The Epitome of Gracefulness

I must be the most clumsy girl on the planet. Matt and I started our day by him cleaning the kitchen and me doing laundry. I got a little cranky when I was putting clean sheets on the bed and broke a nail while tugging on a blanket. That should have been my clue to check myself before I wrecked myself.

But, no...As I was putting some clothes into the dryer, I hit my "old lady hip" on the dryer door. It hurt sooooo badly. I'm really glad I put an ice pack on it, because I am barely even limping, which is usually not the case when my hip is injured. But, it didn't stop there.

As I was putting my hair into a ponytail in preparation of a pool party we were attending this evening, I cracked my elbow on a hard stone windowsill. It still aches, even five hours later. This was more than just hitting the old funny bone. I am toying with the idea that I have perhaps fractured my ulna. Or is it the radius? Hell, I don't know. It f-ing hurts.

When we were walking out the door to go to the party, I handed the keys to my husband, because I sure didn't feel very lucky. Ok, that's a lie. I am exceedingly lucky. I just don't feel particularly competent or graceful.

However, I joyfully report that I have sustained no further injuries on this calendar day. But, I do have one more hour before it is officially tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that I manage to make it to bed without losing a limb.

Ah...La Fin Du Monde!

So I recovered yesterday enough to attend an early birthday celebration for one of our friends. We had some beer at the Celtic Ray...I should say I probably had MUCH beer. Matt kindly opted to be our designated driver. I learned last night that the beverages offered at that great establishment are quite potent. I had only three beers at the Celtic Ray, but OH was I tipsy! The La Fin Du Monde particularly contributed to my inebriation...

After a quick trip to the cigar bar, Moosehead's, and the River City Grill, I got my first glimpse of what is known as "the Poon," AKA, Harpoon Harry's. It didn't seem as though we were there for more than just a few minutes, but for good-natured Matt, it was an eternity. He hates that place. After having gone there, I am indifferent. I might be persuaded to go again, but I didn't fall in love with it. I love to dance, but by the time we got there, I was really too tipsy to even dance with any semblance of rhythm or skill. I'm sure I was quite funny to watch, but I'm not sure that anyone could have even spotted me on that crowded dance floor!

I woke up this morning and felt my oats a bit. Matt, his father, and I drove to the airport to pick up Matt's mom, who was returning from a visit with her sister in Maryland. We had a nice lunch and browsed through books at Barnes & Noble for a while. We located a Home Depot, and Matt and I selected the new vanity we are going to purchase for the bathroom we are in the process of redoing. After quickly looking at tile, we have an idea of what we want to do to the kitchen after the bathroom is finished. I picked up a catalogue of patio furniture, and looked at it as we drove back to Arcadia. Once we dropped Matt's parents back at their house, we looked at each other and agreed that we needed a nap in the worst way!

I think we will most likely have a quick bite for dinner and watch a movie borrowed from "the Movie Man." This was quite a pleasant day, and I am glad to know that I can procrastinate on housecleaning until tomorrow.

Ugh...

Matt is so good to me. He makes me breakfast and cuddles with me to watch movies. There is not anything the man wouldn't do to make me feel better! I really do believe he would opt to suffer through the aches and cramps that are plaguing me today. Of course he can't. And I seem to be unable to separate my mood from the physical pains I am experiencing today, so Matt is also being treated to my "crotchiliciousness." Poor fella. Maybe a nap would improve my disposition. Eh, I'm obviously not in a primo writing mood. I'll catch all you peeps later.

Same Dream

I got a taste today of what my new job is going to be like. I am thrilled! I will be working with such amazing people, who are each one driven and purposeful in furthering the mission of the organization for which we work. I am completely humbled and grateful that the Lord opened up the door for me to be employed by the YMCA. Through my position, I will be able to touch the lives of so many people in the community, especially those for whom there is a special place in my heart, young women. For some time, I have lamented the fact that young women have few people who are invested in making their lives better, in encouraging them, and helping them realize their value as individuals, apart from the the superficial appearance-based value assessed to them by our culture. I learned today that I will have the opportunity to talk to them and teach them about self-esteem. I have wanted this role for quite some time. This desire to lead young ladies down a path to self-love is what first prompted me to become a teacher. I am moved beyond words that I have this opportunity, even though the remainder of my education is on hold for a bit and some time may pass before I am able to be a teacher in a regular classroom. Today, I realized that some dreams can be achieved, even when they take a different form from the original dream. So my dream is still the same, just in a slightly different form.

