Games We Play

Husband and I are playing an on-going game. The game doesn’t really have a name, although I suppose it could be called “my wife hides everything I need,” “grown-up hide and seek,” or simply “cleaning up.” The beauty of the game is that Husband doesn’t seem to be aware he’s playing, and the genius of the game is that it’s engineered so I always win. Here’s how you play: 1) Clean the house. Take things that are not in their proper locations (on the floor, on a chair, etc) and put them in their rightful spot. 2) Then, pretend not to notice (hee hee) as your spouse hunts around the house for the item that he/she needs. All the while, the item is “hidden” in its true spot! (He never thinks to look there.) Here are some sample dialogues to use while playing the game. Notice that Husband’s part usually starts with “Where is….?” or a declaration like “my [missing item] has grown legs!” Husband: “Where is my belt?” Me: “In your closet.” Husband: “My glasses have grown legs!” Me: “They’re in your glasses case.” Husband: “Where is my glass of soda?” Me: “In the fridge.” Husband: “My favorite pants have grown legs!” Me: “They’re hanging in your closet.” We are in at least the hundredth round of the game. And, if no one says anything about this to Husband, the game could go on for months - or maybe even years! Think of the endless hours of entertainment. But, there is one downside. Though I’m the winner, by default, the only prize I’ve ever gotten was another opportunity to clean the house. On second thought, maybe we need to rethink this game.

God Bless the Girl Scouts

I love the Girl Scouts. I wish I could say it was because of something important like their values or their commitment to community service (although those things are quite admirable). But really, I’m just a sucker for their Thin Mint cookies. I make sure I stalk, I mean, visit any of their cookie-selling stands. Today was no exception. I had almost forgotten it was the glorious Girl Scout cookie season, until I saw the precious stand in front of the grocery store. Husband had dropped me off, so I could run into the store to pick up something for our lunch. And, of course, I couldn’t resist buying a box of Thin Mints on the way in. When I was walking around the store, I remembered the time I gave Husband a box of Thin Mints. We had just started dating, and I had bought 2 boxes from a co-worker’s daughter. I decided to part with one of my dear boxes, and I generously gave it to Husband. I thought that he would treasure the cookies as dearly as I did. A few months later, we drove into his garage, and I saw a familiar green box lying on the floor. A box of Thin Mints. I ran over to the box, expecting it to be empty. But the box was full! I opened it quickly, hoping to rescue the vital contents. But it was no hope. The cookies were one stale chocolatey, minty mess. I’m surprised that things didn’t end right there between me and Husband. (Could I really commit to someone that killed a box of precious Thin Mints?) But, after a line of harsh questioning, I let it go. And I didn’t think of it again until today, when I was in the grocery store. Then I started to wonder if he remembered anything of the Thin Mint Incident. Husband picked me up from my brief shopping errand, and I noticed he had something with him in the car. A green box of newly-purchased Thin Mints. For me. If this was his way of saying “sorry” for the desecrated Thin Mints of the past, then he should consider himself completely forgiven. What can I say? I’m a lucky girl - for both the cookies, and of course, the Husband.

Learning through Lent

Lent just started on Wednesday, and I feel like I’m learning a lot already. I decided not to give up anything this Lent. Not because I can’t do it, but because it makes living with me that much more difficult. If you don’t believe me, ask Husband about the time I gave up sweets. He nearly died from the death glare I gave him when he ate a piece of chocolate cake in front of me, at my insisting. [It was a learning experience for both of us. Husband learned that a woman doesn’t always means what she says, especially if she can’t eat desserts and she says, “Please, go ahead and eat that piece of chocolate cake.” And I learned that I turn into a grump when I forgo all sweets for 40 days.] So, my goal this Lent is to read just a little bit of the Bible every night. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, yet I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never really read the bible, except for excerpts here and there. Maybe I’ve never read it because it seems so important and intimidating. (And no surprise at why it’s intimidating, since it’s a hefty 1500+ page read!) Regardless, I started with just a page the first couple nights. And now I’m reading 3 or 4 pages a night because I want to - not because I feel like I have to. I’m learning that the bible is sometimes confusing, but always interesting and inspiring. I’m learning that working towards completing any large task seems intimidating at first. Just like my marathon training. It seemed so impossible at first (and still does sometimes), yet it starts with taking that first bold step. I’m learning that, sadly, I’ve constrained myself at times because of my own labels I’ve given myself. “I’m not a runner.” Or, “I’m not a bible reader.” And, “I’m a klutz.” (Ok, well I’m at least right on the last one.) I’m learning also that my Lent will be sweet, and not just because I can indulge in desserts. (Although, I’m secretly thankful that I can. And Husband is perhaps the most thankful of all.) This Lent I’ll be tackling goals I never thought I could, and I’ll be growing in the process. And that is just as sweet as the chocolate cake I’m suddenly craving…

