Brides to be - I'm warning you...

DON'T GET MARRIED IN JANUARY!

And here's the why behind that statement...

The Husband and I celebrated our 29th anniversary the other day...oh wait!  No, we didn't.

The picture that seems to be the only one I ever use when
I talk about our anniversary.

Good night, we were SO, SO young! Wha happen?!

At any rate, last night we were talking about my co-worker friend's birthday and how her family doesn't really "do" celebrations and that's why I make a big deal out of her birthday (which was today).

In the middle of the conversation The Husband stopped cold, looked at me horror stricken and whispered, "Did we forget OUR anniversary?!"

And, dammit!  Yes, we did!  He was worried that he alone had forgotten - but no.  I had also forgotten.  I remember making a mental note about it in early January.  But, apparently, that mental note got stuck in a pocket somewhere, now covered in lint and was hanging out with other random bits of paper; totally forgotten.  So here we were, four days after the actual event, looking at each other in disbelief.

Now, to be fair - on our actual anniversary we were dealing with The Husband's car which had broken down and had to sit in the parking lot at Home Depot until the dealership opened the next day.  What a way to celebrate...

So here's something to consider if you are planning a wedding...don't get married in January.  I am warning you! 

After Christmas is just NOT the time to remember an anniversary (search this blog and see how many times I've forgotten about our anniversary if you need proof).  After having kids, being married forever and dealing with hoopla that is Christmas, in January you are just too wiped out to think about things like celebrating an anniversary.

Next year is a big one though - someone remind me on...oh, let's say January 16th.  Because it simply won't do to forget the 30th!

Tidbits...

A random post of bits and pieces because I'm too lazy to create a post for each one or, much more likely, before I forget that I wanted to post about any of this in the first place.

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I read an article the other day (holy cow, look at that!  I actually have the link!  Miracles DO happen!) about gratitude.  Considering all that is going on right now in the world it would be easy to sink into a pit of despair; instead I am choosing to be grateful.

At any rate, this one bit really hit home for me:

Challenge #2: In your transactions with cashiers, baristas and others, take the time to look them in the eye and really thank them.

Yes, I AM polite to those I interact with out in the world - I'm not a complete boor.  I am not talking on my phone (or even have it out) as I am checking out or what have you.  I say please and thank you with the best of them.  But looking them in the eye?  Do I do that?  Maybe - depending on the day and the errand.

Armed with this knowledge, I have spent the past few days making concerted effort to do just that and here is what I've discovered.  

Quite a few of those that I've interacted with don't even attempt to make eye contact with me during the transaction.  I'm just another person to get out of the way in order to move on to the next one.  But those that do?  Seem to smile a little brighter when their eyes connect with mine during the transaction.

Technically, I probably COULD have crafted a whole post around this subject but I'm tired and I don't want to forget about the other bits I wanted to mention before they are lost forever...

****

In other news...

The Husband called me this morning and informed me that his check engine light just came on and, as we were speaking, apparently began bucking and generally not acting right.  *sigh*

And his car is the "reliable" one!

My car's check engine light has been coming on and off sporadically for a month or more (most likely more like a couple of months) now and our car guy seems to think it is directly related to the last problem this car had (spoiler - it wasn't the alternator but some sort of sensor - somebody remind me to never buy a car that is a push button start again.) and since it's probably still under warranty we should take it back to the dealer to fix. *UGH!!*

But then the light would go off for a few days before coming back on.  Maddening.

But the car was driving fine.  While The Husband's wasn't.

Fingers crossed that the dealership is open tomorrow and that it's an easy fix; luckily it is still under warranty.  After that we NEED to get my car in and dealt with and figure out what our plan is in regard to the cars.

For years we went with the philosophy that we would drive our cars until the wheels fell off.  This is a poor philosophy, we've since discovered; as it has bitten us in the butt on more than one occasion.  What can I say, sometimes it takes getting bitten more than once to learn the lesson.

We would prefer to only have one car payment at a time but - with my car being the older and supposedly less reliable one (glaring at The Husband's car) - we figure we need to ditch it while we can still get something out of it.  

Thus, the necessity of actually coming up with a plan is upon us.

