There's been a lot of good things about moving home, but one of the best was getting a queen bed. Q-U-E-E-N!
It's unbelievable. Truly, it is.
I wouldn't trade those extra inches for anything.
We upgraded from a full to a queen and never looked back. I've slept better in the last five weeks than I ever did in the last five years of marriage. Not kidding!
No elbows in my face. No feet kicking my legs. No butt in my back. No head on my pillow.
It's like Ben isn't even there.
Within a week, the dark circles faded from under my eyes. My sore extremities vanished. My mood improved.
It's been nothing but smooth sleeping.
So, if I go missing for awhile and there's been a lack of new posts, you know where to find me... in my q-u-e-e-n bed.
In fact, I might catch some zzzzzzzzzz's right now.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Vocabulary Lesson
I worked with two boys one afternoon. We focused on new vocabulary words found in their reading. I read the word "crouch" and asked what it meant. They took a few guesses and almost defined it. We then discussed the definition and practiced crouching around the room. We thought of synonyms and antonyms for "crouch." We used "crouch" in our own sentences.
We had the new word down!
We then went to the gym to shoot a basketball and practice old vocabulary words. We each took a turn throwing the ball from the three point line. I knew my ball wouldn't reach the goal overhanded, so I bent low to the ground and threw it granny style. Smooth, I thought, until I heard one of the boys yell...
"Look! She's crotching! She's crotching! I'm using our NEW WORD!"
I almost died.
Literally.
I almost died.
We had the new word down!
We then went to the gym to shoot a basketball and practice old vocabulary words. We each took a turn throwing the ball from the three point line. I knew my ball wouldn't reach the goal overhanded, so I bent low to the ground and threw it granny style. Smooth, I thought, until I heard one of the boys yell...
"Look! She's crotching! She's crotching! I'm using our NEW WORD!"
I almost died.
Literally.
I almost died.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Age Has Nothing To Do With It
I work with two boys that have a lot of energy. Sometimes, they need to release that energy before they go crazy. Honestly, who isn't ready for a little pick-me-up and some f-u-n at the end of the day? I always promise them 10 minutes of extreme sports in the gym if they complete their work. That usually does the trick.
Last week, we played an intense game of tag and I, have to say, still got it. I chased them everywhere - up and down the court, through the bleachers. We never stopped running, and I always tagged them. My agility and quickness not only surprised me, but them as well.
After I chased and cornered one of the boys, he wheezed and exclaimed, "Man, you sure can run fast for an old lady!"
Don't you doubt it for a second, youngster.
Last week, we played an intense game of tag and I, have to say, still got it. I chased them everywhere - up and down the court, through the bleachers. We never stopped running, and I always tagged them. My agility and quickness not only surprised me, but them as well.
After I chased and cornered one of the boys, he wheezed and exclaimed, "Man, you sure can run fast for an old lady!"
Don't you doubt it for a second, youngster.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Housing Honeymoon
Being a homeowner has been pretty easy so far. I know, I know. That statement will one day bite me in the @$$, but until then we're going to enjoy how smoothly everything has gone.
The past three weeks of living in our new house have readied us for the next fifty years of homeownership. You wouldn't believe all the things we've done!
We poured Draino down two sinks and plunged one toilet. We hosted eight houseguests for a weekend. I made breakfast on a real, adult sized stove and put groceries in a real, adult sized refrigerator. I did laundry in our very own washer and dryer. Ben screwed a cabinet back together and fixed the lawn's sprinkler system.
Who knew homeownership could be so grand and perfect?!?!
I realize that something could happen in the next few months. Something could go wrong and the honeymoon would end... right? Maybe. Maybe not. But, just in case, we'll revel in this newfound excitement for as long as possible.
The past three weeks of living in our new house have readied us for the next fifty years of homeownership. You wouldn't believe all the things we've done!
We poured Draino down two sinks and plunged one toilet. We hosted eight houseguests for a weekend. I made breakfast on a real, adult sized stove and put groceries in a real, adult sized refrigerator. I did laundry in our very own washer and dryer. Ben screwed a cabinet back together and fixed the lawn's sprinkler system.
Who knew homeownership could be so grand and perfect?!?!
