Week 3 - Day 1

The good thing about not writing blog posts over the weekend is that I was too busy having fun to have time!  I had the best weekend I've had in a long time and it was full of holiday activities and checking things off of the old Christmas Bucket list and my actual list of non-holiday things to accomplish.

The one great thing about being a child (or rather adult-child) of divorce) is double the fun with your parents.  I spent Saturday with my Dad and his girlfriend and Sunday with my Mom, sort of a girl's day out.  The last time I was local during the holiday season was the Christmas before I leave for college, I was 17.  Also before my parents split up.  After that I moved far away for college, I didn't usually come home until after finals which was 3/4 of the way through December usually.  Then after college I was in NYC which still isn't super close.  Being nearby my family has allowed me to enjoy the mundane holiday traditions that I haven't enjoyed for awhile.  Even enjoying these things solo has its own advantage to it.

I had asked my Dad if he would help me with getting my Christmas tree.  I'm more than comfortable dragging a mini Christmas tree down the street on foot, believe me I've done it, but this is the first year I could fit a substantial sized tree and I was worried I might not be able to handle it on my own.  He volunteered and we trekked out in the cold to pick a tree.  I ended up with a beautiful Fraser fir.

Lucky I had help from my Dad, it was tricky to get the thing on to my dinky little tree stand.  With a little engineering, we got it up and it looks GOOD!  I can't get over how huge it is, I love it!  After we got the tree, we drove over to the Morris Arboretum to see the holiday trains.  It was so neat!

It reminded me a little bit of when we used to have trains set up around our Christmas tree when we were kids.  My Dad would set them up and my brother loved them a lot.  It makes me want to carry that tradition on with my kids, I don't know what it is about trains and the holidays but they are festive.  We stayed there for about an hour and then went home for dinner.  So that was Saturday, oh, and when I got home, I put lights on our beautiful tree!

Then yesterday, it was a girls day with my Mom.  I walked in the glorious snow to the train station, thank goodness, the roads were bad!  It was so serene outside.  Completely peaceful.  I met Mom at the station and we went to the Comcast Holiday show.

It was super cute.  Full of music and snowmen and a Nutcracker preview.  It was funny because it "snowed" inside and it was snowing outside as well.  Very Christmasy.  Christmasy, the word of the week!  After the show was walked around in the show until we arrived at the tea house.  Few things in life are sweeter than afternoon tea... we could have used more sandwiches though...

Then we moseyed over to see The Nutcracker.  It was so wonderful.  We went last year and it really gets you in the holiday season.

I came home late but we still in the mood to listen to more Christmas music and start decorating the tree:

Can't wait until my husband sees!!!

1)      Work out, work out!!

Due to recent health issues, this one is definitely one hold until I go to the doctor

2)      Write to Adam every day

I am definitely accomplishing this and now he can finally start getting my letters!

3)      Learn one new aria

Nope.

4)      Audition for local community theater

This one may have to wait until after the holidays, I just haven't found a show I'm interested in yet.

5)      Lose 8 lbs.

Surprisingly, halfway there, 4 lbs down!

6)      Finish decorating the apartment

7)      Reorganize

I have done a lot of reorganizing, but I was recently informed that my husband will be using his super army techniques to reorganize my sock drawers.  Awesome.

8)      Finish sorting thru wedding stuff

9)      Complete Christmas Bucket List

See below.

10)   Finish EMS Continuing Credits

I gotta get moving on this one, I have until the end of this year to complete 24 credits, 19.5 down....

11)    Finish designing this blog

Nope.

