I'm Off To The Dark Continent

It is 12:00 am and I just finished packing my bags for the big hop across the pond to South Africa! When I say pond, I mean the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, Jeff and I depart at 6:30 am tomorrow morning from LAX for a nice 5 hour flight to NY JFK airport. Only to then get onto a plane that will be our home for the next 17 hours - an 8 hour flight to Senegal, a two hour stop off to refuel (not allowed to deplane) and then another 7 hours to Cape Town, South Africa! Wahoo...don't worry we are prepared for the long journey - Nintendo DS (thanks to Lyndsey), Sudoku, books, magazines, snacks, medicines, neck pillows and more!

Once we arrive in South Africa our travels take us along the coast. We begin in Cape Town, drive to Knysna, then to Jeffrey's Bay, all the way up to Durban, and then back down to a small city near Port Elizabeth, Kenton-on-Sea, for my friend Melinda's wedding. It's going to be amazing! We will be sure to take tons of pictures, gather many stories and try to experience the culture to the fullest. I can't wait to get back and tell you all about it. I still can't believe I am going to South Africa!!! Also, looking at this map, does anyone else think it is strange that there is randomly another country in the middle of South Africa - Lesotho???

Wish us luck on our once in a lifetime, big vacation during my Life As A Wife!!

Happy Friday The 13th

Jeff and I's first Valentine's Day, 6 years ago, was spent driving around Salem, Oregon looking for a restaurant - any restaurant - with less than an hour wait. Yes, Jeff forgot to make reservations and as most people know, Valentine's Day is probably the biggest dining out holiday of the year. We ended up at a Mexican restaurant that year and it was perfect, a date with him that I will always remember. In an effort to not have to battle the crowds on Valentine's Day this year we decided to celebrate our romantic holiday on Friday the 13th. It was actually because we had other plans on the 14th with friends, but the 13th definitely proved to be a great idea!

When we were dating Jeff and I realized that Valentine's Day and Anniversaries are for both the guy and the girl, so we started a tradition of alternating who would be responsible for coming up with the plans for those two special holidays. This Valentine's Day was my turn. Trying to be creative I researched all kinds of things we could do: paintball, snowboarding, sporting clays (yes, none of these very romantic but nonetheless fun things that we have been wanting to do). When it came down to it, and since we were celebrating on a Friday night, I decided on dinner and a movie. We went to a Benihana style restaurant and ate enough food for 10 people. Those places are always so entertaining...however, our chef was horrible. He kept dropping things, his choo choo train volcano of onions fell over, he cut the shrimp soooo slow and didn't do any tricks with the shrimp tails or eggs (obviously I have a lot of experience at these places). Despite our chef's lack of talent, it was still fun and the food was amazing. The thing that tickled me the most was when halfway through the meal, the couple next to us asked "are you guys newlyweds?" They could tell by the way we interacted that we were still in that flirty, exciting stage. So cute! After a great dinner I drug my hubby to "He's Just Not Than Into You." A movie that I personally thought was hilarious and Jeff would have rather died than sit through it. But, he was sweet and didn't complain. What a guy, how did I get so lucky?

Altogether, it was a great first Valentine's Day as a married couple celebrated on Friday the 13th - which happens to be a lucky day for Jeff and I's relationship. I might just continue that tradition of celebrating the holiday, not actually on the holiday, during my Life As A Wife.

Awkward Moments - Passing While Walking

Have you ever had that awkward moment when you and someone walking just in front of you are going at relatively the same pace, but you are going just a little bit faster...its like you want to pass them by and leave them in the dust, but then you think, we only have 10 more feet to walk, wouldn't that be strange? FYI - this picture has nothing to do with this blog, but I thought it was funny and considering the topic of this blog the arrow should probably be facing up! Love my brother.