*sigh*

****

Now what WAS the other thing I wanted to share? See how quickly it disappears?  And I've only just sat down to write this in relative quiet (I'm hiding away in my closet as The Husband is watching football LOUDLY in the other room).

Ah yes!

The most random, weird thing just happened right after I sat down with the laptop.

I watered all the plants.  I like the way it sounds like I've got a veritable greenhouse in here.  In reality, there aren't many that need "watering."  Maybe four.  But I've got a zillion orchids (why? I don't know.  Apparently, they make beautiful gifts and people keep gifting them to me; despite me telling everyone I know that there isn't enough sunlight in this house to keep the four houseplants I have half alive) that need to be watered with ice; except for that one weird one.  

I know.  Don't ask.

I also watered the "temporary" plant.  This is an amaryllis that was given to me over Christmas (what IS it about me that make people want to give me plants?  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for them and I DO like plants; I just don't have a house that is nurturing and welcoming to them).

My plan was to get this amaryllis to bloom and call it done.  Throw the bulb in the woods to either perish or thrive.  This amaryllis was SO close to blooming.  How in this house, I'll never know.  But every day I would look at it waiting for it to open.

Today, as I iced all the orchids - except for that weird one - and watered the plants; I gently watered the amaryllis and called it done.

A few minutes after I made myself comfortable prepared to spend some time in blog land the impossible happened.

I heard a giant thud.  At the time, The Husband wasn't home so I knew it wasn't him.  The sound had come from the kitchen so I started there.  And stood in shock when I witnessed the mayhem.

The amaryllis had, somehow, devised its own demise.  Impossibly, it had jumped from the counter to the floor - with nary a jostle - snapping each of the two blooms that were ready to blossom - and leaving a damp, muddy pile of dirt all over the kitchen floor.

In true Gigi fashion - no picture; I didn't think of it until after I cleaned up the entire mess, of course.

And there is no possible explanation for how that plant jumped.  The Husband was not home.  I wasn't in the room.  We don't have any pets.

That was one plant that just did not want me to see it bloom, I guess.

So to sum it up...look people in the eye, cars can suck it, and some plants are suicidal.  The usual.

Clearly, by now, we know each other pretty well...

As evident by my lack of presence lately, that means I've gotten back into the swing of things after the holidays. *sigh*

At any rate, if you recall this post, then you won't be surprised by the following.

Earlier this afternoon, The Husband went out - he said he was going to Tractor Supply to pick up Super Glue to fix that that window thingy, but we all know this is code for "after that I might as well stop by the grocery store, since it's right there, to see what I can find that my wife clearly thinks we don't need; but we DO!"

(Author's note...we don't)

When he returned, the very first thing he said was, "Don't be mad..."

Me:  "Why would I be mad?"

Him (sheepishly):  "I bought some socks."

(Author's note...did he buy socks at Tractor Supply or the grocery store?  This will forever remain a mystery)

Me:  "Why?  You have PLENTY of socks."

Him:  "Yes, but some of those socks are too tight around my ankles and I don't like them."

Me:  "That's legitimate.  But how about this...instead of putting those socks you don't like BACK in the drawer, why don't you just toss them?  And while you are at it, toss the underwear you don't like either - I'm going to buy you some new ones."

Him:  "Oh good!  I need new underwear.  But buy me cotton ones - I don't like those polyester, stretchy ones."

(Author's note...those polyester, stretchy ones are the precise ones that he "covertly" brought into the house last April - see previous link up there.  I *always* buy him cotton underwear, because honestly, who wouldn't?!)

Me:  "Oh, like the three pair in your drawer that you never wear?"

Him:  "HOW did you know that?!"

Me:  "I know everything.."

(Author's note...of course I do - I wash the clothes and put them away; I'm bound to notice - sooner or later - what gets worn and what doesn't)

And this is what happens when you've been married almost twenty-nine years...

Hello 2020!!

I know, I know, I know! 

I am the first one to always say I don't "do" resolutions.

But here's the truth...without making an actual LIST, I always have a bunch of resolutions in my back pocket.  And in recent years, the main one has been to get it together already.

It bugs me to no end that way back when, I seemed to have it together but recently?  Not so much.