1) Get a Christmas Tree
2) Decorate mantel shelf
3) Go see the Nutcracker Ballet
4) Attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony
5) See the Macy's Center Light Show and the Comcast Holiday Spectacular
6) Visit the Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum
7) See A Christmas Carol at Walnut Street Theater (I bought tickets for us 12/21, shh don't tell him it's a surprise!!)
8) Make a Christmas ornament wreath 
9) Sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate
10) Sing Christmas Carols - Singing in a holiday concert (with my husband) on 12/22
11) Volunteer and donate - donated a toy for tot
12) Finish my Christmas shopping/wrapping before husband gets home
13) Bake Christmas cookies - this weekend!
14) Go ice-skating (including getting my ice skates sharpened)
15) Make a gingerbread house - 12/14 :-)

Week 2 - Day 5

I GOT MY HUSBAND'S LETTERS AND ADDRESS YESTERDAY!!!!  I think the last time I was this excited about getting a letter it was during college acceptance season my senior year of high school.  I was on the phone with my Mom and I squealed as soon as I saw all FIVE letters for me.  It was a magical moment.

The first letter I opened was from the army telling me what his address was and his unit, etc.  The rest were all from his first week there, and I cried so much reading every word.  It made me miss him so much more, but I'm so HAPPY he can finally start getting mail.  I restrained myself and mailed 5 of my letters and 1 card.  I'll send more each day, it took even more restraint not to just send the whole pile of mail in an envelope 1st class overnight.

It was bittersweet hearing about my soldier's experiences, I'm pretty sure my favorite part of the letters was hearing that his Drill Sergeant's nickname for him is "Tenor."  Innocuous, and yet not, haha.  The Drill Sergeant also made him sing for everyone after learning his MOS, his comments about the experience were, "you can guess how that went!"  Which means he pulled the Star Spangled Banner trick.  When the Star Spangled Banner is sung, all military company must salute for the entire time, even if it's sung really... really... really... slowly.  Go Hubby!  I'm glad he's sharing his fears with me about the experience, it keeps up connected in important ways.

After my letter bliss, I sat down and "enjoyed" the Sound of Music Live.  Suffice to say, it was okay, Audra McDonald completely stole the show.  The rest was meh.  I cooked myself a little dinner and relaxed while writing more letters.

This was such a perfect day and unfortunately it was ruined by some family drama which I don't want to go in to in detail because it's actually not important at all.  Suffice to say, I wish I was an only child and am not so confused as to why my digestive system is in the crapper (no pun intended) with all the external stress.  It's so hard to let go when you see the people you love making the wrong choices, but sometimes, for your own health and sanity, you must let them make those decisions.  I am definitely guilty of being a  meddler and not filtering what I say, and I need to stop and focus on my own life.

Hopefully, I will get a little bit of relief from the drama over the holidays, even if it means spending them somewhere else.  I've been accused of having a bad attitude and being negative, but part of that has to do with being around negative situations.  I need a break from it, I don't have time for, not when my solider and I are working so hard for our future.

1) Get a Christmas Tree - going tomorrow
2) Decorate mantel shelf
3) Go see the Nutcracker Ballet - going 12/8
4) Attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony
5) See the Macy's Center Light Show and the Comcast Holiday Spectacular
6) Visit the Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum - going tomorrow!
7) See A Christmas Carol at Walnut Street Theater (I bought tickets for us 12/21, shh don't tell him it's a surprise!!)
8) Make a Christmas ornament wreath 
9) Sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate
10) Sing Christmas Carols - Singing in a holiday concert (with my husband) on 12/22
11) Volunteer and donate - donating a toy for tot
12) Finish my Christmas shopping/wrapping before husband gets home
13) Bake Christmas cookies - in two weeks! - got my cookie press yesterday, almost there!
14) Go ice-skating (including getting my ice skates sharpened)
15) Make a gingerbread house - 12/14 :-)

Week 2 - Day 4

T-minus 14 days until my husband comes home!!  We are more than halfway there... wooooahhh we're halfway there, woaaaaaoh livin' on a prayer... okay I'm done, I promise.  It's crazy though, the limited contact, it's messing with me.  I keep looking at my wedding pictures and my ring and thinking, "I know this happened, but did it?"  It all feels a little like a dream in someways.  It's bizarre.

The good news is, I am having a BALL planning all kinds of fun activities for us to do when he gets home.  For example, I know that one of the first things my husband will want to do when he gets home is... no get your mind out of the gutter... go see the Hobbit Part 2.  So that's what we are going to do Friday and some kind of restaurant, I'm thinking Ruby's for burgers and milkshakes.

