It's a female thing

A few weeks ago I was at a farewell party for one of my favorite girls who is going to grad school. Hubby and Bubba, my brother, came along with me. We stood around drinking and chatting. At one point the door opened and there was a girl who went to my alma mater with a sleeping baby curled up and wrapped on her chest. She came over and we all talked and I couldn't help but rub the sleeping baby's back.

What is it with women and babies? Do your ovaries have baby radar?

Well...yes.

Hubby was right. As soon as this chick walked in the door I automatically wanted to go talk to her about her & her baby. I wanted to rub it's back and know how old it was. I wanted to know if she was using disposable or fabric diapers. I wanted to know if she had read Nurture Shock.

Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's because I'm married. Who knows, but he called me out.

New beginnings

Tomorrow is my first day at the new job, which feels very similar to the first day of school. I'm excited and looking forward to this new beginning, this new chapter in my life. But along with the newness - I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling a little nervous and a tad anxious....because I am. But it will be good! I'm thinking positively about it.

I hit the gym this afternoon which helps me release stress. And then I came home and took a nice hot shower. Husband and I are making nan pizza tonight, a definite comfort food for me. And we have a couple redbox movies which will calm my nerves.

{I should get one of these Keep Calm & Carry On posters.}

What do you do to de-stress and calm your nerves? I'm open to suggestions. :)

I hope you all have a great start to the week!

Love & Hugs!

Changes, part IV

It was decided. I was going with Option B, the one that was super close to home and a wonderful opportunity to gain new skills. I'm not sure I can accurately describe the feelings I felt when I finally made my decision. It was a delicious mix of hope, joy, relief, pride, happiness. I was able to let go of the stress, uncertainty, anger, frustration, bitterness that had been building and hanging over my head for over a year. I felt like I lost 5 lbs. Like my hair would stop turning gray prematurely. Like the disorienting, hazy film of negativity was finally wiped away.

The weekend I made my decision was full of relaxation. As a reward, Husband and I walked to the Burger Joint and for some hamburgers with cheese and bacon, onion rings, and sweet potato fries. We spent the evening celebrating with friends, playing as$hole, and living in the moment. We watched movies and snuggled, relaxed and re-energized.

Monday I sent my resignation letter/email to my manager. I never realized you could get an anxious tummy of butterflies over an email. Again a wave of relief and hope washed over me. I didn't have to do this any more. It was time to move on.

My manager handled it exactly as I expected: detached, unemotional, nonchalant, as if my duties were not substantial enough to worry him. His response was a stark contrast compared to how my customers handled the notice. Everyone was surprised and remarkably sad to see me leave, but happy to see me progressing and advancing. The feedback has been wonderful and confirmed for me that I had done a good job.

You did what?

Friday afternoon I came back from chatting with the customer to find numerous gmail chats and several unread text messages.

"I threw my back out... where are you?"

"PEACHES!?"

"This is something other than pain. I've never experienced this before."

After I scanned through my missed messages I called Husband immediately.

"OMG are you okay? What happened?"

In a hushed, strained voice he said, "I don't know. I was walking across the parking lot back into work and, BAM I threw my back out and I had excruciating lower back pain...I think I pinched a nerve."

I couldn't resist the overwhelming urge to do anything in power to make him stop hurting.

"What can I do?"

"I have a chiropractor's appointment at 3pm, do you think you can get off early to take me?"

"Of course. I'll let you know when I leave work."

After 30 minuts at the chiropractor he was able to walk and go up/down stairs without grimacing in pain. I was relieved, but definitely not as much as him.

The rest of the evening was spent sitting in the healthy back chair with an ice pack. And we ordered Chinese food, because it makes all things better.

After a good night's rest on the Tempurpedic (thank God we bit the bullet and got one), he woke up much, MUCH better.

I hope you have a happy, healthy weekend!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

Husband and I opened presents on Christmas Eve. He is such a good gift giver. He got me Washington Capitals fleece sweatshirt that's super comfy and vintage looking; I love it. It never ceases to amaze me just how well Husband knows me. He knows my photography love affair began with film and this Christmas he gifted me with the Canon EOS 3 body. He said it's what the professionals were using before everyone went digital. AND the EOS 3 is compatible with the our DLSR lenses! How awesome! Gift giving is definitely one of his love languages.


I got him a super soft, plush, navy robe since it's been so cold this winter. And I got us some house presents, like tall drinking glasses for water (so we can stop stealing each other's) and a little 2 cup liquid measuring cup. It wasn't super exciting but they were things we needed.


The rest of Christmas Eve was spent at my parent's house. It was a pretty relaxing afternoon and I'm glad I got to spend some time with my family since we were traveling out of town. We had dinner and opened presents.

Me and Bubba

AND I got to open T's lovely package of her favorite things. I was so excited! I've already used the gloves and love them. They're way cuter than my plain jane blue ones. And the bag sealer is a big hit with Husband.