I realize that something could happen in the next few months. Something could go wrong and the honeymoon would end... right? Maybe. Maybe not. But, just in case, we'll revel in this newfound excitement for as long as possible.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Homeowners
You read that title right... Ben and I are homeowners! We bought our dream house. Everything worked out perfectly.
We moved into our new abode last Saturday with help from our parents, my brother, and two of my brother's friends. Nothing beats younger bodies with lots of muscles. We couldn't have done it without them.
We loaded six vehicles and caravanned to our new town, our new house. We cruised down the interstate to our new life with unmatched enthusiasm. I only prayed that we didn't lose any boxes on the way... they looked pretty secure tied to the back of the truck.
The last five and half years of living in tiny apartments have culminated into a lifetime of living in a spacious house. Our new place is 11x the size of our biggest New York apartment. Eleven times! Don't believe what anyone says... size really does matter!
Itty Bitty has moved up in the world!
We moved into our new abode last Saturday with help from our parents, my brother, and two of my brother's friends. Nothing beats younger bodies with lots of muscles. We couldn't have done it without them.
We loaded six vehicles and caravanned to our new town, our new house. We cruised down the interstate to our new life with unmatched enthusiasm. I only prayed that we didn't lose any boxes on the way... they looked pretty secure tied to the back of the truck.
The last five and half years of living in tiny apartments have culminated into a lifetime of living in a spacious house. Our new place is 11x the size of our biggest New York apartment. Eleven times! Don't believe what anyone says... size really does matter!
Itty Bitty has moved up in the world!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Total Darkness
A couple of nights ago, Ben and I walked out of my parents' front door and into total darkness. Ben looked up and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh!" I froze and scanned the area. Adrenaline coursed through my body as I prepared to fight or flight.
"What?!" I yelled in a panicked voice.
"Look at the stars," he said. "They're amazing!"
Jeez, Louise. I quickly erased images of ferrel animals or hordes of birds or Walking Dead zombies eating us. What a re-lief.
We tilted our heads and stared at a blanket of twinkling lights that covered the sky.
"I forgot how many there are," Ben said. "I never noticed them in New York."
Easy to do in the hustle and bustle and bright lights of a big city.
"What?!" I yelled in a panicked voice.
"Look at the stars," he said. "They're amazing!"
Jeez, Louise. I quickly erased images of ferrel animals or hordes of birds or Walking Dead zombies eating us. What a re-lief.
We tilted our heads and stared at a blanket of twinkling lights that covered the sky.
"I forgot how many there are," Ben said. "I never noticed them in New York."
Easy to do in the hustle and bustle and bright lights of a big city.
Friday, March 15, 2013
House Hopes
Ben and I have been on the hunt for the perfect house since moving home in August. Now, don't let that sentence mislead you. We haven't looked every weekend... more like two (or possibly three) times.
No need to wear ourselves out or overdo it. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
The first time we looked at houses was right before Thanksgiving. We saw some nice ones, but none worth five years of savings.
I felt like Goldilocks as we wandered through homes. Some were too big, some were too small. Some were too busy, some were too bare. None were just right.
Then, the holidays came, which really slowed our hunt.
We didn't look again until a few weeks ago, in February. I'm pretty sure our realtor thought we'd either given up or permanently moved in with our parents (the latter crossed my mind a few times).
The second time, we looked at a few houses, not totally sold on anything, until... we looked at the last house of the morning. It had just gone on the market and we were the first people to look at it.
We all gasped, awestruck, as soon as we walked in the door. The house was amazing! Our realtor immediately turned to us and mouthed, "Get it. Get it!"
Ben and I just nodded, speechless.
The house surpassed every dream. We felt giddy and sick with excitement. We loved it!
Fast forward to now... Ben and I may soon own that house! We signed the final contract, passed the home inspection, got an appraisal, and now just need the bank to process the loan. We are so close to becoming homeowners.
For the next few days, we will keep our toes and fingers (and legs and arms and eyes) crossed.
No need to wear ourselves out or overdo it. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
The first time we looked at houses was right before Thanksgiving. We saw some nice ones, but none worth five years of savings.
