets: Madison Ave, Park Ave, Macy’s (6),Lord & Taylor’s, South Street Seaport, and Ferrari. (7)
Did you know that in addition to SoHo, there is a NoHo?!!! (8) We ate at Angelo’s & Ferrara’s in Little Italy. I could have died that night. The dinner was irresistable. I ate more than I thought was possible. Then managed to fit in a cannoli from Ferrara’s Cafe. Every dessert I ever had was put to shame with that single cannoli. If you are in NYC, please please please eat there. http://www.ferraracafe.com/nyc/
And it was beautiful! Peter and I both took 2 weeks off (see the calendar in an older post) and spent the first one in PA visiting family. We stayed at Krisann’s and Gram’s. Click on the thumbnail for larger picture.
1. Krisann got me a Mr. Winkle calendar. I’ve learned a lot from that adorable puppy. Mr. Winkle knows how much more adorable you are when your tongue hangs out a little. I think the look works for me too.
2. Krisann opens her present while Atticus looks on to see if it’s something he can use.
3 through 6. Everyone spent some quality time with Atticus- he was in heaven.
7. Peter likes to wear multiple hats.
8. Or, no hats…
9. Or, tiny ladies’ hats.
10. Atticus knew what the problem was right away, he was bored waiting for them to figure it out. But Dad & Wendy figured it out eventually and fixed Gram’s chair.
11. Peter gets a kick out of teasing me. Luckily I noticed what he’d done before trying to get up.
We have traveled over the last month quite a bit. We started our holiday adventures in Charleston where Mom made dinner forFrank, Grammy, Pap, Peter and myself. It was delicious! Unfortunately Peter had to leave after dinner due to his having duty the following day. We loved the dinner- from Frank’s celery appetizers to Grammy’s cole slaw to Mom’s succulent turkey. I feel that my contribution will be remembered forever, I don’t cook often but I truly outdid myself this time. I grew, harvested, jellied, canned and labeled my own cranberries. I was so prepared all I needed to do that day was open the can and plop it out on the plate! Really impressive, I know but don’t be fooled, I’m not a professional.
We all posed for pictures. Note Grammy’s cole slaw on the table with her signature pepper and carrot ‘Three Flower’ design.
Even the dogs got into it- Mom grabbed Binky for a picture.
And here’s Atticus with his girlfriend, the lovely Channing. They had a blast all weekend. They chased and carried on until they were completely worn out.
Peter put some Minnie ears on Atticus. Mom & Frank got them for the dogs when they were in Disney World earlier this year.
Here’s a cute pic of Peter & I in the garden.
For Thanksgiving, we will be visiting in South Carolina. I don’t have any days off other than Thursday & Friday. Peter even has to work on the weekend so he won’t be able to stay the whole time.
Peter has off for 3 weeks or so towards the beginning of December. I got 2 weeks off beginning the 8th. We plan to be in PA from Saturday Dec. 6th through the 13th or 14th.
Then we’ll head up to New York to visit Peter’s family until the 19th. (yeah! I haven’t had the opportunity to meet his Dad & the rest of his family!! Just Mike…I wonder if he’s trying to hide me? Hmm.)
Atticus will be traveling with us to Charleston & will stay in PA while we’re in New York. We’ll pick him back up on our way home. Peter works a few day around Christmas so I won’t be alone.
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