So for the past several years, without fail, I buy myself a new planner with the intent on actually getting it together...because I KNOW that written lists keep me focused (kind of).  Except every year I seem to forget about the planner a few weeks in.

Can I say that this year was no exception.  Except this time, I remembered my planner in November and began planning obsessively for Christmas and was doing great (except for the days when I was so ill).  So, when I bought my planner for 2020 I had REALLY high hopes.

Can you guess how many times I've actually used the planner - THREE days in?

If you guessed one - you would be correct. 

Today I VOWED to rectify the situation to organize this weekend to get stuff done...

Guess where that damned planner is?  At the office.  I guess it's back to scraps of paper littering my pockets then...for now.

*Yes, I foolishly think that next week will be the week I turn it around...somehow.*

*sigh*

*maybe this IS the year!*

Sifting through the pieces...

Both of my guys each bought me a new puzzle for Christmas; I was delighted.  But then the nagging thought came through - they bought me these puzzles to keep me out of their hair; as they both know that I can spend hours working on a puzzle.  I'm assuming they thought, if they could keep me preoccupied, I couldn't harass them about the things they needed to take care of - amateurs.

What they didn't realize is this - as I am intently sifting through the random pieces looking for a perfect match - my mind is free to wander - although my eyes are searching for the exact piece that I need; my mind is active and ruminating on things that need to be done, the best way to organize the garage with the least amount of effort, what I need to remind them that they need to get done, thoughts regarding goals for the coming year.

So yes, while I am tucked away - out of their hair - I am thinking; a thought that I'm sure sends shudders down both of their spines...as I plot out what needs to be done - and when - during the next month or so.  It's days like this that I know Man-Child is glad he has his own place that he can retreat to...and The Husband, well...I'm sure he wishes he could hide somewhere.

As my vacation dwindles to an end - and as I continue to recuperate (see puzzles); I continue to think about what the next year may bring to us.  And you.  Happy, happy new year to you and yours.  2020 is going to be amazing...at least, that's what my ruminations tell me...as I sift through the pieces.

Much love.

Notes from my sick bed, recuperation and back

Considering I've been on vacation for practically two weeks, you would have thought I would have had the time and inclination to post more than once.  Oh sure, I've thought (often) I should post about this that or the other.

But the truth is, with Christmas coming up so quickly behind Thanksgiving, being sick, bouncing back, getting sick again, etc. there just hasn't been time.

When I last left you, I was finally (I thought) ready for Christmas...until the day before Christmas Eve when I decided that was THE perfect day to work on organizing the garage.  This effort has been an on again off again effort between The Husband and I since we moved in almost four (!) years ago.  A couple of weeks ago, I had The Husband move a couple of heavy pieces for me in the garage and let it sit.  And while it sat, I ruminated.  And on the day before Christmas Eve, my organization plan crystallized - and since I was feeling better, I got to work.  Needless to say, The Husband was shocked when he got home and saw the transformation.

It's not completely done - but it's about ninety percent organized.  I would say I wish I had a before picture; but that would be a lie - there is no way in God's green earth that I would post a picture of what it looked like before.

It's almost ready for my car!!!

All that remains is finding a home for the tractor and for me to sort through and organize a few things out of the picture and (hopefully) re-home some of the stuff on the shelves to new shelves that The Husband needs to build for me - also located out of the picture.

And then it was Christmas Eve.  We were hosting our friends two doors down and her mother and step-father - for a total of seven people not counting us three; when it occurred to me that desserts needed to be made.  And that they HAD to be made before The Husband came home early around two (thank goodness he hadn't thought ahead to take Christmas Eve off!) and took over the kitchen; plus the oragami napkins had to be done.

Needless to say, I was non-stop busy until our guests arrived.  A fun time was had by all.  Until they went home...and I began to realize, I wasn't feeling so well.

Apparently, spending two days straight of doing things instead of resting when I should have been recuperating set me back and I was back in the land of being sick.  Not sick; sick.  No fever, etc.  But feeling fairly wretched.

For those keeping count - it's been a total of three weeks that I've been sick.  And, yes, those three weeks have been a crazy busy three weeks; what with Christmas prep, etc.  Since Christmas, I have barely left the house and have tried very hard to rest and not do anything too strenuous - although I did take down the majority of the decorations today (I HAD to - but truly, there wasn't much!  This needed to be done because I will not want to do it after I go back to work); so our tree is naked but for the lights - waiting for The Husband to dismantle it and put it away...this may take some time as he hates that I pack Christmas away so early.