I felt like Goldilocks as we wandered through homes. Some were too big, some were too small. Some were too busy, some were too bare. None were just right.
Then, the holidays came, which really slowed our hunt.
We didn't look again until a few weeks ago, in February. I'm pretty sure our realtor thought we'd either given up or permanently moved in with our parents (the latter crossed my mind a few times).
The second time, we looked at a few houses, not totally sold on anything, until... we looked at the last house of the morning. It had just gone on the market and we were the first people to look at it.
We all gasped, awestruck, as soon as we walked in the door. The house was amazing! Our realtor immediately turned to us and mouthed, "Get it. Get it!"
Ben and I just nodded, speechless.
The house surpassed every dream. We felt giddy and sick with excitement. We loved it!
Fast forward to now... Ben and I may soon own that house! We signed the final contract, passed the home inspection, got an appraisal, and now just need the bank to process the loan. We are so close to becoming homeowners.
For the next few days, we will keep our toes and fingers (and legs and arms and eyes) crossed.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Vocabulary Lesson
I taught the word "debate" to several kids. We worked on a few strategies to help them remember the definition. I shared a personal story to make a connection between the word, its meaning, and how to use it in a sentence.
They loved the story.
They enjoyed it so much that they still use the word and example... daily. Dai-ly.
I told them that sometimes I got into trouble when I was their age. If I argued with my dad when I got into trouble he would yell, "This is NOT a debate!"
Of course, I never understood what "debate" meant. I just knew it wasn't good if my dad said it in that tone at that volume with flailed arms and a red face. I only understood what the word meant after I got ballsy enough to ask him (through heaving sobs).
The kids loved this story.
They loved that: 1) I got in trouble, 2) an adult yelled at me, and 3) they now got to point a finger and yell "This is not a debate!" to their teacher.
I don't know if many would agree with that strategy, but I don't care because it worked.
And, let's be honest, this is not a debate.
They loved the story.
They enjoyed it so much that they still use the word and example... daily. Dai-ly.
I told them that sometimes I got into trouble when I was their age. If I argued with my dad when I got into trouble he would yell, "This is NOT a debate!"
Of course, I never understood what "debate" meant. I just knew it wasn't good if my dad said it in that tone at that volume with flailed arms and a red face. I only understood what the word meant after I got ballsy enough to ask him (through heaving sobs).
The kids loved this story.
They loved that: 1) I got in trouble, 2) an adult yelled at me, and 3) they now got to point a finger and yell "This is not a debate!" to their teacher.
I don't know if many would agree with that strategy, but I don't care because it worked.
And, let's be honest, this is not a debate.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Routines Schmootines
Ben and I get ready differently. It took several years for us to understand that. Getting dressed to go out on a Friday or Saturday night once proved stressful. We shared some tense moments.
I get ready and take my time. I mosey from room to room. I put on a little makeup here. I brush my hair there. I make some tea. I wander to the closet. I watch the end of a Real Housewives reunion show. There's no rush.
Ben is the opposite. He waits until the last second and then races to get ready. He rushes from room to room. He picks out and puts on one outfit. One outfit!
It all sounds easy, right? Until...
He asks me if he looks good. Ninety percent of the time he does, but 10% of the time I say "no." "No" throws him into a tizzy, which I never understand. He doesn't plan his outfit the night before (like I do) or shop specifically for it (like I do). He picks it at the last second and then gets mad when it doesn't work. Fashion takes work, dude!
Because I rework my routine to accompany his, I fall behind. Before I know it, Ben sits dressed and ready on the couch with a glass of bourbon and I gape at him in my bathrobe.
I then stress and bark orders like "close the blinds" and "take out the trash." Random and unimportant tasks that make me feel better since I am to blame (again) for us being fashionably late.
Finally, now five years into our marriage, we've been able to comprise and find a few solutions that seem to work.
Still, a bigger bathroom with a double vanity would be really, really nice.
I get ready and take my time. I mosey from room to room. I put on a little makeup here. I brush my hair there. I make some tea. I wander to the closet. I watch the end of a Real Housewives reunion show. There's no rush.
Ben is the opposite. He waits until the last second and then races to get ready. He rushes from room to room. He picks out and puts on one outfit. One outfit!