Precious Water

Surprisingly, the most difficult part of our recent home-buying experience might just be setting up our water account. It shouldn’t be that difficult, especially because the water is already working! I called to ask the company simply to transfer the account to our name. I thought that since we were just crazy enough to volunteer to give them money every month (on time, of course), they would gladly take my contact information and be done with it. But, they said I needed to supply copies of just a few things: my ID card, my social security card, the deed to the house, my 5th grade report card (will they care that I got a “B” in art?), and my high school yearbook photo (yes, the one with the braces). And, that doesn’t include the 5-page application form! They know all about us now. Our driver’s license numbers, our phone numbers, our lucky lotto numbers, the last 3 years worth of addresses (only about 5 different locations), jobs we’ve had (including my depressing summer job at a souvenir store in Florida and Husband’s boring stint as a grocery bagger), my shoe size, and the number of readers on my blog (3 - my parents; and Husband, since he can’t escape and I force him to read it). I’m not sure if this act is supposed to make them want to give us water, or a hug (mainly for my ugly braces phase and the lame jobs we once held). Regardless, Husband and I have about a dozen moves between us, and I never remember a water company being this particular. Is there something I’m missing? Is water the newest commodity on the black market? Psst…hey you. Yes you. I can get you a good deal on water. Yeah, the good stuff. Just bring a bucket and the cash to the backside of our house. Come alone. Tonight. I’ll hook you up. I’m convinced that something good will come of this. Besides running water in our home, of course. Maybe we’ll get rich selling water on the black market, or maybe I’ll just take a long hot bath in our hard-earned H2O to relax and forget the whole thing.

26.2 miles

I recently did over 26.2 miles! It wasn’t so bad at all. Before you get too impressed, I admit that it might not count, based on a mere technicality. While I did complete those miles consecutively, I actually logged them while driving in my car. But, I can assure that I was thinking about running. And, I was also sweating (due to a malfunction with the heat in the car). So does that count for anything? I didn’t think so. Back to the treadmill…

the highlighter

There’s a new coveted item in our place. One that’s actually surpassed the remote control in importance. It is, believe it or not, the humble yellow highlighter. We spend most of our evenings now studying, instead of TV-watching. Husband is studying for his training, and I’m studying for my Master’s degree. Our subject matter couldn’t be more different. He’s reading about the mechanics of an airplane, and I’m reading about international law. Regardless, we both have a nose in a book, and inevitably we’re both trying to find the yellow highlighter. There should be plenty of highlighters for both of us. I know that we have dozens of them…somewhere. Yet, when we need one, they all seem to disappear, leaving a single highlighter that is wanted to highlight both airplane geek speak and international law mumbo jumbo at the same time. There was an easy fix for our problem, though. I went to the store and bought 2 more packs of highlighters. I figure that should last us at least a week. But, it still doesn’t answer the mystery of our disappearing highlighters. I’m not entirely sure, but I have a suspicion that they’re having a party somewhere with our missing lone socks and my misplaced watch.

Stevie Wonder, the Runner?

Last weekend I put on all my running gear, ready for an afternoon run. I was just about to walk out the door, and Husband says, “Are you running in that?”

I looked down, trying to figure out what was wrong. I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and running shoes. Not a surprising get-up for a run.

“You’re running in those Stevie Wonder sunglasses?” he asked and laughed.

I hadn’t put a lot of thought in my choice of sunglasses, but I guess I figured I would wear them because: 1) it was sunny outside, and 2) they are the only pair of sunglasses I own. Reasonable explanations, right?

“But those are regular sunglasses, not sport sunglasses,” he explained.

Jeez, now I have to start buying “sport” sunglasses? Why would I do that when these work just fine? (And, I disagree that they look like Stevie Wonder glasses, but we’ll just move on.)

And, why am I getting criticism for a running outfit from my husband? No offense, but this is the man recently wore sweatpants and sneakers out to a nice dinner, an outfit that clearly screams “I’ve given up on life and fashion!”

So I disregarded his advice (especially since I had no other sunglasses), and ran in my Stevie Wonder glasses. While I was running, I wondered if other people thought they looked like Stevie Wonder glasses. In that case, people might have been inspired by my running. (“Wow, check out that blind girl. She’s running!”) However, I know that no one mistook me for Stevie Wonder himself. (I’m just too short and I sing too terribly for anyone to make that mistake.)

Regardless, I decided to put the glasses to the test and end this debate. I concluded out that they are definitely not Stevie Wonder’s. I tried to sing “Isn’t she lovely?” while wearing them, and I still croak like a frog.