Today I am feeling better - The Husband even commented that I am looking better - but I'm still planning to take it easy for the remaining five days of time off that I have; even though that garage is calling my name...because God only knows, I do NOT want to go back to work sick.

Ready - finally!

Yes, I know I mentioned almost TWO weeks ago that I was feeling better...it was a filthy lie.  Not one that I told on purpose though - it's just whatever this nasty crud might be I don't know; but I do know it's a liar.

One day, I felt like I was dying; only to feel like I was on the mend the next and then back to feeling like I was dying.  Currently, *knock wood* I think I'm finally on the upswing.  We shall see.  A friend's daughter contracted the same thing before Thanksgiving and is only just now beginning to feel human; unfortunately, it appears the friend has now contracted this dreaded bug.

In the meantime, on the days that I've felt pretty good, I have been busy; particularly today.

As of today, I can claim that ALL the presents have been purchased - minus the three last minute gifts; but those are easy gifts - it just requires one trip to the liquor store. Whew.  Because honestly?  Every other gift has been come by with far too much effort.  Next year, those guys of mine better be more forthcoming with ideas.

All the presents - minus the three last minute ones - have been wrapped and bedecked with ribbon.

Another batch of almond bark - made exclusively for Man-Child has been made.  Spritz (butter) cookies have been made - this is truly a labor of love, since the cookie press and I don't always see eye to eye - as evidenced, AGAIN, this year.  But again, made mainly for Man-Child.

Christmas cards were mailed last week; plus I helped another friend create a printed canvas gift for her son and daughter in law - I am so happy we were able to get that done since the picture of her grandchildren was so adorable it NEEDED to be done.

So now, hopefully, I can sit back and prepare for the holiday; with nothing more to think about than a dessert for Christmas Eve.  Any ideas?

How about you?  Are you ready?  Or still in the thick of it all?

...and just like *that* things can change...maybe not radically, but they can change

So yesterday, I wrote a post while I was sure I was on my deathbed.  I'm not even kidding...I felt like I was going to die.  And The Husband had the funeral home on speed-dial...I kid, kind of.

Around 3:30 this morning, The Husband leapt from our bed convinced that I was gasping my last as I hacked, hacked, hacked away.  He went into the other room to escape the germs or the possibility of witnessing me expire...one or the other. 

After I had quieted down and drifted off into a quasi-sleep he crept back into the bed.  Soon after, I could feel the coughing coming on again, so I made my way to the couch so that he could sleep.  Eventually, I made my way back to bed where I quasi-slept until about 7:00 am.

And when I woke up?  I felt...ok.  Not a hundred percent for sure...but felt that I might be making a turn.  After having some coffee - and more medicine - I thought I might be able to tackle the tree.  So I asked The Husband to bring in three specific boxes and began to throw the tree together.  It's not finished by any stretch, but if this is as far as it gets that's fine by me.

Of course, I did discover - again - while decorating the tree that the angel that tops our tree died last year.  The second angel that has graced this decades long marriage.  Let me tell you, that first angel lasted far longer (and is the source of how The Husband and I met) and I scoured the earth to find a clone to replace her. *sigh* I had meant to look for another angel last year and time got away from me - which left me with an angel-less tree today.

After sitting, assessing how I felt and some more medicine, I decided I had enough energy to make a double batch of almond bark and a batch of peanut butter fudge for the ingrates I work with - why do I continue to reward them?!

To be completely honest, both of those treats are so easy to make there is little to no effort actually involved.  I'm sure I've shared the recipes before if you wish to scour the archives - I'm far too lazy to look for them right now.

After some more sitting, assessing and more medicine, I determined that I had enough energy to shower and head into town in search of one angel, one gift, a few baking supplies and a quick drop by the office to pick up some boxes I had forgotten to bring home on Friday.

That sounds like a lot, but really it wasn't.  I walked into Michael's and immediately found a replacement angel that isn't quite the clone to the first but close enough and was able to waltz out within ten minutes.  I walked into one store, picked up the gift card I needed and walked out within five minutes.  Ditto for the office.