It all sounds easy, right? Until...
He asks me if he looks good. Ninety percent of the time he does, but 10% of the time I say "no." "No" throws him into a tizzy, which I never understand. He doesn't plan his outfit the night before (like I do) or shop specifically for it (like I do). He picks it at the last second and then gets mad when it doesn't work. Fashion takes work, dude!
Tension escalates when we compete for the one sink in the bathroom. Ben wants to shave. I want to brush my teeth. We're at a standoff until Ben asks if I really need the bathroom.
Yes, I think, I do need it. That's why I'm standing there! But, I don't say that. Instead, I step away and grit my teeth as I relinquish my right to the sink.
Because I rework my routine to accompany his, I fall behind. Before I know it, Ben sits dressed and ready on the couch with a glass of bourbon and I gape at him in my bathrobe.
I then stress and bark orders like "close the blinds" and "take out the trash." Random and unimportant tasks that make me feel better since I am to blame (again) for us being fashionably late.
Finally, now five years into our marriage, we've been able to comprise and find a few solutions that seem to work.
Still, a bigger bathroom with a double vanity would be really, really nice.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Miscommunication
My ears have slowly adjusted from northern accents to southern accents since returning to Kentucky. Still, there are times when dialectal differences will surprise me.
Yesterday, I asked a one of my little ones to tell me as many meanings as possible for the word "heel/heal."
"Oh, that's easy," she said. "Like I help you get better and..."
She paused and closed her eyes in deep thought.
"I got it!" she smiled. "Like when you go up a big heeeee-ll (hill)."
"Not hill," I said. "Heel/heal."
"Right," she said, giving me a confused what-don't-you-get-lady look. "Like I climbed a big heeeeeeeeee-ll."
Just a little miscommunication, that's all.
Yesterday, I asked a one of my little ones to tell me as many meanings as possible for the word "heel/heal."
"Oh, that's easy," she said. "Like I help you get better and..."
She paused and closed her eyes in deep thought.
"I got it!" she smiled. "Like when you go up a big heeeee-ll (hill)."
"Not hill," I said. "Heel/heal."
"Right," she said, giving me a confused what-don't-you-get-lady look. "Like I climbed a big heeeeeeeeee-ll."
Just a little miscommunication, that's all.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
Tonight, Ben and I went to the movie "Safe Haven." A classic Nicholas Sparks movie that left half of the audience sniffling and sighing at the end. The story touched me and, I thought, Ben as well.
We walked to the car after the movie, and I talked nonstop about it. I talked about how romantic it was. I agreed with the casting of actors and actresses. I questioned how the main character packed so many outfits into one plastic Wal-Mart bag during her getaway. I obsessed over Julianne Hough's haircut.
I thought Ben was with me. I thought we were on the same page and he was really into the conversation, really into the movie until...
Ben stopped me mid-sentence.
"Whew, I think tonight's dinner had a lot of onions in it. Don't you?"
Oh, yeah. Right there with me. Totally in sync.
I probably lost him before the credits rolled and didn't even know it.
We walked to the car after the movie, and I talked nonstop about it. I talked about how romantic it was. I agreed with the casting of actors and actresses. I questioned how the main character packed so many outfits into one plastic Wal-Mart bag during her getaway. I obsessed over Julianne Hough's haircut.
I thought Ben was with me. I thought we were on the same page and he was really into the conversation, really into the movie until...
Ben stopped me mid-sentence.
"Whew, I think tonight's dinner had a lot of onions in it. Don't you?"
Oh, yeah. Right there with me. Totally in sync.
I probably lost him before the credits rolled and didn't even know it.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Rent Free Forever
Do I miss things about New York? Yes. Do I not miss things about New York? Yes.
I definitely do not miss one thing, and that is renting.
Renting was expensive, yes. But, I expected to pay a lot to live next to four star restaurants and Central Park and opera houses and a river overlooking the New Jersey coastline. Rubbing shoulders with Tina Fey came at a price.
I just never expected the unorganized and sometimes unscrupulous way landlords handled renting. I realized that renters never had an upper or even hand in the deal.