Any time we have friends over for drinks, I break out the Lily coozie because it separates my drink from everyone else's and it's pink and girlie. Thanks again T!

Later that night we went to church and afterward had some friends over for drinks. We ventured out to Q-Ball, a billiards bar near our apartment where Husband proposed to me. It's kind of our tradition to have a drink there on Christmas Eve. And I totally kicked butt playing pool - woot woot!

We stumbled home, happy and pleased with the day. We had a long day ahead of us and it was time to get some rest.

In the way

More than once I've been compared to Morgan, one of the cutest pups in the world and Husband's family's dog. She's an excitable cocker spaniel that's cute and fluffy, with such a lovable energy. MamaH has trained her well and she's quite affectionate. Morgan likes to snuggle and I particularly love when she sits at/on my feet during dinner. But when you're navigating the kitchen, she always seems to be underfoot, always in the way.

Mo Mo looks smiliar to this spaniel

I felt like I was channeling Morgan last night. Husband was cleaning the fridge and making dinner and I just felt like I was always in his way. He'd go for the fridge right as I was reaching for the cabinet next to the fridge. As I was putting dishes away, I seemed to be right where Husband needed to go too. I hate feeling like I'm in the way and inconveniencing my sweet cook.

But Husband didn't mind, and even if he did, he didn't show it. Bless his heart. When I wanted to run and abandon my dish washing duties, Husband would come by and pat me on the butt and smile as he passed by to get his mise en place. Or while I'm washing dishes, he'll come stand behind me and reach around so he can wash his hands, a from-behind-hug combined with hand washing. He makes me feel like it's okay to be in his way.

Just this morning he texted me "you're never in the way, I just like keep you that close." He spins the situation and melts my heart on a daily basis. He finds the positive when I can't. I don't know what I would do without him. Ladies, have your men take notes from Husband.

* I know I've been particularly mushy lately, thanks for hanging in there with me readers. *

Sweetness

"The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space." ~Marilyn Monroe

This quote has been my Gchat status for almost a week now. Mainly because Husband has this effect on me. One look from those crystal blue eyes and I melt. I have fallen in love with him too many times to count.

I love when he plays with puppies and/or babies. They're kindred spirits. He knows how to communicate with them and understand them in a way I don't quite understand.

I love hearing him laugh. His real laugh, when something is really funny to him.

I love when he fixes whatever it is I can't figure out.

I love (and hate) that he knows me better than I know myself. He can tell when my mood shifts before I even realize it.

I love that he's a Renaissance man, through and through. He knows SO much. He has mastered SO many things. His desire to learn and devour new hobbies and interests is amazing to me.

And to top it all off, what I consider attractive are all encompassed in him.

Like his kind baby blue eyes or strong, working hands. I now find forearms more attractive than I did 5 years ago. His deep comforting voice, is ingrained in my mind. I still save some of his voice messages!

I just love the guy. And I love him more today than I did when we got married. It just gets better and better.

Smooches my love!

Just because

Husband walked in the door last night looking dapper in his work clothes and pea coat, hands full with grocery bags and a dozen multi-colored roses.

He handed them to me and said "just because you deserve flowers today."

Swoon, I married the sweetest man I know. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I thank God for sending him to me.

Signature scents

"Oh my gosh, your husband smells so good...he smells like a man is supposed to smell," my good friend gushed. I agreed and quietly thanked God for fixing me up with a good smelling man.

My husband has impeccable taste in cologne. He tends to like earthy, sensual, woodsy scents which mixes well with his pheromones. I associate 3 colognes with Husband:
1. Abercrombie Woods - worn in high school when we first started dating. Even on a teenager's budget, he found a smell that matched him perfectly. And it's one that made me weak in the knees...perhaps when Husband realized the power of good cologne. Sadly the cologne was discontinued in 2005.
2. Calvin Klein Obsession - worn pre-engagement and now. To me this is a heavier/heartier smell and seems perfect for fall and winter...It's warm, woodsy, and manly.
3. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male - this is a recent addition that's manly with a touch of vanilla but a little lighter than Obsession. I (and my girlfriends) adore this one.

Smell usually invokes pretty strong memories for people. For example, when I hug Husband and breathe him in, his smell envelopes me and all of my fond memories are exaggerated with his warm, unique scent. A cologne/perfume that works with your pheromones is so much better than just the scent alone. It's the pheromones that make the scent intoxicating.

And this is what I have been pontificating: do you stick with one signature scent, like Husband? Or do you change it up and keep people guessing?

Personally I'm a switch-it-up kinda gal, in which spritzing is dependent upon on my mood, my day's activities, and the weather.
But lately I've been trying to use up the last of my Gucci perfume and wondering if I should pick a scent and make it my signature. What's your scent style?