Earlier this week I was on my way to the doctor - one of many trips to the doc. lately (another story, another day) - and right as I was walking into the building a lady got out of a car and started walking in front of me. She was walking extremely slow, but we only had 30 or so feet to walk to the elevator, so I thought I could just suck it up and walk behind her. Well, it was excrutiating and awkward. I was right there next to her, walking as slow as I possibly could and it was as if we were walking together, but not. We both hopped into the elevator - yet another awkward situation, why does everyone look down, zip their lip and NEVER make contact in the elevator?? - and since she was a little older than me I felt bad and I figured I would let her get in first. Of course she picked the same floor as me and as we exited, again me being polite let her go first. I noticed she turned in the direction I was going in. Letting my competitive side come through, I decided I need to pass this sucker - I made a dash for it, passed like the wind and successfully entered my doctor's office. Wouldn't you know it, no less than 30 seconds later, the door opened to the office and it was none-other than my slow, left in the dust, little old lady. Awkward.

This morning, it happened again, but this time it was coming out of the parking garage at work. Between the 2 escalators you have to go up to get to the street level there is about a 20 foot span of flat space, a great opportunity to pass the slow person in front. But with such a small amount of space I was worried that I wouldn't pass in time and then there would be that awkward moment where we are neck-in-neck getting onto the next escalator. So again, I sucked it up and walked as slow as I possibly could. After the second escalator I made the attempt to pass, success! Only to one block later be standing at a crosswalk with her right next to me...awkward! Why is this such an awkward situation? Am I the only one who thinks so? Do I have too much free time if I am pondering things such as this during my Life As a Wife?

Jimmy The Dog

Similar to spending time with other people's kids, I figured that spending time with other people's dogs might help me decide if I am ready to be a pet owner myself. During Christmas time Jeff and I were at the house of one of his co-workers when in walked their cute little dog - Jimmy. Knowing that I kind of wanted a dog and also knowing that I hadn't had much experience with dog ownership I offered up that I would love to dog sit for them if they ever needed it. Needless to say, they did. So, Jimmy has been staying with us for the past week. It has had its ups and downs but overall it has been a great experience. I am starting to rather like Jimmy The Dog (PS. anyone know what kind of dog he is?).

Jeff and I split up the chores. I take him for a walk in the morning after I get home from the gym and Jeff takes him for a walk in the evening when he gets home from work. Honestly, Jimmy is quite possibly one of the easiest dogs I have ever been around. He never barks, actually he doesn't really make any noise at all. He waits to jump on the furniture until he is invited, yes his parents actually taught him to be invited, so he sits there staring at you until you say "ok." He has a couple little tricks that he will do for treats - sit, lay down, rollover, shake, touch (he will jump up and touch the palm of your hand with his nose). He sleeps on his little bed and does pretty much what ever you tell him. Really easy dog.

As for this experience making me determine if I really want a dog or not, I am still somewhat indifferent. It has been really nice to have a little buddy but it definitely makes you have to be more responsible and accountable. On day one I was like "this is great!" Day two, at 6:00 am when it was kind of rainy and yucky outside I really didn't want to be out walking a dog. And the whole picking up their poop with a plastic bag, seriously! I recognize that it is nice for the other people that want to enjoy the area, but honestly, what have we humans resorted to!?! Tomorrow his parents come home and I rather think I am going to miss my buddy Jimmy. Sad. Maybe someday he will come back to visit, or maybe someday I will get a dog of my own during my Life As A Wife.

Weddings Are Nearing A Close...Onto Baby Showers

As I have mentioned, weddings have been a huge part of my life over the past 10 years. Now, as the weddings are starting to come to a close, I am moving onto babyshowers. This weekend, I made the trip to Denver to attend the babyshower of one of my best friends from my hometown. I actually surprised her at the shower - I had to see in person that she was really pregnant - ha ha! Honestly, I am not certain that I have ever seen San hold a baby and now she is going to have her own! I love it. So the shower, in her non-traditional way, was only slightly different - it was coed. Conversation during the party was more typical of a neighborhood BBQ than a babyshower, but it was absolutely perfect for San and her husband, Dave. On a more traditional note, we played a few babyshower games and wouldn't you know it, my non-traditional friend and the men scored the highest! Love it!