Thank the LORD!

When I woke up this morning, my plans for the day included some laundry and light housecleaning, as well as scraping those heinous love bugs off of my car. A phone call around nine-thirty changed the entire direction of my day, although I did manage to do some laundry and wash my car, sort of.

The phone call was from the director of the Hardee County YMCA. This was the phone call that I expected to receive last week, scheduling my second interview for the position I had applied for as membership director. Apparently, that I didn't get a phone call last week was simply an oversight. I was incredibly relieved to know that I had not completely misinterpreted how well my first interview went. I readily agreed to come in for my second interview after lunch today.

To make a long story short, I went. And emerged as the new Director of Membership for Hardee County YMCA! I am so excited to work for this organization for several reasons. The first of which is that I will no longer be a succubus, causing my husband to have to field all of our expenses alone. But, any job would have accomplished THAT. This job is special because it will enable me to be a positive force in our local community. I have often thought how great it would be to work for a non-profit organization and to really make a difference in people's lives. Now, I will be in a position to do just that! I am ecstatic!

After they advised me I had the job, we did some paperwork and then I went off to be drug-tested and fingerprinted. I will be starting my new position as soon as they have the results of my drug test back. So, I informed my husband he only has at most a couple more days to enjoy me in the role of housewife!

By the way, thank you to everyone who encouraged me when I was feeling a little down over the seeming futility of my job search. Once again, the Lord has provided for me what I need.

Close to Perfect

Yesterday was close to perfect. So close that the line between utterly blissful and completely perfect is indistinguishable. The only thing that caused that line to be present at all was the love bug factor...

Before Matt and I left the house yesterday, we used our new toaster oven for the first time. There was a small sticker on the toaster oven that warned that it emits smoke the first few times it is used. This sticker directly contributed to the fact that I credited that warning label when I saw a pretty good amount of smoke rising from the toaster oven...A few moments later, I saw that I had failed to remove a piece of cardboard inside the oven. It was burning quite nicely inside, along with the sandwiches we were toasting. My good-natured husband even declined to make fun of my novice cooking skills. Our day was off to a wonderful start!

After we scarfed our sandwiches (and put out the cardboard-fire inside the toaster oven), we bopped on down to the Arcadia Watermelon Festival. After we had seen our fill of crafts and food vendors, we meandered to a particularly interesting exhibit. It had a bird of some sort (white and very pretty) as well as a baby alligator! It was cool. Next, we went to the Young Professionals booth and got down to the business of making and peddling watermelon slushes. It was quite fun, and I met a lot more of the friendly natives of this town. The only downside was the fact that the ever-present love bugs seemed to be attempting to contaminate the ingredients supply. We did, however, diligently guard against this. I can unequivocally state that we served no slushes with love bugs or parts of love bugs in them!



After we had served the slushes for a couple of hours, we headed on down to Brenda Lee's to have a quick bite and wash the watermelon juice off our hands. As usual, both the service and food at Brenda Lee's was excellent! We learned that the sweet girl who works at the front counter is moving on to another job and wished her well.

Next, we were off to the beach! The water temperature was just right. As we frolicked on the same beach where we said our vows, the sun sparkled off the water like zillions of diamonds. We played in the water, enjoying ourselves immensely. Then, my husband's wedding ring came off his finger as he was swimming underwater! When he told me this, I thought he was surely joking. After his repeated attempts to dive under the water to find it, I became convinced of his sincerity. I think he thought I would get bent out of shape about it, but I merely reassured him that it would be ok. The fact is, we had purchased two wedding bands for him, because we weren't sure what size would be better, so we had a backup ring. He said his hand felt naked without his ring, so I took off my band and gave it to him to wear.





As we happily munched our way through several maki rolls, I kept glancing at my husband's hand, laughing as he commented that the sparkles it made caused him to feel like Liberace.

We had a near-perfect day, and my husband's backup wedding ring is now safely located on the fourth finger of his left hand. Right where it should be.

Net Effect = Content

Well, the job search is ongoing. Apparently I misjudged the interview that I thought went so well, because the director of that organization STILL hasn't called me back as promised to set up a second interview. Even after I left a follow-up thank-you message. I'm kinda bummed on the job front. I never anticipated that finding a job down here would be so difficult. It seemed like it was very easy to find a job back in Tennessee. Go figure. I am officially lowering my standards for an acceptable job.