Serious time, I'm going to admit something to you all, because I feel like we're gotten close and I can share things with you.  I'm kind of nervous to see Adam again.  Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but I'm pretty much the same person he'll be coming back to, plus or minus a gastric disorder.  I've pretty much had to lay off the diet/exercise concept until I get seen by a doctor, so those goals are shot.  I know he'll be happy to see me, but he's going to come back half a soldier.  He's learned so much by this point, is probably in the best shape of his life, and has something to be extremely proud of.  I am thrilled he has all this, but I hope it doesn't make me feel less about myself.  Yes, this is a stupid irrational fear, but there it is.

Plus he's going to look scary without hair... I might need to get him a wig.  Although, I can then refer to him as Gollum as a new pet name... hmmm... maybe this will be fun.

Another day in the life of a low-residue diet, and I had to throw out 2/3 of my lunch.  Stupid pre-prepared tuna with icky carrot and celery bits and WHEAT crackers.. ERG.  Honestly, I may lose weight just trying to do this damn regime.  Exercise is definitely out though considering every time I take the stair I run the risk of getting a headache.

Still no news on the letter front, no address, no unit, no nothing.  According to the website I should except this information 10-14 from "my soldier's ship date" so Thanksgiving messed everything up so hopefully I will get this info today or tomorrow.  I feel bad because he's going through this alone and not getting any mail.  Even though it's partially his fault for not just giving me his address when he called like he was supposed to.

On tonight's agenda is watching the Sound of Music, LIVE!  I really wish I could drink alcohol while watching this... hopefully it's enjoyable.

Week 2 - Day 3

I would like to begin this humpday post,
By describing an annoyance that I hate the most.
This "getting older" concept while nature's plan
Makes me feel like an old woman.
A crick in the neck, a twinge in the spine
Whatever happened to feeling just fine?
I curse you old age, and spit in your eye,
You won't get me down or get me to cry.
In truth, I'm a child in spite of your tries,
So go off and bother some other young lass,
Because this one is ready to go kick some ass!

Yes I'm aware I'm in my twenties, but I woke up with a stiff neck and I'm feeling grumpy about it.

Week 2 - Day 2

Nothing like kicking off a Tuesday with some fun stuff!  I officially have New Years Eve plans!!  I got two tickets for us to attend a Black Tie optional party in Philly which is only a couple of block from where I work.  So, I can store the car in a garage nearby, have a place to get ready, and a short walk!  (Since I will be working New Years Eve).  I'm very excited.  I hope my husband will be excited too.

I have also rented a fabulous sequin dress for the occasion.  Since the site I use Rent the Runway, extended their Black Friday sale, I saved $10 on shipping and got 20% off.  Woooo!  Not too bad Tuesday, not too bad.  Hopefully I will be able to drink alcohol by that point, pending an okay by the doctor.  Otherwise, that's a lot of expensive soft drinks I just bought.

New Years has always been special for us.  When we started dating, our first New Years was spent together attending a friend's party.  We had only been dating, sheesh, 2 months, I thought it was longer, but yes, two months, and since my roommate at the time was away for that weekend.  New Years Eve that year was on a Thursday, making New Years Day a Friday, and thus leaving the rest of the weekend.  My husband was actually supposed to work New Years Eve but he got out of it so he could spend it with me.  We had the entire weekend to ourselves playing house, cooking pork New Years Day (it's good luck) for our hungover house guests, and just being delightfully domestic.

When he had to leave, it was one of the hardest times for us.  I remember wanting him to stay forever, knowing even then, that I didn't want to be apart, I wanted to live together, and be together as long as possible.  Luckily for me I got my wish.  I think on that time and how hard it was to be apart during the early times of our relationship, back and forth, him living over an hour away, and how much it made our time together that much more amazing.  I know that when he comes home, those 2 weeks we have together will be like a second honeymoon, and for that I'm grateful and excited.