Isn't it funny the stages of life that we all seem to go through and the noteable milestones that we each seem to hit in relatively the same order but not necessarily on the same schedule. Birth (ok, all of us hit that one on the same schedule), first day of school, 8th grade promotion, high school graduation, college graduation, graduate school, career, engagement, marriage, pet, pregnancy...and then you go through it all again with your own kids. A lot of us think we know when these milestones will hit for us but we never really know and it seems the more you plan for them the less they actually happen on your intended schedule. For example, I never would have thought that San would not only get married before me, but would also have kids before me too - I highly doubt she thought she would do those things before me either. But we can't predict when it will happen. San, I am so happy for you and Dave and I can't wait to meet precious little Lucy Coyle!

Right now I am in between the marriage and the pet milestones. Some of my friends are still in the graduate school or career stage, some are getting married and some have already moved onto the birth of their kids. We each move at a different pace and that is a-ok. I am extremely happy to be where I am and couldn't imagine it any different than my Life As a Wife.

I Love My Best Friend's Baby

There is something magical about a baby. Whenever I am around them, I find myself just staring, watching their every move, hoping they will make eye contact with me and smile...isn't that a precious moment? Not until this weekend did I realize that I haven't really spent all that much time around babies. I have 6 nieces and nephews so one would think that I have spent tons of time around babies but I really haven't. My oldest niece was born when I was 16. I would be around her during the day, or watch her for a couple hours, but never was I with her for more than 5 hours or so at a time and rarely was I ever alone with her. The remaining nieces and nephews all came while I was living away from home so sadly I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked either. This weekend, while spending a wonderful 72 hours with my best friend and her adorbale 4 month old, I realized I hadn't really been around babies all that much - you think you know, but I didn't have a clue what it really takes.

I know that someday I will have children of my own. There are even days when I think, maybe I should just become a stay at home mom, wouldn't that be such an easier life? Now, that I have spent an extended amount of time with a baby (an amazingly well-behaved and easy baby), I realize just how much I love my best friend's baby - and I will continue just loving her baby, I am definitely not ready for my own. Babies are a lot of work, a complete life change, and overall more effort than I really had imagined. First, they take constant coordination. Just to pick me up from the airport we had to have a babysitter, didn't want to wake that precious baby during the night. And, all appointments and outings have to be scheduled around feeding and nap time. Second, mom doesn't get to sleep through the night. Not only does Shelly wake up to the soft cries of her baby at 3:00 am and 6:00 am when it's time for a snack, but she also wakes up on a 30 min to hourly basis and frantically pats down the bed looking for her baby. Yes, she wakes up in a panic thinking that the baby is sleeping next to her and that she lost him. Her husband even has to calm her down, "Shelly, Jaimeson is in his crib, it's ok." It's actually quite commical! Third, the old daily schedule of get ready, work 8 hours, relax 6, sleep 8 is now divided into three hour increments which consist of three activities - feed, play, nap - which go on around the clock non-stop, 24 hours a day. That schedule is the bible! Fourth, you no longer have two hands. Everything you do you have to try to do with one hand holding a baby. I could go on and on about all the small little changes that a baby brings into your life but this list is a great start and enough to keep me a working woman and not a stay at home mommy anytime soon.

In all honesty though, it was absolutely wonderful to watch my best friend, who I feel I know better than anyone in the world, tackle these life changes with grace and ease - she takes it on like its nothing. I always knew she was amazing and the best at everything that she does, but watching her during this aspect of her life makes me love and appreciate her all that much more. She has it all figured out and it seems as if she has been a mommy for years, not just 4 short months. That sweet little baby is her life, she loves him and would do anything for him. I look up to her, I envy her and I hope that one day it will be as effortless for me to be a mom during my Life As A Wife.