Ben and I got our entire security deposits back from our first two apartments. And, we should have. We cared for those apartments as if we owned them. We added value to those apartments! I scrubbed decades of grime out of bathroom crevices and off of floors. I retightened loose screws on cabinets and bleached dirty mini blinds. I (almost) exterminated the places from roaches and silverfish. Ugh.
They should have paid me for living there!
It was the leasing company of our last apartment that really frustrated me. Our apartment had its issues. None of which we caused. They existed before we moved in the place.
But, as it sometimes goes, we must now pay for them.
The leasing company finally returned our security deposit after Ben repeatedly called them for six months. Six months! They returned our deposit, but not without taking a nice piece of it.
Of course, the problems they made us pay for are the same problems that were already there when we moved into the apartment! The same problems I complained about for almost three years. The last 20 tenants also probably paid for those problems.
On the bright side, we got back most of our deposit. Dad said to "let it go" and "be happy" because at least we got something. A life lesson learned.
Now, I can finally shout, "C-ya, landlords. Wouldn't want to be ya!
I definitely do not miss one thing, and that is renting.
Renting was expensive, yes. But, I expected to pay a lot to live next to four star restaurants and Central Park and opera houses and a river overlooking the New Jersey coastline. Rubbing shoulders with Tina Fey came at a price.
I just never expected the unorganized and sometimes unscrupulous way landlords handled renting. I realized that renters never had an upper or even hand in the deal.
Ben and I got our entire security deposits back from our first two apartments. And, we should have. We cared for those apartments as if we owned them. We added value to those apartments! I scrubbed decades of grime out of bathroom crevices and off of floors. I retightened loose screws on cabinets and bleached dirty mini blinds. I (almost) exterminated the places from roaches and silverfish. Ugh.
They should have paid me for living there!
It was the leasing company of our last apartment that really frustrated me. Our apartment had its issues. None of which we caused. They existed before we moved in the place.
But, as it sometimes goes, we must now pay for them.
The leasing company finally returned our security deposit after Ben repeatedly called them for six months. Six months! They returned our deposit, but not without taking a nice piece of it.
Of course, the problems they made us pay for are the same problems that were already there when we moved into the apartment! The same problems I complained about for almost three years. The last 20 tenants also probably paid for those problems.
On the bright side, we got back most of our deposit. Dad said to "let it go" and "be happy" because at least we got something. A life lesson learned.
Now, I can finally shout, "C-ya, landlords. Wouldn't want to be ya!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Aging Grayfully
I really wanted one of my little guys to say the word "yellow."
"What color is the sun?" I asked.
"Red," he replied.
Almost.
"What color is lemonade?" I asked.
"I don't know!" he said enthusiastically.
Not quite.
"Aha!" I said triumphantly. "What color is my hair?"
"Gray!" he shouted.
Oh, no.
That one hurt.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Winter Temps
Winter and cold weather have arrived. Both remind me why I loved apartments in NYC so much... they were so, so warm.
So warm, in fact, that we often cracked a few windows in the winter. We opened the windows all of the way when guests visited. I think Nelly, the rapper, was talking about apartments in Manhattan when when he sang "Hot in Here".
I thanked Con Edison daily for operating America's largest steam system and keeping us toasty until April. I once feared that New York apartments would be like my first college apartment - freezing and insanely expensive to heat. But, thankfully, that was never the case. Quite the opposite.
Oftentimes, Ben and I relaxed in the Caribbean temperatures of our place while sipping strawberry daiquiris. We lathered ourselves in tanning oil and donned sunglasses to enjoy the snowy view right outside our window.
So warm, in fact, that we often cracked a few windows in the winter. We opened the windows all of the way when guests visited. I think Nelly, the rapper, was talking about apartments in Manhattan when when he sang "Hot in Here".
I thanked Con Edison daily for operating America's largest steam system and keeping us toasty until April. I once feared that New York apartments would be like my first college apartment - freezing and insanely expensive to heat. But, thankfully, that was never the case. Quite the opposite.
Oftentimes, Ben and I relaxed in the Caribbean temperatures of our place while sipping strawberry daiquiris. We lathered ourselves in tanning oil and donned sunglasses to enjoy the snowy view right outside our window.
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