Tonight was an evening of pizza, watching The Biggest Loser, and enjoying not having a headache.  It's the simple things in life... oh, and getting my Christmas card OUT in the mail!  I'm an early bird with those, I know.  All in all a satisfying day.  No word from the army yet, hopefully soon.

Week 2 - Day 1

Ugh, Monday. Ugh headache inducing medication.  Ugh, not allowed to take Advil.  UGH!  I'm convinced there is a minion behind my eye poking my eyeball with a tiny sledgehammer.  Not a cute yellow, twinkie shaped minion, probably green, scaly, and mean.  According to spell check, the word "twinkie" doesn't exist.  Ugh.

Behold the highlight of my day:

Office cube decorations

My head got progressively worse and worse, until I could finally stop staring at a computer screen and hawl my butt home.  I then proceeded to fall asleep on the train and miss my stop.  Awesome.  Once I got home my bags dropped on the floor landing where they would and I got in to a nice bath and took a 3 hour nap, waking up to a much better state of mind.


I stuffed a few more Christmas cards before calling it a night.  Hopefully I will be able to sleep...

Week 1 - Day 7

Hard to believe two weeks ago I was getting ready to say goodbye to my husband and start a stint of "single life." (Single life without dating that is of course!)  I won't say it's gone fast in it's entirety but it hasn't been completely miserable.  I have been enjoying my family and friends and a little bit of time to get to know myself again.

In Army news, no mail or contact from the solider man since Thanksgiving.  I am supposed to be getting a few letters soon as well as a letter from the army telling me where to send my 100,000 letters that I've been writing.

The Friday after Thanksgiving I attended my annual tree lighting ceremony in Btown with my Dad.  We have started this new tradition where, the day after Thanksgiving, we decorate his apartment Christmas tree and go to the tree lighting.  It's pretty fun, it's a great way to kick off the season.

We also walked around the town and went in to a few shops, looked at some holiday ornaments, and in general enjoyed the merriment of the impending season.

I can't believe it's December already, unfortunately I'm experiencing my first bought of married person missing items.  I can't find my advent calendar and I know that Adam knows where it is.  I was hoping to find it before the work week started but alas.  I did spend the weekend decorating and cleaning though.  I don't have my tree yet, that's coming next weekend, as in this coming weekend, but I think the place looks great!

My mantle!

I added these ribbons to my cabinet for impending Christmas cards

 I also made my first ever ornament wreath this year.  Total DIY arts n' crafts project which I had a blast doing.  Luckily, I have the best dad ever who gave me leftover Christmas ball ornaments that he doesn't use so I had a great place to start.  Using this tutorial from LiveLoveDIY I ended up with....

Before balls...

Tiny balls...

After LOTS of hot glue...

Woo-hoo, it's a wreath!

I think it looks pretty spectacular myself.  My Mom helped add a wire to the back to hang it (I didn't use the wreath holder from the tutorial).  

Oh also this weekend I started stuffing my holiday cards and finished up a few remaining wedding thank you notes.  I think I'm finally done with most of my post wedding stuff, minus the whole name changing thing.  Unfortunately, I can't finish that until my husband sends my documents back.  *Sigh*

All in all, I think I'm doing pretty well here!

1) Get a Christmas Tree - going 12/7
2) Decorate mantel shelf
3) Go see the Nutcracker Ballet - going 12/8
4) Attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony
5) See the Macy's Center Light Show and the Comcast Holiday Spectacular
6) Visit the Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum - planning this with my Dad
7) See A Christmas Carol at Walnut Street Theater (I bought tickets for Adam and I 12/21, shh don't tell him it's a surprise!!)
8) Make a Christmas ornament wreath 
9) Sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate
10) Sing Christmas Carols - Singing in a holiday concert (with my husband) on 12/22
11) Volunteer and donate
12) Finish my Christmas shopping/wrapping before Adam gets home
13) Bake Christmas cookies - in two weeks!
14) Go ice-skating. (including getting my ice skates sharpened)
15) Make a gingerbread house - 12/14 :-)