Little Things That Make You Proud

I would consider myself a moderately competitive individual. Whether it be in a sporting event, lifting weights, speed on the treadmill or elyptical (yes, I look at the person next to me to make sure they are not going faster than I am), actually running the entire loop Jeff and I run together instead of walking the last few hundred feet like I really want to, trying to always know the answers to questions - especially at work, shouting out the answers during TV game shows like Wheel of Fortune or Price Is Right - and I get really excited when I know an answer on Jeopardy, games at baby and/or bridal showers, cookie decorating, and yes...even orange peeling. Yes, orange peeling.

There are certain things in life that when you accomplish them it just makes you feel proud of yourself. Today, I accomplished something I hadn't done in a while - I got the peel off all in one, and yes, it made me proud! Everytime I peel an orange I attempt to get the entire peel off in one. Stupid, yes. Competitive, against no one other than myself. Anyway...just thought I would share how the little things make me happy during my Life As A Wife.

Puppies

I don't consider myself a pet lover. I grew up with dogs and cats, loved them, but I was never the type that was attached to my pet. Recently, the desire to get a dog has started to build. When Jeff and I were dating he always said he wanted a dog (a golden retriever to be exact) and I would tell him that they are too much work - it takes time to walk them, feed them, play with them, figure out what to do with them while you are out of town, etc. I said all of that when my life was so crazy busy (working full time and going to grad school) that I didn't even have time to stop and think. Now that my life has settled down and I have a bit more free time on my hands, the thought of having a little buddy to cuddle with really excites me.

This weekend, during the Superbowl, we were outside throwing around the football and spotted PUPPIES! A neighbor in our complex has 8 puppies that they are giving away for free! They were so cute! At 6 weeks these things are tiny. It was adorable to watch them walk around and try to hop and climb on things. I couldn't help but fall in love with them, who doesn't love puppies? Their breath, their innocence, their size, everything about them. Jeff even mentioned that someone would become a millionaire if they could figure out a way to make puppies, stay puppies forever. Isn't that the truth. Anyway, we asked and two of them are still available. The problem is, we are not certain what they will end up looking like when they grow up. They are mutts - mom is a corgi and dad is a terrier and chihuahua mix. Weird, not for me.

For now, it probably isn't the right time for me to get a pup. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy other peoples dogs. Friends that we had over for the Superbowl just rescued a dog and brought her over to play. Isn't she beautiful? Her name is Abigail. And, starting next Monday I am dog-sitting for friends while they are on vacation. Great practice while I keep looking and trying to decide if I really am ready for one of my own during my Life As A Wife.

Superbowl Party

I enjoy entertaining and hosting people at my house but in all honesty, I haven't done it that much. I always seem to be the one to help others host parties at their house or find myself inviting people out to dinner instead of inviting them over. I think subconsciously I have a slight hesitance toward hosting. I inherited it from my mom. My mom is an amazing host, but she always told me that it used to make her so nervous - my grandma suffered from the same thing. Maybe we should come up with a term here - hostitis. I don't think I really ever think about the fact that I suffer from hostitis, but it's there and obviously it's genetic. I always make up excuses as to why I can't host people, i.e., my house isn't big enough (and as you can see by the dining room table we only have seating for two!), I am not a good cook, what if there isn't enough food, I don't want to clean house, what if they get bored, what if they won't leave (that one cracks me up) and the list goes on.

In an attempt to better myself I am trying to overcome my hostitis disease. I recently had a couple over for breakfast, it went great. Then, I had a friend over for cheese and wine - super easy. And this Sunday, we had a Superbowl party! Here are the boys that attended the soiree. I was nervous about all of the things mentioned above - but it all worked out. We ended up having enough food to feed both the Cardinals and the Steelers entire offensive lines, the food was great, there was totally enough room for everyone and we had a great time. On a side note, wasn't this a great Superbowl?

I am going to try to think of more ways to get friends and family over here! Any takers? We would love to have you. Hosting friends and family, just another thing I do during my Life As A Wife.