Sinking Feeling

Today marks the eight month anniversary for me and my sweetheart. Eight months of loving and it keeps getting better.
The skies turned sunny earlier in the week and J took advantage of the weather to do some work in the garden. Unfortunately her back was still in winter mode and she tweaked it. She is now off for a week and restricted from most of her usual activities. It will be a test for her as she is a project person and it's hard to resist doing tasks when one is at home for an extended period. We'll see how she takes care of herself. We'll also see what the tension level is like after a few days of this. I'm happy to have her home and plan to do whatever I can to help.
J took a trip to her mom's and helped her de-clutter by bringing home old school papers, baby clothes and miscellaneous memory boxes and "stuff". They also distributed giveaway and garbage. Now the task is for J to sort and re-pack the keepers. But she's limited to not lifting anything over three pounds, so we'll see how that goes too.
In other news, the teenager came home from a recent DECA competition with a neckload of medals. She is busy with homework, clubs, ballet and friends. I thank those lucky stars of mine for her - talented, kind, funny, smart, beautiful, sarcastic - she is a wonderful person.
The dog is fat and happy. J's housemate doles out treats like there's not tomorrow and Zip doesn't want to offend him so eats them all. She lost four teeth at her last vet visit but it hasn't slowed her down.
I'm happy it's Friday. I have my W-2 and still qualify for the free tax file program so will be spending some time with that in the coming week. Looking forward to spending time with my favourite girls this weekend.
Hope you enjoy your day!

Make 'em Laugh

One of the best gifts we got this holiday was a pair of marshmallow spitters - pipes modified to blow marshmallows. Lots o' laughs and not much chance of putting an eye out with a mini-marshmallow.
Living without another adult for the past 13 years has let me develop a lot of my own idiosyncrasies about how things "should" be at home. Some of my preferences are based on efficiency; some are based on my years of examining simple living options, de-cluttering. Some are just lazy or comfortable. It all seems arbitrary when I look at it objectively but it certainly has the potential to cause some head butting. As long as we can maintain a sense of humour we should be able to adapt. Communication, compromise and comedy - those are the keys.
Storage space is tricky. We can designate our personal drawers, shelves, closets, but there are still those shared spaces. If the linen closet can't hold all the towels and sheets, do we: find another place for the sheets? Get rid of the excess towels? How many sets of sheets, how many towels? Which towels? What about beach towels, dog towels? I've spent years developing a theory of towel and sheet storage that makes sense to me in terms of living simply. I haven't always been able to incorporate it into actual life, and just because this house is a new start for me, it isn't a new start for the present occupant who has everything the way it is for her own reasons. That's just an example. But as I said, communication, compromise and comedy (and, if all else fails, cuddling ;-)
Have to go out into the world tonight to pick up the teenager. I'd rather stay and comfort the little dog who just had a tooth pulled. Bigger little dog had four teeth pulled last week.
Looking forward to overcoming the next obstacle. Think good thoughts!

Baby I Love Your Way

As I posted on my Facebook status, I'm dreaming about bridges, which means my brain is dealing with transitions once again. Even when I've thought it's over, it ain't over. I fell again - and it's not a bad thing, just unexpected. I think the last time was preparation for this time. Okay, all the other times were leading to this - just like the job I have. Let me elaborate on that job thing. In the past I've had quite a few different jobs - from McDonald's to the frame shop. And I believe that each job has taught me something about work, people and myself. And the sum total of what I've gained can be applied in my present job. So I'm comparing that phenomena with my relationships. I've learned a lot (been burned a lot - and done my share of burning) and now I can apply those lessons learned. I am infinitely more patient (believe it or not) and more tolerant. I am still obsessive and fairly demanding, but I've found someone who can put up with me, who complements me - and compliments me - and we seem to fit so well together. We've discussed my tendency to bulldoze and be impulsive, but she is strong enough not to be run over and level-headed enough to counter my impulsivity. Every day is revealed some aspect of our relationship that works so well; I am marveled by it. And the most marvelous part of it is that the love is reciprocated and we can talk about all of this. I haven't scared her (well, maybe a little), bored her, turned her off, chased her away.
Is there a down side? Well, there are challenges and the fact of being in a relationship at all is complicated, even a good one (a wonderful one). Compromises, irritants, obligations. It's easier to be alone and to make up my own rules and routines. Just like laying on the couch watching TV is easier than socializing - but infinitely less satisfying. Easy does it does not mean do what's easy. Life only grows when we put ourselves to the test, take risks, push ourselves, learn, fail, move forward.
Okay, this all sounds trite again. My writing is melodramatic and that is part of what keeps me from writing. I have said before that whatever I want to say someone has said it before and better than I could. It's part of why I like to read quotations. Once again it's about words. Our thoughts, our worldview, who we are is influenced by the words we have, the words we use to describe, to express, to connect.
Time to meet the electrician. Hope the words you hear today are kind, and your thoughts good ones.

I Love Babies

That's 'mi holding Dash, two weeks old. I love the little babies! We've had a few at the City since I've started there. Of course some of them are no longer babies. Allison, Jacob, Emmett, Grace, Ryker, Owen - to name a few. I love to play with names - I was picking out baby names long before I ever thought of actually having one. I would pick out new names for myself as far back as first grade. Rosemary, Daisy, Larkey, Nicki, Ducky. And last names too: Ryder, Trombley, Twilight (long before the book!). I still play that game. I also like to anagram my name and see how many words/names I can find. I enjoy word games and just added a word game app to my iPhone - Word Wrap. Love Scrabble, Scattergories, Fictionary (not the same as Pictionary), crosswords and other word puzzles.
I like the meanings of names as well. Both the historical and etymological meanings - my daughter's name means Faithful and Consecrated to God, and she is named for two of her grandmothers and her godmother.
I have to go so my sweetie can check her e-mail. Leave a comment so I know you're out there!

Baby, What a Big Surprise

The weather cleared and all forces came together, making it possible for the teenager to finally receive her Christmas present from cousin TJ and 'mi. She was surprised and, as shown above, quite happy with it.
We all went to neice Sydney's second birthday party yesterday, then to see "Milk" at the Egyptian Theatre on Capitol Hill in Seattle. A very good movie and the events were ones I had been around for (living in the Bay Area in the the late '70's). I remember vividly the day Dianne Feinstein announced the City Hall killings. Ivey felt motivated by the film and we discussed the parallels between what was happening then (Prop 6) and now (Prop 8). This country seems to be treading water when it comes to progress in civil/human rights. Progress made, yet attitudes still remain. But with the changes in process, I'll keep the attitudes of Hope and Change.
Winter break is over; school is back in session, the roads are clear (for today) and no more days scheduled off for 'mi for a while.
The last two weeks were spent mostly at the skyline house for a variety of reasons. There were some bumps and compromises but all went well. Took a Fred-load to Value Village on Saturday - some of 'mi stuff, some of the teenager's and lots of J's. I'll say it again - I *love* decluttering! This week I plan to go through more of 'mi stuff and see what I can pare down.
Lots of family events in the past couple of weeks, but not California family. We'll have to work that in soon.
Back to work. Have a lovely January day.