Keeping up with my medicine regimen the entire time was key, I think - and the fact that it appears I was on the mend.

I was very mindful not to overdo - but I also knew I wanted to throw together another batch of almond bark and peanut butter fudge to welcome the new neighbors - so I did and that will probably be delivered next weekend.  And when that was done, I was also done.

So here I sit, cozy in my PJs, content that some things were done - including laundry - because God knows how antsy The Husband gets when his sock and underwear drawers get low! - tired but still feeling that I may live after all.

Thank you all for your kind words.  Despite all that I've laid out here, I HAVE taken it easy and haven't rushed or pushed myself much...if I had I would be elbow deep in cookie dough right about now.

I also know that I only have to face a four day work week before calling it quits until the New Year!

Facing down the Christmas Rush...and failing, so far.

After looking at the calendar before Thanksgiving, I knew that we would be in full on Christmas mode immediately after Thanksgiving...as it was so late this year.

I also knew that I was already woefully behind - a fact that I keep vowing to rectify every year - and fail to do because, holy cow, just HOW does the year go by SO fast?!  It seems it goes faster and faster every year.

So, I made a "game plan."  Which immediately went haywire, of course.  Man-Child - the one I counted on to help The Husband get the Christmas stuff down and move the 100 pound chair out of the way to make room for the tree - called the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to tell me he threw out his back and asked me to meet him at the orthopedic doctor.  Luckily, this wasn't as bad as last time, but still...they did promise to send him for an MRI; which has still yet to happen.  This is good only because if we can figure out whatever is going on and get it fixed while he's still on my insurance that will be considered a win.

Needless to say, we couldn't very well ask him to help with these chores while he was in pain.  So we improvised...which had The Husband and I getting the Christmas stuff down.  Thanks to the great Christmas stuff purge last year the majority of the boxes were light enough for him to hand down to me.  The tree on the other hand...it was something he had to handle on his own and, at one point, I was convinced it was going to slide down the ladder and land on his head!

Luckily, it did not.

He was then able to wrangle the friend two doors down's husband to come and move the heavy chair.  And then put up the tree for me.  And that it is were we are now.  With a light, but naked tree.

My game plan called for this to be a VERY busy weekend for me.  One filled with decorating, shopping and baking...in addition to my usual weekend chores - cleaning, laundry, etc.

Well, then LAST week occurred.

What happened last week you might ask.  I was struck down with something that if I didn't know better, I'd swear was the flu - despite the fact that I DID get a flu shot.  Usually, I don't let a cold side-line me.  I go to work (using copious amounts of hand sanitizer, hand washing, etc.) and get stuff done.

For the most part, I DID go to work but finally had to wave the white flag and stay home one day where I tried fruitlessly to nap (I simply cannot sleep if it is light outside) and be kind to myself.  I did discover if I stayed on a steady diet of DayQuil / NyQuil (as appropriate), I could "kind of" function.

This morning dawned and I felt marginally better, so I was ready to seize the day and follow the game plan to the letter - up to and including writing a detailed list of all that I planned to accomplish...only to be blindsided when I forgot to throw the medicine into my bag as I headed out to do ALL the things...and found myself back home, in my pajamas with utterly no energy.

To illustrate just how bad this illness has been; The Husband, who usually shrugs off any ailment I have, has been looking at me with real concern and acting as if I am going to die in the next instant.  And, declared QUITE LOUDLY, when I met him for lunch today that I looked ABSOLUTELY AWFUL and should go home IMMEDIATELY!  Thank you, husband, for pointing this out to every single person in the establishment...it's a real confidence booster.  But, to be fair, when I caught sight of myself in the mirror, I had to agree...I DID look like death warmed over.

So, basically, we are back at the beginning with a naked, but for the lights, tree.  I thought MAYBE I could muster up the energy to put the candles in the windows...but for the life of me, I can't figure out where the candles are - and the energy to actually figure out WHERE they might be has been expended.

The fact that I was able to cobble together this post is an actual miracle...truly.  Now, whether or not this post makes any actual sense is another story.  But here's hoping that tomorrow will find me ready to actually start doing Christmas stuff...and all the other stuff that needs doing.