There are many positive things about being here, though. The most obvious of these is my super hubby. For him, I will continue to brave the hordes of love bugs currently plaguing the state of Florida. He made me breakfast today while I was still snoozing. He often surprises me with thoughtful gestures like that. I thank God for bringing him into my life. I am ecstatically happy to be married to such a wonderful man!

Another great thing is our proximity to the beach! Which we are going to exploit tomorrow after we have served up snow cones at the Watermelon Festival. I can't wait! Matt even suggested indulging my craving for maki rolls, since we'll be in Sarasota already for the beach. Tomorrow is looking like a very good day, indeed.

So basically, life in Florida is super except for my lack of a job and the heinous bugs which dwell here....These things temper my good spirits a bit. The overall net effect is one of contentment.

Now I AM slowing down...

My husband is reading quietly beside me on the couch. One of our kitties is curled up sleeping on the other couch. The ceiling fan whirs above us, the breeze it creates pulls the hair away from my face. I never thought a moment this calm would be so pleasing to me.

I have always thrived on being in the center of excitement. I often barely pause after finishing one task before beginning another. This quiet little town in Florida may just teach me some lessons on taking it easy.

This morning, I took advantage of the opportunity to sleep in a bit, a luxury that I was somewhat unaccustomed to in Tennessee. I accepted an invitation for lunch downtown and enjoyed a leisurely conversation with my lunch companion for a good portion of the afternoon. Still not completely able to spend an entire day without doing some sort of work, I rounded up cat hair with a swiffer and did several loads of laundry. I could get used to being a housewife. But it won't improve my odds of getting that Sarasota shopping trip for which I'm hankering!

This period of inactivity is most likely going to be very brief. Tomorrow I have a job interview about which I have very high hopes. Once I have a job secured, a hectic schedule will most likely be in my future. Or perhaps not. Maybe I will adopt a pace that fits the small town in which I am making my home.

I haven't slowed down yet...

Life hasn't stopped moving at a rapid pace just because I've changed locations. Having barely arrived in Florida, I attended a literary club meeting, lost my cat, went to a job interview, unpacked, cleaned house, had a party, searched for jobs, found my cat, and am having a guest for dinner tonight....Whew! I think we're volunteering at a booth for the upcoming Watermelon Festival this weekend, also.

I will be so glad when I've found a job and settle into some sort of routine. The Lord has been really good to us, though. We safely drove down from Tennessee to Florida on Monday and Tuesday of last week, with the only detrimental effects being the millions of dead love bugs plastered all over my car and one slightly drunk kitty.

Can I just pause for a moment and sing the praises of the wonderful feline traveling aid known as "Calm Down Kitty"? It is marvelous. At some point during the trip, I even threatened to administer some Calm Down Kitty to my nervous passenger (my husband)! We had so many laughs over silly things during the trip down. This was our first long car ride together, and we had NO disputes over the temperature of the car! It was amazing. I did, however, learn that my husband is grateful that he thinks Red Bull tastes like "cranberry-flavored goat piss," as he thinks it is overpriced. He is probably right. About the price, that is. I happen to dig the taste of Red Bull.

We are settling into our life together, learning each other's nuances and pet peeves. Any differences we encounter, I happily report that we resolve them quickly. My breath still catches as I think about how blessed and loved I am. My heart overflows with love and affection for my husband. Although we are still moving at a rapid pace to get me accustomed to my new life in Arcadia, our love remains constant.

Tomorrow!

I can barely believe it! Tomorrow evening I will be reunited with my husband! My breath catches even as I think about it. I cannot stop smiling. The moment I step into his arms and never again have to walk out of them is a moment I have waited for since December 24th. And it is TOMORROW!

With that in mind, I am busily mentally cataloguing everything which must be done today and tomorrow to be ready for my big move. I have to go get some boxes to begin packing. I need to do laundry and sort summer vs winter clothes. I need to make a list of the gifts we've received and who they're from for thank-you cards. I need to clean my car of all of the junk so I can have room for the luggage of hubby, parents, and Shannon. I am having lunch with one of my girlfriends and dinner with another of my girlfriends. In between those girl-dates, I have another girlfriend coming by to hang with me while I pack and to do a little altering on my dress for Saturday. I need to go have my prescription refilled, and I did promise myself a pedicure for good behavior....

There are a lot of things to do, but I am so ecstatic that my husband is arriving tomorrow, I imagine I will float through my entire day!