Meanwhile, The Husband is headed out to a neighbor's  holiday party - despite his belief that I am about to expire - (I've told him he HAS to go) while I plan on taking more medicine and heading to bed.

Faked out...twice in one day

Has it really been about a month since I last posted?!  That certainly appears to be the case.

At any rate, the only reason I'm even posting today is because The Husband was sedated this morning for dental work and, apparently, they had to give him enough to take down a rhinoceros since he's been in bed sleeping since we got home.  At 9:45 am. *consults watch*  It is now 4:47 pm.

Needless to say I was a little alarmed because when I brought him home from his colonoscopy a while back he was lucid, could walk without assistance and was ready to eat.  You should have seen the comedy scene that ensued as I tried to get him into the house, out of his clothes and into bed.  Well, it's funny now.  At the time, I was so afraid he was going to fall and there is absolutely no way I could have held him up.

But since he was still sleeping, I fired off a text to my friend two doors down (who happens to be a nurse) around 12:30 pm asking whether I should let him keep sleeping or wake him up. 

Comfortingly (?), she said, that as long as he's breathing I should let him sleep.  I checked, he was breathing. 

Around 3:00, I texted her again.  She again, said it was fine.  And then he woke up for about five minutes and went back to bed.

So here we are - I in a very quiet house and you, on the other end, reading a very long post.  Had I known he was going to sleep the day away, I might have gotten more done around here today.  But I had one eye on his breathing and one eye on work email and the day slipped away...as days tend to do when you aren't paying attention - which seems to have become a thing with me lately - I need to work on that.

But then again, I need to work on a lot of things - like remembering to blog more than once a month.  And getting to the point of the whole reason why I jumped on here this evening...

Friends, I thought I had found the holy grail of jeans last week.  (I know I said in my jeans report two years ago that I had found them - but although I still love those jeans, and any I may have purchased since, they must have changed something because those jeans now regularly sag.)  So I was excited when I saw that the label on these swore that these jeans would not stretch and sag ever.  The fit was perfect so I happily parted with my cash and took them with me.

Then I stopped at Ulta to get some hair product and, as always, I browsed around and found myself at the nail polish.  I pursued the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel line for any new colors, as you do.  I found a color, headed to counter to pay.

On the way out the door, I tossed the receipt in the trash - because I knew I wouldn't need it.

I'm sure by now you all know where this is going...

That receipt did, in fact, need keeping.  Why?  Because when I got home and went to put away my new polish what do you think I found?

If you guessed the exact same shade of polish, you would be correct.  And, how much do you want to bet that the first bottle was bought the last time I was in Ulta?  The odds are pretty good.

So, I've resigned myself to the fact that I am going to be wearing this color a LOT.  Or maybe, I'll just give it to my friend two doors down as a thank you for reminding me to worry about The Husband's breathing.

And now you must be wondering how else I was faked out twice in one day.  You've figured out the polish was the first fake out.  But the second one?  That one wasn't discovered until a couple of days later...

When I pulled on my new jeans and went to slip my keys in my front pocket - only to discover they were fake pockets!

I was outraged, I tell you, absolutely OUTRAGED!  What exactly is the deal with women's clothing and pockets?!  Either you have fake pockets, no pockets or extremely short pockets.  Yes, yes, I have read several articles as to why women's clothing historically didn't have pockets.  But this is 2019!  On the cusp of 2020, for crying out loud!  Put useful, normal sized pockets in women's jeans already!  Is that really too much to ask of clothing manufacturers?  Do they NOT wonder why women excitedly exclaim to another woman about how this dress/pants/jeans has pockets?!  Do they not wonder why women complain on Twitter, Facebook etc. about a lack of pockets - or why they share photos of an outfit with actual working pockets - this last bit only happens because it's so rare.

And then to make matters worse - damned if those jeans didn't start to sag toward the end of the day.  I'll give them this much they held up longer than most of my jeans - as they usually start to sag within hours of being worn.  But still...

Well, I guess this post has MORE than made up for me not posting for long.  I hope.  I'll try to be better.

*consults watch*  It's now 5:43 pm - I need to go see if The Husband is still breathing.